Golden Waters

Chapter 5

Written by: Fench
Edited by: Toasy
Chapter 5

I'm just going to copy Toasy's idea of smileys this chapter-

(also we forgot songs last two chapters lmao shh)

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It hadn't taken long for the news of the tense situation between their captain and Evera to spread across the entire ship. The ones that hadn't been near had heard it from other members of the crew, which started a couple of rumors. The stories that were twisted beyond the truth had been quenched quickly by the most trusted sailors on board.

They left it at that. They were all just human after all, and the adrenaline of the fight hadn't worn off just yet.

Archer had been unusually moody and curt for the last couple of days. When someone had asked about his change in demeanor, he'd snapped at them and quickly stormed off. Seàn had been trying to talk to him too, but Archer had been working hard to avoid his best friend.

Needless to say, the entire crew was a bit worried. Archer knew they were, but he was unsure about his feelings at the moment. He was angry and hurt about the things Evera had said. He was mostly disappointed about how little she thought of him. What had he expected? He thought bitterly. He knew she hated pirates, he just thought she would have handled this differently. They were - or had been - friends at some point. He also felt strangely relieved the secret of him being Johnny Goldeye was out to her. One thing less to worry about.

He sighed as he walked to the crow's nest on the bowsprit, the place he liked to go to think. Feelings were hard.

Suddenly he heard some light footsteps approaching. They sounded too hesitant to be Seàns, or Andries' and Félix's for that matter. Archer stopped and turned around.

"Oh uh, captain!" Caleb stammered, ears turning pink. "The crew and I decided we'd love to do a story night this evening, since the tense atmosphere has been making some of us a bit edgy and we'd like to lighten the mood a bit. Anyways, we were wondering if you'd join us?"

Archer opened his mouth to say no, but was interrupted. "It might also take your mind off things." Caleb added with a shy smile and his best puppy eyes. "Please?"

Archer closed his eyes and heaved a defeated sigh. Dam puppy eyes. "Alright, I'll be there-"

"Yes! Thank you captain! Story night is always better when you join us." Caleb excitedly said. "I'll see you then!"

He walked along, with a skip in his step. Archer smiled a bit. Maybe this wasn't that bad of an idea.

\ (•◡•) /

Once the sun started to set, the entire crew had gathered on deck. It was pretty crowded, but there was enough space for them all to sit down and get at least a bit comfortable. They had gotten some hay from the lower decks, so they wouldn't get sore butts from sitting on the hard wooden floor. Archer, Seàn and Vallora, Andries and Félix, Narina and Caleb all settled in the middle, so they could be heard - and hear the others - well. Evera was awkwardly sitting at a distance, looking around wearily.

They did story nights quite often after a battle to lighten the mood or after tense situations. This time it was a tense situation combined with it being after battle, which made the crew a bit uneasy. This was a night where they could all take a breather and just relax. Everyone was able to tell their tales or listen to the ones told. How many they did varied a lot, depending on the amount of time they had and the amount of people who knew, and wanted, to share stories. They didn't have a certain order in which they told stories, but usually Archer started.