Alucard Emery possessed the singular magical gift of seeing another person's magic. It appeared to him as a swirling stream of color or smoke surrounding a person. Each person's magic had a different color and texture. Using these elements, he was able to discern the power of a person's magic and what elements they were able to wield. This was how he knew that Deliah Bard was an Antari. Her magic was white and shimmered brightly. Alucard had only ever seen magic like that in one other person - Kell, the Antari prince of Arnes. Yet this girl lived like a street thug. The curiosity of all this was the main factor in his decision to let her stay aboard his ship.

She may prove a valuable asset, thought Alucard as he stared up at his cabin ceiling, a glass of sweet white wine in his hand. Though she'll have to learn some manners first.

A knock sounded on the cabin door.

"Come in." Alucard called, almost lazily.

Stross walked in. "Captain," he began. "That boy-" So the rest of the crew was fooled by the girl's charade? Alucard wasn't surprised.

"Yes?"

Stross' brow was furrowed in concern. "What are you thinking? He killed-"

"Berthold was stealing from us."

Stross went pale and quiet for a moment.

"Don't worry," Alucard said, finally turning to Stross, taking his feet off the table. "I didn't hire the boy. This was just a... happy accident."

"Why are you letting him stay?" Stross' clenched fists rested uneasily at his side. For a moment, Alucard wondered if Stross meant to punch him.

"Why did I hire any of you? Trust isn't given immediately. It's earned over time." Stross didn't seem to understand, but he didn't punch him either. "I'm curious. The boy has... promise."

"He smells of murder."

"So do most street rats." Alucard didn't comment that he already knew Bard was going to try to kill him. Perhaps Stross had a head on his shoulders after all. He stood and placed a hand on Stross' shoulder. "I appreciate your concern for the crew, but I would appreciate more if you would follow my orders."

Stross did understand this. He understood the cold look in his captain's eyes that demanded his respect, his obedience. He let out a loud sigh. "Anesh."

"Good man. It's about time someone relieved Lenos of watch."

Stross nodded sullenly and walked out. Alucard grabbed a jacket and followed him on deck. Lila sat hunched by the railing. She was clearly sharpening something, whether it was the knife she had used on Berthold or another one she kept tucked away, Alucard had no idea. He watched her for a moment before she felt his gaze and looked up. Her eyes were sharp. Sharp and defensive, ready to kill or run at a moment's notice. Despite himself, Alucard pitied her. He recognized a sliver of himself in her, a sliver of what he could have been, might have been, if not for the king's kindness.

Lila wondered if the captain was going to walk over to her. She hoped not because it would mean having to talk to him and revealing how little she actually knew of the language. So she shot him a glare, challenged him to come talk to her if he dared. She had a knife at the ready if he had any choice words. Instead of looking angry or annoyed or even frightened, the captain met her gaze, held it for a moment, and then gave the barest hint of a grin before turning away. Lila looked back over the side of the ship. The calm dark ocean stretched out before her, clear yet dangerous, as she had always seen it in her mind. Here was her chance. Deliah Bard was finally getting a ship of her own. All it took was a trip to another world, She said to herself with a grin. This was going to be the most splendid adventure. Even if the captain would prove to be a pain in the ass.

Once Bard looked away, Alucard looked up at the stars. Smiling a little to himself he muttered a piece of poetry he had heard long ago, "there are secrets only the stars know, and they share it with the ocean in reflections and storms." A shame he didn't remember where he'd heard it. Perhaps he'd picked it up in the royal library a lifetime ago.

…

Because he knew that his knew best thief was going to try to murder him, Alucard stayed in his office that night. He wasn't at all keen on showing weakness, but he was even less keen on actually falling asleep and dying. So he compromised and stayed in his office, drinking and charting the stars. After a few hours, Esa, Alucard's cat, climbed up onto the table and laid down on his charts. He looked down at her in annoyance.

"We've talked about this, Esa. Not on my papers." She looked up at him lazily and meowed. "What do you want?" He asked, sitting down and petting her head. She began to purr softly. "I know. I know. I should be in bed. Not a great night for it, though." He looked up at the door and then back at the cat. "What do you think of her? You know, you ought to be with her, making sure she doesn't do me in. Anisa did tell you to protect me." Esa yawned and laid her head on the table. He chuckled and laid his arms on the table next to her, yawning as well. "That's fair." He said sleepily and laid his head on his arms. Esa rose and moved closer to his arms, resting her back against his bicep. She purred quietly as he fell asleep.