Before Recovering >_<

[Moonfeathers]

Lullaby sat by Ruby's bed. She'd been waiting for about an hour now for the girl to wake up so she could tell Lulla what she wanted to eat. She figured the sick girl should have her choice of food.

To tell the truth, Lullaby was horrified at what the crew had been eating before she got here. Rum, badly made bread, cheese, and dry meat. Occasionally milk, whenever they had the mind to buy some.

Well, Lulla went through quite a lot to fix it. She put the rum in a cold closet, started making better bread, put the cheese in an ice box, and soaked the meat in rum before cooking it. So far she'd been managing, but when she told the captain about the things she needed, he had told her to go to the quartermaster and tell her to put it down on the list. He'd told her that quite some time ago, but no matter how much she asked around she couldn't figure out who the quartermaster was.

She would have been surprised had she known she was sitting right in front of the woman.

[~Captain Flint~]

Rubes woke up, her eyes still groggy from sleep. The faint figure of Lulla came into her vision, and she cleared them with a cool hand. Oh... hello. she began, yawning. I'm sorry. Have you been here a while? She sat up, grabbing a bucket of water and washing the gross taste of sleep out of her mouth. Are there Quartermaster duties that I've failed to complete? she asked, suddenly wide awake.

[Moonfeathers]

"Huh?" Lullaby blinked. "Y-You're the Quartermaster?" She asked, then quickly shook her head. "No, no, not at all. You really need to get your rest. I was just wondering what you would like to eat?" She smiled. "Or perhaps I could get you cleaner water?"

[~Captain Flint~]

That’s me. Rubes replied softly, I feel terrible, not doing my share of work… first with taking care of the twins, and now with this stupid fever. she continued apologetically. Hmm, I like most things to eat, except when I’m sick, I can’t have any meat except fish or drink anything besides water. Anything else upsets my stomach all over again. But I’ll take whatever you’ve got- I don’t deserve any special treatment. And this water is a bit old. she commented, sighing at the taste of it. Rubes was very particular about the taste of water- but she had come to realize that all her needs couldn’t be met on the Howl. It was probably good, it kept Ruby from being spoiled as she was when she was a young girl like Lulla. Speaking [or thinking] of which… she thought, escaping her thoughts to say to the girl, I don’t know much about you, Lulla. Her words were slightly hoarse, but clear, and revealed her curiosity.

[Moonfeathers]

"Oh, well then I'll fix you up some fish, and I'll go get you new water as well, perhaps you'd- wha?" Lullaby just heard the last question Ruby asked. She paused, nearly lost for words. No one ever asked about her. Most of the crew didn't even know her name yet, let alone curious about the cook's life. And why should they be? "Uhm, well..." She stammered. "I don't know much about me either." She glanced around, then picked up the bucket of water, glad for an excuse to drop the conversation. "I'll get you clean water and fish, and some bread." With that she disappeared out the door before Ruby could say anything else.

[~Captain Flint~]

Thank you! Rubes called after the departing figure, but the reply may very well have gone unnoticed. She regretted asking Lulla about herself, she had only been trying to be the ever friendly Rube she always was, not make her uncomfortable or scare her off. But Rubes had managed to do both, in one simple question. She made it a note in her mind not to bring the topic up again, and to apologize when the cook returned.

Picking up her wooden comb, she worked her way through her slightly matted hair. The long, soothing strokes always calmed her.

[Moonfeathers]

Moongrave returned shortly with a bucket of water and a plate balanced on her head. She set the pail down and handed Ruby the plate. "It's simple, but I do hope you like it." She smiled slightly.

[~Captain Flint~]

Simple is all I desire, thanks, Lulla. Rubes replied cheerfully, setting aside her comb. She took a bite, and savored the delicious taste. There was no fish fresher than that of the Howl's, after all, fish could be caught at almost anytime. This is really great! she complimented, and proceeded to eat the whole thing quickly- her appetite was large since she hadn't eaten much in the last few days. Finishing, she sighed contentedly, and said I'm sorry about before, I wouldn't have said anything if I knew it would make you uncomfortable. Her words were sincere, and she hoped Lulla would brush the situation aside, and not be on guard around Ruby forever more.

[Moonfeathers]

"It's fine." Lullaby smiled. "I just lost my memory a while ago, and it still nerves me a bit when people ask about me, because I really am not sure at all. Sometimes I think I might have been a very horrible person in the past, the way some people act towards me." She thought about the lieutenant. If he knew her from before, it was quite a coincidence. Or he might have just been hallucinating. She almost hoped he hadn't. Maybe if he warmed up to her enough, he would tell her about her past.

[~Captain Flint~]

I'm sure you were the same then as you are now: anything but horrible. Don't fret over your past, if you're supposed to know it, you'll find out someday. And if you do find out, don't let the past define who you are now. Ruby advised, her eyes showing with hard-earned wisdom, without realizing it. If I let my past define me, I'd be stuck in some stuffy ballroom, wearing a dress impossible to breathe in so I could impress a husband that would never love me anyways. Rubes said, pausing for air and considering the girl's unique name for a moment, before saying, With a name like Lullaby, I'm sure you were sweet and soothing, just like the song.

[Moonfeathers]

Lulla smiled slightly. "I have a feeling I was wealthy like you were, but I'm not sure. I wore a dress once, and it felt familiar on me..." She shook her head. "But I can never be sure. At least we're both happy now, right?" She laughed.

[~Captain Flint~]

That's right. All that matters is now- and the future. Rube said, smiling and nodding in agreement. She drank from the water, smacking her lips after she did so happily. The water was crisp and fresh. So how are the crew treating you? Some can be a bit... gruff at times. Rubes said, thinking of a particular lieutenant but saying nothing.

[Moonfeathers]

"Uhm...they've been...okay." Lullaby said hesitantly, also thinking of the lieutenant. The rest of the crew weren't very polite, but what was to be expected of pirates?

[~Captain Flint~]

Rubes snuggled amongst the covers, her fever catching up with her. It may take a while to get on their good sides... Rubes said, sighing. Superstitious pirates decided long ago that children are bad luck on a vessel. Most of us on the Howl don't believe that, obviously. Rube said with a grin. After all, her twins were the youngest on board. Give them time, dear Lullaby, and they'll warm up to you. At least most of them will. she said, yawning. She'd hate to make false promises; she had seen the way Jay treated Lulla, and Jay was stubborn in his ways. And don't mind Jay. she added. He can be pretty ignorant and stubborn sometimes. I'm sorry you aren't one of his few favorites. But neither am I, and I've survived thus far. Ruby said, with a weak smile. She actually admired and respected Jay, but he probably didn't return either of her of the affections.

[Moonfeathers]

Lullaby laughed softly. "So he does have favorites? Seems to me he's cranky to all the crew. Though I suppose some of them need it." She smiled, then glanced around, lowering her voice. "Just don't tell anyone I said that." She whispered, smiling slightly.