Tidal Waves

15. Adjusting

The sight of Raven hanging up clothes to dry caught Damian's attention as he positioned the helm according to the compass in his hand. A faint snicker left his lips when he noticed the wind blow away one of the towels, causing the girl to cuss aloud.

Quickly, he grabbed the piece of fabric before it blew away into the ocean. "Missing something?"

Raven rushed up the steps to him, taking the towel back with a relieved sigh. "Thank you."

"I pity the poor fool who marries you," Damian spoke before returning his attention to the map
in his hands. Raven scoffed before heading back to the main deck.

As she finished hanging up the last towel, the presence of another girl startled her as she turned around.

"Sorry," Emiko quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Raven took a breath, calming herself. "It's okay," she assured the other girl. Before she could ask the question that was on her mind, the other girl beat her to it.

"I wanted to clear things up," Emiko decided to say, this time her voice full of confidence. "About the other night. I noticed early that we got off course, and I took the blame, considering we were closest to my destination. I'm sorry that you still got scolded, that's what I was trying to avoid."

Raven placed the empty basket on the deck, a stunned expression on her face. For the first time, she felt comfortable around the other girl. "Thank you... that means a lot."

"I don't understand you," Emiko brought up and looked Raven up and down skeptically. "But us women are supposed to look after one another. You're new to this lifestyle and you didn't deserve that treatment. Regardless of your reasons, I'm sure you have pure intentions."

Raven swallowed at the praise. "I do. I wouldn't intentionally put any of you in trouble."

"Good," Emiko said before bending over and taking the empty laundry basket. "I'll take this for you. I'm on storage duty and I have nothing else to do, so I might as well."

"Thank you," Raven said, giving the girl a smile. Emiko returned the gesture before turning around and heading inside.

Damian watched from afar, an amused expression on his face before he returned his attention towards the sea.

—

"Missed a spot."

The sound of Jason's voice took Raven by surprise as she was scrubbing the main deck with a brush. Above her head was a hot sun and clear sky.

"I'm not finished," Raven nervously replied. This man wasn't a book she could easily read. "But I'll make sure to get it."

"I'm teasing," Jason admitted as he hovered over her figure, "You don't seem like you belong here. What's the deal?"

Raven blinked at the question. His sudden interest caught her off guard. She suddenly stopped scrubbing and turned her head to look up at him. "What do you mean? I don't look like a pirate?"

"Far from it," Jason answered and crossed his sleeves arms over his broad chest. "Look, I'm not prying. Just trying to get to know my new crew a little better."

"I have a destination. Damian let me use his ship as a passage," Raven answered, sparing the secret details. "What about you, Captain? Do you have a goal?"

Jason smirked at her question. "I'm not sure yet. Right now I'm content with where I'm at."

"What made you decide to become a pirate?" Raven decided to question curiously.