A Brewing Link

[Aram X. Skept]

Such a familiar place for the Captain of the Black Bolt this place was. Dublin port, where Cap'n Lekeb Raiden had picked up her love, Kairi Hemingway. The town still seemed lively, but so was the weather. It was pouring rain, for there was a storm large storm that was brewing just off shore. Every couple of seconds to minutes, a loud roar would echo through the air, as a sudden flash of light would reviel intense shadows on the faces nearby.

Aram was holding a tool, quite similar to the parasol that was used in sunny areas like his homeland, Port Royal, which happened to be Cap'n Lekeb Raiden's number one place not to go. An umbrella, the color of the deep sky was placed over his head of golden hair, which was pulled back into a poney tail that whipped in the wind, also bundled by a bandana. A heavy long coat was worn, this being old and brown, just so that his 'good coats' wouldn't get damaged from the weather. Boots of black were tarnished with mud, from where he walked on, along side a long haired girl with red eyes and chains at her wrists. Phoenix was the lassy's name, and he was in charge of watching her.. agian.

Oh, how fortunate we were to visit one of the Cap'n's favorite places, where the weather is so lively! he noted sarcastically in his head as his glove covered hands held tightly on the wet chain. His other hand rested upon the shoulder of the ship's captive, making sure she was kept close and out of the wet surroundings.

A flash of lighting pierced the sky, the same time that a loud 'BOOM' roared louder than a lion. "Lovely day, isn't it?" he asked no one in specific as he contined walking close to the lassy of a three years age differnce, also one of which he had already kissed.

He glanced around the familar town, looking for their place of shelter where they would stay for a few hours. A near by Inn, where Aram could take notes in his journal, watch the captive, and try to relax.

[Phoenix Jade]

Having no coat, Phoenix shivered in the wind. The short black skirt, and halter top shirt she'd made were hardly appropriate for the weather. Not that she had many options for clothing, and it was better than dirtying one of her dresses. Icey rain spattered her face and arms as they walked.

"Let go of me," the captive growled. "I don't plan on freezing to death, so I'm not going anywhere." The younger girl still felt like there were so many unanswered questions between them. Being in his care again made for an awkward silence.

She coughed and rubbed her bare arms furiously. Great, just perfect. She thought angrily. Now I'm catching a cold. At least I don't have to stay on the deck on rainy nights. I'd probably die of hypothermia. Her teeth chattered, and her bare feet slapped the wet streets, spraying water all over her legs.

[Aram X. Skept]

Aram sighed and rolled his eyes at Phoenix's attitude, making him laugh in his head. Taking off his coat, he placed it upon the shoulders of the girl, revieling his formal white button up. The breeze was cold, especially for the easily freezed lad, but he had been wearing the jacket all day, so less he worried. "Haha, we look like-" Aram began, only to be cut off by the sound of thunder. So much for that comment.. but there's the Inn.

An old wood building stood before the duo, looking quite newly redecorated. "Better take these off," he said aloud, removing the chains from her wrists, making it so that nothing was to be assumed nor to be left with an unpleasent or unwanted visit.

"C'mon," He said as he placed the chains around his neck and opened the door for the prisoner to walk through. It smells sweet in there.. what is it? Vanilla? Aram asked himself as he was invited by the sweet floral scent.

[Phoenix Jade]

Phoenix massaged her wrist tenderly as she walked past Aram. The skin was paler between two cuts on her arm. "What is it exactly that we look like, Aram?" She asked him cooly, not bothering to face him. The teen's fiery eyes darted around the room. It was clean, for such a filthy port. She breathed in the sweet smell. At least it doesn't smell like alchol, as so many other places. That stench would give me a headache.

The captive took a few steps forward, but stopped. Phoenix wasn't sure exactly what they would do here. Sit quietly by the fire that warmed the room? She pulled the coat tightly around her shoulders, concealing the black dots and curves burned into her. Water dripped down her legs, creating a puddle on the floor where she stood.

How long are we staying in port? And why are we at a hotel when we can stay on the ship? She wondered.

[Aram X. Skept]

Aram glanced at Phoenix, seeing her 'come back', well her attitude anyways, and gave a small smile. "A couple of course!" He laughed as he looked to the large Inn Keeper. "A room with two beds please," he said formaly, pulling out his old wallet, which he used when he was nine, in Port Royal. "Keep the change," he whispered, not knowing when he would ever use his left over money again.

The two of them, Phoenix and Aram were escorted to a room on the second floor of the small three story building. There were four-six rooms on each floor, and on their's there were five. "Oh, and would it be possible to have a bottle of wine delivered to our room? Any one will do.." he told the Inn Keeper before he wakled off.

Aram entered the room, which looked very 'homey'. Two small beds, an old desk and a chair was found, along with a bathroom right across the hall. "Finally," Aram sighed as he sat down in the chair. "I can relax!" His now bare feet were propped up onto the wooden desk as he glanced over at the girl. "Do whatever, just stay in here."

[Phoenix Jade]

"We're not a couple," Phoenix growled at him. "And saying we are with your own twisted humor won't change that." She hung Aram's coat in the closet and fell back onto one of the beds. It was soft and formed to to the ridges in her body. The captive closed her eyes, smiling up at the ceiling.

The room was warm, seeming to melt away the ice around her bones. She hadn't slept in a soft bed in years, it felt like a cloud. The captive slid a look at Aram in the chair. If there was ever a time to thank anyone it was now. But the teen's pride wouldn't allow her to humble herself to it. Instead Phoenix returned her gaze to the tiled ceiling.

[Aram X. Skept]

A knock was heard at the door, and with that Aram answered it, being handed a bottle of old wine--which he liked, along with two tall wine glasses. "Many thanks," he replied just before closing the door. "Party!" He shouted as he placed a thumb on the cork, applying pressure and launching it up towards the ceiling, which shot back down near the bed. Foam spewed out of the bottle, onto the floor, while some of it shot out in splatters. Aram truely was a party animal, and it was his time to relax.. perhaps unfortunantly for Phoenix, his definition of that is party and sleep!

"Would you like a glass?" He offered in his english accent, pouring himself a glass of the 'white' liquid. He didn't mind the mess, even though he was more of a clean person. Aram was sure that he'd end up cleaning it when he would wake up from his nap anyways.

[Phoenix Jade]

Phoenix yelped as the cork whizzed past her head. She sat bolt upright glaring at him, eyes flaring. The captive crinkled her nose at the smell of the wine. As she shook her head at the mess, the teenager sneezed a few times into her shoulder. The younger girl shivered a little as she stood, walking around the bed to get under the blanket.

"I don't drink," Phoenix replied flatly. "I don't like what it does to people. The servants got drunk too much. I used to see them messing with eachother in the halls." She sneezed again before pulling the blanket up to her nack. The captive leaned against the wall, watching Aram carefully.

What am I going to do if he gets drunk? He's much stronger than me. All I can do is sit here and watch helplessly. The teenager sighed.

[Aram X. Skept]

"I don't drink to get myself drunk, nor do I drink until I am drunk. Just a glass or two will do," Aram told Phoenix, who was now tightly tucked away into her claimed bed. "Not even a sip or half a glass at that, I take it? I won't force you," he attempted to offer her again. He refrianed himself from drinking his favorite drink. Compaired to the pirates, he was a fancy lad. Wine, clean clothing, long hair, and gloves.

"So, .. how 'bout it?" Aram allowed, keeping the offering of the 'pure liquid' that he so enjoyed having run past his tongue.

[Phoenix Jade]

"No," Phoenix snapped. "I don't need you to try to tempt me." She wanted to jump out of bed and snag the bottle from his hand. Not desring to to let him drink at all. Instead she sat back wary of the liquid. The captive sneezed again and her hand flew to her forehead. It was warmer than normal and her face was flushed.

She shivered beneath the blanket. I can't get sick now. I have to take care of him. Making sure he doesn't do anything foolish helps me. She glared at him. "Don't take one sip of that," the teen warned. "You'll put us both in danger."

[Aram X. Skept]

Aram smirked and caually walked over to his bed, which was next to Phoenix's. The only thing between them was a night stand which was where his journal was. He stared at the flushed girl which lied in her bed, bundled up. She looked a little on the sick side, which her sneezing was also hinting it. Aram walked around her bed so all that he could see was her hair and some of her tattoo peeking out from the blanket.

He invited himself onto her bed, placing his arm over her and brushing the back of his fingers across her cheek. "And we don't need you getting sick," he whispered, as he lay on his side above the blankets.

[Phoenix Jade]

Phoenix squirmed next to him, trying to move away. But there wasn't much space to move on the tiny bed. His fingers on her cheek added to the shivers down her spine. "I don't need this right now," the captive replied. "I'd prefer being back on the ship. I'm safer there than alone with ye." Not that I have much of a choice. The younger firl glared at the pirate disdainfully.

Phoenix slid down on the bed so she could lie on her back. She turned her head to Aram for a moment and said, "you sir are harassing me. Get off my bed and give me some space." With that she turned on her side to face away from him. The captive didn't like any man's touch where other girls would swoon She made rude remarks to them where any other would giggle girlishly.

Acting like that around pirates disgusted her. The thought made her shudder. Insolent seductresses. She thought bitterly. They are weak, only wanting a man for protection. They're all fools. Love is for fools, survival is all in your mind. Isolate that part, and use it wisely. The reminder is what kept Phoenix untrusting and hateful. But it also kept her alive.

[Aram X. Skept]

Aram felt shunned, but he espected as much from Phoenix. "..." Without saying anything, he got off of her bed and walked over towards the only light, wich was a lantern. It was just above the desk, where he took the propane meter and turned it on low, making the room very dim. The lightning from outside would shine in every now and then, but Aram only ignored it.

He slowly crawled into his bed and rested in it on his back. "Where were my manners?" He muttered without even staring at Phoenix. "Ah.. I'm tred anyways.." His eyes closed, seconds after pulling the soft sheets over himself, as he began to fall into.. an interupted sleep. 'CRASH!' The sound of thunder entered the room and the window neer Aram shot open and the rain intruded the room.

The sound disturbed the lad, causing him to fall out of his bed onto the floor between the two beds, his head coliding with the night stand. Ow.., Aram noted as he looked across the room to find the window open. "Shi--!" Aram said as he quickly staggered to pick himself up from the ground and run over to the window to lock it securely shut. His white shirt was now drenched from the water that intuded the room, causing him to take it off to allow it to dry. It revieled a lightly tanned figure that was barely on the boney side. It's cold.. he told himself as he placed it at the edge of the desk. Chills shot up across his back, making him want to go back to bed.

His hair too, was now drenched as he removed his bandana that once kept him warm from the stormy weather. A tiring sigh arose from his mouth as he gave a small scrath to his head, feeling the drenched feeling from his head. He pulled his hand away from his head, seeing something.. odd about his hand. Aram stared at his hand, barely opening his mouth, "..blood?"

[Phoenix Jade]

Phoenix screamed as the window flew open, whipping the blanket over her head. She heard the loud thump of Aram's head hitting the table. Slowly, the captive pulled the blanket back down so she could see. Both blankets were drenched from the sudden burst of rain. There was no way to sleep in them now without getting sick.

The teen's looked at her captor, and she caught a glimpse of red in the candlelight. Phoenix walked toward him quietly and felt around for the wound. The the younger girl snatched the bandana from his hand. She crumpled it into a ball and pressed it against the bleeding spot. Holding the cloth there with one hand, Phoenix reached around the pirate, grabbing the bottle of wine.

She pulled the bandana away and poured some of the clear wine on it. "This may sting a little," the captive warned. Phoenix pressed the blood and liqour soaked cloth to his head. "Hold this for a moment. I'll be right back." She caught his already bloodied hand and pressed it to the cloth. They'd been too close for that few moments, she couldn't help wanting to get away.

"He's causing nothing but trouble for me," Phoenix muttered as she walked across the hall to the bathroom. She washed away the blood and wine from her hands. Returning she stripped the blankets off the beds. She threw them out in a heap in the hallway for someone to come pick up. Phoenix had seen some extras in the closet when she'd hung Aram's coat. The captive pulled down the large comforters and spread them out on the beds. They were thicker than the other two, and probably warmer. She had yet to look at Aram since re-entering the room.

(If we still want him drunk he should do it now since she just used some of it. Perhaps in his opinion wasted some of it.)

[Aram X. Skept]

"Why..!??" Aram whined, watching his beloved wine go to waste onto his silky bandanna. She really does suck.., Aram thought as he realized that she, Phoenix, was no longer in sight. She worries too much about me.. she wouldn't leave.. but she left me here with you! The pirate proudly thought, taking you as his wine. His right hand held his bandanna close to his wound, while the other grabbed the long neck of he bottle, taking a large swig.

"Ah... I really do get to relax," he thought, happily. He brought the bottle up to his lips again, this time chugging down the soothing liquid that felt just right. I have to thank the Inn Keeper later! His eyes continued to remain closed since he began chugging his wine, now hearing the captive re-enter their room. I knew it.. she'd come back.. for me?

Aram removed the dark bottle of now a couple of drops of wine left was all that there was to be found in it. "How.. satisfying."

(Haha, you know him so well, Goddess!)