Hiya Descendants!
I pulled a good old fashion Dark and completely derpped on posting.
Somethings never change, huh?
Don't worry, I now have three alarms to remind me to post.
Thank you all for putting up with us, and for continuing to read our story.
Lots of Love!
-Dark-
Fifty-three.
Her ship now had a crew of fifty-three.
Once they were all able to be on The Lost Revenge, her ship would house fifty-three souls.
She looks around the small, sadly reduced strip of beach and can't help her smile.
There were so many kids.
Thankfully most were older and would be able to pull their weight on the ship.
And even the younger ones would be able to find something to help out.
Lists.
Duty lists.
She was going to have to get something going soon.
In the midst of all the heartache, sorrow, fear, and uncertainty, she was starting to feel the old stirrings she had back when she first wanted her own ship.
Be a captain.
The thrill of the responsibility.
The freedom. For her and everyone under her command.
It was strange to be so excited now, when hours ago she'd been reduced to tears by the trust T had in her.
"You're you, no worries there."
Like she hadn't left him to his own devices on the Isle while she wallowed in her grief.
Again.
Her hand tightens on the handle of the whip coiled at her hip.
Like she hadn't abandoned him.
Needing her or not, she and Harry should have gone out to look for him.
Or she should have at least been strong enough to send Harry-
No, they should have gone together.
Family don't leave family.
That was their creed.
She knew that, believed it with every fiber of her being.
So why had she shut down so completely?
No matter how many times she tried to find the answer, she always came up blank.
T was very much part of their family.
Her breath hitches in her throat as a hand drops to the sudden pain in her belly. As if she'd just been punched in the gut.
Did he see himself as her family? Or was he over her never putting him first?
No. That couldn't be it-
She sighs.
That didn't sound right.
Her eyes narrow on the rough waves.
So then-
Was he over her never seeming to care?
Question if she did?
Her grip strengthens around the hilt.
He was so good at confusing things. And with this, she couldn't even blame him.
Did he feel unimportant in her eyes?
In the past he'd felt useless when that was never even a word on a list she'd use to describe her Problem Child.
But seriously, how many times could she say he was family when her ass never acted like it when it mattered?
How many times had she done this?
Put him and his needs after her own?
Her grip tightens again, her hold around the sleek wooden handle so tight her knuckles pop.
Too many times.
She sighs as she drops the handle and shakes her hand out.
Never.
Fucking.
Again.
She sighs, but hadn't she promised that before? Made that oath to herself?
She shakes her head, now really wasn't the time for this.
She turns when she sees something from the side of her eye, smiling when she realizes it was just Harry placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Aye?" She looks up at him.
"Looks like James be ah seein' us."
She chuckles as she glances behind them.
They were kinda hard to miss.
"Aye," she agrees.
"I still don't like it," T frowns as he comes up to her other side.
"What part?" Uma snorts.
He frowns, "Any of it. But namely, us standin' out here."
She sighs.
She couldn't even disagree.
"It's just for now. We need to get a system in place or something."
T drops his head as he toes at the sand. "Someone's gonna have ta talk to her."
"Her?" Harry's brow furrows.
She groans.
The last thing she wanted to do was ask that of her Baby Girl. She glances in the general direction of the cove.
"Yep," T nods, "An' I ain't doin' it."
"Someone can be ah lettin' me in on the misery?"
T snorts as he turns and flicks Harry's forehead, "I vote Hook."
She wraps her arms around her waist before she sighs. "Temptin'. But no. We'll talk together, and I'll ask Deez what she thinks of the idea."
Sea gods if that girl didn't surprise her time and time again with her dedication and determination.
T studies her for a moment before he sighs and turns to the ship, "N'joy that."
Harry grimaces, "Ya both be thinkin' o' the cove?"
"The newbies gotta learn an' it ain't smart for them to figure it out in this," He gestures to the angry sea.
"Aye…" Harry agrees slowly, "Ya be makin' ah fair point-"
"I always make fair points," T crosses his arms, "Ya just don't like 'em cause you can't get your head outta-"
She rolls her eyes, "Aye T, ya do."
That was the other thing.
How many times had T warned her about the fucking adults in her crew?
So many times.
Too many times.
And yet he hadn't thrown it in her face.
She owed him a lot, maybe the benefit of-
But the benefit of the doubt was what caught her out the last few times.
Why was there no middle-
Her eyes narrow.
He'd been right about the crew.
Right about needing supplies stashed away.
Right about a lot of things that concerned them all.
He only ever seemed to be wrong about the things that only concerned him.
Well, him and Faustina.
She looks him over from the corner of her eye.
Was that it?
The difference in T being right and wrong was who he was worried about?
Her nose scrunches.
No.
Things were never that simple.
"It would help if the whole family was there." She presses.
"Help? Maybe but leanin' on doubtful. Necessary? Debatable. 'Sides I got shit-"
"Fuckin' help me Shadow, you finish that!" Beam growls as he joins them at the thin strip of sand just before the shallows.
He sidesteps the other boy, "To. Do."
Before T can back away again, Beam lunges and claps him on the back of the head.
"Ah, I see it's just a thing you do to piss leaders off." Uma crosses her arms over her chest.
"Leaders?" Harry grumbles as he glares at T as well, "You two ain'nah bein' the only receivin' ones."
T snorts as he clumsily shoves his hands in his soaked hoodie. "Consider it a benefit of my services. Someone's gotta-"
Beam glares, all traces of a smile gone from his face.
"Point is," She steps forward to position herself between the three, "You can go get your shit done after we check on the talismans. We still have them stuck in Yensid's house, but after Freddie's freak out in my sea gods damn ear I'm not suggesting it again until I know she'll be safe."
"No shit," Beam nods, "Girl shrill."
"And who knows how long magic will last under the barrier, but none of us know what the fuck we're doing with it, so protection is protection. You can't help anyone if someone gets a lucky shot on you." She finishes as she pulls T back towards the group.
"Yeah…" T scans the surf, for what has to be the fifth time since joining her. "Guess that's fair."
"Good." She nods as she drops her hold on him.
It was the closest she would get to him admitting she was right.
"Things are going to be tight on the ship," She shifts the conversation as she turns to Beam.
"I'd imagine no less with a kraken in charge." Beam shrugs. "Me and mine can pull their weight, an' we're good with keepin' to ourselves."
She can't help her grin, "Not what I meant. I was actually trying to see if you'd be interested in joining a meeting to figure out our next steps."
Beam lifts a brow before he glances back at the large group behind them and back, "you serious?"
She nods, "I do run a tight ship, but I also want to be fair. We're going to need to know strengths and weaknesses, everyone is going to have to learn to swim, and we're going to have to work out duty lists and training." She sighs, "It's a lot, but it will make things easier for everyone if they know what to expect. And I would welcome your experience in the decision-making process."
He studies her for a long moment, "Ya sure you aren't yankin' me by the nads?"
She chuckles lightly, "Beam, if I was touchin' yer nads, ya'd feel it."
He snorts as he looks her over, "Good to know," He beams at her as he runs his hand through his drenched hair. "So, if ya're bein' serious," He glances over his people again, "Yeah."
She smiles at T's snort and headshake.
She could feel the 'I told you so.' in the simple act.
Fucking T.
"I know it'll be weird for a bit," She shrugs, "But I mean it when I say I've been looking forward to meeting you. And I'd be an idiot to not ask for your help." She smiles as she turns to look over the group as well, "And I didn't become a captain by being an idiot."
"Huh," Beam clicks his tongue as he looks her over again, "Never thought one o' the top elite…" He turns to T.
"Different."
He shakes his head before he turns back to her, "True." He nods.
She looks between the two of them.
Huh.
That was going to be an interesting dynamic to unravel.
First the banned hoodies, now the deferment?
How exactly did T and Beam's arrangement work?
She eyes the older boy curiously, surely it'd be easier to get it from him than T, right?
Beam clicks his tongue, "This is gonna be interestin'." He beams at her again.
"Ain't it?" She returns the smile.
It was different. And new.
But if anyone could pull this off it was the group assembled here.
Well, here and on the ship.
The Isle tried to kill them all, but they refused to go silently.
They refused to go at all.
Beam chuckles before he throws an arm around T's shoulder, apparently familiar enough with him to ignore the way he stiffened and flinched at the touch.
She doubted at this point it was from a lack of care.
"The fuck'z got you so focused?"
T's silent for a long moment. "I doubt ya wanna know."
Her brow furrows as she watches T's face, at the look of total concentration as he stared at the waves.
What had him so-
Oh.
She kicks one boot off and walks forward to let the water of the shallows lap against her barefoot.
"She's not here." She whispers as her hand clutches the shell around her neck.
A sigh of relief leaves T as his shoulders sag.
She wasn't sure exactly how she knew that, she just did.
Like the ocean could sense what she was searching for and was willing to give her the answers she needed.
Beam looks between the two of them, then the sea and back, before he blinks and shudders. "Good. Ta. Know."
She nods once before she slips her boot back on, "I don't know where she is, mind, but she's not in the water. Or at least the water near us."
"Well…" T frowns, "That's…" He clicks his tongue. "Something…" He turns back to her and eyes her carefully, "Neat new trick."
"And not even my first one." She winks.
"Oh aye!" Harry groans, "Now it be funny. It were'nah bein' that at the time though." He rubs one hand over his hoodie, "Ya be scarin' the fuckin' life outta me."
T looks between the two of them, "I wanna know."
"Same." Beam looks between them curiously, "The fuck scares ah Hook?"
"Unknowable things that could be ah eatin' what be remanin' o' me family."
She snickers as she presses a hand to Harry's cheek.
She really had scared the shit out of him back at the cove.
"Huh…" Beam furrows his brow.
T stiffens as he looks between the three of them before he huffs.
"If ya really want to know," She teases with a small shimmy of her shoulders, "I mean it's really more of a show than tell, and I really want Deez and Gil to be there too."
"But I wanna know now."
"Yeah," Beam steps back and eyes her as a couple of urchins surround him.
"Right!?" T grins before he coils.
"I'm sure Gil and yer Baby Girl will be forgiven' ya." Harry grins as he steps out of T's path.
T laughs before he lunges at her.
"T!" She growls, but the threat was lost when she dissolves into laughter.
The shell around her neck lights up-
Lights up?
How did they miss that last time?
She smiles as she pulls T to the surface with her before she 'kicks' him towards shore with a slap of her tail.
T's eyes widen before he laughs childishly, and lunges again.
It felt nice, finally getting to enjoy this.
Her mermaid tail.
"What the fuck!?"
"Oooh!"
"That's so pretty!"
"I want one!"
She smiles as she swims up to T, "happy?"
"The most." He swims over to her and picks up her fin, "Hook!" He lets out a belly laugh, "Was afraid of a mermaid!" He nearly drowns as he doubles over nearly drowning himself.
"Now what the hell 'bout ah mermaid tail be freakin' ya out?" Beam snickers.
"It ain'nah bein' funny!" Harry glares at T, "You fuckers all be gettin' ah warnin' that she be doin' somethin'." He crosses his arms over his chest as he turns away.
Which only makes T laugh harder.
She shakes her head as she slaps T lightly with her fin before the shell around her neck lights up again and she stands up.
Poor Harry.
Had she ever apologized to him?
T follows her out of the water, automatically flipping his hood back up.
She squeezes water from her hair before she pulls Harry into a hug, "Sorry Pretty Boy."
Harry's blue eyes squeeze shut before he puffs up his cheeks and sighs, "It be okay, Love." He whispers as he hugs her back, "At least ya can be enjoyin' it now."
"I-" T closes his mouth, as he clumsily shoves his hands in his pockets.
"Oh why ya be poutin' now?" Harry asks as she steps back.
Beam snickers again as he smacks T's back hard, making him stiffen.
"Idiot."
"Oh for fucks sake T!" She groans.
She might not get cold because of the water, but T-
T shrugs.
"Come 'er." Harry picks one arm up before he taps his ribs invitingly, "Warm side available."
T bites his lip as he looks around at the massive group of people who were watching them before he shrugs and turns back to the dinghy coming their way..
"Fuckin' idiot." Beam shoves him at Harry. "Ain't useful if yer sick." He snorts.
"I like Beam." Harry chuckles as he locks T to his side, "He ain'nah bein' afeared ta tell ya what needs ta be told."
T huffs, though she doesn't miss it when he whispers something in Harry's ear.
Something that sounded like a sorry.
She smiles as she turns back in time to see James stow the oars and jump out of the dingy.
"Cap'n," James grins as he looks over the shore full of kids, "Looks like ya be findin' ya'self a fine lookin' crew."
"Aye," She grins, "I be thinkin' so too." She turns to Beam as she gestures between the two, "Beam, James, my Bosun." She smiles, "James, Beam, leader of the Urchins."
"Nice ta meet ya," James nods.
"Same." Beam nods with a beaming grin. "But on'ta gettin' mi-" He glances at her, "ours outta the rain?"
She can't help the giddiness that fills her as she bites back the joyous laugh.
Ours.
As in he understood that she looked at him as an equal.
That they could share the responsibility.
That she wasn't lording her status over him.
She could totally back that.
"Right." James nods as he looks out over the group, doing what looked like a quick head count, "This is going to take a few trips, and Yensid wants ta show you the things he managed while ya were out, Cap'n."
She nods before she turns to Beam, "Would you like to join me for the update or stay with Harry and T while we get everyone ferried over?"
He glances at her and then back, "Cat, Twitch."
"We got it." A brunette girl nods as she waves him off.
"Guess that means I can come with you." He nods before he drops his voice, "it cool if we get the lil' ones with us?"
"Probably safest."
He nods before he nods and turns, "Shortest up first."
She smiles as they help to load the dingy with kids, and she was thankful Squeaky and Squirmy were able to make the first trip.
She'd feel less guilty about asking Sam to watch over the group that included his brothers.
She studies the old wizard curiously.
He looked worn out.
Exhausted.
The bags under his eyes were more prominent than they'd been when they'd left.
And the way he walked?
He'd lost the spring to the step she'd become familiar with.
By no means did he look nearly seven hundred, but he certainly looked older.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Beam." Yensid smiles warmly.
Beam eyes him over, "Same?" He looks to her in confusion.
Maybe even concern.
She sighs.
"James mentioned you wanted to show us something?" She asks as she looks Yensid over, "I'm assuming whatever you did was-" she pauses, "a lot. Because you look like-"
"Shit." Beam states.
She can't help her snort. "Well, yeah."
"I see," Yensid's lip twitches into a smile, "I am a bit tired I suppose."
"Do I need to order you to bed?" Her brow furrows as she looks around, suddenly realizing she hadn't seen the rest of her family, "Do Deez and Gil need an order too?"
"I assure you, the two are resting. As will I after I show you the new additions to your ship." Yensid smiles. "Even T is likely to be turned around."
Beam looks at her curiously before he snorts and shakes his head.
She sighs, "Yeah, T spent a lot of time with James helping with repairs."
He tilts his head to the side before he rolls his eyes, "that checks."
Yensid chuckles, "I see you and T are very familiar then."
"Thought we were," Beam shrugs as he looks around the ship.
She sighs, "You are. There's just a lot to T."
Beam snorts, "'parently." He clicks his tongue before he shakes his head, "So then improvements? Not sayin' I can't catch ya if ya fall- But I don't think any of us want that."
"Quite right," Yensid chuckles before he turns, "So if we may." He picks up a lantern, only to have Beam snatch it from him.
"I got it."
She falls silent as they descend the stairs.
No fucking wonder Yensid looked exhausted.
She wasn't entirely sure how magic worked, but she was certain it took something out of you to use it.
"Huh." Beam looks around. "I ain't- It's just-" He clicks his tongue. "It ain't s'posed ta be this big, right?"
"No." She slowly shakes her head at the state of the first landing.
Several more doors led to what she hoped were sleeping quarters, but Yensid was leading them to a set of double doors.
"I did not want to push the ship past her bounds, but rest assured Captain, the expansions do not interrupt the integrity of your vessel."
"I didn't doubt your abilities, Yensid." She explains as she looks around in awe, "Just, still getting used to them."
He chuckles, "Rusty muscles."
"Fuckin' rusty?" Beam stares at him in disbelief, "Like I didn't see this bitch before but-" He looks around the expansive galley. "The fuck yo… This shit looks like it should be the whole damn ship."
He wasn't kidding.
The meager six rows of small tables had been transformed into-
She quickly counts five across and seven up.
Thirty-fucking-five?
Thirty-five fucking tables!
Each sturdier and longer than the previous bunch had been.
She hadn't even thought about how lacking they were as far as eating space went.
But Yensid had.
"Onwards we go," Yensid gestures to the small kitchen.
She stops short.
What had before been a scant room was now tripled in size.
"The fuck."
Awe.
She was awed.
Pure and simple.
"With so many new mouths to feed, I thought a larger kitchen might be in order."
She blinks.
She hadn't thought about that either.
"Dude…" Beam stares at Yensid, "I want a wizard."
She runs her tongue along her teeth, "smartest thing I ever did was learn to accept help."
"No shit," He says, still looking over Yensid.
She smiles, "So, this is hella impressive. But since your room is right there-" she chuckles as she points to the door to his quarters, "Anything else you'd like for me to investigate?"
"Always so pointed," Yensid smiles, "the sleeping quarters have been modified, along with the hold and workroom." He smiles, "But first-" He pulls a pouch from his pocket. "The talismans. Freddie and the others will have to wait a bit longer, I'm afraid. At least until Deez, Gil, and myself can create more specific pieces."
She smiles as she takes the pouch before she steps closer and hugs the old man, "Thank you for taking care of the ship."
"Of course Captain," He pats her head as he releases her from the hug. "With that, I will take my leave. I do hate worrying you by appearing as shit." His eyes twinkle with amusement.
She sighs before she crosses her arms over her chest.
She was not apologizing for her concern.
"Goodnight."
"Night." Beam nods as he shoves his hands in his pockets, waiting for her to ensure Yensid made it to his room.
Once the door closes behind him she gestures to one of the tables and takes a seat.
"The fuck are talismans?" Beam asks as he slips onto the bench across from her.
"Little charms," She upends the bag between them, "that will help protect the wearer from magical harm."
"Dope." He responds, "Can I touch one?"
"One is yours," she smiles as she sorts them. "I'd like to make sure no one goes on the Isle without one."
"Seriously?" He picks one up to look it over before he places it down with a frown and picks up one that looks like a tooth instead.
"Gil and Deez worked together to make these." She explains as she plucks up the five carved compass coins.
Clearly, these were meant for the family.
"Nice," He slips the necklace over his head and plays with the smooth surface.
"We're gonna have our work cut out for us." She sighs as she slips all five over her head for safekeeping.
He runs a hand through his dark hair, "Ain't shit we can't handle if we're seriously workin' together."
"Then it ain't shit we can't handle." She winks as she sweeps the rest of the necklaces into the pouch and holds it out to him.
He beams at her as he drops the necklace under his shirt and takes the pouch. "Thanks…" He purses his lips as he stares at the table. "For like… Thinkin' bout us an' shit… We could'ah managed, we always do… But havin' an elite-" he gestures around them, "An' a safe place ta crash, it's uh… Just thanks."
She bites her lip before she reaches out and places her hand over his, "There's no more division. The Isle tried to kill us all. And yeah, we could have all survived on our own. Like you said, we always have-"
How the fuck should she say this?
What was the best way?
"But, we don't have to live like we were before. There has to be a better way, and I know we can figure it."
He snorts as he drops his chin in his hand, "Ya said ya had the Lil' Writer on yer crew, jus' wasn't 'spectin' ta hear her words outta yer mouth."
"Ah." She chuckles as she slowly sits up straighter and drags her hands back to her side of the table, "So you do know her."
"She's more obvious 'bout her intentions."
"That's my Baby Girl." She nods, "But yeah, I agree with her. And others." She tilts her head to the side.
Now wasn't the time to bring up Faustina.
Her new partner needed time to adjust to this first.
But he'd have to know eventually.
Beam lifts a brow, "Yer brute too?" He asks in confusion.
"Gil?" She grins, "Yeah, I imagine you have the skewed version of him."
"Shadow always jus' told us not ta fuck with 'im," He snorts, "Like we would. Kid's the size o' one o' the fuckin' barges."
"T is protective of Gil," She purses her lips, "But, I promise it will make more sense after ya really get ta meet him."
"Kay…" He chuckles "Now ya got me need'in ta know."
She nods as she stands, "Well then, let me show you the rest of the ship, and then we'll go check on them."
"Lead the way, Cap'n."
Her eyes fly open as she sits up with a gasp.
"Finally," A familiar voice chases away the shadowy whispers of a strange dream, "Be comin' on Fire Princess, dry T off quick like afore the chill be doin' what the earth shakin' could'nah be doin'."
She blinks, shaking off the fear of… something.
Something dark and looming.
She holds her hand out, only registering that Harry wanted her to warm someone up.
She squeaks in surprise as she's yanked from the bed.
"A-ass." T snaps.
"T?" She questions stupidly as she heats up at his stutter of cold, her arms and legs automatically wrapping around him when she's pressed against freezing wet clothes.
"D." He greets as he moves them to the table to curl around her.
"Why wet?" She shakes her head as she looks T over with a frown.
"F-felt l-like swimming."
Swimming?
There was something there.
Something she'd been trying to remember.
"Oh aye?" Harry glowers as he slips into a chair beside them, "Ya be feelin' like swimmin'?"
"Learn ta take a joke," T grumbles into her neck.
Gil sighs as he joins them at the table. "Harry," He shakes his head, "It's cold out."
Harry presses his fingers to his temples, "Oh? Ya think I don'nah be noticin' that Sweet Boy? Or fearin' what the cold could be ah doin' to 'em?"
Gil's brow furrows as he places his chin in his hand, "I mean," He yawns, "T's a giant-" He pauses before his eyes land on T. "What did you do?"
"Hey," T tilts to rest his chin on her shoulder, "I'm the victim here."
Gil closes his mouth, "Ten to one you deserved it." His eyes narrow, "Or it was your idea."
"Hey-" T interrupts himself with a snort , "Good math, cause yeah… I did. And it was."
"Uh-huh." Gil chuckles.
"And it was epic." He grins as he rests his chin on her head lazily.
"It usually is." She sighs before she surrounds herself and T with her soft blue flames.
"She gets hmm..." T's grumble turns to a purr, his nuzzle interrupted as he pulls back quickly to stare at her in awe. "You're? I'm?"
"What ya be ah-" Harry turns away from Gil, his eyes widening before he jumps from his seat, "Fuckin' Sea Gods Deez!"
T glares at him before he pulls Deez closer. "Mine." He glares. "Whatever this is, mine."
"Harry!" Gil grabs his hand and shoves it into the flames, "Chill."
"Oh yeah, I have been meaning to thank you for the forced lessons." She frowns as she looks from Gil's amused smile to Harry's panicked eyes, "Oops?"
"No shit, oops." T pokes her curiously and plucks at his flaming hoodie before he looks at her, eyes shining with pride, "dude," he breathes out, "this is fuckin' epic. Look at you, walking Pyre."
"When the fuck ya be learnin' ta flame without burinin'?" Harry asks as he continues to stare at his flame-covered hand.
"Um, well it was-"
"Hey-" Uma greets as she and Beam step into the room.
"Shiiit!" Someone immediately steps back with hands up defensively.
"Baby Girl!" Uma cries out as she races over, "T- What the fuck did you do!?"
She giggles when she realizes she wasn't the only one to sigh.
They all did.
With varying degrees of emotion.
"He was cold." She pouts as she presses a flaming finger to Uma's arm to show she wasn't burning him.
"Speakin' of-" T sighs before he passes her off to Harry with a resigned sigh.
She wraps her arms around Harry's neck as she lets the flames die.
"Um, hey," Gil rubs the back of his neck as he looks Beam over.
She blinks as she turns back to the door.
"Beam?" She asks as she looks from T to him and then Uma.
When had Beam gotten on the ship?
"Yo," Beam holds up a hand in greeting, his wide eyes still glued on her.
Gil looks between the rest of the family and then Beam several times before he glares. "You guys left!"
She bites her lip as she looks up into Harry's eyes, only for him to look away.
She'd wondered where they were.
Briefly.
Right before she'd fallen asleep.
"Only to get the others, Sweet Boy," She holds up her hands, "And make a quick trip to the commissary."
"So, like, all over the Isle. With no protection." He accuses with a glare.
"Which we've finished. Well, some of them." She sighs before she taps Harry's shoulder.
Harry quickly places her on her feet.
"And-" T grins in amusement before he pushes her between Uma and Gil. "Diffuse."
"Uh-"
Fucking T.
She was a heater and a writer, occasionally an artisan.
Diffuse?
"Should I come back?" Beam side steps towards the door.
"Sorry, Beam," She shakes her head before she turns to Gil.
The fact that Beam was in this room was significant, and this fight was stupid in comparison.
"This sounds important. Maybe we can talk about this later?" She holds her arms out to Gil.
Gil sends one last glare at Uma before he sighs and picks her up.
He resumes his seat and settles her in his lap.
"Well, that's an image," Beam says as he shakes his head. "So, uh, hi."
T chuckles before he hops off the table and perches on the back of Harry's chair, pulling him back to sit as well.
Uma sighs before she turns back to Beam, "Gil, Beam. Beam, Gil."
"Hey," Gil smiles sheepishly. "Nice ta meet ya."
"Same." Beam nods as he looks around in confusion.
"Have a seat?" Uma gestures before she walks over to her desk to collect paper and pens.
"Kay…" Beam nods as he walks over and plops down across from Harry. His eyes dart from Gil to T as he taps one of his thumbs against the table and brings his knuckles to his mouth.
It was almost like he was having a hard time dealing with- Oh.
Beam had only ever seen or maybe only heard of who Harry and Gil were in public, she could only imagine how strange this must look to him.
How strange it must look for her to be so at ease in Gil's lap.
Watch T perching behind Harry.
Gil's silent contemplation of the situation as he waited for Uma's explanation.
Well, that might not seem strange, but him nervously playing with her hair might be.
Harry being able to stay still without even a hint of a sway.
"When we're in this room, um, we don't hide who we are." She quickly tries to explain, "like really are."
"Speakin' of," Uma snaps her fingers absently. "Hood."
T stares at her, groaning when she raises her brow before he hesitantly pulls it down.
She tries to hide her smile at how quickly Beam's eyes are drawn to T's face.
She couldn't blame him. It was probably his first good look.
"Huh." His eyes dart to each of them as if trying to solve a puzzle.
What had she and Gil missed while they worked on the charms?
How long had they been asleep this time?
Uma comes back and lays out several pieces of paper and a fistful of pens. "James should be here any minute. Yensid and Faustina will have to join us next time."
"You can go fuck yourself with that shit." T glares.
Uma glares at him, "She's a tactician and very insightful. I need her opinion on certain things just as much as I need yours on others."
He snorts, "Well, good fuckin' luck."
"Are we having a meeting?" She asks as she looks up at Uma, "Like, a what do we do next meeting?"
"Aye," Uma sighs as she pushes back her braids. "Figured we'd jus' wait 'til James comes."
She smiles as she sits up straighter, "That means we're working together!"
"Yeah," Beam nods dumbly.
Gil leans down, "He's still soaked." He whispers.
"Right." She hops down before she slowly walks over to the side of the table Beam was on.
"S'up?" Beam tears his eyes off T when he notices her.
She bites her lip before she holds up a single finger with a flame on it, "I promise I won't burn. It just helps you dry and get warm."
He blinks before he looks at Harry.
Not T.
"Aye, mate. Not a lick o' pain."
He nods before he turns back, "Fuck it," he shrugs, "It's cold as shit."
She smiles before she presses her hands to his chest and warm without the flames.
No need to test the twitchy leader.
He shudders under her hands as he sags slightly, "Fuck." He blinks, "thanks, Lil' Writer."
She smiles at the nickname.
Her urchin name.
She'd been so happy the day he gave it to her.
"No problem." She leans in slightly to whisper, "It's faster with more contact, but you look like you're dealing with a lot of new already today."
"So much yo." He breathes out with a small shake of his head.
Her smile widens before she looks over her shoulder at Uma, Harry, and T and then back, "I'm glad you're here."
"Huh," He looks around the table with a half-grin, his eyes full of uncertainty and mirth, "Weirdly, same."
She runs a hand through his hair to dry it, "Does this mean everyone is here?"
He frowns, "'cept for Freddie an' those like 'er-" He turns to T, "Ya told them 'bout her right?"
T nods.
"We're going to work on those charms next," She explains before she pats his shoulder.
"Cool," Beam beams. "Cause the Voodoo's are drivin' everyone fuckin' nuts. They don't sit in one place well."
She shakes her head.
Yeah, she had a hard time picturing Freddie sitting still for more than a few minutes.
Uma snorts. "She'll have plenty o' space ta run round here. Or she'll be too tired ta bitch once I put her ass ta work."
"She cooks. Both of 'em do." T volunteers with a shrug.
Beam nods. "S'good too."
She tilts her head to the side as Uma sits and starts writing. Her cousin never noticed cold from the water, but once she was out of it long enough-
She smiles at Beam before she steps away.
The Captain would never dare complain about something she deemed a mere inconvenience. She moves to her side and wraps her arms around her to warm her as well.
"Thanks, Baby Girl," Uma sits up to nuzzle her neck before she shakes her head and turns to Beam, "Can ya make me a list o' names and what yer people's strengths are?"
"Sure," He nods as he pulls a piece of paper to him and starts writing.
"I can be makin' lists of things we be needin' ta collect on the Isle." Harry offers as he pulls a sheet towards himself.
"Thanks, Pretty Boy."
"Deez, wanna help me make a mini voodoo doll while we wait?" Gil asks her with a sheepish grin.
She smiles, pressing a small kiss to Uma's cheek before she rushes over to her chest, "I have a couple of things you might be able to use."
"Awesome," Gil's grin grows wider.
"Oh!" T snaps his fingers before he hops off the back of Harry's chair, "I need your help too, D."
"What's up?" She asks as she starts gathering scrap glass and twisted bits of metal.
"I need some shit melted." He shrugs, "Be back."
"You better be," Uma glares at him.
He rolls his eyes, "Yeah yeah. Waitin' on that amulet thingie, got it." He throws his hood back up before he's rushing from the room.
"Does he know Yensid has them?" She asks as she drops her finds in front of Gil.
Uma shoots her a mischievous grin before she scoops her thumb under necklaces she hadn't noticed, revealing the compasses, "Jus' waitin' 'til we have our shit together," she explains with a wink.
Beam snorts, "Now there's the Kraken." He breathes out, strangely relieved.
"What all do we need to figure out?" She picks up a small bit of blackened metal that twisted into a pretty pattern.
"What we have. What we need. Who's missing. Rumors. An idea of what the OVs and other adults are up to. What damage has been done, magic and otherwise. See if I can find Gil's anvil an' hammer. We also need to see ta the needs of the crew, new an' old." She bites her lip, "Swimmin' lessons-"
She grimaces, the twisted metal pinging as it skitters across the table.
Swimming lessons.
Uma made sure everyone on her crew could swim.
It was important, especially now that the ship was actually sailing.
She knew that, but it didn't stop the stab of pain in her chest.
Didn't stop her fingers from going numb.
Gil reaches over and pulls her into a hug as he looks Uma over and sighs, "You can do it Treasure." He whispers. "I'll be with you, promise."
"I'm not swimming. I can swim, I don't-" She closes her eyes.
That's not why Uma looked worried.
Wasn't the reason Gil was encouraging her.
Uma looked worried because they needed a safe place to teach the others how to swim.
Like she'd created for herself.
At the cove.
"Treasure…" He frowns as he caresses her cheek, "I don't like it either but…" He looks to Uma and sighs at her resigned expression, "needs of the many, right?"
"Aye," Uma nods with a sigh. "I know it's a lot ta ask, Baby Girl, but… It's the safest way to get it done with the how the sea's been misbehavin'."
She shivers.
Misbehaving was a word.
Not the one she'd use, but a word.
She sighs before she bites her lip.
"The cove is still the safest place, isn't it." She asks, unable to keep the bitter resignation from her voice.
Uma nods, "You know I wouldn't ask ya to go back if I didn't have to."
Gil squeezes her to his chest, "An' I'm sure Uma wouldn't mind anchorin' the ship close," He looks to her, "Right?"
Uma quickly nods, "Of course."
She stares down at her hands and nods.
It was all she could give them.
Acceptance.
Understanding.
This was the way things had to be.
Maybe they'd get there and find the water receding.
Or maybe it would all be destroyed, and she'd have to start over.
She looks up at Gil as he runs a thumb over her knuckles in reassurance. "If ya can burn without burnin', ya can do this too, Treasure." He kisses her, "I know you can." He looks around the table, "We know you can."
She forces a smile on her lips as she nods but quickly drops her head again.
Gil sighs as he holds her tighter, "I'll be there too." He promises. "If you're facin' it again, it won't be alone."
She swallows hard before she takes a deep breath.
Everyone would be facing their fears.
T was going to race back to the Isle the moment he got Uma's permission so he could keep searching for survivors.
Harry would be separating from them to go with him.
Uma would be putting the crew's needs first, meaning they as a family would end up separating until they could assure everyone's needs and safety were met.
And Gil was going to be hurting over losing everyone so soon after being reunited.
The least, the very fucking least, she could do was work on the cove again.
Give them more space since the crew was growing.
Make another pool.
The least she could do.
She glances up as the door opens and James and T walk in.
"Cap'n." James nods as T pulls his hood down.
"D," T nods towards to James. "Light him up."
She smiles slowly as Gil chuckles and sets her on her feet.
She could do this.
It was more fun to play now, and deal with the fear later.
James glares at T, "What the fuck ya be-"
"Jus' enjoy it." T grins widely as he nudges Jame's shoulder with his own, "It's fuckin' boss."
She grins as she lets her soft blue flames build before T shoves James into her.
James yelps as he turns to shoot T a look of betrayal.
"Don't be a baby." She scolds with a giggle.
"Sea-" James pauses as he stares down at her in wonder. "That's a neat trick. A fuckin' terrorfyin' trick ta be sure, but neat as fuck." He flicks at the fire in amazement. "The fuck'd ya pick that up?"
She chuckles as she wraps her arms around him, "Gil."
Gil shoots them the most boyish grin she'd ever seen. "Yeah."
"Huh." James shakes his head before he pats her hair.
"Right," T chuckles before he walks over and drops a bulging bag on the floor with a thud that draws everyone's attention. "Was right where I left it." He grins as he plops next to it and pulls it to his lap.
"The fuck is-" Uma starts before T empties the contents on the floor.
She blinks as the whole room falls silent.
"That's a lot of gold." She says, her voice oddly small in the loud silence.
"Right?" T looks up at her, "Figured the Goblins would eat this shit up."
"Ooooh. Are you telling me I can make things-"
"Where the fuck ya be hidin' ah treasure like that?" Harry asks in surprise.
T leans back and rests his weight on his hands, "Under some of the planks in the work room."
James snorts, "Under some very secure planks."
T grins. "I didn't want-" He glances at Uma, "Yep. Didn't want a certain Hook stumblin' over it."
"Hooks an' treasure be goin' hand in hand." Harry glares as he plucks a bejeweled cross from the pile, his lip curling slightly in disdain.
"Shame yer hook's outta commission," T teases, "We could'ah decked it out."
"Temptin', but no. Not that I be sayin' no to any originals Sweet Boy an' Baby Girl can be makin' from this mess." Harry grins over at her and Gil, "When ya both be gettin' some time."
"Nothin' your ass is usin' on the damned Isle."
She chuckles as she takes a step back from a thoroughly dry James and takes the cross from Harry, "Don't be mean T, Harry's inner dragon just wants a new toy."
T snorts, "Use the silver then."
"Can I touch it?" Beam asks in amazement.
She snorts as she tosses the cross to him, "That's a silly question."
Beam scrambles to catch it, "I jus-" He turns to T, "The fuck man?"
"What?" T shrugs, "I found it."
She wasn't the only one to hesitate over T's word choice.
But she was the first to shrug it off.
"Oh!" She smiles as she grabs another golden object from the pile and starts rolling it in her hands, "What about a wrap voodoo doll? I can make this really thin so you can use it like wire."
Gil grins, "Yeah! She'd love that."
T tilts his head to the side as his eyes narrow, "Might wanna ask Yensid, metals might have different, like properties, an' shit with magic. Kinda like with-"
She doesn't catch the rest as she rushes from the room.
Oh, Uma.
Captain, oh captain.
She's really kicking herself over the T thing, ain't she?
Like she doesn't have enough weight to be bearing.
Not that she doesn't have people to help her, but there's just something about being 'the' leader that adds a ton to your shoulders. So it's nice that Beam's willing to help.
But seriously yo, we have so many characters to follow it's not like we needed another fucking OC to keep track of.
Still he plays an important role.
And Umes needs all the help she can get.
So here we are.
And look, we finally figured out what the fuck was brushing against Harry's leg.
I know. I know.
Canonically Umes is a mer-squid, but after a fuck ton of discussion, me and Dark agreed that really didn't make sense.
Ursula and her sis from the cartoon were evil, Umes is everything but.
So short of her casting some really nasty magic, don't expect her to be sprouting tentacles any time soon.
Hate it?
Feel free to let us know, I mean, won't change shit at this point, but it would be good to know your thoughts.
Also... where the fuck is D goin' in such a rush?
Cause, Lolz, fuck if I know.
But seriously, girl blurred.
Talk about celerity.
Apparently we're back tracking today.
Dude, raise your hand if you'd forgotten about that bag T brought back after setting the cathedral on fire? Cause *ba da dum* (← sad attempt at drum roll) here it is!
And of course Faustina would think to give it to the Goblins, then again, what the fuck else are they gonna use it for in a dystopia? Ain't like they can spend it on anything.
Ain't no way food and water didn't just become the Isle's commerce.
Think that metals have different magical properties in this world?
Ugh.
Still gross where he got it from. Hook gets it.
Talk bout blood money.
Beam's certainly at a loss of what to make of the fam, well the true fam anyway. Not that I can blame him. Nothing's as it appears when you wear such well-crafted masks.
Oh god.
Uma expects Faustina to come out during meetings?
That's going to be interesting, ain't it.
Assuming T lets it happen.
Which, will he?
To be clear, he's not embarrassed by his sister.
It's just:
He spent so long protecting her it feels wrong for anyone to learn of her now, like a betrayal or something.
He's embarrassed they share a body
Anyone feel that?
Fuck if everyones reaction to D's new trick wasn't priceless.
Harry's gonna be so jelly when he figures out how she managed to master that one.
Fuck if Yensid wasn't busy while they were out.
Talk about a remodel.
Was anyone else curious how they were gonna fit the new crew on the ship? Cause bam, there ya go.
Deus ex Magic.
Which ugh.
*Groans* Not again. (For any of you who read our Pie series, you get me. Fucking magic, angels, and gods are such plot ruiners… Then again, so is Stitch, but we don't include him that often. Thank fucking gods.)
Much love and appreciation
-Twisted