To Strange Horizons

Chapter Four.

Mariana had chosen to wait to change, the idea of wearing Thomas' clothes to dinner was almost unbearable.

She sat at the cramped table, squished between Jake and John. A plate of less than appetizing preserved vegetables sat in front of her, with fire roasted fish squeezed onto the plate beside it.

A glass of beer sat beside her plate, which she didn't want, but couldn't bring herself to say anything.

"Mariana, dear, would you care for a glass of wine instead?" Jake placed a hand on her shoulder. He wore fingerless leather gloves with an assortment of large rings.

"That would be lovely, thank you." She smiled, relieved that he had noticed.

He poured her a glass of red wine, placing it before her and taking her previous cup to his own seat.

Dinner on the ship was surprisingly very fun. The crew joked around, getting rowdy. It was very unlike her dinners at home.

After dinner, the crew made their way to the deck, whooping and hollering, having a nighttime party with themselves.

"Do you do this every night?" Mari asked.

"Only when the catch is good." Jake answered, placing his hand on her waist. She leaned into his body, allowing herself to find comfort in his figure.

Some of the men had pulled out violins and flutes, playing upbeat music for the rest to dance to.

Thomas skipped over, wide grin on his face. His cheeks and nose were red from drunkenness. "May I have this dance?"

Mari chuckled before taking the boys outstretched hand. The two spun and swayed around in the crowd, not dancing very well to the music, but having fun nonetheless.

After she had danced with almost every member of the crew, the music had died down. The men began crawling down to the bunks, wishing Her Highness a good night.

"See ya in the morn' Captain." John said, patting Jake's shoulder hard.

This left Jake and Mariana along on the deck. Mari was just barely disoriented from the dancing and the drinking. She was all giggles as she plopped herself down under the stars.

"Come sit with me." She reached her hands out in invitation.

Jake laid down on the deck, placing his hat beside him and outstretching his arm.

Mari laid against his side, resting her head on his chest. She noticed a little gold symbol etched into the leather of his hat. A circle with a cross going through it.

"Having fun yet?" Jake's voice pulled her out of her trance.

"Loads." She played with one of his braids, losing her sense of judgment in her drunken state. "Pirates aren't actually that bad."

Jake paused for a second, telling himself that her words weren't meant to be so rude. "Yeah. Not so bad."

He had always hated that stigma. That pirates are ruthless and evil. In most cases, they were just trying to get by.

Mari yawned, stretching her arms outward.

"Sleepy?" Jake cooed, pushing a curl behind her ear.

"Mmhm." She nodded.

He pulled her from the floor, gently guiding her around to the Captain's Quarters.

He pulled a set of white cotton pajamas out of his drawer, handing her the shirt, and saving the pants for himself.

Mari watched (once again, judgment umpired) as Jake undressed. His skin was tanned with white scars running over his body. He slipped into the pants, shoulders flexing as he tied the drawstring.

"I'll be right back." He ran his hand across Mariana's cheek, something she had grown very fond of.

She took this time to let her hair down, assuming Jake wouldn't be too upset with her for using his hairbrush.

He came back with a pitcher of water and two glasses.

"You didn't change!" He teased. "I was trying to give you some privacy!"

"I can't get out of my dress." She was a little embarrassed. The corset alone was a two person job. "Please help."

Jake had tied his hair back, revealing the little gold hoops in his ear lobes.

"Turn around." He pushed her shoulders gently, getting her to spin.

He had no clue what he was doing, but was too proud to ask. Eventually he found the tie that he needed to undo her corset. He helped her slip out of it, and the many layers under. He seat this and the dress itself on a chair in the corner of his room.

He turned away, cheeks red from the action of undressing the princess, allowing her some privacy at last.

"Ok. I'm dressed." The shirt he had given her sat mid thigh. It hugged her hips tightly, showing the imprint of her nipples.

"Oh." He didn't mean to say anything, but Mariana just giggled.

She climbed into bed, scooting Pearl onto the next pillow. Jake pulled the blanket onto her shoulders, pulling her long hair off of her golden brown cheek.

"Sweet dreams, Your Highness." He cooed.

He made himself a spot on the floor, padded by folded blankets. The two drifted into a nice sleep.