[gremlin]

"I never really treated my servants as... servants. They were all very kind people. I had the same maid ever since I was born. Actually, she delivered me. She was my teacher as well. My parents made sure to get an educated woman to take care of me." Lucy blushed as Jude rubbed her hand. "She drew me bathes, she helped me pick out my clothes. If I let her, she would clean my room. I use to try to give her my toys, but she wouldn't take them." Lucy laughed, then she realised she had begun to caress Jude's hand as well.

"I understand if they don't want me to stay," she said and nodded. "I know that they might feel uncomfortable having someone around that they barely know. I know that it might also be because I'm a woman and you clearly don't have much of those around. I wouldn't want to start any trouble. I'm not a bad person, I can be useful. I can prove myself to them and to you. I promise. I'll mind my own business, I won't snoop or try to control anyone. I'll keep to myself." her eyes looked in to his, she couldn't turn away.

"I have to tell you something," she whispered. She didn't want anyone else to hear, even though she knew that no one could. "You might not want me around when I tell you. You might even laugh and think that I'm lying. You might think that I'm insane."

[MuseSick]

Jude smiled, a soft, lopsided, twisted, Jude smile. He shook his head as he watched her hand rub along his. He nodded encouraging her to go on, that he was listening. But their moment was cut short. He herd the crew calling his name and sighed softly. "Well, time to prove yourself, whatever it is I'm sure you can tell me once things are taken care of upstairs.." he said as he let go of her hand, his cloak swishing behind him as he ran up the stairs, finally getting on deck he could see an approaching ship. He reached to his side, feeling his sword softly, his hands touching up upon the grove work on the handle. This was perfectly imperfect. Jude watched as the ship approached, dashing downstairs.

"Okay- You need a sword, and holster to hold it, do not draw until they make the first move." he said as he spun around the cabin, looking for a sword that would suit her body, and a holster small enough. He tossed the holster to her feet along with the sword. "I'll see you up there, be quick Lucy. We need all the man we've got, if we look like we've got enough they'll pass. It's why you were attacked, pirates prey on ships that they can take over." he said as he poked his head around to look at her. "Time to prove yourself." he said as he raced back up the stairs, he could hear the plank setting on their boat, his eyes narrowed. There were two ships.. One held a crew and the other held the Captain, the very man that had thrown Lucy in the water.

But no one but Lucy knew that. Jude watched as the men on the boats withdrew their swords. The crew yanked their swords out of their sheaths and held them ready, surrounding the cabin, a couple men around the steering wheel. Jude stood, his sword pointed at the ground, the tip resting on the wood of the boat. "Try us.." he muttered. "Ready Men.. LEAVE NO ONE!" he called as they charged. Swords were flying everywhere. Jude remained fighting near the door so that Lucy could have a better entrance into the fight, so this way she wouldn't be ambushed while she was alone down there. People had been after Jude and his ship for ages, and there was no way he was going to lose either.

[gremlin]

Lucy felt nervous, she was about to tell him what she really was. What if he tries to kill me, she thought and breathed heavily. Then she heard yelling, she heard feet stomping across the deck above. Her eyes widened and she felt Jude slip his hand away from hers. Suddenly she was whisked away from her thoughts and had to tend to more important matters.

Her hands touched her waist in an insecure matter. "I'm so petite, I'm sorry." she said and blushed. When he tossed her a holster, she bent down and took it in her hands. It was a bit loose, but was better than nothing. The sword felt heavy. Oh god, she thought, I've never held a sword before. I've never fought. I'm useless. She smiled at Jude, attempting to not seem nervous.

Once making sure that the holster was on appropriately, Lucy ran to the deck of the ship. She nearly tripped on the stairs in her hurry. At first, nothing felt real. When her eyes rested on her ship, she felt as if she couldn't speak. Then she saw him. The captain who had left her for dead. He was standing, watching her with a hunger in her eyes that she had never seen before in a man. Her eyes darted to Jude. "That's my ship," she yelled.

When she looked back the man was walking closer to her, his sword drawn. Her hands shook as she drew her sword. Then their swords met, Lucy felt a rush, she could hear her heart pounding in her ears. As he stepped back she swung her sword, something wet splashed across her. It was warm. It was blood. It's smell was intoxicating. Suddenly her knees felt weak and she stumbled backwards. He swung at her and barely missed her stomach. Her eyes grew wide with fear. I could die.

[MuseSick]

Jude glanced over to her, watching her draw her sword, he could see it shake in her hands. The man approching her, it seemed personal. Jude stared, it was her ship. That's what was so personal. He could feel his blood boil over inside of him, it was hot and it raced through her. This was the man that had thrown an innocent girl overboard.. He clentched his free hand at his side. He was always sensitive when it came to Men who were abusive, who power tripped over the silliest of things. He sighed as he skilfully slid his sword around a man, grabbing him by the hair he pressed the blade to his neck. "Gather yo-" when the man struggled Jude thrust the blade against his throat, cutting into it, he threw him to the ground, his stomach flopping as he watched the man bleed out on the floor.

He stepped over it, going to assist his crew, his eyes continuously flickering between his own battle and Lucy's. Sure she needed to prove herself, but she didn't need to get herself killed in the process.. He jumped up onto the stern, sucking his stomach- which was fairly flat- in to avoid being hit. His sword swung down, annoyed by the slice that ran down the center of his shirt, he jumped forward, his sword dismembering the mans arm. He growled. "That was my favorite shirt.." he said as he pushed him back, swinging through Men, in and out his sword weaving in battle between several men as he tried hard to assist his crew. He hadn't been expecting this today. "State your business!" he yelled to the Captain, who was a good ten feet or so away. He looked at Lucy, if he could get the man talking, Lucy would have even more of a chance than she would have originally.

The Captain smirked as he looked down at Lucy. "You lived.." he breathed as he held is sword against hers effortlessly. His gaze didn't leave her as he listened to Jude. "I've come for what is rightfully mine!" he called back as his hand extended, grabbing Lucy's arm. "How cute.. You want to play dress up, you don't have what it takes to survive in these waters girlie.. Come with me and I'll give you a life of luxury.." he whispered softly.

[gremlin]

Lucy's sword slipped from her hands as the man forcefully struck it again. For a moment she could not catch her breath, she reached out in an attempt to retrieve her sword. Then she felt a strong, firm hand take hold of her arm. Her wide eyes looked from the hand to the man that it belonged to. He was holding her so tightly that it hurt.

Lucy cried out as he held her arm, she began to squirm as an effort to escape from his grip. It was useless, she felt so helpless. Her face flushed red, with anger this time. What's rightfully yours? "I don't belong to you, you bastard." she growled. Lucy wasn't an animal, she wasn't an item. She was a person. She didn't belong to anyone. She spat in his face. "Let go of me!" she screamed.

Lucy felt a sudden rush, she couldn't reach her sword. That's when she bit him. She bit his hand, hard. Her fangs sunk in, her other teeth sank in too. Her eyes closed tightly in disgust, he tasted awful. His blood was bitter. Then she opened her eyes and looked up at him. Anger filled her eyes.

[MuseSick]

Jude raced over as she dropped her sword, "LET HER GO!" he yelled as he grabbed her sword, wielding both know he was about the place them on his throat when he noticed her fangs, buried deep inside of is skin. He shuddered as he watched the Man's face pale. He closed his eyes tightly as he slowly reached down grabbing Lucy by her arm. "L-lucky.." he stammered as he looked at the man's pale face. He could feel the colour drain from his own face, but he was bite free, he leaned over the edge, his drink and lunch spilling out into the ocean below, his eyes closed tight as his stomach spewed out, after having crawled up his throat. He pulled back, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, he grabbed his sword and ran, stabbing the man who was stalking behind Lucy.

The man stared, his eyes narrowing as he cackled, holding his stomach like he was Santa clause almost, he glanced down at the girl, watching her struggle made him squirm with delight. He had her, and now she was going to pay for everything. He went to push his sword hard against her throat, but screeched in pain instead, grabbing his arm, he let go long enough to push on the side of her head. "RETREAT!" he screamed to his men, watching them individually leave, few coming to assist him. He closed his eyes as he yelped, tears forming in his eyes as he pushed harder on her head. "Stop.. Please.. I beg of thee." the man repeated nervously. He could feel his body draining slowly, closing his eyes he fell to his knees, his arm held in the air, still stuffed up into Lucy's death bite.

Jude stared, slowly he rested his hand on her shoulder. "L-Lucy.. The man.. He's dead.." he whispered softly. "Y-you can let go now.. And help me with the wounded.. I mean.. If you're capable.." he said as he glanced down at her, he was almost scared to touch her when she was angry.

[gremlin]

At first Lucy did not hear or see Jude. When she finally let go blood poured from her mouth. Had she really taken that much from him? Her body quivered with excitement, it felt as if life had returned to her. She no longer felt hungry. Her eyes were wide, she felt light headed. She hated the lingering taste of filth in her mouth, she wanted water to wash it away.

She brought her hand to her mouth, tears formed in her eyes when she realised that she had killed him. Was she really that strong? Her heart felt like it was never going to stop pounding in her chest. Her eyes shifted up to Jude. Was he scared of her now? Maybe he just thinks that I bit him, like a normal bite. Maybe he will think that he bled out because of his wound.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed. She could not hold the tears in, her body quivered but this time in sadness. Lucy had never drank from someone before. She was only given blood to drink. Her family also cooked food, even though it wasn't that satisfying. It made them seem more wealthier that they could afford unnecessary food. She buried her face in her hands. When she stopped sobbing she stood and nodded. "I'll help with the wounded, if needed."

[MuseSick]

Jude watched the blood seep out of her mouth, and flood onto the deck, it was only a little puddle, but that little puddle made him sick. He glanced down at it, only lifting his head to hear her sob. He ignored the feeling he had in the pit of his stomach and grabbed her hand, pulling her tightly into his chest. He was babying her because she was a crying women.. If she was a man he'd tell her to suck it up or converse. But instead his arms snaked around her body and held her tightly. "You're a vampire.." he whispered. "Why are you so upset? He came at you.. You did good.." he breathed in her hair. Rubbing her back softly, his bloody hand smearing along her shirt. "You're okay.. It's okay.. They're retreating, we may not have gotten your boat back, but they're all leaving, and none of us are dead.." he said smiling he pulled back once she stopped crying.

"You'll have to get used to this though, we'll teach you how to wield a sword better, we can have a little tournament with all of the crew members. This way we can all get a little test going on. I'll help you train, but as it stand, you're only half way in, tending to the wounded will help, along with helping me cook. When we arrive I'll find you some blood wine, I have some in the basement, because some of the crew mates like it in general, we're all human though. So they'll lay off of it so you can get your fixation, and you can then get your own, if you're not staying I'll leave you money, so we don't have any missing villagers!" he teased. "And if you're staying, we'll need to stock up, so I'll need to know your eating habits." he said as he took her hand leading her down towards where the wounded had been taken. "With standing their blood will be test number one. If you can't do that we'd have to rid of you encase you become dangerous." he said as he handed her a sewing needle, a thread, and gauze. "Stitches, and gauze, grab some whiskey and get working." he said as he went over to each man, individually asking where it hurt, he'd help her of course.

[gremlin]

Lucy melted in to Jude's arm, her arms found their way around him. She tightly held on to him as if her life depended on it. She could feel his heart beating against her chest, he was nervous. She wondered if he was afraid that she would bite him. Her fingers crawled up from his lower back to the back of his head, she began to play with his hair.

"I tried to tell you," she whispered softly. "I was scared at how you may react but I knew that I couldn't lie. I couldn't live on a ship that couldn't provide me with what I needed." she pressed her face against his chest. She wanted to hide. "I'm sorry that you had to see me like that. He grabbed me, he was hurting me. I thought that I was going to be killed. I panicked and bit him."

She wondered what the others thought of her know. Are they disgusted by me? She thought, she fought back tears at the thought of rejection. She had no where to go, but if they couldn't trust her then she would understand. No one would probably fully understand what she was. There were plenty of myths about vampires. A lot about how evil they were. Lucy wasn't evil. She hoped that she could convince them otherwise.

"I'll train, I'll do whatever you want me to do. You no longer have to cook, you no longer have to clean and I will tend to the wounded and repair what is broken." even though she knew that Jude was teasing her, she felt slightly angry at his comment. "I wouldn't attack an innocent man or woman or child. That isn't right. I couldn't bring myself to do something like that! Even if I were starving." she looked at the dead captain. "But that man, that man is evil!" she raised her voice and spoke bitterly.

Lucy fell silent, her breathing returned to normal and her mind felt clearer. She felt embarrassed by her sudden outburst. She followed him to the wounded men, then approached him. She was very close. "I would never harm you or any of the men aboard this ship. You're all good men, anyone could see that." she whispered to him, her lips brushed against his ear.

She took the supplies in her hands and went to attend to the wounded men. Despite the incident they greeted her with weak smiles. She spoke to them kindly, to keep them distracted from the pain. The room smelt like blood, she needed distraction as well.

[MuseSick]

Jude blinked, why is she yelling at me.. Maybe this is why I've never had a girlfriend, girls are kind of high maintenance..he thought to himself as he looked down at her, eye brow cocked. "You know- You don't need to yell, I've basically come to terms that my Joke's kind of suck royally." he admitted as he watched her. "You know- saying that is helping. But I'd be pretty bored if I had nothing to do, plus equality means that we all take turns doing things, you don't just do them all by yourself." he said as he turned one of the non wounded men, asking him to grab bowls and serve the wounded and to get anyone who wasn't wounded to assist him in feeding the 20 or so wounded crew members. He added in a cup of blood wine for the girl. "It's okay that you hurt him- he had it coming, you were defending yourself in the best way you could and I applaud that you would do anything to save yourself. Having that around is good, because it means you'd be willing to assist crew members. Training wont take long, half of the people here only know basic attacks. But you're a vampire, and since it's all about moving with your opponent, you really shouldn't have TOO hard of a time, because I'm assuming that your agility is good when you're not frightened?" he asked as he knelt down to the man next to her, cracking his shin back into place as he shuddered. He wrapped gauze around the bleeding mans head, it was too shallow to stitch it. As he stood he felt her lips against his ear, his face grew hot as he closed his eyes, his mouth seemed to almost water with delight. He wasn't used to affection, so to him- it was exciting. But he pushed himself back into his own composure.

"But later when we go back to sailing, you can help me clean up the deck, we have to mop, and dispose of the bodies." he said with a nod. "We only throw dead ones to sea, mangled ones, as well. But the ones that are alive we keep and whip into shape to be our own, or chain them up until we reach a village and term them to the land. We're not quite as cruel here unless it's necessary." he said as he moved onto the next man, instructing the healed, or barley wounded men to help with the stew which was being handed out.

[gremlin]

Lucy began to attend to a wounded man, his wound wasn't severe but it still was not a pretty site. A sword had slipped across his chest, thankfully it was not deep. He was lucky. When she pierced his skin to thread the stitches threw he grunted quietly to himself. For a moment she hesitated, not too sure if he wanted her to continue. When he insisted that it didn't hurt and that he would be fine, she carried on. He began to talk about his wife back home, Lucy smiled and listened to him. Apparently he had several healthy children, six girls and one boy. He joked about how at home it was a woman's world. She laughed quietly to herself, she felt bad for his son. Lucy could not imagine having so many little ones running about. It would drive her insane. Especially if they were fathered by the man she was forcefully engaged to. She shook the thought from her head as she finished. I can't allow such things to cloud my mind, she thought. I have a new life. She wrapped two layers of bandages around his wound, once they were secure he stood. He thanked her, then left.

It took hours to attend to the men, during the hours she learned many things about them but said very little things about herself. She didn't want to say too much, though maybe saying too little was worse. Every so often her eyes glanced over at Jude, she was mesmerized by his kindness and generosity. When she finished bandaging the last man he took her hand and planted a kiss on it. He went to leave, hesitated, then looked down at her. Lucy looked up at him and smiled kindly. "I've seen you looking at Jude," he said and cleared his throat. "Don't hurt him, he's a good man."

She wasn't too sure how to take the comment. Don't hurt him? Did he think that she would potentially kill him as well? Lucy could never do such a thing. Or did he see something else between them? Before she got lost in her own thoughts she brought her attention back to the man. She didn't say anything in return, she simply nodded, then he left.

As her icy blue eyes looked around the room she realised that everyone had gone. She fiddled with the bit of bandage that was left over with her fingers. Then she began to nibble on her lower lip nervously. She felt lost in this big, quiet room.

[MuseSick]

Jude sighed softly, after his first man he returned to the side lines, Jude had never been skilled at helping heal the wounded, his hands shook to much. He hadn't known where he picked it up, but some nights it made him feel like an addict, like he'd drank to much, or smoked a lot. With the way his hands shook most people looked at him as if it was impossible for him to be great at anything but Jazz Hands.. He shook his head, smiling at the men. Their eyes seemed to light up a little when she spoke to him. This was thing's they told people all the time, about their wife and kids, or lack of there of, but the fact that it was a woman, brought them closer to home. He sat down next to one of the non wounded men after he'd finished giving out the soup and smiled, poking around at his own bowl. Jude was quiet, but no one was surprised, he sort of always had been. He wasn't like the typical pirates small children were taught about in books. He wasn't loud, and he wasn't stereotypical, he didn't drink Rum like the fairy-tails said, he didn't abuse woman, or anyone happily for that matter. It brought something almost pleasing to Jude, knowing that he was going to redefine the definition of a pirate, and fix the majority of the pirates to be. If he was going to start anywhere in the world, he figured he may as start somewhere far away from home, with a great view.

Jude stood up finally, standing in the middle of the room, his hands folded casually behind his back as he turned around in circles, to glance at all of his men before they left. "You may all, well I've basically decided that now- when we return back to your village, you may all remain home for 3 day's, before we part, if you all make a list of things you want, I'll add it to the necessary list of supplies and grab everything myself. As soon as we hit shore, all of you, go home, see your loved ones." Jude paused, his eyes catching onto Lucy, he walked over as the men filed out, going back to what they were doing on top of the boat. "As for you- I usually sleep in the boat, fore they don't live in the same village as I." he said with a nod of his head. "So you can stay here, or maybe one of the men will take you in, what you do is completely up to you. But you'll only have three day's, so don't get to comfortable." he said with a wink of his right eye. She was apart of his crew now, so just like everyone of his men, he'd try to protect her with his life.

[gremlin]

Lucy's eyes lit up as Jude spoke to her. She smiled and listened before she finally spoke. "Could we explore the village together? Could you show me around?" she asked politely. "I would really love to stay on the ship for the rest of my life. It's the closet thing to home that I have had for years. I never felt this right at my birth place. However, if the men decide that they don't want me around, I want to know the village better. Perhaps I could make use of myself there somehow."

She stood and looked up at Jude. She suddenly became envious of his height. "You're so tall," she said and couldn't help but laugh. "Everyone is, I can see why I may seem useless. I'm this tiny little thing." she held up her hand to show how much longer his sleeve was than her arm. She had to tie a knot in the back to make it some what form fitting. A smile formed on her face, she felt happy. She didn't know what she was feeling. "Thank you," she whispered to him. Her face suddenly became very close to his, she gave him a small peck on his cheek. "Do you have more clean clothes to spare me?" she asked still very close.

[MuseSick]

Jude shook his head, "I can tell by the way they speak to you, by the way their eyes light up, we'd all love to have you here. I've been working with these men for the past five years, I know what they want. But- I can show you around the village of course if you'd like. I myself rarely set foot on the land, because my love is in the black water. I usually sleep most of the day actually, but I stayed awake to see if you were doing well. So when we arrive I can show you around the village, but just know, you wont be there long." he said with a tender smile dancing across his lips. He could feel his face grow hot, turning a bright crimson red as she pressed her lips to his cheek. The closeness alone made him nervous. He'd never felt the touch of a woman aside from him Mum, so to him this was truly a foreign task.

He looked down at her now, he could smell the sweet scent of her breath, his hands slowly rested down on her waist as he held her there. "But you're cute.." he whispered. "Tiny females are cute, it makes us feel more manly when we can pick-" Jude paused long enough to lift her up off the ground, sitting her up on a desk he smiled. "That we can hold and protect." he said softly his face holding the distance between. "Yes.. I have some more clothes you can change into, I'm thinking of changing myself.." he whispered as he let her go gently, walking over to a smaller room, he grabbed two sets of clothing, laying one out for him and one out for her. His face reddening as he glanced at her, slowly he pulled his shirt off, grabbing a wash cloth he ran it along his body, wiping away the cut that had formed blood on his chest, his eyes not leaving her. "You can change where you'd like, the men are all upstairs.." he said.

(xD Should we be adding an 'M' for mature?)

[gremlin]

Lucy's heart fluttered as Jude spoke, her eyes closed for a moment and she breathed in his sweet aroma. She wasn't too sure how to describe his scent, it was a mixture of the sea and sweat and something else, but it was almost hypnotizing. "That's good," she whispered softly. "I'm happy that they like me, I'm happy that you like me. It's nice to think that I might have a place to call home." she opened her eyes and looked in to his. Her face felt hot.

"Jude!" she cried as he lifted her up. When he placed her on desk, she brought her arms around his neck. She twirled his hair around her finger playfully. "I guess that is a good thing then, the way you put it." Lucy's hands floated from his neck to her sides as he left her.

Her eyes followed him, watching him remove his shirt. Lucy pushed herself from the desk and approached him. "Does it hurt?" she asked quietly. She ran her fingers up his stomach to where the wound was. "Do you want me to help?"

[MuseSick]

Jude's face grew hot, he felt like he was the sun as her fingers trace along his skin. He shuddered slightly. It was oddly.. A nice feeling to have her hands drawn along his skin. "I-I'm fine.." he stammered as he looked down at her, his hands finding their way to her back as he glanced down at her. His shaking hand tossed the cloth away, not wanting to get her wet he glanced up at the ceiling. "Welcome home Lucy.." he whispered softly as he leaned down, his lips brushing softly, shyly up against hers as he looked around the room. He reached for the clothing with his right hand, and led her into the small room with his left. Setting the clothing down on the bed he smiled at her, charmingly this time, he lost the lust from his face and it regained his colour. "You're very tempting.." he whispered to himself shaking his head. His equality he thought could subside a little when it came to Lucy, he didn't find himself sexually attracted to the rest of the crew, so he figured maybe she could one up them there.

He looked down at his clean wound, and the back to Lucy, he grabbed her by the loops that were in his pants that she wore and tugged her closer. "Lucy.. Is that short for Lucinda?" he asked softly as he leaned down, pressing his lips shyly to hers, making his kiss a bit fuller this time as he did. He couldn't deny that he was like the average male, he was run by his testosterone. But anyone who had never been touched in such away, would probably be driven mad by hormones anyways. "If you want you can get changed and I'll leave.. Or.. We can do whatever you want Lucy.. I don't mind..." he said quietly. He could feel his heart racing behind his shirt, he hoped it didn't bother her, the blood coursing through his veins when they got closer to one another. He wouldn't want to tempt her with thirst.