Welcome to my disclaimer!
I know this story might seem too similar to the arc Silver has in the original Treasure Planet, which is actually kind of what I'm going for.
My goal with this is to take what was begun there and take it further for a more personal conflict with his moral grayness as well as having a more permanent, "happily ever after" outcome with both being believable. I'm a hopeless romantic, let me be.
Also, I've only found maybe a dozen Silver/Sarah stories, many of which are unfinished or very short. So I've already written this story out to completion and will update as the chapters are better filled out and cleaned up. But I am open to grammar and narrative fixes as well as story suggestions (not demands) and will credit them when used.
One more note: This story takes place after Treasure Planet 2 would have, so there is a Kate Blake, Admiral Blake, B.E.N. is a pilot at the RIA, and Ironbeard was defeated. Unlike my previous story, I will not be info-dumping these details so if you are unfamiliar with the proposed story of TP2 some things might be confusing.
Is this story flawed anywhere and everywhere?
Inevitably. I mean, it uses the liar revealed trope for crying out loud. But I won't let that stop me from writing it and loving it.
And I hope you will like it, too.
Initial completion: July 22, 2021
Rain can evoke different emotions and thoughts for different people.
For some, it can be a time of calmness and peace, an opportunity to take a rest with a warm cup of tea and an old book. But for others, it can be a sign of looming darkness and the loss of a day's work, staining the sky with gloomy clouds, cold air, and a depressing atmosphere.
Such a reality cemented itself as another strike of lightning broke through the sky, briefly illuminating the night and allowing a large figure to see just enough through the darkness.
Shuffling away from the nearby dock, although no boat was in sight, the weary traveler slowly approached the dim lights of the nearby building. The pouring rain paid no sympathy to the traveler, soaking his coat and adding weight to his tired body. His skin had no issue with the water but his cybernetic appendages creaked and groaned in opposition. Visibility was quite low with the stormy downpour but the cyborg caught sight of a pair of flashing red and blue lights just out in the distance, alerting him to pick up the speed.
Eventually, he made it to the establishment and rested himself under the small roof near the back door as the weather never ceased. He slowly rested himself against the wall as the wooden boards groaned along with him.
"Ay, John," he whispered to himself, "... whadja get yerself into?"
Long John Silver was no stranger to sticky situations but it certainly got on his nerves when such cases could have been avoided. "Never again am I goin' on one o' these trades meself," he grumbled as he began adjusting the mechanisms in his leg.
His work was interrupted when the nearby door swung open and another figure rushed out, a large bag in one hand and a small light in the other. Silver watched the person, a woman based on the long skirt and hair, as she sped through the tumbling rain to reach the nearby dumpster and tossed the bag in before she quickly made her way back, lifting her skirt to keep from tripping.
He didn't know if what he had in mind was a good idea but Silver knew to take an opportunity when he saw one. "Miss," he called, reaching out to the woman as she approached. She instantly stopped and glanced around until she spotted the shadow leaning against the building. Moving closer, she brought her light up to see who this was.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice lightly muffled by the rain. He got a better look at the stranger's face in the dim light as he gazed into her striking blue eyes. Silver shuffled in an attempt to make himself more visible. "I beg yer pardon, miss, but would ya be so kind to a lowly soul and allow me inside?" he asked. "Me parts won't do so well with all o' this rain, ya see."
The woman took immediate notice of the yellow light coming from his artificial eye and gazed at the rest of his robotics before looking into his eyes again. Silver gazed back with all of the sincerity he could muster. "I just need ta readjust me leg a wee bit, 'tis all."
Sighing quietly, her expression softened as she turned and grabbed the door handle. "Well, won't you come in then?" she said, opening the door. A smile spread on his face and he began to stand only to stumble and fall against the wall again.
"Do you need some help?" she asked as she reached a hand out in concern.
He chuckled lightly in response and tried to stand again, "Seems me leg ain't too keen on cooperatin' wit' me."
Despite her smaller frame this woman placed his large arm over her shoulders and seemed to be holding him surprisingly well. "Did you just come in?" she asked as they walked to the door.
He shrugged. "Aye, but I had somethin' of a rough landin'. I was to be meetin' with somebody but it seems 'at won't be happenin' tonight," he answered as he glanced up at the smoky clouds, "... not wi'this weather."
As the door creaked shut behind them she led him through the dark hallway. No other light was on but the visible size of the place and the numbers on the doors told Silver that this place was for lodging. The two quickly made it to a nearby empty room where she helped him remove his drenched hat and coat, placing them on the coat rack as she led him to sit on the welcoming bed. He groaned at his aching muscles and creaking metal joints. Moving to turn on the lamp, the woman allowed it to gently illuminate the small room and the two strangers fully. She walked to the door before turning for a moment. "I'll be right back," she said and closed the door behind her.
Then Silver began to more properly readjust his cybernetic parts in the light. And although he was physically hurt throughout most of his body it was nothing more than various cuts and bruises.
The door opened again to the woman returning with a first aid kit and she placed it on the nightstand, opening it and taking out some bandages for the bigger cut on his left arm. While Silver did not protest against the treatment he was most definitely caught by surprise.
She took notice of his apprehensive expression. "Is something wrong?" she asked and stopped her work.
Silver blinked before shaking his head, "Nothin's wrong, it's… I just wouldn't expect ya to let me in and also attend to me," he explained, "… 'specially wit' me bein' a stranger and a cyborg."
She answered with a friendly smile and continued to bandage him, "I could never leave someone out in the rain, especially in your condition." She wrapped up his arm and quickly cleaned the few remaining scrapes. "My conscience wouldn't allow it," she finished as she closed the kit.
Turning back to him she added, "I don't know who you are or where you're going, but I do know that you need help and I am willing to give it to you." She rested her hands on her hips, her posture displaying that she was just as tired as he. "You can stay for the night if you have nowhere else to go, I'll see about payment in the morning."
Silver smiled politely, "Much obliged, miss."
Smiling once more she stepped out and shut the door behind her.
Silver remained seated on the edge of the bed for a moment before leaning back and turning out the lamp. As he rested on the bed he thought of the maid.
She was being so friendly and hospitable. Such a nice lass.
Too nice for her own good.
He relaxed in the bed and dozed off, letting out a chuckle as a devilish grin spread on his face.