Sparrow made a noise of absolute pleasure as she slouched in the bathing seat of the tub she was sat in. The wooden slated tub was large and filled to the brim with steaming warm water, its tepid surface covered in frothy foam that surrounded her with an uplifting fragrance. She smiled tenderly to herself as she stretched out her weary limbs. It was so pleasant to finally get out of the heat of the blinding sun and finally ease the ache that decided to settle permanently in her bones. The warmth of the water seeped through her muscles leaving her feeling content and quite willing to drift off, and having washed her self free of the dirt she felt she could do just that.
Though she had welcomed the respite she could not help feeling this small knot of worry in her stomach. There was many reasons for this the least of which was that, because Morzai had thought she was Reaver's maid or servant or what ever, she growled a little in annoyance, she was now sleeping in a small room adjacent to Reaver's own quarters. It was nothing special neither was it bad, but the thought of being related in that way to that Pirate infuriated her let alone it left her vulnerable to anything the pirate may try. The main reason though was Lorna who was now sleeping peacefully with Oota who kindly volunteered to keep an eye on her. Sparrow then sighed closing her eyes and leaned her head against the edge of the massive bath as her thoughts drifted. Why and how did Morzai know about our party? How did he come to know? What does he really want? Were a few of the questions that filtered through her mind as well as why was Lorna acting so strange?
The sound of disturbed water made her twitch slightly and she sat up. She nearly screamed when a familiar grin smirked at her from across the tub.
"Well hello there," Reaver chuckled tilting his head slightly as he regarded the fuming women.
Sparrow's immediate reaction was to cover herself but when she did Reaver waved a dismissive hand.
"Good gracious women you haven't got anything I have not seen before," he commented airily. Sparrow merely glared her normally calm blue eyes icy as she kept a keen eye on the pirate who sat there grinning like an idiot. She gritted her teeth as she bit back several cutting remarks.
"What are you doing in here!?" she demanded with a hiss, "this is the women's bathing quarters, the men's are across the hall!!"
"I know," he said with a hint of disappointment, "But Garth and Corban are taking their time and to be honest I have no desire to bath with that rat. He might get his dirty fur on me."
He patted his hair down and Sparrow stared incredulously. She huffed as she drew her knee protectively against her chest and sat sideways to the pirate. He observed this calmly and a cruel smile twisted the edges of his lips.
"I won't bite you know," he said with mock sincerity, "well, unless you want me too."
He laughed out loud as her face fell and looked appalled. She shook her head and continued to glare as if by doing so she had created a shield between them.
"I merely wish to bathe my dear," Reaver said airily, "It just so happens I did not want to bathe alone, but not with those two." He inspected his nails with pursed lips while Sparrow watched him wearily. Seeing her squirm delighted Reaver to no end as he looked across the pool.
"Hmm you really like your bubbles don't you," he said picking up some of the foam as he watched her out of the corner of his eye. Her face was bright red and he knew that had nothing to do with the water. His eyes roamed a little and wished the bubbles would hurry up and disperse. He always preferred a good look before touching though the thought of exploring from under the water made him grin impishly. Sparrow saw this and was on immediate alert.
As Reaver and Sparrow watched each other from the opposite edges of the pool the pirate caught sight of something he had not noticed before. She had thin silvery scars running the length of her left upper arm, some across her collar bone, but what held his gaze was a scar that sat upon her heart. Curious to get a better look he moved towards her and Sparrow froze as she saw Reaver's lean body glide through the water towards her. Her mind went suddenly blank as he stepped towards her and she gulped when she found herself pinned unable to escape. Though as she waited to see what he did she found her self gaping in surprise when Reaver poked her in the chest and she looked down at the all familiar scar normally hidden in the crevice of her cleavage or cloth of a tunic. Her hand instinctively covered it and she cast him a flinty stare.
"Where did you get a nasty scar like that?" he asked drawing closer to her making the women fidget.
"It's really old," she said evasively, but the pirate looked unconvinced.
"How old?"
"I don't see how it matters," her breath hitching slightly in her throat as through the heat of the water she could feel his body and she desperately tried to inch away from him. With a grin Reaver grabbed her shoulder to stop her from moving, forced her legs down so that he could slid into her lap. The look on her face was priceless as the red turned crimson then dark burgundy. Her heart was beating so hard she feared the pirate may hear it and she fought with her body to keep it from trembling against the feeling of flesh on flesh, but not from fear or embarrassment.
"Get off me!" she growled in a small voice her hands raising ready to push him off.
"No!" he said firmly, "Not until you tell me." He wrapped his arm about her neck pressing his chest against her breast as his index finger trailed over the scar.
"Um, I, er, mm er..." she stammered as she struggled to keep her body and mind under control.
"Well?" Reaver demanded impatiently, "out with it."
Her teeth gritted tightly. "I was shot," she said in a tight voice and her body became rigid. In her minds eye the image of Lucien holding the pistol up to her with that dark look in his eye as it exploded. Immeasurable pain like nothing she could forget exploded in her young body as she crashed through the window, cracked her skull on a roof before smashing to the street below.
"By who?" Reaver continued to pressed.
"Lucien," she said in a small voice.
"Ah, on hero hill?" the pirate asked in a helpful tone and she shook his head. Confused he was about to ask when Sparrow managed to find the strength to shove him off roughly. He landed in the water thrashing about violently before coming up to gasp and sputter for air.
"That was uncalled for," he gasped as he crawled into the seat opposite. He turned to glare at Sparrow whose face had paled to almost sheet white as her eyes fixed him on with a stare filled with pain, anger, hate and oddly longing. He suddenly felt very small in comparison to this women whose grief was still fresh in her heart and her anger electrified the room with its power. If Reaver was not mistaken he could of sworn he saw will lines flicker like a sputtering candle.
"You want to know," she said in a slow, deep, and deadly voice, "After shooting my sister in cold blood he turned to me and shot me, I was only eight. I fell through his study window..." her fingers indicating some of the scars on her arms where the glass had cut and embedded in her skin, "...then landed on a roof cracking my skull open..." her hand tentatively went to her head of hair a twisted scar was hidden, "... before landing in the street below, snapping my neck as if it where nothing but a twig."
Reaver's eyes widened in mute shock. He had not heard about the events that lead up to the confrontation in the Spire. At the time he had not cared for history details all he wanted was to get the whole thing over and done with, but now this women had revealed something about her past she had evidently kept deeply hidden away and here he thought it was something silly like a bandit that got a lucky shot.
"If it were not for Theresa I … I ..." Sparrow looked away from him swallowing hard as a lump caught in her throat, "...I would be dead."
"Ah," Reaver coughed uncomfortably a feeling of uncertainty washing over him as he watched as she turned to get out of the tub. He made to grab her to pull her back in but something held him back as she quickly grabbed a towel to hide her naked body then fled from the room. Reaver growled and turned to glare at his reflection who waggled his finger at him as if to say 'I would not if I were you'. Reaver sighed and sank back into his seat before pouting very childishly. His reflection shook its head before settling into being like a normal reflection.
Sparrow staggered slightly as her feet dragged her back to the room. Her heart was racing and her mind was tumbling over itself as her thoughts remained in chaos. Damn that Reaver, damn him to hell, was the main thoughts that rippled through her conciousness. Her bath robe clung to her frame as parts of her body were still damp and it felt uncomfortable as it rubbed while she stalked down the corridor blindly lead by her feet that took her on a course; where she did not know. It was not that she told Reaver about what caused her scar, no it was not that. She stopped to catch her breath that was still catching in her throat. Never had she this kind of reaction to any person man or woman. She leaned against a marble pillar pressing her forehead to its cool surface finding little relief from it.
"Come on Sparrow," she muttered, "pull yourself together, it was nothing... nothing."
The feel of Reaver's body against hers had caused a conflict of interest; body versus mind. She hated it. Why did Reaver have to take such interest in her of all people. She did not even consider herself all that attractive either. She pushed away from the pillar when her pulse slowed enough to attempt walking without passing out and looked about realising for the first time she was in an unfamiliar part of the palace. Not that one could tell as most of the corridors looked the same, so in a way it was easy to get lost. The thought was little consolation as she bravely stepped down the corridor hoping to find someone in the quiet hallways to show her the direction back to the sleeping quarters.
She turned a corner and paused when the corridor broke into a circular hall. The same pillars from the corridors surrounded the edge and they supported what looked like a translucent dome that filled the area with hazy light giving it a very ethereal feel, but at the very centre point of the dome was small hole that let a single stream of solid light that illuminated the centre of the room. As Sparrow's gaze followed it her eyes widened with delight for in the centre of the room was a small raised podium and upon it was something she had not seen in nearly twenty years. When travelling in parts of Albion with the Gypsies she had seen this particular instrument once in some ones warehouse. If she remembered correctly it was called a piano though it looked more like a table with a dip at the front where the keys were yet it was still a welcome sight to Sparrow as she made her way towards it the heels of her boots clicking on the cold stone floor. A smile appeared on her lips and her fingers twitched longing to touch the pearlescent keys and listen to the sweet note that issued from under the flat lid of the piano. The instrument itself was made from a black wood she had never seen before but it had a deep red hue to it that gave the wood a lustre to which none of the lighter woods she had seen had. She eased herself onto the stool in front of the keys and rested her fingers tips over the smooth material that was cold to the touch but it was not unwelcome. Sitting there in that pillar of light made her feel like she was cut off from the rest of the room even though there was no physical barrier and yet the odd feeling of separation made her thoughts focus on the piano in front of her. She became irresistibly drawn to it making her want to express her current feelings through it and produce something that felt just like she did.
A light cough made her jump and spun round fearing that Reaver had followed her, but to her intense relief a women not older than she was stood with a bemused smile. She was not a servant that much Sparrow could tell by her rich red dress, but her demeanour, though confident, still had a demure quality. She stepped towards the podium her dark skin slightly shiny in the bright light and her warm brown eyes regarded Sparrow kindly. Her chocolate coloured hair was drawn into a ponytail high on her head so that her wavy hair cascaded down one side of her neck and down her shoulder. She was, by her peoples standards, exceptionally beautiful and Sparrow felt her mouth gap.
"I take it you got lost," she said her velvety voice was gently accented and Sparrow nodded.
"I'm sorry am I not supposed to be here?" Sparrow asked defensively and the young women smiled broadly shaking her head.
"Its alright," she replied, "You would know if you were not meant to be here if there were guards littering the place."
Sparrow chuckled and nodded. "Yeah I guess," she smiled feeling at ease in this woman's presence, "My name is Sparrow."
She held out her hand which the other woman took it shaking gently. "I know, I am Adrianna."
"Pleasure to meet you Adrianna," Sparrow smiled and looked to the piano with a wistful sigh.
The dark skinned women chuckled. "It belonged to my mother," she said laying a tender hand upon the piano's top and surprised Sparrow looked up curiously.
"Your mother?"
"Yes," Adrianna pointed to the stool and Sparrow nodded shifting over so that she could sit, as she did Adrianna poked one of the keys, "she was Morzai's seventh wife."
Sparrow gaped. "Seven wives?" Sparrow gaffawed, "that would make you his daughter!"
The woman smiled her brown eyes twinkling. "Yes it would," she chuckled, "I am his youngest daughter of, well, fourteen I believe."
Sparrow laughed incredulously and shook her head. "Wow that's a lot of sisters, what about brothers?"
"Hmm about eleven I believe," she grinned as Sparrow laughed again.
"That is a lot of children," Sparrow and Adrianna nodded, "I only had the one sister older of course."
"It is not easy being the youngest," Adrianna said and Sparrow smiled sorrowfully.
"Yeah, I guess," she sighed and Adrianna saw the other woman's expression.
"I'm sorry," She said sympathetically and Sparrow looked to her astonished, but Adrianna merely smiled.
"I have my mother's talent for reading people," she said, "I understand what it is like to lose someone close so those feelings are easy to read."
"Ah I see, um do you mind me asking?" She looked to Adrianna questioningly and the women smiled.
"My mother," she said with a sad smile.
"Oh I'm sorry."
"No need, it was a long time ago," she said poking the piano key again and listening to the note that reverberated round the hall, "Mind you, I never learnt how to play the piano, all I can do is poke keys, though the reason being I have the musical capacity lump of unrefined metal."
The off-hand manner in which she said this made Sparrow laugh despite herself. Adrianna patted the woman's arm and got up a huge smile on her luscious lips.
"Come, I will show you back to your room," she offered happily and Sparrow reluctantly got up and gave the piano one last wistful look before following the smaller woman out to a corridor.
As she followed Adrianna they chatted aimlessly, and having some one of her own gender and age was a pleasant change. Though no one could replace Hammer it was heart warming to have someone to merely gossip with. She felt as if a weight had lifted just a little though it was far from lifting completely. They met Corban in the hall way and Sparrow asked if Reaver was back from the bathing rooms. Corban had no idea, but seeing him Sparrow knew she was near her quarters. Her heart started to thump again as the thought of seeing Reaver so soon after the 'insisdent' she decided to call it caused her to feeling hesitant and nervous. She swallowed hard and Adrianna cast her a bemused look.
"Are you okay Sparrow?"
Sparrow laughed hollowly. "I'm fine," she said though Adrianna seemed unconvinced but she let it slid as they rounded the corner. By this time Sparrow started to recognise some of the halls leading to her rooms. She found a small measure of comfort in that knowing she was no longer lost. She turned to Adrianna and quizzed her about how she manages to find her way around.
Adrianna smiled. "Having older siblings of a competitive nature causes one to refine their sense of direction," she explained and Sparrow nodded knowingly, "I was always chased especially by some of my older brothers through these halls and corridors. As a result I found quite a few hiding places." She suddenly grinned wickedly. "I remember one time three of my brothers, Angelo, Asto and Marikan chased me, to be honest it was my fault, but that's a different story, and I found a small hole hidden behind a statue. That was how I discovered the servant's secret passages." She giggled girlishly her eyes twinkling. "Ever since then I could pop up in places that would surprise everyone. Father was always pleased by my prompt arrivals. Unfortunately this favour, as you can imagine, was not favourable with my siblings."
"Oh I could imagine," Sparrow chuckled as they stopped by a door, which Sparrow looked at with a look of distaste. She took a step away from it and smiled awkwardly at Adrianna. "Erm, you wouldn't mind having a peek and see if... er... a tall, blonde man is in there would you... please."
Adrianna gave her a withering look and chuckled as she took hold of the door handle. Sparrow sighed with relief and smiled appreciatively as, with deliberate slowness, Adrianna pushed the handle down and the door opened enough for her to peer into the room.
After a few moments Sparrow shifted impatiently. "Well, is he in there?" she asked worriedly and she, to Sparrow's horror, nodded. Sparrow chewed on her lip nervously. She had no desire to walk past him just so she could get changed. Adrianna stared at her blankly and rolled her eyes, then without warning she grabbed Sparrow's wrist and gave it a yank to force the taller woman to follow her. Sparrow let out a squeak of surprise as she suddenly found her self dragged through the door. She held her breath as she turned to face her fate.
Reaver's room was large with a luxurious circular bed pushed to the far side and a wide floor to ceiling window lead onto a balcony that looked down upon one of the many indoor gardens. Upon the floor was a rug made from the skin of a large furry animal while a hearth sat cold and empty opposite the bed. Reaver was sat upon the bed nestled amongst the silken sheets with his diary in his lap and a quill in his other hand hovering in mid-air as he glanced upon the two women with mild interest. His gaze stayed upon Sparrow for a moment who refused to look his way before looking at the shorter Samarkandian women noting she had Sparrow grasped by the wrist. Despite his inner amusement his face remained expressionless.
"Ah, you would be Reaver would you not?" Adrianna asked with a polite curtsey and Reaver inclined his head.
"Yes, that would be me."
"I apologise for the intrusion," she stated offhandedly and proceeded to drag the protesting Sparrow through a door beside the fireplace. Reaver watched with raised eyebrows as the door snapped behind them and he sighed. He looked down at his diary and shook his head almost sadly as the quill swept across the page leaving behind his thoughts and feelings of the day.
Once inside the small, almost cramped room, she sighed with relief and walked over to where her bags were as quiet as she could as Lorna was snuggled up in the covers and Oota was snoring away in his chair, feet propped upon the bed. Adrianna looked upon the two with a kind smile as she drew a curtain so that Sparrow could change in peace.
"She is a beautiful child," Adrianna said as Sparrow removed her robe.
"Yes she is," Sparrow replied as she rummaged through the bag for decent clothing.
"But she is not yours?"
The question made Sparrow tense up before she relaxed and unfolded a blouse.
"No," she replied in a hard voice, "I adopted her when she was five."
Adrianna noticed the tone in her voice and nodded. "I see," she said simply, "What of Reaver? I sense some tension."
Sparrow sighed and slid a pale blue skirt over her head. "That pervert is pain," she stated heatedly, "your lucky you know."
"Why is that?" Adrianna asked curiously and Sparrow smirked.
"If you had 'intruded' with anyone else or on your own he may well of shot you."
Adrianna grinned. "But he didn't though."
"Yes, surprisingly."
"Would it be because he saw me with you?" Adrianna asked and she could tell by the frosty silence this was sensitive area. When Sparrow did not reply she knew she was not going to get any more out of the woman. A knock on the door sounded and she opened it curiously and Reaver stood there as she peered through the narrow gap at him.
"Yes?"
"Is Sparrow ready?" he asked curiously trying to peer into the room.
"I don't know," Adrianna said, "Let me check, Sparrow are you ready?" She called to the woman in a low voice so she did not wake the two that were sleeping.
"Nearly," was the reply as Sparrow buttoned her blouse. Adrianna nodded and turned back to the expectant Reaver with a dull eyed smile.
"Nearly," she replied blinking as he rolled his eyes.
"Well, the servant is here to take us to dinner so … hurry up," he called through the door before giving the girl a strange look and turning to walk out of his room to wait in the corridor. Adrianna closed the door and giggled. As Sparrow pulled the curtain back she tilted her head questioningly as she quickly brushed her hair, but the dark skinned woman shrugged evasively and opened the door. Before Sparrow stepped through after her she looked down upon Lorna with a gentle smile.
"Sleep well," she whispered before closing the door gently behind her. Lorna stirred a little and her eye cracked open a little.
"Are they gone?" she whispered and Oota's head moved a little so he looked round the room with his dark eyes. He smirked.
"Yup." As if it were a command Lorna jumped up and looked to the old man expectantly. As she did so he sat up rubbing his hands together and pulled out a game board from under the bed.
"Alright," he said placing strangely shaped pieces on the board, "lets have ago at this one more time, remember what I told you."
Lorna nodded enthusiastically and grinned as she took a pair of dice from her dress pocket.
"Seven and eleven are favourable, though an Aces or Boxcars is a wins if a 2 or 12 is thrown," she smiled proudly and Oota patted her on the head.
"Well done, now what you betting?" he asked as she moved one or two of the pieces across the board.
Sparrow followed Adrianna to the door which she opened revealing a miffed and ever growing impatient Reaver. Sparrow paused and looked over her shoulder at the door before turning back to Adrianna with an amused expression.
"What is it?" she asked standing by the door as Reaver peered at them curiously.
Sparrow chuckled as she approached with a shake of her head. "You know, I don't think Lorna was a sleep," she admitted and Adrianna gave her a questioning look.
"Call it a mother's intuition," Sparrow said with a grin, "Well lets go, get it over with."
"Are you not looking forward to dining with my father?" Adrianna sounded a little hurt, but Sparrow shook her head with a small laugh.
"No, no, its not that," she said quickly, "I'm just not feeling particularly hungry today." As she passed into the corridor where a servant nervously waited with Reaver beside him.
"Follow me please," the servant said and they followed quietly. Sparrow stayed close to Adrianna as they continued to walk laughing and joking, which was more of an excuse to ignore Reaver who looked on with disinterest though his eyes trailed to the woman who walked in front of him. He sighed as his eyes trailed to her bottom and he smiled noting from before as she left the bath that it was rather heart shaped. He always thought it was a cute shape compared to those who had large round buttocks. He repressed a chuckle as they turned a corner and were met with a pair of doors with familiar black clad guards either side.
The guards turned and admitted them to a low ceiling room that was simply decorated. The table was rather small with only space enough four eight, which seemed odd to Sparrow as she looked to Garth who was already there with Corban sitting there waiting for them to arrive. This must be for private dining she surmised as she approached. Morzai sat at the head of the table with a stern looking women at his left side who looked upon them with mild disinterest her dark hair was drawn tight over head to form a large ponytail at her neck. Morzai stood to greet them and indicated the seats beside him. He greeted his daughter warmly who took the seat next to the woman looking a little uncomfortable by the seating arrangement, so Sparrow sat next to her with a warm smile. Reaver hesitated and took the seat next to Garth looking down upon the multiple cutlery that glinted at him form the table top.
"This is my youngest daugther, Adrianna," he said as Adrianna smiled and inclined her head, "and this is my first wife Excella." He indicating the women at his side who merely inclined her head stiffly as way of acknowledgement. Sparrow gave her a friendly smile, but the stern women gave her head a imperious jerk leaving Sparrow feeling stung. The warrior women visibly bristled, but relented when Garth gave her a hard look, so she forced herself to calm down. Adrianna turned to her and rolled her eyes as she leaned forward.
"Miss Ice Queen," Adrianna whispered in a voice only she could hear and Sparrow grinned widely.
"I hope you enjoy the meal," Morzai said with a friendly smile, but when he looked to the two empty seats it fell, "we seem to have a few missing." He tilted his head questioningly towards Sparrow as a stream of servants marched out carrying trays of green coloured soup.
Sparrow smiled apologetically as a bowl was placed in front of her. "I'm dreadfully sorry," she said, "Lorna must have been far more exhausted than I had thought, so she is still sleeping and, er, Oota Dabun is looking after her for me."
Morzai smiled knowingly and nodded as he raised his spoon. "I understand completely, so no need to be sorry," he chuckled, "I know full well what it is like looking after children."
Sparrow nodded uncertainly as she raised a similar spoon and tasted the soup. It was rather pleasant despite its odd colour and it reminded her of pea soup that she used to have when living with the gypsies. The meal passed in relative silence with simple polite conversation with a more interview feel as Morzai quizzed them on various aspects of their journey. The answers were fairly evasive as they tried to keep specific information hidden from the chief even as he cleverly questioned them as if trying to catch them out. As the main meal passed into dessert Sparrow found herself with a third glass of wine, which was unusual for her as she did not drink wine that often. She chatted idly with Adrianna relating various stories of her adventures and misdemeanours when she had travelled with Hammer. Reaver remained rather quiet as others chatted around him leaving him to push his piece of cake rather unenthusiastically around the plate. Garth looked to him with a puzzled frown.
"Is everything alright Reaver?" the Mage asked. Reaver looked up from his plate with a stoic glance and nodded.
"I'm fine, why do you ask?"
"Well you have been pushing that piece of cake around the plate for the past ten minutes," the mage said with an amused sniff, "everyone else has finished."
With a look of surprise Reaver looked about everyone else's plates and realised the mage was right. The pirate then shrugged and pushed the plate away, which was quickly whisked off. Garth sighed and shook his head. Seeing that everyone had finally finished their meals Morzai stood.
"Would you care to join me in my study?" he asked as his wife, Excella rose with him. As the three men rose to follow Sparrow respectfully declined using Lorna as an excuse to part with them. Reaver watch her leave with a frown and again hesitated not sure whether to follow or not. With a sigh he stayed. Adrianna watched him and smiled gently as she rose, made her excuses and quickly followed Sparrow out. When she caught up she was puffing slightly with effort.
"My goodnes, you walk fast," the small Samarkandian commented as she pottered beside the warrior.
"Oh sorry I didn't realise you wanted to come along," Sparrow said with genuine apology, but Adrianna waved it aside dissmissively.
"It's okay, you didn't know," she said with a mysterious smile, "you aren't going back to your room are you."
Sparrow blinked in surprise and stared at the woman. "Can you read minds or something?" she asked incredulously and Adrianna laughed.
"Of course not," she insisted, "its just when we left the piano you looked like you really did not want to leave it."
Sparrow grinned in spite of her self and nodded reluctantly. "Yes, I admit it's sorely tempting," she said wistfully, "I have not played one in many years."
"Well then, why don't you?"
"Well, I was going to when you decided to follow me," Sparrow retorted with mock annoyance and Adrianna's eyes twinkled.
"Well I will leave you too it," she said, "Do you remember the way though?"
She tilted her head worriedly and Sparrow gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course, no need to worry about me."
With that Adrianna left her to wonder the halls making furtive glances behind her every now and then. Though the corridor's were empty the she could not fight this feeling that she was being followed. Shaking herself she mentally told her self off for being so silly. When she managed to find her destination she grinned broadly and hoped that no one's sleeping quarters were near as she neared the instrument.
Reaver yawned tiredly his head buzzing gently with the effects of the wine he had been consuming. It was the only thing he had been doing since dinner as the others seemed to intent to converse amongst themselves about Samarkandian matters, which he had absolutely no interest for. He silently wished he had followed Sparrow when he had the chance and berated himself for it. Yet he could not understand his hesitation at the time. Though he did feel he had pushed the boundaries a little back in the baths, but he was only curious. He pouted a little as the vision of Sparrow fleeing left him feeling a little down. He began to chuckle darkly to himself as he made his way through one corridor after another hating himself as he did. One woman, that was a joke in itself, as he Reaver was a man that could woe more than one woman at any given time and yet why does the thought now leave him a bit put off by the notion.
He scoffed loudly. "Don't think about it Reaver ol'boy," he told himself aloud, "it's just a phase you will get through it as soon as all this … nonsense if over."
Yet no matter how many times he told himself this his thoughts always drifted to Sparrow. How different she was and how he seemed so drawn to her despite her not being the type he usually went for. His thoughts always seemed to rest on the last moments in the Tattered Spire as well and how something there, and then caused something inside himself to stir. Make him go stir crazy more like, he thought with a hint of distaste as he past a statue of a nude man entangled in the grasp of a large snake like creature. He looked at it and chuckled awkwardly.
"Know how you feel," he said to it. As he stopped to regard the statue he suddenly realised that he could hear music. He tilted his head as he listened closer the melody tinkling down the corridor to him and with a noise of interest he turned a followed it just to see where it was coming from and who was playing. The melody sounded so sad and lonely, but yet something about it also sounded hopeful as it remained bright though not necessarily cheerful. Even to his untrained ears it sounded like the person playing had little experience with such an instrument as they made a slip up and repeated the notes, but they were confident he gave them that much.
He sighed a little to himself as he yawned again hardly noticing he had left the corridor and entered a hall. He stopped abruptly when he noticed the music was a lot louder and looked around the hall. It was rather dingy lighting wise or so Reaver thought and the only strong light was the stream that fell from the high domed ceiling. Reaver's eyes rested upon the sight in the very centre with a look of astonishment. His green eyes focused on the women sat at something that resembled a thick topped table, but from where he stood he could just make out that she was pressing something that caused the beautiful measure that danced about him.
His eyes rested on Sparrow's visage and smiled despite himself. The light glinted off her hair and to him she really looked angelic as her body swayed in time to the music that her fingers produced as they flew over the keys. He stumbled a little as he leaned languidly against a pillar to watch and he found himself bobbing his head in time to the music. When it came to a halt Sparrow seemed to contemplate to herself her face scrunched slightly as her repeated various notes that had felt off to her. He chuckled when she shivered and looked in his direction.
"Reaver?" she squeaked her eyes suddenly growing wide making her look like a scared deer. He chuckled and stepped up to the podium. Sparrow looked ready to bolt, but as he made to step onto the podium he tripped and stumbled towards her. He grabbed the edge of the piano and she half rose from the stool.
"Um, you ok?" she asked uncertainly and Reaver jumped to his feet his hands moving to fix his hair back into place. He looked down at Sparrow and smiled as if nothing had happened.
"I'm fine dear," he said taking it upon himself to sit next to her and nudge her so she moved. Reluctantly she moved so he could perch on the stool next to her. He was, as always, a lot closer than she was comfortable with as the pirate looked down at the keys of the piano with a confused frown.
"What is this?" he asked and Sparrow stared at him as if he was stupid.
"It's a piano," she explained pressing on one of the white key's down so it rang true. Reaver pressed another and it echoed in harmony with the first note. Reaver looked bemused as he looked up at Sparrow.
"Where did you learn play it?" he went on to ask as he put an arm round her perching the palm of his hand on the stool to support himself. Sparrow shuddered though Reaver did not seem to notice as he stared intently at her face.
"I learnt whilst with the gypsies," she said uncertainly.
"Oh really?" he asked curiously, "care to elaborate?"
Sparrow scowled irritably. "Well," she began, "we were in northern Albion and I got lost, because, well, to be honest, I stole some fruit so I was chased by the guards. I sort refuge in somebodies ware house and the guards lost me, but I had lost my self in the process. I knew if I stayed where I was Theresa would be able to find me anyway (she always seemed to know where I was), so I decided to have a look around and I found one of these in the corner. It did not look as grand as this one mind, but I could not help myself I had to sit and see what it did. Before I knew it I had been in that warehouse for nearly four hours and self taught myself how to play a few of the tunes I learnt on it. I think Theresa did that deliberately you know."
Reaver blinked at her trying to look interested and he shrugged. "I didn't peg you for a musician," he said his hand moving to rest upon her hip. She sighed and gave him a wane smile pushing his hand off and resisting the urge to slap him. Reaver merely slid his hand back into the crevice of her hip making the women sigh irritably.
"Well, the gypsies loved music so it was no small wonder I picked it up," she said leaning away away from him a little.
"So, can you play anything else?"
"Yes, the lute."
"Really? I never bothered learning to play, I never really had the ear for it," he said looking down at the key's of the piano where Sparrow's fingers rested. He suddenly grinned impishly and put a hand over Sparrow's eyes.
"Hey what are you doing?" she demanded trying to peel the fingers from her face.
"Play for me," he whispered in her ear and she scowled.
"How can I play if I can't see the key's?" she asked her voice slightly whiny.
Reaver Laughed. "Just do it come on," he goaded as Sparrow struggled against him.
"But I can't see the keys!"
"Well you remember roughly where they are don't you?"
"Well, yes but..."
"No buts, just do it!"
"Fine," she huffed extending her digits over the keys and took a deep breath. With a grin of triumph Reaver kept one hand over her eyes and the other on her hip so there was no way she could escape. Knowing this made made her feel rather vexed, but it abated some as her fingers traced the keys a discordant and haunting melody filling the room. Though she was relying on her sense of hearing and touch to guide her melody she could not help but let some of the hidden emotion flow through her and into the piano letting it sing the melody of her soul. Reaver watched with a coy smile as her fingers danced from one key to another.
"See that wasn't so hard was it," he commented flippantly and Sparrow scowled as she ended the measure with a long sorrowful note. "Though I would of liked something more cheery."
"Maybe if I felt more cheery," she muttered laying her hands in her lap.
Reaver looked at her face again with an annoyed snort. "Oh heavens sakes Sparrow you have to learn to loosen up a little and have at least a little bit of fun," he said giving her a squeeze.
"Well that's the thing your concept of fun is vastly different mine," she replied looking at the piano.
"Evidently," he muttered with a chuckle, "but its all to the same end." He waggled his eye brows suggestively and she scowled at him.
"Why do you always end up turning everything into a sexual innuendo?" she growled turning slight from him. He merely blinked at her with a thoughtful expression.
"Well I suppose because it annoys you," he said truthfully and she cast him a deathly glare that he ignored, "also I suppose you could call it attention seeking."
"Something tells me you always seek attention," she muttered. He looked at her his lips curled at the edges in amusement.
"Am I that easy to read?" he asked and she chuckled.
"You are very predictable," she said making his eyes widen.
"Moi?"
"Yes, you're a pirate, of course you would be predictable," she said tilting her chin up a little in emphasise.
He laughed out loud. "I'm sorry to disappoint," he suddenly smirked leaning a little closer so the tip of his nose brushed the tip of her ear lobe, "I'm going to have to do better."
Sparrow's eyes narrowed, but to his surprise she did not push him away. "Whatever," she said in a disinterested voice, "not that I see why you would even bother."
Reaver suddenly looked angry, but it soon disappeared as he sighed and his head dropped to rest on her shoulder. Sparrow went rigid with surprise before she relaxed as he nuzzled slightly.
"I don't have to state my reasoning to you," he said in an impertinent tone and yawned.
Sparrow sighed and shook her head. "I hate you, you know."
Reaver nodded. "I know, I hate you too."
"Though your not making it easy," she whispered as she pressed a few of the keys.
"Neither are you," he retorted though it held no menace behind it. Sparrow peered down at him with a strange indecisive smile. She shook her head as silence fell between them and the weight of Reaver's head felt oddly comforting despite her insides were squirming like a multitude of worms decided to take residence in her midsection. Her fingers tapped the keys as Reaver's eyelids slid closed and she growled in annoyance. He looked up with a disjointed chuckle.
"you get wound up too easily..."
"Oh no you don't," she interrupted poking his thigh, he pouted at her and she could not help but chuckle. "Its late we should get back." She pulled down the piano lid to cover the keys from damage and stood while Reaver watched like an expectant puppy. She moved round the stool to leave, but Reaver quickly grabbed her and spun her round so she sat atop of the piano lid. He pinned her hands to it and leaned over her expressionless as she squirmed, her face a mixture of anger and shock.
"What are you doing?" she growled dangerously, but her warning went unheeded as he leant down to kiss the spot just above her heart where the scar sat hidden from view under her blouse before wrapping his arms about her waist and nuzzled her bosom.
"All I wanted was a hug," he whined as he nuzzled tightening his hold and her face flushed angrily.
"Damn it Reaver!" she nearly screeched as her fingers clamped around his ear and she tugged hard. Reaver made a yelp of pain as she dragged him along the corridor her eyes flashing dangerously with Reaver staggering behind her.
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I hope you enjoyed the chapter it has not been easy being so ill, but at least its down. I hope you liked it and I welcome any reviews you may have. ^^