ᵗʰᵃˡᵃˢˢᵒᵖʰⁱˡᵉ

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[ introducing maisie brumble ]

𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐛 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦. The blonde valiantly dove into the depths, receiving the captain from the brickleback's now dead clutches. 

Heaving Crow onto the boat, you stepped forward, reaching out to Jacob. He nodded thankfully at you as you pulled him over the ledge, and he dove over to the Crow, who was now lying on his back. "Captain. Captain," he called, urgency lacing his voice. "Captain! Captain!"

A sudden gasp emitted from the older man, heaving for breath and air to fill his lungs. He got up on his elbows, throwing his head to the side as he spluttered up some water. He panted lightly, first looking at Jacob, then to you, and then to the rest of the crew, who were looking on with worry. Even Sarah's worry lines were showing. Crow slowly got up, coughing along the way, and Jacob stood too, beside you. The Captain wordlessly ambled to the railing, overlooking the sea with a wide eye, gaze following the flock of seagulls that were already too far off in the horizon.

You glanced up when you heard wood creaking, finding the mizzen fractured. Sarah stepped forward, "Captain, the mizzen's in splinters, and I don't like the main."

"She can't fight," you sighed.

"Then we'll come back for the Bluster when she can," Jacob finished, with a gentle yet determined nod. "Repairs shouldn't take too-."

"Set a course for Three Bridges," Crow cut off. "We're going home." He then disappeared into his cabin.

Down in the courters, Finnair, the resident medic, and you were patching up some of the crew. He was working on Jacob, as he had many cuts, whilst you were fixing up Azara, and the meek boy, Jack. "Right mess, aren't ya?" You shook your head, getting to work on Jack's sling. "Let's get you fixed up."

"If you know what's good for ya, you'll keep clear of the Captain," Mr. Crisp advised Fen, a woman who was twisting her hook hand.

"He was close enough to smell that red devil," she hissed.

"But if he can't have the Bluster's hide, he'll have ours, to be sure," Old Nick added.

Jacob heard their arguing, glancing behind him. He slowly looked around the crew, eyes staying on your figure for a moment longer as you finished the sling-work. 

"Why, it's gloomy as the Helgard trenches in here," he spoke up, and you turned your head to him, already beginning to smile a little. He grunted as he hopped off the bench, and Finnair scrambled around it, trying to finish Jacob's stitching's. "We've taken some right proper monsters on this hunt, and the royals will pay us accordingly. And then we'll come back, and we'll take that red devil."

"Can we beat it, Jacob?" Jack asked from his spot. "They say the Bluster moves the very sea."

"Aye, and it shoots fireballs out of its eyes, they say," he countered, shouldering on his loose white shirt. "It's enough to make your knees wobble."

I can think of something to make my knees wobble, you thought, mentally scolding yourself when you gave him a quick once-over.

"But I ain't afraid, cause I'm on the Inevitable with you lot," Jacob continued. "This ship has taken more of them beasts than any other, and she's got the scars to prove it."

"As do we, Jacob!" Old Nick piped up with a cackle, a few others chuckling at his behavior. 

"Aye. And every hunter's scar is a life saved." He placed a hand on Marcus' shoulder, "A merchant sailor on their first voyage." He did the same to Mr. Crisp, "A mother." Jacob came to you with a soft yet suggestive smile, "A wife." You squinted your eyes at him, suppressing your grin at his winged flirting. "All hunters die of the same thing."

"Aye, being a hunter," Fen joked, others laughing at the honesty. 

Jacob looked at her, "That's right. Being a hunter. But every hunter dies a great death. Because every other hunter lives a great life!" There was immediate chatter and laughter as the crew surrounded him, clapping shoulders and throwing kind remarks. 

"Jacob!" Everyone turned, finding Sarah. "Captain would like a word."

"Speaking of dying a great death," Old Nick badgered.

"Nice knowing you, Jacob!"

There was raucous laughter, and you snickered too as Fen guffawed beside you. As Jacob climbed the stairs, you looped your arm around one of the supporting beams. "We'll think of you often and fondly, darling!"

Another rambunctious set of cackles ensued, and Jacob whipped his head around to glare at you. You giggled, waving your fingers at him, and he muttered incoherent words under his breath as he walked to the Captain's cabin.

He did his signature knock; thump, thump-thump. "You wanted to see me, Captain?" he asked when he opened the door. 

Crow was sitting at his desk, with a warm fire emitting from two single flamed candles. "Sit," he ordered softly, gesturing to the seat across from him. 

Jacob closed the door behind him, and was quick to speak, "Captain, we'll get the Bluster. We know where it is now, and you will have your revenge." He sat down on the chair, placing his hand on his thigh as he leaned his arm on the desk with a sigh. "I'm...I'm just sorry it wasn't today."

"Jacob, I hate that devil with every fiber in me being, but saving Jim Nicklebones was the right thing to do." He unscrewed the cork from a bottle of whiskey, pouring into two glasses. "You steered me right today."

"Well, I'm...I-I'm glad you see it that way," Jacob stumbled in response, taking the cup. 

"So, we'll go home, collect our bounty and repair the ship," Crow planned. "And we'll come back for that beast and bring hell down upon it." He downed the drinking, placing it on the desk with a sigh and stood. "And then what? What is to become of the Inevitable after I'm gone?" The chair scraped as he stood, walking over to the windows of his cabin, looking out to the ocean.
"Through battle and wear, every beam, block and spar has been replaced since the day she was launched." Crow walked around the table, patting Jacob's shoulder as he passed before stopping to look at a painting of the very ship they were on. "Yet she lives on. It's an eternal thing...But I am not." Stepping to his writing table, Crow unlocked a small cabinet, pulling out a thick, brown leather-bound book. He flipped through the pages.

"Come," he beckoned Jacob, who followed and stood by his side. "Here is my greatness. My Father's before me, and his father's before him. On the day we take the Red Bluster, I will make me last entry as Captain. Then it'll be your time."

Jacob looked up at his adoptive Father with wide eyes as Crow gently smiled down at him. "I've known it since the day I pulled you in from the sea. You'd been out there for days. But there was something in you, Jacob. A fire that wouldn't die. Then I held you, and I knew. The Fates had brought me a son. And that one day, you would be Captain of the Inevitable."

Jacob looked down at the entry book, turning the page until the rest of the worn paper was blank. He faintly smiled. "The day you found me, I swore I would do everything in my power to keep people safe from them demons. If you would grant me this ship, I would accept, and it would be my honor."

Crow chuckled, before reeling Jacob into a bone-crushing hug. "My boy. You're gonna do great things."

The next day, you leaned against the railing, Sarah and Jacob caging you in as you shared a smirk with the woman at the familiar town ahead. The gates fell away as the ship sailed into the port, and you couldn't help but beam at the sight. Jacob noticed your vibrant grin, and he smiled to himself, enjoying the look of delight on your face. The ship was roped in as the whole town's citizens packed on the dock, awaiting the crew.

Sarah stepped forward, holding onto a rope as she stood on the fencing. "It's good to be home at last, but it will be a short stay, I'm afraid!" she shouted to the large crowd that had gathered. "Captain Crow will visit the king and queen at first light. And when the ship is ready, we'll be off to kill a monster!"

The crowd exclaimed in excitement and Old Nick bounded up the railing, yelling out, "We're going after the Red Bluster! So, if this be our last visit to Three Bridges, I expect some right, proper debauchery!"

The people below cheered loudly again, their claps echoing throughout the air. Sarah walked down the wooden pass first, "Go on, then. Make way for the hunters."

One by one, you all stepped down, walking amongst the people to the pub. Jacob slightly pushed you down and you stumbled, but regained your footing, and you huffed with a glare and smirk as you turned back to him. He chuckled at your childish display, before turning to the crowd.

"The Crown will pay well for them horns. So, the drinks are on us!" The people howled with joy, excited to get a free drink and to celebrate with the formidable Inevitable crew. "No one goes thirsty tonight, swabbies!"

https://youtu.be/waZ7nkSJmPk

Everyone travelled to the bar as you stuck to Jacob's side. You all entered the pub, and he placed half a dozen gold coins on the high-top. Music immediately rung out as the musicians played Captain Crow's anthem. You were pulled into the dance floor, swaying and skipping with the other men and women, laughing from pure joy. 

Jacob watched with an adoring smile as you clapped to the beat with everyone, hitching your skirt up to clock the ground with your heeled black boots.

Just as he grabbed a pint, you gripped his arm, pulling him into the dance. He let out a laugh, but quickly adapted to the dance, as you hooked arms and looped underneath other pairs. His hands found your waist as yours gripped his shoulders as he lifted you up, twirling in a circle. You laughed loudly, mind buzzing with the beer and Jacob's close proximity. 

Jacob chuckled happily as he slumped against the wall on the bench, watching as you continued dancing. He grabbed his metal mug but found it to be empty. He hummed shortly, before his eyes caught onto a barman who was holding a tray of freshly poured beer.

Just as he stood, the window beside him burst open, and a chirpy voice followed, "Hello!" He turned his head back, finding a young girl, maybe 10 or 11 years of age, with dark brown skin, curly black hair that framed her face perfectly, and shining tawny eyes.

"Hello," he greeted back. 

"Me name's Maisie. Maisie Brumble," she introduced herself, holding her hand out for a shake. 

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you," he nodded, shaking her hand.

"And you're Jacob Holland, who once killed four of them beasts in a span of two days. Is it true you done that? Four in two days?"

She leaned forward with interest, and he smirked, leaning his arms on his hiked-up leg. "Don't believe everything you hear, lass. Four in two days?" He scoffed good-naturedly, then whispered with a wink, "It was five."

"I heard-." Jacob left the table, in search for more beer, and Maisie frowned, scrambling forward, causing his old mug to clatter to the floor and the table to screech against the cobblestone floor as she chased after him. "I heard there was a time them beasts used to come right up to shore, pluck a lady right out of her veggie patch, and swallow her up!" He looked down at her, surprised to see her in the bar now. "But not no more. And its cause of the hunters. There's not a nobler profession, I says." He crossed his arms as the two came into a less-crowded spot by the bar as she stood in front of him, quickly copying his stance. "I come from a long line of hunters meself."

"Is that so?" he questioned with a smirk, somewhat amused by her determination.

"Aye. Me parents were lancers. They served on the Monarch," she told, her voice going a bit quieter as her face dropped just a tad. 

"The Monarch," he repeated, frowning. "So, they're..."

"Aye," Maisie confirmed his unspoken question. "That's just the way for a hunter, ain't it? You live a great life and die a great death."

He stared down at her, completely agreeing with the point as he said it earlier. "Huh. Come on."
The pair took a seat at the bar as they face one another. A beer was placed in front of Jacob, and he nodded in thanks. "So, uh, who's lookin' after you then?"

"I'm stayin' at a children's home in Guelston, up the way," she answered, then leaned forward with a smart grin. "Except I ain't staying exactly. I'm on the run, you see. And I ain't goin' back." Jacob squinted down at her as he raised the mug to his lips. "Cause I'm joining your crew."

He spit out the drink, coughing as he regained his breath. He then chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, no, you ain't. A hunting ship ain't no place for a kid."

"But you joined the ship when you were me age and look at you now. You're a weapon against nature's darkest design. It says so on page 92." Maisie showed him her infamous book, and he took it, looking down at the picture of himself, slaying a sea beast.

"Look, kid, I'm clever with a spear, but I've been lucky more than once." He slid the book back to her. "There's no guarantee of making it to page 92-."

"Jacob!" The pair looked up, finding your running forward to him. You latched onto his arm, smiling with a breath. "There you are! I was trying to find you. I need a new partner for dancing. The man I'm with is a complete snob, and he keeps stepping on me toes- Oh!" you gasped, seeing the young girl in front of Jacob, who was looking at you with wide, sparkling eyes and a dropped jaw.

"You're...Y/N Marlowe..." she breathed out in shock, practically shaking. 

You attempted to sooth her with a smile, "The one and only. And what's your name, lass?"

"I'm M-Maisie Brumble." And it was then it seemed she snapped out of her admiring gaze, instead opting for a complete fangirl. "I am the BIGGEST fan of yours, Y/N!" She opened her red book, flipping through the pages with speed you had never seen before, opening on the page 57. "They say that you're the Daughter of the Ocean, and descendant from the mythical mermaids of the Dark Times."

You blushed at the compliment. "Well, whoever wrote that is surely mistaken and a modest sweet-talker."

"AND!" Maisie continued loudly. "You killed a sea beast for it looked too deep into your mesmeric eyes! Is that true? Please tell me it's true!"

You chuckled nervously, and beside you, Jacob barely contained his laughter at your flushed state. "Well, don't believe everything you hear, dear."

She deadpanned. "That's exactly what he said." She pointed at Jacob, who crossed his arms.

"Now, you should run along," he said, gesturing his head to the door.

"Right, then. I'll talk to Captain Crow. That's a man with real authority," she said with a straight face, and my eyes widened at her sass. Maisie grunted as she hopped off the stool, walking to a random person in the crowd. "Do you know where I might find Captain Crow?"

Jacob stood. "Hey! I... I have authority. Alright?"

"You ain't Captain, are ya?"

"Uh, no, but I am Captain Material." 

He placed his hands on his hips with a smug look, but it dropped when he heard not only Maisie, but you, laughing aloud. "'Captain Material'?" you snickered.

Maisie cleared her throat. "Sorry, it just sounds funny."

"I mean, I will be Captain," Jacob defended. "Someday."

"Well, I intend to get on that ship. So, if you don't mind, I'll take it up with Captain Now, not Captain Someday." Jacob looked away with an astounded grin, then back to her. 

Suddenly, you were trailing behind Jacob, laughing at him and telling him to be careful with the young girl he now had under his arm. "Jacob," you groaned, though there was amusement in your voice.

"Hey! Put me down! Let me go!" Maisie shouted, slamming her fists on any part of his body she could reach. "Monster hunters are supposed to be heroes."

"Yeah, and here's me saving you," Jacob rebuked. He stopped at the carriage, placing a hand on his hip without a care in the world, despite the struggling girl. "Evening, Rosie. You go through Guelston?"

"Aye," she drawled with a slow nod.

"Right. Let her out there and not before." He flicked a gold coin at the woman who caught it. "If that's not too much trouble."

"Aye," Rosie replied in the same tone again.

"Hey!" Maisie grunted as she was plopped down inside the wagon. "This is kidnapping!"

He shut the door, looking at her through the diamond shaped window opening.  "No, love," his muffled voice responded. "It's the opposite of kidnapping." He whistled with his fingers, and the wagon started forward. Jacob stood in his spot, offering a two-finger salute to the fuming girl. 

"See ya, Rosie," you waved.

"Aye."

You shook your head with a smile at Jacob as he walked past you, "She's just a kid. You were one too, remember?"

"I know. But she's a right monstrous one at that." He then pressed a kiss to your cheek, causing red to flame your face as your eyes widened. "We'll dance in a minute." Jacob walked off, either oblivious or wallowing in pride at your reaction as he sighed, grabbing a pint and sitting by Sarah.

"New friend, Jacob?" she asked.

"Ah, just some kid."

"Ugh. Horrible things, children."

"You can say that again." The two clanked their metal mugs together in agreement.