I had no idea which "Patrick" Rebecca's notes were referring to. So if you're reading this, any resemblance to real life people is purely a coincidence.
But anyway I asked for Patrick's permission to use and abuse his character AFTER I finished the story. Yes. Asking permission to do something after you've done it is the way to go.
Now read my poorly written, extremely cliched excuse of a story. You will regret it. I promise you.
Love and peace. ex oh ex oh. xoxox.
Seriously, I would've chosen other characters but you guys are so freaking op omggg.
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Syfer was never one to ask for favours nor offer them. He believed in the importance of doing things for yourself without the help or aid of other people. This thought, amongst many others, made him unpopular with the rest of the crew, though why they put up with him was unclear.
Syfer sat, alone, as usual, on the front deck of the ship. It was a quiet, cool night. Saved for the light music in the air. The stars were out and the surrounding sea was calm. The cool wind ruffled his jet black hair and carried the sound of music coming from the hold. His crew members were celebrating yet another victory.
What nuisance, thought Syfer. Celebrating such a small act. Early that evening the crew had successfully robbed a government official’s ship. It wasn’t a planned robbery, they just came by the ship through luck. The crew had mercilessly murdered the crew members, sunk their ship and are now celebrating with their loot. Pathetic. Syfer had bigger fish to fry. Such a small victory meant nothing to him. He would only be satisfied once he had gained enough riches to overthrow the government of his past village and take over as their ruler.
The people he so hated there thought the same thing. Like him, they just wanted power to rule. What makes him so different from these people he is trying to overthrow?
Suddenly he felt a large force tug at his arm. He turned around to see a middle aged man standing behind him. His face was ghostly pale and his clothes of the same colour. There it goes again, the souls of people he robbed the energy of. This person in particular, happens to be the captain of said robbed ship. Syfer turned away and focused his attention on the churning sea. If he ignored this guy long enough he, like the other souls in the past, will eventually move on and leave him alone.
Time past. Syfer was a patient person but he was also a private person. He hated being watched. Finally he turned around and asked,
“What do you want?” The ghost smiled. It’s rare to see the ghost of someone you murdered smile at you. Normally, they’ll be raging.
“You can see me, right? I know you can. You still have my life force dwelling inside of you.” The ghost said. Syfer turned back around and focused on the moon. After a period of time he said,
“So what? What do you want? To get revenge on me? Your lifes over old man. The moment our crew step foot on your ship you knew it was over. You should’ve been prepared. I was just doing my part as a pirate by murdering the captain.”
“I was warned there were dangerous pirates in this part of the sea.” He said solemnly. “My wife had begged me not to go but I didn’t listen. We fought over it. I thought I knew what was best for me. I was arrogant, believing I was always right and dismissing her love as petty womanly worries.”
“Oh my god, I don’t give a shit.” Groaned Syfer.
“I need to ask for a favour.”
“I don’t do favours.” Syfer rolled his eyes. There was a moment of silence as the captain’s words dwelled inside Syfer’s head. He looked at the captain, silently staring into the sea. Suddenly he didn’t see an enemy ship’s captain, he didn’t see an annoying old man but a lonely person who desperately misses his wife and needed to apologise. He was a person who died with regrets. Syfer sighed.
“What do you want me to do?”
“I want to borrow your physical body.” He answered.
“You what? You want to possess me? Why me? I freaking killed you.”
“Which is why I chose you. The moment you drained the last bit of energy from me I felt something in you. You’re not as cold as you think you are.” The captain smiled. Syfer winched. This was a side effect of being able to steal another’s energy. The victim could often see the weakest, darkest parts of you.
“I’ll give you an hour to fix whatever the hell you’re regretting right now. No more, no less.” He sighed. The ghost thanked him.
Syfer felt a chilling sensation rush over his body and felt his mind being lifted from his body. How did he know this captain wasn’t going to kill HIM as an act of revenge? Too late now. His body wasn’t his own anymore.
What happened next was a blur. He remembered moments of asking Fira to open a portal somewhere and the next minute he was standing in a dark bedroom. On the bed laid a woman in her middle age. She was sleeping soundly, her arms resting above her sheets drawn to her chest. Her breathing was peaceful and deep. It’s so good to sleep so soundly on such a lovely night.
Just as his mind’s eye was observing the sleeping woman, involuntarily, his body walked over. Slowly, gently as to not wake the woman, his body bent down and kissed the woman lightly on the cheek.
“I’m sorry. You were right. I love you.” He heard his voice whisper.
The next moment he was back on the deck of the ship. Eyes blinking, staring dazed at the stars above. His head felt funny and the night was getting cooler but he felt soft inner warmth deep inside his chest. The party on the hold was coming to an end, the crew was finally beginning to realise how tired they were (or how pathetic they were in celebrating such a small victory.) Fira walks over to him,
“Bro, you missed out on a lot of shit.” She said.
“Fira, tell me, what makes me different from those shithead governments we rob? We murder, we steal and a part of me is hungry for power to rule. What makes me so different from them?”
Fira thought for a while and said “Compassion. You at least have a tiny bit of that. There are moments where you’re able to feel the suffering of others, even if it’s just a tiny bit.”
Syfer felt puzzled. He wasn’t sure whether this compassion was a good thing or not, but then he remembered the warmth he felt after he helped the captain. He smiled. Perhaps he’s not as cold and aloof as he thought he was.
