There is a pirate who is feared above all. This pirate is the Captain of the Grigori; the fastest airship in the sky. No one knows what the Captain looks like for no ship has ever challenged the Grigori and lived. And come too close? That's as good as a challenge. So, the first rule of the sky is to run when you see the yellow masts of the Grigori.
"Captain Albarn, preparations are finished for deployment." A tall blonde says confidently as she gives a steady salute.
"Excellent. And Liz, would you like to come with me?" A shorter a younger girl asks from her sitting position on a cot.
"B-but doesn't Tsubaki always go with you?" Liz loses her demeanor.
"Yes. But we would both enjoy your company. And bring your sister along too."
"Thank you, I'll fetch her." She bows slightly and smiles.
Liz leaves the Captain alone in her quarters. The Captain changes from her pantaloons, blouse and corset and into a worn, ankle length, black dress. A few soft knocks come to the door soon after.
"Maka?" A voice calls.
"Come in!"
Tsubaki enters, hair in a high ponytail and wearing a dress much like Maka's but brown. She is holding up her dress at the front and tripping over it every few steps. She smiles at her childhood friend and Captain.
"I thought we could help each other." She grins as she sees Maka's similar state.
Maka smiles back and nods. "I was just thinking the same thing, now, turn around. Liz said the dummy ship is ready."
Tsubaki turns and Maka ties her corset tightly. They switch positions and Tsubaki ties Maka's. "Alright, let's go."
The two girls make their way down the long hall to a ladder that leads to the deck of the ship.
The ship resides in a large cave. The cave serves as a hiding place while the Captain trades in the Black Market. Hiding the ship is necessary in order to keep Maka's identity as the Captain of the Grigori a secret.
Awaiting them on deck is a small airship as well as Liz and Patti who have changed just like Maka and Tsubaki.
"Alright, so, since you two have never done this, we have a couple of rules we have to follow when we go to shore."
Maka looks pointedly at Liz and Patti and they both nod.
"You can't call me Captain. Just call me Maka. Act feminine and weak and try to speak as properly as possible and without as much slang as possible. Basically, while we're on the streets, don't give away that you're a pirate. You both understand that, I'm sure. Keep a concealed weapon just in case. Pretty girls like us can sometimes get into trouble, though I don't expect any today because there are four of us. And lastly, when we enter the market, do not speak. Only I will do so. Understood?"
"Yes sir." Liz answers for both her and her younger sister, who is hidden half behind her.
"Aye then, let's go." Maka climbs aboard and the other three follow her lead into the ship. She takes her seat at the controls and takes off, making her way out of the cave and towards the shore. "Alright, ladies, we'll go through town and the gents will take the ship to the market."
They climb out and begin to make their way through the town together, chatting lightly and with lots of laughter.
A man takes notice of Maka and steps into her field of vision. "Hey there, miss."
Maka nods to the man but keeps walking. He grabs her wrist and turns her so she faces him. "I'm talking to you."
Maka, being the essence of calm, puts on a timid smile. "I'm awfully sorry. I'd stop and chat but we're late and in a hurry." She rambles her words together. "I'm afraid we lost track of time and need to be getting home."
Tsubaki joins in on the ruse. "Her father isn't very understanding when she's late, he's a very strict man, please let us be on our way."
Unfortunately the man doesn't leave them and his grip only tightens onto Maka's wrist.
She sighs heavily. "I was hoping we would last longer without drawing attention to ourselves."
The man is utterly confused. Maka's sudden lack of fear and abundance of confidence not being what he expected.
"So, why, even though there are four of us, did you come after me?"
"What?"
"Oh, never mind, my deductions were just off I guess."
She draws back her free hand quickly and punches him square in the nose. He lets go of her wrist and covers his now bloody face with his hands. Maka takes the opportunity the kick him hard in the gut and is already walking again when his knees hit the dirt.
Tsubaki follows her and, after a moment of surprise, Liz and Patti do too; trotting to catch up then walking closely beside them.
Maka turns to the two newcomers. "I'm sorry about that. I thought your first trip would be a little less eventful."
"It's fine, you warned us beforehand." Liz responds.
"We're almost there. This way." Maka motions and they follow.
They enter into a small shop and walk down a staircase in the back. The stairs open up into a large room taking up the basements of several shops. The room looks much like a Bazaar with its rows of stalls. Maka weaves through the market to a stall where an old man is sitting, sipping a cuppa. She stops in front of him and he looks up, a bright smile on his face.
"I was wonderin' where you were."
"It has been a while. Were you worried about me?" She teases coyly.
"Well, I suppose. I do make my best trades with you, after all."
"And here I thought you cared for me." Maka huffs and puts her hands on her hips.
"Well, you're not someone anyone needs to worry about." He tilts his head in recognition.
Maka has always traded with the old man, building loyalty with him. She has grown to love the quick banter with him and genuinely cares for him as well. "Well, I have a large load today."
"Wonderful."
He turns to a boy behind him in the stall and motion to him. The boy quickly rushes off towards the back of the market. The man stands and makes his way in the same direction at a leisurely pace, with Maka and the girls walking just a step behind him.
They walk up another set of stairs and to an area outside, enclosed by buildings on three sides. The forth is made up of a rocky ridge and has a cave much like the one the Grigori is located, except that this cave penetrates through the entire ridge and is used as an entrance.
Several ships are scattered around and the dummy ship is just coming through the opening of the cavern.
When the ship makes it to shore and docks two crew members step out and open up a hatch to the hold.
The old man climbs in and assesses the cargo, an approving look on his face. He climbs down and walks towards Maka, a sly grin spreading onto his lips.
Maka figures that the man has always known they were crew members of the Grigori. She also knows that he would never say anything because of their relationship. The only secret she has managed to keep the man from figuring out is that she is Grigori's Captain. He assumes that she is just the Captain's favourite whore. Though all of this knowledge was given without words, she is sure that it is all true.
He walks over to her and whispers in her ear, voice low, so that no one else can hear.
"I've always guessed who you were, and I think you know that, but now I'm sure. There are some very unique items here, some of which I sold to the Skyhawk only last week. But, last I heard, it was the Grigori who took them out."
"This is why I only come to you." She responds in the same low tone.
"I'm certainly not the only one who wonders, but, would you tell me who you're Captain is?"
Maka smiles to him. "He trusts me, so I can't tell you. I've worked hard to get in this position and I'm not about to give it up."
"A man can hope, but I understand. It is one of the greatest mysteries of the sky."
"When you're on your deathbed, I will tell you. I promise to do so."
"You are a very sweet girl, and sharp too. No wonder your Captain likes you."
"Aye." She nods appreciatively.
"Alright, let's trade."
They make their trade item by item. It is fair to both parties and soon Maka is steering the Grigori out of its hiding spot in the cave. "You girls were wonderful for your first time. If you wish, I would love to have you come with us from now on when we trade."
Liz smiles and nods, speaking for her and Patti, "Thank you, we will come with you."
"Wonderful, now go get ready, we're having a celebration tonight. Alert the crew below deck as well, please."
"What is the celebration for?"
"Well, my old friend gave us something strong to drink and I have my eye on a bottle of rum."
Liz can't help but laugh and is almost immediately followed by the other three. "I'll go tell everyone then."
"Brilliant."
Liz and Patti go below deck and Maka continues to fly the Grigori and chat with Tsubaki.
An hour before dusk, when they are far out to sea, Maka yells to those on deck.
"Alright mates! Prepare to land!"
The crew members work like gears in a clock, preparing and then landing the Grigori in the calm summer waters.
Maka leaves the controls and starts to walk down the steps to the main deck.
"Alright, time to drink!"
"Captain, I see a ship!" A man calls from the top of a mast.
"Damn them. Everyone to your stations!" Maka shouts loudly.
Despite the moment of calm, the crew is just as quick taking the ship up as normal. The ship lifts and canons are loaded, ready for any oncoming attack.
Maka is back at her controls, holding the ship steady. She turns to Tsubaki, who she always has at her side.
"This pisses me off. They're messing with our drink time and they're probably just going to run when they notice us anyways."
"We could always just shoot them down. Go after them now, instead of waiting."
"Hm, this is why you're my first mate!" She grins up at her friend.
"I thought it was because when we started this crew, you were the only one who could fly a ship."
"And I'm the best fighter."
"Aye, and I'm a wee bit to calm and sweet to be a Captain anyways. I wouldn't have the same command over the crew."
"Exactly, but you're brilliant too! And of course, I love you."
"Aye, now make your orders, Captain."
"Crew! We're going to attack! Hopefully they'll have some more rum and we can really celebrate!"
The crew erupts into cheers and Maka turns the ship towards the enemy. She turns up the engines and they pick up speed quickly, soon going at full. She steers the ship to come up beside the enemy so as to be in firing position. The other ship does not try and retreat and actually comes towards the Grigori at a decent speed.
Both ships slow and stop side-by side, the Grigori with their cannons loaded and ready to fire. Maka is about to yell down to the cannoneers but stops when she sees a boarding plank drop down on the enemy ship. The plank dropping surprises her enough but when only two men step onto the plank with no swords drawn, instead of a group of weapon ready pirates, she can't believe her eyes.
Her crew goes to push off the plank from their deck and she finally jumps into action. "Stop! Fire, Thunder, don't drop the plank!"
They listen and take a step back from it.
Maka walks down the stairs from her controls deck, Tsubaki by her side, and stops in front of the plank. The men stand, coming no further than just stepping onto the plank.
"State your purpose." Her voice rings smooth and authoritative across the space between the ships.
"Parlay." The man in front calls out.
"Ye wish to see our Captain." Maka fills in.
"Well, who doesn't wish to meet the Captain of the Grigori?"
"So, you are the Captain of this ship."
"Yes and this is my first." He motions to the blue haired boy behind him.
"Come forth."
The two walk to the Grigori and step off the plank into a half-circle space surrounded by crew members.
"Why do ye seek parlay?"
"You should just run along and get your Captain for me. My words are for him."
"The Captain is among us, so please, let us hear what you have to say."
The ivory haired man looks around to the faces of the crew members, trying to gauge who the Captain could be. "I want to challenge him to a duel. Just a simple swords match. It would be a shame to do battle and put even a scratch on this beauty.
"I take pride in my Grigori. I accept, but I hope you know this is a fight to the death."
He stands completely stunned and when he finally regains some control over his gaping jaw, he speaks. "You're the Captain?"
Some of the Grigori members chuckle.
"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"
"But you're a woman."
"And you're a man, though I won't hold that against you. So please, step forward." Maka takes off her hat and jacket and hand them both to Tsubaki. Tsubaki takes the leather cord from her own hair and ties up Maka's waist length blonde locks into a high ponytail as she rolls up her own sleeves.
The other Captain takes off his jacket and hat as well, revealing messing locks.
Maka draws her sword and bows. "Captain Albarn of the Grigori."
The new Captain draws his sword and bow too. "Captain Evans of the Eater."
They put their blades out nearly tip-to-tip.
"I'd like to know your first name."
"If you last long enough I might tell you."
"Mine is Soul."
Maka makes her first strike, slikcing his forearm. Soul blocks her next strikes and their duel becomes a dance. One strike, the other blocks and counters, then they repeat.
Though Soul is a good fighter, Maka is better. She goes easy on him for another minute, testing out different areas of weakness before deciding to end the fight. She quickly disarms him and holds both swords to his neck.
"You're a decent swordsman, but you still have to die now. No one must know who I am, my trades depend on that fact."
"What if I give you something?"
"What could you possibly give me to spare your life?"
"Myself."
"A Captain would rather die than gives themselves up and abandon their ship."
"Well, how many men do you see on my ship?"
Maka looks over the ship quickly, not seeing a single motion. "None on deck."
"There aren't any below deck either."
"Why are you here?"
"To meet you of course. You see, we stowed away and stole this ship and I'm sure the crew isn't very happy at the moment. We'd like to get rid of the ship as soon as possible but had to find you first."
"Are you disappointed?"
"In you? No, in fact I'm more impressed."
"Because the Captain ruling the sky is a woman?"
"Yes, you said so yourself. Your trade depends on people not knowing you're the Captain. You know better than I do that men don't listen to women easily."
"Aye. But I still have to kill you."
"You would have killed me already if you were sure, but I could be of use to you."
"Fine, I'll decide later. Tie these two up on the centre mast and prepare for departure. We'll fly south out of sight of this ship then land."
The crew follows the orders immediately. Soul watches the hustle and bustle intently until the ship is landed again and Maka comes back down.
A crew member sets a chair down in front of Soul and Maka sits down. "So, what do I do with you?" She sits in a pondering silence for a moment before her face lights up in enjoyment.
"Wow, you're beautiful when you smile, not that you weren't befo-"
"Shut up. You-" she points to the blue-haired boy, "what's your name?"
"Black Star."
"You will be with Tsubaki in the kitchen. She is my first so if you lay a finger on her, I will personally castrate you, hurt her, and you're dead. Understood?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Harvar, Ox, untie him and escort him to the kitchen."
They nod and take his down.
"Your first mate works in the kitchen? Isn't that a little undignified?"
"Shut it, you bastard. She spends most of the day with me but cooks dinner because she wants to and because everyone else loves her food. But you, you unfortunate sack of worms, with be working alongside me for the next while."
"Is it because you've grown to like me?"
"I just think it wise not to let you out of my sight."
He looks over her body. "And I'm not letting you out of mine-"
Maka takes no time at all to pin him to the mast with her sword against his throat. "Make another comment like that and I'll aim for something a little lower."
He grimaces and nods slightly. "So what exactly do you do?"
"A lot." Maka kneels down off the chair and starts to untie his ropes. Her large breasts push against him as she reaches behind him to work out the knot and he can't help but smirk.
She stands and puts out her hand to help him up; pulling him to his feet when he accepts. "Are you hungry?"
"Not really."
"Good, neither am I. Tsubaki will be making dinner now and it's too late to do anything else. We were going to celebrate and I will let my crew do so but now, because of you, I can't join in with them. I need to be on guard to watch you and alcohol could limit me."
"Can't handle your rum? Not much of a-"
Maka slams him back against the mast. "Do not test me, boy. You have too much confidence for my liking."
Soul grunts heavily and rubs his chest where he was hit. "Damn it, you have to stop doing that."
Maka crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. "You're a damn fool." She turns away from him and begins to walk in a quick pace. "alright, let's go before I decide to kill you."
Soul runs to catch up then walks beside her. "So, what are we doing to do?"
"I'm going to get the rum."
Maka takes Soul through the ship, down a ladder, and into the holding. She hands him a crate full off glass bottles and takes one herself. They go back up to the deck and are greeted with happy crew members.
"Alright, grab what you need, friends!" Maka yells out as she uncorks the first bottle.
Everyone cheers loudly and begins grabbing bottles and passing them around.
Maka takes a large swig from her own bottle and hands it over to Soul. "Drink up. We don't do this often, so, take advantage of it. I'll doubt you'll make it to the next one."
Soul grimaces at her words but takes the bottle anyways and drinks some.
Not long later does Tsubaki return to Maka's side and with and wooden cup with her.
"Hello, love." Maka greets. "About time for a game?"
Tsubaki shakes the cup and a dull rattle sounds. "Of course. No celebration is worth without some entertainment."
Both women smile warmly to each other as Tsubaki hands Maka the cup.
"Three man! Who wants in?" Maka calls.
"What's three man?" Soul asks promptly.
Maka grins. "Something you're going to regret." Maka explains the rules to the newcomers, both Soul and Black Star, who came along with Tsubaki, and they began to play.
It's a long while but when the game finishes, everyone is wobbly footed and singing.
A rosy cheeked Maka calls first," Out ship sailed from Portsmouth town!"
And everyone jumps in at once to sing with her, "Roll, me hearties, heave! Ho!"
"She was a gallant ship both fore and aft."
"Now, roll me hearties, heave, ho. Roll me hearties, heave, ho." Soul joins in singing with them.
"And bring her about with a heave and a ho, now." Maka sings louder than before.
"Roll me hearties, heave, ho."
Tsubaki continues where Maka leaves off, "With Captain Albarn at her wheel."
"Roll me hearties, heave, ho."
"We took all ships with shot and steel!"
"Now, roll me hearties, heave ho. Roll me hearties, heave, ho. The pirate crew all toast as one!" Everyone finishes together and the bottles begin to makes their way around the circle again.
Maka, draws her sword out and points it into the sky. "To the best bloody crew the sky has every held!"
Everyone cheers and hollers roughly.
The night has just begun.
A few hours later Maka sighs in content. Everyone is making their way down to their quarters in preparation for sleep.
"We'll be off to bed, too. You'll be sleeping with me." She says to Soul.
Soul's jaw goes slack until he rethinks his perverted thought. He follows Maka below deck, where everyone else had already retreated to, and to the last door of the long hallway, where she turns to face him.
"Wait here a moment." She disappears into the room and when she opens the door again she is wearing a thin and mid-thigh night dress. "Come in."
He hesitantly steps into the room and once far enough inside Maka closes the door again.
"You sleep on that cot." She motions to one against the wall, opposite to that of a bed.
"Thought you didn't trust me."
"I don't. That's why you're in here." She says roughly.
"What if I try to kill you in your sleep?"
"Key word is try." She crawls into bed and looks over to Soul. "You better get in now; I'm turning the lights out."
He obeys; stripping off his shirt and pulling a blanket over him on the cot.
Maka throws a boot and hits the light switch across the room.
"Do you do that every night?"
"Yes."
"And-"
"Go to sleep."
He doesn't say anything more.
He waits for the change in breathing that comes 20 minutes later that signals sleep. He waits 20 more minutes and finally goes to make a move. He slowly sits up in his cot but when his feet hit the floor Maka has a revolver cocked and pointed to where she knows his head is.
"What are you doing?" Her voice is groggy but still carries a growl and authority.
"Just testing your reflexes and I have to say, they're brilliant."
Maka uncocks the gun and rolls back over, grunting heavily. "Go. The hell. To sleep."
"Yes Mam."
"Call me Sir."
"Yes Sir."
Soon both of their breathing slows and their bodies are overcome with sleep.