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 Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:42 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:46 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:48 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:49 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:03 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:09 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:11 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:18 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:23 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:24 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:26 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:29 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:38 am
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 12:23 pm
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 "I know of that ship," spoke up Stede.
Everyone glanced over at him in surprise.
"It's become known as a bit of a party ship lately. They're always doing balls and large get-togethers on it," continued Stede.
"Does that mean there will be treasure?" asked Swede.
"I don't know about treasure per se... but I'm sure the folks on board will be loaded with their finest fineries. Fine fabrics, expensive jewelry, rare accessories and the like."
"Sounds promising," said Wee John.
"And I bet someone on there will know the location of ________," added Pete.
"Yes, I suppose so," replied Stede. "Then we're all in agreement that we should arrange a coup of the ship?"
"No offense, Captain," said Frenchie. "But I don't think we'll have a good of a run at it this time around as we did before. We were able to do it last time because we found that Frenchman's invitation. We don't have that now. And we also don't have... well... you're the only one among us who will be able to adequately pass off as being part of that crowd."
"That's true," confirmed Lucius. "We're not exactly high society."
"Oh," said Stede, looking crestfallen as he looked down at the deck in disappointment. He didn't know why he had gotten so excited on the idea of a coup.
The crew shifted slightly in discomfort seeing their Captain looking so downtrodden.
"I'll go with you," spoke up Almina from the shadows upon the stairs leading down to the room.
Everyone turned towards her in shock.
"That's very kind of you but I couldn't ask you to do that just to make me happy," said Stede.
"I'm not offering to do it to make you happy, mate," said Almina. "The boys are right. You will need a partner who is as familiar with that lot as you... and no one is better suited on this ship than me."
"Are you sure?" asked Stede.
"We need whatever lead we can get about _________. If this party is our ticket to our next path, then so be it," she said.
"It will require you to get dressed up for the occasion," he said looking at her uncertainly.
"Don't you worry about that, mate," she said smiling with a twinkle of mischief in her eye. "There's plenty of cloth aboard this ship for such endeavors."
"Are you sure you still want to go with this?" asked Stede, staring out across the dark ocean at the brightly lit ship across the way. He pulled the bottom of his jacket to readjust its placement upon him. "There's still plenty of time to change our minds."
"My dear sir, it's been a long time since I've lasted attended a party. There will be lots of gossip for me to catch up on that will be quite beneficial I feel."
Stede turned around to face her and he took a surprised step backwards as he saw the elegantly dressed lady before him. Gone was the carefree, loose attire of the female pirate and in its stead was a well-trimmed light blue silk gown, hair piled elegantly upon her head with pearls, and simple yet captivating makeup upon her face.
"Oh... wow..." said Stede.
Almina dipped into a curtsey. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bonnet."
Stede smiled and returned the gesture with a bow. "As it is mine. Shall we?"
"Indeed," she replied, placing her hand into his offered one as she climbed down into the waiting paddleboat that was prepared for their crossing.
"It can't be!" exclaimed a voice.
Stede looked with wide eyes at the young woman who bounced over to them. Almina glanced over with a neutral expression.
"You can't be. Are you not... Miss Townsend?"
Stede's eyebrows furrowed in confusion hearing the name and why someone would connect it with his new pirate friend.
"The Miss Townsend of Jamestown?" continued the woman.
"You've heard of me?" asked Almina.
"Heard of you? You're practically a legend among society these days."
"A legend?" asked Stede. "How so?"
"Ladies!" called out the young woman to the other attendees. "Ladies! It's Miss Townsend! Can you believe?"
Several other women looked up and gasped in surprise, quickly leaving their companions behind as they rushed over to stand in a circle around Stede and Almina.
"But that can't be!" exclaimed one of the women. "Last I heard she was one of the poor souls killed by that dreadful Blackbeard!"
"Killed? No, no! The story is that she was taken in as a hostage for ransom."
"Regardless," interrupted the first young woman before others could pipe up with their own versions. "You haven't been heard from in years. And now you appear out of the blue? You must enlighten us with what's transpired between that dreadful day and now." |
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