AU: The Pirate and the Stowaway [Lucas]

[Karalie Heise]

She pushed herself up a little, lazily, at the sound of his voice.  Had she ever heard him speak so gently? His rusty voice calling her name questioningly.  Then he asked her for his bed back.  She froze; where would she sleep?  Her dark eyes moved around the cabin as if to find something that would resemble a bed, but nothing appeared for her.  He didn't mean for her to sleep on the floor did her? Like a dog?

She put her mental foot down, refusing such a rude plea, but she also knew this would end in either two ways; one she would bend to his will by force, or to she would have to lie with him.  Sleeping with him simply wasn't an option.  She didn't want to give him the opportunity to touch her, and a good, proper woman wouldn't lie beside a man who was not bound to her by the church.  Of course she was certain God would understand in this situation, but she also knew that he wasn't the God fearing type and sooner or later his hands would come upon her and he would force himself on her.

But what was she to do?

Karalie thought for a moment before begrudgingly pulling herself from the bed and moving to a corner of the room.  She nestled down into a corner, not feeling nearly so sleepy now, and turned away from him.  She pretended to sleep so as not to draw his attention, but she grew uncomfortable quickly there on the hard, pungent floor.

It didn't matter how many time she shifted, Karalie couldn't get comfortable.  Was it always going to be like this? Sleeping on the ground or with the pirate?  The thought again made tears threaten but she pushed them back.  She couldn't cry every time things didn't go her way, otherwise she'd spend the next year in tears.

As the time passed she grew restless.  She was sure the man was asleep in his bed, and soon Karalie found herself climbing to her feet.  Slowly, carefully, she moved to the desk and took the canteen, drawing a sip from it.  She gagged and nearly sputtered when she realized it contained something other than water, something that burned her throat as it went down and made her eyes water.  She put the canteen down and reached for the blunderbuss, not even sure if it was loaded.  With it in hand she tiptoed to the door and let herself out.

The ocean was clear and crisp, as it had been earlier when she'd gone out with the pirate.  It was a beautiful clear night, the stars bright in the deep, black sky.  The moon gave off just enough light to see.  The sea swept a cool breeze that made her shiver, but she found she enjoyed it.  The waves crashing and the wood of the ship settling loudly as it was rocked by the sea.  Had she ever been anywhere more beautiful?

It all needed to end sooner or later.  The fresh air, though refreshing, soon made her chill to the bone.  She needed to get back inside.  Quietly, she made her way back to the cabin, intending to try and get comfortable on his chair.  He'd slept there last night, hadn't he? Once he left in the morning she could have the bed and sleep.  

What she wasn't expecting when she returned, was the pirate to be awake.

[Lucas Blacke]

He spent a few seconds standing before her wirting for either an audible answer, which wasn't all that likely, or her just up and moving. Not like she was going to risk having him in bed with her, right? He said he'd do something to her sooner or later, and what he wouldn't admit was that he was figuring out ways to draw it out for as long as possible. Whether she liked him or not, he enjoyed the company. Sure he could go to the top and mingle with the rest of the crew, but for some reason it was more fun to be around her. Maybe it was the way she responded, he wondered if he could give her a bit more reason to speak up. Talking about pirate stuff the entire time wasn't what he called great, he needed a bit more than that but had always been forced to cope by the captain.

Figured, the only one outranking him on the ship was telling him to stay happy, not unlike what he was telling Karalie. And the friendship between them was from man to man, not quarter master to captain, so he couldn't play the guy from that angle.

''Thanks.'' He said with a nod as she began to shift to move from the bed, letting him take place and quite nearly drop into a coma. He held one hand under his head and the other on his chest, looking up at the ceiling as the girl took place in the corner. It wass an odd thought, he didn't really look at her or wanted to care about anything she did, but he wanted really badly to tell her to just take a seat at his desk so she at least wouldn't have to be degraded to using the ground. Luckily he refrained from giving her what he thought was a bit too much freedom. Not knowing how it would make her act was scary, even for a battle hardened pirate. He sighed. Women.

Within minutes he dozed off and had the most standard pirate sleep, including a dream about piles of gold and wenches all over, his own ship and the most loyal crew ever. The weird part was that one of the wenches didn't seem to be a wench as she was dressed like a pirate.. he had heard of there being female pirates but he'd never seen one, and yet here there stood one, though in a dream but as vivid as reality. She stood by his side and seemed to be able to tell the crew what to do, so she outranked the normal crew? But that wasn't the weirdest thing, the weirdest thing was how she looked, or rather who she looked like.

His eyes shot open after what he thought was a decent sleep and he shifted to sit on the edge of the bed with a yawn. The first thing he did after that obviously reclaiming his own sword and gun, making sure he had everything needed to face the crew. But as he looked out of the porthole he noticed that it was still night.

Yet ignoring that fact he went further, looking around his cabin and noting a clear lack of woman there. There was little to no doubt on where she went, but the thought of her being caught was scaring him slightly to say the least. Not that he cared, though if she were to tell she was his he'd get caught as well.

He did his best to shake those thoughts from his mind and took a seat at his desk, rereading some of the rules he had written down as the door to his quarters slowly opened, which resulted in Blacke taking out his sword rather than his gun, since his gun wasn't loaded, and pointed it at the door, slowly getting up and moving forward. The person walking through the opening however, was Karalie. No reason for joy right then though.

Forcefully he jammed the tip of his sword against the door and slammed it shut, moving closer to Karalie and laying his sword across her throat. ''Did I say ye coul' leave?! I don' think I did, wench.'' He wasn't too happy with her right then, though he had to admit he was also glad she had returned in one piece. ''Next time ye go off without tellin' me I'll 'ave one o' yer fingers!''

He forced himself away from her and as he had gained enough distance from her he swung his sword in her direction and pointed at her with the tip. ''..I be glad ye came back, though.''

[Karalie Heise]

She'd barely gotten into the room when the silver flash sliced past her had, slamming into the door and pushing it shut.  Her eyes widened and a shiver ran down her spine, her eyes moving from the blade beside her to the pirate wielding it.  As soon as her eyes met his she felt the cool metal against her own throat, her head tilting back as she attempted to dodge a life threatening blow.  Her breathing quickened, her nostrils flaring as she panted with the sudden burst of adrenaline and fear.

Wench.  He was back to calling her wench and she wanted to frown, not entirely sure he would kill her or not.  He'd only made threats up until now, but that didn't mean he wouldn't in a fit of anger.  In the end the threat was to her hand, finger to be exact, not her life and she breathed a sigh of relief, pulling her hand to her chest and holding it tight there at her heart.  Would he dare take a digit? Could he be so cruel? She'd seen him murder a man for less.  He'd do it, and wouldn't even blink.

In the end he backed off, glad she was back safe in his quarters.  What did he want her to say? To do? She stood there at the door, wanting to run but knowing it would be worse if she did.  She felt so trapped, not sure what he wanted from her.  He was sleeping.  In the only bed in the room! And the crew was doing so in their own quarters, away from the deck.  What harm was there if she made her way up top?  She brought the damned gun after all! Not that she could, or would use it but surely she would frighten someone off?

"You were asleep." She finally grew the courage to say.  "And I couldn't sleep on that wretched floor, I'd have driven myself mad sitting here watching you slumber until dawn!" She hissed, still keeping her distance.  She'd promised herself she'd behave, but she didn't like how he was treating her.  Wench indeed!

[Lucas Blacke]

Wretched floor? He looked to the ground in a flash. It wasn't that bad compared to the floors in the cargo hold, where she could very well have been spending the entire voyage holed up and fearing everyone who came past, not even needing to talk to anyone. He bet that was what she would have preferred to this all.

And now, she was talking back to him with complaints? Not only was that in violation of another rule, but also maddening to the one who, however violent, did try to keep her iin one piece. She didn't seem all that grateful about it though, she could have been a bit more forthcoming about everything. He told her she could come with questions, so why didn't she just simply ask if she could go up top? Maybe she knew he'd say no and that's why she didn't ask, but still.

''I never told ye ta use th' floor! An' I 'ave books! Ye wouldn't be-..'' He sighed deeply and lowered his sword, looking straight at Karalie. ''An' ye are already mad ye- ye wench! Goin' up top could get ye killed in no time, no matter if there ain't no crew! What if a ship sailed up? What woul' ye do then? Cry for help? Try ta fight 'em off yerself? Wait quietly untill th' crew o' this ship arrived ta help 'fore they would fin' ye an' feed ye to th' sharks? Do ye know 'ow easy it is ta say ye were a prisoner on their ship an' not on ours?''

He shook his head, inching forward as he left the tip of his sword scratching along the ground. ''Ye need ta toughen up an' I might let ye wonder off on yer own, but no' right yet. Prisoner or no, ye are my responsibility an' I need ye to stay out o' harms way.'' He paused briefly to take a breath and take a step back.

''Next time, tell me 'fore ye risk yer life so I can say goodbye.''

[Karalie Heise]

What was there other than the floor! The chair? As if that were much better.  Karalie didn't like the way he was talking to her.  She didn't like being called a wench or him making sense as to what could happen.  She knew he had a point, but she also wasn't used to being someone's property.  To being a secret.. It was all new to her, too.  It would take some getting used to.  She huffed, looking away and glowering at the ground as if it were to blame somehow for all that had transpired.  

The more he talked, the less sure she was about what to do.  How was she expected to compose herself? This wasn't a typical situation, she suspected even for a prisoner.  Prisoners were locked up, not given a choice, and she was allowed some amount of freedom which made her unsure what was expected of her.  But she supposed it was fair that he wanted her to stay safe, even if his reasoning wasn't necessarily the most noble.  Soon more would be expected of her. 

Karalie pursed her lips and turned her dark eyes back up to him, unsure what to do next.  "What am I to do now then," She started, gritting her teeth before grumbling the last bit.  "Master?"  The world felt rotten on her tongue, but she had no other word for him.  He'd never be her master.

[Lucas Blacke]

She had done this before. Done something he liked, were it simply saying sorry or calling him master like he had told her to, only to end up doing something that ruined it. Now would be no different, he knew that much. So if he were to take any joy out of what she just said he would have to leave right then and take his mind off of the whole thing. Some midnight air would do him good at that point.

''Take th' bed or whatever an' keep ta yerself. I be goin' up fer some fresh air.'' He said as he very nearly tossed her aside to get to the door, making sure his gun and sword were with him before setting foot outside. Right then he noticed she was holding the gun he gave her, so she had been listening to him even if it was clear that she didn't want to use it. A smile grew on him as he quickly stepped out and slammed the door shut behind him.

He took in a sharp breath and took a moment just standing on the middle of the ship and taking it all in. The sea, the stars, the waves. The ship was silently swaying with the ocean holding it, nothing but slight creaks of wood heard as they sailed along, no crew in the vicinity to break the silence and take from the view. The moon stood in the sky, reflecting the sun and casting a glow upon the water.

Blacke took to leaning on the side of the ship and looked into the nothingness of night, where he would find calm, nothing but peace of mind, no prisoners, no piracy, nothing but the sea, the moon and the stars. He looked out onto the sea and saw some whales moving like the night before, only this time the whales were near the surface, even as close as on the surface.. He looked closer, whales didn't do that, did they? The light was bad so he couldn't see what else it could be.

He shoved his coat open and took out a small device so that he could see better, and upon inspection he was right in thinking it wasn't a whale, it was a ship. It seemed to harbor pirates, active pirates even at this hour and they seemed to be getting closer to where he could see them with the naked eye.

Without panicking he turned around and went to his own cabin in a hurry, opening the door and looking at Karalie, telling her not to move nor make a sound before closing the door on her. On second thought he maybe shouldn't have done that, she'd be frightened before anything even happened. But that was for another time. Right now he had more pressing matters.

He went down to where the crew was holed up and found that some of the man had been playing cards still. This was against the rules but at least they were still awake so he wouldn't have to worry about waking them. ''Maggots! We 'ave a ship comin' fer us! Get yer sorry asses up there!'' Without awaiting an answer he stormed over to the captain and woke him, saying they needed him for the assault. The captain jumped out of his bed then with a nod and went out to the deck with his own gun and sword.

The crew was loading there guns, all of them and so did Blacke and the captain. They all inspected their swords as the crew from the other ship came in earshot and began yelling all kinds of things, including how they were taking no prisoners to which Blacke just let out a laugh, telling them that ''neither do we!''

The cannons from the other ship fired and hit the water in front of their ship with a splash, luckily none of them blowing holes in the body of the ship, and soon they would be too close to fire their cannons. Blacke gave the sign for them to fire their cannons, but they didn't hit anything either except water. The other crew mocked them, or seemed to be trying so as some of them began grabbing ropes to jump over to their ship. Blacke shrugged. Seemed they were bringing the fight to them.

The crew of the Grail remained silent, not making a sound until the pirates from the other ship finally jumped over and they were forced to take out their swords. They first took aim and shot at the crew, taking down a good few men but still having the need to attack some of the others with swords. The sound of iron hitting iron was heard as Blacke noticed that the captain and the quarter master of the other ship were still standing there.

Blacke and the captain looked at each other and smiled, slamming their sword against the other as they took aim and shot the single piece of lead from the blunderbuss before taking one of the ropes each and jumping over to the mostly empty ship to take it over, kill the captain. They all knew this was final for someone, everyone just hoped it wasn't them as they also took out their swords and recklessly charged in.

Obviously these weren't experienced pirates, but that was a good thing as most of them had more supplies on board than they needed in the first place.

Blacke crossed swords with their quarter master as the captains did the same. As the crew, captain and quarter masters fought for what seemed to be hours there were countless casualties and gruesome deaths, some from them, some from the others. Finally though it seemed to all be dying down as their morale was cut short by Blacke cutting down the captain. The other side cheered with new found glory and fought much harder from that point on, driving the opposite pirates to their deaths by simply pushing them off the ship.

What Blacke didn't realise however, was that the quarter master of their ship was still focused on him and their own captain being too busy fleeing. It was a good friend, but not much of a fighter. A slash was made in his direction and Blacke turned around, slicing the neck of the quarter master and succesfully securing the ship for them to take.

He moved back to their own ship after having gone through their hold and took mental notes of what to take and what not. Another duty of the quarter master. When he got back to his own ship he told the men what to take and to stuff it in the cargo hold before going back to his own quarters, not wanting to do anything with the ship they just took. He was sure they would just take it and burn it..

First slaughter of the journey.

He opened the door to his cabin and smiled, his shirt dripping a red liquid, though everyone assumed it was from the people he cut down. No one realised he'd been cut himself.

He nodded at Karalie with a smile and dropped to the floor.

[Karalie Heise]

She was told to take the bed, but didn't dare move before he made his way from the cabin, too proud to go just yet.  Once alone she made her way to the plush mattress and laid down.  She wasn't exactly tired just yet, but was glad to not have to sit upon the chair or floor in order to get some sleep.  She sang softly to herself staring up at the ceiling of the cabin, feeling her eyes grow heavier with each verse sung.

It was before she fell into sleep that the door flung open.  Karalie sat with a start, finding the young quartermaster there telling her not to move or make a sound before disappearing again.  She wondered what was happening?  Did he mean for her to stay put on the bed?  She heard the crew moving, the shouting, and soon the sound of gunshots in the distance.  No.. not gunshots.. cannons! Were they under attack?  When the cannon on the ship she was on went off, she shrieked, making her way off the bed and putting herself in the corner once more, knees tight to her chest and hands covering her head.

The sounds of gunfire, men running on the planks, bodies dropping, screaming.. so much screaming.. Karalie cried in her corner, terrified what this would mean for her.  What if the quartermaster was killed? Would she last a day without him? How quickly would another take his place? Someone who might be far more cruel than he.  She knew she was lucky in that he was taking care of her, teaching her to watch over herself, but it wasn't until that was threatened that she realized how good it was.  If he died, she was doomed.

The minutes ticked by, and soon the world around her grew quieter.  Had they won? Had they lost?  Should she stay put?  She wanted to know, the waiting was eating at her. Finally the door opened and Karalie stood, surprised at how relieved she was to see the quartermaster.  He was quite the sight, though.  Covered in blood, his eyes looking glassy as he smiled at her, and then he was out cold.

Karalie stood there unsure what to do.  What had happened?  She quickly shut the door and tried to think of what to do.  The amount of blood on him.. It was too much.  Had he been injured?  Turning him over she could see immediately where the wound was.  Pressure.. Karalie had never treated a wound before, but she'd been around when others had.  She'd also sat in on plenty of births.  She grabbed the sheets from the bed and pressed them against his chest.  The laceration went all the way up to his shoulder and she had no idea how deep it was.  She was no doctor! Was there one aboard the ship? Did she risk being found out? She supposed he'd be good as dead then.  Possibly..

Not strong enough to pull him onto the bed, KAralie left him there upon the floor.  She brought a pillow for his head and did what she could cleaning the wound with what she found in his quarters.  The blood didn't stop flowing, though.  He was losing a lot of blood and she had no way of closing him up.  Or.. did she? She had a needle and thread with her in her bag, but surely the thread would not hold.  And the thought of sticking him? No, she would need to ask him.  For now, she simply applied pressure, her hands and dress soaked in his blood.  

"Please don't die.." She pleaded softly, frightened for what it all meant for her.  Not that she wanted him dead, but she certainly didn't want to become someone else's property.  "Please.. I'll behave, you have my word!" She begged, pressing the cloth into the wound.  

Sunlight was beginning to lighten the sky, and exhaustion had taken over.  His wound seemed to slow down, the floor and the two people on the ground both saturated in drying, browning blood.  Karalie was draped over the pirate, using her weight to help stop the bleeding, singing softly once more, the same hymn she'd been singing when he'd warned her of the oncoming attack.  Once again she was left to wonder about her fate.

[Lucas Blacke]

It was odd how he had never gotten struck like that, but somehow he did this time. Should he blame Karalie, or was he just getting sloppy? Two on one was pretty unfair, and it was a miracle he'd brought it off alive, or even stayed breathing this long. Of course she was patching him up and that certainly helped, the last thing he wanted was the crew to find out and bring the ships doctor. Dudes would do anything to have either a captain or quarter master die, and on top of that they had shared roles, the carpenters doubled as doctors so the medical expertise.. wasn't that good usually but it got the job done. Mostly fixing holes in the ship was the one thing they were good for because that was a hazard for their own life too.

Slowly he opened his eyes and saw her draped over him, using her body to keep the cloth close to his body. ''So ye do care..'' He smiled softly as he uttered the words, instantly feeling a bout of pain. Some alcohol could help against that. Wait, that was it! The problem was that Blacke wasn't as good with words right now as he would have been without a crater in his chest. ''Karalie..'' He huffed and turned his head to look at the canteen on his desk. ''Canteen has.. alcohol in it..'' Without the need to say anything further he wondered if she knew what to do with it. Make him drink it or pour it over the wound. The first one would just ensure he died happy while the latter would give him a fighting chance.

''I won' die.'' He said quietly as his eyes closed once more. ''Too many people depend on me.'' He smiled and tried to ignore the pain running through his chest still, the occassional grunt leaving his mouth. ''..I got you fresh water..'' He said with the last of his conscious breath. The ship they'd raided had 6 barrels of water, while he wasn't sure how long that'd stay fresh it beat sea water by a long shot.

''I'm gon' go sleep now.'' He smiled.

[Karalie Heise]

His voice startled her and she lifted her head to look down into his face.  In the nearly three days they'd been at sea she could see the stubble forming on his chin.  How ragged he would look by the weeks end.  Did she care? About herself, maybe.  Her feelings on the pirate were mixed, even now as she tried to spare his life best she could.  She didn't know how to respond, though.  Telling him she did would be a lie and would offer false hope.  Could she ever truly care for him? She knew, under different circumstances, it was highly possible.  He'd been more respectful in many ways than her fiance.  

Alcohol.  He needed alcohol.  To drink? His wound! didn't that clean wounds? Isn't that what they poured on Mr. Jenkins after he'd lost part of his thumb chopping wood? It must have been, he'd carried on that he wanted to drink it.  She got to her feet and got the canteen, wanting nothing more than to bathe, but that would have to wait she supposed.. He assured her he wouldn't die and too many people depended on him.  Like her? His crew? A family somewhere?  Did he have one? She knew so little about him.  Even his name was a mystery to her.  How had she gone three days without even knowing his actual name?


He assured her he'd gotten water, likely from the other ship, and her spirits lifted.  A bath may be her reward if she could manage to keep him alive.  Saying he wouldn't die wasn't actually staying alive, it was just mumbling and as he started to slip back off to sleep she frowned.  "No, I need you to stay awake." She insisted, pulling the blanket away.  The side of the wound made her ill, but she had to do this, otherwise his life would be on her hands, and though he wasn't her favorite person, he'd done a well enough job keeping her safe.  She'd been the one to put herself in this bloody situation in the first place after all.

"This is going to sting a bit.."  She poured the rum over his cut, bracing herself for him freaking out.  It hurt, she knew that much from Mr. Jenkins reaction when she'd seen her mother help treat him as a girl.  "I have a sewing needle and thread in my bag." She informed him.  All this blood was making her queasy.. No she had to ignore it, push forward..  "I don't know how well it would hold, it's just plain cotton thread, but.."  She dragged her teeth across her bottom lip, "It might be better than nothing at all."

[Lucas Blacke]

''No, I need you to stay awake.''

It was one of the things doctors told their patients the most, some of the never waking up if they went to sleep. He tried to smile as the one on the ship that owed him the least was the one to take care of him, maybe she felt like she did owe him though. Or maybe it was the simple fact he was keeping her alive. He had always been good at keeping people between life and deatth, but for some reason he wanted her more alive than dead. Even with his spoken intention of doing what a man did with her he knew there was not going to be much of a fight, not when she was taking care of him like she was now.

But now was not the time to think about that, his life was in her hands about now. It probably would be for some time to come, stupid cut. That got him thinking though, what if people actually needed him? He had just used it to assure Karalie he had no reason to even be able to die but him being out of commission meant that the captain would take over, though people would be coming up to check on him. After all, he'd never said anything about being wounded in front of the men, and the captain had fleed the fight before he could notice anything.

He nodded though as she told him it was going to sting, pouring the alcohol over his wound. ''I need ye..-'' He knew it was going to sting but he'd never had a wound this size. His words were cut off as the alcohol reacted to the wound and caused the pirate to try and grasp at the wooden floor, not getting any grip on there and finally just taking the closest thing he could find that he could hold. He grabbed her hand and threw back his head, trying not to scream out in pain.

A second nod. Sewing the wound shut might have been best, even if it wouldn't hold that well. ''Do it.'' He muttered, finally turning his head back and looking at her. He gritted his teeth as his wound had a second bout of 'Hey lets sting this guy!' and let out a small breath through his nose.

''A sip o' alcohol please.'' It wasn't supposed to be drunk then, but it would help ease the pain a bit. ''If there's anythin' left.''

[Karalie Heise]

Karalie had to gently pry her hand free from the pirate, watching him suffer there on the ground before slipping away to her bag.  If the wound wasn't too deep, and if they could manage to keep it clean, he might be alright.  He'd be out of commission for a few days at the least, though, more likely for a few weeks.  A lot of resting was in his future, which mean she had no place to sleep.  Covered in blood.  None of this fared well for her but she tried not to think on it as she retrieved the small sewing kit she'd packed along.  Though Karalie seldom did her own mending, she at least knew hot to handle a needle and thread.  Sewing human skin was something entirely new, though.

When she returned, she came down to her knees, kneeling beside him as she attempted to cut the thread long enough.  This wouldn't feel good, that was for sure.  "There's a bit." She offered, handing him the canteen.  She'd likely need to get more sometime this evening, when the pirates had all gone to bed.  She wondered if her pirate would allow her out to retrieve materials.  Maybe there were even more linens somewhere.. she decided that was highly unlikely, but who knew. Maybe they'd stripped the other ship clean, linens included.

Karalie helped him drink what was left in the canteen, then wiped his chin before getting the needle threaded.  She took a deep breath, looking down at the man below her.  This was going to be neither pretty or fun.  "I'm going to need you to try and be still.  It's going to hurt a great deal.. just so you're aware."  She bit her lip pulling the sheet back.  The wound was looking better now that the area was clear and the alcohol had washed away some of the blood.  It seemed to be less deep than she had originally though, but still deep enough to do some damage.  If they could manage to keep it clean she was certain he would make a full recovery.  Then again, she was no doctor.  Who knew if he would survive or not.

She began at the lower end of the wound and slowly started making her way up.  Her fingers felt shaky and her stomach was twisting angrily.  She wasn't cut out for this, but it needed to be done and no one else was there to do it.  Like it or not she was their only hope at surviving this ordeal, and if she didn't want to be passed off as the crews personal companion then she needed to do what she could.  

"I can fetch more supplies once night falls if you need." She offered, pushing the pin through one end of the open wound and then quickly through the other, pulling the sides closed best she could.  Her fingers pinched the skin and she doubled the stitches in order to give it its best chance of remaining closed long enough to heal.  "Will someone come asking for you?" She asked, concerned about her welfare if that were the case.  

[Lucas Blacke]

Whhen she took her hand away to retrieve her things he began attacking the floor with his nails again. While not as bad as before it still stung, and he was trusting Karalie with his life, he hoped she knew that. Not that he had any other choice, really. He wasn't replaceable to her so she would do her best to save him, to the rest of the crew he was. Even the captain thought so. It wwasn't that he was bad at what he was supposed to do, but they didn't quite like the amount of power he held over the rest of the crew. Were he okay and well they'd do what he said no questions asked, but if the chance to strip him of his rank arose they were sure to get rid of it and probably him.

She handed him the canteen he'd ask for to try and numb the pain a bit through use of alcohol, which he wasn't supposed to do, and as she wiped his chin he took a sharp breath, the pain spreading even further with every breath with him hoping the alcohol would set in soon an prevent him from passing out. This was why he was lucky that the job didn't allow him to get drunk; the amount of rum he had ingested was enough to at least do something to him..

Karalie didn't look half bad right then, almost like one of those desirable dancers at that one exotic town. He'd gladly throw her a few pieces of eight if it won her compliance. ''Why 'dya think I asked fer alcohol?'' He tried to joke, though quickly winced in pain once more as his body refused to let him joke. ''Thanks fer doin' this. I 'aven't been th' most gracious host.. I 'spose I oughtta be thankin' ya.'' With all those things he said about doing things to her and all, he was pretty surprised when she helped him despite those things.

When the needle went through his skin he gritted his teeth as he fought back the pain, though that proved useless. Being still was a bit of an issue with a needle being threaded through sore skin, it hurt like all hell. Maybe he should be dead and be rid of the pain..

No, he needed to stay alive, he wouldn't give anyone the pleasure of one less quarter master. ''I coul' do with some more rum.'' He coughed. ''There's some in th' hold. Ye've been there.'' It was where she was holed up when they first met. ''Can't believe I'm saying this but-'' The pain made him slightly queezy, somehow this was worse than being cut open in the first place. ''ye should go get some more supplies when th' men rest.'' He agreed.

''An' th' crew knows be''er than ta enter me cabin. No' even th' cap'n dares check up on me. So I'll be fine.'' Was she merely caring for him, or actually caring about him? ''Ye 'ave my permission ta ta'e what ye think will help.''

''An' Blacke. Lucas.'' He tried to smile before his head thumped back onto the pillow and he was staring at the ceiling.

[Karalie Heise]

She was surprised by his verbal appreciation, her dark eyes wandering briefly to his.  She certainly didn't expect that, especially from a pirate.  She supposed he realized that she didn't need to do this, that she could simply allow him to bleed out, or take care of himself.  She very well could be what stood between life and death.  "You're welcome."  she offered somberly as she kept at the task.  She wanted to be done and over it

"I can get the supplies." She assured him softly, trying to be hasty with the stitches now that she'd fallen into a rhythm.  It wouldn't take much longer now if he could hold on for a while.  She needed to clean the area, but without water.. unless there was the canteen with water around.  Some soap and water might do the area some good until they could get more alcohol.  And food.. She supposed if he wasn't out getting their rations then she should grab what she could.  What she had brought aboard the ship was starting to dwindle.

Karalie wondered how long he could stay in there without someone coming to check on him.  She knew he said no one would bother him, but shouldn't they wonder what happened to their quartermaster? Shouldn't they check on him to make sure he was alright? Especially if he missed meal times or going out to work on the deck.  Then again, what did she know.  Common sense went out the window when you were following the rules of the ship.  At least common sense by her standards.


Blacke.  Lucas.. It took a moment for her to figure it out; his name. Lucas Blacke.  Did that mean she wasn't to call him master anymore? Though she had only done so once and it was kindly spoken.  She gave a nod, nipping at her lower lip.  "What is it you wish for me to call you?" She asked, keeping her eyes averted from his and on the task at hand.  Her fingers worked steadily until she was through.  Next step would be to try and clean him up enough to get into his bed.  Definitely a change of clothes would do him good.. but could he move enough to get a new shirt on? She might need to cut the rags on him off.  She supposed after being stitched up he might feel up for it.  He'd need to rest though if he wanted to get well again.  

"Finished." She finally proclaimed, sitting back and admiring her craftsmanship.  The wound bubbled out where she'd sewn, but at least it wasn't wide open.  Lord knew what sort of vermin would make their way into it.  They'd be in trouble then.  "Is there still water about? We should clean the area and try and cover it to keep it clean."

[Lucas Blacke]

The stitching seemed to take forever and ever, his hands nearly etching away at the floor with pain, though the alcohol and cleanliness of the wound downed it quite a bit. But it wasn't enough, he needed more alcohol to get through it all, getting drunk or not. The pain was just too much! Not even counting the marks he was sure his fingers had by now. She was working as fast as she could; he knew that much, but why? To get it over with sooner? And if so, for who? For her, that she didn't like the sight of the wound? Or.. did she want his pain to end? If that was the case why didn't she just shoot him? He'd shown her how that was done, and might have been easier for the both of them.

She could, he knew that. He trusted her to get the resources necessary to help him, even if that trust was just a side effect of the alcohol or wanting the pain to end. Funny how he had been standing in front of the crew a few minutes ago and now he was writhing in pain.. adrenaline did mazing things. ''Jus'.. hurry up. Please.'' He knew she wasn't done stitching yet, but he told her anyway. He was not trying to rush her, he just wanted something to end. Be it the pain or his life.

At that moment he didn't cre about her and what she did when he was gone. If he was gone. ''They always say pain changes a man..'' He swallowed hard, forcing a smile on his lips. ''Never was I sure 'bout what they meant by it..'' He tried raising his head without moving his chest to catch a glimpse of what she was doing without ruining the stitches. The wound was bigger than expected as his head quickly dropped back onto the pillow, his head turning to the side. ''I am now- it means-'' He coughed. ''whatever I thought was real, th' crew, th' men under me.. th' one helpin' me is you...''

He was being delusional, or was he? She was the one helping him, right? ''Blacke.'' First names wasn't the pirate way. But she wasn't a pirate.. ''..Luc-Lucas.'' He coughed once more.

She finished sewing him up, good, this meant she could go out and get some water for both him and her. ''There should be.. be a door in th' back leadin' down ta th' cargo 'old. Ta'e a bucket an' fill it up with water..'' Another cough as he raised his head slowly. ''We 'ave a spare barrel of it.''

[Karalie Heise]

Karalie noted the change in his voice as he spoke.  He wasn't the hardened sailor she'd met the other day.  Even the slang seemed to dissipate some in his voice as they talked.  Maybe it was the pain he was in, she didn't know, but she liked how humble he'd become.  She wondered if he'd really changed, though.  Pain changes a man.. she supposed it could. She supposed things could change between them.  She tried not to think much on it, tried not to put much weight in his words.  The reason she was helping him was for her benefit as much as his.  She needed him to survive.  It wasn't some favor, but she supposed telling him that would do her no good.  Let him believe what he wanted.  

It wasn't as if she had any ill will towards him.  Karalie was bitter that she was stuck on the ship at all and maybe none too pleased with the lack of luxuries.  Plus having it thrown in her face constantly that she would need to lie with him didn't help matters.  She supposed that would change, though.. He was apologizing after all, and admitting his need for her help.  She wondered if that would do any good in the days coming, when he got better and turned more into his old self.  Would things change? Would he really treat her more compassionately then?

She listened to his instructions, noting that he preferred his first name.  She wondered if only she was privy to that privilege.  Did anyone else call him Lucas? Such a gentle name for such a hardened man.  "What about linens? And more clothes? We'll need to cut these rags off, they're blood soaked and grimy.  We need to keep the area clean if we want to give you any real chance."  Her brows knit as she studied him.  Until he was cleaned up he should stay where he was, rest a bit.  "When's a good time to go fetch the water?