Nov. 10, 17

Hope you enjoy!

:)

No One's Perspective-

It rang in her ear, a pleasant shimmer of light blinking in her eyes as the compact gold flicked the sun's rays about. She caught it in a tight grasp, a small smirk forming across her full lips as she felt the small numbers press against her palm. Opening her hand, the girl sent the coin flying once more, catching it successfully a second time. At the fourth catch, the girl set the coin down, glancing out of the open window, her elbows against the frame, pale eyes watching as the waves crashed against the rocky beaches below. The air swam against her skin, beckoning her to stalk towards the rocking boat down below, creaking as the ores hugging it - secured by the hooks - shifted at the floor.

Her attention shifted towards the grounds below, cobblestone paths snaking their way towards the front door, then crafted floorboards to the dining hall; she momentarily seethed at the boisterous laughter reaching up the many steps that had reached her room. If only she could just hurl herself from the window, hit the luscious, emerald grass to tumble down into the waves - guided by the heavens, mind - before safely paddling into the depths of the ocean.

That was ridiculous, however, as she surveyed the sky's greying clouds, claps of thunder reaching her ears. It would be a dreadful night, that was for sure.

"Jade?"

The little girl groaned, brushing away her locks of raven before blinking towards the doorway. The woman hadn't yet reached her room, though with a series of quaint, eloquent strides, she found virescent eyes staring towards her own pale, glaucous ones.

Jade was a lot like her mother in different ways: narrow jawline, light eyes, pastel skin, dark hair and a strong scowl. Though, the girl furrowed her brows, standing straight in her obnoxious, long cyan dress, white gloves reaching her elbows. "Yes?" she asked politely, her stomach churning as her mother's frame slacked against the door, jaw absentmindedly chewing at her inner cheek. "Mother, what is it?"

The woman halted in her unconscious fiddling of her own dress, blinking towards her daughter. "Come with me," she breathed quietly, stepping from the door. Jade followed, leaving the gold coin on the window sill, striding across her room. The woman's hoarse words flowed through her consciousness, sending chills that were unneeded down her spine. The two shifted through the halls, finally entering the mother's chambers at the complete opposite of the ocean-side manor. The door shut close with a quiet click, the woman then trailing towards the bookcase opposite of the entryway.

"What's wrong?"

The mother halted, sighing wearily before twisting around to find Jade's questionable stare - nothing could get past the girl, even Davey Jones himself. The woman only nodded, however, rummaging through the bottom drawers. After a few moments, Jade curiously peeking over her shoulder, the woman abruptly stood, clutching a black, wooden box. She heaved it on her bed with a grunt, sighing deeply once Jade had made it to her side. With a creak, the box opened, presenting several oddities: a jade locket, long, silver scissors, a note with terribly scrawled handwriting and then a long pistol.

"What...what is this?" Jade breathed, her mother seating beside it hesitantly.

Inhaling, she murmured, "Listen child..." Normally, there would've been a venomous snap before a sneer. Though, the girl only kept quiet, watching the woman intently. "I was given this when you were five and it is all yours now - it's been yours. You see," her mother whispered, "I was given this to hand it to you when you were ready, when you were old enough." The woman gave a watery smile, eyes glassy.

"Mother," Jade murmured, undeterred by her gentle grasp on the other's forearm.

"But..." the woman whimpered, dragging herself and her daughter to the ground. At their knees, they held each other close, gazes locked raptly. "But sixteen is far too young," her mother hushed, Jade's brows slanting, "The proper age to wield these items with might and purpose but far too young to know...to go down your path."

"I- I won't disappoint, Mother, I promise," Jade vowed, the woman nodding. "I just...why now?"

She jerked once hot breath washed against her left ear, shaken hands clutching her own. "Listen to me Jade...my beautiful gem...listen," the woman almost wept, "I won't see the sun rise after the clouds clear this night...no. I can't take care of you any longer... There are men, men with a vicious intent that have come here tonight."

"At the gathering?"

"Yes child... One of them holds a crooked smile that flashes a gold tooth with black ink at his shoulder. He's come for me tonight, to have me. But I can't risk him finding you, no. You're far too important," she whispered. Jade, clutching her mother's side, only nodded, eyes burning. She stood once her mother had, hands beginning to shuffle around with the box. The locket dangled in her grasp, green eyes flooding over its carefully crafted features. "Turn around," she ordered weakly, the girl obeying obediently. The cool metal graced her skin, the jade locket resting at the center of her chest. Once her mother was done fastening it, the locket lowered, the chain running down her dress. Jade twisted about, glancing at her mother in puzzlement.

"That's for him to know who you are," was the answer. The long scissors and the pistol were next, the woman breathing softly, "You would know how to." Jade merely bit her tongue, shame dripping over her shoulders as she vividly recalled the several brawls she had with the blasts of a trigger. "And now..." she brought out the page, "This."

She handed the weathered paper to her daughter who examined it carefully, cocking her head to the side. "Why?"

"You were left that island right there...it is has been your own, right from birth."

"Mine...mine to- You can't be serious," Jade scoffed, "I can't take this! I can't have a whole-"

"It's been in your name, Jade," the woman snapped sternly, adding, "This is why you're valuable. You have to lead this island so it won't be purged, do you understand? People would kill, would devastate for this island."

The girl nodded in a rush, holding to the map heedfully. "So, what...what do I do?"

"Go through the back tonight and head to the docks. Don't say a word to anybody until you reach the end of the town, got it?" her mother gripped her shoulders, "Find the ship with the black sails, say your name when you find Erwin."

"Erwin? You said never to speak to him-"

"Jade, you need to now. He's the only one I can trust to not...please, for heavens sake, listen to me." Jade nodded softly, unable to hold back any longer. A lone streak crossed her cheeks, her mother cooing softly. "Jade...I'm sorry," she hummed weakly, bringing her daughter close. Both embraced, clutching one another with only a maternal force, unable to release until the chime of the clock tower buildings away.

. . .

Eyes watched the seas intently, watching the waves rock the ship back and forth as it proceeded through its venture. She clutched the side wood, careful to not tip over once another whipped across the hull. The clicking of heels and an irritable voice drew her attention to the side, doe eyes narrowing. "Tori! Tori!"

The young woman rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "What is it now Trina?" she groaned, her sister pursing her lips.

"Well...if you don't want to go down to the dinner then whatever," she replied stiffly.

"What do they have?"

Trina paused for a moment, fiddling with her cream dress' white frilled sleeves, eyes wandering in thought. "Lobster and I think some biscuits," she answered, nodding once she was sure.

"So what we had yesterday? And this morning?" Tori drawled, her sister only shrugging. "God, I hope we can make it through the waters quick enough, the waves look rough tonight," she nodded towards the pale ocean.

"It's the storm, Papa said that there'd be some weather coming... Though only a few more nights, right?"

"Then we have our goats and sheep to look after," Trina chuckled.

"Adventure!" Tori murmured meekly with a sly smile. The two girls began to trek towards the cabins, stomachs grumbling for the consistent meal. Both jerked once a bucket splashed at their feet, Trina squealing while Tori glanced to the side.

A boy their age jogged towards them sheepishly, giving them a small grin. "Sorry 'bout that ladies," he murmured, grabbing the bucket, "I didn't mean for that to happen...the boat's kinda rocking everywhere."

"It's fine Andre," Tori chuckled as her sister gasped for her breath, "I've been noticing that too."

"So are you two going down with your father to eat?" he asked curiously. The two girls nodded, the rather heavyset teen glancing towards the door. "I bumped into the cook earlier today...said that some of the food had to be thrown out because it was spoiled."

Tori swatted her sister lightly as she began to feel her stiffen in annoyance. "Yeah, I heard about that. At least he fed the fish, right?" The trio twisted abruptly about as a man bolted towards the side, hurling what food was left in his stomach.

Grinning coyly, Andre muttered, "He's not the only one." Sighing, he gripped his mop tightly, bidding the two girls a good night. "That is," he humored, "If we don't get thrown off from the waters." The girls rolled their eyes, giving him the same before disappearing behind the captain's door.

"How do you know his name?" Trina turned to her side, Tori scoffing.

"Oh come on, we've been on the same boat for a few months. Are you telling me you don't socialize with the others?" the youngest asked. Trina decided not to answer, instead greeting the few older naval officers at the table.

"Why hello girls," one of them grinned through his thick mustache, "Nice of you to join us."

Trina, seating herself beside the man at the head of the table - their father - she answered, "Tori was looking out at the waters again."

"What else are you supposed to do?"

The whole table gave a chuckle, diving into their meal, absentmindedly swaying with the rocking of the ship. Few chattered with one another, the girls' father turning to Trina, asking about her day. She only shrugged, admitting her desire to finally reach another shore. Tori, meanwhile, set her attention towards the small window opposite of her, the sky darkening to become the night's blanket. Too entranced in her world, she hadn't realized the warmth dripping onto her green dress. "Ah," the commander turned to his side, quickly muttering to the young girl, "Miss Vega, your lobster..."

"Oh!" she blinked, her cheeks warming. "I- Thank you," she sputtered, quickly laying a cloth napkin over her lap. The commander winked humorously, drawing his attention towards the head of the table.

"So, Captain Vega, what are we to do about the lost fleet?" he asked carefully.

Patting his lips with the cloth napkin - Tori shrunk a bit in her seat - he murmured, "I guess just replace them, I suppose. Not much to do, really... Of course, have a memorial for them but I don't know what we could do - can't go back now, can we?"

"I suppose not," the officer nodded, furrowing his brows at the distant yells through the cabin door. "Hey, Shepard, would you go and see what the hell they're going on about?"

"Yes Commander Lukesfold," the ginger-haired man nodded, excusing himself from the table.

Once the door clicked shut, the remaining party of nine dove back in, enjoying the mean before them. "So, Tori," her father turned towards her, opposite of Trina, "What are you going to do when you get back? Going to see that young man again?"

"Daniel?" she furrowed her brows, shaking her head softly. "I don't know... He's probably already forgotten about me."

"Aw," the captain chuckled, "I wouldn't say that now. Stars are very hard to forget." Tori rolled her eyes, biting into her biscuit as Captain Vega chuckled. "Now," he continued, "Why is that-" The whole table jolted as the consumers had, eyes flying towards the door as the side of the ship blasted. "Why the hell-" the captain stood quickly, "Who's firing now?"

"Is there another ship?"

"Why else would we be firing?" came a quick questioning answer. Abandoning the food, all nine left the table, bustling towards the deck. Officer Vega quickly snatched his coat, throwing it over his shoulder.

"What's going on?" he barked, the men already on deck turning towards him. Several gestures and blubbers pointed towards the upcoming shadow, the men scowling indignantly.

"Pirates right yonder sir," one replied, "Damn too close if they'd weren't doin' nothin'." If the upcoming ship with magnificent black sails was close before, the turn of the hull was closer than neighboring. Roars bellowed from the ship, the few on the deck quickly multiplying, shots ringing in the air. "Damned savages," the man spat, turning towards him.

Before the captain could say a word, the ship rocked suddenly, the boars screaming in agony as a dense ball rocketed into the sides. "FIRE YOU IMBOSILES!" he snarled, ordering the crew until they scrambled to the cannons. His eyes bugged at the sight of his daughters scrambling towards the cabins, his boots clacking against the floorboards. "Girls, girls," he wheezed, "Go to the cabins and get anything to defend yourself with, okay? Don't go out and...where's that one boy?" He spun around, attention rapidly shifting as the ship howled, yet another cannon smashing against the side. "Hey!" Andre halted, spinning around before standing straight, eyes not wavering from the captain.

"Yes sir?"

"Protect my two girls, got that? With your life," Captain Vega ordered.

"Yes sir." The captain raced towards the side, the pirates' ship veering dangerously close towards the side. Tori gasped as its occupants began to hurl themselves on board, successfully planting their feet on the deck.

Bullets rang in her ears, whistling past several others before eventually making their mark.

She winced as bodies - from whatever side - plummeted to the floor, the chaotic yells sloshing through her mind.

Oh how she desperately wanted the storm to have been the only worry.

"Look out Trina!" Andre yelped, the eldest sister jerking towards the side, clutching his arm as a bullet smacked against the small pile of bottles rolling beside her. "Jesus Christ," he swore, serving around the steps leading to the wheel, diving towards a door, "This is why we shouldn't fire at a fucking pirate ship."

"What?" Tori furrowed her brows.

Shaking his head before planting a pistol in her hands, Andre growled, "I swear the damn drunks always have to go and do something whenever a ship passes."

"But the pirates," Trina grimaced as an identical weapon was shoved into her hands, Andre slamming the closet door, "They-"

"Not these ones," he shrugged, adding, "I don't think anyway... But I suppose you never know." He grunted as abruptly slammed into the wall, the girls doing the same, as the ship thrashed against the unmerciful waves. All three screeched once a body slammed against the floor before them, boots following with an unfamiliar figure. She turned around, dark eyes snapping towards the trio. She raised a brow, flicking her long, red strands from her face; Tori hadn't ever seen hair that color before.

Another pirate stomped through, pointing his rifle towards the trio. "No," she barked, glaring to her side, "Don't shoot."

"Why not?" he snapped, "They're against us, aren't they?" The woman chewed at her lip, glancing towards the small huddled group in thought. With a quick swing, her long blade sliced through the upcoming traffic, the commander wheezing before hitting the ground, collapsing on the other body.

"Gary!" Trina yelped, the quick stare of the woman - who really couldn't have been older than her sister - arched a brow.

Dark eyes loomed over towards the firearms in each of their hands before blinking towards the rather eager man at her side. "Do whatever, we just need to get back to Trove, and quickly," she muttered, turning at her heel before bolting towards the mass of grey coats surrounding mismatched clothing. The man smirked, flashing a gold-tooth smile before striding forward.

"Why aren't you beauts?" he grinned, glancing towards Andre, "Even you."

"Thanks," Andre sneered, unamused by the commentary.

"It's too bad...really," the man snickered before a quick couple of blasts and a scuffing of steps. He yelped, ushered back, meeting the pile with red tainting his side. Captain Vega wheezed, glancing over his shoulder. He wavered in his stance, giving a weak smile.

Nodding towards Andre, he murmured, "I see you have a sharp eye." The young man only shrugged, setting down his smoking pistol.

"I tend to," he answered, voice shaken.

"Was that your first?" The teen nodded. "It's alright m'boy, the world's a savage place with savage people. There's no need for them," he muttered bitterly. "Now go on, quickly into my cabin, you'll be safe there." Heeding to his words, Andre lead the two girls down through the doors, reaching the cabin with his attention swiftly going over his shoulder constantly.

Gulping, Trina asked, "Is there anybody there, Andrew?"

"No, and it's Andre," he murmured, adding, "But I guess that's closer than 'Anthony.'" Tori furrowed her brows, mouthing the latter whilst Trina shrugged sheepishly. "I think we should be good," he nodded, finally turning to the room. "Jesus!" he blinked, glancing along the walls, impressed with all of the furniture.

"Have you never been in here before?" Tori asked.

"Nah, I've always kept to the deck and the rooms down below," he muttered. The teen shook his head, gazing towards the side of the room. "Where does that door lead?"

"Down below with the other cannons," the youngest answered, "And I think there's also a makeshift ladder to a boat if we drop one."

"Handy," he mumbled simply, "But come on, we have to get out of sight." The girls nodded, striding towards the door as Andre kept watch from behind. Trina, grasping the handle, yanked at it, swearing heatedly. "What?"

"The thing's jammed," she spat, turning towards her sister after the third attempt, "You try." Tori nodded, gripping the handle and doing the same; there wasn't any movement. Rolling her eyes, she stood back, muttering a caution towards the others. Raising her pistol, she shot at the handle, grinning at the newly formed hole.

"Put something in front of the door; they could've heard," she spoke over her shoulder, Andre quickly jogging towards a desk leaning just an arm's-length from it. "Trina go help," Tori jerked her chin. Turning towards the door, she hurled herself back once it crashed open, barely on its hinges. She gawped at the large crater at the side, quickly glancing down to the watery depths down below. Her eyes shifted towards the cannon rows along the side of the other ship's hull, gasping once a face flickered in the small openings. "Andre! Trina! We can't go there!"

"Why no- Christ," Andre spat - he was no priest of any kind. The cannon closest to them raised, sizzling eagerly. "Get out of the way!" he yelped, hurtling his body towards the elder sister, successfully knock her down as a heavy ball streamed across the room, striking the opposite side and blowing through the ceiling. Boards collapsed from the top, a gaping hole searing light at the floorboards. "My God...are you girls okay?" he called out, earning two whines in return. Heaving himself to his feet, then helping Trina to her own, Andre muttered, "Well...what now? Can't stay in here if they'll keep firing at us like that."

In a conscious agreement, the three began to shove the desk from the door, promptly opening it with full force. Bolting towards from the cabin, they shuttered as another cannon had sped through, crashing through the large windows at the back. The sisters glanced at one another wearily, following the alert man before them. Quietly, he waved the two girls over, gesturing towards the cannons. "There's a way up, right, so we could hide in some of the cupboards and get out if we need to," he explained.

"Good thinking," Tori murmured, darting past the cannons. None of which were occupied, they hollers and blasts up above ensuring that. Squeezing around an awkward pillar, the trio shifted towards a small closet, shuffling inside. "Does the door lock?"

"Doesn't shut all the way, the damn thing," Andre muttered, seating himself against the corner. "Well, best get comfy, I suppose, unless we need to squeeze through that."

"You wouldn't," Trina observed, glancing at the small window.

"Doesn't matter." The two nodded solemnly, Andre keeping his ear against the wall. After several minutes, he furrowed his brows. "There's not as much commotion," he whispered.

Tilting her head to the side, the eldest sister asked, in a hushed voice, "Are they gone?"

"No..." he drawled slowly, hearing faint, heavy steps trudging about the deck, "But maybe. I don't know, them pirates weren't goin' to steal, they was goin' to fight." Tori felt her throat go dry, a knot clumping at the base of her neck. She swallowed, attempting to keep a small whine down as the ceiling creaked ominously above. All was still for a brief moment, allowing the three to breath quietly.

A heavy bang thudded against the wall a second later, the door whining. "Check every door," came a bark, "Can't have anybody left on this thing."

"Yessum," followed a reply, boots thundering across the room. "You check there and we'll meet in the middle. Can't have no scoundrels running to the boats."

"More like swim," came a hoarse chuckle, the door creeping open to present a tall figure at the doorway, attention still at the other side. Yellow eyes blinked down at the three, his beard stretching with his smile. "Why hullo," he snickered, "Nice meeting you." He studied all of them, watching as their breaths hitched anxiously. "My," he breathed, resting his fist on the hilt of his sword, "You girls wouldn't be the captain's, now would ye'?" Turning to his side, the man roared, "Barnaby! I found 'em, the captain's bitches with some swab."

Hurried steps swiftly clicked towards the closet, a scrawny ginger looking in. "Looks like it," he muttered, "Now come on you scoundrels, best be gettin' up to Burt, ye' hear?" Andre only spat at the tips of his black boots, earning a scornful scowl. "Got some of the devil, eh? Captain Van-Cleef better have your ass first!"

"We ain't havin' them on the damn ship. Can't have 'em goin' through the rations," the bearded man spat. He stared down towards the three, rasping, "Now get up." Andre wriggled in his grasp, snarling obscenities as he was torn away from the girls - his duty. "Get the bitches!" he ordered, the scrawny man nodding. For his weight he held an iron grip on the girls, not allowing either to break free as the scrambled about, wishing they hadn't left their only terms of defense back in the cabin. The small party struggled up the steps, the two men hauling the girls and Andre to the deck.

The trio were flung to all fours, blinking in the darkening grey sky. "Get up!" a snarl bellowed in their ears, three sets of feet planted firmly on the ground quickly. Hands were raised as well once widened eyes trailed along the reddened floorboards, various swords, pistols - even a broken bottle - were pointed towards them.

The bearded man glanced to his side, growling, "Well, shoot them!"

"No," another shook his head, his cap over his right eye, "Can't. Cat's making a deal with the captain."

"What? Why is she-"

"Well," another, more weathered, voice piped up, bringing yellow eyes to him, "She's first mate."

"Not on our ship!" the man retorted.

Shrugging, the first muttered, "But she's the first mate of Dame Hestia." The bearded man grew silent, glaring off towards the distance. He narrowed his gaze at the crouching captain, hair disheveled as two others held his arms tightly. The redheaded woman stood before him, arms folded. The circle stood, waiting around the three who watched carefully, nervous of their fate. After many minutes, the four began to trudge their way towards the circle, breaking the chain to allow the beaten man and two burly others in.

Cat strode at the near center - beside the three - turning towards Captain Vega. Dark eyes lifted towards his daughters, a tight smile forming across his face. "Hello girls," he rasped weakly, blood staining his chin in a thin line.

"Say what you need to," Cat murmured softly, the man nodding wearily.

"I...I'm sorry girls," he bowed his head, "But you'll be fine, don't worry." He smiled towards the two, tears prickling their eyes. "And you," he turned towards Andre, "protect them with your life... I- I'm sorry girls, say hello to Barataria for me, please." He closed his eyes as a metal ring pressed against the side of his head, the captain breathing slowly. "I'm sorry Holly...I'm sorry girls..."

The crack of the bullet echoed as the thump of his lifeless body had.

The sisters whimpered as Andre sighed wearily, not resisting as his arms were pushed down, rope that itched his skin tightly bound round his wrists. Once the girls had their own wrists bound, the trio were led across the deck, gazes unable to glance over their shoulders. As their steps scuffed against the long board leading towards the opposing ship, Trina gave a quick glance, her father's body abandoned in the middle of the deck.

She blinked back the image, knowing her mistake.

Their backs were pressed against the main mast minutes later, the trio circling around it. The rope rubbed menacingly against them, though they hadn't moved. Their eyes were glued to their feet, expressions contorting to a grimace once their was a booming order, the ship moving quickly. Cannons blasted in their skulls, plummeting towards the Bay Mestiza; Tori had recalled thinking the ship's name was rather strange, though she couldn't have clung onto it any further.

Her gaze flowed towards the ball of fire sinking into blue, bodies and pieces of whatever floating above. She whimpered to herself, closing her eyes.

. . .

The clicks of authoritative boots followed closely behind the captain's, eyes surveying the slacken prisoners. The first mate, cleared his throat, eyes lingering to his side. A gangly man stood beside him, one blue eye blinking towards the three whilst the other was hidden behind a grey, cloth bandage which wrapped around curled locks reaching only just past his ears. "Captain Van-Cleef?" the shorter asked quietly, "What do you want to do with them?"

"Them pretty girls..." he hummed wistfully, adding, "Almost as pretty as the Dame."

"Save it," the first mate growled, adding, "She'd have our heads if we did anything to prisoners."

Arching a brow, Captain Van-Cleef turned towards his side. "What do you mean? This is my ship; it's part of the Code of Trove."

"Right...but it's also a part of the code to not do anything to the prisoners on the way back to deposit the rations," the first mate, Burt, explained.

Scowling, the captain murmured, "Right, right...I remember." The gangly man turned towards the three, scratching his wispy beard. "Alright," he barked, his unsettling tone bringing chills down the girls spine while Andre narrowed at the shifty gaze. "Now you will be prisoners of battle until we get to Trove Isle. Because you didn't really do anything," he added hesitantly, "You could be free thereafter."

"How nice..." Andre murmured, barely soft enough for the two young men to not hear.

"But, commit any treason while on this ship and then we'll have you...erm...have- What's the word?"

Rolling his eyes, Burt strode forward, barking, "Look, do any shit on here and we'll have your heads. Sit there like a couple of pretty girls and-" he blinked towards Andre "-a loyal mule, and you shall be free to go."

"Mule?" Andre exclaimed.

"Save it," the first mate ordered between his teeth, shifting his eyes towards the edge of the deck. "You watch them."

Cat brought her head from her light doze, raising a brow. "What, me?"

"Who's the first mate of this ship?"

"Who's the first mate of the Saint Denys?" Cat countered, immediately silencing Burt. "Get it through your head that I'm a higher rank that all of you," she muttered.

"Says who?"

"Says Captain West!" she cheered, giggling after.

Shaking his head, the captain muttered, "Of course, of course you are." Cat scoffed as the two nulled towards the wheel, meeting with the navigator glancing out towards the open waters. Perking up at the new company, the young woman practically pranced towards the prisoners, smiling lightly at them.

"Hello!" she grinned. The three only remained mute, unsure as of what to say.

Eventually, at the sight of Cat awkwardly waiting for a reply, Tori answered, "Hullo."

Grinning, the redhead sat right before them, or rather right in front of Tori while the other turned their heads to her. "It's a nice night, the stars I mean," she murmured, glancing up towards the twinkling lights. The prisoners nodded slowly, eyes wavering back towards the first mate of another. "Anyway, my name's Cat, and yours are?"

"Andre," he gave in, flashing the fellow teen - as he assumed - a gentle smile; 'might as well,' he figured.

"Erm Tori," the youngest nodded, flashing a quick glare to her side. As Trina remained silent, she introduced her sister as well. "So, uh, Cat... Is that like the animal?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" the girl scoffed quickly.

"No! No, I love cats, I do... I'm just curious," she saved swiftly.

The young woman smiled, nodding along. "Well, no, my name's not really Cat," she admitted, "It's Ariana. But, well, you see, I was named Cat since... Do you want me to tell you the whole story?"

"Uhm...yeah, sure," Andre nodded, turning towards the sisters. "Right?"

"Yeah," Tori murmured. Trina only hummed.

"Yay!" Cat squealed excitedly, hopping to her feet, "I'll go get Prurple!" The three paused, watching as the first mate eagerly skirted off.

Clearing her throat, Trina murmured, "Did she just say 'Prurple?'" Andre only nodded, blinking as Cat hobbled her way over.

In her arms was a small rag doll, worn over the years. It was an ugly, foul thing, triangular ears folded towards buttoned eyes, a jagged tail hanging just like its long neck. Prurple, as Tori assumed, was the misshapen clash of a cat, alpaca and a whale with splotches. Thumbing over the nose, Cat began her tale. "So," she smiled towards her audience - a rather eccentric situation, "When I was three my mom and dad had me and my brother on a little shop by the docks. I really love ships, yeah, so I would go all around and chase all of the birds! And my brother was crazy...he, uhm, ran away with some stuff and joined a crew. But, anyway, so my parents were getting really sad and had me go and become a swabbie for some ships because they ran out of money.

"And then I was on several ships and I was named Perch, since I had to go in the crow's nest a lot, and then Rammy because I had to open a door with my head- I have a scar at the back of my neck if you want to see! So there was this guy at the door, right," she nodded rapidly, "And he had this huge sword. I was on my knees because I had to crawl, and I head-butted the door and-" she began to giggle "-and then he swiped and I have this scar now! Isn't that neat?

"Anyway, so I was called Perch, and then Rammy before I had to go back to my family and I found that they moved without me! So I couldn't go anywhere but I heard about Captain West, right, and then I went on the Saint Denys- That's Captain West's boat. Anyway," she took a long breath, "So I had to get on the boat because it was the only one on the dock, right? I didn't know who's boat it was but it was so pretty... It's still so pretty! Anyway, so I went on board because the flags were so pretty! And then, uh, then I looked around and I grabbed this cat that leapt off the boat and just got out of the water. I don't know why it was in the water, bit it was...

"But, anyway," she nodded, "I grabbed the cat and then I took it on the boat and snuck on that way! You see, it was really dark outside, because it was nighttime, and nobody saw my face because I had black hair and then the cat was black so I blended right in! And after that, I hid in a barrel with the cat because I heard that they needed to get more rations so they went back into town; I heard a load of cannons and shots that day. But, anyway, I was in the barrel and I was tipped over because they needed the rations. Well, a man - his name's Erwin but everybody calls him 'Sikowitz' because he's kind of psycho."

Licking his chapped lips, Andre murmured, "I bet."

"Right?" Cat widened her eyes, bobbing her head. "But he saw the cat and he was saying 'Kitty-cat! Come out here Kitty-Cat!'" The woman proceeded to make strange, mewing noises with the clicks of her tongue, the sisters glancing towards each other hesitantly. "So like that," she continued, "And the cat didn't come out because it was stuck in my legs like this -" she demonstrated with Prurple, her knees wrapped around the doll "- and so I came out. Sikowitz was really surprised and decided to call me Kitty-Cat; he didn't see the cat because it ran away right when he wasn't looking. I do miss it sometimes..."

The first mate pouted, glancing down at her small, cloth toy. Andre wandered if that was the replacement. "So..." Tori mumbled, seeing as Cat was too mournful to continue, "What then?"

"Tori," Trina hissed quietly. The youngest only ignored her sister, Cat smiling gently.

"You like my stories? I have a lot to tell, actually," she grinned. "I could tell you how I lost a toe, and then how I got this gold tooth and this silver tooth once I'm done with this story?"

"Stick with this one," "How about you finish this story," and "Which toe?" were all encouraged by Trina, Tori and Andre respectively in unison.

"My left piggy," she answered smoothly. "But, anyway, I'll stick with this one. So, they found me and saw that I was a really good climber because they chased me up the mast. The Trove Isle fleets don't like intruders; it's too risky," she murmured seriously, eyes shifting towards the three. "You'll be fine since you didn't sneak on here, but it's still a risk. Well, so I had the job of looking up on the crow's nest again and I was called 'Kitty-Cat.' Eventually it was too long and they started calling me 'Kitty,' or 'Cat.' But we put it to a vote one day and most people said that I should be called 'Cat,' so that's how I got my name."

Pursing her lips, Tori murmured, "That's actually pretty interesting."

"Yeah," Andre added. Cat grinned toothily at the two, appreciating her entertained audience.

A third, however, wasn't as much. Instead, Trina scoffed, "Like I'd really want to hear about how a damned pirate got her name."

Cat's expression flickered, her smile draining away to reveal the ruthless, cold expression that had been worn on the Bay Mestiza. "We are pirates of a different kind," she rasped.

"Really now?" Trina growled, "Because if I remember correctly, pirates like yourself take over ships, kill papas in front of their daughters and then sink the ships! I swear to God if you go to hell I'll-"

Cat stood abruptly, shifting towards Trina. "Even these wretched pirates are of a different kind," she spat, "I'm not the first mate of this ship as I'm merely boarding until I get back on the Saint Denys. I don't make the rules around here, nor do I wish to follow them but, as a guest, I must live to the code. Now, let me remind you that it wasn't my decision to attack nor was it your decision to shoot at this ship when we have rations on board. So don't you dare tell me otherwise."

"Rations? Really? Is that what you call stealing from other people?" Trina snapped, "I swear you pirates are all the same. Just bloodthirsty devil-spawn."

"Trina!" Tori snapped, Cat's locked gaze not wavering from the eldest sister's stare.

Cat grinned a cruel one, murmuring softly, "I'd listen to your sister there."

"Why?" she continued, "Where's your captain anyways?"

"Off at sea with the rest of the rations, and redcoats," Cat answered, furrowing her brows.

Trina snorted, muttering, "Some captain...doesn't care about anybody else but the stolen loot, right? Bet that's more important than you, filthy pira-" She wheezed as her right eye saw gunpowder, the metal ring of Cat's pistol shaking her limbs. She whimpered softly, Cat bearing her teeth.

Tori watched, noting the both the silver and gold teeth shining in her mouth, straight, red hair falling to her shoulders. "Don't-ever-talk-about-Captain-West-like-that-again," she spat between her teeth, "Does-more-than-you-ever-will-you-bitch." Cat strode back, forcing her weapon back in her halter, growling, "You will be locked in a cell when we get to the port and then we shall see what happens when your foul mouth runs." With the few clicks of the heels, a snatching of Prurple, Cat was off, leaving the two temporary prisoners and the one not-so-temporary-prisoner.

Left choking on her sobs, Trina shook her head as Tori cooed softly. The youngest sighed, her heart hammering against her chest. After a while, when the lamps of the ship dimmed, she asked quietly, "Have you heard of any captains?"

"Of pirates?" Andre asked quietly, Trina too in her world - asleep, perhaps - to listen.

"Yeah..."

Inhaling, Andre murmured slowly, "Yeah, a bit. My pa helped track them down before I lived with my grandma... He told me, because I wanted to be a sailor, that I had to be careful and all that. I've heard of William Kid, though he died a little while ago... Uh, Black Beard, Long Ben and Ching Shih. Some more but I can't think of 'em."

"What about Captain West?"

"Yeah, definitely heard of him. He's a right terror along the British Isles. Nobody knows where he lives, or if he even has a place, but he goes everywhere. I mean, everywhere. It's hard not to find a pirate with some connections with him. West has this fleet, see, and he doesn't play around with any others either. So most of the pirates around, from what I've heard, steer clear from him. Some even say that he's a witch, has this green mist around him."

"Jesus Christ," Tori breathed.

"I know," Andre nodded, "But a lot of people, not just pirates, say that he's excellent at navigating, always knows where he is."

"What?"

"My guess is astronomer," Andre attempted to shrug, grimacing once his arms rubbed against the splintering wood and rough rope. "Anyway, a lot of the English have had him as a prisoner and every time he manages to escape."

Furrowing her brows, Tori murmured, "So, wait, Captain West is a witch pirate?"

Chuckling, the young man echoed, "Witch pirate... Jesus. But my question is who the hell is Dame Hestia?"

"Who?"

"Well, I don't know. Some of them were talking about her on the Bay," he mumbled. Tori only nodded, gravitated by the stars above. "Kinda want to know what they all look like now, you think? Never heard of Hestia before but Captain...never seen a witch before."

"Yeah," Tori drawled, keeping her eyes on the brightest star. She only wished things would get better.

It hadn't looked like it.

. . .

Sand slipping between her battered shoes never felt so inviting in her life. Tori breathed in the air slowly, allowing its energy to seep within her. She blinked towards the side, Andre stepping from the dock. He blinked about, whistling at the curved town, layered with intricate streets and beautiful stone buildings. Trees blossomed wherever, somewhat hugging the structures. "It's absolutely gorgeous," he hummed, Tori nodding. "Hey! You lot!" Both turned around, finding Burt and Captain Van-Cleef striding over, leaving the ship to be unloaded with what had seemed to be everything: food, riches, jewels, paintings, statues, common items and cloths. "We ought to get something straight."

Burt nodded, murmuring, "This is Trove Isle," he gestured, "And you are now residents here."

"We are?" Andre arched a brow.

"That, or you will be sent to the cells like her," Burt pointed towards Trina who strode away, rope around her wrist as Cat lead her through the docks. Doe eyes softened as identical ones looked over her shoulder, the eldest shrinking in her posture. "Your choice."

"And if we don't go to the cells, then what do we do?"

Folding his arms, Burt growled, "Go to the town center and get to work. You must do whatever is needed, whenever it is needed, for the town. Work any shops that require you, work the docks if they require extra work unloading, or work for a family. And if you do that, you mustn't wear boots or coats."

Narrowing his eyes, Andre muttered, "No boots are coats? Why the hell-"

"You are still a peasant," Captain Van-Cleef barked, Tori shivering as his predatory eye shifted towards her. "Until you work enough for people to put a vote in the matter, you will not wear boots or coats. That's the end of it, that is Code Trove's law."

"And after?" The two young men turned towards Tori, pursing their lips.

"If you manage to get at least one hundred and seventy-five votes, then you will be free to live your life in the city," Burt shrugged.

"Well...that is if you stay on land," the captain murmured.

The first mate nodded, agreeing, "Yes. If you end up working on one of the ships then you will serve the captain until they are satisfied with your work." The two muttered their understanding, keeping to the side. "Good, now go to the town center or be sent to the cells," Burt ordered, turning at the heel before striding back towards the ship.

"God damn this place," Andre rasped, shuffling towards the path, "You'd think we'd be setting shore in Louisiana right about now. Instead we're slaves."

"It could be worse," Tori shrugged, "They aren't necessarily forcing us."

"It's blackmail."

"Like I said, it could be worse. And, from where I stand," Tori halted, gesturing towards the mountain view, "It's not bad."

Andre shook his head, muttering, "It's incorrect."

"What are you going to do though?" the youngest offered, following the other. Andre turned, arching a questionable brow. Tori only grinned sheepishly, muttering the most simplest thing she could muster. Andre only rolled his eyes, barely covering his smile before striding up the steps.

"They're pirates."

Now...okay. Yes, I'm insane with my updating with stories and FREAKING ADDING MORE TO MY BOAT. Here's a new rule for my stories: I do whatever the fuck I want. Yes? Yes... Alright, but realistically, here's why I did this one instead of the others. So, I had a busy week and couldn't get in my writing game...and then I had this idea and wrote (which I'm pretty damn proud of) to get myself back into the mood. This is actually the first week since July that I've been out of it. Anyhow, that's that.

But I do promise I won't start anything until I knock some other stuff out. XD I already have an interesting selection as of what to write...should keep me afloat.

Hope you enjoyed!

:)