Xyra's head was resting against the uneven wall of rock that made up the outside of Theo's room. She had pulled a chair over a few hours prior and that is where she had stayed. Xyra had found Tuni, informed her that Theo was freaking out, and the healer had rushed into the room. That was almost three hours before and Tuni was still not out of the room. Cooker had taken to standing and roaming around, rather than waiting in one place. She had made her way around the building, chatting the ear off anyone who would listen. Finally, she had settled in next to Xyra. She had some sort of thin stick that she was using to pick at the stone wall as a distraction.

The constant noise from the wood rubbing on the rock was jarring to her patience but Xyra felt that she almost deserved it. She didn't know why she was feeling like a glutton for punishment, but she was. Maybe it was that she pushed Theo to a breaking point, or that Navi refused to speak to her, or that she knew that at the back of everyone's mind they remembered that she had lied to them. She turned her head slightly to look at Cooker, perhaps watching the stick grind against the crevices in the wall would make the noise more bearable.

It didn't.

"Cook," Xyra said in a soft tone, "please."

Cooker dropped her hand, the stick staying in the wall. She let out a frustrated sigh, "She's probably staying in there to keep us away."

"Probably," Xyra hummed.

"It's your fault," Cooker crossed her arms, "you were the one that got her all riled up and now we aren't allowed to see her."

"Okay," Xyra shrugged and looked away.

"I'm trying to pick a fight," Cooker kicked her leg out, bumping the chair a bit, "respond."

"Cooker, please," Xyra sighed before closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the wall, "Do whatever you want but do not expect me to answer. I do not have the energy to fight. "

Cooker didn't immediately respond and while Xyra's eyes weren't open she knew that Cooker's chest had deflated and a bit of worry had crept in. If she opened her eyes and looked over, two giant saucers would be staring at her with a lip pulled between teeth.

"Is it because you haven't been sleeping well?" Cooker asked.

"Sure," Xyra shrugged, "also, being the default for everyone's questions. Having to pick up the slack of the dimwitted men on the clean-up effort. Not knowing if Theo's okay and if I just made it worse."

This time, Xyra did open her eyes and looked over. A shocked face looked back at her like Cooker hadn't expected honesty. Which made sense, telling people about what was going on wasn't her usual course of action but she was feeling vulnerable.

"I-" Cooker opened her mouth but nothing was being said.

"You do not have to respond to that," Xyra let out a small chuckle, but it was dry and short.

"I care, y'know..." Cooker shuffled in place, clearly uncomfortable, "even if I don't know how to handle things when you open up to me doesn't mean I don't care."

"I know you care, even if you show it differently," Xyra nodded, "the way you've been with T these past suns, it shows you love us when times are tough."

Cooker once again looked taken aback by the sincerity of Xyra's words. She could have sworn that tears were forming before Cooker quickly turned back to the wall and kept at her task. A few moments later, thankfully before the sounds could irritate her, Tuni emerged from the room. Cooker whipped back around and both of them looked at Tuni to say something. She closed the door behind her and stood in front of the both of them, Xyra having stood up when she heard the door open.

There was a deep-set frown on her face, one that seemed to have been there for a long while. Tuni reached up and before either of them knew what was happening, delivered a loud slap across Cooker's cheek. Tuni raised her hand again and tried to strike Xyra across the face too. But between Xyra's height and the split second of warning that it was coming, her hand caught Tuni's wrist and held it at a distance.

"Do not ever try that again, Fortune," Xyra clenched her jaw slightly and raised an eyebrow, a vague threat.

"I told you not to discuss business with her!" Tuni jerked her hand away and Xyra held onto it for a second, just to let Tuni know that she could keep her there if needed. Then, she let go after Tuni's second tug.

"It took me an hour to coax her out of a hollow shell, another hour to convince her to tell me what was bothering her, and another hour to convince her to take her medication," Tuni scolded, all she had done recently was yell at them. She had been on edge for so long and it wasn't getting any better.

"What was bothering her?" Cooker asked, nursing her sore cheek but failing to get angry at Tuni over it.

"Maybe the fact that you both told her that it was her fault that Red is not here anymore."

"It wasn't me!" Cooker held her hands up.

"I didn't exactly tell her that it was her fault," Xyra said, "but it is true."

"You are so ridiculous," Tuni scoffed, "that was something you needed to bring up right as she woke up? You didn't think it could have waited for one or two suns? Until she was in the right headspace."

"She wanted to speak about business, yet was ignoring the very obvious fact that our quartermaster was missing," Xyra defended, "I wasn't going to sit there and pretend it was okay."

"I wasn't asking you to pretend it was okay, I was asking you to avoid the conversation entirely," Tuni shook her head, taking a deep breath and taking a step back, "I'm done meddling though. Speak to her about whatever you want, call me if she needs to be sedated."

"So, if she asks about a business, can I tell her?" Cooker asked.

"If I said no, no one would listen anyway," Tuni shook her head and even though Xyra had been slightly annoyed with the yelling that seemed to be a consistent thing from Tuni now, she felt bad. Xyra could see the wear on her positive spirit that their situation had brought. She had almost lost Morgana, she had witnessed countless deaths, failed to save some people, and had been working nonstop to aid the injured with minimal help, "I will start telling people that Theo is somewhat awake but that she is to see no one for the next few suns."

"Sounds fair," Cooker said and Xyra nodded in response.

Tuni turned around without saying anything else and walked away from them and into a room down the hall, to care for one of the other patients under her care.

"Should we go in?" Cooker asked, looking at the door.

"She's probably asleep," Xyra shrugged, "you go ahead. I think I'm going to catch some air."

"Aye, I think that's a good idea. You can brood somewhere else," Cooker joked and walked into Theo's room, leaving Xyra outside. After a few minutes of thinking of what to do, she left.

There wasn't anywhere she needed to be, all of her work was inside of Theo's room and she didn't feel like going to her empty room but she didn't want to stay in the infirmary. Instead, just meandered around, grabbing a bite to eat from her favorite bakery. It was a simple plate of some bread and cheese but it was far more than she had eaten in a while. She had asked for it to be wrapped up in a cloth so she could eat it at her favorite spot.

It was quite a trek but not one that Xyra particularly minded. She found herself in the mountains after a good bit of walking. It was almost the same path taken to Uncilo's, but with a hidden turn and a shimmy through a rock formation, a wonderful view was waiting. A bench that had been there for generations, built by whatever pirate stumbled upon the lookout, was normally the only thing on the ledge overlooking the city. But this time, it was occupied by someone.

Xyra barely needed a second after clearing the rocks to recognize who was there. It was Navi. She hadn't been subtle with her approach to the lookout so Xyra had no time to turn around and sneak away. Navi turned around and just looked between Xyra and the plate. She didn't turn back around but she didn't say anything.

"Did not know anyone was up here. I apologize," Xyra nodded her head and then began to back away towards the rocks.

She saw Navi shake her head and give her a small smile, "You can stay. The bench is big enough for two."

"No, Nav, I am not here to make you uncomfortable. You made it clear the other night that you were not in the mood to talk and I want you to know I am trying to respect it," Xyra took another step backward until she was pressed against the exit, a physical showing that she was trying to give her space.

"I think you were right... We need to speak about it," Navi let out a sigh as she said it, not looking to enthused about it.

"Okay," Xyra nodded and stepped forward.

"Neither of us are good at speaking," Navi chuckled a bit and put her hands under her thighs to combat the cold. Xyra watched her try and get warm as she approached the bench.

"I would say you are the better of the two of us," Xyra played along and sat down.

"So, the effort should fall on me, is what you're saying?" Navi raised an eyebrow.

"What? No... I was just trying to compliment you..." Xyra didn't understand how it was already going awry, she cleared her throat and started over, "I will begin, I suppose. So, you are mad at me."

"Great start," Navi rolled her eyes, "Aye, Xyra, but I don't think mad begins to cover it."

"I know it is a bad time to bring it up but you did promise me you would not get angry at me for keeping the secret from you," Xyra attempted to defend herself.

Navi scoffed and looked away from Xyra, inhaling sharply, "You always know just what to say... Such a way with words."

She should have listened to herself. It was a bad time to bring it up, "Sorry."

"Do you even know why I'm upset?" Navi looked at her.

"Because I didn't tell you about Red."

"As you said, I promised that I wouldn't get mad over that," Navi said. She narrowed her eyes and looked into Xyra's soul. It seemed like she was calculating the best way to lay it out. She shifted off her hands and crossed her arms, "Let's eliminate the fact that you lied to me, that you didn't trust me enough to keep the secret, that you assumed I would react horribly and not see your side of things. Put that aside, do you understand what you did?"

Xyra shook her head. She could probably name a hundred things and none of them would be right. She tended to miss the mark on emotional matters and it was easier spelled out for her. She spoke many languages but other people's feelings was not one she was fluent in.

"You shut me out and pulled away. I had dealt with my issues. I had worked through them and made sure I was ready for a relationship with you but you had yet to work through yours."

"Nav, I could not predict that I would start freezing up like that. I did not know that my issues would become such burdens," Xyra tried to explain.

"That isn't what I'm talking about. You pull away from people. You don't let anyone inside. I was there for you while you were going through a rough time for cycles, that isn't what upset me. I would never get upset with you for that. The problem is that you made me believe that we were in it together, for real. That we would help each other and get to know each other the way couples do. And when I did that, when I got close, when I spoke my worries to you about your nerves, you punished me for it," Navi looked hurt as she spoke about the source of her anger with Xyra and Xyra couldn't take it.

She had to look away and down at the ground to keep from crying. She never intended to hurt Navi but sometime's Xyra forgot other people cared enough about her to be affected by her actions. She didn't know what to say so Navi continued.

"I was given no courtesy or notice that we were over. One sun, you were just on another ship. We fought when I confronted you about leaving without warning and that was the last time we spoke. It has been close to five cycles since then..."

Xyra could tell Navi was still looking at her but she couldn't face her. Again, all she could muster was "I am sorry."

"Why didn't you come to see me after the news broke about Red?" Navi asked.

"You were mad at me."

"Yet, I defended you at your trial. I tried to get Theo to speak to you when she was angry. I tried to reason with the crew to end their silent treatment..." Navi listed and Xyra's head finally turned her way.

"I did not know that... You were so angry at my questioning," Xyra was frowning. She didn't think she had anyone on her side.

"I know, but that was personal and wrong of me... I tried to make up for it after. During deliberation," Navi admitted and she looked down at her feet, a frown also on her face from recalling her actions.

"Thank you."

"Then you didn't come to see me before the fight," Navi closed her eyes and she looked defeated after naming all of the things Xyra had put her through, "Mor said this was a bad idea. Fuck was she right."

Navi let out a laugh but she covered her mouth and her eyes shut tighter. She looked to be fighting back tears and all Xyra could do was blurt out.

"You've been talking to Mor about me?"

Apparently, it was the right thing to say because Navi laughed again and this time looked over at Xyra. Her eyes were glossy and wet but she smiled a small amount, "Xy, I love you and you essentially broke up with me without even telling me... It's not something that has been the easiest to deal with and Morgana is my best friend. I'm taking your surprise as a sign that you don't talk about me?"

"I try to keep personal matters to myself, especially when it involves someone else..." Xyra said and it sounded like a hint, but it wasn't one.

"This was stupid," Navi got up, "I shouldn't have pushed for this."

"Navi," Xyra stood up too, "I really am sorry."

"You keep saying that but it's not helping..." Navi was trying to look everywhere but Xyra's face.

"I know you hate me right now-" Xyra began but was interrupted.

"I don't. That is the thing. I don't hate you. I'm drawn to you. I can't bring myself to hate you and that is dangerous, Xy. Because this conversation has done nothing but hurt me and yet... I want to invite you back to my room. I want to help you. I want to make sure your stupid sad face goes away," Navi took a deep breath and began to make her way towards the exit, "I really do think I need to stay away."

Xyra wanted to tell her to invite them back to her place. To let Xyra back in. To give her another shot, but that would be wrong. That would be taking advantage of Navi. Xyra had fucked up and she needed to pay the price.

"Navi, I know I have said it far too many times for it to mean anything to you but I am sorry. I understand what I did and I am so beyond sorry," Xyra repeated.

Navi simply gave her a curt nod and dipped between the rock formation to make her exit.

---

Theo hadn't woken up the rest of the sun. By the time Xyra had returned to the room, both Cooker and Theo were asleep. Xyra got to work on letters, even though the last sun had been a whirlwind, the last mail ship was leaving soon and the letters needed to be on it. She let herself indulge in a small nap before she woke up to continue work. Before the sun had risen, Xyra had moved on from the letters and left for work. She hadn't checked in on those she had delegated important tasks to for over a sun and who knows what could have happened in that time.

She left a note before she exited Theo's room and prepared to face the worst. It turned out to be less of a disaster than she had built up in her head. The few people she had put in charge of distributing what crews could lay claim to were keeping up. The captains and crews that she put in charge of the effort to round up the names of the missing pirates and to gather information about the extent of their losses were also going well. In the shuffle of new ships, loss of captains, and a new world ahead of them; pirate crews were disbanding and reforming. The group she had left in charge of registering the new crews had messed up, utterly and completely.

It took a lot of screaming, insulting, and getting her hands dirty with reorganizing before the system she had put in place was back up and running and things were being filed correctly. She had planned to arrive back at the infirmary early in the evening, knowing Theo would be awake by then but she was held up.

Eventually, she made it back and Theo was awake. At the sight of her, Xyra frowned. Something was still lingering in her. She was still upset at Theo for having sent Red away and for having treated her like shit after the secret came to light. She sat down and looked over her injuries. She could not stop staring at the scab that ran across her eye that would soon become a permanent scar. Xyra let out a small sigh, she wanted to be better. Wanted to be less upset with Theo, wanted to get rid of feeling resentment towards her. She had been angry with Theo before, she had been annoyed with her, she had been at wit's end but this was different. This was a festering feeling that she wished she could simply will away. In an attempt to be friendlier and not make Theo feel cornered or uncomfortable like she had the sun before she sat down and initiated the conversation.

"How have you been feeling?"

Theo shrugged. It wasn't meant to be dismissive of Xyra's question. It wasn't Theo giving her an attitude either. There was discomfort and sadness that crossed her expression when the question was asked that clued Xyra into the difficulty Theo was having with grasping everything that had occurred. Xyra knew that her question was broad and probably not the greatest conversation starter so she tried again.

"Your pain levels?"

"They're fine," Theo nodded.

"She refused the medication Tuni wanted to give her a few hours ago," Cooker sold her out.

"Because I am not in pain," Theo snapped, shooting a warning glance at Cooker.

Xyra nodded. That was a choice Theo had made and she wasn't going to spend the beginning of the conversation badgering her. Xyra was trying to avoid a repeat of the previous sun, no rocking the boat. Even though that pang in her gut was there, the itching need to lecture Theo about everything that had gone wrong and all the mistakes they had all made, Xyra didn't actually want to hurt Theo anymore than she was clearly hurting.

"How have you been passing the time?"

"We've gone over a lot of stuff. Theo insisted. So, I made her promise she wouldn't tell Tuni," Cooker filled her in.

"Tuni said she didn't care," Theo interjected.

"But she actually does. Keeping it from her is best," Cooker added.

"Anything new other than what you covered yestersun?" Xyra asked and picked up one of the letters that had been discarded onto the bed.

"Not really," Theo shrugged, "just going over all of it again given I was still on drugs when I woke up and then was sedated not even a few hours later, so I needed a refresher."

"Right," Xyra nodded, not knowing what else to say, "well, what do you think about what's happening?"

"Don't know whether to be excited or frustrated," Theo put plainly.

"Why's that?"

"We made up all the money we sunk into the effort to protect Corinspe and then some, we have new ships, we have jobs waiting all-around Baethos according to the letters, and we've got recruits on every coast but we haven't got the fucking crew to act on any of it. The girls we've got can barely man the lightbringer. "

"I mean, we have a crew if we want one," Xyra pointed out.

"Of men," Cooker and Theo said at the same time.

"Aye," Xyra shrugged, "but you have always known that expansion also meant expanding the pool of candidates we pick from. And these men are lining up for a chance to get on our crew."

"We would be outnumbered by them. We've been in that same situation before. Our rightful position was stripped from us 'cause we were three young women against a crew of men. The ratio would be the same if we accepted the offers," Theo shook her head. Xyra always knew recruiting men would be an uphill battle but Theo was already dragging her feet.

"I'm not saying that we accept just anyone but I am saying that if we want to take the growing fleet with us as we travel, we need to have at least a temporary crew made up of men," Xyra set forward.

"Or we can just leave some of our ships here," Cooker offered.

"No," Theo jumped in, "I don't want to leave anything here. We'll consider our options with the other crew, I suppose."

"Oi, it's not all bad. There are some absolute legends that are trying to get on our crew," Cooker tried to reason.

"I would say legends is a bit of an exaggeration," Xyra said.

"Blue, for starters," Cooker shrugged.

"Blue is trying to get on our crew?" Theo scrunched her eyebrows and looked over at Cooker, "Figured that was an important piece that you could have filled me in on."

"He and his crew opted for payment in things other than vessels even though he lost quite a few of his own ships in the battle. He would bring along his leftover ships if he joined the fleet, but he has a surplus of men on his crew that he is offering to staff our ships with," Cooker provided.

"What about Owl?" Theo asked.

"He's got his own small fleet and managed to gather the crew to go with it. No qualms coming from him when taking on new recruits," Xyra said.

"So, what is your plan?" Theo asked and turned to look at Xyra.

"My plan?"

"For all of this. What do you think we should do? How should we approach the future?" Theo asked.

Xyra shouldn't have been surprised with how easy Theo was taking control of the crew matters again. How calm and collected she seemed, compared to the sun before where she had to be sedated. But now, it was all smooth sailing. She seemed focused and determined to catch up on things. It worried Xyra. For probably the same reasons that Tuni had warned them not to talk about things just yet. Theo needed time to process what had happened to her but instead, she was pushing all of that away to focus on work. It was tame, they were just talking at the moment but that didn't mean it wouldn't spiral to a point where Theo would break.

Xyra wasn't going to mention it though. She just had to be aware, be on her toes, take the load off Theo's shoulders whenever possible. Cooker would help too. They had already talked about how things were going to be once Theo woke up. Cooker had stopped drinking, stopped smoking, was always around, and was ready to take on the responsibility. Xyra wasn't sure what happened but Cooker seemed to have undergone a complete change in her life.

She cleared her throat and shook her head, "Why do you assume I have a plan?"

"I am not assuming. I know you do," Theo shot back.

Xyra shot her a small smile, "I have some thoughts."

"Xyrabellis having an opinion on something? Shocking," Cooker joked.

"That insult doesn't work as well when I was just asked to give my opinion, dickhead," Xyra rolled her eyes and then composed herself, "For starters, we need the men that are offering their services."

"Fine. Say we do that. What's next?"

"One side of the crew goes down the West Coast of Efriti and the other goes down the East. We tend to what's in those letters, collect from land businesses that we operate, and recruit along the way. We meet up in Niveal."

"The letters span continents. We have quite a few recruits that are waiting in South Elox, Dove Island, and The Twins," Theo reminded.

"We send word back to those continents before we leave, telling all recruits to meet us in Niveal. Give them all letters with your seal on it, tell them to take it to the docks, present the letter to ships we have worked with before, and we pay the ships that bring them upon arrival."

"And the businesses that need our help?" Cooker added on.

"Once we get to Niveal, some of us stay to ensure we are recruiting and training and we dispatch some of the ships to tend to business or raid. In half a length, we come back to Corinspe for the next meeting. Not all of our ships need to come back for that, they can stay attending to new recruiting opportunities and checking on our businesses."

"Sounds good but there is an issue with that plan-"

"If it is about your mandate or whatever you usually worry about when you fuck up, you are fine. I held a meeting to understand where their heads were at and if they intended on taking you to trial for how it all went down with Red," Xyra paused for a second but there was nothing that went across Theo's face. No anger at her name or remorse or sadness, "they don't intend to bring your role as captain into question. Once you're cleared by Tuni, I will step back as acting captain and you can resume your position."

"How generous of a thing you've taken upon yourself to do for me," Theo remarked and gave a slight eye roll as she looked away, subtle enough that she didn't mean for Xyra to catch it.

"Are you getting upset with me for preempting a meeting you would have called yourself?" Xyra raised an eyebrow and the familiar tension with Theo over ship matters returned and it almost felt normal. Like the past three cycles hadn't happened.

"It wasn't your right to speak for me like that. What if I don't want to be captain? Now you've backed me into a fucking corner."

"This again?" Xyra scoffed, "I am not having this conversation with you for the tenth time, Theo."

"Xyra," Cooker admonished, "T, I know you are nervous about the responsibility, especially now that we are growing in size and you've been through a lot but you won't be alone. We need you as our captain."

"Why?" Theo asked as she looked between both of them, "I'm asking a serious question: why does the burden have to fall on me?!"

Theo went from calm, cool, and stoic a few minutes before to getting upset and letting the emotions take over her expression. There were tears welling up in her eyes and Xyra didn't think Theo wanted that to happen. The tears fell and she could tell they stung the wounds on her face.

"Neither of us could do it as well as you. This isn't something we forced on you. We talked about this as kids... We planned our roles," Xyra reminded Theo.

"It's so much harder now. This isn't what we talked about as kids. It is much more than we ever imagined," Theo shot back.

"But this is what we imagined," Xyra insisted.

"Being chased by groups that wanted the bounty on our head, betrayed at every corner, having to protect ourselves from rats within the island?" That was never what we imagined. This is so much more than raiding and fighting and being a pirate," Theo shook her head.

"Raiding and fighting was never the plan. It was always to help people, T. To fight corruption and evil. It was to one day provide a place where people would be safe. It was to rebel," Cooker jumped in.

"I can't do it, then. I can't," Theo took a deep breath and looked down at her lap, "When I said all those things, when I made all of those elaborate plans, I thought I could. But the reality is that I can't."

"When you said those things, you thought it would be easier than it is. We have been riding the high of victory since we were children and you're just now realizing this shit is going to be tougher than expected. But you are taking the difficulty as a sign that you can't do it instead of pushing through that," Xyra said.

"Stop the fucking lecture. It's not answering my question. Why me?" Theo caught Xyra's gaze, " 'cause this is what we talked about as kids' isn't a good enough answer for me."

"Because if you are struggling, we will fail completely, Theo. I'm the brains but you're the brains and the face," Xyra put it simply.

"Cooker has both of those too," Theo argued and waved her hand over to Cooker, "She's got more charisma in her fucking left thumb than both of us combined."

"And yet when I'm at the wheel, I lose all form of diplomacy and tact," Cooker chuckled.

"And she crumbles under responsibility," Xyra pointed out but Cooker just laughed at that too.

"And I'm shit at negotiating," Cooker added.

"The list goes on," Xyra said.

"We will step it up. Anything you need," Cooker promised and then handed Theo a waterskin full of water, "We'll wait on you hand and foot."

"Theo, her tone implies she's joking but we are not. She and I have talked about this at length. We've got your back. We always have," Xyra took the chance to reach over and hold Theo's hand before giving it a squeeze.

Theo had recovered from the tears that had fallen and also recovered her stone expression, one of business and planning. The way her shoulders were slightly slumped, however, gave away that she was feeling dejected and defeated. Xyra hoped that the hesitation to be captain would go away once Theo was on the water again, once things had calmed down considerably.

Theo cleared her throat, "My position as captain was not my issue with the plan."

"Elaborate."

"We won't be coming back here for the next meeting."

"And that is because...?" Xyra furrowed her brow.

"We are no longer Corinspian Pirates. At the next crew meeting, I will push for a vote to strike our crew from the pirate records and not return," Theo dropped the news as if it wasn't a major decision she had made.

"Excuse me?" Xyra laughed. There was no other feasible reaction.

"Our crew will no longer be affiliated or ally itself with Corinspe," Theo clarified.

"I fucking heard you," Xyra said and looked over to Cooker for input but she looked frozen in place, confusion written all over her, "why?"

"Uncilo knew about Fletching."

Cooker looked to be reeling. She took a sharp inhale, her face paled, "He knew Fletching was the leak?"

"Aye," Theo nodded, "he didn't know the whole time. But he knew far before we arrived back at the island. He could have had him arrested and everything that Fletching brought on us could have been avoided."

"Why would he keep it from us?"

"To get me to make all the right moves. To get everyone he needed to make the right moves so he can secure his legacy by passing it onto us," Theo's disdain was clear in her voice. Xyra knew that if there was one line no one should ever cross with Theo, it was to manipulate her to do something she never wanted to do.

"How long have you known?" Cooker asked; it seemed like a popular question amongst them lately.

"Once the effort to prepare for the fight had been finished, he confirmed it," Theo looked at Cooker with a softer expression than before, knowing the news would hit her the hardest, "I stormed out of his office once I found out, and haven't spoken to him since."

"Do you have evidence of this?" Cooker asked, "Why do we have to leave? We can take him to trial."

"I don't have anything. Just a verbal admission," Theo shook her head. "Even if we did have evidence, he would talk his way out of it. Uncilo is untouchable."

"We can argue against him," Cooker suggested.

"Cook, you have the best know-how of the system in Corinspe and would be the only one that could go toe to toe with him but you'll choke," Theo argued.

Cooker looked hurt by the comment, "I wouldn't choke."

"Your relationship to Uncilo has blinded you in the past," Xyra agreed, "even if you don't choke, there isn't clear evidence to ensure his removal. It would all be speculation. He knows how to rattle us and he knows how to play these pirates to turn against us. If backed against a corner, that is what he will do."

It had dawned on Xyra midway through their conversation that Theo wasn't just being dramatic or trying to hit Uncilo where it hurt for revenge. This was their only way out. If Uncilo would risk their safety and the safety of the island just to get Theo to be the most favorable candidate for Head of the Council, staying around was dangerous. Cooker and Theo, more than her, could get very hurt. Cooker seemed to be taking the same realization with panic. She knew they needed to leave but looked to have a harder time reconciling with it.

"We are pirates, T. This is our island, these are our people," Cooker shook her head, "this is our home. This is ridiculous. We aren't leaving. We can't leave this place behind."

"Cook, I think we have to..." Xyra tried to approach the subject with a soft tone.

"Part of me wanting to go is to protect you, Cooker," Theo said, "he knows how to use you. And if we continue here– no matter what plan we have to best him– he will always be a step ahead. Cook, for your sake too, we need to leave."

"Where was your care for protecting me when you watched me get so fucked up I couldn't walk to my room. Where was it when you watched me go out into the alley every night to puke the alcohol out of my system before coming back for more?!" Cooker finally pulled away from the chill behavior she had adopted, "You're a fucking hypocrite and you're doing this to fulfill some stupid vendetta, Theo."

Cooker marched out of the room, swinging the door open as she left. Xyra was going to grab her and stop her from leaving but Theo spoke up.

"Leave her, Xy," Theo said, "All she's ever wanted was to become Head of the Council and I've just told her that it will never happen."

Xyra turned back to face Theo, "What are we going to do? It's your turn to explain your plan."

"Follow your plan, except we don't come back."

"We have to recruit people from this island in order to follow my plan. You're going to manage to get a whole band of pirates to agree to join you and abandon Corinspe? I doubt it."

"They are going to be temporary crew. They will sign onto this crew with the agreement that their jobs end when they get to Niveal. I will pay for their voyages back to Corinspe with my own money," Theo proposed.

"And if some want to stay?"

"They can stay and abandon Corinspe," Theo shrugged, "well, maybe they can stay. We will revisit that topic."

"So, we base our operations in Niveal? With every dirtbag under the sun?" Xyra tried not to scoff at the thought but she did.

"No, we get our own island," Theo looked straight at Xyra and she could have sworn there was a small grin forming.

"Come again?"

"An island. A safe haven we have always talked about. If there is any time to do it, it's now. We have money, a fleet, and soon we will have a big crew."

Xyra nodded and patted Theo's thigh, "If that is what you want, Captain, I will whip the votes to approve your plan."

—---

Cooker eventually came back with a more level head. Xyra didn't know if Cooker was okay with the plan or not but she made no further fuss about leaving the closest thing to a home that they had. They agreed to keep the decision to leave and go with Xyra's plan under wraps until the next officer meeting– which they also agreed wouldn't be for a while. Theo had to make more progress in her recovery before any sort of official business was conducted. In the meantime, it was decided that Xyra would continue to work on tying up the loose ends from the fight. They would at least get the island back in shape before jumping ship.

Cooker was charged to spend her suns recruiting pirates, making sure they knew that employment was temporary and conditional on their good behavior. Xyra had suggested that they should overstaff their crew. It might cost them more money if they all decided to stick around but if a lot of them decide to resign from their employment once the crew announced their departure from Corinspian politics, they would have enough to sail with.

The conversation had alleviated stress Xyra didn't realize was that strong until it had left. She did well with plans. With a goal. With expectations. She had those now. She knew what to do and what they were working towards and she could slip back into the shadows, keep her head down, and work. Her tenure as acting Captain would soon be over and she could breathe. Tuni had come in eventually, most likely having waited until their passionate planning voices had somewhat died down before she entered. As expected, they were kicked out of the room to get some privacy. Ever since Theo woke up, they weren't allowed in the room while Tuni was there.

"Oi, kid," Xyra said as she pulled Cooker in, putting an arm around her shoulders as she guided them outside the building, "how are you holding up?"

Cooker tried to push Xyra away but she didn't let up. Being annoying, forcing Cooker into embraces, and making her tone lighter and friendlier were all the ways that Xyra knew would get her talking.

"I'm hungry," Cooker grumbled and continued to struggle against the arm gripping her shoulder.

Xyra continued to walk and eventually pulled them to the side of the path, pushing Cook into a tavern ahead of her. It wasn't busy yet, it was a lull between dinnertime and when the party people came out to play. Cooker was able to easily snag them a table and Xyra whistled to get the barkeep's attention, she signaled for two plates of food. Cooker turned to the barkeep while the attention was still on them and motioned for two ales.

"Cook, you do not nee-"

"Don't even start," Cooker warned and held her hand up, "I can do what I please."

Xyra took a deep breath and nodded but her gut sank. She didn't have the will to tell Cooker no, Cooker could do as she pleased. If Xyra wanted to get Cooker to speak, she would have to avoid pissing her off. Keeping her within her sights was the best option to keep her from going overboard, not telling her to stop drinking altogether. But the voices in her head told her she was a bad friend. Theo would knock the glass out of her hand. So would Tuni. So would Iona or Navi or Pearl. The thought of Pearl made her stomach sink even further.

Suddenly, but not the first time it had occurred in the recent cycle, she felt chills run along her body. Her heart rate was increasing, her fingers trembling slightly as she was pulling her hands off the table and into her lap. She was about to freeze up. Why? She had no idea. She needed to pull herself out of it. It was mild, she could avoid it like she had avoided the others.

"Have to take a piss, be right back," Xyra said as she stood up, making her way out the back of the tavern to the alley behind it. She pulled out a sard cigarette from a pouch in her pocket and lit it against another smoker in the alleyway. Xyra closed her eyes and leaned up against the wall which provided somewhat of a cooling effect on her back. With each inhale, the physical clues that she was going to freeze up began to go away. She finished her sard and then walked back inside.

Cooker was already halfway done with her plate of food by the time Xyra sat back down. She looked down at her own food but she wasn't appetized. Xyra picked up the tankard of ale and brought it to her lips, taking gulp after gulp until she had downed the whole thing. She belched and followed it with an apology.

"You okay?" Cooker asked, mouth full of food.

"Fine," Xyra nodded and pushed her plate towards Cooker who took it without question, "and you?"

"Trying not to think about anything too much," Cooker shrugged.

"I know that having to leave is a shock," Xyra said, "I know that you might be angry with Theo over this decision but this is for the best."

"I'm not angry with her over the decision. I-" Cooker stopped herself, pushing her growing hair out of her face and let out a frustrated sigh, "I don't know why I'm mad at her but I am. It came out of nowhere. I was fine."

"Does it have anything to do with what you said before you stormed out?"

Cooker shrugged again and continued eating, but she didn't answer.

"I was angry with her too. Am angry. I am not sure, still working through that part," Xyra assured Cooker.

"I have no right to be angry, I lied to her for cycles and put her in danger," Cooker argued.

"Cook, everyone in this situation fucked up..." Xyra said, "We hurt her by lying. She hurt us with her actions."

"I never expected her to not care the way she did, Xy," Cooker scoffed a bit and crossed her arms over her chest, "she's been mad at both of us before and sure it wasn't for anything as serious as what we kept from her but I never thought she could be as callous as she was."

"We've seen her be that callous before. She is capable of it. We all are."

"That wasn't our Theo. That was the world's Theo. And I never thought there would be a time when our Theo would turn away from us," Cooker looked sad. Genuinely hurt. Perhaps it was the constant lack of sobriety during the fight preparation or the fact that she hadn't allowed herself to be upset after the fight but it looked like it was all hitting her for the first time.

"You never had the chance to properly speak with her," Xyra reminded Cooker, "I'm sure it would do you both some good to have a candid conversation."

"Sure," Cooker chuckled and stood up and put a piece of silver on the table, "Let me just get in line behind you. So, I'll get my turn in about two classifications."

Xyra rolled her eyes and grabbed the silver before throwing it back at Cooker, "Dinner is on me."

She placed her own silver piece on the table then walked out after Cooker.