WARNING: Cuts, blood

A heavy silence descended on the four again. Virgil was looking at Roman expectantly. Roman was avoiding his gaze deliberately. Logan wasn't particularly looking at anyone and Remus himself was focused on his brother.

Logan was the first to speak. He seemed to be the diplomat of the crew.

"What makes you think we want to be part of your crew?" He asked.

"What makes you think we're asking?" Virgil bit back. Logan seemed to grow taller indignantly.

"I won't be ordered around by any captain but my own," he said. "And that's final."

"They can co-captain," Remus said in a stroke of sudden inspiration. He looked at Virgil, who was glaring at him. "Can't you?"

Virgil made a noise of disagreement but stopped himself part way through. He looked to Roman - who looked frankly disgusted - and then back to Remus. He grabbed Remus by the shoulder and pulled him away.

"This is the only way we're going to get those maps, isn't it?" He whispered. Remus nodded.

"If Roman hasn't changed in 18 years, then yep," Remus said. "He doesn't give to sharing power well-"

"Neither do I."

"But he takes it better than sharing his stuff," Remus finished as if Virgil hadn't spoken. Virgil nodded slowly and then turned back to Roman and Logan. His back was straighter, his shoulders pushed back. More confident.

He looked like he was entering a court of law.

"What do you say to co-captaining?" Virgil asked. "Help each other get to the Fountain of Youth?"

"What happens after that?" Roman asked. His eyes were narrowed, he still hadn't changed the tell for trying to find out if someone was lying. "We turn on each other like animals? First come, first serve?"

"The more deserved get the prize," Virgil said. He took a step closer to Roman, trying to threaten him.

"And how do we figure that out, querido?"

What?!

A small smile quirked the side of Virgil's mouth up. "We figure that out on the way over there."

Roman dropped his eyes from Virgil's. He took a small step back, nodding. "Alright, alright..." He pulled one of the small daggers out of his belt and held its point towards Virgil. "Swear on it."

"What?" Virgil laughed but there was definite danger in his voice.

"Swear on it." Roman turned the point of the dagger towards his own hand. He slashed a small X across his palm. He held the handle of the dagger out to Virgil. "Blood pact. You betray me or hurt my crew, you all die."

Virgil smiled again. He took the knife, wrapped his hand around it and pulled. Maybe only Remus heard the small gasp of pain.

"You betray me or hurt my crew, I'll kill every single prince and princess on your crew, your Highness," Virgil said pleasantly. He shook Roman's cut hand with his own. Roman dropped his hand and Virgil wiped his blood on his trouser leg. He handed Roman the dagger.

"Get the maps," he ordered as he turned away. "Anything else, grab that too. We're torching this ship the moment everyone's off her."

"You can't do that!" Roman snapped. Virgil looked around mildly and Roman grabbed him by the front of his shirt. "You promised. No betrayal, no injuries."

"It's a ship." Virgil pushed at Roman's hand harshly. Roman let go and he smoothed the front of his shirt down. "You can get another one."

"Not like this one, I can't." Roman glared at Virgil and Virgil glared right back at him. Remus considered shrinking into a corner. Knowing Roman, this amount of tension could only mean one of two things.

And neither were good.

"Burn her and I'll kill your entire crew." Roman's eyes flickered briefly to Remus as he said this. Remus thought for a moment he'd back down off his threat. Roman looked back to Virgil and said nothing else.

Virgil reached for his musket. Logan's hand went to his belt and his gun was out before Virgil had even touched the musket. Remus grabbed his revolver and pointed it at Logan.

Logan's eyes went to Remus. Remus blinked.

"Yours is smaller," he said, giggling.

"Mine's faster," Logan said coolly. Slowly, he placed the revolver back in its holster. "Yours is the prototype."

"Still bigger," Remus said with a chuckle.

"Fine," Virgil said. "You can keep your ship. But she stays in the harbour."

"Fine by me."

Virgil didn't bother replying. He turned away from Roman and kicked the door open. "Get the maps, get your stuff, get moving!" He yelled. Apparently, no one did. "Now!"

Wow, everyone's angry today
Bye,
Blaize