Chapter Text
It had been a long time since that night.
The death-rattles of the crew, the glassy eyes of your Father, the sight of his murderers upon the ship's railing with triumphant grins. The sky painted in bloodied twilight as the survivors were rounded up and either put to work or put to sword as the Duo Captains cull the numbers.
Until they reach you.
Something about you intrigued them, drew them in as they considered their options. You looked soft, untested out on the sea, yet the fire in your eyes dared them to underestimate you. All it took was a look between them for the choice to be settled. You were going to be inducted into the crew, a promise of teaching you the ropes, a chance of life beyond your soft comforts and gilded walls. When faced with the other option being death, it was a simple choice you felt.
But then you found they lied.
You weren't taught a single thing, nor given any indication they would. They humiliated you, treated you like a pet and spoke oh so sweetly to you while the crew looked on with a mix of entertainment and nerves. The amused were the pirates that sailed with the Captains before the raid, the nervous ones however were the ones that knew you. In hindsight, the Captains should have taken note of their nerves when the fire in your eyes grew only colder and sharper.
But that was a long time ago. This was now, a new dawn overlooking the sea from your cliffs. Hat tipped down to shade your eyes, a tight smirk on your lips as you watch a familiar ship make port on the sandy shores below. Crouching down low, you withdraw the flintlock at your hip and watch as the crew scatters like ants below. Ropes pulled and secured to stakes, more climbing down as they set up a base and making ready for the Captains. All working in assembly, like a well oiled rig for their automaton Keepers. Shaking your head in muted mirth, you level the sights of your sidearm and wait.
Lucky for you, the wait isn't long as the Duo make their appearance from the deck. Dawns light bouncing off their spotless chassis, giving them a ethereal glow like gems set against the sky. They were breathtaking, works of art with no clear way to discover whom the artist is, set in motion by inner workings more completed than man could fathom.
The Captain of red and golds looked at home in the light of day, broad smile and glittering eyes of molten coin that seemed to always look toward something happier on the horizon. The other, cloaked in blue and grays, looked better set against the boundless stars of night. Eyes that peirced the ink with glinting sapphires, drawing in their prey with quiet hums and dangerous smiles. Both were captivating in their own rights, you would admit privately, yet captivating aside they were still pirates.
Pirates that took what they want and lied to make it so. Not much different from the so-called "Gentlemen" you once associated with in high society, once upon a time. Oh, they could claim it was for your own good, that it saved you from having to worry about yourself or perhaps even claim they were only thinking of your well being. Honestly though, it was all the same manipulations in the end. A cage is a cage, no matter if it's a brig or gilded in gold, they only want something pretty to lock away inside for viewing. Fortunately for you, your wings were not yet clipped, allowing you the power to fly away once the door was left open. Freedom to travel the lands and sea, to make a life of your own away from the expectations of society or selfish Captains.
Unfortunately, said Captains didn't take your parting all too kindly. Whatever it was that made them focus on you, it drove them to chase you across the oceans and track you from Port to Port in a bid to recapture you. At the start, it scared you how driven they were to collect you once more, seeking you out like a lost pet that slipped out the door. Over time however, it started to amuse you, the chase as a whole becoming exciting. You grew to love the hunt, to run through trees and brush, as their heavy steps thundered behind as they try to navigate after you. Climbing trees, only to leap to another and another as they climb as well. The hissing curses from one, tangled in vines and debris and the pitched groans of the other after falling into a deep puddle of mud.
Here on the land, you had an advantage. They have learned that lesson the hard way during this chase. Out on the sea however, the tables were turned and they knew this. So the game was set, you would stall on the land while they keep watch over the waters. A waiting game of who makes the first move and who gains the advantage. A different sort of chess, if you think of it further. Difference is, they have far more pawns and you are only one peice dancing away from each advance.
The grip on your sidearm tightens as the Captains finally stepped out onto the sands, both surveying the expanse of the crew's work before looking toward the sheer cliffs and treeline. Not far from here was a small city, filled with fishers, loggers and artisans. A crafty folk, kind as well, that appreciated a good helping hand when called upon. They had hosted you for the past few weeks, in exchange for your services to keep out the more 'dangerous elements' and protect their caravans during trips. Now however, it seems you've brought a new danger to their shores. Pity, you liked the town well enough but if the Pirates have already tracked you here then it would be for the best to move on.
So you wait for them to make a move. Whatever they choose to do, either go to the city or scale the cliffs and treeline, it will give you time to flee either direction.
---
The sea, glittering and alluring, the feeling of freedom and adventure warming the circuits. Sun peers along the shoreline as the crew continues to set up their base, taking in a faux breath of sea air. He couldn't help the calm smile on his face, staring out at the blue expanse. It was one of the few things that could bring him peace, watching the sunlight bounce over the waves and the glimmer of light catching the spray just right. A treasure of temporary gems at his fingertips. Any other day, he would have enjoyed having a small camping trip on the shore and just enjoy watching the water and clouds.
But this wasn't just any other day.
He peers back at his best mate, a melancholy look in his golden eye, as the other glares at the cliffs in concentration. Resting a hand on their shoulder, he looks up at the cliff as well.
"So this is where our little bird flew too, hm? Wonder how they plan to slip away this time..."
Moon let's out a huff, folding his arms with a snarl on his face. To anyone else, he looks ready to murder the first person that crosses his mood or worse, but to Sun's eye he can see the buried hunger of a good hunt hiding in those sapphire eyes. The Lunar Captain was enjoying this little chase, even if he won't admit it to anyone but Sun. As far as the crew needed to know he was only after the runaway to extract the stolen gold from their flesh. "They can try and fly, but this time our little staaaar won't escape us. This chase ends here, Sun."
Sun smiles wistfully, hoping his friend was right. It's been too long since they gazed upon their Star's features without a flintlock between them to ruin the picture some. Only some however, he discovered in hindsight. There was something about seeing the little flower hoisting a side arm, hat tipped to shade their eyes and a fierce fire in those eyes. How didn't they both see that spark before, when it was staring back them from the floor and brig, how could they have missed the signs.
You were a force of nature, tucked into a soft body and wrapped in finery, left to stagnate in your old home. Looking back, he could see it all so clearly now, the light in your eyes daring him to underestimate. Now, you were something of a Hunter if the rumors are to be believed.
You took up a gun and sword in your escape, selling your services to hunt down bandits on caravan roads and tracking bounties for whomever was paying. All of this, to keep yourself in funds and keep yourself fed, yet you never returned to your own Manor.
"...I wonder."
Moon spares a glance to his friend, the shift of his body conveying the silent question to continue. Staring off to the cliffs, Sun picks at the invisible lint on his cuff in thought. "Flying across the seas, running through trees and towns, yet they never returned to their nest. You would think after all this time..."
"...they would return home to comfort. I see what you mean. We can ask them once we bind them down tonight." Moon glowers, a hungry glint in his eye. Sun just sighs, stretching his arm behind his head, watching the treeline. He opens his mouth to reply when he suddenly notices a small light reflecting above. Narrowing his eyes, mechanic whirring kicking up, he leans forward a bit as he tries to get a better look. "What in blue blazes...?"
That is all the warning he gets however before a shot rings out over the sandy Beach, followed by the snapping of a rope overhead and the crashing of the longboat into the shallow waters next to them. Now drenched by the water, both Captains leap back from the impact with a mix of yells between them.
Swinging back to the cliffs, they look up and find none other than you. Standing tall, coat caught by the wind and flintlock raised be your shoulder, staring down at the pair in a pregnant pause. Then, a smirk splits your face before you turn heel and bolt into the treeline above.
They both stand still for moment, gears spinning and thoughts trying to process what happened. This is the first time you've made the first move, openly showed your position before withdrawing. You shot first, now they are left stunned.
But only for a moment.
"...ooooh they want to play. Very well Staaaaarlight. We can play!" Moon lets out a rumbling growl, bolting toward the cliffs and starting his climb. Sun tips his hat down, letting out a faux breath as a sharp grin appears on his face.
"Tsk. Naughty little Sunflower..." He whispers under his breath before chasing after Moon up the cliff. Once over the edge, he calls back to the crew to keep working, hand resting on Moon's shoulder before the Duo turn toward the trees.
The chase is on.