Heart of the Sea

Chapter 36 - Old Friends

(Btw, I first found Starkey in a different fic; he was a wonderful crewman character in a different Captain Swan fic I read a long time ago, whose author I unfortunately cannot at this time remember the name of. Props to you, if you're reading this.)

Lili jammed her hands in her pockets, thumbs peeking out as she limped down the street, taking her time, breathing in the fresh air. She'd been out some, but not like this since...well, she didn't really want to think about it.

She caught a few glances, but no one really stared, which was a relief. She'd half a mind to disguise herself to avoid prying eyes, but it would be no use. They'd have to know she was up at some point, may as well be now. She focused on her left hip, the weight there, and it comforted her a little.

My mother's dagger.

The thought almost gave her chills. It had been centuries, but there was still a new piece of her that Lili had not known, had not had before. Despite the fact that she knew it was a dumb move in a thief's world, she reached back, hand wrapping around the hilt. It was smooth, cold still, intricate etchings alien to her touch. Depths.

Before she knew it, she was in the middle of town. Her leg was starting to ache a little, but she could bear it today.

More townspeople were out and about, and she got a few more looks, some lasting a bit longer too.

It was to be expected. No harm.

She almost laughed at that. If she wanted to be feared in this town again she'd need to reclaim her title as the Shark. (Somehow, the thought was not as appealing as she'd thought it would be.)

She looked around. Au-automobile repair, whatever the hell that meant. Butc-oooh, butcher shop. She might have to stop back in there on her way home. Lawyer, Sundae. Mm, bread shop over there. Her gaze landed on the Rabbit Hole just across the street and she swallowed, eyes flicking to the alley.

Almost in a trance, she crossed the street, swearing at the cars that almost hit her, having forgotten about them completely. She jogged as best she could, but it was getting hard to breathe again. She steadied herself against a lamp post. Just there they'd circled 'round her. ...Was that her blood on the concrete?

Maybe it was theirs.

She rolled her jaw. It was theirs.

She looked down the alley, felt them pulling her in by her hair, fists slamming into her, feet too, breaking her bones again. She gripped the lamp post harder, clenching her jaw.

She was stronger than this.

(She wanted to throw up.)

There they'd pulled her down.

(She wanted to drown in rum.)

That was probably where she'd hit her head.

(She wanted to throw up and then drown it all in rum.)

She swallowed, shoving into the Rabbit Hole.

She might be able to keep her breakfast down, but she wouldn't stop herself from drinking.

(It was an acceptable loss.)

Here conversations stopped. The hair on the back of her neck pricked up, and her fist clenched around her belt buckle. She held her head high, approaching the bar with as much dignity as she could muster with a bloody lingering limp.

"Lili! W-what a surprise, welcome back," Ted fumbled.

"Ted." She heaved herself onto a barstool. "Make an exception?"