Topic: Hide and Seek

Sebastian

Date: 2007-06-21 12:12 EST
It had been a busy, busy morning at DeVernon Dockside and Sebastian was relatively happy that he was working in the office today instead of out on the dock. The temperature stifling, Sebastian had the window next to his desk propped open with a book. This allowed a steady flow of sea breeze into the room, but also all the noise and ruckus that comes with dock working. He looked a bit undone, shirt unbuttoned down to the middle of his chest, long sleeves rolled up to his elbows and tie abandoned at some point during the course of the morning.

Opting to skip lunch today to catch up on some work that needed to be done, Sebastian remained at his desk....miserable.

Erin knocked on the office door. Knock. Knock. Knock. It was three gentle raps as she waited, leaning on it. Her eyes were sunken in with the not sleeping, and her face was paler than usual, painted with more makeup than perhaps she often wore. She was dressed as usual though, a simple sundress, hair pinned up but falling about her face.

"Heeeeeellllllo and welcome to DeVernon Dockside, where all of your dreams can come true." A redhead had opened the door to greet Erin. Her name was Renee' and looked to be a little younger than Erin herself. The young girl looked like she belonged at sea, dressed as a pirate lady should.

Sebastian chuckled, lifting his head to see who Renee' was tormenting now. Office help...pfft. Renee' did nothing but goof around, but he loved the girl and so kept her on the payroll. "Ren, I thought I told you to not say that shotty line again?" A shake of his head had him leaning back in his chair. "Just let them in, yeah?"

"Right-o, bossman!" The redhead saluted Sebastian in a mocking manner before swinging the door wide open. "'Ere ye go, missy. The Cap'n awaits, ye." The girl was a goofball, that's for sure.

Erin laughed out loud at the woman, her eyes going wide. It was not above her to be jealous, and she was— a little. She was younger, prettier, perkier and sillier. All things Erin wished for herself. She slid past the woman without a word and stopped before Sebastian's desk.

"Hire anyone, eh"' A wink and a tilt of her head as she looked around for a chair, hovering for the moment. "I came to ask your help. If you'll give it."

Sebastian's eyes widened when he saw who it was, immediately straightening in his seat to look a bit more presentable. When the initial shock of Erin's appearance wore off, he noted how sickly she looked, or was it simply that she was tired" He couldn't tell anymore these days.

"Renee', before you leave, bring Miss DeVernon a chair, yes?" The redhead made a face at Sebastian...and he made one back. My, these two behaved as siblings. A few moments later, a chair was placed beside Erin and then Renee' excused herself.

Sebastian looked slightly contrite as he sat back down, motioning for Erin to do the same. "Or have you gone back to your old surname?" He'd talk about business with her after a little chat.

"I vacillate, to be honest." she said with a shrug as she lowered herself into her chair. "Dunbridge, deVernon— don't really belong to any of them anyway." She was too tired to pretend or to put on a show for him, and so he got Erin raw. Something he probably hadn't seen in a long long time. "Ms rather than Miss, though. Makes me seem a little older." Plus she had been used to Mrs, at least for awhile.

"You don't mind, do you? That I use it?" She settled in fully, her legs crossed and the hem of her skirt pulled over the knee. "I just...I'm used to it." She shrugged, pushing hair from her face. "Sorry to come unannounced...I wasn't sure if that was..." and she trailed off.

"Erin, we may not be married, but you're still a part of this family. Meaning, you know....everyone. I don't mind that you use DeVernon still, I rather kind of like it." He quirked a smile and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. A long moment was taken to look her over, trying to figure out what exactly was wrong.

"Don't worry, most of my patrons show up unannounced, so I'm used to it. Wouldn't be much of a business if people couldn't stop by." He thought about fixing his shirt, then decided against it. It was silly of him to feel modest around her. She knew him better than anyone in the world - at least in that way. "What's up, love?"

"Well..." Erin took a deep breath. It was comforting that he didn't mind she kept his name. It was even more comforting that they could finally sit down and have a conversation without one of them killing the other. She slid to the edge of the seat, propping her head on her elbows. "I need to ask you a favor. I need to stow away...or whatever...on one of your ships."

"Why?" Sebastian's head canted to the side a little, moderately concerned with how Erin was behaving.

"Can I tell you something" It's not a secret, but it's not really my story to tell....I just...I guess I have to tell you." She paused, rubbing her eyes for a moment. "And you can't freak out or try and stop me. Promise me that."

"I guess I don't have that right anymore, huh." Sebastian mulled this over for a minute or two, running a hand through his hair. "I tell you what," he finally stated. "I won't freak out, but I can't promise that I won't try to stop you if I think you're in danger. Granted, you obviously don't have to listen to me, but I still care about you and don't want you getting hurt." He nodded, satisfied with his answer. "That said, please continue..."

"Lydia and Ivy and I were attacked." She let that sit in a moment. "Last week." And then she sat bacck in the chair and went on with her story. "Someone from her past....and he has magic, and he got away....I've been doing some snooping and I found out that a man with his description got on a boat to Cape Coral..." She shuddered at the name. It brought bad memories for them both. "And I want to go and see if I can find him. Find out what?s going on...maybe stop him...I don't know. I haven't got that part worked out yet...but if he can go there and hire someone...or...I just..." And she trailed off for a moment, sighting. "I just can't lose her Sebastian. I can't sit by and do nothing." Her voice was pained, desperate. Erin had given this much thought.

Obviously not alot of good thought, because she was talking about chasing after a man who had tried to HARM her. Sebastian sat in stoic silence during her entire speech, miraculously managing to keep any and all emotions from showing on his face. Below the desk, though, knuckles were white from his hands being balled into tight fists. "Let me get this straight," he said quietly. "You want me to enable you to go chase after some bastard who tried to hurt Lydia and- wait, is she even ok"! Are you...and Ivy' What the bloody hell, Erin" Why didn't you say anything before this" Does Grem know....can't someone else go after this prick?"

"Grem knows." She nodded. "I didn't tell anyone....it's Lydia's business and I didn't want to...' She trailed off, shaking her head. "I just...I need to do something. I'll be careful, I'm always careful.." Only once had Erin been close to death. Well, twice now, but the second one was really never danger. "What do you think I should do' Sit back and just let her be in danger" Do nothing?"

"No, but..." he sighed in exasperation. Grawr! Same old Erin. Admirable, but she hadn't changed one bit. "Wait, you're never careful." That was slightly amusing and despite the seriousness of the conversation, Sebastian smirked.

Pushing away from the chair, Sebastian stood and began to pace behind the desk. The added stress of the situation combined with his current appearance made Sebastian look positively out of his mind. He had to stay calm, though - he promised Erin he wouldn't freak out. "I think that it would be better if you let someone else handle this. Lydia knows you love her....I don't think she'd want you traipsing after this guy."

"Okay." Erin was reasonable. She knew that perhaps it wasn't her place...nevermind that it was eating her up inside that it wasn't. "Then who?" She stood and came around the desk, she was about to physically stop his pacing, hold him even. Just an automatic response to his worry. But she stopped herself and was just standing there, shoulders slumped a little. "I'm open to anything....I just....I thought maybe I could help." The last part added quietly.

As Erin joined him behind the desk, his gaze softened and his pacing ceased. He, too, stood there....wanting to do so much, yet holding back. He knew she must be worried out of her mind; it was obvious in the way she carried herself. "You wouldn't want me to go with you, I'm sure..." he trailed off, knowing that answer and turned to look out the window.

This was one of those moments where he wanted to just ignore everything he'd been working towards to gather her into his arms and just hold her. To keep from doing so, he continued to face the window. "If I agreed to let you go, could you promise me that you'd listen to whomever I put in charge" They'd go with you everywhere in Cape Coral..."

"Anything you say." Erin was out of fight. Out of it, and knowing that it was useless. They were all right about what was and was not possible for the small mad englishwoman. See, she had changed. "You could come, or someone else, or....whatever you think is best." Her voice was soft, but still urgent.

Sebastian turned to face her, gaze searching her face for any lie in her statement. She had meant it and that in and of itself made Sebastian feel on top of the world. Two steps carried the longshoresman over to the mad englishwoman, hands coming up to rest on her shoulders. "I want to come, but I'm afraid that if I do, we'll ruin how far we've come already." Stormy blue gaze dropped to the floor. "I don't want that....but....I'll let you go. I'll have Jent keep an eye on you."

Dammit, he couldn't take it anymore. This would be fine, he assumed. She needed a hug and he hated to see her so distressed. Carefully, Sebastian pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against her chest. He was careful to make sure she knew he meant nothing by it. "I'm so sorry, Erin. For you and Lydia....if there's anything else I can do, please tell me" I'm worried for you..."

Oh. Thank. God. Though she couldn't pour everything out to him— presumably he would be happier not knowing about most of her issues at the moment— she was so happy to have someone to lay a little of it on. Her arms came up and she held on, it was clear it wasn't romantic as much as for support. A support she much needed. "It's okay. We're all okay. It's just....thank you, thank you so much for this." And she meant it. This tenious friendship they were building is something she wished they had attempted months and months ago— pre wedding.

That feeling was welling up inside of his chest....he had to let her go. A long sigh was expelled, not able to meet her gaze for a few moments. "The Traveler Joshua leaves on the Twenty-sixth. Make sure you're ready....they won't wait if you're late."

They'd laugh if they knew that they were both thinking the same thing. This friendship should have happened before they jumped headfirst into a marriage. Things might have worked out. A smile spread across Bastian's face as he realized that he'd be happy with a friendship with her, even if nothing else ever came of it.

Erin stepped back and onto the other side of the desk, backing slowly for the door. He had shut down the conversation and she was now able to respect boundaries and wants. "Thank you. So much. Anything you ever need from me..." Her hands were held out in front as if she were proving she werent armed. "Anything at all..."

Bast just took his seat and nodded in thanks. There wasn't much he could say right now. "I'll see you later, Erin. Do me a favor, send Renee' in when you leave?"

A small, almost in perceptible nod and Erin slipped out the door, sending Renee in with a simple "Sebastian asked for you? before dissapearing into Dockside.

Erinalle Dunbridge

Date: 2007-06-25 13:36 EST
26.6.2007 —-

There were many things about the Englishwoman that were atypical. Her ability to pack light, for any length of trip, was one. While her peers needed suitcase upon suitcase— outfits for every occasion— Erin needed little more than a few cotton dresses and a pair of shoes. And instead of expensive luggage, it was all shoved into a simple backpack.

Of course, she had also taken her journal and fountain pen. Some paper and the letters Jordan had written her. Of course she took a flower to wear in her hair— despite the fact that it would only live a day, perhaps two, before she would be flowerless again. Of course she took the ribbon she was gifted, it was tied tightly around her neck now. And of course she slipped the yellow fabric flower she'd been given into her bag, beneath the dresses. Just a reminder.

Erin had lied. To many, in fact. She could not bear to tell the truth of where she was going. Despite being told she was one to understand danger, to step down from it, this trip was nothing less than ill advised. A note left on her bedstand in case Jordan came looking, a few words to Lydia— if anyone asked she was headed south on Holiday.

Holiday, indeed.

The news that Fahl was somewhere in the Cape town was shady at best. Her plans even moreso, but Erinalle Dunbridge deVernon had no other options left to her. And so she traveled.

It was rare that she walked anymore— danger and concern kept her feet from the streets of Rhydin as if they were actually the river of blood they were feared to be. But today, on her way to the docks, Erin went by foot. The backpack slung over her shoulders, she trudged through the WestEnd and then into Dockside without pause. It was safe in the mornings.

Relatively.

There were many sailors preparing the ships. Slinging ropes, calling to each other, loading cargo. There were tall ships, their masts reaching towards heaven, their colors and flags varying. There were shorter boats. Electric boats. Steam boats. Anything that floated, one could find at the docks. There was even a hanger or two where cargo was transfered onto space ships for faster travel. It was the mish-mosh of Rhydin— the doing of the Nexus, the point of entry or exit for many a citizen.

It had ceased to amaze Erin long ago. Her husband had worked here when they were married. He continued to do so. Her insomnia had brought her here many a night to frequent the bars, or stand by the pier. Erin did not find this a threatening place.

But she was nervous.

Approaching the ship she was to board, Erin passed a certain pier. One with good memories, and stopped long enough to walk down its length. She peered over the edge and into the water and let her eyes closed as she replayed the scene that, in retrospect, had probably been a turning point in her short life. It wasn't long she lingered, but it was long enough to calm the fear in her belly as she approached the ship.

Tugging on the straps of her pack, she approached the bustle that was a ship about to leave port. Erin didn't just board, no, she waited anxiosly on the sidelines. Where was Jent, anyway?

Renee Donne

Date: 2007-06-25 14:34 EST
Who knew" Jent was always busy with something and never where one thought he would be.

Today there was a flurry of activity going on at DeVernon Dockside with the Traveler Joshua readying to set to sea. All of the cargo had been finished loading yesterday and now there was just the hustle and bustle of making sure the rigging was set.

Renee had spent the night aboard the Traveler Joshua with her husband, Capt. Az'myth Donne. He'd be gone a long time and Renee never went on any of their sails (sailors superstitions and all that), so a long goodbye was definately necessary.

Having finally emerged from the Captains Quarters, Az'myth and Renee stood locked in each others embrace a few feet away from the planks used to board the ship from the dock. Giving him a quick kiss, Renee turned to wave at all of the other men before heading down to the dock. Various men called out their goodbye's to the amiable redhead as she left.

Reaching the breach of the dock, Renee's eyes settled on the only person who looked out of place among the men: the woman. It was Erin. Pushing red hair out of her eyes and over her shoulder, Renee walked over to Erin with a smile. She was dressed as usual: long sleeves cinched at the wrist, tight corset over that and long green skirts. "'Ello, Erin! Are ye ready t'set sail?"

Erinalle Dunbridge

Date: 2007-06-25 15:27 EST
"You look lovely, Renee" Erin brightened at the sight of the red head. A much friendlier audience than Jent. A step was taken towards the woman to meet her half way to the ship. Erin shuffled her feet in her tennis shoes as she moved, a touch of that nervousness showing her demeanor. "Ready as I'll ever be. I do love the sea, but I'm not fool enough to trust it." A smirk of a smile from one captain's wife to another. Though, perhaps, Renee was always a bit more at ease than Erin, it wasn't hard.

Almost-green eyes wandered the deck, taking in more and more of the flurry of activity. Her shoulders rolled once, causing the backpack to move as she watched sailors in their hurry. "So, you know where I'm supposed to go' Last thing I want to do is get in the way. Knowing Jent, he'll have me thrown overboard and fished back out as a lesson." There was humor in her voice, and Erin let herself laugh for a moment. The laughter was bell-iike, happy. Something about this trip made Erin feel useful and that was always a good feeling.

Weight shifted from the right to the left and back again and one of her hands started twirling the yellow ribbon about her neck. Finally taking the time to examine the redhead from top to bottom, Erin let her eyes fall on Renee's.

Renee Donne

Date: 2007-06-25 15:44 EST
Renee and her husband were still fairly new to DeVernon Dockside and weren't here for the divorce. She had no reason to dislike Erin and the Bossman seemed fine, so why would there be any animosity' Sure, the slightly older girl seemed a tad bit unstable, but Renee' was a friendly sort; enjoying being liked by all.

Renee put a hand to her hip, fanning her face with the other. Despite the cool breeze that came in from the sea, it was still a bit muggy outside today. "Aye, that be somethin' most girls 'round 'ere don' figure out til it be too late." She grinned.

Another thing Renee never did was gossip. She knew about Jent's dislike for the Bossman's ex-wifey, but it wasn't her place to comment on anything. "Ahm..." she craned her neck around, a hand going over her eyes to protect them from the sun. After spotting the captain, she spoke up. "See that man right o'er there?" She pointed to a tall male leaning against the side of the ship. "He be m'husband: Cap'n Donne." She turned away from the tall ship and back to Erin. "He'll be able to 'elp ye, lass. 'M not sure where Jent be hidin', but the Cap'n will know what t'do with ye."

Erinalle Dunbridge

Date: 2007-06-25 15:54 EST
Erin let her head bob once in a nod to the woman. "Thank you, Renee. You are very kind. I wish you a good week, and I'll see you on return." Erin rolled her neck to get out any knots and shoving her hands in her dress pockets, headed towards the ship.

The plank up and to the ship was rickety. This wasn't a passenger ship, it wasn't made to be boarded and unboarded by ladies in heels or men with expensive shoes. So, Erin walked carefully as she traversed it, making sure not to slip and fall into the dirty water of the docks.

Once Erin reached the ship, she stepped down, still keeping careful, a hand raised to the Captain who wasn't far off. She smiled warmly, ambling over at an easy pace. She wanted nothing more than to give off the impression she was a snob. Or someone that needed to be babied. Or a bitch. Anything that women of the sea were often thought to be.

Weight went from her right hip to her left one as she stopped just short of the Captain. The hand that had been used to greet him was then stuck out in an offer of a handshake.

"Erinalle Dunbridge deVernon at your service. Feel free to call me Erin and call on me to do anything you might need. I am able bodied, as well as invisible. Just say the word." Her smile went lopsided and her demeanor stayed light.

Azmyth

Date: 2007-06-25 16:22 EST
It was a perfect day to hoist anchor, even if a little hot. The sky was clear and the gulls were as annoying as ever, but every captain knows not to jinx his own ship by assuming smooth sailing. He'd been warned by Jonathan that there was more than likely a storm further south, but that the Traveler Joshua was unlikely to get more than some rain and a bit of harsh winds.

This had Az'myth in a good mood. His men were getting their jobs done (like they always do) and they were even ahead of schedule. Only thing that had him slightly glum was the thought of shoving off, leaving his lovely lass behind to wait ever-so-patiently. But oh the fun they'd have when he returned weeks end.

He was surveying Gordon as the man crawled up the spider-like web of ropes to disentangle a line that had gotten caught in one of the cross beams when Erin came on the scene and introduced herself. Stepping forward to meet her, he grasped her small hand in his, giving it a shake. "Pleasure, Erin."

He smiled amiably and seemed genuinely happy to have Erin aboard. Releasing her hand, he smoothed it over his black pants while the other adjusted his tan colored vest. He was bare chested beneath the deer-hide vest, his frame kind of on the thin side, but wirey. Swirls were shaved into his facial hair on either side of his cheeks and long, beaded and feathered dreads were pulled back into a low ponytail.

It was easy to see that she was more than nervous. He, too, had heard alot of the rumors about this woman, but there would be no unfair treatment aboard his ship. He'd even spoken with Devereux about being nice.

"How 'bout I show ye to yer quarters, aye?" He placed a hand at the small of Erin's back and gently ushered her below deck and down a small corridor.

"Forgive me for bein' so abrupt, Ms. deVernon, but th' men don't take too kindly to women bein' aboard. Now, I assure ye that none of my men'll give ye any trouble, but it's probably safer for ye t'stay below deck until we set sail." They finally came to a door and Az'myth opened it for Erin, then stepped aside. "I'll 'ave Jent come for ye when th' commotion dies down a bit."

He started to walk away, then paused to turn back and face the little woman on his ship. "If'n ye need anythin', jes let me know, aye?"

Sebastian

Date: 2007-06-29 16:14 EST
They'd been to sea for nearly fifteen hours and it was finally beginning to get dark. Captain Donne had retired to his quarters as well as most of the other crew. Jent Devereux stood silently at the wheel, staring out into the waning sunlight as it disappeared on the horizon. For the most part, he'd tried avoiding Ms. deVernon and had done a great job at passing her off to the others aboard the ship if she had a question or concern. Being a sailor is time consuming and he was busy, surely Erinalle understood.

Erin was on deck. She didn't like being below, it made her feel sick, and honestly, she was a lover of the sea. Anyone that knew her knew that. She stood at the rail on the deck, leaning over just a little to watch the water as it lapped against the side of the beat. She sighed happily, closing her eyes as the salt spray hit her face.

Erin had been quiet since getting on the ship. She asked a few questions, mainly about where things were, but overall, she kept to herself. She didn't want to be in the way, and Erin was used to being alone for long periods of time. She wrote a letter, knitted for a bit, done other things....but all in all was just a ghost on a ship full of men.

Erin turned her eyes up to watch Jent turn the wheel. She was observing him more than trying to catch his attention. How his arms moved, where his eyes went, how he moved his weight from foot to foot as the wheel turned. She was a watcher, a memorizer, and this was no different.

He saw her down there, watching him....he shook his head, forcing himself to ignore her. It was bad enough having a woman on board (who wasn't Renee) but to have it be the one person he had feelings against' It was almost too much to handle. Had Sebastian not been his best friend, Jent would never had agreed to keep an eye on her. This was a stupid idea, he thought; chasing after some man who had attacked three women wasn't on his list of things to do all the time.

There wasn't much to manning the wheel: small adjustments here and there and the occasional hard turns, but mostly involved just standing there. When the weather was good like this, and it wouldn't be the whole time, Jent liked being up there all alone. It was quiet and peaceful. The sea was his love and his love was the sea. That's how it worked with most sailors. Being an officer aboard this inspiring vessel was like a dream come true to the lowly seaman.

He looked at her like he hated her, and it had been a long time since anyone had really looked at her that way. So she turned away and back to the water. Her eyes closed and opened again. they stung from the water, they stung from exhaustion, but she wasn't ready to go to bed yet. Erin had forgone her skirts and dresses for jeans and a teeshirt. Hair pulled up and pieces falling down around her neck, Erin finally turned from the rail and raised a hand to Jent.

"Night." She'd try and be friendly. She'd try and be civil. And with the one word and a dip of her head she started a slow walk towards the ladder below.

Jent frowned. "Let's get one thing straight, Erin." It wasn't much, but it was a start. Never said it was in the right direction. "Why do you still torture him?"

"Torture?" Erin stopped her hands stuck in her back pocket. "I didn't think I did....I thought we were past all that." Even she knew it wasn't completely true, her voice had lowered enough to show that. she rolled her shoulders in what was more of a loosening up than a shrug.

"I don't know, Jent. It's more complicated than just what happened at the end....I know it sounds like I'm copping out, but....it just..." Her eyes closed and she listened to the sea for a moment. The gulls that were dying away as they got further from land, the feel of the fading sun. "I don't know."

"It ain't my place, an' I know that Bast'd be pissed if 'e knew I was sayin' this. But....I just can't like you. Don't 'spect me to. I don't even really think 'e 'spects me to, either. But don't hand me a buncha lines 'bout how you think it's past all tha'." He was still frowning, struggling to remain calm and quiet so as not to alert anyone.

"He comes to me askin' if I'd do him a favor and I do it 'cause he's a good man. He deserved better'n you. I jus' wanna make sure you know that while you're goin' on with the rest o' yer life, he's still waitin' back there, tryin' t' pick up all the pieces of his heart. But he'll put on a smile for you, do what you ask, try to be there for ye, 'cause he still loves you."

"But I ain't like him. I can't go on rememberin' the good times y'all had. I see this from'a outside perspective. An' I don't like it. I don't like you and we both know it. So it's prolly best if you jus' stay outta my way and I'll stay outta yours til we're in port. I'll keep my promise, but it don't mean I gotta be nice to ya."

Eyes closed for a long moment before they opened again. "I won't lecture you about what you do and do not know, Jent. That's not my place. You don't know me. You don't know what happened behind closed doors or in my head or in my heart. I don't expect you to. I don't ask you to. I don't have to explain myself to you...."

Her hands came out of her pockets and pushed some hair that was blowing in her face out of it. She took another turn to look out over the side of the boat before turning back. "This isn't about who loves who. And i don't have to apologize to you." With a long sigh she took a step forward. "You don't have to like me, Jent. You just have to keep me alive."

"I told you I'd keep my promise." He frowned again, finding it difficult to do anything but that. "Now if ya don' mind, I've got a ship to steer." And with that he looked back out over the water, ignoring Erin, dismissing any and all means of continuing the conversation. Nothing she could say would change his mind. It was probably the same for her.

"You started talking to me." A mutter under her breath as she shoved her hands back in her pocket and started back for her cabin. She shook her head as she walked back below.