HUD: Here's the long-awaited next chapter! Just as a head's up, this fic *still* has me super behind in all my others, so I will be uploading a MINIMUM of ONE chapter per other story before even looking at this again. Just so we're all on the same page. Not that I don't love this fic, I just know I've got some pissed off readers for my KakaIru fics. But enjoy!
Walking by the fort was simple - Loki continued to wear his scarf and stayed close to Anthony's side. Anthony walked with a hand on Goldie's shoulder, laughing loudly at something he said. Once near the gate, Anthony caught the eye of the man who had tried to blow Loki's head off. He adverted his gaze quickly.
They moved at a leisurely pace, soon leaving the fort behind and moving into small throngs of people. Loki continued to wear his scarf, however, all the way to the beach. Goldie brought up the rear this time, burdened with the herbs Loki procured.
Penn leaned against the palm tree where five boats were tied. He stood up quickly once Loki came into view and saluted.
"All set, Cap'n?" He asked, already untying one boat's lead. Loki nodded.
"Aye. Take us back, and then you may return."
Penn grinned and drug the boat towards the soft lap of the tide. "Aye! T'was only 'bout two hours."
Loki took one side of the boat and helped hoist it into the water. "Two hours too long, I am afraid."
Goldie snorted. "S'prised ye two dinnit slit one an'ther's throats."
Anthony frowned. "Seriously?"
His dubious tone made Goldie laugh from his belly. "Aye! Ol' Goldie'll explain soon."
A cool touch on Anthony's wrist surprised him. He turned sharply to stare directly into Loki's bright emerald eyes. He stooped slightly, bringing his gaze to Anthony's shorter level. "To the boat, now," he said softly. Anthony could only nod and allowed himself to be directed close to the bow. Goldie sank beside him a moment later as Penn and Loki pushed the boat the rest of the way. Anthony was surprised that Loki took the second oar and began to row.
Goldie and Penn chatted aimlessly to each other, laughing and snorting. Anthony, however, couldn't find it in himself to pay any attention to their conversation. His thoughts swirled around Amora and her cave; the scenes he had witnessed between her and Loki. He stole a quick glance at the pirate himself, trying his damnedest to be discreet.
Loki rowed quietly, obviously distracted by his thoughts. He kept time well with Penn even with the silence. Anthony soon found himself nearly openly staring, watching the captain's muscles flex and relax with each pull. He thought back to Amora, to her obvious fixation with the dark haired man - Loki himself had said they grew up together. They were close, and even Loki's usual aloof demeanor seemed to tamper and warm.
The thought bothered Anthony more than he cared to admit. He had no earthly reasoning as to why it should. Undeniably, the captain was handsome, Anthony had to begrudge him that. His voice ethereal, his touch a strange coolness that always managed to calm Anthony, even unknowingly. What was it, exactly?
He should be angry - he should be without forgiveness. This man boarded the ship he was on, slaughtered half the crew, and kidnapped him. He should have already been in London for weeks now, let alone the type of parties sent to his rescue. Anthony hoped Jack was able to relay his kidnapping, at least.
However, other than the unpleasantness that was Gibbs and Grim, Anthony had few complaints. Goldie was kind and thoughtful and seemed to be only tasked in his care, hardly a call away. He had his cot and alcove, his desk, plenty of food - and, more importantly, the blessings of the captain. Which, unnervingly, was beginning to catch his attention.
The bow of the boat nudged the hull of Sleipnir, jarring Anthony from his thoughts. Penn pulled his oar in and wrapped a rope around a knob in the wood. Goldie took the first rung of the jacob's ladder and hauled himself up.
"See ye lads aboard!" He called, scrambling up the side. Anthony couldn't help but grin - Goldie was never short of surprises.
"After you," Loki said. Anthony glanced over and nodded, feeling his neck heat. He had almost been caught in his staring, thankful for their arrival as a deterrent. He quickly took the first rung as Goldie had done, climbing as briskly as he dared. A weight beneath him signaled Loki beginning to climb as well, making Anthony bite his bottom lip. Oh, to lose his footing now.
"I be off, Cap'n!" Penn called.
"Fare yourself well, Mr. Penn," Loki answered. Anthony continued to climb, ignoring the flip his belly gave.
Anthony climbed until he saw a hand jut inches from his nose. He looked up to see Goldie. "Need a lift, mate?"
Anthony grinned and wrapped his palm around Goldie's forearm. "Aye, mate!" Goldie laughed as he helped to hoist Anthony over the railing and onto the deck. Anthony wavered a moment, not used to moving land so soon. Loki climbed up gracefully a few seconds later without Goldie's help, pausing to unwrap his face.
"Goldie, with me if you would," Loki muttered, heading towards his quarters. Anthony hesitated, unsure of where that left him. Loki paused and looked back. "You as well."
Anthony nodded quickly and caught up to Goldie. The old man nudged their shoulders together and smiled. "Now, no questions jus' yet, aye?"
Anthony resisted rolling his eyes, far beyond his tolerance for more unanswered questions. "Aye."
"Good!" Goldie answered, standing behind Loki. Loki drew the chain from his neck to show a silver key before slipping it into the lock of his quarters. Anthony mentally shrugged - keeping the key with him made sense. However, there was something else that Anthony couldn't quite make out before Loki slipped the chain back around his neck and dropped it beneath his tunic.
The door to his quarters swung open, revealing much of what Anthony had seen the last time he had gained entry. Loki stepped in with an audible sigh with Goldie and Anthony close behind him. Anthony had enough sense to close the door once he was in, feeling that whatever was to be done required privacy.
"On the table, Goldie," Loki said, pointing to one of the few clear spots. Goldie nodded and slipped his pack from his shoulders. It settled against the marked wood carefully as Loki rolled and tucked away the charts surrounding it. Goldie joined him, leaving Anthony to stand awkwardly by the door. Loki glanced up for just a moment before jerking his head towards his left. "You may sit."
Anthony nodded and bit his lip, slipping around the table to sit where he was allowed. Goldie and Loki finished up quickly and began to unpack Goldie's bag. They started a rhythmic system that Anthony felt honored to see - Goldie took a leather pouch out and passed it to Loki, who turned it over in his palms before setting it down on the table. They did this for ten or more pouches, the piles growing larger or smaller. It was a practiced art, something that had obviously been done countless times.
When the pitaya joined the pouches on the table, Goldie neatly folded his empty sack and tossed it aside. "Aye, it all be 'ere."
"Indeed," Loki said, holding up the last pouch. He passed it between both hands as his eyes continued to skim the table. "Amora was well stocked, this bout."
"Aye." Anthony ignored the flip of his belly at the mention of her name. He could only hope that whatever was going to happen would hurry up so Goldie could explain things to him. His curiosity was gnawing his belly and mind without remorse.
Loki set the pouch he had aside and moved to his bed, further into the cabin and beneath the thick glass of a wide window against the back wall. He tossed his ruddy hat onto the mattress and dropped to his knees, pulling a long black box from underneath. Anthony tilted his head for better view as he watched the captain lift the box and rest it on his duvet.
The chest was made of dark wood stained black but trimmed in solid gold, carved beautifully of animals and creatures that Anthony had never seen with his own eyes. It shimmered in the low lighting of the quarters as he shifted it around. Loki turned slightly and caught Anthony's eye, a small smirk touching his lips.
"Would you like a better view?" He asked lightly. Anthony quickly adverted his gaze, feeling his face heat.
"Sorry, I just - "
Anthony felt a nudge on his shoulder from Goldie. "Go on, lad. Ye'll learn soon enuff."
Goldie smiled his bright smile at Anthony and winked, nudging him again to stand. He crossed the few feet between himself and Loki and stood to the captain's left. Loki took a half step aside to allow Anthony a better view as he lifted the lid.
Anthony watched as Loki set aside quills and ink bottles, fresh feathers and gold chain, several pouches full of what sounded like coin and - the sight of which made Anthony's pulse quicken - a human skull. Loki set each carefully across the duvet and dropped his palms to what appeared to be the bottom of the chest. Anthony raised an eyebrow.
"False bottom?" He asked as Loki pressed a little harder. The captain merely smirked in response as the bottom gave way with a soft click. Loki removed his knife from his boot and wedged it beneath the solid wooden plank to lift it free. Once it was removed altogether Anthony could now see the true nature of the chest.
It was divided into fifteen sections, each with a lid and small lock. Below the lock were glued bits of parchment with words scrawled across in what Anthony imagined to be Loki's handwriting. Neat, slanted, and ornate, a far cry from the scrawl he still used that his tutors very much were shamed by.
Loki trailed his index finger along the inside of the lid, equally as dark as the outside, until a small pressure point popped a drawer beneath the main lock. Anthony watched with delight as Loki spun the drawer around to produce a single small skeleton key. He was grinning by the time he had Loki's full attention.
"I imagined you would delight in this contraption," Loki said, the pride evident in his voice. Anthony turned his grin to him and nodded.
"The false bottom, the spring loaded drawer, the closed pockets underneath - I would be willing to bet that the entire mechanism is connected by a simple pulley system trailed along the main hinges right..." Anthony leaned forward slightly and could just catch the shimmer of the brass wire weaved into the hinge as a beautiful disguise. "Here. Why, I haven't seen craftsmanship of this style in years. There was a man a few villages outside of my home that used to sell chests like these to my father. He moved, some time ago - "
"To Scandinavia," Loki finished, his voice low. Anthony blinked at him, his grin softening.
"Yes," Anthony said. "This is his work, then."
"It is," Loki answered. "My mother was a close friend of his. He made this for her, a one of a kind symbol of their everlasting friendship before he passed, which she bestowed to me before her own passing."
Anthony felt his brows furrow. "I am sorry for your loss." Somehow, hearing that Loki had once had a mother that had cared for him as Maria had once cared for Anthony made the pirate seem more approachable, more human.
"I am not," Loki said softly. He carefully began to unlock and lift each lid as he spoke. "She was not treated fairly during the later years of her life. It is a shame that all I have left of her are memories and a simple box, but she is at peace in a realm where none of the demons of this world may harm her."
Anthony wanted to ask what Loki meant by that, but the opening of each lid brought with it scents that immediately assaulted his mind and body, causing a dizzying effect that he had not felt since he had stepped into Amora's cave. He pressed his palm to his forehead and swayed, reaching for anything to brace himself with. The closest thing was Loki's arm, which immediately drew the captain's attention. He abandoned the lids and wrapped his arm around Anthony's waist just in time for the inventor's knees to buckle beneath him.
"Goldie," Loki said briskly. "The chair, if you would."
A few seconds later and Loki was depositing Anthony to the chair he had occupied earlier, carefully pressing him against the back rest. "Relax, now. I should have warned you to not breathe so deeply. I apologize."
Anthony shook his head in protest, waving a hand in the air towards Loki, and oddly enough, not remembering when a second crept into his subconscious. "S'fine. Carry on." Both images of Loki stared at him for just a moment before the second fused to the first and Anthony giggled.
"Well, Cap'n - not exactly th' plan," Goldie said, the amusement in his voice clear. Loki rolled his eyes and turned back to the chest.
"It shall end soon enough. Please make sure he does not vomit on my rugs," Loki answered offhandedly. Goldie chuckled but dropped a hand to Anthony's shoulder.
"Aye, lad. Lookit ol' Goldie now."
Anthony did as he was told and kept his gaze on the old pirate, his features growing and shifting with each breath. After what felt like ages his senses came back to him, his breathing evening slowly and his mind no longer reeling.
"What on earth?" Anthony groaned, shaking his head for good measure. Loki stood over the table with the herbs and glanced back at Anthony. The captain was free of that ruddy hat, yes, but his long hair was still drawn back in a bun. Since losing the hat, some of his hair had escaped to trail along his face and neck. Anthony had to swallow against the sudden lump in his throat. Loki was sinfully handsome.
"You simply breathed too deep of too many herbs," Loki answered. He drew up one of the smaller piles from the table and crossed to the chest; Loki kept all but one out as he put the rest in, pausing to free the twine keeping it closed and held it out towards Anthony. "This is fine alone."
Anthony looked first at the pouch then at Loki. "Should I ask if this is safe?"
Loki's answering smile was mischievous at best. "Dare I ask you to trust me, my lord?"
Anthony immediately closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose, hoping to use the calming treatment to still the wild racing of his pulse. After a second of silence, he leaned forward slightly and carefully inhaled the contents of the pouch.
Anthony's eyes snapped open. "Mint."
"Indeed," Loki answered, twisting the twine to close the pouch and tucking it away. "I am sure Goldie has shared with you our secret concoction."
"Aye!" Goldie chirped, having moved closer to the table in the centre. "Loved it, 'e did."
"It was quite original," Anthony answered. Loki smiled over his shoulder at Goldie.
"I would expect no less of a man of Goldie's calibre."
"Oi, now, Cap'n!"
Loki began to show each and every herb they had gathered to Anthony, explaining the purpose of each. The gilliflower was a beautiful white flower that smelled wonderful and was used for protection and strength. The elder was what Anthony had suspected, to induce sleep. Loki also explained the poisonous attribute that elder possessed if too much were to be ingested. Anthony was delighted to find fresh coffee beans, a real treat that he hadn't had the option to enjoy since his time at sea.
The pouch that Anthony had seen Loki swipe was deposited into the chest without explanation and locked carefully away. "What was that one?" Anthony asked, unable to help his brazenness.
Loki flicked his gaze over to Goldie before setting on Anthony. "In time, my lord," he answered softly. There was an underlying tone to his voice that stopped Anthony from asking any further. "For now, I am more concerned for your health."
The table was cleared of all but one pouch. Loki put the final pouches away and sealed up the chest, placing the false bottom back and adding in all the miscellaneous items that hid the secret from the world beyond, including the hat. Once the chest was back below the bed, Loki held his hand out to Anthony. "Come along, now. This will only take a moment."
Anthony nodded and took Loki's offered hand, allowing the captain to pull him to his feet. They crossed to the table and stood next to Goldie. Loki released his hand and grabbed the pouch, moving to gather a pestle and mortar from the shelves above the rolled charts and parchment. He moved back to the table and dumped the contents of the pouch into the mortar before tossing the it aside.
The smell of vegetation and newly unearthed weeds rose to Anthony's nose. It was acidic and sharp, making his lip curl and the urge to sneeze strong. Goldie dropped a palm to his shoulder and squeezed. "Now, ye ready fer sumthin' amazing?"
Anthony felt himself nodding before he could stop, the inventor in him bristling with curiosity. "What is in?"
"Goldie ain't spoilin' nuthin'!" The old pirate chortled. Loki smirked as he ground the roots and leaves from the pouch together, making a mixture that seemed the constancy of sediment dredged along a beach by the tides. He continued to ground for a moment longer before setting aside the pestle. It rolled slightly with the shift of the ship until it settled into a shallow divot.
Loki held the mortar in one hand as he slipped the other into his tunic, drawing forth the chain. Anthony could now see the silver key as well as a small locket. The captain opened the locket and took a quick breath before shutting it with a loud snap. The chain was dropped back to its hidden home and the fingertips that once held it brought to the captain's lips. Loki carefully released his breath and with it most of Anthony's belief in the world's sciences.
Loki's fingertips glowed a bright green that Anthony noted matched his eyes. The effect was only for a split second before the colour was replaced by a flame, young and bright, that licked at Loki's fingertips. Anthony felt floored - he could clearly see the fire there, inches from Loki's face and dancing now in his palm, but he had no answer. Whatever was within that locket had given the Pirate Captain Loki Laufey the ability to breathe fire. No, Anthony had no answer for any of it; he could only simply marvel.
Goldie, on the other hand, was beside himself with joy. He sighed softly and shook his head. "O' all th' times I see it, the Cap'n still amazes me."
Anthony watched as Loki snapped his fingers and directed the flame to the mortar in his other palm. The fire quite literally jumped over, as if it's only lot in life was to please Loki. The action caused the contents of the mortar to burst and crackle first a green to match Loki's original light show before settling on a soft magenta. The flames died within just a few seconds, leaving a soft ever burning ember in the mortar that wafted up magenta smoke.
"This is banewort, as Amora called it. To others, it can be called sorcerer's berry, Death's Herb, deadly nightshade - but for you, my lord, you may know it as belladonna," Loki said, placing his other hand over the mortar and turning towards the inventor fully. It trapped in all the smoke, leaving the air between them electrified. Anthony could only nod.
"It helps sickness," Loki continued. "While it is indeed poisonous, as per the names bequeathed to it, the medicinal properties largely outweigh the negatives. Should the user exercise caution, no harm will befall any connected parties."
Anthony couldn't help but feel nervous. "Dangerous if ingested."
"Correct," Loki answered. "Both the items used to work it and myself must be cleansed, but you shall be healed within a few hours."
After a moment, Anthony nodded quickly. "Get it over with, then."
"Aye," Goldie said, squeezing Anthony's shoulder again for comfort. "The Cap'n 'as ye, lad. See ye soon." Anthony watched the old man head for the door, soon leaving him alone with Loki. The thought alone made his breath quicken.
Loki stepped closer to Anthony. "I would not do anything to harm you."
For reasons Anthony couldn't explain, he nodded. "I know." He knew somehow that he was correct. Were Loki the unforgiving type and as brutal as his namesake suggested, he surely wouldn't have gone out of his way to cater to whatever he felt Anthony needed. If Loki felt this treatment was safe, then Anthony had to believe him.
Besides, he suddenly didn't want to anger a man who could literally breathe and control fire.
"You may begin to feel faint," Loki said. His voice was low and words soft, now suddenly intimate without Goldie as an audience. Anthony swallowed and nodded. "Breathe deeply, slowly. I am here."
"Alright," Anthony answered. His tone was beginning to match Loki's as the captain continued to move closer. He was only a foot away, the sealed mortar the only thing between them. Loki brought his hands nearly level to Anthony's shoulder and removed his hand. The smoke rose freely and twirled around them both; Loki set aside the mortar and caught a thick cloud of the smoke between his palms, obviously still in tune with whatever gift had allowed him to control the fire.
"Breathe deep," Loki said again. He brought his clasped hands to his mouth and opened, blowing the smoke towards Anthony.
Anthony did as he was told, breathing in as slowly and deeply as he could. First he felt the coolness of Loki's breath on his face, the smell slightly minty with undertones of the stolen square of pitaya, before the same smell of the roots and leaves followed. The smoke was now a pastel pink and acidic; it made his eyes water. Still he breathed in, his lungs burning slightly as he did so, before he had to shut his eyes against the sting.
He could feel Loki standing still before him, just a short reach away. Anthony coughed and stepped forward, feeling Loki's hand on his shoulder to steady him. Even the cool grounding of Loki's grip couldn't stop him from rocking, the blackness beneath his eyelids spinning faster and faster as if he had just left a pub with far too much drink in his system. Then the headache came.
The pain was so sharp and sudden that Anthony whimpered, bringing a palm to his eyes. He began to tremble, feeling flashbacks of that day on the Cavalier, the last time he saw Jack and the first time he saw Loki. He had looked so different then, so vicious. Not at all like the man standing before him, helping him, healing him; not the man that was far too kind to his crew and far too kind to Anthony. No one was ever kind without a reason - even Jack had been annoyed by Anthony at the start, his mind and mouth too much for most.
Not Loki. He was too kind, and Anthony suddenly couldn't remember why he hadn't told him his name. Anthony reached out, his eyes still closed, as his legs shook beneath him from a great burden. Obviously under the burden of himself, but his hands found Loki and clenched at his tunic. His head was pounding.
"Loki," he croaked, his own voice sounded foreign to his ears. Loki's hand tightened on his shoulder, and Anthony vaguely recognized the sound of the mortar on the table and Loki's other hand resting on his shoulder.
"It is nearly over," Loki answered, or that's what it sounded like. Anthony's headache had increased tenfold and his ears felt clogged with the sound of his own blood rushing. "Do not forget to breathe."
Anthony had, and with that guidance his pain eased slightly. Still he could not stand on his own and he needed to tell Loki. "Loki...hurts."
"I know," Loki said, his voice sounding distant and very close all in the same. Anthony clenched tighter at his tunic and pulled, suddenly assaulted by Loki's cool skin.
Anthony pressed his face against what he guessed was the crook of the captain's neck, Loki's skin smooth and cool against his burning skin. Anthony sighed softly but didn't release his grip on the tunic, feeling a warmth beneath the initial cooling touch. A scarce moment passed before Loki's hands moved from Anthony's shoulders to a more comfortable embrace. He settled a hand in Anthony's sweaty hair and pressed his lips to the inventor's temple.
"Relax," he whispered against Anthony's skin. His breath tickled and distracted Anthony from his spinning and burning world, reignited the smell of mint. The captain smelled like mint and ink with a touch of something Anthony couldn't quite place. He hoped he would have another chance to be able to.
Loki continued to mutter against his skin, his lips moving softly and sending a shiver down Anthony's spine. Despite the overwhelming and building pain it was comfortable and soothing. Anthony wanted to drift to sleep to it, and his body seemed to want to agree.
"Anthony," he muttered, wondering if his beard was rough against Loki's pale skin. "My...name, it's Anthony."
Loki seemed to hold tighter, but it happened to be timed with the room spinning sharply. Anthony wasn't sure if it was to hold him up or because of what he said, but he was far from caring. He could feel his body grow heavier and heavier and, were it not for Loki's strong embrace, he certainly knew he would have fallen onto the rugs.
"Your body is in need of rest," Loki said. Anthony could only nod. He was useless as Loki guided the pair of them to his bed. The entire world continued to spin as Anthony listened to the rustling of the duvet being moved and pillows being settled. He didn't realize he was lying down until he opened his eyes and saw Loki leaning over him, concern writ clear as day upon his features.
"Perhaps I was too ambitious," the captain said. Anthony closed his eyes again and yawned. "You were not yet ready."
"M'fine," he mumbled. Loki chuckled above him as he pulled the boots free from Anthony's feet. The duvet was stretched over him comfortably soon after and Anthony settled quickly.
"Obviously," the captain answered with amusement. Anthony's lids grew heavy again as he smiled.
"Yeah," he drawled. "Tired though." He paused. "Your bed is much better than mine."
That earned Anthony a rare laugh, making his belly feel warm. "Sleep, then."
Anthony nodded and turned his face into one of the captain's pillows. Mint and ink. "Yeah."
He listened to Loki move across the cabin. There were soft thuds of his boots and cutlass being dropped on the rugs, the rustling of fabric as he untied his emerald sash and pulled the tunic over his head, and finally a metallic clink of the pistol that had been tucked in the front of his trousers being set on the table. Anthony lolled his head over and drew the duvet to his nose.
Loki had his back to him, entirely bare without his tunic. His skin was evenly pale across his entire back, and Anthony couldn't see a single scar or imperfection. His muscles bunched and tightened as he reached back for his hair, still in the bun. The bangles and leather cuffs around his wrists slid down as he worked the ribbon free. Loki's slim form really did belie his true strength, of which Anthony was no stranger to. Loki must have felt Anthony's staring - he glanced over his shoulder just as his hair fell free and smirked. Anthony swallowed audibly.
"Sleep, my lord," Loki said softly. Anthony closed his eyes and took a ragged breath, entirely content with doing what he was told for once.
Loki glanced over his shoulder one last time as he closed the door to his quarters. Anthony was sound asleep, merely seconds after being told the second time. Loki couldn't help but smile - it seemed the inventor was coming around slowly, but surely.
"'Ow is 'e?" Loki turned to see Goldie, leaning against the stairs to the helm.
"Exhausted," Loki answered, crossing his arms over his chest. His locket and key dangled near his naval. "I believe I may have misjudged his endurance."
"Ah, oh well," Goldie said with a shrug. "Ifin' 'e's stayin' aboard, 'e needs t' git o'er it."
Loki smirked. "Why Goldie - I have never known you to be poetic."
The old pirate shrugged again. "An' ye ne'er will."
Loki chuckled at that, smiling broadly at his longtime friend. Goldie must have recognized his joy to stem from elsewhere and coughed. "Wot's goin' on in 'at 'ead o' yers, Loki?"
"He told me his name," Loki answered. Goldie's grin stretched.
"Wot? Well, I'll be damned. 'ad no clue it'd be s' soon."
"Nor I, dearest Goldie," Loki said. Goldie chuckled and scratched his chin.
"Guess yer gettin' thro' much faster 'is time."
"Aye!" Loki called with a wave. He swung himself up onto the stairs behind Goldie and headed for the helm. The wood was warm beneath his bare feet. "Now, pardon me while I wash the belladonna from my soul."
Goldie dodged Loki's hand as he went to pat his shoulder. "Oi! Keep 'at shit away from me an' begone!"
Loki chuckled at Goldie's outburst. They both knew Loki's touch was harmless; he did quite mean his soul. The belladonna was only meant to react to the person intended and not the caster, but Loki had not expected to spend so much time in contact with Anthony and now could feel the herb beginning to take hold. He grabbed the nearest rope of rigging and climbed up, higher and higher until he had a clear path to the bay, clear of his own deck and that of another.
With a salute to Goldie, Loki launched himself backwards into an elegant dive and splashed into the Caribbean Sea. He could already feel the healing touch of natural water on his being, and when he opened his eyes he grasped for his locket floating inches before his face. With a soft flick, the metal oval opened and a warm green light embraced him like sunshine.
A/N: There we go! Got to see a little bit of what Loki's about. That locket is pretty interesting, huh? ;) Please tell me your thoughts and feelings. :)