Scarlet Queen

Chapter 5- Scarlet's POV

Another delicate piece of pottery flew through the air and shattered against the wall. I flung a heavy ceramic pot into the air, then launched 5 arrows at it at once, completely destroying it. For my next trick, I grabbed an ax I had nearby and obliterated another pot. I was in such a blind rage that I didn't notice Captain Slinger standing in the entryway to the room. When I smashed a vase, he muttered, "Pity that. That was one of my favorites." I whipped around, finally seeing him. He smiled at me. "Don't worry. I come here when I get mad too. Nothing like smashing things to make you feel better."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my hands. "I failed you, Captain. I swore I wouldn't. I failed. Many people fell by my blade yesterday, but not one of them were him."

He came up and patted my shoulder. "It's alright, First Mate. None of us expected that guard to come flying at the king to protect him. I wouldn't have been able to kill him either."

I gave him a rueful smile that he obviously couldn't see under my scarf, but it quickly disappeared. "But they brought the prince! That wasn't in your orders! It boils my bones that they brought him! They're lucky I'm smashing the pottery and not their heads!" I realize that Slinger is studying me thoughtfully. "It's your past, isn't it?" I was taken by surprise. I hadn't expected him to say that. He repeats, "It's your past. You don't want him here because of your past."

I stay silent for a moment, then give a low, "Yes."

He stay quiet, and we stand there for a moment. Then he says, "You should visit him."

I explode. "WHAT?"

He remains calm, which is an accomplishment. "You heard me, First Mate. Visit him. You don't have to reveal that you know him. Just talk to him. Get his view on things. Maybe it will help you to feel better."

I realize that my hands are shaking with fury, so I take a few deep breaths to calm down. "If that is your wish, Captain, I will." I turn to go up to the crow's nest. I need some time to think about things. I turn, surprised to see that he's looking at me in a very strange way. Sadness? Pity? I turn back around, then mutter, "When should I go to see him?"

I hear Slinger's shrug. "Anytime. You could bring him his meals, take a shift guarding him, or just go and talk to him. It's your choice, after all." I'm about to walk out when I hear him clear his throat. I stop. "Just so you know... You don't have to go see him. I just think it will make you feel better. I... care about you, Scarlet. I don't want you hurting yourself, physically and emotionally."

I feel a blush start to spread across my cheeks. "I appreciate the concern, Captain," I say, then I turn and walk out of the room. As I'm walking up to the nest, I think hard about what he just said.

He said he cares about me? Why am I focused on that? He's a captain. He cares about all of his crewmates.

But... he says he cares about me especially.

Stop it, you ninny. He's the captain. Why would you think like that?

But... He's never called me Scarlet before. He's always called me First Mate. If that isn't kinda sus, I don't know what is.

As I climb up the mast, I feel my face hurting. Then I realize that I'm smiling so hard, my cheeks hurt.