A large hand shook Theo's shoulder. From a deep sleep, she was startled awake. In her arms was a girl. The night before came rushing back to her. It was a heartbroken girl that had woken up twice the night before crying until she was soothed back to sleep. Someone's throat cleared and that is when she remembered the person in the room. Looking up and over, she found none other than her first mate. Theo's eyes were quick to roll, not entirely by her own volition, and she turned back around to get cozy back in her bed. Tuni shifted in her arms and Theo pulled her closer. They both needed more sleep.

"Captain, it's time to wake up," Xyra said, shaking her shoulder.

When Xyra started a conversation with 'Captain', Theo knew she was in for a difficult day. It was Xyra in business mode. Theo shook her head and closed her eyes again. She heard a sigh above her and then her hair was yanked. Theo gasped and looked over once again.

"Very mature," Theo frowned and reached up to rub her head.

The exchange caused Tuni to stir. Moments later, she was shooting up out of bed in a panic.

"How long has the sun been up?!"

"About two hours," Xyra answered.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Tuni yelled as she scrambled to pick up her stuff from around the room.

Without even putting her shoes on, Tuni was out of the door.

"You should have left us to sleep," Theo said as she turned onto her good side and pulled the covers up over her head, "she had a rough night and she needed sleep."

"I heard about what happened," Xyra said, "but she also has patients to deal with that I'm not too sure she would be happy to be kept from."

"Shit gets around here fast," Theo whistled as she peeked out from behind the covers, "how'd you find out?"

"From the source," Xyra shrugged and walked over to Theo's desk, sitting in a chair and waiting for Theo to get up, "went to go see Nav last night and found her wheeling a shitfaced Morgana back to the infirmary."

"How was she doing?"

"Not great. Says that Tuni left her."

"Well, she should get her story straight because that isn't what happened," Theo sat up in bed and yawned, "you speaking to Navi again? Thought she was taking a step back from you or something."

"Last time I decided to make a major decision without telling her, it was the end of our relationship," Xyra shrugged and began to lay out paperwork on Theo's desk, "figured if I want to get it right when I come back, I should be the one to let her know I have decided to leave."

"So, you've decided to pursue her when you get back?" Theo finally got up out of bed.

"No, I just want to ensure that we can at least still be friends," Xyra replied and looked over to track Theo's journey to the desk, "that does not mean you can sleep with her though. That is still firmly off-limits. I know I should not even have to say it, but you are a whore sometimes."

It was clearly a joke but Xyra's tone was flat and unyielding. Theo rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh and Xyra smiled too.

"One sun, when I have a fleet of 30 ships, my own island, and I've killed every noble with my bare hands, do you think you'll have any respect for me?"

"I doubt it," Xyra chuckled a bit.

"Figured as much," Theo stretched out, careful not to aggravate her still tender sides, "why are you here so early?"

"I thought it was obvious. We have nothing firmly set and our final meeting is tomorrow night," Xyra explained.

"Aye, but you made the situation seem more desperate than it is," Theo said, "we've got all of the plans tentatively set. Just need to confirm it all."

"And when has that ever taken us less than a full sun?"

"Fine," Theo rolled her eyes again, giving in to the fact that she wouldn't have been allowed to go back to sleep or even take a nap anytime soon, "Cook isn't joining?"

"Getting you both breakfast," Xyra explained and pointed to the pages laid out on the desk, "there you have the routes, the way the fleet will be split, and the crew on each ship. Also, towards the bottom of the pile on the right are the list of potential officers."

"Everything we are doing right now is all just a big patch-up job until we get to Niveal and can better gather our wits. Is it necessary to start speaking about officer replacements?"

Theo didn't feel right about replacing anyone. Oceane was missing, Pearl was dead and the wound that their absences had left on the crew had not yet been healed. It seemed premature and like Theo would be doing a disservice to their memories. Xyra was annoyed at Theo's guilt about it if her sigh was any indication.

"Theo, we cannot put things on pause forever. I know that you think moving on is forgetting them, but it is not. We cannot be short-staffed-"

"We are so all over the place that it doesn't matter if we have officers right now. There is nothing major to vote on. Let us at least wait until Niveal," Theo commanded and Xyra dropped the subject with another sigh.

"Alright," Xyra nodded, "You are right. Any decisions made on the voyage need to be taken by the individual ship's leadership unless it is a fleet decision which will be made by you. So, we will table the discussion of officers for a later date."

"Good-"

"That being said, we need to confirm that the leadership on each of these ships is strong. I am not captaining the other Galleon because I will be leaving. So, who will take my place?"

"Still thinking about asking Navi," Theo replied.

"Already asked last night for good measure. She has no interest in captaining, she would rather navigate the lightbringer," Xyra informed, "your only choice here is Blue."

Theo groaned and slumped back in the chair, "No, there has to be another way."

"Theo," Xyra pinched the bridge of her nose, "we have been friends with him for lengths. You have seen how he operates a crew. He has fleet experience. You know he is trustworthy. And he is already captaining a smaller ship in our fleet. What is your deal?"

"I think he agreed to join up with our crew for this leg of the journey for the wrong reasons. He's been obsessed with finding Oceane, he told me as much. I can't have that distraction on my crew," Theo explained.

"Get over your hesitations. It will be Blue. We both know he is the most qualified and the one we can turn our back to without worrying we will get stabbed," Xyra set her foot down and while Theo was still the captain and the decision to have Blue captain the Galleon would ultimately be her call, Xyra had technically made the call for them.

"Fine," Theo finally gave in and looked at the paper in front of her "so, I am captaining the lightbringer, Cook and Blue on the Galleons. Iona on one of the sloops. That still leaves two sloops and a Brigantine we haven't technically decided who is in charge of."

"Blue's first mate has experience on sloops and one of the sloops going down the West coast of Efriti is full of Blue's old crew. Might be best to put them all together," Xyra solved one puzzle and Theo nodded to confirm she agreed, "then we have Captain Yutice who has offered to captain any sized vessel for us for a payout of 3 thousand gold upon arrival at Niveal."

"Fucking thief," Theo muttered.

"And a talented one at that," Xyra nodded, "He needs an answer by tonight though. We can't keep him waiting forever."

Theo rubbed her temples a bit. Assembling a crew was easier than having to decide on seven captains for their seven ships. Cooker had managed to flawlessly staff their ships and yet Theo had not managed to hold up her end of the responsibilities.

"Alright. We'll confirm with Captain Yutice and he will be on the Brigantine. We might as well take Captain Tails up on his offer. Make sure they understand that this money means that they are hired captains and will not be considered even temporary crew. Which means they are not entitled to any findings we make on the way there."

Xyra nodded, "I am sure they will agree that is fair."

"Anything else?"

"Who is going where?"

"Cook leads the charge down the west. She'll take Captain Yu and Blue's first mate-"

"-Luc"

"Cook will take Yu and Luc," Theo confirmed, "I will take Tails, Blue, Iona down the East coast. We will meet up at Niveal. Each fleet has four cycles to arrive before we start sounding the panic alarms."

"Looks like we are slowly pulling this together," Xyra complimented their work, "I've been thinking about leadership on the lightbringer. It's going to be the most understaffed ship with the most to do so we need strong people in charge."

"With all of us strung out between a fleet of seven, I don't see how that is entirely possible," Theo shook her head at Xyra's suggestion.

"Gianna has really stepped up lately. She's good with attention to detail and at giving direction. She can take over boatswain."

"Gianna from Alenroux?"

"Aye, she has come a long way since then."

"What about the rest of the jobs we need to fill?"

"Iona stays on as vanguard leader. She can lead the vanguard charge from her sloop," Xyra explained and then checked her own notes, "Skins agreed to take on quartermaster but she is stepping down the moment we get to Niveal."

"She won't consider staying on if she enjoys it?"

"Well, it's your job as captain to convince her it's worth it once she starts the job," Xyra shrugged and continued, "and we've managed to recruit Lee."

"What?" Theo sat up a bit with a raised eyebrow, "When? How?"

"Got a letter this morning to the tavern," Xyra elaborated.

"Fuck," Theo shook her head and bit her bottom lip with a furrowed brow.

"I see your crush never went away," Xyra chuckled.

"Xy, it is not a crush," Theo laughed, "this is fucking Lee' Kaia we are talking about. She has never asked to be on anyone's crew. She makes Yutice's price look like loose change. It makes it look like-

"I understand the significance of this event."

"Doesn't look like you do."

"She got it out of her system," through the open door, Cooker walked in with a handful of plates, "Cause she was freaking out with me this morning."

"Cook!" Theo threw her hands up in the air, "fucking Lee' Kaia"

Cooker set the plates down on the desk and lifted her hands up in the air with a laugh before tilting her head up and yelling, "We got Kaia!"

"Can I explain or should I wait for this display of unprofessional behavior to end?" Xyra raised an eyebrow.

"You're no fun," Cooker nudged her before sitting down.

"We should not treat our crew like some Hilagh team that just recruited a good player," Xyra shot back, "This is Lee' Kaia. They deserve to be spoken about more respectfully."

"Even the way you speak about fun things is boring," Theo teased and nodded in an apology when Xyra glared at her, "continue, please."

"The letter says she wants to join the crew. I was thinking she would be great as a first mate. Make her take whatever jobs you would be giving me. She can solve problems that arise around the fleet."

"The problem solver!" Cooker exclaimed

Xyra actually reached over and slapped Cooker's arm, very hard, "Let me speak."

Theo laughed but then she remembered she was the captain and they were supposed to be in a meeting.

"Oi! Save the roughhousing for after," Theo scolded and Xyra huffed, straightening her coat and looking at her notes.

"The letter says that she wants to speak with you about the details. Hence why we needed to get you up and awake so everything can be decided before you go up and speak with her," Xyra explained.

"You have to tell her about Uncilo. About leaving," Cooker said

"Only the Scorned Woman crew know about that-"

"We need names for all of our ships, by the way," Xyra chimed in.

"-are we sure we want to tell her before we tell any of the new crew tomorrow."

"I think it would be best," Xyra nodded and Cooker followed.

"When is she expecting me?" Theo asked, growing a bit nervous as she began to think about actually meeting with her for a serious talk.

"Did not specify. I think you should go now," Xyra said.

"Now?" Theo's eyes widened and she stood up, "alright, let me get changed. Is there anything else to discuss?"

"The meeting agenda for tomorrow," Xyra said.

"And grotto plans. We leave tomorrow after the crew meeting," Cooker chimed in.

"But both of those can wait until you get back," Xyra supplied.

"Alright. Out, the both of you. I need to come up with a genius outfit. Something that screams Captain Theo, commander of a fleet."

—————

After much convincing from both Xyra and Cooker, who never left her room even though she had asked multiple times, Theo went with a more understated get-up. The hat that she was gifted on her ment by her friends was securely on her head along with a hand-embroidered, long-sleeve killigrew top. Intricate patterns of red swirls lined her neck and wrist areas as it contrasted against her heavy black shirt. It was a small statement piece, but a statement nonetheless. The colors of her crew.

This was an important meeting and Theo needed to look and feel great for it. She had opted to take a horse ride by herself in order to arrive at Kaia's house. It was in the outskirts of the city, tucked away in a small forest clearing. Theo had not been to her house many times, the last time had been at the request of Uncilo a few lengths before. But, she still knew the way. She could get to most places on Corinpse with her eyes closed. The thought of leaving a place she knew so well, a place that was the closest thing she had to a home, made her chest heavy but she knew they had no other choice.

Kaia, short for Lee' Kaia, was born on Corinpse; one of the few people that resided on the island and was actually born there. She had never had a crew of her own. Which had surprised almost everyone. Kaia was the daughter of Captain Armand Vandoule. Captain Vandoule had been the Head of the Council prior to Uncilo and was highly revered. While the era of peace between pirates had been ushered in three classifications before, Vandoule brought renewed progress, cooperation, and unity. He had ensured that prosperity and peace amongst pirates had been maintained and while he did that, he raised his family.

Kaia's mom had died shortly after she was born so she was raised with only her father. He was a nice man but always exacting. He wanted nothing but greatness for his daughter and, like Theo, had been given the best tutors for pirate life. But, Kaia never assembled her own crew. She never sailed as the captain of one. It was rumored that the plan had always been for her to captain a ship in order to be eligible to take over her father's position. She had done so, had managed a voyage captaining her father's old crew, but the position went to Uncilo instead. Theo never knew exactly what happened, she was too young to fully understand the politics surrounding the switch. Kaia was young but eligible nonetheless.

Theo didn't know how Kaia felt about that, or how she felt about Uncilo. She sometimes helped him handle island matters and he would occasionally come to her for advice; on the surface, there was no animosity between the two. However, Theo knew there was more to the story. Both Uncilo and Kaia were too professional to let whatever cracks were there to show.

Even though Kaia never took on a crew, and only ever led one, she had a stellar career. She was an advisor for hire. Whether it was choosing routes, handling crew disputes, or battle strategies, crews would take her on, pay an exorbitant amount of money, and she would stay on for a brief stint with them. Out of hundreds of requests and jobs, she carefully selected the ones she would spend her time on.

Needless to say, Kaia was a huge deal. She was known as the problem solver. She had the ability to work through almost anything and come up with an immediate solution. Most of the time, it worked. She would be an incredible asset on their team but with the money she was already paying the hired crew and the thief Yutice, there was no way Theo could afford her regular rate.

She brought her horse down to a light trot until the house was within view. Theo slowed the horse down and hopped off before tying him to a tree. She began to walk towards the small house nestled into the woods, taking off her gloves and stuffing them into her back pocket as she did. Getting closer, she could see the door was open and all of the windows were too. A few feet from the house, her nose caught a whiff of the magical smell that wafted out from the inside. She made her way to the entrance and even though it was open and Theo could see Kaia's back facing her in the kitchen, she knocked on the doorframe.

At the sound, Kaia turned around. Theo hadn't seen her in about a length and her hair was different. It had all been shaved off. Her layered shirts and long-sleeved fabric were Safritian colors of teal, orange, and yellow which contrasted with her simple black pants. Theo raised a hand and waved it slightly.

"Captain Theo," Kaia offered a curt nod, "come in."

"Thank you, Lee," Theo nodded and took a step in.

"I have known you since you were seven lengths old, you can call me Kaia," she chuckled.

"I will happily call you Kaia if you drop the Captain from my name," Theo countered the offer.

"Very well, Theo," she emphasized, "am I remembering correctly that you enjoy cooking?"

Theo took a few steps into the house, "Your memory serves you right. I do enjoy it."

"Come help then," Kaia called her over and patted a chopping board, "I need you on vegetables."

Theo walked to where she was instructed and picked up a knife. She made quick work of chopping the vegetables that were obviously for the large pot of stew that was over the fire.

"What's in the stew?" Theo asked, unable to determine from just smell.

"Boar."

"You hunted it yourself?"

She laughed, "I might live under my means, Theo, but I have enough money to hire people to bring me fresh meat when they catch it."

"Forgive the assumption," Theo laughed a bit and handed over some of the vegetables to be added to the stew.

They entered into a comfortable pace in the kitchen. Theo kept up with the tasks assigned to her. She wasn't sure if it was some sort of test or if Theo had just caught her at a time when she needed some help with her meal. Either way, it was a welcomed distraction. Making a meal, a warm stew to combat the cold air outside, was a reachable goal. It seemed simple, easy, attainable. In the midst of all of the lofty goals they had set for themselves, this was a needed disruption.

Eventually, there was nothing left to do except wait for all of the flavors to render together. Once Theo finished with the last of the vegetables and pushed them into the stew, Kaia was already leaning on a cabinet, arms crossed over her chest.

"I sent out that letter to be delivered last night," she mentioned with an impressed nod, "and you stand in front of me before lunch has been served. Efficient."

"Credit for that goes to Xyra," Theo also leaned back against the counter, "she likes to keep us on track."

"You are preparing a fleet for a voyage down to Niveal," Kaia stated.

"Aye, we are. Seven ships," Theo nodded.

"I would like to offer up my services," she pushed herself off the cabinet and took a spoon then began to stir the stew, she lifted the spoon to her mouth and then tapped it against her lips, "it's missing something."

She turned to the cabinet she was up against and opened a drawer before looking through it.

Theo tried peeking over her shoulder to gauge what she was trying to get, "Offering your services to my crew means what to you?"

"I want to be on your crew," she grabbed a jar of spices and sprinkled some into the stew before mixing it again.

"You should add root of liem to it. Goes great with boar," Theo said and Kaia shook her head like that wasn't something she would consider, "I can't pay you your normal rate. Your expertise would be greatly appreciated, however, so I can offer you a reduced salary."

"I don't want to be paid to be on your crew, I would like to join it," she said without looking at Theo, instead focusing on her stew.

Theo was confused and it showed on her face. Kaia had been approached by the Scorned Woman when it first started five lengths before and their offer of being on the crew and amongst the officers was rejected. A firm rate was given in case they ever wanted to hire her for a part of their journey but she had insisted she was not the type to be tied down to a crew. Cooker had given a philosophical speech on the ethics of joining their crew, of making right in the world, of fixing problems that could change lives but she had shown no interest. She returned with her own statements about the world being doomed, everyone being evil, and change never occurring.

To her credit, Kaia had a lucrative career and she was beginning her trajectory of becoming a known name in the underworld. Which made her offer make even less sense now. Theo knew that the upcoming classification meant she was fielding thousands of requests for help. If she had a reason to reject a position on the crew before, it made less sense for her to be requesting to join at that moment.

"Have I stunned you into silence, Captain Theo?" she laughed a bit and Theo snapped back into reality to see the spoon being held in front of her face.

Even with the slight frown, she leaned forward to taste it. Like she had said, it was missing liem but she was not the type to repeat herself. She just shrugged at the taste of it and then put her hands on her hips, "I'm sorry. Can you repeat that? You said you would like to join the crew, forgoing a salary of compensation beyond what you would receive as a share of the crew."

"Thought that with all of Uncilo's fancy training that you would have had a lesson or two in listening and comprehension."

"Why now?"

"A book," she put the lid back over the stew and turned back to Theo with a smile on her face.

"A book?" Theo laughed a bit.

"Aye, it came highly recommended to me. It is by a philosopher that died about a classification ago. Pidge, I believe is what the new generation calls him," Kaia said and Theo laughed a bit, they were both very much in the same generation but she always liked to act a classification above her age, "Cycles, is the name of the book."

Theo's eyebrow shot up, "How long ago did you read this book?"

"Not too long ago," Kaia replied.

"That's Cooker's favorite," Theo pointed out.

Kaia chuckled and then nodded, "I don't read books recommended by just anyone."

Theo took a few blinks and then narrowed her eyes, "Are you sleeping with Cooker?"

"That is inappropriate to ask," she turned to face Theo with a raised eyebrow.

"You're right. But she is an officer and these kinds of potential conflicts of interest are usually brought to my attention since I am the captain," Theo crossed her arms again.

"Cooker and I could just be friendly with each other. Do you assume we are sleeping together because we both like women?"

"I asked, which does not equal an assumption," Theo pointed out, "and I did so because I know Cook. She enjoys sleeping with people. No judgment, just a fact. She also has a thing for people that can engage in good discussion and are in positions of power. Again, no judgment. Just a fact."

Kaia chuckled, "I have never slept with Cooker and I do not plan on starting now. I was doing some shopping at the market in town and ran into her while preparations were occurring. I invited her to catch up over a pastry and some tea. I wanted to pick her brain, she's always had good insights into political happenings."

"I am the one that has to hear it all the time. No need to tell me," Theo smiled a bit.

"I don't think I even expressed my interest in the topic of ethics and our moral responsibilities past a sentence on the subject and before the end of the sun, I had a package at my doorstep."

"So, you read a book, and all of sudden you are ready to be a positive force in the world?" Theo said sarcastically, "all it took was the words of Pidge to finally get you to understand you were destined for more."

Kaia tilted her head and laughed, shaking her head a bit, "You lack tact, Captain."

"If I had tact, I wouldn't be a pirate," Theo shot back. It was not true. Theo used tact and diplomacy all the time. With her crewmates, with allies, with potential business dealings. This situation should have been no different. Between the question about Cooker and being condescending about coming around to their cause, she was bringing shame to her crew. But she didn't know where the attitude had sprung from. It had been harder to keep her composure since waking up.

"You're what? 18?" Kaia asked.

Theo nodded.

"When you asked me to join your crew, I was 17 and you were 13," Kaia did the quick calculation, "I had lost my father two lengths before. And for all of his work, for all of his dedication to our island and our people, how was he repaid when he died? Darkness spread into this island once again. At the time, I was knee-deep in cynicism. The next few lengths, the money, and the freedom to do as I pleased didn't help me feel any regret about my decision."

"Again, all of that changed because of a book?"

"No. All of it changed because I watched a city burn down after someone was protecting their child from getting beat by the soldiers," Kaia explained, "It's not the first city I've seen to be razed but this one was different. I began to think about my choices. About what I could do with my skills. The book helped put words to feelings."

"Pidge will do that," Theo joked a bit.

Kaia laughed and opened the lid to the stew, "So, Captain Theo, I would appreciate it if you rolled back your skepticism and condescension to understand that when you are my age, you will look back at some of the choices you made when you were 17 and regret them. Especially if that choice is telling a doe-eyed 13-year old that her dreams of saving our world were too big."

Theo smiled a bit and uncrossed her arms, "You are only four lengths older than I am. You act as if you are Uncilo's age."

"He tells me you have not seen him," Kaia mentioned and Theo reached over and took the spoon to stir the stew.

"My time is valuable, Lee, I cannot go making trips to the mountain just to say hello to him. His ego will survive," Theo joked and held a spoon up to Kaia's mouth for her to try.

"Yet you have time to come to the forest to see me?" She pointed out.

"You are worth my time, that is the difference," Theo took her turn to taste it and prompted Kaia for a comment.

"Missing something."

Theo smirked a bit, "I may be young and naive but I know how to season a soup. I know what it's missing."

"Captain Theo, I am not ruining my lunch because you are demented and believe that liem goes in a stew," Kaia took the spoon away.

"I will hunt a boar myself and make you a new stew if you don't like the end result. I promise," Theo chuckled, her smirk only more present because she knew she was right.

Kaia rolled her eyes and then opened her pantry and set a jar in front of Theo.

She tipped the hat she still had on, took a piece of the root out, and began to finely chop it. When it was done, she slid it into the stew, mixed with the spoon, and put a lid on it, "If you come on our crew, I would offer you the position of first mate."

"What about Xyra?" Kaia frowned.

"She's going home for a little while," Theo said, "the position would be temporary. When Xyra returns, we can have this conversation again. Perhaps get you a captaincy on one of the ships."

"I have no interest in being a captain," she clarified, "but still, when Xyra returns, I will give up the position happily."

"There is one last thing," Theo paused, this would be the thing that would change Kaia's mind. She didn't want to set such an important asset loose.

"You are not returning to Corinpse," Kaia provided for her.

Theo scowled, her arms crossing over her chest. No one knew beyond the officers. Did Cooker spill?

"How do you know that?"

"My first indication was that you are taking all of your ships out of Corinpsian waters instead of recruiting, training, and then returning to staff the ships," she explained, "my second indication was that you are giving Uncilo the cold shoulder. And my third? Your reaction."

Theo rolled her eyes and Kaia laughed.

"And you're okay with that?" Theo clarified

"Wouldn't have extended my offer if I wasn't," Kaia said, "I want to leave the island."

"Why now?" Theo found herself asking, again probably inappropriate.

"I owed Uncilo a favor and he called it in," she gave insight into her choice, "So, I'm free."

There had been no chains on her before but Theo knew the implication. A deal with Uncilo could be called in at any time. It's probably why she never joined a crew. Why power was always in the form of money and never in the form of a position he could exploit.

"For all your formal training and tutoring, I would have thought your father would have taught you never to owe Uncilo a favor," Theo repeated the phrase used against her.

"He's the reason Uncilo had a favor over me," Kaia shrugged, "but, it's over now. Enough about him."

Theo took the lid off the stew and dipped her spoon in, taking a sip. A smile broke out across her face and she laughed to herself, "Try this. See if it's to your liking."

Theo took a bit more broth and handed the spoon to her. Kaia took a sip. Her eyes closed and she made a pleased noise. Her hand came up to wipe her mouth and she opened her eyes with an eye roll.

"You crazy Aelizan," she scoffed and brought out a bowl, "you staying for lunch?"

"I helped make it, might as well stay," Theo shrugged and took the bowl that was handed to her and began to serve them their food.

———-

"Remember when you told me to shut up. That no one cared about my ideas. That I talked too much," Cooker asked, her arm draped around Theo.

"I don't have any clue what you are talking about Cook," Theo laughed as they walked back to the ship together from the crew-wide meeting they had just led, "I didn't say that."

"Not at any particular moment in the recent cycles but those are words you have said before," Cooker pointed out.

"Aye, I may have told you to shut your mouth as children but it has been a while since then. And I've never told you that no one cared about your ideas; at least not that bluntly," she teased.

"Theo," Cooker pouted, "you are ruining my moment. Just go along with it so I can get to bragging."

Theo laughed, "Fine. I do remember all those times your genius was overlooked. When you were beaten down with the awful words of 'you're not good enough' and 'no one likes you.' When your resolve was questioned but you persevered regardless."

"Okay, tone it down," Cooker laughed and swatted Theo's dramatic hand flailing, "well, my talking finally paid off. I recruited Lee' Kaia into our crew."

"To be fair, she offered to join. No one recruited her

"I recruited her. Can't be argued."

"It can."

"Anyways, I think we should celebrate our success. Especially mine. Being responsible, scaling back the drinking, recruiting Kaia," Cooker nudged and Theo snorted, "can I bring drugs to the Grotto?"

Theo laughed, "You are ridiculous."

"Come on, T, just say yes," Cooker tried to convince her, "and then when Xyra goes to scold me about it, say it was your idea."

"Just tell her the truth. I'm not lying for you," Theo said as they walked up onto the deck.

"But you'll let me bring them?"

"As long as there is enough for me," Theo nodded.

"I'm going to go pack," Cooker began to peel away from Theo.

"Xyra's probably waiting to debrief!" Theo yelled out after her but Cooker ignored her, "I'll just do it on my own."

Theo unbuttoned her shirt as she pushed her door open. Like she had predicted, Xyra was inside, hunched over the desk and looking at some papers on its surface.

"How did it go?" Xyra asked and Theo stripped her coat and her boots before sitting down and sighing.

"Went great."

"Routes finalized? The crew is happy with their placements? They know the procedure for departure?"

"Mhm," Theo closed her eyes.

"And all of them now know about leaving Corinspe?"

"Wasn't that the whole point of the meeting, Xy?"

"Right," Xyra nodded, "and how did they take it?"

"Fine. Lots of questions. We gave lots of answers. Everyone understands that this is not to leak before we leave. Their first test," Theo explained, "Cook is packing for the Grotto."

"I packed for you," Xyra said.

"Why?"

"You never take coats. Do not worry, I made sure you have fashionable options," Xyra flicked Theo's forehead, "I also got our food, hired horses, and loaded them up."

"Thank you," Theo opened her eyes and grabbed Xyra's hand, looking up at her, "Why are you hovering?"

"Navi asked me to go see her tonight," Xyra spilled.

Theo sat up and fixed Xyra with a bewildered look, "And you are telling me that you're abandoning Cooker and I to go see her?"

"No," Xyra shook her head, "you and Cook go-ahead to the Grotto and I'll meet up with you later tonight."

"You are so weak," Theo teased and shook her head.

Xyra hit Theo in the chest.

"What is it with you and violence lately?" Theo coughed out and pushed Xyra away, "go get laid or whatever you are going to do."

"Leave my horse, okay? But take my stuff."

"Abandon your friends to go whore yourself out," Theo waved her off, turning the tables on Xyra, "I will take care of things here. Like always."

Xyra shook her head and held in a laugh, as to not encourage Theo's dramatics, "See you at the Grotto."

She walked out and wiped her hands on her coat. Xyra had seen and spoken to Navi many times for business and other reasons; even though she was supposed to be staying away. But she was still nervous. Navi had asked if she was going to be at the meeting and when Xyra had said no, she had asked her to come by her room at the tavern. Xyra had no idea what she wanted. All she knew was that she had sweaty palms at the thought of a serious conversation.

She didn't want to look odd, running in a street full of people. So, she alternated between a brisk walk and a light jog. Navi had been sleeping not far from the dock, since she stayed close to the infirmary where Morgana had been staying. It didn't take her long to get there and she knew exactly which room Navi was staying in. Not because she was a creep. She had needed to deliver something there a few suns before. Xyra knocked and only a few moments passed by before the door swung open, quite forcefully.

"Hello," Xyra smiled, "you wanted to see me?"

"Come in, if you want to," Navi stepped aside and Xyra entered. The door was shut behind her.

Xyra took a sniff from the air. "You have dragon's breath?"

"Haven't smoked any yet," Navi shrugged, "was going to offer some to you."

"Oh," Xyra nodded and stepped further into the room, "I was not aware it was going to be this type of conversation."

"What type?" Navi chuckled a bit but it seemed to be nervous.

"A not serious one," Xyra rubbed the back of her neck, "which I am thankful for, do not get me wrong. Just confused."

"I know," Navi sighed a bit and it had taken Xyra that long to notice that Navi was in a robe. It was a knee-length night robe. It was commonplace. Navi wore them all the time but it had been a while since she had seen it. Out of courtesy, Xyra looked away, "I don't mean to be confusing. It's just..."

Xyra peeked over, "You can just say what you want."

Navi walked over with a candle and the dragon's breath in a cigarette. She sat down at a table and motioned for Xyra to sit, which she did.

"So, you're leaving," Navi mentioned.

Xyra nodded a bit, "Aye. I have a replacement and everything."

Navi still looked hesitant. She made quick work of lighting the cigarette and taking a drag; handing it to Xyra when she was done. Xyra took a small hit.

"I've been thinking," Navi took the cigarette back, "I have been trying to find myself, I suppose. I don't know what to call it. But, with you leaving I think I am going to have time to do that."

Xyra cleared her throat, "Glad I could help."

Navi bit her lip and huffed, "No, Xy, that isn't what I meant. I just meant there will be no distractions for once."

"That doesn't sound any better," Xyra laughed but only because if she didn't, it would hurt.

"What I mean is that I have been wanting to focus on myself, which means that I am putting fucking and relationships aside," Navi admitted and took another hit of the cigarette, not sharing, "and obviously before I swear off sex completely, I want it one last time."

"Obviously," Xyra repeated with a laugh and pried the dragon's breath from Navi's hand. She looked nervous too and Navi was never nervous.

"But you've ruined me," Navi complained, her tone wasn't angry though it was hinting at something, "I don't want anyone else."

"Right," Xyra nodded but she didn't quite know what was happening. Was she being summoned to be blamed for Navi's inability to get laid with anyone else?

"I want you."

"What?"

"You've always been so oblivious," Navi put her head in her hands with a sigh.

"I think I am missing something," Xyra blinked.

"It was my mistake to get you high before this conversation," Navi took it away from her, "Xy, I want to have sex but I don't feel comfortable with anyone else but you. But you can say no because like you said, this is confusing."

"I am not saying no," Xyra shook her head, "I am saying yes. This sounds good to me."

"This doesn't mean we are getting back together," Navi clarified.

Xyra nodded.

"Or that this is a promise for the future."

Xyra nodded again.

"And you can't tell anyone because if word gets around Morgana will murder me."

Xyra nodded a third time.

"Forget it," Navi stood up, "I am taking complete advantage of you."

"If anything, I would be taking that title," Xyra shrugged and stood up, " you swore off me and told me to stay away yet here I am, not even fighting against your request."

Xyra laughed a bit, she was high.

"I shouldn't be encouraging this," Xyra smiled and kissed Navi's cheek, "I should go."

Navi didn't let her pull away. She put a hand over her cheek and shook her head, "No. Stay, just for tonight."

"I have to go before the sun rises," Xyra confessed.

"Even better," Navi said but the glint in her eye and the smirk alerted Xyra that she was teasing.

"Navi," Xyra caught her eyes, "I do not want you to regret this. At any point, please, if it's too much, tell me and we stop."

"I would regret it more if I did it with anyone else," Navi admitted and Xyra felt warm inside and leaned forward, pulling Navi to her.

"Let's at least finish the dragon's breath," Xyra said as Navi leaned in for a kiss and Xyra avoided her, leaning in to kiss her neck, "there is no rush tonight."