The Adventures of Exodus Creed & Co.

In Which They Plot a New Course

Lochland's rescue was a roaring success, which Julliard took full credit for, of course. He strutted about, boasting of his heroism while his crew nodded dutifully, but Cassie, Exodus, and Lochland ignored him. Exodus praised Aristotle for a job well done, per usual, and Cassie and Lochland wouldn't stop staring at each other, warm, happy smiles on their faces, hands entwined. When Julliard noticed this, he stopped talking abruptly and stared with shock, pointing at their hands incredulously.

"What is that??" He cried. Exodus turned, Aristotle in hand, and frowned in confusion.

"What is what?"

"That! They're holding hands!!"

"Yes...that's what people do when they're in love."

"They can't be in love! They've only known each other for what, ten chapters??"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Of course you don't, you're too young." Julliard looked so dejected that Exodus felt a surge of pity and suggested they play a rousing game of chess. Shockingly, Julliard had never played chess, so Exodus spent the next two hours teaching him and then being soundly and fairly beaten three games in a row.

Lochland and Cassie were not idle during this time. They sat and talked and held hands and smiled, and both desperately wanted to kiss but neither one of them were brave enough to say so nor bold enough to swoop in and steal one.

"I win again!" Julliard crowed, and Exodus, who had thrown the last four games from frustration, rolled his eyes.

"Yes, well done, sir. Now, isn't there some pillaging or other dastardly deeds that you need to be doing?"

"Ah yes, of course. The life of a pirate never stops. Men! To the Spikenard!" With jubilant shouts, the pirates began recklessly leaping onto the Spikenard, hoisting sail and singing sky shanties.

"And now, I bid thee ado, Lochland, and fair Cassiopeia!" Julliard exclaimed. "I'm sure we shall meet again. But until then; ado, ado, and goodbye to you!"

"Did he just rhyme?" Lochland asked incredulously, as Julliard swung over to the Spikenard to enthusiastic applause from his crew. Exodus shrugged and grinned, and was about to head below decks when something caught his eye. Catching it up he ran to the railing and called.

"Julliard, wait! Your hat!"

"Keep it, young Creed! A parting gift, since I beat you so soundly at Chess."

"Oh...well...gee, thanks." Exodus muttered, and Julliard, with a princely wave, bid them farewell and sailed towards the setting sun.

"What a character." Cassie chuckled, taking Lochland's arm and resting her head on his shoulder. He blushed, smiling broadly, and gently lay his head on hers.

"That he is."

Feeling extremely awkward, Exodus snatched up Aristotle (who had been sleeping, if compasses have the ability to do so) and hurried below decks to rest.

"What now?" Cassie asked as The Queen's Haven glided smoothly through the evening sky.

"Now...we find another Galactic whale. I'm afraid taxes have just about cleaned out my savings. Can't go flying about the sky without some good cash tucked away, y'know?"

"Sounds good to me," Cassie said, smiling up at him. It was at that moment, when their eyes met, right before the sun went down, that Lochland kissed her for the first time. It was not what one would call a passionate kiss. It was a mere touch of his lips to her forehead. But in that moment, as the sun set in a glory of a thousand colors, and the stars began to make their appearance, it was the most beautiful and romantic first kiss anyone could hope for.