Chapter 9: Nightfall

A few days after the fog, the Black Swan drops anchor into another harbor to load up on food and other supplies. Though the small harbor town isn't as energetic as Tougate, the place still has a nice, earthy aesthetic to it. But like in Tougate, we'll be staying at a small inn right off the docks. It'll be the first time I wouldn't be sleeping on the ship in a while. Since it's in such a rural area, the inn was actually more of a guest house. Plus it was self-catered.

I decided to help my brother, Nagisa, with the meal tonight since there was no cleaning to be done. I was no cook, but I enjoyed helping out.

"Mmm, smells good!" Roberts exclaims as N and I bring out the meal. Roberts eyes are sparkling like a little kid on Christmas.

"Sorry if it tastes like shit," I say. "I was helping out, so, y'know. . ."

Roberts takes a tentative bite of the Sicilian bruschetta I'd made. He says nothing at first, and I wait anxiously to see his reaction. And then finally, after what feels like forever, Roberts says "This ain't bad."

I hide a smile and begin to eat, secretly relieved my cooking isn't terrible.

"Are you gonna eat this?" he asks, reaching over to my portion.

"Nah, you can have it."

Roberts is eagerly shoving food in his mouth, almost done when I've only eaten a few bites. He takes in huge mouthfuls before washing it down with rum. And though I had made several plates of the bruschetta, I was beginning to wonder if it was going to be enough.

"Damn, this is fucking delicious!" Roberts tells me. He barely touches anything else on his plate, he's just shoveling my bruschetta into his mouth and I can't help but blush. I didn't cook very much back home but apparently I should've because everyone seemed to love my cooking.

"I'm glad you like it" I flirt. My flirting has the desired effect, because Roberts turns away bashfully.

"Yeah" he says all embarrassed.

"I'll cook for you again sometime."

"Yeah, I'd like that" he says, still trying not to look at me.

The fact that he really likes my food makes me happy, even though I would never admit it out loud. Roberts is still smiling like an idiot when the meal is over.

N's face turns cold as he enters the room again. "What's wrong?" I ask him.

"Well, I have done some reconnaissance" he explains. I roll my eyes.

"Okay Merriam Webster, get to the point."

Nagisa shrugs. "Basically there are disguised Queens Coast and Saint's Cross guys hanging around here."

"Why on earth would they be here?" I ask, sitting down next to Roberts.

Roberts turns to me. "You'll have to be on your guard now, you're a wanted woman" he tells me.

"I've been a wanted woman all my life. Just now they know my name is all" I say. The weight of this realization weighs down on me with the force of several apples, but I don't show it.

"Well I'm still way more wanted than you!" Roberts challenges me. "The price on my head is over a million."

I raise my eyebrow, giggling. "That's not really something to brag about."

Then Roberts transitions back into Captain-mode and starts giving out orders to the crew. "Nagisa, you keep watch in the corridor! Avalon will sleep in my room."
I'm surprised at what he says, just the boldness of it. Apparently it surprises Nagisa as well because he instantly comes over, stepping in between me and Roberts, shielding me from him.

"Nuh-Uh! You are NOT going to lay a finger on her!"

"Calm down, calm down. It's just in case they find out we're here. She'll be the safest by my side-"

"Sure, don't try to tell me-"

"HA! Like I'd try anything with a kid like her!"

Suddenly N's focus changes. "Are you saying my little sister's not attractive, you little pri-"

"It's fine, Nagisa" I interrupt my brother, calling him by his full name for the first time in ages. And he does back off, but he still keeps the suspicious look on his face.

"Fine, Roberts. Take care of her" my brother says before leaving to scope out the best possible exits in the hallways.

After we've cleaned up from the meal and wiped down the table, I follow Roberts back to his room. As soon as he steps foot in the room, he collapses on the bed and yawns widely.

"Time to sleep" he says face down on the bed. "Let's get to bed early."

"Sounds good" I say, walking across the room to change into my nightclothes. I stand facing away from him, pulling my dress over my head, leaving me in just my bra and panties. No shame on my part. I can feel Roberts' eyes on me as I unhook my my bra and pull on a cotton nightie, and I'm blushing as I fold my clothes neatly and place them on the dresser.

When I turn around, Roberts beckons me from his spot on the bed. I hesitate.

"You're going to sleep beside me, aren't you?" he asks.

"Really?"

"Look, I know I'm a big guy, but there's enough space to fit both of us" he says. "Are you saying you'd be too cramped?"

At this point, he's glaring at me so I just shrug and crawl in next to him. He turns his back to me and as soon as we're both settled he says "You know, you shouldn't just change in front of a man like that."

I smirk even though I know he can't see it. "I thought you said I was a kid?"

When he doesn't respond I know I've won, and I can sleep soundly. But I don't fall asleep instantly like Roberts does, no, I have to deal with that awkward quietness of being the last one awake and just having to think about stuff. And I come to realize, that if Roberts rolls over, he'll crush me. I'm also pretty sure that if Nagisa knew that we were sleeping in the same bed, he would not be happy. Maybe it was better off he didn't know.

I lay there for a while, contemplating life and such, until Roberts, who had been sleeping soundly until now, stirs. He suddenly rolls over in his sleep, closing the gap between us. He then wraps his arms around me, pulling me to him from my waist. The smell of cigars and the sea envelops me. I squirm around a little bit, but his grip doesn't let up. I can feel the beat of his heart on my back. And then he begins mumbling things and his hold on me finally lets up. I take this opportunity to get up and get a breath of fresh air, sure that no one but Nagisa would be up at this hour.

I put a throw blanket over my shoulders and step outside into the inn's garden. The outside world is still and silent, quite a calming atmosphere. All I can hear is the faint sound of boisterous voices from a bar way far off.

"The wind is different on land than at sea" I think to myself as I contemplate going back to the room. And then all of a sudden I hear a voice behind me that makes me jump out of my skin.

"Avalon" I hear behind me.

"Oh, Izumi, I haven't seen you in such a long time!" I say excitedly. Though I knew he was part of the Queens Court, I hadn't expected to run into him.

"I'm sorry" he says, making me utterly confused.

"What?" I ask.

Izumi's face twists into a bitter expression as he presses a white cloth to my face with a strong-smelling chemical that I know is chloroform. I attempt to fight him off, but eventually my vision distorts and Izumi catches me in his arms as I pass out.