After their brief game of chase, Sebastian let Erin catch up with him and they were now walking side by side. His arm was wrapped around her shoudlers. With winter fast on it's approach, the dark of night arrived earlier and earlier. He led them down an alley way, turning left at the corner, across the street and down another street. He was trying to confuse her -- but this was the only section of town he was familiar with and he didn't want her knowing where they were going. She'd figure it out soon enough though. The smell of the salty air. Soon, the both of them came upon a small stretch of sea-side shops, opposite them were the docks and the giant shipping vessels. The entire dock was lit up with hanging lights and was buzzing with activity. Erin gasped. She'd never been to the docks at night. It seemed a little foolhearty when she didn't know the area.. Bastian had found such a nice place, each 'date' he took her on perfectly suited to her dispositions, her likes. A smile spread across her face as she watched all the people. She turned slowly to look at the lights and ships. The sparkling, the bustle it made her sigh, completely happy.

"It's perfect." Erin's voice was soft and full of awe. Bastian cast a beaming smile down at her.

"I thought you'd like it." He squeezed her just a bit. "Come on, I want to show you something." Bastian urged her along, passing the shops slowly, pointing out different merchants and telling her random tidbits of information about the ships. He seemed to know alot about everything when it came to those ships. Perhaps a secret dream he had?

"You know a lot for a few days work.. " Erin followed along, holding onto his arm. Her eyes went wherever he pointed and she took in the new information with awe. It reminded her of her favorite place on Earth, and for that she was greatful. All badness had left her. He blushed a bit at her words, not responding to them, however. He continued to ramble on and on, more than likely boring her with useless information -- yes, about the ships. He liked this place too. It looked like it was a port that never made it out of the ninteenth century. Cobblestone streets, lanterns, horses and wagons, wooden ships and pirates walking around. Like a dream. And they'd get to their destination eventually. It was just his luck that the ship he was taking her to was at the far end. How conventient! Erin listened eagerly. She loved ships. She nodded and smiled and filed away information. She ooed and ahed pulling him to a stop every once and awhile to look at some old boat. The pirates made her giggle... it was all too good to be true.

"This reminds me so much of Grewnich.. if it still opperated like it used to.... That's my favorite place on Earth. I like to go look at the clocks.. have you seen them?" She turned to face him with hopeful eyes. Bastian came to a halt, turning to face her as well.

"I have, actually." He smiled brightly, loving that they had so much in common and yet so little. "My brothers and I used to play in the Thames river as children, though my father disliked such behavior. I've been in that area a lot."

"I've taken the tourist boat." Her voice had a tone as if she had done something horrible.. like killed kittens. "And taken pictures, and everything." She smirked up at him, barely able to hide her excitement. There was a pause then, as she thought. "You have brothers?" Her head tilted How could she know so little about him?Bastian chuckled at her confession. He'd done the same thing once...and he wasn't going to tell her, either. Well, that's just because he thought that telling her about his family was more important. Yeah. Right.

"Mmhmm. Two brothers and two sisters. All younger. Jonathan is nineteen, Charles is seventeen, and Cara and Sarah are thirteen."

"Twin sisters?!" Erin was looking at him like he had two heads, her mouth open. "I had no idea...." Her smile returned; his family completely interesting to her. "Jonathan must have been exstatic you left..." Bastian nodded.

"Yeah, I know he was. We are close, but I know that the title meant more to him than it ever could to me." They could talk about this stuff without using specifics! It was just astonishing to Erin...

"Better it be left to those who can use it..." She said that almost sadly, a tinge of regret in her voice. "I married into my title... my parents were besides themselves..." She shrugs "I get to keep it, too.. being dead and all." Erin then directed a wry smile up at him. Perfect! , Sebastian thought. She had brought it up and now he didn't feel so awkward asking a few questions about it. He began walking again, otherwise they'd never get to their destination.

"I don't understand that, though. Were you sent away or something? Why would they say you died when you obviously haven't?" Erin followed along, brow furrowing a little.

"I went home... almost a month ago now. Decided it would be better to fix things than run from them.. and a friend of mine came to get me." She paused, leaving almost a minute of silence. "When my parents.. my husband.. found out about this place.. they kinda panicked..." That night was still hard for Erin to relive; she drew in a large breath of the cold night air. "So, when the fight was done.. there had been a solution drafted. I came back here and they had me killed... on paper, at least. That way if I wasn't going to stay the princess.. there wouldn't be questions about what had happened to me after the divorce... I mean, the tabloids were all over me as it was..." She shrugged, looking defeated.

Sebastian drew them to a halt again, arms slipping around her tiny frame, fingers linking at her lower back. Bastian smiled, looking down at her, silent. There really wasn't much he could think of to say to that. And there, in the middle of the street, in front of everyone, Bastian bowed his head and kissed her. It was slow, sweet, and promising. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead to hers.

"I'm glad you're here," he whispered. Erin's heart stopped. Someone call for a crash cart because she wasn't sure it would ever restart. She melted like butter, a puddle leaning against him. This time it was her turn to moan, and she did, throaty, low.. she had forgotten they were in public, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. Her eyes opened after a long moment of their standing there.

"Me too..." She returned his whisper. Standing there in the middle of the street, Sebastian simply reveled in how right this felt. Remaining forehead to forehead, Bastian reached a hand up to caress her cheek. He was going to kiss her again when he realized that he smelled the pungent aroma of dead fish. Surely it wasn't Erin, but what the bloody hell could it be? That's when he noticed an actual fish hovering inches from their faces, off to the left. Someone was holding it, and that someone was standing behind Sebastian. Bastian straightened immediately, but didn't let go of Erin. He turned to find a young sailor, grinning like a fool.

"Jent!" Bastian called out. He rolled his eyes, thinking Erin should be subjected to the sailors. She really shouldn't be. She laughed, though. Eyes turned to the side. He didn't let her go, so she didn't step away. The whole thing was hillarious, movie like.. it didn't ruin the perfection as much as make it better.

"Friend of yours?" Erin's voice was teasing, her brows raised. She couldn't keep the smile from spreading across her entire face.

"Aye, call me Jent, fair maiden." The sailor gave her a bow after tossing the fish over his shoudler and letting it land haphazardly on the ground. "Though, I don't know what a pretty woman like you is doing with this scraggly boy." A toothy grin presented, knowing full well that Bastian was far from being a boy. Erin continued laughing and tightened her grip on Bastian.

"He's my scraggly boy, though." Her smile widened just a bit. A cautious look up to him, now, unsure if he'd be comfortable with her use of the word my. Bastian snorted and looked away from them. He wasn't mad, but embarrassed. Guys don't like getting caught makin' out with their girl in front of their friends. Not for a while, that is. He gave Erin a squeeze, that comment bringing a smirk to his face. A glance given to Jent.

" First of all, I'm not scraggly. That incident in the alley wasn't my fault. And what the bloody hell was up with the fish?" Bastian said. The sailor cackled.

"The fishy was lonely. He be wantin' kisses too." Jent adopted a wicked sort of smile, shying away from Sebastian in case the boy decked him. Or tried to. Everyone knows the boy can't hit. Jent's gaze turned to Erin, somehow sobering a bit and looking more serious. "Sorry, Lady Erin. Just giving," a pause, side-long glance to Sebastian, "your boy a 'ard time." She might wonder why Jent knew her name? Oh, well that's because Bastian talks about her.

Erin bit back laughter as she looked between the two men. Jent was given a nod, now that he was deemed safe. Her brows rose when he said her name. And she was just about to introduce herself! Oh, a sly grin formed on her face now.. he was about to see her in fine form.

"That was rather risky of you, Jent. What if I was one of the other girls Bastian here's been running around with. I mean, who takes their girlfriend to the docks, anyway?" The word slipped before she could stop it. Good comebacks did that. A faint touch of color to her cheeks, but she didn't break the smirk. It would ruin the joke!

Oh, so this was pick on Bastian time!, Jent thought. A game he liked to play alot, it seemed. Bastian hadn't mentioned she was his girlfriend, but from the way he talked about her, Jent assumed that was coming. Apparently it had. Another toothy grin in Bastian's direction as the sailor tagged on to Erin's joke.

"Oh, aye! You'd be right in sayin' that, missy! What, Erin could 'ave been that pretty red head we saw 'im with yesterday!"

"A red head!" Erin feigned shock and anger. She stepped away from him now. "Really, Bastian... couldnt' you at least have good taste?" That sly grin was still present. She turned her head, spotting Dirk. He had walked up to the group and was waiting for a lull in the conversation. She frowned then, he was never nice to her. Her back straightened, waiting for some insult to come her way. If Bastian was bothered by the girfriend comment, he didn't show it. And just to slight them both for picking on him, he too, joined in.

"No, no. See Jent, ya got it all wrong. Karen is the redhead...." He trailed off, having to stop mid-joke to regaurd the other man.

"I am terribly sorry, May I speak with the lady for a moment?" Dirk spoke to the men. He placed his hands together and bowed slightly towards the two men. Bastian glanced to Erin. It was up to her, really. What would have have said? No? Erin sighed as she took a step back, turning towards Dirk.

"Excuse me for a moment, gentlemen?" She bowed a little to the pair. Appologetic eyes to Bastian.. she didn't want ot cause him more teasing... Another step and she was standing before Dirk. "Yes?"

Bastian pretended to talk to Jent quietly, though both men seemed to be eavesdropping on Dirk and Erin. Her exchange with Dirk was a fast one. He having to appologise for a run in they had at Lydia's party. She accepted and he went on his way. Once they were done speaking, Erin walked back over to join the men.

"Sorry about that." Said as Erin was taking up her place bedside Bastian.

"Uhm....yeah. So I guess the joke died." Bastain replied as he looked between the two of them. "You guys done verbally abusing me?" He feigned a sad expression and Erin pouted.

"But I was having so much fun!" She exclaimed.

"I promise. Until you come to work tomorrow, Crabs." Jent cackled again and winked at Erin. "Crabs, I actually came t'say that boss says ya can't use the ship tonight. We're leavin' port for.....something." Bastian grimaced at the nickname.

"Come on...not in front of my girl! Please!" He interjected.

"Crabs?" Erin raised a brow, smirking some more. Bastian wrapped an arm around Erin and nodded to Jent.

"That's alright. Another night then..." Now he did look a bit disappointed. That had been the plan...to take Erin on the ship to look at the stars. He turned to Erin and spoke dryly, "Seems I can't get away from all the 'Little Mermaid' jokes." She errupted in girlish laughter.

"Sure it's not an STD joke?" Sure, Erin blushed, but mostly just looked cheeky. Jent cackled again, going so far as to slap Bastian on the back a few times. The boy's thin but wiry frame jerked around.

"You gotta keeper here, boy." Then he nodded to the couple, still grinning at the blushing Bastian and excused himself. "Gotta get back to the ship. Good eve'."

Bastian sighed again. No, he wasn't upset at all...just extremely embarassed. Extremely. A hand was raised to Jent as he left before he dared to look down at Erin.

"Good grief..." He mumbled. More laughter tumbled from the girl as she waved to Jent. Then her arms wrapped around Bastian in a comforting hug.

"Hear that, I'm a keeper." Erin said quietly through a playful smirk.

"I know." Bastian replied at the same volume. Yes, he's still blushing...but there is something more pressing on his mind. Well, it actually tied in. "Uhm...girlfriend?" He was questioning her quietly. Erin blinked, then frowned slightly. She looked up at him appologetically.

"Sorry, it just kinda came out..." She mumbled Her weight shifted from one foot to the other. She actually had never been anyone's girlfriend before, but to her this is what it felt like.. what it should be like...Bastian grinned and gave her a tight squeeze, lifting her off of her feet momentarily.

"I'm not sorry..." He replied. Erin was blinking furiously, letting out a small yelp as she was lifted.

"You're not?" She paused, self doubt poking through. I just thought it would be too soon... for you and all.. " She's holding on tight though. He's swept her off her feet in more than one way. He laughed and spun her around.

"No, I'm not." Gently setting her back on the ground, Bastian settled his hands on her waist, squeezing a bit. "Well, I kind of killed the whole 'going slow' bit when I kissed you the other day. But that's ok...when..." He paused, trying to work out the words and not sound like a complete dip. "...its somone- err, the right someone, its impossible to...I..." He just gave up altogether. The words just weren't coming. Erin turned a deep shade of purple, staring into his eyes. A hand went to rest on one of his arms, the other coming to lay on his chest. She stood there a long moment, smiling, processing.

"I know what you mean." Erin's voice was quiet, gentle. He wasn't confessing his undying love or anything, because it really was too soon for him to be feeling something like that. So why had that been so hard? He meant it, that's for sure, though. He smiled at her too, shifting to press a kiss to the tip of her nose.

"So does that mean I'm your beau? " He said, brows raising.

"I guess it does..." Erin had a strange sort of smile she was pushing back of tears. She kept his gaze as long as she could. Everything was so new. So different. Her voice lowered, just a little embarrassed. "I've never done this before... " She paused for a long moment, hand sliding up his chest to rest on his shoulder. "Had a boyfriend..." The trail that her hand had traveled tingled and it drove him wild. Just the slightest touch from her did the strangest things to him.

"It's not that hard. We just...keep doing what we're doing. We're honest with each other and we l-...spend as much time together as humanly possible." He added that last part with a warm smile. "Do you want to go slow again, Erin?"

"No... Just... warning you, I guess... that I'll be bad at this..." Erin paused again to regain her thoughts. It was confortable, she could talk. That was always strange for her. "I'm bad at sharing.. my feelings, my thoughts. I need to be asked, reminded. " She rubbed his shoulder gently, the hand on his arm squeezing a little. "I just... I don't want you to be mad at me.. or confused by me... " She wondered if any of this making sense at all? Her voice lowered to a whisper. "No man has ever treated me like this... as a partner and not a toy."

"You are *far* from bad at this, Erin-love. Far." Basitan smiled again as she spoke almost haltingly, trying to get her point across. But he understood completely. "Well, I just want you to know that you never have to be afraid to tell me anything. I mean that; anything, Erin." His hand came up to her face, brushing the back of his fingers over her cheek. "I would never treat you any other way; less than what you deserve."

"Don't be afraid to make me tell you.. to ask. It's okay." She closed her eyes, speaking quietly. She was too touched to take in sights right now: needing just to feel. When the eyes opened they were a little glassy, though she wasn't crying, not yet. Emotions were getting the best of her lately. "Thank you, Bastian.. for... being you."

((Adapted from live play and WONDERFULLY written by Sebastian's player. Really, I did nothing but edit. It took place November 12))