OOC: Sorry, but this is a closed thread between Swashbuckler and SexyChele. I invite all to read along, and welcome any comments.
The Spanish Main was the prominent shipping route used by Spanish ships transporting goods and passengers to and from Spain to the New World during the 16th century. Many times these ships carried a great deal of wealth, and they became a target for pirates - thieves - from countries such as England and France to pillage and plunder these ships. Sometimes the wealth stayed with the pirates themselves, other times a big portion was sent back to the home country.
Our tale takes place on the Spanish Main, and the capture of a Spanish ship, making its way to the New World. Aboard this ship is some wealth, but it also carries the daughter of the viceroy of one of the provinces of the New World who is one her way to be joined in marriage - a marriage arranged for by her father to cement alliances between wealthy families. In the ensuing battle for the ship, this woman was taken captive and now awaits the decision and pleasure of the Captain as to what her fate should be.
IC: Slowly I wake up, my mind in a fog, unsure of where I am. I look around at the damp room, and feel the extreme discomfort of the mattress that I'm lying on. There is not even a small window to look out of, and I am unsure if it is day or night. The room is bare, but for the rough bed I lie on. I raise myself up, slowly, my head adjusting itself as I try to remember how I came to be here.
I look down at myself. The dress, the beautiful blue dress that I had put on that morning, was covered in dirt and soot. Torn in some places, revealing the fine linen and lace petticoats beneath. I look at my arms and chest covered in dirt, soot, and grim. Running a hand over my long, raven hair I feel that it is dishevelled and must hang about my face and body in a dark tangle.
Slowly rising, leaning against the wall for support, I try to think. Yes. The ship I was sailing on, the ship to take me to my father and my husband to be, attacked by pirates. The Capitain of the ship tried to protect me by shoving me into a storage room - out of sight from the invading marauders. Shut up and only able to hear the screams of men dying, I shuddered in fear. When things appeared to quiet down, a man opened the door to the room I was in - a man not of our ship - and his eyes held frank appreciation when he saw me. As I attempted to cower from him, I picked up the distinct, acrid smell of smoke and knew the ship to be on fire. Grabbing me roughly, he quickly hauled across the deck. As I looked around I saw many of the sailors and soldiers who had been on this journey with me since we left Spain, lying dead. The stench was overwhelming, and I began to feel light-headed.
Somehow, I was transferred over to the other ship, the ship of thieves, and felt the hands of many men on my body. Coming out of the shock that I was feeling, I started to cry and to scream - only to be met with laughter from the crew. The events of the day came together very quickly, and I felt myself sinking towards the deck, even as I heard a gruff voice call out to the crew to take me below.
And that must have been how I landed here. Looking down once again at myself, I'm thankful to be alive - but should I be? I had just left the convent a mere 3 weeks ago when my father had written saying that he had found a husband for me, and I was to join him in the New World and be married upon my arrival. I had no idea who this man was, and was ambivilent towards it. The nuns had seen to it that notions of romance and love had not dimmed my thoughts when it came to learning pious behavior and the arts of running a household. I had been told that I would submit to my husband in all things, and that my reward would be the children granted to me. In this I took comfort.
Now, I look down at myself. Dirty, soot-covered, surely not what I had looked like before. My body was delicate-boned, but shapely. My dark hair fell to my hips in a sheen of silk, and my eyes were darkest brown. My skin was fair which only seemed to accentuate the full redness of my lips.
Suddenly the door opened, and a hideous man entered. Scared and frightened, I shrink back from him as he laughs with glee.
"The captain wishes to meet you proper-like, and it wouldn't do to have you be in his presence looking like you do."
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I didn't care a whit about his captain, when he was followed in by several men carrying a bathtub and hot water. The last thing brought in was a gown of magnificent red velvet.
"There. You have 1 hour to bathe and dress for the captain. I suggest you be on time - if you know what is good for you!"
As he cackles out the door, I make a decision. Obviously, the captain is a man of grace and elegance - the gown is of the finest material. Ok. I shall make myself as presentable as possible and plead my case before him. If he is a gentleman, he cannot refuse.
I sigh deeply as I submerge my body into the hot water, letting the pains soak away before vigorously scrubbing my skin and hair clean.
The Spanish Main was the prominent shipping route used by Spanish ships transporting goods and passengers to and from Spain to the New World during the 16th century. Many times these ships carried a great deal of wealth, and they became a target for pirates - thieves - from countries such as England and France to pillage and plunder these ships. Sometimes the wealth stayed with the pirates themselves, other times a big portion was sent back to the home country.
Our tale takes place on the Spanish Main, and the capture of a Spanish ship, making its way to the New World. Aboard this ship is some wealth, but it also carries the daughter of the viceroy of one of the provinces of the New World who is one her way to be joined in marriage - a marriage arranged for by her father to cement alliances between wealthy families. In the ensuing battle for the ship, this woman was taken captive and now awaits the decision and pleasure of the Captain as to what her fate should be.
IC: Slowly I wake up, my mind in a fog, unsure of where I am. I look around at the damp room, and feel the extreme discomfort of the mattress that I'm lying on. There is not even a small window to look out of, and I am unsure if it is day or night. The room is bare, but for the rough bed I lie on. I raise myself up, slowly, my head adjusting itself as I try to remember how I came to be here.
I look down at myself. The dress, the beautiful blue dress that I had put on that morning, was covered in dirt and soot. Torn in some places, revealing the fine linen and lace petticoats beneath. I look at my arms and chest covered in dirt, soot, and grim. Running a hand over my long, raven hair I feel that it is dishevelled and must hang about my face and body in a dark tangle.
Slowly rising, leaning against the wall for support, I try to think. Yes. The ship I was sailing on, the ship to take me to my father and my husband to be, attacked by pirates. The Capitain of the ship tried to protect me by shoving me into a storage room - out of sight from the invading marauders. Shut up and only able to hear the screams of men dying, I shuddered in fear. When things appeared to quiet down, a man opened the door to the room I was in - a man not of our ship - and his eyes held frank appreciation when he saw me. As I attempted to cower from him, I picked up the distinct, acrid smell of smoke and knew the ship to be on fire. Grabbing me roughly, he quickly hauled across the deck. As I looked around I saw many of the sailors and soldiers who had been on this journey with me since we left Spain, lying dead. The stench was overwhelming, and I began to feel light-headed.
Somehow, I was transferred over to the other ship, the ship of thieves, and felt the hands of many men on my body. Coming out of the shock that I was feeling, I started to cry and to scream - only to be met with laughter from the crew. The events of the day came together very quickly, and I felt myself sinking towards the deck, even as I heard a gruff voice call out to the crew to take me below.
And that must have been how I landed here. Looking down once again at myself, I'm thankful to be alive - but should I be? I had just left the convent a mere 3 weeks ago when my father had written saying that he had found a husband for me, and I was to join him in the New World and be married upon my arrival. I had no idea who this man was, and was ambivilent towards it. The nuns had seen to it that notions of romance and love had not dimmed my thoughts when it came to learning pious behavior and the arts of running a household. I had been told that I would submit to my husband in all things, and that my reward would be the children granted to me. In this I took comfort.
Now, I look down at myself. Dirty, soot-covered, surely not what I had looked like before. My body was delicate-boned, but shapely. My dark hair fell to my hips in a sheen of silk, and my eyes were darkest brown. My skin was fair which only seemed to accentuate the full redness of my lips.
Suddenly the door opened, and a hideous man entered. Scared and frightened, I shrink back from him as he laughs with glee.
"The captain wishes to meet you proper-like, and it wouldn't do to have you be in his presence looking like you do."
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I didn't care a whit about his captain, when he was followed in by several men carrying a bathtub and hot water. The last thing brought in was a gown of magnificent red velvet.
"There. You have 1 hour to bathe and dress for the captain. I suggest you be on time - if you know what is good for you!"
As he cackles out the door, I make a decision. Obviously, the captain is a man of grace and elegance - the gown is of the finest material. Ok. I shall make myself as presentable as possible and plead my case before him. If he is a gentleman, he cannot refuse.
I sigh deeply as I submerge my body into the hot water, letting the pains soak away before vigorously scrubbing my skin and hair clean.