Hello there! Ok, first thing's first: I bow before you as I beg for your forgiveness. I am sorry I haven't updated in a while but I've been getting so much homework lately it makes me wanna cry. Seriously, I have like 3 papers due this weekend alone and I haven't even started any of them. Not to mention exams are coming up, students are going on strike, teachers are ripping their hair out in frustration and so on and so forth. So yeah, really busy the past couple weeks.

Anyway, I feel really good about this chapter and although I've combed through it like twice, I'm sure there are still a few spelling and grammatical errors.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Treasure Planet (or Jim) in any way, shape or form. Just the amazing Rune and a few non-important side characters.

Enjoy!

-xxXxx-

The next morning…

"So, what's the plan for today Jim?" Rune asked, pushing away a determined maid with a hairbrush with bristles that looked like sharpened steel spikes. The maid had been badgering the poor Halfling for a good half an hour, before breakfast of all times, about brushing through that tangled mane of hers. But Rune, the ever-stubborn and foul-mouthed person she was, had been protesting loud enough for the whole mansion to hear. Jim had heard the Halfling nearing his room and thrown on a shirt over the loose-fitting breeches he'd slept in.

Jim was about to answer her when the maid all but tackled Rune to the floor in front of him. Kiwi, who'd been enjoying her early morning doze on her mother's shoulder, was thrown into the air and the little white dragon glided towards the bed. Once she landed on the relative safety of the bed, Kiwi began pacing back and forth, squeaking angrily. It almost sounded as if Kiwi were cheering on her mother in a wrestling match against the offensive maid who'd knocked her from her perch.

"But the young Miss must brush her hair 'Tis not decent for a young lady to appear so disorderly!" the maid grunted, struggling to pull the dangerous brush through Rune's thick auburn hair. Jim held back a laugh. It was just so comical! Rune lay splayed on the ground, flat on her stomach as the maid sat on her back, pulling the brush through the girl's hair. The hairbrush caught on the tangles near one of her ears and Rune yelped loudly. The Halfling bucked violently, throwing off the maid. Before the maid could so much as right herself, Rune had already jumped to her feet and grabbed the hairbrush out of the maid's hand.

"Alright! I'll brush my damn hair? You happy?" Rune scoffed loudly. The maid got to her feet and eyed Rune suspiciously. No doubt she thought Rune would throw the hairbrush out the nearest window if she so much as got the chance. Rune huffed and sat herself cross-legged on Jim's bed and began brushing her hair, slowly working out the knots. This seemed to please the maid and she excused herself from the room. Jim let out a chuckle, trying to keep it as low-key as possible but he knew his attempt was in vain as Rune's ears twitched in his direction and she fixed him with a heated glare.

"Shaddup," she muttered under her breath as she continued working through the knots. Jim smiled and rummaged through his drawers.

"Well, as for today's schedule, we have to begin loading the shipment of Ohcurian Solar Crystals that Sepla has for us," Jim pulled out a cleanly pressed, white shirt and a pair of Captain's uniform pants and turned to Rune still sitting casually on his bed, head down with the brush moving slowly through her hair. It took a few seconds before Rune felt his eyes on her and she met his gaze.

"What?" she huffed irritably, holding a lock of hair in one hand and the devil brush in the other.

Jim lifted his change of clothes and gestured to his baggy shirt and breeches. As comfortable as they were, it would not do for the esteemed Captain James Hawkins to be waltzing around a client's home in nothing but his sleepwear and a shirt. He had to change. And he couldn't do that with Rune in the room. It would be inappropriate in so many ways. Rune eyed the clothes with disdain.

"Aw c'mon! If I have to brush my hair with a brush that feels like knives on my head, you can change with a 'lady' in the room!" she sneered sarcastically. Apparently she was still a little irked about having been forced to brush her hair. Of course, it wasn't as if she didn't brush her hair at all because she did. If she didn't it would become a royal mess with no end in sight but she usually used a softer brush, not one that scraped along her scalp and tore the hair from its place on her head. It also didn't help that the maid had been bothering the Halfling as soon as the girl had woken up that morning leaving her irritated and tired.

"Just go ahead and change. I promise I won't peek," she drawled sarcastically, the fake smile she'd been wearing fading as she went back to fighting with her hair. When Jim still didn't move, she scoffed.

"What are you, an innocent little maiden? Go in the bathroom if you're that uncomfortable about it. Geez!"

Jim rolled his eyes at the girl who continued grumbling as he shut the bathroom door behind him. After dressing, washing his face and combing his fingers through his short hair, Jim came out of the bathroom clean and refreshed. Rune lay curled up in the middle of the bed with her back towards him, the hairbrush of evil lying discarded on the floor near the bedpost. As Jim approached, he noticed Rune's shoulders moving gently and she murmured something softly before she rolled over to face him. The Halfling had fallen asleep in the short amount of time he'd used in the bathroom. Jim smiled to himself before he sat carefully on the side of the bed as to not disturb the sleeping wild cat beside him. Rune shifted but didn't wake, instead mumbling nonsense things before quieting.

When Rune was awake, she was aggressive and dominant, often joking loudly or speaking her mind in that blunt manner of hers; but this? This was a side Jim wouldn't mind seeing more of. Rune's face was relaxed of everything, mouth opened slightly as she breathed through those soft pink lips of hers. She was curled up on her side, tail wrapping itself lazily around her ankle as Kiwi lay cradled comfortably against her chest. Altogether, she seemed at peace.

Jim carefully scooted closer until he could easily touch her. He brushed away some stray hairs from her forehead and the girl sighed contentedly in her sleep.

Jim's heart almost stopped beating.

He patted her head gently, running his hand over her half-brushed hair and Rune sighed again. His hand brushed up against one of her ears and Jim's heart leapt into his throat as she mewled quietly.

Should he even be doing this? And while she slept no less? Jim shook his head and retracted his hand reluctantly. No, he shouldn't. Even if Rune had chosen him over Nastas – a fact that sent rampaging butterflies through his stomach with joy – Jim couldn't. Instead, he reached out and shook the girl awake.

"Rune? Wake up; we're supposed to meet with Sepla and his son for breakfast this morning."

Rune's eyes shot open and she shot out of bed. Kiwi squealed in surprise as she was sent flying and one of Rune's closed fists made contact with Jim's face. He fell back and off the bed with a cry, grunting as Rune pounced on him, effectively straddling him.

Jim would not have minded the position as much if it weren't for the dagger pressed against his throat.

Rune blinked and retracted the dagger, blue and green eyes open wide.

"Jim?"

Jim remained where he was on the floor. Partly because of the shock that had overcome him at how fast Rune had moved; another because he enjoyed the feel of her against him.

"Yeah, me. You know, almost slicing my head off with your knife is about the worst prank you've pulled on me so far, Rune," Jim joked. Even though he grinned up at her, he could feel his heart beating madly as the adrenaline in his blood faded. He would never admit it, especially not to her, but up until that point, Jim had long forgotten the dangerous daggers that Rune always had on her. Rune giggled and Jim missed the loss of heat as she got off of him. She offered a hand and Jim gladly accepted it.

"Sorry but you shouldn't wake have woken me like that," Rune smiled and punched his shoulder softly before retrieving the brush from the floor. Jim watched her.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind next time," Jim rubbed his neck where Rune's dagger had pressed its sharp blade against his skin, "What was that all about?"

Rune, who'd gone back to attempting to tame her hair, turned towards him, "Just a reflex. As nice as it is, you seem to be forgetting just what I am," she smiled sadly.

That's right. Rune was part Enailef; not human. Jim cursed his forgetfulness. How many times had Rune had to wake up and defend herself? How many times had she been attacked when she was at her most vulnerable? And he'd just gone and shaken her awake like it was nothing. Kiwi half-flew, half-crawled up to his shoulder and Jim watched sadly as Rune won the war waged against her hair.

Pulling her hair back into a ponytail and tying her blue bandana over her ears, Rune scooped up Kiwi from his shoulder and followed Jim out the door.

Together they walked silently down the halls to the dining room where Sepla, Nastas and Amelia sat waiting for them. The servants had already laid out breakfast and everyone tucked in as soon as Jim and Rune sat down. Much to his joy, Jim got a seat to Rune's right but Nastas got a seat to her left.

"God, this stuff tastes so good!" Rune exclaimed happily as she loaded her plate with pancakes, eggs, ham and sausage. Kiwi jumped up on the table, knocking over Nastas' glass of orange juice, squeaking indignantly at being forgotten. Rune snatched the small plate of assorted fruits that Jim was in the middle of reaching for.

"Hey!"

Rune pulled the fruit plate out of his reach and set it in front of Kiwi, "Ya snooze, ya loose, Tightpants! And I take of my own. Here you go Kiwi; enjoy!"

The little white dragon nipped a small, experimental bite of a perp before tearing into it happily. Nastas watched the dragon eat the fruit. Kiwi had grown; about the size of a large cat now. It had almost gotten to the point where she could no longer comfortably wrap around Rune's shoulder anymore. Nastas reached out a lazy hand to pet the white dragon but Kiwi focused her large golden orbs on him with a small hiss, baring her little fangs at him. Jim suppressed a small smile as Nastas jerked his hand back and continued nibbling away at his food with disinterest. The young man took a fruit that had been carefully pushed to the side of his plate and offered the tasty morsel to Kiwi. The dragon cooed at the sight of more fruit but eyed Nastas warily. Nastas lay the fruit carefully on the table, close enough to Kiwi but far enough to keep his hands safe from those wickedly sharp fangs. Kiwi stared at Nastas who didn't flinch away from that golden-eyed gaze. Eventually Kiwi darted forward and gobbled up the fruit, purring loudly as she swallowed the delicious treat. Nastas smiled and returned to his food.

Sepla and Amelia didn't notice the odd exchange, too caught up in a conversation about the Ohcurian Solar Crystals shipment and a few other subjects.

"So Miss Rune, I trust you slept well?" Sepla inquired as a servant refilled his glass with what Jim suspected to be brandy of some sort. It wasn't even noon yet for crying out loud. But he guessed it had something to do with him being a nobleman, and noblemen weren't known for not enjoying life's many pleasures.

"Oh, I slept great. Thanks," Rune answered past a mouthful of food, "What about you, old man?"

Jim resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. While Rune's personality was something to be feared and adored at the same time, sometimes she was a bit much. And this just so happened to be one of those times. But he supposed she deserved a little break in formalities considering she acted with a civil tongue last night at the party. He was actually surprised; to a certain extent anyway.

Sepla laughed at Rune who stuffed a slice of bacon in her mouth, "Oh I slept wonderfully! Now I know it's not my place to pry…" Jim felt Rune tense up beside him, "But I wish to know what exactly happened last night. You almost died, my dear," Sepla's eyes softened.

This time Rune visibly stiffened and Kiwi looked up from her plate of half-devoured fruit.

"I'd rather not talk about it," she mumbled, staring dejectedly at her food. For a second it looked as if Sepla was going to push for an answer, but then the man sighed. They all went back to their food and Sepla joined Amelia in another conversation about politics. Jim leaned in towards Rune who sat picking at her plate.

"Hey, what's up?"

Rune looked up from her plate; "Oh it's nothing, just…thinking…" she trailed off letting the sentence hang.

"Well that's dangerous," Jim smirked, mimicking Rune's line from last night. The Halfling smiled and punched him lightly in the shoulder.

"Well, I think it's about time we started on loading Captain Hawkins' shipment!" Sepla boomed as soon as the dishes, silverware and un-eaten food were taken away. Kiwi attempted wrapping herself around Rune's neck as usual but the white dragon no longer fit. Instead, she settled for perching on the girl's shoulder like a deformed parrot. Rune patted up along side Jim who glance her way before following Sepla out to help with the cargo.

"Alright here we are!" Sepla boomed merrily as two servants pushed open a great pair of doors, each emblazed with the same sun design as on Sepla's robes. Jim blinked as the morning sun behind them shined into the room and reflecting on the crates upon crates of Ohcurian Solar Crystals. On contact with the sun, the Crystals glowed brightly and clearly; a sign of good quality. Rune stepped up to the nearest open crate and picked out a small fat crystal; about the sixe of her hand, it was a clear, pale gold that shone in the sunlight. This one gem alone could power a small long boat by itself.

Kiwi gazed lovingly at the open crate before her before climbing down from Rune's shoulder to pad around the golden crystals. The white dragon picked her way through the pile carefully before finding the perfect crystal. It was smaller than the one in Rune's hand but Kiwi seemed to like it. Rune watched as Kiwi dug out the crystal and curled around it, releasing a very pleased purr. Rune giggled at her daughter's behavior.

The Halfling gave a start as Nastas came up beside her to watch Kiwi. Jim felt a small stab of rage and jealousy at his innards but continued listening to whatever Sepla was prattling on about.

"- never seen better quality than here in the 'Sight of the Sun!' I tell you, no one can possibly compare to the sheer elegance-"

Rune turned away from Nastas and went to explore farther into the warehouse that housed Jim's cargo. Kiwi squeaked, grabbed her crystal carefully between her fangs and darted after her. Nastas followed swiftly behind.

"-oh, but my still-beating heart would never allow for that to happen, Mrs. Doppler! I'll have some men set to work immediately-"

Rune had gone in the belly of the huge warehouse, watching as her daughter scurried amongst the crates, searching for a better crystal than the one in her mouth. Jim could hear the dragon all but squeal in glee as she dropped her crystal and disappeared into another crate. Her head reemerged with a shinier crystal clamped in her mouth. Nastas walked beside Rune and the Halfling took a step away from the approaching man, mouth moving in what could only be a humorous threat; one in which you weren't sure if she was serious or just pulling your leg.

Kiwi was too busy crystal-hunting to notice; Amelia and Sepla were too busy discussing business to notice; but Jim noticed. Oh, how he noticed the young man's shoulders visibly tense and his mouth pull down in a frown. From where he stood, Jim couldn't hear what they were saying but he saw Nastas' mouth move. He saw Rune freeze in the middle of looking at a particularly shiny crystal. Rune turned to look at Nastas; face pale and pulled into a deep scowl. Nastas' lips quirked upwards and Jim didn't like that look of that. Nastas took a slow step forward, mouth moving some more, his expression one of relaxed comfort. Rune looked conflicted, as if she couldn't decide what she wanted to do more; turn tail and run from the young man beside her or throttle him as she shoved a Solar Crystal down his throat. Her face was paler than ever, hands curled into small fists and her scowl morphed into an expression Jim hadn't seen in a long, long while.

Fear.

"-and so I told him that there was no possible way! Of course, the lady's beauty is nothing compared to your own, Mrs. Doppler! By no means! So I told him the correct way to woo any lady was to simply-"

Jim barely saw Rune's eyes dart up to where Kiwi rummaged through one of the crates higher up happily, before darting back down to meet Nastas' cold smile. The young man held out his hand to the woman before him. Rune bit her lip, eyes narrowing accusingly at Nastas. Nastas motioned to Jim with his head as his mouth moved. Rune warily tore her eyes from Nastas to spare Jim a glance. Their eyes locked and Jim could see a wide range of emotions swimming in her blue and green eyes; hurt, anger, fear and guilt. Nastas wagged the hand he still held out to her and Rune broke eye contact to glare at the man.

Nastas' smile grew as Rune's shoulders slumped and the woman reluctantly took his hand. He bowed and placed a chaste kiss on her hand, eyes never leaving hers. She grimaced at his attempt at being a gentleman.

The two approached Jim and Amelia and Sepla smiled widely as he noticed Rune and Nastas holding hands.

"Oh Nastas, you sly dog!" he boomed, clapping a hand on his son's shoulder in congratulations, "Having captured a splendid woman like Rune!" Jim saw Rune glare fiercely at Sepla at the word 'captured' but luckily the man didn't notice; "Bet she couldn't resist the Chua charm!" Sepla continued, beaming at his son who smiled sheepishly.

"Yes Father. Even though it has been only a day since Rune came into my life, I dare not part with her," Nastas stated, casting a loving smile towards the woman holding his hand, "She is the sun in my life and I cannot see a future without her in it."

For a second, Jim thought Sepla was going to break down and cry at his son's words. The poor old fool must think Nastas and Rune were, really and truly, deep in love. Personally, Jim thought otherwise. Even if he hadn't witnessed their silent exchange earlier, he wouldn't believe it. Rune was squeezing Nastas' hand too hard to be loving and Jim could see the man biting back the pain with a forced smile.

He should be mad. Jim should be wild with rage, yelling at the top of his lungs, knocking over crates of precious crystals, tearing out Nastas' disgusting tongue for spreading such obvious lies about Rune. But for some reason, he wasn't. He was calm and collected; sound of mind, if you will. Why was that? Maybe it was because he knew it wasn't true. There was no way Rune, the ever stubborn woman, had turned down the man one day, only to accept him the next. Rune was fickle, but not that fickle.

"Rune?" Jim asked calmly, with maybe a hint of amused curiosity; "Is this true?"

He was playing the perfect role of a generous and kind Captain. To anyone who walked by, Jim was simply inquiring as to figure out whether he were to find a replacement Deckhand or not; nothing more, nothing less. But he knew Rune was a smart little minx; maybe not the most educated of the masses, but definitely not stupid. He knew she heard the underlying question beneath his question: 'Is this true and should I step in?'

Unfortunately, it seemed Nastas had also heard the unasked question beneath his question, because he squeezed Rune's hand forcefully. Pain flashed across her face for a second before it disappeared; Rune grit her teeth and nodded once.

"Yes it's true. I can't see anyone in my life but Nastas. It's like Sepla said: He captured my heart."

Jim smiled and held out his hand to Nastas to shake. The man grinned and clasped his free hand in Jim's and shook. Rune stared at him in nothing short of horror. Couldn't Jim see that she had no feelings for this scheming puppeteer? Couldn't he see the way Nastas held her hand so tightly in his, threatening to break the appendage?

"You have my congratulations, Nastas," Jim congratulated the young nobleman, pointedly ignoring the seething glare directed at him from Rune. It was obvious she was pissed at him for not helping her out immediately but it was the only thing Jim could think of at the present moment. Nastas was the son of a very important nobleman, whose Ohcurian Solar Crystals were the very reason they were there in the first place. He had no choice but to tread carefully around Nastas. Later when he was alone, Jim would go over the hints Rune had dropped and figure out a way out of this mess with his entire crew intact; Rune included. But for now, he would quite literally have to grin and bear with it.

"Thank you very much Captain Hawkins," Nastas graciously accepted his congratulations but Jim could see suspicion in the man's eyes. Nastas turned to his father who had fat tears gathering in his eyes; "Father, Miss Rune and I wish to be married as soon as possible; tonight if we can."

Jim almost choked on his spit and Rune let out a noise like a gasp and began coughing violently. So soon? Amelia must have had the same thought because she stepped forward.

"If you may, Lord Nastas, but don't you think tonight is too soon-"

"Nonsense my dear!" Sepla cried out joyfully, completely oblivious to the rising tension in the air, "Young love is all about fire and passion! Unless, it is too soon for my future daughter-in-law's still-maiden heart?" Sepla directed the last part gently to Rune who had finally stopped coughing as Nastas patted her on the back. It was so subtle even Jim barely noticed the movement, but Nastas had most definitely pulled Rune closer to himself, squeezing her arm slightly.

"N-no, it's alright," Rune stuttered briefly, wincing slightly at Nastas' hand thrown possessively around her shoulder, "Soon couldn't possibly be soon enough for me to be…joined," she ground out, "with Nastas in 'holy matrimony' and everything."

That almost caused the tears in Sepla's eyes to overflow and he flung his great, fat arms around the woman in joy.

"Such a wonderful woman!" he cried, "Such love and passion! Oh we must get started with the preparations!" the fat man pulled away, eyes dancing with excitement and he clasped his hands loudly. Servants appeared seemingly out of nowhere and stood at attention.

"Listen! My dear boy; my beloved son; is getting married!" the man announced jubilantly, "Begin the preparations for the biggest, most extravagant wedding Donoma will ever see in the years to come!"

The servants broke formation and scattered like leaves in the wind, determined to make their master's wish a reality. Jim, Amelia and the newly-betrothed were ushered out of the warehouse and back into Sepla's extensive mansion.

"Send word out to the people of the city! They must hear the good news! Hire the best chefs and caterers!" Sepla ordered and several servants disappeared down the road to the city below, "Oh, Captain Jim, isn't this wonderful! My son is getting married Oh, you must come to the ceremony!"

"Father, I do not think that is very wise," Nastas spoke up, pulling a struggling Rune further into his arms. Sepla turned to them and his eyes widened. For a second, Jim thought the older man saw the disdain in Rune's face.

"Rune, my dear! You must have a dress befitting a queen for tonight! Marylin!" he yelled over the hustle and bustle of servants and maids working hastily for tonight's wedding and the elderly maid who'd bathed and dressed Rune the other night, appeared beside her master.

"You called, Lord Chua?" she curtsied politely.

"Call for the best tailor and seamstress in the city; kidnap him if you must! My future daughter-in-law must have the best of the best! By tonight!" he ordered excitedly.

Marylin curtsied again and after a quick 'Yes, My Lord Chua', disappeared into the crowd. Nodding triumphantly to himself, as if he'd just single-handedly saved the day from some terrifying beast, he turned back to his son.

"What's not very wise my son?" he smiled, completely unaware of Rune's struggle to slip out of Nastas' embrace or the look of cunning that flashed across his son's face. Jim just couldn't understand how Sepla did not see any of these things. He knew the nobleman was a smart man, not one to be trifled with; but with the way he was behaving, Jim figured Sepla was too excited about this wedding to notice such trivial things.

"Captain Hawkins and his First Mate are here on business. It would interfere with their plans if they were to stay another night," Nastas finished smooth as glass. Jim smiled inwardly as Rune silently ground her heel into Nastas' foot causing the man to bite back a gasp of pain and then attempt to hide it behind a strained smile.

"Of course, of course! 'Tis a shame!" Sepla cried dramatically. Turning to a servant, Sepla ordered him and a few others to begin transporting the cargo down to the docks where Jim's ship waited. Sepla then began leading Jim and Amelia out of the busy estate to the docks to help over see the loading. Jim tried protesting with the nobleman, unwilling to allow Rune to be stuck with Nastas without his supervision, but the man wouldn't take no for an answer, convinced that Jim didn't want to leave because he wanted to be a part of the ceremony.

On their way down the hill, they passed a small caravan comprised of chefs, caterers and Jim heard a distressed woman screeching about the safety of her precious materials for Rune's wedding dress as was busy discussing what kind of sleeves the dress should have; short or long, fitted or loose, straight lace or billowing silk. Jim had to hand it to Sepla's servants; when Sepla gave the order, they delivered. It was just too bad they were preparing for Nastas and Rune's wedding.

When they finally reached the port and came to a stop in front of the RLS Glory, several large sealed crates of the cargo had already been stacked and ready to be loaded onto the giant ship. Sepla explained that his servants used a back road with large carts to deliver the goods faster.

Jim was restless. He knew from experience that Rune could take care of herself; she had her daggers and her wits. She'd be fine. But that didn't stop the growing feeling of dread that bloomed in his stomach, threatening to forcefully eject the contents of his stomach. Taking a moment to himself as the servants began loading the Solar Crystals safe in the belly of the giant cargo ship, Jim thought back to what Rune had so uncharacteristically said.

"Yes it's true. I can't see anyone in my life but Nastas. It's like Sepla said: He captured my heart," Rune ground out past her teeth.

Jim didn't quite know what the extra emphasis on 'captured' or 'heart' meant but this couldn't have been willing. He racked his brain for anything that could possibly help. 'Capture' meant to take something by force, seize or - Jim paled - to take prisoner. Nastas must have threatened her or something to make her comply. But threatened her with what?

That must have something to do with the second word: 'heart'. Nastas had captured her 'heart'. She couldn't possibly mean he literally held her heart in his hands, could she? Did he threaten her well-being? To hurt or harm her? No, that couldn't be it; Nastas was head-over-insane-heels for the Halfling. He wouldn't seriously hurt Rune.

Jim chewed on his lip in frustration. He was supposed to be a genius; this shouldn't be so hard! Nastas wouldn't hurt Rune, but the only way to force her to do something like this would mean she, or something of hers, was in danger.

'Ya snooze, ya loose, Tightpants! And I take of my own. Here you go Kiwi; enjoy!'

'I take of my own.'

'Here you go Kiwi; enjoy!'

Kiwi! Jim whirled around expecting to find the little white dragon running around on deck but she wasn't. Of course she wasn't; she was hardly anywhere Rune wasn't. And if Nastas hadn't done anything, then Rune would currently be getting fitted for the dress of the century for a wedding she wanted no part of.

That must have been what Nastas had done! He must have done something to threaten Kiwi or else there was no way Rune would give in so easily. Jim bit back the growl that threatened to make itself heard. That dirty, sneaking little-

"Jim my boy, what ails you?" Sepla interrupted his thoughts. Jim didn't think the man would be too happy about him calling his son names so he cut off his growing list in insults and fumbled for an excuse.

"Oh, Sepla! Nothing's wrong; why would you think that?"

'Well, that was a sad attempt at an excuse,' Jim thought bitterly to himself. Sepla raised a knowing eyebrow and went to stand by the handrail of the ship and stared out into the sky above them.

"Come here my boy!" Sepla called and Jim joined him with a sigh; "Now, tell me what ails you under the open sky! A talk amongst the greater of men!" he smiled.

Jim sighed again, 'Well Sir, I think your son is a manipulative bastard with a head full of sawdust and lewd intentions towards my Rune,' was definitely out of the question.

"It's nothing, Sir."

Sepla smiled to himself, "Of course it's not 'nothing' or else you wouldn't have such a bitter expression on your handsome face, my boy!" Sepla boomed, clapping Jim on the back with a loud thump.

"Well, I…" Jim opened his mouth but when nothing came out, he closed it. Opening it again, words finally came, "I just wish…that I could, I dunno, go to the wedding?" Jim flinched. That was a horrible excuse, even in his book. Of course it wasn't a complete lie. He did want to go to the wedding if only so he could punch Nastas in his nasty face and kidnap Rune before sailing out of there with the cargo.

To his utter amazement, Sepla laughed heartily, slapping his knee. Jim couldn't believe it; Sepla bought his piss-poor excuse?

"Ah, I'm sorry my boy, I shouldn't have laughed. If you were any other man, you'd be more than welcomed to come to the celebration! But alas, you are not any other man and I believe you have your responsibilities, as do I. You have a cargo ship to command and I have this marvelous planet to take care of!" Sepla motioned to the great expanse of his city with a wide sweep of his fat arm.

Wait, if Sepla believed his excuse, maybe he could convince the nobleman to let him see Rune and Kiwi for 'one last time', just as a Captain wishing his crewmate a happy life.

"Umm, sir?"

Sepla looked at Jim, "Yes my boy?"

'Alright, let's see if this'll work,' Jim thought. "Since my First Mate and I are leaving before the ceremony, I was just wondering if you'd permit me to wish my crewmate Rune a final farewell and many happy wishes on her wedding day."

Sepla clapped his hands loudly and beamed at Jim, "But of course, my dear Jim! I'm sure Miss Rune would love to bid you farewell. It is only too bad you are leaving before tonight. Since it does not appear that Rune has a father, I was going to ask you to give away the bride," Sepla smiled dreamily as he imagined Rune in all her beautifully wild splendor, walking down the isle to where his son stood waiting.

Jim kind of felt bad for Sepla since he was planning on kidnapping the bride and taking off, hopefully with none the wiser. And for his plan to off without a hitch, Jim would need the help of his First Mate.

"If you'll excuse me Lord Sepla, I must have a word with my First mate about the Solar Crystals. You know where I'll be if you need me," Jim grinned and walked off, heading straight for Amelia who stood on the Quarter Deck overlooking the loading process.

"Amelia? If you will," Jim muttered discretely, motioning for the tall humanoid female to join him in a quiet corner.

"Yes Captain?" Amelia raised an eyebrow. Jim had a sneaking suspicion Amelia knew just what he was planning and would probably tear it to bits to remake it into a better plan.

"It's about Rune-"

"Figures," Amelia rolled her eyes playfully, "I don't want to see her walk down the isle with that snake-tongued cretin any more than you do. So how about we save some time, skip over your measly plan and go over mine instead?" Amelia's tone left no room for argument and Jim didn't mind. Like she said, they'd save precious time by skipping over the inevitable fail of a plan he'd somehow manage to dish out.