Ah, the Persian Gulf... Even now, it's a utopia for trade. A lot of monsters could have a ball here...and do. But then, that's what navies are for.
From here, the Arabian coast looks remote. But in some spots, it's not. All you've got to do is make way the right amount of distance up it...
Ah; there we are. It's an estate. There's a main house, and a seraglio; both have domes. The seraglio has an onion dome. There are many spires...and not to mention a noticeable number of minarets.
From aboard the Trumpetfish, a derrick lowers a small boat into the waves, one nth at a time. Soon, its hull is basking in the waves.
The gangway is open. A rope ladder's been dropped through it.
Aaliyah comes above...dressed the same. It's been a long voyage, and yet...to Sinan, Aaliyah is still a sight fore sore eyes; a mirage, even. Alas, she's a tangible mirage.
Sinan surveys her...but tries to stay prompt about it. "Aren't you forgetting something? Don't you think your family will panic if they see you like this outside the..."
She stands between him and the gangway, blocking his path. She flaps her hair, bats her eyes, and adjusts her very small top. She knows he loves this. She knows it makes him weak...
"I've done some thinking," she says. "Well, DREAMING, more like it. I'd like to spend more time on your crew." She looks around. "You look like you could use the help."
Sinan sighs. "It's not that I'm biased against crews. It's more like... I can get more done if I work alone. Plus, it's really hard to find men in this world who understand fluid dynamics like I do. Plus, very few people in this business are white like me. I certainly don't mean to criticize you; Afroasia looks VERY good on you; better than I expect it to, as a matter of fact. Even so, you'll be a liability, if I ever do take up a bigger crew. There's a superstitious belief that goes around among sailors, that to bring a woman aboard is to..."
She's smiling. She raises her arm, and tinkers with the front of his shirt. It's not much...but to Sinan, this is intense.
"It's just...against protocol," Sinan struggles to continue, despite her touching. "As a sailor, I must stand beside the customs of my profession. Plus, your family might go to war with me if they think I kidnapped you. And it's already bad enough that I'm wanted in several Afroasian realms for..."
She raises her hand, and tinkers with his shirt closer to his collar. Now things are even more intense than before.
"For being white, mostly, and... Your family probably commands a...flotilla, that could..." He swallows, and nods sadly. He can't take it anymore. "Fine. Welcome to the crew, Ms. Haytham. Consider your contract renewed."
She embraces him, and kisses him...again. Some ladies just can't get enough of Sinan. Sinan can't imagine why.
"They'll come for us," Sinan reminds her. "You know that."
She smiles, and messes up his hair. "For you, I'm willing to take that risk."
With that, they reel the boat back in, and store it. They reel the ladder back in, and close the gangway. And they weigh anchor.
They reorganize the sails. Via their command, the Trumpetfish makes her way back out to sea. Sinan doesn't think anyone ashore saw any of their landing signals...but he could be wrong.
Even so, Sinan's pretty sure he's just put a target on his back. He doesn't know it yet, but there's already a target on his back of a sexual nature...and it's got nothing to do with the Sheikh bin al Luqman...better known, by many, as the Shmuck bin al Loveless, Aaliyah's greedy, lustful, and envious master.