[SE] [Training] Friends never say goodbye

The coldest blood runs through my veins

"You left me. I lashed out. We both made mistakes, and I forgave you for that, yet you won't do the same for me now?" Maybe this had been a mistake. Maea didn't feel very ready to take the blame for everything that had gone wrong between them between now and the first time they met. And maybe that wasn't what Thal was saying either, but she was getting too worked up and too put off by the indifferent attitude to keep hold of the humility she'd arrived with. Apologising for her mistakes was one thing – groveling to satisfy the pirate's need for bloodshed and revenge another entirely.

Especially when Thalassa reached for the dagger. "Neither do I –" With a snarl Maea broke free and backed up, casting about for the bundle where her own weapons lay – and suddenly the entire ship shuddered, throwing her off her feet and onto to the deck. Knocking her head against the planks, white lightning crackled behind her eyes and Maea was only faintly aware of sailors shouting while masts covered the sky - and still the Marauder groaned, with a sound of wood scraping against wood. Voices were calling out for the captain, for Thalassa and – fuck, she had to get back on her feet, or she really might get stabbed...

You know my name

Table by Skylark

Thalassa

It felt like getting angry at a wall. She didn't seem to understand a word Thal said. She'd never left her. And yet, Maea continued to throw her words like daggers she expected to hit. Little did she know that the pirate didn't have anything left to hit. The rage was already dissipating again, the familiar numbness creeping back over her when it came to these topics. There was no reasoning. 

"I already gave you a second chance, Maea. Then I tried to give you a third and you threw it in my face." The words were less barbed, more like cold, hard facts than a heated debate. It was the truth whether the woman wanted to admit it or not. Thal was tired of lending out her heart like the outcome might be different, tired of passing out chances like cigarettes that went up in smoke. 

Lifting her dagger to stab the thigh in her grasp, they were suddenly separating just before a loud scraping sound echoed through the wood of her ship. Thal let out a string of colorful curses so long that her crew was immediately scattering. The Marauder rocked lightly from the impact and she laughed coldly as Maea flattened out on the deck. Her own feet were firmly planted, her body swaying with the motion as she moved to glance over the side, not the least bit concerned with showing her back to the pathetic form sprawled out. 

A small ship had lost control and rammed into the starboard bottom of the hull. There didn't appear to be any major damage, but she shouted orders for a few of her sailors to check below deck for any water they may be taking it. She on the other hand, had some skin to flay. As she passed towards the gangplank, Thal looked down at Maea, a look of disgust clear on her face, flicking her dagger in her hand in silent threat. "I don't have time to deal with whatever redemption you're looking for. Get off my ship." And without waiting for her order to be followed, she hopped down to the pier, preparing to meet the culprits who would be repairing her ship.

Guess I got caught in the middle of it

Yes I've been taught, got a little of it

In my blood, in my blood

The coldest blood runs through my veins

This couldn't have gotten any worse if she'd tried to fuck up. Now Thalassa's cold laughter rang in her ears as Maea struggled to rise, the splitting sensation in her head accentuated by the throbbing nose and a white-hot point of agony in her back. But the physical wounds she could heal. Worse by far was the withering desire to just drop this matter, since she seemed to be the only one who truly cared about the outcome. So what if it was her third chance, of fifth, or hundredth? Since when did friendship rest on a countdown towards a point of no return? Maea knew she had things to atone for, that was never a thing to argue against, but what was up with the icy reception?

Staggering as her legs and the ship swayed in opposite directions, the pale figure dragged herself across the deck and down the gangway. Nothing had been resolved the way she'd hoped to, and a big, looming cloud of doubt was all she'd gained from her attempts. Questioning the value of trying when it seemed so utterly one sided. It was a question that would keep haunting her long after the bruises had faded.

[FIN]

You know my name

Table by Skylark