CYCLE EM- CYCLE ONE

Theo had laid low for many suns after the night she saw Jona. She didn't want to risk raising any suspicions by going to visit him. So, she jumped straight into the whirlwind of settling into the island. After the dust had cleared and her crew had tasks and a routine, she began to chance a walk every evening. After others came to expect her nightly stroll, she decided to finally take a meeting with him. He lived in the small sliver of the residential district that was protected by armed guards.

Theo had little trouble getting in. And she had little trouble getting out. In less than a half-hour, she had entered and left Jona Amyrrett's mansion. She wanted to spend the least amount of time in his presence as possible. They struck their deal soon after Theo was escorted to his study. She was going to write a letter to one of her contacts in Aubermasse. Jona would inform Ava of this and if she wanted to, she could find a way to retrieve the letter and perhaps even send one back. It could have been slightly simpler with a direct handoff between Jona and Ava but he couldn't risk Jona reading it, which he probably would.

In addition to being a messenger, Jona would get information on Ava, her well-being, and what she was up to. He would write to Theo to brief her on what he found throughout his time at court. In return, when the time came, she would ensure that the next in line to his father's position was Jona. With the self-control of a merciful god, able to strike someone down but choosing not to, Theo exited the room after an unsavory joke from Jona about potentially marrying Ava.

His family wouldn't be the only ones she would kill if that happened.

She went back to Marian's and the party she had left had grown and Niveal's festivities were underway. Having a base of operations in the middle of a tavern that still operated meant that her crew was partying every sun. Not that it would have been different even if their base was across the island. They were in Niveal, expecting her crew to not enjoy themselves was like expecting a sailor stranded at sea not to want fresh water. Theo sometimes partook in the merriment, she was trying to pay attention to the advice given to her. She was trying to be more receptive than she had been during her time at Corinspe, she was trying to heed her officer's words like she used to.

They had told her to lighten up, join in on the fun, get back to the core of leading a crew. And she did. She tried. She would drink with her friends and participate, never doing too much. Even if it was Niveal, their traditional bender didn't seem right at that moment, so Theo hadn't truly let loose. There was still something inside her that was preventing her from having fun, from experiencing joy the way she used to. Her engagement in conversations would drift, her mind floating to work, or recruits, or Ava. She would be pulled out of the middle of a laugh, unable to pinpoint why it would get caught in her throat.

Some nights were worse than others. She couldn't predict when she would be fine and when she would feel a deep hole in her chest. Sometimes, she was on top of tables dancing and singing and doing a jig with her friends and other nights she would slip away from the partying to sit in a room alone with her thoughts. That night was a night she needed to be alone. The deal with Jona was weighing on her mind, had she made the right choice? It was too late to go back on her word and even if she could, she wouldn't have wanted to. Theo had a chance to let Ava know she was trying to get her back to safety and away from her father. Jona would be leaving in the morning and once he sailed away, her promise was sealed.

Theo couldn't fake a smile or pretend to be enjoying herself. After an acceptable amount of time of having shown her face, she walked out of the tavern with the excuse that she had an early morning and long sun ahead of her. A few hours before, they had received a new wave of 15 recruits. The crew would have to be up early to process their arrival. Theo usually helped manage the intake of new recruits in the mornings, before having to move on to other ship matters. Iona was heading training for recruits in self-defense and fighting for the vanguards in the aftermornings and Theo needed to be rested to oversee that as well. That coupled with the fact that Kaia had the sun off according to the schedule and couldn't pick up Theo's slack meant that her excuse was accepted with no question. Theo was free.

Like most nights she needed to be alone, she rowed back to the lightbringer. Rarely anyone was ever on their ships aside from those assigned as lookouts. It was much quieter than the boisterous streets of Stumber's Row and Theo could pretend that she was back out on the ocean instead of stuck on land for the foreseeable future. She hadn't entered into the water since The Grotto and hadn't felt safe when sailing without Riva but she was still no land-dweller. After rowing herself to the ship and climbing up to the deck, she greeted the vanguard member on duty before slipping into her quarters.

She grabbed a bottle of rum and a keyring before stepping back out and making her way to the row of cabins on the upper decks. She made her way into a familiar room after unlocking it. She threw the bottle of rum on the bed and climbed into it. Sitting up, she popped the cork off the rum as she stared at the carvings along the doorway. Ava's room had become a sort of escape for her. No one ever thought to look for her in there which made it the ideal getaway. Not even Cooker had figured it out.

It was an escape from the bustle of pirate life but not an escape from her emotions. Being in her room only made Theo feel guilty. It tugged at her gut and encouraged her to drink more than she should have, and Theo hated drinking. But, once the first sips were down and the warmth began to settle in her stomach it helped her experience everything that she had been holding in. The times in between her visits to Ava's room were categorized by internalizing the stress, the worries, the pressure of responsibilities. All of the negativity, the doubt, and the festering feeling of inadequacy were pushed away and stored for a later time.

Those feelings were reserved for the hours she spent in Ava's room every few suns. With rum or ravci in her she would finally be able to relax enough to process what she felt. If Cooker used drugs to avoid feeling, Theo used them to encourage it. She felt guilty about that too, making Cooker stop using just to turn around and do the same. But she also knew it was different, Cooker had an unhealthy use of harmful drugs and Theo was doing the right thing.

The conviction in her decision was reinforced by the evidence that Cooker had been thriving without hard drugs or liquor. It was one of the many good things that were happening. Amongst other was having plenty of gold at their disposal, a growing crew, more ships than they left Corinspe with, and new people stepping into roles of leadership. The Scorned Woman's crew was thriving yet Theo didn't feel that way. She was afraid that the fog would never lift, it would always be trailing behind her ready to impede on a sunny time. Once again, it felt hopeless and she felt helpless. There was nothing for her to do, she didn't have any guidance on what to do after being tortured within an inch of her life and then making the biggest mistake she could imagine by sending Ava home.

The tears spilled out without her meaning to and the bottle of rum was discarded on the nightstand as Theo turned onto her stomach and buried her face into the pillow so she couldn't hear her own cries. She let everything out until she felt hollow inside and like she had not one ounce of emotions left inside her. She felt her eyelids get heavier and she adjusted in the bed, ready to let a bit of sleep overtake her. Just for a nap, just to escape reality for a small while. It was difficult to sleep lately and the only times she found herself being able to peacefully drift off was when she was emotionally spent.

As her mind quieted and she felt herself slipping into sleep, she heard movement in the halls. Any thought of sleep exited her head as she shot up in bed, listening for more. A door opened and closed. The only other rooms in the hall were Xyra and Cooker's rooms. Cooker was far too drunk to have been able to make it to her room alone, without much noise. Someone was trying to get into one of their rooms and they probably were not supposed to. Theo let a few moments pass to listen for another door opening but nothing happened. Whoever it was, they were still in the room. Theo got out of bed and took the hand cannon she had placed on the nightstand when she first got there. Slowly, and careful to not make a sound, she exited the room and snuck down the hall to Cooker's room.

She placed an ear to the door but there was no sound behind it. Theo frowned and looked back down the hall. Whoever it was, they were in Xyra's room. The thought crossed her mind that Xyra was back. She was odd and it wasn't out of the ordinary that she would stop by her room to change after a long journey before going into Niveal and finding them. Concern turned to excitement and she walked to Xyra's room. She still held the handcannon, just in case, and opened the door.

The person stood up from where they were crouching and whipped around to face her.

Theo tilted her head with a frown and she raised up her handcannon, "Kaia?"

"Captain," Kaia held her hands up, "what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," Theo cocked the pistol and looked around to try and figure out what was going on.

One of the drawers in Xyra's cabinet was opened. In Kaia's hands, she held a book, with a few papers sticking out of it.

"I was looking for something," Kaia said, "I know it looks bad but I can explain."

"Really? Cause in my experience, someone sneaking around in rooms they aren't supposed to be in means they are up to snitch shit," Theo stepped forward until the barrel of the handcannon was pressed to Kaia's forehead, "This seems like a familiar situation."

"And the last time you held a weapon to me, you said you trusted me," Kaia said, "so, I ask that you do that again."

Theo reached forward and took the book out of Kaia's hands and it slipped out easily, she didn't put up a fight, "From the beginning, I knew something didn't line up about your motivation to join this crew but I let it slide, I thought that if you were hiding something it probably had fuck all to do with me and my crew."

"This doesn't have anything to do with the crew, I swear it," she assured.

"You've done nothing to jeopardize operations yet, so I will let you explain but you don't get the luxury of having my weapon removed from your head."

"I've been looking for someone for a long time," Kaia admitted, "I hit a dead-end six cycles ago, a few cycles before joining your crew. Gave up looking. Then I found out that Xyra had a system for storing information on people, so I thought I would look around."

"How did you find that out?"

"She told me, she showed me my father's file," Kaia reached up and put her hand over the barrel, trying to gently pull it off but Theo held it in place, "it had nothing to do with why I joined."

"You just happened to stumble upon my ship which happened to have information of someone you are looking for?" Theo scoffed, "maybe you were right to tell me not to trust my gut back in Corinspe."

"I never said that. I simply pointed out that doing so hadn't gone well in the past."

"Well, looks like you were right," Theo looked down at the book in her hand, a journal, "so, did you find what you were looking for?"

"I don't know."

Theo removed the handcannon and handed the journal back, "Find out then. See if you found who you are looking for. Then you can pack your shit and go after them."

"Theo, I told you that I didn't join this crew to look for anything, I had given up,"

"And now there is hope," Theo shrugged, "so, look at the information you've taken from Xyra and be on your way. You've only been around for three cycles, you helped on the way down from Corinspe, you caused no harm, you were an asset when needed and now you can go."

"If it means I have to leave the crew, I don't want to know what's in the book, Theo," Kaia held it out again, "I'm serious, Captain, I am a part of this crew now. I can't leave."

"People who are a part of this crew know not to sneak into other's rooms and take their belongings. They don't violate people's trust and personal privacy."

"If you had the opportunity to figure out a way to get closure with Red but it meant you had to sneak around to do so, would you take it?" Kaia asked and Theo frowned.

Did she know? Or was she just trying to appeal to Theo somehow?

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"I am trying to find the people responsible for my partner's death," Kaia admitted, "I know I shouldn't have been doing this but every sun that I've known there is a possibility for more information and I haven't taken that opportunity has been weighing on me."
Theo tried not to let that get to her. Theo had already done something wrong to try and get closure with Ava, she couldn't really fault Kaia for doing the same. But this was Xyra's room, an invasion of privacy, and was a threat to her crew.

"Who is it you are looking for?"

Kaia looked down and shut her eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath, "I don't know."

Theo laughed a bit, "You don't know?"

"I have no idea. I had a trail, it went cold. I'm grasping at air," Kaia admitted and held the journal back out, "I'll show you."

Theo narrowed her eyes a bit but took a few steps forward and took the journal. She held the handcannon in Kaia's direction, walked to Xyra's desk, and laid out the papers.

"You read Aelizan?" Theo asked as she scanned the translated pages.

"That is where my father was from, he taught me," Kaia nodded.

Theo's eyes scanned the page. There was nothing about anyone on their crew, no one they had interacted with recently, nothing significant. The name of some merchants spread across East Baethos but none that they had business with.

"Merchants killed your partner?" Theo looked up.

"They weren't killed. They were sick," Kaia clarified, "they signed up for a job helping pirates transport cargo. Except it wasn't just any cargo, it was green glass. The captain knew, and lied about it."

"What do the merchants have to do with it?"

"The glass made them sick. Someone hired that crew to transport the glass and I want to know who and stop them," Kaia said.

"They weren't responsible for your partner's death, this seems like a useless vendetta, Kai," Theo finally brought her handcannon to her side and put it away. It seemed like she wasn't lying.

"That shit shouldn't be sold, traded, or transported," she shook her head and stepped towards Theo, "you of all people should understand the need to shut down their operation."

"Why not go after the captain of the ship, the one who put the crew at risk?"

"I already did," Kaia deadpanned, "and he had burned any record of the transaction with the green glass merchants."

They stared at each other for a few moments, Theo trying to find a way to approach what was clearly a delicate subject.

"You are chasing revenge and that is a dangerous thing, Kaia," Theo shook her head, "it puts my crew in harm's way. Especially if we are talking about something like green glass. People who deal with that aren't to be fucked with."

"They should still be here, with me. Alive. But they aren't," Kaia looked angry.

"And that's the fault of the captain, not the merchants."

"You don't get to tell me who is at fault!" Kaia snapped and Theo could see the raw emotion on Kaia's face in a way that Theo hadn't seen before. Like Xyra, Kaia was often collected.

"What's their name? Your partner's," Theo asked.

Kaia looked away, "That's not your business. Their name is no one's business."

"How can you face what's happened if you won't speak their name?"

"I won't face what's happened until everyone responsible is held accountable."

"It's been two lengths...You should stop chasing ghosts and process their passing," Theo advised, having a feeling that the need for revenge stemmed from not wanting to face what happened.

"There is no amount of time that can pass that will make the memory of them hurt any less," Kaia said with a shake of her head, "but at least if I've handled those that put them in the grave, grieving will be a bit easier."

"I won't stand by and let you bring destruction to the people I need to protect..." Theo said and walked towards the door, "If you want to go after these glass distributors, go ahead. Wait for Xyra to come back, ask her to help you go through her files to get you what you are looking for. But then, you can go on your way."

"Theo-"

"Or you can stay with the crew. Contribute. Live your life the way your partner would probably want you to live," Theo stood at the doorway.

"And if I chose to leave?"

Theo shrugged, "Then you leave. You would have provided us a service in our time of need and in return, you get your information. But you've made friends with these pirates and you will be missed."

Kaia didn't answer, staring at the papers across Xyra's desk. Her eyes didn't peel away from them as she crossed the room. Finally, she pulled her gaze away as she walked out of the room and past Theo, without acknowledging her. Theo let her go off in front of her, waiting until Kaia was out of the hall before locking Xyra's room up. She spared a glance down to Ava's room and felt her shoulders sag a bit; she would be sleeping back on shore that night. Kaia would most likely be waiting to row back with her.

—---
CYCLE PHEN- CYCLE TWO

"We need eight names and we have one," Theo said as she sat at the front of the room, looking over the papers on the table in front, "Tits N' Ass. Thank you Skins and Rita."

Skins raised her mug of ale as the crew roared with a laugh. They were at the naming ceremony for their new ships, each name was suggested by the crew and voted on by them. So far, they had been there for two hours and the only name that had been approved with a majority was one she was now forced to use. If Xyra were there, she could plant some suggestions in the audience or at least be a logical force. But as the captain, her hands were tied. She didn't want to be seen influencing something that was the crew's decision.

Of course, it would have been helpful if Cooker could have been a level head in the crowd but she hopped on the Tits N' Ass bandwagon faster than anyone else. Kaia had been quiet, not swaying the crowd either way and not providing any suggestions either. And none of her other officers were able to get any actual names through. Theo figured that she would let the foolishness get out of everyone's system and then they could actually be productive.

"Any suggestions?" Theo prompted, once again.

"Dick N' Balls!" Navi shouted with a large grin on her face before she broke out into laughter.

Theo shot her a warning glare, not caring who saw her annoyance, "Alright, everyone. I want to make it clear that these names will be painted on our vessels, they will be used to register us at port, and it is the name by which all others will know the ship as. Is that clear?"

"Aye, and what's wrong with Dick N' Balls?" one of the pirates asked.

"Couldn't we have drawn the line at the name we already had?" Theo tried to reason with them.

"Well, they kind of go together. We have to have both types of anatomy on our ship! It's a welcoming beacon for all that wish to join!" Skins defended and Theo was considering disbanding the fleet and retiring.

She had a good run as a captain. She could just slip away, without the stain of a ship named Dick N' Balls on her reputation.

Theo sighed and banged her gavel against the table, "We are putting the name to a vote. All those in favor?"

A chorus of agreement appeared and Theo held up her hand to get the clamor to stop.

"All those against?"

No one dared to make a peep, even if they didn't agree.

"The ayes have it," Theo shook her head and let out a laugh. Why did she ever think that a democratic process would be a good idea, "The two new sloops Cooker brought will be taking those names."

"If we have those, we need a ship named Pussy!" someone from the crowd called.

"Absolutely not," Theo stood up trying to scan to see where the suggestion came from, "I'm putting my foot down. We need some sense of decorum."

"The Flower," someone else suggested.

"I rather Pussy at that point," Cooker laughed from the front of the crowd and there were a few nods.

"Anyone who votes for The Flower will get a gold from me," Theo spoke up, finally placing her finger on the scale.

Cooker narrowed her eyes and Theo could see she had taken Theo's offer as a challenge. She took a deep breath in, knowing what that look on Cooker's face meant. She gave her head a slight shake, a warning that this didn't have to turn into a battle. All she was met with was a growing smirk.

"Anyone who votes for Pussy gets two gold from me!" Cooker shouted into the crowd.

—--------------------

Theo was celebrating success. She was sitting on the floor with her mouth open, clear liquor from Aeliz was pouring down her chin and one of the newer recruits was leaning over with a bottle in her corset. Theo waved her hands in the air and closed her mouth, swallowing the contents before coughing.

"I give up," she laughed and leaned back against her hands, "no more."

"You said you would do one mouthful from each type of drink if we came up with serious names!" Skins egged her on.

"She's going to die," Iona commented.

"Theo can hold her liquor," Navi said.

"Theo can't even stand up right now," Theo laughed and tried to push herself onto her knees to attempt to get on her feet.

"I think we should let her finish her promise later in the night when she's processed having half the bar in her," Kaia swooped down and stood her up. The crew that had gathered dissipated but not without threats to come back to ensure the show was finished, "you shouldn't have offered this as a prize. There is nothing better than a drunk captain to them."

"I wasn't going to spend thousands of gold to bribe 'em. Not worth it," Theo shrugged.

Kaia motioned to Iona who passed her a waterskin, letting Theo take a sip, "Maybe if you let loose more often, they wouldn't be so inclined to try and poison you with alcohol."

"I let loose," Theo shrugged, "I do it all the time.

"Perhaps you used to but from what I've seen, you are a bit uptight," Kaia said but it was clearly a joke.

"I've turned into Xyra," Theo sighed, "you may as well euthanize me. Put me down before I get any worse."

Kaia actually laughed and Theo couldn't help but smile. There had been a bit of tension, Kaia had been in her own head for many suns, quiet and to herself. They were nearing the end of the cycle in Niveal and they had spent the better half of it ignoring Kaia's transgression.

"You stayed," Theo pointed out.

"I told you I don't want to leave," Kaia said, "even if it means giving up my search."

"You won't regret that decision?"

"Drink your water," Kaia encouraged with a smile, "let's get you upstairs and away from the threat of the mob tying you down and forcing alcohol down your throat."

"Upstairs there is gambling and I'm feeling risky," Theo joked.

Kaia reached down and took a bag off Theo's belt, "I'm rationing your gold tonight. You lost a hundred just the other night."

"But I had made 300 the night before."

"You are going to leave Niveal with a gambling addiction," Kaia laughed as she led Theo up the stairs, slowly.

She stumbled up, catching the tip of her boot on every other stair but it was fine. She didn't fall a single time, Kaia was there to catch her. Finally, she sat at a table. Kaia took her bag and placed ten gold on the table. In return, Theo was given a stack of wooden tokens. Cards were dealt and the game had begun. She didn't know if it was because she knew she had so little to gamble or because she was so drunk that she ended up concentrating more but she was careful with her plays. Hours later, or maybe an hour, or maybe even two minutes later, a hand was at her shoulder.

She looked up to see Iona. She flashed a grin and held up a token, "Oi, wanna play? I've made like thirty gold already. Cards are in our favor tonight."

"No," Iona smiled, "I came to tell you that Xyra is on her way here now."

Theo stood up, her eyes wide, "On her way where?"

"Marian's. She was spotted at the docks," Iona laughed at Theo, "No one can find Cook. You should probably go tell her."

"Xy's here!" Theo said as she stuffed the tokens in her pockets before rushing forward, fumbling over a chair, "Cook! Xyra's here!"

Theo knew where Cooker was. She had laid claim to the room with the best view in the tavern. No one else but Cooker and Theo was living there, everyone else was at the inns, and yet Theo had managed to get the shit end of the stick when it came to her room choice. After bumping into another patron and kicking over a stool, she ran up to the third floor. It had not even been a full cycle since they had been there and Cooker had already carved her initial into the door on the topmost floor of Marian's.

Theo didn't bother with knocking, she just threw the door open, "Xyra's here!"

The wide smile on her face quickly faded when she caught sight of what was in front of her. Leaning over the table, with a line of loli in front of her was Cooker. She had a semi-clothed girl splayed out on the couch behind her and next to her, another person was running a hand up and down Cooker's bare shoulder. At the sound of Theo, Cooker's head snapped up and she immediately wiped her hand across the table to get rid of any remnants of the orange powder.

Theo paused, stuck in place. Cooker was also frozen in place. Theo wasn't sure what she was conveying in her expression. Shock, for sure. She hoped her disappointment shone through, her anger, her hurt. Cooker had been lying to her about not using loli. Cooker finally pulled away from their staredown and she told the girls to leave. Theo took calm, even breaths. Cooker would find a way to turn it around on Theo if she were too aggressive.

"Don't blow your lid, T," Cooker stood up and wiped her nose with the back of her hand, "it was only tonight. To celebrate naming the ships."

"Aye, because it was such a momentous occasion."

Theo took two steps further into the room and looked around. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Cooker fidgeting, she was uncomfortable. Uncomfortable and high.

"You said Xy's here, we should go see her," Cooker said and tried to step near the exit but Theo looked over and raised a hand.

"Sit down, Cook."

Cooker didn't protest. Instead, she took a few steps back and sat down on the couch, running her hand through her hair. Theo took in the room and walked over to the dresser nearest to her. She threw the first drawer open, then the second, then she ripped the third out of its place.

"Woah! Theo, the fuck are you doing?" Cooker stood up and Theo shot her a glare, causing her to sit back down.

It didn't take much more searching. In Cooker's nightstand, next to the bed she had moved up into her room, was a bag of loli. A large bag. Worth probably 100 gold. Theo had only seen that amount inside of trader trunks, never for personal use. What was worrying wasn't even the sheer size of the bag but how much had been skimmed off the top.

"That's not mine," Cooker said.

Theo turned around to face her, holding the bag up, "This isn't yours? It was in your room, and it was on your table, and it was just up your nose. But it isn't yours."

Cooker looked away, her foot tapping against the floor and her thumbnail coming in between her teeth, "I'm holding it for someone."

Theo sighed, taking a few steps back, and sat on the bed. Just a while ago, she probably would have flown off the handle. But after cycles of trying to be more mellow, she may have overdone it. She may have allowed herself to become a pushover. In Corinpse, she was a tyrant and now she had no backbone. She left Kaia off the hook for breaking into Xyra's room. And now, she wasn't strangling Cooker and putting the fear of every god into her.

"You were doing good. You said you were doing good," Theo said, she didn't know how else to approach it.

Cooker had always used loli, that wasn't anything new. But Theo had hoped that if the sun came where Cooker had to give it up, she would. That theory had not been tested until recently and unfortunately, Theo had to face something she should have seen earlier. Cooker was an addict. And Theo had been enabling her their whole lives. Theo set the bag down on the bed and shook her head with a frown.

"I was doing good," Cooker cleared her throat and Theo couldn't bring herself to look over to see Cooker strung out, "I hadn't used until like, way after we had gotten here."

"I don't believe you," Theo said but it hurt to admit it. Feelings of old betrayals resurfaced. Cooker could lie to her with ease, she had proven it time and time again.

"I swear, T. I started up again recently but it's not like my work has suffered. I'm meeting deadlines and all operations under my supervision are on task."

Theo sat in silence for a while. Far longer than Cooker had wanted to be silent but all she could come up with was a shitty ultimatum.

"You can use loli or you can get off my ship,"

Cooker looked taken aback, "Fucking excuse me?"

"You heard me Cook. You've pushed me to this point. I can't have you abusing drugs and being in a position of authority."

"It's never been a problem before. You can't kick me off the ship without reason. I am not failing at my duties and last I checked, we have autonomy with our bodies to with it as we please," Cooker scoffed, "where do you get off acting like you can just dictate who stays and who goes?"

"Cooker, I can promise you that I know that however you got your hands on this bag, it was full when you got it. The speed with which this was consumed, if you are being truthful, is a serious issue. If you are lying and it's taken you longer to get through this much, then it's a fucking serious issue because you've been lying and keeping it hidden. That's not just recreational anymore, it's an addiction."

"I can stop at any point, Theo," Cooker shook her head and stood up, "I just don't feel like stopping because it doesn't affect me!"

"I refuse to watch as you dig yourself a fucking early grave. So you either quit loli or you leave my crew."

"You can't force me to leave. There are no ways to do that."

"I will find ways. Do not test me Cooker. I'd rather see you hate me and be alive than find you dead in an alley because this poisoned you," Theo stood up too, making her tone serious, "you know it's a problem... I know that you know Cooker. I'm not asking you to quit everything, just this. Drinking, loli, and anything that leads you to it."

Cooker gave a tight nod, looking away, unable to face Theo, "Aye. Fine. Whatever."

"I don't know how we are going to keep you accountable but I will find a way, Cooker. We will be here all the time, you can lean on us..."

"Why are you being so nice?"

"What good will it do me to punish you? It'll just push you away," Theo said, "I want to strangle you. Or lock you up until you flush every substance out of your system. But that won't get us anywhere..."

"Can you not tell Xyra? I was clean until recently. I don't want this to influence her being proud of me."

Theo considered it then sighed, "I won't tell her."

"Thank you," Cooker sighed in relief, "Let's go."

"You aren't going anywhere. You've lost your privileges," Theo said, she had to find some sort of consequence.

"I haven't seen her in cycles," Cooker looked appalled at the suggestion, "you really just need to assert your authority somehow? Banning me from loli when it's not affecting me wasn't enough for you?"

"She will be able to tell you are high from a mile away," Theo said and kicked herself. How hadn't she been able to tell? How had she been so caught up in her own head?

Cooker considered her options. Then, she nodded.

"Fine. Tell her I have the morning shift... But I'm seeing her first thing."

"As long as your pupils are a normal size," Theo snapped.

Theo didn't let Cooker think of a comeback as she walked out of the room, snatching the bag of loli with her as she did. She shut the door behind her and took a deep breath, closing her eyes and pressing her back against the door to keep from crying. She tried to not feel like she had failed her best friend but that was difficult. After regaining her composure she exhaled and began to walk down the stairs to go greet Xyra.

—

One arm was tucked under a child, the small figure curled up and sleeping against her shoulder. Her other hand was holding a small wooden case full of individual vials of Kaer. With no hands free to use, Xyra had to resort to kicking at the door in front of her. The door opened and Navi was holding her robe closed, sleepiness still lingering on her face.

Navi went from a yawn to a smile as she tilted her head, "You've been gone so long that you came back with a child."

Xyra laughed a bit and couldn't stop the large, goofy smile that appeared on her face, "It's my sister's kid."

"You could have adopted any of the ones in the orphanage, you didn't have to kidnap your sister's kid," Navi teased and took a few steps forward to get a better look at the sleeping child, "Which one is this?"

"Florence," Xyra said, "the youngest."

"She's absolutely adorable," Navi stepped back into her doorway, "why do you have your sister's kid?"

Xyra looked down to make sure the toddler was asleep before looking back at Navi, "I killed her father."

"You have a knack for removing all context from the conversation," Navi let out a startled laugh.

"He was hurting my sister, so I took the actions I deemed necessary. We thought it was best if we skipped town after that. So, I brought Agnes and her kids with us," Xyra explained, "Theo's been really good about it. Thought she would freak out a bit more."

"Two kids and another last namer?" Navi chuckled a bit, "I bet she had her reservations."

"Aye, she did," Xyra chuckled a bit and nodded, the thought of Theo's face when she walked in with Agnes and both of the kids was comical.

But she didn't let the shock show for long. Within an hour, her sister and the kids had a suite at a nice hotel outside of Stumbler's Row courtesy of Theo. It wasn't for long, eventually, they would have to move somewhere more permanent but Theo thought they deserved at least a few nights of luxury. Xyra had agreed.

"Are they going to be sticking around indefinitely?" Navi asked.

"Probably. Agnes has big plans about joining the crew and helping out but-" Xyra shrugged, cutting herself off.

"That is going to be an uphill battle for her," Navi chuckled and stepped aside, "come in. We can catch up."

"I would but I've got her," Xyra tilted her head over to a sleeping Florence, "I just came by to drop off the Kaer I brought for you. Theo said you have breakfast brought to your room and I know how much you like it on your eggs."

Navi stared at Xyra for a few silent moments. Xyra flashed her a smile and let out an awkward laugh. She reached forward and took the box of Kaer from Xyra's hand.

"You can set her down on my bed," Navi said as she stepped back into her room, "they always bring too much food up, you can share with me. It would be a nice start to my morning."

Xyra watched as Navi walked to a small table in her room and set down the box. Xyra followed her, taking a few tentative steps in before realizing that Navi's invitation was not just out of wanting to be polite, she had meant it. Xyra made quick work of setting her niece down and tucking her in. Then she walked towards the table Navi was at, an eye on the bed the whole time; just in case Florence woke up.

"How was your time at home?" Navi asked as Xyra sat down at the table, "did you get what you wanted out of it?"

Xyra finally turned to Navi, "Aye, I think I did. I was able to take it easy."

"I bet it was difficult to relax," Navi chuckled, "that's not normally a thing you are too good at."

Xyra nodded, "It was. It took a good cycle and a half before I could wake up without feeling guilty that I was not working towards anything. It was harder than most of the missions I have ever been on."

Navi looked taken aback by the honesty but there was a slight smile there, an impressed one. Xyra figured it was a good time to keep going. Before Florence had insisted she come along, Xyra had a whole speech planned when she saw Navi for the first time.

"I spent a lot of my time away trying to figure out who I was. My identity has always been tied to my work and what I can offer others," Xyra took a deep breath, "emotions and vulnerability threatened to interfere with my work and my ability to perform. It was easier to push away anyone that tried to get me to lean into those feelings than to face them. You were one of those people and I am sorry for everything I did to you."

"Have you faced your feelings?" Navi asked, ignoring the apology.

"I've dealt with a lot of those issues, aye," Xyra reached back and rubbed her neck, letting out a deep breath, "I am far from finished. A classification of repression doesn't go away in a few cycles."

"It's a process," Navi reached out and took Xyra's hand that was on the table and gave it a squeeze, "I'm proud of you."

"I could not stop thinking about you," Xyra admitted and pulled Navi's hand fully into her own, "and how I did wrong by you. I hurt you. I know I just apologized but I need you to know how sorry I am."

Navi squeezed her hand once again, "I forgive you."

Xyra blinked, pausing to process the words. She shook her head, "No, I don't need forgiveness. I just wanted to apologize."

"I don't care if you need it or not, you'll accept it," Navi chuckled, then stood up when there was a knock on the door. Moments later, a couple of plates were being set on the table, "Told you they give me a lot."

Xyra shook her head, "Navi. I did not apologize so you could forgive me. You do not have to do that. You can still be angry at me."

"I don't want to be," Navi shrugged and opened the box of Kaer and picked out a vial, "divine."

"So that's it? It's all in the past?"

"Well," Navi leaned forward to take a bite of her bread and began to chew, "I'm sure if we get back together, there will be another discussion about this."

"We are getting back together?"

"It's bound to happen eventually, right?" Navi chuckled a bit and Xyra joined in.

"Is that not a bit presumptuous?"

"Tell me I'm wrong and all presumptions will be eradicated. My prediction will be withdrawn."

Xyra didn't say anything, she just had the same wide grin plastered on her face that she had since seeing Navi. After a few moments, Navi returned the smile with a knowing look. They were two forces that would always be drawn together. Navi was right, what was the point in fighting against it?

"You know, you had terrible timing with your arrival," Navi said.

"Why's that?"

"Last night was the naming ceremony for the new ships. We could have avoided the less tasteful names," Navi pointed out.

"I heard that you were very much involved in the campaign in favor of both the raunchier names," Xyra laughed and took a bite of her breakfast, "you were the creative mind behind Dick N' Balls, were you not?"

"Pirates will be pirates," Navi shrugged, "it's your job to help Theo keep decorum, not mine."

"How is she?" Xyra asked, "I do not mean to derail our conversation but I know everything is not as good as she is making it seem."

"She's been a bit sad lately but I don't think many others notice that," Navi observed, "she's as good a captain as ever. Making good business decisions, getting projects underway, and getting the new recruits ready for the pirate life. She was lacking in the charm department but that was cycles ago. She's been way better about it now."

"She's not gone mad?"

"No," Navi laughed a bit, "not yet, at least. It's good you're back though. She needed you."

"Cook was here. They had each other."

"And yet, they both need you," Navi reached over and pat Xyra's thigh, "they always have and they always will."

Xyra smiled a bit at that, it comforted her a bit. She could not cope with not being needed by them. She kept her gaze on Navi for a moment. Always insightful and surprisingly forgiving. Even though her whole deal had been vengeance before, broody and dark. But that had slipped away over the lengths.

"You leave tomorrow," Xyra let it slip out. Looking at Navi resurfaced all of the feelings that were always there. And the only thing Xyra could think about when she looked at her was that she was going to be gone so soon. Leaving to go find an island for the crew to settle on, their own safe haven.

"Another reason why your timing was off," Navi's smile hinted at a bit of sadness behind it.

"I love you," Xyra spat out and then her eyes widened. She cleared her throat, "that was out of line. I am so sorry."

"It's no secret," Navi laughed, "it's pretty obvious."

Xyra shook her head, trying to will her cheeks to stop heating up, "Are you nervous about your trip?"

"Not really," Navi shook her head with a smirk, "I've got Riva and a superhuman ability to navigate the seas. I will be just fine."

"Have you got a location in mind?"

"Aye," Navi nodded over to a desk that was full of maps and navigation tools, "Aeliz. Nestled in between all of the charted islands there are a series of islands that come naturally fortified with reef barriers and mountains. Perfect for what we are looking for."

"Aeliz. Right. So, you will be gone for eight cycles," Xyra felt her heart sink.

"You really think that low of me?" Navi laughed and finished her plate of food, pushing it away, "Five, maybe six if the winds aren't cooperating with us."

"You'll be taking a sloop?"

"Dick N' Balls," Navi laughed a bit and Xyra was caught off guard by the name, snorting a bit.

Florence stirred in the corner and Xyra covered her mouth as she continued to laugh, Navi couldn't help it either. They both let their silent laughs ride out before speaking, careful not to wake the sleeping child.

"And when I get back, we discuss our terms," Navi said once she had recovered.

"Terms?"

Navi stood up from her chair and pulled Xyra's chair to angle out. She sat on Xyra's lap, arms resting on her shoulder, "Negotiations if you will."

Xyra's hand found their home on Navi's hips. By then, Navi's robe had slipped open a bit and Xyra had a front-row seat to cleavage. A finger was placed under her chin and tilted up.

"Negotiations for what?" Xyra asked once she was free from distractions.

"For a relationship," Navi said, "We need to set some ground rules before going into it. You are very savvy in the area of contracts and deal-making, so I figured it best if we speak your language."

"Sounds like a very important meeting," Xyra chuckled, "what should I prepare ahead of time. I would like to hear a bit of what you are thinking of getting out of these talks so that I may come to the table with requests of my own."

"No lying," Navi hummed, "a fantastic union ceremony I don't have to spend a single cooper on. And complete access to your wardrobe."

Xyra held in a laugh, careful to not wake Florence, "You want to be my wife?"

"That's all you heard from that?" Navi placed a hand on Xyra's cheek.

"I concede to all your demands," Xyra smiled, "answer me. You want to be my wife?"

Navi smirked a bit and got off Xyra, "I think your kidnapped toddler is waking up."

Xyra looked over and sure enough, the small girl was stretching and wiggling. She was sure to open her eyes in a few moments. Xyra stood up too.

"This is not over," Xyra stood up and walked towards the bed. Florence opened her eyes and Xyra wasted no time in scooping her up and cuddling her close, "Good morning, Flo. Are you up for good now?"

A little nod was returned.

"Are you going to introduce me?" Navi asked as she walked over. Xyra turned around and Florence peeked up out of her arms. Navi had gotten dressed, quickly.

"Flo, this is my friend Navi. Navi, this is the king of the puppies, Florence," Xyra adjusted her so she was resting on her hips.

"Maise's queen of fairies," Florence stated.

"I didn't realize I was in the presence of royalty," Navi took a bow.

Xyra laughed a bit and bounced Flo on her hip, "I have to be off now. In three minutes she'll start asking for her mom and in five, she'll start crying."

"Mommy?" Flo perked up.

"That is my cue," Xyra began to walk out.

"Kids might be a part of the negotiations if you're not careful," Navi said as she walked Xyra out.

Xyra spun around but the door was promptly shut in her face.