Who: Yelena and Vala What: Rivals in the same tavern When: Evening, August 10 Where: Dockside Tavern Rating: low
Yelena and her crew had a good run the other day and managed to fleece a few rich people on a ship for all that they were worth. Now it was time for her to think of their next score and she had an eye on a British Galleon that had come into port this morning. The only problem was she knew others would have their eye on it as well.
For better thinking, Yelena ended up at one of the taverns off the dock with a tall mug of ale. She leaned back and crossed her tall brown boots on the table top as she took her first sip. When the door of the tavern opened and she was who entered, she didn’t hide her eyeroll. “Couldn’t ye ruin some other establishment with your stench?”
–
This was one of Vala’s favorite ports and she didn’t hesitate to make her way to one of her favorite taverns immediately upon their arrival, only to be greeted by the foul presence of one of her least favorite rivals. As tempted as she was to turn around and walk out, finding another place to knock back a few ales, she wasn’t going to let this scallywag ruin her evening.
“I see the standards here have dropped since my last visit to this fair town,” she retorted. “If they’re letting the likes of you patronize the establishment.”
*
“Ever stop to think it was you which dropped the standards for having frequented the place?” She wasn’t sure what it was about Jack’s crew, exactly, but she did not like any of them. Them competing for some of the big scores on the waters was definitely part of it, but there was more to it than that. Yelena had yet to put a finger on it.
She outstretched her arms. “To what do we have the pleasure of ye and yer captain coming to town? Requiring the help of better sailors than yerselves to sail the ship?”
–
Vala knew that she shouldn’t let Yelena’s words affect her. That the other woman was spoiling for a fight and it would be better to simply walk away. Unfortunately, even knowing that, she couldn’t help herself. “And here I thought you were well aware of my excellent skills after borrowing your ship a few years ago,” she said.
It was how she’d earned her place on Jack’s crew, by managing to take over Yelena’s ship for a brief time. Had she wanted, she could have kept it and disappeared. She had no yen to run her own crew though.
*
She narrowed her eyes at Vala briefly before taking a big swig from her ale. “A mistake that would never happen again now that I have a better and more loyal crew to call me own. Perhaps it is you and your captain who should keep an eye on yer vessel now that you’ve come to dock so closely to me.” The thing was there were a lot more better prospects in town than either of their ships. A good pirate knew that pirate ships didn’t have a lot of money on them when they went to port. Pirate Ships were best taken at sea after one of them had pillaged something. The British ships in town were much more of a better target. The only good reason to steal a ship from one another was clout and one-up-manship.
–
“I’ll be sure to let Captain Jack know we need to keep an eye out for trouble,” Vala said, her tone completely deadpan. She knew that with the current crew on Jack’s ship, no one would get away with attempting to steal the ship or anything on it. In fact, the thought of the wench in front of her going head to head with Dean was quite amusing to imagine.
She glanced towards the door, wondering if any of her crew would be joining her at this fine establishment.
*
Yelena rolled her eyes at the deadpan. Part of her was annoyed she couldn't get under Vala’s skin. Another part of her was annoyed it hadn’t turned to a brawl. She needed more ale, that was certain, and like Vala, Yelena wished for her crew to suddenly show up so that there could be some steam to be let off.
“What’s the matter? Wanting to leave already? Or maybe yer a damsel in need of some rescuing. Didn’t know you can’t handle some simple bantering, Vala. Yer getting weaker at yer old age.” Yes, she was playing the age card. “Maybe it is I who should have a chat with Jack. Worried about his crew now, I am.” She sounded mockingly concerned.
–
It had been quite some time since Vala participated in a good old fashioned brawl and it would be fun, though she would not appreciate being banned from this establishment if things got out of hand. There were already many taverns she was unable to patronize from previous misadventures.
“I was hoping perhaps there would be better company forthcoming,” she said. “Alas, I’m stuck with the likes of you.”
*
“Seems so.” Yelena didn’t even try to dispute it. She wasn’t one to get upset about comments like that. Comments about her abilities as a pirate? That would probably garner her attention more.
“If it makes ye feel any better, I only plan to drink about five or ten more ales.” This wasn’t entirely true, though she did want to drink a lot. Mostly she was just claiming her time here to be plentiful. Maybe she could convince Vala to leave and let her drink in peace. Of course, it would technically mean a victory for Yelena too.
–
Vala intended to have several more drinks herself. “You stick to your side of the tavern and I’ll stick to mine,” she said, deciding she wasn’t going to allow Yelena to push her out. The place was big enough for both of them to keep their distance from each other.
Not waiting for a response, she took her ale and went to claim a table as far from Yelena’s as possible.
*
Well she was no fun. She huffed, blowing some of her stray hairs up in the air. If Vala wasn’t going to bite, then she’d have to think of some other fun later once she had her fill of ale.