“The bounty is by the king. He and I are rather at odds with each other, probably because I set fire to his palace and let his horses go free. Not to mention I punched him.” Elissa said as calmly as if she were describing the view out the window. If he wasn’t going to turn her in then she had nothing to worry about. She’d vowed never to go back to Spain after she had escaped the first time. Most of the wounds on her back were from that trip.

When he stated that she wasn’t an asset to her father she began to worry. If she was worth nothing to Joseph would he keep her? It’s not like she was a pirate like him. She’d gladly become one for him if he asked, but that wouldn’t happen as long as they were strangers. “Father never really cared for me. I wasn’t a son and my mother passed when I was thirteen, while giving birth to a son. My brother passed not long after her, only making father’s resentment for me grow. I sailed for his company to benefit both of us. I got to be free from him and he got more money, the only thing he cared about after my mother died.” Elissa said bitterly. “The man locked me away in Bedlam when I was fourteen, stating that I was crazy. I wasn’t. I was just lonely, I missed my mother and my best friend had just left without even saying goodbye.” She took another long drink. “In all honesty I’m not worth anything to you, especially now that you don’t remember me, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t help you. It’s like I said earlier, we both have a score to settle with my father. I’ll gladly help you get your ship back from him. Might do his some good to see that he isn’t untouchable. But…” She paused and met his gaze. “You have to help me in return and I don’t mean by letting me go.” She had to get him to remember her. If she couldn’t then she had to get him to trust her. Part of her worried that in order for that to happen she’d have to part with her dagger first. It was the one thing she had that he had given her. It was one of her few prized possessions, it and the necklace that had been her mother’s.

She had a deal in mind, one she hoped he would agree to but did have some doubts. He was the only one that could save her and the only one that could help her. He’d come back into her life at the perfect time, the only imperfect part of it was that he had no recollection of her. If he remembered her it would have made things easier, but of course when did things ever go easy for her?

“Can we make a deal?” She asked raising an eyebrow.

Elissa’s tales were particularly extraordinary, even in a decade of Joseph’s adventures at sea and abroad, he wasn’t convinced of the entire authenticity to the crimes of which she claimed to have committed, though she did have some extensive punishment bestowed on her to prove it, or some of it, at least. In any case, she really didn’t want to go to Spain, for whatever reason. Her background too seemed particularly traumatic, although it was hard to ascertain if she really did belong in Bedlam… he observed her as she took a further large swig from the bottle - not a bad thing.

Help? Deal? Now Joseph wasn’t quite so prepared for such propositions, he’d been thinking along the lines of, oh please show me mercy you handsome rogue! …or something like that anyway. When did kidnapping a scheming merchant’s daughter to get back the Gallant turn into, well scheming with the merchant’s daughter to get back the Gallant? “Deal?” Joseph almost coughed out the word.

Maybe this was something he should discuss with Rhea…

“Yes, deal.” She said, giving him a look that showed that she wondered if he had hearing problems, though she made no comment on it. “Last night after my party I was going to run away from home forever. My crew was waiting for me at the docks. I was going to run away to the colonies and start my own shipping company, like you and I had planned to do when we were children.” Elissa sighed and took one more drink, a smaller one this time, before holding the bottle out to Joseph. She knew when she’d had enough and needed to stop before problems occurred. “I still want to get away from my father and my fiancé. I don’t love the man.” A dark look came to her face. It was the look of a woman who truly hated someone, a look that could make even the toughest men cower in fear. “If I help you steal back your ship, I’m no better than a pirate and I’ll probably be wanted by the law. Why not make me a pirate too? It would get me away from my father. I have a ship I can sail, but I can sail it under your command. You could become one of the most powerful pirates around with two ships and the reputation of my crew could help. Have you ever heard of Eli Bishop?”

Eli Bishop was her alias. No one wanted to barter and trade with a woman, so Elissa would dress as a man and go by the name Eli in order to do business. She and her crew had gained quiet the reputation out on the seas as being one of the only ships in all of England to have never lost a ship or cargo to pirates. Eli ha the reputation of being a fighter and was also seen as cunning, many a young lady wanted to meet him, though none ever would. Elissa was proud of the reputation she had as Eli. The one time she hadn’t gone as him had been Spain and she swore after it to never got as herself again, even if people accepted female merchants.

“So? What do you say?” She asked. “You could be the greatest pirate to ever live.” She smiled, hoping to appeal to his ego. “You still don’t believe me though about you and I being friends, do you?” It was a hurdle she’d have to get over soon.

Oh yeah…her party. Joseph hadn’t entirely forgotten, but this was their first real interval for conversation. He didn’t have much to say when she revealed her intentions and the plans they had allegedly made together in their youth, but she did sound fairly convincing. He leaned forward to receive the bottle from Elissa and refilled the beaker, he had a number of mixed leather, beaded and silver bracelets on both wrists. He glanced up with interest as she mentioned her fiancé, but merely blinked and nodded agreeably as though to acknowledge her disdain.

Most powerful, greatest pirate to ever live? Joseph couldn’t hold back this one, he almost choked on his brandy as he took a mouthful from the beaker, but thereafter made an effort to compose himself, “Miss, firstly if you’re going to tell me you’re Eli, then you’ve got more explaining to do” he began, “second… I am the greatest pirate to ever live, clearly” he grinned broadly, once again displaying the slightly deviating upper canine, he gestured as though to exhibit the obviousness of that statement, “and thirdly… I don’t know if we were friends Miss but, we’re drinking together now and that counts for something. You said it was your birthday...” Joseph began, it was a question… sort of. It seemed to him she was spending it in a better way than she’d anticipated in light of everything she’d explained..

Flattering, really.

“I am Eli and I don’t know what more explanation you’d want. Bishop isn’t common of a name in England and isn’t it odd that Eli is just a shortened version of Elissa?” She asked with a smirk. Elissa raised an eyebrow when he claimed to already be the greatest pirate alive, obviously not believing him. “Yes, I’m sure you are, that’s why you had to kidnap the daughter of your enemy to get your ship back and couldn’t just take it back on your own.” She gave a small laugh, but it faded with his last point about them drinking together. “I’ve shared a drink with enemies, so I can’t say that having a drink together counts for something. I will acknowledge that with you I at least don’t have to question if my drink if poisoned or not.”

Elissa pulled her knees up to her chin and rested it on them, wrapping her arms around her legs. “Yesterday was my birthday, that’s why we were having the party. Well, it was sort of a birthday party and an engagement party.” She answered. “Not much of a party really, I hardly knew anyone there aside from my fiancé and his father. My own father wasn’t even there, he’s off somewhere on business. I think it was India this time.” She didn’t look at Joseph when she spoke, her gaze was far off and forlorn. One would think that she’d be used to her father being gone from her life after all these years, but she wasn’t. She still wanted him around, wanted his approval, wanted his love.

Elissa brought her attention back to Joseph with a smile. He was still as handsome, if not more so, than she had remembered from when they were younger. While she knew their lives had taken separate paths and another had probably already come into his life, she still couldn’t help but be smitten with him. He’d always had her heart. “Why did you leave?” The question was asked before she realized it. “You didn’t even say goodbye.” There was hurt in her voice. It was the one thing she resented him for, leaving without telling her goodbye.

Joseph sat back in the chair, he concluded only with a grumbled “hmph” that he’d likely have to accept Elissa’s explanations; her experiences were indeed highly…unorthodox, that he had trouble fully believing them, but then Rhea too had defied the odds stacked against her, and she was particularly fierce about her achievements. Getting the Gallant back was complicated, it was a case of requiring leverage, Mr. Bishop was a slimy character, even for Joseph and he knew his fair share of characters. It was unfortunate that they’d found Elissa and not Mr Bishop himself.. although perhaps not too unfortunate for her.

Joseph breathed out a deep sigh when Elissa posed her questions to him, he eyed her bundled up in the heavy blanket and coat; her bright eyes and hair seemed to illuminate against the material and were a stark contrast to his own darker features. “Miss, look I…” he began, but there was a banging on the door “Joseph?”, the female voice called from the other side, “I need to talk with you”, the Captain looked at Elissa, “get some rest” he instructed as he arose from the chair to meet Rhea at the door, he closed it behind him.

Rhea met him with a grin and an upward nod as if to enquire what the story was, Joseph smiled uncertainly and shrugged, “let’s go talk on the upper deck Rhea” he beckoned, “The crew have started the Bishop scotch” Rhea remarked, once they’d arrived back at the ship’s wheel. The day was still mild and fair, the air was good. There was indeed some raucousness aboard the ship, quality alcohol was always and very much appreciated, rum was rough and grog even rougher, so this haul was great for morale. “So what’s happening with the girl? We’re going to have to move off soon” Rhea questioned, placing her hands on her hips, Joseph pulled a face that made it clear the plan wasn’t playing out quite as he’d hoped, “it’s complicated…and she wants to work with us”, Rhea raised her eyebrows - she’d have to hear this one out. Joseph explained in brief that which Elissa had revealed to him, Rhea was silent for a few moments, seemingly stunned by the information, she shook her head and frowned at Joseph, “she’s playing you Joseph” she began, “if that was a man you’d have battered him by now!” the sailingmaster expressed a loud ‘ffs!’ in disbelief, Joseph looked uncertain, “we’ll drop her off at the next port, we’re not going back to England, set the course for our usual lay-over” he affirmed, Rhea looked at Joseph unimpressed, her expression relaxed into a smirk, she rolled her eyes and shook her head gently, “aye, Captain” she fixed a warm gaze with Joseph for a moment, before walking off to join some of the crew on the main deck.

Joseph puffed his cheeks and expelled a deep breath. God did she do that on purpose? He’d worked with Rhea a while, it was hard, at first, she’d knocked back his advances several drunken times before he came to understand quite how determined she was to be taken seriously within the crew, and that for her meant not canoodling with the Captain.

He might as well bring something back for Elissa to eat, Joseph considered.

…and maybe some of the Bishop scotch.

‘So there she was, the woman he cared about, she had to be, why else would Joseph have her on the ship?’ Elissa thought upon seeing Rhea. There was a pain in her heart at the thought that she had waited all these years for him to return for nothing. She gave him a nod when he told her to get some rest. Elissa held it together until he shut the door, then the tears began to fall. This wasn’t at all how she had imagined their reunion to be.

Elissa curled up on the bed still in tears. It didn’t take long for her to cry herself to sleep. She was exhausted, having been awake since the morning of her birthday. Her stomach grumbled but sleep won out. Elissa was still shivering from the fever, but the warmth of the blanket and the coat helped ease some of the cold and lull her to sleep.

The coat was too big on her thin frame, her fingers barely peeked out from the sleeves as they curled to hold the cuff. She still held some of the features she’d had as a child, the freckles and the bright blue eyes. However, she wasn’t as awkward looking as she had been when she was younger. She was grown now, more beautiful and less clumsy, having grown accustomed to her long limbs. She wasn’t much taller than most women her age, but was tall enough for others to notice the difference. Before she had escaped her first room she had braided her hair in the style she had worn daily as a child. A braid was about the only way to tame the wild curls and even then some still snuck out and she’d tuck them behind her ears.

In her dreams her and Joseph were young again, fighting Blayne and making plans for the future. They were happy and laughing as children should, forgetting the problems between their fathers. The past had been a happier time, even if it had contained it share of problems. Never could she had imagined worse trouble was waiting for her once she was older.

As the dreams turned to nightmares, Elissa frowned in her sleep. Tear still rested on her cheeks and more were soon added. “No! Leave me alone!” She sobbed. “Joseph, help!” She cried out in her sleep.

Rhea wasn’t wrong, Joseph was a sucker when it concerned women and regrettably, the ‘damsel in distress’ plea often worked on him rather well, he’d lost a lot of money that way.. Rhea did tend to look out for him as well as she could but, once they reached the port where he went and what he got up to was anyone’s guess (although Rhea had a fairly good idea of the latter), she’d met several of his female… acquaintances over the years, asking after him. There was usually a man here and there too, looking to have a ‘conversation’ regarding Joseph’s acquaintance with their wife, that had led to a bar fight or two, but he’d been more low-key lately.

Joseph had gathered what he could find in the galley, they’d stocked on some provisions before the raid, so there was still some fresh bread left - he gathered along with it biscuits, butter, cheese, an apple and some salted meat onto a pewter plate, he also filled a flagon of the weak beer they had supplied on the ship, and made his way back to his Captains quarters.

Elissa appeared to be asleep when he returned, the motion and noises of the sea and the ship and her contents were enough to mask his entry. Rightly she’d be exhausted, also too she’d be weak from her wound. He placed the articles he’d taken from the galley on the desk - his weapons were undisturbed, and it seemed at least she hadn’t appeared to have had rummaged around the room. He bit the tip of his thumb thoughtfully as he observed her sleeping, for all he tried, he could not recollect her. Elissa seemed to become increasingly restless until she exclaimed fearfully, calling for Joseph, he frowned with some concern and moved to the bedside, descending to one knee he grasped her upper arms and shushed in attempt to settle her.

Elissa’s eyes flew open when he grabbed her arms. Her hand grabbed the collar of his shirt and a look of pure hatred came to her face. “I would rather die than marry you.” She growled. “If you try sending me back to bedlam I will kill you.” Her eyes were unfocused, she was still asleep, caught in the nightmare. In her dream, Joseph was the man she hated. He was Blayne. Her eyes slowly closed again and she fell silent for a moment before opening her eyes once more. “I didn’t hear you come in.” She muttered. She was awake now. She slowly sat up with a yawn. “So where am I being moved to?” She asked certain that Rhea wouldn’t want her sharing a cabin with Joseph.

As she sat up the coat slid off her shoulder, pulling the shoulder of her shirt with it to reveal a tattoo on her shoulder. It was of a ship’s wheel with a rose wrapped around it. She pushed the shirt and coat back up, still looking half asleep. “You brought food?” Elissa asked seeing the tray. Her stomach grumbled loudly, supper last night had been her last meal.

The thought of going through his things hadn’t once crossed her mind. Elissa wasn’t one to normally pry and go through other people’s belongings.

Elissa’s outburst startled Joseph but he held fast as she grabbed him, he scanned her eyes and could see they were vacant in a dream state, her body soon relaxed once again to slumber and Joseph released her, soon after, she awoke. Who exactly was her fiancé? What kind of man?; he thought it best not to mention the nightmare to Elissa, however. He maintained his position as Elissa sat up, and caught a glimpse of the tattoo as she adjusted her clothing - again, familiar, but he didn’t clock exactly why right there and then.

Joseph examined her quietly for a moment, it really was better not to mention the outburst, he was sure, he let out a breath through his nose and dropped his shoulders, “yes, I brought food…and beer, I’m sure you’ll be used to it” he stood up to pass the plate to Elissa, and placed the flagon on a small table beside the bed. He took a seat once again on the chair opposing Elissa, and slouched back, “you can stay here, if you like, if you feel safe with me” he looked at her and shrugged. He hadn’t initially been too impressed to open up his personal space to the captive, but now that Elissa was here, he didn’t completely dislike the company.

Elissa took the plate. “Thank you,” she said, truly grateful to have something to eat. “I’m not too fond of beer but I’ll drink it.” She started in on the food. “I don’t mind staying here. I feel safe, I just figured your lady wouldn’t approve.” She said putting some cheese on the bread. “Are you going to eat?” She motioned to the plate of food. While she knew she could eat everything on the plate she didn’t want to be rude and eat it all if Joseph wanted some.

Elissa didn’t mention the nightmare and she didn’t know about the outburst or she’d have apologized. She wasn’t sure where to start up the conversation again. It was clear that he’d never remember her. “So what is going to happen to me?” She finally asked. “Am I going to help you?”

“My lady?” Joseph grinned and sat up, he’d drawn down his brow in a confused yet interested expression for only a moment, before he figured out whom Elissa was referring to, “oh uh… no, Rhea’s not my lady” he smiled and seemed to pause thoughtfully before he reached for the brandy and beaker, “hmph…no, I’ll eat later” he reassured Elissa the offerings were entirely for her.

“Plain as I see it Miss… you put a rather ugly mark in the ship’s wheel with that dagger, so I owe my friend, who owns the ship… so you owe me, I’m sure we can find a job for you” Joseph began, mostly joking, “we’ll be stopping off somewhere soon, we can discuss it then how we’re going to approach this, I have to make sure the crew are on-board with a change of plan and circumstances and we’ll also need to verify your…credentials as it were”, he was sort of lying of course, or maybe he had lied to Rhea - he hadn’t entirely decided, and wanted to see how the next few days panned out. He considered pursuing the topic of the dagger, but felt some sympathy for Elissa clearly still pretty exhausted.

The crew would be drinking late into the evening, Joseph usually made a point of joining them, alongside his closer associates, he could hear some untempered laughing and shouting from outside his quarters already, but most of the activities and drinking continued below deck. There was still the issue of Rat to attend to but, really he could wait… would do him some good no doubt, in any case he wasn’t letting him loose with Elissa on board.

“So, why were you planning on running away from your fiancé?” Joseph asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

“Please call me Elissa.” She said, it hurt every time he called her Miss. “Or you can call me captain.” She joked as she took a drink with a small chuckle. “I was trying to get your attention with it. I’ll fix it if you’d like, it’s not the first time I’ve landed a dagger in a ship. My first mate taught me to throw daggers.” She picked up the apple and was about to take a bite when Joseph asked about her fiancé. She was glad when he said that Rhea wasn’t his lady, though she didn’t show it. Maybe she still had a chance.

“He’s heartless for one thing, makes Rat look almost saintly and that isn’t a joke. He only wants to marry me for my dowry and the inheritance I’ll get when my father dies.” She said. “While I’m not noble I’m as rich if not richer than some of the lower nobles. My fiancé is a man I’ve known since I was a kid. He is the son of a duke and has squandered most of his money. Our fathers arranged the marriage, I had no say in the matter. His name is Blayne Ashton. He bullied me as a kid and if I could get him onto my ship I would throw him overboard with an anchor tied around his waist. He’s already promised to send me back to Bedlam once we are married. I never want to go back there. They don’t help people, they hurt people.”

Blayne cared only for money and Elissa was the only eligible woman around who had money that he could dispose of after the wedding. Her father didn’t care what happened to her. “I can’t go back to him.”

Joseph smirked too, as Elissa laughed a little, he was pleased she felt comfortable to express a little light-heartedness. Helpful friends indeed… he mused. “No it’ll be fine, just try not to damage anything else” he laughed.

The Captain observed her closely, her expressions, as Elissa moved on to describe how her situation had been with her fiancé. He wasn’t one to judge another man, money often came into things where marriage was concerned, that wasn’t unusual, but this one sounded especially devious. It didn’t surprise him really that Mr. Bishop had associations of that sort - he must really have considered the fellow to be a son of sorts though, to hand him some of his fortunes. Elissa was clearly little more than chattel, or perhaps less, a burden somehow, to her father which was rather tragic.

“That’s unfortunate we disrupted your plans” Joseph expressed, it wasn’t quite an apology but he did look sincere, “but you claim to know me, and that I was supposed to come back to you so, perhaps it was fate, aye?” he smiled broadly as he leaned back and pressed his shoulder blades once again into the back of the chair, the brandy was beginning to elicit a warming and relaxing effect on him.

“I’ll try not to cause any more damage,” she promised. “My crew will be worried about me but perhaps I can find them after we get your ship back. Phillip, my first mate, will be the most worried.” She had a sound of fondness in her voice when she spoke of her first mate. “He’s like the father I wanted but never had. Sadly he is more of a father to me than my own and I’ve known him for less time, only about five years. I met him in Bedlam.”

Elissa looked up at him when he mentioned fate. “Fate could have been kinder and let you remember me.” She pointed out. “But I am glad to at least know you are safe. I’ve been looking for you ever since I sailed for the first time. Before then I waited at the docks for as long as I could everyday just hoping you would come home” She had missed him more than he knew and even though he didn’t remember her she was glad to at least be back in his company. “I can always run away another day if needed.” She smiled as she watched him. “Do your shoulders hurt?”

This crew of Elissa’s sounded like a dependable bunch, Joseph wondered where she’d acquired such a team that had such concern for her - he could count on one hand himself how many people he trusted, and in saying that, he never really, fully, trusted anyone… he’d never expect anyone to look for him if he went missing either, it was just the way of life. Considering Elissa’s misfortune otherwise, it was good for her she had some kind of family.

Joseph raised his eyebrows for a moment as Elissa acknowledged his position on the chair, “no I uh…I’m just getting comfortable” he replied, a half-lie - why did she ask, though? He was tempted to question her what she wanted to do about it, but thought perhaps that would be a little too far... he wondered if her small frame, delicate hands were capable of working out those deep knots - she’d be welcome to try, and would she like the feel of him? A broad chest and shoulders, kept strong by sailing, he was lean - well, mostly say for a few soft spots here and there, but he’d not had any complaints yet. Joseph cleared his throat and shuffled a little to interrupt and dispel his wandering thoughts. He wasn’t anywhere near throwing off his better, more appropriate judgements just yet.. he really should keep it that way. He glanced around the room before his eyes met once again with Elissa, “well, I must be really something…Elissa, if you’ve waited that long” he began, “I hope you’re not disappointed” he grinned - clearly she would have liked him to remember her, if he was taking her account to be the truth, but he wandered if he even was the same person she knew before that she seemed to have sorely missed.

What too, did that mean if he’d been good friends with the daughter of the one, Mr. Bishop?

“Well if your shoulders are bothering you, slouching like that isn’t going to help them. Seems like your couch would be more comfortable than that wooden chair.” Elissa smiled fondly at him. “You could never disappoint me. Father never cared about you, but I always did, still do.” She confessed, blushing slightly. “You were the only one who was truly my friend, everyone else either shunned me or wanted to be friends because of father’s money. You never seemed to care about his money. We definitely defied him and his wishes as much as we could.” She laughed. “Like all the evenings you spent teaching me to fight and how you taught me about sailing. He wanted me to be a lady so I’d marry a nobleman and be someone else’s problem. I’d have run away a lot sooner if you hadn’t left. Our father’s hated each other, I think your’s like me, but I don’t remember. I never saw much of him, but he seemed kind.”

Elissa finished off the food on the plate. “Thank you for the food.” She said, picking up the tankard. “Though you could have been a little kinder in the drink you picked out for me.” She took a drink and grimaced. Beer was not her favorite, to her it was like drinking watered down sewer water. “What do you do to this? Water it down with bilge water?” She joked with a laugh. It was good to be talking with him again. It almost felt like they were catching up, if only he’d remember her. “Do you still have the ring I gave you? Gold band with two small diamonds on either side of an emerald?” He’d given her the dagger and she’d given him the ring. The ring had been her mother’s and she had given Elissa permission to give it to Joseph, knowing how much he had meant to her.

She’s playing you Joseph, Rhea’s warning stuck in his mind as Elissa told him of their past relationship together, the unknown that preceded his current life was a soft spot for him, and he knew it. Joseph deemed this need to convince him as an attempt at manipulation, particularly when she mentioned his father. He didn’t want to hear it nor talk about it, it felt like too much, and he remained silent.

“You’re welcome” Joseph responded and managed a half smile as Elissa complained about the beer - sure it wasn’t great, but it was better than sea water. Elissa asked if he still had the ring, a very specific one, his heart missed a beat and he felt almost nauseous, he had to refrain from clutching it at his chest, suspended by a golden chain around his neck - it was hidden beneath his shirt. It had been so when they’d pulled him from the water, and he’d figured he’d continue to wear it. “I don’t think I have anything like that” Joseph lied, getting up from the chair - he needed to walk it off.

No maybe he needed to get out of here.

Elissa was creeping too close for comfort, whatever she knew he didn’t know, and he didn’t like that. Before, he could hold some belief that she was an elaborate liar, but there was surely evidence of her truth now? Unless she had glimpsed it at some point? Joseph was searching for a reason to doubt her.

“I need to attend to some duties, please take some rest” he instructed, grabbing only his pistol from the desk he made a swift exit from the room.

Tears stung her eyes when he said that he didn’t have the ring. He must have lost it, evidently it hadn’t meant as much to him as the dagger had meant to her. She nodded when he said he had duties to attend to. “Of course, you are captain after all.” She muttered, trying to hide the tears that were starting to fall. It hurt that he didn’t have it, she felt betrayed. This reveal did disappoint her, he’d promised to keep it forever.

“Here, you probably need this back.” She said taking off his coat. She laid it at the foot of the bed before lying down. Her back was to him so that he wouldn’t see her crying anymore than he probably already had. Her face was buried in the pillow and her shoulders shook with each sob. She hadn’t noticed him leave, after saying he didn’t have the ring her world shrunk again. It was just her now, he’d left her life for a second time. Just when she thought she had him back she lost him. Maybe it would be better if she didn’t stay with him.

Slowly she stood and walked to the door. Elissa opened it and peered out to see if the coast was clear. She’d go back to her old room, no matter how small, dark and cold it was.

Joseph snatched his coat from the foot of the bed before he vacated - he felt like he needed a shield, of some kind to cloak his vulnerability - he couldn’t bear to cast his eyes to Elissa, lest she’d shatter his fragile lie. He pulled on the coat and buckled the pistol as he marched across the main deck, acknowledging his shipmates at he passed them, he tried to conceal his unrest but one might’ve sensed an agitation about him. As fresh air hit his face and filled his lungs, he felt a little more grounded with several deep breaths.

Pull yourself together, Joseph reprimanded himself, this wasn’t anything a few drinks and a craic with the lads couldn’t sort. He headed below deck where the men’s sleeping quarters also functioned as a living, dining and drinking area, with wooden tables and benches, particularly, that could be moved around and stacked depending on the required function of the long room at the time - many of the men had already pulled them out and sat drinking in their groups, they had not yet become too boisterous, but there was spirited chatter and the likes. He spotted Peter with a few others, and took his place amongst them, taking a swig from one of several of the scotch bottles on the table, he kept a hold of it. He couldn’t see Rhea anywhere. Peter and the shipmates acknowledged Joseph’s arrival, and continued their conversation, Peter anticipated that Joseph would want to discuss the incident earlier that day some time soon, but he could see the Captain was opting to get a few drinks down, for now.

Joseph was quiet, and observed his crew as they carried on here and there, he acknowledged them with approving laughter if they involved him in their banter, but inwardly he could not yet shake his unease. The collar of his coat smelled of Elissa, no doubt some fine kind of perfume she’d worn for all those fine people she’d have to meet at her birthday festivity.

He didn’t want to remove it, though.