Captain of The Seraphim
Lily returned to her cabin early, before daybreak. She paused at the door, cocking her head slightly to one side, thoughtfully. Then she moved over to the bed, and, without hesitation, threw off the covers.
Her eyes flickered over the shirtless pirate in her bed, noting his fine form, "You're still here?"
Reaver sat up, slowly, stretching out his arms, "Good morning to you too, Liliana."
She sighed and shook her head. Instead of replying she turned, moving over to her wardrobe to pull out some clothes. She saw the pirate watching her out of the corner of her eye, but ignored him, easily, and pulled out her red dress and a pair of black leggings. Then she glanced at him.
Reaver gave a slow smile, "Oh, don't mind me, my dear."
She raised an eyebrow, indifferently, "I wasn't intending to."
She turned her back, and, regardless of his eyes burning into her, pulled off her nightdress. She changed quickly and efficiently, smirking slightly as she heard the pirate shift in his spot behind her. When she had finished she turned back to him, adjusting the short skirt, "How you can have survived all those centuries on a ship when you cannot get out of bed in the morning is beyond me. Out."
"No, I'm afraid I prefer it here, my dear."
She shook her head, rolling her eyes, "Suit yourself."
"We missed you last night, Liliana."
"I'm sure you had enough company in this bed, Reaver."
"Mm, would've been even nicer with you here."
"I thought I told you - I don't share." She turned again, pulling on her black pirate hat and turning to her mirror on her desk, taking a tube of red lipstick from the drawer, "Now. Some of us have work to do. If you insist on staying in my bed, Reaver, do try to not draw any more company. My men are distracted enough as it is."
She watched Reaver's reaction in the mirror as she started painting her lips, "Well, that hardly comes as a surprise... seeing how... ravishing their Captain is."
Liliana didn't reply, concentrating on her makeup. She watched with a spark of caution as the pirate then smirked, amused, and got to his feet. She fought to stay relaxed as he moved behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders, moving close so she could feel his bare chest on her back. His eyes traced her neck and her back, and then moved onto her reflection. He gave a small, soft smile, brushing his hands over her bare skin, "Beautiful, as always."
She finished her lipstick and shook her head, putting the tube away, "I hardly see that as an appropriate way to speak to a lady, Reaver. Especially one without a ring."
"Ah, well, I've never been one for social taboos."
"I have no doubt of that."
He shook his head, amused. Then he looked at her reflection again, lifting a hand to just brush across her perfectly dreadlocked hair, "You know, my dear, I do believe I prefer your hair when it is down."
She raised an eyebrow, shooting him a sceptical glance in the mirror, "I do believe you don't exactly have much choice in the matter. I will wear my hair as I see fit... Reaver."
He smiled, and then brushed a hand across her cheek, slowly, "We never finished our conversation last night."
"As to whether you considered yourself a Don Juan? No. We didn't."
He gave a small, sensual smirk, and leaned down, kissing the skin where her neck joined with her shoulders, "I think it is fairly obvious... that I have no fear of hell." His voice was deepening, filling with an emotion she knew well.
"Yes. But Mr Juan de Tenorio also had no fear. He acted on his own moralities, his own dishonourable intentions. Does the moral of his tale mean nothing to you? Do you have no fear of the repercussions of your deeds?"
"Oh, I assure you..." his tongue slipped out, sliding up her neck, "I barely sleep at night."
She turned to him, and, immediately, he forced her back against the table, hands tight on her shoulders, and kissed her, viciously.
Lily's hands reflexively went to his bare chest, sliding her fingers over his pure, unscarred skin. Reaver's grip on her was unyielding, ferocious, and he pulled her towards him with a fervour and possessiveness that she hadn't expected. Their mouths fought for dominance, and she was moderately surprised that he was putting up a good fight. She barely felt it as he pulled the hat off her head, but when his hands went into her hair and pulled it out of its tail she raised an eyebrow. She made a small, indignant noise in the back of her throat, and he laughed a little before taking her mouth again.
Reaver's hands were moving. They pushed up her skirt, stroking along her legs for a moment before continuing up, hooking onto the waistband of her leggings. His fingers found the line of her underwear too and slipped under that, slowly edging the fabric down.
"Captain!"
Liliana started, her eyes wide, fixing on the figure at the door, "Peters!" she looked at him for a second, and that was all she needed to calm herself again, "Never heard of knocking on a lady's door, sir?"
The sailor shook his head, "Sorry, ma'am, you're needed on the bow."
She looked at him for a few seconds, confused, "Who sent you?"
"Jefferson, Captain. He said it was important, ma'am."
"I have no doubt that it can wait." Reaver growled, his hands still on her legs, danger and warning burning in his voice, daring the man to contradict him.
Peters took the dare: "Actually, sir, I don't think it can."
The pirate's eyes narrowed. His fingers twitched, and then surprise moved over his face. He glanced down at his empty holster and then back up to her eyes.
Lily smirked, "Oh, the great Reaver strikes again. You'll find your weapon over there on the other side of the bed, and you will only retrieve it once Peters has left the room." She glanced up, giving the sailor a warm smile, "Thank you, Peters, please tell him I'll be along shortly."
"Yes, ma'am." The man turned and left, quickly. Smart kid.
Reaver, as she had expected, moved to retrieve his beloved Dragonstomper, "I do not take kindly to people disarming me, my dear."
"I am sure there are many things you do not take kindly to, Reaver."
He returned to his place in front of her, "Now, where were we..."
She smiled, "We were heading up to the bow to see why Jefferson needs my help."
He seemed to ignore her, placing his hands on her knees, "Mmm, from my ravishing little Captain..."
She raised an eyebrow, "Your ravishing little Captain? I don't think so." She turned from him, picking up her hat and wincing when she glanced in the mirror and saw her lipstick now smeared over her lips. She sighed and picked up a piece of cloth.
Reaver stopped her hand, "No, leave it. It suits you."
She glanced at him, sceptically, and then gave a light laugh when she saw where most of the red makeup had ended up, "Yes, but not you, I'm afraid. Interesting new look."
He shrugged, smiling slightly, and then, slowly, licked the lipstick off. She shot him a look between wiping her own lips, and then nodded, "Much better. Now. I must depart to the bow. If you are to accompany me I suggest you get dressed."
"Now?"
"Yes, Reaver. Now."
Reaver gave a mocking sigh, and then shook his head, "Who is this Jefferson, anyway."
"My first mate. Which is... interesting..."
"How so?"
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, looking into her eyes, not seeing them, "Jefferson... never calls me to the bow. He's such a competent sailor he's never needed my help." She thought for a second, "Must be quite the emergency..." she paused, and then shook her head, swiftness suddenly descending on her, grabbing her hat and pushing it quickly onto her head, stalking towards the door.
A hand opened it for her and she started slightly, glancing around. Reaver stood beside her, fully clothed, smirking slightly, "I'll admit, my dear, I'm intrigued. Maybe I will accompany you after all."
She nodded, casually, "Fine." She walked out the door, waiting for him, "This way."
He smiled again, "I know."
"Jefferson. Good morning."
"Good morning, Captain."
"I still can't get over calling you Captain..." Reaver muttered, and Liliana shot him a look that told him firmly that it was time to shut up.
She moved her eyes back to her first mate, "What can I do for you?"
"I could use some advice, Captain."
"That's what I'm here for," she said, easily, "What's wrong?"
"We're about to hit a storm."
She looked at him for a second, "We're at sea." She paused, "There better be more to this than you're saying, Jefferson."
He nodded towards the bow, "Look at it."
She paused again. Then she followed his gesture.
Liliana raised an eyebrow, slowly. Huge, black clouds lined the horizon ahead, the whole sea dark and ferocious, lit only by vicious bolts of lightning slamming down to meet the huge, breaking waves.
The Captain observed the tempest, "Hm. Well. Good call, Jefferson, good call."
Reaver looked over her shoulder, casually, but with the knowledge of an experienced sailor, "It's miles off. Ignore it."
"It's coming closer," Jefferson corrected, firmly, "At a remarkable pace."
"How fast, would you say?" Liliana asked, frowning curiously at the storm.
"Faster than us, Captain."
She glanced at him, quickly. She paused a second, her eyes flickering over him, as if validating his honesty, and then shook her head, "That's not possible."
"I'm only telling you what I've seen, Captain."
She just looked at him for a moment. Jefferson had been her first mate for five years, even longer than she had owned The Seraphim. He was an amazing sailor, and an astute man. She'd trust him with her life, and the lives of all of her crew.
But this... this wasn't possible.
Reaver was looking at the storm with scepticism, "A storm travelling at more than thirty-five knots? That's practically a hurricane."
"Except it's not, look at it." Liliana paused for a moment, "Ever seen anything like it?"
There was a pause as the far more experienced sailor seemed to battle with his answer, "No. No I have not." He paused again, and then shook his head, "That thing expands for two miles, at the least."
She shook her head, "We aren't going to go past it."
"You're planning to go through it?" he asked, sceptically.
She shot him a small, charming smile, "Nope." She flexed her fingers and clicked out her neck, "You know how we were saying about Will?"
She moved forwardly, casually, perching herself right at the bow, "Been a long time since I got rid of a storm of this size," she commented, thoughtfully. She glanced back at the hand on her shoulder, "If you would not touch me; I know all about your darling little possessive streak, but right now I need to concentrate."
Liliana paused for a moment, drawing in slow, long breaths. Her tongue moved over her bottom lip, unconsciously. Then she closed her eyes.
Reaver watched the pretty little thing, interested despite himself. She frowned a little, as if this Will was causing her some slight discomfort, and bit her lip. A gust of sea wind whistled around them, concentrating on her, billowing back her long blonde hair. She let her head fall back slightly, seemingly relishing the cold touch, and then, slowly, held out a hand.
The gust of wind moved, growing more and more powerful, and Reaver took a small step back despite himself. The wind was coming from her hands, she was commanding it. Liliana opened her gorgeous brown eyes, and they were sparkling, a tear slipped down her cheek, but she paid it no heed. She was concentrating solely on her hands, her Will, pounding it out of her and towards the storm.
But... nothing happened.
The young pirate visibly gritted her teeth, "It's not working. This... this is one ferocious storm..." she adjusted her positioning on the bow, struggling a little as if she was holding back a physical weight, "If I could just..."
Reaver frowned slightly, watching her. Jefferson glanced at him, "Captain Liliana's Will is focussed around the elements. Namely fire, earth, air and water. Which, of course, makes her quite the pirate." His eyes slid back onto his Captain, "She's lead us out of more storms than any sailor I know."
"You're only as good as your next failing."
"For someone with such a humble view, Reaver," Liliana growled, shifting her weight yet again, "You really are an arrogant chauvinist."
He laughed, "Sorry, my dear, was that the wrong thing to say?"
She answered with a low growl, and he laughed again. Liliana shook her head and ignored him. She glanced over her shoulder and then, firmly, looked back at the storm.
Reaver followed her gaze. More sailors were gathering on the bow. They were all watching the way ahead of them, uneasily. A few had taken position by the masts, shifting, restlessly, ready to spring to action when an order was given.
Lily gritted her teeth. Then she paused. She glanced back over her shoulder, "Brent!"
"'Ere, Cap'n."
She paused for a second. Then she shook her head, "Give the order. Pull to starboard. We're going round."
"Aye, Cap'n."
"The storm's headed south-east, and fast," she said as the quartermaster moved off to shout orders at the men, "Towards us, but also towards port. If we pull north, we should miss it." Then she shook her head, "But it's miles long. I don't know if we'll still be able to get around it."
"But you can get rid of it." Jefferson said, frowning slightly.
She looked at the storm for a moment. Then she glanced at him, "Jefferson, if you would be kind enough to call my mother up from her cabin."
He immediately moved towards the entrance to the lower decks, "Something wrong, Captain?"
She shook her head, "Nothing. I... I'm tired. I could use a hand with this thing."
"Right away, Captain."
The man walked away, and Reaver glanced at her, "Why did you lie?"
"I didn't lie. Sleeping next to the Nightmare Queen, I may as well have not slept at all."
He looked up at the storm. It looked closer. Remarkably closer. "Your Will isn't working, is it."
"It will work," she replied, firmly, "I just don't want to push too hard too quick. It will work. For my Will to be powerless against a simple storm, that's just... it's just not possible."
"Except it's not just a simple storm, is it."
Liliana glanced at him, catching his eyes. Then she shook her head, turning her concentration back to where it was needed.
Reaver's gaze flickered over her again. Her eyes were still watering, her muscles were all tensed, and she was digging her heels into the deck like if she didn't she would be blown away by the increasing wind.
"Liliana."
Jaina moved over to her, swiftly, tightening the army-style buckles on her jacket against a quite strong wind. She caught sight of Reaver and froze for a second, glaring at him, "What's he doing here."
Liliana shook her head, "Don't ask. Help me."
She immediately reacted, going to her side. They were close enough to not feel any sort of embarrassment at asking each other for aid, but Lily barely ever did. A pirate's pride, she guessed. Whatever it was, she really needed help.
Jaina glanced at the horizon her daughter was staring at, and gave a low whistle, "Holy shit."
"Ever seen anything like it?"
"Once. Years ago. Decades."
"Where."
"Coming back from the Spire. On the way to Oakfield." She glanced at her, uneasily, "I tried to create a storm, a small one, to keep the ship going. But I was a bit..."
"Overzealous?"
"Overemotional. I wanted to get out of there as quickly as I could. My Will, as well, was a bit..." she searched for the right word, "Energetic. I created something like that." She paused, "Not as big as that, though..." it seemed even closer since the last time she had looked at it, even bigger, clouds of violet and black swelling over a heaving sea, jagged strips of lightning illuminating the ocean. She glanced at the hull, the direction they were going, "You're gunna go round?"
"If we can. But for now, if you could...?"
She nodded, and moved to her side. She took a moment to stretch out her muscles, and closed her eyes for a second, calming herself. "Tell your guys... it's gunna get a lot colder in here."
Lily nodded, swiftly, and turned to her crew, "Alright, listen up! It's not going to be fine sailing from here out! Pull your act together and we'll do the same! Apart from that..." she paused, and then shook her head, slowly, "Say your prayers. Do your rituals. Whatever you like. Right now... we need all the help we can get."