Post by Serendib on Jan 16, 2020 18:25:33 GMT -5
For those of you not on Discord yet, a little intro: We were talking about how being cold makes employees grumpy and this is what came out of my head. It was supposed to be a "flash fic" but I ended up writing a full Fic on one day. I start with publishing it here as a new thread, but Hopefully I'll be able to open a FF.net account and publish properly. In the meantime, please let me know what you think. Enjoy ❤️
Cold, Tired and Grumpy
"I want you to find my Queen's portrait"
"I can assure you My Lord, we will."
Sinbad had promised the ruler of the Island they would find the missing painting, the King and the Queen were extremely attached to it, but Maeve wasn't feeling her Captain's certainty. After a long evening of planning and plotting, she was exhausted. The King hadn't even had the grace of offering them rooms to stay while they hunt down the thief; and the Inn they had found rooms at, had made it very clear that there was not going to be any warm water after dinner time.
She was cold, tired and grumpy. At least the men of her crew had been gentlemen she knew them to be and offered she and Bryn the room with the fireplace.
She lit it up with her magic the second Bryn closed the door behind them.
"I'm not gonna bathe in cold water" her friend declared dropping on the carpet next to the fireplace looking wistfully at the tub filled with now freezing water.
Maeve nodded.
The Inn keeper had come to warn them, about the water getting cold, and the two women had exchanged a look. Firouz and Sinbad were taking way more time than they usually did to come up with a suitable plan to catch the thief. They were both sure whoever it was that stole the painting was still on the Island, they had at least five suspects and coming up with a plan for each of them had meant both herself and Bryn had missed on an opportunity to bathe, relax and sleep before they were expected to tackle two of the suspect. Flirt with them, trying to get into their graces and discover if they were the culprit or not.
She rolled her eyes at the thought. Grumpiness turning into rage with every passing minute.
"That's it." she declared taking off her belt "I'm sick and tired of this day and we're not going to let it end like this" she continued, while shedding off another layer of her clothing, remaining just in her white undervest.
"I have not spent two years studying magic night and day, only to come back and flirt with an ugly man, possibly a thief, just because a stupid king couldn't hire proper guards to protect a stupid painting!" both Bryn and Dermott looked at her, confused by her outburst." But of course we can't argue because it was Sinbad's idea and he pleaded with us and... Arghhhh! That's it. Bryn!" she turned towards her friend "We're getting our warm bath"
She put her hands on the rim on the tub and focused, a faint light appeared around her and the surface of the water started to smoke.
When Maeve was satisfied with the heat of the tub, she raised one hand and focused some more. The light around her grew brighter and another tub magically appeared next to the first one.
Bryn jumped up, surprised: "You can do that?" she asked starting to undress. She didn't want to lose one second of that precious warmth.
"I shouldn't" Maeve replied putting the soap bar in the tub, before following suit "it takes a lot of energy, and it takes a lot of time to get it back. I'll need to be careful tomorrow, in case I'll need to use my magic"
Bryn nodded: "I'll watch your back, I promise" she smiled "this is heaven!"
They had the thief at this point, it was only a matter of waiting out. The room was dark, Maeve was hidden behind a curtain, Sinbad at her side, Bryn and Rongar behind the other curtain on the other side of the window. Suddenly the door creaked open, steps echoing in the silence. Sinbad put his index on his lips, then tilted his head, the sign for her to unleash the binding spell, she raised her hand...
The sudden flash of light gave away their position, both curtains fell, and Maeve was forced to her knees, by a weird power. Sinbad and Rongar attacked the thief, but he had a few seconds of advantage and took the painting running away.
Maeve looked at her hands, terror washing over her.
"I HAVEN'T GOT MY POWERS ANYMORE!" she shouted, terrified.
A scream, and Maeve startled awake. Bryn was already next to her.
"Maeve? Are you okay?"
The door of their room flew open and Sinbad and Doubar rushed in, swords ready.
"What's going on?" the Captain shouted, his eyes flew to his beloved, noticing immediately how distressed Maeve was: Out of breath, her hand on her chest, heaving. He let his sword fall on the floor and ran to her side putting his hands on her shoulders: "Maeve?" he called her gently, she seemed terrified and focused on a point right over his shoulder, by the fireplace. The fire had died.
"Are you okay?" he called again.
She seemed to suddenly realize what was happening, but Sinbad still felt her trembling under his hands.
Doubar looked at Bryn, a silent question in his eyes, but she shook her head.
Maeve looked at Sinbad, then raised a shaking hand and cast a small ball of light.
When the light appeared, under the curious look of her crewmates, Maeve let out a weak breath and started to slowly sob, tears streaming down her face.
Sinbad was taken aback for a second, then sat down next to her and hugged her, letting her nestle her head against the hollow of his neck, keeping her close to his body.
Had this been in any other circumstance, he would have been overjoyed by the closeness, but he was just worried and sad. He hated to see her cry, had a bad feeling about the whole situation and felt powerless when it came to her magic. He had absolutely no clue.
Bryn got closer and put a hand on Maeve's leg, still under the blanket: "What did you dream about?" she asked calmly.
"I'm so tired and cold" was the reply she got, between sobs "I can't lose my powers, just because I don't want to be cold." she raised her head and dried her eyes.
Sinbad and Doubar were still very confused, but Bryn connected the dots.
"Is this because of the spell you cast earlier?"
Mave nodded: "I dreamt somebody took away my powers, because I had been greedy. It could have been a premonition" she said slowly calming down, wiping the tears away.
"Maeve used her magic to draw us a warm bath earlier, we were late with the plan, and we were both cold and tired and really needed that" the brunette explained.
"And somebody could take away her powers for that?" Doubar asked, already outraged.
Bryn shrugged: "I didn't know anybody could take away powers, suppress them? Yes, but stealing them away? They are part of who we are"
Sinbad had been listening attentively. He knew though Maeve wasn't born with powers. She was gifted yes, but he knew how hard she had always trained and knew how hard it had been for her to reach the status she was now. He felt she was even more powerful than DimDim and she had given up two years of her life, two years with the people she loved. Two years she could have spent with him... No, he would never let anything like that happen to her.
"Do you think it could happen?" he asked, his hands on her cheeks, slowly turning her face towards him.
She was as lost as he was.
"Maybe?" she said "The forces that sent me back, the ones that trained me...maybe they could, I don't know. I'm supposed to help you fight evil with these powers, not draw me a warm bath because I missed out on the chance"
She shook her head.
Sinbad was feeling guilty, it was his own indecision with the plan that had started all this. If he hadn't been so inconclusive, maybe Maeve and Bryn could have made it in time to their room to relax and rest. Everything that felt so important, the plan the thief, the details of his grandiose scheme to gain the favor of the king, suddenly felt meaningless and stupid, in front of the pain of the woman he loved.
"This was my responsibility" he told her "if anybody, anybody at all comes to you claiming you misused your powers, you sent them to me. Tell them it was my order" Sinbad caressed her face. "I'm sorry I was so inconsiderate. I should have realized how tired and worn out everybody was, it was bad leadership on my part. I promise, it won't happen again"
Maeve smiled and took his hand in hers: "Thanks, but it doesn't matter. I need to reach out and understand this. I studied hard for these powers, I deserve to be able to use them how I see more fit" she was sounding again like the Maeve he knew. That was better.
"I'll meditate tomorrow, try to reach DimDim and ask him" she decided. "I still have them, and it was only a nightmare, I'll figure it out. I'm so sorry if I woke you up."
All three of them shook their heads.
"speaking of" he said "Bryn, Doubar would you mind going to check on Firouz and Rongar? I can imagine Firouz didn't notice anything, but Rongar with his fine ears?"
Bryn nodded, with a sly smile, called Dermott on her arm and moved to the door followed by the First Mate also sporting a weird smile.
As soon as they were gone, Sinbad pulled Maeve in for a kiss.
"you scared me to death" he whispered on her lips once they broke the kiss.
"I was scared to death as well. I can't afford to lose my powers, not until Dermott is human again"
"I know. And you won't. We won't let that happen. I promise you"
He kissed her again, passionately, his heart skipping more beats the more she reciprocated.
He was never going to get used to the fact that they were finally together. He certainly hoped he would never get used to kissing her, no other kiss could compare to hers. Not anymore.
They broke apart and she rested her forehead on his.
"Oh how I wish I could stay here... With you" he whispered, knowing all too well how much of a lovesick puppy he was being.
Maeve just gave him the most beautiful smile.
"And have Bryn sleep with your brother?" she teased.
"I should have bought an extra room. Told the Inn keeper the Hawk needed it" he giggled.
"Leave my brother out of this" she giggled as well.
Sinbad lifted his head from hers and searched her eyes: "Will you be alright?" he asked.
Maeve nodded.
Bryn and Doubar entered the room in that moment and they all exchanged a look.
"I will be better once I know what drained out the fire, it was magical, it should still be going. It could mean my magic is fading"
Bryan's eyes widened: "Oh, no!" she said mortified and run to hug her friend, ignoring Sinbad, who had to dodge out of the way, an offended look on his face.
"I'm sorry Maeve! I took the fire out, it was very bright and I couldn't sleep. I figured we'd be warm enough with all the blankets! Your powers are fine! I promise!"
Maeve hugged the girl back, relieved.
"Oh.. That's good! You're learning to use your powers!" she smiled.
"I never thought..." Bryn continued.
"No, No." Maeve stopped her "its okay, you couldn't have known I would have nightmares about this. Everything is fine, I promise. But we should go back to sleep. Or nobody is going to want to flirt with us tomorrow" Maeve teased, enjoying the discomfort on Sinbad's face.
"Yeah.. About that... Maybe we change the plan once more. But I agree, we should go get some sleep" the Captain said retrieving his sword from the floor.
"Goodnight Lasses" Doubar said with a smile.
"Goodnight"
Sinbad and Maeve exchanged one more meaningful look, before the Captain closed the door.
