Neither of the ladies had expected this to be a triple date – though none of them were disappointed. Hella tried not to appear too intrigued by the other two girls, one who seemed to be a mermaid... or the other who looked like she had walked out of a theater play. Was she a pirate? Hella wondered. It seemed she'd get to find out quickly. She kept her quiet, as the only one who knew Church, and let the others speak.

“Hey. Are you Church?” Fiadh could feel there was something attractive about the man, though she couldn't quite put a finger on what exactly. It could be the rum speaking; she had only had a glass to give herself some courage, but it seemed to be working like a charm. “I’m Fiadh. Nice to meet you.” Her smile wasn't very wide when it appeared on her face, but she ran her eyes over his body and winked at him. A clear message.

“And I’m Tethene. But you can call me Teth.” There was something... not very human about the other two girls - the very reason Tethene felt much calmer around them. And they all looked good, them and the guy. Tethene preferred her own company to that of anyone else... but she couldn't deny she had a good feeling about this. For the first time, she would let someone see her true form - she was willing to do this for all of them.

“Hi guys. I'm Hella. And I'm hella excited to meet you.” All three of them laughed together.

“So... What do y'all feel like doing?” she asked, looking at all of her new friends and Church and wiggling her eyebrows. “Those clothes on you ladies scream pick me up, and not to be horrible, but I would.”

“Ooh. You're brave. I like that.” Fiadh grinned. “I’d love to take you on an adventure.”

“I mean,” Tethene ran a hand through her ink-blue hair and pushed it to the side to reveal her neck, “I don't get human stuff much, but I know this place is for dirty dancing and folks here want to get laid.”

“That’s a very cool dance! It’s okay if you don’t remember, but... d’ya learn it somewhere?” Though a lot of the other visitors of the club were consumed, either with a drink, a chat, or dancing, Fiadh was happy to just watch from a distance. No, she already had enough courage; to get herself dancing, she’d either need a small drink, or a little company, and she wasn’t sure things were going to work out with the first one.

“...Ness. You’re back.” How long has it been since the last time she spent time with Ness? Her very first word makes it feel as though it has been years, and Fiadh becomes less and less able to ignore the warm feeling that grows in her chest and the butterflies that appear in her stomach – despite the fact that, as she realises, it makes her feel vulnerable at the same time. And Fiadh hates feeling vulnerable.

She holds Ness’s hand between her own, pulling her close, and leans her forehead against the other pirate’s. A hug can drive her heart to beat far too fast, and Fiadh knows that hugs introduce the possibility of getting stabbed. She trusts Ness; it’d be a lie to think otherwise. But leading the life she’s led has not taught her that this trust comes easily. Still, her body talks clearly: if Ness wants more, she can have it.

❛ Did I?❜ How well Ness already knows her. The firmness of the wooden surface of the bar against her fingers takes her to her memories of the ship she has been manning, and, for another few moments, the timetraveller gets transported to the recent past. ❛Seems like you can read my face well.❜ Better than anyone else until now.

This kind of words coming from someone like Fiadh is a compliment. The only people who are allowed to see the world behind her eyes, the dreams in her head, and everything that makes her sigh, cry or laugh are her family. Her mom. Her dad. Her grandparents. Or at least that was how it used to be until recently.

Until she crossed paths with Ness.

❛I won't say no to a nice drink from a pretty lady. Thanks a lot.❜ She picks up the glass and lifts it to take a sniff at it before she sips on the liquid. ❛What did you get?❜

“Yeah, I do. I go where it's dangerous.” Fiadh threw a glance at the other pirate. Why was she at the weapons table? A single glance at the swords and knives and guns was enough to remind her. “I’m here to find my grandfather and then discover how to take us back to my timeline. Wherever I was, that would be... what I want most.” She bit her lip and sighed.

“Look, Ness, I... All the time I’ve spent here - wherever here is - has been wonderful. I loved it. I felt so lost before I met you, I really did. And I was scared. And angry. I still am. But now I’ve got a clue where to look for grandpa. I just want to find him and make sure he's safe...”

“Who needs to go seek treasures in faraway lands when I have you.” That’s it, you’ve successfully turned her into an affectionate house cat and made her melt, and now she’s gonna lean in for even more kisses. Purr.