forum The Princess’s Scandal OxO (reboot)

Started August 29, 2022 by @FanfictionFanatic-The-Elder group

tune

"Oh, then it is most definitely a fortunate thing that the brig is not used that often," Aliana nodded along with Lorelei's explanation. She let out a little sigh, "I have much to learn, do I not?"

“Aye.” Lori nodded. “But I’ll teach you. Anytime you have a question or don't understand something, just ask. I’m here for you.” she assured.

“Though there have been times when we've all been tempted to throw both the twins in for their mischief getting out of hand.” a feminine voice laughed. “Come on in, you two. My kitchen is always open.”

"I know," Aliana replied with a loving sigh. Her eyes opened wide when a voice that wasn't Lori sounded in the area. She figured it was Charlie, given the mention of a kitchen, and then looked back to Lorelei, "Shall we enter?"

Lori smiled back, just beginning to lean in to give Aliana a kiss before sharing in the brief surprise. “Aye. Let's go in.” she nodded, sighing softly.

The galley was decently sized with a table just big enough for the entire crew to sit at, not to mention the actual cooking area. Which was surprisingly active considering how much food the crew had taken from the failed wedding. And the fact that it was just one woman at the center of activity. “Please take a seat. Can I get you anything?” Charlie asked as she turned to the couple. She was quite an attractive and surprisingly voluptuous woman with brown hair pulled back by a bandana and wearing a simple barmaid’s outfit and apron.

"Um, I do not think so. But thank you for your offer," Aliana softly replied seeing the mountain of food in the kitchen area. She stuck close to Lorelei as her shyness returned in full force. She didn't quite realize how big the crew was when Lori was telling Aliana about them earlier.

Lori wrapped her arm around Ali’s shoulders and set the tray on the table. “Don't worry, love. Charlie's one of the nicest people I know.” she assured, pulling out a chair for her.

Charlie gave a soft, friendly smile and a polite gesture for Aliana to get comfortable. “I’m sure that's other than yourself, of course, Princess. Or would you prefer Aliana?” she asked, kindly.

"Aliana please," Aliana gently replied as she took a seat in the chair Lori pulled out for her. She kept her attention on Charlie and the remainder of the crew, "I see no need for you to call me by a title that means nothing to me."

“Aliana.” Charlie nodded, smiling gently as she gestured towards the others. “It's nice to meet you. As the Captain said, I'm Charlie. The boy over there is Tommy and the others are Drake, Marcus, and Jacob.” she said pointing out each crewmate as she said their name.

Tommy looked up from the pot he was washing and gave a shy wave, brushing his bright red hair out of his eyes.

“Hello.” Jacob smiled. “Sorry for not waving or anything but my hands are kinda full.” he chuckled, gesturing to the onery rooster he was holding with both hands.

Marcus was the second tallest person on the ship and well muscled with dark sandy blond hair and soft green eyes, unlike Lori’s bright emerald shade. He and his skinnier shirtless friend were helping to organize all the food they had plundered. “Oh, hi! Didn't see you there.” he smiled brightly.

Drake simply nodded his head in greeting before whistling part of the familiar shanty.

"It is nice to meet all of you," Aliana gave the whole crew a shy wave and smile. She was repeating each of their names as her eyes wandered between all of them matching the name to each person. Aliana eventually decided to attempt to make conversation, "So do you all enjoy life on the sea?"

“Are you kidding? This is the best life any of us could have!” Marcus grinned causing Drake to make a soft sound that the crew recognized as him chuckling.

“It's certainly more of an adventure than what I thought I would get.” Jacob nodded. “I was just the son of a farmer before… I had to find a different job.” he admitted, clearing his throat slightly.

Charlie sat down across from Aliana and smiled softly. “Captian Lorelei pretty much saved all of us when she let us aboard and stay.”

“Charlie's exaggerating a little.” Lori blushed as she took the seat next to her lover. “I only actually saved two or three members of the crew before they joined.”

"Oh, but saving everyone sounds like something you would do, Lorelei," Aliana replied looking at Lori with lovesick eyes. She took solace in knowing that Lori hadn't changed since the two had parted. At least, not in any major way compared to how Lori was before. She looked back to Charlie and the others, "And I am glad she manged to meet all of you."

Lorelei blushed brightly at Ali’s adoring comment and shyly shrugged. It had just been the right thing to do, regardless of what the law of the land said. Though that was admittedly one part of being a pirate that she enjoyed…

“So are we.” Jacob almost whispered, speaking for the rest of the crew since everyone all knew each other's stories and how they ended up being part of this crew.

“We're all very lucky to be here.” Charlie agreed with a nod. “Who knows where we would be without Captain Lorelei and her Song.” she smiled softly, knowing exactly what would have happened to her.

"Who knows indeed," Aliana responded mirroring Charlie's smile. She knew that everyone there knew what would have happened if Lorelei hadn't come to her rescue yesterday. She turned her head and kissed Lorelei's cheek before turning back to Charlie and the others.

“I’m sure we all have a good idea of that answer…” Lorelei trailed off at the unexpected kiss. It wasn't unwelcome but it certainly caught her off guard. Though she gave a slight glare at Marcus when she heard someone give a playful teasing whistle.

Drake chuckled softly again and took an empty seat, feigning tiredness as he let out a sigh. He closed his eyes and made a few gestures with his hands which caused Marcus to scoff and cuff his tattooed friend on the back of his head.

“It was your idea to swipe the cake, dragon boy!” Marc pointed out with a brotherly scowl. “If we carried too much, it's your fault.”

“Should have made a bet on that.” Lori hummed thoughtfully as her earlier suspicion was confirmed and gently took Ali’s hand.

"I am grateful you swiped the cake if I am honest. It would have gone to waste if you had not done so," Aliana decided to chime in. She was unsure as to what Drake had communicated to Marcus, or at least she assumed the hand gestures were a type of communication but wanted to thank them. She gave Lori's hand a cautious squeeze hoping Aliana was doing alright.

Drake was a little surprised by Aliana agreeing with him but he smiled softly at the former princess and nodded gratefully.

“I'm guessing the Captain forgot to mention that Drake can't talk.” Marcus chuckled, noticing Aliana’s nerves.

Lori returned the gentle squeeze with a more confident one, running her thumb across her knuckles in assurance. Though she sighed at Marc’s comment. “I did forget. Sorry.” she admitted, blushing a little as she apologized to both of them. “I… We're all so used to that fact that it slipped my mind.”

"Oh! I understand now," Aliana commented a slight blush on her cheeks finally getting a grasp of the situation. She would have to learn Drake's way of communication so she could talk to him better. Aliana didn't want to make anyone feel like they had to do special things around her, so she would learn to adjust and adapt to their ways. She smiled over at Lori, "It is fine love. I know now and that is all that matters."

Drake chuckled and made a dismissive gesture, smiling warming.

“That's his way of saying not to worry about it.” Marcus translated. “He's used to it too.”

Lori smiled sweetly at Aliana and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, my dear.”

Aliana's blush grew a shade deeper at Lori's kiss and then Drake telling her not to worry about it. No, no she would worry about it and make it one of her missions to learn Drake's language. She let her head fall slightly so it rested on Lori, "Is there anyone else I have yet to meet?"

Lori smiled and wrapped her arms around Aliana. “I think the only one you haven't met yet is Skinner. And he's probably at the helm right now since everyone else is down here, except the twins and Jax.” she smirked at the crew.

“It's my fault, Captain. I've been keeping them here to help manage this feast.” Charlie explained, gesturing to all the food.

Lorelei nodded, accepting the response easily. She wasn't one to get mad at simple things like this. “Be sure to pick out a good bottle to go with dinner tonight. We're celebrating tonight.” she replied, smiling at her beloved Princess.

"Well, I will have to meet Skinner later," Aliana replied getting comfortable in Lorelei's hold. She also understood why a majority of the crew was present in this area as her father had prepared a lot of food for the occasion. She gave a soft smile up at Lori at the mention of a celebration that night, Aliana knew exactly why, "I think a celebration is most definitely in order."

Lori smiled back and softly pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Aye. Whenever you're ready. Though you may end up meeting him at dinner.” she informed.

“Don't worry, Captain. I believe I have a bottle that would be perfect for tonight.” Charlie smiled, standing up and going back to her station. “But Skinner will most certainly be here at dinner, if I have to drag him down by his ear.” she added causing a round of soft laughter from the crew.

Aliana snickered quietly with the rest of the crea at Charlie's final comment. She ended up staying close to Lorelei as she tried to figure out what to do next. Aliana wasn't comfortable yet with the crew, but she found it to be rude to leave so soon. She had a light smile on as she watched the crew before glancing at Lori, "I think I want to stay here for a moment."

Lorelei laughed with everyone and nodded at Ali’s request. “There's no hurry. We can stay.” she assured.

“Then can I ask something?” Marcus piped up, taking a seat across from the couple. “We all know our Captain’s version of the story and everything. But I think we also want to know what a Princess saw to fall in love with someone like our Lorelei back then?”

"Oh, that story?" Aliana replied as she hummed in thought. It had been so long, well really the first or second time, that anyone had asked her to tell the story of how she and her beloved met. She tapped her fingers against her leg as she recalled before deciding to tell her half of the story, "I suppose to put it simply, Lorelei was a thief who meant to steal my jewels, but stole my heart instead with her kindness and humor. It was not often I found someone, much less one who was inclined to dislike me due to my status, who was still so kind to me. And even after she attempted to rob me the first time I went to town, I kept going back to meet the girl who was so bold as to steal from the princess."