Pirates! - A Closed RP

[scorpio grl]

((I gee too gee. Night!))
{Alrighty then. That's not vague...-ish.}

{X3 Anarchy~}

Nancy did not notice this, too busy being watched by a hawk-eyed, grumpy old man who liked to shoot her dirty looks. This did not look like it was going to be a very good day....

{Me, too!...I think. *Hugs* 'Night~}

[7000dominos]

The ship rolled gently under crystal blue undulations; Minerva rocked with it ((LAWL!!!!!!!)), drumming her fingers happily on the ships wooden mast.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy sighed, finally relaxing when the old man went to get something to drink..or something. She hadn't really been paying attention. She turned her gaze to the beautiful azure sky, sighing again, only this time with longing..

[7000dominos]

((Is....uh....is anything gonne happen? Or are you just building the suspense again?))

The sky was blue. So was the water. It was nice. Real nice. ((I'm out of things to say, without making something happen....I suppose I could spar.....meh.))

[scorpio grl]

{...>.> I nono....}
{Do something exciting! Perhaps dance..or something..><}

Nancy closed her eyes for a moment, letting the slight breeze that had miraculously made into the small, stuffy room carress her face. It would be so nice to just be that free...

[7000dominos]

((It's your turn to do something exciting. Like I said, this is a dead part o' the book, so we can just make some stuff up.))

*days pass*

Minerva shook Nancy awake. Her friend's face was peaceful but tired in the flickering candlelight; her golden hair caught the orange of the flames and threw shadows on the wall behind them. The moon was sitll high overhead, but the stars looked close enough to touch on this warm night. "Nancy! Wake up, lazy!"

[scorpio grl]

{>< I can't think of anything exciting.}

Nancy grunted and reluctantly let her eyes flicker open. "Whaaaaaaat?" she half groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Did something happen? Is anyone hurt?"

[7000dominos]

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Oh, yes, the ship is on fire, everyone's dead, I've only woken you to say goodbye." She dragged her half-sister out of bed. "You worry too much. Put on your boots and a coat and come on!"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy tried to glare, but couldn't. "I dun waaannnaaa..." she whined, doing as she was told anyway. "Where are you taking me?" She yawned as she began to clumsily pull on her coat.

[7000dominos]

((Sorry! My friend called and we had to discuss magic deer and bad teachers.))

"You'll see!" cried Minerva, so excited, she was nearly bouncing up and down. She wanted to be out! In the open! It was such a beautiful night, and it reminded me of home. "Come on, come on!"

[scorpio grl]

{^^ It's fine. I completely understand.}

Nancy rolled her eyes and hid her slight smile. It was rare for Minerva to be this...hyper, so she figured she wouldn't complain. Too much, that is. "I am, I aaaaammm...." she grumbled as she followed her out the door.

[7000dominos]

((Sorry about my prolonged leave of abscence. Last Saturday, I was busy packing for a two day college trip, which I didn't get back from until midnight Monday, then I had to pack some more and study for a lotsa tests, then Tuesday afternoon, I left for a school retreat, which I got back from yesterday, but passed out before I could get here. Then this morning, I had to take my ACTs which was....interesting, but at least they're over. Then I had to write some essays for a college I'm visiting next month, which took all of about half and hour (SO easy), and now I'm pretty much free for the weekend, but I want to go to the store, but it's right down the street, so that should take like ten minutes tops, and whatever is in my asthma medicine makes my hands shake and it's a wee bit difficult to type.))

The warm night air pushed Minerva's dark, heavy curls from her face as she stepped out onto the deck. The smell of salt-water filled her nose; the moon threw a river of silver down on the sea.

"Beautiful," she murmured quietly, watching the starlight dance on the water, finally feeling calm again as the boat rocked beneath her feet. She turned to Nancy, smiling as her friend's ((AH!!! FLY!)) eyes glowed bright as the moon, and said, "You see? I only wanted to share it with you. It's ours. Only ours. A treasure you'll never have to record in Pelling's ledger."

[scorpio grl]

{...O.O Wow. It's fine that you left for a while, because I was gone, too. I was just pretty busy and reeeeaaally tired. >< In fact, I still am. Not to mention I feel sick, but because of our block schedule I can't try to stay home tomorrow because then it'd be like missing two days and that would not be good and MAN my head/stomach hurts. ><}

Nancy's face filled with wonder and awe as she stepped out onto the deck. She smiled brightly and turned back to her best friend, her comrade, her sister.

"Thank you," she whispered, lunging forward and hugging her tightly. "It's absolutely lovely."

[7000dominos]

((Well, then, communal convalescence, yes? That should be fun. ANYWAY.))

Minerva blushed with pride and joy, returning Nancy's hug. "Told you so," she whispered gently, turning her eyes back towards the heavens just in time to see a shooting star. "Are you going to make a wish?"

[scorpio grl]

{-.- Yippy-kaiyay...^^}

Nancy blinked as she pulled back and followed her gaze upwards. She only caught a glance of the tail, but it was still enough to make her smile. She grinned and looked back at Minerva. "Let's make one together," she proposed cheerfully.

[7000dominos]

((Ugh. Sorry I've been gone. Looooooooong week. I just woke up about half an hour ago. Anyway.))

Minerva pulled her eyes from the sky with some difficulty to smile again at Nancy. "I wouldn't know what to wish for." She squeezed her sister's hand. "I'm happy here with you. It's a job I love; I've got family and friends. I'm happy, Nancy."

[scorpio grl]

{Again, I've been gone, too. ^^; :p lol}

Nancy bit her lip, thinking for a moment. "Huh..." What should I wish for...??

...William. The thought hit her with such intensity that she almost jumped.

But wait..Should I.... Nancy chewed on her lower lip more, out of habit, as she thought....

[7000dominos]

Minerva waited for an answer, her mind lost amidst the silver stars of the black-as-pitch skies above. When nothing came, she looked at Nancy. "What are you thinking about?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Oh! I was just..trying to think of what to wish for." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I can't really think of anything besides for there to be less paperwork," she lied playfully.

[7000dominos]

"Hmmmm...." said Minerva very seriously, staring directly at Nancy, chocolate brown eyes boring into *eye color here* ones. "You know what I've just realized?" she asked, soberly.

[scorpio grl]

{Hazel, 'member?}

Nancy blinked slowly, almost shrinking beneath her gaze. "...What?" she asked cautiously, staring back.

[7000dominos]

((Thought so. Just didn't wanna be....wrong.))

"We're sisters," Minerva said conclusively. "And we're very much alike. I mean, we already knew about the stubborn bit. But I've only just discovered the lying bit. And I understand what Philis meant now." She chuckled at Nancy's questioning gaze. "She would always say she could tell I was lying by my eyes." She nodded. "I get it now. So what are you really thinking about?"

[scorpio grl]

{Alrighty then~}

Nancy's cheeks flushed faintly and she scowled, crossing her arms. "You...You...You're annoying," she finished lamely with a sigh. "I really was thinking about what I should wish for.."

[7000dominos]

MInerva grinned and waved a hand. "More specifically....?" As if she couldn't guess...

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stuck out her tongue childishly. "Less paperwork, William, for this to last forever..Simple things like that."

[7000dominos]

Minerva laughed. "Simple things like....human beings, you mean? I see. Well, then, go on, or you'll miss your chance."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stuck her tongue out again, but it was a half hearted attempt. She took and deep breath and returned her gaze to the sky. Closing her eyes, she crossed her fingers and bit her lip, wishing with all her might....

...to never part with Minerva.

[7000dominos]

Minerva smiled, squeezed Nancy's hand, and yawned. "Ready to go back to bed, you lazy sloth, you?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy slowly opened her eyes and looked at her again, her hazel orbs dark with tiredness. Still she smiled brightly. "Of course!~" She squeezed her hand back, already beginning to lead the way.

[7000dominos]

Happy as she was, it felt good to climb back into her warm bed. Already the room was fading into darkness. "Goodnight," she mumbled, hardly able to understand herself. On a whim, she added, thinking of William, "Hope your wish comes true."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy chuckled softly, but the sound was slurred slightly from lethargy. "Oh, I don't doubt..." she yawned, "it'll come true...." She smiled faintly and hugged her pillow. "T'anks..."

[7000dominos]

Minerva chuckled sleepily. "You're just that..." Yawn "...skillful at wish making, I suppose."

((You'er turn to make something happen, deary. Still.))

[scorpio grl]

"I..s'pose so..." Nancy murmured as she drifted off....

{Errr, really? Damn..>.> Isn't this near the part where she's attacked or something?}

[7000dominos]

((Kinda. A bunch of other stuff happens befoer that, but I don't feel like typing over that...so we'll skip around a bit.))

Minerva couldn't even drag up the energy to hate herself for staying up so late in the morning. She was exhausted; her eyes burned. But she kept a vigiliant watch nonetheless.

And so she was the first to see the dark marroon sail on the horizon. Her throat closed; her eyes widened. She'd heard tales of that ship. She knew well it's sword-and-skull patterened flag. No one else would dare fly pirate colors on Navy seas.

"Aye!" she called down, her voice strong over the sound of wind and waves. "It's Lowe! Of starboard! It's Lowe! Get Broom!"

[scorpio grl]

{Alrighty then. Since I don't remember what happens, I suppose I can't object. ^^}

Nancy jumped when she heard Minerva's booming voice, tiredly rubbing her weary eyes. Her brows furrowed at the mention of a man named Lowe. What's so great about him..??

She stood, her supervisor having already run out. Nancy decided she'd find out one way or another; it was obvious there was most likely going to be a conflict..

[7000dominos]

Minerva scaled the mast as fast as she could in search of Nancy. Catching up with her half-sister, she wrapped the girl in a quick embrace. She was nervous, but excited, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Alright?" she panted.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy blinked, staring at her wide-eyed for a moment before returning the embrace. "Uhh, yeah..You?" She glanced around at all the hustle and bustle. "Who's this Lowe person that has everyone so riled up?" she questioned. "And why?"

[7000dominos]

"Fine," answered Minerva shortly, dragging Nancy behind her, out on to deck. By then it was full of grown men, all stiff with fear, each gripping a cutlass, sword, or pistol like a lifeline. "I only know what Vincent has told me. But apparently he's some infamously cruel pirate. He kills everyone he captures. And he captures everyone. He's never lost a ship." Minerva glanced at Nancy, waiting for a reaction.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy merely blinked, though inside she quivered slightly from fear. "Alright.." her voice did not waver, "so...we fight?" She turned her head to face her, waiting. Crossing her arms, Nancy quirked a brow; Minerva didn't look too frightened--she never did--so neither would she.

[7000dominos]

Minerva turned to look at Nancy directly. "Not if you don't want to," she said seriously. "I won't let anyone get to you."

[7000dominos]

((G2G. Night!))

[scorpio grl]

Minerva turned to look at Nancy directly. "Not if you don't want to," she said seriously. "I won't let anyone get to you."
{Sorry I left so abruptly. ^^; I wasn't supposed to be on and had to get off quickly before I was caught. :p}

Nancy smiled gratefully, her hazel orbss brimming with appreciation. "Nor I, you," she stated, linking arms with her. "So I won't let you try to fight everyone off by yourself while I be a coward. If you fight, we both will." Her eyes blazed with determination, one that would not be denied.

[7000dominos]

((No worries. You kinda owe me, I guess.))

Minerva nodded once, seriously, though her heart swelled with emotion. She unsheathed her cutlass. "Alright," she said, turning towards the rapidly growing ship on the horizon.

[scorpio grl]

{Sure. OK.}

Nancy smiled and took a deep, calmly breath, trying to quell the fear that rose in her chest. She straightened her shoulders and lifted in chin defiently as she slowly pulled her cutlass from it's sheathe. The time for fear was gone; now was the time for fighting.

[7000dominos]

The two ships drew near, drawing along each other broad sided. Broom climbed to the upper deck as a tall, gallant blonde man grinned back charmingly.

"You are Lowe," said Broom. It wasn't a question.

"Aye," answered the man in a voice like butter. "That I am. And who are you?"

"That is of no consequence," answered Broom just as smoothly. "What do you want with us?" If he was nervous, he did not show it. Minerva was proud.

Lowe laughed, a deep, hearty sound, free of any of the sinister cruelty Minerva knew dwelt black and heavy in his heart. "Want?" Lowe chuckled. "You are pirates, yes? You will have gold aboard, and other riches. We want only this. I am feeling generous today. Your men may serve aboard my ship as slaves. Or they may be killed."

Minerva tensed at the mention of slavery, indignant and detirmined. Her eyes burned with tears and fury. She turned to Nancy. "Today I will live or die. Free," she vowed, before turning cold brown eyes back to the laughing man on the other deck. He did not look so charming now.

Broom felt the same way. Minerva saw his hand tighten around his sword. "You will not have my men or my ship," he said simply, before giving a cry.

Minerva did not wait for Nancy as she dashed across to the othe deck.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy hesitated for a moment, anxiety overcoming her body for a moment before she was forced to move. She instinctively raised her cutlass to defend herself from an oncoming blow to the head.

A loud chink! sounded as metal hit metal, though it was lost in the roar of the battling men and their own swords. Nancy ducked and sliced the man lowly at his midriff. She ran around him to avoid seeing the damage she had dealt, but his pained cry still echoed in her mind, despite the din around her...

{When does she get hurt?}

[7000dominos]

((Some time during the fight. She fights with lowe; he cuts her and "stores her away for later." Then he gets killed, and Minerva finds her. Whenever you want. While they're seperated.))

Minerva was about to run after Nancy, until she realized Lowe's men were boarding the Deliverance. With a cry, she leapt back aboard her home to protect it. She had achieved it through much strife. She would not lose it at the hands of a man who wanted to enslave her. Not now. She had come too far.

~*~*~*~

The battle was over quickly. Lowe had more men, and more victories under his belt. But he was a cruel captain, and his men were not loyal to him. they moved sluggishly, fought lazily. Broom's men wanted to live, and as free men. They fought vigorously, and had Lowe's ship within minutes.

Minerva helped Vincent bind a few men for Broom to deal with. Lowe was dead. His corpse floated in the water. It was the price he paid for having threatened so harshly. Minerva stood, checked herself over for wounds. Save for some bruises and cuts, she was free. With a proud smile, she wiped the sweat from her brow, and turned to congradulate Nancy.

It was with the utmost horror she realized her sister was not there.

[scorpio grl]

{Allllllrighty....>.> *Tries to think of something to post*}

Nancy grunted a curse as she dodged yet another blow from the tree-of-a-captain lunged forward. Her eyes widened as the silvery blade came within mere centimeters of her cheek. She ducked her head and rolled, attempting a sweeping kick and failing miserably; Lowe only laughed.

"My, my, we are a fiesty one, aren't we?" he taunted with another lazy jab, blocking a half-hearted attack from the back before turning to Nancy's crouched form again. He smirked evilly. "That'll change soon...Trust me." The insinuation sent a shiver down her spine, as if a ghostly finger had trailed across her skin, and the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood up on end.

Nancy glowered and stood, grabbing her cutlass, and got back into her fighting position. "We'll see about that..." she breathed, her eyes trained on his towering figure.

Lowe chuckled and with a sinister grin lunged forward with eagerness. Nancy could only block and defend, stumbling backwards with each clash of metal against metal. Her mind worked furiously to find an escape, just some way out--

Her sharp cry had escaped her parted lips before she even conciously knew it. Nancy's eyes went wide as saucers as a searing fire blazed through her nerves, blocking out all sound except her own choked whimper. Her cutlass clattered to the ground and she shakily grasped at her burning side, vaguely aware that she was falling...and bleeding. And the world was...going dark?

All Nancy heard as she slowly sunk to the ground was Lowe's triumphant laughter....

{HA! There. I post-ed...>< That's the best I can do with a sleep-deprived, exhausted mind...}

[scorpio grl]

{*Pokes* Hey, Senior Citizen, clear out your inbox~~}

[7000dominos]

((Yeah, yeah, I know.))

[scorpio grl]

{ Hey....}

[7000dominos]

((Hey. Sorry, I'm posting.))

[7000dominos]

Minerva's fine tuned mask was beginning to crack. She was sure how much longer she could keep her panic in check. Already, her pulse was poudning. Her eyes burned, but no tears came. Tears would fog her vision, and she would miss Nancy--

A hand caught her shoulder, swept her into a hug. The smell and feel of the other body was comforting, but not even Vincent could break her trance today. He noticed her stiffness immediately, holding her away from himself, brow furrowed with worry.

"Are you alright?" he asked quickly, eyes scanning for injury.

"Fine," she said tightly, pulling away. "I...can't find Nancy. I've searched the whole ship and--"

"Have you searched Lowe's ship?"

Minerva froze, unable to breathe. "No. Could she...do you think?"

Vincent smiled and offered another quick hug. "Go to her. Nothing can happen when you two are together."

Minerva managed a small, gracious smile before running to vault to the other ship. Sure enough, she found Nancy within minutes.

Unfortunately, her sister and friend was lying, tied and gagged, in the captain's quarters. And covered in blood. Minerva swallowed hard and tried not to think the worst. She stepped slowly to Nancy, and reached out a hand.

"Nancy," she whispered. "It...It's Minerva. Can you hear me?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy's eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice, her whimper muffled by...a gag? She made a discomforted noise and wiggled. Sharp and fiery pain shot through her torso, forcing her to stop immediately. Tears blurred her vision and she cried out in agony. Yet again the sound quieted.

She swallowed and tried so very hard not to move, each shaky breath she took hurting almost more than she could bear. Nancy sent Minerva pleading, panicked look.

[7000dominos]

Minerva's heart raced, but she was very careful not to show her fear. She gave Nancy a comforting smile and knelt next to her friend.

"I knew I shouldn't have let you go the other way," she scolded gently, helping Nancy sit up slowly, leaning her sister against herself to avoid further injuring the former. She untied the binds and gag. "You're far too much for yourself. Can you stand? Or shall I get Graham?"

[scorpio grl]

{Which wound did she get from Lowe? I can't remember if it was the one that went down to her hip or just on her shoulder or wherever...><}
{Oh! *Tackles* About time you got on at the same time as me...}

[7000dominos]

((Hey. Hey you back off. Jerkface.))

((That was the one from shoulder to hip. And her chin.))

[scorpio grl]

{*Sniffles* Fine then..Be that way..Even on the day our {meaning my family's} dog got ran over and my extreme disappointment as to a dress...}
{Oooooh, good. I thought I'd gotten it wrong. And it got her chin, too??}

Nancy was left gasping for air from the agony of moving, her eyes squeezed shut tightly and her teeth gritted tightly. She swallowed the pained cry that had welled up in her chest and clenched her fist tightly. She was beginning to feel slightly dizzy and lightheaded...

But still. She refused to look weak in front of the other crew members, and opened her eyes determinedly. "I''l..walk," Nancy muttered through clenched teeth, panting slightly. Even if it kills me.. she thought grimly, fighting through the hazy cloud of red that had fallen over her mind, making her moves lethargic and slow.

[7000dominos]

Minerva raised an eyebrow, highly doubtful about whether Nancy could make it or not. But she did not want to leave her wounded friend by herself.

She looked Nancy full in the face and said very seriously, "Relax. Don't try to move. At all."

Without waiting, she slid one strong brown arm around Nancy's waist and slowly stood up, trying very hard to ignore Nancy's whimpers of pain.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, moving back toward the upper deck. "Once we get where Vincect can see us, he can carry you. And don't you dare argue."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy shut her mouth at Minerva's last words, scowling faintly. She stumbled along with her, her breath coming out in short pants. She didn't especially favor the idea of being carried, but she didn't think she'd make it much farther, either.

"Fine.." mumbled Nancy. She gripped Minerva a bit more tightly as a violent pang rocketed through her nerves. She gasped and wheezed but kept walking, still determined.

[7000dominos]

Minarva glanced to her left. "Alright?" she asked. "Nevermind. I see him."

Vincent was waiting on the deck of Lowe's ship, eyes worried. His face brightened as he was Minerva. "You had taken so long, I thought--What happened?" He looked at Nancy.

"Take her," grunted Minerva; Vincent was already stepping forward to relieve her. "Be careful!" Minerva barked as Nancy passed between them, before running ahead to fetch Graham.

[7000dominos]

((G2G!! Night!))

[scorpio grl]

{I thought I was playing Vincent...?}

Nancy gasped, squeezing her eyes shut tightly again as Vincent picked her up. She couldn't help it as a strained curse passed her lips. She vaguely knew she'd surprised Vincent, but frankly, she was in too much pain to care. The edges of her wound kept rubbing together and were pulled as she moved.

Nancy bit her lip until she could stand it and trusted herself not to cry out in pain. "I'm...fine," she stated before he could ask. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. She swallowed and tried vainly to regulate her breathing.

{*Hugs* 'Night..><}

[7000dominos]

Minerva choked out a laugh; it was all she could do to hide her fear. "I'm sure," she whispered, brushing Nancy's hair from her uncomfortably pale face. She looked at Vincent meaningfully.

"I'm going to get Graham." She glanced back at Nancy, then up to Vincent again. "Nothing happens to her," she said, her eyes hard, her voice firm.

[scorpio grl]

{*Laughs* Your post before said she'd already ran to get him. XD *Hides from incoming hit*}

Nancy smiled at her weakly, attempting to comfort her somehow, but she was long gone. She'd seen the panic in her eyes and heard the strain in her voice. "I hate being the one under a doctor's knife.." she muttered to herself.

"Any chance you'll just take me to my room without telling them?" she asked softly, almost pleading. From the look on his face Nancy could tell it was a clear and definite 'No'. She restrained her sigh, knowing it would only hurt more.

[7000dominos]

A smile tugged at the corner of Vincent's usually stoic mouth. "I believe she'd kill me. And you'd just bleed to death." No use in sugar coating it, he figured.

He walked to the door which Minverva had left open in her haste. She was already bustling about inside, over bowls of steaming water and white rags. Vicent laid Nancy down on the blanket-covered table Graham motioned to, and went to Minerva, grabbing her wrist from behind.

"Stop it!" she said without turning around. "I have to--"

"Leave," he whispered in her ear. "You'll only get in the way and make things worse for Nancy." He took the roll of gauze from her hand, handing it to Graham behind his back. "Come," he said, pulling her gently to the door. "She'll be fine."

Minerva took one step toward the door, then turned back. "I can't leave her," she said. "Nancy..."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy's eyes were squeezed shut in pain, but she heard her name. "I'll be..fine," she said loud enough for them to hear. "Go do..whatever it is..you two do..."

She tried fiercely to regulate her breathing, her nails digging into her palms. "Just..go." Nancy's words were slightly strangled by the lump in her throat. She swallowed and let her head fall back; she knew this was going to be painful, but she also knew it would be even worse for Minerva to watch.

[7000dominos]

"I'm staying," Minerva said firmly, and managed one full step forward before she was stopped by an outcry of pain from Nancy ((??)). Vincent grabbed her shoulders and steered her out the door before she could react.

[scorpio grl]

{'Is fine~}

Nancy tried and failed to bite back a soft whimper as Graham began his work. In her mind, she swore darkly--using many of the things she'd picked up from the men on this ship--to calm herself. Or make herself feel slightly better, at least. It didn't much help, and she gripped the side of the table until it hurt.

[7000dominos]

Outside, on the deck, Minerva all but paced nervously.

"How did she do it?" she thought aloud.

Vincent watched her with amused brown eyes. "How did who do what?"

"Nancy," Minerva answered, distracted. "How did she...remain so calm when I was hurt?"

Vincent grimaced. "I haven't the slightest."

((I g2g. Night!))

[scorpio grl]

{*Hugs* 'Night~ Sleep well}

Nancy lay panting on the table, practically gasping for air, as Graham backed away from his finished bandaging. The tears from the pain she'd struggled so hard to hold back had already escaped and run down her cheeks. It still hurt, God it still hurt...though not as much as before.

Nancy vaguely wondered in the pain-hazed cloud she was in if she should be grateful for that, or if she should wish that it was much more unbearable that she would black out. She couldn't decide which would be worse. She swallowed multiple times, ingoring the feeling of Graham's "comforting" hand on her good shoulder; she had the feeling he--she was, too--was surprised she hadn't passed out..yet.

[7000dominos]

Vincent finally couldn't stand it anymore. He was getting dizzy. He reached out and pulled the still pacing Minerva down next to him.

"She'll be fine," he told her. "I've seen m-"

"You've seen much worse than that, I know, I know. I'm only worried for her. Do you think Graham's done? Can I go visit?"

"It wouldn't do any good," Vincent mused, a small smile creeping over his face. "But I don't suppose that makes any difference to you, does it?"

Minerva grinned despite herself. "No, it doesn't." And she stood and walked to Graham's door, knocking gently before letting herself in.

"Is she alright?" she whispered to Graham.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy squinted, trying her hardest to stay awake. "..S'fine..." she muttered and struggled to get up. She flinched immediately and stopped for a moment. Though, only a moment. "I..can walk..."

[7000dominos]

Minerva shot a pleading glance at Graham. He smiled wearily, nodded once and left the room. "I'll be right outside," he mouthed to her.

Minerva turned back to Nancy, kneeling beside the low table. She set her mouth. "Nancy Kington!" she said sharply. "If you don't stop squirming right now, I'll leave you by yourself tonight." There was no hint of laughter in Minerva's dark eyes; a small frown creased her brow. "You forget I can be just as stubborn as you."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy almost gave an exasperated sigh but stopped herself, knowing it would hurt. She glared at her from half-lidded eyes. "..I'm..fine!" she snapped petulantly.

[7000dominos]

Minerva's eyes softened slightly. "You're not," she said gently, brushing locks of sweat-darkened hair from her friend's face. "You're exhausted. And I know your hurting. The pain'll go away if you sleep. I'll be here when you wake." She was careful to keep her dark eyes from Nancy's wound.

She was so pale! Minerva was only sorry she couldn't have killed Lowe herself. Gently, she pulled the blanket up over Nancy, stroking her hair.

"Go to sleep," she whispered again, suddenly remembering a lullaby Philis had sung her when she was sick as a child. She hummed it unconciously under her breath, still stroking Nancy's hair.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy made to protest, but Minerva's actions only made her sleepier. the words "Sleep be damned" died on her lips and she relaxed slightly. "I really can...walk," she mumbled almost incomprehensibly as her eyes started to flicker shut. "..'eally..."

Her hand fell limp at her side and her breath slowly began to even and slowly. Nancy was soon drifting off into dream land, even if it wasn't willingly.

[7000dominos]

Minerva chuckled quietly. "Well, I suppose I know she's alright, at least. If she'd gone right off to sleep, I'd've been worried."

She sat, watching her sleeping friend for a while until her legs began to cramp. She stood and walked around for a bit, thinking. She would be better prepared next time. She would spar with Vincent and Nancy until she could protect the both of them well enough so Nancy would never end up here again. In her sleep, Nancy made a sound, half frustration, half contentment. Minerva chuckled, the nervous, angry crease in her forehead smoothing for a moment. She quietly pushed the door open, passing Vincent on the way out.

She smiled at him briefly. "I'm afraid I must say goodnight," she told him. "I'm going to spend the night with her."

Vincent frowned. "In there? You'll freeze!" He was used to the same, tropical weather as she, and goosebumps stood out on his dark, bare skin.

Minerva shrugged. "I've a blanket, thank you. I told her I'd be there when she awoke. I promised. I have to."

Vincent looked like he wanted to argue, then finally smiled, taking the girl into his arms. "And I don't suppose I can change your mind, can I?"

Minerva laughed. "Most certainly not," she replied, twisting out of his arms. "Now good night."

And she went to her cabin to fetch her blanket and pillow, as well as a few things for Nancy.

~*~*~*~

Several hours later, Minerva awoke from where she'd been sleeping curled on the hard floor. It took her a moment to realize it was the shivering that had awakened her. The ship rolled as if they were entering a storm. Minerva mananged a self-chiding laugh between chattering teeth. She sat up and pulled her barefeet beneath her blanket.

"I sh-should have l-l-listened to him," she whispered to herself with a half-amused smile.

[7000dominos]

((I'm gonna go home. Be back online in about half an hour, forty five minutes-ish, kay? I'll ttyt if you're off by then.))

[scorpio grl]

{Alrighty. I may or may not be on, I dunno. It depends on how cold/sleepy I get. *Hugs* See ya later anyway.}

Nancy grumbled in her sleep, images darting through her brain like pesky gnats. She could only catch a glimpse and then they were gone. Annoying, fickle things they were! She scowled and tossed her head, shivering faintly. Sweat beaded and dotted her pale forhead and she frowned deeply. She was not comfortable at all...

[7000dominos]

((sorry comp not wrkng h/o if you can))

[7000dominos]

((Okay. New comp. All is well.))

Minerva heard Nancy tossing in her sleep and stared up at her friend through the darkness. Her pale skin shown clammy and white in the black room. Minerva frowned and stood up, clutching her blanket around her shaking frame.

"Nancy?" she whispered, reaching out a tentative hand to check her friend's temperature. She was cold as ice. Without a second thought, she whipped off the blanket around her shoulders and tucked it around Nancy.

"I-i-i-if you can hear me, Nancy, I-i'm going to g-g-g-get Graham. I'll be b-b-back." Minerva backed out the door to go wake Graham. He was sharing quarters with the other men tonight, because Nancy was in his room.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy muttered a reply and shook her head, though Minerva was already gone. She grew more restlesss, a frown line curving her forhead, and gripped the table slightly. Images still danced through her mind elusively; it seemed everytime she almost got a good look at one, it winked out of sight.

Frustrated, she almost reached out to catch one. It slipped completely through Nancy's fingers, like water or sand, and disappeared altogether. She scowled and strained to see through the seemingly impenetrable {sp? I'm tired...>.>} darkness that clouded her sight. "Ahhh-...!" she mumbled.

[7000dominos]

Minerva stumbled through the darkness, through the pile of fleshy, snoring bodies until she found Graham's hammock. She shook him awake rather roughly, her cool facade fast melting away.

He awoke looking confused and weary. Slowly, his eyes focused on her in the dark. "Minerva?" he said, his voice rough with sleep. "What are you doing here?"

"It's Nancy," she said quickly. "I think...she's got a fever, and the cold can't be good for her. I tried to--"

Graham realized quiet suddenly what was going on and sat up with a muffled curse. "Have you been out in that storm?" he asked her, pulling on his boots. "Of course you have, you're soaked to the skin. And barefoot, too." He pulled the heavy blankets off his hammock and wrapped them around Minerva's shaking frame.

"Go to bed this instant and dry off. You'll catch your weight in pneumonia. I'll tend to Nancy."

"NO." Minerva's voice was fierce with fear. "I will not. I am fine." It was a lie, of course. She was shivering almost convulsively and could not keep her teeth from chattering.

Graham looked at her as if to remind her of this fact. She stared back stubbornly, the fire within her not enough to warm her up.

Graham rubbed a hand over his tired face. "Alright," he said. "Hurry up, then. And come with me after. I'll have something to ward off the sickness."

Minerva nodded briefly before leading the way back out to Nancy.

[7000dominos]

((Heeey....heeeeeeeeey....post.))

[scorpio grl]

{Ack! >< Sorry. So..many..threads... I had to hack my way through my other threads first. SORRIEE!!~
Also..Post on the Apt.s thread. Sudo and I are trying to revive it~}


Nancy groaned as she tried to sit up, gasping for air. Her eyes flickered open and she muttered a few, incomprehensible curses as she tried to see. Why was it so blasted dark? Oh. Graham's cabin..Right. Yeah.

"M-Minerva?" she croaked softly, coughing. Nancy rubbed her eyes tiredly, wrapping her arms around herself loosely in an attempt to warm up. She hadn't realized how cold she was until she'd heard her own teeth chattering. "Blast!!" she breathed and a particularly vicious spurt of pain rocketed through her nerves, making her see stars for a moment, from her wound.

[7000dominos]

Minerva reached out a trembling hand to push open Graham's door. Much to her horror, Nancy was sitting up in Graham's bed. She rushed to her friend's side.

"I'm so sorry!" she blurted. "I had gone to get Graham....you were....I thought..." She stopped aburptly, forcing herself to gain some semblance of composure. She took a deep shuddering breath. "A-a-are you alr-r-right?" she awked, cursing herself for her inability to hide her tremors. Cold sea-water and rain were soaking through Graham's blanket, but, oh, how she wanted to hug her friend, to lend her some warmth!

[scorpio grl]

Nancy squinted to see her friend, her sister, through the acursed darkness that had settled over the cabin like a stubborn blanket. "D-don-n't..be so-sorry..!" she mumbled, leaning against the nearby wall for support. Her blanket had long-since fallen to her side, forgotten.

"How's-s th-the..storm??" she questioned loudly, simply to be heard above the ferocious thunder and raging winds. "An-any-y s-s-sign-ns-s..of-f stop-pping-g?"

[7000dominos]

Minerva shook her head. "I-i-it doesn't m-matter," she said shortly. Turning to Graham, she said, "Could y-y-you help her, p-p-pl-please?"

Graham smiled. "Yes, yes of course." Moving past Minerva, he spke gently to Nancy. "Now, Miss Kington, what seems to be the problem."

Graham shuffled about his cabin for a while, mixing foul smellin brews, cleaning wounds and the like for several minutes. Minerva was too tired to pay much attention, not moving from Nancy's side as it were. Somehow, nearly twently minutes later, Nancy's shivering had ceased. Minerva noticed her friend dropping off to an exhausted sleep, her body tired from the sickness and the shivering. She smiled in relief, reaching out a gentle, shaking hand to push the hair from her friend's not-quite-so-damp-as-before brow.

"Will you s-sleep now?" she asked jokingly. "Or sh-shall I just s-s-s-stay up all night with y-y-you?"

[scorpio grl]

"Oh-h..sh-shush-sh-sh..." Nancy snapped with all the ferocity of a damp kitten. She scowled faintly, trying to catch her breath. Whatever he had put of her wound had stung like Hades for awhile, but now it was turning slightly numb..

"Is-s-s it..nor-normal f-for m-me-e..t-to n-not-t...fe-feel-l i-it-t..?" she asked Graham, swallowing.

[7000dominos]

Graham smiled. "Quite normal. That is, in fact, the purpose. Unfortunately, it won't do much good if you don't rest."

Minerva nodded smugly. She'd've stuck out her tongue if she weren't so sure she'd bite it off.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy nodded tiredly, pointedly ignoring Minerva's smug look. Oh, if only she could lift up her hand to thump her..

"Al-all r-righ-ight-t..." she mumbled unhappily.

[7000dominos]

Minerva was about to slump to the floor near her friend, but Graham grabbed her elbow.

"Oh, no," he said, kindly but firmly. "You promised your attendance with me, young miss. Don't try to barter your way out of it, and don't give me that look. Nancy will be asleep by the time we close the door, if I'm any good at what I do, and I do believe I am. You may come back when I give you permission."

Minerva wanted to argue, but she was tired and cold and wet, and Nancy was half-asleep already.

"Oh, all right," she grumbled unhappily, sparing one last look at Nancy, and a "G-g-g-goodnight," before leaving the room.

Once outside, Minerva coughed heartily and allowed the tremors to overcome her. Her hair dripped in sodden locks about her face; her lips were shaded blue through the darkness of the night. At this point, she could no longer feel her bare feet, and the water from the ocean and the sky had soaked her through to her very bones.

Shortly put, she was cold.

Graham shook his head. "You were foolish to stay in there with her." Minerva began to protest, but he interupted her. "But you probably saved her life."

This shut Minerva up quickly. She hadn't thought Nancy had been that poor off. She decided not to press Graham on the matter. She didn't want to know anymore. She was half-tempted to turn back around and brave the cold as it were.

Graham appeared to read her thoughts. "Oh, no you don't. She'll be fine. It's your turn for bed about now."

Minerva grunted at being treated like a child, but said nothing, not trusting herself to speak.

[scorpio grl]

{Head...hurts...no...ideas.......}

Nancy sighed, wincing though, as the door shut firmly behind them. Now she was left to her thoughts..and the dark.

She closed her eyes and squirmed, trying to get comfortable without moving too much, considering it hurt to move. She'd always hated sleeping on her back. "Bah!" she muttered disgruntledly.

Nancy sighed again. It was no use trying to get comfortable, so she might as well just try to sleep. If only those pesky things called thoughts would leave her alone..

[7000dominos]

((G2g...I'll try not to keep you waiting so long this time!))

[scorpio grl]

{*Tackles* Gah! You suuuuck. ><>< Come back soon.}

[scorpio grl]

{Liar. You have not just posted on this. ><}

[7000dominos]

((Eh?))

Minerva sat on her bed, glaring at the wall while the ship rolled beneath her body. Her hair dripped icy drops onto her neck. The rest of her was piled high with thick blankets. The whol mass quivered.

"Gr-gr-graham, this is h-hardly reason to w-wo-worry...I'm j-just a little cold...." Minerva stuttered.

[scorpio grl]

{Don't ask}
{*Tackles and holds on for dear life* I'm alive...><}

Nancy finally let her eyes flutter closed, sighing softly for the millionth-gazillionth time. Sleeep....><

[7000dominos]

((K..))

A few days later, both girls were "right as rain," so to speak. Unfortunately, both had earned a harsh scolding from Graham and earned extra deck duty as punishment for their "foolishness."

Minerva had almost protested, "But she was sick, and I saved her life!" but a look from Graham shut her up quickly. So now the girls stood quietly, staring out at the ocean, mops and pails in hand, resting from their assigned duties.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy, pouting, scowled out at the ever moving waters of the ocean. "This is not as I expected," she said finally, not looking over at Minerva.

[7000dominos]

Minerva glanced to the left, then down at the water, imagining she could dangle her fingers in the cold stuff.

"What do you mean?" she asked dreamily.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy sighed. "I'm not sure...I guess..I guess I expected a bit more..excitement? I don't know." She shook her head a bit, turning her gaze upward to the skies.

[scorpio grl]

{*Laments over death of this thread*..}

[7000dominos]

((I'll get back to it some time today...))

[scorpio grl]

It's OK, you don't have to..}

[7000dominos]

((Naw, I like you, and I like this thread. Es bueno.))

[scorpio grl]

{*Feels special* ^^ Mucho gracias, chica.}

[7000dominos]

((De nada....Pero quieres "Muchas gracias"..."Many thanks"...Match gender and number, recuerdas?))

((And I'll get to it in a moment, just gotta think of something to happen...any ideas?))

[scorpio grl]

{Aiiee...*Smacks head* Lo ciento. I forgotteded. ^^;;}
{None whatsoever..Umm, don't they get captured soon?}

[7000dominos]

((I think so....By Bartolome's men, right? *has forgotten*))

[scorpio grl]

{No, by the Navy, I thought..You know, after they fought the one guy who injured Nancy..But first she has to fight that one pirate, right? And then they get captured by the Navy and she meets up with William...I f'ink. >< *Wishes she had the book*}

[7000dominos]

((Right....I sort of remember...))

Minerva chuckled. "I suppose nearly being killed isn't enough excitement for you, then? Ah, the wiles of the ever daring Nancy Kington."

[scorpio grl]

{Same here..^^;}

Nanacy scowled at her half heartedly, sticking out her tongue. "You;re not much better, Ms. Minerva; I've seen the way you look at someone," she hinted. "Yet you haven't done much, have you?" {Don't they need to meet up with Philis in the mountains? I forget when that is..}

[scorpio grl]

{Hey, I gotta get off for tonight..Sorry. 'Night. *Huggles*}

[7000dominos]

((Uh...yeah. I'm gonna hafta do some research on this...And g'night!))

Minerva stared down at the water, blushing. "Well, there just isn't much time, what with all the excitement," she countered.

[scorpio grl]

{Alrighty *Waits*}

Nancy arched a golden brow and crossed her arms, snorting in a rather unladylike way. "Oh yes, sailing for days with nary a spot o' land to set your foot upon..Quite a bit of excitement. Yes, yes, I see it all clearly now."

[7000dominos]

Minerva chuckled. "Aye, 'n did you not see the family o' sea birds, then? They flew over yesterday, just a bit after supper! 'Twas the highlight o' my day, it was."

((*thinking...*))

[scorpio grl]

{Which was first in the book, her fighting the man that tried to rape her {Nancy} or them meeting up with Phillis in the mountains? 'Cause I know they get captured after meeting with Phillis, don't they, 'cause they stay with her to heal a bit..right?}

"Really now?" Nancy questioned, looking over at her best friend. She hadn't seen them. "And how many was it, then? I didn't see them. Which way were they headed?"

[7000dominos]

((I really can't remember...>< We can just BS it...?))

"Oh, yes," Minerva said earnestly. "I'd say at least six, maybe eight, heading yonder. Perhaps toward land? We may be closer than you think, Miss Kington. Oh ye of little faith."

[scorpio grl]

{Sounds good. How 'bout we have Nancy fight the other guy, then they meet up with Phillis, then they get captured by the Navy? Or do you want to do it some other way?}

"Perhaps, perhaps," Nancy replied, turning her nose up in mock snobbishness. "Or perhaps they were simply passing by, or flying out to sea to die, hmm?" the golden-haired girl teased.

[7000dominos]

((Alright, sounds good.))

Minerva smirked and reached over to tug a lock of her friend's hair. "And what would be so terrible about that, then?"

[scorpio grl]

{Coolio}

Nancy swatted her friend's hand away with a brush of her hand, laughing a little. "Oh, nothing at all, except that there would still be no land for your 'Highness' to walk upon!" She grinned and turned back to the fast approaching sunset.

[7000dominos]

((You take the lead since it's your idea. ^^))

"Oh?" said Minerva, feigning surprise. "Referring to yourself as royalty now, are you?"

[scorpio grl]

{*Salutes* Yes, Ma'am. Do you want me to play the guy, or do you?}

"No," Nancy replied with a grin, standing. "I was to you, but if you think me royalty, I shan't disturb devotion~" she teased with a laugh, offering her arm to her best friend.

[7000dominos]

((You can--you have a better idea of what you want to happen.))

Minerva shook her head. "Oh, no, Miss. I ain't good 'nough for ya arm, Miss."

[scorpio grl]

{Alrighty..*Tries to scheme*}

"Alright, alright.." Nancy shook her head a bit, rolling her eyes good naturedly; a small smile curved her lips upward. "I'm off to bed. I'll see you tomorrow, Minerva." Her smile turned warm and she dipped to hug her friend before standing, stretching with a soft yawn, and then trekking off towards their shared cabin. She saluted again, playing, while still walking.

[7000dominos]

Minerva pecked her beloved half-sister on the cheek before watching her walk off. She lingered only a moment longer to watch the dark sky meet the darker water below at the edge of the horizon.

"Goodnight," she whispered to no one in particular, before heading off to her room.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy had fallen asleep the moment the back of her head hit the pillow, not even bothering to cover her still oh-so sore body with her thin blanket. The golden-haired girl smiled in her sleep, not noticing the creaking of the floorboards in their cabin..

And then suddenly someone was touching her. She awoke immediately, eyes snapping open, her lips parting to scream--

--but it was stifled completely by the slapping of a hand over her mouth. Nancy struggled as someone--one of the crew members she couldn't quite place--held her down forcefully, trying to strip her. Her mind raced as she tried vainly to fight him off.

No, no, God no--

[7000dominos]

Minerva had never been a sound sleeper--it was too dangerous for a slave.

But since being free, since willing working so hard, since the rocking of the boat lulled her to sleep lately, she found it harder to wake up now.

And so she hated herself forever when she woke up--seemingly casually--to see a man hovering over Nancy.

She blinked a few times, confused, then ran to her friend's aid.

"Let her go," she snarled, holding her cutlass to the man's throat, still unable to see his face.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stared up at him in horror, wishing her cutlass was closer to her bedside; it had apparently slid to the wall from the rocking of the ship..But then there was salvation! The golden-haired girl nearly cried with joy that Minerva, her best friend, her savior was there, and with a cutlass no less.

The man stiffened and Nancy bit his hand, making him jump and cut his throat just slightly. He growled and let her go, though, standing slowly, making no sudden movements.

Nancy, however, was much, much more quick. She scrambled back, clutching her now, half-torn shirt to her chest, shaking and gasping for breath. She spat the blood out of her mouth off to the side, the coppery, metallic taste making her feel sicker than before.

"Minerva.." It was all Nancy said, but every syllable rang with raw emotion and gratefulness.

[7000dominos]

((OH!!! I remember what you're talking about now! Minerva comes to protect Nancy, but then the guy go tells on her for pulling her cutlass on him, and then they have to go to that island to fight and Minerva gets hurt, but she wins and kills the guy! OMG!! I remember now! Thanks! I could take it from herre, if you want. You can keep the guy, but you have to make him cheat on the island bit, 'member? So then no one feels bad for him?))

Minerva glared at the man as he left, hardly turning to look at Nancy.

"Are you alright?" she said finally.

[scorpio grl]

{*Slow blink* O.O;..I'm glad you remember..><;;; I thought he and Nancy had to fight on the ship with everyone watching and he stabs her shoulder or something, but she wins anyway and keeeels heeeeem...But, it's been less time since you've read it than I, so your version is much more likely to be accurate. ^^
Do whatever you want, and I promise I'll have fun following. Do you want me to keep playing the guy?}

Nancy shakily exhaled a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding, slumping against the wall a tad. She swallowed hard and nodded a little.
"Y-yes.."

[7000dominos]

(( :o I remember with your help, oh best friend of mine. She and the guy start to fight, but Minerva intervenes, because she knows what will happen if they start to fight, and she thinks Nancy is too weak from her fight before. And you can keep playing the guy if you want.))

Minerva bit her lip and looked her friend up and down slowly. "He didn't....did he...?"

[scorpio grl]

{xDD *Feels special* Lol
Soo..Nancy does begin to fight, but Minerva says she'll fight him instead and the captain-who's-name-I-can't-'member allows it?
And I don't care whether I play him or not. Doesn't matter.}

Nancy's eyes widened and she clutched her shirt tighter with a soft gasp. "No!..N-no," she added more calmly, "you got there in time.."

[7000dominos]

((No, it's more like Nancy starts to fight, and Minerva pushes her out of the way...You know what? I think I still have that summary I sent you. Lemme double check.))

[scorpio grl]

{Kk..I still have the ones you sent me, tho'.}

[7000dominos]

((Yeah...I don't...))

[scorpio grl]

{Umm, should I send them back to you, then?}

[7000dominos]

((If you could...))

[scorpio grl]

{Hold on, then..}

[7000dominos]

((Right, thanks. So I remember the getting captured thing, but I don't remember if that's before or after Nancy/rapist guy then Minerva/rapist guy fight....))

[scorpio grl]

{I think it's after, but I'm not sure..}

[7000dominos]

((Okay, then.))

Minerva sighed in relief. "Good, I--"

She was cut short as a knock resounded on their door.

"Nancy, Minerva, open up." Broom.

Minerva went to the door to see Graham and Broom, both looking very grave. Behind them, Nancy's attacker, stood looking smug and angry.

"Evening, girls," Broom said, entering their room.

Minerva nodded. She knew what was coming. "Evening, Captain."

"Minerva, I know you know what--"

Minerva held his gaze calmly. "I know."

"I'm sorry it has to be this way. But we must keep the rules, else the men--"

"I know."

Broom nodded, sighing and running his hand through his hair. "And it kills me to think none of this was your fault, but--"

"It's alright."

"We well board a small island tomorrow morning. You may take a loaded pistol with one bullet and your cutlass. I suggest you get some sleep. Goodnight, Minerva. Miss Kington."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stared at them all in confusion as the exchange happened, frowning, clutching her shirt tighter to herself throughout everything. When they were gone, she turned her anxious eyes to her friend. "W-what-...What is going on tomorrow? What do you have to do??"

[7000dominos]

Broom glanced at Minerva who gazed back meaningfully.

"Nancy, perhaps you should let Minerva sleep--"

"I'll tell her, Broom. She should know. Thank you for coming. Good evening, Captain. Graham."

Graham nodded gravely. "I'll be there," he promised.

She nodded back. "Thank you," she said as the men left the room.

[scorpio grl]

{>>; Ehh, lemme edit really quick.
Also, you need to held me. ><; I have to have this Spanish Family Album done by Monday, and it has to be completely in my level Spanish. Heeelllpppp..}

Nancy stared hard at her friend, standing and getting a new shirt. "Minerva, tell me. What's going on?" she asked, her tone clearly screaming there was no room for lies or suger-coating.

[7000dominos]

((Edit what?? And I'm kinda sleepy, but I might be on a smidgeon tomorrow. What do you need help with?))

[scorpio grl]

{My post above that one. I said they left, and then you said they left at a dif. time. But I'll edit later 'cause I gotta go. Eck. 'Night.
And I'll get your help when I talk to you tomorrow..}

[7000dominos]

{>>; Ehh, lemme edit really quick.
Also, you need to held me. ><; I have to have this Spanish Family Album done by Monday, and it has to be completely in my level Spanish. Heeelllpppp..}

Nancy stared hard at her friend, standing and getting a new shirt. "Minerva, tell me. What's going on?" she asked, her tone clearly screaming there was no room for lies or suger-coating.

((Oh. Oops. Sorry.))

Minerva climbed into her bed, her eyes carefully betraying no emotion.

"The ship rules, remember? Broom told us back when we joined. I pulled a weapon on a fellow crew member. Tomorrow, we will duel, and the loser will be punished. You needn't worry. I did it for you; you are still affected by your wound. I will be fine."

[scorpio grl]

((Oh. Oops. Sorry.))

Minerva climbed into her bed, her eyes carefully betraying no emotion.

"The ship rules, remember? Broom told us back when we joined. I pulled a weapon on a fellow crew member. Tomorrow, we will duel, and the loser will be punished. You needn't worry. I did it for you; you are still affected by your wound. I will be fine."
{S'fine, don't worry about it.}

Nancy stared at her, utterly frozen with horror. How..Why-...No!
"No!" she exclaimed when she finally found her voice. "No! You'll do no such thing; I'll duel him! Not you, anyone but you.."

[7000dominos]

Minerva's voice was firm, though her eyes were softer. "No, Nancy. If you do it--" she faltered slightly. "You're still weak on your left side. I'm sorry, but it is true, and you know it. I can move faster than you right now. I have a chance. I can't live knowing that the b.astard may have hurt you because I was lazy. I promise, I will be fine. Sleep now. You're certain you're unharmed?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy again gaped at her, her horror-stricken face, well, horror-stricken. She wanted to cry, wheedle, possibly even beg--she'd do all of it, too, if it meant Minerva wouldn't duel him. But she knew it wouldn't work. None of it would work.
And it hurt.
"Yes, I'm sure," Nancy mumbled in resignation, lying down after pulling on her shirt.

{Did you get the pms?}

{And oh yeah. *Back*}

[7000dominos]

Minerva didn't much believe her friend, but she herself was inclined to sleep. She knew there wasn't much she could to to stop Nancy from worrying, and though it tugged at the strings of her heart, she forced herself to lay back and sleep.

((I think so, yes. Why?))

((Hullo! How's it going?))

[scorpio grl]

{Just wanted to make sure}
{And right now, kinda tired, but good. You?}

Nancy lay in a small, curled-up ball, her stomach knotted tightly with worry and anxiety. She felt sick. Minerva was going to duel a dangerous man tomorrow, and there was nothing she could do about it. Absolutely nothing. "Good night, Minerva," the young girl whispered hoarsely, throat choked slightly from the lump that formed there.

[7000dominos]

Minerva was already half asleep, though her sister's words reached her somehow. "Goodnight," she mumbled back. "Do not worry. I will be fine. I promise."

[7000dominos]

((Oh! And same. Procrastinating. As usual.))

[scorpio grl]

{Ah, same here. I should be watching the middle of West Side Story so I can write a paper contrasting and comparing it to Romeo and Juliet {oldest version} ^^;}

"Ah." It was all Nancy could manage. What else could she say? This was all probably her fault anyway..
She exhaled softly and let her eyes flutter closed, desperately wishing for sleep to overtake her quickly.

[7000dominos]

((I love that movie!!!! CRAZYHEAD!))

[7000dominos]

Minerva woke the next morning feeling rested but rather numb. She could feel breakers rocking the ship; they were nearing the shore. The duel was to be soon.

She got up and dressed before going to wake Nancy. "Would you like to share breakfast with me?" she asked pleasantly.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy awoke and stared up at her blankly, blinking when the night before rushed back. She immediately broke her gaze and looked away. "If...If you want me to," she said quietly, guiltily.

[7000dominos]

Minerva smiled and reached down to brush Nancy's golden hair from her face. "Of course I want you to. Why wouldn't I?"

[scorpio grl]

Guilt twisted Nancy's gut like a sharp, angry knife and she didn't look up as she pulled herself into a sore sitting position. "Nothing. No reason," she mumbled, pulling her aforementioned golden locks back and tucking them under a cap.

[7000dominos]

Minerva waited patiently for Nancy to get ready before the two stepped out onto the deck. It was a clear a day as they had seen in a while. The sky was a faultless azure which rested upon the darker blue of the ocean in a perfect syzygy. The sun peaked over the thin line of the horizon, casting an orange-pink glow over the water. Minerva smiled at the irony of such a beautiful day to be marred by the coming event.

The wind picked up, and her dark curls scattered over her shoulders. She took her scarf and tied them up out of her face, breathing in the salty sea air as she did.

[scorpio grl]

{I love that word..O.O {Syzygy} xD It's been forever since I've seen anyone use it, tho'.}

Nancy stared at her friend for a long time, not paying one bit of attention to the flawless, beautiful sky unlike she normally would have. It could have been bleak and gray for all she knew; and to her, it truly was despite what her pupils, shrinking in the bright light, told her. "Are you..ready for it?" the young girl asked lowly, breaking her stare to look away.

[7000dominos]

((Me too!! Thought I'd throw it in there.))

Minerva shrugged. "Well, aside from eating with you, there isn't much else I can do, is there? I figure that worrying about it won't help me any. Nor will you're worrying. I'll be fine. You have to trust me."

[scorpio grl]

{*Claps* ^.^}

Nancy smiled bitterly. "It's not you that I don't trust," she stated quietly, staring out at the horizon without really seeing, without taking in the beauty of it. Her hands unconciously fisted in her pockets.

[7000dominos]

Here Minerva grabbed Nancy's hand and squeezed it. "Phillis always said that to hold hatred in your hurt don't hurt nobody but you." She paused. "But I share your distrust. If all goes well, though, we'll not have to worry about him any more." She did not mean it fatally, but that was how it sounded, and she saw no point in changing it.

((*bows* Thank you, thank you.))

[scorpio grl]

{xD}

Nancy found very little comfort in her words, but forced a smile nonetheless and tore her eyes away from the sky to look at her. After all, her friend needed all the support she could get if she was going into a duel.. {Does she know they're sisters yet?} "Let's go eat; not that you need your strength, but it's better to fight on a full stomach rather than an empty one, eh?"

[7000dominos]

Minerve smiled. "I would assume so," she agreed, linking her brown-skinned arm through Nancy's.

((Yeah, we played that out a while ago.))

[scorpio grl]

{Really? O.O; I dun' 'member. >< Whoops.}

Nancy grasped her hand and squeezed it tightly, inhaling and exhaling slowly. "Let's, then."

[7000dominos]

Minerva ate slowly, though she didn't really taste much. She avoided the stares of the other men, some pitying, some angry, some just plain curious, and focused on making light chatter with Nancy. Both Graham and Broom came to talk to her as the ship anchored out beyond the shore.

Broom looked anxious. "Look, Minerva, I know this wasn't your fault, but the rules say..." He trailed off looking uncomfortable. "You got most of our men on your side, if it's any consolation. The rule is only he who shoots first. No one has to....to die, no one even has to be hurt. I just want you to understand that."

Minerva took it all in stride, smiling and nodding reassuringly. "I know, Captain."

"You know you may call me Broom in private," Broom said with a tight smile.

Minerva motioned around her. "I wouldn't call this private."

"You seem calm," Broom commented.

"I must," was all she said.

Broom shook her hand and left.

Graham embraced her briefly. "I'll be there, should you need me," was all he said before joining the captain and a few deck hands in lowering some of the smaller row boats for the island.

Vincent was nowhere to be seen as of yet, and Minerva found herself somewhat put out by his abscence.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stared at her friend's--no, her sister's ever-moving, ever-cheerful form as she waved and jumped into her rowboat, her own chest tightening with pain. Her heart constricting in her throat, the golden-haired maiden struggled to keep her composure. If Minerva didn't make it out of this..Well, she couldn't bear to think of that. No, especially not now. That would almost certainly jinx it. Nancy focused instead on what they would do when Minerva got back on the ship, all well and good and unharmed...

[7000dominos]

Broom looked on anxiously; more than half the crew stood behind him, varying expression on their faces. He handed both pistols out; one to Minerva, and one to the other man.

Minerva smiled as she excepted her weapon. She carefully avoided Vincent's nervous eyes, as well as those of Nancy, who stood next to him.

Vincent had found her only moments before she'd boarded the rowboat with Nancy:

"Minerva!" Vincent pushed through the accumulating crowd and embraced her, ignoring the reactions of the men behind them. "Don't do this," he said urgently. "You don't owe that man anything. You--"

"I have to," responded Minerva quietly. "Ship rules. Either this, or be marrooned. Which would you prefer?" she asked with a smile in her eyes.

Vincent paused, already knowing they both knew which one he'd choose. "Well....if you must..."

He lowered his head neared to hers, and for a moment, she thought he would kiss her. But instead he whispered in her ear. "He is weak on his--"

"Don't," Minerva said firmly, pushing him away. "I will be fine on my own. Can I expect to see you there?"

Vincent waited a long moment before answering. "Yes," he said finally. "Of course."

"...ten. Stop!" Broom called. Minerva found herself twenty paces away from the other man. Both with pistol in hand, both facing away from each other. Well. This was it. She must be the first to draw, or she would be punished.

She should be nervous, but she wasn't. In fact, she found herself thinking only of the day when she'd found out she and Nancy were sisters.

"What? How?" asked Minerva, startled.

"Her father....He was always very kind to his slaves," said Philis, with the smallest hint of a self-satisfied smirk.

"Philis!" Minerva said, a smile creeping over her own lips.

"Listen to me, child," Philis said seriously. "The girl is your sister. You must protect her."

Minerva nodded. "Of course. Oh, Phillis, I've always wanted a sister."

Phillis smiled. "I know, child. It seems God has answered your prayers."

"Fire!" With these thoughts fresh in her mind, Minerva felt light as air. It seemed as if time slowed around her. She'd already turned and fired, catching the other man's sleeve as it billowed out as he turned. It singed the edges, a perfect warning shot; she'd won.

Broom grinned. "Duel over. The winner is--"

But apparently, the other man was not satisfied with the outcome of the duel...

[scorpio grl]

For Nancy, it seemed like the bullet sailed for her friend at a leisurely pace and she dared hope Minerva would dodge.

She was dead wrong.

Nancy lurched forward in an attempt to run and push Minerva out of the way. Save her. Hell, take the bullet for her. But Fate, and someone next to her--she didn't even know who--somehow got a hold of her and wouldn't let go. She struggled and fought like a wildcat to get free, never once letting her hazel orbs tear from the sickening scene before her.

Eyes wide with horror, Nancy could do nothing but watch as the bullet pierced through {somewhere-'cause-I-'dun-'member-the-'zact-place}. Her lips parted in a scream that bubbled and welled up in her chest, but her throat simply decided to close up and block it, nothing but a soft, broken sound--something akin to a whimper--escaping.

Minerva was shot. God, Minerva was shot!

"Let me go!" Nancy screamed when she found her voice, fighting the hold on her. "Someone help her, damnit!" She bellowed a long string of colorful curses she'd picked up--certainly the most unladylike words she'd ever thought, let alone uttered aloud, and she couldn't bring herself to care because Minerva was hurt and no one was shooting that pig-headed bastard down and kicking his sodding worthless carcass to oblivion and she couldn't get free and Minerva was on the ground and now she couldn't see her and it wasn't right, it wasn't right, it wasn't right!

[7000dominos]

Vincent was half a step ahead of of Nancy's thinking and thus was able to catch her before she ran out into the brawl--but only because he was only a second from doing the same thing.

"Calm down, Nancy," he said tightly. "Broom!" he called. "It's over! The duel is over! He's violated the rules! We should--"

He stopped, because Minerva was on her feet, if slightly unsteady.

She was vaguely aware her right shoulder was bleeding, but she didn't care. The man had violated the rules. If he wanted to keep fighting, well, so be it. After all, this was the man who attacked Nancy.

Minerva drew her cutlass and ran for the man, ignoring everyone else.

He dodged slowly, seeming surprised she was still....standing, but he drew his own cutlass and slashed at her.

Even wounded, Minerva was smaller and faster. She whirled away and cut as the man, catching his sword arm. He cried out and dropped the cutlass. She kicked it away from him.

"I will not kill you," she said coldly, "because you are unarmed, though you may note that you did not give me the same courtesy."

A sigh of relief went up from the assembled crowd. Broom rushed forward, angry. The man read his fate in the captain's cold, gray eyes, and was unhappy.

In a quick motion, he pulled another pistol from his shirt.

An angry cry rose from the bystanders. "He's cheated!"

"He isn't to have another weapon!"

"By all counts, he's lost thrice already!"

Minerva didn't hear. The man was planning to shoot her. She knew she must act. She slashed out across the man's chest, catching a brachial artery in his arm as he did.

The man dropped the gun; Minerva grabbed it as he slumped to the ground, blood staining the sand.

He died shortly, and he was not given a proper burial for his deeds.

Minerva collected the weapons, both his and hers, and started back toward the crowd. Though for some reason, her feet didn't work quite right. The stumbled, fully expecting a mouthful of sand--but Graham and Vincent were there, supporting her on either side. She whimpered against her will and shrugged away from Vincent, who held her bad shoulder.

Vincent glanced at her and reluctantly let go. Minerva stumbled a few more feet before Graham gave up and picked her up bridal style. Minerva felt blackness closing around her, but she pushed it away pointedly.

"Nancy," she said through clenched teeth, determined not to cry out.

"Minerva," said Graham gently. "You've just been shot. I--"

"I...want...to...see...her," Minerva pressed, though her voice seemed weaker this time.

Graham carried her reluctantly to Nancy.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy's delicate features, now tanned darker than ever from her work on this ship, morphed with grief and pain deeper than she had ever felt when Graham brought Minerva over, bleeding and dying. Tears welled up further in her eyes, unbidden as the tried to break free.

"Minerva, no, no, no, God no. Minerva," she whispered, stroking her friend's cheeks, brushing her hair out of her blood-splattered, beautiful face and pushed her hand to the wound in a pthetic attempt to stifle the bleeding.

Her world was crashing down.

"Minerva, stay, please stay." Nancy unknowingly began to shake, and she couldn't bring herself to care if the other men saw her weakness or not.

She lifted her head up to glare desperately at Graham, the supposed doctor. "What are you doing?!" she demanded, some might even say hysterically. "Fix her! Make her stop bleeding, blast it!" she commanded, her voice rising an octave; her shaking increased.

[7000dominos]

Minerva attempted a smile and her eyelids fluttered briefly. She used every ounce of strength she could muster and reached out to squeeze Nancy's hand...though her friend's hand felt much too small, and her grip was clumsy and weak.

"I told you I'd be fine," Minerva said, focusing on keeping her voice steady. "I promised, remember? Don't worry, Nancy, love. Please don't cry."

Graham stared down at the trembling girl before him and gave a knowing glance to Broom.

Broom nodded and came up behind Nancy, looping an arm around her waist to keep her from falling over--she looked too pale. "Come, Nancy," he said gently. "Leave her be. Graham is an excellent doctor. Minerva will be fine. You know that."

[scorpio grl]

"No!" Nancy snapped, her voice cracking as she shoved Broom's arm away from her, the tears finally breaking free to spill downward. "I'm not leaving her; you can't make me." She squeezed Minerva's hand tightly, her own grip more than making up for Minerva's lax one.

"Fix her!" she reiterated demandingly as she turned back to Graham, not even caring if she sounded like the selfish brat she was made out to be for over half her life. Nancy lifted her chin challengingly. "We're wasting time!"

{Eck. ><; 'Night.}

[7000dominos]

((G'night! I have to finish this paper tomorrow...I'll be around for bits and pieces.))

"Nancy," Graham said gently. "You are exactly right; time is of the essence. That being the case, I need you to go with Broom. If you come with me, you may get in the way, slow me down and--"

Broom gently pulled Nancy away, but Minerva reached out an arm that felt like lead.

"I promise," she whispered. "I won't leave you....Your Highness." The words were too low to be caught by anyone but Nancy. It was, of course, irrelevent, however, as they would have sounded like delerium to anyone else.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy grasped at her outreached hand, barely touching her fingertips before Broom toted her off, her features cracking and fracturing with every pace that furthered her from her sister. Those words..Those words sparked a small flame of hope in her chest.

She didn't think she would be able to take it if it were to be squashed; if that were to happen..Well, she'd probably just give herself up to Bartholome or the sea--whichever got her first.

Not that there was much of a difference.

[7000dominos]

Broom went off with Nancy, and Vincent followed Graham uncomfortably, anxiously.

"Where is she?" muttered Minerva, words slurred only slightly. Her eyes were squeezed shut.

"She's gone," Vincent said. "Broom went with her." He brushed the hair from her face, now clammy and cool. "It's alright. She can't hear you. None of them can."

With this quiet reassurance, Minerva let out a strangled whimper. Vincent winced, never knowing Minerva to cry. She started to say something, but whimpered again, and this time even Graham faltered.

"Minerva--"

"It hurts," she said quietly.

"I know," said Graham. "I know. We're almost there--"

"I can't," said Minerva. "I can't hold on...It hurts." She bit down on her lip until it bled.

"No," Graham said firmly, removing a small, think wooden dowel from his pocket. He forced this between Minerva's teeth and she bit down gratefully to keep from screaming.

"Almost there," Graham reiterated gently.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stumbled quite a few times before finally surrending and allowing Broom lead her away, simply just too tired to fight him each step of the way anymore. {Whheeeerreeee is he leading heeerrrrrr?} Her entire form sagged and her head, almost always lifted in defience and stubborn attitude, now hung low, hazel orbs unfocusedly on the ground.

She couldn't stop thinking about that wound; how was he going to get it to stop bleeding? Would he cauterize it? Nancy squeezed her eyes shut tightly as a wave of despair washed and settled over her like an unwanted blanket and dragged her downward, also bringing on another wave of tears.

That stupid man. That stupid, stupid, stupid man! What was wrong with him?! Why was no one over there kicking his half dead, bloating body for all it was worth? Nancy was half tempted to do so herself.

[7000dominos]

((Uhhh....back?))

Broom wasn't too far from picky Nancy up as well. Instead, he stopped and turned her to face him, lifting her chin until she was forced to look at him.

"Nancy, listen to me. Minerva will be alright. I seen 'em worse than that before, and they came out right as rain. You know Minerva is strong as anything. You think she's gonna let a stray bullet from some no good pirate get her down? You know better than that. She needs you to trust her now. It won't do you or her any good if you get like this. You can go visit her later, I'm sure, and that will be nice for both of you, but for now, you must pull yourself together. Okay?"

[scorpio grl]

{*Le tackle* I noticed.}

Nancy shrugged off his hand, stepping away from his touch and turning her head away. She furiously wiped her tears away and swallowed at the lump in her constricted throat, concentrating on breathing for a half minute.

"I'm fine," she finally lowly said, clearly lying. Nancy moved around him and headed for a nearby tree. {He's treating Minerva on the island, right?} "I'm waiting here," she stated stubbornly, crossing her arms. "I don't care how long it takes."

[7000dominos]

((Ummmmm....))

"We need to cast off now. There's a storm coming in, Miss Kington. I'll not have my crew endangered for your stubborness," Broom said, purposefully using his captain voice. "Graham's just set off for the ship with Minerva. We'd do well to do the same."

[scorpio grl]

{>>; That works~}

Nancy's eyes flashed darkly and she glared at him for a long moment; her lips were pressed in a thin, angry line. Suddenly she turned on her heel, arms still crossed, and stalked off for the boat still waiting to ferry them back to the ship. If he had just mentioned Graham was on his way to the ship with Minerva she would have gone in a heartbeat, damnit. He needn't have used that tone.

[7000dominos]

Broom sighed, exasperated, but said nothing else. Nancy wasn't quite in her right mind, as it were. He followed after her, glancing back at the dying body of the man on the shore. He scowled. He deserved much, much worse.

~*~*~*~

Vincent sat next to Graham on the tiny rowboat; between them lay Minerva, who was still as death.

Vincent swallowed hard. "Is...she..."

Graham shook his head. "Just unconcious. It's fortunate, really." He pushed down on the bloody cloth on her shoulder, testing. Minerva whimpered in her sleep, stoic facade gone in forced slumber. "The bullet is still in there. I'll have to remove it before I stich her up."

"She's going to be alright though...?" Vincent asked anxiously, almost as if he didn't really want to hear the answer.

"Her pulse is....very weak," Graham answered evasively. "She probably won't be able to move around much for the next few days."

[scorpio grl]

~*Skippy of the Timeyness*~

Nancy sat right outside Graham's door in a miniscule chair--ironically the one she had been in not so long before, writing up those damnable reports--leaned forward, elbows on the arms of the chair, and fingers interlaced and resting upon her lips as she stared vacantly at the floor boards of the ship.

Her hazel eyes were dull, dark and heavy looking in their absent stare, and her right leg bounced like crazy--the only portrayal of the storm that was battling out in her mind as she waited for the one that was supposedly coming on the outside; Nancy knew she'd be put to work then, instead of this infernal waiting.

With working came distraction. Not that she wanted to leave her post--for Nancy most certainly didn't--but it was clear she looked but only a few seconds from snapping.

[7000dominos]

Vincent found that he once again had to conveniently check the rigging nearest Graham's office...for nearly the tenth time in as many minutes.

"'ow tangled can the ropes be, mate?" asked one of the crew, smirking.

Vincent ignored him, casually watching the door for any signs of life. None, as of yet. He switched his glance to the smaller, calmer figure next to the door.

"How....how are you doing?" he asked her as casually as he could.

[scorpio grl]

"Fine," Nancy replied automatically, tone hard, not even looking up. She recognized the voice anyway: Vincent. Jealousy roiled and bubbled within herself, ugly and rearing its unhappy head.

Vincent had gotten to ride in the boat with Minerva and Graham. Vincent had taken up the majority of Minerva's time lately. Vincent had swooped in, trying to steal Minerva from her. Vincent. Vincent. Vincent.

Still, Nancy could not bring herself to yell at him. Not even to glare at him. No, she knew..knew that it wasn't his fault. Knew that he really hadn't tried to steal Minerva, simply win her affection. And Minerva wouldn't have hung out with him if he already hadn't or if she hadn't wanted him to.

No, it wasn't Vincent's fault, but still..Nancy needed something to focus her negativity on, at least for a bit.

"And you?"

[7000dominos]

Vicent smiled wryly and leaned against the wall a few feet from Nancy. He could feel her distaste for him rolling of her like breakers on the shore.

"Roughly the same, I imagine," he said. "Anything I can do to help?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy clenched her fists for a half second and shook her head a little. "No. No, I don't think so," she said quietly, her knee bouncing faster and faster. Her gaze on the floor sharpened and focused some from his waking her from her thoughts, but she never fully connected to the conversation. Every thought, every sense, everything was concentrating on the room behind her, and the people on the inside...

[7000dominos]

Vincent shrugged, glancing from the corner of his eye to the girl at his left. She sat very, very still, save for that leg of hers, trying to drill a hole in the bottom of the ship. He raised an eyebrow.

Her love for Minerva was obvious. He couldn't hope to come between them in a million years. He knew that. He accepted it. Minerva knew it better than he did. But did Nancy?

"You should know I'm not trying to steal her from you," he said, matter-of-factly.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stiffened, bristling for a moment, even her leg stopping. Then it resumed it's infuriating pace in its quest to pound a hole in the floor beneath her and she forced her body to relax. Her tanned features remained impassive.

"I know that," she stated lowly, tone quiet. How did he know her innermost thoughts?!

[7000dominos]

"Do you?" Vincent said, without much inflection, though his eyes held an air of curiosity. "And still you persist to hate me?"

[scorpio grl]

"I do not hate you," Nancy stated sharply, eyes flashing. Why wouldn't he just leave her to her grief? Certainly there were ropes to be untangled--there always were somewhere on this ship. "I don't hate you,..Vincent," she said in a much calmer, controlled voice. "I never have. I'm just-.." The blonde shook her head, eyes closing briefly.

[7000dominos]

Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Sorry? Didn't quite catch that?" She was loathing, too, this persistant attention he saw. But at least she was distracted, if only a little.

[scorpio grl]

"Just leave me alone, Vincent," Nancy stated lowly, resting her forhead against her hands, closing her eyes. Her leg's bounce never stopped, never wavered, it's pace even and quick.

[7000dominos]

Vincet shrugged. "You aren't the only one worried about her," he said evenly.

[scorpio grl]

At this, Nancy went deadly still. The golden-haired girl worked her jaw, slowly raising her head to glare at him fiercely. "I. Know." Her tone was acidic. How could he act like she was some selfish prat?! She knew he was worried, that he cared; but damnit, she did, too! Was she not allowed any time to really gather herself, to prepare herself should the worse happen?!

[7000dominos]

"Do you?" Vincent said, though his voice had lost some of his casual tone. "Because you seem to be turning away help from the one person who may care almost half as much as you do."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stood abruptly, the chair clattering to the floor behind her. She glared up at him furiously. "I don't need your help!" she hissed angrily. The only helpd she needed was Minerva walking out of that damn door right now with her friendly grin, assuring her that she was fine and hugging her like there was no tomorrow and brushing aside her concerns with a small wave of her hand.

[7000dominos]

"I assume attempting to drill a hole through the bottom of the ship is normal behavior then?" Vincent retorted. "If you insist on being stubborn, that's just fine, but you needn't make a ruckus right outside of her room."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy snapped, backhanding him with all the force of the frustration and anger for everything that had happened these past few months. It was just too much to take for the once very sheltered young woman; just too much. Her tears brimmed and finally escaped despite her efforts, slipping quickly down her cheeks. "Curse you, Vincent." {*Can't think up a better way to say 'Screw you'* ._.;} She swiveled on her heel and stormed off to their cabin.

[7000dominos]

((Sorry! I though I'd replied to this!))

((How 'bout....."screweth thou!"....Eh?))

Vincent clenched his jaw, but did not follow the girl, recognizing the grief she was in. Perhaps he could have been--should have been--softer with his words. But there was something inside of him that made him shrug away from his usual quiet self at the though of Minerva injured.

She would be upset to know what he had said to Nancy. He would have to find a way to win them both back somehow.

Meanwhile, Graham stepped out of his office, closing the door gnetly behind him.

"I've done all I can do," he said wearily. "Only time will tell now." He paused. "Where is Nancy? I'd've thought she'd be here..."

"She was," Vincent replied. "I'm afraid she's a bit upset with me at the moment, though. I'd offer to go find her, but perhaps you ought to..."

[scorpio grl]

{It's OK}
{XD! That works.}

Nancy barricaded herself in their shared cabin, finally letting her tears course down her cheeks when she was sure the door was locked with a chair beneath the knob at an angle to prevent enyone intruding on her grief. She sobbed softly, clamping a hand over her mouth, scurring over to the darkest, smallest corner beside their dresser--but not before grabbing Minerva's pillow--hidden from view should anyone make it past her door.

Everything smelled like..Minerva. Especially her pillow. Nancy buried her face in the cotton cloth to stifle her sobs, shaking. What if Minerva didn't make it and she wasn't there? She'd never forgive herself.. But by going back would mean she'd have to face Vincent. Why couldn't he have just left her alone like everyone else?! Everyone else had been sure to stay out of the way of the hysterical female, why hadn't he?!

Nancy was being selfish. She knew she was. And yet, she just couldn't summon the will of mind nor body to move.

[7000dominos]

Graham let Vincent visit Minerva, who had, thankfully, passed out. He left careful instructions to let her sleep.

Meanwhile, he went in search of Nancy, trying first the cabin she shared with Minerva. He kocked gently.

"Miss Kington?" he called, then changed his mind. "Nancy? May I come in?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stiffened at the sound of Graham's voice, fear penetrating and stabbing her heart. Had-..Had Minerva not made it?

The golden-haired girl gasped softly, her pupils shrinking with her horror. She swallowed hard before trying to rationalize. Wait..Wait, you don't know anything yet. Don't jump to conclusions. Maybe he just..wishes to speak with me..Yes. Have a small chat about the weather.

A bitter laugh bubbled up in her throat at this, but she held it at bay, standing. Nancy carefully set aside the pillow and wiped her entire face off with the aid of her shirt. Taking a deep breath and composing herself, she slowly made her way to the door and moved the chair away, setting it a little ways away.

Features still, Nancy grasped the knob and turned, tugging...
"Yes?"

[7000dominos]

Graham nodded at the girl in front of him, taking in her pale, haggard visage.

"Just coming to check on you, dear. How are you doing?" he asked casually.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stared up at the man impassively. "I'm fine. How is-.." She faltered. Should she ask? Did she even want to know? Swallowing, the girl continued. "How is Minerva?"

[7000dominos]

Graham paused, wondering how much to tell her, before settling on the truth.

"She's asleep. She's very weak now, but she's stable. Aside from that, I can't say much. Only time can tell. Would you like to see her?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy nearly sank to the ground in relief before straightening, eyes hardening faintly at something she already knew: Vincent was with Minerva.

Still, she would not stay away just because that bastard was there.

"Yes," she stated calmly. "May I?"

[7000dominos]

Graham looked at Nancy and smiled faintly. "He'll have left by the time we get there," he said shortly, holding the door for her.

[scorpio grl]

"I don't know who you're talking about," Nancy replied simply, closing the door behind her and promptly heading for Graham's cabin-thing, chin high.

[7000dominos]

Graham said nothing, following her to his office. Sure enough, Vincent was gone, leaving Minerva by herself.

She was very pale, and only partially clothed--her short had been torn to reveal her shoulder. The bed linens were pulled up to her chin, because she was shaking, though trendils of hair plastered themselves to her brow in a cement of cold sweat.

"Try not to wake her," Graham suggest quietly.

[scorpio grl]

"I wouln't dream of it," Nancy murmured quietly, staring at her friend's--sister's trembling form with slight disgust. Disgust for herself. If she had just gotten him off of her, fought harder, bitten, scratched..anything then Minerva wouldn't be here.

The blonde girl swallowed and silently walked over to her, sad fondness dominating her features. Nancy gently wiped some of the sweat from her brow with her shirt sleeve, dabbing at it carefully. "Minerva, I'm so sorry.." she murmured softly.

[7000dominos]

Graham smiled and left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

*Miraculously* Minerva groaned under Nancy's touch.

"For what?" she whispered quietly.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stiffened, freezing a little, before hurridly looking around like a child who expected to be reprimanded. There was no one. She slowly turned back to Minerva, pulling her hand away.

"For..getting you into this mess," she stated in shame. "I'm sorry, Minerva. It should've been me. I should have dueled him, not you.."

[7000dominos]

"And left me in whatever mess you're in now?" Minerva breathed. Her eyes were still closed. "Nice to know you care for me, Your Highness."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy's lips twitched upward faintly despite herself and she swallowed. She stroked Minerva's forhead a bit, grabbing a nearby cool cloth hanging half in and half out of a bucket of water. She wrung it out a bit and laid it on her sweaty forhead. "Who says I would have gotten hurt like you? I am, after all, 'better'," meaning worse, "than you.." she asked in a quiet murmur.

[7000dominos]

Minerva smiled, hearing some of the hopelessness leave her friend's voice. "Hurt? This is hardly hurt. 'Tis but a flesh wound, afterall. Besides, knowing you, you'd've tripped on the way back to the boat and broken every bone in your body, Queen Clumsy."

[scorpio grl]

{WUAH! HOW DOES SHE KNOW MEEEE?!?
xD Sorry. Couldn't help myself. ^^; :p}

Nancy spluttered and laughed a little, biting her lip. It felt so good to hear her like this..and her smile. Definently. Nancy had been taking it for granted. "Every bone in my body, hmm? And what if I've drank a magical potion that heals me of all that ails me--including said 'clumsiness'?"

[7000dominos]

"And you've been keeping it all to yourself?" Minerva said, skeptically. "Well, then, your clumsy and selfish! You ought to share so I can get out of this infernal bed."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy laughed again, wiping at her own eyes. Oh yes, the humor too. She hadn't realized how much she really treasured that as well. "You're too much, Minerva," Nancy said softly, shaking her head. "Even now..You're wounded and can't even move, and yet you still joke.."

[7000dominos]

"Oh, hush," Minerva said with a small smile. "I'll be just fine, and you know it very well. I will say it is a mite chilly in here, though."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stiffened, gasping a little. "Oh, I'm sorry!" She quickly pulled the cool cloth off her forhead, biting her lip again. She figited, looking around quickly for another blanket or two to wrap her in.

[7000dominos]

"It's alright," placated Minerva. "I'm fine." Her eyelids fluttered. "Though I think I ought to be going to sleep soon. I'll be back in our room as soon as possible, alright? Please resist the urge to toss my things about the floor. I know how you are about cleanliness. And don't you dare go on worrying about me, okay?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy blushed and scowled a little. "I'll try to resist both temptations, dear sister." Her features quickly molded back to concern, however. "Get better soon. Go back to sleep; I'll be back later, OK?" She lightly brushed her lips against Minerva's forhead in a worried, tense goodbye--she was too afraid to try to even hug her--and inched towards the door.

[7000dominos]

Minerva closed her eyes. started to roll over, quickly changed her mind, then called to Nancy.

"Wait," she said, her voice fading as she sank into sleep, subject of whatever concoctions Graham had given her. "Wait, one more thing, Nancy."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stiffened, halfway out the door when Minerva called to her. She rushed back over in worry, anxiety quickening her steps, and bit her lip again. "Yes, Minerva? What is it?"

[7000dominos]

Minerva paused for a long moment. "I....I dunno what....he said. What Vincent said, I mean. But....know, honestly and truly, that you are, and always will be first in my heart and in my life. Which I plan to continue for quite a while....Okay?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy winced--she already was feeling immensely guilty for earlier, but had been justifying her actions to herself; he had started it, anyway..
But she hadn't wanted Minerva to find out. Not right now, when she was hurt.
"I know, Minerva," she replied softly. "And damn right you better continue it for a long time. But to do that, you need rest. Go to sleep and I promise I'll come the moment I hear you're awake, OK?"

[7000dominos]

Minerva mummbled a response....or thought she did. The last bit of her to leave Nancy was her hand, trailing from the bed to touch that of her sister.

[scorpio grl]

Nancy smiled and replaced that beloved, dark-skinned hand to her sister's side, once more brushing her hair from her face. She swallowed with difficulty. Sighing, she steathily moved out of the room, silently as she could closing the door behind her.

[7000dominos]

Graham was waiting outside the door. "I heard talking," he said. "I see you find it difficult to obey orders, then?"

His words were harsh, but his eyes held the sparkle of a hidden smile.

((If they miss me tonight, you can play my ARS characters, okay?))

[scorpio grl]

{Ehh, I might do a few sentences, but I don't feel too comfortable completely taking them over. O.o; That'd be wierd..}

Nancy lifted her head to snap back a retort and to defend herself, but stopped when she saw his eyes. She closed her mouth and held her tongue, merely shaking her head as she moved around him.

[7000dominos]

Graham stopped Nancy with a hand on her shoulder.

"Truly, if she's awaken this quickly, even if only for a short period of time, her chances are.....good. You needn't worry. You're prescence may have saved her life."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stiffened at his touch, her flame of hope growing in her breast at his words. Her breath hitched in her throat and she turned, eyes shining. "R-really, Graham?"

[7000dominos]

Graham smiled. "Truly. We should know within the next few hours. If she has a fever by tomorrow morning, she should be alright. We'll know her body strong enough to fight off infection. It is a good sign. How was she when you were talking to her? Did she seem....listless? Uncomfortable in any way?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy thought for a moment. "She seemed..like she always is. She joked and talked," she smiled faintly, "scolded me... Just the way she normally is. She said it was a little cold, but she was burning up, though.." Nancy's eyes tightened with worry again. "She seems to have a fever now; is that bad?"

[7000dominos]

Graham blinked, surprised. "You two never fail to surprise me, you know. No, no, that's a good sign. She should be on her feet sooner than I'd anticipated. You've been right good for her, I should think, Miss Kington."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy visibly relaxed, especially at his good prediction. She even smiled a little. "Thank you, Graham. I appreciate that," she said quietly, nodding her thanks to him. She should be up and around soon..! she thought excitedly.

[7000dominos]

Graham nodded good naturedly, then paused to think.

"Nancy, actually, I have...a minor proposition for you...."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stiffened faintly, arching a brow. "A..proposition...?" she reiterated a tad warily. "What is it?" The last 'proposition' she'd gotten into actually hadn't been all that intelligent of a choice.

[7000dominos]

"Well, Broom's just told me we're stopping off in the next town for a bit. You know, give the men a chance to stretch their legs and spend the booty we've collected and what not. I know several of them are planning on quitting the account, myself included." Graham looked away here for the smallest of moments, normal candor leaving him.

"Here's the thing. I feel horribly about what you two have been through recently. I am not blaming it on your gender. You're as strong as any man on this ship. But I do feel that no young ladies like yourself should be going through this now. You deserve a steady home and life. Perhaps some young man to sweep you off your feet. I would take you two, Nancy. You might pose as my niece, and Minerva....as....as your....lady-in-waiting. Only until we were settled, of course," he added hastily. "What do you think?"

[scorpio grl]

Nancy stared at him for a long, long moment, eyes widened in pure shock. It seemed to last forever. Quit the account? Her.. pose as Graham's neice, and Minerva.. Minerva, her sister, her best friend, her one and only confidant and savior,.. pose as her lady-in-waiting? It sounded absolutely ridiculous!

And some man to 'sweep her off of her feet'? That was almost as ludicrous. What would she say on her wedding night to her lovely husband? 'Oh, and Dear? Please, don't mind the scars. They're just from my pirating days. They're nothing, truly. ..Oh wait, that's right. I didn't tell you, did I? Oh well.'

And after this life, how were they supposed to just 'settle in'?? He must be mad!

Nancy snapped out of her trance-like state, blinking, realizing he was waiting for an answer. "O-oh.. Graham, I-.. We-..." The golden-haired girl swallowed hard and averted her gaze, trying to breath regularly. "Graham, I cannot in my right mind give you a statement now. Especially not without Minerva's council, for she would be affevted just as much as I, if not more so." She thought guiltily to Vincent. "You'll-..You'll have to give us time to give you a proper answer. I'm sorry."

With that said, Nancy quickly scurried off to escape to their cabin, fighting the shakes the entire way.

[7000dominos]

Graham stared after the young girl for some time, uncertain. He wasn't quite sure what he had been expecting. But what Nancy had displayed wasn't it.

"Alright," he said finally, though it was long after she'd left. "You think about it, then. Perhaps mention it to Minerva..."

[scorpio grl]

Nancy quite barracaded herself in the small cabin before finally succumbing to the shakes. So much had changed today.. It was as if things had turned topsyturvey! Minerva was shot and now lying on a bed with a fever; they'd lost a crew member--not that it was of much consequence anyway, but still; she'd learned many a men on the crew were planning to quit; and Graham, sweet Graham, had offered to do one of the kindest, probably stupidest things ever.. What next???

Of course, that obviously wasn't the right question to ask Fate, for just then there was a sharp jarring of the ship and angry and/or surprised shouts both above and below deck rang out. Nancy stood with a gasp, eyes wide. Minerva!

[7000dominos]

Minerva was shaken awake by as she was nearly thrown to the floor. Somehow, Graham was there quite suddenly. He caught her, placed her back on the bed.

"Are you alright?" he asked quickly, though his eyes were darting about as if he were distracted.

"I'm fine," said Minerva, slighltly confused. Graham's image was swimming a bit before her eyes; the ship was moving more than usual, and she could hear men shouting outside the door.

Minerve shut her eyes and took a deep breath to keep from losing her breakfast over Graham's shoes. "What's going on?" she asked.

"Not quite sure. I was going to go check it out, but I wanted to make sure you were alright..."

"I'm fine," Minerva asnwered tersely. "Where's Nancy?"

Graham flushed, though Minerva's eyes were still closed. "In her room, I assume. I'll get her to stay here with you. I may be needed elsewhere..."

"Fine," said Minerva, afraid to talk any more than that.

Graham left her to go find Nancy.