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 Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 3:49 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 3:54 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 3:56 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:17 pm
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 "Sir," called out Frenchie. "There's a ship on the horizon. Starboard side."
Izzy pulled a handheld telescope from a pocket and extending it as he brought to his eye to get a closer view of the ship in question. It didn't take long before he lowered it and simply muttered a slow "F*ck."
"Should we set the sails, sir?" asked Frenchie.
"No," replied Izzy. "Prepare to greet our visitor."
"Sir?" Frenchie stared at him in surprise before exchanging a look of confusion with Jim. Jim simply shrugged in response, clearly as confused by Izzy's change in behavior.
"You heard me," Izzy simply stated. "You'll learn soon enough why."
About ten minutes later, a stunning ship pulled up alongside the Revenge and just as their sides became parallel and a step's worth apart, a tall, slim woman elegantly stepped across the gap. While the crew gathered in a semi-circle on the further edges of the deck, Izzy stepped right up to her holding out a hand as she stepped down onto the deck.
"Z," she said, the corner of her lips rising. "Good to see you again."
"I didn't realize we would be crossing paths with each other."
"Not hard to do when our territory is being diminished colony by colony," she replied.
"Still being a pirate then?"
"You really picture me returning to the aristocratic life?"
He stared at her for a moment before a faint smile appeared on his face. "No. You were always too wild for that."
"Where's the fearless captain?" she asked, finally looking across the deck at the crew. "I see there's still some familiar faces sailing with you. And some new ones." Her eyes paused briefly on Frenchie and Jim.
"He's in his quarters," replied Izzy. He sighed as he leaned closer to her. "He's not the same man you left behind, Almina."
Her eyes turned cold as she turned to look at him.
"What the ******** did you do, Z?" she hissed.
"Steve f*cking Bonnet did this to him," he retorted.
She tilted her head as if saying Really, b*tch? before stepping past him to head down to the captain's quarters. After a brief moment, Izzy sighed as he looked down at his feet and then out at the water.
"I'm sorry you have to see him like this," whispered Izzy.
Almina stepped into the dark room, letting her eyes adjust after being the bright sunshine up on deck. She was surprised to find the lack of decor and knick knacks she typically saw in such quarters. Especially when it came to the man she knew who was also fascinated with the strange and odd "treasures" he came across.
"So you've come to haunt me too, have you?" said a soft voice from the bed alcove to the left of her.
"I'm no ghost, Ed," she replied, recognizing the silhouette who was turned towards her.
"Then perhaps I am the ghost."
Almina furrowed her eyebrows in concern as she stepped closer and her heart almost broke as she saw the man sitting before her. He may be wearing the well-known leather attire but his intimating appearance had changed. Black coal makeup replaced the salt-and-pepper beard she had grown fond of and the brown eyes that once sparkled with mischief and delight were now dark and empty like the depths of the sea.
"Z wasn't kidding when he said you were different," she commented, gently placing a hand on his cheek.
For a moment she thought Ed wasn't going to respond until he finally burrowed his head further into her hand and his eyes began to water.
"Almina..." he said. "I can't stand it anymore."
She sat down beside him and pulled him into an embrace, letting him cry into her shoulder.
"I'm here now, my dear." |
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:28 pm
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"So," said Frenchie, once Izzy told the crew to return to their former duties after their visitor disappeared to visit with the captain. He managed to drift his way back over to Jim to talk with them. "Who do you think that was?"
"I don't know," replied Jim. "But she certainly seems to have a certain hold on Izzy. Did you see how he acted differently with her? Almost the same level of respect he uses with Blackbeard."
"Which is saying something since he doesn't seem to care about anyone but himself."
"That's Almina," inserted Fang, as he passed by.
Frenchie and Jim turned their attention towards him.
"Almina?" asked Frenchie.
"Aye," replied Fang. "She's an old colleague of sorts."
"Colleague in what manner?" asked Jim. "She doesn't exactly have the same vibe as the rest of you."
"To be expected when she's branched off to do her own business," replied Fang. "But don't let first impressions fool you. You'll soon see elements of Blackbeard and Izzy in her soon enough."
"So, what's the deal with Izzy and her anyway?" asked Frenchie.
"Believe or not... Izzy sort of took her under his wing. Sort of like a daughter of sorts."
"What? Seriously?" said Jim, eyes widening in surprise.
"And Blackbeard and her... well... they got really close. Close like he did with that Bonnet guy."
"So, why did she go off on her own if they were so close?" asked Frenchie. "Did something happen?"
"She still cares for him," said a raspy voice behind them.
They all jumped recognizing Izzy's voice and straightened waiting to hear a reprimand for gossiping rather than working as he instructed.
"They still mean a good deal to each other. But... as much as I hate to admit it, there was something between Edward and Stede Bonnet that never existed between Almina and him."
"Oh," said Frenchie.
"And why did you take such a liking to her?" asked Jim cautiously.
"Like Fang said. She was like a daughter to me." A faint smile flickered across his lips. "She was an active and quick learner. Just hope you won't have to be on the wrong end of her sword, otherwise you'll understand precisely on what I mean."
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:29 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:30 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:42 pm
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"Perhaps what I need is some sword practice," said Stede. "Would you be so kind to indulge me?"
"Suppose it wouldn't hurt," Almina replied. "It has been some time since I've done casual exchanges of blades."
"Fab!" exclaimed Stede, turning to grab the sword that Black Pete held out for him.
Almina withdrew her own sword from the sheath at her side. She shifted it around in her hand a bit as she waited for her opponent to get ready.
"On your guard then," said Stede, as he held his sword out and shifted his body into a strange stance.
Almina's eyebrows furrowed in concern as she observed his stance but then shook her head as she in turn stepped in position, sliding her own blade across his.
"Whenever you're ready, dear," she said.
He shifted his feet for a bit before quickly whipping his sword around trying to put in a hit on her but she kept blocking his advances effortlessly. After a few minutes of blocking and clashing swords, Stede stepped away for a break.
"I must say, you have excellent form," he stated. "Almost as good as Iggy here."
"Izzy," hissed the man from his perch on the stairs watching them, arms crossed.
Almina chuckled as she paced around on the deck before looking Stede straight in the eyes. "I would hope so seeing as he's the one who taught me."
Stede didn't say a word as his eyes became wide and his mouth opened in surprise.
"And has continued to practice my techniques, I see," added Izzy.
"It's come in handy a time or two," replied Almina, smiling at him.
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 4:54 pm
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 8:55 am
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 8:57 am
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 9:02 am
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 9:03 am
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2022 9:18 am
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