Lunette felt a hand shaking her awake and she yawned. "Amelia what is it?" She caught Amelia's hand, stopping her. "Please stop, I don't want to be one of your ladies," she complained. "What?" A man's voice caught her off-guard. Her eyes widened then at the sight of Jim, and she pulled her blankets up to her shoulder. "What are you doing in here?" she hissed. His smile melted her heart. "Tortucana, the one place where it is legal to be a pirate," he whispered. "We are here." And suddenly she was wide-awake. She threw herself out of the bed and Jim chuckled at her excitement. She looked around the room, unsure of whether to dress or not until she shook her head and went to fly up the stairs. That was, until Jim caught her arm and pulled her back into the cabin. "You will dress first. You have plenty of time." Her eyes slowly met his and the air around them had become thick, almost heavy. And she nodded. "Y-yes, Lieutenant Hawkins." She eased away from him and he turned away, keeping himself facing the door as he heard the rustling of clothes. He would not admit he had come into this cabin with Amelia's knowledge. That he had wished to see what Lunette looked like as she slept. But he had not thought she would have been wearing something as simple as a chemise top and a thin pair of bloomers. He knew then, that Amelia had set him up.
Lunette did not dress in her proper attire of a corset and stockings, instead she threw on her pants over her thin bloomers and pulled on a simple bodice that cinched her waist and finally pulled a jacket over her clothes before she worked at putting on her boots. Jim watched her and felt his heart begin to pound at the sight of her. She looked rugged, and well-traveled, her canvas jacket was form-fitting, and her pants fitted loose enough, but tight enough to reveal she was a curvy woman. She locked the last clasp on her boot and stood up. "I'm ready," she said. He nodded and escorted her out onto the deck just as they were flying up to the docks. Jim stood prim, while Amelia stood at the wheel of the ship. And as they arrived her heart began beating with excitement. She looked up at Amelia and admired her as she pulled the ship in to dock.
The men ran about and roped the ship to the dock, and within moments they were throwing over the ramp and just like that they were stationary and Amelia announced, "Alright men, we're here, and as you know you have free roam in Tortucana, but," her eyes hardened, "if you ruin my ship with floozies and a good time, I'll ruin you." And the men shouted, "Aye aye!" And with that she pulled herself from the wheel, and smiled for Lunette and Jim. "Should we find something to eat in town?" Jim said, "Yes." And just like that, Amelia caught Lunette's arm and folded it over hers as Lunette was carted off of the ship. "Will we be staying on the ship while we are here?" Lunette pondered and Amelia shrugged, "Depends." Lunette frowned and as they exited the ramp she noticed many of the other men and woman on the port were staring.
"They all know who you are?" she asked gently to Jim and he nodded, "But it isn't me they're looking at." She frowned and he stepped closer to Amelia and her, "I do not bring many people with me to this place let alone women." And she stiffened, "Relax, they won't bother me or you if you stay close, after all," he said and she looked up at him while he smiled a boyish grin, "I was the one who legalized this sanction, they wouldn't kill their only tie to the ports and ships." They made their way off of the port and Lunette noticed that many of the crewmen were following them. "Are they not going off their own ways?" Lunette asked and Amelia said, "Many of these men have journeyed with us before, there is one place they, we, all visit first."
"This way, there is a great restaurant here," Jim said. And through the first busy street, and down a small alleyway and into another street they arrived at an inn. Jim stepped up before Amelia and Lunette and knocked hard. Lunette watched, it was odd to her that he would knock, but Amelia explained, "You must know the owner to stay here." And Lunette looked at the building with a small smile, "It is a beautiful inn." And Amelia chuckled, "None of these are inns love, all are brothels." And Lunette stiffened for a moment before the door opened and revealed an older woman who had aged beautifully with blonde hair and gold eyes. Jim smiled for the woman and Lunette watched as she grinned for them, "Why if it isn't Mister Hawkins, back for another visit I hope?" He chuckled, "I'm merely an escort tonight Miss Roseace," he reasoned and she pouted, "You're not going to come visit me tonight?" Lunette's eyes went wide as she blushed. But Amelia answered, "I'll be sure to visit your lassies," she teased. And Lunette's blush went another shade darker, "She doesn't mean-" She looked at Jim his was rather distant with his answer to her. "The women here," Jim reassured, "do fancy her, she is quite…dominant."
"We need food," he reasoned. Roseace pressed, "I'll make you a dinner me love!" she teased and Jim retorted, "I might hold you to that!" And Roseace carted them inside, "Inside loves, all of yous!"
"And Jim I would love you to hold me," she cackled right back. Lunette stiffened as Jim guided them closer to the woman, as they reached her, Lunette found her to be older than she had thought. Small crow's feet creased her eyes and tender laughing lines etched her face, "Come on in Jim, honey, the girls and I were just about to start up the kitchen."
"Lieutenant Hawkins," Lunette began and he squeezed her arm, as he whispered, "If anything happens, you must come to Roseace, she will protect you and keep you safe. And you will call me Hawkins here." Lunette nodded slowly and as they slipped into the small restaurant that Roseace had motioned them into her breath left her. The sudden smell of hot luxurious food caught her attention and she melted into a seat, barely noticing Jim slip away from her side. "Cheffy! Mista Jim and Cap'tn Amelia is visiting tonight bring out the good feast!" Roseace shouted as she eased into a seat beside Lunette, and only then had she realized Jim was gone. Her expression turned worried and Roseace smiled sweetly, "This is an old traditions place," she began, "women sit on one side of the table and men upon the other." Lunette let a small 'oh' fall past her lips as she finally found Jim take a seat across from her. Another girl rushed to the seat beside Lunette while more, and more girls took their seats at the twenty seating table. Lunette watched in awe as lush and steaming foods suddenly poured out of the kitchens and onto the tables before her. There were no plates, merely gallops of various breads to pick at and then use to pick up moist meats and creamy cheeses with flavors she had never once tasted before. She tasted everything once, and her stomach filled, sadly to her dismay too quickly and as everyone rushed to eat as well, from a long space journey, the table soon filled with quick chatter and hot gossip.
Lunette smiled at Rosace and then her eyes wandered and found most of the girls looking across the table at Jim. She frowned and looked at him, finding nothing different about him, but found he was holding a different kind of air about him as he was telling a battle story that captivated every one's imaginations and attentions. Jim chuckled allowing his story to end before, he rose and slipped out to refill his tankard. A tap came to Lunette's shoulder and she peered at the girl to her left with a curious gaze, "You came with Mister Jim didn't you?" Lunette nodded, and the girl behind the one who spoke asked her, "Have you spent a night with him?" And Lunette blushed madly, "Oh, heavens no! I…that is not…my occupation," she said carefully, "and he and I do not have that kind of….relationship."
"What kind of occupation do you have?"
"I'm…well, I am a librarian," she answered cautiously, once more, and the girls giggled loudly, and Lunette stared at them in confusion, "Why is that so funny?"
"Do you want to know why we all gush over him?" one teased, she was a Cyclops alien with brilliant green hair and silky blue flesh, ignoring her question, and Lunette remained tight-lipped. Although her brow arched while the young woman said, "He's a nice customer," she pressed while leaning in closer to Lunette to whisper into her ear, "one of the few men who doesn't want a piece of meat to use, he's here to pleasure us rather than himself. He has never once well, for a lack of better words, taken his sword and penetrated one of us." Lunette's eyes went wide suddenly and her eyes met the older woman's. "Mister Hawkins is one of those guests who doesn't ask for anything in return, instead wants to enlighten us with his skills and likes us to tell him what we want," Roseace whispered. And Lunette looked up at him as she heard his laughter. He was laughing with one of the crewmen and as if on cue he turned to look at her, to check on her. He raised his tankard to her and she nodded, slowly raising her own. Amelia smiled and grasped Lunette's hand holding it, "Would you like some fresh air?" Lunette nodded quickly, knowing then she was flushed with her spirits and rather full from her meal as she rose and followed Amelia out to the crisp fresh air.
Amelia guided her to the back of the restaurant and outside onto the porch where few men and women sat, smoking and speaking amongst themselves. Lunette followed Amelia without hesitation and the Captain came to a fence line and looked over the small town below them. "Allow me to ask, were the ladies speaking about Jim?" Amelia said. Lunette smiled, "Your hearing is not failing you."
"Do not let their words falter your idea of him," Amelia commented and Lunette tilted her head. "I do not think I understand what you mean?" Amelia placed her hands along the balcony before her and said, "Jim is a lonely man, it is why he enjoys those ladies company. And because he can leave them without any attachment of a relationship."
"Has he ever wished for a relationship?" Lunette pondered. Amelia contemplated her response, before replying, "I am sure he thinks about settling down and loving a woman, but he is truly what I would call a legal pirate. If he could, he would stay out here on the galactic seas and enjoy every passing moment on a ship." Lunette nodded. "It must be nice to be able to work where one is happy," she said. Amelia's head tilted at her. "Are you not happy working for Delbert?" she pondered and Lunette shook her head. "I am happy. Just," she paused and looked over the railing, "I am lonely. I do not have very many people in my life."
"This place is amazing," she added. And Amelia nodded until her ears perked up. "Sounds like the men inside are getting rowdy," she commented. And Lunette heard a glass break while shouting occurred until laughter erupted. The door behind them opened and the two women met the intruder to their quiet evening. Jim stood before them. His face broken with a crooked smile and his shirt ruffled open. "May I join you ladies?" he asked and Lunette could tell he had had a few drinks that made him seem more open. Amelia pulled Lunette closer to her and said, "Of course Jim. Were the women getting to be too much to handle?"
"Ah," he slipped the door shut and chuckled, "yes, as always." He paused and looked at Lunette, seeing her eyes were wide with wonder and he chuckled. "Hopefully these women and men are not too much for you to handle in comparison to your daily life." Lunette ruefully smiled and peered back over the balcony. She eased away from Amelia and said, "No. They are not. More so the remind me of home." And with that she tightened her shawl further around her shoulders and Amelia and Jim shared a glance between one another. Amelia clapped a hand to his shoulder and said, "I will be heading in for the evening. You'll stay out here with her?" He nodded. She leaned into Lunette's height and kissed her cheek. Lunette's hand grazed Amelia's face before she left them and Jim felt a bit uncomfortable with the informal actions between the two women. As Amelia left, Lunette saw his eyes question her and she repeated, "I am not one of Amelia's ladies of the evening. She cares about me, that, is all Lieutenant."
"Might I inquire as to why you would say that?" Jim asked and Lunette replied, "You seemed uncomfortable just then-"
"No," he reasoned, shaking his head, "Why would this place feel like home?" She took a step back and swallowed slowly. Her actions did not go unnoticed by him. And she gathered her courage and answered, "Mother was a brothel maid before she met Sebastian." And just like that she revealed to them a part of her young childhood. Her words sobered Jim. And he stepped closer to her. "Miss Silver," he said and she lifted her head, revealing her past did not weigh her down. She smiled sweetly for him and said, "Please do not pity me, for I have been very blessed by my step father's love for my mother." His hand rose to grasp her forearm and she went on alert. He had not ever touched her so openly. He turned her closer to face him and he brought her closer. His arms fell about her, encircling her into a rather warm hug. And Lunette frowned. "Lieutenant Hawkins," she whispered. He pulled away and his hand rose to touch the side of her face. "How lonely you must've been growing up as a brothel's daughter." Her eyes widened and he continued, "Surely everyone knew your story once Sebastian married your mother." She gulped back emotion. How could he have known? Was she really that easy to read?
She pulled away from him, whispering her thanks, before she said, "Miss Roseace said you have visited her before," she commented trying to make conversation and he nodded, "I've visited with her many times while being here, I do tend to want female companionship every so often along with the occasional night rendezvous."
"Is she your sweetheart?" Jim suddenly chuckled, "Never, she's a married woman, and her husband is a good man," he replied. And Lunette frowned, a small 'oh' fell past her lips and he glanced back at her with a small smile, "What did the girls tell you?" he asked and she shook her head, "Nothing important, she merely mentioned you were a rare customer." He laughed, "They said I had certain skills did she?" And from her blush, he knew he'd gotten his answer, he laughed once more. "I see they have painted an image of me, well, believe me or not I visit the ladies for companionship not a physical encounter. True some do end that way, but mostly I find a woman to spend a quiet night with, it's rather hard doing so here in Tortucana and if done so within our society I would become the talk of slander."
"There are always secrets behind closed doors," she retorted. Her retort caught him off guard. He looked at her and asked, "What do you mean?"
"You truly think you are the only person who wants to be with someone for a moment? So that you do not wish to be tied down?" she asked in return. Her head tilted and she shrugged, "Everyone feels that way even for just a moment. It is easier to be with a brothel woman than spend the rest of your life with her." His brow furrowed, he asked bluntly, "Is that how you view your father?" Her eyes widened and then hardened. "I am allowed any opinion who left his wife behind," she stated firmly. "You father is a good man!" he snapped. His anger flared and she stumbled back, the railing bit into her back and he rolled his shoulders to regain his composure. Lunette felt bitter words fall past her lips, "I would have thought you of all people would understand after your father walked out of your life."
His eyes widened and he groused out a small strand of curses. He turned away, pressed his hands through his hair and now, his inebriation was completely gone. "You want to see him?" he asked slowly. Lunette frowned. "Why would I willingly come to a brothel with you?" she countered smartly. Jim took a slow breath through his nose and nodded. He caught her arm and pulled her with him. And hauled her inside. He pulled her alongside of him and heard someone chuckle, "Getting them done a bit early eh boy?" Lunette felt Jim's hand tighten on her arm and she hid her wince as she saw his eyes darken at the passerby's words. The man shuddered and Lunette watched Amelia from across the room. Amelia's eyes were hard as glass as she watched them. She arched a brow and Lunette forced a smile for her. She slipped away from Jim and he watched her closely as she walked to Amelia and kissed her cheek. "We're going for a walk," she said. And as she pulled away, Lunette did not let her eyes leave Amelia's until Amelia nodded and Jim once more caught Lunette's arm and pulled her with him.
They walked towards the front door and just as Lunette thought they would be leaving through there Jim pulled her down a small hallway and through the kitchens, before they went out the back. And just as they went to take a few steps to a small path a voice said, "She's Marian's daughter ain't she?" They stopped and Jim felt Lunette stiffen at the sound of her mother's name. She pulled away from him once more and looked back to see Roseace watching them as she had a drink in her hand. She walked out to them, caught Lunette's chin and said, "You look just like her you know, but you're hiding yourself." Lunette's eyes widened and Roseace said, "Don't lose yourself." Roseace moved away and said then, "Jim I expect you to take care of this one." Lunette gulped and then felt Jim's hand touch hers and pull her back to him.
"Come on."