My eyes narrowed as I glanced around the room at Rose’s men, my new colleagues dispersing to go “have fun” mingling with the plethora of pretty girls working at the establishment the crew had just waltzed into.

My brows raised as some began chatting with some of the few men scattered around the room, pulling them into their laps instead. I thought I even saw Wén head upstairs with one, which I hoped was for some kind of checkup. My face quickly returned back to a scowl, though.

After our success with the trade ship, one I played a small part in contributing to, we headed to port to offload some of our loot. That is what led us here, to the Scarlet Cordia. A brothel.

A rough hand placed gently on my shoulder drew my attention to exactly what I was trying to ignore: the captain, one less button fastened on her shirt than usual, talking and laughing with the young man curled up in her lap, currently nuzzling her shoulder.

“C’mon Abby.” she said, slurring a bit “Don’t be such a prude. Why don’t you try to relax and have a little fun.”

“With all due respect, Captain,” I said, taking a sip from my drink before setting it down, “This is hardly my idea of ‘fun’”

“Oh come on,” said Rose, “there’s plenty of fine men working here, you can’t tell me there’s not one that catches your fancy.”

I froze as my stomach churned. I was pretty sure I felt my blood run cold.

“You spoiled brat! You’re lucky I don’t just take what I want from you, but no, I wait for you to come to your senses like a proper wife. Mark my words, I will run out of patience one day.”

Rose noticed my discomfort and she went quiet for a moment before something seemed to click.

“Something tells me that ain’t really your style, is it? Lucky for you there are more than twice as many working women here.’”

I felt myself launched back to the present, my pale face suddenly filling with color.

She smiled.

“Oi, Chastity!” she flagged down a nearby woman, dark skin, large breasts maybe a good five or so years older than me.

My pulse quickened.

Rose beckoned her over and whispered something in her ear that made her giggle. I think I may have caught something along the lines of “show her a good time.”

Coin exchanged hands and soon I was being gently led by the arm as my stomach did feats of acrobatics that left me feeling a bit sick.

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I was led into a rather nice-looking room before I heard a lock click behind me.

Soft breasts pressed against my back as I was hugged tenderly from behind.

“Relax, sweetheart.”

I tried to take a deep breath, but it accomplished nothing as I was led towards the bed.

She sat beside me. “Clients usually come to me if they have no experience. Or if they’ve had some kind of bad experience. I’ll take care of you.”

I couldn’t meet her eyes.

“Or we could just talk,” she rubbed my shoulder soothingly “I got paid in advance.”

I let out a deep sigh.

“Have you ever felt…scarred by something that never actually happened?” I hugged my knees, looking as small as I felt.

She scooted up next to me “Someone threaten you?”

I nodded. “Often, actually.”

“They still bothering you? Cause I’m about as good with a flintlock as any pirate.”

“No!” I pulled away to look at her, startled she’d offer to kill for me. “I mean…I got away.”

“Figured it didn’t happen on Rose’s watch. That woman looks out for her own in a way that makes the fucking Inquisition look like saints.”

The description was startling, to say the least. But it wasn’t as if I hadn’t seen her threaten someone with a watery grave for threatening me before.

I looked down at my feet. “Do you think I’ll ever be…normal?”

“Hah. No one’s ‘normal’ sweetheart. But wounds do heal.”

Her words were tinged with promise.

“What do we do now?” I asked.

“We don’t have to do anything, sweetheart. Unless you want to try something.”

I looked up at her, then faltered.

“It’s alright, take your time.”

“…can we try kissing?”

She smiled, cupping my face gently and giving me plenty of time to pull away before kissing me gently.

“There. Now whatever happened before, you can always think of me.” she teased. “More?”

“Maybe some other time.” I squeaked.

“Alright then. You can stay as long as you like. And if you change your mind, I’m here.”

I ended up spending the night with Chastity, though not in the way this room was intended for.

We talked throughout the night, sharing warmth under the covers. I found out her given name really was Chastity. Her parents had very different plans for how her life would pan out.

Eventually, I drifted off to sleep to the feel of her gentle hands in my hair.

The next morning, I said goodbye and headed back out to sea.