Roswell Fanatics

*Max*

"I shall be staying for some time," I tell Liz. After selling our provisions at the supply store and I pay my crew, I should have quite enough to allow me a month or more of leisure.

I shall even give Kyle half pay. His work with the cook and around the ship has been quite good. I have no doubt that he was aware that the quality of his effort might relate not just to his pay, but to his survival. Still, I had been careful to keep him working out of the sight of the ladies. He had been among the slavers and it seemed best to keep him separated from the others. Even now, he waits below with Hans, preparing to unload the stores.

"I shall be happy to give you and your ladies a tour of the town, once you have had a chance to rest."

OOC: hope this works

~Liz~

“I should be staying some time…”

I can’t help feeling surprised at the feeling that provokes. I’m pleased…

I don’t suppose I should really be that bothered, but in truth I am… There’s something about Max that inriegues me…I think I would like to find out more – however inappropriate such a thought might be in normal circumstances…

Then again, this is hardly a normal circumstance is it…? This whole island is filled with pirates, ex-pirates and their families…it’s going to be rather lonely if we keep to traditional rules about suitable and unsuitable…

Besides, as has become clear even over the short time I’ve known him, Max is hardly a typical pirate. From what I learnt from Isabel while on the Slavers ship, she was brought up as a lady, and I can only assume that he was brought up as a gentleman…until such time as he decided he was going to leave…

I would like to learn more about his past at some point, if he would be willing to share his story with me…

“I shall be happy to give you and your ladies a tour of the town, once you have had a change to rest…”

I smile and nod, dropping him a slight curtsey. “I cannot speak for the other women in this case – what they do once on shore is of course their choice, but I can speak for myself, and I believe I would like that very much…”

As the cries from the men intensify and the gangplanks are lowered, I look back up at him, raising my shawl once more to cover my shoulders. “If you will excuse me Captain…I believe I should go see that the ladies are ready, and see to it that any that require help receive it…”

*Max*

"Of course," I tell Liz as she excuses herself to lead her ladies to the shore. I'll be heading that way in a moment to make sure all is secure before anyone leaves, but for the moment, I should check on the rest of the proceedings and make sure all is well.

I pass around the ship and notice that everything is going smoothly, before I head below to check on Kyle and his current keeper. "We're ready to unload. When it's all in the storehouse, wait there for me and I'll come for Kyle," I promise. "You can all return there tomorrow at this time for your pay. You, too, Kyle." I add.

I can see the surprise in Kyle's eyes. I've told him often that he's lucky to be alive and that he should consider that payment enough. Still, he has done a fair share of work and I will give him a partial stipend.

*Michael*

I sigh as I walk toward my room. We will be able to disembark within the next thirty minutes or so. It's been a long day and having all these women aboard my ship, and not being able to have fun, has really taken it's toll on me. There is this one girl that keeps starring at me and I know that if I was given the chance, she'd willingly share my bed but Isabel and Alexander has been keeping a close eye on me. Every time I go near one of the ladies, one or the other are right behind me.

I open the door, hoping for a few minutes of quiet. My crew is competent and I have full faith in them that they can take care of the things needed to be done. When I step inside, I stop dead in my tracks. Isabel is there along with that other girl...Tess, I think her name is. It looks like Isabel has been playing dress up because Tess's hair is styled different...and nice.

"Isabel. This is my room. Not...a salon." I try to be gruff and sound angry at her being in my private room but all that sounds is my frustration. I can never truely be mad at Isabel and at the moment that frustrates me too.

ooc: I hope that is ok for now. Trying to get the feel of this story

~Kyle~

Since boarding the pirate's ship, they've had me doing different jobs around the ship which is ok with me. Even without Captain Maxwell telling me that I'm lucky to be alive, I know that I am. They could have easily left me out in the ocean not caring what the women told them about me. The least I could do was work hard at the chores they gave me to help earn my keep while on board.

I hate to think about what will happen to me once we are on land. I mean, they still think that I'm a slaver but that's not true. I just really needed some money and signed up for the hightest paying ship without really asking what they were carrying. If I'd known it was women to be sold into slavery, I'd never have boarded that ship.

Of course, then I would have never have met Liz, Isabel, Maria...and Tess. My thoughts wander to the blonde hair woman on the other ship. She and I talked a little and I liked her and I thought we got along pretty good.

My thoughts are interrupted as the Captain enters where the cook and I, along with a couple of other men, were getting things ready for unloading.

"We're ready to unload. When it's all in the storehouse, wait there for me and I'll come for Kyle," He tells the cook. "You can all return there tomorrow at this time for your pay. You, too, Kyle." He adds looking to me.

I am surprised by his words. He's going to pay me? I thought that doing the things I was doing paid my passage. I bow my head.

"Thank you." I say.

He gives me a slight nod before leaving us to finish our work. But my thoughts are not all serene. What is to become of me now that we are back on land? Maxwell is coming for me when we are finished. Where is he going to put me up?

ooc: is this ok?

magikhands -- Maria is on Max's ship but she'll be available to Michael soon.
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*Max*

I do not respond to Kyle's expression of thanks, afterall, he has reason to be surprised as it is more than I had promised him. "Your work is not yet done," I say although I'm sure he knows this. I know Hans will keep a careful eye on him yet. The crew knows well the punishment if any of our stores go missing on the way to the storehouse.

Leaving Kyle with Hans, I head abovedecks to see if the crew has the gangways ready. Someone needs to escort the ladies to Madam Lynn's and I feel strongly that I should do this. It is my place and there are few on the ship I would trust as much.

The problem is, our storehouse is not sealed by an ordinary key. It will take my unearthly powers to release the lock. Of course, Michael could do the same. It is a place we share and there's a small sealed compartment beneath the floor for some of our most secret and private possessions which we do not wish to trust in our homes during the long voyages...

Yes, if I can persuade Michael to handle the stores, then I should be able to escort the ladies. I'm sure I shall be back in short order, long before we are ready to tally the inventory. I may even be back in time to open the door. It will take quite some time to get everything offboard.

Below, on the dock, I see young Jack, waiting impatiently. Good. Then we shall soon have word on the accomodations at Lady Lynn's.

Moving to the fore, I find Liz waiting near the gangway. As soon as it touches the dock, Jack races up and greets me.

"Lady Lynn says she has six rooms available," he says, breathlessly.

I nod. There are only twenty ladies with us on the two ships. I had hoped Isabel would join me at my home so we could spend some time together, but even if that happens there will be three or four ladies per room. Well, I suppose it can't be helped. "Thank you, Jack." I tell him.

Turning to Liz, I offer her my arm. "You and your ladies may now deboard," I tell her. "We shall await Michael's Deamons and then I shall be happy to escort you all to your new lodgings."

~Isabel~

I'm just about to suggest maybe checking out the new wardrobe that I knew Michael had stashed in his quarters when the door opened. Michael stood there and I could tell he was trying to be gruff as he said, "Isabel. This is my room. Not...a salon."

"Well, hello to you too, Michael." I said as I stood and walked over to him, "So, when do I get my hug from you? I mean it's been a long time since I've seen you and my brother. We never had the chance for that hug when you rescued us." I knew a way to get to Michael that no other had ever been able to use. "Which, by the way was rather ironic how you knew how to find us." I winked slightly making certain that I was fully facing Michael.

"I'm certain that Tess hasn't even been tempted to search through your drawers in order to look at your skivvies." I joke as I wrap my arms around him. He had always been a brother to me even though he wasn't blood. I would never let anyone think anything improper about us.

OOC; hope this works, sorry for the delay

~Liz~

Lifting the hem of my skirt slightly, I step over a rope which trails across the deck. In the same way as before, I’m doing my best to keep from getting in the way of the men who are all working hard. A few nod at me, but none say anything, and I don’t address them either.

On my way to the steps which lead below, I look around again, searching Maria out with my eyes, but still I don’t see her. I do not know where she is…it is something of a puzzle to be honest, but my best guess is that she is tending to some of the other women who are a little under the weather.

I am sure that I will see her again soon though, so I do not worry too much as I made my way back to the cabins where any ladies who are not already on deck are likely to be found.

Dropping my shawl lower on my shoulders once more, I step inside and offer a reassuring smile to a small group of women that are gathered talking. “I have good news…we are currently only a short time away from docking, and will be able to disembark presently…” I announce, going over and relieving another young woman – probably a few years younger than myself – who is tending to one of the sick ladies. “I will take over for you now if you wish to go up on deck and take a look at the view…” I offer softly.

She smiles and nods, slipping out of the room, followed by a number of the other women. I take the wet cloth she was using, wiping the brow of the woman in front of me again. “How are you feeling Louise…do you feel well enough to stand…?”

***

A short time later, I am stood on the deck once more, looking out over the side, as the boat makes its final approach. Most of the other women are gathered around, although a small number have yet to join us. I know that they will be doing so in a few moments though, being as eager as most of the others to once more have their feet on solid ground.

The ship touches dock, and as soon as the gangplank is lowered, I see a man run up and speak to Max. Even though they are only a few feet away, I cannot hear what is being said, their voices are swallowed in the wind. I believe I recognise him from the ship, but I can’t be certain…

They exchange a few words, and then I notice that Max is approaching me. He informs me that we can now disembark, and then offers me his arm.

I am a little surprised to say the least, but after a moment’s hesitation, I nod and offer a small smile, dropping a small curtsey and then resting my hand on his arm as I rise.

The other ladies either must have heard his comments, or else they realise automatically it is time to get off the boat, for already they are moving towards the gangplank.

I offer, what is I hope, an encouraging smile, and give a small nod to Maria who I notice at the back of the group, before turning back to Max. “Thank you Captain…”

OOC: this is probably rubbish, but I'm still trying to get the feel of Alex in this at the moment. Hope it works even a little

~Alex~

Life tends to have plans for us, whatever they might be…regardless of what we have in mind. A perfect example is what has happened to me… When I started playing some years ago, a life on the ocean was the last thing that I expected…far less a life of a Pirate…

Yet that is what has happened… I may not be one of those ‘menacing’ specimens, but it does not change the fact that if we were caught by the authorities, I would be charged with exactly the same thing as any of the others…

Still, as strange as it might seem, given my background, and the plans I had, I cannot say that life has not been pretty good to me over the last few years. At one time, I wondered how I would possibly be able to survive, yet now, I not only do that, but manage quite nicely…

Of course I am always more comfortable on Max’s ship than Michael’s… Not that I do not understand his want for me to be here to keep an eye on the ladies and make sure none are subjected to any unacceptable treatment – they are not exactly examples of our typical ‘cargo’…

Of course I cannot say that this assignment has not had it’s good points… I have heard about Isabel many times, but in the flesh she is even more amazing than she ever sounded. Not that I would say so to Max, for fear of him believing I might try something – he is my friend, but she is his sister and I doubt it would go down very well – but I think that she is most beautiful…

More than once she has apologised for my slight bump on the head - or more specifically, my period of unconsciousness, but other than that, much to my disappointment, there has been little conversation.

I cannot, and would not wish to hold what happened against any of them… Their reactions were quite understandable, and although the result for me was less than a pleasant experience, I am not angry or upset.

I would have welcomed the chance to talk more with Isabel of course, but she has been rather busy with the other ladies on the ship, the one called Tess in particular.

As we near Lucky Ace once more, I have to admit I will be glad of the chance to stay a while and rest. Ahead of us, I see Max’s ship already beginning to dock, and I know that we will not be far behind.

Given how close we are to docking, I know that Michael should be here, and as one of the men reports receiving a signal from the other ship to say all is well, I decide to go try and find him.

Despite the fact he is the Captain, I cannot help thinking that he has always seemed like something of a loner… With Max, I have a times seen him appear to open up, but usually he seems completely closed off.

Despite the fact that I am certain he knows Isabel, I note that he has hardly spoken to her even, and I cannot help wondering at this fact.

After speaking to one of the men on deck, I learn that Michael mentioned going to his cabin, and I decide that is as good a place to start looking for him as any.

***

A few minutes later, I stop outside the door, about to knock. I stop myself however, as I hear a female voice within. It takes little to recognise that it is Isabel, and given that I cannot hear what is being said, it takes me another minute or so to get myself to knock.

As I raise my hand to knock however, I find that the door swings open, and I’m met by the sight of Isabel with her arms around Michael…

“I apologise, I did not mean to interrupt…” I apologise quickly, debating whether to retreat or deliver the message I have for Michael…

*Tess*

I see Michael and Isabel embrace and I almost get choked up. I miss my family. I feel like a part of me is missing, course I felt like that even when they were alive. I've always felt a part of me was missin. Standing in this room with them, I feel like maybe I have found it. Their hug is completely innocent and chaste. I start to speak ,but am interupted when a man walks in. He looks uncomfortable. Maybe even jealous. I exchange looks with Isabel who looks equaly as suprised.