Attachment and annoyance

Despite the sexual tension of the evening, the night is uneventful for once. In the morning, the storm has passed, and you begin loading everyone back onto the ships. It’s a little odd that you have to coordinate that, and you wonder where Captain Ben ended up. It’s a question that is answered shortly, as he and Bella approach, both looking slightly disheveled and quite pleased with themselves.

Captain Ben chuckles as you eye them. “Not a word. You’re not the only one allowed a good time you know!”

Bella laughs, and you chuckle. “Fair enough. We’re almost done loading up, just waiting on you two.”

As you say that, the girls arrive as well. Cassie has fit into the group almost immediately, her sunny disposition and cheerful energy infectious enough to get even Ferra smiling. The chameleon girl is happily chatting with Melora as they approach, and the sight of the seer’s unbandaged eyes reminds you how fortunate you were to have come to this place. Meanwhile, Alex is quietly talking with Ferra, and the way the pair of redheads keep looking at you makes you a bit nervous about what they are planning.

Regardless, you and the girls load into a boat along with Ben and Bella. You immediately notice that they are holding hands, and you’re not the only one who does. Cassie giggles, looking at her adoptive mother.

“Mom! Holding hands already?”

The older woman laughs, sharing a glance with Captain Ben. “Of course. Sometimes things just feel right, and when you’re older, you waste less time.”

Ben grins, nodding. “Aye, we be figuring thing out quickly, lass!”

You groan. “Back to pirate talk, Captain?”

He winks at you. “Of course, lad! We be back on the high seas!”

Bella stifles a laugh. “When we be sailing, we be speaking as pirates!”

You shake your head. “Great. Wonderful. Fantastic.”

The girls all laugh, especially Cassie. “This is so much fun!”

Before long, everyone is aboard, and both ships set sail. As expected, a few people from the prison ship stayed behind, mostly people who had partners or were unwilling to continue on. To your surprise, however, the majority is seemingly eager to join up and strike back at the Order. It seems that the fight hasn’t been completely ground out of them yet.

A few hours into the journey, just as everyone settles into the usual routine, an alarm goes up from the lookout. It seems your luck with smooth sailing is about to run out.