Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Malia Roseillo
-30
-She/her
-Aromantic, Asexual
-Captain
-Kraken tattoo on left hand, dark brown hair in braids with metal adornments, scar across nose
Scorpio

Meara
-35
-She/her
-Pansexual
-Firstmate
-Mom friend
-Taurus

Aria
-22
-She/her
-Lesbian
-Cook
-Long blond hair in a ponytail
-Dating Iris
-Has a fear of stagnation and monotony
-Aries

Iris
-20
-They/them
-Lesbian
-Nonbinary
-Lookout
-Short brown hair with pieces of blond framing their face
-Dating Aria
-Libra

Raiden
-21
-He/him
-Bisexual
-Transgender, female to male
-Navigator
-Scar running down right eye
-Sagittarius

Kamari
-24
-She/her
-Helmsman
-Has vitiligo
-Astronomy and astrology nerd
-Virgo

Caspian
-18
-He/him
-Deckhand
-Acts a bit childish
-Fear of turkeys, their neck thing freaks him out
-Leo

Chapter Text

The ship was docked for the day in a town named Rimeacre. Raiden had some repairs to work on while Malia and Meara were setting out to restock their low supplies. As today happened to be Day of Hearts, Aria and Iris decided to go to a cafe in town for the afternoon. Typically, they didn't celebrate the holiday, but they hadn't had a chance to spend time together recently.

The date was going well as both were having a lot of fun. They were busy talking about anything and everything until Aria saw something–or rather someone–out of the corner of her eye.

Her relationship with Iris may be her longest but it wasn’t her first. In fact, she had a few relationships before she and Iris ever met. But none of them really lasted that long, except for one.

Aria stopped responding to Iris and stared at a familiar being behind them. There she saw her ex, Aspyn. She had just walked into the cafe and was holding hands with someone she didn't recognize, but who looked eerily similar to Iris’ only ex. They also looked to be out on a date.

Iris was confused by Aria’s sudden silence. They tried getting her attention but Aria just continued silently staring at something behind them. Puzzled, they looked over towards where Aria was staring and saw their ex, Cypress, with someone who weirdly looked a lot like one of Aria’s exes.

Iris immediately grabbed Aria’s arm and whispered to her, “Ari, you seeing what I see?”

Aria looked back at them and replied, “My ex and your ex over there holding hands, yep”

Iris’s hand moved down to hold Aria’s as they stared at their exes as they sat talking to each other. Then, Cypress looked over and noticed them, double taking in disbelief. They both immediately whipped their heads back, facing each other.

“I mean, I’m just surprised. What are the chances that both of our exes found each other, got together, and then we all wound up coming to the same cafe in the same town for Day of Hearts,” Iris whispered while Aria nodded in agreement.

“We should definitely leave. I don’t want to get into any awkward conversations if they decide to approach us,” Iris said as they started getting ready to leave.

Aria agreed and the two quickly made their escape from the cafe. The pair decided to head somewhere else in town as the ship wouldn't be ready for a while longer and they still wanted to make the most out of this time.

Chapter Text

Malia was absent mindedly messing with her hair while writing a letter before a thought suddenly came to her mind and put her quill pen down.

She stood up and opened the door to her cabin and saw Raiden walking by. “Raiden, could you get Meara for me?” Malia asked.

“Of course Captain,” Raiden replied before running off to find her.

Malia closed the door and sat back down at her deck messing with her hair in a small pearlescent hand mirror before the door opened

“Yes Captain?” Meara asked when she stepped into the cabin.

“I’ve had these braids in my hair for quite a few weeks now and I believe it’s time to take out and rebraid them, can you help me?"

Meara nodded and strolled over to where Malia was sitting. She started on taking out the rose gold metal hair adornments, cutting the ends, and unbraiding Malia’s hair.
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Malia ran her hand through her newly braided hair as she looked at herself in the hand mirror, "They look great, thanks Meara. These silver adornments look way better than the rose gold ones. Did you want me to help with yours?"

Meara nodded as she pulled up another chair to sit on. Malia started taking down Meara’s braids she kept in two buns on her head as they chatted about anything from future plans, stuff that needed to get done around the ship, and anything else that came to mind. Malia knew she could trust and talk to Meara with anything, that’s why Meara is her second in command, after all.

Chapter Text

The crew had gotten caught up in a terrible storm. The ship had sustained quite a bit of damage; it was nothing too horrible, but worse than anything Raiden could fix. The crew were forced to dock at the nearest port in order to look for someone to repair the ship.

“How long will it take to repair the damage?” Malia asked the shipwright.

“ It’s probably going to take the rest of the day. I suggest getting a room at an inn for the night,” the shipwright told Malia.

Malia had rented two rooms for the crew at Basilisk Bliss Inn, a local inn the shipwright recommended. Each room was said to have two beds, enough space to accommodate their crew for the night.

However, upon opening the door to the first room, Malia was surprised by what she saw. "What the…?" she uttered with a shock.

Meara, who had yet to see the room, replied, "What, let me guess: there’s only one bed?"

Malia responded, "No, actually the opposite." Meara gave her a confused look then peaked into the room. To her utter surprise, she saw there were beds covering the whole floor of the room leaving no place to walk. "Let me go check the other room and see if it’s the same," Malia said. She walked one room over and found the same issue when she opened the door.

“Well, guess we don’t have to worry about sharing a bed or sleeping on the floor,” Malia said with a shrug as she headed back to the first room.

Even though there were more than enough beds for them all to sleep in the same room, they still decided to split up. Malia, Meara, and Kamari in the first and Raiden, Caspian, Aria, and Iris in the second.

In the morning they left the inn and were able to board the ship again to set sail.

Chapter Text

The ship was in Sinea docked for the day and Aria and Iris wanted to look around while they were there. The two wandered up and down the streets of the town, careful not to stray too far from the harbor. Periodically, they stopped and looked around at any shop that seemed interesting.

Aria and Iris were walking down a narrow street when Iris suddenly stopped and walked towards a shop that suddenly caught her eye. Aria followed her and read the sign over on the shop, "Antiques and Artifacts."

“Oooo! I love antiques!” Iris exclaimed as they walked inside. The inside of the shop had shelves filled with trinkets and books lining the walls. The areas of the shop without shelves were painted a beautiful dark teal. The floor was sugar pine and had standing shelves setup to create isles.

Right when the two walked in, they noticed a stool with an adorable black cat with a pink collar resting on it. “Hey little kitty, do you know where the owner is?” Iris asked while reaching a hand out to the cat.

Suddenly, the black cat transformed into a young woman with pink hair the same color as the collar. She had brown eyes, glasses, and a short dress as black as the cat’s fur.

"Hello! I’m Linette! Welcome to my little antique store. Is there anything I can help you two find? Anything you're looking for specifically?" the shopkeeper asked.

Iris and Aria looked at her with matching surprised expressions for a few moments before Aria responded, "No we're just looking."

“Okay, well, if you need any help, just ask!” The shopkeeper said with a smile before she shifted back into a black cat.

Iris and Aria nodded and walked towards one of the knick knack shelves. The two spent the next hour looking at all the trinkets in every nook and cranny of the store. The shop held many marvels but not many items stood out to the two.

When they were ready to leave, they bought for Iris a small, silver poison ring that had incredible engraved details of flowers along the band and a beautiful ruby in the middle. In turn, Aria bought a tome about the world of combustible materials for herself. All totaled, their purchase was a steal at only thirteen doubloons.

They left the shop and decided to head back to the ship. Everyone should be ready to head back out to sea soon anyways.

Chapter Text

Today was a special day; today was the Celebration of the Sea. It was a day dedicated to celebrating the sea and the sea goddess, Itris.

This was a very important celebration for all pirates, because without the sea, they wouldn't have a livelihood. It wasn't only pirates who celebrated this holiday; fishermen and seamen celebrated since they also owed their trades to the sea. Due to this fact, big, lavish festivals were held at sea-side towns that earned their craft through the ocean.

The crew was on their way to one of these sea-side towns by the name of Neretia. Their festivals usually included partying, praying, and giving offerings in the name of Itris’ glory.

They docked at Nereitia’s port and disembarked. The crew split up into three small groups: Malia and Kamari were group one, Raiden, Caspian, and Meara were group two, and Aria and Iris were group three.

“I love honoring the Celebration of the Sea with festivals! They get better every year!” Caspian said, excitedly while looking at the stands the group ambled past.

“Well, that’s understandable considering it’s still new to you. This is, what, your third time?” Raiden questioned.

“Fourth, actually,” Caspian corrected and stuck out his tongue.

Raiden rolled his eyes and, before he could fire back, Meara cut him off with, “Don’t fight, you two. We’re here to have a good time.”

Caspian sighed and looked forward while Raiden rolled his eyes again and said, ”Whatever, I’m just here for the festivities!” before dragging Caspian off to the nearest teal colored tent.

Meara stood there for a second before quickly following after the two.

While the trio were checking out the wares offered at each stall, Iris and Aria were standing around a small stage where performances were being held. A song devoted to Itris had just ended and now poetry was being read aloud.

Iris sighed before saying, “This is always my favorite part of these festivals.”

Aria smiled while agreeing and reached out to hold Iris’s hand, “Yeah, I like it too. The poetry and music are always really moving.”

While Iris and Aria were listening to poetry, Malia and Kamari were walking towards the mourning grounds. As goddess of the sea, mourning was considered part of Itris’ domain because of the salty tears shed while grieving lost loved ones.

“Did you know that this festival was originally for both Itris and her twin brother, the god of fire, Leeus. But, eventually, they split. Now, either one or the other is celebrated on this day in different towns depending on their location, the economy, or whoever is more widely worshiped,” Kamari explained.

Malia hummed at Kamari’s words and responded with, “That’s pretty interesting.”

On the other side of the festival, Raiden, Caspian, and Meara were going from stall to stall looking at the different games, foods, and items for sale.

Caspian was holding a skewer of grilled squid while Raiden carried a small piece of aquamarine, a stone sacred to Itris. Meara kept a few steps back while watching the two play around with a motherly grin on her face.

Raiden and Caspian seemed like they were having fun bouncing from tent to tent, playing the games and looking at all the trinkets and food, while Meara was content to just watch them.

Iris and Aria were sitting under a tree writing poetry for Itris. Iris had their head resting on Aria’s shoulder while writing before saying, “This is quite fun.”

“Yeah, just sitting here while writing is so peaceful,” Aria agreed.

After a few minutes of more silence, Aria asked, “I’m finished, how is yours coming along?”

“I’m also done,” Iris responded before standing and helping Aria up. The two walked over to a shrine for Itris and placed their poems down as an offering.

Malia and Kamari arrived at the mourning grounds. Malia sighed before taking a kadupul flower and candle out of the little pouch hanging from her belt.

Malia walked over to the low wall surrounded by many other kadupul flowers. She set the flower down, placed the candle in the middle, and lit it just as one did on the Fest of Remembrance. She sat down in front of her offering.

Kamari thought for a second before asking, “Who’s your flower for?”

Malia sighed before beginning, “It’s for my mother. Her name was Ceres. I don’t remember her much since she passed when I was five but I know she was an amazing woman.” As Malia talked, tears began to well in her eyes, but she refused to let them flow.

“I’m sorry, did you have any other family members?” Kamari asked.

Malia shook her head before saying, “No, it was just me and her. Her passing left me orphaned which eventually led me to where I am now.” Malia took a breath before asking, “What about you? What led you to piracy?”

Kamari was quiet for a second before replying, “I had a husband and kid. My husband was named Florian; he was a good man. My child, Arabella, was always so joyful, she loved playing in this meadow by our house. She was only four,” As Kamari shared about her past, tears began streaming down her face. Malia encircled her in her arms in support. “We lived in the Kingdom of Verene while a plague was running rampant. Not long after it started to spread, Florian and Arabella succumbed to the plague.”

Kamari took a deep breath before continuing, “After their passing, I couldn't stand to stay in one place anymore. So, I left for a life out on the sea.”

Malia silently nodded before standing up and walking to a stall. Kamari looked at her in confusion before Malia quickly returned with two candles and kadupul flowers.

“Here,” Malia handed her the flowers, candles, and a match. Kamari smiled at her before placing the candles in the flowers and lighting them.

The two sat there in silence, watching until the candles burned out.

Chapter Text

Aria was walking through the couple halls of the crew quarters, to the room she shared with Iris and Talia.

When Aria opened the door to the room, she was surprised with the sight she was met with; the room was very dark but she could still make out Iris laying on their hammock, crying.

Aria carefully walked up to Iris and sat beside them, placing a hand on their shoulder and asking, “Are you okay, Irie?”

Iris sniffled and looked over at Aria and sighed, “I’m fine, just… thinking about my mom.”

Aria nodded and started carding her fingers through Iris’s hair, knowing their mom was a touchy subject. “Do you want to talk about it?” She hesitantly asked.

Iris nodded but took a moment before starting to talk. “Once when I was a young teenager, me and my mom had to go into town for something but I had terrible anxiety about being surrounded by many people,” They took a breath before continuing, “So I started sobbing and pleading to not go, but she refused to listen and as I continued I got more desperate and she got more upset and agitated.”

After a breath and moving positions so Iris could face Aria, they continued, “I don’t really remember much after I started having a panic attack, everything felt so far away and I could barely understand my surroundings. My mom looked so angry, I think she was also pulling on my arm and maybe hair to move me?”

Aria pulled Iris into a hug as they began crying again, “Soon she yelled at me asking why I was acting like this and I completely broke down and started blurting out how scared being around many other people made me and how it made me want to… kill myself.”

Tears began forming in Aria's eyes as she listened to the story.

“Then, my mom yelled at me and said if I really wanted kill myself then I could take all of her medicinal herbs and do it already.”

Aria held Iris closely as they sobbed into her shoulder.

It took a few minutes for Iris to calm down enough to speak, when they did they rested their head on Aria’s lap.

Iris’s eyes looked away from Aria, looking as though they weren't present in the moment. “I think the worst part is how she couldn't even understand why I was scared to be around her for a while after or why our relationship was never the same.”

Iris ended the story with, “Ever since that I spent every moment counting down the days until I turned 18 and could run away. After that I still wanted to love her, I desperately wanted to, but I just couldn't and always felt like it was just being difficult.”

Aria pulled Iris into a hug, “I’m so sorry that happened to you. It wasn't your fault.”

The couple stayed like that until they both fell asleep.