Pie-rat: There be a great deal to the sheep-lass. She be very important to Capt'n Sonic, more so than other's know. But let me ask ye a wee inquiry: What be so special 'bout the capt'n's ship? Why that be important?
Aye, The Gov'ner be a slipp'ry lad, with the brain ta make ye walk into yer own trap. He be a watchful lad, with Plenty-a plan fer foes, and safe in his dome of blunt' headed tomfoolery.
/*-*/
Sonic sat in the worn chair at the table with their tankards. The pink hedgehog continued to skirt around them, ever so cautiously. He should have been overjoyed and smug with their success, but Sonic couldn't help but feel afraid for Blaze.
She was in the presence of the Governor, and while he seemed rather dull, Sonic wasn't sure the Governor wouldn't hurt her out of excitement. Big was rather strong, and could hurt many people if he felt uncomfortable or got too hasty with a movement. That went without saying anything about the guards around him, and the pirates looking to get in good with the governor.
Sonic gave a nod to the pink Hedgehog, "Come over, lass. You can't ask us our orders if you sit over there."
She covered parts of her face and inched closer to the table, "What will… What tickles… What would tickle yer fancy?"
"The on'l thing we're com'n here' fer." Knuckles grumbled, "Rum fer all us."
Miss Rose gave a nod to them, but remained to look at Sonic, watching him in a rather unnerving fashion.
"Lass, I'll be having what the rest of my boys will be." Sonic smiled at her dismissively, hoping that she would get to their order.
"…Ah, yes, I'll be right back." Miss Rose turned around and moved over to the bar.
Sonic leaned back against the wooden seat, and closed his eyes. Not that he was terrible tired, he was too excited to get some sleep, but his eyes were heavy… for some reason, perhaps he was a bit ill. Might need to go to mass come morning.
Miles leaned over to grab Sonic's ear, "Capt'n, a word?"
Sonic opened his eyes, and leaned over, "What's got your mind?" he sat up, and shifted in his seat.
"Capt'n, ya've been talkin' to the lass." Miles mumbled as George and Bernard glanced at Sonic.
Sonic glanced at his crewmen, lacing his fingers together. "I do, we have to if we're going to find our gems, and make our coin."
"Capt'n… we be a bit worried ya be attachin' to 'er." Miles mumbled, the table rocking from his knee bumping against the table.
"Bah, you have nothing to worry about lads. We're going to be fine, I just make small talk to pass the time." Sonic assured them, as Miss Rose returned with their drinks, and set them on the table before backing away.
Sonic cleared his throat, "Hold it, lass, You forgot your coin." Sonic set out the silver coins onto the table.
Miss Rose nodded, and stepped forward, ever so slowly, and quickly scooped up the coins before turning around, walking three feet, and turning around once again, "M…Might I offer any other s…services to you?"
Bernard sat up, "Well, I'd say this whore's 'bout to make me act a fool."
"Can you afford her." Sonic passed a glance to his crewman, who pursed his lips in a foul frown, and slumped back into the chair. Sonic answered for Bernard, "No thank you, lass, just the grog and the company, unless you have information to share?"
"Nothing further to offer." She smiled and bowed her head to leave. It seemed when she talked with just him, miss Rose was quite comfortable, but when others were around, she would be skittish.
"Capt'n, We be nervous ya might let the royal lass go. And the other one below deck, what'r we doin' with 'er?" Miles asked, sounding quite nervous. He wasn't comfortable with the topic.
"Capt'n ya been taking too soft a stance with these lasses." Knuckles interjected, "Yer actin' like a gentleman, not like a pirate, a we all be paying for it." He made his stance very clear.
"Have you ever considered that many problems occur because there are not enough gentlemen in the world?" Sonic stated, frowning at the idea, "We must have standards, respect. We'll get what is ours, I promise you all this, but we'll do it with a bloody good heart and smart head."
"Very good, Capt'n." Miles stated with a smile, immediately showing his support for the decision.
Sonic smiled and looked to the rest of his crew. George shrugged, "Me think's yer plans be workin'… fair so far."
Knuckles scowled bitterly, but he nodded, "Aye Capt'n, yer will be done."
"Gentlemen, Need I remind you all that we have secured a very fair deal by playing to the royal tunes." Sonic stated with a smile, hoping to de-escalate the situation, "The coin will come in time, gentlemen, just be a bit bloody patient with me."
"Capt'n… yer shaking hands with a lass don't mean she'll keep 'er end ah the bargain." Miles mumbled, shifting in his seat.
"Miles, are you with me or against me, I can't seem to figure out where you are on this line." Sonic smirked and laughed. They had all agreed to his plan, and they wouldn't back down now.
"Capt'n… not ev'rone shares yer honesty." Miles sighed, "Jus' makin' me voice heard."
Sonic nodded, "Your objections have been noted." He stood up, and finished the tankard. He stood up to go and relieve himself, after feeling some liquid desperate to leave.
He ran outside, and did his business, before looking over into the area which was made dark so close to the light. Sonic saw Blaze, standing there, in the shadows, looking timid as a beaten dog.
"Miss Blaze," Sonic smiled as he got closer to not draw any attention, "Are you feeling alright? You seem rather uncomfortable."
She rubbed up and down her arms, "I fear for my safety here. Pray tell, does my attire inspire-"
"Lass, just talk bluntly." Sonic sighed, "I've had a pint, and I am not in the mood for frivolous speech." Sonic let out a belch at that.
Blaze recoiled, before letting a simple, beautiful giggle, the first time Sonic had heard her laugh. Then, she hunched over to laugh even harder, "Forgive me… That is so… uncouth, I should not dare laugh…" She started to wheeze, only because Sonic had let out a loud burp.
Sonic chuckled with her, "No problems here, lass. It's good to hear you laugh. It makes you feel better, let it out."
She caught her breath, and sighed, "I do not wish to stay on your ship for our time together, but…I… worry about my outfit revealing my identity."
Sonic took her words carefully. She did not look like a trader or passerby, that much was for sure. It might be a bit of a stretch too far to say they would know she was royal, but still…
"You want new clothes?" Sonic asked. They didn't really have the coin for new clothing or outfits. Sonic could definitely use a new tunic.
"I simply wish to not be a target for hooligans." Blaze stated bluntly.
That made the prospect an inch more possible. Sonic looked her up and down. She wore a jacket, and a button up shirt. Sonic had an idea.
"Take off your jacket." Sonic stated, earning her look of shock.
"Why?" She demanded.
"I am going to help you." Sonic stated, "Now take off the bloody jacket."
She frowned, before doing so, ever so carefully. Sonic took the jacket from her and tossed it onto a barrel, before getting low to her waist. They were in the dark so Sonic had to get especially close.
Sonic's breath felt a little tight as he unbuttoned her bottom two buttons of her shirt. He could also feel her tense up, fists balled, ready to pummel him for indecent actions.
Still Sonic unbuttoned a third button, and pulled the cloth around, exposing the young lady's waste and belly to the air around them. Sonic then looked at her pants. They were very fine, fully covering her legs. Did he dare tear them apart?
Sonic cleared his throat, "Lass, you may wish to find a different bottom." He gestured to her pants, "Aside from that, you should be set."
Blaze looked down her form, and frowned, clearly unhappy with the fact that her belly was exposed, "Must I suffer this?"
"You look less royal now. You have fine clothes, not very typical of a pirate I do say so myself." Sonic laughed, "But you'll at least not be a target for muggers."
Blaze sighed and nodded, "Very well."
"You may want to tuck away that gem on your head." Sonic pointed out, "Looks pretty valuable, and its worth far more than it looks." He was trying to being helpful to his new business partner.
Blaze reached up, and grabbed the small red gem on her head and pulled it off in front of her, "I do not…" She trailed off as she stared at the small red gemstone.
"Lass you alright?" Sonic asked. He was asking her to hide her gemstone, he wasn't asking her to throw it away.
Blaze shook her head, and clutched the red stone, "Fine."
"Well, we can go in now." Sonic proposed, gesturing to the doorway.
Blaze hesitated, before nodding.
They walked forward inside, Sonic could see that even with the minor adjustments he had made to her attire, She still looked rather uncomfortable, even as they moved through the loose doors. Sonic placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to ease that fear she had, but it only seemed to make it worse.
So he dropped his hand very quickly as her tails bristled up, and decided to pay attention to the room, looking for anyone who was looking a little too hard.
A few eyes perked up and looked at the cat's waist with her exposed belly. Nothing to worry about there, aside from a few drunken flirts.
What really caught Sonic's attention was his own table, his four men glancing at the princess before staring. It wasn't that big of a change, but to his men, she was like a fresh whore. Sonic made sure to guide Blaze to a seat, and keeping it on the other side of the table. Sonic sat down between Blaze and George.
"W-What is- What?" Blaze caught herself. She was already working on that speech style.
George gawked for a bit, "Well, Lass, I coul'n 'elp but notice yer lookin' a wee bit… diffren'."
"I- I be… I am trying to blend in." Blaze mumbled at George, looking around without much grace, clearly checking for eyes.
"Relax, lass, you're fine with us." Sonic mumbled, leaning over onto her shoulder while whispering, "Stop looking around, you're making it bloody obvious you're important."
Blaze jolted straight up and sighed, "I apologize." She whispered back.
Sonic wasn't too frustrated with her, but it was important that she not reveal herself around these rascals and raiders.
"Capt'n, what be the plan now? I be itch'n ta do somethin', and we be sittin' here wit nothin'." Bernard grumbled, tapping his fingers on the table as he raised his cup to his lips, drinking his grog.
"We're waiting for our guest to give us the location of other… valuable objects." Sonic started to speak in code, not wanting what happened to Shadow to be a repeat, "Miles, you've been quiet. Speak up, lad."
Miles, ever the solution find, slumped down, covering his face in his coat.
Knuckles growled, "I been waiting fer too long. Lass, ya best be givin' locations or directions." He stood up.
"Knuckles, sit down, you're too loud when you're drunk." Sonic exclaimed as the eyes turned to look at his echidna crewmate.
Knuckles looked around and saw the eyes on him, and sighed, "Damn the whore an'how." He sat back down and the tavern returned to its business.
Blaze looked somewhat outraged, so Sonic leaned over, "It's just to cover you. That being said, We would like some information about where the others are."
"It will take time." Blaze stated with a jolt, very nervous, "Word travels slow, and I can not make things go faster. Have faith."
There was some words of truth. Sonic needed some faith. So while the others drank themselves slowly, with Blaze's recoil from the grog being worth every second, Sonic left. He stood up from the table and walked out.
Sonic made his way up the hill and entered into the church. The building was so quiet, and dark, with a frightening sight with all of the shadows and cold sights to see.
There were candles lit on the walls with corroded copper candle holders on the sides of the walls.
Sonic walked deeper inside and sat down at the pew to the right-front of the church. He sighed, looking up at the wooden puppet supposed to be Christ. While there were talks of a golden Statue being stolen, the truth was that it was a brass statue that was donated to a mission in the new world. Pirates even escorted it, as no pirate would dare offend the Almighty when their lives were spent at sea.
Sonic sighed, and leaned his head back. The building was comforting to him. It was home.
"Sonic, my son, what brings you so late." Vanilla approached the hedgehog captain as he sat there.
"I find myself needing to confess some of my deepest sins." Sonic sighed, leaning against the wooden pew.
"Confession is open at all times." Vanilla smiled softly and sadly at Sonic.
He stood up, and walked over to the booth, where he knew Vanilla would enter from the other side. He sat in the enclosed box, feeling safe with all of his sides covered, and the small grate which separated his listener from himself.
"Forgive me, Father for I have sinned." Sonic started. He confessed to the most terrible feelings he had felt while out, the most heinous desires which had consumed him. The most minor of slips from his core and his heart.
And then he stood, and walked out of the confession booth.
Vanilla walked out as well. And was about to retire for the evening. Yet Sonic had one more request to make. A comfort he had not enjoyed for a long time, "Sister, Might there be communion wine and bread left?"
The rabbit kept her smile up, as always, no ask, no tedious interaction was ever too great to break her spirit, "Yes, child, we still have plenty from the morning service."
"Then… Might we perform communion… once again. I know I ask a great deal, but… I would like the Lord's blessing for my journey." Sonic scratched his chin, and before he lied, he sighed, "And… because I'd like… to do it with you once again."
Vanilla's smile never faltered, and even with the late night draining her energy, her posture never yielded. No request ever too much, no service was ever to difficult for Sister Vanilla, "Yes, Child, I would love to offer communion once more."
She walked to the back of the church, and returned with the flat bread, and soft wine. Sonic walked over to the pool of water, and washed his hands in it. The feeling of the water was so easy to go. First came the left hand, the hand of traitors, deception and the devil's work. Once the hand was purified, wash the right. He could still feel Vanilla's hands guiding him the proper way to wash.
Then he walked up to the altar, and sat on his knees. He waited until the return of Vanilla. She pulled out the bread and the dark red, foggy wine, both on a wooden tray with cloth covering the bottom. The old scripture painting on the wooden tray were faded, and cracked, but the images were still there.
Vanilla laid the tray down, and stood up at the alter. She sighed as Sonic stepped forward, and picked up the large piece of flat, hard bread, with many holes poked through it. She took a deep breath, as she went into her heart and mind to remember the words perfectly, and began to quote the scripture, "When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.""
Her eyes watered at the words, with a care that she had always held for the scripture. She had spoke those words a thousand times, but every time, she would always act like she had witnessed the event herself. Sonic did not dare smile.
Sister Vanilla steadied herself, and picked up a piece of the bread, holding it high for an absent congregation, "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My mbody which is given for you, do this in remembrance of Me."" She broke a piece, and set the bread down onto the tray.
Sonic picked up the large piece of flat bread. He pressed his thumb against the bread and cracked it, taking a piece about the size and shape of a rifle's flintstone. He raised the piece, and said, "Lord, thank you for your sacrifice." He then ate the thin piece of bread.
Vanilla then poured the murky, very impoverished wine, into the cup, and held it up. She continued her quote, "Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.""
She then drank from the cup, and set it down on the tray for Sonic. He picked it up, and repented, "I've done a lot Lord, Forgive me." Then he took a drink of it, swallowing down the vinegar-wine mixture.
It was a difficult luxury to get out here, and he knew little of it when he was growing up. The wine was never bad to child who had tasted nothing better.
Vanilla stood over him, and smiled, "Now, as you have asked for this to remember the good times, I will also ask you a question, to remember the kinder days of your life."
She knew him well, she knew his tails, his hidden fears. She could read him so carefully, but he also knew her as well, "Luke, the scripture was from Luke, the doctor and wisdom seeker."
Vanilla smiled, and gave him an approving nod that made his heart soar with joy. So he needed to confess, "I wanted the Lord to bless me. My world is becoming complicated, and strife finds my heart. I am losing trust, and I am… becoming vengeful and foolish."
"Then it is good that we learned with Luke." Vanilla smiled. She stayed with him for an hour, offering a council he dare not repeat. It was almost as sacred as Jerusalem, their bond, and he would keep her words to the grave.
The next few days passed at a slow rate.
/*-*/
Princess Blaze confessed that she saw nothing to make her move. She stood before the dock, the ship, the bar, and nothing occurred. It was a sedentary life, which made her feel anxious at her core.
The pirate captain and his crew were fair, not being terrible to her, aside from the bear, who passed her angry glances. With all of that being said, Princess Blaze did not go anywhere without the captain or the first mate.
Princess Blaze saw the Sailor Marine, who remained in her cell after attempting two escape plans, which only set the Princess back. The first attempt involved her taking a cup, breaking it, picking the lock and stealing one of the spare pistols, threatening the crew, shooting (Wasting her only shot), missing and getting piled on.
The Second attempt was very similar, but instead, she tried to play mad, before stealing keys, grabbing gun, missing, grabbing sword, getting tackled, and thrown back in. The stubborn sailor seemed more intent on proving her usefulness to the princess instead of heeding the princess's orders.
Of course, this was only a prelude to what was to come.
On the fourth day of them resting, Blaze peered into the Sol Emerald, and felt the rippled across a sea of heat and motion. Another Emerald was moving, it was passing through a sea… far west of Borava. It was being carried… with… pain. It was a great curse to be chosen.
She remained focused, powering through the pain, and focusing. Further, further from the seas. Two.
"HEDGEHOG!"
Blaze's concentration was broken, and she quickly closed the chest carrying the Emerald, turning around to see Shadow walking across the port, being flanked by his Steel Brute and the Bat.
The Pirate Captain Sonic rose from scrubbing the deck, "Ah, Shadow, pleasure to see you on this fine day." He tipped his hat in a sarcastic tone. The other members of the crew scrambled together with their weapons. Together, they outnumbered the dark pirate captain two to one.
"Enough with yer snide remarks, You know why I be here! I come fer me prize!" the Dark Pirate Captain snarled, showing his teeth in anger. It seemed the days at sea did little to sooth his rage at being tricked.
"What prize? Did you fill some bounty for governor Big? Go ask him for your reward." The blue Pirate captain remarked, again, being humorously sarcastic.
"Ye stole me treasure, I know what ye be doin' I saw yer face." Pirate Captain Shadow snarled, raising a finger at Captain Sonic, "I know ye have a witch wit ya! Now hand over me prize, or I be inclined to take it!"
"Oh, you would?" Captain Sonic grinned a toothy grin, full of confidence and authority, "And you'd have all of the haven on you, Or did you forget? We're in Borava, no piracy in the haven."
The two glared at each other in such a way that Princess Blaze would think that they'd start fighting there on the dock. But she knew the rules did not allow them to fight. It was a strangely honorable way to live, especially for pirates. A universal fear would unify even the most divisive people.
So there Captain Shadow was, simmering in his own bitter rage, glaring at the blue captain. His hands were on his blade, but he didn't draw it, as though it would warrant a reaction to even attack.
The large bat approached and grabbed the dark Captain by his left shoulder, "Capt'n, ther'll be 'nother chance. Not here though, else we be sank by the gov'ner 'imself. Ther' be oth'r times."
Captain Sonic continued to grin, "That's right, captain Shadow. There are other times, but if you'd care to test your luck, I'm right here." He was so confident, casual, staring down someone of equal status to him.
The Black hedgehog growled, and turned around angrily, very similarly to aristocrats that Princess Blaze's father had rejected or dismissed, "Ya'd best be watchin' yerself. I be getting' me booty, just ya wait."
And with that, the Black Captain turned around, and trudged away.
Captain Sonic quickly turned around, "Alright, lads, let's get on the sea. He'll be here for two days. Miss Blaze, tell me have some information on the next gem?"
Princess Blaze frowned, but nodded, "One of the Sol Emeralds is calling out in the sea… it's… nearby."
"Nearby?" The first mate asked.
"Forgive me, I can not be accurate with the Emerald's Location." The Princess sighed, almost in relief. Part of her hoped that their ship would be sunk and she would be rescued.
"It doesn't change anything." Captain Sonic Proclaimed, "We leave now."
"Aye, Capt'n." The first mate called out.
/*-*/
Aye Lads, that be it. Capt'n Sonic be out at sea, lookin' fer more gems, but wit a great rival. There be blood in the water, and only time will tell who'll walk on shore once again.
Remember to leave yer Capt'n a note or talkin' wit him. He be very keen on yer words.