Carina stood at the edge of the ship, watching the sun rise above the sea. She wrote down the calculations in the diary to find where exactly in the world she was. Her eyes drifted to the opposite page, where the constellation of Poseidon's Trident was drawn. Her thoughts turned to her father, how it had been tattooed on his arm. A sudden realization hit her hard; only now did she truly comprehend that she was on her way to find her father.
Tears began to sting her eyes. She saw Henry behind her and brushed them away. She didn't want anyone to see her cry, let alone someone she fancied.
Henry came to her side nonetheless. "Are you alright?" he asked kindly.
"Yes." Carina answered, closing the diary and putting it in her dress pocket. "It's just...I'm finally going to see my father again. I never thought I'd ever have this."
"So my idea to find him ourselves wasn't so crazy after all, then?" He asked with a smile.
"No," Carina admitted, also smiling. "But I do still think that Atlantis is a bit far-fetched."
"That was your suggestion!"
"But you agree that you would jump at the opportunity?" Carina laughed.
"Perhaps our next adventure, Miss Barbossa." Henry brushed a curl from her face.
"Another adventure? Before we've even begun this one?" She asked, inching closer.
"Life gives you adventures when you least expect them." he placed a hand on her cheek. "Best to always be prepared for whatever happens next." The two leaned closer together, their lips drawing near...
Raghetti's over amplified voice broke through, "I think they're a bit busy at the moment!"
They quickly drew away, both equally mortified. "How can they be busy if they've just been standing there the whole time, doin nothin?" Pintel asked his sidekick.
"Didn't look like nothin'."
"Is there something you wished to inform us of?" Carina asked harshly.
"Aye. The little captain girl said your clothes were below deck, if you'd like." Raghetti answered.
"Yes, yes, I would." Carina made her way down the stairs with Elizabeth, who looked thoroughly confused.
Henry gave a defeated sigh, and looked out to sea.
"One day." He thought. "One day, I'll sweep her off her feet."
0~0~0~0~0~0~0
Marisol shut the door to the captains' quarters, muffling the arguing between the members of the small crew. What ever it was about, it wasn't her problem. Not yet, anyways.
As the twins had grown up sharing what little they owned, it was nice to each have something to call their own. While they still shared a cabin, they both had their own beds, clothing, weapons, and personal treasures. And with rules about co captaining the ship-first to the helm is head captain for the first half of the journey- The two got along better than most siblings.
Most of the time.
"You had better be right about these people." Miguel came marching in the cabin. "I won't waste my time on this if it's going to be all for nothing."
"You should have argued this before we were on our way." Ignoring her brother's tone, Marisol held up two shirts in each hand. " Blue or red?"
He pointed to the sky blue tunic and continued. "How can you have so much faith in a handful of people you've never met?"
"I've heard the stories and that's good enough for me." Marisol answered as she drew a large velvet curtain, dividing the room. "The Turners at least seem to have a sense of honor. They stick to their code."
"Codes can be easily broken by those who write them." Miguel decided to change as well, swapping his sweaty nightshirt for an olive green tunic.
"I meant-" Marisol poked her head out from behind the curtain, then quickly regretted it. From behind the curtain, she said,"I meant the pirate's code."
"So our code as well?"
"Aye, but it must mean something different to the King of the Brethren Court and her family."
"You can stop calling her that." Miguel groaned, placing a gold earring in his left ear. "As long as they are on our ship, they are nothing more than passengers."
Marisol emerged from behind the curtain, now fully dressed. She held a long red sash in one hand and tied one end to the door. " Why would you wish them to be stripped of their titles?" She walked a few paces away from the door, sash still in hand.
"Because then this trip would go over much better with out you swooning." Miguel said, putting on his boots.
"Swoon?" Marisol said in only partially mock offense. She wrapped one length of the sash around her waist. "I've never done anything so childish in my life!" She then proceeded to make two quick turns toward the door, tying the remainder of the sash around her waist. She untied it from the door and secured it in a knot at her side.
"I just don't want you to be starstruck this entire trip." Miguel said.
"Starstruck?" Marisol asked through the cracked mirror she was using to aid in braiding her hair. "Seems to be the perfect term for the way you look at the astronomer." she smirked.
He scoffed and turned to face her. " Did you want to read that passage, about the island, is that it?"
Marisol stopped braiding. "No." she said, then added in a quiet tone, "I wanted you to do it."
Miguel replied with a groan. He leaned against the wall and stared at the floor.
She dropped her hands and went to her brother's side. "You're getting better, Miguel, you are."
"But I'm not a quick learner, nor do I have your memory. I'm not like you, Marisol."
It was only then she'd noticed her fingers drumming against her legs. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stop her horrid habit.
"And thank goodness for that." she said, leaving the cabin. "Don't wallow for too long. I miss my fun twin." She said on the way out.
0~0~0~0~0~0
The arguing from outside had somehow developed into a sparring match between the Turner men. Henry had adopted his father's practice routine and practiced with him three hours a day.
"Good, good," said Will as they finished a match. "Just remember to stay on your toes."
Henry nodded and they went at it again.
Carina and Elizabeth, now appropriately dressed for an working on a ship, watched with the rest of the crew.
"He's very passionate about this." Carina observed.
"They both are." Elizabeth said. The wind kicked up a bit and Elizabeth closed her eyes and smiled. "I've missed this so much. The warm sun, the sea breeze, the promise of adventure. I haven't felt this since Henry was a child."
"If you loved it so much, why didn't you continue doing it?" Carina had heard the requirements of Will's curse, and it never said anything about Elizabeth being forced to remain on land.
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment, the said, "Because I needed to guard the two greatest treasures I've ever owned: My husband's heart, and my son's life. I couldn't do that sailing around the world."
Carina nodded and they continued watching the men. Eventually, Elizabeth leaned in to Carina and said, "When a man gives you the thing that keeps him alive, you had better be smart enough to know never to break it."
Carina quickly got the message. " Mrs. Turner, I would never do anything to hurt him, I promise you."
"I know. But also know that pirate is in his blood. A part of him will always be drawn to the sea. Are you willing to be faithful to him, should the sea call to him and he is unable to resist?"
Carina considered this for a moment before answering. "While one half of me longs to be among the stars, the other half longs for the sea. Pirate is in my blood as well. I think I'll be following him on his seafaring adventures."
Elizabeth smiled. While she wasn't yet keen on the idea of letting her son go just yet, she would be satisfied knowing that it would be with someone as clever and stubborn as Carina.
A/N: Hey guys! wow, I am so sorry that took me so long. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please read and review!