A Chance Meeting - Part 2

That didn?t go nearly as well as Captain Black had hoped. He didn?t even get her name. So he sat back down and turned his attention once again to Charna, but his mind was on this mysterious woman who had entered like a fresh breeze on a hot day. He pulled a booted foot up and brought one knee to his chest and continued his conversation with Charna.

She had asked him where he had been and he leaned in towards Charna and his nearly black eyes locked onto her blue-greens, ?I've been sailing in the seas to the south. First to
Tyremoor Keep to pick up some goods, then to the famous Barretts Bay where there be many pirates gathered. From there we continued sailing south, trading and the usual pirating stuff. We had some storm damage, which is what took me so long to get back to you. That is...I mean to Rhydin.

Leotah?s ear drums twitch at the mention of pirates. Her gaze drifted to James as she listened from her perch nearby. She smiled softly to him, and nodded an acknowledgment of that wandering life, the worldly heart of a seaman. She smiled once more and then her gaze drifted toward the ninja and the smile quickly disappeared.

Captain Black?s gaze was going from Charna to Leotah (although he knew not her name) when he saw she had some interest in his story. This brought a true pirate smile to his lips, and meant more than she could have known. ?Aye, there are beautiful lands out there, and in the south the seas and the air are warmer, making for a far more pleasant winter stay.

A soft sigh escaped Leotah?s lips as she, not being able to help herself, pondered Ricarde. Memories whispered like soft torrents of rain, tales and fireside moments, the glow of flame against his face and the awareness that lurked within his depths. Those eyes. Her wolf. Long gone....Drifting, wayfaring....and her left wondering.

Icer rose and moved to Fay's side, purring softly as she curled up near the woman's feet, her head propping back atop her forelegs. James Black looked to Icer, and announced, ?She's now called Pirate Icer, my First Mate and my Wine Cooler.? It was a play on word since the dragon evidently had the ability to freeze things with merely a breath. He looked to Leotah and winked, ?Icer will wear an eye patch and she has a mean 'Aarrrrrgggh'. He laughed, remembering Icer?s attempt at sounding like a pirate.

Leotah grinned and cooed as she leaned down to pet the creature tentatively, stroking her, humming softly beneath her breath. She noted James' expression and grinned as she responded, "Aye, she's be a fine accomplice, and that eye patch would be wickedly wonderful on her pretty little face." She continued to stroke Icer a moment longer, staring into the creature?s hypnotic gaze. She could not resist but contemplate the creature?s role in her life. She had indeed been around during every strange scenario since her arrival, but days prior to this eve. Tilting her head she regarded the creature, before sitting back in her seat and smiling secretively.

?Aye, I think so too, lass,? replied the Captain. ?She'll make a fine pirate.?

Fay clasped her hands and nodded to James, "and I'll sew her a few spare eye patches. I'll embroider them as well to add some individuality." She giggled softly and winked to James, then cut a quick grin in Icer's direction.

Charna took that moment to leave, and as she was departing the common room of the Inn, Captain James Black took the opportunity to cast an appreciative glance to the woman sitting next to him, so mysterious in her charm and confidence.

-= to be continued =-

A Chance Meeting - Part 4

Fay was taken aback somewhat and she shifted in her seat, one shoulder rolling back uneasily, the other forward at the table, searching his gaze still. She removed her hand from Icer's chin and rested her hand on her chest, as though clearly showing her surprise.

Captain Black watched her, totally taken in with her mannerisms, holding his breath as he waited for her answer. He has sailed the entire world and yet has found the greatest treasure right in his own backyard.

She couldn't help but think on his intentions; but disclosing such random, trivial thoughts she found herself nodding slowly and smiling warmly, trying to discredit from her cheeks the growing redness. It subsided as she flicked some hair back and rose to sit back in the chair. "That sounds most pleasant. And a sure-fire way to take heed to my half of this...? she lifted her fingers, toiling with air, trying to find the precise word.

Her eyes suddenly glittered over with the spark of epiphany, "Our compromise".

She paused to think, taking her time, "When you come past perhaps we could adjourn that eve. I fear the week is bringing storms to Rhydin," she said while glancing out the window. "Lightning eases off the eastern horizon more and more each day. A rage in the sky grows. Perhaps you should stay ashore as much as you can."

She paused and looked to him, her hand upon her hair, resting upon her lap. She smiled as she eyed him, figuring, placing an imagery of what he has seen cropping into her vivid imagination, but her eyes still entirely focused upon him.

James gathered his wits about him and cleared his throat and stood up. ?Very good, m'lady. I'll come to your establishment in the afternoon, and when we finish business, perhaps you'll allow me to provide dinner. If the storms hold up, we could eat upon the ship as she is docked here. It makes for a lovely view. If the rain comes in, there are many nice places I've wanted to try. It would be nice to have adventuresome companion risk indigestion with me.?

Fay chuckled and stood, gathering her cloak within her hands, being careful to avoid stepping carelessly on the delicate beauty resting at her feet. She smiled warmly to Icer, her heart a flutter at the rare creatures being there....so vivid and amazing and intriguing. Lifting her gaze to Black she smirked, for he too possessed those qualities. Nodding to his suggestion, she eased from the tables and chairs, looking to him as she slowly hinted her form towards the doorway, gliding, as her hair eased down her back in almost silver wisps, jumping softly as she walked as it trickled to the small of her back.

Captain James Black turned to Icer and bowed, ?Pirate Icer, First Mate and Wine Cooler, you are to report for duty later this week. Keep practicing that Aaarrrrghhh.?

He turned and hurried to be at the door as Fay reached it...opening it for her, ?Please....allow me. And I pray you have a most pleasant eve.?
Fay winked at Icer once more, curling her lips in an "arhhgg" then lifting her eyes to Black and stepping out onto the porch. She gazed at the man, momentarily ensconced. He was of a breed of people, like a kindred, that drew her in even as a youth. She watched him, tilting her head, as light torrents began their descent to Rhydin. Her hair whispers across her face in strands of pale, tresses a film across her face as she fingers rush to wipe them free of her vision, although he made disintegrate into nothingness, and her longing to understand his kind would be vanished. In a dire instant.

James discovered that he really didn't want to see her leave. He thought perhaps to offer to see her home, but that would be too bold to do such a thing upon first meeting. Even a pirate has respect for a lady. Yet he had to ask, ?Fay, would I be too bold and out of line to ask if I could see you safely home??

She was standing still, observing, silent, she looked on, her heart dashed with colours never exhibited through her smile before. She almost felt, almost, the tendril of a feeling to bury her face in his chest and close her eyes and sob at the happiness, the sheer fabric of a dream realized in his presence. Nourishing and exciting her, he was a Living Thrill; and it was a sacred moment here on the porch of the RDI.

Her heart gleamed and her smile was sudden, her eyes watery and even more vivid with the salt waters film enclosing her eyes. She felt that tug, buried within her stomach. Her lips turning to speak, firmly, naturally, in instinct, "Please do." It was not in her nature, she was more than fine to shuffle home through the rains, but she felt a childish worry that he would indeed disappear, and she could not deny the penetrating attraction he bore on her.

Captain Black took his cape and opened the front and held it around her shoulders to keep her dry as they walked; or was it to have his arm around her. If he were to be totally honest with himself, he'd had to admit that it was likely more for the second reason than the first, although both did apply. They stepped into the street which was beginning to become wet with the persistent mist, and they headed in the direction of her home.

Beside him she kept close, the body heat and attraction reddening her cheeks as much as the warmth provided by his cloak. The rains pelted her hair, now mussed and damp, but only some. He was doing a gallant job, and she could not help but smile. This was a moment torn from the fabric of a dream. As she moved, her laced boots lashed the ground and mud spilled in slithers across her leather pants and the tips of her boots. She lifted a hand to gesture the direction home, smiling as she hurried along with him in the direction of her store and abode.