The past is an unchanging image. The future is a blank canvas. The present is your brush.

"I do apologize about your arm, it seemed like the easiest way to keep you from bludgeoning me."

River gripped the hilt of the sword and tugged at it gently.

"Ack- Well, I'm not going anywhere fast. So why are you trying to hold a friendly conversation with me instead of, you know, stabbing me some more?"

"I'm simply curious. What exactly makes you think you can take on the deep water guard?"

"I saw a chance to make the world a brighter place, and I'm taking it."

"Hmm. I once shared your view of the pirate lords, until I fell victim to them. They knew I could be a huge asset. They offered me a choice between the life of a king or the death of a coward. Only now, as I meet you, am I beginning to regret my decision."

"Huh. Are you offering me the same choice, or just stalling for time to get a whole fleet here? Oh, and a word of advice, from one fighter to another. Next time you try to stab me in the shoulder, don't miss."

River tore the sword loose from her pauldron and threw it. Reginald ducked, and the blade clattered somewhere amidst the maze of crates.

"So you lash out against me still? I gave you a chance. Sal gave you a chance. Goldwater will not, Sven will not, Pathos will not. This is your last chance to halt the executioner's blade."

"But who's walking up the steps to the chopping block?

Reginald's face slowly contorted from smug satisfaction to puzzling confusion to grim, twisted horror. He pulled out a radio and whispered a command before sprinting to the stairwell. River calmly followed him, slowly twirling her mace and pressing the gash in her arm. When she arrived on deck, the whole crew had vanished.

"Crazy fool actually thought he missed. Well, this complicates things considerably."

She planted her feet, lowered her head, and shot into the sky. She hit the deck of the cruiser, stepped into the bridge, and limped to her quarters.

"What the hell happened to you miss 'I can take them myself'?"

"I was outmatched. One of the pirate lords. Said his name was Reginald. Pinned me to a wall with a giant sword and asked me a few questions, then just ran when I got loose. He knows something I don't know. About me."

"How do you know he isn't just trying to get into your head?"

"He called me something while we were fighting, and made it clear that he thought, knew, I was wasn't normal in any sense of the word, hinted that he even knew what I can't remember."

"Oh god, why do I get the feeling you had some terrifying demented experience that gave you PTSD and that will leave me scarred for life if you tell me- and holy crap, now you're tearing up. Sorry. Touchy subject."

"Yeah. I'll tell ya if ya want, just give me a few hours to pull myself together."

"If you'd rather not tell me, I understand."

"No use beating around the bush, I'll tell ya once I can talk coherently."

"If you insist."

River, almost crying? What in the hell did I say wrong?