#i want pirates to pillage this house and take me to sea

[readyforthegarden]

Eternal - Part Eleven

A vampire!gvf multi-part dark romance AU (Josh Kiszka x reader, GVF x reader)

Masterlist

Warnings: 18+ Only Minors DNI. Relationship discussions, talks of sex, angst, mentions of blood, death, vampirism.

A/N: iiiiiiiiitt's baaaaaacckk!!!! thank you to everyone for your patience while i worked through my block for this! i'm not keeping to an update schedule with this one, but the train is back on the tracks so hopefully it won't be months before the next post again! shout out to @joshsindigostreak and @gretavanfleetposts for the unwavering support the entire time and getting me back into it!!

WC: 3593

You kept the dream a secret. It had been so long since you’d had one, it just felt like a fluke. A part of you wanted to tell someone, and you’d almost let it slip to Danny over breakfast the next morning, but you felt as though he would make you do the right, cautious thing and tell Josh about it. So you stuffed it into the recesses of your brain, focusing on helping the tallest human in the house with the chores. 

When you had time to yourself, there was an attempt to find solace in the library, flipping through books and trying to lose yourself in another world of fantasy. Unfortunately there were slim pickings, the brothers, Jake especially, preferring novels of his ‘glory days’ on the seas, recounts of pirate ships and merchant trade routes. The rest were old ledgers, or journals the boys kept about their various travels or more historical non-fiction.

“That’s a good one.” you looked up from your seat in the window, as you read one of the old leather-bound tomes. It rested in your lap, your knees drawn up to keep the pages close in the light of the vintage wall sconce. Jake was standing a few feet away, the moonlight catching the glass of a bottle of liquor and a crystal tumbler. “I particularly like the ruggedly handsome pirate that rescues the small port town from a pillaging.”

“Hm, you mean the one described with long, shaggy brown hair and is…tall?” quirking an eyebrow with a joking smirk, Jake took your jest with a roll of his shoulders.

“When five-four is the average height, five-seven seems incredibly tall.” he chuckled, sitting down on the window seat next to you. He unscrewed the top on the bottle, the amber liquid sloshing around as he maneuvered to pour it into the glass in his other hand.

“No work for you tonight?” Jake shook his head.

“I needed a night off.” he replied, taking a sip from the glass after fastening the cap back on the bottle and setting it next to his feet. “Was thinking about hiding out in here, reliving some old memories.”

“Don’t let me stop you.” snapping the book in your hands shut, you moved to leave, but Jake reached out a hand, resting it on your knee and making you pause.

“I’d be happy for the company,” he smiled softly. “if you don’t mind. You haven’t been around while I’m working in a while.” you sat yourself back again, giving him a sheepish smile.

“Just trying to keep myself busy.” you shrugged. Jake took another sip from his glass, then offered it to you. Wrapping your fingers around the crystal, you brought it to your lips, the smell of scotch infiltrating your nostrils before you took a sip, swallowing down the burn and trying not to wince in front of the vampire. The crinkle in your eyes wasn’t missed by him, but Jake held a reserved smile as he took back the glass.

“Josh has told me you haven’t been sleeping well.” Jake gave you a knowing look, and you crossed your arms over your chest, looking out the window at the grounds. “Have you been having nightmares again?”

“No.” you answered quickly, glancing back at him. The twin raised an eyebrow at your rapid response. “I’m just having trouble staying asleep. I think it’s just being cooped up again. I get restless and then at night I just toss and turn.” Jake watched you, his eyes studying you. Unable to discern if he was looking for the lie in your story or something, else, you looked back out the window, focusing on watching a few sparse, dark clouds float across they starry sky.

“May I try something?” you turned back to Jake, watching him reach out, handing the scotch back to you. 

“Sure,” you shrugged, accepting the glass again. You took a small sip, this one only slightly less scalding, as Jake sat back on the seat more, resting his back against the window glass and tugging one of your legs, resting your foot in his lap. His fingers deftly slipped under the ankle hem of your sock, slipping it off. You opened your mouth to protest, but it turned into a breathy sigh as Jake’s thumbs began working on the bottom of your foot.

“Centuries of life you find that you learn a lot of different things.” Jake hummed softly. “Or, well, you get bored enough that at some point you take up different things to learn. I studied massage therapy for a while in the nineties.”

“You were that bored?”

“Well, opening up a late night spa was a good way to feed for a while.” Jake shrugged. “Lull people into a sense of security and relaxation, it’s almost like hypnotizing them. As an added bonus, they were so relaxed the blood flowed easier, almost warmer.”

“So you’d get them just where you wanted them and then dive in?” the man chuckled.

“I’d always ask,” he responded, his thumb digging into the ball of your foot, making you sigh again. “But late night spas usually got some seedy characters. And if some of the men that came in expected more than what was advertised and bothered one of my workers? Well, they may not have gotten the choice.”

“Ah, you were on your vigilante shit, huh?” you quipped, making Jake laugh again as he turned one hand into a fist, firmly but gently digging his knuckles into the arch of your foot.

“Something like that.” Nodding, Jake continued the foot rub, moving down to your heel. A soft moan slipped from your lips as his thumbs pressed into the skin there. You hadn’t realized how sore and tired your feet were after working around the house so much. Feeling yourself melt back against the wall behind you, you let the book slide off your lap onto the floor. “Feels good?”

“Mhm,” humming your response was the only way to communicate, fearing opening your mouth and letting out another moan. Jake worked on your foot a bit more then gently set it down, taking the other one in his nimble hands and taking the sock off and setting to work again. This time when he pressed his knuckles into the arch of your foot, a gasp tumbled from your lips as a tingle ran through your body. 

You were putty in his hands now, closing your eyes and finally starting to feel the unease creeping out of your body. Jake’s hands were callused from his life before his turning, and he knew how to use them well. It was near instant, the way you felt yourself falling asleep, your head lolling to the side. What roused you out of your potential slumber was the feeling of tepid liquid dribbling down your front. 

             Before you could move to wipe it away, Jake was there, his warm, flat tongue tracing the scotch’s path from the valley between your breasts to the dip between your collarbones. He closed his lips around your skin there, sucking softly. Your heart was thrumming out of your chest at the unexpected touch, and as he pulled back, he smirked, taking in your surprised face.

“Sorry darling, but that’s Glenfiddich.” he winked. “Too expensive to waste.”

“I’m sorry,” you cleared your throat softly, watching Jake’s face move closer. 

“Don’t be.” as he leaned in, his lips looked wet from the taste he’s just had, and a part of you anticipated finding the scotch would taste better, almost sweeter if coming from his lips than crystal. Your heart still beat wildly in your chest, the only other sound in the room the crackling fireplace. In your minds eye, there was a brief vision of Jake taking you on the large area rug in front of it, wild and passionate. 

Just as you felt Jake’s bottom lip brush against yours, a loud thud  echoed in the room. You jumped back with a gasp, yet Jake remained where he was, tongue in cheek. Looking over, you saw Josh standing only a few feet away, a large tome at his feet, settling in the dust it expelled out on impact. 

“Jacob.” his voice was low, his jaw clenched. 

“Hello Josh,” Jake smiled. “Beautiful evening, isn’t it? Would you like some scotch?”

“I would like to know what you were doing just now.”

“Josh, it’s-“ Jake cut you off, grabbing your thigh and giving it a squeeze. 

“I was just helping her relax,” Jake answered innocently. “Gave her a nice foot rub, had a bit of scotch. Licked the scotch she spilled off her body.” 

“And what makes you think you can touch her yet?” Josh quipped, glaring at his younger twin. The word yet stood out in your mind like a sore thumb as they prattled on. 

“Forgive me, but if I have to stare at the claw marks she left in the mahogany on my desk, I should like a few of them to be from me.” Jake snipped back. 

Josh looked from Jake to you and back again a few times before holding out his hand towards you. 

“Come love,” his tone was soft towards you. Removing your legs from underneath Jake, you stood up and took Josh’s hand. “Jacob, get Sam and meet us in the den in half an hour.” he turned then, startling you into motion and to keep up with him. 

When the library doors shut behind you, you opened your mouth to speak, but Josh shook his head. He led you to your bedroom, opening the door and gesturing for you to walk in first. You did so slowly, waiting for Josh to begin scolding and interrogating you, but it didn’t come. Instead he moved to your bathroom, turning on your shower. He was slow, purposeful, in his movements. You followed him into the bathroom and locked eyes with him as he stood in front of you.

“Josh, I’m sorry,” you tried to explain what was happening in the library when he walked in, but he shushed you again. Instead, he grasped the hem of your shirt, lifting it up your torso until you raised your arms for him to pull it off over your head. He kept his eyes on yours as he undressed you, letting the materials fall to the floor at your feet. Taking the hair tie off your wrist, he gathered up your hair, twisting it gently into a bun to keep it off your body.

Opening the glass door to your shower, he watched you walk in before shutting it. “You’re not coming in?”

“We don’t have enough time.” Josh answered, a small hint of a smirk tugging at his lips as his eyes finally wandered your body. On their way up, they stopped at your neck, and you saw a flash in his eyes. “Wash up and meet us in the den, please.” Once you nodded, he left, the door latching quietly behind him. You stepped into the hot spray of water, happy to have something to wipe away the sticky feeling the liquor and Jake’s saliva had left behind on your chest. 

Once you were done, you dressed quickly in clean clothes, heading down the large staircase to the den. When you arrived, you were greeted with the three Kiszkas. Jake was leaning against the mantle, his crystal tumbler filled with amber liquid again. Sam was draped over the couch, a lazy, smarmy smile on his face as you walked into the room. Josh halted the pacing he was doing in between Jake and Sam, gesturing you to sit on the end of the couch Sam wasn’t occupying.

“Okay, can someone tell me what’s going on? The last time we were in this room like this, it was to tell me I’m being hunted by an ancient vampire that controls an army of demons…” you looked between the brothers waiting for one to tell you that you’d been found. A brief spike of fear shot through you, wondering if that thought was about to come true. Would you have to run again? Taken somewhere to hide? And how long would the running go on for before the family grew tired of you and just gave you up?

“No, no, we haven’t been alerted to anything.” Josh shook his head. “However, our conversation the other night led us here.”

“What conversation?” you furrowed your brow. “I’m sorry, I’m not following.”

“When you told me you’d like to be shared.” Josh clenched his jaw after answering, watching the heat rise up in your cheeks. Sam sat up straighter on the couch, the move bringing him slightly closer. The ‘yet’ from earlier echoed in your head again, and you were starting to understand. “I brought the idea to them and they agreed.” you stared at Josh before regaining control of your mouth.

“I’m sorry, what?” you blinked. “Josh that was in private.”

“We all heard it, pet.” Sam grinned. “There isn’t much privacy around vampires.” your face grew hotter, which only made his grin wider. 

“And we’re more than willing to grant your wish.” Jake smirked from his place by the fireplace. While there wasn’t one lit, the image from your imagination earlier popped back in briefly. “That is, if you still want it.”

“Still want us.” Sam’s voice was low in your ear. He’d moved flush against you now, pulling your hair back away from your face gently as if drawing a curtain open. You replayed the discussion in your mind, thinking of all the ways you imagined Jake, Danny, and Sam torturing you with pleasure. “You may as well say it, I can hear your heart practically breaking your rib cage.”

“Josh, you’re okay with this?” you looked up at him, taking in his dark eyes. He looked only at you, giving a curt nod. 

“There are boundaries we need to go over.” he moved to stand in front of you.

“Okay,” you nodded, trying your best to ignore Sam as he walked his index and middle fingers up and down your thigh. 

“There will be nobody else in my bed.” Josh stated his first rule. “And I would prefer it if no one else was in yours.”

            “That’s reasonable, go on.” you agreed. 

“You may be bitten, but you are not to be fed on by anyone other than myself.” Josh shot a look at his brothers. “Is this understood?” the brothers confirmed under their breaths, seemingly annoyed this was one of the conditions. “Fangs only, no full bites.”

“I do love a good fang-warming.” Jake chuckled under his breath. “Is that all, Josh?”

“No, that isn’t all.” Josh mocked Jake with a sneer, and you giggled, quickly covering your mouth. The sound of your laugh turned Josh’s head back to you momentarily.

“She can stop this at any time. No matter what the situation is, she is in control.” you liked the feeling those words gave you. Finally, something you could have authority over. While it wasn’t much, with the way your life had flipped upside down, the idea sat well with you. 

“A lot of rules for them, any more for me?” you asked. Josh walked forward, taking your jaw softly in his hand and raising your head up to look up at him directly. His thumb swiped across your cheek as he gazed down.

“Remember that what I said at the end of that conversation is still true.” he murmured. “You will always be my first priority.” moving your head in his hand, you managed to press a soft kiss against the pad of his thumb, a sign that you took his words to heart. Deep from the recesses of your brain, you could hear the dark, harsh voice telling you it was all lies again. Before you could force it back, Sam’s voice caught your attention.

“Now that the rules are all settled, why don’t we start having some fun, hm?” he in turn reached out, taking your face from Josh’s hand into his own, turning you to him. You took your head out of his hand, standing up and crossing your arms over your chest. Josh was making no attempt to hide his smile while Sam frowned. Jake just looked curiously on from his place by the mantle, watching the scene unfold.

“Okay, that’s not how that’s going to work.” you scoffed. “If you want to start having ‘fun’, I suggest you put effort in. Seduce me, for christs sake.”

“I would like to point out, I was doing a very good job of that earlier,” Jake interjected, raising a finger from his glass to emphasize his statement. “I was interrupted, unfortunately.” Josh’s smile grew into a satisfied smirk and you rolled your eyes. 

“Well, I guess you’re going to have to try again.” you shrugged. The chiming of the clock on the mantle counted out six times, and you smirked. “And it looks like that’s it for tonight boys. Sun is almost up.” you turned on your heels, marching out of the den and back towards the staircase to go to your room. 

Part way down the hallway, a question popped up in your mind and you turned quickly again to go back and asked. A sharp gasp pulled from your lungs when you were greeted by Josh, only a few paces behind you. 

“Fuck! What are you doing?”

“Well I’m not about to let you start sleeping with my brothers without making sure I remind you who you belong to fully.” His lips fell upon yours and you felt your arms reach out, grasping his sides as his own hands held you close. Letting him guide you back, it wasn’t long before you felt the end of a bed pressing against the back of your legs. From the lingering smell of your body wash, you put together he had led you where you intended to go alone.

“Mm, wait,” you breathed as you pulled away from Josh’s plush lips. “I had a question.”

“You always do,” Josh hummed with a sigh, kissing across your cheek and down your neck. “Ask, love.”

“Where was Danny?” you asked your question, feeling Josh pause in his affections. “He wasn’t in the meeting.”

“Daniel is not involved in this arrangement.” Maneuvering your body you looked at him curiously, causing him to sigh again. “The question in our conversation was if you’d like to be shared with my brothers.”

“And I said yes.” you replied, feeling Josh’s hands loosen on your waist. “And Danny is a brother.”

“While Samuel may feel as such, I do not.” Josh sniffed. “He is not my brother, therefore he is not involved.”  you looked at Josh for a few moments, and then stepped out of his grasp. 

“I’m tired, I’m going to get some rest.” Josh watched you with pursed lips, gauging your mood. You began turning down your bed. 

“You’re upset.”

“I’m not.” you said simply, beginning to change into pajamas. “I just don’t think it’s fair. You said I was in control.”

“You are,” Josh pressed, stepping closer to you as you finished changing. “But that is a boundary I’m not willing to budge on.” 

“Why?” you set your hands on your hips. “Why should Danny get the short end of the stick? He does everything for you three, and for me. The least you could do is show him some appreciation, let him in on the ‘fun’.” Watching Josh struggle was something you weren’t used to. He looked at a loss for words in front of you as his eyes searched your face for any sign of relenting. When he found none, he rolled his shoulders back. 

“As I said, I am not willing to negotiate that boundary.” he repeated quietly. “You can have the deal as is, or we can end it all here. Your choice.” Biting the tip of your tongue gently, you shook your head. 

“I want an explanation.” 

“I gave you one.” Josh’s eyes were firm now. Butting heads like this would get you nowhere, especially when one of his brothers wasn’t there to stir the pot in your favor. 

“Fine.” Sighing, you stopped pushing back, instead sitting on your bed. “It was a shitty one though.” Josh was by your side on the bed in an instant, leaning over and cupping your face. When he spoke again, his voice was soft, though this time there was no fight behind it.

“Know that I have my reasons, and let that be enough.” he rested his forehead against your temple, a rare show of submissiveness. Your defense crumbled, and you nodded, turning and letting your lips graze his forehead. He pulled back, kissing your lips softly before nuzzling his nose against your cheek.

“I like this side of you,” you mused softly, letting him move your body back into the bed, your head resting on your pillow. He let his own come to rest on your chest, flattening out his body against yours. 

“It’s just for you, my love.” Josh breathed against your skin, listening to your heartbeat against his ear. “I’ll drink you dry if you ever tell anyone about it.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” you chuckled under your breath, threading your fingers through his curls. Your body began to relax as you felt him do the same against you, easing you into the most restful sleep you’d had in days, worries of another nightmare far away with Josh so close.

Taglist: (feel free to add yourself!)

@joshsindigostreak @sinners-go-to-drink-the-wine @ascendingtostardust @sammysprincess @sammykiszkamyass @belovedsamuel @sunfl0wer-power @indigo-starcatcher @sammyscherub @earthlysorrows @lvnterninthenight @allieisacrybaby @losfacedevil @xserenax-13 @sarakay-gvf @shutupdevvie @myownparadise96 @watchingovergvff @gretavanfleetposts @josiee-gvf @joshkiszkatoothgap @madneedshelp @gardensgatedaisy @demonrat444 @dannyandthekiszkas @tearsofbri @paleshadow-ofadragon @happy-harpy-stuff @like-a-woman-in-a-dream @starshine-wagner @objectsinspvce @josh-iamyour-mama @mountain-in-springtime @cal-a-bungaa @capturethechaos @gvfpal

@allybjt @hippievanfleet @weightofbrokenbells @joshkiszkasbadussy @malany-gvf @ruby0antlers @samofthedawn @sacredjake @aim4thedoublee @diditallforyouu @gvfmarge @highladyofasgard @sammysvanfeet @gold-mines-melting @earthgrlsreasy @forcebond301 @stardust-and-shadows @llightmyllovee @gretavangroupie @comesofarsomehow @infinisonicosm @indigofallingsky @hellowgoodbye @hearts-hunger @fwzco @dharma-divine33 @lightsofthe-living-gvf @ascendingtothestarsasone @klarxtr @ofthecaravel @musicspeaks @radmads-gvf

#josh kiszka x reader #greta van fleet fan fiction #jake kiszka x reader #sam kiszka x reader #danny wagner x reader #greta van fleet x reader #greta van fleet fic #josh kiskza #jake kiszka #sam kiszka #danny wagner #greta van fleet #eternal fic #gvf fanfiction #gvf smut

[grumpy-zane]

In Which a Man is Misplaced - Ft. Dareth in the departed realm.

[Part 1] [Part 2]

Something about the land had changed again. It seemed more alive somehow, more filled with life than it had been before. Even the black deep had changed its feeling some, feeling more like real water than it had been previously. The sunlight peaked into the mist, turning it a light navy and revealing sea grass and rocks. Small fish swam by them as they approached the shore.

Small talk filled their silence as Plexi rambled on about nonsense and the goings on of the realm as Favrile filled him in. Once more the 'event' was brought up, and Plexi seemed less than pleased on his outcome in the whole situation.

"You're an elemental master?" Dareth asked as his mind roamed, noting the bubbles that escaped his mouth.

Plexi scoffed, "Yeah, and it shoulda been me who got picked. Instead my old man got it, and I bet he's pillaging the seaside while I get to keep being stuck here in bumbsville. Why he's worse than me, he's a pirate! It was a 50/50 chance of either me or him! It's all rigged anyway, why I bet I wasn't picked because 'you know who' knew that I knew you and wanted to spite me for it."

Favrile rolled his eyes, "the world isn't out to get you Plexi. Where do we go next after we break the surface?"

Plexi ignored him and turned to look at Dareth with a smile, "So, are you hungry? Tired? Back killing you? I need to stop by my house before we get out, figured I would offer some hospitality. How do you like your coffee?"

"um," his preoccupied mind stopped for a moment as if to reconsider its trail. He was feeling sore from all of the running and on and off excitement, and exhausted too. Sleep dropped on him as they stepped out of the thick fog onto the shore, and he took a moment to stop and stretch. "Yeah, I would like a break..." he glanced at Favriles disapproving stare, "And I like my coffee with choclate in it."

"Wonderful! We'll hunker down at my place over lunch and after a nap we'll be on our way. Follow me everybody!" Plexi chirped and led the way, much to Far's groaning.

Everything felt just a little cramped in the mustard-yellow house, despite the lack of furniture around to make it feel that way. It was the style of the houses at the time in this part of the city, being built together like a wall guarding one roadside from the next. The kitchen felt just as thin as the entryway corridor, but at least the den was cozy enough.

Dareth found himself laying on the couch next to the old-style heater, listening to the hanging wall clock tick by without any hands. There was no concept of time in this place, the sun never set, and there was no moon nor stars. Was the departed realm really just a sort of eternal purgatory? He pulled at his fingers, cracking the knuckles as he attempted to empty his mind once more.

through the subtle ringing in his ears, he honed in on the muffled conversation a room over.

'You don't think it's true...' 'I know it is Far, so did all of those goons. Take a life, get yours back, it's just how it works. How do you think my brother got revived?' 'He's not dead?... who did he kill?' 'Favrile you're not really thinking of harming that poor man are you? What would your wife think? Your ma?' 'No, never. I did what I needed to do in life.... what about you?' 'Eh, I thought about it. He's so unlucky that I thought it might be a relief to him, haha!' 'Plexiglass.' 'I kid, I kid! Here have some coffee. This'll be just like old times, you and me against all odds, stickin' it to the system.' "Oh Dareth!" Plexi called and stepped in.

Dareth picked up his head from the arm and watched his host set the platter on the coffee table. His cup was set on one side, followed by a creamer and sugar bowl, as well as a few spoons and cheap napkins.

He pushed himself upright and took the cup, gently blowing on it and taking a sip. It tasted...

"Not good? Bah I knew I shouldn't have switched from a press to a machine." Plexi dismissed.

It certainly wasn't coffee flavored, not any that he was used to. it was hot in his mouth, but cold on its way down, and had a weird texture to it that made it feel like he was eating something straight out of a can of whipping cream. "What kind of coffee is it?"

"Rankins medium blend, its a little rough and bitter, but I tend to make it light. Oh and uh, just some cocoa powder for the chocolate part of it, no sweetener." Plexi said.

Dareth took another small sip, unfamiliar with the brand, before setting it down.

"Need a hot pad?"

"I'm okay, thanks." He slumped back down. the cushions were much softer than the ones on his couch at home, it was perfect support. "Maybe a blanket?"

--

Lunch tasted just as he expected it to taste, which happened to be different than what the other two thought. It was on the sweet side, being an orange and a few honey-onion fried sausages, which Plexi had made especially for the occasion. "My kids used to love these things, I wonder if they ever make it for their kids."

"They don't visit?" Dareth paused.

"They're not dead yet," his eyes shimered yellow, "well, Beeps is."

"You should write her a letter," Favrile said, "since you're too afraid to see her in person."

"She doesn't wanna see me," he stretched, the chair creaking. "Besides, we have more pressing matters, like getting you home."

Dareth bit into the last sausage, "mhm, hmhh?"

"Yeah, how is that going to happen?" Favrile asked.

Plexi pinched the bridge of his nose, "Dragons travel through the realms by going fast, we're going to do it that way too, but we need a high enough place as a starting point. Far, I know you can summon some sort of train dohickey, so we'll jump off the higest point together and let gravity do most of the work. Then presto, back in Ninjago we'll be!"

Dareths eyebrows shot up, "isn't there a less, ah, dangerous option?"

"You wanna get home or not?" Plexi asked flatly.

Favrile tapped his fingers on the table, "the highest steepest point I know is the monastery but..."

"That's a lot of steps to climb," Dareth added in.

"It's closer, the next area is the wailing alps and I think we'd all rather sneak up a flight than rent climbing equipment. If we get caught, well, lets make sure that doesnt happen."

"C-caught by who?" Dareth asked.

"The people who want your life, or even worse, The First Spinjuitzu Master." Favrile mumbled.

#Ninjago #Dareth

[crystalstar8]

Knights of the Night (ch 11)

Chapter 11

Ch 1, ch 2, ch 3, ch 4, ch 5, ch 6, ch 7, ch 8, ch 9, ch 10, ch 11

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29139240/chapters/71536491

pairing: Jungkook x oc

genre: vampire au, college au, twilight, romance

word count: 2,054

warnings: blood (obviously), kidnapping, child kidnapping, needles, France

notes: vampires, vampire au, college, college au, so many twilight references, blood, needles, kidnapping, children, homelessness, dance, ballet, flashbacks, romance, slow burn, probably no smut, idk yet tho, France, French things, attempted genocide, inaccurate French history, bisexual main character, @strawberriewithchocolate-blog @mozy-j  @daechwitad-2​ @zobadak​​

summary: Catalina starts college in a small town all the way across the country. She doesn’t know anyone and isn’t exactly looking for friends. She just wants to focus on dance. But when she meets fellow dance major, Jimin, and adventurous, fellow freshman, Jungkook, Catalina ends up discovering a whole new side to the small college town; one that is dangerous but oh so enticing…

tw: France, attempted murder, death, it’s a vampire story so...

               When Catalina and Jungkook came back to the rooms wrapped in towels, hand in hand, everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and stared.

               “Did you guys fuck in the hot tub?” Jimin asked, breaking the silence.

               “Jungkook! That is irresponsible and inappropriate!” Jin screeched.

               “We didn’t fuck in the hot tub!” Catalina yelled over the chaos, trying and failing to contain her laughter. “Everyone calm down.”

               “We were just about to do some slumber party activities,” said Taehyung. “I got us some popcorn from downstairs and I heard of a game called spin the bottle-“

               “Or we can just talk,” said Jimin. “I want to hear about you guys, since you’re immortal and all.”

               “And we can braid hair,” said Taehyung. Jimin giggled.

               “Well, we’re gonna go change first, then we can do whatever you want,” said Catalina.

               After changing into some warm clothes, everyone gathered into the room with the largest floor space and sat around wherever they could. Catalina was sat on the ground in front of Taehyung, who was braiding her hair. Jungkook sat beside her, close enough for their arms to brush every time they moved.

               “So, what happened out there?” asked Jimin. “Give us the deets. I know I said not to go find him, but it looks like it went well.”

               “It did go well,” said Catalina. “We made up.”

               “And made out,” said Jungkook. Catalina elbowed him, but he just laughed.

               “Yeah, we…” Catalina felt breathless again as she looked over at the boy making her heart flutter. “Yeah.”

               “I mean, I don’t think we need the deets,” said Jin.

               “Yeah, I’m more interested in you guys,” said Jimmy K, pointing to the four vampires. “You guys have been around a while. You must have plenty of stories.”

               “Sure! What do you wanna know?” Hoseok said with a shit eating grin on his face, leaning back on his hands. Namjoon, who was sitting beside him, swatted at him.

               “Oh please,” he said. “You’re practically a baby.”              

               “He’s right,” said Hoseok. “I was born in 1973. Turned in ’95. I’m still not used to the whole ‘no aging’ thing. Definitely not used to living with people who are literally hundreds of years old. That’s a trip.”

               “How did you get turned into a vampire?” Catalina asked him.

Hoseok completely ignored her, turning to Namjoon and saying, “Yeah, tell us your story.”

               “I-she…” Namjoon stuttered, pointing at Catalina. Then he sighed and said, “Well, I was turned when I was twenty-three. The year was 1580. I guess I should give some history. So, during those times, there was a lot happening in Europe to the vampire community, specifically in France. This was called The Great Hunt, but it definitely wasn’t great for a lot of people. The vampires living there at the time were being relentlessly hunted and killed, rounded up and tortured. It was a massacre, and it led to a lot of vampires leaving the country and travelling the world to get away from it. That’s how I met Pierre. He escaped the hunt and fled, ending up all the way in northern Korea. I lived in a seaside village, mostly working on the water. One day, I ended up in a swampy area of the shoreline and my boat got stuck. Then this ghostly man came out of the water and sat on a rock. I had never seen anyone like him in my life; he was unnaturally beautiful and pale. I ditched my boat and swam to him, I couldn’t even control myself. We talked for a while and he told me about where he came from and then he bit me. He was going to drain me if it weren’t for the search party arriving, looking for me. He ran away and my fellow fisherman took me back to the village. I was half dead, but his venom was already doing its work. The transformation was excruciating. It felt like my veins were on fire, my head felt like it was going to explode, my jaw ached like someone was prying my mouth open, and it went on like this for days. Finally, when it stopped and the pain went away, I had this uncontrollable thirst. I could hear people’s hearts beating. I could taste their heat, just by being near them. I ended up killing three people in my village before I was captured. They were going to behead me, but I was stronger and faster now, so I got away easily.

                “I was on the run for so long, but eventually, I made it out of the country. I ended up in Bangladesh-“

               “How?!” Jin interrupted. “That’s…that’s all the way across China!”

               Namjoon shrugged and said, “I was fast and I never got tired. I was able to feed off of people along the way, as long as I kept moving. Anyway, I ended up by the ocean, the Indian ocean, and I met another vampire there. She worked on a ship and offered me a job. She turned out to be a pirate, and the crew was a mix of vampires and humans, all working together. We sailed the sea, taking ships and feeding from their crews. It was dirty, living like that. And it wasn’t how I wanted to live my life, so I left them and lived in India for a few years. Then one day, I took a boat to America and built my house in the mountains, using the riches I had from my pirate years. From there, I spent my days studying and getting degrees, learning as much as I can about everything.”

               “That’s incredible,” said Catalina.

               “So cool. I can’t believe you were a pirate,” said Jungkook. “You just don’t seem like the type.”

               “It was mostly about the community,” said Namjoon. “A lot of vampires were drawn to piracy during those times because they felt safe together. We couldn’t engage in regular society because the French were still hunting us across Europe and even into India for a while. But on the water, no one could touch us. But you’re right, I wasn’t the type. I didn’t like the bloodshed and pillaging and the dirty lifestyle, so I left as soon as I felt it was safe to live in society again, which was right around the time the Renaissance period began.”

               “That’s when I met Adrianna,” Taehyung said quietly behind Catalina. He had finished the braid and was tying a hair tie at the end.

               “Who Adrianna?” asked Jimin.

               “The vampire who changed me,” he said. “Ah, she was incredible. I miss her every day still.”

               “She’s not around anymore?” Jimin asked.

               Taehyung shook his head. “When we moved to the United States, the town we lived in found out we were vampires and they were going to lynch us. I got away, but she didn’t.”

               Jimin crawled over to him and gave him a hug.

               “I’m so sorry,” he said.

               Taehyung pouted and said, “It’s okay. It gets easier over time, especially now that I’m making new friends and doing things again.”

               “How did you meet her?” Catalina asked.

               “She found me in Korea. She was travelling the world, avoiding the hunts in France and Europe, and she ended up there,” Taehyung began. “I was only about sixteen at the time. I was painting and doing calligraphy for the royal family, but most of my time was spent on my grandma’s farm. She raised me so I wanted to help her out as much as I could. Adrianna found our farm and we let her stay with us, since she seemed unwilling to go into the town. She didn’t speak Korean at the time and I didn’t speak French, so we couldn’t talk much. She taught me French, and once I got decent at it, I taught her Korean and we became close friends after that. She stayed with us on the farm for a few years, helping with the chores and everything, and teaching me different art styles. She was an incredible painter. I found out she was a vampire one day when I saw her sneaking out of the house at night, so I followed her. She went into the village and drank from someone, hypnotizing them so they couldn’t remember. I told her I would keep her secret.

               “After my grandma passed away, I sold the farm and Adrianna took me to France. The hunts had ended and people were becoming more interested in art and science. We lived well in France, staying in a big house and studying under great painters. I even got to see the grave of Alexandria the Annihilator.”

               Namjoon, Yoongi and Jimmy K all gasped.

               “No way,” said Namjoon.

               “What was it like?” asked Yoongi.

               “Was her sword really on display there?” asked Jimmy K.

               “How do you even know who she is?” asked Taehyung. Jimmy K just grinned. “Anyway, yes, her sword was there. It was so big! It even looked like there was old blood on the blade. It was in a glass case, resting on a bed of her real fur capes.”

               Namjoon and Yoongi both erupted into a chorus of “so cool”s and “I’m so jealous”s.

               “Okay wait,” Jimin interrupted. “Who is Alexandria the Annihilator?”

               “Yeah, she sounds awesome,” said Jungkook.

               “She was,” said Jimmy K. “I did my history thesis on her. She was a famous vampire who led the resistance in France against the church. She saved hundreds of vampires by hiding them and smuggling them out of the country, but she also killed thousands of humans. She was slain in the early 16th century, ending the resistance and the hunts for good. Her lineage still lives though; she supposedly had a daughter with a human man, but it was in the midst of the resistance, so her daughter was smuggled away, kept in hiding for a long time. No one knows if she was a human, or a vampire, or something in between, but she’s said to still be alive today.”

               “Anyway,” Taehyung continued. “Adrianna and I lived in France during the early 17th century, so almost a hundred years after all that bad stuff. We had a lot of fun together. I had a little dog during those years, Yeontan, and I got to learn all about vampire history and culture. I wanted to be a part of it, and I wanted to be with Adrianna forever, so I kept asking her to turn me. She kept reminding me that immortality becomes a curse if you’re alive too long, and that I should wait to make a decision like that. We studied philosophy together, and I learned about life and death, and what our purpose was on this earth, I learned about critical thinking and how to form arguments. And when I was in my early twenties, I asked her again to turn me. I gave her a proper argument and everything. And she did.

               “And then, during the 1800s, we came to America and she…” Taehyung trailed off, his smile fading. “And then I was alone for a while. But then I travelled west, met Namjoon, and have been living here ever since.”

               “Were you and Adrianna lovers?” asked Catalina. Taehyung shook his head.

               “No. We loved each other dearly, but I was in love with her. I think she might have been gay though,” he said. “She liked to dress as a man when we travelled, she called herself ‘Adrien’ when she did. Or maybe she might have been trans. Well, either way, she wasn’t interested in men.”

               “She sounds like she was a very interesting person,” said Jimin.

               “She was,” Taehyung said with a small smile.

               Catalina then automatically turned her attention to Yoongi, hoping he’d share his story next. Apparently, everyone had the same idea, because when Yoongi looked up, he said, “Why are you all staring at me?”

               “Aren’t you going tell us your story next?” asked Jimmy K.

               “Oh, it’s really not that interesting,” Yoongi said with a wave of his hand. “I don’t even remember it.”

               “Oh, you’re so funny,” Hoseok said with a laugh. “He’s lying.”

               Yoongi let out a deep sigh and sunk into the couch he was on.

               “Where to start?” he asked. 

#bts #bts fanfction #knights of the night #crystalstar #kim namjoon #kim seokjin #Jimmy K #min yoongi #jung hoseok #park jimin #kim taehyung #jeon jeongguk #namjoon #rm #jin #captain kirk #yoongi #suga #hobi #jhope #jimin #taehyung #v #jungkook #vampire au #history #inaccurate french history #tw

[hosts-of-valyria]

King Aegon Targaryen, born Nymeros Martell, and Queen Sansa Targaryen, née Stark, of King's Landing, the Crownlands and Dragonstone

Marriage through love. Two political geniuses: Rulers of the richest and healthiest kingdom. Strongest Army in Westeros: Standing Army 90,000 soldiers of House Targaryen. Removal and cremation of the Iron Throne by Rhaegar Targaryen through wildfire. Installation of two normal thrones.

Strongest force in Westeros in times of Independence. Fleet of House Targaryen: 300 ships in the capital. 500 ships at Dragonstone

Death of Petyr Baelish by Arya Stark while attempting to kill Aegon Targaryen

Parents of Jaehaerys and Rickard Stark-Targaryen, Admirals of the Fleets of House Targaryen, In the fight against piracy on the high seas. Captivity of Euron Greyjoy, by Sansa and Aegon.

Rickard: Sansa's demeanor

Jaehaerys: Aegon's hair and demeanor

Asha, Theon, Sansa and Aegon vs. Euron Greyjoy

"I say Euron's head should be chopped off for the madness he brings. He is a looter. He cut his men's tongues out in his drug addiction because he needed silence. The Ironborn here in Westeros are no longer looting. But Euron thinks he has to play pirate. This man is a madman", called Jaehaerys.

Rickard led Euron ahead of Aegon and Sansa, "I'm not a doctor or a psychologist, but he uses drugs. But Euron is still a bloody madman. He loots everywhere he goes."

"Ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to marry the most beautiful queen. But I only see a power-hungry cunt. Just as a greedy cunt like the Dragon Queen and Lion Queen. I think I call this red-haired bitch Wolfs Cunt, the silver-haired whore in Meereen is the Dragons Cunt and the most power- hungry whores of them all are the blonde Lannister whore, the dornish whore, your whore mother and your whore aunt", said Euron to Sansa.

Theon and Asha slapped him in the face, "we two can kill you here and now too wanker!"

Cersei, Cathelyn, Elia and Lyanna laughed out loud, "and you're a drug addict pimp."

Aegon laughed out loud, "haha wow ah all right, then I am the brood of dragons who fucks the Wolfs Cunt. My sister Rhaenys is the meanest, vicious snake of them all and King Robb is a desperate cock banging a dornish pussy. My brother Jon is a little fucker who is addicted to big dornish tits and Arianne is a small, smelly bitch. You are just a failure in life Euron. How many drugs did you take, Euron?"

Jon, Robb, Rhaenys and Arianne laughed out loud, "oh we only fuck out of lust for power. Sex is power? Do you actually hear what shit and madness you are talking about?"

Sansa laughed out loud, "haha. Ok fine wow all right then from now on I am the red-haired Wolfs Cunt that spreads the legs for a dragon cock, my aunt Lyanna is the northern Wolfs Slut and my mother smells like fish between her legs. And you're a little mackerel, Euron."

Lyanna and Catelyn laughed out loud. Sansa sat down in front of Euron, "I'm still going nuts, do you think a woman thinks this behavior is cool? One day there must be an end to royalty. No more queens and kings. Thank you now my family has to build me up again because you have become insulting, now we have to talk to each other again that the insults were not meant seriously. Thanks Euron for nothing, you have no qualifications. Now Rhaenys has to reassure Jon that the insult was not meant seriously. Who actually brings madness here? Just because you don't want to have anything to do with your family doesn't give you the right to judge others Greyjoy. Just because you don't want to have anything to do with Asha and Theon doesn't give you the right to act like an asshole. I'll tell you something, whoever wants to fuck has to be friendly, Euron. Being friendly and courteous is perceived as attractive. You wanna fuck. Then you have to be kind and leave the drugs off. What do you have to offer me, what could i use what you have? Oh what could you offer me Euron, I already have your ships. Asha and Theon have the Iron Fleet and not you. As Jaehaerys said you cut your men's tongues out, why should I want anything from you? You can't offer me anything, why should I give you title or power when you lack all qualifications, I wouldn't benefit from it. I don't have such a big heart that I give power for free. This bitch here likes ships like Dany, she also has many ships in Essos and Cersei and Myrcella also have a vast fleet at Casterly Rock. Everyone loves Myrcella and Trystane in Casterly Rock. Even Cersei is worshiped in Casterly Rock. Tommen and Joffrey are worshiped in Storm's End, Joffrey is a good Storm King with Bella as the Storm Queen and Tommen is a shining and strong knight like Jaime in Storm's End, Lancel is a good knight in our service nobody laughs at the Lannisters. Yes, I like power, I like to be powerful, Daenerys likes it, Cersei likes it. As long as there is no madness, everything is fine and Daenerys does not burn people in Essos. It is really awesome to be successful. Yes, it's ok if I'm not loved by everyone, I also accept dislike, when people call me a power-hungry cunt. I'm a good queen nonetheless, and so is Daenerys in Meereen. Your men are going back to Queen Asha to the Iron Isles, she is significantly richer than you. Oh poor boy I don't fuck losers. Why should I give power for free, I also worked for my power, nothing was given to me, I owe this success to me alone and that feels so nice. Why should I hire you as captain in the fleet of House Targaryen when you loot and murder. My sons go to sea and are far better captains and admirals than you could ever be. What could you offer me, Cersei or Daenerys? Cersei is right, if you want a queen, earn her. If you want a whore, buy one. Daenerys is absolutely right, it must finally be over that the Ironborn plunder, and Asha now has power, wealth and prosperity. You're coming in captivity here in the Red Keep and I'm writing that to Daenerys in Essos. You commit crimes on the high seas and I tell her that. Cersei is a good, wise and powerful queen in Casterly Rock, and she is beautiful, the problem is the Iron Throne is gone, Winterfell has a throne and knows the Crown of the North, Casterly Rock has a throne and knows the Crown of the Westerlands whose name is Lannister, Pyke has a throne and knows a crown. Rhaenys is a good, wise and beautiful queen in the north. The kingdoms were independent before Aegon the Conquer. I am not the only attractive woman. Asha isn't unattractive either, she's attractive in her own way, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Success makes you attractive when you are passionate about something in life, when you want to achieve something. If a woman says no to sex, that's okay; if a man says no to sex, that's okay. Women can also rape men."

Sansa looked at Euron.

"Let's be absolutely honest, Daenerys is also beautiful and powerful, and a good and wise queen in Meereen who ended slavery without wanting to benefit from it. Daenerys is beautiful too, and very happy with Daario and Rhaego and her dragons. Do you think Dany gives power for free when she doesn't benefit from it? Let's think about what you could offer Daenerys, Cersei or me. What could you offer, Euron? Your penis? Maybe Theon should cut your penis off, would you want that? Use your hands when you want to jerk off. Asha deserves to be Queen of Pyke and Theon knows it, she is a good Queen. My sons are much more successful in life than you are. Why should Aegon give you power when he doesn't benefit from it. You are insulting my husband and the king I love. I have every right to hate and kill you. This is still the father of my children. I definitely don't need you Euron. Think about it, the Ironborn have prosperity and wealth without looting. Asha and Theon have almost more money than me and Aegon, from their alliance with Daenerys in Meereen. Asha has almost more money than Cersei. What do you want, asshole? You are still the uncle and should be proud to see that the Ironborn have a future without fighting. Balon and Aeron would be very proud to see Asha and Theon now. The Ironborn build their power without pillage. You're not going anywhere anymore, Euron. We'll send you to the Citadel in Oldtown for the next few days, there you can get clean of your drug addiction. Now everyone can laugh at you, you've done drugs. Asha and Theon have done enough for you, you are a grown man. This is my family and friends, you have no right to act like an asshole here. We'll lock you up and you'll be taken to Oldtown in the next few days. Sick, insane pig."

Robb, Rhaenys, Jon, Arianne, Lyanna, Elia, Cersei, Cathelyn, Asha, Theon, Aegon, Jaehaerys and Rickard laughed aloud about Euron.

Theon and Asha led Euron away, "we have something to talk about, asshole."

Sansa and Aegon looked at Rickard and Jaehaerys, "take him to the dungeons, it will be time for him to sober up."

Rhaenys hugged Jon, "you know that I always support you Jon."

Cersei and Catelyn hugged, "I'm coming to Casterly Rock with Rickon and Lyanna Mormont, she wants to see the wonders of the Lannisters."

Aegon, Catelyn, Lyanna and Jon hugged Sansa, "everything's OK with you", she nodded, "everything OK."

#sansa targaryen #king aegon targaryen #aegon and sansa #sophie turner #jamie campbell bower

[frostskader]

Love & Liability

Alternatively Titled: Can you feel the Love Tonight?

Once upon a time ships traveled the seas pillaging towns and cities. This was the golden age of piracy. Yet it was only golden by the standards of those on the ships that traveled the world. For the rest the 1700’s was a terrifying place to live in.

“Captain! Captain! We’re pulling into port and the offices are ready to meet us.” Barbara Roberts turned to her Quartermaster, her brunette hair flying in the wind with a smile that could blind anyone that looked while the sun was shining down on her.

Strange if you considered hygiene on a ship but Barbara was a woman of detail, or class, she wouldn’t willingly break a nail let alone let her teeth go to ruin.

“I’m not worried. They’ll let us in or we’ll blow up their port. Simple as that.” Barbie grinned turning back to the dock that awaited them. “We’re here solely to have a party, they can’t have a problem with that.”

Yet there were a lot of problems with that and the brunette that was hiding behind some barrel knew that. But she couldn’t voice it. She would be in even more trouble if she was found in her hiding spot. How she had survived without being found for the last week was a miracle in itself. Aurora wouldn’t be taking anymore chances this close to salvation.

Especially this close to Gracewood Manor. Aurora needed to make it on land. Please don’t send this ship away.

The closer they got the more Aurora waited for the sound of gunfire. When none appear she cautiously poked her head out to the line of officers all with their guns drawn.

“Calm down boys. I’m merely here for a visit. A restock of supplies. Maybe a drink or two. We won’t be destroying your town.” Barbie grinned looking over the officers herself leaning onto the railing while she played with her hair.

“Surely you’ll let us dock?” Her voice rang and Aurora watched each of the officers take a deep breath. Shifting in their britches. 

“We can not!” One voice rang out. The boy was on the shorter side compared to everyone. He stood off to the side. No one of rank but he stood tall despite his gun shaking as he pointed at him.

“Officer Oliver stand down.” The Captain by his stripes stepped forward. “Miss what’s your name?”

“Barbara Roberts. You can surely look me up by my name couldn’t you? Find my wanted poster. I’m a woman of my word. We’ll be gone by the morning. Just give us time to do that won’t you Captain?”

“Captain Percy Goldthwait, Ms Barbara. We can offer our port to you only to buy supplies and set up by morning. We will not allow anything else. And if we see anything you will be arrested.” Percy stated ordering his men to drop their guns. Oliver being the last.

Poking her head up Aurora tried to get his attention he was the only one that could possibly help her. She just needed to get off this ship. She needed to find him.

“Of course, We’ll follow your rules while we’re here I promise.” Barbie spoke crossing her fingers behind her back.

“Alright men and women. Tie us in and lets go.” Barbara called being the first to disembark without looking back at her crew. Instead just running her fingers over the Captain’s collar. “Show me around why don’t you? What’s with the big house over there?”

Percy followed her finger, it looking like hearts were swirling around his head. “Gracewood Manor. There will be a ball there tonight. Invitation only though.”

“Oh but of course.” Barbara whispered.

Again Aurora tried to get Oliver’s attention, but the officer watched Barbara and his captain rushing off to follow them leaving Aurora to collapse back. She wouldn’t be able to leave until everyone quieted down.

Oliver had lost sight of the pirate and his Captain too quickly even running after them. Leaving him away from the boat and the other men. Which he was going to get majorly in trouble for!

Sprinting back to the boat Oliver barely dodged a young couple in the middle of the Square.

“Marzel, I know you’re waiting. I know she was someone you cared about but you’ve only recently met her.”

“It was enough Melody. One meeting and my heart was stolen.” Marzel mused holding his hand to his chest as if it would leap out and he would need to catch it before it fluttered away.

Melody on the other hand felt like hers would sink to the floor. All those times as children together. All the village ladies teasing them how they would get together and marry. It was all falling apart because of one woman.

“We haven’t heard from her ship, she should have been back by now.”

“We have until the Ball, Melody.”

“No you need to make the decision to move on or you’ll hang over her your entire length. Make the decision. Marry me.” Melody stepped infront of him glancing around to make sure no one else heard those words.

A woman proposing? It was unheard of.

And by Marzel’s expression unwarranted and unheard of.

“No Melody. You’re my best friend and I care about you but I can’t, I won’t. I’m sorry.” Marzel turned away walking from Melody, This time the girl held onto her chest. Not because her heart would flutter away but because it would drop to her feet.

Turning on her heel Melody moved to walk home pausing at a store window, the gown on display such gorgeous lace that would drape around any woman beautifully. 

The seamstress stepped into the window pulling the gown down leaving Melody to stare at the empty space.

The dress was brought over to a young girl standing in front of a mirror as they dressed her. A woman’s wedding day was meant to be grand. She was meant to be stunning. To render her fiance speechless.

Ashlee was sure she could do all of those things.

But the girl had imagined adventure and love. She had wished for it in her journals and with her nannies. Daring to dream but everyone in the house found it endearing. 

Even now Ashlee swished the gown around wishing and hoping for the future she wanted not the one that would be her demise of staying at home all day while he potentially never returned.

“What is your fiance like?” Peri questioned taking her measurements unable to ask the girl to not move. Not from her standing. 

“I don’t know I haven’t met him.”

“You haven’t?”

“We will meet tonight. At the ball at Gracewood Manor.” Peri’s hand froze at her work before she continued to work.

“I heard many young couples will be meeting their and it will be an excellent place to meet someone if you have not.”

“Perhaps.” Ashlee stated. “I’d rather not, but to each their own.” 

“Ms Peri. I’m afraid you’re running late. The madam at Gracewood Manor needs an alteration and she refuses to have anyone make the change other than you.” 

“The ball will start in just a few hours. And I’m with a client.” 

“It’s alright. You can not turn down the madam of Gracewood manor. Your assistant can finish the measurements. I’ll be heading to the ball soon enough anyway.” Ashlee offered ushering the blonde away.

“Yes of course. Thank you Ma’am.”

 Grabbing armfuls of the material and her kits Peri rushed into the carriage stepping in without assistance and being jostled the entire way.

“Excuse me could you slow down?” Peri questioned but heard no response back. Of course not. How could they listen to her. Just a small town seamstress. 

The trip up to the manor was quick. Quicker than if Peri had to travel by foot. Yet as she stepped out she was ushered through the halls only catching one glimpse of the young master of the house.

Nuka watched as Peri was ushered through the halls until she disappeared from his sight only then did he focus back on the musician in front of him. “I do not mind whichever you decide to play. As long as our guests may dance to it, you are free to choose.” Nuka commanded, waving of O’Malley.

The musician stepped back bowing at the young master heading to the ballroom.

Nuka stepped forward to follow Peri, before he could make even the second step he was pulled back to his room to formally dress for the event. He could be meeting his own fiancee tonight.

With his butler working hard, Nuka was dressed in no time. By the time he stepped out of his room the manor was lit by candle light. Music slipped out of the ballroom as Nuka moved to greet his guests. 

“Welcome Ms. Tommassian. I hope you enjoy your evening.” 

The young girl offered Nuka a smile to be polite, giving him a curtsy before moving in with her parents.

“There he is. The young man’s name is Oliver Twiste. He’s from a well off family and has become an officer. He’s expecting to rise through the rank very quickly.” 

Ashlee’s father called Oliver over and the young man scrambled forward. Taking Ashlee’s hand to lay a kiss to it.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Ashlee.”

“It’s Ms. Tommassian.”

Oliver mentally took a step back before nodding. “My apologies Miss.”

Ashlee sighed. “Just ask me to dance already.” 

Oliver nodded asking her and taking her hand to pull her onto the dance floor. 

“It’s -”

“Don’t speak.” Ashlee commanded as they twirled around the dance floor.

“But-”

“No, I don’t want to marry you and if you want to marry someone just because your parents told you too. You’re a fool.”

Swallowing harshly Oliver looked away from his fiancee because at the end of the day she was already his fiancee. Their parents had made the match.

“Look you might be unhappy-”

“I said not to speak-”

“No you listen to me. I get ordered enough by my captain. You’re just going to have to suck it up because we are to be married. Deal with it.” 

Neither party looked at each other as they dance, teeth clenched at one another to avoid saying another word. Yet their parents off to the side swooned at the young couple and many more as everyone joined the dance.

Couples littered the floor dancing, twirling around while servants stood around waiting to be needed. Or attempted to escape like one seamstress who had been stuck for too long by the madam. Peeking in to the ball Peri listening to the music from her place hidden away from any prying eyes. 

He played beautifully watching all the couple dancing a longing in his own eyes. Ones that Peri imagined matched her own.

But she had to leave before she was spotted.

“Peri?” 

Peri twisted around staring up at Nuka with a small gasp. “My apologies I know it’s invitation only I was just listening to the music. I’ll be on my way.” Peri started to move heading toward the stairs to the second, she could escape from the servants exit, she had multiple times before.

“Wait Peri.” 

Peri wouldn’t wait rushing forward a couple guests that had made their way up to the balcony started to look.

With all eyes on her Peri pulled open a curtain to escape behind stopping suddenly at the man and woman making out against the railing. 

“Captain?” Nuka questioned stepping behind Peri. Percy spun around eyes wide as he knocked Barbara back and off the railing. Everyone wincing as she fell into the bushes below. She’d be okay, Enough affairs had left that way. 

But the scream that rang out definitely meant something went wrong.

“Captain you have a wife and a young child at home.”

“And she’s a pirate?” Peri supplied recognizing the face from a wanted poster in town.

“And she’s a pirate. Should I be concerned just who you’re allowing in town and in turn my home.”

“No Mr. Blackwell. It’s nothing like that. Please don’t tell my wife.”

“No I’m afraid I will be telling her. Afterall your wife was expected here too. Now go check on her and make sure she’s not dead. Do your job.” 

Percy ran off without a look back everyone watching now. Nuka how pulled the curtains and held out his hand before Peri could run off.

“Peri would you stop running?”

“I’m not supposed to be here. I’m so sorry your Mother requested I work on her gown. It’s finished and I should head out.” 

Nuka’s arm still extended over the curtain forcing Peri to stay where she was.

“You could be welcomed here. Peri, Marry me.”

The question wasn’t out of the blue, they had seen one another since Peri started working at the shop. Joked around when Peri came to fit his mother and drop off gowns but that didn’t mean she could marry the wealthiest family in this town.

“I’m sorry Nuka. I’m not right for this. Please move on.” Peri ducked under his arm and ran for the door. Nuka right behind her passing another couple.

“Would you like to dance?” Marzel questioned holding out his hand to Melody. Both clad in their best they barely paid attention to a seamstress or the young master of the house chasing after her. 

The music was so loud no one else had even noticed the scream from the balcony and ignored the Captain of the officers running out either.

Melody only had eyes for Marzel though her heart had already been broken for today.

“Of course.” Melody took Marzel’s hand as they swept onto the dance floor passing a young couple that wouldn’t even look at one another. 

The two of them couldn’t help but laugh. “Arranged marriage.” They agreed at the same time.

“I’m sorry Melody you’re right. You’ve been right this entire time. I’m been waiting for someone that won’t come back.”

Melody nodded though she ducked her head in embarrassment. She had asked him to marry her without a second thought.

“Melody Oceana would you marry me?” Marzel questioned smiling down at her. Pulling a ring out of his pocket Melody eagerly pulled it on. Reaching up to kiss his cheek. 

“Of course.” 

Aurora had struggled to get off the ship but when she had she wished she hadn’t. The ball had already begun and she looked like she hadn’t showered in a couple weeks. Which she hadn’t. Storming into the seamstress shop Aurora grabbed water from the back cleaning up the best she could before putting on a dress that was too loose but at least she’d be dressed. She hadn’t imagine running up to the manor would lead her to watch the Captain of the ship she stowed away on would be falling from a balcony.

Rushing over Aurora held out a hand to help her out of the bush.

“Oh it’s the stowaway I was wondering when you’d get off my ship.”

“You knew?”

“Of course I knew.” Barbara hissed pushing the girl away. “Now my leg hurts so walk away unless you want me to kill you.”

“Step away young miss. I’ll look after this pirate.” 

Aurora glanced up to see the Captain with his collar all messed up and the lipstick matching Barbara’s it didn’t take long for Aurora to put everything together taking the warning and running far away. 

She didn’t want any part of that.

Slipping into the manor Aurora avoided everyone that would want to see her or force her to introduce herself to the crowd.

He’d be here, he had to.

The music lulled but Aurora barely paid any attention her eyes locked on Marzel as he slipped her engagement ring onto Melody’s finger.

She was too late. After everything she had gotten back too late.

Pressing herself against the wall Aurora hid away from everyone’s eyes as tears blurred her vision.

“Excuse me. Are you alright?” A man asked offering a handkerchief to her.

“This is much too beautiful night to cry. I should know I’ve been playing the music for all these lovely couples.”

“My- He was my fiance, just proposed to someone else.”

“Well he’s obviously the fool for choosing anyone other than you. Come let’s get some fresh air.” O’Malley offered Aurora his arm and the girl accepted it throwing one glance back to the happy couple. 

Stepping outside Aurora and O’Malley paused and turned hard to the right, spotting Nuka and Peri kissing in the moonlight.

“Did you love him?”

“I did.”

“Could you move on?”

“I’ll have to.”

“Don’t worry it gets easier with time.” O’Malley supplied. “But until then having a shoulder to lean on helps and I’m currently unattached compared to all of these couples.”

“Well that’s good because I’m currently unattached too. Love has only been a liability to me.” Looking up at the man Aurora smiled at his smile. “Perhaps there’s more than just a romantic love. And maybe I’ve just stumbled upon it.”

#bdrplabors #//tah dah!! #//phew

[ericsonclan]

Wash Free the Blood

Summary: The Ericson pirates stop at a port town where everything goes wrong

Word Count: 6739

Read on AO3:

Prisha felt the cool wind blow across her face as the smell of the sea danced around her nose. Taking a moment, Prisha brushed back the few wisps that had curled round her face before placing her hand on the side of the ship. In a single fluid motion Prisha jumped over the side and landed on the dock with ease. A short breath escaped her lips as her eyes wandered round the island where they had decided to stop. The waters were a beautiful ombre, turquoise changing to deep blue the further the water level went. The water ebbed and flowed with small waves that crashed across the white sands. Palm trees decorated the island, gifting it with shade and some coconuts. It seemed to be a rather small community with a small share of houses at the base before a long walkway led to a sort of white mansion. Prisha paused for a moment. Something about this place felt oddly familiar but she couldn’t quite figure out why. It felt as though the answer was on the tip of her tongue when she heard footsteps stroll down the walkway. She glanced back and a warm, loving smile appeared on her face as she saw it was Violet. The blonde pirate looked up at Prisha and returned the smile before casual intertwining her fingers with hers. The two gazed at each other for a moment before Prisha captured Violet’s lips in a quick, soft kiss. When they pulled apart their eyes locked once more, filled with love.

“Oh boy!” Louis hopped down onto the deck, ending the short moment the two had shared. “This island looks amazing! Right, Clem?” He looked over at his wife with a warm, bright smile before offering her a hand as she made her way to the deck. Clementine accepted the help before replying.

“Yeah, it really is amazing,” She looked out at the town before the wild laughs of Willy, AJ and Mitch appeared behind her. The trio shot passed her and scampered towards the shore, each of them excited to see a new place. Soon all the other pirates exited Ol’ Kickass.

“It sure is lovely,” Sophie gave a soft smile that faltered for a moment as her eyes wandered down to the braces on her arms. Her mind returned to that dreaded day, the day Minnie had died. They had fought so hard for that moment and for what? It filled Sophie’s heart with deep guilt and sorrow.The redheaded pirate was pulled from her swirling thoughts when she felt something warm embrace her hand. Glancing down, she noticed that it was Tenn’s hand. Her younger brother gave a gentle smile up to his sister who tried her best to give it back in kind. Marlon glanced back at the pair for a moment, wondering if he should say anything but before he could Rosie had drawn his attention once more. His eyes grew large before he gave a whistle, commanding Rosie to get back on the ship and stand guard. The pitbull looked saddened by it for a moment but quickly licked Marlon’s hand and ran back onto Ol’ Kickass.

“What's the name of this place again?” Brody asked as she walked alongside Mitch who had calmed down a bit.

“I believe it's name was Ellister.” Aasim called out from the back of the pack. His hand swayed gently with Ruby’s as they walked forward.

“I can’t wait to check this place out!” Willy exclaimed, giving a toothy grin to AJ who was now walking alongside Louis and Clementine. The shaggy haired teen was so lost in his excitement that he failed to notice when he ran into Prisha and Violet, causing their hands to slip away from each other. “Shit, sorry!” Willy gave an apologetic smile to the couple before the back of his shirt was nabbed by Brody and he was pulled back.

“You’re gonna walk with us, Willy,” Brody gave the teen a scolding look before looking back at Prisha. The auburn pirate’s gentle smile faltered for a moment when she saw that Prisha was deep in thought. “Prish?”

“Hmm?” Prisha shook herself out of her thoughts. “My deepest apologies,” Prisha thought to speak more on the growing sense that she knew of this place. But she brushed past it and continued to chat with the crew happily as they began to make their way into the town.

Soon the conversation became heated as different crew members talked about whether or not any of them could cook as great as Omar. Many had taken the side of not being able. Omar seemed to have been blessed by the gods of the seas and winds when it came to cooking so to even think to obtain that level seemed unrealistic. That, however, didn’t stop a few from speaking up that they probably could, mainly Mitch.

“I bet I could cook us some good grub,” Mitch gave a cocky smile before looking over at his love. She didn’t seem to agree. “What?”

“I highly doubt-” Brody’s sentence was cut off though when a voice appeared in front of them.

“Stop right there!” A man dressed in fine deep blue clothes called out, a rapier by his side along with a sidearm. Soon more and more men appeared with him. The Ericson pirates stopped in their tracks, unsure whether they had already been recognized even though they highly doubted that was the case. Aasim had checked to make sure they had been nowhere near this area before. After all the pain they had gone through they simply wanted a break. But then why did the man leading this group look so angry?

Before any of the crew could hope to put together the pieces, the man grabbed Prisha by the collar and dragged her forward. He then gave a harsh hit to Prisha’s gut causing a thread of saliva to escape her lips. The pirates began to move forward but the man didn’t stop. Instead he threw Prisha to the ground and placed his knee on her back while holding back her good arm, twisting it sharply. Prisha let out a sharp, short hiss of pain.

“I never thought I’d live to see that day,”

“The fuck do you think you’re doing!” Violet dashed forward but was immediately picked up by another one of the men. He wrapped his arms through hers and held her up. The blonde pirate’s legs kicked around wildly in the air and she struggled to break free. The other pirates moved forward, ready to help but froze when the other men drew their muskets and aimed them at the crew. Louis held out his arm and stood before Clementine and AJ while Mitch and Brody both moved Willy behind them. Everyone’s guards were up as they tried to protect even one member of their family.

Violet kicked frantically, her pale green eyes glaring at the man that still held Prisha to the ground. “You get your fucking hands off her!” Violet spat, venom in her voice as she saw the man press her wife’s face against the dirt.

“I wouldn’t be so rude,” The man shot back with a sneer. “I’m simply doing my duty as a privateer. You see, I know of this pirate. This filth of the sea. You ran with the Deliverance,” The name made Prisha’s eyes grow large and fill with an array of different emotions; none were positive. “How I’d love to kill you right here and now for what you’ve done,” The privateer’s hand trembled with rage, hovering over his flintlock pistol. Violet struggled once more but was quickly silenced with a harsh hit across the face. The sight made Prisha’s heart tighten.

“Please! There’s no need to hurt her! It’s me who you have an issue with!”

The privateer looked surprised by the fear and worry in Prisha’ eyes as she looked towards her wife. The side of the blonde pirate’s face was still red from the force of the blow. The privateer looked between the two of them and soon his anger returned stronger than before. He turned to the Ericson pirates all of whom looked like they wanted to tear apart the group of privateers. “Drop your weapons! All of them!” he instructed before unholstering his pistol and aiming it at Violet. “Now!”

“Listen to him,” Louis took out his sword and tossed it in front of him. One by one the pile of weapons grew higher as the crew threw in any they had. They weren't going to risk Violet’s life.

“Good. Bind their hands. The duke would love nothing more than to see this one,” He spat towards Prisha. “And if her company is anywhere near as bad, we’ll be doing the seas a favor.” The crew all tried to resist, threatening the privateers as they moved to harm those they loved, but within seconds they were all getting their hands tied. Prisha felt her heartbeat pound in her ears as she watched her family slowly be guided towards the mansion in the distance. In that moment the realization struck her. That's why this place had felt vaguely familiar. It must’ve been one of the places the Deliverance had pillaged years ago. The brutality of those years, the sheer amount of bloodshed and bodies that she had left in her wake, it was all catching up with her and now it would bring Violet and the others in harm’s way.

The crew walked in silence, all of them terrified of what was to come. Some showed it clearly on their faces while others held anger as their main emotion, glaring at the men who pushed them forward. As they neared the building the details became more clear. The white mansion stood on a small elevation overlooking boulders covered in greenery, trees of all sorts growing beside the stone staircases that led up to a small balcony and the front doors. Large windows intricately designed stood proudly by the entrance where pillars shot up from the ground, holding and building into the roof. As they were guided towards the doors Prisha took note of how well the wood of the mansion had held up. This building must have been fairly old and yet it looked nearly brand new.

The privateers pushed the crew into the building which was covered in hardwood flooring. Chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, complementing the multiple tables, desk and shelves that covered the room, each one polished and handcrafted with different types of wood. Large windows brought forth the strong, warm light that showed off the delicate and beautifully sculptured statues that were on display as well as maps and other papers that lay scattered here and there. Whoever was living here was sitting in the lap of luxury, leading a privileged life in their small hideaway from the outside world.

The crew was guided forward towards a room guarded by twin doors made from mahogany. With a mighty push of the doors it was revealed to be a cartography room and a rather large one at that. There hovering over a map with a quill tucked between his middle and ring finger was the duke. In his other hand was a glass of wine, the contents of which swirled around lazily while the man stared at the map intensely. His brown eyes wandered up and noticed the captain of the privateers before he caught sight of the others. He opened his mouth, ready to ask what brought him here today when his eyes fell upon Prisha.

“You,” He placed down his glass and walked in front of his table. “I remember you. Your crew, The Deliverance, butchered the people all around these islands. The blood ran deep in the waters as you heartless bastards pillaged our towns and sliced down our people like it was nothing.” The duke walked forward, his eyes dancing with unyielding hate. With a swift flick of his hand he struck Prisha, causing her to nearly fall over. The different members of the crew lunged forward, each of them wanting to reach out and keep her safe.

“You bastard!” Violet tried to move forward.

“Leave Prisha alone!” Willy snapped at the man but was quickly quieted once his arm was twisted behind him.

“Stop! Please!” Brody begged but her pleas fell on deaf ears. All of the members of the crew started shouting until the duke spoke up again.

“Be silent or I’ll have you join her!” His eyes looked back at Prisha. “I should have you executed for your crimes! Your body held up on display for all to see that justice will be served against those who have wronged us!” Those words made Prisha’s eyes shoot up and lock with the duke's while her friends and wife desperately tried to break free. All of them were terrified by the threat. Before anyone could speak though, a hidden door was opened from behind a bookcase, revealing a tall, short haired man. He was dressed in the finest threads a person could afford. He had a golden jacket detailed with blue flowers that complemented the rest of his shirt and white pants nicely. A vest of the same pattern and colors lay beneath the jacket while the white ruffles of his undershirt spilled out from beneath his vest.

“Father?” The man walked forward and stood beside the duke. “What’s going on?”

“The privateers seem to have caught some pirates including one that ran with The Deliverance.”

The name made the young man flinch; his expression showed how deeply his mind was plagued by those words. “Did they run with The Deliverance too?” The young man’s eyes wandered over to the Ericson pirates.

“No!” Prisha’s voice cracked with desperation. “I was the sole pirate who sailed under that flag!”

The duke glanced over at Prisha, studying her face for a moment. It seemed as though he didn’t fully buy what she was saying. His son’s face, however, held a different look. One with more sympathy to Prisha’s words. His brown eyes scanned hers and noticed something within their depths.

“James,” The duke’s voice snapped the young man’s attention back towards his father. “You don’t need to bother yourself with this. If you needed me for something, you may ask once I am done handing down the sentence.”

James gave a short nod, his gaze turning to the ground for a second then back towards the crew. “What sentence is that?”

“Execution for every last one of them starting with The Deliverance scum,” The duke’s eyes locked onto Prisha, holding nothing but hatred and murderous intent.

“Even the children?” James glanced over at the youngest three of the Ericson pirates.

“Yes, they are too far gone to be spared. After growing up in that lifestyle there is no way to undo it. They all must perish.”

That got a reaction out of the Ericson pirates, all of them shouting once again. Some had nothing but pure anger in their words while others pleaded and begged, all of them trying to get the duke to spare the others’ lives.

The duke felt his blood boil as he gave the signal. In unison the privateers lifted up their muskets towards the pirates once more. “If any of so much as say another word, I will kill your captain right here and now!” He motioned with his hand and the end of a musket pressed against the back of Louis’ skull, ready to end his life in a second should the order be given.

“Father!” James took a step forward. “There is no need for such a show of force. They are all clearly terrified and we already have them captive. Their weapons are no longer with them.”

His son’s words made the duke’s expression soften for a moment. “Fine,” The duke tsked. “Throw them in the cells! Their executions will take place at dawn. Search their ship for anything useful to sell and gather their weapons.”

The privateers nodded and began to drag the Ericson pirates away. The crew all struggled fruitlessly to break free when James spoke up once more in his soft voice.

“Wait! Don’t take them away yet!”

The privateers stopped in their tracks and glanced up at the duke’s son.

“James, what is the meaning of this?” The duke’s face held a level of annoyance to it.

“I think they may be able to help me,” James noticed the look of utter confusion on his father’s face. “You asked me to travel to the edge of the Hastbron Peninsula to be a diplomat for the feuding sides. However with how vicious  and relentless The Deliverance has been lately to our neighboring allies and with their captain still at large the privateers must stay here.”

Prisha could feel bile forming in the back of her throat at the mention of the Deliverance’s captain. Her eyes flickered with hatred and fear for a split second but soon returned to an unreadable state. James stared at her for a moment then continued. “If I left Ellister with the privateers this place would be defenseless, but if I had another mode of transportation and guides then I could start the journey and move towards strengthening our bonds and allies from across the sea.”

“And you think these worthless scum would really take you? They’d slit your throat the instant you left!" The duke spat with anger.

“I disagree,” James shook his head. “If we strike a deal with them, I think they will help.”

“And what deal are you proposing?” The duke crossed his arms and looked towards his son.

“They take me across the sea and make the five day journey with me and then return me home. In exchange we will guarantee their lives and not execute them.”

The Ericson pirates’ eyes grew large and they each shared looks, disbelief and hope dancing within them. The duke remained silent for a minute, his eyes darting left and right as he studied the ground thoughtfully. His mind weighed out the options for a few minutes before he spoke.

“Fine, but Ricardo will journey with you.” The duke motioned towards the captain of the privateers then gestured for Louis to be brought forward. “You will take my son towards the Hastbron Peninsula, unharmed and alive. If you so much as harm my son or the captain of my privateers, I will hunt you and your crew down to the ends of the earth and give you the most brutal end imaginable. You’ll be begging for death before I grant it,” His eyes locked with Louis’. With a frantic nod he had agreed to the terms. “Good,” The duke strolled back then turned to face the pirates. “Twenty days. If you do not return by then, I will send out my men. As insurance that you won’t go back on your word, the youngest of your crew will stay here with me.” The duke gestured towards AJ who was brought forward. The duke looked at the crew, happy that he seemed to have made the right call. Based on the look in Louis’ eyes he assumed this to be his son. “Twenty days, or I will kill you all, starting with this one.”

“No!” Clementine lunged forward but was pulled back by the privateers. “I’ll stay behind. Just give AJ back!”

The duke shook his head. “I’ve made my decision. Take my offer or I’ll schedule the executions.”

Clementine bit down on her lip, her anger boiling deep within her as tears threatened to slip from her eyes.

“We’ve agreed.” Aasim spoke up. “But we can’t very well do our part of the deal with bound hands.”

“My privateers will cut you free once you are back at your ship. James, go prepare for the voyage.”

James gave a quick nod and was gone. With nothing more to say, the duke motioned for the pirates to be taken away. The crew was pushed back through the doors and roughly guided to the docks. When they arrived back at Ol’ Kickass Rosie’s ears immediately peaked up before folding down against her head. Baring her teeth, the pitbull began to growl at the group of men that still held the crew captive.

“Tell your mutt to back off,” Ricardo snapped. Marlon gave a short nod and with a sharp whistle Rosie reluctantly withdrew.

“Sorry,” James’ soft voice appeared from behind them as he ran down the path. The tailcoats of his jacket gently fluttered in the wind as he skidded to a halt. Ricardo motioned for the binds to be cut. Once again the guns were lifted on the Ericson pirates as they were instructed to gather their weapons. Their eyes focused on the privateer’s muskets as they cautiously picked up their weapons. Tenn moved forward to gather AJ’s weapons, a sad look overtaking his eyes as he stared at the shivs in his hands. He was pulled away from it in a moment, however, when Sophie placed her hand on his shoulder and gave a reassuring smile. Once the weapons were gathered Ricardo demanded that they set sail at once.

“You heard the man!” Louis shouted and stood by the wheel, his hands firmly gripping it. “We set sail for the Hastbron Peninsula!” The crew immediately went to work, dashing around the ship to get it ready for the journey. None of them wanted to waste a second when AJ’s life stood in the balance. James wandered around left and right, offering his help but none of the pirates took it. They didn’t want a bright-eyed, bushy tailed rich boy to slow them down. It wasn’t until Aasim called out for assistance in finding the location that James finally had a role to play.

“It’s right there,” James pointed at a small circle of islands. “Usually when my father took voyages there we would speak of him taking this route. The winds were particularly good there.”

Aasim looked at the map, studying it carefully. “Alright, thank you,” He moved past James and ran up to the wheel to discuss the course with Louis. The captain’s face was plagued with dread and worry but he forced a smile towards his friend.  

“Louis!” Marlon’s voice called up from the deck. “We’re ready!”

Louis gave a firm nod and began to steer the ship. His eyes focused on guiding it before they wandered over towards Clementine. Her face was hidden behind the rigging as she walked over towards the center mast. Even though her expression was hidden, Louis could feel the pain and worry radiating off of her. Grabbing onto the rope and twisting it around her arm, Clementine kicked the lever and shot herself into the air,  landing directly by the crow’s nest. She needed some time alone. Louis glanced around at his crew. None of them were doing well. Hell, he was a nervous wreck himself. Regardless, they needed to push onward.

So they continued to sail, all of them working in tense silence. The hours flew by as the winds filled the sails and guided Ol’ Kickass towards its destination. Soon nightfall was upon them and they all sat around eating the stew Omar had prepared. No one spoke at first. Everyone was on edge, their walls high as they worried for their loved ones. Ricardo sat across from Prisha and beside James, his eyes never leaving her. Violet grimaced as she finished her bowl. Once she was done she scooted closer to Prisha, her eyes glaring at the captain of the privateers from time to time. Rosie sat beside Marlon, growling softly at James.

The young man cleared his throat and placed down the bowl. “The stew was delicious,” James glanced over at Omar before he looked away, his gaze focused on the ground. Rosie’s continuous growling made him glance up though. “What's the dog’s name?”

“Rosie.” Marlon rested his hand on top of the pitbull’s head who looked up at him with soft eyes. He smiled down at Rosie then glanced over at James who seemed intrigued by the dog. “Do you want to pet her?”

James’ eyes grew large at the suggestion. “Oh, I’m not sure she likes me,”

“Nah. All you have to do is meet her at her level and let her get your scent. I can show you if you want.” Marlon offered.

“Absolutely not!” Ricardo shook his head. “No harm is to come to the duke’s son.”

“Rosie’s a sweetheart, I swear. “Marlon held up a hand and placed the other over his heart.

“It’s alright,” James moved forward then squatted down,

“Now just hold out your hand,” James followed Marlon’s instructions and ever so cautiously held out his hand. Rosie sniffed it intently for a few seconds before licking the young man’s hand. James gave a soft chuckle and patted the top of Rosie’s head.

“I’m calling it a night,” Clementine rose from her spot and began to walk towards the captain’s quarters.

“I’ll come too,” Louis jogged forward and walked beside his love, she didn’t bother to look up, her eyes cast down and too focused on her worry to notice anything else. Louis’ face fell, his hand moving away from Clementine’s as the pair walked forward. One by one the rest of the pirates left, heading off to their hammocks to call it a night. Ricardo’s eyes followed Prisha and Violet as they disappeared below decks before he loudly announced that he would be turning in for the night as well.

“I’ll take the first watch!” Willy offered, scampering off to start the climb to the crow nest but first he quickly ran over and gave Brody a quick hug. “Night, Brody! Night, Mitch!”

“Goodnight, WIlly,” Brody gave a gentle smile over to the teen before he began the climb.

“I’ll be back in two hours for my shift!” Mitch called out before he walked hand in hand below decks with his love.

“I’m heading to bed too,” Ruby gave a gentle kiss to Aasim who clasped her hand, giving it a soft squeeze.

“I’ll join you soon,” Aasim watched Ruby walk away for a minute then glanced out towards the open sea. Sophie stood on the helm of the ship, her blue eyes focused on the seas while Rosie lay by her feet. Marlon had promised to look after Tenn while Sophie took first shift at the helm.

James scanned the ship for a moment then glanced back at Aasim. “Can I ask you a question?” Aasim looked over at James. “Sure,”

“I know that one of you ran with The Deliverance,”

“Prisha,”

“I was wondering which flag you sail under.” James asked, his arms wrapped around his knees.

“We’re the Ericson pirates.” Aasim replied simply.

“I’ve never heard of you,” James’ nose scrunched in concentration for a minute as his mind tried to decide the truth of Aasim’s answer.

“I wouldn’t suspect you to. We’ve never set sail in your waters until now,” Aasim’s eyes fell for a moment. “We’re not exactly on the same level as the pirates that roam these waters.”

“How so?” “We don’t kill. At least our code directs only to take life when it is absolutely necessary.” Aasim’s words made James’ eyes grow large. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Pirates that didn’t kill on a whim. It was unheard of, at least to him. “You’re surprised.” Aasim noted.

“Sorry, I...” James took a breath when Aasim spoke up once more.

“It's unusual.” Aasim’s fingers traced the deck. “So, why is it so important for you to reach Hastbron Peninsula?”

“I need to get a treaty signed. Two of the islands have been feuding for years now but the only way we can all survive The Deliverance’s attacks is by putting aside our differences and uniting. We have to go the peaceful route and learn to work together or we’re no better than pi-” James caught himself on that word and looked down guilty. “I want to keep Ellister safe.”

Aasim nodded. A silence passed between the pair. Silently the pirate rose from his spot. “I need to check one more thing before turning in. I’d advise you to call it a night.”

“Alright,” James gave a nod and watched for a moment as Aasim disappeared into the cartography room. The duke’s son looked up at the starry sky for a moment then got up and went below decks to sleep.

The next three days were tense. None of the pirates were able to concentrate; none could with AJ stuck back on Ellister as a hostage. It had become clear after the first night that Clementine was struggling. Her eyes were red and her face dry from tears. Louis tried his best to comfort her and be by her side but there was only so much he could do.

Ricardo continued to watch Prisha like a hawk, not trusting her for a minute, which put Violet more on edge. The blonde pirate never left her wife’s side unless it was absolutely necessary. Nothing felt certain over these last few days. The only positives were the few times some of the crew tried to lift the other’s spirits and the short talks here and there with the duke’s son. James was by no means a bad person - after all he had been the one to give the crew a chance to live - but that didn’t separate him from what his father had done. Still, small moments here and there revealed the young man to be a kind soul if not a bit naive and sheltered, one who truly did seem to want the best outcome in this scenario.

Everything was heading towards this being a safe and fast journey. The winds had favored them and the seas had not caused nary a harsh wave nearby. They were only a day’s travel away when Willy spotted something.

“Yo! Louis! I see something out in the water!” The teen’s voice made Louis stroll forward, accepting a spyglass offered to him by Prisha. The captain held it up to his eye and looked out. The sight sent his heart sinking and made a shiver run up his spine. There waving in the wind was a black flag with a skull and crossbones. Pirates. The last thing the crew needed to deal with. He was about to make the call to run but due to the knots at which the enemy ship was traveling they wouldn’t get away in time. They’d have to fight.

“It’s an enemy ship! Everyone man your station and prepare to fight!” Louis’ instructions made all the pirates run to get ready. Most of them worked to prepare the cannons while the rest made sure their weapons were in place. Louis looked around, his heart racing when he noticed that neither the captain of the privateers nor the duke’s son had retreated below decks. “James. You need to-”

The sound of the enemy’s canon cut Louis off as the shot barely missed the ship and caused a loud splash. HIs eyes shot over and grew large in disbelief. The enemy’s ship was already beside theirs. How was it so fast?

There standing on the side of the ship and holding onto one of the ropes was a man with long black hair and hard, cold brown eyes. He wore a blue pirate coat covered in an intricate design. A red sash was tied around his hip and a brown sash filled with knives lay across his chest. The collar of his white undershirt blew in the wind along with the red feather that stood tucked away in his black pirate hat. A smug, cocky smile covered his face as his ship halted to a stop. “I believe you have something of mine,”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Louis strolled forward, his hand resting on top of the hilt of his sword. “Leave now and we can both go about our days.”

The enemy captain stared at Louis for a second before he shook his head. “Sorry, but he’s coming with me.” The man pointed his blade towards James who looked shocked by that statement.

“You can’t have him,” Louis’ words made a frown appear on the captain’s face.

“I didn’t ask for your permission!” the man spat angrily.

“What should we do, Jesse?” A man with black hair and a rapier asked the captain.

“The usual. Men, kill who you have to! We don’t leave until he’s on our ship!” With those words, grappling hooks flew through the air, hooking onto the side of Ol’ Kickass and securing the two ships in place.

Jesse swung across and landed with a hard thunk. Ricardo gave a war cry and charged forward, his sword swinging down towards the enemy pirate. But it never reached its target. Jesse sidestepped it with ease and with one move rammed his cutlass deep into the privateer’s gut. Ricardo let out a shaky gasp as he was lifted into the air and tossed to the side, his body landing in the water and staining it red. The Ericson pirates watched in horror at how easily Jesse had taken down the privateer but they had no time to focus on that.

Soon their ship was swarming with enemy pirates who attacked viciously, forcing them away from their cannons. Violet’s eyes flew around the ship, desperately trying to use her limited sight in the midst of the chaos. She saw that Prisha was in a heated duel with two pirates. Brody dashed over to help while Marlon sicced Rosie on the nearest pirate that was about to attack Louis. Her pale green eyes continued to scan the area when she noticed Jesse slowly walking towards her. She was in his way, blocking his path to James.

With a deep breath she dashed forward and swung out her ironclad knuckles towards the pirate. The captain dodged it with ease but Violet was relentless, attacking again and again, searching for an opening even though he gave none. Jesse stared at her with curiosity. He had noticed the burn marks that plagued her eyes, one of which was completely milky. She was blind and as such should be an easy opponent. He sidestpeed her attack and rushed for her blind spot, slashing out his sword with a  quick flick of his wrist. But to his surprise it was blocked by the blonde pirate’s dagger. Jesse backstepped, impressed by the block for a blind pirate. It wouldn’t deter him though; he would simply have to find a weakness and attack it.

He continued to dodge her attacks, throwing some jabs here and there to see how well she could adjust. After a few minutes he had a pretty confident idea of her abilities. With that in mind he feinted an attack to the left, causing Violet to put her defense on that side before he jabbed her side harshly with the hilt of his sword. Violet gasped out a shaky breath and Jesse used the opportunity to grab her collar to pull her closer before digging his foot into her gut and sending her flying towards the main mast. Grabbing one of his knives he tossed it towards his defeated opponent, figuring if the harsh hit didn’t do her in the knife would.

“Shit! Violet!” Sophie called out and dashed forward. Her right arm wrapped around Violet while her left blocked the incoming knife. Before the redheaded pirate had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief though her back collided with the main mast, absorbing most of the damage Violet would’ve sustained. With a cough Sophie crumbled, her grip loosening around Violet as her head fell forward.

“Sophie!” Violet turned to her friend before she grasped her side, hissing in pain. “Damn it,”

Jesse continued on but only made a few steps before a loud voice rang out. “Hey, asshole!” Mitch swung his dagger viciously towards Jesse who blocked it deftly. Mitch skidded across the deck but closed the distance between them in a minute. Again and again he jabbed and sliced with his dagger. His footwork and speed were his strength as he nicked Jesse’s arm ever so slightly. Jesse tsked, his eyes hardening as he worked to defeat Mitch. He studied him carefully, easily finding his weak point, and after a harsh blow to Mitch’s hand forced him to drop his knife the pirate captain threw him overboard.

“Mitch!” Brody called out and tried to go towards him but was blocked by more opponents. Jesse continued forward, fights breaking out and swords clashing all around him when all of the sudden he froze in place. The hairs on his arms stood straight up as he looked towards Clementine. This pirate, she was different. He could feel the aura of bloodlust radiating off her. With one look he could tell she had killed many; her aura was practically swimming in blood. Her golden eyes locked with his and hardened.

Jesse took a recentering breath and then rushed into the fight. His sword clashed with Clementine’s. Metal screeched against metal before both were pushed back. Clementine was the first to strike, sending out a flurry of well-timed and deadly attacks. Jesse carefully blocked them, his eyes studying her movements as he tried to learn her strengths and weaknesses. Both of them received cuts as the fight continued. Clementine tried to land a hard blow to Jesse’s side but he blocked it only to get punched in the face. He spit out blood with anger. His attacks grew harsher as he chipped away at her defenses until he had pushed her towards the side of the ship. Clementine swung out her sword but Jesse quickly disarmed her, causing it to fall to the deck with a faint clatter. His hand found her throat as he pushed her further and further back.

Clementine struggled, her mouth trying to reach his hand to bite it, but Jesse wouldn't give her the chance. Kicking up Clementine’s cutlass, the pirate captain caught it and jammed it into her shoulder, sliding through her flesh and embedding it into the side of the ship. Clementine let out a shaky gasp as the pain coursed through her body. Jesse took a step back, regaining his breath as he reached for a knife to finish the job.

A cry from his right, however, drew away his attention as a short redhead dashed forward. Ruby lunged, her sword raised, but Jesse simply dodged it before kicking her in the face and sending her flying back. Ruby hit the deck hard before rolling to a stop.

“You bastard!” Clementine hissed with venom as she struggled to pull the sword free. Jesse was about to unsheathe the knife when he felt another strong aura of bloodlust from behind him. It sent a shiver down his spine. Risking a look he saw Prisha sprinting to help her friend. He didn’t have time for this. Running forward he pushed a young pirate with short hair out of the way and stood before James. The duke’s son struggled to unsheathe his rapier but Jesse simply took it and tossed it into the sea.

“You’re coming with me,” Jesse gave a smug look and without waiting a second longer grabbed James and tossed him over his shoulder. Dodging battles on the Ericson deck, he ran toward the other ship. Jesse grabbed onto a rope and swung over to the other side, his men soon following suit. Within seconds the ropes were cut and the two ships were drifting apart. Jesse placed a foot on the side of his ship and looked on at the ship he had left. Many of the pirates lay wounded and dazed; the captain of the ship watched on as their ships parted, a look of terror in his eyes.

“You should've given him up right away. No one stops me from getting what I want. Until next time when we meet at Davy Jones’ Locker!” Jesse lifted his hand and gave the signal. Cannon shots rang out as the cannonballs collided and crashed against the ship. After a few seconds Jesse gave another signal to stop firing and with one final look turned around, ready to get the second part of his plan underway.

#twdg #twdg clementine #twdg louis #twdg aj #twdg mitch #twdg brody #twdg willy #twdg ruby #twdg aasim #twdg prisha #twdg violet #twdg sophie #twdg tenn #twdg marlon #twdg rosie #twdg jesse #twdg james #twdg omar #clouis #rusim #twdg moody #twdg privet #fanfic #a pirate's life for me au

[soyforramen]

BHDC - Round 3 - Pirates

(Thanks to @satelliteinasupernova for helping me pick a historical era for this!)

Weak in the Knees

The sea was a harsh mistress - fickle, stormy, and deadly if you weren’t careful.  She would take your life as quickly as she took your heart.  Never could man tame her, nor could he understand her, he could only pray that he stayed on her good side.  She was also the best thing that had ever happened to Forsythe Jones the Third.

Employed at ten on a small trading sloop, sent to man the crows nest and work the rigging, he’d lost his heart to the open skies and lawless waves.  By fifteen he’d learned enough to become a crewman, his gangly body’s reach a boon during rough storms.  In his sixteenth year he, along with the rest of The Intrepid, had been pressed into British service for a war they neither knew nor cared about.  And by eighteen he’d traded the British Naval Fleet’s canon and tack for the crew of The Whyte Wyrm.  His shares were one one-hundredth of what it should have been, but Jones would have gladly worked for rum and plantains to get away from Admiral St. Clair’s savage rule.

The Captain of the Wyrm took a strange liking to Jones, partially because they shared the same strange name and partially because Jones was a quick, eager study.  An old, wizened drunkard too fond of the stories of his youth, F.P. had taken Jones under his wing and trained him in the manner of a second mate to the ire of the older crew.  Yet none complained for F.P. fostered a camaraderie that the British Navy, despite all their ineffectual pomp and circumstance, could never hope to rival.

Among the younger crew Jones found camaraderie of his own.  Each had lived on the sea longer than they ever had on land and knew a ship better than themselves.  So when the Wyrm sank due to the Captain’s error off the lagoon reefs of Bermuda, the younger crew staked a claim in their own future.  

Four years of hard work, scraping together their funds doing jobs for smugglers, merchants, and the occasional naive Lord who wanted the true ‘Treasure Island’ experience, had led to this moment.  They’d managed to save enough to trade for an old merchant ship, tried and true, one that had weathered many a storm.  Mr. Lodge had promised that this was a ship worthy of any seafaring man worth his salt.  It was an offer too good to pass up for the quartet, and so Fangs had readily negotiated for her.

“Doesn’t it make ye want to weep?” Fangs asked.

He clapped Jones on the shoulder and slid an arm around Toni’s waist.  Sweet Pea grunted, but even he couldn’t hide his excitement.  Standing on the dock the quartet gazed in marvel at the run down ship, it’s hide tattered by hastily filled canon holes and barnacles six inches deep, the sails eaten through by rats, and the mast standing only through a feat of tar, rope, and a strange aversion to gravity.

Weep was perhaps too strong a word, but despite its tattered disposition, The Iconoclast was theirs.  For once in their short, miserable lives they had something to their names.  Their future was their own.  To pirate or pillage, to trade or travel; the decision was theirs and theirs alone.

And the thought made Jones weak in the knees.

A brisk sea wind tickled the back of Elizabeth’s neck and she ran a hand across it to disperse the strange vulnerability she felt.  Necessity required her hair to be shorn almost to her scalp, but that didn’t mean she didn’t feel a pain of regret.  The loss of her hair made her feel naked in a way the harsh wool of the trouser should have.  The trousers, at least, facilitated her movement and helped her hide in plain sight.  

She walked down the docks to the next ship in port and was greeted by a leather faced man with a missing eye, the empty socket puckered and black.  Elizabeth swallowed her revulsion and stepped up to the man with her chin high despite the shaking of her hands.  The man chuckled at her bravado.  He made an awful retching noise and spat up a glob at her feet.  

“Lookin’ fer werk?” he drawled, amused by her if his grin was anything to go by.

“Yes.”  She winced at how high her voice sounded.  She cleared her throat and did her best to flatten the pitch to a gravel that itched her throat.  “Yes, I am.”

The man guffawed and winked lewdly as if he knew her secret.  “We’re dry docked until the captain sobers up.  Try the tavern off the square.  Ask fer Fangs.”

She nodded a thanks and turned back towards the town.  The man’s voice slowed her step and she turned back to him.

“They’re bastards, the whole lotta them,” he said.  “I’d be careful around those curs if I were you, sir.”

Elizabeth scurried away, the man’s hacking laughter haunting her.  She burrowed further into her coat.  If she weren’t able to blend in as a man she’d be found out quickly and sold to the highest bidder, pressed into service at the local bar or brothel, or worse.  Brought back to her mother and pressed into marriage.

It was easy enough to find the square in the bustling town.  Finding the tavern containing a ‘Fangs’, however, was much harder.  Almost every building around the square housed a tavern full of brawling, drunken men stinking of sweat, dirt, and rum, their companions ladies whose hard lives were etched in the lines around their eyes, skirts cut short above the knee.  These were the places her peers whispered about, aghast at the sheer depravity and jealous of the unrestrained revelry.  In all her life, Elizabeth never could have foretold this sort of people could be her saving grace.

It wasn’t until the fifth tavern that she had any luck.  Behind the bar was a rough looking woman, her leather skin beaten by the sun and highlighted with rouge and tattoos.  Elizabeth shouted above the din and the bartender nodded.

“But you din’t want a thing to do with them, laddie.  Only greenhorns looking fer an early grave,” the woman cautioned.

Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from pleading.  This was the third coastal town she’d been to and the first she’d found any hope of leaving Bermuda.  With a sigh, the barkeep nodded towards the back corner of the room where a pair were holding court at a wooden table by the fireplace.  Elizabeth nodded her thanks and picked her way through the rank crowd.

The large one of the pair, dark complected and scowling, gave her pause.  He towered over his companion even while seated, his arms coursed through with muscles borne of fighting the sea.  A black and blue sea snake coursed through waves drawn on his arms, its tail propelling the creature from one wrist to the other.  Next to him sat a petite woman, her long, sun kissed hair strewn through with pink and purple ribbons.  Kohl outlined her dark eyes and brightened her smile.  They made an odd pair in this tavern full of old, sun-beaten men and women, both too young and new to have much experience.

She swallowed down her fear; Elizabeth hadn’t made it this far to let her own prejudices hold her back.  It didn’t matter if they were young or old, experienced or not.  All she needed was a ship that could take her away from this island as quickly as possible.  

“Fangs?” she asked in a wavering voice when she drew near.

The tall man sneered at her and crossed his arms, a threat that made the sea snake writhe along the inked sea.  The woman peered at her in curiosity.  Elizabeth drew her fingers into her palms to keep from rearranging the ill fitting clothes.  Without the gloves she normally wore her nails bit into her skin and the pain reminded her why she was there.

“I heard you were looking to take on crew.”

The man snorted and waved her on, as dismissive a gesture as she’d ever seen at any of Lord Mantle’s dances.  Elizabeth held her ground.

“Are you Fangs?” she repeated.

The woman, taking pity on her, shook her head.  The ribbons danced, a hypnotic wave of color that rivaled any fashionable trend from London.  

“You just missed him.  But I don’t think this is the crew for you,” she said kindly.

Elizabeth was stunned.  Never before had she been denied anything; the daughter of a landed Baron - former Baron - she’d grown up with all manner of worldly creations at her feet.  Anything her hearts desire had been done at once, unless it went against her mother’s wishes.

“And why not?”

The woman raised her eyebrows.  “Have you ever been asea?  Have you ever held on for your life while Poseidon crashed down around you, determined to take you for his own?  Have you ever sat on deck for days on end while Helios does his best to make you believe you’re in a Maharaja’s palace?  Have you ever -“ she glanced down at Elizabeth’s hands, pale and unblemished “-worked a day in your life?”

Fury ran up Elizabeth’s chest into her face; no one dared to speak to her in this way, especially not some commoner.  Her nails bit deeper, drawing a bit of blood.  She squeezed harder until the fury ebbed.  That wasn’t her place anymore.  She was, if nothing else, lower in status than the two in front of her and if she didn’t act with the proper etiquette she would quickly be found out.

“I’m willing to do whatever work you require.”

The tall man snorted and purposefully looked away from her.  “Keep walking.”

“Are you Fangs?” Elizabeth challenged again.

“If I’m not?”

“I was told Fangs was hiring.  If you aren’t Fangs -“

An arm was thrown over her shoulders and she stiffened at the overly familiar touch.  The smell of rum, pomade, and a day spent in the sun overwhelmed her.

“You were looking fer me?”

Elizabeth turned her head a fraction to find a man with close cropped hair crowding her.  “Fangs, I presume?”

He grinned.  “Aye.  And you are?”

“Eli-“ she caught herself, though not quick enough at the woman’s interested glance. “zar.  Elizar Smith.”

“Well then Eli, what fate brings you our way?”  Fangs said as he sat down at the table.  He sloshed out a bottle of amber liquid into three waiting cups and pushed one towards her.  Forgoing a cup, he drank deeply from the bottle.

Elizabeth - Elizar now, she supposed - pursed her lips.  A farce done once was theater; a farce done twice was folly.  

“Work.”

Fangs looked her up and down, a mirror to what had just concluded.  “Can you climb?”

“Yes.  My father couldn’t keep me out of the cork trees he kept.”

“Can you follow orders?”

“I’ve been doing it all my life, I don’t see why I should stop now,” she said sourly, remembrances of all her mother’s chastising coming to mind.

Fangs and the woman laughed at her cheek.  

“Can you cook?”

Her mouth went dry.  A woman of her station always had someone to cook for them, to clean and launder for them, but how hard could manual labor be?  A bit of water, a bit of heat, and you have a meal; a bit of elbow grease, thread, and cloth and you have a sail.  

A lie, though, could not fall from her tongue.  Regardless of her urgency, she’d heard too many stories from her brother of pirates killing their own, hanging them off the side of the deck and watching for sport as the sharks and eels and piranhas leapt to eat their crew.  How easily they’d eat their own companions when food ran low, or how quick they were to draw guns over an insult.  

“No.  I’m afraid I’ve never had the privilege.”

Fangs nodded at her honesty.  He raised his glass in a toast that no one else joined.  “We push off at dawn in two days.  You’ll be paid a hundredth of anything we make, minus provisions.”

He held out his hand and Elizabeth shook it, ignoring his companions.  Business concluded, Elizabeth stood and made a shaky exit.  She escaped into the alley behind the tavern to catch her breath.  Without lies or deception she managed to make her way in the world.  Though she’d never had to do anything more taxing than a waltz with a suitor, she was determined to make this work.  

She had to, if she wanted to be free of this island she’d been brought to as a babe.  The prospect of leaving the broken mess of her mother’s dreams behind; the shame of her sister; the anger of her father.  It was almost too much to be denied it now.

The reality of it made her weak in the knees.

(Cross posted on Ao3)

#bughead drabble challenge #bughead fiction #arrrrr

[aesop1]

clumsy [1]

pirate!chanyeol x reader

a/n: hello, im new. i like exo. i decided to write to my heart’s content at 1 am. i wrote this in about an hour. on my phone. with no beta readers. so let’s do this!

word count: 3.1 k

warnings: none so far, just a few swear words; no semblance of a plot; may not continue this, depends on how i feel.

(i do not own gif)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

———————-

“yn, would you help me with this load?” your father called out from the front of the saloon. glancing over, you spotted him stumbling whilst balancing two large crates atop one another. he sighed in relief as you claimed the top crate. “thank you.”

“of course,” you carefully traversed the cobblestone incline leading to said saloon, ignoring the murmurs from the customers within.

in your small village on a small island, everyone knew everyone. meaning everyone knew you: the klutz who co-runs this place with her widowed father. by klutz, you’re not the cute, clumsy, trip-over-her-feet-into-a-dashing-gentleman’s-arms klutz; you’re zone-out-for-a-second-and-not-notice-the-wooden-bench-you-just-successfully-flipped-over klutz. after your third grand mishap, everyone labelled you as variations of clumsy, one of the most famous ones being:

“bungler, do you need help?” one of the men clung to the bar called out, earning some dramatic guffaws from his colleagues.

the first moment you heard the term bungler, you laughed. your father quickly explained to you the negative connotation revolving that word, basically calling you clumsy and awkward in a rather mocking sense. ever since, it has stuck to your character and become your alias around town.

successfully dropping the crate in the kitchen, you leaned back in your stance, hands on your hips as you caught your breathe. the rough melodies of traditional sea shanties meandered through the kitchen, taunting and reminding you that outside awaits a whole audience of creatures who are just waiting for your next spectacle. you were brought back to reality by the sound of the other crate being placed on yours.

“yn, dear,” your father gently pinched your chin as he took in your conflicted form. “head upstairs, I’ll finish up here and close. you’ve worked hard today, as you always do. thank you.” with a smile and the familiar burning sensation in your eyes, you held back your tears and thanked your father, hugging him and sliding out of the kitchen to evacuate to your room.

upon entering, you untied your apron and tossed it to your bed, cracking your joints everywhere as you finally allowed relaxation to overtake your being. collapsing onto your bed, you closed your eyes for a well deserved moment. you knew it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing to be so clumsy, but having a whole town mock you really takes a toll on you, as it would anyone else.

they treated you as if you were a jester, as if you were meant to appease to their humor, their entertainment. you were a show pony with a twisted ankle and they merely laughed. finally allowing a tear to slip to your pillow, you clutched the linen blankets beneath you, seeking some sort of comfort. some escape. you sat upright and stared out the bay window overlooking the vast sea.

before her death, your mother spent her days filling your mind with wonders and promises of a better life out beyond the horizon. stories of princes saving princesses and knights conquering territories. however, your father kept you grounded with his forewarnings of sea storms and pirates. oh how pirates petrified you. filthy criminals gone rogue, pillaging villages just like yours for some excitement and wealth, murdering those in sight for any reason they can think of. if they didn’t like your face, they’d carve it out cleanly just for fun. the memories of the horrific tales your father would whisper to you as scary stories always turned your blood cold, all before your mother would hit him for scaring you and then comfort you with her own stories.

a sudden chill ran up your spine as you continued to admire the ripples of the ocean, a foreboding aura emitting off the once tranquil site. shuffling to lay down, you pulled the blankets over your head, trying to shake off the fear that coursed through your veins.

—–

a deafening screech outside jolted you awake, sitting up and hyperventilating as you took in your surroundings. you were in your room still, wearing the same clothes you wore to work. everything would’ve been normal if it weren’t for the glow of red flooding your room from the fires just outside. peering out the window, you choked on your breathe when you saw your childhood town in flames, bodies littering the floor like a war scene. screams continued to fill the atmosphere, clashing metal sending a numbing sensation through your body.

ignoring your fears, you willed yourself out of bed and bounded down the halls to find your father, grateful you had decided to wear pants the day prior. however, lady luck decided to turn a blind eye to you, sending you skidding down the hall and falling directly on your back. while you attempted to catch your breath, you rolled over and peered down the staircase before you. if you were struggling to inhale before, the scene before greatly helped your misfortune when a sharp gasp hit you.

your father lied dead right at the open doorway, a shadowed figure towering over him. due to your rather raucous scene, the silhouette was staring directly at you. frozen for a moment, you stared at one another, a prey subject to it’s predator’s deathly gaze. with a pivot your way, the pirate took one step towards you which sprung you to action, clambering to your feet and dashing down the hall again, ignoring the ache in your muscle. realizing you’re trapped, you took a sharp left into your father’s room, scanning for a weapon you could use. of course he had nothing, spending his days in his kitchen every chance he had.

a deep chuckle resonated through your house, overcoming the chaos outside. the blood rushing to your ears blurred the sounds outside, leaving you hypersensitive to the thudding of his boots stamping on the weak wood of the stairs. your heart leapt, running entirely on adrenaline rather than reason.

with that in mind, you already found yourself clawing out the window and grasping the dense vines lining the walls. rather than traipsing down like any same person would’ve, you instead climbed up onto the roof. your father wasn’t really one for house maintenance, the many missing shingles proving that statement. scaling the treacherous terrain beneath you was a harder feat than you could ever imagine, a shingle skidding off the roof right past your father’s window most likely giving away your location.

with no other option in mind, you stood there, overlooking the ashes of your now ruined community. a pang of sadness hit you as you spotted the bloodied face of your taunter from earlier and you shut your eyes. probably not the best idea, especially when the thump behind you startled you to death, another shingle sliding out from beneath your feet. for the second time that night, you fell, the impact causing a snowball effect of loose shingles giving out. you rolled off the roof entirely, plummeting directly to the ground and blacking out.

——–

faint voices enticed you from your slumber, pulling you into consciousness. you weren’t aware of the first few minutes of the conversation, but as you came to more, it became clearer and clearer.

“it was a pretty good load, I’ll give you that,” a voice chuckled out, followed by the familiar sound of coins clinking together into a pile.

“I told you so,” a vaguely familiar voice chimed in. the depth of the voice almost lulled you right back to sleep, your brain now concentrating on how smooth and alluring it was.

“why hadn’t we attacked before?” the first voice asked, steps getting louder and louder. or maybe it was just the pounding in the back of your head.

“it’s such a tiny speck on the map, I didn’t even think about going there before. who knew it was such a hotspot for trading.” the steps were indeed getting louder, as well as the voices. especially that buttery rich voice that could fill a theatre with ease. “they didn’t even have a militia.”

“they deserved to be hit by us, they were too comfortable with their safety.” you rolled your head side to side, hoping to coax your eyes open before the two reached you. “what’s this?” your eyes shot open when you realized the voice was less than a meter away. you forced yourself to take in your surroundings, drowsiness still a very apparent factor in your muddled mind. wooden crates surrounded your being, a white tunic covering everything. you held your breathe as the cloth was lifted slightly, but not enough to reveal your concealed form.

“ah baekhyun took it after my incident.”

“what incident?” a snicker from the previous man resounded, then a long exhale.

“I went towards this saloon because I saw the owner dead at the front. I wanted to see if any of the guys were in there looting. by the time I reached the front door, I just saw a girl run, slip, and fall right on her ass at the top of the stairs. when she looked at me, she recovered and took off.” the other voice sniggered at the story of my misfortune. “I decided to follow her, I thought she was amusing. she disappeared for a minute, but then I saw a shingle fall. by the time I reached the roof, she was gone. not really sure how she got away so quickly. when I climbed down and out the front door, I saw baekhyun struggling to pull this supply barrow. so I helped him. I doubt anything useful is in this.”

“should we check?”

“I’m not really in the mood to sort out garbage, let’s just send jongdae and sehun down.”

“sounds good.” their voices began fading away before a door closed, completely muting them. you sat up, wincing at the throbbing sensation in your skull. pushing the tunic off, you discovered you were in a supply room of sorts. your bones ached, specifically your entire backside. you guess you fell directly into the barrow when you fell off the roof. you stretched your limbs forward, awakening the heavy weight of sleep from your body. turning your head, you noticed a porthole right beside you.

you crawled over, peering outwards to the endless blue. no signs of land anywhere and an eery stillness settling over the waters. your stomach sunk once your predicament clicked in your fuzzy mind; you were a stowaway on the ship of pirates who destroyed your village. even if you managed to find an escape from here, where would you go? your home was your father, the man who lie dead on your front door. a body of chilled air began suffocating you, your throat swelling up with the familiar forewarning of tears. you pulled your legs close to you and hugged yourself, the last person you had in this life.

the door creaked open, introducing two new voices. instinctively, you leapt out of the barrow, ignoring the pain shooting up your person and dived behind some other crates.

“so chanyeol said we had to clear out the barrow with the tunic,” one voice stated.

“I’m not seeing it,” the other voice answered. you decided to cautiously peek out to witness who you’re dealing with. a man, tall and thin yet by no means lanky. the other being on the shorter side, yet still significantly taller and stronger than you. you’re going to die. “there’s a tunic underneath this barrow, not on top.”

“well yeah that’s the only barrow in here, even if it didn’t have the white sheet over it, we still could’ve figured it out, idiot– wait.” silence fell over the two. you peeked out again to see the shorter man with his arms up in a halting position, most likely the man to cut himself off. “why would chanyeol describe it as having a tunic if it didn’t.”

“I don’t know, maybe it had the tunic when he came down and he just took it off.”

“why would he still describe it as that if he took it off himself?” more silence. the taller one stared down at the other, emotionless as he processed his words. without warning, he pulled out a sword from his side, backing away and scanning the room. the shorter one followed suit, revealing a sword of his own as he walked the opposite way of the taller one. he was walking right towards you.

holding your breath, you recoiled into the wall, praying that the boxes around you would shield yourself. it seems the tables were turning in your favor, because the man stepped by you, continuing to search for his trespasser. when he and the other man met at the other side of the long room, they shrugged to one another and turned towards the door.

“well that was weird,” the taller one mumbled in an agitated tone.

“let’s tell chanyeol. even if there’s no one on board, he should be aware of the possibility.” with that, the door opened and shut. for precautionary measures, you waited a minute or two, at least until your heart stabilized and your breathing evened out. you leaned back against the wooden walls and clawed at your olive toned pants. you were shaking, whether it be from fear or the dread which began appearing the minute you awoke, you were near your breaking point.

the spare drops of adrenaline motivating your weak heart caused you to finally stand. you crawled over the boxes carefully, making sure to not make a sound and alert anyone who may be nearby. although you knew the coast was clear since the two men left. all you had to do was find an escape and–

“how could we forget we were sent down here to check the garbage,” a voice from before blurted out as the doors slammed open, the other one laughing at the clear aggression evident in his comrades actions. without even thinking, you leapt back into your spot from before. of course you just had to stumble over the empty crate which had hidden you from the assailants, causing it to topple over with an unnecessarily loud crash.

there you sat, in the open, curled into yourself and staring at the two men who stared right back in shock. it felt like an eternity went by as you all refused to break the trance set by the three. your eyes darted between the taller one and the shorter one, taking in their young and… un-pirate like appearance.

you were expecting large, bulking men with wiry beards tinged with silver, scars over their blinded white eye with an eye patch resting comfortably on their forehead. layers upon layers of coats and ragged clothes to keep warm during cold ocean nights. maybe a hook or a peg-leg, but at that point you were stretching it.

at the end, it was the tall one who just so happened to cough and break the silent pact. you scrambled to your feet, the two men already grappling you before you could even stand erect. they both lugged you away, dragging your flailing and screaming body away.

splinters dug into your ankles, the only protectant you had being your stockings beneath your pants. the grip the men had on your arms were sure to leave bruises on your delicate skin. your screaming reduced to a series of pleads by the time you reached the deck of the ship. your eyes began blurring with the tears that you held back this entire time, the gravity of your situation hitting you.

they brought you to a hallway which lead you to a large room laced with treasures beyond your imagination. never have you seen so much gold in one landscape. jewels scattered across a rococo desk, necklaces lining any edge they could dangle freely on. a bed that could hold five yous and still have room for comfort sat against the edge of a wall, a scarlet duvet stretched across the planes of the bed like a coat of snow. candles were the only source of light here, no portholes in sight.

“where’s chanyeol?” the tall one asked aloud.

“I’m not sure. he went in here before we went downstairs.”

“we still have to clean out the barrow.”

“I know, sehun. fuck, why do you have to keep reminding me.”

“you seem tense, dae.” sehun reached his free arm to dae’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. dae immediately reacted by slapping his hand away.

“leave me the fu–” a door opening interrupted the two bickering, all attention directed towards the man leaving what you believe was his private restroom. “chanyeol.”

your eyes expanded when you met the face of the pirate who has been plaguing your life since last night. the roof pirate. he looked at the two men, then down at you. when his eyes landed on your helpless being, the twitch in his eyebrows revealed he remembered exactly who you were. with a clap of his hands, he took two long strides to stand before the three of you.

“well look at this,” he slurred out in a lazy manner, as if he had all the time in the world to deal with you. “you found my stray kitten. good work, boys.”

“your what?” sehun spluttered out, earning a smack in the back of his head from dae.

“jongdae, sehun, you are free to leave.” he never took his eyes off you, a smile slowly stretching upon his connivingly handsome face.

“do we still need to clean the–” another slap and a whine and they were gone, leaving you stranded on the floor with this man standing above you. the situation reminded you too much of the last scene you saw of your father lying dead beneath this man. you cowered away from his gaze, your cheek pressed against your shoulder. the man crouched to your level, grabbing your chin and turning you towards him. his hands were calloused, yet some warmth seeped through the rough exterior. rather than it being the comforting warmth of a fireplace or a home cooked meal, it felt more like the flames of hell themselves, tickling your skin with their embers. you were forced to stare at him, a demon trapped in the body of a boyishly attractive being. black hair tousled haphazardly like a nest, obsidian eyes darting around to each and every feature on your face, narrow cheeks cascading downwards into a sharp jawline.

“looks like I did manage to claim you after all,” he finally spoke, tapping his finger against your jaw. tonguing the side of his mouth, he leaned forward to your ear, fiery breathe sending shivers through you. “I’m going to make your life a living hell for trying to run away from me.”

#chanyeol x reader #exo fanfic #exo fanfiction #chanyeol fanfic #chanyeol fanfiction

[imnxtsorry]

important notes: this is my about and my main verse, v. free woman, and because I am canon divergent I have to ask you to take the time to read at least the bolded parts of ‘before and during the trilogy’ and all of ‘after the trilogy’ so you know what to expect. I’m not happy with her canon finale, so I will not be writing her raising Will’s child as a single mother, and characters from following movies would have to interact with Elizabeth after a bit of plotting/changes in timeline, thank you.   There are other verses all of you can check out at the bottom, to explore different aus/canon divergences/what ifs scenarios, knowing that everything can be changed/plotted so that your muse doesn’t feel goodmodded..

BEFORE AND DURING THE TRILOGY

Elizabeth's mother, Rose, was happy with her ordinary life as a lady, mother and wife. She was also curious, a day-dreamer, who encouraged Elizabeth to dream too, and to learn whatever her heart wished, as long as she would keep in mind that she’d have to follow society’s expectations when older, at least enough not to bring them shame. Rose also loved traveling, so whenever it was possible and appropriate she'd visit new places with her family - which was led her to an early death at sea. This is one of the reasons Elizabeth, who took a big interest in pirates, was allowed to read every book on the subject she could find, to the point of knowing pirate songs by the time she moved to Port Royal; that and her father being so loving and soft to her. Her mother is still a big influence in her life, a drive to do what she thinks is right and not only what she's told, and Elizabeth has warm memories of their life as a child and of how much her parents loved each other. Which is also why Elizabeth does not hate everything about her life as a 'lady': she did show genuine happiness at the sight of the new dress her father gifted her (until she tried it on and it was too tight), there is no reason why she shouldn't like social events involving dancing, or for some decorum to not be appreciated. On the other hand, a woman living in those times had limited options, too limited for Elizabeth, who expected Will to address her by name and not titles, who finds intimacy in breaking protocol, who does enjoy the freedom that comes from ignoring rules that mean nothing to her and have no real use (and of course in following her own rules and morals, for example waiting until the wedding night to be with Will despite clearly wanting it that badly). She enjoys adventures, swordfighting, leaving propriety behind in favor of honesty and closeness.

For these reasons Elizabeth never got close to other ladies growing up, feeling they wouldn't understand, and why I believe she never truly saw James Norrington for what he was, the qualities of him she could have appreciated, or not until it was too late. 

After the Curse Of The Black Pearl, Elizabeth and Will find out that they have too many communication problems to work, not sharing their deepest thoughts and pains, not knowing how to end fights - defensiveness, leaving the room in the middle of an argument. So they end up 'breaking up' before they ruin their relationship entirely. This sends Elizabeth down a spiral of self-doubt and self-discovery, because something she believed certain was gone so easily, and because she found herself unable to lean on the man she thought she'd love forever. Who was she meant to be? Could she be good and rebellious, true to herself and happy, but also make her loved ones happy? Once Beckett arrests them, things progress the way they do in the movies except for her and Will being romantically together, and any deviation from canon beside that will depend on our threads. It’s unlikely that Jack and James would know about the breakup before she tells them.

AFTER THE TRILOGY

If everything has gone like in canon, and our threads are set after, Elizabeth has taken her belongings from her father's house, which she can't inherit because she's an unmarried woman and will go to her cousin. He'd be willing to let her have it but she can't imagine living in it without her father, so she uses her pirate king title to get a smaller place on an island nearby, from where she can be given a ride to Shipwreck Island when needed there.

Thing is, Elizabeth's idea of freedom feels limited as pirate king too, since she has to stomach horrible acts the other pirates do, and would find no happiness in attacking people who haven’t attacked her first. She has only been able to give a new rule: to leave women and children alone (unless the women are warriors attacking them). Anything more, like asking pirates to leave good people alone, is just not possible without a mutiny. Teague supports the king and most are terrified of him but there is only so much that can be imposed, and Elizabeth has to ignore other bad acts to keep his 'subjects' appeased enough to follow the few directions she gives.

So now Elizabeth is having little adventures there and then, involving secret treasures and legends, nothing to do with pillaging innocent villages, and trying to find compromises that will let her sleep at night, while also refusing to start a new life as a lady somewhere else, because she'd be suffocated by expectations and protocol. She will still do whatever it takes to survive, she’ll scheme and not even involve other people in her plans unless cornered or due to exceptional reasons, but she will still despise the idea of leaving someone behind if there is another choice, of not trying everything to save others, to be honorable even at personal risk. She certainly does appreciate affection and some gentleman acts in her direction, she just doesn’t want to be bothered with the “coldness” that comes from being proper.  And yes, she still intends to wait until married to have a ‘wedding night’, her moral compass matters to her no matter what people expect of her as a pirate or as a woman. And her moral compass says she must keep fighting until she feels she has found the perfect balance between everything she wants and what life will give her.

little headcanons: -her father has a brother in London, who married and had two children, Mary and Anthony. Anthony is the older cousin who approved of Elizabeth’s ‘odd’ behaviors when they were kids and is now married to a woman who would also like her. For this reason he would help her with money and shelter if ever needed. Mary is determined to be proper and quite judgy, and will embarrass her to death if given the chance. -Elizabeth loves dancing, walks, reading, watching plays and playing boardgames.  -she has some pretty mundane wishes when it comes to her future family

OTHER VERSES

v. mrs turner. for will rpers only: they don’t break up after the first movie, and events can follow the next movies or be completely different in threads. Point is they stick together and navigate this new relationship - which after all is a big change after years of keeping proper distance.

v. hold on. she doesn’t break up her engagement with James Norrington even if she does help Jack escape his hanging - whether because not in love with Will or because Will never confessed his feelings. In the second movie she’s likely looking for James in Tortuga on top of wanting to free Will, and ends up joining Jack anyway.

v. follow the compass. threads about random plots like ‘soulmates au’ and the like. The events of the movie can or cannot happen depending on what we’ll decide.

v. fine woman. threads where the movies haven’t happened (or not yet and will happen later than in canon), and Elizabeth is living her life as a lady and growing sadder, longing for more. The stories will start from there. This includes threads with Will or James where their relationship develops in a different way (slightly younger Elizabeth etc.)

v. bring me the horizon. threads where the movies haven’t happened or not yet but one way or another she runs away looking for adventure. May or may not be kidnapped and brought to Tortuga. Her reputation ruined, she has to make a life there.

v. gilded ship. after the events of the movie, regardless of other differences from canon, she can’t return home because she has been ‘outed’ as pirate in most lands, being the king and all, and has to adapt to a pirate’s life and/or look for other options because she doesn’t want to be trapped that way either.

v. captain. one way or another, it’s Elizabeth who succeeds Davy Jones. Threads can be set before, maybe during, and of course after, when she comes ‘home’.

#about page #about page and verses #verses page

[tristis-333]

Ideas for Shadows of the Phantom thieves

So I’ve been replaying Persona 5 A LOT in anticipation for Royal coming out next year. So I’ve been thinking a lot about what P5 would have been like if it had went the P4 route of having the main group going against their own personal shadows. I’ve seen a few ideas swimming around but I thought I’d share my own ideas on what the shadows of the P5 cast would have been like. Some of the themes they all have is that these shadows would be distortion forced on the cast by the world around them. They aren’t like P4 shadows where the cast has to learn to accept their shadows as a part of themselves but rather realize that the shadows isn’t their true self and that its just a distortion. They are also are all based around the seven deadly sins. It kind of bothers me that most of the palaces in p5 are just loosely based on the seven deadly sins. Really only Kamoshida, and shido fit their sins for me. Madarame is supposed to be vanity which isn’t even a capitol sin anymore and just redundant with pride. Kaneshiro is supposed to gluttony but with the bank theme he fits greed better. Likewise Okumura is supposed to be greed but he runs a food company so gluttony would have fit better. Sae isn’t so much envious of anyone as she is obsessed with winning. So I’ll be making each shadow more overtly themed around the sins.

The first palace would be Ryuji’s representing the sin of wrath. It would be a ship lost as sea in the middle of a storm, representing his electric element. His shadow in the captain of the ship, a blood thirsty pirate obsessed with pillaging and causing destruction. The shadow would have a peg leg representing Ryuji’s broken leg, and an eye patch with a skull and crossbones on it. As you go through the palace you’ll have to dodge cannon fire, and lightning strikes. The boss would be similar to an early concept of Captain Kidd, with the upper body trapped in a cage with a blade in its mouth. The peg leg has become a cannon and will fire at its ultimate attack. After the battle Ryuji confronts the shadow, saying even thought he acted in anger when he hit Kamoshida, he’s not the thug everyone has painted him to be. He might be mad, but he’ll aim that anger at the people who deserve it and not just thrash around hurting the people around him. Ryuji then rips the eyepatch off the shadow and the shadow becomes Captain Kidd and the eye patch becoming Ryuji’s mask.

 The next palace would be Ann’s representing the sin of lust. The palace is a brothel with Ann’s shadow as the Madam of the house. The shadow wears a low cut dress and a large leopard spotted furcoat with a cigarette holder, think Cruella De Vil. The shadow also wears a lace and silk mask. The shadow is very flirtatious and makes claims that her body “is yours to take”.  When you go through the palace you’ll meet the cognition of Shiho, who is the shadow’s “best girl”. The shadow throws Shiho to costumers of the brothel so she doesn’t have to get her hands dirty. The shadow accuses Ann of doing the same with the real Shiho, throwing her to Kamoshida so she wouldn’t have to “give up the goods”. The boss form would be of Carmen’s main body tied to the same post Kamoshida had Ann tied to. Roses and thorns cover her body like a revealing dress and she can summon “gentlemen” to assist her in battle. After she’s defeated Ann confronts the shadow and acknowledges that what happened to her and Shiho isn’t her fault. Her appearance is not an excuse for the way Kamoshida treated them, and she certainly didn’t abandon Shiho. Her body is hers and she’ll do with as she pleases. She rips the silk mask off the shadow, allowing the Shadow to become Carmen, and the silk mask turns into Ann’s.

 The next palace is Yusuke’s representing greed. His palace is a museum ,very similar to Madarame’s except where Madarame’s museum was flashy and gaudy Yusukes is broken down and filthy. The windows are broken and open to the cold so as you go through the palace you’ll have to be careful of being blown away but gust of wind and frozen from the cold. Yusuke’s shadow is a shogun like Madarame’s but his make up is run down by tears. The shadow is stuck in artist rut and spends its time trying to make art. It doesn’t do this for the sake of art, but it wants income. It is desperate to cover the windows and to block out the cold but any art it tries to produce is meaningless and poorly crafted. The boss form is the portrait of Yusuke Madarame had in his palace but Yusuke’s face is stuck in the face of The Scream by Edvarch Munch. Yusuke confronts the shadow and his fear that he’ll lose sight of why he became an artist. While he may struggle to support himself he will persevere and continue to pursue true beauty in his art. He wipes the make-up off the Shadow with his hand and the shadow becomes Goemon, and the make-up on his palm becomes his mask.

Next palace is Makoto’s representing Envy. Makoto palace is a train station with her as station master. She wears a uniform and pair of tinted glasses. Despite the title, Makoto’s shadow has no control over anything that happens in the station. The trains depart without her approval and she has no choice but to follow the predetermined schedule. She is envious of the thieves who are free to come and go as they please. She feels much like a train. Impressive in its own right, but stuck on a track she can never escape from. The boss form is that of demon train with Johana’s face enraged and blindfolded. Makoto faces the shadow and vows that she will no longer allow others to control the path of her life but will decide it for herself. She takes the glasses from the shadow and crushes them in her hands. The shadow becomes Johana and the broken glasses become Makoto’s mask.

Next is Futaba’s palace representing Sloth. This one remains relatively the same only Futaba’s shadow is much more hostile. Her design now has more bandages like a mummy with them covering her face leaving only her eyes exposed. The shadow is now the distortion of Futaba’s memories and fully believes she’s responsible for her mother’s death. She wishes to just lie down and rot away, to be left to die in her tomb. Instead of fighting Futaba’s cognition of her mother, you fight the shadow. It takes the form of a large sarcophagus with a gargoyle face, and tentacles trying to push themselves out from the edge. Futaba confronts her shadow after the battle and it plays out much the same as in the original. She unwraps the bandages from her shadow’s face and the shadow becomes Necronomicon and the bandages become Futaba’s mask.

Next is Haru’s palace representing gluttony. The palace is a wedding venue being held in a giant wedding cake. You’ll have to make your way up the stacks of the cake to face Haru’s shadow who is the bride at the top. Haru’s shadow wears a wedding dress with a veil covering her face. Haru’s shadow sees herself not as bride, but as a gift to the groom. She exists to be given away and she’s fine with that so long as she can indulge in the pleasures her life gives her, even if that pleasure comes at the expense of her father’s workers. The bride gorges on wedding cake and ignores the cries of the workers and guest who suffer at the hands of her father and betrothed. The boss form is giant empty wedding dress bound in ribbons and bows like a gift. Since the dress is empty, there is no head instead a large ribbon. When Haru confronts the shadow she vows to not ignore her father’s corruption, or to allow herself to be used as a bargaining chip. She tears the veil away from the bride and it becomes Milady and the veil becomes her mask.

Last is Morgana representing pride. Since Morgana was created in Mementos it serves as his palace so to speak. When you reach the beginning of the end of Mementos, a yellow eye morgana is waiting for you. It reveals that Morgana is not a human but, as it puts it, a creature born within Mementos. Morgana is unable to handle the idea that he’s some creature, a beastly thing with no semblance of humanity. His pride won’t allow him to accept it. He pleads that he has to be human. He tries to summon Zorro to destroy the other Morgana but Zorro loses control and begins to shift and change. It takes the form a large black tiger with velvet blue stripes. It is chained around the neck and guards the gates to the depths of Mementos. The thieves manage to defeat it and Morgana reclaims his memory finally. He manages to find peace with his existent, not human, but not some wild creature either. The beast shift back into Zorro, but then immediately becomes Mercurius.    

So those are my ideas for the shadows of the phantom thieves. The protagonist doesn’t get one as ,like with P4’s protagonist and Adachi, I feel the role of the protagonist’s “shadow” goes to Akechi as he represents a lot of the opposites to Joker. But what do you guys think?

#persona 5 #persona 5 the royal #ryuji sakamoto #ann takamaki #yusuke kitawaga #makoto niijima #haru okumaru #morgana #seven deadly sins #shadows

[asoftervirge]

between the salt water and the sea strands

RATING: PG, may increase as the story goes on PAIRINGS: R. Sanders/P. Sanders (main); T. Sanders/OMC (mentioned)

FIC WARNINGS/KINKS: Drinking, Near Death, mentions of drowning FIC SUMMARY: Roman, a young sea captain, is rescued by a mysterious person

TAGLIST: @backatthebein, @levy-the-b00kw0rm, @ierindoodles, @rosesandstuff, @notveryglittery, @patchworkofstars (if anybody else wishes to be tagged, please let me know!)

CLICK HERE IF YOU READ IT ON AO3 INSTEAD!

“And we’ll roll the old chariot along, we’ll roll the old chariot along, we’ll roll the old chariot along and we’ll all hang on be-hind~”

Roman smiled as he listened to his crew finish their shanty before clanking their tankards loudly and raising them to the high heavens, then laughing jovially as they spilled beer and ale onto the deck of the ship. He didn’t mind it of course, as he had his fair share of being a sloppy drunk and spilling everywhere. Besides, the ship’s deck also had her taste of sea water, blood, and fish guts, so a drunken sailors’ mess is just something else that makes her unique.

The young man made his way to the front of the ship, gracefully maneuvering around the swaying sailors that are mere seconds away from collapsing, gazing out at the view in front of him. The night’s sky was black and dark gray with no stars twinkling amidst its thick clouds, while the water that surrounded the ship was a eerie mix of dark green and blue. With how beautiful it was, it was hard to tell where the sky ended and the sea began.

He inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of salty water and feeling the cold wind blow harshly in his face, then exhaled slowly opening his eyes as he did so (which he didn’t even know were closed in the first place).

“Lovely, isn’t Logan?” he asked the mysterious person walking up to him from behind. He knew it was Logan due to how loud his footsteps were against the deck. That, and Logan wasn’t much of a drinker of ales and beers, stuck-up wine connoisseur.

“In seascapes and literature? Yes. But actually going out on a sea-faring travel? I’ll pass, thank you.”

Roman pouted. “You’re just a ripe old fuddy-duddy, aren’t you?”

Logan pondered that thoughtfully. “No. More like, someone who’d rather not become a victim of the sea’s cruelty and become feast to the creatures that call her their home.”

“In other words, a fuddy-duddy.”

“To each his own, I suppose.”

Roman groaned and dragged Logan closer to him. “Look at her, Logan! How can you call her cruel? She may be a wild thing, but she still as her moments of peacefulness!”

“And we have yet to see that since we left earlier this afternoon,” Logan reminds him, completely focusing his attention on un-wrinkling his sleeve rather than at the sight of the sea in front of him. “Remind me again, why we’re still out here? You know what your Father said—”

“That I shouldn’t be out at sea when it’s dark and dreadful out,” Roman mocked while rolling his eyes which, in turn, made Logan roll his. “Listen, we’re not that far off from port—”

“Nearly 20 nautical miles.”

“—My men are happy—”

“Because they’re drunk to the gills with beer and singing shanties.”

“—So why not enjoy the sea just a little while longer?”

“Firstly, a storm is on the horizon, so it would be best to sail back to port now. Secondly, I don’t understand how you became a thalassophile in the first place. You always liked riding your horse across the mountains, yet you suddenly develop a love for the sea a few years ago. How is that?”

(Truth be told, Logan knew the answer, and Roman knew he knew the answer.)

Roman had always loved the sea. Ever since he was a child, he always called the sea his second home. He loved her personality, her energy, the way she caressed the shore of the beach on her good days, and raged with fury on her bad. The way she stretched on for miles and miles. Empty, open, free. He loved the feeling of the wind blowing in his hair, the salty spray on his face, the sound of the waves lapping against the side of his ship and crashing in his ears.

He’d grown up in the capital city of Alexandria, which was also the largest port town in the country. You would think as someone who grew up near the sea, he would eventually get tired of it, but he never did. He didn’t have the heart to, his love of the sea remained to this very day.

His father Thomas was an actor in a theatre troupe, while his papa Alejandro was a sea merchant and a sailor. Whenever his papa came home from his travels, he would always tell little Roman story after story about what life was like on the sea, the places he had sailed to, and the people he had met during his trades. It would always bring a excited sparkle to the boy’s eyes, proudly declaring that he wanted to travel the sea with his Papa one day.

Unfortunately, that day never came because Alejandro was killed in an unexpected pirate raid when Roman was a small child. While Thomas wanted to forbid his son from going out onto sea, that only increased his desires. He couldn’t stand being so close to his calling, yet he wasn’t able to answer her. From morning to night he could hear sing beckoning to him, yearning for him to control her tempestuous nature and explore her mysterious, adventure-bound waters.

(And bless Poseidon, Amphitrite, Triton, and any other deity of the sea that gave him that opportunity.)

Being from a sea port town, he was used to having the occasional visit from pirates, usually making trades or wanting to get smashed at the drinking house, rarely did the town get pillaged due to it’s importance in sea trading, but that doesn’t stop pirates from being idiots.

One night, Roman and his boyhood friend and future navigator, Logan Faraday, found a young pirate captain swindling the residents out of coin and weapons, along with any other trinket they happened to have bet on. That, was when Roman decided to strike. He decided that he was going to challenge the captain to a bet; this time, through a coin toss. The rules where simple: if Roman won, he’d take the captain’s ship. If the the captain won, he’d take Roman’s most prized possession, a necklace that his papa gave him before he died.

Roman chose heads, the pirate captain chose tails. The coin landed on tails, yet it was Roman that was the real winner.

(Let me explain, both Roman and Logan noticed the captain cheating during all of his challenges. With Logan’s knowledge, and Roman’s papa teaching him about pirates and gambling, they were able to figure out the captain’s trick. Even one as petty as swapping a real coin for a fake.)

(With a chill and humbled smile, the captain surrendered his ship to Roman. Turns out that the young pirate captain was secretly hoping someone would notice his cheating so he could give up his life as a pirate. Wasn’t all that fun for him anymore. Fortunately, he managed to find fun with his handsome, sellsword of a husband.)

And that, was how The Crimson Prince was born.

“You do happen to know The Salt-Water Poems and Ballads, by any chance?” Roman asked after a long period of silence.

Logan quickly snapped his head towards him, the redoing of his cufflinks coming to a screeching halt. “You mean the book of seafaring and maritime history poems by John Masefield?” he asked, making sure he heard Roman right. Once his friend nodded, he only guffawed (not that he would admit that) and exclaimed, “Of course I do! It is, after all, the only poetry book you’ve ever read in your life.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “Then you know what I’m going to recite.” he tells him, standing proudly now, pretending to hold a tankard in one hand and gesturing to the sea in the other as he begins to quote:

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.”

Logan sat down, not actually caring about how dirty his clothing will get, and propped an elbow on one of his knees, resting his chin in his palm. He couldn’t help but shake his head fondly because even if he’s heard Roman recite this poem hundreds of times over the years, he secretly loves hearing Roman loudly proclaiming his love for Mother Nature’s cruelest mistress.

“I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.”

Logan gave a miniature applause when Roman finishing reciting (even if he intentionally leaves out the third verse). Roman smiled and bowed dramatically, laughing heartily as he helped Logan to his feet.

The sea was his home; she loved him and his father as they loved her. If there was ever a life he lived where it didn’t involve the sea, it wasn’t a life worth living.

A flash of light suddenly made the sky glow for a second and Logan grew worried. For as much as Roman loved to talk about the sea’s beauty, he knew she held as much fury as she did serenity. Logan knew her wrath as well as her comforts, her storms as well as her gentle waves, and he knew to fear the darkening of the skies above and the enlivening of the water below.

He knew to avoid the sea’s wrath— and he knew how hard it was to escape it.

“Roman,” he began calmly, not wanting to raise alarm in his friend and captain. “Now do you believe me when I say we should head back to port?”

Roman nodded. “You’re right.” he said, quickly making his way back to the ship’s helm. “Alright men, enough lollygagging! Get sober quickly and raise the anchor, we’re retreating to shore!”

Soon, rain began to fall across the deck in sheets of freezing cold, and violent waves tossed the ship from side to side; Roman shivered as he clung to the ship’s wheel to keep from tipping the boat over, his knuckles stark-white as he desperately tried to steer out of the raging storm. Logan stood to his side, snapping rapid-fire commands to the crew below, his grim face illuminated by the lightning crackling above and his sharp voice carrying over the deafening rumbles of thunder.

Roman shoved his dripping hair from his face and grit his teeth, yanking the wheel to the side. The ship rocked dizzyingly beneath him as the ocean battered it from below with all her might.

Crack, boom!

He whirled around, a desperate cry tearing from his lips as lightning suddenly slammed into the deck, sending his crewmates, his family, flying. The rain fell but did nothing to stop the flames the lightning left behind, growing bigger and more monstrous with every inch of Roman’s ship they devoured. As the embers flew and the heat licked at Roman, he turned and gripped the wheel once more, desperate to steer them out, to save them…but it was too late.

The water filled his lungs the moment he fell beneath, and though he chocked and struggled, he couldn’t find the surface in the midst of the chaos, couldn’t escape the darkness and the whirling, churning waves. The sea engulfed him at all sides, sending him tumbling, and darkness crept at the edge of his mind as the sea dragged him below.

He’d always known he belonged at sea, and now, like his Papa before him, he was coming home.

When Roman finally regained consciousness, his head hurt and lungs burned from the salt water he coughed up, he heard a singing voice. A singing voice that sounded like it belonged to an angel, hymnal and otherworldly, but he couldn’t understand any of the words. He considered it to be one of the most beautiful voices he had ever heard. He blinked wearily, the high sun shining directly in his eyes, wanting to see who the enchanting song belonged to.

Vaguely, he could see the silhouette of his savior’s face, the sun illuminating around their face, almost like they were carrying a halo. Due to this, he first believed them to be Papa coming to take him to the Great Kingdom in the Sky (he wouldn’t have minded that if he was honest). He gave them a gentle, appreciative smile, but before he could uttered a word of thanks or even a question as to who they were, they disappeared.

“W-Wait! P-Please!” Roman’s voice was raspy and it broke a little when he called out to them. He began pushing himself upward, ignoring both his head and body aches as he tried to stop the person from leaving. When he had fallen into the ocean, he was certain he was sinking to his grave, but here he was, still alive and breathing. All thanks to this mysterious savior who wished to remain just that, a mystery.

When he was finally able to sit up completely and all sunspots had left his vision, they were gone, no sign of them whatsoever. He frowned as he began to look around, wondering where they’ve gone.

For a few moments, Roman was afraid he imagined the entire scenario…but here was no way he could’ve come up with something that creative, could he? But if he did…why did their sweet voice and warm touch continue to linger in his mind. Why did it seem so realistic?

The young captain’s overthinking was soon interrupted by another voice calling out to him, followed by the loud crunching of footsteps on the sand.

“Roman!” the familiar voice yelled. “Thank the Gods you’re alright! We thought you’d died!”

A pair of hands carefully grabbed his shoulders as their form came into his field of vision. As soon as Roman was able to fully recognize their face, an enormous sense of relief washed over him as he let out a shaky breath.

“Logan,” he whispered hopefully, becoming overwhelmed with emotion. When he was thrown off the ship, one of the other thoughts that flooded his mind (aside from his Father and Papa) was Logan; how his beloved friend and navigator was also to meet a watery grave because of his pride and stubbornness. “I…I’m so sorry!”

“Shh,” Logan soothed softly, his voice strangely calm and gentle. Even if it went against his usually cool demeanor, he pulled Roman into a protective embrace. One that showed that everything was alright, and that he was alive and feeling Logan’s warmth encompassing him. “We believe you drowned. Some of our crew tried to aid you, but the currents were too strong. How did you manage to swim against them, surely your nose and lungs would’ve been filled with water.”

“Someone…someone saved my life.”

“Oh?” Logan asked, voice tinged with curiosity as he looked around the cove. “If so, then where are they? And how did they manage such a feat?”

“I don’t know…they’ve gone.”

“I’m sorry?”

“They’ve gone,” Roman repeated. “I woke up to the most gorgeous singing I’ve ever heard— what it was, I don’t know since I couldn’t translate the words— and then I saw them, or almost saw them, but then…they were gone…”

“Roman, I’m sorry but that doesn’t make much sense.” Logan tells him. “Are you sure you weren't hallucinating?"

“Logan, you— you have to understand I’m not making this up!” the young captain protested strongly, glaring at his friend with firm eyes. “I saw them, I heard them! I know they’re real!”

“You nearly died from drowning. It’s quite common for seafarers to have hallucinations, especially when they’ve nearly drank themselves to oblivion." Logan placated, resting the back of his hand on his friend’s forehead. "You also know that we’ve heard similar stories at the bars we’ve been to, sailors saying they’ve been saved by mysterious folk to draw in a crowd.”

Roman growled and violently shook his head to the point where another wave of pain rushed to him. He wasn’t even drinking on the ship, Logan knew that! And why would he make something like this up?! He was known to tell an exaggerative story, but nothing of this scale and grandeur.

This person, angel, whomever, was real! The vague, sweet-looking face, the angelic voice, the feeling of soft skin lightly brushing against his own. It couldn’t have been a hallucination, Roman was convinced of that.

Where had they gone when he tried to thank them? How could they have disappeared so suddenly and without a trace? Who were they? Maybe it was Papa, Roman thought with a sad chuckle.

But if it was Papa, he would’ve known; he would’ve called Roman “his little hijo del mar” and affirm that “the seas have called us home”; he would’ve sung to him in a deep voice, rich with passionate experience, not light with a calm gentleness; and he would’ve held a guiding hand and led him to the Heavens. So who was it that saved his life?

“Come, Roman. Let me take you home. I’m sure Thomas is worried sick about you.” Logan wrapped his arm around his friend’s waist, leading him back to port. After a few moments of trying to convince Logan his story was true (and the navigator remained in denial), Roman begrudgingly ceased his protests and allowed himself to be lead home.

#Sanders Sides #Sanders Sides AU #Roman Sanders #Logan Sanders #Patton Sanders #Royality #between the salt water and the sea strands

[herbounty]

Before & After Burning Tides.

(* Note: This is taking place in her main verse where I have her married.)

Early morning, the day of her eighteenth birthday, she awakes to see that the man she had befriended was laying beside her. Clothes that belonged to her scattered all over the floor of this man’s room, and she’s having a hard time remembering what she did to end up here. Clearly, she must’ve thought it was a bright idea to spend a night with a man twenty years her senior and it would seem a few narcotics were used so that their time was enjoyable. Crimson locks hung over her shoulders as she took her time getting up from the bed. She did not want to be here when the man, Rafen, woke up.

❛ Happy fucking birthday to me. ❜ she whispered to herself as she’s picking up her clothes and tip-toeing her way out of the room. With only just her underwear on, Sarah walked out this man’s little apartment and made her way back to her house. It was always hard on her to go back to the place where it all began. This place, her home, was a place she did her best to rebuild when she was away from the ship full of men that took care of her. Slowly, this is where she began to harden her heart but when she looks down on the floor to see the blood on the floor boars... she just falls to her knees and breaks down. Not even fully dressed, and she’s sitting on the dirty floor where she lost them. Crying her heart out because she hasn’t let them go.

A hand was placed over her left shoulder where there’s a visible scar left from the bullet that shot her. She should’ve died that night, she could’ve been with them and lived a happier life with her parents in the sea. But his bullet missed and she lived long enough to watch her father’s body drop to the floor. Sarah continuously has nightmares of that night, and perhaps that was the reason why she was at Rafen’s home. Sleeping with men made her forget about that night, but how long will it be before one beats her at her own game and kills her? Well, she’s prepared to die. In fact, she wants to die. With her happiness being taken away from her at such a young age, she always thought there was no reason for her to be around.

That is until she was able to put a name to the man who is responsible for this all. Gangplank. The wall that slowly built around her heart completely closed it off once she learned it was the man responsible for the death of many. Anger built up inside her, and she felt the only way she can feel free from this pain was by killing him. She got up from the floor of her home, got dressed, and made her back to the ship. It was there the men taught her how to shoot, how to hunt, how to live each and every day like it was her last. Every second of every day was time wasted, but she needed time to pull this off. And so, the following year ... Sarah made the decision to kill every man standing on the ship she grew up in.

B L O O D F O R B L O O D.

They used her as bait, pretended like she mattered, but in the end she was nothing to them. So, she began her revenge at age nineteen. Rafen agreed to stand behind her and follow her through the pits of hell. A man who truly wanted the best for her who soon became her First Mate. Slowly, as the years passed, they pillaged their way to the top. Sarah obtained her own ship by killing off a man who thought he could get away with placing his hand where it shouldn’t. She was twenty-two. 

The last year before her plans took place, Sarah remained hidden. Focusing on her job of being a bounty hunter and racking up a kill count almost higher than the population of Bilgewater. The name she started for herself finally caught up, and so Miss Fortune soon became a name known to all in runeterra. A bounty hunter who gets away with the cleanest kills - job or sexual desire. Rafen watched her grow from a fragile girl to an all powerful woman. His attraction towards her grew as each day passed, but she was no longer interested in pursuing something with him.

——— So after taking a year “off” to focus on building up her reputation, it all came down to executing her plan. First on the list was to destroy the Dead Pool. A place Gangplank would hide from everyone. During the day, people watched it burn to the ground and that was when Sarah hired Tobias Foxtrot to do her dirty work. Paying a reasonable amount of money, she had him take care of Gangplank’s trusty ally ... Malcolm Graves also known as Tobias’s old partner. She purposefully set him up against his partner. A distraction is what she needed him for, and he did his job perfectly.

Setting out on the sea, the Syren - her ship - was faced against the Death’s Daughter. Back and forth, they shot at one another but the last fire shot from her canon blew up the ship completely. Cobalt hues widened as a feeling of great power fell over her. Along with the ship breaking apart, the men who once served Gangplank fell. Some died immediately, some where shot at from the men on her ship. What confirmed the death of Gangplank was his hat floating towards her ship ... and a severed arm with it.

❛ This is the beginning of a new era. Gangplank is dead and the whole world watched it all happen. Now, bring me all those loyal to him. The heads of his lieutenants are to be mounted on my wall in my quarters. And lastly, .... I WANT HIS CORPSE! ❜

Rafen feared the new Miss Fortune. She brought down the Reaver King and became one of the most powerful people in Bilgewater. Months after it happened, Bilgewater felt almost empty. Sarah had purged the city of all those loyal to him. Men, women, children. There was no mercy from her. She made them feel the pain she felt as a child. She did not care for the lives of others but her own and maybe the lives of her men. But Bilgewater felt like home to her.

It was after that, she started feeling comfortable with others visiting Bilgewater again and it was also then she met a man named John. At first, it was only a fling. Nothing more than nights spent together and forgetting about each other until they were in the mood for one another. But the man with a cold exterior used a sledgehammer to break down the wall she spent years building around her heart. Many nights did she think of pointing her gun at him and pulling the trigger. She only made it as far as pointing the gun at him. Something in her made it hard for her to kill him when he was vulnerable. 

❛ I don’t want to love you. ❜ she whispered, making sure it wasn’t loud enough for him to hear. ❛ I can’t love you. I don’t know how to. Why’d you have to come into my life? Why couldn’t you let me be that night? ❜ Sarah became frustrated and threw her gun at the wall. The bang was loud enough to wake him up and he found her in a weakened state. She couldn’t believe that a man she hardly knew broke down everything she had up. Perhaps it was for the best that she never saw him again, but she soon felt arms wrap around her. Pulling her into his embrace, Sarah cried for the first time in seven years. Pent up feelings were finally let out, and she allowed herself to be open with him.

As each month passed by, they grew stronger as a pair. That in itself made her stronger as a Captain, a Bounty Hunter, a Queen. He slowly started to fix the little bits of her that made her broken while keeping that scary, powerful, side to her. But as soon as he touched the parts of her life regarding her parents, she pushed him away and would ignore him ‘til the next morning. It was a toxic trait she had, but it seems like it didn’t matter to him.

And so, at age twenty - seven , Sarah said yes to his ring and months later became John’s wife. Bilgewater had more to fear than just Sarah... they had to watch out for her husband. Unfortunately, he seemed to always have work away from home and she would have to accept that. It hurt, and she misses him but the ring on her finger remains and still will. Their distance didn’t make her weaker, it still made her stronger than ever. Yes, people now know she can be soft but no one dares to mess with her regardless. She’s still the Murderous Pirate Queen that took down the Reaver King in front of many nations.

#drabble. #long post / #i loved writing this for Sarah. #it let me show she was once vulnerable. became a villain. and still found love. #i didn't want to put it under a read more so you can ignore this if you want to. #just ... i finally did what i wanted to do for so long.

[letstalkambrolleigns]

Dean Men Tell No Tales

I saw this Ambrollins AU aesthetic post for a pirate!Dean and siren!Seth from @incorrectambrollins and just couldn’t help myself from writing a fic… 

I hope it’s okay that I used all of your images in this! I just thought it would make the story better. I can totally take it out if you don’t like it! All the images belong to @incorrectambrollins

Pairing: Ambrollins (Dean Ambrose x Seth Rollins)

Warnings: well mostly anything you would expect from pirates? So drinking, violence, theft… There’s attempted murder, but it’s pirates and sirens so it kinda comes with the territory?

Word count: 1,713

(Cross-posted on AO3)

Captain Dean Ambrose is a ruthless and relentless pirate. His crew, however, is beginning to suspect that the man is losing his edge. But the truth is that Dean has just lost interest. The hunt no longer provides the thrill it once did, the pursuit no longer excites, and killing… don’t even get him started on that. The Captain has to stay on his toes though to keep crew complacent. He recently caught wind of a hidden treasure trove in one of the grottos tucked away on the island coastlines in the area. He just needs to figure out which one and if his sources are correct this raid should help them along the way.

He rifles through pages and chests in the captain’s quarters while the crew pillage the rest of the ship and shanghai what’s left of the brigantine’s crew. A salacious grin splits Dean’s face when he finds what he’s looking for and quickly slides it in a vest pocket before whistling for the crew to come loot the chamber.

His precious ship gets tossed in a viscous storm as they get closer to the grotto and their treasure. Captain Ambrose has a white knuckled grip on the helm as he guides the ship in towards the island. Half the crew is below deck to avoid the storm but the fierce captain refuses to let the rain deter him from his quest. Dean is soaked through and dripping when the weather quiets down and he orders the dinghies into the water.

He and the crew row into the grotto in the dead of night. They find their promised bounty in an inner room that has been half flooded by the tide. The pirates start loading the chests and taking them back to the ship. Dean discovers an alcove a little further in that hides a plethora of precious jewels. There’s a splash in the waist deep water and the pirate is instantly mesmerized by the man shrouded in shadows. The necklace draping from his hands has glowing emeralds that illuminate a gloriously bare torso. Dean can’t make out anything else in the darkness other than a swath of dark hair that falls in front of the man’s face.

“Cap’n!” One of his crewmen shouts and snaps him from the trance. He looks back at the gruff man that called him to explain that he’d found some more things in here. When he turn back around, the man is gone. He shrugs off the thrill that races down his spine and moves to help his crew clean the place out.

After everything is settled back on the ship and a course is set for a distant port, a fog has settled around the ship. Most of the crew has settled in for the night. It’s still and quiet. Eerie. Dean leans on the starboard railing and gazes out into the fog. For a moment he swears he could see a figure breaching the surface of the water, tangled in mesmerizing images. He feels drawn to the apparition, almost reaching out to touch.

The ship lurches and Dean snaps his attention back to the ship and steadying his footing. He shakes his head and retreats to his quarters.

Port cities are… “raucous” is a nice word for it. Especially pirate friendly ports. The crew disembarks in order to sell their cuts of the haul or spend what they already have. Dean cashes in a few things and heads to the tavern with a heavier coin purse to get a well deserved drink. The full moon is high in the black night sky when the captain emerges from the smoky building and heads back to the ship.

There’s a man wandering around the docks that looks slightly out of place. He’s wearing a tattered pair of pants, a rumpled top open down to his navel, and barefoot. His strong hand pushes a patch of blonde hair from his otherwise dark locks away from his face and meets Dean’s gaze with a sultry look.

The Captain is drawn to the other man by some unknown force. “Are you looking for something?” He grumbles as he reaches out to grab the strange man’s shoulder.

The dark haired man slips closer and wraps his hands in the lapels of Dean’s dark coat. “Yeah. You.” He whispers out in a deep, almost melodic tone.

Dean places his free hand on the man’s bearded cheek and rubs a thumb over his bottom lip. A warm, wet tongue darts out to lick the digit. Dean could try and claim that it’s the alcohol that has his head swimming, but regardless of the cause, he whisks the strange man up to his bed without any further exchange.

The sunlight trickles in and wakes the Captain the next morning. He rolls over in hopes of finding his bedmate from the night before but only meets cold and messy sheets. All Dean has to remember the encounter are sweet memories of the gorgeous man by lantern light. He strikes it up to drunken fantasies until he almost trips over the clothes the man was wearing before Dean had pulled them off and tossed them to the floor.

Either way, he carefully tucks the garments into one of his chests and crosses the room to his desk. Maps and charts are scattered around him but Dean ignores them and kicks his feet up on his desk to gaze out the port window at the bright morning. There are many more adventures to come and maybe he’ll even be able to locate the strange man when they drop anchor in this port again.

Seth is inexplicably smitten with the rough pirate captain. He follows the ship like a love struck puppy in hopes of drawing the beautiful man out again. He floats at the surface of the water and watches the ship as the sun sets, a heavy fog rolling in. That excites the siren because it might give him another opportunity to pull the man out of his quarters where he gaze at him without fear of being spotted. He knows it’s against his nature to not want to kill the sailor, but he had led him to the grotto with enchanted jewelry and let him take the emeralds. They gave him the ability to walk on land on the full moon. Seth had only meant to thank the Captain the best way he knew how that night, but he ended up falling for the unusual man instead.

The siren’s blood chills when he sees the black flag hoisted up the mast. It’s tattered and ripped beyond mere wind damage. Seth looks around frantically. Had he missed another ship approaching? There’s no way they were close to land…

His attention is drawn back to the ship when there’s a large commotion. The crew is yelling. There’s fire. They light the Captain’s flag and release it out into the sea as it burns. Seth knows he shouldn’t but he has to get a closer look. The object of the siren’s affection is being pushed and shoved. His coat ripped away and thrown overboard before the man himself goes tumbling into the unforgiving waves.

Seth rushes to gather the man in his arms. He managed to get tangled up in his coat and the siren just wraps his arms around the unconscious bundle. He frantically swims away from the ship. Seth tries his best to keep his head above water when they are out of sight of the ship. He has to get him to land and make sure he’s alright. He manages to get him to a beach on a remote island. Seth drags him to shore as best he can with a tail and no legs. He presses his lips to the man’s and tries to breath life back into him.

He starts coughing up water and Seth does his best to help him get it all out. When the former captain collapses back on the sand, the siren happily settles beside him. Seth, resting on his elbow, leans over to smile down at the other man. He brushes wild blonde hair out of the man’s face as he watches recognition flood his features. He grins before pulling Seth down into a kiss. It doesn’t last all that long before he passes out again.

Seth slides back into the ocean and keeps a close eye on the other man.

When Dean wakes, his entire body aches. He manages to pull himself into a sitting position in the sand. He remembers what happened vividly until his body hit the water, but he does have vague recollections of kissing that gloriously attractive man again. None of that really explains how he got here…

Dean stands up and looks out at the ocean, hoping that would explain something. It doesn’t. The sun beats down on him and he decides to head inland to see if he managed to wash up on an inhabited island.

Dean discovers an empty house by a rickety dock. It was probably an abandoned fishing spot. He looks out over the clear water and there isn’t a creature in sight. He sets his boots and most of his clothes out to dry and takes a seat on the dock in just his pants. There’s a splash and a flick of water behind him. He snaps his head around to catch a glimpse of a beautifully colored fin. A rather large fin.

The next thing he knows, there’s two hands gripping the edge of the dock and the man he thought only existed in his dreams pops his head over the edge to rest on his arms. Dean scramble to get a closer look, to touch the man. His hair is entirely dark now, no blonde patch, and the most notable change is the fact that he has a fish tail.

“Hi.” The siren speaks, pulling Dean from his thoughts.

Dean hoists him out of the water and lays him back on the dock. He drapes his own body over him and grins. “I think it’s about time I get your name and you stop disappearing on me.”

Seth whispers his name in his ear before surging forward for heated kiss.

#seth rollins #dean ambrose #ambrollins #ambrollins fanfic #wwe fanfic #wwe fanfiction #pirates #sirens #this ended up way bigger than I expected...

[parf-fan]

Ask and ye shall fucking receive, bitches!!!

Oh yeah, that’s right, the cast lists have been posted!  Moreover, posted IN FULL!  Actors, character names, character professions, and chARACTER DESCRIPTIONS HOLY SHIT!!!!1!!

Once again, I have done my best to sort the Bacchanalians by track.  It was much more challenging than last year (and took a good deal longer), where I only mixed up two.  The music track is easy, of course, but combat and improv are another matter.  In the end, I simply could not decide for a fair number, and these are listed in a separate section.

A small note, I had to copyedit the FUCK out of these descriptions.  Man, I dunno, I think their apostrophe key was maybe busted? and there were loads of misspellings, a few missing spaces, and occasionally just the wrong word entirely.  If anyone with any sort of influence on the Faire’s website happens to see this, PLEASE go back and fix these errors.

As always, check the Faire’s website for headshots.  And also for the scenario, I guess, because I just realized I never got around to making a post about that.

Leads

Mary Huff :  Queen Elizabeth I – Queen of England

Young and full of hope for the future of her country, Queen Elizabeth I is eager to take part in the day’s festivities and to learn more about the people she is meant to rule. Though she is youthful in appearance, she should not be underestimated. Queen Elizabeth I is intelligent, quick-witted and does not suffer fools lightly.

Joshua Kachnycz :  Robert Dudley – Master of Horse

Wealthy and benevolent, this Englishman seeks to ensure everything is perfect for the Queen’s coronation day. Though he is a strong, independently wealthy, and capable man, he is not afraid to listen to and heed a woman’s opinion, which quickly makes him one of Queen Elizabeth I most trusted advisors and friends.  [Listen I am so glad this man is returning, he is such a joy to watch act.]  [Zis is pleasink to me!]

Alex Stompoly :  Henry Carry – Nobleman

Cousin to Elizabeth I, Henry Carey has a claim to the English throne and is not likely to let you forget it. While he ultimately wants what is best for the country, he doesn't always have the hearts of the ordinary citizens he represents at the forefront of his political strategy. It may take him a while to believe that such a young Queen can be a strong leader.  [OH FUCK YEAH ALEX IS THE VILLAIN THIS IS EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WANTED]

Combat

Sunny Vinsavich :  Bev Tanningrove – Tanningrove Family Muscle

When carousing with friends, she is playful and carefree; but this cousin to Jack Tanningrove is quick to anger if she suspects you of disrespecting the Tanningrove name. Bold and hot-blooded, it doesn't take much to convince her to enter into a brawl to defend her house.

Emily Wirthwein :  Sylvia Forel – Sword Mistress

As lethal as she is lovely, this German Master Swordswoman is renowned throughout Europe. If you are lucky enough to have her in your employ, you can expect her complete loyalty and services as a sellsword – as long as you aren't outbid by a wealthier party.  [Oh good, the German mercenaries are back.]

Mel Angelo :  Mary McBride – Dance Mistress of the Shire

Best friend to Rose Hopfield, this dancing mistress makes a loyal, dependable, and energetic companion. Shire folk beware: don't call her a coward or insult the Hopfields, else you might find yourself face to face with the pointy end of her sword.

Ilana Lo :  Fan Liu – Pirate

Running away from home at the age of thirteen, Fan Liu spent her formative years as a member of pirate crews in many different countries. Because of these varied experiences and her own innate charm, Fan Liu is a brilliant negotiator, easily able to talk people into doing just about anything she asks. And if they make the mistake of not doing as she asks, they will soon face her steel.

Leigh Loureiro :  Bonnie Buchanna – Pirate

A formidable opponent who can fight, curse, and drink just as well if not better than her male counterparts. Nicknamed ‘Bloody Bonnie’ for her reputation of leaving no survivors, many would be surprised to learn that she secretly has a soft spot for soft and cuddly critters. But,please, don't tell her we told you!

Amanda Darrigo :  Mistress Quickley – Tavern Keeper

Thrilled at finally fulfilling her dream of opening her own tavern, this little lady isn’t shy about inviting people in or delegating responsibilities to her subordinates. In fact, she loves being a boss so much she might try to hire you to manage the day-to-day operations so she can focus on big-picture items: like how to spend her hard earned ducats.

Sean Besecker :  Captain James Thatch – Captain of The Queen's Vengeance

Thatch grew up on pirate ships watching and learning from the best sea-robbers in the business, so it is no surprise that he is one of the most ruthless and cutthroat pirates to sail the seven seas. While polite society would consider him uncivilized, he does live his life adhering closely to a very important set of rules: the Piratical Code.  [pyrate ship count: 1]

Matthew Glen Clark :  Bartholomew Wainwright – Yeoman

Dark and brooding, the mysterious Bartholomew Wainwright is often mistaken as cynical when a better term for him would be logical. He makes decisions using his brain and not his heard – the same cannot be said for some of his fellow Yeoman.

Austin James :  Edward Mawson – First Mate

With knowledge of the civilized world, Edward Mawson, sometimes referred to as Maw, is the perfect First Mate to his unruly Captain. He is easily able to represent the Captain at important affairs and likes to mingle with the upper crust of society. In fact, he likes it so much that he dreams of bettering his own position so that he might one day join them.

Music

The Sirens

Sarah Bartley :  Captain Sheena Daley O'Connell – Captain of The Unyeilding Tempest

The Leader. She is bold, brave, fearless and knows the world of piracy like the back of her well-worn hands. Sheena actively attempts to keep the peace in ORC but enjoys looting and pillaging as much as her fellow captains. Her deeds are heroic, but often tall in nature! Ask her to tell you all about when she saved her entire crew with a single plank of wood. She will regale you.  [pyrate ship count: 2]

Leigh Anne Hamlin :  Captain Scarlett Seymour – Captain of The Shadow of Prophecy

The Joker. She is laid back, extremely confident but relentlessly lazy. Scarlett always cracks jokes and makes light of difficult situations. She has been a pirate all her life and she is damn good at it! She is fond of long naps, drinking and gambling. Whats her secret? Good luck and tons of it!  [Four things.  First, pyrate ship count: 3.  Second, presuming she named he ship herself, I guarantee that this character is queer, because that’s the most Extra ship name ever, and only us queer folk are that overdramatic.  Three, prophesy? seymour? see-more? r u kidding me?  Four: if you go look at her headshot, this actor bears an uncanny resemblance to Vanessa Sterling.]

Megan Jones :  Captain Ruth "The Blade" Gibson – Captain of The Jolly Walrus

The Wild Card. She is tough, blunt, and has a wee bit of a rage problem. Although she loves piracy and has the scars to prove it, she melts at the sight of children and cuddly animals, who have the ability to soften her strong demeanor. Do not dare question her about the name of her ship! Shes sensitive about it.  [Oh hell yeah, Megan Jones is a pyrate! I am very pleased about this.  Also, pyrate ship count: 4.]

Sarah Williams :  Captain Elanor Keetly – Captain of The Malevolence

The newly appointed Captain of The Malevolence. The innocent. She has inherited her newfound position of Captain after all the members of her crew mysteriously perished in a tragic maritime accident. She has a thirst for knowledge and craves to be the very best in her new career! Elanor is extremely enthusiastic, but a bit frightened of the weight of her new position. She has a malicious alter ego named Cookie.  [Well, that certainly took at turn at the last line!  Pyrate ship count: 5, and whomever named this vessel was definitely queer, too.]

The Irish Revels

Autumn Sheffy :  Siobhán O'Sullivan – Royal Music Tutor

Having left the rest of her family behind to seek her fortune, this maestro has ascended to the ranks of the English court! Surely she wouldn't lord this success over the rest of her siblings...

Jordan Bell :  Gilda O'Sullivan – Musician

Gilda is an optimistic and charismatic leader. She hasn't the time for negativity or ill will amongst her siblings, so she simply pushes through it with a bright smile. She is a perfectionist and an overachiever. She adores music and her siblings, despite their failings, and will do anything to make sure the festival day goes off without a hitch. She has the color-coded scrolls to prove it! because what are we, animals?

Morgan Harwood :  Alannah O'Sullivan – Musician

Alannah is kind, carefree, and a bit odd. She is the youngest of the quintuplets and the most connected to the universe. She has the ability to see magic creatures and is often overtaken by her imagination. Her magic touch can calm her siblings when the time arises. The music she performs grounds her back in reality. She doesn’t walk, she floats.  [Whelp, this character obviously has a connection to the fae, so she’s definitely Autistic.]

Jared Haverdink :  Keagan O'Sullivan – Musician

Keagan is a realist, has an excellent sense of humor, and is endlessly sarcastic. He has a bit of the ol’ Irish temper that is easily set off by small things. The most talented musically of the O’Sullivan siblings, he was always very skilled, but has recently improved dramatically, almost overnight. His siblings are suspicious he has made a deal with a sea witch for his newfound shredding skills.  [I’m so glad that last sentence exists.]

Joey Mudd :  Deklyn O'Sullivan – Musician

Deklyn, like his sister Gilda, is a very friendly and charismatic young musician. He is full of life, energy, joy and is extremely earnest. However, he does tend to worry, and his imagination takes hold, extrapolating the smallest misstep that could lead to the doom of his family. Frequently stares into the middle distance, right between the crucial and the trivial, between existential dread and I’ll take the dressing on the side.  [The Millennial™]

The Rakish Rogues

Christopher Burch :  Sterling Armstrong – Highwayman, Leader of Group

The leader of this merry band of misfits. He is bold, ambitious, but a tad arrogant. Sterling fancies himself as a ladies’ man, but when approached by a woman, he can’t always follow through. His leadership style is that of blind intuition. His British dialect is very put-on and manly, but he often slips into Cockney, his real voice, when angered. Sterling doesn't walk, he glides. Is that his real name or did he make it up?  [FUCK YEAH THEY DID THE THING THEY PUT HIM ON THE MUSIC TRACK YESSSSSS!]

Chase Brackett :  Tucker Abbot – Highwayman, Sterling's Protégé

A former homeless orphan who was adopted by Sterling Armstrong as his younger brother and protégé . He absolutely worships the ground his brother walks on. Tucker is very bright, optimistic, and somewhat naïve. He is completely unaware when he says filthy and inappropriate things. Sterling said it so it must be fine! He loves the life of crime, but mostly he just wants to find a beautiful lady and sing songs to her pretty face forever.  [This character description has newsie energy.]

Pete Hedberg :  Jeremiah Slight – Highwayman, Sterling's Right-Hand Man

He is the muscle of the group, but secretly the brains. Jeremiah is the only person keeping this group afloat, but he would rather stick to the shadows than be in the limelight. He is excellent at thievery and a master of disguise. If you get close enough to find out how many accents he can do, you may not live to tell the tale!  [*laughs in a decade of faire accents*]  [also slight is the right hand man? slight of hand? fuck you.]

Ian Agnew :  William "Bill" Crimson – Highwayman, former Benadictine Monk

A former Benedictine monk who was living a pious life in an abbey. He one day was hit in the head with a bible, decided to leave the cloth and turn to a more exciting life of crime. He adores his new lifestyle and lives it with absolutely no restraint or regret. Bill has a newfound love of drinking, women, and gambling. He may have a few loose screws, but he’s never been happier.  [So there’s a good bit to unpack there.  Kind of like a reverse Cadfael.]

Improv

Sheila Barton :  Lady Delores Anne Penburthy – Lady Mayor of Mount Hope

Effervescent and vivacious, the Lady Mayor is sure to give Queen Elizabeth I the warm and generous welcome deserving a ruler of England. Having earned the love of the townspeople, the Lady Mayor could teach the young Queen a thing or two about earning the trust and loyalty of her people.

Adam Shepley :  William Cecil – Advisor to the Queen

Her Majesty’s most stalwart advisor, and head of her privy council. Usually the smartest man in the room, and well aware of it, Cecil knows Elizabeth will be a good queen. Honestly after her sister Mary, things can only go up.

Joe Penn :  Jacob Perry – Sheriff of Mount Hope

He loves putting away bad guys and solving mysteries. The only mystery he cant solve: how to grow up.  [Oh. Hell. Yeah.]

Jonathan Handley :  Sir William Pickering – Nobleman

Well educated, well bred, well connected. William Pickering has studied at the best schools, spent time among the French court, and is a good friend of Queen Elizabeth; but surely he would never let those things go to his head. He is still a man of the people, with his finger on the gilded pulse of the court.

Rob Condas :  William Shakespeare – Apprentice Glover

Everyone needs gloves, and serving all levels of society has made young Bill a keen observer of the human condition. He has heard many stories, and feels that he has many stories to tell. He’d like to try his hand at playwrighting – maybe he can wrangle up some actors to try out a new play or two.  [This is absolutely genius, because if we remain in the same universe for a couple years, we’ll get to see his transition to fully-fledged playwright!]

Adam Kampouris :  Christopher "Kit" Marlowe – Playwright

Full of charm and swagger, this playwright can woo a hundred paramours without running out of pickup lines; finish several thousand tankards of ale without retiring for bed; and accomplish almost any task without exerting too much effort; but he cannot seem to finish a play. He is hoping Mount Hope Shire will provide him the inspiration he needs to pen his next masterpiece.

Kelsey Jefferies :  Gretchen Froman – Heir to the Sausage Throne

Her parents have newly acquired a fortune from their successful Sausage empire, and they like to flaunt it! Fortunately for them, their daughter is responsible enough for both of them and makes sure they don’t blow it all in a single shopping trip. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t enjoy some of the perks – just that she is the only one of the three with some class about it.  [For context, see the Blackfryars’ descriptions.]

Noelani Stevenson :  Eskarina Nutter – Wise Woman

This cunning woman knows that there are things in this world that cannot be explained, and their solutions must be equally inexplicable. A mistress of folk medicine, herbal lore, and charms, she will heal you up quick or dispel the evil eye. Just remember that what she can cure, she can just as easily give back if you cross her.  [hell yeah my pagan girl!  Also if you look at her headshot, her design is literally Sabrina but a little paler and with blond hair, which is most amusing to me.]   [but like,,, why is her last name nutter.]

Kira Gaudynski :  Stella Hopfield – Bottler

Wife of John Hopfield. Though her title is Bottler, she does so much more – marketing, distribution, HR, pretty much everything that isn’t the actual brewing of the beer...and girl, is she good at it! She thrives under pressure, and fortunately for her, there is always pressure abounding.

Ryan Perry :  John Hopfield – Brew Master

Patriarch of the Hopfield family. His brews are best. His ales are awesome. His stouts are stellar. His lagers are...really good too. Hes proud of the name he has made for his family, and knows that beer is the true heart of Mount Hope.

Katelyn Shreiner :  Sherry Tanningrove – Mistress of the Cellars

Sister of Horice Tanningrove and his partner in the winery. Her mind is like the aging process of wine: calculating, patient, and meticulous. She has an eye for detail and rarely jumps to conclusions. She knows that trends come and go, but wine will be forever.

Michael Stahler :  Horace Tanningrove – Vinter

Patriarch of the Tanningrove Family. Wine is what put the shire of Mount Hope on the map, and Horace is proud of that family tradition. He knows Queen Elizabeth will have a more refined palate than her late father and sister, and will help bring Mount Hope’s wines back to the top no matter what those uppity Hopfields say.  [yeah okay so there’s definitely a family rivalry here]

Alright, You Stumped Me

Katie Burch :  Theresa Ratchet – Rat Catcher

Sickness has begun blanketing the world. Some people blame it on bad smells, some people believe it to be God’s wrath due to the sinful ways of today’s culture. Theresa, however, believes it to be because of the rats. She can’t prove it, and no one else believes her, but she will do whatever it takes to rid Mount Hope of these verminous infestations and save the populous in the process.  [Heck yeah, my science-based girl, go get it!]

George Hamilton :  Douglas Johnson – Master Thief

He’s been arrested so many times by Sheriff Perry, they know practically everything about each other. One might even suspect they’ve become friends, but Douglas Johnson would never take advantage of his friendship....in any way that would be obvious to Sheriff Jacob.  [I’m always a slut for this sort of dynamic!]

Shannon Holder :  Rose Hopfield – Brew Master's Daughter

Impulsive, independent, and passionate, this young woman is exploring the world on her own and beginning to see things in a new light, not solely from the perspective of her brewmaster father. By the end of the festival day, she may even sip her first glass of wine!

Jesse Kortus :  Jack Tanningrove – Vinter's Son

Idealistic, intelligent, and inquisitive, this young man is coming into his own and beginning to question the things he has grown up with as facts. For example: contrary to his father’s opinion, there seem to be a great deal of people upon the shire who prefer beer to wine. He intends to spend the day finding out just why that is.  [....oh great we’re gonna have friggin’ het star-crossed lovers up in here, aren’t we.]

John Surgener :  Charles Kent – Yeoman

Fiercely loyal to the Queen, Charles Kent is every bit the ideal hero. With a strong moral compass and an idyllic spirit, Kent is fast, powerful, and has quickly leapt to the top of the list of the Queens favorite Yeomen.

Haley Ward :  Amy Cooper – Cooper

Who would have thought a business person could suffer from TOO MUCH demand? With the ongoing conflict between the Tanningroves and the Hopfields, Amy has been profiting, but at the cost of much sleep. Maybe today she’ll finally be able to enjoy a day off.  [*sleep-deprived fistbump*]

My Reasoning

A section I include purely because I don’t like feeling stupid: therefore when I’m wrong, I prefer people to at least see the logic I followed to arrive at my conclusion.

Leads

Robert Dudley and Henry Carry are both mentioned by name in the scenario, so they’re obviously leads, and Queen Elizabeth is sort of, well, Queen Elizabeth.

Combat

Bev Tanningrove – Tanningrove Family Muscle: character description puts her pretty firmly in the combat territory; Sunny Vinsavich’s resume backs this up with necessary training/abilities.

Sylvia Forel – Sword Mistress: character description puts her pretty firmly in the combat territory; Emily Wirthwein’s resume backs this up with necessary training/abilities.

Mary McBride – Dance Mistress of the Shire: character description puts her pretty firmly in the combat territory; Mel Angelo’s resume seems to back this up with necessary training/abilities.

Fan Liu – Pirate: character description indicates combat as a definite possibility; Ilana Lo‘s resume backs this up with SO MUCH necessary training/abilities; character seems to fit better into the pattern of the combat track than the pattern of the improv track.

Bonnie Buchanna – Pirate: character description indicates combat as a definite possibility; Leigh Loureiro‘s resume indicates potential necessary physicality; character seems to fit better into the pattern of the combat track than the pattern of the improv track

Mistress Quickley – Tavern Keeper: can’t freaking find a resume for Amanda Darrigo, but in my PARF experience, tavern-keepers tend to be involved in brawls and melees, thus indicating combat track.

Captain James Thatch – Captain of The Queen's Vengeance: character description indicates combat as a definite option; can’t find a resume for Sean Besecker, but did find a facebook post mentioning his participation in leading a stage-combat workshop alongside Sam Little, thus implying the necessary training/abilities; character seems to fit better into the pattern of the combat track than the pattern of the improv track.

Bartholomew Wainwright – Yeoman: though character description does not necessarily indicate active combat role, one would imagine a yoeman to be involved in combat, and I know past casts have included combat-track yeomen; Matthew Glen Clark‘s resume backs this up with necessary training and physicality.

Edward Mawson – First Mate: character description does not necessarily indicate active combat role, and I was completely unable to find any sort of resume for Austin James, but the character seems to fit into the pattern of the combat track well enough, so it’s my best guess.

Music (hardly challenging, as I mentioned, yet shall display my reasoning anyway)

Captain Sheena Daley O'Connell – Captain of The Unyeilding Tempest: woman pyrate whose character description matches the format of the other Sirens’.

Captain Scarlett Seymour – Captain of The Shadow of Prophecy: woman pyrate whose character description matches the format of the other Sirens’.

Captain Ruth "The Blade" Gibson – Captain of The Jolly Walrus: woman pyrate whose character description matches the format of the other Sirens’, plus we already know Megan Jones is music-track certified, so to speak.

Captain Elanor Keetly – Captain of The Malevolence: woman pyrate whose character description matches the format of the other Sirens’, plus we already know Sarah Williams is both music-track certified and Siren certified.

Siobhán O'Sullivan – Royal Music Tutor: surname matches that of the four Irish characters listed as “musician”.

Gilda O'Sullivan – Musician: surname matches that of the other Irish characters listed as “musician” or similar; Jordan Bell is already both music-track certified and Revel certified.

Alannah O'Sullivan – Musician: surname matches that of the other Irish characters listed as “musician” or similar; Morgan Harwood is already music-track certified.

Keagan O'Sullivan – Musician: surname matches that of the other Irish characters listed as “musician” or similar; Jared Haverdink is already music-track certified.

Deklyn O'Sullivan – Musician: surname matches that of the other Irish characters listed as “musician” or similar.

Sterling Armstrong – Highwayman, Leader of Group: highwayman; we already knew Christoper Burch is music-track capable.

Tucker Abbot – Highwayman, Sterling's Protégé: highwayman; singing is specifically mentioned in description.

Jeremiah Slight – Highwayman, Sterling's Right-Hand Man: highwayman; we already knew Pete Hedberg is very very music-track certified and Rogue certified.

William "Bill" Crimson – Highwayman, former Benadictine Monk: highwayman; we already knew Ian Agnew is both music-track certified and Rogue certified.

Improv

Lady Delores Anne Penburthy – Lady Mayor of Mount Hope: Duh.

William Cecil – Advisor to the Queen: Adam Shepley is historically improv track.

Jacob Perry – Sheriff of Mount Hope: Joe Penn is historically improv track.

Sir William Pickering – Nobleman: Jonathan Handley is historically improv track.

William Shakespeare – Apprentice Glover: character description gives no indication of combat; Rob Condas‘s website extols his improv ability and love of the same.

Christopher "Kit" Marlowe – Playwright: if Shakespeare be improv track, it follows that Marlowe is, too; character description gives no indication of combat.

Gretchen Froman – Heir to the Sausage Throne: one parent is a Blackfryar and the other an improv director, so the statistical likelihood lies with improv;  character description gives no indication of combat.

Eskarina Nutter – Wise Woman: character description gives no indication of combat; it makes more sense for a healer-witch-type character to not be combat-focused anyway (though that would make for a really cool character); I could not find any resume for Noelani Stevenson to verify anything one way or another, but I’m relatively confident in my verdict nonetheless.

Stella Hopfield – Bottler: character description gives no indication of combat; Kira Gaudynski’ resume seems to indicate greater improv strength than combat strength.

John Hopfield – Brew Master: character description gives no indication of combat; if the Hopfield matriarch indeed be on improv, it seems to heighten the likelyhood of the Hopfield patriarch being on the same; could not find Ryan Perry’s resume to check training/abilities one way or another.

Sherry Tanningrove – Mistress of the Cellars: character description gives no indication of combat; Katelyn Shreiner‘s resume seems to indicate stronger improv skills than combat skills; following my previous path of reason, if the head Hopfields be on the improv track, likely the head Tanningroves will, too.

Horace Tanningrove – Vinter: character description gives no indication of combat; Michael Stahler‘s resume seems to indicate average stage-combat abilities; once more following my path of reasoning through to the logical conclusion, this other head Tanningrove will likely be on the improv track.

Alright, you stumped me

Theresa Ratchet – Rat Catcher: while Katie Burch has historically been combat-track, the character description gives no indication of combat; moreover, her participation in Theatre in the Mansion indicates to me that she has the necessary abilities for the improv track; neither her website nor twitter reveals anything one way or another; finally, I have a unproven gut instinct that one is more likely to remain on cast more years running if one switches tracks.  Verdict? could go either way.

Douglas Johnson – Master Thief: George Hamilton has been on both the music track and the combat track (though music is here ruled out), and his participation in Theatre in the Mansion indicates to me that he has the necessary abilities for the improv track; thieves of various sorts are often on the combat track, but it seems his main acting partner this year is on improv; I cannot find a website for further information, and his social media reveals nothing.  Verdict? six of one, half-a-dozen of the other.

Rose Hopfield – Brewmaster's Daughter: character description indicates a divergence from her parents’ worldview, so while I have her parents under improv, it would make some degree of sense for her to be on a different track; only some degree, though, and character description does not indicate combat; Shannon Holder‘s resume seems to indicate possibility in either track.  Verdict? honestly probably improv but there is wiggle-room.

Jack Tanningrove – Vinter's Son: character description indicates a divergence from his parents’ worldview, so while I have his parents under improv, it would make some degree of sense for him to be on a different track; only some degree, though, and character description does not indicate combat; I could not find a resume for Jesse Kortus to check training/abilities either way.  Verdict? yeah prolly improv but who knows.

Charles Kent – Yeoman: though character description does not necessarily indicate active combat role, one would imagine a yoeman to be involved in combat, and I know past casts have included combat-track yeomen; however, John Surgener’s resume seems to me to lean more toward improv than combat, though he has some degree of experience in both.  Verdict? heck if I know.

Amy Cooper – Cooper: character description does not indicate combat; Haley Ward’s resume indicates the necessary training/ability for combat; the character description gives me improv-track vibes somehow.  Verdict? yeah at this point your guess is as good as mine.

Phew!  That’s more than long enough for one day, so the Blackfryars shall get their own post on the morrow (maybe this evening if I’m responsible... haha...).

To the newcomers, welcome!  To those returning, welcome back!

#if you'll excuse me i'll be over here being EXCITED as HECK #man this took me ages #they posted the cast while i was at work on tuesday #i couldn't look at it until 9pm-something #and despite working on this post until 3am-something i couldn't finish it at the time #so then i slept in on wednesday and only got a few hours of work in on it before my evening rehearsal #and i finally finished it a couple hours after rehearsal by which time it was 11pm #and i'd rather post it during the day since more people in the relivent timezone will see it then #so yeah. castlist released on tuesay; post up on thursday #i have many things to say -- even more than my little bracket asides have already said -- but that may be fodder for future posts #for my next trick i will reformat this post to work within the limitations of facebook #yikes #bacchanalians #cast list #casting #parf casting #parf cast 2019 #parf 2019 #parf #pa ren faire #pa renn faire #pa renaissance faire #pennsylvania renaissance faire #renaissance faire #renn faire #ren faire #faire #here's a health to the queuempany

[the-stick-scribblers]

Salt and Smoke

Outside the cabin, blue sky presided over a vast gray ocean, or at least the sky wanted to think so.  Apollo dragged sun over the waves, where it caught and glistened and fooled the eyes of less experienced men.  Salt off the sea made up as much of the air as the air did, and under the hot summer sun, the ship’s deck would feel warm to the touch.

But Ronan Lynch didn’t see these things.

Inside the cabin, Ronan stood in front of the captain’s desk, awaiting his usual warning before being unleashed.  On the deck at the same time, the crew received a similar warning from their quartermaster, the much-loved Noah Czerny, but for some reason, Captain Gansey always insisted he give Ronan a private lecture.

“You know the men will do what they see you doing,” Gansey said, leaning forward over his desk, shirt sleeves pushed up to his elbows.  His hair, mussed yet somehow miraculously without grease, shifted slightly when the ship rocked.  They were headed for home, for Nassau, and Gansey had set as fast a pace as the Glendower could manage.  The men were all anxious for land and the pleasures it offered.

“They’ll do what Czerny tells them,” Ronan said.  He kept his arms crossed over his chest.  He wanted to lean against something.

Gansey rolled his eyes.  “Only if it suits them, and you know it.  Only if they don’t see you doing something they like better.”

Ronan grinned.  The crew largely regarded him as Gansey’s dog, he knew.  His loyalty went unquestioned, and this did not make for a good quartermaster.  The men didn’t trust him to look out for their best interests if the captain ever led them astray, and so they had voted in favor of the meeker, but more pleasant, Czerny instead.  However, the crew, almost down to a man, revered Ronan.  Some even more than the captain.  Many, perhaps.  Ronan knew this, and while he had no mind to take advantage, it did make him laugh.

“I’ll behave,” he said.

“Please.”  Gansey pushed himself back from the desk and rolled down his sleeves.  His work was done, now that he had exacted this promise.

“I always do,” Ronan said, just to see the stricken look on Gansey’s face right before he turned to exit the cabin and return to the deck.

The men had scattered, scrambling to make preparations to anchor in the harbor.  Ronan made it to the rail just as someone shouted overhead that land had been sighted.  All around him, the crew gave out a raucous cheer.  They had been at sea for many weeks now, chasing a particular prize, which they had finally succeeded in capturing after several failed attempts.  Fortunately for Gansey, and all of them, there had been no shortage of merchant vessels between the Glendower and Gansey’s true goal, and so they were returning to Nassau with significant heft to their pockets.

Gansey counted on Ronan for these victories.  He had his mind, and his eye, set on larger sights.  So while Gansey planned and plotted, Ronan pillaged and plundered.  The crew saw the value in Gansey’s wits and trusted him to lead them to larger payouts in the long haul, and they knew Ronan would steer them right in the short term.  It was a beneficial arrangement for all involved: Gansey got a ship and a crew to help him find his treasures, Ronan got to fight, and the men got paid.

Now they would return with their gold and their goods, which would, for the most part, quickly be spent.  And when they sank all their hard-won money back into Nassau’s bustling economy, they would sail out again.  Normally Ronan waited not-so-patiently in town until the sea and her spoils called the men back, but today even he felt some measure of anticipation to step onto that familiar beach.

“You heard he’s back too?”

Ronan turned and had to squint against the sun to see Noah’s face.  The quartermaster had appeared by his side to lean against the rail, looking out over the water toward home.  That was how everyone saw Nassau: home.  Not Ronan.  The Glendower was Ronan’s home.  Gansey was home.  The rolling waves beneath his feet and the crack of bone beneath his fist.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Noah did not believe him.  Noah knew him too well.  And despite himself, Ronan didn’t mind much.  It was hard, even for him, to resist Noah’s pull.  He hadn’t been surprised when the men chose him for quartermaster.  In fact, while he would never admit it out loud to anyone, he’d been pleased with the choice.

“Whatever you say,” Noah said.  “But I heard he’s back.  And if I heard it, then you heard it.  Just don’t,” he stopped.

Ronan glared at him; it didn’t matter if Noah knew it to be all bark.

“Don’t look for trouble, all right?” Noah finished, and then he disappeared again.

Ronan looked back out over the water, in the direction of the harbor, though it hadn’t yet come into sight.  He wouldn’t look for trouble, he thought, wondering how many warnings his friends thought he needed.  But he wouldn’t say no to it if it found him on its own.

#

“Richard Campbell Gansey III.”

Ronan turned away in mock disgust -- mock, because he didn’t really care much, disgust because he didn’t need to see the soppy grin on Gansey’s face.

“That’s Captain Gansey, Jane,” Gansey said.

“That’s Blue, Captain,” Blue Sargent said.  “Besides, you’re not my captain.”  She shot an exaggerated wink over the bar and Gansey’s cheeks flared pink.

“Jesus, Gansey, don’t let the men see you like that,” Ronan said.

While it certainly would have been less than ideal for the crew to see their captain blushing like a schoolgirl, and they were all well within proximity to see it since his face burned brighter than a beacon, there was no real danger.  They were all equally distracted by the many other denizens of Fox’s Way, Nassau’s most popular brothel and tavern.

Blue bit her own grin into a smirk (it was bad for business to play favorites) and turned to Ronan.  “What can I get for you, snake?”

“What do you think, maggot?”

Gansey had long since stopped telling Ronan not to talk to Blue this way.  It seemed he’d finally figured out it was all in good fun.

Blue poured him some rum and put it down in front of him.  He tossed a few extra coins onto the bar for her, which she swept out of sight with a flick of her fingers and a subtler, more platonic wink of her eye.

“And you, Captain?” she said.  She reached across the bar and brushed a piece of Gansey’s hair away from his face.

This was Blue’s favorite game, to torment the customers, Gansey especially.  As daughter of the owner, Blue did not work as the other girls of the house worked.  She supervised, managed conflicts, and tended the bar.  But as for the other pleasures of Fox’s Way, Blue Sargent was strictly off limits.

Gansey cleared his throat.  “I’m afraid we’ve got other business today,” he said.  He tilted his chin to give Blue a significant look.  Ronan downed his rum and rolled his eyes, purely for Blue’s benefit.  She caught it and laughed at Gansey’s expense, though with the same fondness and warmth below the surface that Ronan had for him as well.

They hadn’t always gotten along so easily, Blue and Ronan, but over time they’d thawed toward each other, and when they’d spent enough time in each other’s company to know that neither posed a threat to the other in terms of Gansey’s affection, they’d become friends.  Not that either of them would ever say so.  But that was the best kind, as far as Ronan was concerned.

Blue glanced around to make sure no one was waiting for her attention and then led Gansey and Ronan to a private room not currently in use.

“You didn’t really find it?” she said once they were alone.

An ornate bed sat at one end of the room, which otherwise didn’t have much to offer.  Shutters over the windows blocked most of the light.  The air smelled like sweat and sex.

“We did,” Gansey said, too proud to sound brittle.

The chart had been hard won.  After weeks of searching for the correct ship, they had finally found her and taken her, only to discover that the chart had been moved the week before.  They’d lost a lot of men that day, and come closer to defeat than Ronan liked to remember.  There was no love lost between any pirate and the British Royal Navy, but Ronan had particular reason to avoid and detest it, and anyone who sailed under its colors.

“Let me see,” Blue said.

“It’s on the ship.”  Gansey didn’t look at Blue when he said this.  Ronan knew he didn’t like keeping things from her, but any prize won, even under Gansey’s leadership, didn’t belong to one man.  It belonged to the crew, and therefore no one, not even Gansey, could take it anywhere without the crew’s consent.

“I understand,” Blue said, her voice cold, though Ronan suspected this came less from anger with Gansey’s answer than something else.  She had once drunkenly confessed to Ronan that she wished she too could board a ship and sail beneath the black, that it would suit her better than staying on this bit of sand to tend the family business.

“I just wanted to tell you,” Gansey said.  “We’re close now.”

Blue nodded.  Gansey took a step toward her, put his hand on the back of her neck, and kissed her forehead.  Ronan turned away to give them a moment’s privacy.  Then Gansey pulled back.  “The men have money to spend,” he said, “but we’ll be off as soon as they’ve sated themselves. We don’t have much window of opportunity.  We need to take it now.  If I’m not able to say goodbye before we go, I’ll send word.”

Blue, accustomed to this by now, accepted Gansey’s words.  But in the dark and away from other eyes, sorrow shone in the lines and hollows of her face, already too worn for her age.

Gansey slipped from the room but Ronan hovered.  Before Blue could leave, he put his hand on her arm.

“Where?” he said and handed her another coin.

Blue took it, more reluctantly than before.  “In his tent on the beach,” she said.  She looked like she wanted to issue a warning of her own, her lip held firm between her teeth, but she didn’t.

“Thank you,” Ronan said and followed after Gansey.

#

Ronan stayed away from the beach until the sun had set completely and the sky overhead was black as the back of his eyes.  He stayed away until the pull was as strong as the tide and he could no longer resist no matter how hard he tried.

He didn’t make any effort to hide his presence on the beach.  Men from a dozen crews or more milled about around fires, in tents, fucking the girls from Fox’s in the open night air.  Even someone as recognizable as himself, as well known as himself, could get lost in the crowd down here.  Still, before he dipped into the tent he sought, he made sure no one was around to see it.

Inside, the air felt close but not stale.  The Dreamer must not have arrived long ago.  Ronan didn’t take the time to ask.

Kavinsky lounged on his pallet at the center of the small tent, one leg crooked.  He looked up as soon as Ronan stepped inside, but before he had a chance to speak, Ronan threw himself to the ground in front of him and tore at the strings of Kavinsky’s trousers.  He could already feel his mouth flooding, and he knew, could hear, that he was breathing hard.  Above him, Kavinsky laughed, but Ronan ignored it.  He gripped Kavinsky’s wrist, guided his hand to the back of Ronan’s head, and then he let himself take what he had come for.

#

Adam knew, from the creaking around him and the faint queasiness in his stomach, that he was still onboard the ship.  He saw nothing but the black of the inside of his blindfold.  He heard nothing but the gentle shifting of wood and the lap of waves beyond.  He felt nothing but the bit of cloth between his teeth and the chains around his wrists.

He knew, from patches of conversation he had caught here and there and from that same unease in his gut, that they must have reached Nassau at last, and that the ship stood at anchor in the harbor.

He knew he could try, again, to scream, but he had long since given up hope that he might find any empathy among thieves.

So Adam waited.  In the dark of the belly of the beast, he waited for his chance to escape it.

#the raven cycle #fanfiction #this is the first chapter of the pirate au i've been writing for a year #that i finally finished this week #and i busted my butt on it #so it's all i have to contribute for scribblers this week #and i'm posting late because i suck #pirates

[earthlostgirl]

This is the first fic that I write in English, so if you see any type of error, do not hesitate to say it so that I can correct myself. I hope you like it ! Thanks for reading me.

April, 1636. Port Tortuga .

"Captain, Captain!" shouted someone on the other side of the door knocking hard on the wood. "We should be sailing in a couple of hours."

"Damn it, Breda, here's a man trying to sleep," he grunted in a bad mood.

Twenty minutes later and with his characteristic calm he left his cabin, adjusting his belt from which all his weapons hung, behind him two beautiful girls who laughed and whispered to each other. Their colourful dresses stood out from the sobriety of the rest of the crew. Roy said goodbye to the girls when they got off the boat and turned with a huge smile on his face to look at his team. His right hand was carefully checking the boxes on deck. She wore her long blond hair tied up in a messy bun and when she moved her bracelets and beads tinkled, making a soft sound of tiny bells. Her white shirt drew her curves and she seemed to shine under the sun of the southern seas.

"Petty Officer Swallow, how's the cargo going?" "All right, sir," she muttered without looking up from the papers.

"Is anything missing?" he insisted, smiling trying to get her to look at him.

"Yes, sir, a lot of things," she snorted in a bad mood giving the documents to the red-haired sailor who had woken him up.

"All right gentlemen, we've got work to do, let's go everybody," he said in a loud voice, gesturing exaggeratedly with his arms. "If we manage to load the boat, we will spend the night in Tortuga."

Queen Elizabeth was rocking in the calm waters of the free port of Tortuga. It wasn't a very big ship. It was barely twelve meters long and was old; it had hundreds of repairs, but it was fast and was good for smuggling and pillaging, which in the end was the most important thing. A bunch of children, the street rats of the island were loading the illegal rum onto the ship. For a handful of coins, anyone was willing to work no matter how hard it was. Captain Mustang, hands on his waist, gazed proudly at his beloved ship.

"Isn't it a bit brazen of you to name your ship after a queen whom you plunder every chance you get?" said a voice full of arrogance behind Roy.

"I am the captain of the ship and give it whatever name I want," he replied irritably as he recognized that voice.

"Be thankful that you are in Tortuga, otherwise I would stop you right now for insulting the crown, Captain Mustang."

"You should be thankful that you are in Tortuga, otherwise I would put my sword through you right now, Commodore Fox."

"Has this stupid egos fight ended, Sir? We still have to finish loading the ship," Riza snorted as she stood beside him as she guided one of the children down the catwalk.

"Yes, petty officer" he turned to look at her, smiling, but she didn't smile back.

He snorted in annoyance and last looked at the stupid officer of the royal army who kept smiling arrogantly as he walked away from the port.

It was noon and Mustang, along with several members of his crew, was on his way to "Sweet Kattalin", one of the port's canteens. It was always crowded, since they have the best lamb stew on this side of the ocean. They sat at one of the tables, starving to death, shouting at the waitresses, acting as if they were in their own house.

"Get your dirty boots off my table, Mustang," the owner of the place grunted." Did you grow up in a pigsty?"

"Catalina, my love" interrupted Havok, taking her by the waist."I missed you tonight."

"You just miss something to put your hands on, you scoundrel, water rat," she snorted away from him. "Wipe that rogue smile off your face, pirate, I'm not going to fall for your cheap tricks."

"That's why I like you so much, Catalina, that mouth of yours..." he smiled brazenly and threw a kiss as he sat on the bench.

The owner of the place was a brunette with wild and curly hair, generous curves and ravishing smile, any man would fight in mourning for looking at her cleavage. She was cynical and foul-mouthed, and capable of putting up a good fight. He liked her, but above all she was a good friend of his petty officer. Catalina had a strange hobby; she collected "wanted" posters of all the villains, delinquents and other thugs who walked through Tortuga. Decorated the walls of the canteen and every time someone was on the wall for the first time, they had to pay for everyone's drinks.

"Why am I"Baby face Mustang"?" he asked looking at his poster whit a sulking sign. " It's stupid."

"Because you are incapable of growing a decent beard, sir," Breda joked, unbuttoning his pants, ready to have a great feast.

"Why is Havoc" Pretty face, Havoc?" Roy insisted, folding his arms across his chest.

"Because I have it, boss," he replied, scratching his blonde beard.

After the delicious food and paying for the part of the sailors who had stayed on the ship, they returned to port. There they spent the afternoon finalizing the preparations for departure, delaying until the next morning the time to go to sea. When night fell, and this time with all his crew, they left Queen Elizabeth to enjoy the crazy nights of Tortuga. Walking through its crowded streets where all kinds of crooks and bad people gathered.

"I have things to do," said Riza disappearing into one of the dark alleys without giving him time to say anything. A tall sailor, with black hair tied up in a ponytail and ears full of earrings, stood beside him and cleared his throat in an exaggerated manner.

"May I speak freely, Captain?" he asked mockingly.

"Hughes, please, put the formalities in your ass..."he said, circling his eyes, but without taking his sight away from the alley through which she vanished.

"What have you done now?"

"I haven't done anything," he turned his head to look at his friend.

"I don't think our beloved boatswain thinks so," Maes smiled and softly elbowed his ribs.

"She wants to go by the Arrow, but we are unready to go after Bradley," he explained shaking his head.

"You always say the same thing... What's your excuse now?"

"A small ship, inexperienced crew, she and I grew up on a pirate ship, but now half of the boys are inexperienced criminals or fishermen bored of working, dry feet, immature... They are unprepared for such a business..."

"Then you'll find another excuse. I know you do it by the map, Roy, I'm not an idiot, nor is she, she's not a lady in distress, she's a pirate. Besides Elisabeth Hawkeye is dead to everyone, nobody is looking for her."

"I will not risk her life for a stupid ship or a stupid treasure."

"Which are important to her, are her inheritance, her legacy and you are denying her the right to claim them."

"Whose side are you on, Maes?"

"On the side of justice, adventure and greed my dear say there are more than ten thousand gold coins in Hawkeye Treasure and precious stones the size of your head."

"They also say he had a daughter with a mermaid..."

"Who knows? Riza is the best swimmer in the crew."

"Shut up, Hughes, lets drink before those river rats end up with all the rum."

And they drank to the point of exhaustion.

He was drunk, very drunk, like the rest of his men crawling around the ship, he wasn't sure how he got there. Riza threw him on the bed. He extended his arms, trying to look as seductive as possible, without achieving it at all, Riza muttered something between her teeth and leaned on the bed to be able to remove his boots. Then she grabbed him by the flaps of his jacket to incorporate him.

"I like you to undress me," he whispered as she took off his jacket and threw it to the floor.

"Well, I hate it when you're this drunk," she said, pulling his belt from which hunged a musket, foil and a dagger.

"I love you so much," he whispered, running one hand around her waist so that she would sit next to him.

"I know..." she answered, unlacing the handkerchief on his head.

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked, holding her face in his hand.

"Yes," she answered in a whisper letting the heat of his hand warm her cheek.

"You know, this morning's girls were Cats, they fought with Mama and needed a place to spend the night... they were not... they... I actually slept on that couch over there " he reluctantly pointed to a leather armchair.

"I know, I was myself a Midnight Mama's girl once, I can recognize my own sisters," she smiled unbuttoning his shirt, taking her time to enjoy the touch of his skin.

"I just wanted to make you jealous."

"I know that too..." carefully caressed his scarred chest and smiled sweetly.

"It didn't work, did it?" He asked with a small drop of hope in his voice.

"No," she replied, nodding her head solemnly, causing a necklace to come out of her chest.

Roy smiled as he saw the little heart hanging from her neck and touched it with his fingers.

"Sleep with me," he begged, playing with the little piece of gold between his fingers.

"No, I'm still angry," she replied, moving away from him.

"Are you going to abandon your captain in this pitiful state?"

"Yes," she smiled, leaning over him and kissing his lips. " I don't sleep with drunken men."

"I know... Unless you're drunk too," he got up with agility, despite his terrible drunkenness and grabbed her by the butt, smiling like a fool. Riza also smiled, kissed him and quickly pulled away, leaving his beloved captain seated, eyes closed, waiting for another kiss.

"It's bedtime, Captain Mustang," she replied, pushing him onto the bed again, trying to look serious.

"I love you."

"You already told me that."

next

#fmab #royai fic #pirate au #riza hawkeye #fullmetal alchemist #fanfic #royai