Returning Home (Open)

[eris]

A small smile spread over Eris' face as she navigated through the caves that led to the bay that she'd learned to call home. Returning after a long voyage always left her more than just a little nostalgic. She could remember when it was barely just getting started, back when she'd just been a young girl, a low ranking member on some ship that had been sunk a few years previous.

As she came out of the caves and into the bay she leaned forward on the railing of the ship and watched the fortress and the people going about their duties. This place seemed to get bigger every time she saw it.

Eris pulled up next to a familiar ship and raised a hand in greeting in order to catch the attention of the man at the ropes. "Where's your captain? I'd love to take him out for a drink."

The man's face fell and he shook his head. "You didn't hear? They've gone and restructured the whole deal. Most of the captains are gone, replaced with new ones.

She blinked a few times, taken aback by the news. Eris went to ask him for more information but he had retreated inside the ship. What had happened? She hoped that someone would be able to answer her questions.

[Caramon Zero]

After returning home from another successful mission, I let my crew take the rest of the day off after we restock on supplies and ammunition, so that they can have a well deserved rest for a job well done.

I decide to help other ships restock and get ready to move out while I'm available and I find a ship that's actually smaller than mine coming up the docks.
The letters on the side of her tell me that this is the legendary Flying Dutchman.

I decide that today I'll start here, not only to be able to help out a fellow Captain with their supplies, but to be able to actually be aboard the Dutchman herself.

I see a woman standing on the railing of the ship and call to her.

Ahoy there!
If you'd so kindly allow me to aid you madame, I'd like to help resupply your ship, as it's not every day that I get to meet someone as famous as you around here.[/b][/size][/color]

[eris]

As the Dutchman was pulling in to port she quickly took notice of a man trying to get her attention. He wasn't anybody she recognized but that did not surprise her. She had seen many people come and go through here and it wasn't all that uncommon to see people go and to find new people in their place. It was just a fact of life in the career of a pirate. You had to be comfortable with the thought that one day your luck would run out.

Her small smile widened and twisted into an expression that was equal parts amusement and surprise. It was not often she found someone so polite. To be honest she thought it was kind of cute. "I thank you for your offer but I must decline and instead bring a counter-offer to the table. If you would be so kind as to escort this tired and thirsty captain for a drink and some tell of news I would be far more pleased."

That he had commented on her fame was something that did not even register to her just yet. She was used to being at least somewhat known in the fortress even if just for the merit of having called it home for the past nine years. Eris had come to this place as a teenager, back before it had been the great fortress that it was now. She had watched it grow as she served on several different crews and worked her way to the place she now held.

"I hear that there have been some changes made as of late and I find that I have been left out of the loop. I can hardly blame anyone but myself for this; I have been away for far too long. But please, if you would, can you tell me what has become of the other captains and why it is they have met the fate that befell them?" As Eris left the ship to her crew to tie off she looped one of her arms around Caramon's and began gently leading him toward the pub.

[Caramon Zero]

Upon reaching the pub, several members of my crew move to another table so that I may sit with this charming woman in the place we call the "Sunlight Seat", the table that has the best view of the sunset, as it was soon about to.

They can be overheard talking to eachother as I hold the chair for the lady and move it under her as she sits down.
"Looks like the Cap'n fin'ly found himself a sweetheart lads, why don't we drink to his good luck until we pass out and he has to throw us on the boat?"

"Here here!"

Before they raise their glasses, I sigh and sit down, then begin speaking to my acquaintance as I hear the glasses clink together.
Please forgive them, they tend to jump to conclusions...

As you may now know, I'm one of the new Captains you've heard of, the Captain of Lucky Thirteen to be precise, the ship formerly known as "The Reaper".

I became the ship's Captain out of the blue, so please forgive me for not knowing anything about what you wish to know, I just thought it would be rude to not at least treat you to a meal while trying to find out more about things on the high seas that I may have missed.

All I know about the reasons that the Captains were replaced is that several Captains had begun to mutiny and were put down before they were able to act.
I was given one of these Captains' ships by Merik, the only Captain I've sailed under up until just recently.

I'm sorry for being so rude, I tend to talk a lot when I'm nervous...
If you'd excuse me for just a moment.
[/i][/b][/size]

I stand, walk over to the bartender, and ask for "the usual".
He hands me a large, crimson bottle with "CZ" written in black on it.
I then ask for a drink for the lady and he hands me a different bottle with something unknown to me in it, but he must know what it is, as he's been here for as many years as I can remember.
I thank him and set the lady's drink in front of her, then sit down just as the sun starts setting.

[eris]

She let out a small chuckle at the calls of Caramon's crew and looked to each of them. Eris blew them a kiss before turning her attention back to him. "Some men will find any excuse to drink. Personally I think heavy drinking should be saved for only the most appropriate of situations."

Her eyes turned toward the two once more as she took notice of an older sailor leaning in to speak with them. "I wouldn't be so quick to celebrate her snaring him, boys. People who end up with her have a habit of meeting less than pleasant ends." The man would pat the crewmates on the back before heading over to the bar.

Eris gave a little chuckle and finally turned her full attention to what Caramon was saying. So there had been a mutiny? A wry smile crossed her features and she let out a laugh that was far more harsh than the light, gleeful chuckle that she had so recently vocalized. "Well then they deserved everything they got. Anybody who thinks they can cross the king should reevaluate their standing. Anybody who thinks they can overthrow him is mad."

She watched as he went to get a drink and could not help but find his nervousness to be borderline adorable. Eris was used to people being afraid of her, that was sure, but to have someone nervous and flustered while in conversation with her was something that did not happen all too often.

"Oh thank you." She cupped her drink in her hands gently and turned to watch the sun set as she took a sip.

[Caramon Zero]

You're very welcome milady.[/size][/b][/i]
I say with a smile.

I look out the window and then look at the woman sitting across from me.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
I-I mean...[/size][/b][/i]

I look down and turn a deep red.

I-I'm sorry, I just get very nervous when I'm around beautiful women like yourself, and I end up just making a fool of myself, so please forgive me if I do anything stupid, as your company is greatly appreciated.[/size][/b][/i]

I take a swig out of my bottle, leaving a white trail of milk on my faint mustache, which I don't notice is there.

[eris]

"It is, isn't it? I don't think there is a more lovely place than this island. Sure, it's full of bloodthirsty pirates but they're my kind of people." Not to mention that Eris had a good deal of bloodthirsty in her as well. She had just grown accustomed to hiding it through the years. It made it all the more satisfying when she finally struck to know that some of them had never seen it coming.

She took a slow sip of her drink and watched Caramon as he fumbled over his words. There was something endearing about it. Hell, it was almost cute to see a young captain stammering around like a nervous school boy. "Don't worry, I will not judge you based off of first impressions alone and I thank you for the complement. It's rare to see someone with manners such as yours in this establishment. She gestured around to the pub they were currently seated in. "It's refreshing."

She turned to look out the window and watch the sunset and as such did not notice the milk mustache right away. Once she turned back she covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile and waited until she was sure that she would not start laughing to speak. "I believe you may want to wipe your lip before the milk dries."

[Caramon Zero]

I wonder what she's talking about until I look down and see a large white blob where my upper lip should be and I lick the milk off while straightening my faint mustache with my tongue.

Thank you, if you hadn't've pointed it out, the crew would've found out what my "secret stash of the good stuff" really is, as I take my job seriously, and I try to be a good example for my crew, so I don't drink.
But as I said, I "try" to be a good example, but being the klutz I am, I tend to cause them a lot of trouble off-ship, making them sometimes wonder why I'm the Captain.

But from what they tell me, which I'm not entirely sure is true or not, they say that when I'm on that ship, I'm a man that's worth many people's admiration, but I don't see how that could be true, as I'm still just a regular man.
There's nothing special about me, I'm just a freak of nature who happened to have contact with the right people.[/i][/b][/size]

I chug my bottle down and lick my lips before I continue.

This has always been a dream of mine, watching the sunset with a beautiful woman, but it somehow seems different, like I've met you somewhere before....
Oh well, it's pro'ly just my imagination, as I could never forget someone as beautiful as you.[/i][/b][/size]

[eris]

She kept her eyes on the sunset while she listened to him talk but she would occasionally make a little noise and nod to show that her attention was still on him. Once he paused to take a drink she turned to face him and shook her head. "That is where you are wrong, but not in the way that you think. A captain is not a person who is great and mighty and high above all because he is special or has some sort of birthright. A captain is special because we are the ones who stand up to take the job, we are the ones who will weather the storm through the good and the bad. That is why we have the position that we do."

Eris looked at him curiously when he stated that all of this felt familiar and turned her head toward the window as she contemplated the potential reason for this. "Perhaps we have met in another life"

[Caramon Zero]

Thank you.
I've never thought of it that way before.
I just thought that we were assigned to keep these scalawags alive and out of trouble, but now it seems to me that I can be more than just a man on a boat, I can be a friend and brother to my crew as well.[/i][/b]

Jaeren, one of my deckhands turns to me from the other table and smiles a drunken smile.

Bu' Ca'n, ya are our bruffer, yer jusht our Cap'n foisht.

Jaeren, you're gonna end up in the infirmary if you drink too much more...
And how's being you're Captain first a good thing?[/i][/b]

An' thaz onea da reashuns why da boysh an' I call ya Ca'n, 'cause we 'spect ya so much.
Ya treat ush like we're yer fam'ly insteada yer crew, sho we don' rearry know how ta make i' upta ya, sho the leasht we can do is be treatin' ya wiff da proffer respexsh.

I look at him and turn a deep red at him saying all these things about me that I'd never considered were out of the norm.

F-fine then, but from now on you either call me by name or call me "brother", is that understood?[/i][/b]

Aye aye shir!

I set my hand on my face ans shake my head, then look back at him.

Alright then, back to the ship you go.
I don't want any of my crew dying from something as stupid as alcohol poisoning.
Now get to bed, if you have a hangover in the morning, you're doing the training course twice.[/i][/b]

Aye aye shir!

He gets up and walks towards the door, stumbling about like an idiot, as another of my crew, Caydrien, walks over to him, throws him over his shoulder, and carries him to the ship.

I turn to the person sitting across from me, and can't help but smile at what was pointed out to me.

I'm sorry that took so long.
He's a good guy, but he can't hold liquor well, so he tends to get drunk an awful lot...
I'm surprised he's still alive after all that alcohol...[/i][/b]

I can't help but laugh as I think about all the times he'd actually done the training regimen i put together while we was drunk, and ended up beating all but the fastest, strongest, and most nimble of my crew.

I leave my memories behind as I examine the woman's face more closely and can't help but to stare.
I shake my head, and try to calm myself down.

...I'm sorry, you just resemble a girl I met when I first came here many years ago, but you couldn't be her, I heard the ship she was on was destroyed.
You may not know of it, but have you ever heard of "The Rosemary Queen"?[/i][/b]

[eris]

"You would be surprised how much alcohol it actually takes to kill a man. I would not worry about it here. They will not let him drink himself to death; it would be bad for their reputation." Eris watched the sun set and admired the colors that reflected off of the clouds. The air itself seemed to glow with the light of it.

Eris considered his question and tried to think back if she had ever served on that ship. She had served on some that had been destroyed but a sunken ship means little to a Zora who can breathe underwater simply swim away from the wreckage. Although she hd no idea if she had actually served on the ship, her lips curled up into a smile that would imply that she had.

She was fairly certain, although not positive, that she had never met this man before but what was the harm in allowing him to think that they had met so many years ago? If nothing else it would give him a deeper attachment to her, which would make him much more likely to listen to any requests she might have.

"Yes, I believe I have." She leaned forward and smiled up at him. "My dear, you should not underestimate we Zora. A destroyed ship means little to a low ranking crew member who can simply swim away without having to come up for air." She sipped her drink and looked to the bartender, who simply shook his head and went back to his business.

[Caramon Zero]

Yeah, I understand what you mean.
These guys've been my friends for quite some time, so I know they'll help me out if one of my idiots starts causing a ruckus, so I guess I shouldn't worry about it.[/b][/i][/size]

I look at her neck, then her hand, and finally at her eyes.

I don't underestimate your people, as I know just how capable and helpful Zora are, and also how fun they are to be around.

But on the subject of the girl, you must've just served with her, since I had heard that there were no survivors of that wreckage, save a few of the Zora that were aboard her.

Anyway, she had a necklace and ring that I'd given her before she left, and she swore to never take them off.
I think that's why she must've died, because of a stupid promise she made to me.[/b][/i][/size]

At this moment I can't help but shed tears, and am not too afraid nor too proud to hide them.

I was heartbroken, but soon after that I was given a position aboard the Pirate King's ship, so it took up a lot of my time and made me forget all about her until now...[/b][/i][/size]

I look back out the window and smile as I continue to let my tears flow.

She and I'd watch the sunset together every day before she had to leave, and then when she came back she waited for me at the same place on the docks...

The last chance I had to see her, I was trying to get the nerve to ask her an important question, but dropped the box in the water by accident when I tripped on a loose board.
She jumped in the water when she saw me rush after it and when she came back up she looked so happy for some reason, then as I looked closer, she had the ring on her finger and the necklace around her neck with a smile on her face.

I don't know why she never told me how she felt, but from what I can remember about her, she was always so shy, so I guess it would make sense that she finally had a chance to show me how she truly felt after wearing the gifts I'd made for her.

After she came back onto the dock she kissed me, and I thought I was going to be able to spend the rest of my life with her, but then the next thing I here about it is that her ship was blown up and that only a few of the Zoran hands escaped.
I looked and looked through the logs to try to find if she had made it back, but to this day, I've never seen nor heard from her.

It just made me feel happy again to see someone that at least resembles my fiance.[/b][/i][/size]

I cry tears of joy for a time before I continue.

Thank you for putting up with me and hearing my story.
I know I must've bored you with that sob story, I just couldn't believe I'd forgotten my fiance like that...
The only woman I'd ever met who loved me despite being what I am, and I forgot all about her...
I'm such a damn fool...[/b][/i][/size]

[eris]

Eris leaned forward and listened closely to his story. It was not that she was interested in the fact that he had lost his love, how hadn't? Rather she was looking for ideas, things that she could use for herself later on down the road.

She almost let out a chuckle at Caramon's assertion that she looked like his fiance. Perhaps there was some similarity in their appearance but the girl that he described was nothing like her once you got past looks.

Her smile faded when he said that he had forgotten her. Eris had been under the belief that it had taken him some time to realize the similarity but instead he had forgotten the woman. She frowned and took a drink before looking at him sharply. "A fool indeed. But this just goes to show that love means little in the end. And if you had seen her again since then, would you know her or would she just be a familiar face?" Having had her heart shattered in the past, Eris took matters of women who had been wronged a bit more seriously than most.

[Caramon Zero]

I let out my most boisterous laugh as I hear this.

Actually, I'd know her as soon as I'd seen her.
If I had known where her ship'd gone down, I'd've jump in the water and looked for 'er.
That's just how much I loved her.

Up until now I'd forgotten why I always stare into the waters as I sail, but I have you to thank for helping me remember my reason for doing so.
It's because I've been subconsciously looking for her all this time.

I'll also know it's her when I see a woman wearing that necklace and ring, since she promised me she'd never take it off, just as I promised I'd never love another woman.
I've kept my vow to her, even though I may flirt a bit on accident, I still have not fallen for any woman but her.
I do agree that you're very attractive, and I know that everyone has good in them, but I made a promise, and I do my best to keep every promise I make.
I suppose that's why I've been accused of being too soft.[/i][/b][/size]

I sit back a bit in my chair and smile a smile I hadn't in so long before I look back out the window as the sun finally hits the horizon, causing a sea of color to flood the room.

[eris]

Although Eris seemed to relax a bit at his explanation she was inwardly ready to bash his head into the table and see to it that he never forgot again. She did not know why it bothered her so. It wasn't as if this situation was anything like hers had been but there was a question in mind that would not leave.

"And if she lost the necklace? The sea is a rough place. Or what if it was taken from her by force and she did not appear before you for many years would you still recognize her then?" There was an edge to her tone that she did not like having there but for reasons she could not understand she was taking this situation almost personally.

[Caramon Zero]

Truthfully, no matter how hard I try to remember anybody, I can never remember exactly what they look like, or exactly who they are unless I see them constantly for quite some time.
It took me three years to learn her name, and even then, I only remember bits and pieces of it.
Heck, I can't even remember if she was a full Zora or a Hybrid like me...

You don't know just how much it hurts to remember the day I thought lost her, but I know in my heart she's still alive somewhere, even if I blocked it from my memory because it hurt so much, that's one of the only things that's ever allowed me to keep going.

Truthfully, if she lost her jewelry, I'd be sad, but I wouldn't care, since her being alive is what matters most to me.
And I'd know it was her without even having to look at her, all I'd need to hear would be her voice, the voice that would always feel like it caused a ringing in my heart, and I'd know it was her, since there was never a woman who's song could do such a thing to me since I met her.

It's been what seems like forever since I heard it, but now, after so long, I can even remember the tune...
If you'll excuse me for a moment, I'll be right back.[/b][/i][/size]

I leave for a few minutes and return with my guitar in my hands as I begin a tune full of sadness, yet also so full of joy, as all the rest of the room seems to grow silent around me as I play.

Song of the Memories Lost, Yet Now Found

[eris]

Eris remained silent as he spoke. She found herself drowning out his words and wondering how his mind worked that the remembrance of someone so important to him, the realization that he had forgotten his love, could be so casual an occurrence.

As he got up to get the guitar, she turned her attention out toward the sea and tried to quell the anger that was bubbling up inside of her. To forget someone so casually and then to act as if all was well just moments after remembering. It made her question the strength of his love and how he could even claim to truly feel for that woman.

Once Caramon sat down and started to strum at the guitar, Eris got to her feet and stepped outside of the bar before she ruined the moment for everybody else by losing her temper. She made her way down to the docks and stood at the end with her hands clasped behind her back. Her eyes closed as she felt the sea breeze blow in and the storm inside her began to subside.

[Caramon Zero]

After I finish playing, I strap my guitar on my back and go outside after her.
When I find her I sit down a feet few away from her with my head hung low.

I bet you despise me don't you?
A man who seems to be so careless and so heartless all at once.

Please forgive me, as I haven't been completely truthful to you.
You see, I didn't recall her because I'd tried to commit suicide six months after the day I'd lost her.

We'd made a promise that if anything had happened at sea, that we'd meet on the highest cliff on the island, but no matter how long I waited, she never came, so one day I held in my wings and jumped off that cliff....right into an oncoming ship.

The crew of the ship I'd hit fished me out of the water and brought me back into the Bay, but after I woke up, it took me until the end of that year to even remember my name, let alone anyone dear to me.

Little by little I'm remembering things about my past, but sometimes it doesn't feel like I lived it, almost as if I were watching it from someone else's point of view.
All I know is that it took me all these years to remember her, all I have to do is remember her name and I can find her again.

I understand that that's no excuse for what I've done, but it's the truth.

I've got you to thank for returning such a treasured memory to me.
I don't think I can thank you enough for allowing me to remember something so important to me.

And thanks to this bloody mem'ry of mine, I can't even remember your name...
How ungrateful can I get, eh?[/i][/b][/size]

I raise my head a little as I shift my guitar on my shoulders and play a light but happy melody as I stay silent and let the scenery sink in.

[eris]

Although she seemed to relax a little once he had explained his side of the story, she did not relax fully. It was a perfectly good reason for him to have forgotten but at the same time she did not know that she could trust what he had to say. Though she supposed if she was to not trust this part of his speech then why should she trust the rest.

"You're welcome for that much at least although the offhand nature with which you seem to regard what she must have gone through still irritates me. Given the situation though, I can now understand why you would have such a reaction."

Eris remained silent after her words for almost a full minute. She just stood there on the end of the dock. Standing out here with her eyes closed brought back a feeling of nostalgia as she remembered some of her first days in the bay. "Eris." She looked over to Caramon and held a hand out to him. "My name is Eris."

[Caramon Zero]

There was something she'd taught me:
"Never live your life by others standards, but live it with joy, happiness, and love in your heart, and don't ever forget: No matter where I am, I'll always be with you."
That's partly why I'm so happy and so sad at the same time.
She with me in my heart, but there's a chance I may never see her again...

Something else she taught me was this:
"Life's not worth living with worries, so life a life with No Worries, and you'll always be happy."
I guess that's why after the accident I've not cared much for worrying of things, and just going where I'm pulled to.

People call me a hopeless romantic, a goody-two-shoes, and "The Chicken of the Sea", but the way I see it, I'm just doing what I believe is right.[/i][/b][/size]

I stand up and grasp her hand gently.

Eris... What an enchanting name.

Truthfully, I can't say how a woman like you could have such a vicious reputation, but I guess my reputation with the other Pirates is different with my crew as well.

My crew keep saying that I'm always being too kind to the prisoners we "acquire" since I drop them back off at their home.
One time, one of my men hurt one of the prisoners, and i cut him with my sword to heal the other person, but it was just a scratch, so he wasn't too angry about it.

I know my crew has mixed emotions about me, but I still keep on doing what I believe is right, no matter what others think.
My crew can understand me better than anyone else I've known, and if they wanted to, I'd try to get my oldest members ships of their own, but for some reason they never ask, so I can't do anything about it.

I try to be what I used to believe a Pirate should be, minus the innocent bloodshed.
I want to be able to make an adventurous living while helping others, not by hurting them.
I understand that there're times where you have to kill, but those times are not very common, since I've settled many disputes with a type of game or challenge, without the need for killing.
Now, I know I shouldn't turn my back on my "enemy", lest I want a bullet in my back, but I still tie up everyone who doesn't surrender.
My men are ordered to shoot at areas that aren't fatal, but sometimes they can be real arses, so I throw them overboard to cool off, and then I throw out a long boat with a few men on it for them to fetch him and return to the ship.

I'm just glad that I could meet someone who's not like most of the people around here.
Thank you.[/size][/i][/b]