Britannia and Ark Royal were at it again. The galleon was well beyond retirement age and tended to enjoy her freedoms but she never hesitated to give the flagship what for. Especially when it came to piracy. Britannia liked to think Royal played with her temper just because she liked to remind her who was flagship before. Britannia wouldn't even have her position if Royal hadn't stepped down. Their arguing was fierce and intense and most certainly woke everyone within a certain radius, including Endeavour and her shiplings now more like rambunctious pre teens.
"What's going on?" Dark Shadow grumbled. Though the youngest, he was now the largest of his siblings. The young first rate dragged himself out of his berth, and woke his sisters who weren't happy about it. "Ark Royal's arguing with Britannia again." Black Shadow supplied. "What's miss granny so grumpy about?" Long Shadow asked. She didn't like Royal because the old ship argued with Britannia so often. "I understand her concern but I agree, she's no longer in command… Let Britannia do her job." Long Shadow agreed as well but for very different reasons. Approaching her teenage years meant that certain things in her body could respond to her thoughts. She licked her lips as her eyes trailed over Britannia's strong decks. "Can you stop trying to fuck her?!" Dark Shadow shouted, though more in Britannia's direction to catch her attention. A smile crept upon his face. Black Shadow sighed at her brother. He might have been bigger but Long Shadow, god help you if you crossed her! Britannia whirled around in surprise, trying to see what the shiplings were arguing about. Long Shadow felt her face heat up. "Oh now you've done it!" She snarled and attacked her brother. Black Shadow kept smartly out of the way. Dark Shadow obviously anticipated this. Needless to say both were equally hit. However when they were pulled apart it was Dark Shadow that was scolded for being a capital ship that idiotically put himself in harms way! It was Long Shadow's turn to laugh at him. Black Shadow giggled as well and leaned over to her sister. "Will you ever tell Britannia?" She whispered. "Or will you just keep pining." "Depends." She sighed. "On what?" Black Shadow prodded further. Long Shadow looked over at Britannia once more. "If she heard our idiot brother!" "Probably. But I doubt she knows the contest." Black Shadow shrugged.
Once Britannia finished scolding Dark Shadow, she called Black Shadow up to her. As she approached, she saw her brother skimper off, shaking. It appeared Britannia had a tongue to her. "A tongue I wanna taste." Long Shadow murred. "So what was all that about?" Britannia asked. "You know I don't tolerate infighting. Especially among siblings." Black Shadow shrugged. "Long Shadow's a bit touchy right now. I think she's well um… maturing. And Dark Shadow always likes to push her buttons so…" It was a poor excuse but Black Shadow wouldn't betray her sister's confidence at least not to Britannia.
When her mother returned from patrol Black Shadow went to her. "Mom!" "Black Shadow, what is it?" Endeavour purred, hugging her happily. Black Shadow enjoyed the attention but she was on a mission here. "It's Long Shadow. She's got feelings for Britannia. And I mean yes those kind of feelings. Dark Shadow likes to tease her about it but she's serious. I know it's wrong but she's my sister and…" Endeavour frowned. The first rate sighed. "I wish your father were here… He was better at handling situations like that." Normally this would put Black Shadow into quiet contemplation if not outright grief. The memory of her father's death remained fresh in her mind. But she was a teenager on a mission right now. "What do I do?" She asked. "Just… let her try. If she gets in trouble for it, I will share the blame. I want you all to be happy, no matter what." "You'd do that?" She gasped. "You are all I have left at this time. For your happiness I'd do anything. That's how a mother should be." Endeavour smiled, leaning down to lick her daughter's deck. Black Shadow purred, relishing in the attention.
Cedar's call interrupted their moment. Only it wasn't for Endeavour. He was calling for Black Shadow. The shipling nuzzled her mother once and ran over to him. "Are you ready?" The schooner asked her. "For what?" She asked. "Your future." He smiled. "Are you ready to learn how to war?" "What? I'm ready?!" She squeaked. Cedar nodded. "Britannia has your brother and sister, I've got you." Inwardly Black Shadow sniggered. With Long Shadow still pining and Dark Shadow being well, himself. Britannia was in for an interesting time! And this news brought joy to Long Shadow, who squealed like a newborn. She was in love and now had the chance to make her moves. Britannia had better hold on because Long Shadow was coming in fast!
And fast she came. In every possible way. She was a fast learner for one thing. Picking up on Britannia's teachings far quicker than her brother. She was a fast sailor particularly against the wind. A valuable skill when chasing down fleeing prey. And the rate at which she accepted Britannia's orders made more than one ship wonder if she was sucking up. Of course she had a more lewd motive in mind but that was for her to know for the moment. For now, she had to focus on impressing her teacher. Cedar trained Black Shadow for speed. Being a schooner that's what he was best at. He taught her about hunting down pirates, when to run from warships, and how to always use the wind and tide in her favor. Dark Shadow on the other hand was slower because he wasn't like Long Shadow in his purpose. Britannia simply taught him the ways of a Ship-of-the-Line. Essentially paperwork and fleet ordering until it was time for battle, in which case he'd line up with other man o wars and exchange broadsides with the enemy. He might have been slower but his type and new duty would mean he'd rank up faster than his sisters and likely be around Britannia more often. Both infuriated Long Shadow and at the end of almost every day they'd bigger and get into a scuffle. Which the fully grown man o war would have to break up. Such a thing was dangerous especially once the two learned how to shoot at each other.
At the end of one such fight, Britannia had successfully gotten them apart. But not before one of them sliced her shoulder. Ignoring it for the moment she lost her temper. "Now that is ENOUGH!" She roared. "Apologies ma'am!" Dark Shadow reeled, standing straight and panting. Long Shadow stuck her tongue at her brother with a victorious smile but it was short lived when Britannia turned on her. "You're not innocent either, young lady! Both of you need to act your age or neither of you will serve any higher rank than a merchant and a floating barracks! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, BOTH OF YOU?!" "Yes ma'am!" Both yelped in terror. It was Long Shadow who first noticed the blood. "You're hurt!" She exclaimed, nodding to Britannia's cut shoulder. "I realize this, it's because of you two fighting all the time!" She hissed. Dark Shadow moved to help but she shooed him away. She snapped at them both. "Dark Shadow you need to learn to control your temper if you're going to be a proper ship of the line and Long Shadow, slate your jealousy for that is the seed of distrust and trust is what a Navy needs most! Black Shadow hasn't gotten into trouble! Cedar talks great things about her! She'll make Lieutenant before either of you at this rate! Now go! Training is over for today. Fix your problems and we'll see if you are salvageable tomorrow." And with that, the man o war turned away to her berth, licking her shoulder. "That… hurt. Damn…" Long Shadow's brother whispered beside her. Long Shadow felt terrible. Seeing Britannia's wound hurt her as though she had received it herself.
In the morning, she left her berth early and went out in search of her flagship. Britannia was hunting with Cedar, the two exchanging in a quiet friendly conversation as they stalked for a shark or whale. Long Shadow followed. Neither noticed her, however she could hear the two talking. "I don't know what to do Cedar. They've got talent but they're wasting it with petty bickering! Long Shadow's jealous for a reason I can't figure out and if Dark Shadow keeps pushing her they're both gonna end up in the brig!" "From what Black Shadow tells me, Long Shadow is fond of you." He replied. "Not quite sure what she means exactly. But that might be what is making Long Shadow so jealous. You do give Dark Shadow a lot of attention, which isn't your fault, it's the requirements of the service to get ships of the line readied before any else." The schooner replied. "Why would she like an old rig like me?" Britannia snorted. "She could do better. Whatever Black Shadow means, Long Shadow shouldn't allow her jealousy to rule her judgement like that!" Long Shadow just managed to resist crying out. "You're not old! You're beautiful, can't you see that?!" But she stayed silent. "Talk to her in private. Get her story without anyone hearing. That way she's more open to you. Plus giving her some attention without anyone else being there might stoke her jealousy." "Perhaps. It's worth a shot. Thank you Cedar. Sometimes I forget she's as young as she is." "Her ship type is old. Kind of odd she was born as such. But indeed. If ever you need help, do inform me." She nodded.
Long Shadow scampered quietly back to her berth to wait for Britannia to come to her. And come she did, about three hours later. She politely knocked to which Long Shadow eagerly told her to come in. Britannia's looks always blew her away. And this morning she looked exceptionally beautiful. "Long Shadow," She began. "A word?" "For you, anything." She thought but outwardly she just nodded. "Why do you get jealous of your brother?" Britannia asked. She winced. "You wouldn't understand." "I've done and seen a lot. Try me." "I have…" Long Shadow broke off. "NO. Damn it!" She embraced Britannia. "Why does this have to be so hard?!" She wailed. "I wish I could tell you Britannia. But I can't. Not yet!" Britannia frowned. "You can. Nothing is stopping you but yourself." Long Shadow thought about answering but instead she started licking Britannia's shoulder. Britannia returned the gesture, in hopes that she would speak her mind. Long Shadow purred. But when she spoke her voice was shaky and she lacked confidence. "I think, no I know that I'm not normal uh in that way. I'm-I'm a homo alright?!" Britannia blushed.
Silence overtook them both. After what seemed like eternity, Long Shadow felt the first rate rub against her. "That's alright sweetie. I am too! Why do you think I have no mate or kids?" Long Shadow's eyes went wide. "You-you are." She returned the gesture happily. "I didn't think you would be." "A lot of things are different than they seem. The world is a large, illustrious place full of people of all kinds." "Then I can say this with confidence, knowing what I know now. I love you Britannia. I've loved you since the second I first saw you." "Why?" "Why? I-I don't know. But I know I do." "Are you sure you don't just want my body?" "If that was the case I would've jumped you or given up a long time ago." Long Shadow nuzzled her. "I love you for you!" She tried to huddle as close to the larger ship as she possibly could. "I love your personality. I love your attitude. I. Love. You. Period!" She cried.
Black Shadow and Dark Shadow were both eavesdropping and the elder sibling grinned. "Pay up!" She ordered her brother. They'd had a bet to see when their sister would tell Britannia and it was Black Shadow who guessed the closest. Both felt something brush against their keels and they yelped, running off in opposite directions. Long Shadow looked up, but Britannia purred. "Don't worry about them, I've got it covered." Long Shadow was amused as she watched her siblings run away. She would never let them live it down! She turned her attentions back to Britannia. "Now are we alone?" She asked. The man o war nodded. Long Shadow's grin was as large as it was suggestive.
Later, both ships plus Dark Shadow were back out on the training grounds. "Something was in the harbor last night." Dark Shadow murmured. "Was it now? I didn't notice!" Long Shadow giggled. "It looked like a giant octopus." He whined. "And you look like a giant baby." She replied. "You didn't feel or see it?" "Nope so I must ask, what were you drinking last night!" "Your fucking bullshit, that's what!" He snapped harshly. Long Shadow hissed and gathered herself to lunge at him but before she could do anything, Britannia interrupted. "Long Shadow, quench that fire. Dark Shadow, apologize! That's no way for a ship-of-the-line to act!" She hissed and Dark Shadow backed away before slowly nodding. He approached his sister. "I'm sorry…" Long Shadow was inwardly grinning as she replied "Apology accepted." She turned to Britannia. "So what are we doing today?" She asked. "We are working on going against the wind and how to rope it into your advantage." She said.
The training began and it was clear from the start who had that advantage. Long Shadow was designed for this kind of sailing and easily took out her brother despite his larger size and she even 'defeated' Britannia a few times. One such mock battle ended with Dark Shadow 'sunk' and Britannia on her back with Long Shadow on top of her. The smaller ship grinned. "Gotcha!" She purred. "Yes you did." Britannia replied, giving her a suggestive nip. Dark Shadow watched this with eyes like slits. Long Shadow briefly touched her muzzle to her neck, a silent promise for more action later and then jumped off her allowing Britannia to right herself. She turned to her brother. "So man o wars aren't the best in the fleet." She grinned. "Not with the weather gauge against us. Let's see how well you fare in an exchange of broadsides." He hissed and sailed off. Long Shadow watched him go with mixed feelings. She sighed and turned to Britannia. "Did I do something wrong?" She asked. "Puberty is my guess. Usually it's the girls who get the mood swings. Guess that's something else you can tease him about." Britannia chuckled. Long Shadow giggled, mentally adding it to the list of things she could use as revenge for her brother's teasing. "I guess training is over for today." She shrugged. "Unless you had another lesson in mind." Long Shadow's sly tone told Britannia she wasn't referring to any military training. "Purrhaps. My dock. One hour." She giggled, winking. "I'll be there." Long Shadow purred, brushing her hull against hers as she sailed past.
Passing her soon after was an injured medical frigate, limping in on half a foremast and several chunks taken out of him. "What happened to you?" She asked. "Bloody fucking pirates." He panted, sighing. "Who was it?" She asked. With so many pirates criss crossing the Caribbean, narrowing the culprits was critical. "Some Swedish looking man o war." "He's still alive?!" Long Shadow snarled. "And bloody relentless."
It wasn't long before word got around the harbor, reaching Endeavour and Black Shadow. The young teenager looked to her mother for guidance. She recalled vividly what happened that night and her whole training up to that point had been revolved around one day finding that man o war and killing him! "She's ready." Cedar nodded. Endeavour frowned. "I don't want her going after him alone. Not inexperienced." "I'm going!" Black Shadow declared. "That son of a bitch will pay for what he did!" "Absolutely not!" Endeavour hissed. "But he needs to be taken out!" Black Shadow protested. "You're too young, too inexperienced." "I'm the fastest ship in the navy! I can run rings around that Swedish bastard!" "And all it'll take is a single broadside! The answer is no." "I don't take orders from you!" Black Shadow snarled back. "I am your mother, you will always take orders from me! Keep at it and I'll be sure that you're the last to leave for duty!" "We have a chance to destroy the ship that killed my father, your mate and you won't take it?! You don't love him, you never loved him! But I did and I'm going to do what should've been done a long time ago!" Black Shadow yelled and raced out of the harbor at a speed that no other ship could hope to match. Endeavour watched her go, mouth gaping and eyes filled with tears.