AU: The Pirate and the Stowaway [Lucas]

[Lucas Blacke]

He took a moment to just look at her. His and his alone, she was. It'd be a while before he did anything with her, or to her, but that was no excuse not to toughen up in the meantime. As he noticed though, and it saddened him quite a bit, she didn't retaliate by using the only thing pirates knew existed- violence. Instead she stuck to using words. Words were easily defended against and hers especially. Seemed like the princess didn't know her way around words. Or maybe she did and Blacke was just a little bit better with them due to his many voyages to even the most spiritual places of the world. He might seem crude, but when you got to now him he was nothing if not an intellectual.

The way she lie on his bed, with his covers, without him, being granted the use of his gun in a matter of days.. it seemed to be for naught as she didn't act any differently to him aside from the fact she was talking to him like she had issues. Which she probably had. With him. Blacke smirked, hoping that would get him a slap so he knew she could at least do something, but.. the smirk wasn't solely for that.

She turned her back to him and he grabbed her by the shoulder, forcefully rolling her over. '''D rather be a savage than dead.'' He said sternly. ''An' I don' care what ya been through. Gettin' on any ship means wantin' ta start a new life. What does yer past mean if yer jus' gonna start anew?'' He replied, more gentle voiced than he would have cared for. He cleared his throat then and shook his head slightly.

''An' I never said I knew ye. Truth be told, I don' wanna know ye, bu' I need ta, Karalie.''

His final word being the one he hoped got through to her.

[Karalie Heise]

He grabbed her and spun her onto her back once more, her dark eyes widening to gaze up at him as her heart raced.  She didn't expect to be touched that way and she felt herself tense.  His voice was stern and she felt as though her father were telling her off considering the tone he used, hovering there over her as if he knew best.  Truth was he probably did know best.  Either way he'd grabbed her attention, physically and metaphorically, and she paid attention.  

Her features softened slightly at his question.  She had boarded a ship for a new life.  Granted she didn't expect that life to be on the ship, but there she was, like it or not, a sailor on the seas among pirates of all people.  She wanted to start a new life, though.  This was an opportunity she supposed, and God wouldn't have led her astray, would he? He wouldn't have led her to that ship unless there was something he intended for her to learn upon it.  Perhaps the pirate was her savior on some level.  He'd taken her in, hadn't he? Yes, he'd threatened her, but he'd shown more kindness than he might any other stowaway.  She was certain he'd offed plenty of those in the past given how callous he was with the thief.  She'd stolen a ride on his ship.  She should be dead, but she wasn't.  She was safe and warm and fed, perhaps a little dirty and worse for wear, but she had a bed below her and a roof above her.  He'd been mostly patient.  And now he was calling her by her name.

"I'm sorry." She apologized softly, the scared, soft doe eyes she'd had when she first met him returned as she sat herself up to look at him.  "You're right, you've shown me kindness and mercy and I have shown little appreciation in return."  She bit her lower lip, the ache in her cheek dulled now anyway.  Perhaps she deserved that blow.  

"'ll do as you ask.  I'll learn to hold the blunderbuss without shaking it." She assured.

[Lucas Blacke]

When she talked he grabbed the canteen at his waist and screwed off the cap. What she said was not what he had expected. At all. An apology? Why? Because he didn't kill her? Oh wait, because he didn't kill her and showed her mercy. Whatever. He wanted to remain calm, but she was right. He did those things and perhaps he was a bit sour because she didn't return the sentiment. She didn't even have to like or enjoy being around him, all he really wanted was a little something less closed off and ready to scold him. Not that he minded, he would tell himself.

He took a sip of whatever was in the canteen. Water for now, and handed it over to her, not going to take no for an answer. She needed water, with the salt all around them she'd get dehydrated before long. Even if she was cooped up in the cabin, the sun would shine through the porthole and work its magic on her.

She then told him she'd do as he asked, which caught him by surprise. Had what he said suddenly caused her to see him differently? She had been yelling at him not a minute ago and now here she was, assuring him she'd be doing what she was obviously hesitant to do. Maybe there was hope yet. ''Good ta hear. Earn tha' night out. Spend it wisely though, don' jus' count the stars or anythin'.''

Obviously he would be up there with her, so maybe she could explore a bit. Or get to know her captor. Or try and swim to shore. Or signal some enemy boat or something. Aside from those two last ones he would try to comply for as much as possible without turning into an equal. He was, and would be, her superior.

[Karalie Heise]

She gratefully accepted the canteen, chugging what she could from the mouth of it.  She couldn't remember ever being more thirsty than when she was on this ship.  She wanted to know how bathing worked also, but was afraid of the answer.  She could use a good scrubbing, and her hair was beginning to get oily.  

She decided she liked this side of the pirate better, but she was still afraid to open her mouth and ask questions.  She wanted to ask his name again, but she was afraid he'd tell her to simply call him master, something she'd failed to do yet.  It didn't sit right in her mouth, whether it were true or not, she didn't care for it.  She was no ones property, even if he believed her to be.  Even if she sort of was.. in her mind she belonged to no one.  She could be obedient though, and she could humble herself for him if that's what it would take to survive.  That didn't mean she wouldn't have plenty of hiccups along the way when he upset her.  She didn't fear him enough to be good and obedient constantly.  She didn't like him necessarily, but she didn't hate him either.

She gave a nod and then tucked her knees in towards her chest, handing the canteen back.  She folded her arms over her knees and watched him.  The questions were burning on her lips and the heated conversation seemed to settle some.  Besides, what was the worst that could happen from opening dialogue, he shoots her down? Fine.  She could sit in silence holding his idiotic pistol.

"Would it be too much to ask for a bath?" She asked meekly, watching him intently from her spot on his bed.  She didn't need to bathe daily, but weekly was a nice privilege she'd become accustomed to.

[Lucas Blacke]

..a bath? Did she just ask about a bath on a pirate ship? Obviously she wouldn't know how those went around on a ship but the mere mention still got a grin from the pirate. She was such a princess, wanting to look nice and all. As far as Blacke was concerned that was all it did really, make you look slightly better. Sure it got rid of the smell you might have had but enough rum would do the same thing. Or even throwing someone overboard, like they had done in the past. That helped.

Therewas no such thing as a bath, she would have to find out. Whether told by him or otherwise. She looked like someone used to those, though Blacke knew it was scarce, or he simply just assumed so to keep his own ease of the matter. He looked down at her and shook his head. No, it wasn't too much to ask, but she wouldn't like the answer. At all. And to top it all off she was a woman on a pirate ship, among men. This on its own was punishable by death. One of their more stupid rules. If Blacke was seen interacting with a woman on the ship he would have to be killed. Walk the plank. Finally meet Davy Jones.

This meant she had to make do with being in his quarters, or do whatever at night, when it was cold and you couldn't see. He wasn't sure she wanted that either. Besides, she could freeze to death and keeping her alive this long would have been for naught if she kicked the bucket. Not to mention the waste of valuable water. Like she didn't know fresh water was a rarity at sea. He huffed. She needed to try drinking salt water for once, it was a kind of hazing for if you drank too much normal water.

''A bath..? Oh no. It ain't ta much ta ask, but ye'll no' be likin' th' answer.'' He told her. ''Time ta learn so'e o' th' pirate ways, innit?'' He cleared his throat some. Damn he needed water. ''Bathin' is done wit' salt water, if even at all. In a simple tin big enough ta fit in, an' mostly jus' once a moon.''

''An' I won' 'ave salt water in my cabin, an' I just know ye don' wanna do it out in the open.''

[Karalie Heise]

A bath in salt water hardly seemed acceptable.  The ocean would be frigid at best, and the salt would stick to her something fierce.  No, the point was to wash away the filth, not add more on.  Did that mean she'd go a year without a real actual bath? She wanted to gag.  At least there was sponge baths if they could offer her a dish and some fresh water.  How did they make clean water? Was it brought onto the ships or was there a process with the ocean? She didn't know and wasn't sure she wanted to know.  Was she in a place to make demands for at least a jug of fresh water to freshen up with?

The thought of all of this only added to her misery as she offered a simple "No."  She wouldn't want to bathe on the deck in an old tin where anyone could come up on her and see what the good lord gave her.  Just thinking of it depressed her further.  She wondered if the pirate would hold it over he; getting freshened up.  He already told her she couldn't go up top until she learned to hold the gun properly.  Did she dare give him more ammunition? In the end he would be suffering just as much as she with the smell coming off her.  She was, after all, staying in his quarters and there was only so much distance they could keep.  Then again he was a filthy pirate.  He probably didn't care about her stench, not when his own was bound to be worse.

"I'd like very much some clean water to at least freshen up with.  I won't need much, just a small basin worth would be plenty." She would make due, and she tried not to make it sound like much of a hassle.  Maybe if he believed it wouldn't be, then he would go along with it.

[Lucas Blacke]

He had to commend her for trying, that much was sure. But maybe he'd been giving her a bit too much of a way to think she was able to get away with it. Sure, he was quarter master and likely the best bet she had at getting some fresh water, but.. if they ran out, what would they drink? Rum? Not a chance. She needed to think about others now, and if she wanted or not the crew was her family, even if she didn't see them. They were the 'grab your cousin' type of family though. Hence the rule of no women on board, they could seduce men just by looking at them and make them neglect their duties.

''Ye need ta think 'bout yer wishes.'' He said. ''Fer one, t'ey still be jus' wishes an' t'ey rarely come true. An' second, e'en if I gave ya so'e clean water it would mean the men out there, includin' me, would 'ave less to drink. Ye really want us ta sail th' seas without wa'er?'' Maybe if they found a ship that held clean water she would get to use it. Otherwise she wouldn't get any water, except for drinking.

Did she think she was the only one who liked to be clean? The rancid smell of the crew when out at sea for a few months, in the sun? She wasn't at home, and not the only one. She needed to know that. ''Yer no' the only one, princess.'' He laughed at her. ''I mus' admit I'd like me wenches ta be fresh when I 'ave me way wit' 'em, but that just ain't 'ow it works 'ere, my love. Mayhaps if we come across a ship holdin' fresh wa'er ye'll get yer chance.''

''An' I should tell ye afore goin' any further. If I get seen wit' ye, I'll get offed. Yer an illegal 'ere. Women ain't allowed ta interact wit' men. Ships rule, gotta keep it. So either learn ta become part o' th' crew or stop makin' demands an' work wit' what yer given.''

[Karalie Heise]

She felt her heart fall once more.  Everywhere she turned was more no's.  Why hadn't she simply stayed put on land where she belonged?  She'd been a fool to run, a fool to think she could escape unscathed from a bad situation.  She'd been stupid.  

He made valid points but that didn't mean she liked them.  He talked down to her and soon she was feeling belittled all over again.  She didn't want to take drinking water from anyone.. perhaps she could take some from her own rations if he dared to keep the canteen with her? She could just soak a bit on a rag and wipe herself down a little.  She would become desperate sooner or later, having seen what filth can do to a humans body.  Her hair would mat and bugs might invade her.  The very thought made a chill run down her spine; there was nothing worse than vermin.

To make matters worse he continued with mocking her, laughing at her and calling her a princess. She'd just warmed back up to him and now this? Throwing it in her face that she would become nothing more than a foul creature in the months to come.  A foul creature who would have no choice but to submit to his desires.  Already she felt her stomach turning once more.  Did he have to find so much humor in her misery?

Karalie glowered at him as he went on to explain how she was essentially a fugitive, one he could be murdered for harboring.  What did he expect her to say? Promise she would become a fine shot?  She wouldn't be able to fit among the crew.  Perhaps if she was a liability he would get rid of her.  That could work in either her favor or against her depending on how giving he was feeling.  Getting rid of a liability meant sending her free or overboard.  Only one was a fate she cared for.

"I was simply asking." She pointed out, not thinking it was a demand so much as a request.  She didn't think it was a strange request, either. Being treated like a human being.. would he do it even if he had the means? She couldn't even be sure.  Either way, she didn't feel much like talking to him again.  Nothing she said seemed to make much difference anyway.

[Lucas Blacke]

He needed to get her to ask more questions, even if he would end up laughing at her it would only mean that she'd end up both wiser and more able-bodied to take a joke or scolding. She didn't have to like it, or even want it, and Blacke might not have wanted to put her through it, but she needed to to simply survive aboard the ship. It was either that or stay in the cabin of the quarter master the entire time, and he didn't really want that to be her new life. She'd wanted a new one to begin with, so why not start on one of freedom that didn't involve marriage?

..it did involve things she wouldn't like though, but when having to choose between getting married to someone or toughening up? He would go for toughening up any day. Besides, he was married to his gun. Which he had loaned out. Nice husband.

He shook his head as she said she was just asking, as if she was backing down and playing the bit dog. However fun it was to see her like this he didn't much care for it on a serious level, like he'd told himself, she needed to ask questions. Maybe he would need to stop laughing at them and start taking them seriously. After all, she didn't know, hence the questions and Blacke felt it was the most obvious thing in the world to tell how wrong she was.

All said and done, she was still nothing but a landlubber unknown to the seas. He decided then what she needed to do, what he needed to do. ''Leave the gun fer now.'' He told her as he dimmed down his smile and walked to his desk, grabbing a piece of paper and returning. It was the paper he had written the night before. ''When yer ready fer it I want ye ta go through th' rules of th' ship.'' On it were the 11 rules he had written down prior.

''An' don' hesitate askin' me fer anythin' again. That be an order.''

[Karalie Heise]

She didn't plan on touching the gun again tonight.  She'd worry about it tomorrow.  She'd already had her fill for the evening, her swelling face proof of that.  She accepted the paper he handed her and looked down at his handwriting.  She was to learn those rules, and her eyes followed him as he moved back, ordering her to ask questions if she had them. She promised softly that she would and set to work reading the short list.

She was surprised by how fair the rules seemed, but also surprised that he was, indeed, breaking one punishable by death.   If any man shall be found seducing one of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise, he shall suffer death.  Her eyes trailed back to him, brows raised.  What was he risking his life for?  And risking her own in turn.  If he was found out to be harboring her she'd be in just as much danger.

"Why are you risking your throat for me?" She asked, her tone maybe a little stern, though questioning.  What did he have to gain? Was it really to satiate his manly needs? Was there more? Did he simply not want to see her dead? He'd shot a man not long after they'd set sail.  Surely he couldn't care much if her life was taken.  He didn't care for her, they meant nothing to each other.  He didn't even seem to really enjoy her company even.  Simply wanted her to learn to fight, to take care of herself, protect herself.  Was he training her to become a pirate? Did he believe that was the life she wanted to run away to? Killing men and not being able to bathe? To be called a wench and have her body used by her superiors?  No one would ever see her as an equal even if she managed to become skilled with a gun.  She was doomed if she were to really become a pirate. Besides, who had ever heard of a female pirate.  It was absurd! 

[Lucas Blacke]

Obviously she didn't read on when the information that should concern her was weirdly enough from the same rule but a slight read beyond what she questioned. The question was why he was risking himself for her, or his throat, rather, to which he smiled where he most certainly should not, though he felt inclined to point out perpetrators suffered death and anything to do with the throat would be too quick. He'd likely get keelhauled, and that would mean he was risking a bit more than just his throat, though he remained still from telling her that. What did she care happened to him anyway? In her eyes he was probably nothing more than a filthy pirate using her for his own devices. And maybe he was. Or not. He had yet to figure that one out.

Still, if she'd read on he could have pointed out exactly what he was at that time. so that when any fell into their hands,  they put a sentinel immediately over her to prevent ill consequences from so dangerous an instrument of division and quarrel; but then here lies the roguery; they contend who shall be sentinel, which happens generally to one of the greatest bullies, who, to secure the lady's virtue, will let none lie with her but himself. Greatest bully, check, letting no man lie with her except himself, in due time. He was basically her sentinel, even if he didn't tell anyone she was on board so he could contend with them.

''I ain't riskin' anythin' fer ye, Karalie.'' That name was way too long.. they'd need to change it. ''If ye'd kindly read on, I be yer sentinel. Yer.. guard, so to say. Ye have nothin' ta fear except me. This means ye'll no' be allowed anywhere without me, though.''

He wondered if he had said too much, if he'd given her what she needed to be more bold. But either way, this was what he wanted. Was it?

He turned around then, turning his head slightly. ''Ye continue readin', I be out on top fer a bit. I be expectin' some questions when I ge' back.''

[Karalie Heise]

She knew what a sentinel was and sniffed a little at him.  As if she needed vocabulary lessons from a pirate.  It also meant she was to be with him at all times, she supposed except when she was in his quarters.  Did that count?  She was slowly beginning to realize in many ways she did belong to him, not much differently than say his sword.  His property to do with as he pleased.  What say did she have in the end? None.

But that also meant he was responsible for her, which meant if she stepped out of line, he would possibly see the downfall.  She could work that angle to her advantage if she needed to, but she knew it could come at a great risk.  If he went down, she would go with him.  In a sense it was a partnership.  If it became unbearable, if she felt she was at danger, she could make her presence be known.  She liked knowing in some way she had an out, and it wasn't guaranteed it would cause certain death.  She supposed it depended on a lot of things.  This was all so much more than she had bargained for.

Karalie looked up as he informed her he would be heading up top and she was to continue reading.  What if she had no other questions?  She read on and supposed she had a question or two, but none of them were very serious ones.  Like the musician getting off on the Sabbath.  Was there a musician on deck? She would like to hear him play, but knew that was unlikely.  When did he intend to lie with her? Not that she wanted him to.  In fact, quite the opposite, but she wanted to know how much longer she would be allowed to keep her virtue.  That one she dared not ask.  If he, as quartermaster, had gotten a bounty, would any of it come to her seeing as she was his? Or was she as much his as the money was; a simple prize.  She was nearly certain that was the case.  She wondered if he would let her go once they hit port, whenever that might be, and if he did would he give her anything to help her establish herself? What would even become of her? She wouldn't look much like a lady if things were to continue like they had for the last two days over the course of a year.  She would look nothing like the girl staring back at her through the mirror.  Would she be forced to become nothing more than a common whore?

The thoughts running through her mind made tears well once more.  Perhaps she could find her way back to her home.  William might have found a new wife by then, she could explain how she'd been captured by pirates and forced to live as a wench.. she'd be a ruined woman but she would at least have the comfort of her family and would be safe from William's cruel hand.  Maybe in the end it would all work out for her.  Maybe..

There were only so many rules, and she found her eyes growing heavy as she sat on the warm bed in the dim flickering candlelight.  She shut her eyes deciding it best to simply rest while she waited for him, still not entirely sure what she intended to ask.

[Lucas Blacke]

At least the out of line talking had ended. Blacke had gone up top and took a look at the stars, and the moon on a cloudless canvas. He wondered how things would end up, if she was to stay like she was now and suffer out the 'cruise' instead of jumping ship. Though if it ever came to that she would be caught before she ever got that far and there was no doubt in the mind of the pirate they would come across the coin he gave her as a token that she did indeed belong to him. But they wouldn't see it like that, he knew. If it came to that situation they'd see only the time he had kept her from them, see it as him being seduced no doubt, make him walk the plank or worse. The captain was to be called for that as he was the only one outranking him, but in the end rules were rules.

He'd be made to walk the plank, be keelhauled or shot, stabbed or marooned together with the wench that would obviously get him caught sooner or later. At least, if he did come off easy with being marooned, he would have no way back to populated lands but at least he'd have company, even if it would turn out to be constant bickering since they would be equals instead of her being a prisoner.

He closed his eyes for a moment and drove those thoughts from his mind, silently humming a sea shanty then. The only thing heard was the ship soaring through the water and the pirate silently humming, noticing a whale in the distance as his eyes reopened. His arms found the edge of the ship and he leaned forward, staring into the horizon and watching the whale majestically splash into the ocean. Such powerful and passive creatures. Truth was, he envied them for never having to use violence. He hated it when they had to. He never backed down from a fight, but using violence wasn't his idea of a good time.

The years he'd spent on board.. he began out as a forced member, much like they would do with everyone they got froom other ships. He had slowly built up from that point, and now, if they would find another ship, he could take the place as their captain.

He took a sip of the canteen filled with rum he had taken from one of the crew members and made his way back to his own cabin. Would Karalie be asleep? He ended up wondering. Those questions.. they weren't that important, as long as she read the rules and knew how to act.

[Karalie Heise]

Tighter.  The bodice laces were pulled tighter and tighter until she could barely breathe.  She could practically feel her ribs cracking with how tight it was.  The ivory and white garment with intricate lace patterns sewn on to accent was slipped over her head, the smell of decaying flowers strong in her nose.  She wanted to fight but couldn't.  The women were relentless as they tugged at her hair, pushed small, tight shoes onto her feet, and applied generous amounts of makeup to her face.  In the end she felt nothing like herself.  In the end she would be nothing like herself.  No sooner had she been hoisted to her feet she was thrown out a doorway.  By sheer miracle she didn't fall flat on her face; and there he was.  William.  The menacing look on his face mad her want to step back, but the sea was lapping at her feet, swaying the earth below her as if the land were simply a ship.  She would fall.. "HELP!" She bellowed, but none heard her as she fell backwards into the sea, sinking, sinking, sinking..

The sound of the door creaking roused her, her eyes opening at once to see the young man enter his quarters.  She felt dazed from the strange dream, bordering on frightened, but more a sense of confusion.  Though she'd napped plenty during the day, she had little to do there in the cabin which was warm and strangely cozy.  There wasn't much light and the constant rocking of the ship and soft sounds of the ocean crashing against its wooden frame was enough to relax her.  Crying had exhausted her too, and she had done quite a bit of it throughout the day.  It was no surprise the she had found herself falling deep into dreamland.

Karalie watched her pirate as he came into the room, not moving from her place.  Other than her eyes being opened juts a slit, she looked to be completely asleep.  "I have no questions yet." She admitted in a sleepy voice.  She could easily fall back asleep.

[Lucas Blacke]

How great the days at sea had been so far. How magnificent, from picking up and for some stupid reason keeping a stray princess around to not having any action at all. Ready to crash onto his bed in frustration he barely realized at the right moment that, hey, there was a stray princess in his bed. He remained standing then as she spoke to him about not having any questions, which was okay because she'd at least read what he wanted her to read, he trusted her enough for that. Wait, he trusted her? He should have been able to since he had every right to kill her when he pleased and she seemed to know it, being progressively compliant over the days, but it still felt odd.

Still, he lacked a place to huff out, which he kind of needed to. It was late and he hadn't been getting much sleep, plus the life that he was leading wasn't entirely devoid of stress. ''..Karalie?'' He silently asked, lacking the usual amount of power in his voice. Blacke wasn't entirely sure he wanted to continue his sentence as he sounded quite vulnerable then, this wasn't something he usually did.

And then it hit. Why was he asking her anything? He owned her, he could smack her around and she knew he'd tolerate no backtalk, so why pose a question? Especially the one on his mind right then. ''Do ye.. min' if I 'ave th' bed tonight?'' He was giving her a question but not taking no for an answer. He gave her the illusion of choice because he knew that by no she knew better than to deny him anything. And right now he just needed a good nights rest.

And if she did happen to say no he would just force himself into the bed beside her, though he was sure something else she wouldn't like was going to happen then. ''Long day.''