Is it really you?

[Deleted]

It had been a year. Not exactly to the day, but it was still too long for Elizabeth to still be wearing dark colored clothing and a black netting over her face as though she were still in mourning. She was, though.. and there was nothing to be done about it. Her parents insisted that she went to her brother's wedding in another kingdom, and sent her promptly on a ship so that she would get there in time. Weddings were supposed to be a happy, glorious event...and she felt as though she were going to get there and be bitter. She was happy for Charles. He seemed to be in love, even though the marriage was arranged.. but she felt bad, as he'd never know love as deeply as she had for Liam. 

She had been on the ship for a week now, and so far, there was silence. Very little excitement, not many storms.. it was smooth sailing..until this evening. Elizabeth had been sleeping when the ship was attacked by a band of pirates. She had been told what to do in this case, but she had never thought she would need to know how to handle herself. She began to panic, and in her haste of putting on her robe and rushing to hide in her closet, she realized she had forgotten her key in the drawer beside her bed. The ship was rocking with battle, and Elizabeth found herself losing her footing. She began to tug, and pull at the closet door, trying desperately to pry the wood open..but it was to no avail. 

She had heard shouting, and sounds of pain. Muttering to herself, she begged and pleaded for the doors to open..and finally, her prayers to the Gods were answered. The moment she attempted to hide though, she was found by two men who had been searching the cabins, and she was promptly pulled, kicking and screaming, out to the deck of the ship. "Let me go! Do you have any idea who I am?!" She shouted, knowing she wasn't going to get anywhere with it. 

The sun was setting. This was the type of breathtaking sky that people would kill to see, but Elizabeth just wanted to be back in the bed below the deck...hoping that this was a nightmare. She was pushed on to her knees with her hands behind her back, waiting to meet her fate. "I do not care what you do to me," she said to a stranger in black leather who had his back to her. "I do not fear death." 

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

A life of piracy was one that Killian had comnpletely embraced. And there was no going back. Not that he wanted to. He had no family that awaited him; only a selfish and ruthless king who had underservingly earned the loyalty of a man who risked his life to prove his merciful ways. And his dear brother had paid the price. It was why when Killian saw a ship that wore the flags of the king, there was an instant need to take it over and rob it of whatever treasures were aboard. The ship, now renamed to be the Jolly Roger followed it with ease and it hardly took any time or effort to take control of the other vessel.

"Enjoy the spoils of our victory, lads!" He announced to the crew, giving them permission to ransack the ship and take it for all it was worth. In the meantime, Killian remained on his own deck, waiting to see if there was anyone of worth on the overthrown vessel. He pulled out his flask and took a celebratory sip of rum, hearing a group of footsteps approaching him. "Cap'n! We got a live one. And she's a bit of a fesity little thing she be," one of his crewmen stated. The comment caused Killian to smirk as he heard the woman's voice, stating that she did not fear death and to do what he would.

He tucked away his flask, knowing he was going to enjoy this opportunity. "A foolishly naive thing for a young woman such as yourself aboard a ship full of lonely men." He kept his back turned toward her, for dramatic purposes of course and because he was the authority here and would decide when he wanted to face her.

He began to turn as he spoke his next words. "My dear, there are far worse things for a woman than death -- " But once he turned and saw the woman who was forced to her knees, his sentence abruptly stopped and whatever smirk had been playing on his features, had now fully vanished. No. It couldn't be. It . . . oh bloody hell. This wasn't good at all. He was at a loss of what to say for her mere presence brought back so many painful memories that he had tried to suppress through his rebellious actions of becoming a pirate.

Yet here they were; staring him right in the face. he clenched his jaw, fighting back the emotion, not wanting his men to see him so vulnerable. "Stand her up," he ordered, his voice void of emotion as he forced it all back. "And take her to my quarters," he further ordered. But . . . not for the reasons that they may assume. It was the only place, the best place to have a private conversation . . . and to proteect her from being untouched by anyone else. Though he knew that his men would not dare force themselves upon a woman, for even Killian had his limits.

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The pirate was crass, and crude.. exactly as she thought he would be. One of the men holding her down addressed him as Captain, so she knew that her fate lied in his hands. When he spoke, she didn't recognize the voice... there were too many people shouting and cheering around her for her to really hear him clearly.. but yet she knew exactly what he was saying. When he turned around, she was looking down. He went silent for a moment, and her eyes lifted to see what had silenced him. When she saw his face, she paled as though she had seen a ghost. She didn't have time to speak, because she was hoisted up by the men who were laughing as they carried her to his chambers. She kept looking back, wanting to shout his name, but she was in a state of shock. No.. it must have been her eyes playing tricks.. It couldn't be him.

Once she was shoved in to the Captain's chambers, the door was immediately shut and she was left alone with her thoughts. She pulled her black lace robe around her night dress and she wrapped her arms around herself. She was scared, and confused. She began to pace back and forth..she needed to get out of here! She was seeing things.. beginning to go mad. Had she already slipped in to insanity? The man stepped inside, and she turned around to face him. She felt as though someone had punched her in the stomach, and knocked the wind out of her lungs. 

"Killian?" She asked in a soft, trembling voice. 

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

As she was taken away, he turned back around, closing his eyes for a brief moment as he attempted to gather his emotions and regain his composure. The chances of this happening were . . . well, Killian refused it was any ridiculous notion such as fate. He never thought he would see her again; never thought he would have to come face to face with the painful loss all encompassed in the death of his brother. Many mourned for Captain Liam Jones but Killian knew that apart from himself, she was the other who mourned for him more than the others.

More than anyone could comprehend . . . because Killian and her had loved Liam the most. Taking a deep breath, and deciding he could no longer prolong the inevitable, he made his way to his chambers, opening the door and closing it once he stepped inside. He looked at her as she spoke his name, her voice filled with the emotions that were coursing through his own heart. One that he had thought had been long blackened since. For in the span of a year, he had already built the reputation of the Jolly Roger and himself and his crew and this, was only the beginning. He was not the man she knew; the man he once was. He was not the same person who she would have one day called a brother, the one who had played together when they were children.

No. That man had died along with Liam Jons that day; the Jewel of the Realm lost both its Captain and Leuitenant. Now left in it's place, was a crew of pirates rebelling against the crown that had betrayed them. "Elizabeth," he stated . . . unsure what emotions were behind his voice. Was it a greeting? Acknowledgement? He hadn't the slightest idea. He didn't even know what to say in this moment. "Why are you so far from the kingdom?" That, seemed like the best thing to ask. No. Not the best. The easiest thing to ask. because there had to be a clear cut answer. He couldn't apologize for what he had done for this was who he was now. He only wished that it hadn't been her on board . . . anyone, just not her.

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It was him. There was no denying it anymore. She stared at him after saying his name, and even as he spoke to her she was finding it hard to believe that this was all real. He had asked her what she was doing so far away from the kingdom she had come from, and her mind was sent spinning. Of all of the things to say, that was the question? She had no idea what to say either though, and so, she answered. "Charles is getting married.. I was to attend the wedding. My mother and father thought it would be healthy for me to get away for awhile, but.." She fluttered her lashes, realizing that she was slipping in to a conversation with Killian as they would before.. all of this. "Wait.. Wait, I think I should be asking You the questions," She was becoming frantic. A little too much, as her breathing was coming quickly, and her heart was racing. 

"A Pirate Killian?" She hissed, keeping her voice at a whisper so they would not be heard. "These men were innocent!" So many things were daring to come out of her mouth, but she dared not let them slip out in anger. He must have been in a great deal of pain. "How many other ships have you raided? How many lives were taken?" She took a step toward him, and suddenly felt a wrench in her stomach. "What would you have done if I wasn't..." she started, but couldn't finish the sentence. She couldn't think of Killian - a shining beam of light that had always filled her life - doing something so unquestionable. "...Why are you doing this, Killian?"

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She answered his question, revealing that her brother was getting married. Marriage. It was a painful topic indeed considering who she was . . . who they had both lost. Liam and her were to be married when he returned from the mission that had cost him his life. How cruel fate was to have an entirely different plan in mind. But no. It was not fate. It was the king. She stopped from giving any more details when she turned the conversation onto him, saying that she should be asking him the question rather than vice versa. And there it was; that tone of disapproval. He imagined Liam would have held a similar tone as well if he were to see him now. Though Killian would never be in this position if Liam was still alive.

His brother had been everything to him, especially in the absence of parents. Without him, he was now this. He remained silent as she staetd that the men were innocent and then questioned how many ships he had raid and lives he had taken. "I'm assuming that's a rhetorical question," he said sarcastically as he made his way over to the table that held a pitcher of rum and poured himself a cup. His back was turned to her once more in this position and as before,

he closed his eyes, knowing that was not what he had wanted to say to her. He quickly tried to keep himself in check of his emotions, aware that his sarcastic retort was a way of deflcting them. He picked up the cup in his hand, filled with a beverage he had once abhored, and turned to face her again as she questioned what he would have done had she been another woman . . . and then finished it off with asking why he was doing this.

"Well what would you have me do instead, Captain the ship of a king who is nothing but a coward?" Again, sarcasm. His treason had started with the first statement he'd said to Liam against the king and resulted in the ultimate rebellion of piracy. He took a sip of the drink, needing the rum to help control all he was feeling in her presence. "You may still have allegiance to him, but I serve no one. Therefore, I answer to no one." Not a corrupt, gutless, coward of a king.

"Do not attempt to make me feel guilty, Elizabeth." Because he didn't. He wouldn't. His heart was darkened with anger and pain over losing his brother; there was no room for any other emotion. "Instead, allow me to welcome you aboard the Jolly Roger," he stated, extending his arms out, aware that he was being a bit of an ass at the moment yet it was the only way to deflect the pain of seeing her . . . and acknowledging the pain of losing Liam, for he knew that she was hurting too.

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His words had hurt her.. and yet she wondered if they were causing him as much pain to say them. He was being sarcastic, and downright mean, but he had lost his brother because of the King. Elizabeth never forgave him for the things he had done, but in her position - to keep her family safe - she had to act properly toward him. It pained her, but it was something she had to do. "I am loyal to no one anymore.. I merely do what I need to, to survive. You, however, are doing this out of.. what? Revenge? A year long tantrum, perhaps?" She asked, suddenly regretting shrinking to his level. She looked down, and clutched  her hands together. "Since the death of Liam.. I've been hoping that you would come home. That we could mourn together.. because only we can understand one another's agony." 

A trembled breath arose from her throat, and she lifted her hands to wipe the tears that had been streaming down her face. "I'd like to go home. I do not expect you to take me there.. I beseech you.. drop me off at the nearest port. I'll tell no one of the face that I've seen." She didn't want Killian to think that she would rat on him...but she couldn't watch him like this, either. He was no longer the bright eyed boy that she once knew.. He was a dark, cold man.. who was engulfed with the fire of wrath. 

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She stated that she was loyal to no one and it seemed that they had that in common. But she had differnet responsibilities. Different circumstances that had to be considered. She then suggested that this was a vengeful year long tantrum and Killian sightly narrowed his eyes at her. "This is my life now," he told her, not wanting there to be any doubt about that. "For I unlike some, can not put up a false appearance and even feign loyalty to a ruthless man." There was no way that he could return and face the king, knowing what he did about the mission he sent them on.

The way his brother defending the king and was willing to risk his life on the man's just and noble ways . . . only to be proven wrong which held the most deveastating repercussions. She then finally said it: the death of Liam. There it was, and the mere mention of it caused the flicker of pain to cross his features, unable to remain fully guarded in her presence when speaking of someone they both loved dearly. She had wanted him to come home, to mourn with him. "Then what?" He questioned. "What life would await me there? You have your family." He only had Liam. No one else. "And now, this is mine." His crewmates. He did not want sympathy from anyone. He was merely stating that there was nothing left for him back there.

His life was on the sea and now he found a way to embrace it whilst coping with his former captain's death. She then said she wanted to go home, that she didn't expect him to take her there but to drop her off wherever. He knew what he had become, what he portrayed himself to be, but he also kenw that no matter how much he tried to deny it, he still cared for her. He took another large swig of his rum before speaking. "Which kingdom do you wish to go to?" He questioned. Did she want to go to the wedding, or return home. Either way, he could not drop her at the main port, not to protect himself but to protect her. For if she was associated with him, well, it would not be in her or her fmaily's best interest. "I will take you there," he finally said, his gaze at the cup on his hand if only to avoid meeting her own eyes.

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Killian was one of the only people who Elizabeth had ever been comfortable to be around. Comfortable enough to tell her secrets, and get advice. He was one of her closest friends.. and now, he was something.. different. "It would be safer for you and your crew to take me to my brother's wedding in Cambria. Not only are we closer to there but if I am found missing, you'll be hunted down. I do not wish any harm on you, Killian." She had loved him, as much as she had loved Liam when she was young. It had turned in to a different kind of love for Killian over the years, but he was still an incredibly large part of her heart. She went silent for a moment,  and she took a deep breath. "You asked what would be there, at home for you... was I so easy to abandon, Killian? Did you not think of my suffering, and how we could ease each other's pain if we were there to help one another after his passing? I still mourn him, in my way.. and you, in yours." 

This was  his life now. She had to understand that, no matter how much it had hurt her. Her eyes were filled with tears as she watched him, noticing that he'd rather stare at his cup than look her in the eyes. "Your innocence died with Liam," she spoke, taking another step toward him. "As did my heart. But it still continues to beat.. which means that the man that I once knew is still in there, somewhere. I won't ask you to give up this life, because I.. I am no longer a part of you.. but I can ask you to honor your brother's memory, and please.. Do not murder innocent men.. they may have brothers, and brides just like us.." 

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She told him that it would be safer to take her to Cambria for her sibling's wedding. "Do not concern yourself with what is safer for me. I am already hunted," he said with a slight smirk. "I am deemed a criminal in the eyes of the law, which suits me perfectly fine." For it was the life he had chosen. "Tell me where you want to go based on your own desire, rather than potential risk for me. I can take care of meself and me crew." How odd; just a year ago he was under another Captain and now . . . he had fully led his men into an entirely different life.

And follow him they did. She then asked him a question that was not so easy to answer . . . pertaining to how easy it was to abandon her. And that it would have been easier to mourn Liam's death together rather than apart. "Your suffering could be eased by surrounding yourself with family," he told her. Her parents, her brother . . . she still had a life there. "I had no comfort to offer you." Because his heart had gone with Liam's, and he couldn't just return, acting as if everything was fine or would be fine. He could not live with false loyalty to the king. He could not captain the Jewel of the Realm. His eyes went to hers when she spoke of how she had mourned, and how his innocence died with Liam.

"Aye," he agreed. "Many parts of the man you once knew died along with him." For the man he was before could never take on such a lifestyle. But now he could, and with great ease. Yet she asked him to make a promise, and in repsonse, he took another gulp of his drink. "I live by a code as a pirate. I do whatever I must." It was an ambiguous response, but he couldn't make such a promise, despite the thought that came with her words. The disapproval. And he knew that he still cared what she thought . . . even though he shouldn't. He conitnued to look at her, taking in how much the weight of Liam's death had taken a toll on her as well. "I'm a villain now, Elizabeth. Do not try to save my soul by asking me to make promises I can't keep." He knew his words were far from any comforting ones he could have given her if he was still the man he had once been. The one that had grown up with her.

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She had known since the moment he came in to his chambers that he was a different man. She could feel it in her bones.. But she refused to give up on him, no matter what he had said. He continued to urge her to let him take her wherever she wanted. "Well in that case.. I should like to go back home, then. I do not think I can handle watching my brother get happily married." Her sister would likely be next, and that would happen at her own home. In fact, he might end up seeing her - as once her sister was wed, she would likely be running away at that point. But..that was a tale for another time. 

He spoke of how he could not promise that he would not take anyone's life again, and she truly believed he had meant it. Liam would be upset if he had seen Killian like this.. but as he had told her..there was no point in trying to save his soul. "No.. I suppose your soul is devoured by a life of villany and wickedness," She crossed the room, passing him by, and moving straight to his rum. Luckily, there was an extra cup. No one should drink alone. "Liam died.. and I lost both of the loves of my life simultaneously," She lifted the glass once she had it filled to her liking. "I'd say a toast is in order." She took a drink, and winced at the burn that it caused her throat. 

This wasn't the first time she had drank. The night she had heard word of Liam's death, she raided her father's liquor cellar and drank herself in to an evening of complete oblivion. "Cheers, Captain Jones." She winced inwardly. That was what she had called Liam when they were being silly, and sometimes even before being intimate. Now that name was tarnished.

[Killian Jones]

Note: proper gif coming soon!

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She told him that she would prefer to go back home, unable to witness her brother get married. That was something Killian could understand. He imagined he himself would never get married . . . mainly because he felt incapable of falling in love with a woman, especially with this new found darkness that now filled his heart and soul. "Then we will set sail for your home," he told her, his voice indifferent to where she chose to go. If he were a better man, he would be trying to convince her to celebrate her brother's joyous occasion; to be a part of it. But she too was broken by Liam's death, and as Killian had sad before, he was incapable of comforting her or offering any solace of any kind.

"We will say that you snuck away when we made land." For it would be difficult to believe that a pirate merely released a woman they were holding captive, and he wasn't about to give them cause to further investigate the nature of her 'kidnapping' -- which was what this was presumed to be he supposed. She finally conceded that he had been devoured by villany and wickedness and Killian held no objection to that . . . for it was indeed the truth. "Admitting it is the first step to acceptance," he told her, with a slightly joking tone -- though his words were not untrue. She added on that when Liam died, she had lost both the loves of her life . . . and once again, it caused him to fall silent, knowing that she was referring to him as well. "And I lost all that remained of my family." Meaning not only Liam, but her as well, for they would have become brother and sister.

"Seems we are both fated for a loveless life," he said with a dark sense of humor, for there wasn't exactly anything amusing about such a cruel notion. He watched her take a sip of the drink, raising an eyebrow as he wondered if she'd ever drank rum before. It wasn't exactly the beverage of nobility. He had once been completely against it; now he drank it excessively. "Cheers," he said following her use of his title, as he took a sip of his own drink, not taking his eyes off of her. "Ease up on the drink, love," he began to say, using his his developed vernacular.

"Wouldn't want ou to get too tipsy," he added on almost teasingly. Never did he think they would ever be having such a conversation with her of all people. It truly showed how much had changed . . . how much they had changed. "You can remain in the guest quarters and if anyone asks, we will say I am holding you for ransom." Believable enough, and it gave reason as to why she would not be in the dungeon. Or well, she could be presumed to remain here with him yet even despite all he had told her . . . he still felt the need to protect her and her reputation. And he was well aware that it would be harmed if it got out that she had remained in his quarters with him over night.

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[Deleted]

There was a darkness in Killian that she'd never thought she would see from him. He and Liam had been so kind and generous toward people.. and now he was telling her that he was a villain. He had done horrendous things to people, and he held no remorse.. Why? Because of his hatred toward the King that he and Liam formally served. He had told her to ease up on the rum, as it would make her tipsy. "It shouldn't be too hard to put this stuff down.. it's vile." She finished the contents of the cup, and then placed it back down. "Much different than my father's scotch, and the wine in the basement." She walked toward him again, and she got close. A little too close, perhaps, but she wanted to study him. 

Sure, she was feeling a little bit of a buzz but it was nothing to cause concern. "You've cut your hair." She lifted a hand, and lightly touched the back of his now short hair. It was strange that there was no ponytail there. "Remember when we'd run along the beach? Your hair flowed in the wind. I was so jealous until mine finally grew out," she gave him a small smile that clearly held pain. "I wish I would have never gotten that on that ship," her eyes went back to Killian's, meeting his gaze; her own welling with tears. "I would give anything to have preserved that image of you." She finally lowered her hand,back to her side. 

"Anyway," she breathed. "Should I tear my night dress and mess up my hair so it looks as though you made your time in here with me useful? I wouldn't want you to disappoint your friends..." Her voice held a coldness to it that she'd had toward everyone lately - especially anyone who pushed her to her limits.