#λ::|| the caribbean | 1700s CE

[ofspvrta]

I want you to make love to me.

μ::|| meme: 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒. | accepting [ Ξ ]

θ::|| @paddyfuck

She'd been hovering around Edward's group for months now, coming to know them, traveling with them on occasion, and fighting alongside them. All for access to the Piece of Eden that lay hidden in the area. But it wasn't to say that the bonds she formed weren't real, they very much were. It was so rare for Kassandra to make friends that when she did, there was something special about it.

And some had come to be even more than friends.

Kassandra had barely set her hat and jacket aside in her room at the tavern when Anne's voice rang out above the rowdiness of the patrons below. She stood in the doorway, arm resting against the frame as Kassandra turned around, a smile carving into those bronze features. She can't say the thought hadn't crossed her mind before, not after that night in the water. "Is that so?" She asked, handsome features captured in flickering candlelight.

She stepped forward, placing one hand on the door above Anne's head, the other hand reaching behind her back to lead her inside. The door closes behind them, blocking out the rest of the revelers to the going ons of the room. Her breath was almost catching at the thought of intimacy, it had been some time after all. That free hand moves to Anne's exposed thigh, her other hand pulling her in close. "I think I can do that." The words were whispered as she leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips, gentle at first, but growing in intensity as the hand at her back glided up, fingers pressing in and holding her firm against her.

This is going to be a wonderfully long night, she thought, as she led them both to the bed.

[ofspvrta]

❛  they’re  going  to  catch  us -  ❜ – from Mary. 💕

μ::|| meme: 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑶𝑹𝑴𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑶𝑭 𝑴𝒀 𝑫𝑬𝑺𝑰𝑹𝑬 . | accepting [ Ξ ]

θ::|| @decidentia | mary

At this ungodly hour, even the drunks were starting to wind down, either heading to the inns or back to the ships to sleep it off. Some hadn't even made it that far, falling asleep right there on the docks, pockets and coin purses ripe for the picking by the more opportunistic and sober. The summer humidity made everything sticky and balmy, growing to be even too much for the immortal Greecian and her companion. They had snuck away when the rest of the crew had been distracted by their drink. But even the intimidating Greek and her friend, the infamous James Kidd were swimming in it. Kassandra had led them to a more secluded area of the port, hidden in the shadows and obscured by some old crates that had seemed to be neglected for some time.

Deft fingers fumbled at the buttons of James' blouse, revealing the secret they kept hidden from the others. An eager hand wandered beneath the fabric, ghosting over their nipple and grasping at their breast, kneading it gently. There was excitement in sneaking off like some young thing, wanting nothing more than to pleasure her lover and to know pleasure in return. Their lips met, consuming kisses, thick with the taste of rum and salt. It was only after a moment that Mary interrupted, a slight protestation of getting caught. The Keeper glanced about, no voices, no footsteps, and they were obscured from the view of others. "We'll be safe here, besides, isn't that part of the fun? I won't let anyone find your secret." Her hand moved to push the sleeve of their blouse and jacket down, peppering more kisses along the skin of their neck and shoulder.

Her hands moved down, fingers hooking under the hem of their trousers and moving to undo the fastenings. Kassandra shifted, pulling back her kisses to kneel down on the hard ground, golden eyes dark in the low light as she looked up to Mary. "Let me please you, no one will find us here," she whispered, as she drew their pants down to their thighs and planted a kiss against their arousal.

[ofspvrta]

θ::|| @seeasunset has encountered the keeper

Kassandra raised her pint to the sea captain, a slightly inebriated smirk on her features. "Come on, Vasco, you've got to have some wild tales at sea. What better time to tell them than now?"

[ofspvrta]

Her concentration on the task before her seemed shot. The young woman held her attention now, Kassandra silently standing before her as a warning of what prolonged loneliness did to a person. Made them bitter, made them terrible with people sometimes. She was almost always quick to brush things off with a snide comment or joke, a defense mechanism against having to let people get close to her.

Turning from the map, her arms fold over her chest as she stares at the other woman, brow quirking in curiosity. Two lives... no one lived two lives. Did they? Outside of the Isu, she didn't believe in reincarnation, the afterlife didn't work the way mortals thought it did. There is way too much she knows that disproves many popular beliefs. In a way she hates that she can no longer be ignorant to the world.

"What exactly do you mean, two lives? There is only the one life, and then we die."

{Continuing from (x) for: @ofspvrta}

❖

The burning concern of being overly talkative settling at the bottom of her stomach is ignored. Well, as best as she could. It's always those moments if she's being too much with rambling and being quiet coming to haunt her. Despite the thoughts being pushed to the back of her mind, her gaze slid over to what the other woman is doing.

A map? What kind of map?

The burning question is also being pushed away, not wanting to intrude on what the other is doing, especially if it means losing the focus. Instead, she cleared her throat. Her gaze going elsewhere, looking at the nearest wall. Worn from the years of the environment beating at it (the sun, the winds, even the battles that could have taken place here).

❝Two lives actually. I'm tryin' to make the most out of this second one. But.....it seems hard to reach out.❞

[ofspvrta]

Awnings and palm fronds were strung overhead, offering some respite from the syrupy heat of the Caribbean sun.  Presenting as James – that fictitious bastard – Mary moved through the stalls and stands, unvarnished surfaces heaped with produce.  Beneath golden bunches of bananas hung from hooks, coconuts bristled against the balmy breeze, their pale flesh a balm for parched lips.  Prickly pineapples and papery-skinned papayas huddled together with stacks of mangoes, their skins a patchwork of green, yellow and red.  All jewels of the tropics, promising sweetness.

Coins were traded for a reddish, velvety fruit that filled Mary’s fist.  It was ripe and soft – ready for eating – and they were able to break the fruit open with ring-adorned fingers, revealing creamy flesh punctuated by black seeds.  There was an unguarded fondness in Mary’s features as they moved closer to Kassandra, a familiarity in the way they held the fruit aloft, hovering before the lips they had kissed and kissed and kissed.  A sugar rush might carry them through the haze of a lazy afternoon, after a long, loving, sleepless night.

“Custard apple,” Mary explained.  “Though they’re like no apples we’ve got back in Yorkshire.”

θ::|| @austerulous | mary read/james kidd

The markets always had something enticing to the Keeper. It was the best way to learn about the local culture, and the people, and with a companion, it became all the better. Mary had promised to show her something here and Kassandra was more than happy to accompany them after the activities of the previous night. The sweet smells of fruit mingled with the permanent salty flavor of the ocean air. As James, her companion had walked ahead to a fruit stand as Kassandra glanced around at some of the other wares. The market was particularly bustling today, perhaps a bit too much and Kassandra could feel herself getting a bit overwhelmed by the sensations around her. Too loud, too many smells, too many people brushing past her and she realized she was standing in the middle of the path, an obstacle for others to work around. Her attention turned to Mary, hoping to spot them in the crowd.

It hadn't taken long to find them as they approached with something in their hand.

She said nothing as the smaller pirate approached her, getting dangerously close to her lips and presenting that ripe, red fruit before her. Her lips twitched into a smirk as the scent filled her senses. Oh, she could only imagine how the fruit tasted, it smelled, unlike any fruit she had feasted on before. Mary may have held it high, but Kassandra caught their wrist gently and pulled it down before her to get a good look at it.

"They're like no apples I've seen anywhere." She was excited at the prospect of tasting something new. "We should find a place to sit and enjoy this. It's getting a bit more crowded than I'd like."

[ofspvrta]

17 .  a kiss to kiss to hide from pursuers  /  blend in  . - from Mary!

μ::|| meme:  a collection of kiss prompts  ,  both platonic  &&  romantic | accepting [ Ξ ]

θ::|| @austerulous | mary reed

They... may have pissed off some Templars. Took something from one of their strongholds, had one tiny little mistake and got discovered. A few minutes of running through the city, hopping rooftops, ducking in and out of merchant stalls and taverns. Kassandra and Mary had stayed neck and neck even when splitting up across different rooftops before finally meeting near a haberdasher's shop. Kassandra nodded for Mary to run ahead while she had ducked into the shop, snatching a hat and tucking her braid into it as she slunk back out, her coat now slung over her arm.

The heavy footfalls of Templars on the rooftops nearby alerted her as she caught up to Mary. "Follow my lead." She said, backing them against the wall, one hand pressed against the stone work, her other hand cradling Mary's face as she leaned in an pressed a kiss to their lips.Without her coat and her braid tucked into a new hat and her body blocking most of Mary from their view, they appeared as a drunken couple to most passing by. Who would ever be so rude to interrupt that? Not that she didn't want to kiss them anyway.

[ofspvrta]

"I like being alone - at least, I convince myself that I'm better off that way."

μ::|| meme: Lonely Sentences. | accepting [ Ξ ]

θ::|| @starlixir

The Keeper kept her head down, golden eyes focusing intently on the map before her. The young assassin was intent to keep the conversation going as she tried her damnedest to focus on what was before her. She'd been like that once, compelled to fill the silence with words. Maybe she still was in some ways. But by now she was actively trying not to get attached to anyone. Trying but failing. Heartache was always inevitable with her when she stayed in one place too long.

"You say that now, but you only live one life." Her fingers press into the table, anxiousness gripping at her as her knuckles turn white under the gloves. Mortals live such short existences, why would they choose to live that time alone? Humans were not meant to be such lonely things. "You shouldn't spend it isolating yourself."

[ofspvrta]

"For others, maybe. You haven't seen me when someone's really pissed me off." She was a one-woman army at this point and had a kill count to prove it. Not that she took pride in how many lives she's taken in the past two thousand years, it was a heavy toll, but her destiny and her course of action were clear. Sometimes things had to be done for the greater good. "It will never fully be under control, but I work at least to slow it where I can. Unfortunately, it's human nature at this point."

Pulling her hood over her head, she followed the man, clinging to shadows as if she were borne from them. Despite the weight of her clothing, she moved lightly and quickly, the only giveaway of her presence being the soft breaths in moments of absolute silence.

"I greatly appreciate your help, Vasco. You have no idea how helpful this will be not just to me but to this region. Forces I cannot begin to describe threaten the way of life here and I am one of the only things standing in their way."

❝As I stated before, it'll be a while to get through all of them. I'm sure of it. From the looks of it, they must have a large number within their ranks.❞ It'll be never-ending or so it seems. In the end, it'll taking them out or be the one taken out. Them or you basically. ❝Corrupt, corrupt, and more corruption. It's never-ending. You think you got it under control and another pops up with another kind of corruption.❞

And with the coast being cleared, Vasco moved to lead the way. His steps being light yet swift, not wanting to linger too much. Caution as well, given he didn't want to rush too much ahead and find himself face to face with danger.

❝Well, good thing you can use this for a while. You don't need to linger at this place for too long if it doesn't fit your taste any longer or you feel you'll be exposed. I hope this will help you in the long run. Hate to see your plans get delayed any further.❞

[ofspvrta]

Leans on her with a biiiiig yawn.

θ::|| @paddyfuck

The Keeper looked next to her, to the firey-haired pirate who rested beside her. What a day it had been, running about, chasing Templars, killing said Templars. Enough to exhaust any seafarer. But whereas Kassanda's physiology and secret Isu artifact meant she rarely if ever exhausted, Anne didn't have such benefits. Kassandra sighed, resting her head against the salt-soaked wood. Oh, what a day.

"Don't tell me the formidable Anne Bonney grows tired already." Her tone was light, but she couldn't help it. A little light teasing always seemed present between the two of them. It was a sailor's way after all, if they couldn't take a ribbing, they couldn't handle anything else thrown their way. "Do I have to carry you to bed like a princess?"

[ofspvrta]

Gifts her a nice, imported wine, a few necklaces and a a few glittery rings, all of which show signs of not only being brand new, but bought legitimately. :')

θ::|| @paddyfuck

Kassandra had put down the telescope she was toying with. All the ship advancements from when she was a commander had always fascinated her. How Barnabas would have loved to see the ships they made today. Her golden brown eyes caught Anne's first and then shifted to the presents she came bearing. A quizzical look washed over her, a brow arching curiously. "All of this is for me?"

As she took the small horde of gifts, she almost felt bad. Was this a custom she had missed out on? Was there a special occasion? "Thank you. But what's the occasion? I don't have anything to give you back right now."

[ofspvrta]

❝Do you celebrate the New Year? Just curious because tonight, the Naut is going to do something much more grand and more fun than any of the previous years they have done. I've figured I'll ask if you want to tag along.❞

θ::|| @seeasunset

The Keeper frowned at the question. It was New Year's Eve, wasn't it? She hardly kept track of such things, she had no need to. It was just another day passing. Years felt pointless to her at this age, sometimes she had to make a conscious effort to look at what year it was. When one lived as many years as she has, why would they want to count the years as they passed?

"I'm sorry, Vasco. I don't really celebrate it much. I didn't even realize that was today."

[ofspvrta]

Kassandra usually found herself drawn to people like Mary. Dangerous, acclimated to blade and blood. Those who have fought for everything their entire lives and gave no quarter to their foes. Those who demanded the respect of everyone around them without having to ask, simply by the sheer might of their character. Mary had captivated her first by piquing her curiosity and then by showing her their mettle.

As Kassandra left the bioluminescence behind her, her amber eyes looked back to the sea. She had always been home when the land couldn't be. For so long in her mortal years she thought the sea would be her grave simply because she spent so much time on it. Fitting then, that she would find such close companionship in a fellow patron of the sea, one just as tied and drawn to it as she was. One who may one day find their death there as well.

Her eyes then turned their appreciation to Mary as they stepped from the surf, the way the moon captured the water that dripped down their body. Beautiful in any light, even when soaking wet. Perhaps especially so. She couldn't help the smile that drew from her lips.

"Either sounds fine to me. I'll go wherever you lead me, you haven't led me astray so far tonight and you're far more familiar with the island than I am." She watched as Mary began to walk off, still stark nude while Kassandra had hastily gathered both their clothes. Just in case. "Though, much as I enjoy a nude stroll, if we get nearer to a tavern, we should probably have something on. Much as it pains me to ruin such a lovely sight."

Mary thought of the courtship of white-capped eagles, whose sky-draped rituals saw them free fall together, the obsidian shotels of their talons locked. Predatory creatures, flirting with danger at the pinnacle of their desire. Wind roaring in their ears, plumage beruffled by the blast as they spun, the green of the earth blending and blurring with the brilliant blue of the sky.

Neither they nor Kassandra were the wilting sort of woman, scented with crushed violets, concerned with petticoats and lace-trimmed stockings. Instead, they knew the softness of a man’s belly, how easily a knife could slide into the pale dough of unguarded flesh. They knew the sight of blood blooming like crimson clouds in saltwater, how that copper tang folded into the saline deep, drawing black-eyed sharks from the locker. They knew tomorrow could not be counted upon. They knew what they wanted and were unafraid to take it.

The pair broke apart in the water, the sea opening up between them as they returned to shore. Plumes of bioluminescence bid them farewell as bare feet found the silk sand floor, falling away as they emerged from the surf, glittering waves lapping at thighs, then calves, then ankles.

“T’dunes,” Mary suggested, with saltwater racing down their body, dripping from dark, clinging hair and the tips of their breasts. Fondness and excitement warmed their belly, setting their heart to race in anticipation as they strode shameless across the beach. “Or we find a tavern. A different one to what we set off from.”

[ofspvrta]

“ I haven't read one line yet, how did it get weird already? ”

μ::|| meme: Narrator Outtakes Prompts. | accepting [ Ξ ]

θ::|| @seeasunset

Kassandra looked over at the book and without hesitation, snatched it from Vasco's hands. "Give me that!" It couldn't have possibly been that odd could it? They had been going through the things found at the abandoned outpost near the pier, hoping for a clue on the next artifact. Sadly, none had surfaced yet until Vasco had piped up. The journal was odd, several languages scrawled out, most she knew already but one she recognized but had trouble deciphering. Isu. It felt like while she could read it in Elysium, perhaps it was because she was meant to know it then. But not so much now. But this was it, this was what they were looking for.

"I mean, if you can't read it, it's going to be weird. And I highly doubt you know Sanskrit or..." she wasn't going to mention the Isu language, "maybe a few of these languages on here." She paused, pocketing the book, "No offense. Good find though."

[ofspvrta]

Mobile, so excuse the ugliness – this is from Mary! 💕

Winner winner chicken dinner! The first one with all the boxes checked. And this is why they almost immediately hit it off, this right here. I love this ship so much honestly.

[ofspvrta]

❝I always heard about this one particular sea creature called Nessie. I doubt she'll be anywhere near here, but I've heard a few people say they spotted her. Maybe it's something else that resembles her. Do you know anything about that?❞

θ::|| @seeasunset

"You're talking about the Loch Ness creature," Kassandra said, leaning forward in her seat until her arms rested on the table between them. "Loch Ness is a lake in Scotland. Many a weary traveler has said to have seen a creature of sorts in her murky depths, but I don't put a lot of stock in those tales."

[ofspvrta]

It was a great benefit, in many ways, to be so noticeably tall compared to those around her. It certainly made it easier for Mary to find her among the crowd. Though the scent of the fruit tantalizingly being dangled before her was enough to bring a smile to her face despite the suffocating crowd surrounding them.

Kassandra simply nodded and followed Mary, parting the sea of patrons like Moses did the sea. Though she tried not to stand out most of the time, she gave off the presence of a goddess hiding among the people, something about her always stood out. A hint of something divine, like the very statues she used to climb back home. Maybe it was how she sometimes carried herself, or the combination of chiseled features carved out on a six-foot frame.

But Kassandra ignored them, her attention focused more on the smaller frame leading her away from the droves of market goers, sailors, and locals milling about to partake in wares and goods. It was just as well that they were leaving, nothing had particularly caught her eye outside of the fragrant fruit that Mary had teased her with. Once the smell of the sea was able to overcome the scent of spices and sweat, she felt herself relaxing, the soft crashing of waves a welcoming sound.

She gazed out at the turquoise water before her. Salt soaking the air and the wood beneath their feet. A contented sigh exited her as her squared shoulders were able to relax a little under the thick of her coat. "Much better." She uttered golden eyes regarding her companion.

"Now, you said it was a custard apple?" She asked, taking the hand that had just brushed against hers, bringing it to her lips to plant a gentle kiss.

◈   @ofspvrta  //  cont.

Bustling market-goers parted around the pair like the rush of river-water around stone.  The air was thick with the mingling scents of spices, ripe fruits, and the sweat of labour and heat.  Suffocating, to one who preferred quieter spaces.

Towering above the crowd, Kassandra breached the churning surf of merchants and ordinary folk.  Effortless, Mary honed in on their companion, slipped into her shadow to make their offering.  Tropical sun cast its golden halo on the mercenary, illuminating the tanned contours of her face and arms, while her eyes – a knowing, honeyed shade of brown – glinted in discernment.  The fruit was not rejected outright, but its eating was postponed, juice forming a sticky sheen on the pirate’s fingers.  What a warm and prized feeling, to know they had presented the intrepid traveller with a rare first.

Mary smiled crookedly in understanding, and tipped their head towards the docks, gladly leading Kassandra away from the swirling press of bodies.  Here, the breeze was cleaner, salt-scented.  Sea-smooth planks, bleached by long seasons in the Caribbean sun, knocked softly under their footfall.

Making a seat on the edge of the jetty, they hid among masts of fishing vessels, weathered spokes rising from the water level like reeds.  On the horizon, the painted sails of distant ships appeared as colourful dorsal fins.  The pair were watched only by the blank, false eyes of the shoal of four-eyed butterflyfish that drifted beneath their dangling feet.  It was a place that afforded them privacy – and peace.  

“Better?”  Mary asked, reaching out to brush a thumb fondly over the peaks and troughs of Kassandra’s knuckles.  Clutched in their other hand, the peculiar apple bled syrup.