Snippets from Lives Entertwined

Anniversary - #1

"Captain! We're taking on a lot of water off the port side!" The boat bobbed and swayed. There was a constant mist of cold sea water, and the waves roared as they rose high into the dark sky.

"If we don't turn back, we'll capsize!" Crewman clung to ropes and beams, waiting for orders.

"We're not turning back, not unless you want the imperial navy to hang us all for treason!" There was a pause in her speech as the storm raged on and the crew remained silent, "Huh, any takers?" She clung to the ships wheel, cutting an intimidating figure as lightening lit up the sky behind her.

"Captain! Ships approaching on the east!" Tension grew as the young shipmate lowered her spyglass. "One's flying the imperial flag!"

"Dammit!" Her expression shifted into a thoughtful frown as she cursed, "I thought we'd lost 'em. What about the other ship?" Sails were hastily being opened as the young girl floundered, "I – I don't know. They're not flying any flag!" Rain continued to pelt the deck of the ship, creating a constant barrage of noise – a harsh backdrop for the girl's frantic words.

Another crewman cut in, "Captain they're preparing to board!"

"Shit, we can't move against this current! All hands, prepare for a fight!" her soaked hair clung uncomfortably to her face as she reached for the gun in her belt.

The ships had caged them in, one on either side. The ship flying the imperial flags made the preparations to board, but no attackers came. The storm started to quiet. From her crouched position behind the ship's wheel, the Captain heard the loud sound of boots suddenly hitting the deck; a woman in the clothes of a pirate, wearing an imperial Naval Commander's hat had swung onto the ship on a rope.

"Honey, I'm home ~" She tipped her hat up, so that it was no longer obscuring her face, and the crew breathed a collective sigh of relief and left their crouched positions as she made her way towards the captain.

"Took you long enough. Didn't you leave from port Iglesia?"The captain descended the steps of the bow of the ship, meeting her in the middle of the deck. The rain had stopped almost altogether, and the sea was quiet; all that remained were dark clouds.

"Yes, but before we left I realized I'd almost forgotten our anniversary!" Her carefree attitude and sing-song voice were in stark contrast with the Captain's state. Soaked curls hung around her face, and her arms were crossed, unamused.

"So you approach my ship, still flying the flags of the imperial navy, in the middle of a storm?" Her voice wasn't quite stern, more joking and bemused.

"Oh that's just an enjoyable side benefit I ran into on the way here. Your present is in the commander's quarters!"

"Now? Really? We're soaking wet and smell of dead fish." Her tone bordered on incredulous.

"No, not that! That's hardly unusual enough to be an anniversary present! Follow me!" With that she pecked the captain on the lips and tapped her hat – precariously holding on through the storm – over her eyes. The captain tipped the hat back up, sending a half-hearted glare at her wife as she led the way with a spring in her step, stopping right outside of the commander's quarters of the stolen ship.

"So, you know how those stories always have pirates with parrots on their shoulders?" her eternal joyous disposition was ever present in her voice.

"You did not get me a parrot," the Captain stated flatly, implying that she wanted nothing to do with such a bird.

"Of course not! I got you something better for your shoulder. Wait here and close your eyes." Doing as she was told, the captain closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of movement now coming from within the cabin.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now!" Feeling a weight on her shoulder, she opened her eyes...and was met with a ball of fur. Gingerly lifting the creature from her shoulder to hold it in front of her she discovered that it was... a kitten.

"You got me... a cat." Her confusion was evident as she stared at the ball of fur in her hands.

"Well, you didn't want a parrot, and you certainly can't keep a dog on your shoulder! This was the perfect solution." Attempting to sell her wife on the new addition she continued "I mean, I can always just put it below deck to deal with the rats if you don't want it-"

"No, it's mine, I'm keeping it." The kitten meowed softly as the Captain moved it to her chest, cradling it. Her wife smiled at the sight.

"What are you going to name it?" She shifting closer, peering down at the kitten, who had begun to shift in the Captain's grip, playing with the cravat around her neck.

"Blackbeard." As if on cue, the kitten gave a faint 'meow', in direct juxtaposition with its namesake.

"Perfect, you'll strike fear in all our enemies!" She dramatically gestured to the sea around them. "So, was I right, or was your anniversary present worth a little scare?" She had on a knowing grin as she once again leaned in towards the Captain's face.

"Yes – this time. But next time, just take down the flag." She let out an exasperated, but fond sigh. "But, thank you – for this. Happy anniversary."
As the two pirates shared a kiss, the kitten once again began to meow loudly, trapped between them, and both broke away laughing, the sun finally beginning to return.