The next day passed without much action or drama. The crew still found themselves navigating their sleep cycles rather than the ship. They needed to get back to a regular pattern after an all nighter in the depths of the ghost ship and a molasses factory, hounded by Archie's vicious ex lovers. As the day passed, Elise noticed how the captain kept to himself. He made them dinner like usual and made a few typical merry puns and wise cracks, but Elise could tell something was off.

As they all turned in for bed in the Captain's cabin, Elise closed her eyes but she didn't go to sleep. As she lay on the floor with a blanket, she pretended to close her eyes.

One by one, her comrades drifted off the sleep. Sincirce, being three centuries old, turned in first, followed by Tito and Tony the Troutface (who began to snore and proceeded to wake everyone up.) After they all went to bed after Sincirce stuffed a sock on Tony's mouth, Elise kept herself from drifting in the dark. Sure enough, the captain rose from the floor and tiptoed towards the door.

He managed to slip through and head out on the deck.

Now's my chance, Elise thought.

She followed him out too.

The sky above the deck was starry and violet, and the air was cool and still. The Lyre gently rocked back and forth on a calm sea. They seemed to be in the middle of the ocean without a single island or ship on the horizon.

Archibell stood at the far end of the deck and gazed forlorn with his hands folded. Elise smiled. Even after all this adventuring, Elise still thought he was handsome and dashing. His very being filled her with the urge to have an amazing adventure and she was having it.

But to her amazement...the captain no longer had his wily grin. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and though he was only in his mid thirties, those eyes had clearly seen more than someone twice his age. Elise let out a shocked scream when he put his foot on the railing of the boat as if he was about to jump.

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"What are you doing?!" she screamed.

Archibell's eyes widened and he put his foot back on the boat. His face spread into his normal grin. "Ah..." he said. "He said. "Was just about to go skinny dipping...with my clothes on."

Elise shook her head in disbelief. "I don't know what skinny dipping is, but I thought you were gonna jump off the boat..."-her voice creaked-"and leave us!"

The captain put his hands within his belt loops and gave a casual chuckle. "Hah, kid. I..."

Elise ran and hugged him tightly. "Ain't going anywhere," he finished his sentence.

Elise looked up at him as she hugged him. "I've never seen you sad before captain. Please don't be sad."

The captain smirked and looked off into the night sky. "Ah to be young again," he said wistfully. "To be without demons, fear of failures, losses and trauma. I envy you kid."

"Why..." Elise said, not wanting to let him go."

"You don't know what it's like to lose your whole crew. Or lose the love of your life. You may be a captain, Freckles, but you've still got a swabbie's mindset."

Elise shook her head in disbelief and kicked him in the shins. "I can't believe you'd say that, other cap'm! I don't want to lose my daddy or...my crew...or even you!"

Archibell rubbed his goatee, freeing one of his hands from Elise's grasp. He thought for a second and grinned. "I'm glad ya know trauma exists kid. I shouldn't have doubted your feelings."

"Of course," Elise giggled. "Just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't have feelings."

There were slight tears in the captains eyes and Elise couldn't help but gaze at them. "Captain? Are you crying."

The captain caught himself and wiped the tears away. "Whoo boy, who knew the salty spray was so salty tonight. Got some in me eyes!"

Elise giggled. "It's okay to cry," she said sweetly. "I know one thing that you need, other cap'm."

"What is that, Cap'm Freckles?"

Elise batted her eyes and grinned her gap tooth grin. "You need Lyra's forgiveness. It's not too late to say you're sorry to her."

The captain's mouth dropped opened. "Kid, you know she's the sea reaper right?! The demon seed of Uncle Davy?!"

Elise pushed two fingers together. "Love is love. And if you truly love her, you'll find a way."

"Elise--you're crazy..."

The captain looked at her like she was a three headed sea hydra. Elise took his hand. "Never say never..." she said softly. "Now how about we get back to bed."

She guided him back to the cabin. But before they stepped inside, the captain yanked her backwards. There was a great big smile on his face. "Kid," he said. "Thanks a bundle!"

Elise nodded. "You betcha!"

She was endlessly thrilled her captain decided to stay the night. They were out at sea and his demons were luckily at bay.