John
Puck
In some shade.

Crouching down at the base of a tall tree, Snæch sighed with distaste. Cheery days never much fit his aesthetic. Cheery days were full of... Nothing for him. He supposed there was nothing to celebrate this time around, either. He would be acting like a good boy for a king who couldn't talk right, and helping sweaty men with heavy armor all day. At least there were leeches. He wondered how it even worked, still, even after the questions were answered by Silas about leeches fucking. He scratched his chin. Pausing, he scratched his chin some more. 

*Stubble?* He thought to himself, a tinge of excitement. He felt his face a little more, really rubbed it down. Sure enough, there was some little fuzz barely peeking in. Perhaps he'd look more a man than a boy soon enough. Sadly, he never knew how to shave, no one had ever taught him. He was a late bloomer, surely, but this? This was at least progress. Was it because he got whipped fifty times? Or was it just a final leap toward manhood happening in the time he finally slept?

As he thought about when the hell puberty hit him, he felt a smoothness over his sandaled foot, sliding over his toes like a cold, wet...

*Leech?* 

He looked down, his heartbeat thumping suddenly as he was faced with not a leech, but a snake, slithering over his foot and around his ankle. He didn't move, looking at it with a statuesque reaction, frozen in place as he rifled through his mind about the various poisonous snakes that made The Southern Isles their home. Was this one of them?
Harvey
Valkrin Farensun
Farensun Estate, Tonate Proper

"Aye, well if you're lookin for a bit of extra decoration, there's more than likely a few trinkets in that pile over there." He said as he gestured toward a small tower of chests, containing all manner of earrings and necklaces. "If you look around enough might even be a few dresses around here somewhere, for some reason the boys think I can offload that kind of shit." He paused and tried to think of where he would've put any dresses his men brought in. 

"I'm heading out soon to take a look throughout the city, be nice to have you along if you're interested. Gotta come back here and change into my dress uniform before the tournament though, can come to that too if you like. We'll be meeting the King there, so you'll have to look elegant." *Elegant*? That wasn't a word the man used often, and it tasted foul coming out of his mouth.
Marguerite
Catarina Tanner
Farensun Estate, Tonate Proper

She raised a brow at him, somewhat perplexed by his offer. It wasn't an unattractive one though. The streets of Tonate could be a bit rowdy at times, particularly during a festival, not to mention the risk of running into any former... Clients; Val would likely offer the perfect protection. It wasn't like she really knew much about defending herself, at this point. 

"Alright..." She replied, slowly. Hesitantly. "I'll join you. Just give me a few minutes." 

With that, she retrieved some jewelry from the chests that were offered her and then scurried back upstairs. While she was usually kept busy with work for Val, she still had time alone in this big empty house. She had done more than her fair share of snooping, so she knew right where to go for the dresses he spoke of.

A few minutes later, she returned. Her lips were stained a crimson red, while her eyes were darkened with a bit of kohl. The dress she had chosen was beautiful— a brilliant blue— but not overly flashy or heavy. Perhaps she would change into something better for the ball, if she chose to go, but this was meant for being out in the streets, dancing and enjoying the festival. In her ears she wore large hoop earrings, along with bangles on her wrists and a necklace, all of which she had borrowed from what Valkrin offered. Her jewelry had been sold long ago.

But what she had chosen was largely representative of her people and her upbringing, and so when she returned to Valkrin, she looked like an amalgamation of Terresolian and vagabond.
Harvey
Valkrin Farensun
Farensun Estate, Tonate Proper 

He'd put his uniform and plates back on while waiting for Catarina to come back down, but he wasn't prepared for exactly how stunning she looked. "Like the gleaming streets of Sol herself," Were the only words he could manage to get out. 

He cleared his throat and strapped his sword to his back, tugging at his chest plate afterwards to move it off his neck. Valkrin walked over to the door and opened it for her, then called for his servants to lock the door behind him. As they stood in front of the house, he extended his arm to her. "Are you ready? Be a while 'fore we come back to change."
Terence
A completely coincidental meeting of people.

The Port of Drase, Tonate Proper


*The Sparrow's Wing*'s deck was bustling with life.  Men and women dressed in earthly tones over pale shirts ran across the wet boarding with a certain practiced skill that you could almost call magic.  A call rang from the top of the main sail, a spot the crew lovingly deemed the "Sparrow's Nest," To prepare to hoist the sails as they closed in to the harbor.  The harbor itself seemed to be packed to an untrained eye, merchant ships and barges gliding around in a sort of ramshackle dance.


"Half Sail, lads!  Way Hey!"  Out rang the tenor voice of the young captain, the last words clearly carrying a tune that was soon picked up by the crew manning the rigging.  They cried out in unified lyrics with each pull, the coarse leathery hands finding easy purchase along the grain.  As the song finished, so did their task, and the crew then prematurely rushed to their positions for the next stage of docking.


"Rea'y oars!"  Cried out the first mate, a tall Islander with dark skin and arms the size of Birch Trees, the brand of a fishing boat slave on his face.  The oars slid out of the side of the ship, hovering above the water.  A Taemarian galleon approached them, almost on an intersect path until they began to drift to *The Sparrow's* Starboard side.


"Bra'e! Slow drif' teh por'!" The oars dipped into the water upon the command.  The oars on port staying beneath the water constantly while the oars on starboard bobbed to a beat.


"Yet another pirate trying to mooch off the festival?"  Shouted a sailor on the galleon.


"Aye, a full hold of Taemarian Pig's feet!  Care for a bite?"  Returned a young woman on the red-sailed Junk ship.


"Careful you don't choke on the hooves!  Doubt some Witherland whore even knows what that is!"  It was impressive he picked up on her accent, however the woman had backup.

"Don't fret, Hilda, they're just upset we didn't save them the hog cunts!"  A roar of laughter came from the crew.  No doubt the Taemarian wanted to reply, however at this point the ships had passed almost fully, and the respective captains simply nodded at each other and chuckled.


"Steady as she goes!  Bring her in on the starboard side!"  They were well in the harbor now, a clear highway to the docks becoming obvious to the coordinated navigation between the Captain and the Sparrow's Nest.


"Retract oars!  Full Stop!"  The wooden oars lifted into the stowage beneath the deck as the crew topside returned to their positions at the mast.  The lumbering shoulders hoisted until the ruby sails retracted to the mast fully.  The ship was now drifting.


"Anchor ready!"  Shouted the Captain, the first mate retreating belowdecks to assist with the preparation to disembark.


"Release!"  The stoppage below decks was pulled free, the massive wheel that sat at the center of the coiled chain spinning rapidly as the heavy weight plummeted to the bottom of the harbor.


"Cleat Hitch, go!"  Came the call.  And as the Junk ship drifted into a spot along the docks, 4 or 5 sailors leaped over the ramparts, rope in hand, to secure the ship to the boardwalk.


"Brace!"  Shouted the Captain, however there was hardly a need as the ship gave a minor tug against the ropes before coming to a full stop, slowly drifting back against the tension.


"Gangway down!"  Shouted a crewmate, the long ridged plank slamming down against the docks.

—


The entire ship seemed to breathe a sigh of relief once it was fully docked.  A unified groan resonating through each plank as the behemoth settled to a resting position.


Sir Jax Brightwater looked up from his book.  Closing the front cover over his thumb as he glanced out of the porthole in the cabin.  The book in his hands was a brief history of the Southern Isles over the first ten years of the Maith takeover, written by a prominent author Jax recognized from Feyshore, however rumor had it he was living in Araedia now.  He grabbed a piece of fabric on his small desk and slipped it between the pages.  On the other bunk in the room, Aleksandr stirred to a sitting position, wiping the sleep from his eyes with a pale finger.


"Have we arrived?" Came the meek voice as he awoke.


"It seems so, can't you smell it?" Jax inquired.


Aleks wrinkled his nose after a quick sniff.


"It stinks, what is that smell?"


"Dinner, Cadet." Jax chuckled.  Aleks may have been mistreated by most of the people he served, yet he still had a small underlying criticism of strange things he viewed as alien and, well, not of nobility.  In truth despite the terrible conditions Jax rescued him from, Aleks still hesitated during his survival excercises, being somewhat used to living like a pet.


*"Snap it's neck, Brightwater!"


Jax's hands hesitated around the chicken's neck, grasping lightly at the brown and sienna feathers.


"Kill it!"


He didn't.


"Fucking kill it, Brightwater!"


"I can't."


"**Do it!**"


Jax screamed, a primal scream of desperation and fear rang out across the training grounds, cut short by a loud crack.


The drill officer's hands were wrapped over the chicken's neck.


"The next time you hesitate like that, I'll fucking kill you myself."*


"Sir?" Aleks' voice brought him back to reality.


"Sorry, what was that, Aleks?"


"Should I see if it's okay to disembark?"


Almost as if his words summoned it, the door rang with a knock, and the Islander entered.

"We' dawked.  Yew can disembar' whenevah yer rea'y."  Then he closed the door.


"Guess that answers that."  Jax snarked at his squire.

—


"Watch how you attach the ropes!  That wagon is worth more than your entire salary!"  Noma shouted at the crew surrounding his wagon, nervous as ever at the prospect of these strangers handling his entire livelihood.  The sailor gave a grunt in response, and Noma spied the rolling of eyes beneath his leathery fold.  "I saw that!"


"Cheery as ever I see."  Noma turned towards the voice of the Eclipse Captain.


"Ah, Captain Jax, finally someone who can sympathize.  I don't suppose there's any chance you can whip this lot into shape before they break everything?"


"I'm not that sort of Captain, I'm afraid."  The knight chuckled.


Noma was glad when the two Eclipse knights joined their little pleasure cruise in Taemar.  He respected Captain Farensun, and they were known to spend hours discussing philosophy and politics over a bottle or two of wine, but the crew of *The Sparrow* Had only a small amount of Noma's patience.  He had received too much disrespect to his career from them, and given his own fair share in return.  The irony of the situation was that without the added flair of each title, both parties traveled the world in a sentimental vessel trading and bartering to various organizations, they really weren't all that different.  However the two seemed to latch onto their differences like flies in tar, getting in multiple arguments throughout the trip, so Noma was elated when the Eclipse boarded and diversified the conversations.


"What about the squire?  Care to jump in and show these lads how to properly hoist a wagon?"  The pale cadet simply squeaked in reply, shuffling further behind his mentor.


"Have you decided where you're staying, yet?"  Jax continued the conversation, "We thought to check the inns closer to the festival before settling on something out here."

"I have!  Traveling merchants can find a bunk at the Mizzen.  If I would suggest a spot I would search near the other entrance, the Hangman's Harbor, no doubt some sea shack has a spare room for sale, and it's right near the tournament compared to other places."


Jax bowed politely.


"Thank you my friend, I'll look for your wagon at the tournament."


Noma laughed a boisterous and gaudy laugh as he waved them goodbye.  As soon as they ascended topside however he resumed his chastisement of the sailors.


"Who taught you how to tie a knot?  A blind monkey!?"

—


"Captain!"


Dirk turned from the bow of the ship.


"Ah, Captain!"  Dirk chuckled at his joke.  He was the only one.


"I wanted to personally thank you for letting us travel with your crew."  The knight continued.


"Aye, it was no problem, you didn't take up half my hold with piles of ice and snow."  He rolled his eyes.  "Is 'butter' even worth it?"


"Oh, yes,"  Jax chuckled, "In that madman's hands I'm sure he'll fill that wagon full of gold with just that one barrel."


"Somehow I don't doubt that."  Dirk's stomach grumbled, recalling the memory just a week prior.  Noma, frustrated, stood up from his table and declared he couldn't stand the swill they ate.  He marched into the kitchen, threw the crew chef out, and after a few minutes, emerged with a fresh pot of stew.  It was magnificent, one of the best things Dirk had on a ship.  When the crew chef asked him what he did Noma simply chuckled.


*"Salt, and a few carrots."*


Dirk grasped the Eclipse knight by the forearm.


"Look for our red sail if you need passage again."


"I will, maybe sooner than you think."


Dirk watched him leave before turning back to the front of his ship.


"Silas!"


"Ay' Cap'n?"  The Islander appeared as Dirk produced a spyglass.


"Does that look like my Father's ship to you?"

—


Erik reached forward and grabbed the merchant by the collar, pulling him over the counter.


"I'm fairly sure I gave you 2 silvers, not a a silver and a copper."  His deep booming voice came out as slowly as he thought of the words, but he face was stern.  The merchant was desperate to hang onto his coin, but not stupid.


"Tha' yew di'," He stammered out before producing a handful of coppers, "Kee' th' change!"


Erik let go and grabbed his kebabs with his newly freed hands, taking a large bite.  His eyes lit up and he turned back to the merchant, who shrieked.


"You have a gift!"  He shouted, spitting chunks of meat on the poor man's face.


"Than' yew..."  But Erik was already gone.


Sophia had sent him out for groceries, a small price to pay since she was letting him fight in the melee, but that was a few hours ago.  He had a list and checked everything off, now he was just meandering about because all she said was: "Get everything on the list, don't come back until you do."  If she was in a hurry she'd say: "Get everything on the list, then come back right after."  So he wasn't worried, his sister knew how to talk to him.


And Erik was glad that he stayed.


Soon after he finished his sixth kebab, he caught a familiar scent.  It was strange in the market of the Southern Isles, with so many strange smells intoxicating the air, but Erik was a hunter, and this smell was familiar.  A quick glance around and he saw him, his quarry.


"*Tin Man!*"


Jax looked up, only realizing it was him until it was too late.


A mighty roar pierced the market, a bundle of packages fell to the ground, and Erik smashed his fist into Jax's face.  Aleksandr, the poor lad, grasped at his dagger briefly, fumbling around the hilt.

"You lumbering oaf!"  Jax was back, leaping up with both legs, driving the crown of his head into Erik's nose.  There was a pause as Aleksandr didn't know what to do.  But as soon as the roar came out, so did the laughter.  The two men grasped each other with familiarity, and recognition dawned on Aleks.


"You're the mercenary... The one who ripped the gate from it's hinges!"  He bowed quickly, thanking the man who helped save him profusely.


"You've gotten bigger, Little Rabbit!  Wanna arm wrestle?"  Erik squatted down, giggling at the terrified look in the boy's eyes.


"Keeping out of trouble?"  Jax laughed out.


"Never!  That's why I'm here!"


"Don't tell me..."


"No! Just the melee is all, at least that's all I know."


"You're getting smarter, big man."


Erik beamed at the compliment, and like a key finally clicking, he remembered the packages he dropped.  Aleks almost giggled at the sight of the big man picking up every bag so gingerly.


"What are you two doing here?  Hunting someone?"  Erik returned to the conversation.


"Nothing that exciting, we're heading back to Astoria and stopped here for the tourney."


"I'll get to fight you then!"  Erik said before noticing the armor his rival wore,  "Astoria has butterflies?"


"They're moths..." Aleks perked up defensively.


"It's special to the royal family, just wait until you see the armor I'm wearing for the tourney!"  Jax could barely contain his laughter.


"You'll fight in the melee, yes!?"  Erik pursued.


"I'm in the joust for sure, but just for you my friend I shall see if they'll take me last minute." Jax clapped the massive shoulder, as Erik jumped with glee.


"I shall come to see you in the Joust just in case they do not!  I must see your ridiculous tin armor now!"  And all three of the men laughed together, loudly.

—


As the ship finally came to a rest, the chef found a place for his stall, and the fighter's retired to an available room, each one took a breath.  For the first time in history, these four individuals were within the same borders, attending the same festival.  While they didn't have the omnipotence handy to fully grasp it, each one could feel it in their bones, this festival would change things.


The oaf, who was here for glory and fame, fell asleep dreaming of the crowd saying his name.  The pirate, with a crew he called family, awoke to a nightmare about his daddy.  The chef, who travels the world for a cause, marveled at the beauty of the city on pause. And finally, the knight who sought only fun, couldn't marvel the weight his shoulders did run.


And in all the chaos, the noise, and the thick

Who knows if we'll see signs, of good old Tiny Vik.
Marguerite
Catarina Tanner
Farensun Estate, Tonate Proper

She was tempted to tell him to stop gaping like a fish out of water, but instead she chose to ignore his compliment. The jab just didn't feel worth it, and admittedly, it had been quite some time since she felt and looked this good. 

Outside, she hesitated before taking his arm with a nod and replying, "I believe I have everything." 

With that, the two of them were off to the festival, making their way through the streets. The two must have looked like quite the pair, as she noticed several people staring at them as they passed. Or perhaps it was just Valkrin, though usually people tended to avoid staring at him. If they didn't, well, it seemed like Valkrin always made sure they didn't do that again. A little piece of her felt guilty for even going to the festival with him, knowing all she did about his dealings and the horrible things he had done. And yet here she was, draped on the arm of a monster... Mostly, she told herself, she did this so that she wasn't bothered by anyone else, especially with the money she had on her to enjoy some treats at the festival. And, as they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Felicia
**Cyprien de Lysse**
**The Adamant Raptor**

The cerulean waves of the Bay of Pearls shattered against the keel of the _Adamant Raptor_, the ship Cyprien de Lysse had chosen to lead the flotilla that would visit the Isles. Although far from the pride of his navy, the _Adamant Raptor_ was Cyprien's favourite nevertheless: it was the fastest, and most complex ship among House de Lysse's naval assets. It's was also the most maneuvrable, thanks to it's lavender triangular sails, and Cyprien had ordered his captain to drift across the flotilla in order to give Fleur a constantly shifting view, who due to her strange condition was painfully affected by the monotony of the travel.

"Land in sight!" Shouted the man perched atop the foremast, pointing the rising shapes in the horizon with one hand and holding a spyglass in the other.

"All ships in formation! Shield the _Adamant Raptor_ until we make it to port!" Ordered Cyprien.

As guests of the festival, they were allegedly under Bradai Maith's protection, but the ruler of the Isles didn't style himself as a "Pirate King" For nothing. One could never be too cautious.

As the _Adamant Raptor_ dropped anchor in the port of Tonate Proper, Cyprien began having second thoughts about his ship. He had been delighted to show it his daughter during the travel, but seeing it lay idle at harbour made him worry about it. The ship was too ostentatious for the port of Tonate. Too sonspicuous, even with the other ships of House de Lysse surrounding it. Not the best thing in a land renowed for it's thievery.

"Change of plans. I want a platoon to stay with the ship. Make sure to guard her well."

_Shoul've brought more guards_, he tought. Well, nothing he could do about it now. He turned around and adressed his son, who was now descending the ramp with the woman he'd hired. Fleur followed them not far behind.

"I want you to take a squad with you and go figure out the details for the tournament, the rest will come with Fleur and me."
Cedric
Bastien De Lysse
The Adamant Raptor

Taking a deep breath of the fresh sea air, Bastien descended to greet his father. He was dressed in nice, albeit not extremely formal, clothes: a rich, wine-red tunic and black pants with his custom black riding boots. A casual display of his wealth and status. His white hair was ruffled by the sea breeze.

"Very well," Bastien said as he raised a hand lazily in the air. The squad of men he had previously assembled nodded in understanding as they began to make ready to leave the ship. "It will be an interesting tournament to watch, though I don't know how much of it I will get to see."

His dark indigo eyes flicked from the sparkling ocean waves to his little sister. He gave her a stiff, singular pat on the head. It was the most amount of affection he could show in front of so many people. "I hope you will watch it," He told her with a small smile. "Despite my name not being on the registration, it will be very similar to those daring adventure books you love to read so much. I might see you there, if I can make it." 

He looked over at Lady Calypso. It seemed as though she and Fleur were getting along somewhat nicely, which made him pleased. Still, he was glad that Fleur would be sticking besides Cyprien nonetheless. He wanted Fleur to be comfortable, and he did not trust Lady Calypso fully yet. "I trust you will watch over her," He told the young woman. His voice was serious, but he added in an equally serious tone, "And make sure she does not buy too many candies or sweets without saving some for me."

His eyes locked with Calypso, and he held her gaze for a few moments as they shared a silent understanding.

Then he turned back to Fleur and raised an eyebrow slightly, a ghost of a smile on his face. "Such a pretty dress you are wearing," He said as he gave her a look up and down. "Be warned: if I see any young men try to talk to you, he best say his prayers lest I get my hands on him."
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
The Adamant Raptor

Calypso had never been on a ship before, her and Fleur sharing that first experience together, helped make the first steps to better get to know each other. 

She was wearing a white chemise under a kirtle dress with the boned corset, in a vibrant red, with a thin golden chain cinching at her waist, the structure of the dress making it harder for the wind to raise the skirt, permitting her to walk around the deck freely while waiting on Fleur to get off the ship. Her dark eyes studying the scenery, holding herself with her usual poised demeanor. The wind making her French braid slice the air like the tail of an angry cat.

When Lady Fleur was ready, the two walked together towards Lord Bastian who was waiting for them on the dock, a group of man surrounding him, making him stand out even more with his rich clothes and high stature, like if the white hair weren't enough to pull him apart from the others. Calypso gave a small polite smile to the men around them before turning her attention to the nobleman who was currently talking to his sister.

Of course, it didn't take him long to redirect his attention from Fleur, the warmth in his eyes disappearing once he lends his eyes on her. Calypso held his stare letting a small smile slip on her lips. "I'm here for this very reason my Lord. " Answered her with a small nod before letting a chuckle escape her lips at his joke " Oh I don't know, what do you say my Lady? Should we leave some sweets for your brother?" Asked her playfully but keeping her composure.

When their eyes meet, Calypso immediately received his message.
Shirley
Prince Nickles
The Southern Isles
Bradai's Ship

The cornhusk doll that Nickles had mischievously placed aboard Persephoen's dingy, the *Jam Jar*, must have made it to the Isle of Rikkon by now. It was a magnificent doll that he created using the discarded remains of *The Corn Husk Hog Festival's Annual Corn Husk Husk Hog*. As he crafted his beautiful doll, eyes tearbright in admiration, he realized that he was birthing a legacy. Indeed, he had become quite fond of the corn doll that bore a striking resemblance to himself and he had grown miserable to the thought of it being in the smelly Northern rat's possession. In a stroke of genius and foresight, he pinned a neat letter to the chest of his beloved corn doll. *Please return to the Maith Mansion, which is where I will reside from here on out. If you return my doll damaged in any way, I will tear your ugly bitch hair off,* He wrote to his ex-girlfriend. He swiped his thumb along his gums until one of the rusted razor blades that had earned him the nickname *Stitch Mouth* So many years prior cut into his skin. The pad of his finger bloomed with blood and he pressed it to the note to seal his oath. 

Days later, he was tucked safely away in a crate of black mulberries, en route to the Southern Isles. Bradai Maith, the most prolific art thief of their generation, had something of Nickles. Had it for too damn long. Nickles shrieked softly into his cupped hands, too excited at the prospect of being reunited with his long lost portrait to contain himself. The mulberries had dyed his pink dress purple and wrinkled his skin with their juices. He would come out of the crate a new woman. A woman who would show no mercy to those who wronged her. Again, he squealed with delight at the thoughts that swam in his head. Dirty, murderous thoughts.

Three episodes of sea-sickness later, Nickels' vomitus mingled with the crushed mulberries and blacked his hairs. He slicked them back and sucked in a deep breath, preparing for what was sure to come. He could smell the stench of the Islanders hours before they reached the wretched kingdom. Bathing, he thought in absolute disgust, was not a pillar of their society. He felt the ship dock and the Islander crewmates began to prepare to dock.

"Come at me, you dirty sons of bitches," He whispered, menacingly. He crouched in the crate, berries squished between his toes. If anyone opened the lid, he was prepared to pounce.
Dean
Fleur De Lysse
The Adamant Raptor

Fleur hasn't gotten her hopes up very high for the trip, suspecting that if her mother had anything to do with it, she would have been left at the Keep and did not want to make herself too disappointed. So when it was time for them to leave, Fleur was absolutely elated. The entire journey was completely new to her- from the carriage ride, to boarding the ship, to watching men who didn't have any sea legs experience bouts of seasickness. Luckily, Fleur had not felt sick like them at all. On a different note- the girl had slept decently well so far on the nights of the trip, the bouts of nightmares at bay for the time being. Instead, the girl was wracked with strange dreams, ones she could not very much make sense of. 

The dress upon Fleur's small frame was a deep green, chosen to starkly contrast her violet eyes. She had never gotten the chance to wear it before, and the thought of it had excited her. And so, upon her body it went. 

As soon as land was called, Fleur had rushed quickly to the deck, and set herself near the ships railing to look out and watch as they approached land, until she was pulled back in by Lady Calypso under the promise she could go back out when her hair was finished. Soon enough, the ship was docked, and Fleur could barely contain her excitement.

The girl practically leaped down the ramp, nearly bowling past both Bastien and Lady Calpyso. Though, she dialed it back a bit when her gaze met her fathers- looking quite stern as always. Fleur knew that she could not cause any trouble during the stay, lest he decide he did not want to bring her on any further ventures. Maybe soon enough, she could accompany Bastien on his travels as well. Fleur would absolutely adore it- this could possibly be a step towards her freedom from her mother. 

Fleur grinned up at Bastien as she approached, curtsying in front of him as he complimented her dress.

"I don't know, Lady Calypso, I am gonna get a *Lot* Of sweets." Fleur confirmed, a soft giggle escaping her lips.

"Do you think we're gonna meet any pirates?" Fleur looked from her brother to Lady Calypso, waiting on either of them to answer. One of her favorite books we're about the adventures of pirates, and she was itching to meet one in person.