"Morning!" chirped Clara as she walked into the dining room

There sat most of the crew, save for Eduardo and the captain. She had noticed the grouchy man's absence when she'd woken up, but she hadn't given much thought. She took a seat next to Christopher, as Russell seemed to be in an exceptionally bad mood this morning.

"Good morning, Miss Clara!" Thomas smiled back.

Is that boy ever in a bad mood?

She quietly chuckled, and looked up to find Nathan setting down another pre-made plate for her. She smiled up and thanked him, though he avoided her gaze.

"It's just til you're better." he mumbled.

"Nevertheless, I appreciate it!"

As she was eating, the two missing crew members came walking in. Captain Morgan was looking thoroughly satisfied, while the one-eyed pirate looked miffed. He angrily trudged to the seat next to her and sat down, asking, wel more of telling, someone to get him coffee. Thomas shot up to go get it for him. Clara took a large gulp of orange juice, trying to ignore the large waves of displeasure radiating off of the man next to her. She looked ahead and saw Russell no longer looking quite so pissed. She glanced out of the corner of her eye, and met Christopher's gaze. He gave her a strained smile before turning back to his omelette. Thomas came back, and she noticed his hands slightly shaking as Eduardo grabbed the cup from his hands. Nathan looked as he usually did, making it seem as though this were normal. Finally, the smiling captain spoke up.

"Well men, and lady," he added, winking at her, "we will be making a stop at Elurra Island before we get to Yamato."

"Why's that?" asked Christopher, looking confused.

"I just found some information about a map that's hidden there. If I'd found it before, I'd of given more warning."

"Who's gonna go? It's really cold, and I don't think we have enough coats." said Russell.

"I will." growled Eduardo.

"We'll get there today, and hopefully set sail by tomorrow morning, if not tonight." the captain informed them.

With that decided, the crew moved on. Even as they talked, Eduardo seemed to still be in a bad mood. She glanced over occasionally, only to find him furrowing his brows or sighing into his coffee. Even when he was upset, the man was quite attractive.

"Miss Clara?" Thomas called.

"Hm? Oh, yes?" she replied, realizing he'd been trying to get her attention.

"I asked, what's up with all yer songs?" Russell repeated.

"Hm? Have I sung that much?" she asked.

The crew nodded. Clara blushed as she scratched the back of her neck.

"Sorry, I didn't even realize it!" she admitted, "It's because of my job."

"Your job?" repeated Nathan.

"Were you a barmaid or something?" Eduardo asked, finally seeming less annoyed.

"No, no. I was an actress! We sang a lot for the plays, and with all the practice we did, I guess some of them just stuck." she explained.

"So then how did you end up at the castle?" Thomas asked, tilting his head.

At his innocent question, Russell smacked the back of his head. The others either sighed or shook their heads. Mumbling an apology, the boy looked away sheepily.

"Nothing to apologize for. I don't mind explaining." she smiled at him reassuringly.

When she said that, they all leaned in. She hid a sigh at the hypocrisy of their actions.

"One day, this ship docked at out island. We didn't give much thought until some guy dressed in a fancy uniform walked onto our empty stage with a few armed guards. He said that he needed one girl to come with them. She would be entertaining their queen. They wanted someone young and pretty, and the best singing voice they could find. One girl, only fourteen or fifteen, was pushed ahead by some other girls. She had a pretty voice, but she still needed training. Besides, our island's nickname is The Island of the Songbirds, so finding the best in a few minutes would be impossible. Anyway, as they were reaching for the girl, I stepped forward. I claimed to be the best, and they had me sing some stupid song to prove my 'worthiness for her majesty.' I guess I passed, because next thing I know, my arms were held by soldiers and I was force onto the ship. I think their crew felt bad for me, so they were kind and let me just hang around. After we landed, I was dressed up and forced into a cage. The rest of it you know."

There was a few moments of silence before anyone spoke up.

"What a wicked thing to do." Christopher stated, looking annoyed.

"Who the hell does that?" added Russell.

They started ranting about the situation, when Eduardo abruptly stood up. He said that he needed to make sure they were staying on course and left. After she finished, she went out on deck. As she swept, she looked realized the air seemed much colder than usual. Looking out in the distance, she saw an island. Even from her place on the ship, Clara could see a snow capped mountain. As she made her way up the steps to take care of the helm of the ship, she saw Eduardo. Giving him a quiet greeting and getting a nod in return, she began to work. It was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. After some time passed, to her surprise, he spoke up.

"Do you miss it?"

"Miss it?" she repeated, tilting her head.

"Your island." he clarified, though he didn't seem annoyed.

"Well, yes. I missed it for a long time. Now that I'm able to return, I'm quite excited to return."

"That so? Ya seem awfully calm." he observed.

"Would you prefer I jump around all over the place?"

"No, I was just saying."

There was some more silence.

"Do you miss your home?" she asked.

"This is my home." he said with a tone that discouraged her from asking any further questions.

Before she could say anything else, the captain left his cabin looking frustrated. He walked over to Eduardo.

"Can you read this? I can't even recognize it, let alone understand it." he sighed, hand him a paper.

After a few moments of scanning the paper over and over, a frown fell over the man's face. He handed the paper back looking annoyed.

"Sorry. I'm lost."

Rubbing his temple, Captain Morgan explained that it was all over the letter he got about the map, and it was highly likely that it would be necessary to get what they were looking for. As he walked passed, likely to check with the rest of the crew, Clara caught a glimpse of the paper. As she recognized one of the symbols, she stopped the captain.

"Sir, may I see that for a moment?" she asked.

"Sure." he nodded, handing it over.

She felt both men's gazes on her as she looked over. After some time passed, she handed it back.

"Well?" Eduardo prompted.

"Do ya understand it?" the captain asked.

"Not all of it," she told him, "my island has two main languages. Some of those symbols are identical to the other language, and based on their placing, I'd say they have the same meaning."

"Really?" he asked, then broke into a grin, "Looks like luck's on our side!"

Later that day, when they were nearly at the island, the crew gathered in the dining room. As they ate, the three explained the situation.

"So, is she gonna go with him?" asked Russell.

"She's not at full health. I really don't think we should send her out on a freezing island." Christopher replied.

"If we'd had more time, maybe she could have translated them." the captain sighed.

"She said dhe doesn't recognize them all, so it wouldn't help much." stated Eduardo.

"I'd be worried about her." admitted Thomas.

Clara suppressed a sigh. She knew they were trying to do what was best for her, but she was sitting right there. No one had stopped to ask what she wanted to do. As she looked across the table, her eyes met with Nathan's, who'd been silent the whole time. As though reading her mind, he spoke up.

"What do you want to do, Clara?"

At the quiet man's question, the rest of the crew went silent and looked at her. Giving a polite nod to the man, she sat up straighter.

"I would like to go, if that's alright with you all."

They looked surprised, and the captain's expression grew serious.

"You understand that this will be dangerous, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"We can't guarantee your safety."

"I understand."

He stopped and thoughtfully stroked his beard.

"Can I ask why?"

"Well, you're free to ask anything, sir. Rather, you should ask that I answer."

At her comment, the man chuckled.

"Well, will you tell me why?"

"I want to see. I have the oppertunity to see other places before I return home, so I want to use it."

After a moment, the captain nodded, giving his permission. The others gave no complaint, though Thomas and Christopher gave her a worried glance. After that, Eduardo and Clara went to get ready for their task. After they'd put on their coats, gloves, and boots, they stepped out onto the main deck, only for Thomas to come running over with a hat and scarf. He had trouble untangling the scarf, so Eduardo let out a sigh as he took it from him. He wrapped it around her neck and lightly over her nose and mouth, before plopping the hat on her head. Just as he finished, Christopher walked up. He laid a hand on her shoulder, as he spoke.

"You can back out now, if you want. We'll still deliver to the next port, safe and sound. You don't owe us anything."

"Don't worry," she replied with a smile, "I want to do this. But thank you."

"You're all awfully worried." Eduardo observed.

"Aw, are your feelings hurt?" teased the captain.

"Right, that's it." he replied, rolling his eyes.

When they were set to go, they got into a smaller boat that was lowered into the water. The ship itself couldn't get closer, since it seemed the island had no dock or port.
Or people.

As they got onto land, Clara was thrown off by how silent it all was. It was eerie, having the only noise come from the whistling wind. It didn't help that iit felt like they were being watched. Without really meaning to, she moved closer to her companion. He rolled his eyes, but said nothing, nor did he move away. Rubbing her arms, she watched the pure white scenery surrounding them. They headed for the mountain, and Clara was filled with an odd sense of foreboding as falling snow hid the shore from view.