A few hours after joining the Crimson Tide, night had fallen, and the ship was alive with laughter and music. The crew gathered on the deck, drinking and celebrating, the soft glow of lanterns casting warm light over their faces. Tankards of ale were passed around, and the air was filled with the sound of boisterous cheers and loud, carefree singing.
Drake sat among them, a tankard of ale in his hand, laughing along with the rest. The camaraderie was infectious, and the energy of the crew was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. Everyone was yelling over each other, voices rising in excitement as they shared stories and jokes.
Selene, the vice captain, moved gracefully through the crowd, her crimson eyes scanning the group. She held a glass of wine, sipping it elegantly as she approached Drake. With a soft smirk, she slid onto the bench beside him. "Enjoying yourself, rookie?" she asked, her tone playful.
Drake chuckled, raising his tankard. "More than I thought I would. You lot know how to celebrate."
Kael, sitting nearby, let out a booming laugh. "That's the spirit, kid! You're one of us now. Don't hold back!"
Drake grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it, Captain."
One of the crew members, a burly man with a booming voice, slammed his tankard on the table. "Tell us about yourself, Drake!"
The crew erupted in agreement, voices overlapping as they cheered. "Yeah, tell us!" they yelled, their enthusiasm infectious.
Drake laughed, setting his tankard down. "Alright, alright. Well, I'm an orphan. Since I was eight years old, I lived in an orphanage on my island. Spent my days helping out and protecting the younger kids there." He smiled as he spoke, but there was a shadow behind his smile—a faint hint of pain that didn't go unnoticed by Selene. She studied him quietly, her thoughts racing. That smile… there's more to it than he's letting on.
Garrick, sitting across from Drake, leaned forward. "What happened to your parents?" he asked, his tone gentler than usual.
Drake looked up at the starry sky, his expression softening. "They're dead. They were very sick. There wasn't anything anyone could do." His voice grew quieter, and a flicker of a memory crossed his mind—his parents' laughter, their warm smiles before the sickness took hold.
The crew fell silent for a moment, their raucous energy tempered by the weight of Drake's words. Then, he straightened up, his voice steady. "But that's why I want to get stronger. I want to be able to help someone dear to me in the future."
Kael nodded, his usual grin softer now. "That's a damn good reason, kid."
Selene glanced at him, her expression unreadable, but her thoughts betrayed her intrigue. He's been through a lot. Yet here he is, stronger for it. There's something about him…
Kael leaned forward, his grin returning. "Alright then, why did you want to become a pirate?"
Drake's smirk returned, his blue eyes glinting with humor. "I met some pirates who came to my island. The stories they told—about freedom, adventure, and the open seas—it sounded amazing."
The crew nodded, murmuring their agreement, but then Drake added with a mischievous grin, "And, well, I want a harem too."
For a moment, there was stunned silence as the crew processed his words. Then, as if on cue, the entire deck erupted in laughter. Drinks spilled, and several members doubled over, clutching their sides.
"A harem?" one crew member wheezed, tears streaming down his face. "This kid's got dreams, I'll give him that!"
Another slapped the table, struggling to catch their breath. "Didn't see that one coming!"
Selene raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with amusement. "Ambitious, aren't you, rookie?"
Drake shrugged, his grin unwavering. "You've got to aim high, right?"
The laughter continued, the crew's spirits higher than ever as they toasted to Drake's honesty and audacity. The celebration carried on late into the night, the bond between Drake and his new crewmates growing stronger with every laugh and cheer.
As the noise began to settle, Drake glanced at Selene beside him. She caught his gaze and smirked. "What are you staring at? Am I that beautiful?" she teased.
Drake chuckled, leaning back against the bench. "You're certainly confident, I'll give you that. But tell me, Selene—what's your story? What's your dream?"
Selene's smirk faltered slightly, and she looked down at her drink, swirling the wine in her glass. For a moment, her playful demeanor was replaced by something quieter, more introspective. "My story, huh?" she began, her voice softer now. "I grew up in a port city—biggest one in the region. My family ran a shipping business. We were well off, respected. But things took a turn when the competition decided they didn't like how well we were doing."
She paused, taking a slow sip of her wine before continuing. "They hired mercenaries to sabotage our ships, attack our crews. It didn't take long before we lost everything. My parents… they tried to rebuild, but the stress took its toll. They died a few years later, leaving me to fend for myself."
Drake listened intently, his blue eyes fixed on her as she spoke. "I ended up on the streets, learning how to survive the hard way. That's where I met Kael. He saw potential in me and gave me a chance to prove myself."
She looked up at the stars, her crimson eyes reflecting the faint light. "As for my dream… I guess it's simple. I want to make sure no one can ever take away what I care about again. I want the freedom to live on my terms and the strength to protect the people I care about."
Drake nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's a good dream," he said quietly. "And you've got the strength to make it happen."
Selene turned to him, her smirk returning, though her eyes held a hint of gratitude. "Don't go getting all sentimental on me, rookie. I might start thinking you've got a soft spot for me."
Drake laughed, raising his tankard. "Wouldn't dream of it, Vice Captain."
The two shared a quiet laugh as the night carried on, the bond between them subtly deepening as the ship is tied to the dock under the starry sky.
To Be Contin
Drake noticed the captain standing at the edge of the ship, gazing up at the night sky. The stars sparkled like scattered diamonds against the velvety darkness, and the gentle sound of waves lapping against the dock created a peaceful ambiance. Feeling a pull, Drake walked over to join him.
Without turning around, Kael spoke, his deep voice carrying warmth. "Hey there, Drake boy. Beautiful night for drinking, right?"
Drake chuckled, leaning on the railing beside him. "Yeah, it is."
Kael smiled, his gaze still fixed on the stars. "What can I help you with, boy?"
Drake hesitated for a moment, then spoke earnestly. "I just wanted to say thank you, Captain. Thank you for choosing me to be part of your crew."
Kael finally turned to look at him, his grin wide and genuine. "Thank me? Boy, you earned it. You've got guts, and guts are what we need on the Crimson Tide. But remember, this is just the beginning. You've got a long way to go."
Drake nodded, his blue eyes shining with determination. "I won't let you down, Captain. I promise."
Kael clapped him on the shoulder, his laugh booming across the quiet night. "That's the spirit! Now tell me, are you ready for adventure, boy?"
Drake laughed, his excitement palpable. "Yes, sir! I'm ready for adventure with the Crimson Tide!"
The two shared a hearty laugh, their voices mingling with the sounds of the night as the bond between captain and crewman solidified under the starry sky.