Roswell Fanatics

~Isabel~


As I am just getting ready to release Michael from my embrace, I hear a rather nervous sounding Alex, “I apologise, I did not mean to interrupt…”

Turning to look at him, I keep my hands on Michael's shoulders as I tell Alex, "There is nothing being interrupted. I was simply greeting one of the closest friends I've had over the years in a proper manner since he has done good at avoiding it." I smiled at Alex as I motioned toward Tess who I could easily see was not in his line of sight. "Tess and I were borrowing his cabin when he came in." I laughed softly as walked back toward where the brush rested beside Tess.

"Well, I guess we had better be going." I told her before turning back to Alex, "I know we were nearing shore, how long before we actually are able to disembark?" I asked, wondering how long I would have to make myself feel comfortable. Michael would be able to tell me, but I could see that Alex was going to need assurance that nothing was happening so he didn't need to be worried about having interrupted.

Michael

Isabel wrapped her arms around me and I could do nothing but return her embrace. I couldn’t deny how good it felt. I loved Isabel, not like I would a lover, but as a sister. She and Max had always been able to bring me out of my shell. They were the only two who had been able to get close to me. I squeeze her tighter for a brief moment letting her know that I’m happy that she’s safe.

I was about to pull away when the door behind me opens and Alex’s voice fills the room. “I apologise, I did not mean to interrupt…”

"There is nothing being interrupted. I was simply greeting one of the closest friends I've had over the years in a proper manner since he has done good at avoiding it." Isabel says as we part but her hands stay on my shoulder. "Tess and I were borrowing his cabin when he came in."

"Well, I guess we had better be going." Isabel finally releases me. "I know we were nearing shore, how long before we actually are able to disembark?"

I turn to Alex knowing that he had been on deck watching Max’s ship. “It shouldn’t be long now but I’m sure Alex can tell us whether your brother’s ship has docked yet.”

*Maria*

I'm looking around this foul-smelling cargo hold, pleased that we'll soon be on our way. I feel compelled to look around and pack up my belongings, but of course, I have none. Only the few things I had on my person as I was taken with Liz. Some of what I had in my bag is still missing, confiscated by the slavers. Captain Max had tried to sort out which trinkets belonged to who, but it wasn't an easy task and it appeared that some things had already been broken or altered to suit the villians and these were not identifiable. The very fact that he made the attempt certainly sets him apart from most who would call themselves pirates.

So, there is nothing to pack. Nothing to gather. It has had a way of making us all equals in some fashion, although there are those among us who strive to be sure we never forget their former stations. Fortunately, most of them returned to England earlier. I fear that those high-born ladies who still fancy their station will soon find themselves sorely disappointed in The Lucky Ace.

I stand, shaking off my skirts, hoping to dislodge any bedbugs or other vermin. I do not fancy carrying such a guest to my new life.

Stepping above, I see Liz near the head of the gangway and ready to descend with Captain Max. True, he is a most unusual pirate, but I cannot fully trust him, just the same. He is still a pirate. His high manners only serve to confuse me into forgetting that, as 'though 'twere some sort of subterfuge.

I take the rear, making sure all the ladies aboard are well and safe as we finally achieve firm earth. Many helping those who have taken less well to the travel. Indeed, dear Gweneth changed her mind and went back to England simply to avoid the extra day on the sea, and few could blame her, seeing how ill she had become.

Once on the dock, I too, look around. I see that Michael's ship is coming in behind. That man seems more honest to me. Pirate he is and pirate he seems. But the sight that pleases me most is Kyle at the stern of the ship, carrying a heavy crate with the aid of another man. He looks well as could be expected and seems to be treated as an equal, not a captive. I am pleased. I do hope that we will be seeing his kind face again.

With that thought, I lift the hem of my skirts above my ankle and hurry to join Liz and Max so that I might advise her and cheer her if she has not yet noticed our friend, herself.

*Max*

As Liz and I step onto the dock, I can see the relief in her eye. Whether because she is on dry land again or merely because she may soon be rid of the unwanted company of me and my men, I cannot say.

I lead them all to an area a few dozen yards away -- far enough to be out of the way of the working men, yet close enough to watch their progress and the advance of Michael's Demons. "You may all wait here for a few minutes until we are joined by those ladies aboard the next ship. We have a spot of shade and young Jack will bring a bucket of sweet water and a ladle for you all shortly."

The ladies seem molified and they pause, some of them taking seats on the pilings while other chose to remain standing. I see Liz's friend, Maria, approaching with a directed but light step. Her intent would seem to be friendly, but I do not wish her company quite so soon.

Turning in hopes to prevent Liz from seeing Maria's approach, I offer a nod. "Lady Liz, I know you have faced many hardships here and many more to come. Your food and lodgings are paid up until the end of the month. I hope you will find places here to suit you."

Liz nods and offers her thanks, but it seems the only honest thing to do. Afterall, I cannot in good conscience leave them so penniless. My profits from the ship's supplies should cover quite a bit more than that expense. I reach into my vest, pausing slightly. I hope that Lady Liz will find approval in my next action and will not find me again too bold.

"Lady Liz. I know that you have lost much. I wish to give you this gift. I had aquired it some time back but have been unable to part with it, and now I know why." I withdraw my hand and offer her my gift. It is a hand mirror in a cherry-wood frame with a delicate cherry-wood comb to match.

"So you may always know how beautiful you are," I tell her.

*Kyle*

I spend my time getting crates ready to unload. As soon as we are docked I help the other men carry the crates off the ship. It's hard and straineous but this is better than being dead in the ocean so that fish and sharks can pick at my bones.

I wipe the sweat from my brow and catch sight of two of the women that helped save me. Ones that I'd like to think befriended. The one named Maria is walking toward Liz who is standing with the Captain...Max.

I'm not sure what to think of the man. It's obvious he's a pirate but nothing like I'd ever heard of. The other man...yes. But Max...he's too curtious and polite. He was definately raised in society. I had to wonder what brought him to piracy. He has surprised me many times since boarding his ship but I wonder what he'll do to me once everything is done.

I look behind me and see that the second ship is close to docking. My thoughts wander to the two blondes that I befriended. Isabel and Tess. Ah, Tess...the one with the brightest blue eyes I'd ever seen. Her skin was pale but soft.

Yelling dragged me from my thoughts as the man I was helping told me to get my tail going. So I complied not wanting to be at the wrong end of their wrath.

OOC: the Max dialogue at the end came from Isabelle

~Liz~

“Lady Liz…”

Despite myself, I smile as Max addresses me, dropping the hem of my skirt and smoothing it, looking up a little shyly.

“I know you have faced any hardships and many more to come. Your food and lodgings are paid up until the end of the month. I hope you will find places here to suit you…”

I nod slightly. “Thank you Captain…that is most kind of you…” I trail off, feeling surprisingly awkward. While on the ship I had every reason to be talking to him, and even now I would argue that I do, but I am not oblivious to Christina’s prying eyes which are watching us. She is reading something into this that does not exist of course, but I fear that some of the ladies might be quick to listen…

Not that I am ashamed to be talking to him… I actually find that I quite his conversation quite stimulating, and certainly he is more refined in his manners than the majority of the men on the boat.

Max lifts his hand to reach into his vest and seems to pause. Although in fact it is probably only a moment, it seems like an age before he speaks again.

“Lady Liz, I know that you have lost much. I wish to give you this gift. I had acquired it some time back but have been unable to part with it, and now I know why…”

I look up at him, my brow creasing slightly in confusion. I am not sure I understand what he means…

“So you may always know how beautiful you are…”

I freeze a moment, taken quite by surprise as he adds this last. Of all the things I would have expected, that is not one of them…

I swallow nervously, my gaze taking in the objects he holds in his hand. “I-I thank you for the compliment Captain…but I am sure that there are many other women here who are far more worthy of it than me…” I look down, fiddling with my fingers slightly.

"I know of none more worthy than you. You may share it with your companions if you choose, but I place it in your custody."

I look up again to find him holding out the items to me again. My immediate reaction is to refuse, to thank him politely but decline. He has already done so much for all of us… As I open my mouth to respond however, I raise my gaze to meet his, and find myself nodding. I drop a slight curtsey, accepting the comb and mirror with a somewhat shaky hand – I do not know what that is about… - and a small smile. “Thank you Captain…thank you for everything…”

~Alex~

Isabel smiles, assuring me that there is nothing to interrupt, and even before she points out Tess, who I had not realised was here, somehow I just know that she is telling the truth. I nod my head towards the attractive blond who I now see as I step forward just slightly. “My lady…I apologise, I did not realise you were there…”

As Isabel decides that it is time for the two of them to go, she turns to me again, asking how long it will be until the ladies can disembark.

The question might have been addressed at me, but Michael takes it on himself to answer although he does direct it back at me in the end. I nod and offer another smile to the ladies before addressing Isabel’s question. “Your brother’s ship has just docked, I believe that the ladies aboard will be disembarking currently, and I understand that we should be doing the same in less than half an hour…”

*Max*

I'm pleased as Lady Liz accepts my gift. I know it seems to be a bit too much for someone I barely know, but I couldn't seem to avoid it. I just needed to give her something and it seemed so perfect for her. The polished cherry wood shimmers so much like her beautiful dark hair...

"You're quite welcome," I tell her after she thanks me. "I'm glad you're all safe."

Liz and her friends weren't the first would-be slaves I've helped rescue, but they're certainly the first that came here to the Lucky Ace. If it weren't for Isabel's help, all these ladies would be facing a very different future about now. I look up as Michael's Demons draws close to the dock. I'm very much looking forward to seeing my sister again.

Before I can say more, one of Liz's lady friends come hurrying to join us. I've seen them together before and I've figured out that they knew each other before this event, that they were together when they were captured by the slavers.

"Liz," she says, looking at me uncertainly as 'though she did not wish to speak in front of me, but then she continued anyway. Turning slightly, she gestured towards the aft gangway. "Did you see Kyle?"

Then, before Liz can answer, Maria's eyes narrow, focusing on the items in her hand. "Where did those come from?"

Realizing this might be awkward, I excuse myself. "Let me go see about that water for you ladies," I say, and then move away.

~Liz~

As Max says that he’s glad we are all safe, I do not quite know what to say in response. As it happens however, I am saved from that puzzle as Maria appears beside us.

“Liz…”

I smile. I have not seen as much of my friend as I would have liked over the journey due to tending to some of the ladies who did not travel well, but I hope to rectify that shortly.

She looks up at Max a little suspiciously, but then seems to forget any reservations about talking in front of him, instead basically ignoring his presence and addressing me. “Did you see Kyle…?”

She gestures towards the gangway, and I follow her hand, smiling as I spot a familiar figure. I am about to answer, responding something to the tone that I am pleased to see him looking so well, but I don’t get a chance.

Suddenly, the expression on Maria’s face changes, her eyes narrowing as her gaze falls on the comb and mirror I am holding in my hand. “Where did those come from…?”

I swallow a little nervously at the question knowing that I must be careful with my phrasing for fear of this being seen as something it is not. Certainly I know that if Christina hears of this she will not be easily silenced…

I think that the Captain must realise this could be difficult too, for he excuses himself and leaves us alone. I smile and nod, dropping him another curtsey. “Thank you again Captain…” I respond softly before turning my attention to Maria.

My finger trails along the back of the mirror as I look up at my friend. “T-they were a gift…from the Captain…” I respond a little awkwardly as I hold them out to her to take a better look. “They are most pretty are they not…?”

*Maria*

"They are..." I say, looking at the beautiful mirror and comb. I can't help but reach out and run my hand over the polished wood on the back of the mirror. So silky smooth.

I glance at the captain who is talking to one of the young pirates who has arrived with a large bucket of water. He's offering the refreshment to the ladies and does not seem to be close enough to hear our conversation any longer.

Turning back to Liz, I raise an eyebrow and ask her, "Why did he give this to you?"