Because I couldn't quite figure out which I preferred, Kurt or Vasco, I wrote two entirely different kinds of stories for each of them. The Kurt story is already written, "His Sweet Excellency, Her Dear Friend," and its rating and style reflect what I felt would work best for a De Sardet/Kurt story. If you read that, understand the tone for a Vasco story will be quite different. Higher rating because, well, Nauts, and, well, Vasco. If you haven't read the other, give it a gander, eh, and let me know what you think. And please leave comments and critiques for this one as well; I am happy to oblige requests for certain characters or scenes. Also, I take some liberty with storylines and timing of dialogue and events from the game, but that's to be expected with fanfiction, eh? Without further ado: Cheers!
Blue and black colors were churning together as the bow sliced through the waves. Frothy white spray sprang upon the wind and tickled his face. Vasco smiled. He rolled onto his back on the bow netting and stared up at the carved figurehead of the Cuttlefish just below the bowsprit. This was his favorite spot. He was the smallest and youngest member of the crew and was often called upon to climb up the rigging to the hardest to reach spots or out here to the flying jib, his small hands, but strong muscles put to great use. Vasco sighed and closed his eyes. Being a cabin boy was tiring but fun and he couldn't imagine anything else or anywhere else to live. The rise and fall of the ship, the cooling foam of the sea, the singing wind in the sails…
"Oi, Vasco!" Vasco opened his eyes. Captain Lisandro stood with his elbows braced on the bow railing above him, a stern frown on his face. "Did I, or did I not, tell ye to trim the jib?"
Vasco scrambled to his knees, "I already did, cap'n."
Captain Lisandro looked past Vasco to the bowsprit and studied the sails attached to it. Vasco knew he wouldn't be able to stay any longer in his secret spot and took to climbing back onto the deck.
"Do it again, Vasco," Captain Lisandro grabbed hold of Vasco's shoulders once he was on the deck and turned him to look back at the jib, "you see that there?" Leaning down, Captain Lisandro pointed down the bowsprit to one of Vasco's knots, "What if a squall comes up unexpected like? Do ye think ye'll be able to untie that knot when it counts?"
Vasco sighed, "But I used the knot-"
"Vasco," Captain Lisandro stood to his fullest height and stared down, reminding Vasco that he was just a cabin boy and had no right to speak back to the captain, "when yer the captain, ye'll understand. Now," Captain Lisandro nodded back out to the jib as he crossed his arms over his chest, "do it right."
Vasco nodded and began to climb back onto the bow netting. The first mate's hurried approach had Vasco pausing in his movements. He'd never seen Gabriel with such a look on his face and he was curious what this was about.
"Captain," Gabriel came to stand next to Captain Lisandro, "it's one of the natives sir," he glanced at Vasco and raised an eyebrow, "aren't you supposed to be doing something, boy?"
"Aye." Vasco dropped down to the netting but kept his attention half on the conversation going on above him.
"What about the native?"
"She's about to give birth, sir."
Vasco's eyes widened. The captain hadn't allowed him onto the island where they'd picked up the natives a few months ago. It would have been his first land exploration aside from the Continent. Disappointed, and a bit angry, Vasco had stayed aboard and watched as they filled their hold with exotic foods, animals, and even people. Since that time, Captain Lisandro hadn't allowed Vasco near the hold where they were all kept. The only time Vasco caught sight of the native's strange dress or heard their bizarre language was when they were brought on deck for sunlight and fresh air. Even then, Vasco only caught glimpses when he managed to stay hidden in the rigging above; otherwise, either Gabriel or Captain Lisandro told him to scuttle elsewhere.
He heard Captain Lisandro curse, "So soon? I thought we'd make it back to the Continent before it was time." Another curse, followed by a heavy sigh, "Do they have a healer among them, or do we need to send cook in there to help?"
"I believe the woman is THE healer, sir. But she'll need linen and water for certain."
"See to it then." Captain Lisandro leaned on the bow railing and saw Vasco dawdling. At his look, Vasco doubled his efforts.
"Captain," Vasco paused as he too wanted to hear Gabriel's next words, "will we enact the code with this child?"
Vasco finished his work and was back on the deck beside the captain before he replied. His arrival caught Captain Lisandro's attention, and Vasco earned a head pat from the grizzled older man. Vasco couldn't quite tell what it was the captain felt, but there was something heavy in the surrounding air that made Vasco feel odd.
"I suppose we'll see when we make it to Serene. There's no telling what the Prince might think of us taking one of his prisoners," Captain Lisandro dropped his hand from Vasco's head, "best we wait and see."
"Aye captain." Gabriel hurried off back to the hold with Vasco watching him go.
"They don't look like prisoners, cap'n." Vasco looked up to his captain and watched as another strange feeling settled on the man's sea-weathered face.
Captain Lisandro sighed, "Things are not always as they seem, Vasco, and it's best you learn that early on."