I was convinced into having the Cherubs in the story, they're the bad guys, I was going to make their first part count but I gave up on trying to write for Caliborn

Sorry for the delay, college will do that to you

7. Those who seek

The magnificence that was the Juju when cutting the waves, pirates simply didn't appreciate the fine vessels, oh but he definitely did, and it was obvious in the way the sails fluttered in the wind, and in the way the wood echoed the footsteps of his men, the sky was clear and the wind was pushing them forward nicely, it would've been a nice sail if he hadn't had to bring his sister along, but he was one to know how fragile prophecies were and couldn't set sail without knowing it properly, for prophecies he needed his sister, oh if only one of his men were as swift with weaving the stars, but space was a rare element to control, though tempting the fates by bringing a woman into his ship was something he could take action on, if god were to try and punish this decision he would get rid of her before the rage got to the vessel, that he wouldn't mind

Calliope hung from a rope enjoying the breeze, sailing was far too wonderful, the wind on her face, the sound of the waves and the smell of the ocean, out here the stars were free and untouched, lighting up the sky, such beauty and so many stories, all them up there for her to enjoy, sailing was truly wonderful

She knew what fate awaited her if any inconvenience were to fall upon the Juju, it was the same fate that awaited her once the search was over considering what the stars told her, so she was to enjoy this trip as much as she could for as long as she could while making a plan, maybe the stars would show her a way to get a different fate once they crossed to the other hemisphere, she could always hope

===== Back to the Sburb

A compass on a crate besides one particularly complete map, a lamp giving a dim but useful light, metal tapping on paper under a starry sky. Benedict sighs, laying down the compass and brushing a hand through his hair

"Giving up so soon?"

He lets out something the blonde takes as a curse before moving his bluish-grey eyes to him

"I was really hoping I wouldn't have to use magic, but you humans are still so behind in geography, I'll have to draw the rest of this if we want to get anywhere"

"I'm not so sure about that, those aren't exactly the most current maps in the world"

"They are the most upgraded ones in your collection, so the situation hasn't changed"

Dirk hummed; then he brought a smaller crate near to sit down on

"Hope you don't mind having an audience" said Dirk

"No, thought I'd appreciate if you actually asked next time"

Dirk raised his hands in defense; Benedict rolled his eyes and went back to what he was doing not paying mind to the pirate anymore

Robin sat on the crow's nest, her eyes looked around and then upwards, nose twitching every so often followed by licking her lips, they were close, but what lay ahead might break them, she would have to make sure that the first step they took into the Siren's territory would be a successful one, maybe keep the ship on one piece until they could explain their presence there, which would mean she would have to use her powers, that would need a good speech, maybe add a little charm to her words, not enough to alert Strider though

She gets down from her little perch and moves with the waves on her way, shifting ever so slightly so she won't put as much stress on her recently acquired feet, even if it wasn't the first time she had turned human for a long period of time, it wa still rather uncomfortable if she wasn't cautious on her movements, she would have to pass this information to the ones who hadn't been humans before, yet another reason to head towards Dirk as the young captain was apparently watching Benedict work

This was interesting to say the least, she had noticed Dirk liking the brunet's attitude but the blonde seemed actually interested, she wonders how that will play out and hopes it ends well for both parties, a fight wouldn't be good if they wanted to make it out alive from this trip, she cleared her throat caching Dirk's attention

"There are a few thingz I'd like to dizcuzz with you two"

Benedict sighed and looked up as well, she knew him well enough to know he was annoyed, too many interruptions perhaps, Dirk glanced at him before nodding at Robin, she smiled

"Well, firzt thingz firzt, there'z a ztorm in our path and I'm afraid we can't evade it leazt we make our trip longer"

"But you have a solution for that I imagine"

Benedict looked sideways at Dirk when he spoke and then gave Robin a questioning look, she gave him a sheepish smile

"He knowz me a little too well"

"That aside I would like to know what you plan to do with my ship"

"Juzt a little protection zpell, you know, zing a little, make zure we don't crazh or zink, that zort of thing"

Dirk sighed but then nodded; Robin chirped happily, Benedict glanced from one to the other wondering how long they had known each other; they seemed to get along swiftly

"Ah, I alzo would like to zpeak with you and Karkat about walking, you two have never been humanz for zuch a long period of time and I can't have you hurting yourzelvez"

Benedict sighed

"Seriously, you should've remembered that when we were on the island"

"It'z ok, better actually all thingz conzidered"

Robin glanced at some point far away; the ocean surrounded them in its blueness

"But I ztill have to tell Karkat, zo you can finizh what you were doing"

She winked, Benedict rolled his eyes at her, she was obviously trying to set something up, what in particular was a mystery, and if Benedict knew anything about one Robin Aresta it was that she wouldn't let it go easily

The wind picked up, the horizon was painted dimly, a cluster of grayed clouds, heavy and tense, the sea was unsettled, it was going to be one hell of a storm