To Strange Horizons

Chapter Three.

"So... you're a princess?" The Captain, who had requested she call Jake, asked. He touched her tiara as he spoke.

"Yes. But not one that matters." She replied.

"What does that mean?" The two were sitting on a few crates on the edge of the ship, away from the excitement.

"Well, my little brother is in line for the throne. Then I have two older sisters. Then it's me. I'm always behind. I'm not important to the monarchy, therefore I'm not important to the family." She fiddled with the pearl ring on her left hand.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Your Highness." She liked when others called her that, but with Jake it just felt weird.

"Call me Mariana."

"Of course, Mariana." Jake touched her hand with a smile. He stood up, extending a helping hand. "Would you like to continue your tour?"

"Why certainly!" She giggled, smoothing the front of her gown as he pulled her from her seat.

He extended his arm, inviting her to interlock her own.

The two made their way across the deck. Jake was explaining the mechanics of all the ropes and sails, but Mari had tuned that out. She instead was thinking about the gold pieces woven throughout tiny braids in the man's hair. His hair seemed so soft and cared for, much unlike what you'd assume a pirate's hair to be.

"And here, my men are fishing, trying to catch tonight's dinner." He gestured towards three men arguing while casting a net. "Make it a big one, boys! We've got a royal guest tonight!"

They continued on, heading down to the bunks where she had slept the night before.

"This is where the men sleep, the hammocks sway with the ship. Sometimes I'm almost jealous." Jake led Mariana through a door in the back of the room, which led to a musty hallway, cramped with crates and supplies.

"I usually go around but this ways faster." He said in an apologetic tone.

There was a door at the end of the hall, marked 'Captain's Quarters'.

It took a little force to open, but the sight before them was almost a shock to Mari.

The room was very large. Not cramped or cluttered at all. A desk sat in the corner, covered with a mess of papers and loot. The walls were decorated with maps and letters and nets and jewels.

There was a large bed in the corner of the room, covered with a red blanket. On top of the red blanket was a little black cat, still a kitten.

"There's my little girl!" Jake cooed, pulling the kitten into his arms. "This is Pearl. She's supposed to eat mice, but she pretty much just sleeps." He chuckled.

Mariana couldn't help but giggle at how cute the man was. He was nothing like what she was expecting. He was clean and polite, even handsome.

He set the kitten back onto the bed. "Is that the only dress you have?"

"Um... yes. I brought a bag, but none of my dresses fit. It's just a bunch of junk, really."

"We'll have to get you some clothes then!" He looked her up and down, studying her size. She was shorter than him by at least 3 or 4 inches, and (as far as he could tell through the gown) quite curvy. "I think Tom might have something you can wear for now, if you'd like?"

Mariana nodded. She didn't want to, as she felt she'd be uncomfortable, but she couldn't live in this gown. Especially not the corset.

"You stay here, I'll go get your stuff." He ran his hand across her cheek again, petting the kitten on his way out. "Take care of her, Pearl."