Chapter 23: Hook

                                    

                                          
I'm in my cabin looking at my charts and planning a little trip with my crew. With all that is going on, I thought taking a little trip would be a nice way to relax and have a bit of fun. I'm thinking of going around the island and maybe even to some of the nearby islands. Yes, there are other islands around Neverland, not many know this. But those of us who sail these waters like my crew, or live in them like mermaids, or can fly anywhere like the Fae know where these islands are and how to get there. But the Lost Children on the island don't know about them. The Natives only know through rumors and legends. Even Peter doesn't know, and he was raised by the Fae. 
I had just decided on the course we would take when Tink enters my cabin, her face set in a determined state. She marches into my cabin and crumples into a seat in front of my desk, folding her petite frame and hardening her face even more. I resist the urge to chuckle at her antics. "Hello Tink, what do I owe this pleasure today?" 
"There is still no word on the Darling girl." 
I sigh. Of course. She's still upset and worried that Wendy got away with the information on how to get to the door to the Fae realm. We tried to explain to her that until it is confirmed that Wendy escaped the territory there is no reason to be truly worried, but she doesn't seen to be able to relax. Not that I blame her. I would be worried if I was in her shoes as well. Not that she admitted to being worried, but I can tell she is. I glance at her then look at my charts again and an idea comes to mind. 
"You know what Tink, we're heading out today. To unwind. Clear our heads. Destress." I start, trying to explain as I use as convincing a tone as I can muster. Maybe my tone can convince her, even if she doesn't entirely understand what I'm trying to say.
She gives me an irritated look. Her porcelain mask has been cracking more and more of late. "How can you even think about going on a trip at a time like this? This is no time to be taking things so lightly." Even though her expression is still a little hard to read, her voice betrays her worries. 
I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. How should I explain this to her? "Tink, dear friend." I make my tone as gentle as I can and take a small step towards her. "Sometimes you have to take a minute, or an hour, or a day to relax and take your mind off your troubles to be able to think properly and tackle them with a clear head. If you dwell on them too intensely for too long then you will not be able to solve your problems at all because you will not have a clearer head." 
Tink's expression turns from determined and annoyed to confused. "This seems like a human notion. I do not understand. It does not follow with my culture. It does not seem logical." 
I smile. "I know. But come with us today. I'll show you." I hope that I'm getting through to her. It pains me to see her so stressed. 
She is silent for a moment. Then she starts to shake her head. "I do not think so." She starts to unfold from her position in the chair. 
I rush over and put my hand on her shoulder, stopping her from getting up any further. "No. You are coming with us. That's final." Sometimes you have to do what is best for your friends, even if they don't agree with you. Especially if they don't agree with you. It's part of caring for them. 
I usher her out of my cabin with me and onto the deck of the ship. "Crew, let's set sail!" I announce. The crew cheers and starts bustling about around the ship preparing to cast off. The anchor is hauled up and the sails are unfurled. 
"What's our heading?" My first mate and little brother asks, coming up beside me. 
I relay the course I plotted to him and he goes up to the helm to start our journey. I drag my Fae friend behind me who follows begrudgingly behind me as we make our way towards a place to settle so she can watch the excitement of the initial cast off. We settle on me leaning against the railing of the upper deck while she perches delicately on the railing. I keep a hand on her to make sure she doesn't try to sneak off. After the initial cast off and about an hour of sailing later I feel her relax into the trip a little so I feel confident enough to slowly take my hand off her. 
I go to join my brother at the helm. I nudge his arm and gesture that I would like to take control. "I'll take over for a bit." He steps aside and I take the helm. I sigh in relief, feeling suddenly at home commanding my ship. 
"Is she joining us today?" Jr asks. I don't have to ask who he is talking about, it's very obvious.  
I glance at him. A smile fighting to take over my expression at his barely contained anxiety. "Yes. And you are going to be responsible for her during the trip." I have no doubt that mischief is sparkling in my eyes as I see him squirm at my words. 
His eyes widen in shock and slight panic. I ignore his protests and just smile knowingly as I look out over the deck of the ship and further out towards the water. 
As time goes on my crew starts to pass the time by putting on little skits and play fighting with each other, even singing the occasional sea shanty or pirate tune. I smile as I watch them, memories filling me from my time on my father's ship. My father's crew used to put on the best shows during the long trips on the waves. They'd really get into their roles and even swing from the rigging and fake duel. Each story they told was original and new and different. It was always exciting. Sometimes they'd even try to include me in the shows. Yes, some of my fondest memories from my living life are of when my father's crew put on shows on the deck of his ship. 
I brought this tradition over to Neverland with me and told my crew about it after we built my ship. They took to it quickly and have had fun with it ever since. They even ask me to judge some of their shows or skits from time to time. Which I do happily. 
One of my crew members calls to me while he is in the middle of a show and I smile and respond. He then grins and promptly draws his blade and his 'opponent' does the same with a fake affronted expression. They start to pretend to duel and I watch on with pride at their form and how completely they throw themselves into their shows and know that they give just as much heart into taking care of each other and this ship. 
This, this is what it is to be a part of the crew. To be passionate about the sea, the crew and to also be passionate about expressing yourself. Not everyone in the crew gets involved in the shows or the singing, definitely not with the enthusiasm as many of them do. But whether they are one of those or one of the wholehearted supporters, they are all crew. And they know that. 
I see my brother explaining the whole thing to Tink when she asks questions and even responding to enthusiastic crew members in the middle of a show without missing a beat. This ship has not been this full of life in a while, much to my dismay. But I hope that we will get back to this being a regular thing soon. No, I'm sure of it. It will happen. I will accept nothing else.