#evokingmagic

That day had started off so well, the ship had made port in Tortuga and Arthur had approved her exit of her chambers that night. The third mate was finally allowed onto the blasted island after a brief expulsion per her brother. It was then Morgana had decided to dress up, look like a woman for once, since she had joined this blasted crew. 

She had taken nearly half the day to bathe and dress herself. The corset had been the most difficult part- even with her nimble hands.  It nearly took Morgana a half an hour to finish up the laces, pushing her chest up and out- the boning crushing her ribs. But despite the uncomfortable hitch in her breathe, the stiff corset had reminded her of home and gave her some form of content. It had been too long since she had felt like a proper lady. 

It was then she had haphazardly pulled on the emerald green dress. The piece wasn’t immaculate by any means, but it was finely trimmed and clean despite it’s former spot in her chest. But as Morgana finished lacy the billowing dress, she found perhaps she had tied the corset incorrectly. For the green dress barely fit around her exaggerated bust, but she had not the time nor the patience to fiddle with the undergarment any longer. Quickly and violently Morgana yanked the green dress shut, completing the laces. 

It was almost embarrassing how low the dress fell on her chest, though it gave her some comfort knowing that the neckline was still higher than most of the women’s on Tortuga. Finally she was able to comb and arrange her hair in an immaculate high bump, with the rest of her hair falling down around her back. Briefly she powdered her nose and face, forgoing the black kohl. Arthur had almost sent her back into her chambers claiming he wouldn’t ‘be able to have a good time’, since he’d spend the whole evening fending off advances.

Morgana would remember the shocked stares from the men who had been so acclimated to her boyish clothing. But she would forever relish the look of pure shock upon Merlin’s face as she swept past with her arm safely tucked beside Arthur. It was surprise, but something darker that made the pale woman flush.

From there the night had been a blur, she drank of course, but only enough to create a warm feeling in her head while silencing her loud voice of reason. It wasn’t completely gone, just dulled down. Morgana had flirted with many of the Captains and First Mate’s who did not make her skin completely crawl. It was nearing midnight when she noticed Merlin’s tense form, which gave her cause to raise an eyebrow, he was with his usual lass. Her name… was Frey? Aya? Freya? The woman wasn’t sure, but once glanced up to find his penetrating blue gaze leveled on her.

An hour or so later, the Second Mate began searching for her crew and brother, Morgana only wished to return to the ship to sleep. It was then Arthur drunkenly told her, the lot of them would be staying at the Inn (she called it a tavern whore house)- before he ambled up the stairs with a giggling woman.

A flush settled on her cheek’s embarrassed by the low morality of it all. All she had to do was purchase a single room for the night, and most likely barricade it. Morgana didn’t need a drunken sailor and his wench interrupting her sleep. But much to her displeasure there were no rooms left, all had been booked earlier in the evening. It was then Merlin had decided to make a short comment as the small brown haired girl perched herself on his lap- about taking the stick out of her arse and have a night of fun.

Already put off about having to stay in a den of inequity (really it just smelled bad), paired with a raging jealousy towards the scantily clad girl on Melrin’s lap- did nothing to assuage her fiery temper.

“How about I go back to the bloody ship and cut the anchor loose!” She seethed, pleased by the frightened looks from her fellow mates. “Then maybe I’ll stick the anchor down your damn throat? Keep you from talking?” A smirk passed her lips as Merlin sat there, dumbfounded by her outburst. With that, Morgana picked up her skirts and swept away from the man who roused inappropriate feeling within her- turning to punch a pirate in the gut when he attempted to pull her in for a kiss. “So long boys, the ship is mine!” And she meant every damn word.

As the pale woman glided towards the entrance and exit of the tavern, she heard a clatter from where she had just walked away from. Raising a brow, Morgana chanced a look behind her, that was when the pirate clutched her wrist and she caught a glimpse of the girl sprawled on the ground. Had Merlin stood up so fast he knocked the poor tavern girl off of him? Though it brought her some satisfaction that the First Mate knew she was deadly serious about cutting the anchor off.

“You can have my room.” The older pirate said firmly, letting go of her arm.

This was certainly a turn Morgana had not foreseen. “Pardon? Are you inviting me to your quarters Merlin? I don’t…”

He cut her off then, “…not like that, damn it Morgana.” The man said in frustration, this time he roughly grabbed her upper forearm. “Let’s go.” Merlin pulled her towards the stairs, and up them.

Truly she had not expected him to be so chivalrous as to offer his room to her. It was rather difficult to follow him; Morgana was much shorter than he, along with a billowing skirt and his hold on her. But soon they made it to the room Merlin had reserved for himself and probably the wench down below. Her green eyes took in the rather plain room, and single bed.

Curious, Morgana moved across the room to glance out the window which overlooked Tortuga. “Thank you Merlin.” She said with a softness to her voice that was typically reserved to Arthur or Gwen. Looking up, her green eyes met his and the Lady found herself fiddling with her dress under his dark gaze. “You don’t have to stay here; you can go back down to…”

Trailing off as Merlin hedged closer, the woman found it to be increasingly difficult to breathe in his presence. The sister to the Captain felt her heart begin to hammer against her rib cage as he spoke, continuing her sentence for her. “…to Freya? Yes I’d planned on bringing her up here.”

Averting her green gaze, Morgana let her eyes sharply turn to look out over the harbor. “You could have just let me gone back to the ship.” Her reply was curt, refusing to acknowledge his increasing closeness.

“And let you steal it? I don’t think so Morgana.” His chuckle caused her skin to raise, and Morgana’s mouth ran dry as her name rolled off of his tongue. “However I do plan on returning to the tavern. I can’t leave myself unsatisfied.” Merlin smirked.

Rolling her eyes, the woman leaned against the wall taking a few deep breathes. They all did this, teasing her, making disgusting comments to see who could get the most rise out of the Lady Morgana. It only angered her when Merlin joined in; perhaps it was because she actually held some affection for him. Her inexperience with the other sex was often a tense subject for her to talk about, though she had actually kissed a man, she had not gone as far as any of the women Merlin was so accustomed to.

The air wafting in off the port assuaged her anger some, essentially assisting in sobering her mind some. “Well Merlin, I’ve seen how you’re able to satisfy yourself just as well as any woman could.” A smirk curled her red lips in a teasing manner; Morgana took purposeful strides towards the man- two could play this game.

His blue eyes narrowed as she stood directly in front of him- their chests brushing. “So I’m not sure what the problem is.” Morgana let her hands trail up the edges of his coat to grip the collar. “Surely if it’s so easy to please yourself…” she leaned forward, “…as you continue to remind me…” the woman smirked, crushing her breasts against his chest to whisper into his ear. “Then why do you have the need for a woman to have your way with?”

Drawing back, Morgana allowed her lips to graze his cheek in silence. A fleeting smirk crossed her face once more, making her wonder where this confidence was stemming from. Of course she had guts just as any other man, but never had she displayed such confidence when dealing with physical exchanges with men. “Though if you want to live then that is entirely your choice. Arthur would be so pleased to know you abandoned his only, innocent sister to the dirty hands of Tortuga’s finest.” Her green eyes sparkled with mischief as dawning of recognition flashed over Merlin’s face.

“You’re blackmailing me.” He accused in a low tone, hands coming to roughly grip her waist. Morgana merely smiled, he was catching on. “Why?” the pirate asked, pulling her closer.

She paused at that, hesitated and then continued. “I’m tired of my virginity being the subject of jest.” Her reply was honest, if not a bit snappish. “Perhaps this will teach you a lesson in underestimating me, Merlin.” The woman had leaned forward, her lips curling around his name, brushing against his in a teasing manner.

Morgana could feel his body tense; hear the air being sucked into his lungs from the tense surprise. This was her revenge for all the times he flaunted his sexual relations with Freya, for the casual touches that lead nowhere. And especially for teasing her in the hallways after Morgana had interrupted his private moment. Slowly, she slid her lips against the pirate’s, letting her tongue trail his lower lip before she held it between her teeth. A groan rumbled from the back of his throat, taking it as a sign of pleasure the woman slid her tongue past Merlin’s lips and ran it along his.

All the while her hands raked down his chest, taking hold of large belt for leverage. It was difficult to focus on revenge and tormenting Merlin when he was such an excellent kisser, but the female pirate fought through the haze in her mind. As their tongues literally twisted around the other, Morgana briefly tugged on his belt, crashing his body into hers. She could feel every bit of him, even through the damned dress.

Just as his hands began to travel downward from her waist, the Lady pulled back and snatched both his hands. Seeing Merlin’s surprised expression that was still clouded by their rather heated kiss, all Morgana could do was smile briefly.