The day diminished into night and Michelangelo returned to escort April to dinner. They walked back up the long hallway, up the stairs, across the deck, and into the Captain's Quarters. It was a large room with an even larger table in the middle. There were two chairs at each end of the table. Michelangelo walked April over to the one facing the large windows overlooking the ocean. She sat down right as the food was brought in. Following the long procession of servers was Captain Raphael. He waltzed by April and sat down in the chair facing her. Still smiling, like always.

"Evening."

"Good evening," she answered, referring back to crossed arms and straight face.

"Did you enjoy the rest of your day Princess?"

"Yes I did. It was peaceful."

"Good to hear. While you were relaxing, I was getting things ready for our night together. As you can see, the food has been cooked to perfection. I hope you love it."

"I'm sure I will. Thank you." If April's voice could be any flatter, she would have to be dead.

"But before we begin, I'd like to get to know you first."

"And what may I ask do you want to know," she asked defensively.

"Tell me about yourself. Your real self. Not what the palace made you."

April decided that no bad could come from this so she relented.

"Very well," she placed her hands in her lap and sat up straight. She even tried to sound enthusiastic. This made Raphael happy. "My official title is Princess April of Bonaventure. My father is King Kirby and I am heiress apparent for him. My mother died when I was twenty six months old and I have no siblings. My daily routine consists of waking up, listening to my servants spout the schedule of the day, let them dress me, and I go to greet my father at breakfast. We then separate and do not see each other for the remainder of day. I then go to an assortment of activities including studies, etiquette, and fencing. I tend to spend most of my ti-"

"You fence?"

April was insulted that he would interrupt her and she let it show.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You can fence?"

"Yes. In fact I've grown to have quite a knack for the sport. But I'm not able to put my skills on display because of the royal disposition. After all of that, I eat dinner then retire to my chamber."

"Wow. Seems like a pretty boring life."

"It sufficed."

"Does being on the ocean make you feel at peace?"

"I wouldn't say it upsets me."

"So you have more freedom here then on the hill?"

April hesitated, "Yes I suppose you could say that."

Raphael sat back in his seat, "Princess it is my honor to provide you with the freedom you so rightfully deserve."

"I was perfectly happy with how my life was going."

"Were you really?"

She couldn't think of a comeback. He had a valid point. Was she really happy in the palace? No. But was she willing to admit it? No. But the Captain already knew the truth and there was no way around it now.

"I guess I wasn't."

"It's okay now Princess. You're safe in my hands."

For once, April actually believed him. She was being rude for no reason. April was mad at herself. This wasn't how she was brought up. She decided in that moment that she would give this Captain a fair chance. No more rude remarks. She plastered a smile on her face and replied, "I can tell. So, what about you Captain? What's your story? You seem awfully young to be the Captain of such a nice ship."

Raphael's eyes widened at the surprising change in attitude. His smirk returned and leaned into the table.

"Well Princess. I've been on the run since I was little. We were poor growing up, my brothers and I, so we had to steal a lot. It doesn't sound that great but it wasn't anything big, mostly just food. Around the time I was sixteen I managed to make a name for myself and acquire a following. We raised money to start ourselves off on the high seas and build this wonderful ship like you mentioned. Nowadays, we mostly just steal food and supplies so we can give back to those we have wronged in the past."

"You rob from the rich to steal from the poor?"

"Basically, yes."

"Huh."

"What?"

"Oh nothing. It just sounds familiar. That's a very inspiring story Captain."

"Please call me Raphael. It would make me very happy Princess."

April smiled at her mistake. "Okay….. Raphael."

He beamed at her.

"So what do your brothers do these days?"

"Well, one of them's particularly fond of you."

"I'm sorry?"

"Michelangelo has taken a great liking to you Princess. He says it shouldn't be fair that one should be so beautiful and so kind. It's unfair to the rest of us."

"What did I tell you about the "B" word," April teased the Captain with a pointed finger.

Raphael raised both of his hands like her finger was a gun. "His words, not mine. Technically not breaking the rule."

She laughed, "Fair enough."

They laughed together and decided now was the time to begin eating before the food got cold. During dinner, they swapped jokes and snickers as they enlightened each other about past experiences. With every word April found herself growing fonder of the Captain. He was kind, smart, and charismatic. When it was time to retire to personal quarters, April floated to her bed. She was happier now that she had ever been. Things could only go up from here.