AU: The Pirate and the Stowaway [Lucas]

[Karalie Heise]

Karalie wondered if this would help her if someone saw her.  Someone in trousers on a ship was more likely to be mistaken as a man than someone in the long, flowy dresses she was used to wearing.  At his request she hesitated before turning slightly and pulling the coin from her bosom where she'd stored it earlier.  She showed it to Lucas, holding it just out of reach.  "I have it." She promised softly, putting it back inside the shirt, again turning away so he couldn't really watch.  It wasn't right for him to watch her do that. 

"Get some rest." She instructed with a small smile before heading to the door, grabbing more salted meat and an apple on the way.  Better eat them while they could.  They'd be spoiled and mealy soon.  "I'll be back soon."  And with that she left the cabin, throwing one last glance over her shoulder at him as she went.

How much had happened since the night prior.  Had it really been a whole day since she'd shot that gun?  She still didn't know how to wield the weapon properly, but she was certain in due time she would.  Lucas would be out of commission for only so long before he was back to his old ways of barking commands at her.  He was grateful now, but he'd made it clear that he was still in charge.  She could grow accustomed to that she supposed, so long as he didn't push his luck and start threatening her life again.

Karalie leaned over the edge of the ship, looking out into the darkness.  The weather was clear, not a cloud in the sky, the ocean calm as it lapped against the old ship.  It was quiet and still and the stars were bright and vivid in the sky.  She contemplated her situation there at see and the life she'd left behind.  Would she ever see her parents again? She hoped so.  She knew they'd put her in a bad spot, but it was, for all they knew, what was best.  It was best for her family, it was best for her, it was best for everyone.  Except it wasn't really.  It seemed that way on the outside looking in, but she knew William better than anyone deciding her fate.  Had she really done the right thing?

A sound pulled her from her thoughts.  Someone was coming!  Karalie turned and ducked behind a barrel as the men came out.  Their voices were soft but distinct as they talked about the booty they'd collected and the men who died.  Then she heard his name.  Blacke.  Was he dead? Where had he been? No one had seen him or the Captain since the attack.

The men stayed and chatted a while, Karalie picking up tidbits of their conversation, her legs going numb from kneeling in the same position.  Finally she slowly sat herself down as another man made his way into the conversation.  Trapped.  She was trapped up there.  The minutes ticked by slowly as the crew had their little pow wow.  

After what felt like an eternity the group dispersed and Karalie was free to return to the cabin from which she came.  Would he be asleep when she arrived? The room was dark when she entered, but she came in and shut the door slowly so as not to disturb the pirate who was resting.  But where would she rest?  She supposed the chair or floor would have to do.  The thought distressed her, but she had no choice.  

[Lucas Blacke]

When he asked for the coin he had given her before ever letting her in his own private quarters, she hesitated and Blacke wondered if she even still had it. Would she have dropped it somewhere now that he had made a personal pet out of her, knowing that she could do as much harm to him as he could do to her..? Would she stoop to the level of beings even less than a common deck rat?

But the hesitance, it seemed, was just because she still had her princess ways and didn't want to have Blacke see her fishing the coin from her bosom before turning back to him and presenting it, leaving it just out of his reach. Probably a good thing because if he were able to touch it he would have done some gnarly stuff, things he shouldn't even be allowed to do with those stitches still holding him together.

She put the coin back and told him to get some rest, that she'd be back in a while. Odd thing was that he did see her as his ''maid'', but was still listening to her words and even tempted to do as she asked, or rather told him. Hold on, did she just give him a command? She did so with a small smile though and Lucas unconsciously smiled back as she turned around and reached for the door. It creaked open and the pirate closed his eyes.

''Yerr no' bein' a true pira'e with this 'ere wench!'' A voice spoke out to him. It sounded real, felt real, but he found himself standing without stitches. This was a dream, right? ''Ye should ravage 'er while ye 'ave th' chance! Ye know th' crew is gon' find 'er an' ravage 'er 'fore ye can.'' While Blacke was certain it was a dream, he did feel oddly interested by what this voice said.. it sounded awfully familiar.. who was it? ''Lest I take ye.'' He felt a bit of a sting right then, and looked down at his chest to see he wore no shirt and his skin was slowly being torn open. Stitches appeared but were snapped by invisible hands and Lucas felt himself drop to his knees, unable to stop his own movement...

The wound allowed him little sleep. He didn't feel good as his eyes sprung open and his was panting as hard as possible without bursting his still intact stitches. Was it.. who was talking to him? It was a dream, but he knew the voice, though no one on the ship held it. Was it.. Davy Jones? It was odd, but that was his first thought, though he dismissed it as nothing but a dream.

The door opened then and Karalie came through, obviously trying to close the door silently as to not disturb him; she did not know he already had been. She was obviously looking over her options for a nights rest.

''I am despite knowin' yer gon' say no, say tha' ye should take this bed.'' Though maybe she should say no.. for his own good. She could sleep on a pile of clothes or something. ''I'm ain't gon' give ya any orders.''

[Karalie Heise]

The voice startled her, not expecting Lucas to be awake.  It was late and he was injured, and had to be tired from the day and loss of blood.  She jumped slightly as the door slipped shut and then sighed looking over to him.

Karalie wasn't sure if he was offering her the bed for herself or offering for her to share it with him.  Surely he was in no place to sleep elsewhere.  She was at least able bodied, unlike himself.  So he must have meant with him.  The very idea! Though she was sure he was in no state to force himself upon her, it still wasn't right.  She didn't need any more impure thoughts about herself running through his mind than there already were.

"Thank you, but I do think it's best you rest tonight."  She considered telling him what the pirates said but for tonight she thought better of it.  She was tired and he needed his rest.  Tomorrow was another day and she could bring up the crews concerns about him then.

"I'm quite fine on.."  She looked around, her voice not nearly so convincing as she'd have liked, "..the chair, thank you."  She took a seat as if to make her point.  If she were tired enough maybe she would actually sleep.  Who knew..

"Good night." She offered softly, closing the dialogue between them.  Better get used to that chair now..