On the Strangest Tides, Skies are Grey [M]@MorningStar

[wandering_giraffe]

"Shut up and eat your goddamn food," Elara grumbled, the slightest dusting of a blush on her cheeks.
"I've got things to do. I've wasted enough time. Tomorrow we'll be attacking a merchant ship...you can either help or stay here in the brig until we get to a port."

[MorningStar]

Kael eagerly dug into the meal, savoring the aroma that had filled the air. The first bite brought a momentary expression of delight to his face, but as he continued chewing, a dubious look crept in. Eventually, with his cheeks stuffed, he glanced over at Captain Elara with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Captain, this is... uh, quite awful. Did you whip this up yourself? Perhaps I could impart a few culinary pearls of wisdom to elevate our onboard cuisine. What do you say?" He finished the sentence with a cheeky grin.

But his real thoughts were around the merchant ship. Why would someone like her attack a simple merchant ship? They were pirates, sure, but..

Wait. Did she say he could help? Was he actually getting on her on good side?

[wandering_giraffe]

Elara shook her head.
"No, I most definitely did not make that. Kkärsvig made it."
She turned and walked to the door.
"Finish up your food. I'll be back in an hour."
Then she slammed the door.

Elara's quarters

Kkärsvig paced in front of Elara's desk, Elara seated behind it with her legs propped up on the desk.

"That merchant ship...it's not a merchant ship. It's a cover for a smugglers operation. So, my plan," and Elara picked up a knife from her desk, "is to just sail alongside them. In broad daylight. Board, steal the spice they're smuggling, go to Essyrn, and sell it ourselves. We'll make so much money off of this one ship."
She twirled the knife around in her hand and flicked it at the wall, the knife embedding into the wall with a thunk.

Kkärsvig stopped pacing and looked at her.
"In broad daylight. Are you insane? Two fish short of the lake? They're probably not alone! That's why they left early, I'll wager! To meet up with an escort. Who knows, the Essyrni government could be escorting them!"
He walked over to the knife Elara had thrown into the wall and yanked it out.
"You're insane."

Elara laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"That's why my plans work."

Kkärsvig sighed, walking up to the desk and stabbing the knife into it.
"Someday you're going to attack something that will bite back and ruin you."

Nevertheless, he sighed, walking to the door.
"I'll get the crew ready."

In the brig
Azarion came back, bringing a fresh set of clothes for Kael.
"Figured since your old ones are soaked you might want dry ones. He opened the cell, and gestured for Kael to come out.
"You don't need to stay in there, I don't care what Elara says. Oh! And we're attacking a ship soon. Do you have any weapons? You'll need them."

Azarion set the dry clothes on the table and walked towards the door.
"I have to go get the boarding crew ready. But Elara will be down soon."
He smiled and left, shutting the door behind him.

[MorningStar]

As Kael glanced at the clothes left by Azarion, a sarcastic smirk played on his lips. "How thoughtful," he muttered under his breath, his tone dripping with irony. The garments were far from his usual attire, but the prospect of being dry outweighed his reservations. With a shrug, he began to undress, peeling off his damp clothes and tossing them aside.

The new ensemble consisted of a billowy white shirt with intricate lace detailing, reminiscent of the shirts worn by swashbuckling pirates of old. A dark vest adorned with brass buttons cinched at his waist, adding a touch of rugged charm to the ensemble. Trousers of deep navy hugged his legs, tucked into sturdy leather boots that spoke of adventure and daring escapades on the high seas.

Completing the look was a weathered leather belt, adorned with various pouches and pockets, hinting at a life lived on the edge of civilization. As he fastened the belt around his waist, Kael couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement at the thought of the unknown adventures that lay ahead. With a final adjustment of his attire, he straightened up and surveyed his reflection in the mirror, nodding in approval at the transformation.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Kael couldn't resist the opportunity to inject a bit of humor into the situation. As he heard footsteps approaching the door, he quickly adopted a playful pose, dropping to one knee and clasping his hands together as if about to propose marriage. Suppressing a grin, he fixed his gaze on the door, eagerly awaiting Captain Elara's arrival.

[wandering_giraffe]

Captain Elara, meanwhile, was not expecting the hilarious sight that awaited her when she opened the door.
There was Kael, apparently sober and on one knee as if he was proposing...to who was the question.
She stopped short, one eyebrow raised, her arms folded.
"How did you get out of your cell?...You and Azarion must have realllllyy got drunk," she dryly commented.
"Hate to disappoint you, but Azarion doesn't swing that way," Elara said, smirking because she knew full well internally what he was doing.

"Anyways, we're boarding merchant ship soon. I honestly can't prevent you from doing anything."
She rubbed her eyes then sighed.
"Just...don't kill my men and don't be an idiot. You've drank with Azarion, so whether you like it or not, you're apart of the crew now. You might as well come topside."
And she turned and left.

[MorningStar]

Feeling a pang of rejection, Kael's face contorts into a melodramatic expression of mock hurt, complete with a hand over his heart and a theatrical sigh. "Oh, Captain, you wound me!" he exclaims, pretending to clutch at an imaginary injury. But in the next moment, his playful facade crumbles, replaced by a determined grin as he hops back up to his feet, eager to prove himself.

"But fear not, fair Captain, for I am not so easily discouraged! Lead the way, and I shall follow you to the ends of the earth!" With an exaggerated flourish, he falls into step beside her, his strides quick and purposeful. As they walk, Kael leans in with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "By the way, you dropped this." With a daring grin, he held out his hand in a ball as to give her something, but instead slipped his hand into hers.

He might actually die for that one.

[wandering_giraffe]

The nerve of this man! Didn't he know who she was?!?!?!
Her face flushed red, and she awkwardly cleared her throat, her gaze traveling down to where his hand was holding hers.

"You can't just-I mean-" she stumbled over her words, and then gave up trying to speak altogether.

"If you do this in front of the crew I'm gonna kill you. In your sleep." She mumbled.
But she let him continue holding her hand.

[MorningStar]

Now's my chance!

Kael, feeling brave and excited, decides to test the waters with the captain. With a confident grin, he gently twirls her around before moving her back to the wall. He leans in close, his hand resting against the wall beside her face. "Now, Captain, before we jump into action, shouldn't we take a moment to get to know each other better?"

[wandering_giraffe]

What if the crew sees?
What if Kkärsvig sees? Oh heaven forbid, he'd never let her hear the end of it.
Her train of thought was interrupted by suddenly finding the wall that was away from her now up against her back, and Kael leaning in close to her, his hand on the wall.
Her heart felt like it couldn't beat a steady rhythm, it was all over the place. She reached her hand up and tucked a strand of hair behind Kael's ear. Her breath caught in her throat and she looked into his eyes.
"It's just—I-we don't have a lot of time," she was trying to come up with a stupid excuse.

[MorningStar]

Kael's smile was genuine, a rare sight amidst the playful banter. Despite the flirtation, a flicker of seriousness danced in his eyes. He reminded himself of the task at hand, the need to find a way off the ship he had attempted to rob - not to fall for some pirate with pretty eyes. Yet, he couldn't resist a little playful exchange. "Well, Captain," his voice lowered to a near whisper as he leaned in even closer, their breaths mingling and their lips almost touching, "shall we?"

The sudden shift in demeanor was jarring to say the least, and Kael pulled away with a mischievous grin. "Come along then, Captain," he called over his shoulder as he paced away, a playful swagger in his step. "Can't keep the crew waiting. You know how they get when left to their own devices. Playing grab ass and what not." He glanced back, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, before disappearing around the corner.

[wandering_giraffe]

He seemed about to kiss her and then he just left! Threw a flirty comment her way and was gone!
"What-NO!" She regained her composure and stalked after him.
"You were the one who got the brig guard drunk and did who knows what all night long!" She teased.
"So if anyone's playing grab ass it's you, Mr. Smooth talk." She followed him around the corner.
"The deck is the other way, smart-ass."

[MorningStar]

As Kael caught up with Captain Elara, a mischievous glint danced in his eyes. "I knew that," he quipped with a playful smirk. Before she could respond, he leaned in to steal a quick kiss on her cheek, his lips grazing her skin with a teasing warmth. "Don't worry, Captain," he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "I only have eyes for you."

As Kael strode onto the deck, his movements brimming with confidence and a hint of theatrical flair, the crew turned their attention to him, their eyes wide with curiosity. With a sweeping gesture, he raised his hand to silence the murmurs that rippled through the ranks.

"Ahoy, me hearties!" he boomed, his voice carrying across the deck with a dramatic flourish. "I see we've set sail upon the high seas once more, bound for adventure and fortune!"

The crew exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of this unexpected turn of events, but Kael pressed on, undeterred by their skepticism.

"Now, I know what you're thinking," he continued, pacing back and forth with an air of authority. "Who is this ridiculously handsome stranger who has appeared amongst ye, clad in finery and mischief? Fear not, for I am but a humble soul, a traveler of the seven seas, a seeker of treasures untold!"

A ripple of laughter spread through the crew, their initial apprehension giving way to amusement at Kael's charismatic theatrics.

"But enough about me!" he exclaimed, his eyes alight with fervor. "We've got a ship to run, a crew to rally, and adventures to embark upon! So, me hearties, hoist the sails, raise the anchor, and let's set a course for glory!"

[wandering_giraffe]

He just...he just kissed her and then strode out onto the deck, as confident as could be!
Kkärsvig tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned around, her face paling when she realized he saw everything.
"I saw that!" He laughed and pointed at Kael.
"Mate seduced you so fast! I've never seen this before! Who knew? Elara's a softie!"
Kael was doing...Kael things, talking to the rough crew who shockingly enough, was paying attention.
"He's gonna steal my crew right out from under me," Elara complained to Kkärsvig.
Regaining her rough demeanor, she walked out onto the deck, and the scattered laughter and the occasional jeer from the crew at Kael's antics died down.
"Listen up!" She yelled, climbing up on a crate.
"This ship probably has escorts...maybe government ones, but," and she held up a hand, for the crew exchanged glances at that, "we've got the fastest ship on the seas of Le'Raana. We'll ram the ship, board, steal the spice, and hightail it out. Savvy? This is a quick job. We rush in, we rush out. That's all. To your stations!" And with that, the crew gave a cheer and scattered, Elara going up to the ship's wheel to direct.
"You coming?" She nudged Kael.

[MorningStar]

As Kael's words swirled around the deck, weaving a tapestry of camaraderie and purpose among the crew, he felt a swell of pride in his chest. For a moment, it seemed as though he had succeeded in rallying their spirits, igniting a spark of determination in each of their hearts. Huzzah! What a day!

But just as he basked in the glow of his accomplishment, Elara's commanding voice cut through the air, interrupting his reverie. His eyebrows furrowed in feigned indignation, and he placed his hands firmly on his hips, turning to face her with a mock scowl.

"Ma'am," he began, his tone dripping with mock seriousness, "I'll ask you not to interrupt me while I'm addressing my crew."

A playful glint danced in his eyes as he let the facade slip, replacing the frown with a mischievous smile. "Just kidding," he added, his voice laced with amusement. "Let's go. What can I do for ya, boss?"

[wandering_giraffe]

Elara whirled on him because for a second, she thought he was serious. But then she saw that he was joking and relaxed some.
"Oh cry me a river and build me a bridge to get over it," she teased, walking up to the ship's wheel.
"Maybe, if you don't start a mutiny and behave, maaaaybe I'll let you steer the ship," she said, taking out a compass and studying it before slowly turning the ship's wheel.
"10 degrees west," she mused.
"Lower the main sail!" She shouted, turning the wheel a very slight amount.

[MorningStar]

As Kael observed Captain Elara expertly guiding the ship through the tumultuous waters, a sense of awe washed over him. Her skill and confidence were undeniable, and he found himself momentarily lost for words as he watched her command the vessel with ease.

With a charming grin, Kael stepped closer to Elara, unable to resist the urge to flirt even in the midst of his admiration. "You know," he began, his voice low and playful, "I've never seen anyone handle a ship quite like you do. It's almost as if you were born to be a pirate captain."

His gaze lingered on her, a mixture of admiration and curiosity dancing in his eyes. "Tell me, Captain," he continued, his tone sincere, "how did you come to be the fearless leader of this crew? I'm dying to know the story behind the legend."

[wandering_giraffe]

"Well," she said finally, after being silent for a moment, "my parents were explorers...they'd explore Hyoite and the Kilanthro Mountains. Well...they—and me-were magic users...elemental variety. At the top of one of the tallest mountain peaks, mom and dad tried to get me to open a portal...it didn't work. I couldn't keep it open long enough. They perished that day. And I haven't used my magic since." She stared off into the distance, her eyes haunted with the regret of that day that was long ago. She cleared her throat.
"After that...well...I distracted myself as much as possible."

"There's not much of a legend, really...I found a ship...slowly built a crew, and we prey on the seas, causing chaos and seeking adventure..."
Why she was being so open with a man she practically just met yesterday, she had no clue.
She shook her head, changing the subject.
"Speaking of adventure, there's our target now." And she pointed off to the horizon, where a ship could be seen.

[MorningStar]

Kael listened intently to Elara's story, his expression thoughtful as he absorbed the weight of her words. He felt a pang of sympathy for her loss, understanding all too well the pain of losing loved ones. However, he chose not to comment on her backstory, instead opting to offer her a reassuring smile.

As Elara changed the subject to the ship on the horizon, Kael's gaze followed her pointing finger, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed the situation. He could sense the tension in the air, the anticipation of what was to come.

"I'm more of a lover than a fighter," he remarked with a playful smirk, "but I'll do what needs doing if it means I can buy you coffee sometime."

[wandering_giraffe]

Coffee? No no no, what she needed was a nice glass of rum.
She glanced at Kael.
"If it's a glass of rum, I might take you up on that offer, mate."
 Maybe after. The ship was fast approaching, and the boarding party was already lined up on the side of the Midnight Marauder, grappling hooks at the ready. The other ship was quiet. Probably because they weren't expecting a pirate ship to just attack in the middle of the day.
"Prepare for impact!" Elara yelled, and the blade on the front of the Midnight Marauder rammed into the side, disabling the other ship. The loud impact of the ships colliding and the sound of splintering wood and snapping rope could be heard, followed by a cry of alarm from the other ship's watchman.
The ships drew alongside each other, and the attack began.
Elara's eyes glinted with the excitement of the attack, and she jumped down to the main deck, running and grabbing a rope and swinging to the other ship. Much of the battle was taking place below deck, but Elara wanted to take care of that pesky watchman that was in the crow's nest. If it wasn't for him, they could have really suprised that ship. She started to climb up to the crows nest. The watchman had seen her start to climb up, and had slid down and was perched halfway up, sword drawn and ready to fight.

[MorningStar]

"Oh, come now, Captain," he replied with a grin, "surely a delicate flower such as yourself-"

He couldn't finish his sentence before the attack happened. Shit. This was real.

As chaos erupted around him, Kael found himself thrust into the midst of a battle he hadn't anticipated. The clash of wood against wood reverberated through the air as the two ships collided, sending shockwaves of adrenaline coursing through his veins. With a quick glance at the captain, who was barking orders with fierce determination, Kael knew he had to act - despite not wanting to. However, he wanted to live to see another day.

Bounding across the deck, he let out a playful war cry, "Yipee Ki-Yay!", his words lost amidst the cacophony of shouts and clashes. Joining the fray alongside his newfound comrades, he brandished his weapon with a mix of determination and apprehension. Yet, as he made his way below deck, his heart sank at the sight before him.

In the dimly lit confines of the ship's belly, he stumbled upon a family huddled together, their fear palpable in the air. The father's eyes widened in disbelief as he beheld the sight of a pirate coming to their aid. "Who are you? What do you want?" he stammered, his voice trembling with fear and confusion.

Kael raised his hands in a placating gesture, offering a reassuring smile despite the chaos unfolding around them. "I know this may seem strange, but I'm here to help," he said calmly, his voice steady and reassuring. "There's no time to explain, but we need to get you to safety. Follow me."

With a mixture of reluctance and desperation, the family followed Kael as he led them through the maze-like corridors of the ship. Their footsteps echoed loudly against the wooden planks, each sound a stark reminder of the danger lurking just outside. As they reached a secure room tucked away from the chaos, Kael turned to face them, his gaze unwavering.

"Stay here," he instructed firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. "I'll come back for you as soon as I can. There are lifeboats on the deck above. I'll take you there once it's safe."