Roswell Fanatics

Sorry - this is gonna suck, but I'll try.


*Max*

I walk along the gunwales watching the men as we pull up to the dock. The routine is second-nature to the crew but I still need to watch. Sometimes the familiar becomes more dangerous because you take things for granted.

... And the potential distractions of beautiful girls doesn't help any...

"Captain..." I hear, in a voice I recognise although I've heard little of it.

I turn and for a moment, I forget to speak. She's so lovely, her hair blowing gently in the wind. I wish I knew what fate she was running from back in England, but I haven't asked for fear of offending her. Oh, what would Isabel think of me now, I wonder with some amusement. A fearsome pirate in fear of a frail maid like Lady Liz...

"Good day, Lady Liz," I tell her as I suddenly realize that the silence has gone on a second too long. "You and your ladies shall be able to disembark in a few minutes. I hope to arrange lodging for you at Madam Lynn's although I'm afraid it may be a bit crowded." Young Jack went ahead in the dingy to bring word. With luck, he'll be back with news from Lynn by the time the gangways are down.

OOC: don't know if this works, tell me if you want me to change anything Isabelle

~Liz~

He turns to me, but despite my greeting, he doesn’t respond immediately, and I find myself wondering what he’s thinking… Suddenly he seems to register the silence between us however. “Good day, Lady Liz…”

Quickly he goes on to continue. “You and your ladies shall be able to disembark in a few minutes…”

I nod slightly. “I am sure that will come as something of a relief to them all…journeying by water certainly does not agree with many of them…” That is an understatement, as I am sure he is aware, but as long as my meaning is understood it is fine… With luck the women who have been so ill will soon improve when on dry land once more.

“I hope to arrange lodging for you at Madam Lynn’s although I’m afraid it may be a bit crowded…”

I listen carefully to his words, and when he has finished, I nod again. “Of course, I would not think that anyone will complain though, I am sure that whatever is on offer will be more than adequate…” I look up at him. “I want to thank you Captain…for everything…you have been most kind and considerate…”

The wind seems to be getting up as we dock now, the men around me hurrying to perform jobs I am sure they have done many many times before… I pull the shawl around my shoulder up higher, but still cannot help shivering a little.

I hardly think that I will look the fine lady I was brought up as now… My dress is plain, slightly torn and creased, my hair loose and a simple shawl round my shoulders… Yet the strange thing is, I feel happier than I have in a long time… This is a new start…

A new start… Seeing the crew around the deck makes me wonder what has happened to Kyle now… What the future holds for him…? I have not heard anything about him since the day we were rescued, and I hope that he is alright…

*Max*

I nod at Lady Liz's words. "I only wish I could have done more to make you comfortable," I admit. While we were flush with provisions and had far better fare than usual for a pirate, I knew it was far below what which many of these ladies were accoustomed to. Although there were a few maids who had been servants in their mainland lives. Perhaps for them, it was better nurishment. Although the lodging conditions would have tried even those harden women's sensibilities, I'm sure...

Although I'd promised myself not to ask, I fear that I shall soon lose contact with this good lady as she goes about her new life in town. This may be my last chance to converse with her. "May I ask what fearsome fate you are fleeing in fair England that you would rather risk a future here among retired pirates and their children? If my question is too bold, please do not feel compelled to respond."

~Isabel~


I notice that Tess relaxes and I'm glad that I am able to help her through this moment. I smile as I think of how wonderful it could be getting started with everything all over again. I was actually looking forward to having the chance to decorate a place of my own and yet I also wondered whether or not I would have the chance to have others live with me.

"How much longer until you think we will reach shore?" Tess asked me and I pointed toward the docks.

"As long as the men take care of the rigging correctly and follow orders, we will have our feet on the ground in less the two hours. Perhaps we should go below and freshen up a little bit before we disembark. If you'd like, I'll style your hair?" I suggested, thinking it might be fun to work with her hair and also feeling the urge to see how it would feel to almost have a sister.

*Tess*

"That would be absolutely delightful!" I giggle.

We hurry downstairs and she starts to work on my unruly curls. I am sooo glad I have made a new friend, but it seems more than that. She seems oddly enough like family to me. I hope to dock soon because being cramped up on this ship has left me feeling restless. I can't help ,but wonder what happened to that Kyle fellow. I hope Isabel's brother didn't give him too hard a time.

~Liz~

“You did more than enough…if it wasn’t for you, myself and the other ladies would, without a doubt be in a far worse situation…”

I have to admit I am somewhat taken a little by surprise by the question which comes from him next though. My first reaction is to tell him it is none of his business, but I bethink myself before I actually say that, and find that in truth, perhaps I am ready to explain…

If any of the other men asked me, I can guarantee they would receive a significantly different response, but then even if I have not been able to speak to him very much, I already know there is something different about Max. He is a pirate, I know this, but his speech, his mannerisms especially when speaking to the ladies, they all speak of the fact he was brought up as a gentleman, and despite the fact I know not why this would be the case, I have already found myself feeling more comfortable in his presence than in any of the others…

I brush back my hair from my face once more, allowing the shawl I had been wrapping tightly around me to drop, resting on my lower arms, as I feel the coastal breeze dance along my areas of exposed skin. “No…” I shake my head. “I do not believe it is too bold…” I pause a moment, considering how to continue.

I chew my lip thoughtfully for a moment, choosing my words carefully before looking up at him, my eyes locked on his. “I am choosing a free life as opposed to that of a captive… A captive in luxury no doubt, but still a captive…” I trail off awkwardly, wondering if he will think my words silly or spoilt. “My father wished me to marry, and I did not… My wish was always to marry for love and not for money…an arrangement with a man more than twice my age hardly offers that…”

~Isabel~

Tess agrees to my suggestion and we go below where I decide to use Michael's private cabin for the moment and go in and sit down, motioning for Tess to sit in front of me. As she does so, I begin running the brush through her hair but what she can't see me doing is ever so slightly highlighting her hair by using just a small amount of my power. I also add a little bit of a wave to it before plaiting a single braid down the back, leaving the lower layers of hair loose and flowing.

Smiling, I hold up the hand mirror to Tess, "What do you think?" I asked, wondering if she would notice the change to her hair color and if she did would she think it was because of the sun exposure?

*Max*

"My deepest sympathies," I tell Liz. It is truly unfortunate that a quality woman such Liz should be bartered off to such a distasteful match. It is the way of the world that women often do not have a great deal of control over the course of their lives. Instead, they must be content with control over the details of running the homes and children.

In some ways, it is similar to why I left home years ago. I was also unable to conform to the future my father wanted for me. The freedom of the seas has offered me control and peace and, yes, a manner of happiness. Although it is oft times a lonely life, with no woman to call my wife, still it is busy work and I rarely have time to dwell in that emotion.

"A fine lady such as yourself should never have to suffer such a fate. I hope you find the freedom and happiness you seek at the Lucky Ace," I say.

Looking up, I see that we have come up on our berth. My second is issuing the necessary commands and in short time, the Lucky Star is safely in place. Four crewmen are on the deck tying us fast. I stop my second as he passes and say, "Put out two gangways. Use the aft to off-load our cargo and I will direct the ladies to the fore."

Michael's Demons is still a bit further back but soon he will be joining us. I look forward to spending some time with my sister and learning what news she can give regarding our father and my former home...

.

~Liz~

“My deepest sympathies…”

The words are much the same as might come from many people, but the difference is that for once they are genuine… I know I have not known him long, but I am certain of that much…

I smile and give a slight nod. “Thank you…”

“A fine lady such as yourself should never have to suffer such a fate. I hope that you find the freedom and happiness you seek at the Lucky Ace”

I nod again. “Thank you…” I know that I am repeating myself, but I know not what else to say. I am certain that what awaits will be something far different from that which I was brought up with, but I am not scared… What scares me is the thought of going home, of being married off to that ‘monster’…

I always knew I wouldn’t marry for love really I guess… I had hoped, but I knew it was not to be… If I was honest with myself I always knew what my fate would be…

But now I have a chance for something different…and I intend to seize it with both hands. I hesitate a moment before looking up at Max. “Will you be staying ashore a while, or is it just a quick stop off before returning to the high seas?”

In truth I do not know where that came from…I should not care about the answer I know, and yet strangely, I do…

*Tess*

Wow! Isabel does good work! My hair looks really beautiful. Is it my imagination or is my hair lighter. Hmmmm. No it's undoubtably lighter. I start to ask Isabel if she notices anything different when I hear the door open. I turn to see who it is.

OOC Leaving this open for whoever aboard Michael's Demons wants to come in. Michael perhaps? It is his room.