AU: The Pirate and the Stowaway [Lucas]

[Karalie Heise]

She flushed again at her verbal faux pas.  She didn't realize Davy Jones wasn't actually a person, but rather a metaphor for death it seemed.  She'd have to remember that one.  He was packing himself back up, likely to go back to the others, and she couldn't be happier about it.  Though she hated being cramped in the room, she was looking forward to being without him once more.  His presence made her uneasy, and every time she thought she saw a flicker of kindness it was snubbed out before it could turn into anything.  A whole rotten year of this lie ahead, she knew she needed to toughen up if she was going to put up with him that long.

Darkness fell and she pulled rations from her own storage.  A meager meal, but it was enough to sustain her for now.  The less she owed him, the longer she'd stay intact.  Or so she rationalized in her mind.  It probably wouldn't work that way, but it was all she had.  

Karalie laid on the bed on her side, her knees up towards her chest with her back to the door as she gazed towards the sky through the porthole.  She was growing accustomed to the sway of the ship, the musty smell of the cabin and the salty air.  It wasn't so bad on the ship.  Quiet, mostly.  At least where she stood.  She heard the crew up top during the day doing their jobs and occasionally some yelling and scuffling, but otherwise it was pretty quiet.  Plenty of time to sit and think, though she tried not to think about what was to become of her.  It depressed her, really.  They were too far from land now to head back, not that they would on account of her anyway.  She needed to make the best of a bad situation, and the longer the pirate was away, the more she settled and told herself to behave.  Do as your told, be a good lass, just like at home. 

Before she knew it the door was opening.  Karalie turned onto her back and shifted her head to gaze stoicly at the man entering his own cabin.  Her eyes fell on the gun she'd placed there on his desk for safe keeping while she laid on the bed before back at him, hoisting herself onto her elbows as she watched him come in, the door quickly shutting behind him.  She wondered if he would really bring her up top or not to learn to use the pistol, or if he would simply go to sleep.  She would ask, but she'd promised herself she would behave in order to give herself the best chances, which included not asking anymore questions unless they were necessary.

[Lucas Blacke]

The hours spent on the top level gazing at the stars and cleaning the gun he held in his hand were beginning to feel like a waste. He'd told Karalie to meet him on the deck when everyone had gone, right? So why did she stay in the cabin? He assumed two things, she could either have decided to go get some extra rest or, and the other option did seem a bit more logical. She simply didn't know when it would be a good time to wander out. There was no way really that she didn't want to practice using a gun, even if it was just to set foot outside of the cabin for once and walk around on deck freely.

Perhaps he needed to go get her, he figured as he tucked the now extremely polished gun in between his belt and rose to his feet, stretching his arms and legs, looking at the stars for the last time as he made his way to his own cabin with the intention of giving her a choice instead of commanding her. A command would ensure she got out, but if she was given a choice he would be sure she'd go out anyway and it'd earn him points. He wondered why he cared though.

He pushed open his door and saw Karalie lying on his bed with her elbows below her for support. At least she wasn't holding a gun this time, but she wasn't holding the gun asat all either. It lay on his desk, he would, to make an example pull out his own pistol and aim it at her, blatantly leaving his index finger away from the trigger for some reason. ''Lesson nume' one, lass. Alway' keep yer gun clo'e at 'and. Ne'er know when so'eone might come in an' point a gun at ya.'' Like he was doing at the time, though he lowered it as he was done talking.

Returning the shooter to its rightful place on his belt he opened his mouth to tell her that they would be training the usage of guns, though at the last moment he decided not to tell, but to ask instead.

''Did ya wan' ta practice usin' guns at the top deck wit' me?'' He shrugged. ''Might be a goo' thing ta actually know how ta aim.''

[Karalie Heise]

He raised his gun at her again and Karalie fell back to the bed, her eyes still on him though it didn't invoke the same fear response it had before.  She was frustrated with him constantly pointing his gun at her, and if she'd had more courage to stand up to him she might have a few words to say about it, but she was going to behave.  She'd been raised to behave and he'd made it clear her life depended on it, so what good did telling him off do?

He didn't keep the pistol on her long, and she noted when he pulled it back he didn't have his finger on the trigger.  One of these days he'd shoot her and she'd never know, dead before she realized what had happened.  She sat up and straightened the skirt of her dress, trying to rub some of the wrinkles free before sitting at the edge of the bed, eyeing him as he asked if she wanted to go with him to the deck.  Asked.  There it was again, that flicker of kindness, but how long would it last this time?  There was no saying and she didn't hold her breath for it to last long.

"Yes, please." Her voice was still the same gentle, compliant it usually was, at least when she was at home.  She'd gone through many moods since climbing aboard the ship.  She slipped from the bed and took the gun, which still felt so heavy and awkward in her hands and moved closer to him.  Doe eyes gazed up at young quarter master, waiting for further instruction.

They made their way above, Karalie watching carefully for others.  She got the feeling the pirate was doing the same.  Wouldn't the shots alarm someone that something wasn't right? Unless it was common to fire shots from the ship at night.  What did she know, this was her first time aboard a pirate ship.  

The wind was sharp and bit at her skin, the air carried in on the waves making the night cooler than it probably actually was.  The stars were brighter out there, and she found she liked the darkness of the sea below.  It was mysterious and she wondered what lie below.  Though still tied back in a loose ribbon, her hair swayed in the breeze, the tight curls she normally wore her hair in almost completely gone, leaving it in wispy waves that fluttered in the breeze behind her, stray hairs dancing across her eyes.  "Won't we bring attention upon ourselves?" She asked, unable to stop herself.  Last thing she wanted was to rouse the suspicion of the others.  Just because she would know how to use a pistol didn't mean she actually wanted to.

[Lucas Blacke]

As they went up to the deck she had grabbed the pistol he had trusted her with, yet she had much to learn if she was ever going to use it. And she was, that much was sure. He was going to turn her into something more worth his time, something actually able to contribute in a fight, a loyal member of the crew. But to be part of the crew with this many men.. Blacke would be around to protect her and his name might hold plenty of power aboard the ship, but you never knew. She might have to be able to kill a man (or woman) on a whim, hence the nightly practice, though with a gun for now. Other stuff would come later, when they'd have some more stuff that other people from other ships had given them.

He looked around and finally up at the starry sky, noting the direction they were headed and wondered when they'd meet someone. This was the third night, it was about time to meet some other ships and get some new loot. Then they'd really get things started. ''T'ey know of me 'abit ta go up ta the deck an' fire off so'e rounds at night. We'll be fine.'' He hoped. The gunshots would be twice as fast, but that could be adjusted. And a good lesson for her since she could work on being patient and reloading the gun which was always a pain to do.

Turning to her he pointed at the gun in her hand with his own. ''First off, point yer gun a' th' ocean. Le' yer finger rest on th' trigger fer a while an' get accustomed ta it. If ye t'ink yer ready, fire a shot in th' depths below. An' then, reload. I'll be showin' ya how after.'' He smirked as he pointed his own gun at the ocean then, doing what he wanted her to do and put his finger on the trigger, yet didn't pull it.

''An' don' forget ta cock it. Won' shoot without doin' so.'' He showed her how to cock the gun by doing it himself and waited for her to do the same. He wondered how quickly she'd pick up on it.

''Yer allowed th' use of two 'ands fer now, bu' ye be needin' to be able ta shoot a man wit' one.''

[Karalie Heise]

If he said they would be fine, she needed to trust they would.  The second someone found out she was there, then she would really need to protect herself in his quarters.  Who knew who would wander in if they knew a woman was there.  He'd said himself that a pirate could get lonely, and she knew men had needs.  She just didn't care to take care of them.  Not for any of them, present company included.  Karalie also knew her time was short with him, too.  It was only a matter of time before he himself came at her, but she tried not to think about that, not when there was a gun in her hand.  She didn't need to think about turning it on him, not when she still valued her own life so much.  

She turned her gun at the ocean awkwardly, using both hands.  Her finger rested upon the trigger, though she didn't care to keep it there.  She knew to use a gun, which she had agreed to learn to do, included pulling a trigger but she still wasn't entirely on board with learning to use the firearm. It was used for murdering.  Hell, the one she held now had taken a life the night before, she didn't like the idea of becoming a murderer.  


Karalie mimicked his movements, her warm chocolate orbs going between his hands and her own.  He didn't need two hands, but it still felt so heavy and awkward, and she wasn't used to the feel of it all yet.  Perhaps she would practice tomorrow while she was stuck inside all day.  For now she still had a great deal of energy considering how much she'd slept while the sun was awake.  

"I won't be shooting anyone." She confirmed again.  As far as she was concerned she needed to learn how to look convincing when holding a pistol to frighten anyone off, and who knew, maybe she would need a gun, but not to take someone's life.  Not unless they threatened to take hers.  Her cheeks heated at the thought of having to shoot at someone.  Perhaps she would become a good enough shot to at least just nick them in the leg or something, nothing fatal.  She pushed the thoughts from her mind and looked out into the ocean before taking a deep breath, cocking the gun as he'd demonstrated and willing herself to just pull the trigger. Finally, she worked up enough courage to do it.

Having never fired a gun before, she had no idea what sort of power was behind the weapon.  The pistol fired loudly, but she only saw white as the gun kicked back, the butt catching her in the cheek as her hands flew up and her body fell back to the ground.  The gun slid away from her, Karalie left dazed on the ground.  The pain she felt came in like strong wave, her hand flying to her bruised cheek just below her eye.  Her heart was hammering in her chest as she realized she wasn't bleeding, that she hadn't shot herself. How could he not tell her it would do that? That it would kick her back like a mule?! Angry eyes turned to the pirate, her teeth clenching as her new wound throbbed.  She'd have a blackened eye for sure!

[Lucas Blacke]

With his arm stretched out he noticed her actually using two hands to use the thing, shame. He knew he shouldn't be judging though, she was a woman and not nearly as strong as a man, and even Blacke himself had issues holding a gun that size with one hand, it took him a few weeks to be able to do it without shaking all over the place like he didn't know how to shoot. Never mind the recoil. It hurt like a beast, but that only meant feeling what it was like to be hit with a gun, something he'd surely remind her of as he watched her pull the trigger finally. He lowered his own gun and saw the bullet hit the surface of the water, so there was the fact she could hit the ocean. Good.

Blacke pulled the trigger of his own gun as she suddenly crashed to the ground as the gun slid away from her, yet she made little to no sound which was good for two things. She didn't alert the crew to anything, certainly a female voice would pique their interest, and she wasn't a whiner. Instead she just looked up angrily at the pirate, probably for not telling her of the recoil. As his gun clicked from the lack of bullet in it, though still flashed as the small amout of gunpowder reacted to the sudden slam of the gun he lowered it and walked over to the grounded woman.

Looking at his gun he laughed silently. ''An' tha' is why ye should be shootin' people. Ta make sure they don' hit ya before ye do.'' Now that she knew how getting hit by the gun itself felt she would hopefully be a step closer to not wanting anyone with a gun to come close to her. The pirate moved over slightly and picked up his own gun, handing it to her once more, extending a hand then to help her up.

He had no idea if she wanted to continue, it looked like quite a good hit. But she didn't get to want anything, she'd continue practicing. Loading the gun was the next step, after that she'd fire the gun one more time and they'd call it a night.

''Loadin' th' gun is up next. Time consuming, an' in th' midst o' battle not easy ta do, but yer gon' need ta know how ta do it.'' He told her as he held his gun in front of her, getting her to look at how he did it. ''Look closely, as I be tellin' thi' only one time. I want ye ta do this on your own next.''

He showed her how to load it, how you first took out the little metal rod down the barrel to check if it was empty, and if it was how you half-cocked the gun. He took some time showing her how you heard a click when it was in place and the stages of cocking it. A half-cock would prevent the gun from going off and igniting the gunpowder too much. Then you would take a rag and clean the metal objects, making sure no gunpowder residue was on them. You would then 'open' up the gun and pour some gunpowder on the small metal hatch before closing it. Then you would pour the remainder of the gunpowder into the barrel and follow it up with a lead ball, taking out the small metal rod to press it down. Then you'd aim, fully cock the gun and pull the trigger.

He pulled the trigger and his bullet flew into the dark seas. The recoil not doing much to him as it did to her. ''Now ye ta'e a go. See if ye can load a gun and shoot it. If ye can ma'e it shoot once we'll go back inside.''

[Karalie Heise]

She had to bite her tongue and hold back her tears.  This wasn't the situation she had expected to find herself in, and she didn't appreciate the pain in her eye or the laughter on his lips.  Was this a game to him?! She supposed it was.  Someone who would sooner shoot you than look at you.  In that moment she hated that pirate, all his kindness be damned.  He was smug and cruel.  Being the wishy washy young woman she was, she would soon forget about her anger and probably find some redeeming quality in him, but in that moment she was frustrated and achy.  

He helped her back to her feet and she quickly brushed the dirt away as best she could.  He explained loading the gun was next and she better pay close attention, because he would explain only once.  She felt the pressure of his words and again felt tears burning at the back of her eyes.  She didn't want to learn to reload the gun, she didn't want to shoot it again! She wanted to go back to her old life.  She wanted a bath, a soft bed that smelled vaguely of lavender..

He went through the steps and Karalie did her best to follow along, but there was quite a bit to it.  It didn't help that her attention kept wandering to the ache in her face, the heat rushing to the area as it swelled gently.  She wished she had a nice cool compress to put against it, but instead she was watching a pirate load a pistol, which she was expected to do next.  Once he finished he pointed the gun to the ocean and fired, Karalie watching though she didn't see the bullet once it left, only the small explosion from the pistols mouth.  It was her turn now, and he promised if she could get it right they would go on.  With the pressure on her she felt herself clam up.  What was the first step again?

First thing she did was pull the small metal rod out and looked inside.  Empty. Then something was supposed to click.. what clicked?  She had to cock it, but.. all the way?  She stared at the gun trying to recall exactly how he'd done it.  She had to clean it, poor gunpowder inside, there was the bullet.. what order again?  "I can't." She swallowed.  There were too many steps and it was all too new and unfamiliar to her.  A cool breeze blew past them making the small hairs on her bare arms rise.  She shivered slightly and bit her bottom lip.  "I don't remember.."

[Lucas Blacke]

He was watching her take mental notes, or try to do so as she visibly held back tears. Or didn't. She proved to be a person who suffered in silence, which was something they would need, but she was a bit too snooty for her own good. As most women were, really. Like she had forgotten she was a prisoner. And almost it had been like he had forgotten she was one earlier. There was a reason they didn't have women aboard the ship and this was it, the men would get distracted and beyond a doubt she'd be causing deaths among the crew. He sighed, shaking his head as he then watched her fiddle with the gun in her hand. Women.

She was obviously nervous, perhaps a bit confused as to what to do. He would admit, it was quite the chore and would be even if you had used a gun for years by this point. He could do it with his eyes closed, sure, but it still required time he often didn't have if he needed to reload his gun. Blacke wanted to cut her some slack and tell her that if she didn't know they could give it a rest and just continue on later. He wouldn't like it but they had plenty of nights to go still.

''I'll ma'e ye remember.'' He said as she told him she didn't. It probably came out wrong as he yanked the gun from her hand and reloaded it as he'd shown her, only he did so with the speed he was used to. Yet he didn't tell her to pay attention. Maybe she just wasn't cut out to use a gun, maybe a sword was more her style. He'd have to ask her. But for now.. he fired the gun into the sea once more and handed it back to her after running a rag past the metal extremities. ''Go back insi'e, 's enough fer tonight. Give yer eye a rest.''

As harsh as he could be, he knew when to stop pushing people. He went up behind her and pushed his hand against her and pushed in the direction of his cabin. Hurt or not, she could still move. ''I be expectin' ye ta train at least holdin' a gun.'' He told her sternly. She wasn't getting off this easy. ''None o' tha' shakin' stuff, ya hear?''

[Karalie Heise]

KAralie wasn't sure if his words were a threat or not as he yanked the pistol from her hands.  She didn't like to be made to feel like a fool, which was what he was doing now, but it was difficult to remember all the steps in the exact order.  The lighting wasn't magnificent and he'd gone through it somewhat quickly.  Yes, he'd gone into great detail, but this was all so new to her.  She'd never even held a gun prior to that day.

The pirate fired the gun before pushing it back on her, her brows furrowed slightly.  She didn't know why she was so upset when he told her to go back to his quarters.  It wasn't as if she wanted to learn, not exactly.  And furthermore her cheek throbbed and she was cold.  She should want to find herself in the warm cabin, but the air was so much easier to breath out there, and she'd been cooped up all day.  The cool night was invigorating after being so lethargic all day and she had a great deal of energy on the ships deck, but dare she go back on his commands? What if she didn't retreat?  Would he turn the his gun on her next? She knew it to be empty, he'd fired it out at the sea and had yet to reload it.  Still, she wasn't sure if she should test him or not.

For now she'd behave.  She didn't know yet what he was capable of and she knew it wise not to toe the line when so much was at stake.  She depended far too much on him for, well, everything, like a wee newborn baby.  He would need to feed her, shelter her, keep her safe though clearly not from himself and she'd be a fool to test her limits so early into their travels.  

Without a word she turned and retreated, breathing in the last few breaths of fresh air before making her way back to his quarters.  Once there she searched through her bag to find the small mirror she'd packed to check her eye.  It was tough to see in the dim candle light, but it looked like a bruise was forming there along her cheekbone, and by morning it would cover her right eye.  How could he not have warned her!  In a childish fit she put her mirror away and pushed the bag aside, laying on the bed sulking.  Again she sobbed, wishing she were home, wishing she hadn't come aboard the ship. Maybe her chances were better being a wife after all.

[Lucas Blacke]

Did he want her to know how to use a gun? No. Did he need her to know how to use a gun? Yes. It was only a matter of time before they would land upon a ship they would raid, and the toughest pirate was only as strong as the weakest person on board, which was without a doubt her right now. He had no need for her other than for when he would get lonely and needed company of the female kind, and nothing more. Luckily for her that time hadn't come yet, it would be a while before he got lonely enough to actually order her to spread her legs or open wide or anything else he could think of. No, for now she was under his care, nothing more than a waste of effort.

He would like her to be as silent as possible, be of no annoyance to him and not require him for anything. But he stumbled upon her and the code did say that the pirate who found the stowaway, if he so desired to keep him or her around, would be responsible for all the acts from and against him or her. Obviously this was why he kept her away from the rest of the crew until she could at least manage verbally to keep the men at bay, he'd teach her how to just by being around her. The problem was teaching her how to use a gun when deep down she was nothing but a princess waiting for the right prince to come along. Sadly the only prince around was a pirate one. Sad indeed. For her.

'''Ows yer eye doin'?'' He said as he gently closed the cabin door behind him, pulling out his gun and sword and putting them down on the desk. ''If by tomorrow ye know 'ow ta prope'ly 'old a gun I might jus' let ye back up the top deck again.'' Under supervision of course.

''If ye want.''

[Karalie Heise]

Karalie had been sulking for several minutes before she heard the door open and close.  She didn't turn to see him, leaving her back to him.  She knew who it was.  No one dared come into his quarters but him, and she supposed herself.  She didn't need to greet him, though.  She was still sour and not entirely sure why.  Perhaps because he'd given up on her so quickly.  Hadn't she wanted to stop, though? Partially.. She didn't know what she wanted.  She was being a finicky child.

"Fine." She grumbled, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders as she laid there on his bed, her backside to him still.  It was a lie, really.  It wasn't fine, it was a mess! She'd never had a black eye before.  Her skin had never been so marred! It was his fault this happened.  She supposed that was part of the reason she was so upset.  She was too emotional for her own good.  

The rest of his comments were followed up by silence from her, as if she didn't hear him at all.  Of course she had, and clearly she wasn't asleep yet, but he had demanded silence from her at one point and she was taking advantage of that command now.  What did he want her to do, thank him? Promise to do better tomorrow? Assure him she'd be a good wench and do as he said, maybe even with a smile?  He was expecting too uch of her, or so she believed.  She never expected she would need to do any of the things he demanded.  A woman learning to shoot a gun.  What for? It was preposterous.  What sort of man couldn't keep his woman safe from others, but instead needed her to learn to fend for herself? Then again she wasn't his woman.  Not really.. Not entirely.  She supposed on some level she was his property.  She'd climbed aboard his ship, after all. He'd found her, she was, for all intents and purposes, his prisoner.  

Karalie pulled the blanket tighter.  If she tried, maybe she could sleep again. Maybe..

[Lucas Blacke]

Such a princess. He wanted to shout out that it was just a black eye and that she had to feel it just once so that she knew to hit people before they hit her. Didn't she see he was helping her? Did she think she would be safe of a pirate ship, with a crew of all men and the constant possibility of being used lurking around? But if she wanted to sulk and be mad at him instead of doing what she needed to survive, he would be fine with that. He just wouldn't like it. It was odd, that feeling of his, where she was nothing but his prisoner and was told to do whatever he said, but for some reason her feelings starting to matter to him.

He shrugged it all off and turned around as she grumbled her eye was okay. So she was still talking to him, good. Though what wasn't so good was the fact she didn't seem capable of defending herself like this. ''No response?'' He asked sternly as he turned around after having said she could go out the next day if she practiced merely holding the gun. Maybe he would just have her polish his gun and his sword, perhaps that was a better idea that wouldn't involve a black eye.

''I suppose ye won' need ta go up top then, right?'' He smirked as he knew she would turn around at what he would say next as he moved to hover above her just to rub things in. ''I ne'er said ye'd be needin' ta practice wit' th' gun.''

Maybe she'd needed a night out on the deck for once, it was an experience that everyone needed to have just once, he figured. Maybe they'd even get talking and she'd realize that the pirate who was bossing her around was a bit more than just a pirate. He was a normal human, just like her. He was just a pirate for his profession where she was a spoiled brat for hers.

Perhaps it'd change with time.

[Karalie Heise]

She continued to ignore him, hearing him come closer.  She tensed but only slightly.  That's when he mentioned she wouldn't need to go up top the next day, that he didn't say they would have to practice.  He knew it would bother her, which was probably why he said it.  There was a smirk dancing across his smug lips as she did as he predicted; turned to look up at him.  

Why was he taunting her so?  As if she wasn't already so obviously miserable, he had to go and rub it in some.  This wasn't what she wanted!  "I'll practice holding the gun." She said stiffly, still obviously huffy from not getting her way.  Her right eye was slightly swollen, both were red and damp from the angry tears she'd shed before he'd wandered back in.  

"I'd like to go back tomorrow." Her tone was somewhat gentler now as she rolled back away from him, pulling the blanket tight again around her small frame.  Why had she napped so much? They'd barely been up there a half hour.  Sleep seemed to be the only thing that made the time pass at all.  

"It was cruel to let me get hit like that." She didn't look at him as she spoke, afraid she would see that smug mug of his and go off.  Last thing she needed was to be spirited right now, not whens he kept promising herself she would behave. 

[Lucas Blacke]

So she probably didn't do so because it was her own idea or if she wanted to, but she told him she was going to be practicing holding the gun. Maybe there was hope yet. She seemed to like getting out for some reason, perhaps he would be able to use that against her or something, use the promise of fresh air to get her to practice whatever he wanted. Though he also wouldn't mind her saying no and not practicing at all. Not really anyway,, she'd just get to breathe in real air a lot less. ''Learn ta aim a gun convincingly an' ye might even go out durin' th' day, wit' th' rest o' th' crew.'' He told her. ''Granted I be ther' ta keep inquisiti'e minds away from ye. As ye know, ye a'e still mine.'' No matter what she was allowed to do, he would make sure she didn't forget that.

He realized he promised something out of his power, that she could go out during the day if she wasn't above aiming a gun at people. Blacke couldn't protect her all the time, she'd have to be able to stand her own. He would try to keep her safe, but she seemed to overestimate the power he held on the ship. Or rather, he did. He did outrank everyone but the captain, and usually everyone listened to him. But with a woman on board he wasn't too sure. Could he outrank human nature?

Probably not. ''Heh. 'Twas.'' He responded. ''Feel li'e gettin' even now? Might e'en let ye ge' e'en if ye want, see if yer capable of standin' up fer yerself.'' He realized he did order her to keep silent though, perhaps she would use that as an excuse not to do anything to him. That and the fear of him retaliating probably did the trick, so he promised her he wouldn't hit back, just block if she did decide to come at him. It was all just a ruse.

''I woul' rather ye hit yerself than so'eone else. Cruel or no', ye need ta know 'ow it feels.''

[Karalie Heise]

Karalie wasn't entirely sure she wanted to be out during the day.  That meant being able to fend for herself and possibly having to ward off men.  That wasn't something she was interested in.  Even if she knew how to wield a weapon she didn't like the sound of possibly having to actually use one against someone.  It didn't matter that the pirate was there, a man she still didn't have an actual name for nearly 48 hours after their introduction.  A man who knew her name but failed to use it.


Was he inviting her to hit him in retaliation?  She wasn't sure if that's what he was doing or not.  She shifted on the bed, laying on her back, the blanket she had wrapped around her covering most of her chest and part of her stomach.  Her legs crossed at the ankle as she watched him, considering what he was really saying.  He promised not to retaliate, but she wasn't entirely convinced.  

She lay there on the bed, watching him with narrowed eyes, feeling angry all over again as he mentioned her needing to know what it felt like to be hit.  As if she'd never been struck!  "You don't know what I've been through." She snapped at him, sitting up on the bed and again pulling the blanket tight.  Had he been closer he may have been struck across his face, not so differently to how was the night she decided that she couldn't go through with her marriage.  "Don't assume to know me, you savage."  Her nostrils flared with her annoyance.  She laid down again, turning her back to him once more.  She didn't need to be hit at all, by herself or by another. Hadn't she been through enough already with finding out she would be a pirates whore for the next year?