Thirty minutes to take everything in. This ship would be their home for a while, if not a long time. Ellen wiped away some of the sweat accumulating near her eyes and went over to the barrel of water Tim had previously drank from. She dipped the ladle the way Tim had and took a sip from the edge. "Mm, Joanna, this water is cold. It's amazing." She savored the clear, fresh taste; a rare commodity back in London. Joanna laid down on the bottom bunk, swirling the key Tim had given her upon entrance. It looped constantly around her pointer finger, a motion she found herself mesmerized with. "Joanna?" Ellen inquired.<br/><br/>"Hmm?" Joanna didn't make an effort to look over at her sister and observe what she was doing.<br/><br/>"Come and drink." Joanna shifted her head to glance at Ellen and turned back to the key. Ellen pouted and walked over to her sister.<br/><br/>"I'm alright."<br/><br/>"You're spaced out. What's wrong?" Ellen questioned as she plopped down next to Joanna. Deadly silence hung in the air for a bit, with the exception of the clinking keys. Waves crashed harmoniously, rocking the ship gently where Joanna and Ellen were stationed. It was a soft lull, a break from the boisterous noises they faced every day as thieves. Joanna was certain the ship might be her recipe for a satisfying night's sleep if she continued to lay on these dusty blue sheets.<br/><br/>"What are we going to do? Will we ever find a way off this ship or go back home? Where is he taking us?" she murmured.<br/><br/>"I don't know," Ellen sighed. "You can't think about that right now though because we don't know. Worrying does you no good, you told me that."<br/><br/>Joanna sat up and wrapped her sister in a tight embrace. "I don't want to lose you Ellen, after well, you know. I'm not ready to trust these people, even under this so-called protection. Let's wash up a little."<br/><br/>Ellen and Joanna used the water Tim drank from to ladle some water onto their shoulders and neck. Joanna poured water onto Ellen's face to help wash away most, if not all, of the dirt, dust, and sweat that had accumulated over time, and Ellen returned the favor. By the time they were finished washing up their faces, they had some time to spare. Although they were both under the captain's authority now, Joanna had her own rules to establish. Ellen would be near her at all times, if she could help it.<br/><br/>If Joanna was unable to take Ellen with her on duty, she preferred Ellen stay with Tim or in their room with the door locked. With Tim being first mate, or whatever that kind of title bore, Joanna was sure he wouldn't mind keeping an eye on Ellen, or at least, that was her expectation. He seemed to be close to the captain enough for him to be so bold as to step down from his current position to help move the cannonballs out of the area. "So, Ellen, we'll talk a bit with the captain perhaps, see what kind of arrangements can be made to further your safety. I don't know what he has planned, but I'm sure it's almost time for dinner to begin. Let's go. They'll be waiting and I'm hungry."<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>The ship creaked a little here and there as the two girls walked hand in hand to the dining hall. It was eerie, but the oceans helped calm the storm within Joanna. She would stand up straight and work twice as hard as any man on this blasted ship. Joanna would do everything to keep her sister alive, even if it cost her own life. Ellen would never accept that. Raucous laughter and the slam of pints burned in Joanna's ear. It was much too rowdy for her liking, but a party was a party, and this was their only chance to eat what Joanna expected to be a fine meal. The pirates didn't seem interested in stopping their party completely, although some of the men Joanna felt bore their eyes into her and her sister like needles and try to flatter them with unconvincing compliments. The girls maneuvered through the crowd, eager to find the captain more so than anyone else. When Ellen spotted him, sitting by himself at his own round table, Joanna immediately approached the man with Ellen at her hip and made an effort to show some dignity.<br/><br/>"Excuse me," she began with a polite tone. "We've finished moving the cannonballs as you suggested."