It Begins, Jon

[Captain Jonathan Ballentine]

Experiment? Jon was as sure as anyone could be that she would fall in love with the sea once she got used to being on the ship. Then again, the pirate couldn’t understand anyone that would honestly prefer to stay on land instead of out sailing in the wide blue. They could go anywhere, be anyone; it was amazing. Then, of course, she asked about ink and parchment. Jon hadn’t really thought about that before. “Ahh…”

Obviously, the man had enough parchment to be getting on with for himself and his logs. There was plenty, in fact, but he had no idea exactly how much writing Lilah would want to do whilst they were out at sea. Especially if she accidentally spilled a pot or to before she got used to the gentle swaying of the sea. How much should he get?

“We can, ah, get some extra now. Not really a necessity in Tortuga,” he explained. Not like she wouldn’t understand that one already. He grinned playfully, nudging her with his elbow. “First bout of piracy! And it’s still early in the night!” Changing direction a little, Jon started walking in the direction of the nearest place that he knew that stocked writing equipment. He could easily swipe a lot of quills, parchment and ink then rush with Lilah to his boat.

His pace quickened, and he nodded his head to the side as he glanced towards Lilah. “C’mon, then. Nearly there. Do you want to come in with me, or wait outside? I’ll be five minutes, m’lady,” he smiled, teasing her.

[Lilah Paige]

Lilah hadn't thought that her questions was going to lead to something like this. She hadn't thought that a simply question about parchment and ink was going to lead to him stealing it right then and there. She didn't have money, and she didn't expect this man to buy things for her, so perhaps her surprise at his actions were a little silly. This was what he did, of course he was going to steal it. He was a pirate... maybe more noble than the ones she'd heard about, but still, a pirate. But she wasn't sure that she was ready to do something like that, she had never stolen anything in her life... and it would have been very easy for her to do, if she'd wanted to.

He told her to follow, and she did, because what other choice was there? She was along with him, and she didn't actually want to go back. She didn't want to go back until she'd seen what life on the sea was like, but she wasn't ready to become a full fledged pirate. She wasn't wearing the right clothes for it. When they reached the place that he was intending to steal from, she looked at it and knew that she couldn't bring herself to do it. She'd shopped there many times before, and knew who owned it. He had alwas been kind to her.

"I can't... I'll wait."

She wished that she'd gotten some money before leaving her old home, but she just hadn't had anything to bring. She wasn't really paid the way most maids were. She'd been given a roof over her head and food, and other little thigns she'd wanted, like parchment and ink, and in return, she did a few chores. That was the way she'd grown up looking at her situation. Watching Jon, she waited to see how long he would take, and if he was as good as he said he was.