Charlotte watched carefully as the man she was with-Pete-showed her how to properly tie a knot, being fairly patient with her. Although she was a quick learner, she was having a bit of trouble grasping the way they tied a knot. It was different than the normal way, but she was fairly sure she understood it now. Thanking him, she hitched up her skirts and sat down on the floor, grace thrown out the window. Right now, she was only focused on doing this right and showing the men on the ship that she could do everything they could. They hadn't questioned her, but she could see in their eyes that they were skeptical about whether or not she'd be a help or a bother. Tying the knots successfully and quickly, she whipped through it, standing up and placing her hands on her hips when she was done. She could feel countless pairs of eyes upon her, wide with admiration and surprise. Obviously it was unusual for a woman to get the hang of something so quickly, much less try and get the hang of something at all.

     “What would you like me to do next, Pete?” She asked, wiping her hands on her dress skirt.

     “Um, well, would you like me to teach you how to raise the masts?” He asked, scratching his head in confusion.

     “Oh I already know how to do that,” she said quickly, brushing that idea off. “Actually, would you mind waiting a moment? I need to ask Sean a quick question.” She walked off before he could answer, leaving him standing there, looking a bit dazed and enchanted.

     “Excuse me, Sean?” She called up to the man sitting high up, seeming as if he was just sitting, watching the ocean and the waves. There was no answer, and so she called it a bit louder. Now she knew she was being ignored when again there was no answer, and Charlotte wasn’t one to handle being ignored very well.

     “Sean Adams I am talking to you!!” She called out, loud and clear, causing all the men to look in their direction. She only hoped that the captain didn’t come aboard, because she knew that if he did a fate worse than that bestowed upon her father was in store for her. If only she could get this man to listen. . .

Sighing, Sean shook his head and began climbing down, angry that the captive was yelling at him and causing a ruckus. Hopping the last few feet to the ground, he landed in a graceful crouch and then slowly stood, up, going to his full height, enjoying the look of fury that crossed the captive’s face seeing that she was being overshadowed.

     “What may I be helping you with?” Sean asked smugly, crossing his arms and leaning onto one of the high columns, his body language exuding cockiness.

     “I was wondering if you might have an extra pair of britches and a shirt that I could use, as a dress is not proper attire to wear whilst working.”

     “Ah, yes. Follow me captive,” he ordered, standing up again and walking down the ship’s stairs into the sleeping quarters.

The quarters was quite the pitiful place, with rotting wood brown walls and a sunken floor, complete with cots scattered about the floor and some hammocks gently swaying with the lull of the ship. Sean didn’t mind it though, for it was better than the living situation he’d been forced into back when he was still a boy that lived on the land. There were a few overturned milk crates with left behind games of checkers lying about, and off in the corner was a toilet, much like one found in a prison. Some men felt like they were in a prison down here, but Sean considered it an okay place. Definitely not the king’s palace, but nothing could compare to that in his book.

     “So this is where you’ll be sleeping. Would you prefer a hammock or a cot?” Sean asked her, motioning his hand out as if to an extravagant present.

     “Hmm, I would like a hammock, but I’ll wait to see what’s left over once all of the men choose. It wouldn’t be quite fair of me if I just come onto their ship and take picks on what I would and would not like.”

Hmm, Sean thought it was very noble of this young girl to act this was toward sailors. Of the few girls he’d met, they’d all made demanding requests and he knew full well that if they saw the quarters that they force the captain to give his up to them. He already knew only too well that Charlotte wasn’t like other girls. She wouldn’t stand to be ignored and had an opinion, which she wasn’t afraid to share, and she was just different. And much to Sean’s chagrin, he was discovering that he was enjoying different. Digging around for a few moments in a trunk, he produced a pair of his old britches from when he had just joined the ship as a boy and a top from around the same day in age.

     “Here you are, captive. I’ll be waiting outside for when you’re done changing, so be hurrying, as I need to get my day’s work done.” Leaving her in silence, he headed out side, smiling to himself as he heard her mocking him. Oh yes, this girl was different.

Charlotte was fairly surprised to discover how comfortable men’s clothing was. She’d always wanted to wear it on her father’s ship for easier access and more comfort, but her father had absolutely forbidden it. And although she knew he was still forbidding it from heaven, she felt that a change of clothes was necessary if she wanted to work along with the men, another thing she was sure her father would disapprove of. Placing her shoes and dress absently in a corner, she walked back out of the door to where Sean was sitting, back to the wall, eyes closed. He looked extremely peaceful, do peaceful, in fact, that she didn’t know whether or not he was sleeping, but, without opening his eyes, he said,

     “Are you ready to head back up there?”

     “Yes. Thank you, by the way, for the clothes. I appreciate it, seeing as I would look quite silly, working all day in a dress. Although I don’t like the fact that you ignored me.”

     “Ah, it all comes with knowing me. Now come along captive, we best be getting back up there.”

     “Sean, why must you call me ‘captive’?” Charlotte asked, flowing quickly behind him, struggling a bit to keep up.

     “Because if I called you by your actual name that would mean forming a bit of a bond or it might mean that we were acting as comrades, which we most certainly are not.”

Oh my but this man would be a basket case, Charlotte thought, smiling at his back. All the more fun for me. And she hurried to catch back up.