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

[wandering_giraffe]

Elara met the watchman halfway.
"Surrender, or it's a long drop to the deck below."
The watchman merely swung his sword at Elara, who dodged it.
"You do know," and she parried another swing, "that fighting with a knife is easier when you have to cling with one hand, aye?"
She could tell this guy wasn't a fighter.
She was merely on the defensive at this point, almost lazily deflecting his slashes.
Then she saw an opening, and she disarmed him, his sword falling all the way to the deck.
She shrugged.
"Better luck next time," and she disappeared, sliding down a rope to drop to the deck.
Elara ran to the hatch that let to below deck and dropped in, landing in harsh fighting and narrowly dodging a knife to the face.
The ship was listing to one side. Elara knew they had to move fast.
She ran, looking in rooms, looking for the crates that held the spice. A cry sounded from above.
"Essyrni ships!"
The last door opened to reveal at least 10 crates, and she grabbed one, leaving some of her other crew to grab the others.
The opposing surviving crew had been hurriedly herded onto lifeboats, and with their coveted cargo the pirates left the sinking ship, Elara making sure all of her crew was safely back on the Marauder.
 Then she looked around.
"Where is Kael?"

[MorningStar]

As Kael raced through the labyrinthine corridors of the sinking ship, panic clawed at his chest with each step. The once steady rhythm of the vessel's movements had become erratic, and the oppressive weight of impending doom hung heavy in the air. He knew he had to act fast if he was going to keep his promise to the family he had sworn to protect.

Reaching the secure room where he had left them, Kael found the family huddled together, their eyes wide with fear as they heard the ominous creaking of the ship's hull. Without hesitation, he ushered them towards the lifeboats, his heart pounding with a mixture of urgency and determination.

As they emerged onto the deck, Kael's gaze swept across the chaos unfolding around them. The lifeboats bobbed in the tumultuous sea, their only hope of escape from the sinking vessel. With a steely resolve, Kael helped the family into one of the boats, ensuring they were safely aboard before turning to face the Midnight Marauder looming in the distance.

The gap between the two ships seemed insurmountable, but Kael knew he had to reach Elara's vessel if he was going to have any chance of survival. Summoning every ounce of strength and agility, he braced himself for the daring leap ahead.

With a deep breath, Kael launched himself from the sinking ship, his muscles straining as he soared through the air towards the Midnight Marauder. For a heart-stopping moment, it felt as though time had frozen, the distance between them stretching impossibly far.

But then, with a surge of adrenaline-fueled determination, Kael's fingers brushed against the rough wooden planks of the pirate ship, and he pulled himself aboard with a triumphant grunt. He stumbled slightly as he regained his footing, his chest heaving with exertion as he surveyed his surroundings.

However, his moment of relief was short-lived as he noticed a shadowy figure lurking nearby, a glint of steel flashing in the dim light. Someone had snuck on board and planned to plunk his blade into the Captain's back. Without a second thought, Kael lunged forward, tackling the intruder to the ground with a fierce determination. The two men grappled furiously, the sound of their struggle echoing across the deck as Kael fought to disarm him.

And they both rolled dangerously close to the edge of the ship.

[wandering_giraffe]

There was Kael, jumping across the widening gap between the two ships like a madman.
Miraculously, he made it. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, and turned to survey the loot.
Then she heard fighting. Or, rather, wrestling. She turned, and a man she didn't recognize and Kael were fighting.
She drew her sword and started towards them. 

The wannabe assailant of Elara desperately fought for control against Kael, locking his legs around Kael's and rolling so he was on top, and tried to pin Kael to the deck.

[MorningStar]

Amidst the chaos of the battle, Kael found himself locked in a tense struggle with the intruder from the merchant ship. The man's grip was strong, his blade dangerously close to Kael's throat as they grappled on the deck. "A little help, captain?" Kael called out, his voice strained as he tried to fend off his attacker.

With a quick maneuver, Kael managed to twist away from the blade, his heart pounding in his chest as he searched for an opening. Spotting an opportunity, he aimed a swift kick between the man's legs, causing him to double over in pain. Taking advantage of the distraction, Kael shoved him away, regaining his footing as he put distance between them. "Calm your tits, soldier!"

[wandering_giraffe]

Elara attacked the guy as soon as she saw an opening, slashing at his leg and landing a deep cut, causing the guy to fall to the deck.
She immediately ran over to Kael.
"Are you hurt?"

[MorningStar]

Breathless and adrenaline coursing through his veins, Kael collapsed onto his rear with a thud, a mixture of relief and exhaustion washing over him. With a playful grin, he looked up at Captain Elara, his eyes a bit more weary due the chaos around them.

"Oh, Captain, I didn't know you cared so much about me" he quipped, a hint of flirtation lacing his words. "But don't worry about me, just a few scratches to the old ego." He flashed her a charming smile, his heart still racing from the adrenaline-fueled skirmish. "Besides, I've had worse encounters with angry barmaids."

Despite the gravity of the situation, Kael couldn't resist injecting a bit of levity into the moment, his quick wit serving as a coping mechanism in the face of danger. But as he caught his breath and surveyed the scene before him, he knew that their ordeal was far from over.

The Essyrini ships were approaching.

[wandering_giraffe]

"I care the same about my whole crew," she excused, her regular demeanor quickly falling into place.
No casualties on Elara's side...so far...a cannonball flew through the air and crashed into the water, alerting Elara to the Essyrni ships.
"Man the cannons!" Elara yelled, the quick peace shattering into absolute chaos.
"Aim for the sails and the mast!" She yelled, getting up and running to the side of the ship, crouching down and looking at the ships.
But then, they seemed to realize that there were lifeboats in the water with occupants, and after sending one last cannonball flying over the Midnight Marauder, they turned back, not wanting to endanger the people on the lifeboats.
The Marauder made a fast escape, leaving the Essyrni ships in the distance.

Elara began inspecting the crates.
She didn't recognize the substance in the crates...Kkärsvig came over and took one look in the crates and whistled.

"No wonder that ship had escorts..." and he leaned in to Elara and lowered his voice so only she could hear and whispered what the substance was.
A smile spread on her face. She began laughing.
"We're rich! The whole crew! Chart a course for Essyrn, we've got money to make."
She got the entire crew's attention.
"Mates, with this haul we could retire right now and be good for the rest of our lives!"
"I'll drink to that!" Azarion shouted, and the rest of the crew gave a rousing cheer.
"To the ship tavern then!"

[MorningStar]

"We're rich!" they had said.

...Really?

What exactly was this substance?

Kael's mind raced with the possibilities as he listened intently to the conversation unfolding before him. Riches, hidden treasures, the promise of untold wealth—it was everything he had ever dreamed of. His heart pounded with excitement, but he knew better than to let his emotions get the better of him. He had learned long ago the importance of keeping a cool head in situations like these, of not revealing his hand too soon.

So, he swallowed his excitement, pushing aside the thoughts of wealth and fortune for the time being. There would be plenty of time to explore those possibilities later, once he had a chance to sift through the information and formulate a plan. For now, he focused on the present, on the camaraderie of the crew he had seemingly unwillingly joined.

With a grin, Kael joined in the celebration, throwing an arm around Elara's shoulders as if they were suddenly a couple. He cheered alongside the other pirates, his voice ringing out in jubilation as he echoed their words.

"To the tavern! I'll drink all of you under the table! First one there gets to kiss the Captain!"

[wandering_giraffe]

"First one there gets to kiss the Captain!"
"Not if I get there first," she protested, and then turned and ran for the tavern.

[MorningStar]

"Well she sure scoot the boot in a hurry, aye mates?" Kael quipped to Elara's crew, who now regarded him firmly as a madman. "Pardon me, gentlemen!"

And the race began!

Elara darted through the narrow corridors of the ship, Kael hot on her heels. Despite her speed, he managed to close the gap, his agile form overtaking hers with surprising ease. Perhaps he was faster, or perhaps he really wanted that kiss. Soon, he was whipped around, jogging backward with a mischievous smile as he kept the pace ahead of her.

"Is the Captain ticklish?" he teased, his hands reaching out to threaten her with tickles.

[wandering_giraffe]

How did-Kael was fast, she had to give him credit for that.
And he asked if she was ticklish, and she scowled.
"Do you really want to find out?" She challenged.

[MorningStar]

As they continued their playful chase through the ship, Kael's eyes caught sight of an open door to a nearby storage closet. Without hesitation, he seized the opportunity and veered towards it, his hand darting out to grab Elara's as he pulled her into the dimly lit room. The door closed behind them with a soft click, enveloping them in darkness save for the faint glow of a lantern in the corner.

In the confined space, Kael could feel the warmth of Elara's breath against his skin, their proximity heightening the tension between them. For a moment, they stood in silence, the sound of their racing hearts echoing in the small room, followed by passing footsteps of Elara's crew as they made their way to the tavern.

"The captain's lips will be mine first!" one of her crew members declared, their footsteps growing distant as they rushed away.

"We'll see about that," Kael mused inwardly, his fingers gently caressing her cheek as he leaned in to capture her lips in his own kiss.

[wandering_giraffe]

Elara suddenly found herself pulled into a small, mostly dark supply closet. She
wasn't used to men flirting like this, normally as soon as they found out she was a captain they would run the other way.
"Alls fair in love and war," she breathed, and then met him halfway, kissing him aggressively.

[MorningStar]

Beneath Captain Elara's sturdy demeanor, Kael discovered a surprising softness. His hands wandered from her face to explore further, drawing her closer in a gentle embrace. Breaking away from their fervent kiss, he let his lips trail across her skin, lingering on her neck with eager affection.

"Thank you for saving me back there" he said between kisses, his desire mounting with each tender touch. "How much time do we have? Will your men come looking for us?"

[wandering_giraffe]

"gods no, I didn't even know this supply closet was here. They'll all start drinking and forget," she said breathlessly, kissing him again.

[MorningStar]

In that moment, Kael teetered on the brink of losing himself to Elara's allure. She embodied everything he desired in a woman: beauty, confidence, bravery, sensuality. Yet amidst the intoxicating whirlwind of her presence, a sobering reality tugged at his thoughts. He found himself on a distant ship, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and uncertain allegiances. He couldn't predict their ambitions, their depths of loyalty, or their thresholds for betrayal. Money, survival—these drove him as much as desire did. And if he surrendered too much of himself to Elara, she might just see right through him.

So he decided to play it cool.

After savoring another kiss, Kael withdrew, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Sorry, Captain," he teased, "but a little mystery keeps things interesting."

With a playful wink, he swung the door open and sauntered out, catching the eye of a crew member ahead. "Seems I've lost my way, lads! Lead on!" he called, seamlessly blending back into the bustling energy of the ship.

[wandering_giraffe]

Elara shook herself out of the haze she was in. And then Kael disappeared.
She made her way to the tavern and grabbed a bottle of rum, raising it to cheer to their success and then sitting at a table in the back.

[MorningStar]

The ship's tavern was alive with the raucous laughter and hearty cheers of the crew as they celebrated another successful raid. Kael found himself right in the thick of it, surrounded by rowdy pirates who clapped him on the back and passed around tankards of ale. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, rum, and tobacco smoke, but Kael felt right at home amidst the chaos.

He took a shot of whiskey, relishing the burn as it traveled down his throat, then turned to the dark elf who stood hesitantly at the edge of the crowd. Kael flashed him a mischievous grin and raised his tankard in a mock toast.

"Come on, buddy, join the party!" he called out, beckoning him over with a wink. "No need to be shy around me. I promise I won't bite... unless you want me to."

The dark elf blushed furiously at his boldness, but he couldn't hide the hint of a smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. He tentatively made his way over to Kael, accepting the tankard he offered him with a grateful nod.

As the night wore on, Kael found himself engrossed in conversation with the crew, swapping stories of past adventures and daring escapes. He made sure to keep the mood light and jovial, cracking jokes and pulling pranks on anyone who dared to challenge him to a drinking contest.

Every now and then, Kael would catch Elara's eye from across the room, their gazes locking in a silent exchange that spoke volumes. His glances were flirty and suggestive, promising all sorts of mischief, and something more - a continuation from where they left off.

But for now, Kael was content to lose himself in the camaraderie of the crew, reveling in the surprising sense of belonging that he had found aboard the Midnight Marauder.

[wandering_giraffe]

Elara, meanwhile, was just about finishing her first bottle of rum.
The tavern felt too small. She needed air. So she went up onto the main deck. The salty ocean air calmed her some. She  leaned on the rail and watched a dolphin that was swimming alongside the ship.

[MorningStar]

The night sky stretched endlessly above the ship, a blanket of stars twinkling like diamonds against the inky blackness. The gentle sounds of the waves lapping against the hull provided a soothing backdrop to the chaos of the tavern below deck. The salty breeze carried the promise of adventure and the taste of freedom.

Kael stood at the edge of the deck, watching as Elara slipped away from the revelry of the tavern and made her way to a more isolated spot. Her silhouette was illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, casting a halo around her dark hair as she leaned against the railing, seemingly lost in thought.

Deciding to follow her, Kael moved silently across the deck, his footsteps muffled by the creaking of the ship and the distant sounds of the crew. As he approached, he could hear the faint rustle of fabric of Elara's attire.

"Have you grown tired of the festivities already, captain?" Kael's voice was low and gentle as he spoke, not wanting to startle her. He came to stand beside her, gazing out at the horizon with a sense of wonder. There was something about the night sky at sea that always left him feeling small and insignificant, yet strangely alive.

Deciding against waiting on her respond, he spoke again, "why didn't you have me killed when your crew caught me?"