(Aww! I reread the Royal Dilemma one a few days ago :))
(Honestly thought I was the only one to reread rps lmao)
Ellie shook her head. "No. None of it touched me. It just startled me by falling, that's all." She still felt a flame of embarrassment light up her face. While she'd already learned some things aboard the ship, she still had a lot to learn.
And suddenly, she felt another surge of worry for her Lorelei up on the deck. "Isn't there any way I can see her?" she asked Charlie hurriedly. There was no need to clarify who she was talking about.
(❤️)
(Nope! I reread my RP’s all the time! 😁)
“That's a relief.” Charlie smiled as she finished cleaning. Though she looked up towards the upper decks. “That storm still sounds pretty strong. If you really want to… I suppose I could ask Jax to send her down for a while. I’m sure she's worried about you too.”
(Yay! I’m not alone! 😂💛)
“I’m sorry,” Ellie insisted again as Charlie finished. “I should‘ve been holding it more firmly.”
Her gaze followed Charlie’s as she looked up the stairs. All Ellie could see was rain pelting down, a grey sky, and the infrequent wave. “Could you please, Charlie?” she asked eagerly. “It’s killing me to worry.”
Charlie shook her head slightly and smiled at her. “Don't apologize, Ellie. It's a learned skill and even in a storm like this, anyone is bound to spill something.” she comforted as she stood. “Now, you wait here, and I’ll get your wife down here.” she smirked before heading to the door.
Ellie smiled faintly as Charlie comforted her. She appreciated the other woman's comfort, but at the same time, she wished she could get accustomed to the ship already. But her smile immediately brightened as Charlie referred to Lorelei. "Yes," Ellie agreed, looking down at her left hand. "My wife."
Charlie grinned, knowing that the term would cheer the princess up, and headed up the stairs to the main deck. It would take some yelling to be heard over the wind and the rain but she knew how to get the message along.
Tommy stood up, keeping his cup steady, and went to check on the stove and make sure that nothing was burning.
Ellie gasped quietly as another wave sent the ship lurching, and it seemed the entire world tilted to the right all at once. She worried for her darling wife and for the crew and for the Siren Song, and a quiet prayer began to speak itself on her lips. Meanwhile, her eyes watched Tommy, looking out for the boy as she thought any other member of the crew would do.
Tommy hardly seemed fazed by the tilt of the ship, obviously having been through a few storms in his short life on this ship.
Lori looked up when she caught sight of Charlie waving her down. “Jax! Take over!” she called out, not letting go of the helm until he could grab it himself. “I’ll be right back.” she assured before running down to met Charlie.
Ellie watched Tommy navigate his way around with a small smile. She already adored the boy and watched out for his safety, even when she was sure he’d be fine.
Tommy continued to keep an eye on the soup before perking up slightly and looked toward the door as Charlie and Captain Lori walked in.
“Ellie?” Lori asked, brushing some of the water off as she moved to sit beside her wife. “Is everything alright? How did you get down here?”
Ellie jerked her head toward the door as she heard footsteps. Immediately, she launched herself off of her chair and at Lorelei. But she barely made it a step before wobbling and crashing into her wife's body. "Oh!" she exclaimed, clinging to Lori tightly. "You're alright! Thank the gods!"
Lori stumbled a little from how Ellie simultaneously lunged and fell at her but quickly wrapped her arms around her wife and caught her own balance. “Of course I‘m alright.” she assured, kissing her forehead. “Were you that worried about me?” she asked as Charlie went back to take over the cooking and prepared another warm cup.
"Always, my love," Ellie replied, clinging to Lori as the ship swayed side to side in the waves. "Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?" She realized then she forgot to answer Lori's question from before. A slightly embarrassed blush rose on her face. "Um, I used a rope."
Lori chuckled softly and hugged her closer before guiding Ellie to a seat. “I’m fine, my love. I’ve been through storms before.” she assured. “Oh! I did see a rope tied to the top of the stairs.” she nodded thoughtfully, wondering how that ended up there.
“I still worry about you,” Ellie admitted, sinking into her seat. “Just as I worried every day for ten years. And yes, the rope. It was Marcus who tied it to our door for me.”
“I know what that feels like.” Lori chuckled a little, remembering those long years. “I’ll have to thank him for that.” she smiled. “And I’m glad you got down here safely. Those waves have knocked sailors overboard.”
Ellie’s soft smile was instantly dropped as she heard what Lori said. “Oh stars,” she whispered. “I’m grateful, then, to have made it. Has that ever happened to you before?”
“I’m glad that you had it too.” she smiled softly. “Oh, no. I haven't been knocked overboard… Only nearly. But I managed to hold on before I knocked off the ship.” Lori assured.
Ellie sighed with relief. “I’m glad you’ve been safe. I owe Marcus a very big thank you.” The crew mate may have saved her life with that rope. Ellie prayed she or Lori would never have to experience the panic of being cast off the ship by a rogue wave.
“Well… As safe as I can be.” Lori admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. “This life is adventurous and freeing but there are still plenty of dangers with being a pirate.” she explained, though she agreed with needing to give Marc thanks.
Ellie nodded, hesitant at first but slowly becoming more confident. She wanted to adapt. She wanted to become a part of the crew and be brave and confident like them. "Right. I know. I just… I have stupid worries, that's all. I'm sorry."
“They’re not stupid, love.” Lori assured her. “You're just not used to this way of life yet and don't know what we’re up against.” she tried to explain.
“It won't be like that for long.” Charlie pointed out calmly. “We’ll all help you prepare for whatever we can.”
Ellie smiled faintly. “I wish I was. I don’t want to be a burden on you all. I want to learn everything there is to know so I don’t have to keep asking.”
She shot Charlie an appreciative glance. “I hope it’s not. Thank you.”
“You could never be a burden to me, Ellie.” Lori assured, smiling at Charlie’s agreement. “Ask anything you want. It's the best way to learn.” she chuckled as she remembered pestering Jax about sailing when it had just been the two of them. At least Ellie would have a whole ship full of people to talk to and learn from.
Ellie’s eyes lit up, a bright ray in the middle of the storm. “You know,” she murmured thoughtfully, “I still wonder what I did to be blessed with you as my wife.” She leaned forward to peck Lori’s lips, but she missed and got the side of her mouth instead. “Blasted waves,” she complained.
