If Theo wasn't careful, she could very well end up in the water instead of on solid ground. Actually, a more accurate assessment of the situation would be if Cooker wasn't careful, Theo would end up in the water. Theo had been attempting to tie up their rowboat to the empty dock. It was early morning, the air was humid and thick, and the sun was barely peeking through the sky. They had finally arrived and even though they had been journeying toward their new home for cycles, Cooker couldn't wait a few extra minutes.

Cooker had been standing up right behind Theo, trying to see what the hold-up was. The hold-up was Cooker standing and tipping the balance of the boat but nothing Theo told her could get her to sit down. Cooker reached to point at the knot Theo was making and before she could criticize it, the boat tipped forward.

Theo shot her hand toward the dock and managed to stabilize them.

"Cooker, if you do not relax you are going to tip us over," Theo said as she started her last knot. Instead of cooperating, Cooker pushed her feet into the bottom of the boat and caused it to shake under their feet.

She didn't react with a yell, which is what Cooker was hoping for. She took the time to be productive, finishing the knot she had been working on and climbing up onto the dock. Theo then turned to face Cooker and bent down, holding her arm out for the troublemaker.

It took Cooker a second before she could find her footing to get the right leverage but once she did, Theo helped her up. On the journey from Drokian, they learned to work with each other in a way they never had before. Some understanding that bickering could only get them so far had come to them as they figured out the best way to work with each other. It was harder for Cooker to do certain things. That was no secret. And it had forced them to work with each other much more often.

Perhaps time could be an ally and given enough of it, Cooker could learn to do everything she wanted to on her own but at the moment that wasn't their reality. Theo was thankful that Cooker understood that and she hadn't given Theo too hard of a time when she had offered to help. Cooker had even sought Theo out to ask for what she needed once she got more comfortable with her current situation.

Theo made sure it didn't go unnoticed. She found herself leaning on Cooker more too. But still, while they avoided back and forth when the situation called for it, it was hard to say it wasn't still alive and well in their everysun conversation.

"That wasn't too bad of a wait, you didn't have to rock us like that," Theo scolded but Cooker didn't reply, she just stared out toward the island.

Theo turned away from her friend to look at what she was staring at. She didn't see what had Cooker so fixated. It was beautiful at first glance but nothing out of the ordinary. The dock was extending out from the rocky coast, surrounded by trees. Still, they were more inland than their surrounding, the coast extending behind them on either side. The sun had barely risen as they had begun to row over from their ship but even in the low light, Theo could tell that the island was surrounded by random rock formations providing a similar barrier of protection that Corinspe enjoyed.

The dock disappeared into the jungle, the end of it converting into a little pathway that led through a small clearing in the trees. But the brush was so thick and all of the green melded together in a way that from their distance at the end of the dock she couldn't tell how wide or how big it was.

"I don't see anything," Theo noted and then turned back to Cooker.

"Neither do I! I thought we would have a welcome parade," Cooker huffed, an unserious frown on her face, "I don't feel special at all."

Theo laughed, "The sun has barely just risen. I am sure not many people are awake yet."

"And the lookout? How have they not alerted the whole island to our arrival yet? What if we were traders looking for a fight?" Cooker pointed out and began her way down the dock.

Theo followed close behind, "The lightbringer is waving the crew's flag, and our colors are painted on the side of our rowboat. There are always a lot of our ships coming and going if Xyra's information tells us anything, so I am sure they don't know it's us."

"They don't know that the lightbringer is us?" Cooker asked, judgment clear in her tone, Theo couldn't take it seriously though and she had to suppress a smile, "I need to do a full audit of the island. We have to make sure people are doing their jobs."

Theo hoped she was only joking, a full review of how the island worked didn't seem like a bad time for Cooker. But it would be a bad time for everyone else.

Cooker stopped at the end of the dock and didn't take a step onto solid ground. Theo paused behind her and peeked ahead but once again, nothing was there.

"Have you registered what this is?" Cooker asked and turned back to Theo.

"No?" she tilted her head.

"Our fucking island," Cooker reached out and punched Theo's shoulder, "it's ours! It's real!"

Cooker's laugh filled the space and Theo swore the heaviness of the sea air made the laugh sit for longer in their ears.

"Aye. I've been processing that the whole way over here," Theo pushed them forward, "what have you been thinking about?"

"All the attention I'm going to be getting," Cooker said and Theo laughed at her, "I'm going to get a whole new group of people to give me three cycles of unquestioned subservience."

"Don't you get enough attention as it is? Does it not get exhausting?"

"General, someone can never have too much attention on them."

"Keep calling me that and I'll take the other arm," Theo threatened.

"How dare you?" Cooker's face fell and she stopped in the middle of the path, "How dare you?"

Theo didn't give in. She stared at Cooker right back. It was an act of mock indignance, like she had predicted, and Cooker broke back out into a smile and then continued to walk forward.

"This is ours. Not The Center's. Not the pirates. Not anyone else's," Cooker continued

"Feels good," Theo reflected on it with just a few words, there was nothing more to say.

It felt right. It felt like what they had been working toward. They had a place to create a community and a safe haven.

They walked in silence for about a minute, following the path through the dense jungle. Cooker chuckled to herself.

"Borders don't seem so bad when you own the land," she teased.

Theo rolled her eyes and slapped Cooker on the side with the back of her hand, "You settle one island and suddenly forget all you stand for."

As they walked forward, the jungle began to get a bit sparser and the trail began to widen. They were coming up on a turn when their first islander came into view. Her short stature and brightly colored dress gave away who it was pretty quickly. Tuni, who had been trying to place papers into a book, looked up at the sound of footsteps coming her way.

Her eyes took a moment to look them over, a full range of emotions crossing her face as she recognized them. Tuni let out a mix of an excited shriek and a laugh as she darted forward, straight toward her captain. She crashed into Theo's outstretched arms and they spun around together for a moment. Theo set her down but didn't leave the hug. Tuni smelled good, her skin soft and sweet like Theo had come to expect.

The island felt real. It felt like home in an instant.

"I cannot believe you have finally arrived!" Tuni squeezed Theo for the third time since they had embraced, a grunt escaping her lips from the effort, "I am going to kill the new guy on watch! He knew to look out for a lightbringer and yet mentioned nothing about that when he sent for me to receive the returning ship."

"I think we can spare him given he is new," Theo finally pulled away and let Tuni go, "Morgana is on the ship, she's safe and healthy and excited to see you. I think she'll be rowing over soon and be here within the hour.

Tuni nodded with a wide grin on her face and turned to face Cooker for a greeting. Before Tuni could get pulled in for a hug, her smile was replaced with shock. Her mouth dropped open and all she could do was gasp.

Cooker opened her arm for a hug and a cheeky smile was playing at her lips.

"Cooker!" Tuni yelled and looked her over, "what is this?!"

"Got into a bit of an accident," Cooker said as Tuni got closer, circling Cooker to observe anything else that was wrong.

"Don't give her a reaction. She is trying to milk every ounce of attention she can get," Theo gave up Cooker's game.

"Why didn't you write to me about this?" Tuni asked to the air then turned to Theo, "Why didn't you write to me about this, Captain?!"

"What would we have said, Fortune?" Theo chuckled, "Cooker's arm had to be chopped. There's nothing you can do but worry, love you, hope everything is going well on the island."

"Yes!" Tuni was exasperated and reached for the hem of Cooker's shirt trying to wrench it up.

"Oi! Personal space, Tuni, for fucks sake," Cooker laughed and pulled her shirt back down as she stepped away.

"Can we at least stop by the infirmary so I can make sure they have done a good job with your healing? You can tell me what happened and go over your treatment and recovery so far, it will help me know what you still need," Tuni requested.

"No," Cooker pulled her into a hug, "you can go row yourself over to your promised and have a good morning with her. Tonight, I will let you take a look."

"She gets whatever she wants for another two suns," Theo backed her up when Tuni was about to protest.

"Because?"

"I was gravely wounded so I got three cycles of free reign. Then, I won a bet to extend that a cycle since Theo's picked up a gambling problem," Cooker explained.

"Alright. That's enough slander. Let's keep moving," Theo shook her head as she pushed Cooker forward but pointed at Tuni before she could, "and you, don't disappear with Mor for suns on end. I want to talk to you later."

"I will find you soon. And maybe we can speak about that gambling addiction too," Tuni teased with a smile coming back to her face.

Theo shook her head, not entertaining the narrative being crafted about her. She motioned Cooker to walk forward and waved Tuni off. When the healer began to leave in the direction of the dock, Theo turned around to follow Cooker.

She only made it a few steps before she was calling back out, "How do I get to Xy?!"

"Follow this path, turn right at the fourth post you see, and keep climbing that trail until you run into a small house. That's her place," Tuni called out, barely turning around.

Theo faced forward and Cooker raised an eyebrow as they met, "Her place? She tell you she got her own place?"

"No, but we really haven't interchanged much except essential information," Theo laughed, "You've seen the letters."

"Her writing is always so boring. Sometimes I just skim them, if I'm being honest."

Theo laughed at the confession, it was something she figured out a while before.

The trail they were following opened up quite suddenly. They had turned a corner and were spit out into a clearing. A proper stone path was at their feet. From the looks of it, the dock was at the back of the island and the path they had taken had brought them to a perfect vantage point of the front half of the island, their new domain.

It was almost like a massive grotto. Mountains rising on either side of them created a small valley with shade in the middle. The valley itself was a circle with water taking up most of it and the coast was a small crescent inside the valley. The coast was a mixture between beach and rocks and from where they were standing, they could see the small buildings that were rising up between the beach and the jungle line. She assumed most of the city would be situated there once it was built. It was central and near the beach, it would make the most sense and others had clearly thought the same.

Theo took only a moment to observe. They were still far away and a post had not even appeared into view yet. She would stop to admire when there was more to see and once she had seen Xyra. She continued to walk but Cooker didn't follow. Theo turned around and motioned her along but Cooker waved her off.

"I'll catch up. I want to see things from up here. Might give me some ideas for new buildings," Cooker said, still facing the valley below them.

Theo shook her head, laughing a bit, "People here have been working for half a length to make sure everything runs smoothly. I am sure whatever insights you can take from your stakeout, they will have already considered."

"Leave me to my genius," Cooker waved her off.

Theo listened, walking away from Cooker. Besides the potential jungle animal, there were no threats and thus no reason to coddle her. If Theo got to see Xyra first, that was the consequence of Cooker's choice. Theo enjoyed the momentary solitude, the sounds of insects, leaves rustling, and the stone under her feet filled her ears. She was fully enraptured by the sights and sounds of the small slice of paradise they had found when she passed her first post.

She almost missed it but made a mental note of the post, looking out for the second as she walked the path. Soon enough, she was turning right at the fourth one. The ground under her turned back into dirt and narrowed out as it began to climb uphill. Theo followed it until she got to a small cottage-like structure.

It was one story from the looks of it, there was a small garden with blooming flowers in the front of the house and a plot for a garden that was sprouting fresh produce on the side. Theo chuckled, was this Xyra's place? Had she taken up gardening in her time away from the sea? Theo approached the door and knocked but there was no answer. She tried once more but when there was no indication of movement, she turned the knob and let herself in. No one was inside.

From the entrance, she had a good view of the whole house. A small kitchen, a living area, two rooms. Both doors were open and no one was in either. She had come at an inopportune time but she took advantage of an empty home and looked around. It was Xyra's. Theo could see notes hanging around the house that were in her handwriting. Reminders, tasks, thoughts. It was a habit of hers, much to the dismay of many of the carpenters on their previous ships.

There were obvious signs of Xyra. Her shoes, her clothes, her preferred blankets on the bed; the space had been infused with her and she had clearly settled in. But, there were also traces of a second person. There were two clean plates on the table, with two sets of utensils. A second pair of gardening shoes by the door. Notes next to Xyra's that were not in her handwriting.

The sight made her want to cry. She felt heaviness in her chest and she was hit with a wave of emotion. She couldn't tell if it was happiness or relief but it was something good. Even with no one inside, the love that was put into the home was apparent. She walked forward and took a closer look at the decor lining the walls.

"Theo?" a voice came from the doorway, a slight laugh following the question.

She spun on her heels and saw Navi, a surprised smile on her face.

"Nav!" Theo laughed too, taking a few steps forward to meet her for a hug.

Their embrace was tight and Theo closed her eyes, letting the pressure settle whatever nerves she had been feeling all morning. Navi rubbed a hand over her back before patting it and pulling away.

"It's good to see you, mate," Navi shook her head, taking in Theo's appearance. Nothing had changed and Navi seemed relieved by it, "It is so good to see you."

They laughed again and Theo acknowledged the happiness with a nod, "It's nice to see your face too. We've missed you on the lightbringer. How have you been?"

Navi reached forward and held Theo by her shoulders, looking her over once again, "Can't complain. Not to brag but, I chose the best island to settle on. It provides anything I could want."

"Humble as always," Theo teased, "You've got a lot of your stuff here. Is that indicative of anything? Maybe that you are spending a lot of your time here."

"It's indicative that I live here," Navi laughed.

"You live here? With Xyra?"

"I'm taking it she didn't write to you about it," Navi shook her head with a knowing smile.

"I think taking a quill and writing out that she is in a relationship is an impossible ask," Theo teased, "Truly, I am afraid that readily admitting anything about her personal life and implying she has the ability to feel would cause her to combust."

"I'm sure she will tell you all about it now that you are here," Navi assured her and walked to the table to set her bag down.

"Why don't you tell me instead?" Theo prompted.

"You've been on the island for a second and are already attempting to drive a wedge between me and my partner," Navi teased and pulled Theo into another hug, "I'm going to go find Xy and send her back here."

Theo nodded as she hugged back then stepped away once Navi let her go.

Navi pointed over to their small kitchen, "Put on some water to boil, Xy will want some tea when she gets here."

"Where is she?"

"I don't have a clue. She takes several hours to herself every morning. Leaves well before the sun is out. I don't ask questions," Navi hummed, "if she wants to tell me, she will."

Theo didn't understand their relationship in the slightest. If the roles were reversed, neither Ava nor Theo would let each other leave for hours on end every sun without pressing for more.

"Where had you been?" Theo asked.

"Praying. Been doing it at sunrise lately," Navi crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, "you been praying?"

"I don't see how that is really any of your business," Theo said, also crossing her arms.

"When Riva brought me into it all those cycles ago, it became my business," Navi challenged.

"You had one or two dreams where she urged you to talk to me about coming back to commune with her. You did what she asked, the rest is up to me," Theo snapped a bit but realized it was too early in the morning to be so defensive. She sighed, "but aye, I've been praying. Things are going well. The journey over was safe."

"Good. That's all I wanted to know," Navi nodded with a challenging smile, she uncrossed her arms, walked forward, and patted Theo on the back, "See you later, Cap."

Theo waved but Navi had already left. She did as Navi had suggested earlier and began to make some tea. She used it as an excuse to look around the kitchen and through the cabinets, being nosy brought her relief. She heard footsteps coming up the path but it wasn't Xyra.

"We're in the jungle now, fuckers!" Cooker yelled out as she crossed through the open door. She looked around, shoulders sagging a bit, "Oh, it's only you. Where is Xyrabellis?"

"No one knows," Theo laughed and motioned Cooker to the table to sit for tea but she didn't pay attention. Instead, she closed the door behind her and then walked around the house like it was her own, "Navi is going to get her now."

"Navi was here?"

Theo nodded.

"Hm," Cooker looked around and then settled near the living area, "I'm going to hide so Xy can't see me when she comes in."

"Why?"

"I want to see how long it takes for her to ask for me. She always asks for you immediately when she sees me first," Cooker said as she looked around for a good spot.

"She asks for you too you know," Theo said as she opened a cabinet above her and peered inside.

"You're just trying to spare my feelings."

"It could be a long time before she comes by," Theo closed the cupboard.

"I'm comfortable here," Cooker said from behind the couch she had laid on.

Theo laughed and set out some mugs. After about a minute of waiting for the water to boil and Xyra to join them, Cooker peeked her head up from the couch.

"There are two of everything in the room," Cooker noted, "Navi's been staying over a lot then."

"Navi said that she lives here too," Theo looked over with her eyebrows raised.

Cooker blinked a few times, "No way. Xyra is sharing her space with someone else?"

"I see no reason for her to lie."

"So they've figured it all out then," Cooker nodded in approval, "you know what happened?"

"We have to ask Xy about that. Navi was not forthcoming. But she seemed at peace, so maybe the impossible has happened and they got their shit together."

"I wish I could be invisible and watch one of their conversations. What do they even talk about? I feel like they have nothing in common," Cooker laid back down, disappearing behind the couch.

Theo laughed, "Stop speculating."

"Tightlipped motherfuckers. Friendship and kinship is about sharing. They should share their love with us," Cooker argued.

"Is that how you feel?" Theo took the water off of the fire once it started to boil then poured it into the mugs, "You want to share some of the things that you and Agnes do and talk about?"

"Sure, when you talk about how it went with Red."

"I believe that the effort should be made by you first since you care more than I do," Theo laughed as she finished preparing the tea, "When you are done hiding, the tea is ready."

"I will be done hiding when Xyra asks for me," Cooker replied and then fell silent.

She shook her head with a chuckle before bringing her mug to her lips and closing her eyes for a moment to take a sip. The door swung open and Theo jumped the slightest bit at the intrusion. She got scalding tea on her hands and was quick to put the cup down on the table. Her heart was racing and for a moment she had been transported back to Drokian.

She didn't have a moment to recover, she was being pulled into yet another hug, "I was not expecting you for another half-cycle."

Theo wrapped her arms around the person in front of her. Xyra's voice was nice to hear, it calmed her down the slightest bit. They were silent, squeezing each other tightly. Theo was the one that pulled away first but Xyra wasn't having it. She stepped back only slightly and grabbed Theo's face in her hands then pressed her lips to Theo's forehead.

Theo laughed a bit and shoved her away.

"Where is Cooker?" Xyra asked, looking around, "Did she not come with you?"

Cooker popped up from behind the couch with a smile on her face, "Oi, you do care!"

Xyra laughed and moved closer, about to go in for a hug. Cooker tried to meet her halfway but as she went in to wrap her arm around Xyra, the other woman held out her hand and Cooker roughly pushed her chest into Xyra's stiff arm.

"Cooker!" Xyra shook her head, looking between the two of them, "What? Your arm-"

"Drokian. I didn't want Theo to write to you about it so you didn't worry," Cooker frowned, "I thought I would at least have a warm welcome considering my injury. But no, instead, you nearly break my fucking sternum."

Xyra stepped forward and tightly wrapped her arms around Cooker that time. Theo could see her face from her vantage point, her eyes were squeezed shut and her brows were knitted together. She continued to shake her head slightly within the embrace.

"You fucking idiot," Xyra whispered, "you reckless bastard, what did you do to yourself?"

"I missed you too," Cooker said as she rubbed Xyra's back.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, not letting Cooker go and not opening her eyes.

"Past the worst of it now," Cooker assured her and indicated she was ready to be left alone with a slight tap on her back.

Xyra pulled away and took a deep breath, "Did you omit anything else?"

"No. Just this. Everyone is alive. Everyone is alright," Theo motioned to the tea, "Navi said you would want some."

She sat down at the table and Cooker joined her. Theo took her seat last and set her feet up on the table. Xyra pushed them down with one hand as she picked up her tea with the other.

"Should we fill each other in? There was a lot that couldn't be said on paper," Cooker suggested.

"I feel like we can suffer through morning tea without talking business," Theo countered, "for at least enough time to figure out what is going on within these four walls."

"Right," Cooker nodded along then turned to Xyra, "you have some explaining to do."

"What can I explain?" Xyra asked.

"Why did you not ask Theo and I if we wanted to live with you?" Cooker raised an eyebrow, "You are fine cozying up with Navi but have no regard for your oldest friends."

"I have no interest in living with you or Theo," Xyra sipped her tea, not yielding any new insights, "I have done enough of that for a lifetime."

"So, it's a real thing now? Official or whatever you want to call it? " Theo asked what they really wanted to know.

"We have worked through some things. It is going well," she confirmed, as vague as she could.

"You are together," Theo clarified, having to pull what she already knew from the woman, "and living together."

"We are."

"Any promises made to each other? Any talk about a union?" Cooker pressed.

"Not as of right now."

Xyra provided nothing else and laughter quickly filled the air.

"You are allowed to provide details with your best mates. There are no rules against sharing what happens in your life," Theo teased, a never-ending battle.

Xyra laughed, her smile big and her posture less stiff than usual. She was more unburdened than Theo had ever seen her yet still retained her headstrong attitude. There was no budging. They had heard all the information Xyra would provide. The only difference was that they were rejected with a smile instead of a frown.

Xyra took a few sips of the tea before setting it down, "There is a lot to discuss but I am sure you also want to tour the island. I can take you both around. Anything major to report before then?"

"Our time away was more uneventful than yours. If there are any updates they would be coming from you," Cooker said.

"Enlisting us in the revolution and deciding to organize an underworld meeting does not seem uneventful," Xyra rolled her eyes just slightly, "not to mention, losing your arm in the explosion."

"Aye, but you knew about the revolution and now you know about my arm. There is a lot here that we don't know about what happened here," Cooker argued.

"Most of it is better said while on a tour," Xyra stood up, leaving the tea that Navi had insisted on and Theo wished she would not have listened, it was a waste of her time. Time she could have spent snooping, "Let's go."

She prompted them to stand up when neither of them moved. Theo stood up and pushed her chair in, Cooker followed.

Xyra led the way out of her new house and down the path, "There are no things you are hiding about Agnes and the girls, right? They are doing well?"

"Nothing's changed since the last letter I sent you. They are sleeping on the ship right now, the girls were up late because they were excited. Cooker didn't help, she had no problem in keeping them up," Theo accused.

"They're children. They have no jobs. They can stay up late if they want," Cooker defended her choices, "their mother got a good sleep, so no harm done."

"I disagree with your approach to their upbringing," Xyra shook her head, "children benefit from structure and schedule."

"Well your sister doesn't seem to mind," Cooker teased.

"She doesn't seem to mind a lot of things you do," Theo mumbled to herself, unable to keep the grin off her face.

"I have asked you both so many times to stop speaking about my sister having sex," Xyra stopped in her tracks.

"There is no shame in your sister sleeping with someone," Theo put her hand in between Xyra's shoulders as she pushed them forward, "let go of the antiquated views you hold about virtuosity and women."

"Piss off," Xyra shrugged Theo's hands off her, "next time I'm with the officers, I'm going to give a very graphic retelling of the time I caught you with that florist in Lichen. Everyone will know that you are so easily seduced by older women but that is okay, there is no shame in that."

"Oh, you should also tell them about the chest we found when she first moved into Barge's cabin as captain," Cooker laughed.

"I have so much information, on not only both of you separately but also both of you together. So, if you want to have a war of who is the bigger tart, by all means. I have ammunition to last me ages," Theo challenged with a glare,

Cooker just chuckled in response to the threat, "There need not be a war, my friends. We all know I'm the easiest. Merely a small glance used to do me in."

"It's a miracle you didn't catch something," Theo teased.

"That isn't the case anymore, is it?" Xyra said, warning in her tone.

"There is only one woman for me. And she doesn't even need to shoot me a look to make my heart explode. Her mere presence is enough," Cooker smiled, her words as genuine as they were banal.

Xyra took the answer and didn't press any further. Cooker did though.

"How long have you and Nav been at it this time around?"

"Essentially since the night I docked," Xyra said, not giving away anything in her tone.

"And you are happy? Sad? Regretful?" Theo laughed, "Whatever you are feeling, you can tell your face to reflect that emotion."

Xyra kept a grin off her face but Theo could tell she found it amusing, "Things are going well. We were at a point where we were ready for each other and it's worked. I have nothing else to say about it."

"Nothing?" Theo pushed.

"I don't know how I am going to leave the island or get around the fact that I may have to be away from her," Xyra provided, a rare confession.

Cooker gasped, "We've been replaced. There was once a time when she couldn't get over the fact that we would have to be away."

"I wish no one had to be away from anyone. I would have preferred for you not to enlist us in a revolution so that could have happened," Xyra said.

"Hopefully we won't need to move for a while," Theo interrupted, "Have you been hearing back from those we invited?"

Xyra nodded, "I was going to update you on the correspondence and confirmations when I take you over to where they are building the meeting hall."

"When is the tour beginning? All I see is jungle and paths," Cooker complained, trailing just a bit behind them.

"Be patient, this is all reserved for residential growth," Xyra said as she pulled Theo closer to her by her shirt to avoid a puddle she almost walked into, "We have to walk a bit further out to see the heart of the island and a little more walking to where our resources lie."

"The heart of the island, is that the beach and buildings we could see on the path in from the dock?" Theo asked.

"Aye, there are several beaches on this island though. The one on the inside of the valley that you saw is the one in question. The rocks aren't too sharp and there are plenty of sandy areas. There isn't much movement to the water because the reef and rocks outside protect us. Not too much wind, plenty of sun when it manages to peek through the mountains and the trees," Xyra explained as they walked. Her voice was calm and her demeanor lacked the usual urgency and anxiety that was so synonymous with Xyra at work, "it naturally became a hub. We had originally planned the necessary buildings to be nearer to the residential area but people didn't like that. They preferred to have our main path run just by the beach."

Cooker snorted.

"What?" Xyra asked.

"It's like you've smoked ten cigarettes of dragon's breath. What meditative state have you entered?"

Theo was glad she wasn't the only one that had noticed.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Cooker," Xyra shook her head.

"You're being so calm right now."

"I have always been calm."

"Aye, but now it's without the anger and buzzing that always flowed in your veins," Theo butted in.

"Would you care for it to make a return? I can make that happen," Xyra snapped then pulled Theo closer from where she was trailing a bit behind, a contradiction to her tone, "No one's mentioned how it went with Red. How was that? You only wrote to me with cryptic messages about Brandon and The Council and her being there."

"She was a huge help in getting us to the table. She knows what I wrote to you, about Baethos and the Ten. She's actually the one who told us. She helped us form a strategy to give to Brandon and some demands we could make. Helped us also at negotiations, she's an ally we have," Theo filled her in and her stomach was a bit in knots at the mention of Red. It had been a few cycles since she had to talk about her so openly. People mostly avoided it around her, "she'll be working to secure a way to bring Baethos down from the inside. I will meet with her eventually to provide updates on how the meeting went."

"That's all?"

"The important stuff, aye."

"So you did not see her outside of business?" Xyra clarified.

"I did. We had a few nights together," she provided.

"Am I going to have to break you for information, Theo?" Xyra threatened, "Because I will do it. I have healed. Torture does not bother me once again."

Theo laughed but didn't answer and Cooker sighed dramatically behind them, making her presence felt.

"Don't push it, Xy, I will fill you in later. She becomes a fucking ogre when she has to revisit the topic of Red," Cooker said.

Theo paused, letting Cooker catch up before she shoved her, "Fuck off. I'm not an ogre."

"The ogre just came flying out of you!" Cooker laughed as she stumbled to the side.

Xyra shook her head, "Can you both focus on the path in front of you? You are going to trip over a root."

"I'm missing an arm, I haven't lost my ability to step over shit," Cooker said and only lasted a few steps before she tripped, careening forward and shooting out her hand to stop her face from smashing into the ground. She got to her feet quickly and wiped off then continued to walk. She said nothing until Xyra stared at her with a smug smile, "That was not a root! That was a dip in the ground!"

Xyra simply nodded and turned back to the path, guiding them down a steep drop as a bit of light peeked in through the canopy above them. Xyra took a detour off the path without much explanation but Theo didn't ask, she followed along, checking for snakes on leaves before pushing them out of her way. The way Xyra took them led them to a clearing, She stopped at the edge of the treeline and Theo caught up to her, Cooker right behind.

When they emerged from the trees, there was a dozen feet of clearing before the small cliff they were on dropped off, a steep fall to the beach down below. Theo saw now what Xyra had meant by the main hub of town, she had been unable to make out many details from her previous vantage point. Anyone at the beach or in the main part of town would be able to be faced with amazing views, it looked unreal. It was idyllic and she really couldn't believe that Navi had found this place. An oasis hidden by jagged rocks and near unnavigable reefs. The mountains on either side of them provided a natural barrier that made the town feel enclosed, and protected.

Like Xyra had told them, the Beach had areas of reef and rock that filtered into a large tidal-like pool but there were also plenty of areas where the clear water showed straight down to the sand. The water was calmly lapping at the shore. Xyra pointed down to a collection of buildings lining up near the treeline by the beach. The area had been cleared from some of the jungle brush and nestled in between the sand and the trees were the buildings that didn't look so small anymore.

"This is the best spot to observe from a distance. I don't want us disturbed just yet so I figured I would show you from here. This is where we have everything or will have everything we might need. Tavern, the harvest and surplus so people can come to grab as they need, a library, a school, a correspondence center, they are floating the idea of putting in a fabric shop and there are a few other ideas in the works."

"Drug house?" Cooker asked.

Theo laughed, "There are children on this island now, Cook."

"Some of the more debaucherous stuff has been discussed as being built on another side of the island. We have plenty of areas to choose from. But as Theo said, I think the residents so far have wanted to keep those types of establishments away from the view and questions of children."

"How many children do we have now?"

"With Agnes', we have about 14 that are under the age of ten," Xyra said, "Might be 15. I'm not sure."

"What else is down there?" Cooker asked.

"Not much yet. Now that you are all here, we'll need input on what else we could start building. And Cook, I'll need your help with the library in the coming cycles. We have a lot from the old ship's library but we will need new books. We have a budget set aside for ordering new ones."

"How are we on money?" Theo asked.

Xyra tilted her head from side to side as she turned from the edge of the precipice, walking back into the jungle as the others followed, "We have no worries for the time being. We have stolen trader wealth that I would be surprised if it ran out on us in the next five lengths at least. The Vantince and Tuskeri money can keep us afloat for a while and that is assuming the island will not be self-sufficient and we will still need to import most of our needs."

"But the island will be self-sufficient?"

"For the most part," Xyra said, "I'm going to show you what we've been working on later."

"So we have money," Cooker said, "are we taking into consideration the money we are putting into the revolution."

"I haven't. That is the ship's money and the island's money. That isn't for the revolution. They can find their own fucking coin," Xyra snapped a bit and Theo laughed without meaning to.

"What? You agree with this, Theo?" Cooker scoffed.

"Of course I agree," Theo said, "they can raise the funds from other people. We will be contributing physically. The least we can do is ensure the island and the crew have money left behind in case none of us fighters come back."

"We are not the only holders of wealth. Let others take that on. Theo is right, if we leave the island without monetary resources and we don't succeed at bringing down The Center then they are all in a dire position," Xyra added.

"Greedy assholes," Cooker shook her head, poking with names since she didn't get her way.

"And we still should not rely on that money to be the only gold we use," Xyra warned, "we still need people out there. Raiding, protecting our businesses, collecting payment."

"And can we use that money toward the revolution then?" Cooker asked, "I am the one that has built up that income from land anyway."

"No," they both answered her at the same time.

Cooker huffed, letting them know she was not pleased but stayed quiet. They let the sounds of the trees and birds and animals rustling bushes in the distance fill the space until they came upon a less dense part of the island. The trees were sparser, a few open fields littered about as the jungle faded and the land sloped down to the rocky coast of the back of the island.

There were people out, with hats to cover themselves from the rising sun. It was not as easy to avoid people as it had been earlier in the tour and they found themselves stopping frequently on their way down to the coastal rocks. Xyra started and stopped her tour as many times as needed for old acquaintances to reunite with the new pair or for new crew members to make their introductions.

As they walked down, Xyra showed them the fields where they were planting crops to eat and growing materials for building and living. Each person had space in their plots of land for personal gardens or produce but this food went to be dried for winter stores or to help someone who did not have much or could not garden. Whatever abundance from both the fields and personal gardens was to be put in the hub of town for free use.

The rivers on the island fed into two decent-sized lakes that were perfect for fish farming– which Theo had never seen in person before. Other small tidal pools were being used for mussel farming. Xyra informed them that besides poultry and fish, all the meat on the island needed to be imported. They had been considering sending out search parties for an island nearby where they could perhaps set up something for animal husbandry to get other types of meat without having to ship it in.

Theo couldn't see it but Xyra told them about the freshwater spring for drinking water and she also assured them that there were plenty of other sources of freshwater for them, even in the winter. It wouldn't get too cold where they were located and nothing would freeze over. When they reached the bottom of the slope, at the mussel pools, they took a moment to greet Evana. Carpenter turned mussel farmer. Theo greeted her and didn't mention anything about the odd change in profession.

Xyra explained as they walked back up the hill that it was only a few times a week that anyone needed to come to check on the mussel pools and Evana was more than happy to do it. She had a fascination with the resource production of the island. But Theo was assured that they had enough carpenters to fill in on the suns Evana wasn't around.

Once they reached the top, Theo took a moment to overlook the scenery yet again. She had yet to read the book about her parents but she didn't need to. This connection she felt to the land under her feet and the way the jungle and sea air settled in her lungs was home to her. The same reverence her parents held for Aeliz, she felt in her chest. She didn't need a book to tell her that this is where she belonged, that this is where she came from. She felt the land breathe life into her and she closed her eyes, letting the peace take her.

She pulled herself out of her reverie after a brief moment to relish, turning around to find her companions closer than she had expected. Theo had thought they had walked off, forgetting her but they hadn't made it more than a dozen feet away before they had stopped to wait. She gave them a silent smile and each of them returned one to her, an unspoken understanding of what she had been doing.

"Where to now?" Theo asked as she walked up to them.

Each of them put their arm around Theo and although it was harder to walk with three people in sync and the weight of their arms on her, she didn't want to leave their sides.

"Taking you to the meeting hall that's being built. Figured we could discuss what preparations look like and what is left," Xyra said.

"Aye, let's do it," Theo said, then looked up at Xyra with a smile, "You've done an amazing job here."

"It wasn't just me."

"And when I see the others, I will sing their praises to them. But I am talking about you now," Theo said.

"Thank you," Xyra nodded, barely taking the compliment.

The walk to the meeting hall was a lot longer than it had been to get from their overlook to the farms. Theo was sweating by the time they arrived. The structure was up. A long, narrow building. The outside looked to be set up for a camp, various small structures and tents being put up.

"This is where we plan on housing them?" Cooker asked with a laugh, "People are going to be angry."

"They knew the accommodation that would come with agreeing to join us for the meeting," Xyra replied as she guided them inside the hall, "We have some small cottages being built for the people that might not be able to sleep outside and on the ground."

"Shouldn't we try to woo them with fancy accommodations?" Cooker asked.

"And show them we have spent our own money on trying to impress them? I think in the long run, this is the right option," Theo ruled on the matter.

The hall they walked into was one large room, simple and made out of wood. There were a few windows littered throughout and a high enough ceiling for it not to feel stuffy but there was not much else to it.

"Tables are being built. We are making smaller ones that can be pushed together to a big one. Chairs are in the works too," Xyra said, there was no one at the site besides them, too early for them to be working.

"Do we have the stores to host everyone?" Theo asked.

"We do. We have enough food but I have sent for more to make sure we are accounting for anything spoiling or how hungry our guests will be," Xyra said as she walked them to the other end of the hall and pulled a box out that was sitting in the corner, "We will celebrate for a few suns as guests start to arrive before official business begins, we have also accounted for that in both our food and liquor stores."

Xyra held the box open toward them and a stack of letters were inside.

"Responses?" Theo asked.

"Aye, confirmations from most of our acquaintances. We have a formidable group coming, lots of money, and lots of influence. Assuming they all show, this could be a great thing for the start of a revolution," Xyra said, "which means we do not have to spend our money on it."

"We got yeses from most of the people we invited?" Cooker asked.

"Aye."

"And Uncilo?"

Xyra shook her head right after, confirming they had heard nothing from him.

"Do you think he will show up?" Cooker frowned.

"I do not."

"I do," Theo said, "He still doesn't have what he needs. He has yet to pick a nomination for his successor."

"We don't know that. We don't get news from Corinspe anymore," Xyra answered.

"If there were a successor in the mix, we would hear about it," Theo insisted, "he will be here."

Cooker shrugged but didn't say anything else on the matter.

"We are training security. We will do sweeps of ships, they will anchor outside of our reef and we will tender them in. No weapons will be allowed in and people will be checked before entering the tenders and before they step onto the island," Xyra said.

"Reckon we have enough security?" Theo looked through the letters she had picked up.

"With Blue's fighting men, the vanguard, and Owl's crew–which he has offered to us–we've got more than enough," Xyra replied.

"Are we on track to get everything built? The tables and the sleeping accommodations?" Theo put the letters away in the box.

"15 suns is the estimate for completion of everything. Gives us some room for error. I'm estimating the earliest possible arrivals to be in a cycle from now."

"Great," Theo looked around then tilted her head back toward the entrance, unable to be idle for long. They had already used up a whole morning, "Let's round up the officers. We have a long overdue meeting. We have not all been together at once since the new officers were chosen."

"I think we have a moment to rest before an officer meeting needs to happen. No one is coming for at least a cycle and it would be in our best interest to postpone a meeting and take a sun to let everyone get settled in," Xyra countered.

Theo turned to Cooker, her mouth slightly agape. Cooker was already looking at her with pursed lips and raised eyebrows. Xyra frowned.

"What?"

"What the fuck has happened to you?" Cooker laughed, "You've got a glow about you."

"Aeliz is magical, I have been telling you all," Theo played along, "you are on a more peaceful plane of existence, Xy. It's okay to admit it."

"No, it's not that. We need everyone to blend and that happens by allowing them time to integrate before a meeting happens," Xyra defended herself.

They both looked at her in silence, smirking.

"Stop that!" She snapped her fingers toward each of them, frustrated at Cooker and Theo being in tune, "I am just trying to advocate for positive and intentional cohabitation. It will reduce the risk of conflict between new and old crew members and officers.

Neither of them spoke. They just nodded along, humming noises of disbelief.

"I have not felt anger like this since I left you both in Niveal," Xyra sighed and held her hand up at them as she began to walk to the entrance of the hall.

"All the will and light has been drained from your face, Xy," Cooker laughed, trailing behind as she taunted, "Do you have to head back to your house and get a little pick me up from Navi?"

"I should agree to the meeting and lock you in a room for the rest of the sun, with no fun and only unbearing back and forth giving the benefit of the doubt to everything you argue against. Let's see how quickly life will drain from you," Xyra shot as she looked back over her shoulder.

"That sounds like my ideal night," Cooker quipped.

Theo caught up with Xyra and chuckled a bit.

"If I'm being honest, I'm impressed with your willingness to put social wellness over business," Theo acknowledged.

"Suck up!" Cooker accused.

"Don't be too impressed," Xyra walked to the door and held it open, motioning them both to step outside, "there is still business for the both of you. You will be visiting the citizens in charge of each of the resources, our town center manager, and our builders. I've got some projects to run by you both. You will be able to join the festivities we have planned for tonight but until then, you are my hostages. The luxury of social integration between old and new crew members does not extend to you two."

"We deserve that," Theo admitted.

Xyra accepted the response with a nod as she closed the meeting hall door behind her, "Let's get some food in everyone's stomach before we keep going for the sun."

"Fucking famished," Cooker commented as she took up a spot next to Xyra that time.

Theo trailed the whole way to the main area of town in search of food, lost in her own thoughts about the state of the island, and how much they had accomplished. At the pit of her stomach was excitement instead of nerves for the first time in a while.

—------

The island had been in a festive mood for the whole sun. While Xyra had done as promised and touted them around the island on business, at night she had allowed them all to equally rejoice in the festivities. And after a long journey, Theo was happy to partake in the plenty of mead the island had to offer. It had been made on the island, one of the first batches that was ready for drinking, and whoever made it had known how to create an excellent drink.

It was sweet and potent. Three mugs of it had her feeling drunk for the first time in a while. Her cheeks felt hot and the amount she was sweating made the back of her shirt stick to her. The jungle was hot, but more so it was humid. The thick air never seemed to abate but Theo didn't mind. It felt right.

Except when too much physical exertion was required, like making it back up to Xyra's place. Which Theo had trekked to as she followed her friend up there. They were getting ready to head down to the beach, most of the island had gone to sleep and wound down for the night so they had some space to be alone. She was leaning against the doorway of Xyra's house, eyes slipping shut as she waited for Xyra to find the things she had come for.

"You like the place?" Xyra asked.

Theo yawned then opened her eyes, she nodded with a smile, "It's nice. It looks like you're comfortable here."

"Is there a but? Seems like there is," Xyra glanced over at her from the open door in her bedroom.

"Odd seeing you like this. Settled down, at peace," Theo reflected.

"I have gotten used to it too quickly. The thought of leaving keeps me up at night," Xyra laughed a bit, also being affected by the mead if her confession was any indication, "Do you want to live nearby?"

Theo paused for a moment, trying to think about the surroundings and how much of a trek into town it would be. She hadn't even considered where she would live. In fact, she had not even considered where she would be sleeping that night until a few hours before.

"You can say no," Xyra said, pulling her from her thoughts, "but I've saved two lots near me. One for you, one for Cook. If you want to live elsewhere, I can release those back to the land manager."

"Do you want me to live nearby?" Theo asked, finally stepping inside and taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"No. I simply went out of my way to plan for your arrival and made the effort to save you both plots near me even though they likely wouldn't have been taken anyway all because I cannot stand the idea of you living nearby," Xyra replied.

"I want to live nearby," Theo nodded after a second to let the comment sit.

"You do not. You hesitated," Xyra accused and peeked her head out of the door, "Twice."

"I hesitated the first time because I was wrapping my head around the fact that you have a home. On land. With someone else," Theo glanced around, "and that pretty soon, so will I."

"With someone else?"

"Not for the time being. I would be all on my lonesome," Theo took a deep breath and then laughed, "Actually, my answer for living near you has been retracted. It's pending."

"What are you waiting to base your decision on?" Xyra also laughed and walked out of the room with a packed bag.

"If Cooker and Agnes decide to move into the plot you have for them," Theo stretched, using the back of her chair to crack her back, "can't have her and two kids in the same house next to me. Too loud."

"They will not be next to you. You will have plenty of space."

"Hm. But children travel and run around. I can't risk having too many of them around or it will just amplify the noise. I will base my decision on your future decisions then, are you and Navi planning on taking in any kids?" Theo raised an eyebrow, "I'll only say yes if you say you plan on having none."

"Are you messing with me?" Xyra asked.

"I am," Theo laughed, "of course, I want the plot next to you. My hesitation was not stemming from doubt. It was because my brain is stuck processing one word at a time. That fucking mead is dangerous. But I do want to know, do you and Navi plan on any children?"

"It's not a matter either of us are keen on discussing right now. What with the impending destruction we are walking into," Xyra also sat down even though Cooker was already waiting for them at the beach.

Theo snorted a bit, "I would ask if you voted for or against us joining but I know which way it went."

"I had to do my piece for the both of us." Xyra chuckled, "Which way would you have voted?"

"It wouldn't have come to that."

"But if it had. What would you have said?"

"I'm not sure. I really didn't give it any thought because I knew which way it was going to fall. Cooker did a number on them. I stood no chance," Theo paused and pulled a thick notebook out of her pocket, handing it over to Xya, "Red gave me that when I saw her."

Xyra flipped it over in her hand but didn't look inside. She met Theo's eyes and tilted her head.

"From Ulises. It has notes on my parents and who they are," Theo explained, she wanted to get rid of it sooner rather than later.

Xyra's brow creased with worry, "You read it?"

"I haven't. I'm scared to. You know me. Cook knows me. I figured that you both could read it and let me know if it's worth my time and if it's alright for me to look at," Theo requested.

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not sure. Can you scan it for me? Make sure I won't try to throw myself down a hole of self-discovery when I read it. I don't have time for that kind of shit," Theo chuckled but the contents of the journal had been weighing heavily on her chest recently. What was once nonchalance turned into a deep desire to know.

Xyra laughed and stood up, putting it away in her room, "You keep it on you?"

"No. I meant to talk about it with you tonight. So, I grabbed it when I got the chance," Theo explained as she stood up.

Xyra returned from the room, "So, Red gave you that?"

"She did," Theo took a deep breath.

"You and her? You were involved when you saw each other?"

Theo nodded a bit and looked down.

"And things ended when she left?"

Theo shook her head, no, then looked up and met Xyra's eyes.

"I'm sorry," Xyra frowned, "come here."

Theo nodded and let herself indulge in a hug, allowing herself to get squeezed by Xyra's strong arms. She was the only one to not have come at her with hostility over Red. It was refreshing.

"How are you feeling about it?" Xyra asked.

"I lived a life before her. I know what it's like to not have her around. I know I am capable of surviving when she's not here but sometimes I have a hard time remembering that," Theo chuckled.

Xyra put her head on top of Theo's and laughed a bit, "You're in love."

"What a treacherous thing," Theo hummed.

Xyra pulled away, "You going to let me in on how that first conversation went? I'm sure you both had a lot to explain and a lot to apologize for."

"Depends, are you going to let me in on how that conversation for you and Navi went?" Theo smirked a bit, knowing Xyra was itching to know.

"Not a chance," Xyra chuckled as she began to push Theo out of the house, "Come on, Cooker is waiting for us."

"Beach time, motherfucker," Theo poked Xyra's side with a smile, mimicking their friend waiting down below.

—---------

Xyra's feet were buried in the sand, having mindlessly dug them in while staring off toward the water. She watched Cooker and Theo fuck around at the edge of the shore, splashing each other by kicking their feet into the sea. The kicks of water turned into shoving each other and causing one of them to fall into the water. It was getting too rough for her liking but she didn't stop them. She could tell that Theo wasn't being as aggressive as she could have been.

The solace that it brought her soul as she watched them was the bit of relief she needed over the past cycles. Everything had been wonderful and she settled into island life but there was a tightness in her chest. One she knew wouldn't go away until the three of them were together. Now that they were, she could breathe easier. As much as she cherished her nights with Navi, she had missed her time with them.

The beach was nice, both of them had said so over the course of the sun. They hadn't seen the best though, Xyra was waiting to show them. It wasn't ready. They were not ready. It would be a reward for a successful meeting.

Xyra was brought out of her thoughts when she saw Cooker approaching. Theo was wading into the sea as Cooker sat next to Xyra, slightly wet and dripping onto the sand beneath her. Xyra offered her some water which she took, audibly gulping it down. Once Cooker had capped it and put it aside, Xyra offered her a sard cigarette, unlit.

Cooker chuckled, holding it up, and raising her eyebrow. Xyra just shrugged, unwilling to explain her choices. Cooker dropped the judgment and lit the cigarette on the small fire in front of them. She settled back and they both watched Theo swim out.

"This isn't allowed," Cooker mentioned after a few hits.

"Rules state it's not allowed on the ship. Hasn't been amended to include the island yet. And if Theo tries it, I doubt that the rule will pass now. The only time that would have slid was when our crew was 25 people. It's not that anymore."

Cooker shook her head as she laid down on the sand, nursing the sard without giving it back, "Theo will make her own personal bullshit rule to keep you from it and you are such a sucker you will listen."

"Then don't say anything," Xyra resolved the issue with a slight laugh.

"Sard is like the only shit I can have, if I snitch on you I fuck myself," Cooker assured her, "your sister is worse with it than you are."

"My father smoked so much of it that I swear it was in his blood. He passed that down to us," Xyra chuckled as she looked over at Cooker.

Cooker looked over at her and raised an eyebrow, "Coming on eleven lengths by your side and you've never told me that."

"Something is wrong with me," Xyra commented with a slight laugh, "I blame the mead for my big mouth."

"I blame the fact that you are probably used to being coddled in between Navi's tits at this time every night telling her all your childhood stories and dreams and fears and you let your guard down because you've grown used to it. Which is funny given you have never chosen to share any of that with us" Cooker scoffed, teasing but Xyra knew that a part of her was upset.

Cooker hated not being in the know.

"No swimming?" Xyra asked, switching the subject as she leaned back on her elbows and watched Cooker exhale smoke.

"Nah. Going to leave Theo out there to her weird Riva shit. Haven't gotten over the feeling that I'm going to drown," Cooker handed the sard back, but it was almost done so Xyra squished it against the sand, "You spend a nice evening with your sister?"

Xyra and Agnes had come late to the festivities, preferring to catch up together at Xyra's place before joining everyone else.

"Agnes agreed to have you all stay on our land. The girls are excited about camping," Xyra smiled, thinking about their buzzing energy when she saw them that morning.

Cooker groaned, "Did they express that to you?"

They had been promised tents and camping by Cooker and they had been nonstop talking about it all sun.

"Many, many times," Xyra laughed, "Agnes is not as excited."

"I told her we would not be last name living; hammocks and tents only until things were on track to get a cottage built for us. She didn't believe me," Cooker also laughed, arm coming over her face to cover her eyes even though there was no sun.

"Just a warning that I offered her a spot inside. We have a cot in our living area," Xyra said.

"You think she'll abandon me?"

"Aye. I think she will leave you in a tent with the kids in the garden and sleep restfully inside," Xyra sat up properly and scanned the water to try and find Theo but the Captain was nowhere to be seen, "my sister was raised with a last name and married into that as well. She is not made for tents."

"Red would have rejoiced sleeping in a tent. Mallory too. They have last names," Cooker pointed out.

"Mallory?" Xyra's head snapped over at her with a raise of her eyebrow, "You saw Mallory?"

"I didn't say that, did I?" Cooker also sat up.

"But why else would you mention her?"

"Well, I did see her," Cooker admitted, "she should be headed here soon."

"What?"

"I told her how to find our people in Elox to ferry her here. Gave her coin. She's running away soon," Cooker shrugged, looking away as if that hadn't been a shocking statement.

"Does Theo know?" Xyra asked, looking toward the water once again but not seeing Theo.

She kept missing her come up for breath.

"Theo knows enough. Not the details. Same with Red. They know she's leaving but not when or how," Cooker looped her in.

"But you know the details?"

"Aye, I helped her plan it."

Xyra was quiet then she shook her head with a frown, "Cooker, you are with my sister now."

"What are you implying?" Cooker said, the upset twinge in her voice drew Xyra's gaze back to her.

Xyra offered a shrug, "I'm just saying, be careful. I love you, but don't fucking go there."

"I love Agnes, Xy. I wouldn't do anything to fuck that up," Cooker promised.

They were silent for a bit and Xyra ran a hand through the sand next to her as she let her mind go down different alleyways of thought, the long sun and many drinks taking their toll.

"Nobles and greater houses are different from lesser-name houses, aren't they?" Xyra mused, "My sister had no issue or guilt with the luxuries she was afforded. She would choose that over this kind of living if she had her way. But you and Red– and Mallory– you would prefer to suffer through life outside of estate walls. There is a guilt that lives inside you over who you are and where you came from."

"Fuck," Cooker laughed, "where did that come from?"

"You mentioned earlier that Mallory and Red would like to camp," Xyra chuckled, "I was just thinking about the parallels."

"I hate when you drink. You get too insightful," Cooker taunted.

"Aye, I think I'm much more tolerable when I am sober," Xyra agreed even though it was the opposite of what she had been told in the past.

Cooker laughed at her and Xyra felt at ease. Once again, she looked toward the water but didn't see anything.

"Have you seen Theo come up for air yet?" Xyra asked.

Cooker rolled her eyes, "She's fine. Quit your hovering. Her god is literally the god of water. I'm sure she has just swam too far out to get a good look at her if she comes up. She'll be back."

The logic calmed Xyra's nerves a bit and she laid back down on the sand, propping her head up with her hand.

"How long did it take to build your place?" Cooker said, "I want to know how long I have to camp in your garden."

"Took us four cycles. Usually one of us worked on the house while the other did their island duties. Navi had started even before I arrived," Xyra said, "but labor resources will be diverted to help you and Aggy build your house."

"Cause of the kids?"

"Aye. And you won't be able to help much with the building since you'll be focused on the meeting," Xyra closed her eyes, "I would say maybe a cycle and a half."

"So, how did you wind up living together?"

"Convenience," Xyra cracked a smile

"You never tell me anything about you two anymore," Cooker groaned.

"There isn't anything to tell. I find that to be a good thing. Everything is beyond what I could have wished for a few lengths ago. Navi meant it when she said she was ready. So did I and now here we are. Nothing else to it," Xyra said, repeating what she had said when anyone had asked her about it.

Navi and Xyra's relationship had always been to themselves and that wasn't changing. Xyra rarely got to have anything that was hers with no input or opinions from anyone else. She was protective of the one thing she had, and Navi felt the same way.

Cooker went silent. At first, Xyra just thought she was getting over never knowing exactly what went down but after a minute, she could feel something had shifted. Cooker was looking down at the sand, her finger roughly digging a hole in the sand. Her lips were in a tight line, brows furrowed.

"Oi. I'm sorry," Xyra tried to console her and rubbed her back a bit, throwing out an apology in case it was her fault.

Cooker shook her head without speaking and looking away but allowed Xyra's hands to stay on her back.

"What is it?"

"Agnes..." Cooker whispered.

"What about her?"

"I'm not good enough for her, Xy. You should have worked harder to keep us apart. You should have never given me your blessing," Cooker argued and looked over, distress painted on her face, "What if I am not ready for her?"

"I am not sure I am following, Cook. I thought everything was good. Agnes had nothing bad to say," Xyra tilted her head, "when Navi and I were not ready for it, that was because we were not only in different places but we wanted different things and didn't know how to be with one another. I do not think that any of those are things you and Agnes have issues with."

Cooker nodded a bit, trying to play it off like she was reassured and all was fine. But Xyra knew her friend better than that. There was a slightly distant stare, something she was keeping covered.

"Is this being brought on by something?" Xyra asked.

Cooker chuckled, dryly, "You know what."

"I do not."

"Theo didn't write to you?" Cooker narrowed her eyes, "about Brandon and I?"

"She wrote to me plenty but not about you beyond that you were alive and well," Xyra crossed her arms, shifting her body toward Cooker to give her full attention, "but now I think you need to let me know what you are referencing."

Cooker clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth then sighed, "I have a fucking way of getting myself in trouble, don't I?"

Xyra didn't interrupt.

Cooker pushed some of her hair behind her ear, some of it long enough to stay, "I spoke with my brother for a bit after our first interaction. I stayed back after the initial meeting with him, at his request. We got to talking and he pulled out some loli, offered it to me, and I took him up on it."

Xyra felt the words heavy in her gut, like she had swallowed a stone. She kept her face neutral, careful not to give Cooker any association with the confession, negative or positive. But her blood had gone slightly cold and the worry for Cooker that was always just under the surface breached through. She knew it was a possibility but it was another thing for her to be right.

"It just felt... I couldn't help it. I can't explain what came over me. I had been around it before but this time was different," Cooker opened up, "I didn't even last a few minutes before I came clean to Theo. Then, I told Agnes."

Xyra said nothing, she could say nothing. She felt that there were still things Cooker wanted to speak about.

"We talked things out. We made plans and came up with solutions and we are in a fucking fantastic place but-" Cooker cut herself off and pushed her hands into her eyes to stop the tears from falling out.

"But what?

"Give me the easy way out, Xy," Cooker said, still not facing her, "Tell me you forbid it from going on."

"My sister makes her own choices."

"Fuck that," Cooker scoffed, looking over with a pleading look, "You know what is best for her."

"So does she. And that's you. I know you won't fuck it up," Xyra assured her and she surprised herself with the lax approach.

But she didn't have it in her to yell or throw blame around or scare Cooker into abiding by the rules she had agreed to set for herself. Nor did she believe it was the right way to go about things. Cooker had impressed her, despite not staying clean the whole time they were apart.

Cooker was upset; whether it was at herself or at Xyra's rejection of her request wasn't clear. She shook her head with another scoff, crossing her arm over herself slightly to curl up as much as she could.

"I am proud of you," Xyra said, a softer tone than she usually would take.

Which wasn't met with much kindness.

"Shut up," Cooker grumbled.

She smiled to herself, shaking her head, "Do you know if there is a reason that Theo did not write to tell me?"

"No, I'm not sure why she didn't say anything," Cooker frowned.

"Maybe she hoped you would also come clean to me," she hypothesized but Cooker had dropped her attention from the conversation. Xyra reached out with her foot and nudged it against Cooker's leg, "How was it to see your brother?"

Cooker looked over and held two fingers up, "I saw two of them."

"Cameron?" Xyra guessed, being the husband of Red after all.

"Mhm," Cooker hummed in thought, answering her question before it could be asked, "I don't trust Brandon. I think he's selling us on what he knows we want to hear hoping that when he goes back on it, we are too in the thick of it to notice or to care. I haven't told Theo that though. She senses it, I'm sure. Cameron is a good kid, though. I think if we need to, we can work with him."

Cooker was picking at the sand, sifting through it with her hands in an attempt to find bigger pieces of rock or shells. She looked angry, but not at Xyra. Or her brother. It looked to be anger with herself.

"What is going on with you?" Xyra asked.

"What if I'm just like him?" Cooker asked.

Xyra knew she meant Brandon.

"In what ways?"

"A fucking hypocrite for one, an imposter," Cooker said while looking everywhere except Xyra.

"Are you saying that because he comes from money? And hasn't lived life with real people?" Xyra asked.

She nodded.

"Cook. Come on, mate. You know that is so far from how you are. You know what you preach from experience. You have put your life on the line countless times fighting for what you know is right," Xyra shook her head, wondering where the lack of confidence in her ability to contribute to a rebellion came from. Growing up, Cooker was convinced she would be every god's present to the revolution and to Baethos.

"I may not be like him like that but I know I am like him in other ways," Cooker finally looked over, tears had come back to her eyes, "and I fucking hate having to face that."

"What ways?"

"Loli. He gets it. He knows... I can see it in the way he reacts to it. It works for him the way it did for me. And he hasn't been able to shake his habit. That is the future that awaits me and I'm fucking scared. It's already been hard enough, I just want it to be easier," Cooker couldn't stop the tears from flowing and Xyra scooted closer to her to finally pull her in.

Cooker leaned her head against Xyra and her shoulder bounced as she sniffled and tried to stop crying.

"Has he ever tried to stop?"

"I don't know..."

Xyra shook her head, "Then don't compare yourself to him, Cooker. You are not him. I know from experience, you are unique. Unfortunately so."

Cooker let her shoulders relax slightly, her head putting more weight on Xyra's shoulder. She was quiet for a few minutes and Xyra let her be. She spoke when she was ready.

"Did you train her to say certain things before you left in case I slipped up?"

"No. I told her not to react the way she normally would," Xyra replied, "Asked her to give you space and be calm if it happened but to not let you get away with things."

"Hm."

Cooker provided nothing else. Xyra once again let it sit for a few minutes before following up.

"Why?"

"She helped. Quite a bit, the bitch," Cooker laughed softly.

"She captained you," Xyra pointed out.

Cooker turned her head with a scowl, looking up at Xyra, "That fucker captained me."

"It's never a good feeling to realize it," she teased, "Did she tell you about the journal?"

Cooker pulled away from Xyra but still stayed close, their gazes both settling on the water in search of Theo, "The one about her parents? Aye. Do you have it?"

"I do," Xyra said, "you haven't seen it yet?"

"Saw it, didn't open it," Cooker chuckled a bit, "fuck I'm dying to know what it says. I'm waking you up first thing and we are going to read it."

"You won't have a long trek from the garden," Xyra laughed a bit, slightly enjoying that Cooker would have to sleep in the dirt outside her house.

"Once I wake up, we can go do whatever it is you do in the morning together and then we can read," Cooker said.

"No," Xyra shook her head, "you aren't ready for that. I will come wake you when I'm back and we can find a place to read it. No arguments."

Cooker rolled her eyes, "Fine. Be secretive. I won't give you the reaction you are looking for. Where is Theo sleeping tonight?"

"Here. She borrowed a hammock from someone. Said earlier she wants to sleep near the ocean."

Cooker snorted a bit, "She's been on the fucking water for cycles on end."

"Riva calls," Xyra shrugged with a smile.

"Where is she?" Cooker asked and stood up then shook the sand off her legs.

"Now you worry?" Xyra stood up too.

"Well, I haven't seen her and it's been a while," Cooker started walking toward the water.

Xyra followed behind, "We haven't been paying attention."

"If she's not up in three minutes, you have to go after her," Cooker said, a little bit of worry clear in her tone.

"Three minutes," Xyra acknowledged and looked down at Cooker, observing her for a few moments, "How have you been doing since Drokian then? You were in an awfully social and humorous mood at the party. More than usual, if that is even possible."

"Are you implying that I am doing that to hide deep and raw pain?" she laughed a bit.

"I am."

The smile slowly melted off Cooker's face and she was quiet, for what felt like the hundredth time that night. When Xyra wanted her to shut up, Cooker never did. Now that she wanted her to talk, she had a problem with speaking up. If Cooker wasn't willing to say anything, Xyra was happy to fill the space.

"You stopped Theo from telling me what happened. That wasn't the proper thing to do," Xyra said, a bit of sternness creeping into her tone, "I think I deserved to know. It was unfair to me."

"Aye, I know. I was aware it wasn't right when I told Morgana I didn't want anything sent the first night it happened and I was aware of it when I reaffirmed that to Theo. I don't regret it though," Cooker said and turned to meet Xyra's stare. She lifted her shoulder up and tilted her head, a mild apology, "It would have affected the vote. Without Theo and I here to curb you, and you having free range to speak your mind, you would have used my arm as a reason not to join the rebellion and wrack up the votes against it."

"So it wasn't because you didn't want me to worry," Xyra frowned a bit, knowing from the moment she had heard it that it was a lie. She was hurt by it.

"I didn't want to lose the vote. If not, what was it all for?" Cooker said and glanced down at where her arm used to be.

"Did Theo know?"

"My reasoning? No, she didn't question it when I said I didn't want you to worry. Too trusting sometimes."

Xyra shook her head with a slight sigh. Cooker had always known that Theo would buy what she sold her. Cooker had a way with words and Theo had blinders on when it came to those she loved. Xyra knew that it wasn't that much of an affront in the grand scheme of things and that in Cooker's head, positive consequences countered the limited impact. A concealed intention and stung feelings in return for a vote in her favor.

"Are you upset?" Cooker asked.

"Aye, but it will pass. I cannot be too upset. You paid enough of a price for what you wanted back in Drokian. Would not be fair to you to be angry at you," Xyra let her off without even a warning. When it came to the Cooker and Theo, she was too soft.

Cooker accepted the answer and looked away.

"You did not deny that you are struggling though. How are you doing?" Xyra continued to push; her repayment for Cooker's actions.

"I don't fucking know, Xy. I feel like I should be feeling worse because I've lost my bloody arm but I've been expecting that to happen all my life so I should be feeling better than I do," she shook out her hair and then pushed it back with a slight laugh, "I feel lost. I felt like that even before Drokian. I think I've been feeling like that my whole life. Theo seems to have her shit figured out. You seem to have yours figured out. I suppose this was life's way of telling me I have to get my shit figured out. I wish life would have fucking been kinder about the push, but what can you do?"

"You don't think you have it figured out?" Xyra asked, she knew what Cooker had meant about always feeling lost. She had observed that in Cooker growing up. She had purpose anchored in Theo and Xyra but her overall goals were always confounded. But, Xyra had thought it had changed as they grew up. She had watched Cooker become assured in herself and her ambitions.

"I have all the components. The money, the friends, the family. There is just something in me that I need to sort out," Cooker took a deep breath, "fuck if I know what that is. Do you have any advice?"

"I do not. I'm sorry, mate," Xyra offered, "But like I said, do not compare yourself. Things aren't always great. I still have sleepless nights. Navi has to pry me away from obsessing over work. All my issues are not straightened out. I am sure Theo has rough times too."

"But fuck is she doing well," Cooker mentioned.

"Aye?"

Cooker nodded, "She left Red behind and bounced back. The journey over here, she was calling the right shots... Things went near perfect. She seems focused. Even the seas were calm."

"You do not think we are pushing her?" Xyra looked down at her feet, some guilt about the vote having eaten at her a bit, "You do not feel like we should be listening when she says she does not want to do this."

"When the bombs went off in Drokian, I was in the worst pain of my life, followed by numbness and acceptance of death. And in all of that, the only thing I could think about was Theo. What if I died, what would she do? Would the revolution be failed before it started? Would it ruin everything? Those are the questions that came to me," Cooker said.

"If you are trying to lead this into a point, I am not following," she glanced back up, brows scrunched.

"I had Agnes there, someone I love, by my side. And a family waiting for me. And my first thought was Theo. It was how my death would affect her," Cooker elaborated but it didn't do much for Xyra, "I think she is the fucking key to this revolution and I was so worried that my death would send her into too much emotional distress to be able to act right. That is all I thought about as I was on the brink of mortality."

"If I were you, I would make a joke about you not thinking of me," Xyra said.

"Now you see how it feels," Cooker shot back.

Xyra had to laugh, "If you are claiming she is the chosen one or whatever else you want to call her, you need to be able to have reasons for it. She is going to inevitably fall down a spiral of self-doubt like she always does. She is going to ask why it has to be her. She is going to push against the power already granted to her and try to redistribute it. And you need to have solid answers when she gets to that point."

"I have my reasons. I have like a fucking dozen and a half reasons," Cooker stepped up to the nonexistent challenge, "People love her, not the men she works with but other people. Even those that hate her, can't help but find themselves inclined to follow sometimes. She's got access to the other weapon the revolution has in its arsenal, the one and only Avery Vaith. She and Red are good together, I hate to admit it. And when it comes down to it, at the moment, she isn't scared to make the choices to win the battle. That's just the beginning of my reasons. And that book she's handed us will only provide more context and more of a reason to push her toward her destiny. Plus, she's got the best of both of us, infused in her. Can't argue with that kind of power."

"We are not her parents," Xyra managed to squeeze in between Cooker's rant.

"We basically are."

"We are two lengths older than her."

"We raised a revolutionary, Xy! A once-in-a-lifetime leader. Born into revolutionary parents, raised by revolutionary spirits," Cooker exclaimed into the night air.

"You cannot take anything seriously," Xyra laughed.

"I'm right, though. Right? She's it."

Xyra nodded a bit then found herself frowning. Cooker rolled her eyes.

"Not you too."

"You know I feel about this Cooker. How I have always felt about this," Xyra argued back before a lecture could begin.

"You voted no."

"There was no chance it would make a difference."

"Your heart needs to be in this for us to win!" Cooker threw her arm up.

"I thought all we need to win is Theo," Xyra raised an eyebrow.

"And your heart," Cooker chuckled.

"You can't blame me for not wanting her there at the face of this thing and the front lines of it," Xyra defended her choice.

"Never any concern for me."

"You will be wherever the central command ends up being, not on the water or the ground," Xyra said a little too bluntly. She didn't realize how it came across until Cooker sucked in through her teeth.

"Ouch. Counting me out so easily," Cooker joked but Xyra could tell it hit hard.

"It is your current reality," Xyra doubled down, wanting to apologize but knowing she had her reasons for saying it, "You can't be in the action. Going from fighting with two arms to one arm is a death sentence. We've seen it before. You'll revert to thinking you have two in the heat of the moment and it will cause you to slip."

"Thanks. I'm aware," Cooker said, short and dry.

"Is that not what you have always wanted? To be at the reigns of this, in the middle of it all. The cabal of rebels has always been your destiny" Xyra tried to encourage but it fell flat.

"Not sure what it is I want. Inner reflection and all that shit is still needed, remember?" Cooker cracked a bit of a smile.

"I remember now," Xyra nodded.

"Brandon offered me a spot as his right hand... Twice. Both times I saw him," she divulged.

"What did you say?"

"I said no. Obviously."

"It is not obvious," Xyra pulled Cooker's face her, "this is what you've always dreamt of. Why would you give that up?"

"My spot is here with you two," Cooker tried to turn away but Xyra didn't let her.

"You have a talent that would benefit the rebellion to have. They need your expertise. And although I do prefer you to stay with us, that is selfish of me and you need to do what is best for you and the rebellion you tangled us in."

Cooker didn't answer.

"What did Theo have to say about it?" Xyra asked.

"We didn't dwell on it because I asked to skip past a serious conversation about it with the power I granted myself. It didn't seem relevant."

"I fail to see how being recruited to serve in a role you have wanted for a lifetime is irrelevant. This is just another Corinspe situation, agreeing to walk away even when you knew you could have filled the void in her absence."

"I was not going to be a second choice for Corinspe. And Uncilo still would have never nominated me even if we stayed," Cooker shook her head with a frown.

"You were not a second choice for Brandon. Why have you not spoken about it with Theo?"

"I don't want her to think she is keeping me here," Cooker brought her thumb to her lips to chew on it and pull attention from their eye contact but Xyra swatted the hand away, "I don't want her to convince me to do it. I don't want to do it."

"Why?" Xyra tilted her head.

Cooker shrugged with a frown, "Almost dying puts things into perspective I guess... I would rather be with you two than have power somewhere where you are cycles of a journey away."

"Yet you seem to be struggling with the choice," Xyra pinpointed where some of the doubt and feelings of being lost might have been stemming from.

Cooker shook her head "I'm struggling that I don't want it. I have wanted this my whole life. Head of Corinspe, head of the rebellion. It didn't matter to me–I just wanted some way to get all of the bullshit in my head out into the world. I wanted to be able to fix at least a minimal amount of the suffering but now-"

She didn't finish, she just let out a frustrated sigh and shook her head.

"Priorities change, Cook. It's alright to want something else."

Cooker just looked away instead of engaging. Xyra didn't keep her in place, she allowed her a bit of space. Xyra watched her carefully, there was some guilt over the fact that Cooker was not alright but she also felt relief to have them back. Being with them was all she had ever strived toward and not having to worry about Cooker being away was a nice feeling. But she didn't like the way it made Cooker feel to be there with them and not where she wanted to be. Or maybe, she was where she wanted to be. It was still a bit unclear.

"Are we done talking?" Cooker asked, "Will you come further in with me and make sure I don't get swept away from the unpredictable current? Then you should probably go look for Theo."

Xyra laughed, they were blocked by reefs and rocks and barely a lap of the water against the sand was present. But regardless, Xyra waded into the water next to her friend. They were not even past the knees when a head breached the surface a dozen yards away, hands flapping at the surface to keep the person afloat. Theo had come up but her gasps for air indicated she had been under the water for a while. The sudden emergence and chaos it caused in the water calmed down after a few seconds.

Theo, who had been facing opposite them, tread water and reoriented herself. She turned to face them and Xyra could tell her chest was still rising and falling rapidly. Xyra began to walk in even quicker but Theo seemed alright. She swam closer, head staying above the water.

"Theo! You alright?" Xyra called out.

"Aye!" Theo said back but it was clear that she was a bit shaken.

Still, the shock melted from her face the closer she got. Once she was close enough to stand, she looked down at the water and laughed. She looked up at both of them, Cooker having joined Xyra in the waist-deep water. The two of them exchanged concerned glances before looking back at the grinning captain.

"How long was I down there for?"

"How long-" Cooker stopped herself, "you tell us!"

"A fucking while, I think," Theo laughed again and then dunked herself back in the water and came back up with her hair slicked back, "you didn't notice it?"

"I told you something was wrong!" Cooker slapped Xyra's arm.

"I told you something was wrong first and you dismissed me!" Xyra argued back.

Theo began to head out of the water and a quick scan of her body showed Xyra that nothing was physically wrong with her. But she did look high and perhaps slightly crazed.

"Nothing was wrong," Theo assured them and continued to walk out.

"What the fuck?" Cooker asked as Theo passed them by, "Is she not going to tell us what that was all about?"

Xyra shook her head and followed.

"It's the god of hers, I bet," Cooker hypothesized, "always making her do weird shit."

"Don't be rude about it. You know how she gets," Xyra said in a hushed tone as they followed her out.

Cooker decided she wasn't going to drop the issue and ignored Xyra's suggestion. Opting to avoid the small squabble Cooker was dragging them into, she stayed behind and watched along as Cooker and Theo exited the water side by side.