The Captain and Xzilia – Part Two.

 

It’s amazing how a story created by two writers can suddenly take on a life of it’s own.  The Captain and Xzilia; a collaborative piece – is now in it’s second installment, with a new and exciting twist of events.  Not all is what is seems.  Written over eight hours, dreamcircle125 and I are proud of the results.  Please enjoy, part two.

 

Genre – Fantasy, Vampires, Time travel, sci-fi and vampires.

 

PART TWO 

RB-  Louis stood with his arms folded as he regarded the woman who had not only taken them from the reality of the modern day world, but from the shadow realm to her own time.  It was not exactly what he had planned, but she was not exactly what she seemed to be either.  A witch perhaps?  More than a simple Vampire that was for sure.  Able to time travel as well.  This was starting to add up to a creature that was able to walk the void and beyond that.  He said nothing as he heard her fingers snap and the teeny tiny ship that had been bobbing about in the water like a cork in the bathtub was now full size and the damage that it had suffered was substantial.  

Louis groaned and slapped his palm to his forehead – dragging it down his face, before rubbing his fingers along his stubbled chin.  The woman had darted off, leaving him there to ponder all that had transpired.  With a light shrug, he found a barrel on which to sit since he figured that he wasn’t going anywhere soon in a hurry – not if this world was another of her making.  Since he had some time, he did let his eyes wander up and down the jetty.  The strong smell of sea air was a comfort, though the stench of rotting fish he could surely do without.  He reached into his pocket and took out his fob watch, unlocking the hood and checking the time.  Louis shook his head when he realized exactly what time in history they were in.  His motorcycle back at the club was bound to get impounded, if he was going to be away as long as he thought he might be.  Pity.

Seeing the woman finally return with a crew of men that all jumped to attention and acted on her orders to get the ship back to being in tip top condition, Louis cocked his head to the side, and spoke with his arms still folded.

“How exactly do you plan on paying them, lovey?  By giving them a good view of what lay beneath your skirt?”

~

DC:   A sour look went to the man and she gave a smirk. She figgled with a ribbon in her hair and looked towards the men.

“I would never allow these men to see the fruits of my body, however a hefty increase in their shillings would be nice. Because what you don’t know is that i own half this town.” She tilts her head and allows hair to flutter into her face. Eyes were a chocolate brown that glowed in the sun as she stared at him pleasantly, right now she posed no threat only showed something calm and sweet.

Looking back at the ship being repaired she raised her arms over her head and yawned. Spring weather had always made her sleepy and she rubbed her eyes to remove the tears. Groggily speaking she looked at Louis.

“Do you want to go look at the other ships in the port?”

~

RB- One thing about the change in time periods, was that Louis was now dressed as he would have been the day that he first stood behind the wheel of his ship.  It suited him a great deal better than the ordinary club attire he had been wearing at the start of the night.  In fact, you could say that he truly belonged in this era…just not this particular place.  Watching the girl fidget with the ribbon in her hair, and saying that she’d never allow  them to see the fruits of her body, the Vampire interjected.

“Yes….well, I guess they can’t be as lucky as I was to be privy to catch sight of your melons, lovey.  And…all for free, I might add.”

Louis didn’t mind at all, reminding her of the naked romp that she had done in the shadow world that she created.  But here, in this place she looked as though butter would not melt in her mouth.  He…knew otherwise.  A walking contradiction.  Pushing himself up off the barrel on which he had been sitting, he didn’t appear impressed by the wealth that she proclaimed to have.  He just dusted himself down while she raised her arms up over her head and yawned.  Was the poor dear tired?  

“And here I thought you were a night owl.  Be careful to close that pretty little mouth of yours, before something fills it.”  

Louis waltzed on past her and simply threw a remark over his shoulder. 

“Well, come on then, Queenie.  Let’s see the other ships you own.”

~

DC:   

All types of ships bob in smaller ports as she leads the sailor to the much larger area. Slowly they began to grow in size and detail and she reaches the battle ships with a smile. Turning to Louis, Xzilia swept a hand over the three she had prepared for him.

“They should be able to fit your needs, I noticed only a few cannons on your ship when i studied it earlier and I felt sad if it were to battle one of the, more, forbidding ones.” She then regarded the previous statement this man brought up and threw in the payment.

“Now, you are not one of the lucky ones. All because you seen a glimpse of this body does not mean you have seen it all. For the fact of you catching a ‘glimpse’ you will now work for me as a ship captain, attacking and pillaging some of my more annoying enemies along the sea.” 

~

RB – The boards of the wharf creaked and groaned as the pair strolled along.  By the way that Xzilla walked, he could see that she was definitely a woman of worth in this society and era.  Complete opposite to the shot guzzling beauty at the bar.  In fact, it was amusing to see her with grace and airs.  If she owned the town as she said she did, Xzilla acted like it.  All pomp and ceremony.  

Louis stood stoically when she passed her hand out to the water at a row of battleships, all armed to the teeth with cannons, and worthy of any deserving Captain.  Xzilla boldy said that they would suit his ineeds as she took the time whilst almost crushing his ship, in seeing what it bore.  They were impressive, the vampire could not deny this fact, but what he had said earlier about catching a good glimpse of her naked form, left her with a little bit of a sour taste in her mouth.  More than happy to let him know that although he had only seen a glimpse, there was more to her than met the eye.  Now, this could have brought about a flood of rude and rather suggestive series of comments that would see him going down into the gutter, but it was her next statement, that truly had him laugh loudly.

Was he to be on her payroll?  

“Me?…Work for you?”  Louis placed his splayed hand upon his chest as thought mortally offended by the very idea.  He strolled around in a circle, a real bounce in his step as he looked to the sky and chortled.  “Attacking…pillaging your ‘more’ annoying enemies?”  When did they suddenly become bosom buddies?  He twirled on the ball of his right foot, his jacket rising and spinning with him.  

“Who exactly are your enemies, Queenie?”  Were they worth the trouble?

~

DC:  She sighed heavily, she was trying to be nice to him but as a natural vampire he was full of surprises. Well, for her she may not be bloodthirsty anymore, her recent feeding had cleared and calmed her nerves, but she could still have a few tricks up her sleeves.

“Xzilia, and I have had some troubles with both Britain and France being against my – ways of the sea. Only humans can captain human ships they say, then decided to take it upon themselves to attack them.” She rolled her eyes finding even the thought of them too troublesome. She was about to explain herself more when in the background drunken cheers chimed out, a smile appearing.

“And as if in a drunken stupor your first mate comes to greet you. Would you like to see?” She turns to see a jolly crowd soon singing one of the taverns favorite songs. Xzilia’s foot taps along to the beat as the entire port begins to sing to the catchy song.

 

~

RB-  Louis was not an easy fellow to impress, and Xzilla was going to have to do a lot more than just announce that for the sight of her breasts, he was now in her employ.  Every deal required a sweetener, so to speak.  As he listened to her, it became obvious that she was truly different from the others of her time.  More like he had been, so long ago.  Did they have more in common, then first thought?  It had been hundreds of years, since Louis had been to a place like this.  In fact, the more he inhaled the scent of the sea air, the more his memory was returning to him.  Naturally, he was guarded – as he had a right to be.  This woman was more fickle than a winter storm.  Changing direction from this way to that.  

So her enemies were France AND Britain?  Xzilia sure knew how to pick her enemies.  The reasons were that the humans, as he learned were still dominant in this era – were against the supernaturals from having the right to captain ships.  Louis continued to stroke his chin, while listening.  A gruff sound coming from the pit of his belly in indignation to the ways of the fleshies.  Louis caught the eye roll by Xzilia, and this was also noted.  They did have a common enemy after all.

But the conversation was to be interrupted by the raucous sound of drunken singing, that came from the direction of the local tavern.  It was not just the tavern folk that were raising their voices either, but it appeared to be all those in ear shot.  This was turning into a musical of sorts, and the Captain let out a sigh as he stood by the toe tapping woman.

“Lead the way…Xzilia.”  Yes, he just used her name.

~

DC:   She shook her head and turned away to walk back up the shore. She listened to the singing turn to boisterous laughter and followed the only drunk female voice among the crowd. Shoving through the crowd Xzilia makes her way to the door where a pink hair woman clanks her mug with someone elses. When she spots Xzilia she grins and yanks her under her arm, holding her head tightly.

“Ya shee this gal! Shee’s the best daymn gal arwound!” Her head sways as she leans in close and whispers something into Xzilia’s ear. With a nod the woman’s head is released and she stands, fixing her hair. Looking over at Louis, Xzilia places a steady hand on the woman’s shoulder and introduces her.

“This is Louana, she was a navigator on a British ship, until she betrayed them and sunk their ship by guiding them into jagged rocks just off shore. She is a siren when provoked. I was hoping you could take her under your wing so she can get her drunk ass out of the local taverns.” With a firm yank on the womans collar Louana is forced to stand, causing her to drop her mug of spirits. 

~

RB – Trudging along behind Xzilia, the Captain wasn’t sure what to expect from the sounds of the voices raised in song.  But on opening the door, there was one that stood out from all that were swaying in time to the beat of the musician’s drum.  A pink haired lass, with tresses that went down to the very base of her back.  You could say that she was fetching, but there was something else about her that made the Captain quirk a brow.

It was her voice.  In stark contrast to that of Xzilia, she spoke as though she had salt water in her veins.  Not to mention a few litres of rum.  Louis tried to hide his amusement, when he saw the pink haired vixen take Xzilla into a head lock.  They were more than just friends, that was clear to see.  He couldn’t imagine Xzilla holding still for too long if he tried such a form of greeting.  What words were whispered between the pair, that had the pink lass start to act more formal.  Women….seriously.  Can’t understand them…no…you just can’t understand them.

Introduced as Louana, a former navigator of a British ship; Louis gave a polite nod in her general direction.  Any navigator that could drive a ship to the rocks, must know what she is doing.  NOT!  Course it had been done on purpose, for vengeance.  That part of women he DID understand.  Nothing worse than a woman’s scorn.  But when Xzilla gave the girl’s collar a hard yank and made her stand to attention, and spill the contents of her mug of grog – the Captain considered the worth of having a near drunken slush as a member of his crew.

“Hmmm.”  Louis strolled over and walked around the woman, as though he was at one of the slave yards, or cattle markets.  She had a nice arse, that was for sure.  But bums don’t navigate ships.  He needed to know she could be trusted not to run his ship aground like the British.

“Sober her up….and I’ll consider it, Xzilia.”

How she did that, was her business.

~ 

DC:  “Not the best idea, but if you will consider her that way then fine. I’ll meet you at whatever ship you choose.” Xzilia grins and tugs Louana along, who is obviously fighting against her. Eyes bugged out she knew what was to come if she grew sober now. 

“No! P-please don’t let her sober me!!” The siren pleaded, kicking her booted feet about, until they were no longer in sight anymore. The tavern however began to calm down, some people even left the area to continue on with their activities. An hour passed and the pair walked down the street, a very sore looking Louana regretted every action she did up until now. Touching such a lovely woman in such a hasty matter resulted in a heavy ass whooping to add to the vulgar liquids that was forced down her throat.

Xzilia was feeling somewhat better now, having beat the stupidity out of the stubborn siren. She felt confident Louana will get back on the sea and stop being so lazy in the taverns. Arriving at the sea port they looked for Louis, just to see what boat he decided to pick.

~

RB – Louis didn’t hang around in the tavern while waiting for Xzilla to get the navigator sorted.  He was certain she had her own methods for a quick sobering lesson, and with the turn of his boot, Louis strode out of the establishment, whistling to himself as he walked.  Most of those that had been in the tavern were now making their ways to their own jobs for the day.  It was not the kind of place that had the sailors and dock workers being drunk off their faces the whole time.  They wanted to earn their shillings, then they needed to work for it.

Now, the only thing left to do was chose a ship.  Louis was interested in one that was fast, not overloaded and huge.  So, with this in mind, he strolled along the jetty – passing numerous vessels.  It was not just frigates that were moored at the wharf, but also fishing vessels.  On the docks, there were sailors telling tales as they worked on their nets.  Laughter and of course the odd swear and cuss thrown in.  Every man had some sad song in his heart, and then of course there were the songs about the girl that they lost their hearts to.  A few threw him the odd glance, perhaps because of his attire, but Louis did have a certain way to his stride that had him appear to be more regal than the rest.

Finally, he came to be in front of a frigate that had just the right amount of sail.  A fast looking ships.  Guns of course, and a busy crew.  Louis turned and folded his arms as he surveyed the ship with a critical eye.  

“This might do nicely.”  It wasn’t new by any means.  There were a few odd battle scars, but this was a good thing. It meant that it survived whatever was thrown at it.  He glanced at the name that was engraved on a plaque on the side.

“The Devil’s Mistress.”

How appropriate.

~

DC:   “You choose the Mistress and not the Maiden? Why am I not surprised at your decision.” Louana commented aridly as she waved a hand in the air. When she approached Louis she placed her hands on her hips and leaned to put her weight on her right foot. Her eyes scanning the man that stood before her she clicked her tongue as if to expect something more to come to her. “Your suppose to be my captain? Why should I follow your lead upon the sea and not just my own wraith that calls?”

Her one good eye stared at him with the swirling of the seas whirlpools. However, she turned away and glanced at the watery mother herself and she sighed. It had been years since she was upon its rocking tides and she missed it, but she didn’t miss the commands that came with the boat. Drawing a sharp breath, and ignoring any answer this new Captain of hers had come up with, she made her way to the boat, her heels tapping the planks she walked on.

“Lets get going, all I need to show you is how I can steer right?” And up on the boat she went in one graceful leap. She meant business if it meant getting back onto the waters again and living her passion.

~

RB-  Louis was starting to prefer this girl a little more tipsy, now that she had sobered up, she was turning into a nagging nelly.  The Captain stared down his nose at her when she stood in such a fashion, as to be giving him the once over.  Hands on hips and that cocky swagger.  Great….  Just what the Captain needed.  She was like the kind of wife you kept at home.  Yes, that is what she reminded him of.  Add a few curlers, and a cigarette hanging from that pouting bottom lip – in a shapeless nightie.  Every man’s waking nightmare. The thought was enough to turn his stomach.  And he had to sail with this?

“I am just THE Captain, not your Captain, thank you very much.”  

Oh they were off to a rocky start. No wonder she was a siren.  She belonged on a rock.  Hmm, maybe he can push her onto one and then continue on with his sailing.  That made his lips curve up into a smile of sorts.  

“Because, my dear.  Your wraith might have a tendency for running a ship aground, that’s why.”

Did he need to explain everything about the lore of the sea.  One thing he knew for certain was that women on ships, was not the done thing.  That is what they had cabin boys for.  Seeing her leap up onto the ship after traipsing up the ship’s plank, he rubbed his temple.

“Its a well proven scientific fact, that women bring bad luck when they board a ship.”

Yes, he could feel it in his waters already.  This girl was going to be more trouble than she was worth.  He marched on up the plank after her, as the crew continued to load supplies.  On reaching her side, he leaned over and said.

“Do you even know where the wheel is?”

~

DC:   She rolls her eyes and they land on her ‘Captain’ before giving her usual line. “You can either have me at the wheel or staring at a map, sir. But even if your not my Captain I’ll still follow your rules.” It may be a line she says often, always being told a woman wasn’t allowed on board a ship was the same as the humans laying the law down about only humans steering ships. 

A flick of her hair and she sidled up to the wheel and leaned against it, awaiting Captain’s orders. Meanwhile, Xzilia was at a small home knocking softly on the wooden door. A man answered, looking as if he had just woke up before scowling and slamming the door in her face. Xzilia furrowed her brow in anger and knocked again, a little harder again.  Again it opened to the same man and again that same man slammed the door, but not without flashing a smirk.

“Go away Xzilia! You are not welcome!” He shouted flopping on his couch, but no was something Xzilia didn’t take. She splintered the door with a single punch, causing the young man to duck for cover, then she politely knocked with a carefree smile.

“I’m coming in anyways, I have something to discuss with you.”

~

RB-  Twirling the large signet ring upon his ring finger, the Captain could smell the scent of the Siren as she saddled up next to him.  Fair flicking and still cocky as they came.  Was this some sort of joke on Xzilla’s part to put this woman on his ship, with an important job no less?  He had to wonder just what was said between the two, in between dunking Miss Pink’s head in a vat of ice cold water to sober her up fast.  Louis’s lips thinned as the girl was simply not going to go away.  The words…”shark bait” kept creeping into his mind.  All these wicked ideas of how to dispatch her from the ship in the most hedonistic ways possible, were now his only source of entertainment.

The crew were now pulling up the gang plank and readying to bring up the anchor, as well as untie the ropes that kept the ship moored to the wharf.  Truth be told, he didn’t have a freaking clue where they were, as far as location.  He needed to see a map before he could even give orders.  Taking out an eyeglass, he extended it and then scanned for the outlet to the ocean.  

“Bring her about and have her make for open waters.  I’ll be in my cabin checking the maps.”

“Aye aye, Captain.”  A first mate gave a salute of sorts and starting barking orders at the crew.  This gave Louis the chance to go and see what state the Captain’s quarters were in, and also to find out just what stocks of blood were kept on board.  Or did they have bodies down below.  He walked silently past the siren and made his way down the stairs, to head for his cabin.

~

DC:   The sails dropped and the boat had a sudden jerk as it caught a strong wind. Spinning the wheel sharply Louana misses an incoming boat by a hair and snickers as she watches her dear Captain almost loose his footing. However she was only running on half visibility and still was in the busy port. Navigating through the tight spots of the boats to get to the precious open waters, but eventually they reach then and she whistles for the Captain.

“Captain, the open waters await you. That and one massive French battle ship…” She shouts as the glitter of the ships sails insignia comes to view. If she could remember right they attacked the city last week, were they trying to surprise them again?

Flipping up her eye patch she counted the numbers against them, one ship and about 300 men on top and stored below. About 50 cannons, the front equipped for ramming, it was a monster to any normal boat and crew. As the ship grew nearer she heard the city sirens echo behind her and she grinned with excitement, her captain better hurry before she takes matters into her own hands.

~

RB-  The Captain had been on his way to his cabin, when the ship was caught in a heavy turn of the wheel – sharp enough to almost make him lose his footing.  His head instantly looked skyward, as he wondered what in blazes that girl was up to.  Turning on his heel, he bolted back up onto the deck, only to see the girl steering her way between other vessels and taking the ship out of the inlet.  What awaited them however, was a ship that was flying the French colours.. And not just any ship, but one of the Royal fleet.  Grasping the side railings of the ship, he growled under his breath.  That ship was one that was well built, armed with as many as fifty cannons and a large crew of hardened sailors.

He felt like he had not even been in the ship an hour, and it was already about to be tested of its might in battle.  Louis pushed himself off the railing, and barked orders for the crew to prepare to face the enemy head on.  He took the stairs, two in his stride as he made it up to the ship’s helm.

In the background, the city was on alert of the oncoming threat.  Loud wails coming from the shore and the docks.  It was as if the whole thing had been planned.  No wonder Xzilia was no where to be seen.  The Captain grabbed the wheel, near knocking Louana from her feet, as he tried to get the ship to pitch to the right.  A full on ramming would do neither ship any good.  

“Arm the cannons!”  He roared.

~

DC:   She stumbled some and growled, but took nothing back as she flipped down her eye patch. Looked as though she wasn’t going to show her skill and therefore she went off to help the crew. She steadied one of the cannons as it rolled up and had one of the others take hold as she loaded one other. 

The France ship kept a steady speed as you could hear the men hoot and holler their war sounds. Louana smirked solely to herself as she steadied another cannon.

“Cannons ready captain!!” She shouted as the ship sped towards them. At the moments before the cannons fired she enjoyed the most. Her lungs filled with salty air and the breeze that lifted off the water sang to her sense. A power rang deep within her soul and right when the cannons rang out she began to sing.  Her voice caused the France ship to jerk to the side, making both the perfect target and a few men to go overboard.

~

RB-  With the ships coming alongside each other, thanks to the Captain’s good steering, his order to arm the guns came to herald the opening fire of many a cannon, with Luana manning one of them.  Cannon smoke became a mask of sorts, as some of the crew swung across to the French ship to begin cutting down the french sailors were they stood.  Massive blast holes caused shrapnel and splintered wood to fly in all directions, some becoming embedded in the bodies of those fighting on the opposite ship.  The water was turning to the colour of blood, as the fighting picked up on the French ship.  The Devil’s Mistress was certainly keeping true to her name, as the Captain withdrew his cutlass and reached for the nearest rope on the side of his ship.

“Take the wheel!”  He ordered Louana, and then swung across the sea between the two ships, to join the fighting with his crew.  They say a Captain should never leave his ship, but on this occasion he was not about to let his crew have all the fun.  

On landing, he skillfully wielded his sword and cut a man across the stomach – the sailor dropping forward and his guts falling out on the clean deck below him.  The scent of fresh blood flowing, only heightened the Captain’s senses, and he went on to take up swords against another – this time an officer.  The two swords raised and clashing with the hum of steel.  It was a sight to see Louis in his element.

~

DC:   Louana did as told; she stopped her singing and reacted to the captains words. However, now the enemy ship was able to move as the open sails reacted to the wind. It thrust forwards a bit and Louana shifted the wheel to avoid unnecessary collisions.  Somehow though the ship had a mind of its own when those sails were open. She had two choices, avoid unnecessary accidents or take care of the enemy sails. 

She decided to do both and called out for a sailor for assistance and she spun the wheel to avoid the ship once more. Demanding the man to scour the enemies sails above she sent him off.

Meanwhile, Xzilia found herself arguing with the man in his living room. She demanded to speak with him and his daughter and he was fussing over the door. All the while a small girl, not any older than 10, stood in the doorway with wide eyes. She watched her father argue with some woman and she was thoroughly confused, until she seen the woman’s face and shook her head.

“Hey!! Shut up you old farts!” Her voice rang loud and she crossed her arms, tapping her toes in anger.

~

RB- The sound of the blade as it pierced right through a man’s skull would be a sound that you would not ever want to hear again.  It was a wet crunching sound, and when added to the sailor’s dying screams the combined effect was spine chilling.  Louis reefed back his blade as another fell to the deck in a bloody heap.  Eyes practically hanging out of their sockets – staring outward at nothing.  The Gods would gain many a soul this day, if none did not make their way to Hell first.  The French ship lurched and pitched heavily as the man at the wheel was trying to make his ship collide with the Devil’s Mistress.  The Captain vanished in a black haze before appearing behind the wheel’s man and bit down savagely into his neck – the shock of which had the man release the wheel from his grasp and madly try to put his hands around behind him and stop this vicious assault.

No sooner had the ill fated sailor tried this ill advised move, did the Captain snap his neck in two and drop him to the ground.  The pirates from his own ship, were doing a damn fine job in giving the frenchies what for – bloodied bodies laying strewn across the deck, their finery of uniform now tainted with their own blood.

Next thing the Captain knew, the sails of the French vessel were coming under attack, and this would only serve to cause the ship to lose its power in the water.  Without the sails, they were a sitting duck.  The guns continued to fire between the two ships, and the damage was considerable.  Only one would survive the onslaught, but which would it be?

~

DC:   Leaning heavily on the wheel Louana steadied herself between the jerks of the colliding cannons and dodging the ship. Only when the sails were torn could she stop worrying, but she wasn’t out of the clear. Sitting beside this ship made them easy targets for the blasphemous cannons, a great amount more powerful. 

 

Without any orders, which was strongly against what she lived for, she steered the ship forward and around to the back of the French’s. No threats seemed to come from here as she rested; she seemed oddly weak for just sitting behind a wheel. Something wet trickled down her leg and she chuckled, not even needing to look at the wound. Checking off her vital signs she found no need to remove the large splinter in her side and the smaller ones in her left leg.

 

“What a fine experience for my first time on sea in years.” She shook her pink hair and hefted a heavy sigh as she listened to the chaos of war. Yet from back here she wouldn’t know when they would need her. Stepping from the wheel she walked to the front of the boat and watched up the side of the French’s boat.

 

~

RB-  Loius thundered along the deck like a man possessed.  Any crew man that was in his path of destruction, soon met with their maker, as his sword made short work of them.  Slashing with supernatural force, that sent blood flying.  The deck was now awash with the blood of french sailors, and the Captain of the French ship was now backed into a corner.  Three against one, as most of his crew were either fighting to save their own lives, or dying off like flies.  The Captain dropped to his knees, speaking rapidly in a language that many of the Devil’s crew did not understand.  Louis came through the throng like the sea itself was parting in the wake of a great animal.  He stared the man down.  What a coward to not fight for his life, and instead wait for death to come…on his knees, like a woman.  Louis spat at the man.  Blood of his own crewmen mixed in with the foul saliva, that drenched the French Captain’s face.  Grovelling like a beggar on the streets, he crawled on his knees to Louis.  Babbling in french about his wife…his children.  His home.  Louis cared not for this man, and grabbed him by the scruff of the hair of his head, and drove his sword deep into the man’s neck.  It was a cruel and horrible way to die, the French Captain jerking and going into shock, as his lungs filled with blood.  Soon blood was pouring out of his mouth, and his nostrils, till Louis released him.  The French Captain fell back as Louis stepped on his chest and withdrew his sword with one powered jerk of his hand.

With the French Captain dead, the crew fell away from the cannons….the battle was lost.  Louis held his blooded sword up over his head and roared in triumph, a sound that would carry across the waters….all the way back to Xzilia.

~

DC:   Xzilia’s head raised to the sky and she smiled, he had done his part, he was worthy of her heart. She chuckled and looked back to the two before her, shaking the daughters hand politly.

 

“Please, Miss Xzilia, pass our good word to the captain that has defeated our enemy. If he needs skilled marksmen we will gladly be of assistance to him.” The girl bowed her head and shut their newly fixed door. Xzilia nodded her head and made her way to the port to see the ship in the distance.

 

Louana smiled small as she went back to the wheel and sailed the ship around again. Stopping, she looked at the mass bodies littering the French ship as the crew began to load back onto the ship. 

 

“You sure have out done yourself Captain, was it fun?” She noticed he was covered in blood, what a stupid question to ask her captain.

~

RB-  The words and tales of Louis had not been heard for nearly four hundred years.  Though in the modern era, he had no ship, nor crew to call his own.  He was a traveller.  Born of a different time, and belonging nowhere.  This moment however, as he wiped the blood of the French Captain off his sword, with the flag of the French as a rag, he was once again in his element.  He took a moment to inhale sharply, so he could savor this win for what it was worth.  All around the fallen were now massive piles of corpses that would be picked apart by the scavengers of the sea.  The Captain was about to disembark before swinging back to his own ship, but not before setting down a torch that had the French ship burst into flame.  It was like a tinder box on the seas, and its flames would be seen far and wide.  Dare anyone to mess with the Captain and his crew and they would soon see themselves at the bottom of the ocean blue.

The Captain landed back aboard his own deck with a dull thud, and the roar of the courageous crew met his return.  They had casualties, but nothing that rivaled their french counterparts.  

Hearing Louana speak over the top of the din, asking if he had fun since he had out done himself, the Captain stared down at her as though she had something weird between her eyes.

“Bring on the next ship of lily livered bastards…I’m ready.”

~

DC:   She chuckled, as much as she was begging for fun she was also begging for medical help. But not daring to disobey her Captain she steered the speeding ship further out to sea. They were leaving safe waters, out at the open the waters are more dangerous and it wasn’t just the ships. Legends be told of Louana’s old crew sailing the waters around the city. A ghastly ship that outnumbered any ship on the seven seas. They would more likely attack if they knew Louana had taken to the sea once more.

 

A wave crashed into the side and she gritted her teeth to keep it on course. The ship rumbled its protests, the holes drinking in water that the crew hurriedly tossed out. Were they in any shape to take on another boat? She glanced at her captain, was he prepared to lose his ship so soon? She shook her head and steadied the violently rocking mass of wood, spinning the wheel to ride with the waves. She flipped up her eye patch and scanned the sea for targets.

 

“Captain, I do not see a soul on the waters. Should we venture further?”

 

~

RB-  The Captain took out his eyeglass, as she took off her eye patch.  The pair of them both staring in the same direction.  Only for a moment did he actually let his hand lower, to cast his eyes back down at the girl, who was bleeding all over the deck.  Not exactly a wise thing to do right next to a vampire…Siren or not.  He shook his head a little to snuff out any desire to feed on her.  Really, he was covered in more blood than what was on the deck.  Still, she had a nice allure to her smelling the way she did.  Louana was right of course, the seas were deserted.  All hopes and thought put into using just one heavily armed ship, as opposed to a fleet.  Reckless and foolhardy were words that he would use to describe the French Admiral’s folly.  Snapping closed his eye glass, he spun his finger and gave the order.

“Back to port.  Guess we gotta patch up the ship….and some of the crew.”  Was this a touch of humanity, seeping out from the Captain’s own wounds?  Nah.  He was a bastard and everyone knew it.  It was why he was the Captain.

“Well, go on.  Turn her around.”  Louis grumbled, then made a lip smacking sound.  “And…get your leg looked at.  Before I bite it off.”

He then left the helm to her watch.

~

DC:   Louana almost giggled, but gave a smile when he made such a comment. Violently spinning the wheel she lead the ship back to port and was relieved to see the finest medics waiting. She and the rest of the crew filed off, helping wounded along the way. Louana stayed seated on a nearby crate just off to the side as someone wiggled free the smaller splinters in her leg. Somebody else would have to tear out the larger one, nobody dare attempt to try. She spotted her captain and quickly got up, ignoring the pain of having a splinter rip from her leg. 

 

“Captain! How did I do? Would you accept me as part of your crew?” She may be a bitch on the sea, but she was eager to sail upon it. Being this eager may get her denied, but she had – other annoying ways of getting the job. Even if she had to use bloody measures and starve the man, maybe even leave him on the brink of death, whatever it took for him to accept her on the boat.

 

~

RB-  The ship was now moored back at the docks, and the sound and commotion from both those on the wharf, and those getting carried off was enough to make a man want to stuff his fingers in his ears.  Louis strode around the deck, pushing the odd french body over the side as he did so.  The large splash being heard now and again as he cleaned his ship of french filth.  Course, his thoughts would be interrupted by that pink haired siren yet again.  She was a persistent little thing.  Great hunk of a splinter clattering to the deck as someone had tried to prize it out, and she managed to do it herself, just by getting off a box.

Louis placed his hands squarely upon his hips and regarded the girl again with that critical eye.  Yes, she did manage to keep the ship from being blown apart, that was one good thing.  Didn’t bitch and moan about being hurt.  Carried on her duties while making a mess of the deck.  He’d seen men act more girly than this woman.  As much as he hated to admit it, she’d done a bang up job.  Maybe this whole…curse of women on a ship was just a fable after all.

“You be on trial.  Say, a month. Then, after that…we’ll talk.”  It was as good as she was going to get, in fact, this was the most generous he had been to anyone.

~

DC:   Eyes widened and a wave of shock washed over her, she passed the first test and impressed the un-impressible. She may not have gotten a straight forward yes, but she didn’t get a no either. Without thought she grabbed the mans face and pulled him to her, delicate and soft lips pressed against his as she gave him an unforgettable kiss. Pulling away she now looked like a wreck as she whispered her words.

 

“Thank you sir…” And she fell to the ground, raspy breathing and fast heartbeat, the blood loss put her in shock as medic carried her away. A few crew mates whistled at the captain and patted his back, getting a kiss from that siren was damn near impossible. Even if she was in a drunk stupor you couldn’t even get her into bed.

 

~

RB-  The last thing that Louis ever expected this woman to do, was grab his bloody face and plant a kiss on his lips.  Delicate and soft like being touched by a feather, only it felt a whole lot nicer than a feather.  In fact, the Captain completely forgot himself for the moment.  His eyes wide in surprise but those eyelids of his fell as he returned the kiss.  It was only when she pulled away and he heard the roar of the crew.  A mixture of emotions riddled his face, and he looked…embarrassed.  That was until she fell to the ground at his feet.  

“Yes…*grumble*…Hmmph.  Get back to work you dogs!”  He barked at the other members of the crew, who were still enjoying the Captain’s moment.  He watched her being carried away by a few of the medics that were on hand from the wharf.  Only when she was down off the ship, did he turn away and place his fingers up to his lips.  

Being kissed by a siren….well that was a notch on his belt.

~

DC:   Xzilia was posted a few yards away as she watched the men fix his old boat. Was this worth her time? She had seen the kiss, Louana was far more fetching than she was. Looking down at herself she sighed and stared back at the boat. A worker came over and conversed with her, there were some problems getting the main mass to stay in place; they were fixing it outside of their normal area.

 

Agreeing to help she pushed herself from the barrel she was leaning against and followed the worker up to the boat. A few men struggled to keep it from swaying, but when Xzilia took hold it was in solid place.

 

“Get this thing sturdy before my arms give way!!” She shouted and they immediately scurried about to fix the mass in place. After the hardware was finished all they had to do was add ropes and sails. 

 

Xzilia removed herself from the boat and headed back to the barrel to think. She had so many questions and concerns in her head that now she didn’t know what to do.

 

~

RB-  Louis came down the gang plank with his boots still covered in the blood from battle. In fact, he was caked with it.  Splattered across his face crudely, even dotted through his hair.  Here was a man that lived and breathed to fight, only in the modern world, they were not ones to celebrate such a man.  He’s most likely be locked up for life.  Xzilla stood out like a sore thumb against the backdrop of all the others that were going about their duties on the wharf.  She was heading to a barrel for some reason, the Captain knew not why.  Louis came up behind her and coughed loudly.

“So…got rid of one of your enemies, Xzilia.”  Louis said, brushing his blooded hand back through his disheveled hair.  Lowering his hand, he regarded her for a moment.  She didn’t look all cocky and stuck up like before.

“What’s eating you?”

Louis folded his arms and awaited her answer.

~

DC:   She didn’t even hear him come up behind her, but when he coughed it only made her heat race as she gave him a short and sour look. She felt proud that he rid of one pest, get the word out about us having a new captain. But when he mentioned her attitude she looked towards the boat for an excuse.

 

“I was sitting here watching these men, they may be following the framework of your old boat but none of it is correct. I was pondering on how to fix this problem at hand, then I thought about it…we stain the wood with the death and blood it ever so craves.” She may have spoken those words, but she didn’t entirely believe them. 

 

Looking back she wondered why she so hastily decided that he was to work for her and then be greedy enough to claim him as hers. He could down right hate her right now and only be putting up with her because there was no way back to the modern world; even though her city was only a few years behind.

 

She leaned against the barrel and crossed her arms, how was it that this all started. She could have easily let him have his way at the parking lot, let him do what he wanted. Then she could have been on her merry way and so would he, but there was something about him that made her want to introduce him to her home, her world. It was his inner self calling and craving for the action. She took it upon herself to give him what he wanted without even asking his permission, she was selfish.

 

~

RB-  :”Bullshit.”  One word.  Oh, he listened to her muddle on about how she had been watching the crew and the way they were following the framework of his old boat, but there was not an ounce of truth to what she was saying. It was like listening to the Secretary of State address the media about the latest bill.. Utter bullshit.  “That has to be the first time I have ever heard you lie.  And to my face.”

He was right, she knew he was right.  Why?  It was all in the way she held herself, her body language speaking volumes.  Louis reached for her arm and turned her so she had to face him.  Had to stare up into those dark eyes that narrowed as he gained focus.

“You were in such a rush to make me a Captain.  I was to be…under your employ.  Controlled by you.”  These words might seem harsh, but often the truth was brutal.  “THEN you go and put a bloody siren on board.”  He gestured to where the siren had been taken by the medics.  She had to have seen the pink haired minx kiss him.  The bloody crew made enough noise afterwards to wake the dead.

“If you think…for one moment I am interested in that pink haired waif….think again.”

There…he said it.  How would she react?

~

DC:   What? What did he mean then, if he wasn’t interested in her? No, this was not settled just yet and she glared coldly at this man and jabbed her finger into his chest.

 

“Don’t YOU lie to me, if you were not interested in her you shouldn’t he returned the kiss. Nor acted like you enjoyed it.” The thought of this man playing around with Louana’s feelings, made her rage boil out of control. There was no denying anything when you witness everything, she wasn’t stupid.

 

Releasing herself from his grasp she had to back away and cover her face, weakness is not an option and when she looked back she was blushing and almost crying. What was wrong with her? What did she just get into this time?!

 

“We are not toys to be played around with…” She had to get out of there or everything would be shattered, the backed away and then turned and ran.

 

~

RB-  Feeling each prod that Xzilla made with her finger to his chest, was like a bird pecking at a silver backed gorilla.  It wasn’t that he didn’t feel it, it was seeing how her face flushed a dark crimson.  Those eyes, they were cold as ice but it was the heart inside of her.  Twisting and getting in a knot.  SHE WAS JEALOUS!

He opened his mouth as though to say something in reply as she ranted, but was quickly made to shut it again when she accused him of acting like he enjoyed it.  The girl was a siren.  Her kisses were unlike anything that was on God’s earth.  Of course he felt the tingle that one gets, but it didn’t mean he took it as a fancy.  He’d been berating the girl the entire time.  Even having a go at her and one point near knocked her flying.  Seeing Xzilia this worked up, to the point that she looked to be in tears had Louis look completely bewildered.  Women were so…bloody confusing.

“We are not toys to be played with.”  Her final words on the matter, as she backed away, as though trying to flee. THIS was a whole new side to Xzilia.  Vulnerability.  It was shocking to say the least.

“I didn’t damn toy with her….Xzilia…you’re being foolish.”  His words seemed lost to her, but as she ran from him he snarled and then vanished from where he stood, only to appear right in front of the direction she was running.  She could well run straight into him.

“What do I have to do to prove it?!”  He roared, before grabbing her face roughly and kissing her as hard as he possibly could.

~

DC:   And that she did, colliding with his massive chest. She was stunned by his sudden appearance but even more so when he grabbed her face. She was barely able to utter a word when he kissed her, and at first she was confused, but she squeezed her eyes shut and wrapped her arms around his neck as she began to cry. Her kisses may not be as pleasant, but they were sweet per say and conveyed all of her emotions.

 

Time didn’t just seem to stop; she made it halt in its place when their lips met. It was like she was flying in a whirlwind of her own foolish emotions and love it. 

Nothing could ruin this, even the way he seemed to get angry with her nearly pulled her heart from her chest. When they finished she caressed his cheek before dropping her arm and turning all flustered. It truly happened, in over 5 billion years she had her first kiss with a man she truly cared for.

 

Looking up at his tall stature she would listen to anything he had to say before she herself commented an I’m sorry.

 

~

RB- There wasn’t so much anger in the kiss, more frustration at her actions that led him to have to be bold in a move to stop her.  Yes, his lips could easily bruise hers, but it was the muffled sobs that came in between each time he took a breath that he started to realize that she actually wanted this.  Wanted it more than a woman could want anything.  Her arms wound their way around his neck tightly, as though afraid to let go of him.  How long had it been since she surrendered to what was her own true desires.  To be treated like the woman that lay beneath the cool exterior.  Louis had managed in an instant, to peel back her layers till she was completely raw…practically emotionally naked.  Only when her arm came around so that she could run her fingers down his cheek, did he see the true woman behind those cold eyes.

Her words of being sorry were met by a reaction, not more words. He scooped her up so her feet were no longer on the ground, and this time he kissed her as a lover might.  It was what she needed….and maybe he did as well.  He may have kissed a siren back before, but kissing Xzilia was the greatest gift a man could ever get.  Louis placed her upon the barrel, though her legs might well be wrapped around him.  He only broke the kiss, to rest his forehead to hers.

“Don’t ever run from me again….”

~

DC:   It was all bliss, she expected something sly or rude to come from his mouth but what happened was even better. He made her fly and brought her back with a loving and tender kiss. Hands cupped his face and hair slithered down her shoulders as they rested their foreheads together.

 

“Don’t ever run from me again….” Hopefully she wouldn’t have to, no, there was no hopefully because she wont ever have to. He may be just as cold as she is on the outside, but they are the same inside. Lusting, at least she was, for another to call her own. Someone no one would take from her unless they wished for death, it was all a dream come to reality. 

 

She traced his lower jaw and hummed a happy tune, a Celtic song of legend love. Having her finger rest on his lips she had a thought come to mind and she looked him in the eyes some. Taking the finger to her lips she gouged it with a tooth and traced his lips once more hoping he would accept her gift. Hoping he would become hers fully.

 

~

RB-  No one could ever say that Louis had a romantic bone in his body.  Yet when the moment came to silence Xzilia, he was able to do so in a way that brought about not only tears but unbridled joy.  Had he expected that she would react to his kiss…the second one with such happiness?  The woman practically radiated it.  From the cold of her touch, she soon warmed, as though basking in the rays of a dying sun.  The sounds and voices of those that went on with their work dulled out to nothingness, as the pair were only hearing the other.  Louis actually closed his eyes when he heard the faint tune of a Celtic song of love.  Old as time itself.  His eyes only opened when he watched her bite her only finger – enough to draw blood.  This same blood she traced along his lips.  Wetting them till they were as crimson as her own.  He gazed at her, without word.  Only to run his tongue along his lips and taste the absolute sweetness of her gift.  He may have been kissed by a siren, but this…this was by far a greater prize.  Watching him.  He actually started to change, as the blood ran throughout his veins.  Awakening him and even making him appear a little less ragged and worn.  Like the fountain of youth, her blood was like the key to the ultimate prize.

Only then, did he show something that could be considered a genuine smile.  Set against his weathered features, it was unique as it was handsome.

Louis may not have realized it at that moment, but he was now hers….for eternity.

~

DC:   “Well look at this pair of birds, the annoyance of Xzilia actually bewitched a man?” The sharp and annoying sounds of a particular man ruined her happy thoughts. A scowl formed as she looked at Thomas and his daughter, apparently about to shop.

 

“Oh my! Is this the captain you spoke so highly of?!” His daughter grinned and rushed over to shake his hand. She was not from this time, but had her best in showing she was. And you could tell her color was yellow of any shade.

 

As her father teased Xzilia to extents unknown his daughter praised the Louis a little too happily.

 

“We are really grateful you kill those men with no mercy. I don’t know if Xzilia was able to tell you, you two seemed to be doing other loving things, but we are skilled marksmen. At least my father is a marksmen and I’m a scout. What I am saying is we are both highly skilled with guns.”

 

 

~

RB-  Louis only pulled away from Xzilia on the sound of a man’s voice as he approached the pair.  Talk about bad timing.  The vampire Captain and his lady were enjoying a quiet and private moment, only to have this buffoon spoil the scene.    it didn’t take much for Louis to see that Xzilia was just as annoyed if not more so than him.  

Before he knew it, a young girl was boldy trying to shake his hand, whilst gleefully asking questions as to if this was the Captain that Xzilia had spoken of.  Louis’s eyes darted back to Xzilia with shrouded annoyance, before looking back at the girl and allowing her to shake his hand, before withdrawing it and letting it fall to his side.

“How did you know what had happened on board my ship?”

It was a reasonable question.  What happened out in the bay had not been relayed word for word, though the young girl acted as though they had been on the ship went the massacre took place.  It was almost as though the girl was trying to sell herself – as in explaining what she and her father were and how that made them useful.  To who?  Certainly not Louis.

“Why are you telling me all this?” 

Louis raised a brow, his suspicions now on high alert.  The young girl’s eagerness was in contrast to her father’s jibes at Xzilia.

~

DC:   “Oh, I know everything that happened on that ship. I’m clairvoyant and Xzilia came to me earlier today to ask me to watch you.” She chuckled softly and answered his second question. “Plus, before we came to this era, my father was once a sailor. He didn’t do much but pillage the sea for his own gains. Then by force he ended up here. There is a lot of boring details but the reason I’m telling you this is maybe you could accept us as crew mate too!”

 

She may have been bold and acting beyond her abilities, but if it was to see her father happy instead of always fighting she would take the chances. As she was talking with Louis, Xzilia was doing something less cheerful.

 

She rubbed the bridge of her nose, arguing for Thomas to leave. Obviously he was having more fun than he thought and he wasn’t going to back down. He laughed darkly and ruffled her hair, skillfully and purposefully pissing her off. His daughter paid them no mind until she noticed the shadows pouring off Xzilia. A roar of anger possessed her and she stamped her foot as a scythe rose form the ground.

 

“I told you to LEAVE!!” She went after the laughing idiot, swinging and slashing at his running backside. His daughter gasps and called after him to stop, running off too. After a few moments of that Xzilia reappears from the shadows annoyed. “I am sorry Louis, so very , very sorry.”

 

~

RB- It was like experiencing something that you would see only on Jerry Springer.  People that came out of nowhere and started to mess with Xzilia, and of course, the ever chipper daughter talking up her father and his qualities.  Why could Louis sense that the pair of them would be even more trouble to him then Louana?  A sixth sense perhaps.  What bothered him most was that Xzilia had asked the girl to watch over him on the ship – like a second pair of eyes, to see how he performed in the course of duty.  He didn’t know whether to be extremely mad at this, or to think that she actually cared about how he acted on the high sea. Enthusiasm was one thing, but it was the father’s behavior towards Xzilia that really pissed him off.  Going as far as to play with her hair, like he was familiar to her.  Had Xzilia herself brought them from another time to this one, just as she had him?

Questions were starting to form in his mind, and none of them he liked.  He had just opened up to her in a way he had not with a woman in hundreds of years.  He tasted and accepted her gift….now this?

Seeing her run off after the man with her scythe slashing and swinging at the running man, Louis folded his arms angrily.  The girl gave chase, forgetting why she was even there, it seemed.  Only when Xzilia appeared out of the shadows, and offered repeated apologies, did Louis speak.

“Care to explain what the hell that was all about?”

Xzilia might have been annoyed, but Louis was far more.

~

DC:   “Yes, I will. You see I was in the future way before your time and was trying to travel back here, drunk off blood and the fact that I was a wanted felon. I wound up about a few years behind and was taken in by his daughter, who was basically raising herself. Spent a year there recovering from a time travel mishap when she admitted to me of her power. She was expecting me and therefore wanted me to bring her along. Well, at the last week of me staying I got so annoyed with her nagging I agreed, that was also when her father decides to show up out of the blue. He notices a giant time hole in the air, his daughter holding some strangers hand, and the fact of us walking though. Following us he wound up here on an extremely hateful term with me, his daughters explanation cooled his head to where he has to annoy and ruin my life but we have never been on good terms.”

 

As she spoke her shadows slowly dissipated and she calmed, as she walked to lean on a barrel her clothes changed without warning and turned into the ones she wore when she was leaving the bar. This meant either trouble was near or she was hungry. Xzilia talked about how a warp hole opened and that she did, right in front of her she subconsciously opened a time hole. A rough wind blew about whipping up debris and her hair and coat.

 

~

RB-  Listening to Xzilia with a raised brow, it was now becoming clear that she was nothing short of extraordinary.  The fact that she was able to transport herself and others to another dimension in time and space meant she was a time traveler – the kind that was only spoken about in legends.  Louis had his own secrets, and trinkets that he had gained along the span of his un life, but it did not compare to what Xzilia was.  Did it change the way that he felt about her?  No, it did however clear up some of the questions that he had in his mind.  Being a vampire as long as he had been, he had stayed youthful for so long, but his mind and his cold heart were old…very old.  She was far older.    At least now, the annoying little girl and her father were no longer bothering them, since Xzilia had scared the chap off with her scythe.  He could hardly blame her for the way she acted, he was far from amused at their familiarity.  

As he was about to speak, Xzilia changed in her appearance – to the very same clothing that she was wearing when he first met her.  Why did she change?  The answer to that came quickly afterwards, with the opening of what must have been a time portal.  Wind blew about them both, and as he watched her hair flying about, her coat lifting and falling with the wind gusts, he could see she was about to leave him.

Did she bring this about on purpose, or did this time not have what she needed.  Louis went to reach for her, just as a powerful wind blew him back and he tumbled to the ground out of her reach.

~

DC:   She looked at him snapping out of a trance when he went tumbling. Not something that usually happened, shew wanted him with her but then again she wanted to surprise him with another gift. She smiled lovingly and whispered the tree magic words through the wind. She would be back in an hour, all he had to do was watch for the hole as she entered and it closed.

 

The wind ceased and she walked the silent black void of the Shadow Whisper, it had been awhile since she did this. Xzilia arrived at a particular time in an ally, a few minutes after she Louis followed inside the club. Eyeing Louis’s bike she made her way over to it and inspected it closely, nothing too complicated it could travel well. Placing her hand on the seat she shrank in into keychain size and picked it up. 

 

Before she left however, she eyed to two beefy bouncers and found her stomach growling in pain. “Food, they will be food for giving me sarcasm…” And she made her way over, not even luring them completely into the back ally of the club. She gouged out their throats before they turned the corner, and covered in their blood she headed back in time.

 

~

RB-  And just like that she was gone.  Louis could hardly believe it.  He scrambled to his feet, and ran a few steps but there was nothing there.  The portal had closed and left him in this time, while she was off….somewhere, doing God knows what.  “Well shit.” he swore, raising his arms up and slapping them down against his side, before running his fingers through his hair once more.  This was when he remembered that he was still covered in blood.  He actually raised an arm and he reeked.  Louis’s face crinkled up as it wasn’t all that pleasant.  With the girl and her father gone, and of course no sign of Louana.

Not knowing how long Xzilia would be, or if she would return, Louis decided he needs to bathe, but where?  In this day and age, it was not like they had bathrooms.  Or even if there would be something he could use on the ship.  Thinking for a moment, he then remembers the tavern.  Maybe they had a wash room there, if he paid.  Course, he had money, so that was not an issue.  With the ship now being worked on, and no need to rush off and fight any more frenchies, he decided to go back up to the tavern and have that much needed wash.

Reaching the tavern, he spoke to the inn keeper, who pointed out where they had a copper bath.  In the room, a young servant girl was ordered to bring heated water from a large kettle out the back.  It would take a while to fill, and Louis took off his clothing behind a screen tossing them onto a chair, where they would be taken to be washed.  Coming out as naked as the day he was born, he stepped into the tepid waters, and sank down  till he was now leaning back with his arms hanging over the sides.

~

DC:   Walking back across the black void she found that bubbles were floating up around her. Feeling strange she tried to take a breath only to have lungs filled with water. Freaking out she basically swam to the other end and burst through the surface of the water coughing and hacking over the side. Where the blazes did she end up??

 

After catching her breath she noticed where she was and her eyes widened, knowing exactly where she was now cause her to whip her head to the side and notice she was between the legs of Louis and his smug little face.

 

“Jezzus!!” She shouted and fell out of the tub, smacking her head with a loud crack. Growling in pain she curled into a little ball so she didn’t have to look at Louis. “I brought…” The rest was mumbles. Not only was she soaked but the clothes and blood clung to her as if to say don’t let us go.

 

~

RB-  It is the oddest thing to have the water suddenly have bubbles popping as though he had just let one rip.  Course, he hadn’t, which is why his eye twitched.  Suddenly there was a rumble beneath the surface of the water and it was then that Xzilia made her spectacular return from wherever in hell she had been.  Her shrieks however made him second guess himself and he looked down into the waters at his flacid member.  

“What?  Not seen a man naked before?”  He asked her as she fell out of the bath and cracked her head on the stone cold floor below.  She was bloody, wet….and oddly enough curled up in a ball.  Lazily, Louis made his way over to her side of the tub and looked over with his arms folded just hanging outside of the bath.  

“You sure have a way of sneaking up on someone.” Louis shook his head and then suddenly had a wonderful idea.  “This bath is big enough for two.  Why not take off those clothes and let me scrub your back.”

What an offer.

~

DC:   Rolling over she looks up at him in a blazing blush. To answer his question, the nearest she seen a man naked was underwear. A 5 billion year old virgin lay in his wake and she basically had her eyes raped by unlucky surprises. However, the offer of a warm bath did sound inviting and she wouldn’t mind if it was with Louis. 

 

Sitting up, her coat making a wet peeling sound, she crawled her way over to him and smiled. Softly pecking his forehead she withdrew his next gift, the bike he rode on the night they met. Considerably smaller and more durable the tiny bike had not broken and could even start with a button pressing. Much better shape than the measly boat.

 

“I went back to get this, didn’t know if you missed your time period or not.” And with that said she stood and started to peel of her clothes, while blushing heavily.

 

~

RB-  The blush that rose to her cheeks was an instant hit with Louis.  Nothing beat that.  Nothing at all.  He watched her with a cocky, amused expression as the slow peeling off of her wet clothing began.  Lucky Louis. That was what they should be calling him right now.  It was then that she produced something that he never thought he would see again.  His bike. Mind you, it was the size of something you would dangle on a key chain, but it was all in one piece.

“My bike.”  Yes, it was his bike.  He took it from her and toyed with it for a moment, before setting it on the small wooden stool that was next to the copper bath.  As much as he enjoyed her gift, it was what she was about to do, that he was looking forward to even more.  Louis slid back in the bath and let his eyes drink her in as she started to shed the wet clothing, that landed with a heavy splat upon the ground at her feet.  They had servants there that could pick them up, but that could wait.  He reached for the bath sponge and dunked it into the water, making light waves as he kept looking up at her.

“You’re blushing.  I like it.”  His voice had a deepness to it, as he gestured with the crook of his finger that she get in.  “Just turn around as you get in the bath, and let me do the work.”  Louis had no idea that she was a virgin of course, that was something he would need to find out…for himself.

~

DC:   She bit her lip nervously and made her way to the side of the tub. Spinning around she stepped her right foot in first then her left before sitting. Squeezing her eyes shut she relaxed herself closer to Louis and rand her hands along his lower legs. She felt his eyes always on her and found it to make her happy inside. Heart racing she removed her hands from his legs and played with her nails. What was he thinking right now?

 

Moving her hair out of the way she looked back at him and smiled. She didn’t care what he thought, why would he think so badly of her? 

 

“Louis? I love you.” She hoped the words weren’t too strong she did in fact say those three magic words before she entered through the hole. Would he change his mind since she announced so soon?

 

~

RB-  Louis caught on quickly that she was nervous. It was the nervous way that she bit her bottom lip.  Gone was the wild girl that he had met at the start of their adventures, no this was more like the girl behind her.  One that Louis wanted as much to make his, as he was hers.  She should have known that in accepting her blood, that she was already inside of him.  Now, he wanted to do the same.  But only in a different way.  It was almost as though he could hear her heart racing.  Like a horse galloping across the wide open plains.  He watched as she sat herself back down, and then glanced back over her shoulder.  Her hair carefully moved back so he could see the nape of her neck, exposed – much like the rest of her.  He brought the sponge up out of the water, and it trickled back into the bath, making it the only sound in the room aside from her voice.  Louis started to wash her back, moving his hand across till she said those four words.

His hand stopped midway, the sponge getting squished between his fingers, till he let it fall back in the water.  Louis then used his arms, to wind around and bring her back properly to him, so that her head could rest on his shoulder – her face turned to his.

“I loved you from the first moment I saw you, Xzilia.”  His eyes burning into hers, as he bent his head and kissed her with all the love that he had inside of him.  The water sloshed up and over the bath, as his free hand caressed her lovingly.  There was no rush in his movements, but she would know that with him, she would always be safe.

~

DC:   She questioned why he had stopped, was her words that powerful. Her answer came when he dropped the sponge and wrapped her in his arms. Louis? She didn’t know what to do but accept the warmth she felt when he pulled her closer. Was this his way of love?

 

Love at first sight for him? She wanted to know how that was possible, but didn’t want to ruin the moment as her head was tilted upwards. She stared into his eyes and they spoke volumes as he came in for a kiss.

 

Wrapped in warmth and undying protection she ended the kiss with a giggle; that turned into happy laughter. She was aglow in her shadowy arts, the only light shining. She turned to Louis and rested her head on his chest as she giggled softly.

 

“Stone cold and sarcastic falling for me so easily, and being a vampire pirate.” Her fingers traced his chest gently, gathering little water droplets along the way.

 

~

RB- Was love at first sight possible?  Was the fact that this minx being able to create holes in space and time possible?  Truth was, anything was possible if you wanted it badly enough.  She reciprocated his kiss, and welcomed it with a shy giggle.  This then turned into greater laughter, as she relaxed within the tepid waters.  Louis now had an amused expression that she found his statement to be comical, when others might be taking it in a more romantic vein.  Yet the joy of her laughter was melded with the art of her shadow making, and she actually glowed as she spoke.  This showed that she did mean every word she had said to him.  Course, she had to tease him lightly for it – that went without saying.

“When is love ever easy, Xzilia?”  

In any time, regardless of where they would be, the very fact that they could share a tender moment like this would be rare. Her fingers delicately tracing along his chest, as though toying with him.  Louis brought his own fingers up, to wind a lock of her hair around them, deciding to play along with her.  He could sense she was much like a skittered deer in her actions, and then he whispered something that might take her completely off guard.

“Have you ever laid with a man before?”

~

(to be continued)