Upstairs, Downstairs ~ by SaralynArati

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Still shackled, Silver Fox is led across to Shooting Star's ship, The Firebrand, and virtually tossed below. But, contrary to his expectation, he is caught and lands softly. A huge man puts him down and releases his bonds. Silver Fox is confused. Shooting Star is there, though, so most of his attention is on her. "You are to stay below. Find whatever work needs doing, just so long as you never, ever, appear on deck. If you are above hatches, the ship had better be on fire. That is all."

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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"Yes, by all means, tell him that," says the statelier commander. "If he's not at least willing, then he's not good enough for you." "Thank you for your counsel, gentlemen. I shall so inform the prisoner," Shooting Star nods to each, and strides off. "What do you think?" the pair exchange without speaking. "He'd be a fool not to accept," says the scruffy man. "He's no fool," the commander asserts. "I will confess that I do not want to share our Shooting Star, but she needs... we'll see."

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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"He has chosen a very risky means of demonstrating his infatuation," says the scruffy man. "He could have been killed at least a dozen times, maybe twice that." "He is very brave, and courteous," adds the commander, "as well as possessing either tremendous luck, supreme skill with a blade, or both." The rascally man gives a lopsided grin. "Tell him that you'll take him aboard, IF he's willing to be chained to an oar in your ship." "But..." Shooting Star begins, shocked. "For other ears."

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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"Agreed," says her commander, a man of middle years, and usually one to give the benefit of the doubt to things like love at first sight. "And yet, on the occasions when I have taken the shackles off of him myself, I did not get the impression that he was a spy." "So what do we do with him? Now that he's made this declaration, rumor will spread. If we take him on board, every spy in the islands will lose his heart to me immediately," reasons the captain, already thinking of doing just that.

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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Those who are already on deck, finishing off the original pirates, view Shooting Star having a small conclave off to the side with her commander and a rascally looking man whom she apparently trusts implicitly. "He says he loves me, wants to get to know me. Do you think he's a spy?" asks Shooting Star, apparently out of her depth. "I think maybe he's infatuated with your pretty face. Maybe. But unless he gets to know you, he can't really say he loves you for you," says the scruffy man.

10 years ago