J a m e s X| | Vera | | XE v a
#B00000 | | #DD5308 | | #F54747
XXXXJames heard another set of footsteps coming towards the brig. These were softer and, judging, by the smell, it was someone he was expecting. He knew he was right when he heard Vera greeting him. His eyes flashed to Eva, but found she was gone. She was probably hiding behind the barrel. Good, he thought, Stay that way. Itâs not that Vera would show any animosity against the lass. More in the opposite. Sheâd probably see the lass as something similar to a lost puppy.
As she came closer, the smell of food filled his nostrils, his stomach letting out a loud growl in response. âWell⊠Itâs a better evening now that youâre here.â He said to her with a smile and noticed the disappointed look on her face. âWhy the face? Is it because of the Mutiny?â His fingers twitched in anticipation of a meal considering he hadnât eaten since the night before. It took all his control to keep from reaching through the bars for the bowl of stew in his cookâs hands.
Of course, as Vera approached, James tossed her a kind, flattering phrase; one that wiped the foul look off her face. âAre you sweet on me, James? Itâs starting to sound like you are,â She teased him as she approached the bars, her usual smile sitting comfortably across her lips once more. Once he brought up the mutiny, it took some effort to keep from grimacing. It was brutal; they had to take the ship from a man who had never truly done them any wrong. And what was she supposed to say to him now? Vera had sided with Meg. She needed this money. She helped take the ship from him. âNo, no, nothing about that. Was just hoping the food tastes good,â so Vera did what she did best: acting. She couldnât let James know how she really felt. âBut I suppose I wonât know that until you taste it, hmm? Here, eat up,â As she finished speaking, Vera passed him the food and drink through the bars, hoping that would be enough to stop him from asking questions she didnât have answers for.
James snorted at Vera. âYou? Make something that isnât absolutely delicious as if the angels of heaven prepared it and served it to us mortals as a sign of divine mercy?â He coughed into his fist. âAs if.â He smiled at her and winked once. When she passed him the food and drink, he took them with a quick âThank you.â before he downed the entirety of the drink. He needed to get the taste of lemon out of his mouth. He tried to be patient enough to blow on the stew before shoving the spoon into his mouth, but he failed significantly. In fact, he burned his tongue and the roof of his mouth on the stew and let out another string of colorful--and partially made up--swear words.
Evangeline was in an uncomfortable position behind the barrel. She was squatting and the wooden end of her axes were digging into her soft flesh. Eva didnât dare to move as she listened to the friendly conversation. Relief filled her when James finally said thank you to the woman. She assumed the woman would leave soon. Eva couldnât stay in her current position for much longer. Just as she hoped she wouldnât get a splinter, James let out a string of swear words. Evangeline was surprised again by James.
Soft laughter escaped her lips and she fell back onto her bottom. âJames and his swearing,â she whispered under her breath. Instead of staying still this time around, she stood. She used the barrel in front of her to steady herself. Her eyes glanced over James before they found the woman. Evangeline gave her a sweet, but small and shy smile. She broke eye contact for a second to fix the skirt of her dress. When she looked up, she was still smiling.
âIâm Evangeline, or Eva if you prefer,â she paused to move around the barrel. She stood between James and the woman. Eva stood a bit to the side, so she wouldnât block anyoneâs view. Eva held her hand out to the other woman. âWho do I have the pleasure of meeting?â she asked.
Vera couldnât help but giggle at Jamesâ embellishing compliment, âOh stop that, James.â She couldnât help but linger as the man started eating. She really did want to know how her food tasted. As he began scarfing it down, she frowned and furrowed her brow. Before she could open her mouth to scold him for not waiting for it to cool, Vera heard something moving behind her.
At first, she assumed it was just Rosia or Rudy scampering about and causing trouble. Her motherly reprimanding would have continued if she hadnât turned and faced an entirely new person. Immediately, Vera went on edge. Her knees bent, lowering her stance somewhat. The dagger hidden in the back of her boot was now in arms reach. However, this strange woman didnât appear aggressive or hostile in any way, so Vera allowed herself to relax, but just so. She was ready to defend herself at a momentâs notice. âHello, EvangelineâŠâ Her uneasiness was evident in her tone. She eyed the young woman up and down. âMy name is Vera. If you donât mind me asking: what are you doing here?â She shifted her position, taking a slow step towards the exit of the room. Vera wanted to be able to flee if need be.
Eva watched as she lowered somewhat and tensed up. She was unsure of what the woman was going to do. When the woman spoke, she relaxed. Evangeline knew the woman was uneasy, but she couldnât fix that issue. She wrapped her arms around her waist as she listened to Vera speak. Eva gave her a nervous smile now. She was only nervous as she wasnât sure if the woman was going to start screaming or running or both. Evangeline had noticed she took a step towards the exit. She parted her lips to speak, but closed them again. Eva realized she shouldnât tell her exactly everything. Though, she didnât want to lie either. Slowly, to not frighten the woman off, she used her right hand to run her fingers through her hair. She smiled at Vera as she processed her thoughts.
âIt is a pleasure to meet you Vera. The food you made smells lovelyâŠâ she paused to glanced at James, but her gaze returned to Vera, âI am here because of a friendâŠI knew they couldnât stay with meâŠso we decided Iâd stowaway.â Eva tried being as honest as possible, but at the same time she didnât want to give away too much information. She didnât want to say Valeâs name yet. Eva knew she could not mention Tessa. Though, she hoped Tessa wouldnât rat herself out. She knew she couldnât keep Vale out of the mess. Eva imagined Valentina would come to her defense when she was exposed.
James was about to eat another spoonful when Eva popped up from behind the barrel. He hadnât realized she had been making noise before now, but when he looked to Vera to gauge her response⊠she was on edge. She probably thought the girl was a threat. James snorted and went back to his stew. Let the two females work it out. What could he do stuck behind these bars anyway. When he heard that Eva thought the food smelled delicious, his first response was to say, âOh you have no idea. I donât think anyone else could make a meal fit for kings out of what we pirates manage to scrounge together.â
Then, after spooning another bite into his mouth, he realized that she was probably hungry. He looked longingly down to his bowl before holding it out to Vera. âHere. Hand this to her. She probably needs it more.â He sat down, bowl still being held out. âWhat do you think Meg will do when she finds out the lass is here?â It wasnât polite to speak of such things in front of the subject of conversation, but he was hungry and it made him a tad unfiltered. âI doubt sheâll do anything too terrible right? I mean I was mutinied against, and Iâm still here in one piece.â
âEat James, Iâll be fine,â she interrupted. She gave him a smile to reassure him and thank him for the offer. Evangeline hadnât been hungry since the incident happened. She pushed her thoughts away, but couldnât help the shaky breath she took next. Eva looked at Vera, her smile now slightly faded. Her heart stung a little at unwanted memories. âWhat is Meg like?â she asked softly, wanting a distraction. She vaguely remembered how Meg had spoken to James earlier that night.
Vera just stood by as the two of them exchanged words. Truly, she didnât know what to make of this situation. This woman didnât seem to harbor and ill will, but she still could have asked for a job on ship instead of just stowing away. âNo, James. Eat your food. I have plenty for everyone.â This was something she would speak sternly about. She returned her wary gaze to this Eva, who was asking her about her captain. A part of her was screaming to run and get Meg, but she couldnât help but feel for this poor girl. If James hadnât accepted her in the past, she likely would have stowed away too. âFirst, sheâs Captain to you,â Vera corrected her in the same motherly scold that she had sent Jamesâ way. âSecond of all, Meg isnât cruel, but she also has rules. Iâm sure she would have let you join from pure compassion alone. But Iâm not entirely sure if sheâll take kindly to someone stowing away on her ship.â As time went on, Veraâs posture relaxed more and more. However, she was still ready to defend herself at a momentâs notice. âWhy donât you meet her for yourself? Might as well get it over and done with with.â Vera took more steps toward the exit, but this time, she ushered Eva along with her.
James sighed after Veraâs scolding and retracted the bowl of stew. Secretly grateful, he continued eating spoonful after spoonful of the now cooled food until little was left. In fact, the last spoonful he had stuck into his mouth⊠was the one he choked on when Vera suggested she meet Meg now. He whipped his head to her. âYou canât be serious.â Then again⊠she had a point. If they all waited until they were in the middle of the ocean to reveal the lass⊠it might make Meg even more angry with them. So⊠âNo. Nevermind. Sheâs right. With Meg, things must happen now. Not later.â He sighed, feeling for the poor lass. âMight as well follow Vera. Her presence might prove helpful.â
As the two began their leave up to the deck, James was sure to add. âJust remember this when dealing with Meg: the lass is a hellfire.â He made sure to give his empty bowl and tankard to Vera before they left as well. âI wish ye luck lass.â He said to Eva, his accent emerging.
Eva smiled as she listened to Vera. She took note to refer to Meg as Captain. Evangeline was relaxed and stayed relaxed as James put in his opinion. She decided to listen to them. It seemed like it would be better to meet Meghan sooner than later. Before she let Vera usher her out, she grabbed the chest and pouch from the pillowcase in the barrel. The only thing left in the barrel was the fruit and her pillowcase. Though, the pillowcase did have two dresses and makeup inside. She opened the small chest and stuffed the pouch in there. Eva closed the small chest, but it wouldnât close completely. She tucked it under her left armpit before she followed Vera. She flashed James a smile to thank him for his advice and the luck.
âVera, there are sacks of apples and mangos in the barrel I came inâŠâ she said as she followed. She assumed Vera would want to know as she seemed to be the shipâs cook. Eva cleared her mind as she got ready to meet the Captain of the pirate ship.
Vera was ready to argue with James, but he seemed to realize his mistake. âDonât worry, James. Meg canât say no to me,â Vera was exaggerating, of course, but she just wanted to have the two of them relax. A few steps up the stairs, Eva told her about the fruit. Without hesitation, she jogged back down the stairs and went straight for the fruits. She hadnât had mangos in a long while, and she was already planning on a what to cook. A pie perhaps? Hmmm, yes, mango rum pie. Her mouth was already watering. She had to shake her head to return to reality. No, she had to face this. Show Meg the stowaway now, make pie later.
Once the sack was slung over her shoulder, she started back up the stairs. Vera was already trying to come up with a plan, but she knew that there wouldnât be much she could do. She would never dare challenge Megâs final word. In that past, sheâd bartered with the woman for better funds, but once Meg made up her mind and said no, Vera knew not to press her authority. Perhaps this was why they got along so well? Who knows. For now, she just needed to introduce Eva to her captain. As soon as she stepped on deck, Vera swiveled to find that head of fiery hair. It wasnât difficult to spot Meg, standing beside Vale. With a silent nod to Eva, she stepped over to Meg.
âCaptain.â First, the proper greeting. She bowed her head down for a moment, almost out of instinct, before continuing. âPardon me. I donât mean to interrupt, but we have⊠a guest on board who wishes to speak to you.â Vera then stepped to the side, gesturing to Eva to step forward. She bit her lip nervously, her doe eyes trained on her captain to see her response.