kindly waiting for the two to arrive. Mr. Barret gives Deagan a curt nod.
INT. TALONA'S BREAST DINING HULL. DAY.
BARRET
Mr. Avarti
Deagan smiles a bit.
DEAGAN
Just call me Deagan, I kinda hate the formality.
BARRET
Ah, excuse me then.
His hard expression settles on Harken.
BARRET
We can eat when you say sir.
Harken smiles.
HARKEN
Great! Let's dig in then.
Mr. Barret and Harken begin to serve themselves. Deagan, however, sits in his seat staring at the food. Harken notices this and questions him.
HARKEN (CONT'D)
What is it?
Deagan snaps back to reality and looks at Harken.
DEAGAN
It's nothing.. it's just.. I've.. I've never seen this much food.
Harken looks at him rather confused.
HARKEN
What do you mean? Aren't you and your family living the high life? I mean, Beatrix was a pretty good mercenary who could rake in the gold. That's bound to make you rich right?
Deagan shakes his head.
DEAGAN
She gave up that life when my brother went missing.
Harken seems to tense up.
DEAGAN (CONT'D)
We barely got by, I mean.. she tried to raise me and our younger sister by herself.. we had no one but each other to rely on.
Harken's mood turns rather grim as he listens.
HARKEN
I'm sorry son.. I had no clue. Eat up.. don't let it go to waste.
Deagan complies and begins to stuff himself.
HARKEN (CONT'D) (V.O.)
Why didn't you say anything..
They eat in silence. Mr. Barret watches his young captain get lost in thought. Deagan has excused himself and went up on deck.
BARRET
Harken. Somethings on your mind. What is it?
Harken gives him a smirk.
HARKEN
Nothing gets pass you old man.
BARRET
What is troubling you sir?
HARKEN
It's nothing, don't let it worry you.
He sits up.
HARKEN (CONT'D)
If you'll excuse me.. I'm gonna go talk to that kid.
Mr. Barret nods as Harken leaves to go topside. When he arrives he sees Deagan looking out at the sea. He approaches.
HARKEN (CONT'D)
Something troubling you b- ...Deagan?
Deagan doesn't look at him.
DEAGAN
Nothing.. I'm just wondering why my sister sent me to you.. it's something that's been baffling me lately.
HARKEN
Let me let you in on something.
Deagan now turns his attention to Harken.
DEAGAN
What?
HARKEN
Your sister didn't want to have you put in my care in the first place because of the danger and all, however, it was better then the latter choice.
Deagan completely disregards his statement.
DEAGAN
That's also what's been bugging me.. how do you know my sister?
Harken frowns.
HARKEN
I'll tell you some other time. Anyway, get ready kid. You're gonna experience a little bit of the pirate life.
Harken goes below decks leaving Deagan to think. Hours go by as the sun slowly sets in the west. Harken comes back on deck to see Deagan at the bow. He shakes his head and looks up at the crows nest.
HARKEN
You see that blasted island yet Spy-eye?
A man lazily peers over the edge of the crows nest to see Harken yelling up to him. He glances in all directions and spots a small piece of land.
SPY-EYE
Island off the port side Cap'n...
Harken begins barking orders to his crew and yells at Deagan to prep for offshore landing. He then walks up to the helm.
HARKEN
Off-key, turn to port.. we have a wrecked ship to raid.
He grins.
OFF-KEY
Aye-aye Cap'n
Minutes pass and the island comes into view. Harken joins Deagan at the bow.
DEAGAN
So that's the start of my pirate career huh?
HARKEN
You're career will start once you killed another man of the sea.
Deagan looks at him. Harken simply smiles as he stares out at the island. They weigh anchor a few yards away from the sand bar and lower small boats. Three other men accompany Deagan and Harken as a landing party. They land on the beach.
EXT. BEACH OUTSIDE WRECKED SHIP. LATE AFTERNOON.
HARKEN (CONT'D)
Alright.. Red Knuckle and Half Nails will accompany me inside the ship. Wet Foot! Keep an eye on the pup.
WET FOOT
Aye Cap'n
Deagan is not so pleased Harken's decision.
DEAGAN
Why the hell was I brought along if your not even gonna take me in the ship!?
HARKEN
Pipe down kid and listen to Wet Foot.. that's an order!
DEAGAN
S'cuse me? I don't remember being part of your crew!
HARKEN
Your sister put you in my care which makes me your guardian now shut up and be a good boy and wait out here.. we can't have any other ships trying to take what's ours.. you're serving a good purpose as our guard.
Deagan doesn't bother to retaliate knowing full well his words will be shot down by another obscene excuse.
DEAGAN
Fine.. whatever.. just do what you do best..
Harken grins.
HARKEN
I plan on it.
Harken and his two chosen men disappear into the ship. Deagan sits at the foot of the entrance. Frustration emanating. Wet Foot decides to try and break the silence.
WET FOOT
Where you from kid?
DEAGAN
What's it to you?
WET FOOT
Just thought I'd ask.. I'm from Garrisworth.
DEAGAN
Don't care..
Wet Foot drops trying to talk to Deagan. Silence ensues. Harken emerges from the ship with a triumphant grin.
HARKEN
Wet Foot prep the boat, we got a room full of treasure in there!
WET FOOT
Aye Cap'n!
Wet Foot signals the ship with a flag and minutes pass when finally they are accompanied by other crew members. Harken is barking orders left and right leaving Deagan sitting idly by.
DEAGAN (V.O.)
This is stupid.. I think I would have preferred sailing with that other guy...
HARKEN
Deagan!! C'mon kid, get your head out of the clouds we're leaving!
Deagan notices everyone waiting on him and he pulls himself up and joins Harken in his boat.
DEAGAN
This was a waste of my time.
HARKEN
Not entirely, part of this is yours since you landed with us. Albeit.. a small cut.
Later that night, Deagan is below decks in his hammock trying to sleep. He hears nothing but loud drinking songs, whistles, hoots, thuds, and horrible attempts at drunken dancing.
INT. CREW'S QUARTERS. NIGHT.
DEAGAN
You gotta be kidding me. All this celebration over one boring treasure loot?
Deagan burrows himself in this pillow and manages to get some sleep. He wakes up to a loud thud above deck. His body tells him that he slept for a few hours. Curious about how much damage the crew made in the celebration, he lazily starts the long walk to the stairs leading above deck. Meanwhile, Harken groans as he starts to get up. His face seems pained and sickly. He turns over to the left side of his bed and is kissed on the forehead.
INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN. EARLY MORNING.
HARKEN
Huh?
He feels movement and soon enough the light of the sun fills his room. Harken groans again and covers his eyes. As his eyes adjust, he spies a the near naked figure of a voluptuous redhead and groans again, this time in displeasure.
UNKNOWN REDHEAD
Morning there handsome.
HARKEN
Celes?
The redhead joins him in bed and laughs. Harken turns back over to look at the ceiling and smacks his hand on his forehead.
HARKEN (CONT'D)
Why me?!
Meanwhile, Deagan arrives on deck to see the door to the Captain's quarters open. Harken is talking to a woman he never noticed on board.
DEAGAN (V.O.)
Whose that? Wonder if I should introduce myself.
A pipe falls from above and hits him on the head.
DEAGAN (CONT'D)
Ack!
He looks up, about to give the clumsy idiot a tongue lashing, but notices that it is Barret sitting on the mast. He picks up the pipe and begins to climb the rope ladder to meet with him.
DEAGAN (CONT'D)
Here sir.
He offers the pipe back. Barret takes it back with a nod.
BARRET
Thank you young man. The morning never has been kind to my hands.
Deagan smiles at him.
DEAGAN
What are you doing up here, if you don't mind my asking?
Barret sighs and he lights up his pipe.
BARRET
I don't enjoy celebrations like that. Although it keeps moral up, I don't care for it, so I usually hide up here and write to my wife.
DEAGAN
I didn't know you were married.
BARRET
Forty years. When I was drafted into the 100 Year War, I immediately proposed to my girlfriend. We've been together ever since.
A slight smile comes across his face as he relives the memory then returns to his stony gaze. Deagan chuckles then looks down to see that Harken and the woman have left his quarters. Harken has a sarcastic look on his face like he did when he was thwarted by Barret to receive payment from Deagan for the trip. Deagan looks back at Barret to respond.
DEAGAN
That's nice. So, do you know who she is? The woman Harken is talking to?
Deagan points down at Harken and Celes. Barret doesn't bother to glance at them.
BARRET
Celes Aerithbal, the "Crimson Rose" of the high seas. She always appears when we have a big haul. She takes most of it, and then disappears. We never know what hit us or how she sneaks up on us. She just appears.
DEAGAN
She probably gets you guys when the crew is drunk.
Barret sighs heavily.
BARRET
When aren't they?
Deagan looks back down at the couple on the deck. The two are have displeased looks as they exchange harsh words.
DEAGAN
You have a good point sir. I've been meaning to ask you. I know Harken confides in you, and I need to ask you two questions. Do you know whe-
BARRET
No.
DEAGAN
How does Harken kn-
BARRET
Ask him.
DEAGAN
Huh...ok.
Harken hears the two and looks up. Then yells.
HARKEN
Barret!! Boy!! Down here now!!!
Deagan looks over to Barret who has an amused look.
BARRET
That's new.
The two climb down and walk over to them. Harken quickly introduces Deagan to Celes.
HARKEN
Celes. Deagan. Deagan. Celes.
CELES
Why, an Avarti! I wondered if I ever was going to meet one.
DEAGAN
How do you know I am an Avarti?
CELES
The eyes. They have a glorious red glint in them.
Deagan blushes embarrassingly at her comment.
DEAGAN
Yes, they do, but that doesn't answer my question. How do you know the Avarti name?
CELES
Years and years ago, my father was sav-
Harken cuts her off quickly.
HARKEN
Celes, this isn't the time to be discussing that. Barret, I want you to inform the men. After a long and careful... deliberation.... Celes will be joining our crew for a while.
Barret nods.
BARRET
I see. Pleasure to have you on board Captain Aerithbal.
Celes waves his comment off.
CELES
Please, Mr. Barret, call me Celes. I am honored to finally meet the famous Charles Barret!
BARRET
The pleasure is mine, ma'am. I will inform the men below sir. Also, shall we set a new course?
Celes has a devious smile.
CELES
To Harken's treasure hoard off of Bevell.
Harken quietly.
HARKEN
We don't have a hoard there.
CELES
Please Harken, don't lie to a woman. I've followed you there plenty of times.
HARKEN
That hoard is old! We've moved since then.
Harken leans over and whispers to Barret.
HARKEN
Barret, arrange to have us move the hoard, quickly. Now go.
Barret nods his head and goes below decks.
CELES
So Harken, where are we off to now? What treasure shall we discover and haul to my treasure cove?
HARKEN
None... OFF-KEY! Wake the hell up!
He kicks Off-Key who lazily looks up at them.
OFF-KEY
What? Huh?
He sees Harken and jumps up.
OFF-KEY
Oh! Cap'n Harken! Yes sir! Traveling to the treasure hoard off of Bevell sir!
Celes gives Harken a smug smile.
CELES
Old huh?
Harken shoots her a glare.
HARKEN
Eh... stuff it.
Celes laughs and walks towards the starboard edge.
HARKEN
No, Mr. Off-Key. Set course due Southeast and avoid the traffic coming out of Jonas shaft. Round the Airoff territory and then head Southwest. In total time, we should reach our destination in just under three weeks, two weeks if we set sail through the storm.
Deagan looks at Harken with a confused expression.
DEAGAN
Storm?
Celes turns to face him.
CELES
Feel the wind kid. You can tell it is coming.
Deagan sheepishly responds.
DEAGAN
All I feel is the salt water in the wind stinging my face.
Celes looks over at Harken and frowns at him. He returns her expression with a shrug.
HARKEN
What? He's new at this.
DEAGAN
Huh?
Celes sighs.
CELES
You have a lot to learn from Harken sweetie, if he ever takes time to teach you.
She stretches before turning to leave.
CELES (CONT'D)
I have to go unpack. Catch you later.
Celes walks off back towards Harken's cabin. Harken sighs and starts after her.
HARKEN
I'll empty out my closet.
DEAGAN
Harken wait.
Harken stops and faces him.
HARKEN
Huh? Yeah?
DEAGAN
I'm sorry, but when the hell are we supposed to get to my destination?
HARKEN
Real soon friend.
DEAGAN
But I don't even know where my "destination" is!
HARKEN
You will. You will. Just be patient. Didn't your sister teach you that patience comes to those that don't wait for it, but take it?
DEAGAN
Yeah, she did.
HARKEN
Alright. I'll speak to you later.
Harken turns and starts to walk off when Deagan assesses Harken's sentence over in his head.
DEAGAN
Wait, what? That doesn't make sense!
Harken throws his arms in the air as he walks to his cabin.
HARKEN
Don't care!
Harken disappears into his cabin leaving Deagan sitting in a confused state.
DEAGAN (V.O.)
Dammit.. I want answers from him..
A few days pass and they are still on the open sea. Its a late night and Harken has called Deagan, Celes and Barret to his quarters for a private dinner. Deagan lazily approaches the door not wanting to join them. He knocks. Harken answers and grins.
INT. HARKEN'S QUARTERS. NIGHT.
HARKEN
Bout time kid! We've been waiting for awhile now.
DEAGAN
Yeah.. sorry.
HARKEN
C'mon in.
Harken leaves a gap for Deagan to pass. Deagan enters and takes a seat next to Celes.
CELES
Good of you to join us sweetie.
DEAGAN
Please don't call me that..
CELES
Would you rather me call you child?
Deagan sighs.
DEAGAN
Fine.. say what you want.
CELES
I knew you'd see it my way.
HARKEN
Stop teasing the kid Celes.
Before Celes can respond.
BARRET
Let us eat.
The group begin loading their plates with the gourmet foods. Harken decides to open up the conversation with a question towards Deagan.
HARKEN
So.. were you still living in Sipo when Beatrix sent you to me?
Deagan pauses. He takes a few seconds to answer.
DEAGAN
Yes.
HARKEN
Ah. It's been awhile since my last visit there.
He turns to Celes.
HARKEN (CONT'D)
It's a pretty beautiful place. I wasn't usually one for visiting shrines but they had a shrine dedicated to some of the heroes. I'd pay my respects there.
Deagan's expression goes blank as he stares into the candle light. It's gentle glow reminding him of the fiery flames.
HARKEN (CONT'D)
The landscape is luscious as well, I've never seen grass so green in my life.
The memory of lifeless bodies return to Deagan's mind as he slowly starts to picture the ground littered with families that he knew.
HARKEN (CONT'D)
And get this, there's this family that's been there for about five generations. Gosvein family I think.
Deagan begins to grit his teeth when he pictures the lifeless body of the count of the house of Gosvein. Barret notices that Deagan is beginning to get uncomfortable.
BARRET
Deagan? Is something the matter?
Deagan shakes his thoughts out of his head and quickly smiles half heartedly to Barret.
DEAGAN
No sir.. just blanking out..
Barret gives him a questioning look but decides not to push the issue. Deagan turns from the group and begins to relive his painful past.
HARKEN
I wish you could have met Beatrix, I swear she was just as bad as you when it came to teas-
Deagan slams his fist on the table.
DEAGAN
Enough!!!
The three stop and face him. Deagan is now visibly angry.
CELES
Is something the matter hun?
DEAGAN
Yes there is!
Before Celes can ask what his problem is Deagan storms out of the cabin. She looks at Harken. Harken sighs as he rises and pursues Deagan.
EXT. STERN OF THE TALONA'S BREAST. NIGHT.
HARKEN
Hey kid.
Deagan doesn't turn to face Harken.
DEAGAN
What..
HARKEN
Face me when you talk to me kid, didn't your sister teach you to respect your elders?
DEAGAN
Would you stop bringing up my sister?
Harken gives him a smug smile.
HARKEN
Why? It seems to put you in line don't it?
Deagan lunges at Harken pinning him down.
DEAGAN
If you think you can use my sister like that then you got it wrong!
Harken shoves Deagan off him and shoots him a stern look.
HARKEN
Cool it, I was only kidding.
DEAGAN
I don't give a damn!! I won't have you taint her name!!
Harken raises a brow in amusement. The crew begin to pour out of dining cabin in curiosity of who is defying their captain.
HARKEN
Taint? Where do you get off saying that?
Deagan spits at his feet in disgust as he stands.
DEAGAN
Whenever you want me to do things you hide behind my sisters name! I getting tired of it! I won't have you use my late sisters name to control me!
Harken's amused expression turns sour. He seems to stare off into space when he finally utters.
HARKEN
What do you mean.. late?
DEAGAN
My sister is dead dammit!! She was killed by a man dressed in black.. I only came seeking you because of her dying words.. I wanted to honor that... now I kinda wish I didn't....
Harken stares blankly at the ground.
HARKEN
I didn't know...
DEAGAN
Now you know! So if you don't mind leave her name out of our conversations! I've had to live with that knowledge for quite a while now.. I'm trying to forget..
Deagan bows his head. Harken lets out a deep sigh and turn to face his crew.
HARKEN
The hell you lot looking at?! Get back to work!
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