Queens of the Seventh Sea (SilverScar & Erebus)

[SilverScar]

"I believe you boys are waiting for me"

The backroom of the tavern creaked open on the windowless room, the hushed whispered tones going quiet for a moment as the final member of their little conspiracy entered. The candles of the chanaldier flickered slightly at the sudden draft from the tavern before the door was quickly shut, the sounds of music and drunken yelling becoming muffled in the stale air. Taking her seat at the plain wooden table, the women looked about the room with a slight smirk upon her lips. There were three others, two of which hid their identities with theatre masks and cloaks, all hunched and looking like something straight from an Eleborean play. The third was leaning back in his seat, scared face glaring at everyone. A truly pleasant bunch.

As soon as she seated herself, the newcomer could feel the intense gazes of those wearing the masks upon her figure. Long dark hair framed a young, feminine face with bright, mischievous green eyes and a harsh, angry looking scar that cut across her face. She wore a black gold uniform that looked as though it had been pinched from a navel officer, looking very regal and expensive. It hugged the voluptuous curves of her body rather nicely, the dark material of pants pulled nice and taunt over strong, curvy legs. Leather boots tapped lightly on the ground as she patiently waited for judgement to be rendered on her appearance to complete the task.

Finally, one of the masks decided to speak, it's voice sounding like gravel being crushed under foot

"So...you're the one who has been causing such trouble for us on Seventh Sea. I must admit, you're not quite what I was expecting...especially with the reputation you carry"

An understandable reaction. There were many myths and legends surrounding the waters of the Seventh Sea. Claims of underwater cities filled with golden and jewels from a lost age, tales of all manner of giant creatures swimming beneath the calm blue surface and of the many, many ghost ships that sailed with the unpredictable fog. It didn't help matters that the Seventh Sea provided some of the smoothest, fastest sailing between the busy ports of Saint Kahlee and Langside leaving the merchant ships and travelers with the choice of fast, risky travel or the safer routes offered in the waters surrounding the Seventh Sea. Even the Royal Navy had issued a decree stating that the Seventh Sea was 'unsafe and unfit for proper travel'. But of course there would always be those who enjoyed such a risk...

Captain Alexandra Valentia was one of those few.

Much like the Seventh Sea on which she sailed, Captain Alexandra was a woman that seemed to bring tall tales along with her every step. A princess who fled her faraway kingdom due to revolution, the daughter of a disgraced naval officer seeking revenge, and even the strange idea that she had, in fact, come from the sea. If asked about any of these, the Captain would only smile and shrug, offering little insight, even to her own crew. It was that air of mystery and confidence that kept her crew as loyal as they were, along with the fact that their Captain had been given the title of Queen of the Seventh Sea. And while this was a shared title, it remained a prestigious one among those she sailed with.

"That's right gentlemen. My crew and I have found it rather profitable to attack those who seek passage across our territory and I'm afraid your smuggling operations drift right through" Alexandra explained with a wide grin, a confident gleam in her emerald green eyes "I have admit, I was rather surprised to find you actually spent the coin to hire out from the Magelords. Ever since the War, there are what, only a few hundred mages left? Your clientele in Saint Kahlee must really want those drugs you've been shipping if you're sending them through the Seventh"

She was being cocky and from the subtle shifting in body language, Alexandra knew she was making the two masked ones angry. The third one, the already angry one, seemed to be feeding off it, his dark eyes glaring at her, looking for an excuse to go for the weapon he undoubtedly had hidden beneath the table. There were few reasons why a man would have one hand hidden beneath a table, and since Alexandra wasn't dancing naked on top of said table...

"What will it take..." One of the masks hissed at her "For you to stop this? Gold? A cut? Some Gho'la for yourself?"

"This"

Her pistol was out in a flash before anyone could react, the muzzle kissing the glaring man on the forehead before the trigger was pulled, sending the man falling back as Alexandra stood up in the same smooth motion, the pistol turned on the pair of strangers wearing the masks. The smile and mischief were gone now, replaced by a cold, dangerous air, the kind that one gained from dancing toe to toe with death many, many times. The masked strangers seemed to understand what sort of a situation they were in as they sat in silence, though Alexandra could sense the deadly intent.

"I don't want your shit in my territory. I've burned every ounce of the drugs you've sent my way and fed the scum you hired to the sharks. Find yourself a King or another Queen willing to offer safe travel, but I swear if I even get a whiff of Gho'la leaf at sea, I'm coming for the both of you. Clear?"

The tension could have stopped a bullet it was so thick. While the pair of cloaked figures clearly didn't seem saddened by the death of their bodyguard, partner or whoever, it was clear that being on the bottom was not something they were used to, and now were being forced to grovel. Pride often made stupid people do stupid things, so when the one on the right suddenly moved to reveal the hidden crossbow on his wrist, Alexandra didn't even blink as the second shot went off and it was down to the final one.

"Smarter than your friends?" She asked, motioning to the bodies with the muzzle of her pistol, the cocky smirk returning to her lips. A slight nod was all she needed, the pistol returning to it's place at her belt as Alexandra left the room with a teasing sway of her hips, tossing a few golden coins the barkeeps way as she exited the tavern and disappeared into the crowds.

 

[Erebus]

Her hair was a deep cherry-red and tied into a thick braid that fell to her waist with numerous amounts of golden bangles holding it all in place. Eyes of bright seafoam-blue complemented a sharp yet slender face and plush lips, offset by white, puckered scar starting at her right temple and curved against a sunkissed cheek. She was outfitted in a sleeved corset doublet cut low paired with striped breeches, the material almost embracing her lithe figure with a pair of dark, thigh-high boots to match. Her color scheme consisted of blacks and browns, contrasting with a crimson-and-gold long jacket held against her body with a large brown belt. There were very few words used on the Seventh Sea that described the pirate queen more accurately than 'powerful'.

Captain Carmilla Lacroix was a woman with few friends and fewer enemies, having extinguished many of her foes over the course of the last year or so. Having taken the helm of the Black Lotus through brute force alone, Carmilla had little to fear. Her crew was loyal to her though, she suspected like any good pirate, they could be swayed by the stench of gold. Mutiny was not common on her ship, less so when she had made an example of the last man to take up his cutlass against her. Though the thought of a female captain may have sickened some, it was the norm out here in the thrashing waves where having a cock meant diddly-squat.

It wasn't a difficult task to divvy up the territories of the Seventh Sea, with clearly defined areas marked on nautical maps and warning shots. Carmilla was the reigning Queen of the most common route used by trading boats caught unaware, while other ships she knew of used their power to refuse entry all together. It was none of her business, of course, but there was one in particular that had caught her attention having passed them one too many times in the past. A woman with raven-toned hair and flashing verdant eyes - they'd clashed in the past too, finding themselves on equal footing and never really working toward the finishing blow. Carmilla thought the idea of another female captain working the ocean quite amusing, but her crew seemed to think otherwise, encouraging their captain to be rid of the other self-imposed ruler but it was a thought she simply flirted with for the time being.

She barked out orders, her men raising the sails and lowering the anchor at her command as she steered the Black Lotus into port, docking in the neutral and familiar territory with ease. Here they bartered and bullied for goods in exchange for other goods. While they were far from a merchant ship, they had raided enough of them to make the townpeople's time worthwhile. Luxuries like silk and salt exchanged hands for the solid clink of gold pieces, along with fresh provisions, weapons and whatever else the crew wished to spend their own share on. Carmilla shook her head as many of them dispersed into the village, likely hunting for a strong drink and a woman or two to lay with. They'd been at sea for nearly two full moons and with their captain's firm order that women and children were not to be touched, it was natural they were pent up. They had their flag embroidered onto their clothes so it would be easy to find them later.

The captain herself busied herself with making sure that all their trades were up to order and that they weren't getting scammed out of goods. She knew many of the merchant ships that had somehow made their way past the Black Lotus' detection would be eager to secure some sort of partnership with her. She wasn't wrong. Many came up to her, offering a share of the profits or resources in favor of her mercy but they were always requests she had to decline. It was hard to tell who was who in the midst of a raid unless, she had added with a salacious grin, they fly their flag on the journey to and from their destination. It was an option the merchants hesitated to agree on instantly, knowing that piracy was illegal in most places but unable to refuse the assistance of a powerful captain and crew. Whether or not Carmilla stuck to her word, she shook on it otherwise.

Business out of the way, the redhead decided to finally give herself some time to relax. She wandered about the village, clearly noticeable and armed as she stalked about with an air of superiority. She was making her way to one of the more palatable taverns before a familiar face gave her pause. Speak of the devil, Captain Valentia had docked too and it was a wonder she hadn't noticed the woman's ship. It looked as if some business had just been sealed and she locked eyes with the back of the dark-haired queen's hair but Carmilla decided against following the woman, instead paying closer attention to the tavern. The bartender looked visibly shaken as she requested a jug of ale, questioning on what had just transpired. After being given permission to examine the scene of the crime, she came across two dead bodies and one shivering individual thankfully still breathing.

"What happened here?" She demanded to know, not out of concern but out of curiosity for what mischief Alexandra had been up to now. The gilded hilt of her sword rested snugly against her thigh while her equally extravagantly decorated pistol was kept somewhere on the other side of her person. She didn't need either to intimidate, hands on her hips almost forcing an answer out of the man. Something about Gho'la leaves being smuggled out and being punished for it, Captain Valentia had apparently been more than just clear on what would happen if she found them all again. With the man running out of uses, she left quickly, her ale untouched but paid for nevertheless as she exited the tavern and sought after the raven-haired woman as her next quest.

 

[SilverScar]

With the bodies in the tavern still warm, Alexandra decided to give herself a little time to enjoy the market the neutral port provided. Sitting within the center of the bloody sea, the little port allowed for the exchange of goods from all sorts of irreputable customers eager to offload their wares in exchange for coin. Such merchandise was usually the type a merchant wished to be rid of quickly, just in case the owners ever came looking for it. Such grey markets provided quite the variety for a fraction of the price. And so long as everyone was making money, everyone was very happy.

Swords were often what drew Alexandra's attention, admiring the beauty of the sharp blades. The marketplace was filled with weapon vendors of all sorts, men and women waving axes, pistols and even a pair of cannons were on display, carved into the shape of fearsome dragons with mouths wide open to breathe destruction out onto the seas. In an age of gunpowder, most had begun to dismiss the notion of a melee weapon, and while Alexandra would always carry her pistol with her on land, at sea it was a different story. A blade could never fail on you. It would never jam or misfire, it did not require reloading or even a steady hand. A sword's blade could shatter, yes, but only fools who treated weapons like wooden sticks would ever have that issue to worry about.

A rapier found it's way into Alexandra's gloved hands, her black leather index finger caressing the fine silver blade. A duelist's weapon, the hilt decorated in an array of diamonds and crystal, proper for running through pesky nobles. A smirk on the Captain's lips as she flicked the tip of the blade, ignoring the mustached merchant who seemed eager to sell. Half tempted to run the annoying merchant through herself, she returned the weapon to it's place and continued on.

Alexandra found herself in the food quarter next, the sights and smells threatening to overwhelm her senses with the sudden barrage of different smells. Sweet and spicy, sizzling tender meat and fresh baked bread, boiling soups and cups of mysterious chilled liquid, the stands pressed so close together the people almost had to squeeze past each other in order to move, Alexandra's eyes catching a few eager hands going for coin purses left unaware. She kept her own inside her jacket, but did leave a smaller pouch out in the open as a challenge to anyone daring enough to steal from a Queen of the Seventh Sea.

A few steps into the street and she felt fingers brushing against her waist.

With the same lightning speed displayed in the tavern's back room, her gloved hand caught the wrist of the young man in regal clothes attempting to lift her purse. A sharp twist and an ugly cracking sound followed by a yelp of pain as Alexandra released the man, continuing towards one of the larger stands that had a row of seats out front. Behind the counter was a large flat stone covered in spice covered meats, a bearlike man with a smile almost as wide as his belly eyeing Alexandra as she took her seat beside the other customers.

"Wait, wait!" The man bellowed before Alexandra could speak "Let me guess....something spicy! Veeeeery spicy!"

The dramatic tone and salesmanship of the man were winning Alexandra over, arching an elegant brow at the man before giving a slight nod to which the man laughed, grabbing a plate and moving towards one of the redder meats, a knife gracefully slicing off a juicy, tender piece for the pirate to enjoy.

"5 coin!"

A steep price, but one Alexandra was willing to pay as the smell of the spice and flavor tickled her nose, passing the coin before starting to eat with the knife and fork provided.

 

[Erebus]

If there was anything Carmilla did better than steer her ship and men to victory, it was sniffing for people who did not want to be found, going far enough to say that these people didn't know they didn't want to be found. It was likely the other woman didn't know of her presence, otherwise she might have been nosed out herself. It was better this way, being the hunter always suited her better. The red-haired Captain worked through the crowd, keeping her wits about her and her purse close. She had a small pouch of coins tucked betwixt her bosom, mercy on any poor fool who happened to dip their hand into the proverbial pot of gold.

The Black Market was unabashedly selling their less than legal wares, weapons of all shapes and sizes waved around gloatingly. Prices were being called out left to right, eager to outdo the stall opposite or next to them. Sometimes it was about quality but usually it was about which vendor had the loudest voice. Trinkets were less sought after but the crowd was impressive enough that Carmilla had to watch her step lest she accidentally stepped on a bauble. Sterling silver accessories were waved close to her face along with secondhand earrings though the sellers were quick to give up on their venture with a well-placed glare.

Carmilla didn't speak to a single soul, her way of doing things irregular and unique. She had crossed blades with the other Queen many a time before and it seemed to her that they fought only for the sake of it. She knew what the dark-haired woman enjoyed; a good fight, a good slaughter and a polished blade to do it with. She scoured those stalls at first, searching over the steady trickle of heads, knowing she'd recognize Captain Valentia even with her eyes closed. She dared to say that Alexandra almost had a perverse fascination for blades and rapiers, enough for Carmilla to make the inappropriate jab from time to time.

She blinked as a flash of silky black caught her attention. Her gaze latched onto it almost instantly before she even knew it. Survival meant knowing who your enemies and allies were and at this point, the other Captain was neither. Carmilla twisted her way through the hoard, those who knew her scurrying out of the way and those that didn't getting the rough shove of her gloved hands as she followed Alexandra like a hound might follow a partridge. She passed by a boy writhing on the ground, moaning and clutching his arm close to his body and whispering civilians standing to the side. Ignored.

The scent of cooking meat was staggering, the air filled with enough spices to choke a mule. Her eyes watered but she continued forward with determination, refusing to let a little seasoning get in the way. Stalls that sold food almost always had tasting platters, though they never came cheap. She knew of people who inhaled the scent as if to digest it, unable to afford anything more than that and it was these men and women she glanced at ineffably before striding toward Alexandra who busied herself with an actual plate of food.

Carmilla did not call out her presence, simply sliding smoothly forward and motioning for the vendor to pass a plate of her own, retrieving the appropriate amount of coins and dropping them into his sweaty palm before holding her dish at, truthfully, arm's length. She disliked heavily scented foods but she had her quarry cornered. A small smirk rested on her ruby-red lips, white-washing the sound of the crowd as she offered the meat on her plate to the other woman. "Enjoying yourself, kitten?"

 

[SilverScar]

There was always someone. No matter how far she sailed or where she set anchor, there was always someone following Alexandra's shadow. At first she'd found the whole experience rather thrilling, facing down every would-be hero or heroine that decided it was time for her reign of terror to come to an end. Luckily most of them decided to go for the dramatic entrance to get her attention. A word or two later and they'd be dead in the street. Taking another bite of her meat now, Alexandra didn't bother glancing over to see who'd decided to join her. She had a feeling in her gut about who it might be, lips curling into a satisfied expression as the voice beside her confirmed her suspicions.

"Of course. Yharm here makes some of the best spiced meat you'll ever eat" Captain Lacroix had been a rival of Alexandra's ever since she'd been unofficially crowned as the other Queen of the Seventh Sea. They'd dueled and scratched each other up plenty, but thus far neither one had been able to truthfully claim to be victorious. Yet. Alexandra wouldn't call the rivalry between the two women 'bitter' but there was more than enough tension simmering about them to have the extra heat mistaken for the cooking.

Taking a rather violent stab at her diminishing slice of meat, Alexandra finally favored the other Captain with a glance. There was nothing directly challenging in the look itself, nothing that would offend or cause a stir, but it was in Alexandra's eyes, within the bright green depths that suggested her gaze was more than a casual glance. It was the sort of detail that one picked up from years at sea, where noticing the slightest changes in temperature, wind and water was the difference between a safe voyage home and ending up crashed upon the rocks "I hope you're not planning on picking a fight before I've finished my meal here, Captain. Such a shame to let good food go to waste"

Favoring Lacroix with a flash of a smile, the young woman accepted the offered plate, setting it beside her own "Let me guess...the scene at the tavern? A little dramatic, I admit, but at least I didn't show up to the meeting wearing a mask!"

Chuckling to herself, Alexandra handed Yharm her empty plate, before sliding the next platter before her, taking in a long, heavy breath of the spicy aroma, tongue wetting her lips in sweet anticipation "Can't tempt you with a piece?" She asked, dangling a fork between a pair of gloved fingers. Though they were certainly rivals, Alexandra wasn't one to take such a thing personally. It was the natural order of things, the strong against the weak, and eventually one of them would have to come out on top. Survival of the fittest.

 

[Erebus]

"Yharm also makes the most noise here," Carmilla replied, wrinkling her nose against the overpowering spice. There was underlying scent of deliciousness, but she knew that the seasoning would override everything she would hope to taste from casual meat. She let the untouched plate hang easily in her hand as she observed Alexandra's eating habits; more specifically, the way she retrieved her meal so viciously yet ate so delicately at the same time. She noted the cautious look in the other Captain's eyes; those tumultuous viridians were hard to ignore; Carmilla truly believed that they were the reason for her interest in the first place. There was no trouble on the horizon, that much she could sense, but it was obvious that Captain Valentia was poised to act.

"Of course not." Carmilla replied with a smirk. "I wouldn't want you to go hungry." Not to mention that any fight here would result in mutual arrest. "I'm simply here to inquire on the little incident at the bar." She pressed her lips together as Alexandra admitted to it being her doing with arrogance. Carmilla didn't know what to do with that information. She couldn't, rather didn't want to, turn her into the authorities. Besides, the Queen probably held more power over those lackwits than anyone else. "A little more than dramatic," she replied, more amused than taken-aback. "Then again, they didn't look worth the effort."

The woman could eat, that much was certain. Carmilla watched almost in envious awe as Alexandra scarfed down incredibly spicy meats. "No, none for me." She said, slipping her plate next to the dark-haired woman with a shrug. "Actually, now that we're on the topic... I have an extreme interest in those Goh'la leaves that were being smuggled before those poor boys were mutilated." Carmilla's voice was casual, but she knew all too well how the other pirate felt about the drug, especially since they all but shared the same territory with the line being very thin between them.

"It's a shame, but we could come to some agreement, yes?" She pinned a lump of meat and waved it near Alexandra's mouth smugly. "Mutual grounds, after all.

 

[SilverScar]

Swords and ships were clearly not needed for duels. As Alexandra and Carmilla sat beside each other, the broiling tension became obvious to those around them. Yharm suddenly found it very important that the plates at the other end of the stand be cleaned very thoroughly and people who had just sat down were paying for meals they had yet to receive. The heat was still their, but instead of the roaring fires that Yharm used in his cooking, this was more of the dangerous simmering right before a cannon fired it's shot.

"If by mutual grounds, you mean firing upon any stupid bastards or whores who might be transporting that shit, then you are correct." Just like the meat that Carmilla was currently waving before her mouth, Alexandra knew the words were bait. She'd never been one to hide her passions, games of influence and finesse being cast aside in favor of the tip of a blade. Leaning towards the dangling bit of meat, Alexandra met Carmilla's brilliant blue eyes for a moment, matching the smugness the rival Queen displayed "But I suppose we all have our vices. One of mine being delicious food...."

And with that, Alexandra quickly moved forward and bit into the dangling piece of spiced meat, teeth cutting through the tenderly cut, juicy material with ease. Dark red juices dribbled down her chin and neck as Alexandra let out a sensual moan as she chewed and swallowed, while tugging off one of her gloves to allow her bare finger to catch the bead of juice and bring it to her mouth to suck off with a euphoric sigh. It was a barbaric display, one that might have been more suited to a tavern of drunken sailors and not in the middle of the market, but Alexandra didn't care. Good food was hard enough to come by while at sea, so holding back on dry land wasn't her style.

Running her tongue along her lips to ensure she'd gotten all the juice, Alexandra favored Yharm with a sweet smile as she placed a few extra coins on the table "For the trouble my guest and I have imposed."

Her gaze once more fell upon the infuriating Captain Carmilla Lacroix. It would be a cold day in hell when Alexandra would admit her respect and fascination with the woman sitting right across from her. There was a discipline to her, a masterful grace in how she conducted her business. The striking red hair was never hard to miss upon the ships as they sailed against each other, a distraction Alexandra envied "Now, unless there is anything else Captain, I have my lodgings to attend to...though if you wish to interrupt my dinner as well, I'll be staying at the White Raven"

Bait for a fight or a snide challenge to see what Carmilla would attempt to pull? It would be interesting to see, regardless of how events would unfold.

 

[Erebus]

To claim that she was unaffected by the other captain's actions was to tell a very gross lie indeed. But never one to shy away, she simply pursed her lips and held the utensil steady as the raven-haired woman stole away the portion of meat. She smirked lightly; rarely had she ever seen such voracity and it could be said that Captain Alexandra was one of the more unique ones. Food was scarce on the Seventh Sea, whores more so, and the latter was what her men were mostly interested in. Carmilla herself had no use for either vice, though she certainly had her fair share of sin. She resisted the urge to wipe away the dribble of liquid herself, allowing Alexandra her little show.

"Hmm," Carmilla hummed lightly, discarding the empty plate to her side and brushing her gloved fingers over her lap to be rid of any unwanted dirt before standing. She reached out to flick at a gnat buzzing around Alexandra's ear, leaning forward in the process. "I hope you don't mind if I join you for a proper meal." Her voice was an almost sensual purr, husky and contemplative, her bright blue eyes glimmering mischievously. "I'll leave you to your devices for now," she wiggled her fingers, "'ta, darling." With that, the redhead bounded away.

xx

Night came quickly when one browsed the markets long enough. Carmilla had even picked up actual supplies for her ship and had come across some of her crew, already drunk and passed out. Anyone who wasn't there when they disembarked would be left behind though, so that wasn't an issue. Barrels of non-perishables were ordered to be delivered to the Black Pearl, fresh linen and silks, gleaming weapons and other necessities she deemed important. She didn't know when they would next dock and she would rather be overly prepared than overly sorry. After a rough day scouring the tents under scorching heat, she decided she was ready for a bit of relaxation.

Recalling Alexandra's supposed offer, Carmilla made her way there instantly. The White Raven was a popular albeit pricey inn to bunk for the night. It brooked no tenants of ill hygiene and was equivalent to that of a proper hostel. Still, an inn was an inn and the bar area was bawdy enough that Carmilla felt quite comfortable hidden amidst the loud noise. The bell attached to the door rattled as she entered, the sound drowned by a raucous burst of laughter. She sauntered up to the bar, ordering a jug of ale, her eyes scanning the crowd. When the tankard was delivered, she claimed an empty table and stool for herself. Alexandra hadn't specified that the dinner was to be held in the White Raven, but unless the woman ate at five in the evening, the redhead was hoping to catch her on her way out.

 

[SilverScar]

It was just after five when Alexandra strolled down the steps of the inn towards the bar. Since parting ways with Captain Carmilla, Alexandra decided to return to her room at the White Raven. She needed some time to unwind and breathe. Any interaction with her rival left Alexandra feeling as though she'd escaped an encounter with a land shark. Even when she had the upper-hand, Carmilla had a way of getting under Alexandra's skin in a way that none of the other pirates on the Seventh Sea could compare. While it was true that all the other's were male and more akin to monkeys wearing pirate clothes, there was something about the other Queen and Alexandra would pay a king's bounty to whoever could tell her what was going on.

Not that she'd ever admit anything was going on.

The eating area of the White Raven was more for drinking than food, but the smells of the kitchen wafting through the open air suggested that Alexandra had come down from her room at the perfect time. Standing at the entryway into the large open space, Alexandra looked about the room and took it all in. Serving girls moved about the room with food and drink, a variety of sailors, merchants and townspeople, rich and poor all enjoying the bright atmosphere while regaling tales of news and legend for the entertainment of their peers. Laughter and arguments filled the room, with the barkeep directing a pair of rather intoxicated sailors to take their escalating shouts outside. No fights of any sort were allowed within the White Raven, with local enforcers spread inconspicuously about the tables in case things really got out of hand.

What grabbed Alexandra's attention, however, was the woman sitting alone at a table not far from the bar. A single tankard of ale before her. Feeling her lips twisting between a smirk and smile, Alexandra knew she shouldn't be too surprised at Carmilla's appearance. Afterall, it had been Alexandra herself who'd issued the invitation. The least she could do now is be the gracious host to the one person who had fought her to a standstill on the open seas on multiple occasions. She liked to think of herself as more than the barbaric reputation that had been built up around those who controlled the Seventh Sea...besides, she couldn't deny how entertaining their little meeting at the meat stand had been.

So with that, Alexandra continued onwards towards the seated redhead, taking the seat directly across from Carmilla, offering an assured smile to her dinner partner before waving down one of the servers, taking up conversation as she waited "I have to admit, I wasn't quite sure that you'd show. Though after an afternoon of visualising all the ways in which our little meeting here could end, I find myself rather excited to see how this night will unfold"

 

[Erebus]

Carmilla never made it obvious when she waited, but she had the eyes of a sea eagle hunting for its next meal. Even as she tapped her fingers against her tankard, there was not a single moment where her ocean blues stopped roving around the inn. She took in the sights carefully, spying a hidden pistol beneath a man's cloak three tables away as he laughed loudly at a portly woman's words. She saw a heavy ring on another sailor's thick finger and one definitely pillaged from some poor, widowed wife. Another had silver teeth instead of gold. The platters of food being carted from the kitchen did not go unnoticed either. Trays of meat and roasted potatoes and boiled greens, sloshing glasses of beer and ale; the cacophony of smells and sounds, the clash of utensils and rising voices was almost too much of a sensory overload for the redhead.

She pursed her lips. This was why she preferred being her ship. It was loud and vibrant in its own right. The scent of salt water calmed her. But she would not abandon her current venture, not when the dark-haired form of Alexandra appeared in the sea of tables. She didn't even try to wave the woman down, knowing that her presence would not be ignored. A fact already sealed by the way the Pirate Queen made her way straight toward the table of one. She didn't have her hat on but she'd left her hair in its usual thick braid which hung over her shoulder. Carmilla hid a smile by playing with the loose strands of crimson as Alexandra slid into the seat opposite her.

Yet, there was no denying the sultry curve of her full lips when she glanced back toward her companion for the evening. "It would have been rude of me to ignore your invitation," she answered. Despite it having been less of an invitation and more of a do-as-you-please, Carmilla knew better. "My, how bold of you to admit!" She waved one of the waitstaff away in annoyance. She was confident that they would offer something satisfactory, but at this moment, the pirate was hungry for nothing but a chance to pull a little more at the threads Alexandra had so nicely offered.

"Though I will say, I'm also rather curious myself... what such things might have gone through your pretty head during those hours." The redhead leaned forward, resting her chin against the back of hand. Her gaze was bright and inquisitive, but one riddled with implication. But before Alexandra could reply, she flagged down a tray heavy with tankards filled to the brim with dark ale. "Drink?"

 

[SilverScar]

"I never considered manners to be something a pirate would care about, but I suppose you're just full of surprises"

Leaning back in the somewhat sturdy tavern seat, Alexandra tilted her head slightly like an innocent cat. About as innocent as Alexandra could be, given the circumstances, her gaze directed towards the tray of tankards. Dark ale wasn't usually her drink of choice, she had enough bitterness to deal with without adding it to her drinks, but perhaps something with a bit of an edge would be what she needed for tonight. Snatching one of the closer tankards, she tipped the rim towards Carmilla and took a long drink. Not exactly the drink of royalty, but the burning in the back of her throat from the harsh alcohol gave the pirate captain a rush as she slammed the tankard down onto the table with a satisfied smile upon her lips.

"Ahhhhhh..." A euphoric sigh passing by her lips, tongue making a sweep of her lips to lick up any missing droplets "Now that hit the spot. Truth be told, I'm not such a fan of ale, but today seems to be a day of new discoveries, doesn't it?"

Carmilla's statement continued to hang in the air as the captain's stared each other down. Normally such gazes were reserved for when they sailed past after a grueling naval battle, with just enough sail and ship left to limp away. And now they sat like old friends meeting for drinks and food at the local tavern "I've captured your attention have I? And now I'm pretty too? Well now, I had no idea you had a silver tongue in addition to your sword and pistol"

Shifting forward just a bit, Alexandra smiled challengingly "But if you really want to find out what was going through my head, I'm definitely going to be needing more than this drink...along with some more of that silver tongue of yours"