the pirate stravagante

[bluewater]

hey guys, just wanted to post up a story that i've just started. It begins really slowly to set up the premises but i promise it'll pick up soon! hope you like it, and all comments welcome! (thanks for reading!)

Black hair lay scattered at her feet. Sarah gathered it all up and took time throwing it out before looking in the mirror. She couldn’t help but stifle a gasp; her face looked different to her now. Before, waves of dark hair had cascaded to the back of her neck, framing her cheekbones and determined chin. Her cheekbones were still high and her chin was set, but now the longest piece of her hair only just covered her dark eyes leaving the back of her neck exposed. She supposed she would get used to it given over time, which was one of many luxuries she would no longer have. ‘I suppose it just looks out of place considering I’m still wearing a dress,’ she thought, smoothing down the folds of her silk gown. She looked at herself a bit regretfully in the mirror and she berated herself for mourning evidence which may have given her away as a girl. She could have just pulled her hair underneath a cap, but what if the wind was abnormally strong that day? Or if someone took her hat in jest. It was best if she left her hair behind, along her gowns, silver combs and jewels, and her family.

Luciano took a sip of the gentle, fizzy wine he had grown to love in place of the soda pop he was accustomed to having at home. ‘No, not home,’ he thought shaking his curls. He would have to learn to call this place his home now. His other home, his mom and dad, they were part of another life that he couldn’t have anymore. Instead, he had his family here in Talia, and Arianna, and prosecco. He couldn’t help but smile to himself. He leaned back even further in the crushed velvet chair he was sitting in. He was in Rodolfo’s garden, where lush plants were let loose to grow whichever way, and the scent given off by the wet soil and blooms were even headier than the wine he was drinking. Luciano sighed. He had been given a holiday, and was ordered even, not to work. “We need you, but the you we need has to be full of health. We cannot have you gallivanting all over Talia no matter what the Duchessa has ordered,” Rodolfo had glanced sternly at Arianna during this speech and looked with concern at Luciano who had become very tired the past few days. “But,” Arianna started, then she also looked at Luciano and her eyes fell. Luciano would’ve done anything to make her smile, but he was just so tired. Like when he was back home, his other home. His other life.

[bluewater]

Wow.. so I definitely haven't been here in awhile. And from the looks of things, neither has anybody else. Well. Since no one seems to be reading it anyways, I'm not too shy to put up the next part. Happy readings?


Sarah pressed her ear to the wooden door, taking care not to get a splinter and she listened to the muffled voices on the other side. “I do not care. Even if they should take our home, or even our life, I will not sell my daughter to those... to those... people!” The last word was spat out in disgust, and Sarah recognized the voice of her mother. “Don’t be rash Rebecca. What they are asking of us is not to sell her. All they want is...” Her mother broke in, “Is to break her spirit with work that isn’t fit for a commoner! She will become a slave, a commodity, a symbol of the broken nobility. What life is that for a child?” Sarah crept away from the door, her face and her eyes calm. She went back upstairs to her room and opened the window that took up nearly the entire wall. She sat on the ledge which she had furnished with pillows and quilts, all blue and green like the sea. She breathed in deep, tasting the salt of the ocean on her tongue. She looked out in to the deep blue sea, endless with an ever reaching horizon. She pulled on her new old slacks she had bargained for her pearl earrings. The boots were paid for with her cameo. The shirt was given for a meal plus a flask of wine, and her cap was a reminder of her dear dead father. She looked around her room, furnished in wood and silver, her bed, and her clothes, then she slipped out of her window and she was gone.

She hadn’t walked far when she realized she was being followed. She quickened her pace, and gripped her bag of the few meager possessions she had left. She glanced back every few steps to make sure, her limber body was able to weave in and out of the crowded market place. Hours of experience practicing dance and ballet kicked in and she was able to step quickly and lightly, saving many people’s toes and limbs as although she walked precariously close in attempts to lose her pursuer in the mass of people. But to no avail. She finally stopped, out of breath and sweaty. She wiped her head with the back of her sleeve and turned around. She crossed her arms and tried as hard as she could to make her face mean and unmoving. “Shoo!” she cried, waving her arms to dissuade to sleek black and white dog who moved her head from side to side, not comprehending her masters commands. She was the smartest dog, if she wanted to be, and she chose that very moment to be as stubborn as her master was. Sarah sighed, “How did you get out anyways? I locked my door, and the only thing that was open was...” Her eyes widened and she stared at the dog. She remembered distinctly locking her door to delay the discovery of her disappearance, but she had to leave her window open. There was no way she could close it after jumping out. She only lived on the second floor, which was a short distance for her. But for the dog... As if sensing her thoughts, the dog limped forward. “Oh Maddy,” she sighed. “I didn’t know how you’d agree to life at sea. That’s what I’ve decided to do now, to look out for myself,” she looked down at the dog, “Well, I guess you and me now.” She gathered the dog in her arms and started walking again.

The door was heavy, and she was weak from fatigue and lack of food. She had gone from ship to ship looking for work, but no captain wanted an inexperienced young boy in his crew, especially one that looked at delicate as her. She had given in the pangs of hunger she felt in her stomach, also to the whines of her dog. She glanced around the dark exterior, lit only by a few gas lanterns and even fewer candles. She nearly fell into her seat, a vacant spot in the corner near a mean looking bunch who were laughing, talking and essentially just being boisterous. A kind looking woman noticed her and brought over some bread and cheese, and a bottle of cheap wine. Sarah broke the bread in half and gave some to her dog with the cheese. The rest she ate, while listening to the conversation next to her. “Next we’ll port in Talia, trade to our hearts extent thanks to all the, ahem, donations that we’ve collected,” the surly bald one winked at his mates and they all laughed and cheered raising their glasses. “I know exactly what we need in Talia,” said the tallest among them who looked gravely at them. “Som’ o’ that duchessa, I hear who has a nice lookin’ figure and who cares about how they look since they all wear masks,” someone barked and they all laughed, except for the tall man. “No.” he said just as seriously as they were laughing. “We need connections. A stronger trade between Anglia and Talia.” He thought for a moment, “However, we may need the duchessa also,” he looked at his crew, “for information.” Her legs had brought her to the rowdy table before she even realized she was facing the men she had been listening to. “I’m new around here, and I’m looking for work. I’m young, but I can pull my own share of work, and,” She didn’t get any farther than that. The room had become quiet, and the tall man stepped forward. He pulled her chin towards him with his long fingers, and she found herself looking up at him. “What’s your name... boy,” he asked never taking his eyes off of her. She was stumped. A name? She had never thought of another name for herself, and none of the other captains she had talked to never asked for her name. Just if she had experience. “Erm..” She cleared her throat. The bald one spoke first, “He don’t even know his own name!” and laughed by himself. “I do too,” Sarah cried before she could help herself. The tall man didn’t let go of her chin and asked again, “Well, then, what is it?” Sarah thought quickly and was about to answer when at the exact same moment, her dog attacked the tall man.

[bluewater]

Comments criticism kudos, all are welcome! i'd just love to hear anything from anybody! (well.. almost anything...)