Of Princes, Pirates, and Curses

Chapter 5: A Not So Pleasant Conversation with a Witch

"Follow us, kids," Remy said, holding Emile's hand. "We know how to find the best places in any town."

"No bars, Remy, Martin and Alex are too young for alcohol," Emile reminded him.

"Ugh, fine. Coffee then?"

"It's getting late."

"It's never too late for coffee! We can find a nice restaurant to get some food! You two newbies coming?"

"Wouldn't want to miss it!" Remus said.

"Who knows when we're going to walk on land again," Roman agreed.

"Okay, Elliot, Sal, what about you?" Remy asked.

"We're heading off on our own," Elliot told him.

"Have fun then. Pat?"

"I'm going to be helping Janus and Logan," Patton said.

"Oof, good luck with that mess. Make sure they don't tear each other's throats out."

"I'll do my best, but those two really love fighting."

"That they do. Well, see ya!"

"Bye, have fun! And be careful, watch out for pickpockets!"

"Okay, don't forget to get spices so the meat won't go bad. Oh, and jerky, that takes longer to go bad," Virgil listed off.

"I already have a list of how much we will need," Logan told him.

"Okay, good. Oh, and get some fishing rods, the ones we have are starting to break and fishing is the only source of food we'll have if we run out."

"Good to know."

"And don't kill Janus while you two are gone. And Janus, don't kill Logan."

"Fine!" Janus groaned.

"Where are you going to head off to?" Patton asked.

"I'm just going to stay here, I don't want to risk anyone seeing and recognizing me. Plus, Thunder needs to get a bath, and no one will see her when it gets dark."

"Okay, have fun! Try not to get zapped."

"I can't promise that I won't, you know how much Thunder hates baths."

"Then be careful, at least. See ya, kiddo!"

"Bye," Virgil waved them off as they left the ship.

He pulled the gangway up before walking back to his cabin and opened the door to see Thunder laying her head down on his bed, too big to lay in it completely.

"Hey ya big baby," he said, walking over to her and pulling down his mask. "How does a bath sound to you?"

Thunder growled lightly, but didn't move.

Virgil snorted, "I think you're too big for my bed now."

She huffed in response, rubbing her head against the sheets.

"Don't rip anything with your horns." Virgil sat down next to her. "I know you miss laying up there, when you were too small to even pick me up."

Thunder let out a whine, but moved her head to Virgil's lap. Virgil scratched behind her horns and she purred in response. He looked over the small scars on her back.

"Don't worry, I'll never let those nasty humans ever see you again. No one will ever put you in chains, you belong to this family now."

Thunder licked Virgil's cheek, making him chuckle as he wiped the sliva off.