“At least I know your calling card, I suppose”, he said with a roll of his eyes as he drank. It wasn’t very hard for him to guess that, considering that she gloated about it nights before now. It didn’t bother him for that wasn’t any of his business; they were associates if anything as far as he was concerned. His eyes rolled again, “I’m sure if it was up to you, I wouldn’t wear anything but a fig leaf. If that much…”

He had thought that she was kidding in her advances but to come to find out she was being real with him, he looked at her and down to her fingers running against him. Just as easy as it was for her to approach him, Vincent finally gave in and came over to her. The kiss felt like it had the first time- amazing. This time he followed through and took her into his hands which felt like an eternity before they ended up on the bed. His hands traveled down her body as he helped stripped her of her remaining garments and found out some interesting piercing on her. The sex lasted for a long time as he got out everything that he had been restraining for so long since that night. He made sure that she was just sated as he was before their night was through. He was drenched in sweat by then and tired out, feeling the warmness of her body driving away the cold against him. His arm snaked around her as his blank mind started to fill back in only to give way to sleep. He would worry about what just happened in the morning.

But before morning could come, Vincent was woken by her screams sometime later and sat up quickly before he reached out with a hand behind her back. “Furtuna? What’s the matter? Was it a dream?” He recalled her telling him of the nightmares she continued to have, even to this today of the sick crimes delivered to her people. “It’s alright, it's just a dream…”, he ushered in reassurance.

That cold glare in her eyes when she looked at him. Her mother was right, she was scared but she nodded as it faded and she exhaustively pushed herself against him. “Aye,” she finally answered him. “The same dream as always,” it was such a defeated sound that left her lips as she closed her green eyes and pushed her head up under his chin.

Her heart was about ready to rip right out of her chest that when she held herself to him, he probably felt it. “I just… I don’t know what to do about them.” She looked up at him. “Can’t tell the others about it because… I am their captain. I’m not supposed to be afraid of anything right? If I told my mother about them she would ask me to come home for treatment. I can’t afford to be gone for so long.”

She pulled at the hair on her head for a while and opened her eyes to look up to Vincent. “I’m sorry if I scared you. Happens a lot when I’m not drunk or high…” She reached over and put some water on her hands from a cool washbowl on the dresser on her side of the bed. She rubbed it on her face and groaned. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Sometimes they are so real… Sometimes I can’t remember what happened completely and it’s just the sounds… but this time I could see it and feel it.” She shivered gently as her chest heaved.

“I need a drink.” Yet she didn’t move from him, she just put her head into his chest more.

He might have only known her for a couple of weeks, if that long, but Vincent wasn’t used to seeing the captain this way. Normally (at least for him), she was full of life and wit, but right now, she was at her most vulnerable. It wasn’t that long ago that he had wanted to find a kink in her armor so that he could capture her, but right now, as he sat there and watched her, he was glad that he hadn’t.

Furtuna had problems stemming from her past; it wasn’t her fault though. She couldn’t control the actions of kingdoms nor the events that took place. It was devastating, but she shouldered the burden of this for far too long. “You can’t help it, you aren’t invincible. Your crew knows that and I’m sure that if you want to tell them about it, they would understand.” He wasn’t going to be the one to tell her what to do with them, that was up to her. “It’s alright to be afraid sometimes if you are… “ He rested his head above hers, comforting her as long as she wanted it. “Maybe, but telling her wouldn’t completely mean that she would force back home, would she?” The goddess could be an easier route for her to silence the nightmares and her fears, but again he would leave that up to her.

Vincent shook his head and petted the back of her head, “No, not scared. Worried, a bit yes.” It was sudden and out of nowhere, but as terrifying as it could have been for him, it was even worse on Furtuna. How she kept her sanity over how long she’s been suffering through this was beyond him. He started to slid off the bed and head to where they had left the rum bottle on the bar before returning to the bed and handing it to her. Perhaps it wasn’t the best medicine, but it would help to calm her nerves and make her more relax. Vincent sat up in the bed and looked her over carefully. “Whatever you decide to do, then that’s what you will do. I won’t stop you, but I will suggest that at some point we find you a more permanent solution for this. If you are unable to fulfill your duties, then none of us can get back into the cove through that hole.” He chuckled a bit before scooting over closer to Furtuna. “Think we might need a couple more?”, he asked referring to the bottle. “Just try and relax; I figure that your heartbeat shouldn’t be so loud right now… “

Furtuna snuggled into him like a scared child at first. He was so warm and inviting that it was eating her soul. She couldn’t understand why he was so comforting to her after all wasn’t he just another conquest? It was hard to understand. “I’ll go… But only if I force you to go with me. Otherwise, I don’t think I could take her attitude.” It was more like a child giving in. “Say you’ll go with me and I’ll go back to Sularia for healing.”

The Genasi took the bottle into her hands and smiled up at him. “I don’t pilot while drunk or high… That’s irresponsible. Ask my air crash.” She winked at him and laughed a bit. She scooted into him and snuggled up into him. “Maybe but I have a feeling I know just the thing to make me feel better with you around.” There was a laugh from her lips as they shared the rum together.

“That will pass… It always does, it just takes a while. We can set out for Arri as soon as you are done with your crew. What will you do if they want to go home by the way?” They passed the rum around until it was done. “And now for the main course,” Furtuna flipped him under her with ease after her heart had calmed down enough. “Don’t know the point in letting my heart calm down since it’s just going to get bad again.” There was another laugh. After a moment the laughing ceased and she gripped his hands. "Vincent… Don't leave alright? I mean don't leave me unless I tell you to." It was a voice she hadn't spoken in before, it wasn't scared or jolly… It was just true.

In the morning she pulled herself from him and stretched. One night terror had been enough but now she felt a bit more rested as she pulled her pants on as she sat on the edge of the bed. “We got explaining to do to your crew today.” She cupped his face. “My Captain Vincent.”

He didn’t really expect much from this night moving on forward. Given her attitude and everything, he was likely another notch in her belt. It was something he was already prepared for long before they slept together. Vincent was a bit surprised to see that she was willing to go see her mother, but there was a stipulation to it. “Sure, I’ll go. I think centuries of nightmares and panics are more than enough to deal with, and if you’ll gonna be stubborn in not going without me, I’d rather see to it myself that you do.” He could only guess that few of her previous lovers had dealt with her traumatic incidents and could only guess on how many actually stayed to see her off safely. 

He looked at her with a questioning look at first, but then decided that she was telling the truth about being sober and flying. Judging that she only had one accident they were willing to mention, it seemed like she was capable of having a good head without the need of substances.

“Fair enough. I’ll believe you, for now. If your crew tells me otherwise, then I’ll be inclined to take their side then. “ He took the rum for a moment and a good swig of it before handing it back to Fortuna. Her subtle suggestion made him laugh as he stared at her for a bit. “Right, and that answer could only be a few things that come to mind. None of which, I mind of course.” 

Vincent felt a bit different now that the collar was loosen, so to speak. He was a bit too uptight, he’d admit but now he was more willing to open up to her. “Hell if I know, to be honest. I figure that I’d drop them off unless they want to capture me as well. If that happens, I might have to fight them. Hopefully it doesn’t come down to that.” He didn’t want to have bad blood with them, after everything they all been through together. It would be bittersweet but he thought it would be for the best to at least warn them of what was really going on with Egjora first. “I’ll explain my stance and from there we will see.” Taking a heavy sigh, he was about to reach for the bottle when he saw that it was empty. It didn’t matter much anyway once Furtuna took charge and she was over him. Her hands pinned his own against the bed, asserting her dominance. There was no problem from him whatsoever though as he cracked a smile. “Alright, I won’t.” There was no telling if she meant for the remainder of the night or longer, but he didn’t seek to disappoint her. “I’ll stay until then.”

 It felt like forever before the morning came and he didn’t wish to get out of bed, but business had to be handled, one that he was dreading a bit. He peeked one eye open to see Furtuna getting dressed. “Yeah, I know, I know.” He wanted to go back into the covers, but Vincent forced himself up and got dressed. “Bloody hell… “ By the time he got his boots on, he was ready to head out and with her aid, they got out of the cove and headed to where he had instructed The Fellshield to set anchor last night. He could see his crew frantically awaiting word of him when they spotted him descended down, but their cheers silenced once they noticed Furtuna before they grew louder. He suspected that they thought that he captured her, but then as he got off the ship and joined up with them, he held out a hand.

“Gentlemen, it's hard for me to say this but…”

From there, he went onto explain what he had learned about Egjora’s trades, as well as its past crimes and why he going to not only let the pirate go, but join her in her crusade. Many of them, as expected, were angry and confused about his reasons. Others thought that he was somehow manipulated by her wiles and few stood by in silence. He spoke sincerely and offered to return them to the Academy and a life free of persecution. He owed them that much for being a loyal crew. He would bare none of them ill will and hoped for bright futures for each and every single one of them.

Vincent heard the mutters among them as they were trying to decide what to do. He hoped for a peaceful solution but what happened next was unexpected. One by one, they started to pledge their allegiance to him and the pirates- many of them didn’t have families and were from the lower parts of Egjora, Adeluna and other parts. They grew up with nothing and stride to secure futures that were good and well, and a good number of them also despised the nobles they had to work for before. But with the news of their greed and corruption, it only fueled the fire in them more so. Besides, they didn’t want to be forced to hunt him down and kill him for betraying the commanders. Sighing, Vincent reluctantly accepted their wish. 

Once they got to the surface and to the Fellshield she whistled up at it. “This is a nice ship. Remind me to steal one just like it.” Her words echoed playfully through the tantrum of his crew. She chuckled a bit at the and winked at them. She was on the railing of the ship doing cartwheels, yoga, you nap it and she was entertaining herself doing this boring time. “And if any of your scurvy dogs tell anyone what he just told you about me I’ll personally tie you up and throw you overboard.” She said cheerfully as she threw herself around Vincent.

The tall blue woman looked over his shoulder at his crew. “It’s a fine crew you have! Welcome to the Sacab boys.” She let go of Vincent and put her arms behind her back. “It’s true that I may or may not have caused men to go crazy… I think one of the Admirals of the Academy was one of my victims at one point! However, what Vincent said is true. I fight the low fight, I fight for justice, ain’t no history book gonna remember what we’re doing. We’re gonna be scurvy dogs until the day we die.”

She was serious now as her posture and attitude changed. She put her hands on her hips and gripped tightly. “We’re more than just some pitiful pirate crew. We’re family. We eat, drink, sleep together. Well I sleep with people so does Xeria BUT that is besides the point. We’re a family. We look out for each other… When the Fellshield isn’t deployed you will be on the Sacab with me. It’s important that we all trust each other. My word is worth as much as Lacriamium… Which is like saying… On my mother’s grave I promise.” She crossed her heart.

“Speaking of which,” She put her fingers together and whistled deeply. “Get your bloody asses out of the damn clouds.” The Sacab emerged out like a mirage with all the airships in its belly. “Captain Vincent, please take us up so I can be captain of my own ship for a bit. Been piloting everyone else’s bloody ship for the past few days.”

Once they were aboard she made sure to introduce his crew to each of her five crews and her main crew. “Finally, since you are a part of my crew. You will need to understand Sacab. Sacab isn’t just an airship… It is a living breathing thing. It’s a not a she but a he…” It came in a mist behind Furtuna, a large air djinn. His blue eyes pierced into them and he put his hand on Furtuna’s shoulder. “Hello Papa, good sleep?”

“You woke me up for this? I’m trying to power an airship Furtuna.”

“Aye Papa, you know.. These guys are joining us now… They should know about you.” The Air Djinn huffed at his daughter and patted her on the head before vanishing back in the ship. “That’s his way of saying hello! He’s just a bit grumpy from me waking him up like that. Most of the time he is asleep so he can power Sacab without interruptions. Sacab is his greatest gift to me.”

She brought them up on the main deck. “Now, we’re off to Sularia. BROTHELS AND THE BEST ALCOHOL FOR EVERYONE!” She didn’t dare leave anyone behind for right now. “Are you ready to see Sularia?” She asked Vincent’s men while her own were cheering endlessly.

Furtuna, he supposed, was doing her best to ease the tension of his crew. Either that or was goofing off for whatever reason, but he let her be as he went into more pressing issues and gave his explanations. He did have to stop and let some of them catch up on the conversation every so often as he noticed their attention being diverted away from him and onto her. Fortunately it looked as though he would have their support and aid going into the future. Many of them started to remove the sigils of Egjora from their clothes. They would still fight for the people, but not the government nor the Academy. Vincent knew how they all felt- hurt and betrayed by the very people they were suppose to put all their faith into making this world a better place. They would no longer sit by and let the corrupt spread any further- not if they had anything to do or say about it.

“The catch with this is Furtuna now outweighs me as far us being captains. Her word is above my own, within reason of course…” Obviously he wasn’t going to risk lives or anything so fortuitous like that, and hoped that she wouldn’t either. Some of them looked wided eyed at her as she went into detail about one of the Admirals. They were searching among themselves of the potential candidates that she took on while Vincent groaned. “Regardless, we are striving for a better tomorrow; the thing we wanted and trained years for.” He was impressed by her brief speech about them being a family- they would need each other for the long haul. “I swear to you my word that I will not leave a single soul here in the cold. If one falls, we might as well all fall!”

The meeting between his crew and her other captains was a tad awkward but soon everything seemed to mellow out for the best once he flew her up aboard her ship. Of course when they met her father, who powered said ship, he felt a bit more awkward with what happened last night. “How long had he been asleep for?”, he found himself asking, while scratching his head.

At least things went more smoothly than he could imagine, which was good. He felt as though he could make a difference without being restrained by the law. Of course, it wouldn’t settle well with his former connections, but the end justified the means- he had to keep reminding himself of that as the cheers filled the air around them. He was surprised that she was bring the whole lot with them to Sularia, but he could only guess it was to drive away suspicion from them about her whereabouts or reasons. Vincent wouldn’t say a word to anyone about it- it wasn’t his business to give and to prove his loyalty to her, he would kept his mouth shut. He merely joined in the cheering and smoked his pipe with a grin 
 

If anything Furtuna was a good captain. She would show them all about being a family after all hers was one of the largest in the world. She had learned well from her family like her siblings and her mother, even if they weren’t talking for a very long time. It didn’t mean she didn’t care. She nodded to Vincent and took a deep breath. “A pirate’s life for me.”


She crossed her arms when Vincent asked her about her father. “It’s been a good fifty years since I woke him up. Djinn are used to falling asleep and not waking up.”

The sails were set as Furtuna took to the wheel and steered them towards their next destination. “Man is going to suck. Vincent why did I let you talk me into this. I would much rather you talk to me into bed.” She yelled at him while he was with his crew.

“Now I have to share you with a bunch of hussies.”

“You are one to talk about being a hussy Cap.” It was Maliel and Furtuna was quick to take off her boots and throw them at him.

“Blow me,” Furtuna laughed a bit as she returned to steering. “You lot think you are so clever, I happen to like Vincent.”

“Keep talking like that your mother is going to make you get pregnant.” Her other captain harassed her.

“Oi oi oi oi. Him and I aren’t talking wee ones. That is all Maliel!” Maliel chuckled a bit at Furtuna who was red like a cherry. “You lot suck. I’m trading you in for newer models. All I’m saying is that Rosenites are a bit too uppity for me. Might run in my blood but they are heathens sometimes.”

“Takes one to know one.” Xeria laughed a bit from her perch. “Vincent did the Captain tie you up and make you her bitch yet. That’s her favorite move.”

“Maliel… fetch me my boot. This is going to be a long ride to Sularia.”

“What’s your problem”, he asked while the pipe hung from his teeth. He didn’t see a problem with going to Sularia with the entire crew. If anything, this was her bright idea. He looked at her slightly confused for a moment before blowing out some smoke. “That can still be arranged, if you order me to do so” He closed his eyes and sat down. Vincent had never said that he was going to join his men in the debauchery at the brothels. He was more so fixing to get a drink or two instead.

“Share? Didn’t know we were getting possessive now… thought you were a rolling stone…” He puffed his pipe and ditched the ashes before replacing them with fresh herbs. Apparently her captains found humor in her behavior and she was quick to retort against them. “Should I feel lucky that she likes me, or will that make me a target even more?” The baby talk was strange, yet due to her mother’s domain, he suppose that it would have been possible if the goddess was motivated enough and it seemed from between that and the other night they talked, Furtuna didn’t want that in her future. He himself still hadn’t gave it a second thought, though he was a bit curious about the possibility one day.

“How so? Never seen another Rosenite but you and your mother, though very briefly.” He looked up at her. “You seem a bit too worried about this now.” Vincent then turned his attention over to Xeria and sighed, “No, not yet. She probably would have, I’d bet.” He didn’t know to the exact of what she would have done to him, but given what happened, he was sure they hadn’t reach that level quite yet. He wondered if he even wanted to know the details of that.

Furtuna made a face and Xeria giggled lightly. “Rosenites are particularly bitchy towards one another. If they even think you are thinking about stealing whats theirs they will attack. There are laws in Arri that prevent such attacks from happening. While Furtuna doesn’t act like that towards other races she does when it comes to her sisters in blood. Truth is a pretty man like yourself hooking up with a whore of Arri might turn bad for Furtuna. Women are known to get territorial with their favorites.”

Furtuna took a boot that was delivered and threw it at Furtuna. “Lotus gets away with it… She’s my cousin but she’s strong. I mean she’s young but she goes around fucking everyone’s husband from here to Komiteia if it gave her a thrill. She’s been quiet lately. Normally she at least gets on my airship and rides around for the hell of it… I haven’t seen her in a long time. Too quiet for my tastes. Though her mom started up trouble a few years ago. Caused an all out war with Arri and put them on high alert. That’s the last time I heard from Lotus.”

She looked back at Vincent for a bit with a concerned face. “My mother likes grandchildren and she’s always been trying to get more genasi. See she loves me and loves the color of my skin but she and papa don’t see eye to eye. Djinn culture and Rosenite culture… ya know? So she stays away from Djinn but I have siblings from men all across Revaliir.”

She rubbed the back of her neck and blushed just a bit more. “Besides I haven’t tied him up because I like what he does with his hands… Is that so wrong?”

“Finally found someone who likes those piercings of yours.” Xeria grabbed at her own chest to show Vincent’s crew the type of piercings that Furtuna had. “Not a lot of men have the balls to know what to do with them at least that’s what a drunk Furtuna sings about in the wee hours of the morning.”

Furtuna grumbled a bit more. “Yeah, yeah. Pipe it down. If I wanted to hear sex stories I would be more interested in yours Xeria.” Xeria shut up immediately and shook her head. “All big and bad until it's turned on you.” Furtuna reached out and stole Vincent’s pipe so she could take a drag on it. She chuckled towards him. “Welcome home new crew.”

Once they got to Arri they were greeted by Cathrine who was flying and landed on the deck. “Are you porting Sacab?”

“Yeah, got my dock ready?” Furtuna asked as Cathrine nodded.

“Around by Kirika’s dock.” They would be out of sight for the most part as she took the airship down nice and slow. She managed to dock right by the staircase of the Black Court Manor. “All ashore whos going ashore.” She took them off the ship as they climbed the narrow staircase.

Kirika was there to greet them. “I am sorry the staircase is so narrow Cousin Furtuna. It’s the only place we can safely hide you away from prying eyes.” She was so cheerful.

“This is my cousin Kirika, she is currently the queen of the Black Court.” After short introductions, she took them into the city. “Brothels other there… Alehouses over there… Market up there.” She pointed in the general direction. “You want the best blacksmiths you’ll have to go in that direction.” Furtuna watched as everyone left them and she looked back at Vincent. “You sure you wanna go with me. It will only cause trouble for you.”