Promises (Josie, Vic)

[Lovely]

Name: Victor Aliases: Vic Location: Opal Rank: Crew played by: Tripp created: 2007 likeness used: Jonathan Rhys Meyers

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Name: Josette Guillemot Aliases: Josie, Jo, 'Widow', Jo Dagger BD: December 4 Debut Age: 19 Location: Opal Rank: 'guest' played by: Lovely created: 2007 likeness used: Anne Hathaway

[Lovely]

July 28, 1740
near dusk


Storms at sea clear off as quickly as they brew...they come hard, fast, and show no mercy. Luckily the Opal had come up on the tail end of such a storm and avoided the fate of 'whooooosh... blam, crack, sink'... The Captain was pleased when the clouds started to roll away and the sky cleared, it was a relief not to have to plough through or try to circle around it.. they were lucky this time and the relief was evident as the crew started to chatter amoung themselves again.

"Sail!" Someone shouted, though the murmurs were quite a different sound than the usual roar of triumph. There was an odd hush that rumbled over the voices as the 'sail' turned out to be mostly floating, not waving. "More or less..." The wreck was tremendous and debris was everywhere as the Opal cut into the edge of where the once-majestic ship had been.

Will came up to the starboard side behind the others. "Captain? Looks like there may be survivors, look!"

Captain Sparrow was already moving to that side of the deck, having heard the call as well. "I suppose we should see what she has to offer us." She grinned a bit, catching Will's eye and giving a nod for orders to be called out as she turned to find where Nance was.

Will nodded at the captain's request and began by tapping shoulders, peeling the onlookers away from gawking. "You... and you... lower a boat and get out there. Pull anyone in you can reach. You... up in the nest and look for any furled sails... make sure this wasn't an attack - they might not be far if so..."

Robin stayed the boy's hand. "Easy. Salvage first then scout. Even if they're out there and turn sail, cannon fire's not reaching us until you have what you want out of the water... breathing or not."

Will pulled his hand away. "Then salvage... mate. Get in a boat and show them how it's done," he snipped with a shallow grin and a fire haunting his eyes. He wasn't going to make the same mistake he had before regardless of this man's experience.

"Oh... well... aye sir," Robin nodded, trying to keep the sarcasm and humor as thin as the first mate's grin. He'd do as told. "Who's with me? Get on ye!" He hollered, setting off to untie one of the boats and bring up what or who they could find.

"Oy!" The dark haired youth did have a voice, and it carried well over the hollers and rumblings of the crew. He'd spotted enough in the water himself to be ready to set oars down and practically flew to help Nance lower the boat.

Toby was checking the sky more than the water. The storm held a rough wind behind her still that kept a few white caps perched on the waves around them. He stole up beside Will. "Let them go to their boats, but keep them close, sir. Storms like her, they circle round." The sky above them was clear, but the wall on the horizon held a mystery he had no interest in unraveling with the Opal's sails.

"Noted, thank you. Then get your charts below and prepare for visitors," Will snipped, getting Toby on his way to watch for such an occurrence.

Out in the wreckage strewn over a large crate that had not yet sunk was a woman with long raven locks, she was passed out, looking almost as if she was having a peaceful nap. She wore a dress of such fine style and fabric that one would assume she was some sort of fine lady perhaps even nobility. The beauty wore a gorgeous jeweled necklace, what was left in her hair of pins adorned with jewels to match, and a small dagger was clutched in her hand. The tears in the dress she wore revealed red and black marking on her arms. She moaned softly and her eyes fluttered open as the shouting and splashing sounds reached her through the 'thick' fog she felt like she'd been in.

There were a few scattered survivors of the wreck, many had perished and more slipped away in the hours since as they clung to debries or tried to swim hoping by some miracle another ship would pass and rescue them... most didn't make it long enough to see the sky clear or the Opal as it came up to the site. Josette clung to the debris she'd managed to get her upper half on and had found herself floating somewhat near the fancy lady but for a while couldn't get close enough to check on her. She'd just drifted that far when the Opal was upon them, so to speak. Josette looked up at the voices and splashing, worried and at the same time grateful that another ship had come along.

Vic was eager to hit the water and trying to be easy on the ropes so the dinghy wouldn't crack coming down too fast. "I could have told him there were survivors. Look!" He pointed out to the mops of dark hair and sparkles that were barely keeping above water between the bits of floating debris. There was too much in the way to row around and he was off in the water himself, going after the first girl. "Oy, hold on!" He called around a mouthful of salt water as he swam to her and pushed the useless scrap aside for Nance to row closer.

"Is she alive?" Josette asked, calling to the man from not too far beyond the jeweled lady. She struggled with her long skirts to get higher on the piece she clung to, before she was pulled under. She gave a small cry as she felt the tug, her dress had gotten tangled and caught on something below the water that was pulling her down..

"Aye miss... oh no you don't! Take a breath!" He yelled, hoping she'd be able before her head went beneath the surface. He hoped her friend was sturdy and snug on her crate for the moment as he bobbed up like a dolphin himself and dove beneath the waves, kicking down to find what had grabbed this one and started down with her. Hoping it wasn't a shark, he struck out with the knife from his side, cutting loose what he found to be a balloon of tangled fabric around a board and the chock it held, heavily weighing the girl's soaked skirts and tugging her with them. The cloth had been good quality and thick, taking a long moment to cut free from her as his own breath bubbled away from him in his haste. One more moment and likely neither would be seen again. Vic's hand finally cut the mass loose and shot upward with her, in search of the dinghy and Nance.

Nance shook his head. Well, the boy was already in the water, so he'd stay in the dinghy and start hauling. He pulled up a barrel of powder, hoping to find it had kept dry when he next saw Vic kicking off to a second stop. Their dinghy was closest to the girls while the second boat gathered a couple more barrels and crates to be inspected once they were back on board. One or two more possible survivors seemed to be pulled up, though their status appeared grim if the grey coloring he could see from here told him all he needed to know. Rowing to the crate Vic had abandoned, he helped the girl who clung, hoping she had the strength to hold on to him and the will to allow his help. "Let go of the crate miss, and give me your hand. We've got you," and the crate once he pulled her up. He gave her all the assistance he could, if it meant getting in the drink himself. Vic popped up again and had his hands full - quite. On second thought, if the crate would hold, it could be dragged. They needed room for the girls. Nance slipped the ropes around the crate this girl had been floating on to pull it behind them instead. Now he rowed over and reached an oar out behind Vic. "Ahoy... Corvid, here!" He steadied the boat for the boy to pull the girl he'd righted and helped get her in the boat as well. Himself, powder and two girls in heavy wet clothes - he could probably hold Vic as well, but nothing more and there were still crates to pull up.

The first man who'd come to her little crate raft had roused her enough that her eyes were open and her fingers curled tightly around her dagger, she would have driven it into his chest but he swam off to aide another. When the next came for her with his dingy, her gaze was guarded and cool, the dagger raised in warning when he reached for her, but lowered to allow him to pull her onto the small boat. Her fingers dug into his shoulder as he lifted her and she growled softly. She was not fatally injured but enough to cause her pain, which she did not like at all. Once he had her settled, she stared at him, wounded and at his mercy yet full of fire. She could not remember her own name but knew about the sea, ships, sailors, pirates.. and a host of 'finer' topics.

Josette wrapped her arms tightly around the man who rescued her from sinking, clinging to him in thanks and exhuastion. She gasped for air for a few moments , taking in deep breaths once she could. "Thank you.." Her dress was not as fine as the lady on the crate nor were her jewels as large, but in her hair and around her neck one could see the glint of what she did have, especially up close. Her chest heaved with gasping breaths now that she could take in air again, being sucked down had frightened her considerably and for a moment she'd thought she was a goner. Her lips brushed his cheek softly in thanks, though they were cool from her time in the water. As the other boat approached to get them, Josette clung a little tighter to Corvid? she heard the other man's voice call him. She was glad to be saved yet afraid.. these men were strangers to her and she knew nothing of their intentions or what sort of ship they came from. Between her legs she could barely feel the purse she'd tied and hidden there, hoping that she'd survive and knowing she'd need what she had to continue on... what if they took it from her? What if they did much worse than rob her? She'd known pirates and they weren't always the nicest of men, at this point she was unsure of what sort they were and couldn't assume.

That bit of sparkle didn't escape his attention either, watching her twist the ring then seem as though it had shocked her hand into letting go of it suddenly. Pieced together it made some manner of sense. "I'm sorry," he muttered for her to hear, sincere for her mourning as he motioned a cross and silently held a moment for them both. He scarcely heard Nance's jibes but the tone was clear and Vic shot him a glance in return. Twisted? We'll see, he considered, grinning and rowing harder now as the man teased. "Are you both alright to climb, or be carried?"

"It's climb aboard or be dumped back in the drink." She hissed quietly at Corvid, her sharp eyes narrowing on the younger one as she shifted gingerly, settling more fully against Nance's lap and finding herself lightheaded again. "I suppose we will find out which it is when we get to the ship, yes?" Behind the full skirt and hidden from view her hand dug slightly where she held onto Nance's leg for balance and her weight came more heavily against him.

Her head lifted at Corvid's words and she gave him a faint smile and a simple nod of her head. He couldn't be so terrible to show such compassion and notice that she'd been toying with the ring. Her gaze drifted again to each of the three on the dingy with her. "I can help her.. I think I'm mostly fine.." They seemed genuinely sincere in their concern and intent of her and the other woman's well being, but who could be sure of anything yet? She offered another smile to the young man as he watched her again and then one to the older man as well. Her gaze kept darting back to Venge though she tried not to, he was quite handsome and well she'd never had a choice in who she married and there wasn't much attraction to those men on her part.

Nance leaned down briefly as her hand clutched tighter on him. Surely she knew exactly where her hand was. "Careful love... that's not made of wood," he cautioned, but let her get herself comfortable if it would keep her from slipping over the edge. He nodded to the other girl as he straightened and ignored the grip in his flesh to row steadily. "If she'll let go, you can help her with that scratch, too. Not much further." Good thing for that. Having a powderkeg resting against him as she was would feel safer at the moment than he felt, hoping she didn't move too much.

The woman's head turned toward Nance, she smiled, her eyes shuttering in a way that said she was thinking something wicked as Nance whispered to her. "Mm but something certainly feels like it is back there." She murmured in return, she was resting against him, not really holding herself up much at the moment, trying to save her strength for when she'd need it again.

Vic pulled in his oars and reached back for the ropes as they came up against the ship. "We're here. Time to go," he said, holding the rope with one hand and reaching to help the widow with the other.

"Clever..." Nance muttered and found no other words to suit him. There wasn't much that caused him to turn a shade, but a shade if not two darkened Nance's cheek briefly. He'd cough away the embarrassment but with her situated as she was, that was likely the worst choice and would make her point all the more clear... or rather his own. He instead put that force into his oars and straightened the boat up to the Opal's side where waiting hands reached down for the keg and a hand up to those climbing aboard.

"Thank you." Josette said directly to Venge, it was sincere and she almost dared to kiss his cheek again before carefully getting to her feet and allowing herself to be pulled up after the powderkeg. She glanced back at the man before she was helped over the side of the ship and onto the deck. She was then shuffled over to the small group of survivors that had been pulled up.

It was her turn and she knew they would take the dagger from her as she came up and if she fought them it would make things worse. With a sigh she eased off Nance's lap and turned to him, the weariness was showing a little in her gaze. She held her dagger out to him, handle first. "If you'd please keep this safe for me?"

His face knotted and his scar showed deeply though briefly. Nance nodded and took the blade carefully, tucking it into the back of his belt for now. He somewhat understood, but why was she trusting him? "Get on ye and get that cut looked after," he said, helping her to right herself and climb up if she was able. He hesitated only wondering if he shouldn't carry her. He was still a captain in his own way, concerned about all he sailed with though the winds of fortune made him sail a different sort of course now. "If you need help..." He somehow felt saying more would be taken as insult instead of assistance.

Stepping away from the rail where he watched Nance and Corvid with their own 'bounty', it was time to check the status of their other finds and ensure they didn't stay too long in unfriendly water unless the cannons were readied. "Two more coming aboard, Captain. Injuries, but I think they'll live. Your orders?" Will wasn't sure what her intentions would be with the survivors, at least those that survived longer than the few minutes they had them on deck.

One man, mostly gray already when hoisted aboard had breathed his last and was being tossed back out to sea again, less his boots and usable wares and whatever coin he'd left to the living. Little ceremony was given beyond the men's fingers crossing over their chests and shoulders for his remains before the surf took him under.. he was Davy's now to keep.

"Yes sir." She replied with a weak smile as she let him help her up, she looked back at him as he offered more help. Growling lightly, she bared her teeth at him. "I'll be sure to claw the eyes out of the person closest to me in order to get your attention." She smirked and turned away clenching her jaw to keep from crying out as she was jarred in being pulled up.

The next two survivors were brought up, even though one was wounded they looked better off than the rest. The only other woman had expired and they were taking her valuables and tossing her over board. Josette chose to stand near the 'rich' woman even if she was a little scary as they watched the men dispose of the not long lasting survivors.

"Staying or going, lad?" Nance watched Corvid, expecting him to follow the skirts. He had an oar out ready to take to water again, keeping the other stirring lightly to keep them alongside the Opal as the second girl was assisted. "Not much left except getting a good look at what we pulled up." He cast a look up at the slip of black clothing as it and the girl were helped onto the deck above, only meant to tease the boy, but it was also the truth. There weren't many items left to retrieve.

Treasure looked out over to the 'salvage' that was happening and then to what survivors were still alive. "Two more brought aboard and two tossed back to Jones.. These two are standing on their own so that is far better than the others." She nodded to the women and then to the rest of the group which she unfortunately didn't think would make it long. "We have our articles but little good an oath will do them if it's broken or the punishment that would follow.. The one that is wounded, take her to Nance's quarters, I trust him to protect her and not take advantage of her weakened state. The one in black to be taken to the empty cabin next to his, Octavia to guard the doors for now and we'll finish this business and figure out what to do with them. The rest.. if they last long enough for us to sail again will be dealt with accordingly." She looked over at Will, for the first time a bit of worry in her eyes at to how the crew would deal with two attractive guests on board.

He was eager to assist the girls and ensure that their safety was paramount, but he was certain the Captain would ensure it, being a woman herself. He sighed, torn but agreeable. "They're not going anywhere. The rest of that haul is another story. Let's go."

Nance chuckled and tugged the ropes for the others to know they were done and would be back with more soon. They pushed off toward the wreckage again that was more and more dispersed. "I think she likes you," he said in confidence and sincerity. "Her friend seems to like no one except her knife." He thought about that and the blade at his back, wondering if that were true.

Will mulled over the orders and agreed that for now that seemed the best course, though he was curious about assigning the one to Nance. His questions would wait for later. Getting them sat down was priority, wherever they were to be sat. "Aye captain. Ladies, come with me please." He offered them each a hand, or arm if they needed steadying. No leering gesture met them, only the kind nod of a nearly innocent young man.

Vic grinned though he didn't blush. He could only hope the man was right, though he had his own insight to offer. "Maybe yours likes carving wood," he said of the other girl with a smirk, having heard their whispers with his keen ears. "You let her hold on, she's returning the favor, hah?"

Denied with the shake of his head and a chuckle, "What would I do with 'er? She's got a refinement about her no seafarer should chance to gather for himself - pirate or otherwise. No, I don't think so, Vic, but she is a sight to look on." Nance wasn't denying that at all. He'd met only a few in his travels with hair so dark and features so ... he did sigh and gave the thought more consideration. It would be some time before they were in port again to let her off and getting her back to her home could take years.

"You believe she does? She's a widow, Nance," he asked about the girl in black. Could she like him or was she simply grateful?

Corvid's next question broke that reverie and he gave the boy a looking over. He was eager and ernest in the question. "As her rescuer," Nance nodded and cautioned but he couldn't help but stoke the coals a little. "I could see a little glimmer of attraction in the tip of her smile. As a widow, her heart is likely out there in the wreckage, but bring -that- in for salvage and aye, I think you just might get to keep it." A moment later the laugh couldn't be contained any longer. "Just row, boy. Stroke what y'need when you get back on board."

Josette offered a faint smile for Will when he came to escort them wherever they were being taken, he seemed kind and wasn't leering. "Thank you." She said softly with a slight curtsy and took his offer of an arm, gently. She was soaked still and moving the the dress was a bit difficult even with it shorn from her rescue under the water.

The dark haired woman arched her eyebrow and her jaw tightened as she felt the sting of the cut. "So be it." She replied, stepping to walk beside him but not accepting his arm or his hand. He seemed almost sweet and it nearly made her smile. "Thank you." She added politely not wanting to be rude or ungrateful for his kindness or that of the captain.

Octavia had her orders to guard the women, help them out of their drenched clothes, and help find them suitable coverings to wear while their dresses were dried and repaired if they could be. She came up near Will and the women, hands folded behind her back. "Mister Turner.. I'm at your service."

"Are you? Thank you for the warning," Will stated quietly, leaning to whisper teasingly. "I don't see any squid about, but I'll be sure to alert you the moment I do. Per the captain, take that one to Nance's cabin and mind her scratch. The other, keep with you in yours and away from the rails. I'm not sure she's injured but the moment she's caught her breath, she may not be so tame."

Vic laughed and the sound sailed out ahead of them. "What you need and what I want went on board ahead of us. You can bet there'll be stroking sir, but not on any oar," he said, perhaps dreaming, but if the man was right, they'd see to having their hands full of something much softer than that.

Nance considered the boy's words more deeply than his own. It had been some time since any woman had twisted his thoughts, or his hands, in any semblance of desire. Strange that it would happen now. He leaned back into the pull of the oars, only to be reminded of the blade in his belt pulling against his waist. He straigthened himself up before being cut or bruised, but nonetheless aware of it as he'd been of her leaning against him moments before. The conversation quieted as he distracted himself with pulling the few last pieces of water-logged slag from the dwindling supply that was taking on more and dropping down further from view into the waves and ripples around them.

[Lovely]

July 28, 1740
Continues from: Salvage


Venge approached the Captain warily. He'd not been on board long and certainly others on her crew were more deserving of 'sharing', but he'd got in his mind that the girl couldn't be shared. She was a widow afterall, not a toy, although some manner of playing was certainly on his mind and Nance's jibes hadn't helped. "If I may, Captain... a word, please?" He announced himself quietly knowing his voice carried easily and tried to keep it toned to mutters on the matter.

Treasure turned to the man addressing her and her eyebrow arched, he hadn't been aboard long and didn't usually ask for anything really. "Yes, Corvid. What is it?"

His head bowed, a little from wondering if he was pestering her unnecessarily. "If it's a trouble, then I'll be on my way, but the girl, the widow. I'd like to see her."

"No trouble." She answered, though now she was curious, he was asking after one of the women they'd brought on board earlier that day. "You would, would you? Why would you want to do that and why should I allow you to?" A half smile curved her lips up as she awaited his reply.

He shrugged and straightened up now, one hand behind his back, the other resting on his rapier as he locked her gaze squarely with his own. "Better to have the Captain's permission than not? I'd hate to think I was disobeying an order especially when one's not been given. Being a widow, m'am, I thought she might like some company," he said, the twitch of a grin appearing.

Treasure stared back, unfaltering and understanding that he wasn't asking to join the girl for tea. She was teetering on just saying yes, go, have at her.. but being a woman herself... Corvid had saved the girl. "Very well, but you and only you. She's not to be passed around to the crew.. and you are to ensure that no one else entertains her as such or sees fit to force their company upon her. Understood?"

"Not forcing and no, I wouldn't dream of it," he agreed, his hand running absently over the hilt as he did dream of a few other things instead. "Likely to be too tired to be passed," he muttered, though he was likely heard.

She assumed by his answer that he understood by taking the girl as his, he'd be responsible for keeping the other men away from her, should any of them decide to cross that line. "Well then I shall bid you a good evening." Treasure almost smiled as she dismissed him to go entertain.

"It shall be, m'am, it shall be," he agreed, turning on his heel to find her and determine for himself if Nance was right. Even if he wasn't, the girl was now his and his alone.. He considered that as he ventured below to Octavia's cabin, pounding heartily upon the door.

[Lovely]

July 28, 1740
Continues from: Permission


"It shall be, m'am, it shall be," he agreed, turning on his heel to find her and determine for himself if Nance was right. Even if he wasn't, the girl was now his and his alone.. He considered that as he ventured below to Octavia's cabin, pounding heartily upon the door.

The widowed girl had been left in her care for the moment and Octavia had seen to getting her something to eat and something to wear. Thankfully the clothes Octavia had first arrived in were a bit big on her and so they fit Josette's more ample curves much better. Josette was still quite slender but a bit more filled out than Octavia. At the knocking, Octavia called out to find out who it was. "What is it?"

Josette jumped at the sound, reaching nervously to tuck her now loose, long, curly, dark locks behind her ears. She bit at her lip, taking a deep breath to try to calm her nerves.

"I'm here to see her. Let me in," Venge called past the door. "Is she alright?" Perhaps she'd know his voice though she'd only heard him say a little.

"She's fine. Go away!" Octavia called back with some amount of sass in her tone. She unlatched the door and opened it a crack to glare at him.

Josette heard the voice through the door and her head tipped slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Is that.. the one called Corvid? The one who pulled me out of the water?"

He heard them both and smiled with a nod though he couldn't see the girl beyond Octavia. "By permission of the Captain, I'm here to see her. Now let me in," he insisted calmly.

Octavia sighed and nearly growled at him and let go of the door to allow him to enter the room. Taking a step back so she could be at the ready should he try anything... well just anything.

He stepped in and nodded his greeting to the woman in the small room with her then turned. "Now... leave me with her," he suggested plainly, raising an eyebrow at the blond girl.

"What?" Octavia asked, giving him a look that said he was crazy if he thought she was leaving. "I'm not leaving."

Josette turned so she was facing the man who came in, she swallowed as he told Octavia to leave. He'd stated he had the Captain's permission to see her and she took a deep breath, it wasn't as if she hadn't heard stories.. She folded her hands together in front of her waist and watched Venge as she waited for him to resolve things with the other girl.

"Well I'm not taking her out there, am I? Beg pardon, I mean that in every sense how it sounded," he said in a thin and quick apology to the other woman. "My affairs and hers are private and unless you have a better suggestion on making that happen...please... ?" He wasn't angry, but he was eager and his indulgences, even in conversation, weren't something he wished to have an audience for.

"It's my room.." Octavia looked from him to Josette and then sighed. "Very well." She was pouting as she left them to their 'private affairs' and went out of the cabin, closing the door behind her.

Josette simply nodded to his apology for the words as he meant them, her fingers toyed with the ring on her hand, slipping it off and setting it on the shelf. If he meant to have her, she would not be wearing her wedding ring when he did. She met Octavia's glance and just gave a single slight nod to the girl, once she'd gone Josette was left standing there... alone with Venge. She licked at her lips, her eyes fixed on him.

[Lovely]

"It's better than the black and looks well on you," he said honestly, sliding his rapier free and looking at it closely for wear and sturdiness. "What's your name? Your own, not his," he asked, glancing up from the blade.

"Josette... " She continued to watch him, but didn't flinch or move back as he took out or began to examine his blade. Josie gave him her first name only as he'd asked for hers not her husband's.

He tested the weight of the rapier and presented it to her. "Is this too heavy for you, Josette? I've saved you once it seems, but if I'm unable to do so again, you need something you can manage. Mind you, I've apparently sworn to the Captain, nearly as good as swearing before the Queen herself, that I'm to protect you forthwith, but..." He trusted her implicitly, believing she was noble enough not to run him through with it as soon as it was handed to her.

The confusion was evident on her face as he presented her with the rapier. "You did what?" She asked softly, slowly reaching for it, he seemed completely serious but was this a test? a trick? Josie let her arm adjust to the weight for a moment, lowering it down and then raising it up slowly.

He reached his hand out slowly to hers, helping her wrist with the angle and stepping behind her now that he appeared unarmed. "Like this," he said at her shoulder, showing her how to follow through with a cutting stroke, a short slice side-to-side in the air at some unseen attacker. "I asked for you. In doing so," he explained in the softest whisper by her ear. "I'm to be the only one and to keep the others from you. If you don't care to honor my service, you have my blade, m'lady." She did, and though his rapier was in her hand, he was close enough behind her to assure her, he was quite 'well armed' and prepared to fight for her.

His breath was warm and tickled over her ear. She'd expected something like what he told her so it wasn't a complete shock but part of it was quite surprising to her. Josie turned part way to look over her shoulder at him, she didn't say anything for a moment and simply stared at him. "What's your name? I heard the other man call you Corvid.. was it?"

"Victor, though most call me Venge," he grinned, staying close and watching her turn her gaze on him. "How does it feel?" He asked, meaning the rapier, of course.

She nodded, smiling just a bit. "They call me Josie.. or Jo.. though mother hated such nicknames, she kept insisting I be addressed as Josette only." He probably didn't care to know so much, the others didn't care for her to contribute to the conversation. They told their tales and she was just supposed to listen. She turned back to the blade in her hand, making the motions he'd shown her a few times before answering him. "Different.. I like it." It was something mother would never allow her to do.

"And this?" Her attention was turned to the blade and his to her neck where brushed her hair aside to bare it for a soft kiss. "It's not right that he's left you alone in this world," he sighed, sad for her loss, though he was grateful for it as well.

There was a soft but sudden inhale when he kissed her neck and it was a moment before she answered. "Also different.. and nice." The men her mother had married her off to, hadn't cared to do such things, not bothering with softness or things for her.. or whether she enjoyed it at all or even if they hurt her. As long as they had thier pleasure and satisfaction, hers didn't matter. "It wasn't his choice to leave me alone.. and it wasn't mine to marry him." She admitted softly, turning her attention to practicing the movement he'd shown her and trying not to think too much.

"Pity for all that," he remarked, running his fingers down her arm to the blade and pushing it slowly downward. "Josie, you're traveling with a band of pirates. Choice is not something you'll have much of here either, but it is with me."

"I know." She said quietly as she let him lower her hand and the blade. "Well.. I knew all but the last.. with you part." She only turned her head this time to glance at him and then looked to the front again, letting out a soft sigh. "My husband was a pirate."

"Then you know how insatiable and impatient we can be," he admitted. "I speak more for them, the others on board who might try to get past me to get to you. The question is, do I need to fight my way to you as well?"

She laughed ever so softly. "Impatient, yes. Insatiable? Perhaps when it came to loot and drink.. I can only speak of those I knew, not all pirates." The comment was sort of cold despite the laugh, directed at her prior husbands. She looked down to the floor for a moment then back to him behind her. "I have no desire to fight you, Venge. I already like you more and you've been kinder to me than any of them ever were. I will not resist if you wish to take your pleasure from me."

[Lovely]

He brushed her cheek and moved around to face her. "If your desire is not to fight, then what do you desire?" His eyes flashed a brilliant blue with promises and delight along with a brief smile of kindness. He reached to take the rapier away to free her hands.

She let him take the rapier, studying his face with a somewhat confused expression on her own. Josette shook her head a little and reached up to begin undoing the borrowed shirt. "Nothing.. mine have never mattered.."

He didn't stop her hands but he didn't stare either. He set the rapier aside and undid the scabbard and belt as well. "They matter now," he said starkly after a moment of consideration when he sat upon the cot to slide his boots free.

"Do they?" She asked softly, watching him though what he removed didn't reveal much to her. The shirt drifted away, gently laid over the simple chair that was in the small room. The next piece went with it and she stood bare in front of him.

He nodded and set his feet to the floor, reaching out for her. "They do matter to me. You don't need to do this," he said, regarding her appreciatively, though not wanting her to feel ashamed, either.

Her face scrounched up a little as her confusion showed, the expression faded to a small pout with her head tipped slightly to one side as she stepped closer to him. "But.. isn't it what you want? What you came for?" Josie licked at her lips, seeming a bit nervous now. "You don't wish to lay with me? You are not attracted to me now that you have seen me?" She motioned to herself and how she was completely exposed to him. She didn't understand, it seemed like he found her attractive, he'd said things that made her think this is what he'd wanted.. but he didn't?

"Actually, I do, very much and I am," he admitted, standing again to meet her where she stood. He'd made a promise in that sort that he wouldn't force, or hurt her. He pulled the knots on his sleeves and pulled his shirt from over his head, dropping it to the floor. "Now that I have seen, I want it even more, but as your choice, you say when and how."

She looked lost, almost bewildered as he told her it was her choice, that she was to say when and how. "I-I.." The tremble started in her lower lip and shifted down through her as she stared up at him. Her fingers flexed and clenched as if trying to find something to steady herself with. "Please.." She whispered. "I can't.. I don't know.. I've never.. It was never my choice.. I don't..." She was truly lost, she had been hardly more than a girl the first time her mother had married her off. She still was a girl really at only nineteen.

He pressed a fingertip to her lip. "Shh. Give me your hands," he said softly, reaching down for them to give her something different to clench hold of.

She blinked, falling silent as he shooshed her, some fear fading in how gently he did it. Her eyes searched his face as she brought her hands up to meet his, clutching them tightly.

He stepped back to the cot again and brought her with him, stopping just before sitting with her. "Then if you don't choose, tell me when to stop," he said, a slight tilt of his head, insistence and caution as he brought her clenched fingers to his trousers. "It's only fair,"

She looked down to where he guided her hands, her tongue ran over her lips again and she swallowed, nodding gently. Her fingers let go of his and nimbly undid his trousers for him, her finger shook a bit as she brought one hand up to touch his abdomen, tracing the contour of muscle there. slowly her hand and her gaze moved up over his chest.

He let the cloth fall to a pile at their feet and noted where the rapier was, ensuring it was within reach. Her fingers were stopped and their direction turned as he watched her eyes move upward to meet his gaze. His hand took hers, pressing downward like he had with the blade in her hand.

[[Continued on our sister site due to content]]

[Lovely]

July 31, 1740
night


He'd never known there could be such unfathomable distance on a single ship as the space between himself and her cot as he attended his assigned chores to the point of much less pleasurable exhaustion than his time spent with Josette. Though there had been moments near her over the past two days and nights, their time alone had been impossible. Now that the storms thundered overhead, sending the crew below, Victor hoped that he'd be spared the hauling of buckets and pulling of ropes in favor of soothing his aching fingers over her beautiful shoulders. He found himself pressing his hands first against her narrow door as if trying to push away her cabinmates should they already be huddled together against the roar of the winds. He took a deep breath and knocked solidly, drowned out by a clap of thunder at first, then knocked again, cursing at the storm softly for delaying him seeing her even that one second longer.

Josette had been busy with mending sails or scrubbing pots for the past few days, most everything else she had yet to learn but she'd not been the Captain's focus. Through Octavia she'd learned that the lady captain of the Opal had far more pleasant distractions, Oct had not directly spoken of anything but merely hinted and Josette was clever enough to get the idea. Josette worried about her fate aboard this ship and what it would mean when or if she was dropped off in some port, she also wondered about a certain man who had been granted permission for her company. Victor had only come to her once, the first night and since then she'd hardly seen him but for a few moments in passing here and there. Part of her worried that she'd somehow offended him or that he found joining with her so unpleasant he had not come back. Had she been foolish to allow him.. and was she foolish now for thinking of him? Perhaps she should have tried to fight him off rather than willingly allow him to bed her.. though she had enjoyed it very much.

She was running Octavia's brush through her hair when the knock at the door made them both jump and then giggle quietly. Josette was already undressed down to a shirt to sleep in, as was Octavia, the rest of the girl's clothes spread to dry a little over night.

Octavia sighed and grabbed up her dagger as she approached the door, standing close to it to speak through it. "Who's there?"

"Let me speak with Josette," he said quietly though firmly insisting and not identifying himself. Should he need to? He felt he shouldn't, not if she truly wished him to visit her. She would know his voice, he was certain.

Josette wasn't the only one who knew his voice and Octavia growled softly as she knew his visit would mean she was getting kicked out of her room again. "Victor." She unlatched the door and moved away from it, going to fetch her trousers and boots.

Josette was far happier at hearing the voice than her bunk mate was. "Victor!" Her voice sparking with delight though she reminded herself not to be overly excited at his visit or too read too much into it. She set the brush down and turned toward the door as Octavia moved away from it, trying not to rush to it or throw herself at him as soon as it opened.

His hand was still pressed against the door and it swung open as Josette spoke out his name. His attention was drawn first to the girl who gathered her things. "Stay if you want, I don't care," he told Octavia as he practically flew into the room toward Josette to enwrap her in an eager embrace.

"I'd rather not watch." Octavia quickly redressed but didn't tuck in her shirt and wrapped her belt over it. "You can stay.. I'll go sleep in your room." She started for the door and then stopped and glanced back at the couple. "Is Dominick in there?.. Even if he is, I'm still sleeping in there and you'll just have to deal with him on the morrow if he doesn't like it!" With that the fiesty little blonde headed off to find a place to rest for the night.

Josette wrapped around Victor as he scooped her into his embrace, a soft giggle parting her lips as she kissed his cheek. She seemed delighted to see him and welcomed him as if he were her sweetheart and well missed in their time apart.

[Lovely]

"I'm sure he'll be delighted," Vic mentioned in whispers as Octavia slipped away from the room, leaving them alone. His attention wasn't detered long from Josette's kiss or holding her tightly, begging for her comforts. He longed most to entangle himself with her and turned a moment to see that the door was closed tightly.

The way he held her was something she could not describe, she felt more secure and far more wanted and cherished than she ever had before. She hardly wanted to leave such an embrace or be more than a breath from him, he brought her to life where she'd felt like she was drowning on dry land before meeting him. "Shall I latch the door?" She asked softly, seeing where he looked and inspired by his visit and the feelings she got from being around him, she brushed a kiss over his ear and another against his neck.

"Latch it. I want to see you, undisturbed. The storm is a strong one. No telling how we'll weather or how much time before I'm called back. Hurry," he said, reluctantly letting go for her to attend the room.

He didn't scold her for her small act of bravery and she smiled though a tint of a blush colored her cheeks as she nodded, perhaps a little too eagerly, to his suggestion. Josette let him go long enough to scurry to the door to make sure it was secure and came quickly back to his side, she reached for him and for the laces of his shirt. "You're all wet." She spoke with budding affection evident in her voice and her gaze that strolled over the clothes that clung to him.

"You have no idea," he chuckled, helping her with his wet clothing, sure he'd catch his death if he didn't let them dry out some. He looked around, seeing some of her items strewn to dry as well as seeing that it was only a shirt she wore, scarcely covering her from his view. A wicked grin twisted his words. "What about you, hah?" His gaze lifted from the bottom of her shirt to her smokey dark eyes.

Her legs shifted slightly as she watched his eyes rove over her and she blushed just a bit darker at how much of her he could so easily see in what bit of clothing she wore. "I.. am much more dry than you are at the moment and you'll catch your death.. I'd be happy to help you warm up and keep the chill away." She could hardly believe the words left her lips but she smiled half bold, half shy and took his shirt to spread it out to dry. She picked up the cloth that she and Octavia had used to help dry them and gently wiped the water from his shoulders. She hovered close as if purposely trying to tempt and taunt him though her concern was first in getting him dry before entertaining him further. "Your pants, sir?" A smile twitched at her lips as she asked for the bottom half of his clothing.

"Are completely unnecessary," he responded, teasing her to see her blush deepen though he grabbed her hand gently with the cloth and guided her fingers downward to help him remove them. He made no secrets of his excitement to see her, placing her hand against him before taking the towel away to dry himself further."... and need -your- immediate attention," he suggested.

He was the one who placed her hand and her cheeks were very warm with the blush though for a moment she kept his gaze. She watched his face for reaction and slowly, deliberately moved her hand. Her cheeks remained flushed as she let go to work on peeling the pants away from his form.

[Lovely]

His eyes shuttered with the sensations and his hand stopped drying with the cloth he clutched to himself as the pleasant chills rattled through him. The grin remained as he whispered, "Though I believe you have a very, very good idea now." He opened his eyes only a little to see her and how she fared with with the cloth that bound him and clung uncomfortably snug where it was soaked through from the rain and spray.

Josie smiled at him as she lowered herself in front of him, peeling the wet frabric from him carefully, her eyes drawn to his excitement as it emerged. Her eyes moved over it as she was now suddenly quite close to it, she'd never viewed a man in this way.. Victor had been right about her former husband being a monkey. She was nearly mesmerized by him for a moment and when she pulled her gaze away, she blushed furiously. Her eyes darted up toward his face and then away, the tempo of her breath slightly heavier when she spoke. "Lift your foot please?" She held his boot at the ankle, ready to help him pull them off.

As requested, his foot raised and he balanced himself carefully though would not have minded falling to be caught by her. Her admiration was as clear as her curiosity. "Whatever you wish, make it so," he muttered, his permission granted for her to satisfy her curiosity any way she dreamed. "The door is closed and this time is ours," he said, answered by flash and a roll of thunder that indicated the storm was still close.

She pulled his boot free and then reached for the other, his words working around in her thoughts as she gazed up at him from where she knelt. "What if I'm not.. if I don't know how..." Her head shook and she sighed as she set his boots to the side and her hands came back to pull his trousers the rest of the way off his legs. "I'm sorry I am not what you expected.. being married three times, one would naturally assume I know well the ways between a man and a woman.. but I don't. My wish is to learn.. to be everything you desire."

He shook his head. "You are everything I hope for. I expect and assume nothing and accept graciously...," he paused and kicked the clothing away once she had his boots free. He knelt down with her and grasped at the shirt that covered her. "I don't care who you've been married to or how or why. I'm not taking them into my bed. I'm taking you."

She nodded, her gaze holding his as he came down and then for a moment longer before she looked away. ".. and I should be ashamed for letting you.. for wanting you to now.." Her eyes lifted to his and her hand rose to brush his cheek lightly. ".. but I am not ashamed for wanting you. I am only ashamed that I assumed.. expected.. because of how I was treated by them.. Please forgive me for thinking you would be cruel or hurt me?" She asked his forgiveness for her original thoughts and fears of him, before she'd had the chance to know him.

"Hush," he said, grinning though there was a sadness behind it for knowing she'd been hurt. He lifted the shirt gently and wished to slide her free from it, though he leaned to kiss her first. "Forgiven before the first kiss and every moment after."

He hushed her and she smiled at him, his grin easily pulled hers from hiding and the kiss was another delight which she enjoyed. She leaned back from the kiss, her eyes shining a bit more brightly again and she lifted her arms for him to slide the shirt from her. "You are more than I ever hoped for."

He slid the shirt upward and stood then reached to help her up. He did not wish a romp on the splintery floor, but a moment longer and he wouldn't care where they were. "Show me," he suggested, his hands held out for hers though he began to circle around her to sit on her cot.

Octavia had described a few things to her which had made Josie blush madly but as Victor teased her with his 'show me', Josie thought of those things. Her hand reached up, not for his hand but to his thigh as he circled and then sat on her cot. Rather than get to her feet or climb onto the cot with him, she stayed on the floor but came up between his knees, pushing them apart to accomidate her. "I wish to try something.."

He nearly reached to stop her, not wishing for her to engage in demeaning behavior just to please him, though he could not deny the surge of pleasure such attention brought him. His hand clutched instead to the edge of her cot as he allowed her to continue. "Mm... I wish for you to try something as much as it pleases you. It is definitely pleasing."

[Lovely]

His reaction made it worth the effort and the blush that colored her cheeks once again. "It pleases me.. to try this.." The words were whispered over him as she kissed slowly lifted herself to kiss his mouth.

As she came up to face him, she would see the slight awe behind the grin. "Try anything you want, I beg you," he said, shaking his head a little again. He regained his breath and reached his embrace around her to coax her down above him as he lay back, tangling his feet around hers.

His awe and obvious delight in her attention pulled a soft smile to her lips as she reached for more kisses. He didn't need to do much coaxing to find her stretched above him, his embrace and his skin against her skin was far more than enough temptation to pull her over him. Josie shifted herself a bit to the side so her hand could freely roam down his torso. "You never have to beg, Victor. Everything I give.. I give to you freely." She whispered and brought her mouth down to his again to seal that promise.

His breath caught again as she captured him tenderly in her grasp. What he wished to give her freely might be spoilt quickly if she attended him too well in such a manner! He clasped his hand over hers to keep her fingers still a moment as he deepened the kiss, wordlessly, breathlessly relaying his eagerness to please her as much as he wished to receive her attentions. "But I do," he insisted quietly after a moment as he turned against her cheek to whisper. "I must beg you not to hasten my demise," he chuckled. "Surround me..," he asked almost without sound as he let her fingers free to do as she wished.

She was a little breathless herself when he parted from the kiss and turned against her cheek with his quiet whispers, it was she who was now awed by the passion and tenderness in his voice. She didn't act like a frightened cat as she had the first time he suggested she be above him.

The rain had chilled him more than he'd noticed until feeling her nestle against him now and he nearly purred as he sought her kiss. "Give me your heart and your promise, Josette," he asked in his whispers.

She came down to meet his kiss, her arms curling over and somewhat around him in a closer embrace, her chest against his as she too basked in the wonder. "My heart was yours the moment we met." She whispered in return.

"Forever, Josette. I need that promise," he said, trying to get his words to leave his tongue. "Leave Octavia to Dominick, stay with me," he suggested, not wanting to be made to leave or not speak with her during their duties or to steal away to her cabin and shoo the other girl away at strange hours, though he truthfully did not care if she'd stayed.

She stared down into his eyes, shocked and estatic at once, her heart raced in her chest and she could only gasp for a moment as it sank it as to what he was asking of her. It was what drifted through her dreams, thoughts, and hopes but she'd not imagined he would ask that of her. "Forever.. I will.. I promise.." The words were seperated by soft kisses and her hands slid to cup his jaw gently.

It was no doing of her mother's choice this time that she would again be a wife, perhaps a mother, but entirely his. Victor laced his fingers in her hair to accept her kisses and deepen them once she affirmed her acceptance of what he offered.

She'd promised to be his forever but there was such freedom in that choice being hers and not someone else's. She started to laugh with the delight of it and found more with Victor's fingers in her hair and the kisses that stole her laughter and her breath.

[[continued on our sister site due to content]]