#arielcassidy

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

"Of course. Everyone has their specialties, then we have some more standard chores that rotate among the crew." She looked back at him with a cheeky expression. "Apart from me, of course. It's possible to not do chores if you negotiate well with others." Meaning she had a few sweet people who do her chores for her. As she should!

"Let's do the introduction before I change my shoes, okay? I might also have to change my dress, and we don't want them to leave the ship in the meantime."

It was just a few doors down when she stopped. "Ready?"

If there was some biting remark he could have given, the words were elusive. What did she do all day aboard this ship? That's what he really wanted to know, but he was concerned he would earn a slap for asking. It wouldn't be the first time being misunderstood; the risk just wasn't worth it.

But a part of him hoped she could read minds and just take the question out of his hands.

"And who am I meeting? Do I need to, like, bow or something?"

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

"The captain is close, but his ego is big enough. He doesn't need to add me to the list of his fans." And she could think of nothing worse than being lumped in with the people all infatuated with him. Even if it was slightly true. "When you meet the second, you'll understand."

As they approached a set of doors they opened on their own. "Thank you, Ines." Another illusion for Ariel to swallow. The corridor seemed to go on forever. With rows and rows of stairs. From the outside, such a thing would certainly be impossible to be within. Yet here it was.

"Is that so? It sounds like they truly found their other half."

A passing pirate eyed Ariel, curious about this stranger that somehow had the stomach for Leila.

The enormity of the ship was not unlike that of a cruise liner. The same thought he'd had just a moment ago as a repeating skipped record. He found himself staring up and up, over his shoulder and up again. A child on a field trip to a grand museum of ancient things.

Any moment down the vast corridor, someone would leap out with a sabre, wearing a tricorne and missing teeth. Perhaps this Ines he hadn't noticed.

"So, like -" He cut himself off before he could articulate the inarticulable. It wasn't his place to dig, but having spent so much time in his domitor's company, he was curious by association. A reframe of his question might get him in less trouble.

"Uh, what does - so does everyone have a job... in here?"

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

It was unfortunate that such a sweet question, instead of touching her, made her laugh. "My favourite person is with me all of the time." Because her favourite person was none other than... her! "I'll introduce you to my second favourite person." He hoped they were still around. She kept an eye out for them as they walked across the huge deck. The atmosphere on the ship, even with pirates scurrying around and heading onto land, was truly something else. It was something that humbled her. The ship was so tall it went for miles, looking up often made her dizzy. There was nothing innocent nor charming about it, and yet it felt just like home. "So, what type of song is the music video for? Have you listened to it yet?""

"Of course it's you." That only took three seconds to catch up with him, but his grin was earnest. It was so very her, he should have known better. "Thought the captain was gonna be your favorite." The way they looked at each other - the way she looked at him, he assumed it was no contest.

The ship looked bigger once on board. Might have been an illusion, or some other form of magic, or maybe because the only ship he had ever been on was a cruise, where he'd never once peeked outside. One of the very few times work screwed him over.

"Yeah. We worked on the choreography while listening to it. It's this Russian couple, EDM. They keep their faces covered. I'm doing the dancing for them."

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

She laughed, turning around to climb back up the steps to get on board.

"Of course. Follow me. Is there anyone you want to meet while we're here?" She didn't think she'd told him of too many crew members. The captain and Haru, and perhaps some others. Maybe he had a bolder and more specific request, though.

Since she still had a hold of his hand, he was obliged to follow at her heels. He had a moment to contemplate her question, but he found, selfishly or self-preservation, that he wanted no other attention. Still, he didn't take her offer lightly.

"Your... favorite person."

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

"As long as you give me enough time to get my dancing shoes on." She was always mentally ready to dance, but these shoes couldn't get scratched! She'd go crazy.

"Ooohhh. Really? Are you dancing shirtless in the water of a hose pipe? You suit that type of music video." Meaning she'd love to sit in.

"We're still going over that. Got a lot of wardrobe to look at. Maybe they'll take your input. So, am I allowed on board?" If she was going to get new shoes, he didn't see why he couldn't join her, unless stepping foot on deck was going to get him cursed - he wouldn't take anything for granted.

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

Leila smiled, though her eyes lit up in a joyous way that showed her smile was on a fraction of the size it could have been.

"As always, the captain's whims can surprise us all. We'll see, I suppose. Better make the most of me while you can, sir."

She too, allowed her hand to linger in his. "What's new? Should we get a drink and talk?"

"Make the most sounds like I'm taking you dancing." It's what she deserved. Her last visit had them dancing in his apartment. While enjoyable, it wasn't nearly good enough.

"Staring in a music video. Gonna be wrapping that up this afternoon. You can sit in with me, if you want."

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

"Did you miss me?" Leila stepped off the boat and onto the docks before Ariel with a smile on her face. "Wait - don't tell me. I don't want to hear it." She'd been gone just a few months, the crew had set out but had needed to return for a reason Captain Nachim wasn't fully able to explain. She raised a hand, offering the back of it to the other to kiss.

"Well, fine then. I won't tell you." His smile said what words were denied. He'd been lucky to catch her in between jobs, having spent the morning at January Embers, he'd been within walking distance of the docks.

Without hesitation, her hand was taken and brought to his lips. He didn't see a pressing need of letting go too soon.

"How long are you here for?"

[nihiladditaenihilperdidi]

“Could I persuade you to DJ at an event for me? I pay well”

Considering January had turned this man in his direction, he didn't have much say on the matter, did he? His hands were tied in diplomacy.

"Um," Ariel shifted on his feet, "gimmie some dates. I'll see what I got going."