Ava awoke the next morning to the sound of metal clinking against metal and the sounds of various pirates engaged in different conversations. She cursed herself for leaving her window open and getting awake yet again, but when she opened her eyes, she saw she wasn't in her room. She jolted up and looked around. She was lying down in Theo's bed with a blanket over her and no Theo to be found. She scrambled off the bed and began to tidy it up, sheets tucked under the bed and pillows fluffed.

As she walked outside, she found herself in the middle of what seemed to be some kind of training session. All of the members of the crew were spread out around the deck, weapons in their hands. Most everyone seemed too preoccupied sparring to notice. A few women, who were exchanging parries close to the captain's quarters, looked over at Ava but quickly returned to their work. Ava felt her cheeks heat up and the embarrassment from earlier washed over her again.

She knew how it looked, emerging from the captain's quarter in the early morning in the same clothes as the night before. Ava, along with most of the crew, wore the same outfit every sun but the situation was still suspect. The women who had looked overpaid her no mind though, and returned to their work.

Either this happened a lot or these pirates just really didn't care about anyone else's business. It was most likely a mix of both, though. She saw Xyra at the opposite end of the deck, hands locked behind her back as she paced back and forth. If there was anyone Ava didn't want to notice that she came out of Theo's room it was Xyra.

Ava quickly walked away from Theo's room and lingered around the ladder that led to her cabin. She stared as she watched Xyra shout command and the pirates followed. They each had a sword or a dagger in their hand and they seemed to be going through training drills. She was mesmerized with how the women knew what to do and when to do it. Her attention was so focused on the women training she didn't notice Theo coming up next to her.

Ava felt her cheeks heat up for what felt like the eighth time that morning, "Good Morning. I am so sorry for falling asleep like that. I would never have-"

Theo raised her hand, stopping Ava. "No need to apologize. It was funny. There are also plenty of empty cabins on this ship so it was easy relocating."

Ava nodded in response and flashed Theo a smile, "Well, thank you for letting me have your bed for the night."

"You are quite welcome," Theo smiled at her then looked over at the crowd in front of her, "Dola, you are leaving your side open! Fix your stance!"

Ava watched as the young girl Theo directed changed her stance. Ava did not know much about fighting but it seemed to be a more effective way to stand. She wondered how people learned this and how they would not forget this during a moment of high stress.

"Can you teach me?" Ava asked.

Theo let out a small laugh and shook her head, "Pirates and will-be pirates only, love. I'm sorry."

"I have almost gotten abducted and assaulted various times. Should I not be able to at least defend myself?" Ava reasoned. If there was anything she had learned about Theo in the short amount of time they had spent together is that she seemed to respond well to logic.

Theo smiled and shrugged, "I suppose you're right. You'd need a weapon though and last I checked, you were missing one."

"So you're telling me you would give me enough money to get settled somewhere but wouldn't just give me a weapon?"

"You have a point there."

"Enough of a point to give me a weapon?"

"No," Theo laughed.

Ava crossed her arms in front of her and tried to regroup her thoughts to make a better argument. Before she made up her mind Theo had begun moving away from her and back into the sea of pirates, shouting commands and corrections. Ava knew a lost cause when she saw one and thought she would return to her book about the first six classifications.

She made her way down the familiar route to the library and took residence in her favorite chair. The book was large and the author was unfamiliar to her. The tales told in the book were ones she had never heard before, it was history no one ever bothered to tell her about. She was fascinated and every page she read led to more questions than answers. Stories of revolts, cultural shifts, struggles that spanned across all the continents of Baethos.

By the time she heard the bustle of the pirates filtering back into the lower decks of the ship, she had made significant progress on her book. There were only a few hundred pages left and she was determined to finish this before arriving in Riem. She tuned out the noise coming from outside the library and dove back into the book. After a while, she heard footsteps entering the room.

"Frentnocker is a great author. He puts all those revisionists to shame. Nothing more refreshing than getting your history from him. Shame he's no longer with us," Cooker commented and took a seat next to Ava.

"Revisionist?"

"Aye, books published by Baethean scholars and taught in schools do not tell the full story. I make sure to stock the library's collection with nothing of that sort though. Like Frentnocker, he really gives you the raw details."

"You stock the library?" Ava asked.

Cooker nodded and motioned around the room, "Aye, most of these books I've picked myself. It's not like many of the girls here enjoy reading or curating a collection so the work falls on me, not complaining though it keeps each city exciting. I'm always on the lookout for what is new."

As Cooker finished talking, Morgana and Theo entered the room. Morgana pointed at Ava's book and laughed.

"Frentnocker, good choice," Morgana said in an accent resembling Cookers.

Theo laughed at that and took on the same accent, "My anti-revisionist savior! The only author in the world that tells it to you the way it is."

Cooker made a rude hand gesture in their general direction and Ava laughed at the exchange. She was surprised at how accurate they had both been in mimicking Cooker. Morgana reached forward and took the book out of Ava's hands.

"The complete history of Baethos. Classifications one through six," Morgana read out loud, "In Foina's name, no wonder you and Cooker get along so well. Of all the books in the library, you chose the history of the first six classifications."

"Leave her alone. You can't even read," Cooker snatched the book back and handed it back to Ava.

"I can read. I just choose not to," Morgana corrected and found a seat to sit down in, "I don't need to read to know what any of those books will tell you. Baethos is a horrible rotten cesspool of corruption and The Center should burn."

Ava's head darted up and she stared at Morgana. She hadn't heard language that divisive and absolute since she started her journey on the ship. Further, she had never heard speak that way against the center. It was a crime punishable by imprisonment to speak ill of or threaten Baethos, any member of the council, or the Center. What was even more surprising was the small round of cheers that went around the room.

Both Theo and Cooker had clapped their hands and cheered to the statement. Ava knew how to read a room and knew better than to ask questions about this. It made sense, ultimately these women were pirates and pirates were hunted and killed by Baethean law. Treasure hunting, murder, burning down another ship; it was only a matter of time before she heard illegal talk against the state.

Morgana caught onto the silence and raised an eyebrow, "Everything good?"

Ava just nodded and Morgana chuckled.

"A greater house Eloxian hearing people say they don't like Baethos. Must be a new one for you, huh," Morgana pointed out, her tone of voice was not rude but Ava felt attacked.

"Yeah I did not make it a habit in the past to hang around people who use treasonous language," Ava replied, somewhat worked up.

Theo sensed that the conversation would not be going anywhere productive. Morgana was as opposed to the government as any woman on this ship and Ava would never understand why. At least not at this point, not when Ava had had so little exposure to the realities of the world outside of the bubble of luxury that is created by being a part of a greater house.

"That will be the end of that discussion," Theo said. Morgana opened her mouth in protest but Theo wasn't going to even let her get the chance, "That will be the end of that."

Morgana understood and nodded her head, slinking back in her chair admitting defeat. Cooker, not one for uncomfortable silence brought the next topic to the floor, Riem. They each talked about their plans for Riem. From what Ava gathered, Riem was not anything special and the shops were scarce. Cooker and the crew were headed to the only tavern in town to spend the sun there while Xyra and Theo attended to business. Theo was in the middle of explaining an odd tradition that goes on in the tavern when they heard someone clearing their throat in the doorway.

"If I am not mistaken, you two left to find Cooker and come right back quite a while ago. Can I have an explanation as to why I have been waiting in Theo's chambers this whole time?"

All four of the women in the room snapped their heads up to face Xyra looming over them all. Theo cleared her throat, "Xy, I'm sorry. We lost track of time down here and we were debriefing about some Riem things."

"Debriefing that couldn't wait until we were all together at a meeting, we scheduled specifically for speaking about Riem?" Xyra pressed.

Theo could feel her chest start to bubble with anger at being spoken to that way in front of everyone else. Xyra and her had a special relationship and Xyra kept Theo grounded. This is how Xyra spoke to her when they were alone, and Theo needed guidance. Sometimes Xyra even spoke to her this way when they were together with their close circle. But she was never spoken to that way in front of a passenger or any crew member that wasn't close to them. It would have been easy to bite back at Xyra and put her in her place, but she felt wrong about it.

There was no reason to get angry. Xyra crossing a line was something that could be resolved later and away from everyone. Nothing good would come of the situation, plus something must have been bothering Xyra to cause the attitude. She would resolve it later.

"You're right, Xyra. We should have come back up. I don't like wasting your time and I truly am sorry." Theo apologized and Xyra nodded in response, "Well, Ava. I think that is our cue to take our exit. We'll see you later."

Ava waved her goodbyes and focused back on the book. Theo and the rest of them headed back to her quarters. She took a seat behind her desk and propped her feet up on the table. Xyra immediately launched into the duties that were required of each one of them once they arrived in Riem.

Theo and Xyra were to meet Norhan, their contact in Riem, to secure some more leads for the next bounty. Cooker was assigned to keeping the crew at bay when they all visited the tavern. Last time they were in Riem, Theo went away, and the crew ended up creating quite a commotion. Cooker was now in charge of the safety of the crew and the townspeople too. Morgana was given a list and charged with going to fetch different things needed to keep the inventory up for the journey from The Twins to Dove Island.

"I don't even want to be quartermaster, why do I have to get the supplies? Xyra could do it. All the shopkeepers know her name. I need to rest before my journey north." Morgana complained.

"The duties you were given by Xyra are the ones you must follow. Plus, Xyra has her own things to do, she won't have time," Theo said.

"I'm visiting my family. I won't have time to do that."

"Your passage is not booked until 11, that is during aftermorning. You know the shops open at 7 in the morning. That gives you plenty of time to go to the shops and get what is needed."

"Captain-"

"This is not up for further discussion, Mor," Theo interrupted. "You wanted more responsibilities on this ship that includes doing things you don't want to sometimes. Xyra is your first mate and her orders are my orders. Do not undermine her commands by coming to me again."

"Aye, Captain," Morgana resigned, "If that is all I will be taking my leave."

Theo nodded and motioned for Morgana to leave. After saying her goodbyes, Cooker also made her way out of the cabin. It was just Theo and Xyra.

"You want to tell me why you kinda freaked out earlier over a meeting that could have been rescheduled?" Theo asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

In all honesty, Xyra knew she did not have to have the meeting that sun. She could have probably just let them all hang out for the aftermorning and found time in the next few suns to brief them on their time there. She knew it full well and still made them come upstairs and have the meeting. It wasn't that they had disappeared and left her waiting, it was commonplace with any pirate on here to get distracted. It was that they were distracted with someone that was not even a member of the crew, a rich runaway who felt entitled to everyone's time.

"It needed to be done now. We are never guaranteed what tomorrow or the sun after will look like," Xyra said and crossed her arms, mimicking Theo.

Theo sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "We both know that is bullshit but I will let it go. What I won't let go is you speaking to me that way in front of people. Especially in front of a passenger."

"Her opinion of you shouldn't matter."

"It's not her opinion of me that I care about. You undermined me out there and I do not want it to happen again. Understood?"

Xyra did not answer, she simply just nodded.

Theo pressed on, "I need a verbal response. You are my first mate and I choose very wisely when to not head what you say or the commands you give. That is because I do not want the crew to see your authority as less than mine. That is not something I need to do, it is something I do because I respect you and your wisdom. But you? It is your job to do what I say, make me look good, and support my image to this crew and the outside world. Is that understood?"

"Understood," Xyra said through a clenched jaw, "And just so you know, I do not appreciate being talked to in this way either."

"Don't make me have to get stern with you and you won't have to experience it again," Theo countered and locked eyes with Xyra for a few moments.

"Fine. If that is all, I will be leaving," Xyra said.

When Theo did not answer, Xyra got up and left the room. Theo breathed in deeply and then let out a long sigh. She hated having to confront her crew, specifically the ones closest to her. Getting strict and demanding with her crew was something she did all the time but it did not make it any easier. Theo sat in silence for a while, listening to the shouts of the crew outside. She watched as the sun dropped under the horizon and felt her stomach growl in wait of food.

At this point, with both Morgana and Xyra upset with her she did not feel like making it down to dinner. She felt that her best option is to just fall back on the jerked meat from Aeliz she kept hidden in her room to snack on. She grabbed the bag she kept hidden in the back of a drawer in her desk and began to snack. A few bites in, she decided to pull out the last of the Dragon's Breath that Navi had given her.

Theo went through the calming routine of stuffing the pipe before lighting it ablaze. She watched as the smoke she exhaled curled and danced around the room before dissipating. She took turns snacking and smoking but eventually, the jerky ran out and her stomach was not satisfied. It was almost as if Piordios, the god of the sea himself, had heard her because soon after finishing her jerky there was a knock on the door.

"Theo? Are you in there? I noticed you did not come to dinner, so I brought you up your ration," Ava called out from the other side of the door.

"Come in!"

Ava opened the door slowly and the first thing that hit her was the smell of dragon's breath. She walked over to Theo's desk and set down the food carefully. Theo motioned for her to take a seat and Ava did.

"You were not at dinner," Ava said.

"Aye, very astutely observed," Theo grinned.

"Why?"

"Morgana and Xyra are cross with me. I did not want to stir the pot even more."

"Why are they cross with you?"

"I'm making Mor do something she doesn't want to do and I had a difficult conversation with Xyra earlier," Theo admitted and relit the pipe.

"I don't mean to be too forward but are you addicted to drugs?" Ava asked and whispered the last word.

Theo let out a loud laugh and shook her head side to side, "First of all, you do not need to whisper. It is not a bad word. Second of all, no I am not addicted to anything by any means."

Ava raised an eyebrow unconvinced, "You say that but you've had some of that at least three times in the last half of a cycle."

Theo once again let out another loud laugh. Instead of responding though, she put the pipe down and began to eat. Ava just sat there quietly and watched Theo eat. Her head started to feel a little light and she attributed it to the smoke she was inhaling.

Finally, Theo spoke up."I have used this more frequently than I usually do, I will admit. But I had reasons every time. Plus, I'm a pirate. If you are not smoking or drinking three times a sun something is wrong. I, by all accounts, am very healthy in my consumption of illegal and mind-altering substances."

This time, Ava was the one that laughed, "What were your reasons then?"

"First time... Hm, I guess because I hadn't done it in a while. Second time, to have fun with my crew and also to get you to try it. This time? Well, just because I'm sad." Theo admitted.

Ava was taken aback by the honesty of the last statement. By Theo's expression, she was just as shocked to have let that slip. Theo seemed like the type to keep things bottled in. Ava did not want to pry but she did want to allow Theo the chance to open up.

"Why are you sad?" Ava asked, her voice soft and tone lighter than it had been in her previous line of questioning, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Theo was quiet for a while. Not because she did not want to answer, which she didn't, but because she did not know why. She tried to pinpoint the weight that had been on her chest the past few cycles. It was hard but something about the clarity that dragon's breath gives on matters of the soul and the directness of Ava's question that allowed her to reflect. After a few minutes of thinking, she knew. She knew the origin of her stress and her sorrow.

She felt the urge to blurt it out. Now that she had found out what was making her feel this way, she wanted to just share it. But this was a virtual stranger. They knew nothing about each other and somehow that just made Theo want to tell her more. This was not something she could share with those people she did let in. Morgana, Cooker, Xyra, Navi, Tuni, none of them could know. Ava seemed like she knew how to keep a secret and there was a high likelihood that she wouldn't even be on this ship within the next cycle.

"I don't want to be captain," Theo said on an exhale.

Ava could not speak. She was shocked. It was better to keep her mouth shut for now anyway. This wasn't a time for her opinion or interjection. She waited and Theo continued.

"I-" Theo was trying to collect herself and Ava could see the frustration on her face from trying to figure out how to voice her thoughts. "I love this. I love being captain but sometimes I wish I could just give it up, you know? I wish that I could just be Theo, a pirate on a regular pirate crew. No expectations, no stress, no people in your care, no having to bark out orders."

Ava nodded.

Theo continued, "I've never felt this way before. Usually, we can raid, and sail, and bring justice to those who deserve it, and drink, and look after the crew and I think nothing of it. But lately, I have been constantly thinking about the fact that these women have entrusted me with keeping them alive."

Theo stayed quiet for another little while but Ava could tell that she was not finished. There was more to be said and Theo proved her right.

"I think more than anything, sometimes, I just wish Xyra would have taken command of the crew and not me. I can't help but think how much better she would be than I am at this," Theo finished.

"I cannot comfort you much, all I can say is that these women do not put trust in you to keep them alive. They all know the risk associated with pirating. I think they put their trust in you to take care of them and give them good opportunities. From what I have seen, you are doing an excellent job at both," Ava offered.

Theo's serious demeanor was replaced with a small smile, "Thank you, Ava. That was... unexpectedly pleasant advice. Also, thank you for the dinner."

"That was not all selfless. I came to ask you for something."

"What is it?"

"I want to learn to defend myself."

Theo sighed and rubbed her face, "We went over this. I don't want to be the bad guy any longer, can we not rehash this?"

"I do not think you are listening to me. I am a woman who needs to learn how to defend myself. I have been attacked twice already and I do not want to be put in that position again. All I need is a small knife and someone to teach me how to use it," Ava insisted.

Ava was stubborn, that much was certain to Theo. She was bold, assertive, intuitive, calculated, fiery and dammit she had a point.

"Fine, I will ask someone to help you. Morgana will find you a weapon suited for you. If they are busy, tired, need rest, or do not want to help you I cannot make them. They will only teach you if they want and when they want, understood?"

Ava went from serious to beaming, "Yes. Understood. Loudly and clearly. Very much understood."

"Good. Now, I have a favor of my own to ask you. Will you go get me another ration?"