Out For A Stroll (Alaya/open)

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya turned to see that the ship he mentioned was hers but she couldn't go to it looking the way she did. Great not only was Titus acting up, he was trying to escort her to the ship. "Stop it alright. Just stop. You can't possibly escort me to the ship. It would just be easier if you left" She said. She wasn't moving. Her hands were behind her back as she toyed with the fabric of her dress. She was nervous, what if they found out. She couldn't let Titus know, could she?

[Titus Cortez]

"You told me there was going to be a fight." he said. "Hate me if you want to, Alaya, even if you're not going to tell me why. But I'm going to make sure you get on safe aboard that ship. It's a gentleman's duty." he said. And looked back at the vessel. "Come on," he said softer, letting go of her waist, wondering if that was why she wasn't walking with him. "If you never want to see me again, then at least let me walk you to your precious crew." He was angry, but he wouldn't do any more than what he was doing. He was frustrated. What could he possibly have done to her? Of course he would see her again, set things straight. But for now she was simply confusing him. Really, now, what had he done? And she drew him in. He didn't know what it was about her, but he was drawn. He wanted to charm her, the way he had charmed other maidens. But she just cast him off as a land dweller. He had a respectable life! A respectable soul! He never once raised a hand to a woman, nor would he ever. He defended their town when the Sirens acted up, stomping all over the 'little people'. He worked hard for everything he owned. He was a gentleman. And he had been nothing but kind to her. Titus didn't deserve to be insulted like this. Land dweller indeed! Human! And that voice! Had his not always been soft? Why the voice?!

But he wouldn't show any of this anger. Maybe bite down on a few words here and there, but he wouldn't show her what was in his mind. What anger and confusion, and still that magnetic force pulling him towards her. No. He just sighed and looked at her, face always kind. Ready to help for anything. "Come on, Miss Alaya." he said again, gently. "I'll take you there."

[Alaya Seawitch]

No!! Why was this happening to her. She tried to tell him to leave really what else did she have to do. "The one day I get to be myself and I could lose my one job, great" She whispered under her breath. Alaya walked to the forest edge refusing to go near the ship or town. Alaya had to say something, anything to get him to stop. "Look Titus, I can't have you take me to the ship because I can't let the rest of the crew see me like this. If they did then I would no longer be a member" She said, her voice no longer harsh. She only hoped he would stop and at least listen to her.

[Titus Cortez]

Titus followed her back to the forest, leaning against one of the trees calmly as he listened to her. "Like this?" he asked. "What's wrong with they way you look? You're beautiful." he told her, as simple truth. It lacked his usual flirting streak. Probably that humbleness that was still left over from her shouting. But suddenly, with the lack of her anger, he lacked his own. And he looked at her, concerned with her new tone. "What's wrong, pretty girl?" he asked, stripping the thorns off of the stem and tucking the rose into her hair.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya wouldn't admit that she was starting to like Titus and that she didn't mind that eh placed the flower in her hair. She looked towards the docks. "They don't know I am a girl. Girl's can't serve on a ship like that unless they want to join the all girls band. I refused to join the other band because of personal reasons" She hoped he understood even if she didn't out-rightly say 'hey I have to impersonate a boy in order to be a sea hound.' Alaya looked back at Titus waiting for an answer or some reaction.

[Titus Cortez]

"Oh, wow." he said, taking in a breath and putting his hands behind his head. He paced a small circle before his hands fell limply to his sides and he laughed. "Is that all?" he said. She had succeeded to stun him yet again, but he didn't really mind. He remembered the way she acted around the water at the bay. She loved it. He supposed, if she wasn't going to play a boy, there was no way for her to get to the sea. He accepted her, and it surprised even him. "I won't tell nobody." he promised. His brown eyes looked to the bag at her side, wondering if that's why she carried it. For her clothes. "Go on and change," he told her, "And I'll walk you down there. When we get to your ship, I'll just keep on walking, like a stranger that doesn't know you. Then I'll turn around and walk back. They won't be any the wiser."

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya knew she couldn't just convince him to go home for some odd reason. At the same time, however, she really didn't mind. It wasn't like before, and he understood a little bit about what was going on. She smiled and nodded before running deeper into the forest to change. Not long after she came back with her pack over her shoulder and her pirate outfit on. Dark brown pants, gray shirt, dark red vest and a dark bandanna covering her hair. She nodded to Titus. "You really don't have to come" She stated uselessly to see if he would change his mind.

[Titus Cortez]

Titus waited patiently where she left him, looking up at the sky over the sea. It seemed as if there were two of those skies, the stars dancing in the water like they did. He began to hum quietly, waiting.

And then she came back. He looked her up and down once, and had to blink. She looked nothing like the girl that had run off in her blue dress into the forest. What stood before him now seemed to be a teenage boy. Only her face was the same. And then she spoke, and he knew it was her. He smiled.

"I want to come." he said, walking with her. Titus nodded to the water. "I see why you love it so much." he said. "It's beautiful. But just promise me something?"

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya started walking towards the ship. She loved the sea at night. The stars reflecting off the water made the sky look endless. She smiled enjoying the sight. She just barely heard his question. "And what might that be?" She asked. Alaya couldn't wait to get back on the ship and head out to sea. She had only been away from it for a couple of days and still she longed greatly for it.

[Titus Cortez]

"That you'll stay safe. Don't get caught." he said. "Just promise me that." Titus looked out over the sea again. Land dweller, Titus. An idea sparked in his mind. But not for yet. No, for later. For later. He smiled to himself. Yes, for later. His feet stepped quietly in the grass as they neared the town. "When will I see you again?" he asked her. He would certainly be there when she came back to port, waiting.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya smiled. "That I can do" She said as they neared the town. Soon very soon she would be back at sea. She was glad for the change, to finally get off the land again. "That I cannot answer. It is very rare that the captain has us come to Cutlass. I would not know till the course is set" It was the truth. Because they were sea hounds, coming to cutlass could be troublesome.

[Titus Cortez]

"Then I guess I'll just have to drop by every day then," he said, "Into Liquorpool." Titus watched the buildings come in and out of his site as they passed them, drawing ever nearer to her ship. Before they got too close to the great wooden masterpiece, he turned to her. "Good bye, pretty girl." he told her quietly, so no one else would hear. And then he had to let her go, walking onward after she left him, not looking at her but out of the corner of his eye as he passed the ship once, twice, and then stood back from the crowd, as if admiring the boat. But he wasn't. He was watching his girl disappear into the crowd of men.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya sighed but said nothing when he mentioned trying to see her again. Alaya walked onto the ship with a small smile. Seeker landed on her shoulder and she was glad for the birds company.
"Well it took 'ye long enough to get here" Said one of the Sea Hounds as she walked by. Alaya only smiled as she walked to her post. She could not wait till they set sail. She didn't really care where the ship was headed just that they would soon be out at sea. She didn't even pay attention to what Titus was up to.

[Titus Cortez]

He turned to leave, but his homeward-bound steps were few. He turned back to face the ship. How long would it be until he would see her again? How many months? How many unknown lands would she visit? How many storms of Neptune and Poseidon would try to turn their ship? Titus stepped forward. Land dweller. Another step. And without thinking, he scooped a crate into his arms, and heard the slightest growl of protest. Looking down, there was Axel. Titus had completely been ignoring him. In fact, he hadn't even realized that his dopey companion had even been at his side. He shushed him and motioned for the dog to get into the crate. Heavy ol' fellow. But he was in. He carried the crate high, covering his face, as he walked his way up the ramp and down into the hull. His heart was pounding, just waiting for someone to yell 'Stowaway!'. But no one did. He hunkered down into the cargo after he set the crate down. Up above him, he could see a familiar boot on the deck. Moving and twisting to get a better view, he saw a familiar bandanna, and familiar bird. Titus reached up and tapped her ankle softly, just as he heard the Captain yell, "HOIST THE ANCHOR!" They were off.

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya heard the captain yell to set sail. She went over to the sails to help untie them so they could catch the wind. It would be safe sailing form here, at least for a couple of days. The ship was off and she was finally away from the land. Nothing could go wrong, that was till she turned to see not one of the crew but Titus. Her eyes narrowed as she wanted to yell at him for being an idiot and coming on board. "I should see to it myself that you get thrown off this ship. Stay out of my way I have work to do. I hope the captain finds you before anyone else notices" She whispered fiercely under her breath as she walked past him to help take the supplies under.