By the time that her tasks were done, the sun was well below the horizon. Ava huffed and slumped against her mop. It wasn't any easier to clean than the Piece's of Ate, but at least there wasn't any rush to close up and get home at a reasonable time.
As she wiped the sweat from under her bangs, she had made plans to sit down immediately. If she had feet, they would be throbbing...
But a lone voice, coming through above deck had stopped her.
"I thought I heard the old man say,"
"Leave her Johnny, Leave her."
She leaned the mop against the wall and jogged up the stairs. And once she did, a small chorus had joined the lead voice.
The sight had left her breathless.
Warm lanterns casted a glow over almost everything. While the last red rays of the sun reached out to the hull.
Some of the crewmen were grabbing their dinners.
A group of them huddled around a table for a game of cards.
But most of them were joining in the somber melody.
The shanty caller was up in the sails in all his glory. The descending night sky created a fitting background for his otherworldly tableau.
"Tomorrow ye will get yer pay"
"And it's time for us to leave her"
She almost felt dizzy from how long she was looking up.
After coming back down to Earth, she jolted when she noticed the princess looking at her curiously.
"My apologies." Eloise said with a small smile.
"You're good..." the rhubarb reassured.
"Quite magnificent, isn't it?"
"Huh?"
The princess nodded her head to the picturesque scene. "You seem to be captivated by it, at least."
"Oh. Uh... Yeah. It's nice. Never really seen anything like it. Kinda makes me forget about the whole dangerous adventure-" she cut herself off. "Well... Almost."
Eloise chuckled good naturedly. "Do you have anything that is similar to this in the modern day?"
Ava shifted her weight on her stalk. "I mean, there's still ships and people singing this very song." She pulled her overcoat closer as a chilly breeze hit her. "There's even some groups who get together to sing old shanties. They get pretty viral."
Eloise didn't bother to ask what her new friend meant by that. She knew it was some future thing she would care little about.
"But this ?"
Ava let it soak into her skin again until she continued.
"Either no, or I'm too busy with life to notice."
"What do you mean by that?" the blonde tilted her head.
"I mean that I help my parents pay their bills, I work barely above minimum wage on long nights, I go home and stay up late on my phone till like 2 AM to feel something when I should be sleeping..."
Ava then scolded herself for venting to a young teen. She shouldn't have to know the woes of what the world would become. Even if it was 400 something years later.
"I am assuming that you are not alone in your dilemma?"
She was slightly taken aback at this girl's intuition.
"Um. Yeah. Lots of people are working just to survive. At least where I live. Not to mention people are constantly sharing their opinions, their lives, and even their tragedies with strangers. Millions of them. Things are always moving, always changing. One thing can't ever stay for a while until people are talking about the new thing that's wrong with the world... It's exhausting to keep up with it all."
Eloise carefully studied the look on the brunette's face. She looked... Tired. For lack of a better word.
"The future sounds hasty."
Ava chuckled humorlessly.
"It really is."
"Leave her Johnny, leave her"
"Oh leave her Johnny, leave her"
"Perhaps..." the young girl started, "If there is no true purpose for your being here, then you could attempt to find one?"
Ava's brain slowly started to shift gears as she processed those words...
"What do you mean by that ?" She parroted.
"If you are exhausted of your modern life, then why not find respite here? Of course this life isn't easy by any means. We are still on an expedition after all. But maybe a change of atmosphere can do you a great deal of good. A chance to "slow down", so to speak."
That idea didn't sound too bad to her. The more she thought it over, the more comfort it brought. As small as it was.
Maybe she didn't have to be afraid to be here...
"And I have been meaning to mention how refreshing it is to have another lady on board."
That made Ava finally crack a smile.
"Glad I could help."
"Likewise." she smiled back.
The princess gave her some space. But not before a parting sentiment.
"If it is any consolation, you are welcome to visit my cabin if you are in need of a break from my brother."
The rhubarb looked bewildered.
"I overheard your earlier conversation." Eloise explained. "Believe me, I am well aware of his 'charms'."
Ava felt that newfound comfort give way to that familiar awkwardness. And of course she wore that feeling on her sleeve.
"There is no need to let his behavior get to you. I promise he does not mean ill will. But I can only do so much by apologizing for him." she muttered the last bit.
"I'll make sure to save some tea for you, yes?" she queried.
"Uh- Yes! Yes. I would like that."
"Excellent. Have a good evening, Miss Ava."
"Night..."
"For the voyage is long and the winds don't blow"
"And it's time for us to leave her"
The song came to its end. As did the evening activities.
But not the placid feeling blanketing the ship, nor Ava's contemplation.
Before she knew it, the sage words of the princess had already left an indent on her skull. And God, was she thankful for it.
This was an entirely different world that no one else had the chance to engage in! Living, breathing history! It would be a waste if she spent all that time wishing she could go home. She didn't have to deal with nasty customers. She didn't have a phone to wither away in bed with. And she made a friend...
Although, she was realistic enough to realize she would still panic in stressful situations. Not everything could be fixed with a pep talk and a snap of your fingers.
But this was a start.
She said good night to her godfather and his friends before retiring to her cabin. The small, dark room welcomed her in. She didn't think there were any matches lying around. And she didn't even think to touch the lantern. She really should've asked George how to use old basic lighting.
"That's a tomorrow problem." , she thought to herself.
The rhubarb rummaged through the dark for sleeping clothes. Then heard something slump to the ground.
She turned and saw the outline of her uniform in a heap. What gave her pause earlier, had now given her an idea.
The cheap dress was carefully lifted, and promptly torn into two.
She stuffed the remnants in the back of the wardrobe and smacked it close.
It was an eye sore anyway.
Satisfied, she finally crawled into the bed and felt her eyes grow heavy.
Tomorrow didn't look so bad to her. Not with a new friend. Not when she was half asleep.