Private Tales Brothels and Broken Things

[Cassian]

Cassian's eyes blinked open, squinting at the light and he smiled at Lexi despite feeling like his head was currently clamped in a vice. Her face would never not be a beautiful sight to wake up to. He inhaled the smell of coffee and groaned, rubbing at his face and sitting up to drink. Fuck he felt terrible..

The coffee served to wake him a little more and he entertained Red as she nuzzled at his chest, absently trying to regain his memory of the previous night..

He got himself up, his eyes narrowed in fear of aggravating his headache, and pulled on his clothes before rolling up some warmer clothes for the journey.

He found Lexi sat at her desk and wandered up behind her to wrap his arms around her shoulders and press his rugged cheek against hers before kissing firmly. A muted thanks for wearing her Lexi hat, and not her commander’s one.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

"You smell like a brewery," Lexi wrinkled her nose a little but from the crease in her cheek it was easy to feel she was smiling. One hand came up to gently caress his jaw line before returning to the letter in her hands. More mutant attacks, fucking Black Rose's needed to do their jobs. This wasn't her Chapters mess but soon they'd be the ones clearing it up.

As usual.

"There's some bacon still in the kitchen if you want it," she sighed and set it down, pulling out a fresh bit of parchment and beginning to scribble down orders. "Farah said she would look after Red if you wanted to leave her here, I wasn't sure if the high seas were a place for a kitten."

 

[Cassian]

He grinned at her comment “An’ you smell like peaches.” he growled against the crook of her neck. The mention of food made his stomach queasy and he shook his head as he stood up and let her go “I’m good with the coffee for now.” he stretched.

“She stays with us. Every ship needs a cat, lass.” He smirked “Plenty mice to chase.”

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Lexi paused in her writing at the mention of mice and then mumbled some choice words under her breath, but she didn't press the issue about the cat coming after that. It didn't take her long to write the letter and then she folded it and melted some wax over the join before pressing her seal to it. After a moment she blew on it then put it in the out pile and then opened the large leather bound tome that lived on her desk.

She dipped the quill in her ink and then scribbled something in her book.

"Alright! Wages sorted, assignments given, duty handed over in absence to Rose annnnd I think, I am --" she cast a glance over the desk. "-- Free," she sat back and breathed a sigh of relief. Afterwards she set about putting her eyepatch and bandanna on to keep her hair off her face. "So, you ready for your first taste of sailing?"

 

[Cassian]

He made her bed and packed his bags as she finished up with what she had to do. He called for Red and she ran up his leg and back to curl around his neck.

"Aye.. Ready." he huffed, silently regretting the amount he'd drank and hoping that sea air would be good for a hangover. He looked over over in her gear and smiled, wandering over to her to savour their privacy for a moment longer and drew her into a kiss, hand squeezing at the back of her neck.

"Whilst you still have that Lexi hat on.." he grinned, breathing her in and pressing a kiss to her head before slapping her arse.

"Onward, lass."

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Lexi had just walked around her desk when he ambushed her with a kiss. Her hand fluttered to his cheek, thumb gently running down the stubble there as she sunk into the moment. There was something about the way he held her that always made her toes curl slightly -- like some stupid teenage girl. When he let her go she was reluctant suddenly to head out. At least until he slapped her arse.

A small huff.

"Before we go," she took his hand to stop him moving to the door, pulled him to her. "If you cannot handle a situation please tell me, ok? There will be no judgement, no words spoken. I just need to know if you need to step back for a second and catch your breath."

 

[Cassian]

He frowned gently at her words, he couldn't help but feel guilty about her concern, she had enough to worry about and there she was worrying about his mind. He lifted his hand to trail his knuckles down her cheek and under her jaw, tilting her head up a little more to steal one more kiss.

"I can handle it, lass." he told her with a firm nod.. "Jus' tell me what to do an' I'll get my part done." he smiled, and opened the door for her, drawing a close to the conversation.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

It was clear she didn't look particularly happy about his method of ending the conversation nor his response to her question. Still, she said nothing as she quietly donned her sword, slung her shield over her back, then picked up her bag with her armour in and her helmet. One cursory glance around the apartment and then she stepped past him and outside.

It wasn't a long walk back through the city and out of the gates. The benefits to being right on the rivers edge meant the stroll down to the docks was also pretty easy going. The hippogage ship bobbed low in the water, the three sails already unfurled and it looked as though the ship was eager to leave by the way it strained at the ropes keeping it moored to the bank.

Some of the others were already on board and sorting out their lodgings.

"Captain," Lexi smiled warmly to the man who greeted them on deck. He was a burly man with a nasty scar down his face that contorted the skin, but it was still easy to see he had once been a handsome man. His skin was burnt dark from days sailing in the sun and looked akin to leather by this point. He clapped the Commander on the back so hard she almost stumbled.

"Aye we'll 'av non'o'hat," he chuckled and turned his piercing blue eyes to Cassian, held out a hand. "Name's Mitch, welcome aboard. 'Av ye sailed before laddie?"

 

[Cassian]

Cassian grinned at the interaction between Lexi and the ship's captain, and he reached to grip firmly the man's hand and his elbow. "Cassian." he replied with a small smile and laughed under his breath at the question. "'Fraid I ent had the pleasure yet. I'll try to catch on quick." he nodded, and Red reached a paw to try and get the man's attention. "This here's Red." he mused at her.

After pleasantries he found the lads on deck and huffed at the barrage of abuse about his drunkenness, but he took it in good spirit and gave Kain an awkward pat on the back after spilling his heart out to the man the night before.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

"Ack well there be plen'y of mice for 'er to chase, she just be'er mind ol' Shanks over there," Mitch jabbed a thumb over his shoulder to wear an elderly cat lay sprawled in a coil of ropes in the sun. The black tom opened one eye, yawned, and went back to sleep. He was missing part of his ear.

"How's the head?" Kain mused when he got a pat on the back but it was in good spirits, in fact he looked a lot happier than he had been the day before.

"You missed the dancers again Cass, Ember was looking for you she was piiiissed you hadn't told her you were with Lexi," Alec was grinning ear to ear.

"It was a good thing Kain was there to comfort her really," Peter nodded sagely and Kain snorted a laugh.

Tryst and Aelenora were the last ones to arrive and once they were on board Mitch began barking orders whilst Lexi leaned at ease next to him against the railing with the wind buffeting her robes and hair. After a moment more she turned, said something to him and then made her way back down the deck towards her crew.

"Alright, find a hammock below decks everyone - settle in. We've got a good wind so hopefully we'll stay on track. But until then you're at ease, enjoy the time to relax."

 

[Cassian]

Cassian winced at Kain's question.. "Aye...tender." he laughed under his breath and kept his hand on the man's shoulder as Alec spoke. He glanced around at Lexi as the lad mentioned Ember and his face was grimacing again, he'd been about to reply before Peter cut in and Cassian's brows lifted "Is tha' right!? Ol' Blue Balls no more, you fuckin' devil." he shook his shoulder with a laugh and let go.

He turned to Lexi to give a light nod at her words, good, he needed time to shift this headache. "What no feather beds, lass? I don' think a hammock will handle us.." he murmured close to her ear and looked around shiftily..

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

A faint smile at Cassian's wicked words and she gave him a sly look.

"Someone is lacking imagination," was her only reply before she hefted her things on to her shoulder. "But I actually have the Captain's cabin - Mitch prefers to sleep up on the deck when he actually sleeps - and it means I get a desk to do some work at," as the others dispersed below deck she made her way over to the back of the ship where the Cabin sat, casting a look over her shoulder.

"You sleeping with the guys downstairs or you coming?" Lexi teased before opening the door and heading inside to sort out her kit.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian's brows rose, about to accept that challenge when she sprung that little nugget of news on him. He stood, watching her go, not presuming to be invited but he made a subtle fist pump as she turned back and he lifted his things and followed after her with a grin.. "Hold on let me just consider..." he laughed "Is that a serious fuckin' question?..."

He followed her inside and found a place for his things. He hadn't expected to have privacy with her on the ship, and he was most definitely smug about it. He grabbed for the woman's wrist to spin her to him, arms wrapping around her thighs to lift her up.. "So how much free time do we have exactly..." he grinned roguishly.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

"Well I didn't want to-" Lexi was cut off when he grabbed her wrist and pulled her close then up. She laughed, her arms wrapping around his neck though it was unnecessary, Cassian was strong enough to keep her where she was without her supporting herself.

"Presume," she finished her sentence before dipping her head to give him a slow kiss. When she broke apart she rested her forehead against his with her eyes closed. "Well, in theory there shouldn't be any fighting until we get to the Blighted Sea, but I'm not sure I will be able to stay locked in here all the time," she gave him another soft kiss.

 

[Cassian]

His cheeks dimpled, looking up at her as though he couldn't quite believe his luck. He looked at her like that a lot, he felt it. He gave a soft 'hmm' against her lips as she kissed him and he smiled, grazing his nose against hers and his eyes closed with a deep sigh. "Presume..." he whispered with a smirk.

He groaned at her words and brushed his lips over hers.. "I mean, it'd be a challenge I'm sure..but I'm willin' to give it a shot.." he laughed, and returned her kiss before setting her down. Red was already exploring, and she'd found herself a comfortable spot on the bed. Cassian cast her a side glance and looked back to Lexi with a look of concern. "I think we're bein' watched.."

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Lexi's boots made a dull noise as they hit the wooden planks beneath their feet and the look she gave him was a mix of amusement and mock scolding. The fact he had put her down was proof enough to her however that he understood he couldn't monopolise her time, at least not whilst they were on a mission even if there was only relaxing to be done for the moment. Her eye shifted to the bed when he spoke about being watched and her whole face melted at the precious bundle of fur on the bed.

In a couple of strides she was curled up on the bed around the fluffy kitten doting on her.

"She doesn't like to share attention."

 

[Cassian]

Cass turned to watch her and he rubbed at the back of his neck, leaning back against the desk and folding his arms across his chest, his lips twitching in amusement at her words. "Bit like myself, lass." he chuckled quietly and looked down, huffing quietly to himself.

"If I get in your way, lass. If you need your space let me know, I won't break.." he told her, his eyes raising to look at her under a creased brow. "I don't mean to put my burdens on you.. What sort of a man does that make me? I should be lookin' after you, not the other way aroun'.." he commented and sighed, diverting his attention to the window. The ship was casting off.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Lexi's full attention was on the kitten who had rolled onto her back and was purring like a machine under the gentle scratches behind her ears, under her chin, and down her stomach. She was just so cute, Lexi could spend hours doing nothing more than this. The shift in his tone was was first alerted her to the fact this was a serious conversation and she looked up at him as he began to talk. A small frown began to form, then it grew a little deeper.

"What kinda stupid backward motion is that?" she snorted and got back to her feet to walk over to him. She put a hand either side of his hips on the desk he leaned against. "I don't need looking after, you don't need looking after. That's not what this is," she raised a hand and poked his chest twice. "This is..." well hell she didn't know what this was in truth. "This is a partnership. Equal. We got each others backs, alright?"

 

[Cassian]

He looked at her with a deep sigh and rubbed at the back of his neck as she walked back to him. "No, lass, I know yeh don' , I don' mean it that way.." he frowned down at her, but his lips twitched as she poked at his chest, a brow lifting as she paused, trying to decide what this was. Her answer made his cheeks dimple though, and he opened his arms to wrap them around her and pull her against his chest.

"Aye. We do. Just don' want you worryin' that I can't...handle, things." he frowned, "Just don' get yourself killed an' I'll handle it fine." he groaned quietly and ran his fingers through her hair as he returned his gaze to the window. He wasn't too sure how he felt that the ground beneath them was moving just yet..

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

As he wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close she sighed a little and pressed her face to the crook of his neck. The brief moment calmed the swell of emotions that had been bubbling up inside of her; anger, confusion, doubt. Her arms slid finally around him in return and she fulled relaxed into the embrace. After a while she finally said what was on her mind still.

"It's not me that's worried about you, not as Lexi. I am a little concerned as a Commander," she pulled back a little to look him in the eyes. "You did freeze when I just got a little cut," she ran her thumb over his cheek. "As a Commander I just need to know if you need to step back. There are situations where all of them have those moments - their pasts all bleed into the here and now. Kain cannot leave me to go on a mission because he feels like he failed out last Commander - Aelenora is terrified of fire - Alec is going to freeze at the next battle I am almost 90% certain. It's my job to know these little things and I'm just asking you to let me do my job as your Commander by telling me when you hit that point."

 

[Cassian]

She was like a sedative. Some form of medicinal relaxant in human form, he couldn't explain how she did it but she did. Every tension he felt melted and his mind cleared and eased as he breathed her in. Her words caused his brows to furrow briefly and he looked down at her, leaning into her hand and nodding gently.. "Aye, it was a distraction.." he admitted.. "All I can do is promise to work on it, lass, an' separate this from my job..I know tha'.." his jaw clenched and a hand fell to the side of her neck, a thumb caressing her jaw line. "I just don' think I have it in me to step back.." he frowned. He knew for certain he wouldn't drop out in the middle of something and let the others take more strain, it wasn't an option, and so he had no other choice but to try and separate his feelings from the task at hand and accept that they'd all get hurt at some point or another.

"Neither of us are porcelain, lass." he sighed with a half smirk, and he wasn't, at least not physically.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

"Alright. If that's what you want. But if I see any problems and tell you to fall back you've got to listen to me," Lexi nodded to his words. If that was his wish then she would respect it and honour it, treat him as such on the battlefield. She let her hand drop from his face after one gentle sweep of her thumb over the stubble. Then her hands took his in hers to pull him to his feet and lead him towards the door.

"Come on, you don't want to spend your first time on a ship just cooped up in here," her head listed slightly towards the deck that lay beyond the doors with a sly smile. She wanted to see how good his sea legs were after all. "You need to get the practice in for when you go sailing all over the world in your retirement."

 

[Cassian]

Cassian grinned down at her and gave a slow nod “Aye.. I’ll do as I’m told Lexi.” He promised and pressed a kiss to her forehead before letting her pull him away from the desk.

He followed her out onto the deck and pulled in a breath of sea air. Walking was.. odd, but the sea was calm enough for now at least. He leaned over the edge to look down at the water and out at the horizon with a small smile on his lips. “So far so good..” he muttered. It was certainly clearing his headache, but his stomach was starting to churn uneasily.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Kain was leaning over the side of the ship looking a little green around the gills. When he saw the two of them emerge he looked at Lexi almost pleadingly.

"Oh shit, sorry Kain I forgot," she let go of Cassian's hand and made her way over to her friend whilst trying not to laugh. There was a few times she stumbled a little but otherwise she seemed to find her sea legs pretty quickly, adjusting the subtle rise and fall and left to right motion of the waves.

"I know you two can't keep your hands off each other but for a second to you know... make me not want to throw up would be great," he replied weakly, attempting a joke before hurling himself over the edge of the ship to be sick. Lexi grimaced and lightly patted his back.

"You done?" he nodded and she pulled him back up straight, put her hands either side of his had on the temples and closed her eye, murmuring something under her breath. A few moments past and then slowly Kain began to return to a normal shade of colour and he was able to release his death grip on the rail.

"Is no' a bhad time tah pass the Rum 'round?" Mitch appeared waving a bottle with a grin.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian grimaced at the sight of Kain "Fuck, I didn' know humans could be that colour." he laughed quietly and turned away with a wince as he threw up. Instant karma, he thought with a smirk. He watched Lexi work and his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Perhaps it was something she done to him that made him feel at peace, a work of magic without him knowing.. He pondered the thought for a moment.

The water was starting to get a little more choppy and Cassian staggered a little and clung to the side again, offering a grin at Mitch with a short nod "Not one to turn down a drink, Cap'n." he laughed