Newcastle, NSW
December 1883
The smell was the first thing that hit Cutty Sark as she pulled into the harbor with Thermopylae. At least it wasn't live cargo but it was still a far cry from her precious tea. Thermopylae nudged her. "Hey, the pelts lose their scent after a day." She assured her. Cutty Sark sighed. She didn't want to appear ungrateful. Thermopylae had thrown her a lifeline with the wool trade. She herself had done it for several years and was in search of a partner to work with. She was also the one who looked after Cutty Sark for months, helping her get a handle on her opium addiction. It was always her.
New York
1880
Cutty Sark's hacking coughs were what woke Thermopylae from a dead sleep. The exhausted cutter gripped the dock posts with her rigging, forcing herself upright with much effort. Next to her, Cutty Sark's fever ravaged body was shaking uncontrollably. Between them sat a steeping kettle filled with Eucalyptus tea that Thermopylae poured into a cup now. Gently, she lifted her friend's head and poured a little into her mouth. Cutty Sark winced at the heat but the brew soothed her throat and settled her lungs for the moment at least. She drank half the cup before she signaled to Thermopylae that she was done for now. She set the cup down on the dock as Cutty Sark's rigging came up and wrapped itself around hers. Thermopylae noted she was still trembling slightly. "Are you cold?" She asked. "Tis fine." Cutty Sark rasped. She groaned painfully, some of her rigging letting go to reach for her middle. Thermopylae felt her, noting her high heart rate and watery eyes. "It's the withdrawal isn't it?" She asked. Gritting her teeth, the other cutter nodded. "Yes." She choaked out. Carmania had started the process of weaning the weak before and had warned Thermopylae of what to expect.
"Ah, Thermopylae!" Cutty Sark gasped. The other cutter was prepared and lifted her up slightly while simultaneously shoving a bucket under her nose. She couldn't help but turn her head away as Cutty Sark vomited ferociously. Even when there was nothing left in her stomach she continued to dry heave, her abdominal cramps triggering wave upon wave of nausea. "If I thought you could keep it down, I'd have Carmania give you some ginger." Thermopylae said. "That would require leaving my side though." Cutty Sark gasped. "Not to worry. That won't ever happen." Thermopylae assured her, pressing her muzzle to her cheek. Cutty Sark managed to get a handle on her nausea for the moment and Thermopylae put the bucket away. She helped lay her back down. Cutty Sark was still shaking. "Shh. Close your eyes." Thermopylae whispered, brushing a cold cloth across her face. Cutty Sark reached up, resting a rigging line on her cheek. "Your eyes are so dull." She said quietly. She shifted her weight so she was resting more on her back. "Lie down and place your head here." She gestured to her chest. Thermopylae stiffened. "Cutty Sark, I don't think-" She began. "Please. Before you collapse and Carmania is forced to care for us both." Cutty Sark asked. Thermopylae rolled onto her starboard side, placing her head across the area indicated with her muzzle touching Cutty Sark's throat. "Comfortable?" The other asked softly. "Never more so." Thermopylae replied. "But are you- can you manage?" "I am stronger than I look." Cutty Sark assured her. Thermopylae settled in her position, purring when she felt Cutty Sark's rigging come around and stroke her foremast. Her own grasped those lines lovingly and the two fell asleep in that position.
Newcastle, NSW
December 1883
Thermopylae was right. The smell did go away after a day and with a fresh breeze freshening from east, Cutty Sark was beginning to feel something she hadn't felt for several years. She was alive! The pair were sailing in tandem northbound for England. They had only their lowers and their inner, outer, and flying jibs set. The waves were only a slightly choppy 10 foot with a long interval between. Thermopylae watched Cutty Sark as the other clipper came up into the wind, head tilting back into the breeze. Her eyes closed and in pure contentment all the tension in her rigging went away. Her spreaders stiffened as the sail ties loosened. Her hull quivered slightly in anticipation and eagerness. She wanted nothing more than to unleash her canvas and ride the winds as far as they would tolerate her. Thermopylae smiled, eyes softening at the sight. She had wondered if she would ever see Cutty Sark this happy again.
Cutty Sark opened her eyes and looked at her. "What?" She asked, seeing her expression. "Oh nothing." Thermopylae replied quickly. "It's obviously something." Cutty Sark pressed. "Just- I didn't dare hope. Your joy is a beautiful thing." Thermopylae replied. Cutty Sark's eyes filled and she would have said something but Thermopylae interrupted her. "This nice breeze should hold for a few hundred miles at least. We could you know- for old times sake." She asked. "Are you challenging me to a race Thermopylae?" Cutty Sark purred, tilting her head slightly. "I am. Are you up for it Cutty Sark?" Thermopylae asked. "I was hoping you would ask." Cutty Sark grinned.
The two cutters charged in tandem across the Indian Ocean with Cutty Sark reaching the Suez Canal just before Thermopylae. Once into the Mediterranean, the light breeze worked in the younger clipper's favor and she extended her lead. She arrived in Deal 82 days after leaving Australia. The welcome was beyond massive. Once the town got over the sight of the large clipper in their harbor nearly every boat came out to meet her. Not since her days in the tea trade had Cutty Sark seen such attention. She had announced her return in the biggest way possible. The next 25 days were spent being tended to at her dock. It had been so long since she had a run like that and her sore masts and rigging were given proper care. Commotion at the harbor entrance got her attention and Cutty Sark left her dock with relief as Thermopylae made her way into the docks. "Took you long enough!" She called. Their race had been entirely Thermopylae's idea. A bit of teasing was only fair. Thermopylae was surprised, not at seeing her for she knew she'd been soundly beaten but at Cutty Sark's chipper tone. Her friend was not only glowing with happiness, she was teasing her! Making banter like they were both still in the tea trade. And it was then that Thermopylae accepted that she had truly found her way back. "I got stuck in the doldrums." Thermopylae replied. "Even so, I think it's safe to say who the fastest clipper in the world is. Not that I ever had any doubts." Cutty Sark pressed their bowsprits together, interlocking the delicate appendages in a gesture that was the most affectionate that one sailing ship could show to another. Clippers as a breed were more formal and tended to avoid such brazen maneuvers in the open. But Thermopylae knew as Cutty Sark no doubt did as well, that if anyone had earned the right to drop formality, it was them. The younger clipper met her gaze, amber into green. "Thank you." She said. Thermopylae understood what she was really showing her gratitude for and the wetness on her cheeks was not coincidental. Unable to speak, she offered her a nod.