Chapter One: A Curious Captain's Heart
Heart:
"Another wanted poster," my older brother commented as we made our way to port that day.
I looked to see what he was referring to only to find a poster of a drake with a confident smirk on his beak. I couldn't help but raise a curious brow as I looked it over.
"You alright there sis?" my twin asked when he noticed me tilting my head curiously.
"I think so?" I answered as I broke away from the parchment and followed the both of them.
Before long I noticed as an imposing shadow fell over us. A smile curved my lips as I looked up at what had cast it. A grand ship longing for adventure was being readied to set sail. It's sails were opening to take in the force flowing from behind them. Their colors were hoisted high for all to see. Upon the deck I could see fellow ducks like my two brothers working at their stations.
At the wheel stood a tan feathered drake in an official uniform complete with ribbons and badges. Upon noticing us he waved to us with a smile while approaching us.
"Wildwing!" He called my brother over as we followed.
Wildwing had been gifted a similar uniform. Though his lacked the stars and decorations his friend's had. Meanwhile my twin and I had acquired our own attire for the voyage ahead.
Nosedive wore a clean white tunic with teal trousers. Over his shirt was a matching vest with our planet's symbol embroidered over the left breast pocket by our mother.
I myself had a white under bouse beneath a burgundy vest lined with gold. My trousers were black with ebony boots that reached up to my knees over my pant legs. Our mother had woven my burgundy hair into a braid for the launch with a white silk ribbon.
"Do you really insist on bringing them both along?" The captain enquired with unhidden concern in his tone and eyes.
"You knew they were a part of the deal going in Canard," our brother reminded his firmly.
Canard sighed while looking us over.
"Canard you've known us since we were kids," I said eagerly, "We know how important this is to you!"
He gave a weary smile, "I know you do. However, you're both still so young, and this will be a long voyage. In fact it's because I've known you both since you were young that I am so worried. Your twin can't hide behind you while he's aboard this ship. He needs to take responsibility."
"All the more reason for me to bring him, and her, along. They could use the experience they wouldn't gain here," Wildwing assured with a good natured smile.
"There is no dissuading you is there?" Canard questioned with a soft laugh.
Wildwing shook his head, "It's the three of us or none."
At last Canard gave a nod as he lead us aboard the ship, "Alright, but only for your sake my friend."
"Alright!" Nosedive exclaimed eagerly as he threw his arm over my shoulder and dragged me along after them.
In moments Canard called the rest of his crew over and instructed us to stand with them. Then he strolled back and forth looking upon each of us carefully with a perceptive gaze and a proud smile curving his beak, "Alright crew, this is it! Today we chart our course and take to the stars! Anyone with second thoughts had better head home now. This will be a long journey, but one of discovery and adventure!"
"And treasure?" Nosedive chimed in from beside me.
My twin was now slinking close to me as Canard approached us and looked at him with a stern eye, "We're not pirates young Flashblade. Any treasure we find will be that of knowledge as we seek out the ends of the galaxies above."
"If that doesn't interest you may let me know right now and I will be happy to send you on your way," Canard warned, "Regardless of what I just told your brother."
Nosedive cleared his throat before giving a nervous laugh, "It does captain, it does! I was just making a joke."
I shook my head at my twin's antics, but was relieved that Canard went back to his stride in front of everyone. It was clear that he would not go back on his word to our brother, but he would be unbending in his expectations for us.
It was only now that I realized how I stuck out like a sore thumb among my peers. While it wasn't strange to see a vast variety of aliens and humans alike, on this ship we all seemed to be from Puck World. However, my featherless skin and beakless face revealed right away that it was not my place of origin.
On either sides of me stood my two brothers. Beside Wildwing at my right was a young red headed woman with a short beak and a seemingly short temper as I had noticed her rolling her eyes at Nosedive's comment. She was dressed in a pink tunic with deep violet trousers. Over her tunic was a combat vest. Strapped to her were several weapons with what I was sure were more tucked in hiding places such as in her boots and sleeves.
Beside her was another young woman with very long blonde hair swept up onto her head by a lavender headband. She wore a matching jumpsuit with a belt of medical supplies strapped to her waist. She wore pink glasses over her light blue eyes and had a quizzical expression over her face as she listened to Canard's speech.
At my left beside Nosedive stood a towering duck that was at least two feet taller than myself. As he stood at attention he listened to his surroundings carefully with a steady smile. He wore a simple, sleeveless white shirt with dark trousers. His size and strength made me only guess what he had been hired for. To my surprise though I noticed he had an apron tied over his shirt with a yin and yang patch sewn onto it.
"Now for your posistions," Canard stated while looking us each over still.
"Wildwing, you will be my navigator and first mate of course," he told his best friend with a proud smile, "I trust you will guide our ship straight and true my friend, as well as defend it as needed."
"Nosedive you will help Grin in the galley, as well as make sure the deck is swabbed and other such tasks."
"Aw man, you're sticking me to cleaning duty?" Nosedive exclaimed in annoyance.
Canard gave him what he knew was his final warning. Nosedive sighed and nudged the tall duck beside him, "Guess we're working together huh buddy?"
"It appears so," the grey feathered duck stated in a tone that was rather friendly.
"Mallory you are of course our combat specialist. If things get bad out there I trust you to handle it!"
"Aye, aye captain!" the red headed duck saluted firmly.
I noticed as Nosedive rolled his eyes at this and I bit my lower lip to keep from laughing at his antics.
"Tanya, you are communications and engineer. I trust you will keep our ship up to code and beyond."
"Y-You can count on me sir!" Tanya assured in a nervouse voice before regaining her composure.
Then he strolled over to me, "And Heart, I need you to be our eyes in the skies. Can I count on you to keep watch from the crow's nest?"
"Of course you can!" I promised with a bow of my head.
"Perfect! It looks like we've got everything and everyone we need!" Canard declared as he faced us, "Prepare for the launch and let's find what's waiting to be discovered!"
With that we went to our stations. Though I noticed as Grin and Nosedive were able to stay on deck to watch the launch from port. I gave a smile and a wave from my perch above them. Nosedive waved back excitedly.
"Alright everyone!" Canard called out from the helm of the ship, "Let's take to the stars!"
With that our engines were ignited, our gravity shield activated, and our sails filled as we parted from the port. In the crowd below I thought I could see our parents waving and smiling with pride. I attempted to wave back with my brothers, but I wasn't sure if they could see us. For a moment I could see our mother slipping out a handkerchief to catch the tears surely falling from her eyes. Then in a great force we dashed away from the port and up into the awaiting stars no longer above, but around us.
In these moments our adventure had begun as our ship took to space. Alongside it I could see tendrilled creatures leaping and weaving out of the waves of stardust in a small pack. From the ropes I was able to reach out and brush my hand through the passing waves of starlight that glistened. Nosedive seemed to have the same idea before Grin tugged on his rope carefully to ensure he wouldn't fall off deck. With a sigh I could hear from where I was in a way, my twin hopped down to follow him into the galley shortly after. Then I too settled into my task and kept my eyes open wide for anything of importance.
For a while it was smooth sailing. Puck World and it's space port built on one of it's asteroid discs floating around it was far behind us now. From my perch I watched as everyone took to their tasks with vigor. Occassionally I saw my twin emerge from below deck to take on his appointed chores. When she could Tanya would assist him. Mallory would check on me from time to time to give me a break when needed.
Towards the evening I was alotted to partake in dinner with everyone. Our first dinner as a crew. I eagerly decended to the deck below as things seemed steady for the time being.
Everyone gathered onto the deck. Several seats had been set for us all to join in a circle together. Grin and Nosedive proudly presented the meal they had prepared for everyone. Though as I ate I couldn't help but notice how quiet everyone was. Aside from Wildwing and Canard, or Grin and Nosedive, seemed we weren't sure of what to make of one another yet.
"So...why did everyone decide to go on this voyage anyway?" I heard myself ask curiously while playing with my pasta a bit.
Each of them looked over at me as though unsure of how to answer.
"Different reasons really," Mallory finally offered, "I myself wanted to prove myself out here. I thought I could make use of everything I learned in the academy and train myself even further!"
"I want to improve what I know about the worlds and learn about ones that I don't," Tanya told everyone with nervous excitement shining through, "And I want to go on building and improving my skills in engineering."
"I'm not really sure why I'm here," Wildwing chuckled, "All I know is that Canard here asked me to join his crew. When he insisted I was right for it, how could I decline?"
"I just want to see the journey I have embarked on, the destination doesn't matter as much to me," Grin said with a steady smile.
"Pure adventure girly-girl!" My twin reminded me, "I want to make my mark in the stars!"
I couldn't help but laugh softly from his eagerness.
"I just want to explore, expand our knowledge of the galaxies and make a name for our crew here," Canard answered, "There's a lot out there we simply don't know about. The history books I've poured over mentioned gateways that were once open long ago that closed up some time ago. I want to find them and learn what happened. Why did they open in the first place? Heroes were mentioned, but their names were faded from texts from simply time running on. I want to learn about them as well."
"What about you miss?" Tanya enquired curiously.
"Well, I'm mainly here to be with my brothers. The Flashblade family adopted me when I was a child," I explained with a natural shrug at first, "But I guess...while I'm out here anyway, it would be nice to find some answers, if I can."
"Do you remember anything?" Mallory asked, "How you got to Puck World in the first place?"
"It's kind of hazy," I admitted while scratching the back of my head where some old scarring was.
"She had no memories when we found her," Wildwing explained.
"That's awful," Tanya said with sympathy in her eyes.
"Well all in all I'd say I ended up okay. I have two amazing brothers now," I said with pride as I looked to Wildwing and Nosedive, "and who knows what I'll find out here with all of you! It's really the adventure I'm after honestly."
"I'm sure you'll find plenty of that my young friend," Grin assured with a light chuckle from his seat across from me.
While we ate I couldn't help but look around the crew with growing eagerness. What should have felt like an ice breaker between us seemed to do more than that. Though we were all mostly new to one another, we also looked at ease around the other now. In a strange way I felt as though I were talking with old friends, but aside from my brothers and Canard they were mere strangers still. Not only that, but I felt myself looking around as though trying to count that we were all there. One, two, three, and so on until I breathed, "7, that's right isn't it?"
"Something the matter sis?" Wildwing asked when he heard me.
Again I nodded, "I believe so. Just thought we were missing someone for some reason."
"Probably from all the new faces," he replied while getting up and rustling my ruby pink and burgundy ombre'd hair.
When I was finished eating Nosedive took my plate from me to add to the pile to be washed. Then I stood up and walked over to the side of the ship to look out at the stars surrounding us. Behind me I heard the others continuing to talk together now. I smiled as I felt the ease of everyone washing between them and myself. Though I hadn't heard as Grin got to his feet and approached me. Then he rested his hand on my shoulder as he spoke, "Young friend, understand that your past does not always tell who you are nor who you are going to be. Perhaps while on this quest you can find those answers and chart a course that lets you live as you wish."
I gave a smile in response to his kind words of wisdom, "Thank you Grin. It's funny...I feel like someone said that to me once before, maybe in a dream?"
"Who knows?" he laughed with a raised brow.
Suddenly something caught my eye out in the distance. Turning back to the starry galaxy reaching far from the ship I thought I saw the silloutte of another ship. Yet it seemed to vanish, almost as though eluding something, before I could get a good look at it.
However this did bring my attention to another shimmer of lights in the distance. As I focused my vision I realized they were coming towards our ship!
"Canard!" I called him over to reveal what I had seen.
Our captain looked up with widened eyes as he approached. Then he quickly turned to everyone, "Get to your stations, make sure your life lines are secure!"
"What is it Canard?" Wildwing asked while checking everyone's lines.
"Shooting stars! I've never seen a cluster of them like this!" Canard answered.
"You mean the things we wish on?" Nosedive teased, "Come on Canard they can't be that bad!"
"One of them, even two, isn't a problem!" Canard retorted with annoyance in his tone again, "However I've never seen a cluster of them like this before! If they hit the ship it could make things a bit bumpy! So do as I say!"
"Aye aye Captain!" Mallory saluted him as she prepared the cannons with Grin and Tanya.
Canard hurried to the helm to try and steer the ship from the path of racing stars. Meanwhile I began to climb up to the crow's nest to see if I could get a better look. Yet as I did I failed to notice one of the stars fastly approaching ahead of the others. Before we could move the ship or shoot at it with a canon it slammed into the side of our ship. The structure held, but it made it shake violently. In that instant Tanya accidentally hit one of the controls she was nearby. Upon contact our gravity was cut off and we all began to float up from the ship.
With some luck everyone's life lines kept them tethered to the ship and most of them pulled themselves back to the mast to steady their stance. Meanwhile I clung to the ropes leading up to the crow's nest. That is until I noticed Nosedive struggling with his life line. Fear gripped my chest as I noticed him now tangled in the ropes, unable to steady himself. Another star was quickly approaching, threatening to knock him away from the ship's field. I tightened my own grip for a moment before pushing myself with all the force I could muster in a decent towards him.
"Sis!" Nosedive yelled out, "Don't!"
However my decision was made before he could protest as I pushed him into the ropes that he now latched onto tightly. Before he could pull me back with him the shooting star hit the ship as I floated beside the mass. Between my already floating upwards and the violent trembling of the ship I was unable to stop my rope from slipping loose.
"Sis!" Nosedive cried as he reached to grab my hand just as another star hit us.
Due to the impact Nosedive's grasp missed my own. Wildwing and the others tried to grab for my rope to pull me back down, but met with the same problem as the deck shook rapidly.
"Heart!" Wildwing shouted.
"Heart, use your oxygen device!" Canard called up to me as I began to break through the field of the ship's barrier.
I immediately pulled out a mask we each had been given and secured the device that allowed us to breath to myself.
"What do we do?" I heard Wildwing question in panic, "Sis hang on!"
Another star hit, shaking me completely from the ship. I couldn't even risk screaming for fear of losing the device allowing me to breath.
"Sis!" Nosedive and Wildwing screamed in my place as they watched me grow further from them.
There was nothing I could do. Nothing I could grab onto. No one could reach me. All I could do was pray, pray someone could help me. As more stars bombarded our strong standing ship it felt strange daring to wish and hope. Yet at the same time that's all I could do right now.
It had been hours now since I'd been knocked off of our ship. Somehow I had avoided being hit by any that flew by me. Yet as floated along I noticed my air supply, though not empty, was looking off to me. I was then horrified to find that it was starting to malfunction!
I looked around hopelessly to see nothing around me. There was no ship. Not a planet. Just endless black and never ending stars with planets in the far distance.
I couldn't even risk crying for fear of losing precious air.
As I was about to close my eyes and give up something caught my attention. Turning my head I noticed something small in the distance among the stars. My heart leapt to my throat, daring to hope, as whatever it was raced towards me.
Then I heard the chilling sound of my air device shutting down. I held my breath to keep whatever air I could in my lungs.
Suddenly I turned my head to see just as a small dingy rushed up to me. In this moment I reached out my hand desperately as I felt a strong pair of hands grasp it and pull me into the small boat. Once I'd broken through and inside it's field I gasped for precious air as I was pulled in and collapsed beside my rescuer. My arms hugged my sides as I took in the air in that desperate gasp.
"Easy there sweetheart," a smooth, brooklynn accented voice spoke as a hand gently patted my back, "You're alright now."
Before I could say or do anything he pulled on a lever. Had they not shifted a hand to catch me I would have lost my balance as I fell forward from the sudden motion the small boat was now in. With this the boat began to turn back around and in the distance I could see a large ship through my blinked away tears. In what seemed like barely minutes we wre able to reach it and our boat was pulled up from the endless starry ocean.
"You were right Captain!" One of the crew exclaimed as my rescuer hopped out of the dingy and onto the deck.
"Captain?" I gasped as I stood shakily in the smaller structure still and finally looked up to get a good view of my savior.
Standing before me with a charming smile on his beak was a dark feathered drake with a white streak running through the front of his hair. He wore a white dress shirt with a deep burgundy velvet vest and dark trousers with ebony boots up to his knees. Over his vest a fine, long black coat with burgundy and gold trim and cuffs was worn. On his beak I could see a chip cut into it and over his right eye was a patch that showed a red light from beneath it to hint at the cybernetic one in its place. His remaining eye was a deep, warm brown filled with confidence as he looked over me.
There was no doubt in my mind that he was indeed their captain. He seemed to know this as well as he gave a deep polite bow in response to my inquiry. Then he swept up my hand as he spoke, "Duke L'Orange at your service my lady. Welcome aboard our humble ship."
Before I had the chance to pull my hand away he lifted it swiftly while he bowed still and kissed it gently. I could feel my face growing quite warm, and even more so when he seemed to notice and he smiled still with a gleam of light in his eye, "A rare treasure indeed, that of a girl that's never been kissed before?"
Finally I pulled my hand away, or did he release it? Either way I kept it close to my chest now as he looked me over curiously.
"What should we do with her captain?" One of his crew asked.
"Not much we can do Irving but take her with us for now," Duke shrugged, "Next we make port she can do what she wants."
It was only now that I realized the interesting collection around us that was his crew. A group of seven strangers had gathered to see their captain and I now standing on deck with them.
The one to address his captain Irving, stood close by, and was about the same height as him. With a burlap sack pulled over his head and dark straw for hair escaping a forest shaded bandana I wondered if he was trying to hide from sight somehow. Drawn over bits of that burlap was a face of large dark eyes, a triangle nose, and a stitched mouth. Yet somehow he had been able to speak. The burlap continued down to his neck and beneath his long sleeved, black and white, striped shirt that ended in open flares around his thick gloved hands. Over the shirt was a vest that matched the cloth atop his head. His deep blue baggy pants gave him plenty of flexibility to move around in his short cuffed work boots.
"How did you end up out there like that?" One of the five women there asked.
I turned to find myself gazing downward to see what looked like a large mouse walking on her hind legs. She stood just under my hip looking up at me with curious and concerned ebony eyes. Her fur was a blend of sunny brown on the over side and creamy white on the under side. She was dressed in a white blouse with puffy shoulder sleeves. Around her waist was a crimson corset synched up with gold ribbon and lined with matching lace. Atop her head was an elaborate velvet, rounded curve tripoint hat that matched her corset. Placed in it's wide ribbon was a rather large white feather. Over her legs were a pair of poofy black bloomers fashioned to be pants. Her hands and feet remained bare.
"There was an accident on my ship. A cluster of shooting stars collided with us and knocked me from it," I replied.
"You think it was the same one we avoided not long ago captain?" A taller woman replied.
This one stood about a foot taller than I. With dark feathers over her and a black pointed beak she resembled that of a raven blended with human traits like the ducks I'd grown up with. In fact I was pretty sure she was from Puck World as well, and this was confirmed by the emblem of it as her belt buckle. Her ebony hair was wild and short, but she also wore a part of it in a high set and loose top not. Her eyes were of violet, giving a super natural flare about her. She was dressed in a form fitting shoulder strap top with a looser over blouse tied just beneath her chest. The over shirt was of sheer lavender and pewter blue, the sleeves of it cuffed with silver at her wrists. Her belled pants were the shade of that cool, precious metal as well. Over her feet were a pair of tabi boots with soft souls and no heels to allow her to climb easily. At her left hip was a well sharpened and polished cutlass with a jeweled gold hilt.
"That's a rare occurance, but I suppose they could have been on a similar route as us," another drake commented with some concern as he approached closer.
This dark brown feathered drake had shoulder length, but messy black hair tied back into a very short ponytail at the base of his neck. He wore a long deep green coat over his black trousers and white tunic. In his several pockets were a variety of medical supplies. Over the bridge of his beak were a pair of spectacles, around his shoulders was a stephyscope. He stood about half a foot shorter than their captain.
He then looked to me and offered, "I'm the crew's medic, Trent. I would like to make sure you're not injured if it's alright miss?"
I gave a nervous nod as he stepped closer and began observing my arms, not needing to venture beneath my sleeves to check.
"You're lucky you weren't killed," another of the women mentioned, "And you must be freezing after floating around like that."
I now found myself looking at what appeared to be a fish like woman. Her aquatic scales were the shade of sea foam teal, and her bare feet had slight webbing to them. As did her fingers. Her ears appeared to be like fins poking out between long strands of ebony hair. Tied around her forehead through under her sleek hair was a deep mauve bit of cloth. Her eyes gleamed like coral in the depths of a suntouched surface of water. Her attire went right along with this. She wore a sleeveless white blouse with a tied on skirt that matched her headband. Around her waist was a gold sash clasped together with a jeweled fish emblem at her right hip.
"I was hopin' you might be able to find her some warm clothes Mare?" Duke asked as the subject came up, "She was quite chilled at the touch."
"I'd be glad to," she replied before stepping away with her given request.
"I would help in that regard, but I'm afraid I'd be the opposite of what you need," a fourth feminine voice mentioned as I turned to see the owner sitting casually on the rail of the ship quite close to me.
Like me she appeared human. Her skin was quite pale, almost sheer white and shimmering when starlight caught it. Long wavy strands of dark hair streaked with ice blue and fair silver were tossed into a loose bun that allowed some of the wild curls to cascade down to her neck here and there. Around her thin neck was a cord of soft leather with a silver snowflake hanging from it beneath her collar bone. The blouse she wore had one fastened into a bow on her right shoulder. However one could easily notice another top beneath the dove like fabric. This one had feathered sleeves just above both of her elbows. Around her waist was thin silver belt that held up baggy black trousers that had their ends slipped into her knee high boots.
"It's fine," I replied while realizing how cold the air around her felt and how it made my already cold clothing quite frozen to me.
"I imagine you'd like to get back to your ship," the last of them commented with slightly troubled lilac eyes looking up at me.
It was rare to see a gnome, let alone one away from lands of magic in which they typically dwelled. This gnome looked up at me with a gentle smile over her face. Her hair was cut into short curls on the left side, but allowed to grow quite long down along the opposite side. The strands themselves were of auburn, beckoning the memory of autumn on the planet called Earth I'd heard of in history books. Her skin was that of tanned sand or light tree bark. Her pointed ears framed her friendly face. The midnight blue bodysuit she wore was like that of a dancer. Rather than sleeves she had flared attachments that started just beneath her shoulders and burst out at her wrists. From her hips to her ankles she wore a belled pair of pink sheer pants that tucked into her laced boots.
"My brothers are on that ship," I answered without much more thought to the question.
"Older or younger?" Irving pondered somehow with a wrinkled glove to his chin.
"Older, Wildwing, and my twin, Nosedive. They're both from Puck World," I mentioned in hopes that this would help in some way.
"In fact our whole crew consisted of those from theret," I added.
"Our? You're not a duck or any sort of bird?" the mouse questioned with a chuckle.
I felt myself freeze up a little, before answering with a shrug, "I was adopted by them when I ended up on Puck World somehow. I don't really remember anything from before that?"
"Interesting," Irving pondered with his hand tapping his chin thoughtfully, causing the fabric to dip further and further inward, "What do you think of this Captain?"
They all turned to Duke for an answer. He gave a shrug before repeating, "When we make port next we can leave her there. Her ship is bound ta show up there at some point."
"Who was the Captain?" The darker feathered woman nearby asked.
"Canard Thunderbeak. He's a family friend of ours. That's how I was even on the ship in the first place," I admitted a bit sheepishly.
"Canard huh? I've heard of him," Duke commented thoughtfully, "He's someone ta steer clear of. If he found us it could be trouble."
It was now that I really took in my surroundings. The ship itself was quite large to accomidate the varied crew. Though one could also quickly pick up the scent of black powder recently forced into the artificial air. I had been so distracted by what was happening that I hadn't seen what was warning me. Above my head deep burgundy sails were opened. Yet among them was the clearest sign of where I was and the company I hd found myself in, a black flag waving a skull with two swords crossed over behind it etched into an emblem. My eyes widened as I turned back to take in the crew before me as a whole as I backed up against the rail of the ship.
Duke gave a smirk as though knowing what was going through my head somehow. I bit my lower lip as I regained my composure. While taking a deep breath I looked at them again, though I was still backing up a little. It felt strange to be a little afraid of my own rescuers. Honestly I wasn't even sure if I really was frightened. Perhaps shock or surprise was a better way to put it?
Suddenly the captain still before me reached out a hand, grasped my shoulder, and pulled me away from the rail I'd backed up into, "Careful there, ya want ta end up out in space again?"
With a puzzled brow I looked over my shoulder to see the railing I had backed up into, as well as the loose opening that would lead out to a plank that wasn't up. It would have been a flat drop into the void this time.
"So...pirates then?" I asked while looking up at him.
"At your service," Duke repeated with a bow of his head.
"Will she stay below deck with us?" The dark haired woman asked.
"She'll stay in my quarters Ava," Duke said with a smile.
I felt my face growing hot at the mere mention of this.
"Don't get me wrong, I make sure my crew is well provided for an' have plenty of space with their own quarters, but there isn't much in way of empty rooms right now," Duke informed me, "We would have to sell some things first, but then we'd be at port to do that and no longer in need of the extra room by that point."
Then he wrapped an arm around me from the back as he gripped my shoulder further from him, pulling me against him in a swift, but careful, motion. I noticed as his hand remained set in place and didn't venture further. He gave me a charming smile as he informed me, "Besides, it's been a while since I've had such company."
"You're impossible L'Orange," the raven rolled her wild eyes upon witnessing this.
Duke gave a laugh as he lead me away from the group making a path for us, "As you were crew. Come along sweetheart, I'll show ya where you'll be stayin'."
He lead me to what was clearly his cabin and pulled away to give a polite bow to me, his sleeves aiding in the flare of charm he was trying to display. If he'd had a hat he would have it held over his heart. Instead he placed his hand over it as he opened the door and offered, "After you sweetheart?"
Between not having many other options and his insistance I found myself unable to turn away and stepped inside. Then he followed after and closed the door behind us.
"Make yourself at home Miss Flashblade was it?"
"Oh, it's Heart," I said while looking around the room curiously.
Pinned to the wall with daggers were several charts and maps. With them were faded parchments with notes written rather quickly in ink. There was a desk of dark mahogany at the back center of the room with more books and maps sprawled out over it. Near that to it's left was a rather large bed that was more than enough for the lean captain standing beside me and a possible guest. Though the idea of sharing a bed with him made my nerves jump.
"So Heart then?" Duke asked as he strolled over to his desk and looked over the charts a moment.
Then he looked over at me as I stood there looking around the room. My arms were folded over my chest as I realized I was shaking slightly. I wasn't sure if it was from the cold of space or from my racing thoughts spurring me into unease. Either way upon seeing this Duke walked back to me while removing his elaborate coat and throwing it over me in one swift motion.
"Is that better?" He asked me as the clothing settled over me and he leaned forward a little with a sly smirk over his face, closing the collar of the coat gently around my neck with one of the gold clasps clicking beneath my chin.
For a moment I wondered if he was enjoying this? I tried to keep myself calm as he remained close to me, leaning over with his hand propping him up against the door behind me. He then placed a gentle feathered hand, that felt like smooth velvet brushing over my frigid skin, beneath my chin as he had me look up at him.
"Of course I could help ya feel a bit warmer than that?" He offered as he leaned closer to me with a chamring smile curving his beak.
I barely caught myself as I backed up against the door, stumbling backwards into it as I did. I tried to shake my head and he gave a soft chuckle leaning even closer in, "It's nice ta know I can still make an innocent lady like yourself blush like that. An' as the captain of this ship I could probably make ya blush much more?"
I stood as firmly as I could before him, though I was sure he could hear my knees knocking into each other. Duke smiled still as he stepped back now and looked me over with a gleam in his remaining brown eye. Despite my shaking my head his pride seemed to remain in tact as he said, "I understand sweetheart."
He then stepped back and said, "Much like the other women of this ship, you'll fit right in while you're here at least. Though I am surprised, most would have fallen into me, or marched off after slappin' me."
My eyes widened in confusion and even a little anger as he gave a light chuckle, "Forgive me miss, I didn't mean to toy with that young heart of yours. You're a real lady an' I will treat ya as such."
I looked away from him to try and take a deep breath and regain my composure. His smile softened now as he watched me. Then he gave another polite bow and said, "Make yourself at home sweetheart. I promise you're in good hands with me."
I raised a brow at this, "Is that so Captain?"
"I give ya my word Miss Flashblade," he assured me with a hand over his heart as he still bowed, "As long as you're on my ship you will be safe an' free ta do as ya wish. You're not a prisoner here, or my captive, unless you'd like ta be?"
"Honor among thieves?" I asked while giving him a slight glare from his comment.
His expression was now firm as he said looking into my eyes, "There's not a deeper honor than that darlin'."
Against my better judgement I found myself believing him, as well as ignoring how warm my face was still. I knew he'd seen this as well, but he only smiled and stepped further back.
He then walked back over to his desk and took a partial seat st the edge of it. From there he looked over his papers and charts quietly until there was a knock at the door behind me.
"Come in," Duke called out as the aquatic woman stepped in with a small pile of clothes in her arms.
"These should be the right fit," she said handing them to me, "At least until your own clothes are cleaned and dried."
"Thank you," I replied as I took them from her.
"The name's Marestella by the way. When you've changed and rested I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew," she offered witha wide smile.
"I'd like that, thank you," I replied a bit timidly.
Marestella then looked to Duke with a glare not unlike that of an older sibling, though I was certain she was younger than him, and said, "You be nice to her L'Orange!"
Duke about jumped from this and replied, "Of course!"
She then fixed her coral eyes on me and told me with a wink, "You tell me if he isn't okay?"
When I stammered for an answer she assured with a laugh and a hearty pat on my shoulder, "I'm just playing around. Duke wouldn't dream of mistreating a girl. You're in good hands with us and with him."
"I'll take your word for that," I managed as she smiled and then stepped back out.
Some ease found my nerves as I noticed in the corner of the room was a changing screen to step behind. Turning to Duke I made sure he was preoccupied before changing.
"Pirate or not I'm still a gentleman sweetheart," he assured me without looking up from his papers.
Considering what he had been like only moments before I raised a brow in response to this declaration. He noticed and he glanced at me when I didn't move.
"Trust me, I would never do anythin' to a lady without permission," he swore with his hand over his heart again before giving a playful smirk, "Or is it that ya want me ta look?"
He laughed as my cheeks grew red hot and most likely red as I nearly tossed the clothes at him.
"You're not helping your case!" I told him as he still chuckled.
When he'd regained his own composure he looked at me with what I felt was a sincerity in his remaining eye and a hand over his heart once more, "Captain's word I will not treat ya in any way ya don't want me to. Besides you've got two brothers right? I've got enough ta evade without them tryin' ta find an' defeather me for robbin' ya of your innocence."
Hearing this I finally gave in and stepped behind the changing screen. As I did I heard him take his seat at his desk and began sifting through his papers.
In minutes I changed out of my frigid blouse, vest, and trousers. Replacing them was a deep burgundy tunic with another set of dark trousers. My boots had warmed up enough while I changed for me to put them back on at least over a fresh pair of black and burgundy striped stockings. My ribbon I kept in my hair after warming it with my own hands, though my braid had long ago been pulled out into a loose ponytail over my shoulder.
Only when I stepped out from behind the screen did Duke look up for a moment with a quick smile, "Quite strikin' I'd say."
Again I felt myself blushing a bit before he turned back to his papers. Then I found myself walking over to the desk as I looked over the charts with growing curiosity.
"What are you looking for?" I asked him when I noticed several places crossed out on his maps, "treasure of a thousand worlds?"
Duke gave a soft chuckle, "Among other things sweetheart."
"What is it you're after?" I enquired as I gazed over the papers he had been writing on, taking better note of the crossed out locations.
Duke quickly closed his book with his notes tucked inside. I stepped back a bit awkwardly now as he looked up at me with his hand keeping the cover closed tightly. Then he sighed, "It's nothin' ta concern yourself with Miss Flashblade. Besides, we'll be at port in a few days an' you'll be free ta go whereever ya like from there."
"So you weren't joking about leaving me there?" I asked a bit surprised.
Duke looked away, "Look. In other circumstances I would love ta help ya find your lost brothers. Pirate or not, leavin' a young lady lost in the tide just isn't my style. Unfortunately I don't have all the time I'd like for such an adventure."
"Captain, if I may, why spend the time then bringing me to port?" I asked.
"Either way we need supplies an' a little rest from space. I still need ta take care of my crew," he told me as he looked to a portrait hanging on the wall in his quarters.
I looked to see his crew smiling eagerly at the adventures ahead. Though I noticed one of the members shown had not been present earlier. He was a falcon like man that looked to be a close friend of Duke's in the portrait with his arm swung around his shoulders.
"I see," I replied softly before looking back to him.
He was again looking over his papers. The book in his hand was opened slightly as he took down further notes.
"Do they know?" I heard myself enquire.
"Know what Heart?" He asked.
"That you're running out of time?" I pushed carefully when I couldn't help but take notice of his writing.
Scattered through his notes was the mentioning of a time limit, a race that hadn't begun, and that it should begin soon.
"Heart, please let me take care of this? Go take a tour of the ship if ya like. If you're tired go ahead an' rest. If you're hungry I'm sure Trent or Catalina would make ya somethin' ta eat. Jus' don't worry about this okay?"
I was a bit taken aback by this sudden shift in nature. Only minutes ago he seemed so confident and quite forward. Now as I gazed at him I noticed something else as he poured over his charts.
"They don't know," I realized quietly.
"Please stop," he requested as gently as he could as he gripped the pen in his hand rigidly.
"Captain, I..." I wanted to say something more, something to reassure the drake that had just saved my life barely an hour ago.
Apart of me felt as though I had accidentally robbed him of the confidence he had just displayed by finding this secret. He remained still, his pen hovering over his notes as he waited for me to make some sort of decision. I don't think either of us knew what that would be, nor could we have guessed as I stepped closer to him. As he tried to hide what I'd already found I wondered a bit more about the kind of person he was. By the look of his well kept ship and cared for crew I could tell he was proud of his life as a pirate captain, but from this risk he'd taken I saw something else in him. He'd used precious time to take a chance and rescue me. Though something told me he didn't think of it that way.
Then without another thought I leaned over and quickly kissed his cheek before stepping back from him. When he looked to me in surprise I knew I was blushing, but I managed to find my voice enough to say, "Thank you for saving my life Captain."
A slight smile came over him as he assured me, "No need ta mention it sweetheart."
I felt a shy smile of my own curve my lips slightly before walking over to the bed. Only now did I realize how fatigued I was from my adventure through space. Now that I knew it was safe I allowed myself to rest on the side of the bed facing the cabin wall in case he needed to climb in on the outer side. My tiny frame barely took up much space I realized, but I wanted to be considerate. Then I pulled my legs up to my chest as I listened quietly to him writing at his desk until I drifted off to sleep.