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M e g X| | XE v a
M i d a s | | T. B. A
P r i s o n e r | | S t o w a w a y
#B00000 | | #F54747
XXXXSince Vale hit the deck a few days ago, Eva was not herself. She was worried sick about Vale. Eva couldnât even keep her optimistic nature up. A nasty thought kept nagging at her; Vale would die and then sheâd be truly alone. The deaths of her sister, niece, and nephew were still fresh. She wasnât sure if sheâd survived Valeâs death. Evangeline hadnât visited Vale since Bill carried her down. She wasnât worried about Vale being alone, she knew Tessa was with her often. She saw the women enter the medical bay multiple times. Eva knew Vale had friends on this crew thatâd visit as well. She feared seeing Vale would cause uncontrollable crying. Evangeline had to keep it together.
Since she didnât visit Vale, she worked. She often went to Vera or Rosia to see what they needed help with. If they didnât need help with anything, sheâd found someone else to help. There always seem to be something to do on the ship and that was a comfort to Eva. She worked silently for the last few days. Eva was in an odd mood and wasnât speaking much to anyone on the ship. She focused on whatever task she was doing and on keeping her mind blank. The only creature she spoke to was Mango. She spoke to him when she couldnât eat or sleep. Her appetite had left since Vale got ill. She didnât have any urge to eat and sleeping had been an issue since she gotten on the ship.
She was grateful for her loss of appetite for the past few days because a storm had started. It was a force to be reckoned with. Evangeline was trying to stay on her feet, but it was hard. Her hands were occupied as they held Mango. Eva had seen the storm coming and knew she couldnât allow him to be sitting on her shoulder when it hit them. She knew she needed a lifeline as well, but she needed to put Mango in a safe place first. She worried for James as well, which was why some rope hung off her right arm. It seemed as if she didnât have the sea legs to brace a storm. Her sea legs were fine until this storm. It took her some time before she reached the stairs that led to the brig.
Evangeline scooted down the stairs as walking down was not an option. When she reached the bottom, she stood as carefully as she could. Although, a wave hit the ship and she flew into a wall. She braced herself against it as she gasped for air. Her eyes went to Mango and was glad he seemed unharmed. She hoped her grip hadnât tightened too much when she hit. Once she had her breath back, she walked over to the barrel she had stowed away in. Eva opened it and placed Mango inside. It was the best she could do for him. The barrel only had her things inside. She closed it and was glad to have her hands free now. She could steady herself a bit more easily now. Her eyes wandered over to the cell to find James.
âHello James, how is this storm treating you?â she asked, her voice breathy. She walked over to the cell and gripped onto the bars. She glanced at the rope hanging on her arm, but decided sheâd have a conversation first, or try to. She brought the rope down to see if heâd want to be secured to the cellâs bars. She wanted a conversation first as guilt ate at her. She hadnât been down to visit him the last few days. Eva had been too lost in her storm of emotions to think of anyone else. It was not like her at all.
James scratched at his chin, the beginning stubble of a beard growing in, as he hummed sea shanty after sea shanty. It had been a while since heâd seen a friendly face. Not any longer than a day, but with the storm, he hadnât exactly been a priority. The only updates he had on his ship came from his former crew. Former because he was no longer captain. He was a prisoner. Heâd heard that Vale dropped from an unknown poison. He knew Tessa had been strung from the yardarm only to be cut down by their cook minutes after Hellfire left the ship. He also knew that Eva had been allowed to stay. It wasnât as if heâd had any doubt Meg would allow the girl to join them. He just knew she wouldnât be all too happy to have something like that done behind her back. She liked to be in the know. Which is also why he was surprised Vera wasnât in the cells with him.
A loud thumping came down the stairs just as a--presumably--large wave rocked the ship, sending Jamesâs stomach into his throat. Hence the humming. While James was a well traveled seaman, storms werenât as common. If he had been on deck or in his quarters, he wouldâve been fine. Maybe a tad disoriented, but fine. Down here? Forget it. The ships usual gently rocking was replace with violent tilts that messed with his head. And, in turn, his stomach.
With the wave came a toppling Eva. She had the small bird--Mango he believed-- and a line of rope. She made her way, unsteadily, to the barrel from which she had emerged long ago and placed the bird inside. Content with the securing of the pet, she turned to James and made her way over, a little more sure footed, and greeted him.
âAhoy, Eva.â He said, stiffly. âNot well Iâm afraid.â Another waved struck the side of the ship and he cursed inwardly, resuming his humming. He had been told an old-wives tale about how humming kept you from revising a meal. So far, it held true. âIâm surprised to see you in such a fine state. You barely have sea legs, how is it youâre unaffected in other ways?â He said, purposely being vague. Eva smiled despite his answer and ran a ran through her dam hair. She took a deep breath to inhale the salty air. The smell of the ocean eased her stomach a bit.
âWell, my body may have more important things to worry about. I havenât really had an appetite since Vale took ill. Also, I likely do not have the energy to be affected by other matters.I have trouble sleeping if...â she stopped to not reveal an odd dislike of hers. Her eyes glanced at the rope and then at James. It was time to change the subject. âWould you like to be secured to the bars of the cell? I wouldnât want you to get too hurt during the storm.â
James raised an eyebrow and shook his head. âI donât think itâll make much of a difference down here.â Her words caught his attention and his sympathies. Since the ship had been taken, he hadnât slept much either. âIâm sorry about Vale. Has Sunni had any luck at all?â He asked. He much liked the navigator. She was someone who looked like they could kill you, but was really a sweet roll. Or whatever the land-kids said these days. âIf it helps to ease any of your concerns, Sunni is the finest medic Iâve ever encountered. Weâre greatly blessed by the sea to have her as a part of the crew.â He grunted as the ship rocked backwards. âIf it helps, I donât get much sleep either.â
âI am glad Sunni is a good medic, but I donât know if she has had any luck. I havenât been able to bring myself to go see Vale or to ask anyone about her health,â she paused to take a shaky breath. If Vale died, it would become known. She glanced at the barrel Mango was in and watched it begin to tilt. It didnât fall fully because another barrel was in the way. Eva walked over to the barrel and moved it in front of the cell. She took the rope, knelt on her knees, and began to tie the barrel to the bars. She wished the wicked storm would lighten as she did all of this.
âI am sorry you canât sleep. It is likely hard to sleep in the cell. I really have no solid reason. Though, if we canât find sleep, I imagine it will find and take us. It has happened to me before,â she said. Once she was sure the barrel was secured to the cell and checked on Mango, she sat on the barrel. Her hands return to gripping the bars of the cell. Eva smiled at James as she was unsure of what to say now. She had things she did want to ask. Evangeline was intrigued by James and wanted to know more about him. Slowly her eyes went to meet his eyes.
âDid Megan give you the choices of being locked away or leaving the ship?â she asked. She remembered how Megan had given them to her. Eva had decided to stay. Though, she thought of how they were heading to death daily. It was hard not to think of it when her friend was ill.
James watched Eva all the while humming under his breath. He was listening, but humming helped things. When she was situated in front of him once more, she met his eyes. He looked down and away from her when he answered. âNo. She didnât. Thatâs not really how a mutiny works.â When your crew and ship change hands, the one in charge called the shots. There were no choices. Though, if heâd had one, he definitely wouldâve chosen to stay. âNot that it matters much anyway. Iâd die before I left my ship.â And if the storm grew worse, heâd probably die with his ship. Like a captain should.
He licked his lips, attempting to change the course of his thoughts. âI can tell you have more questions. Ask away. Iâm an open book.â
âH-how about you tell me about yourself?â she asked as she glanced down. She was embarrassed he knew that she wanted to ask more questions. Evangeline was glad for the permission, but she felt shy now. She feared sheâd asked something that would be considered impolite. The last thing Eva wanted to do was to offend James. She looked at him a second later to give him a smile. She knew some could find her first question hard to answer. It was hard to tell someone about yourself at times. She decided to give him a lifeline just in case he needed it. âHow about you tell me the story of how you became a pirate?â
At her question, James laughed. âI suppose a land maiden such as yourself would want to know such a story.â He said with a grin. It was definitely one to distract. âIâve practically always been a pirate,â he began with a shrug of his shoulders. âI was picked up[color=#B00000][b] when I was thirteen doing the work that Rudy now does for us.â He ran a hand through his hair. âThe sea has been my first love ever since.â Another wave rocked the ship and he winced. âAlthough it seems weâre having a bit of an argument at the moment.â
âWell, I suggest you start whispering sweet nothings to your first love and beg for forgiveness,â she said jokingly. She tensed as the ship was bombarded by more waves. Eva closed her eyes and had to focus on her breathing for a few minutes. She hoped the storm would end soon. Evangeline kept her eyes closed as she freed a hand to start taking her boots off. Surprisingly, she was starting to feel warm. Seasickness seemed to be getting to her and it was unfriendly. She opened her eyes again to throw her boots into a corner behind her.
âI hope we visit land after this storm. I will need to get new clothing in case we run into another storm. I may need to switch my weapons of choice as well,â she said. She slid the same hand into the pockets of her dress.The pockets were actually slits. She took each axe out carefully from their holding places. She got down from the barrel only for a second to place them near the boots. When Evangeline got back onto the barrel, she leaned her forehead against the cool bars. She closed her eyes again as her fingers wrapped around the bars. Eva thought of some conversations she overheard on the ship.
âJamesâŠwhy didnât you want to go hunt this treasure your crew seems so determined to find?â
James watched Eva, concern filling his eyes. She was looking a tad green. He reached through the bars when she came close again and rubbed a comforting hand in circles on her back. He did so slowly, and hesitantly at first to see if she would mind. When she asked her question though, his eyes turned hard. âBecause itâs dangerous. My crew is my family. You donât wish harm to come to your family.â He sighed, laying his own forehead against the bars. âI mean. Being a pirate is dangerous enough, but a cut and a bullet wound can be mended. Curses and major injury on far-off shores? With no hope of any greater aid? Starvation and thirst?â He shook his head. âI donât want those things for my family. Just like you wouldnât wish it on Vale.â He looked up at her, his brown eyes soft. âI wouldnât wish it for you.â
Eva eyes opened for a second to confirm it was James rubbing her back. The touch was comforting. She hadnât had any affection, platonic or not since she stepped onto the ship. She missed the hugs and cheek kisses she got when at the brothel. She pushed the thought of the brothel away quickly as the thought of her sister wasnât far behind. Eva opened her eyes to look at him when he sighed. It was a surprise to her when she blushed at his last sentence. She took a deep breath, but this time to cool the sudden heat in her cheeks. âI...I wouldnât wish it for you either James,â she said softly, shyly. She slowly slid a hand through the bars to cup his cheek, if heâd allow it. She met his eyes.
âAlthough, if my family were going to go on a dangerous journey, despite my protest, Iâd rather be at their side to help. I wouldnât want to be trapped in a cell with no way to help them when danger came. Your whole crew did decide to go on this journey, they werenât forced. If you were free, I imagine you would be a great help during this storm...â she sighed as she went to moved her hand away from his cheek. She closed her eyes again. Her heart ached before she even spoke. âI stayed with my...sister, until the end...even though I knew she wasnât safe at her current job. I couldnât force her to go elsewhere with me and be unhappy. I decided to stay with her to keep her safe...as safe as I could.â
James smiled softly at Eva. "Sometimes that's all you can do." He looked out the porthole. "Go down with the ship."