<div class="floatleft">(http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/LadyChavez/Pirate.jpg?t=1301465968)</div><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: courier;">Blackbird, on board the Courtesan</span></span></strong><br/><br/>The steady rocking movement of the large ship calmed my mind as soon as we set sail. We... As ridiculous as it was to be on this ship and not my own, my father's, it was what I had to do so why whine about it? It didn't mean I had to like it, though, or the crew. I hadn't made any friends since I was forced to join them, and it wasn't part of my plan to change that. Make them think I liked them, sure. Take advantage of a couple of them? Sure. Trust them? Never.<br/><br/>I noticed soon after we left port that I wasn't the only one wondering about the Captain's intentions. We were heavy and slow, too heavy to risk anything really, and had anyone asked me I would've suggested a lighter load and replenishing supplies as we went. Ship from ship, as it were... I didn't like being an easy target, and today the ship felt more like a lazy duck than the hawk it needed to be. Did I mention it? Of course not. But I did keep an eye on the horizon and the Captain, hoping I'd have a ship to man for the rest of these two cursed years.<br/><br/>I straightened up when the Captain yelled his orders and damn if a rush of fun didn't pass through my blood at the thought of wetting my blade. I snorted at the flag as it danced in the wind, found it cowardly to try to trick the merchantman instead of hoisting something unique up there. My father never drew another flag than his signature one and did so with brutal pride. How were they going to tremble in their boots and piss their pants out of dread if they didn't know you were coming? No, I wanted my name to roar through the mist as my ship targeted another some day. Oh they'd tremble...<br/><br/>I clenched my jaw, suppressed a huff and glanced briefly at Fara before grabbing the Rum and doing as ordered. I didn't even flinch when the Captain slapped my arse, even if usually that sort of thing would either earn a man a grin or a nice scar in a well chosen place. No, I had plans for him. That, and I needed to tolerate him until I could return. Or until my father would return. With that in mind I managed a sly grin as I made my way from man to man with the Rum, ignoring most of the attempts to rile me up. They were obviously getting excited as I was to get their hands dirty. I was even getting thirsty enough for a little action to bump my hip into Fara's as I passed her on my way back.<br/><br/>