Meeting the Captain

I was working late at Jill’s Tavern. I was wearing a simple white dress with white baggy sleeves with elastic at the ends to keep them out of the way, and a black ribbon to tie back my messy white hair. I was stacking plates on one hand, and started waking back to the kitchen when she grabbed my arm. She pulled me behind the bar. I had to use my other hand to steady the stack. I turned around to tell her off, but it was clear her mind was elsewhere, as were her eyes.

“He’s here. That’s him.” She whispered. I fallowed her gaze. At a booth a small group sat. There was a person with long pretty brown hair, and fierce brown eyes. They had on red eyeliner draw into wings. They had on a red dress with a black corset around their waist, a brown cloak, and black boots. The person next to them had on brown pants, and boots. A lose fitted white top tucked in. He had on a lot of black leather belts around their waist. This was the person Hannah was taking about. The man she had met the day before, and was smitten with. She said he was classically handsome. It was hard to make out his face though with a black cloak over it. He was talking quietly to the person he was sitting across from. When I looked at them a feeling of déjà vu washed over me. They had on a black tricorne. So most likely a sailor. We were a fishing village, and had a lot of sailors and merchants. It’s why despite our small size we had a few Guards of the King. Most towns this small, and uneventful only had one if that, but recently a few of our ships had been taken by pirates. They wore all black. A black shirt, pants, and boots. A black bandanna was tide around their neck, and a belt with a shiny gold buckle. My immediate impression was polar. A feeling of absolute safety washed over me, but at the same time my instincts gave me the distinct feeling these people were trouble. I felt drawn to them immediately. Lottie was already pulling my sleeve.

“Come on. I’ll introduce you.” I was forced to set down the plates onto the bar as she dragged me away. The three of them them were talking just above a whisper, but stopped once they sensed our presence. The man, Lottie said his name was Doven, was the first to look up. He looked familiar, black hair and eyes.

“Doven this is Elena, she/her.”

“This is Auburn, she/ her.” The one he was sitting next too. Up close I could see a tattoo on her neck of a bird wings outstretched on fire. I had the feeling I had seen it before though I couldn’t place where. “And this is Captain Edward. He/him.” Now that I was I was looking at him closely a wave of emotions hit me. Still I kept myself composed. Where had I seen these people before? This man looked the most familiar. Then I realized something. With the dim lighting, the distance, and his hat I hadn’t noticed it before he too had white hair. I had never seen anyone before who also had white hair. It was a rare color. He seemed just as surprised. He honestly could have been the masculine version of me. Mirrored grey eyes, sharp and fierce the color of a sea storm. It was quite strange how similar we looked. He seemed just as surprised. Lottie didn’t seemed to notice. She went on talking with Doven about plans for there next date. I caught bits of the conversation. He would be docked here for the next week at least.

“Lottie, Elena you can chat on your own time. Get these plates to the back.” Me, and Jimmy glared at each other. Jimmy was a good guy, and a good boss if a bit strict, but we were both as stubborn as they come. Lottie broke the stalemate. She grabbed the plates, and rushed to the kitchen.

“What can I get you?” They stared at me for a moment. “To drink.”

“Oh, Um I’ll have a Dark and Stormy. And a Hurricane.” Said Auburn.

“You like your alcohol.” I commented, and she smirked.

“Whiskey.” I nodded. I turned to the white haired man.

“What do you recommend?” Normally I just recommend whatever’s most popular, but instead I gave a little laugh, and said;

“I just drink straight rum.” He smiled.

“I’ll have that then.”

“A Hurricane and a Dark and Stormy. A whiskey. And a glass of rum.” With that I went behind the bar. Jimmy joked he only hired my because I knew my way around a bar. I had bit of a talent for making cocktails, and I new how to make just about anything. Just as I set down their drinks a man a recognized walked in. I didn’t like him. No one I new did. He was tall, and blond, and had a pin on the shirt he wore over his gold chain mail. It was the Kings Guard symbol. He did his job fine. It was his personality everyone hated. He was rude, and loud. The second he walked in the three of them downed their drinks, and wisely made there way out the door. The women stopped to hand me a tip. My jaw dropped at the sight of a gold coin. Unlike most kingdoms we used currency. A sliver was a ten copper, a gold a ten silver. The drinks warranted a few silver at most. Probably just a couple copper. We weren’t exactly fancy. I was about ready to hand it back to her when she seemed to sense it, and closed my hand.

“Thanks.” I managed composing myself. She gave me a smile and said,

“You know tomorrow after sunset we where going to head to Vixens Club. You, and Lottie should come.” I nodded. I knew the place it was just two streets over. With that she pulled up her hood, and left. I watched them go.

“Hey. Hey! Can I get some service over here.” He started snapping his fingers at me as I grabbed the empty glasses. I pictured breaking them. Not the glasses, his fingers.