Name: James Edgar Skym
Nicknames: Jim
Age: 26
Personality:
James' people skills are so extraordinary that he has the ability to get people to do almost anything he wants them to. He's a smooth talker and knows just what to say. He also knows just how to rile people up when he wants to. Manipulation, some might say, is his specialty. Thanks to his smooth-talking he never lacks allies, enemies, or women.

When charm fails, James is never reluctant to pull out a knife and get down and dirty. He does his own dirty work when necessary, but he prefers to give orders and sit safely at home. His father taught him well as far as fighting goes, but he will talk his way out of a fight first. There's no reason to mess up a pretty face.

History:
James was born to a family with a low profile and lots of money. His mother died shortly after giving birth from an infection. His father raised him on his own, teaching him everything he knew. The man was one of the most world-renowned Sky Pirates, and made a living from contracts for rare and very valuable artifacts. Of course, doing so was illegal, but he did it so well. His men we good and were almost never caught. Any man who was caught was ordered to declare they had no captain. James' father did a good job keeping a low profile. As a boy he took quite an interest in his father's trade, and learned everything he possibly could about it.

The year the boy turned eighteen his father was struck down in a knife fight by a drunken man. James was quick to seek revenge and disposed of the drunk as quietly as possible. When word of the captain's death reached the men they decided they needed a new leader. James elected himself and has been leading his crew ever since, hoping to do as well as his father had.

Other:
He carries a two- tipped spear, the handle forged of steel and plated in silver with finger groves equidistant from each tip for easy grip. Each tip is black from the obsidian it was forged from. On top of that, he has a simple combat knife that he tucks in a sheath on his right hip to cross draw with his left. He also wears light armor settled under his usual leather jacket, it's made of a secret fabric that only him and the smith know about. It's resistant to most blades.

---

The rum tasted stale, but James was having a good time. Truthfully, it was difficult to see the girls' faces in the dim lighting, and the man next to him had spilled his drinks one too many times on James' shoes, but there was nothing better he should have been doing. Well, except one thing; he was supposed to be searching for the missing princess. She could wait, though. There was no way she was as...talented as the girl who now occupied the stage. He tucked a few paper bills into the string she called a thong as she passed by him. The girl blew him a kiss before moving on to the next man with a handful of money. Yeah, this was definitely more fun than hunting down a girl no one was even certain was still alive.

A tap on the shoulder caught James' attention. "Captain, we've located the girl. We are ready when you are," a man spoke behind him. James nodded, chugging the last of his drink before setting the empty glass on the stage. He tossed a couple singles at a girl who walked passed him, and then he headed toward the exit. The sunlight blinded him, but it did not slow him down. James had a job to do, and he was going to get it done fast. The King had offered him a handsome sum of money for this girl's safe return. Never had the Captain failed, and he was not about to change that any time soon.

Once outside, James ordered his men,”Ready the ship! We'll be off to find that girl!” Everyone scurried about to manage what little part of that airship was theirs. Just around back behind the club was parked one of the most extravagant airships in the world. No man loved their wife as James loved that ship. That thing was his baby, and cost him a fortune to maintain, but it was all worth it. The airship resembled that of a wooden ship with a few modifications. For one: this ship flew in the air thanks to some steam-powered technology James had a man craft for him. For another: there were two sails protruding from each side of the ship to help it catch air currents easier. There was no faster ship in all the world, and James made sure it stayed that way.

With everyone loaded up and everything ready for take-off, James hopped on board and took the wheel. He shouted a few directions at his men, and within minutes the ship was in the air and headed toward the sun. The First Mate came to stand beside James with a map and a few notes he had scribbled down. Apparently, while the Sky King was busy watching the entertainment someone had tipped off the First Mate about the whereabouts of a girl that looked oddly like the one they were hunting down. She had been spotted working evening shift at a coffee shop not too far from the bar. “Well, it looks like we have our header, boys!” he chuckled. Luck had a funny way of working things out for James. So, off they sailed in the direction the girl was last seen.

Name: Helena Elena Fayth
Nickname: None to her knowledge.
Age:25
Personality: Helena is a kind, loving woman who happens to have her head up in the clouds a bit to much. She longs to marry for true love, and dreams of a romance that you only read in story books. Yet when she wants something, or has a goal in mind, she works hard to make it happen. She hard working, and loyal to the people she cares about to a fault. She would do anything to protect the ones she loves.

History: Helena is a princess who would love nothing more than to run away from that. She has always wanted to marry for love, so when her father told her that she was soon to be wed, to a much older man she was scared. She met that man once, and knew she couldn't. This man also scared her, so she decided she must flee. So one late night she gathered a few things, and fled to a far away land. She hopes her father has given on on finding her but she keeps a low profile in her new home. As a Princess she was trained in all the proper arts, and had many school lessons and is able to use some of her skills to provide for her self.

Other: She loves to sing, and play the violin. She happened to have brought her very nicely crafted violin with her.

~~~~~
Helena walked down the street in a hurray, she needed to get to the place she had a part time job in. She also wanted to make sure that no one has time to figure out who she really was. Sure this place was very far away from her Kingdom, but even other Kingdom's sometimes knew what a Princess from another land looked like. She didn't stop once as she made her way down the busy street.

She eventually come to a stop at a dress-shop. The building wasn't the best looking in town, but it was the only place that would hire her, without needing any real information. She was just glad that as a Princess she had learned how to sew and mend, and wasn't completely bad at it. She had no other real working skills, and hadn't wanted to be forced to work a darker job, so she went to ever dress shop until one hired her. She walked around to the back of the shop, where workers entered. It was funny, just about a month ago she would have entered through the front to buy a gown or something. Yet know she entered in through the back, wearing just a simple dress.

She never thought it would be so hard turning her back on the life she once knew. She no longer had fine things, and she had to work really hard. Her hands were always showing wear and tear from working as a dressmaker. Her fingers, had marks she where had pricked her self on the needle and other markers. She shook her thoughts away and headed inside. When she was greeted with a very angry, Madam Rose.

Madam Rose, a large round woman, was no kind Boss. She treated her girls very harshly and would demand they work hard long hours, with no breaks. Also she would hurt them if they didn't work fast or were late. She wore extravagant clothing, and many pieces of jewelry. She even worn to much make up, and had jewels fastened in her bright red hair. " Your Elena, and you know how I hate that" She said harshly.

Helena looked up, she had given her middle name as her real name," I'm sorry Madam Rosa I..-" She has been saying. Yet she never got to finish her words as Madam Rose smacked her harshly across her face. " GET TO WORK" She yelled. Helena nodded and rushed to her working station. She didn't cry, because she knew it would bring more trouble. Her cheek stung, her face was also red, and she knew there would be a bruise there soon. Yet even with all of that, it didn't matter because it still meant she was free from that marriage.

A dress shop? A princess doing labor? That was crazy. Obviously she was crazy, because she had chosen this. Crazy girl. What princess would rather work their fingers to the bone than live a lavish life tucked safe away in a castle? This one, obviously. James shook his head at the thought. Certainly she was crazy, but he had all ready beat that notion to death by now. He would definitely be the first to tell her she was mistaken for leaving, giving up her entire life all for a life on the run. Whatever it was that made her run, it had to be something ridiculously big. He had remained in the dark on this matter, because it did not matter to him why. Whys never helped him get the job done any better.

There was no space big enough to land the ship, fantastic. That was fine, though. James ordered a man to drop the ladder, and within seconds a rope ladder fell from the side of the ship. Hoisting his double-edged spear over his shoulder, securing the strap, he nodded friendly enough to his men, then hopped onto the ladder. His grip was loose enough that he slid the entire way. It dangled a few feet off the ground, so he was forced to fall to the ground. Bending his knees to brace for the impact, he placed his hand over his eyes to shade them from the sun as he looked skyward. The first mate was leaning over the side, looking down at his captain. "Keep her afloat until I come back!" the captain shouted at his man, receiving a nod and a salute in response.

As he entered the shop, some obnoxious fat woman approached him, asking if he needed help with anything. James simply shook his head, searching the shop for the face he knew so well. She was nowhere to be found. That meant only one thing: she was in the back. Quickening his steps, James advanced to the counter. Before the woman could stop him, Jim hopped over the counter and made his way to the back of the building. With the owner in tow, quite irate with him, threatening to call the guards, James went knocking things over, opening doors, sifting through racks of gowns. Ah! There she was! Hiding in her own little corner, preoccupied with an assortment of sewing tools.

Still ignoring the verbal berating of the fat woman, James made his way behind the desk the girl sat at. Placing his hand delicately under her chin and pressing lightly enough to make her look at him, he grinned broadly at her. "Princess, I do believe you should follow me," he told her. She had been difficult to find, but here she was. Yeah, Jim was good.

After the indecent with her boss, she got to work. She was working hard on a blue gown, for what she guess to be some noble lady. Though all she really knew was that this lady was a very picky costumer, and she was told if she mess this up, she wouldn't have a job. She heard some type of commotion but she didn't bother with it. She just kept working and sewing the dress. She didn't even bother looking up, with her boss was yelling at who ever had come into the back. She even didn't bother with the other sewing gasps, and noises of surprises. She didn't even spare the man a glance when he had come into her area. It was when he forced her chin up, that she was looking at him. She stared at him for a few moments, blinking in surprise.

She had never expected to see James...no Jim again. They had once been childhood friends, very close friends but that had changed as they had grown up. The last she had heard about him, was that he had taken over for his father. Of course her father would choose him to send after her. If anyone could find her, it was him. Before she could respond, and tell him no she wasn't going anywhere, her boss started to laugh. " Princess...ha ha, there is no way that little mousy chit is a princess" She said. Helena wanted to role her eyes, if she manged to convince Jim not to take her back home, she did know her job her was as good as gone. " No, I won't go back." She told him firmly. She would have told him that he couldn't make her, but she knew that he was much stronger than her. She pulled her face out of his grip and turn back to the dress she was working on.

As she turn, she ended up showing off the bruise on her cheek. All she could hope was that he took the hint. Sure she wasn't fond of working, when the boss was like this, but she couldn't go back. She wouldn't be forced into that marriage. She knew there was something dark and evil about the man her father wanted her to marry. She wasn't wrong about that, even if everyone was telling her what a great match he was. They all thought she was worried about the fact that he was older, but she wasn't concerned about that. It was the fact she had a feeling the moment, he became King, things would become very dark.

The girl yanked free of Jim's hand and he let her. What was she doing here that was so important? Making dresses for those of lesser standing than her could not have been fun at all. Why would she rather be here than home in that comfy bed of hers? All right, he pretended the "why" meant nothing, but right now it did...just a little. The two had practically grown up together. Of course, they had ceased contact years ago, all according to the king's wishes. James understood that; she needed to consider her image, and hanging around one of the most wanted men in the kingdom, well that was not how a lady behaved. Still, there was no reason he couldn't be concerned for his long time friend.

Leaning his backside against the table she concentrated at, and crossing his arms, James continued to ignore the angry words from the irate cow. His eyes stayed locked on the girl he had come for, the one he was here to rescue. All though, it was a little difficult to rescue someone when they seemed perfectly content where they were. On top of that, the verbal abuse received was definitely no fun at all. "Forgive me, miss, but I don't really believe I came here on what you will and won't do. You better pack your things up and get ready to go," he told her, just a little bit demanding. The reward for this job was a big one, plus he'd get to see to it that his friend made it home all right. Who knew what could happen out here where no one knew who she was?

That was when he saw the mark. A bruise the size of the fat lady's hand contrasted the pale beauty of Helena's face. Anger flashed across his face, but quickly dashed behind his eyes for comfort. No, Captain Jim was a calm man, collected and all that jazz. Pushing himself off the table and gaining his balance, James placed his hands on two of the table legs, grasping them firmly. Everything spilled to the floor when he flipped the table over, tossing it in the direction of that fat woman. "I said we're leaving," he told the girl, doing his best to look angry and stern, "Let's go!"

Helena wanted to roll her eyes, she knew that they only reason he stood her was because her father offered him some nice sum. It wasn't because he cared for her, if he didn't he wouldn't force her to go back. She still focusing on her work, she didn't want to answer him because it would betray emotion that shouldn't be there. She just wished he would leave, but she knew that he wouldn't. She figured the best option would be to run, but even then she knew he'd catch her.

Yet she couldn't believe it was hopeless. " I said, I'm not going back." She stated once more firmly. Yet before another else could be said, the table that the dress and everyone she had been using went flying towards her boss. The woman screamed, and ducked, and then said she was going to look for the guards. While the needle that Helena had been holding dragged across her hand, leaving a small but bleeding cut. She winced, and glared at him. She stood, clearly pissed off. " I said, I'm not going back, why is it that you, my father everyone won't respect my wishes. " She yelled.

She brushed past Jim, " I won't go home, I'm willing to give everything up, my father can find another heir. I refuse to marry that man, I won't do it, and I won't go back, and I don't care what you or my father thinks" She said, as she stormed towards the exit. She was pissed, and tended to explode and lets things out like that when upset.

The second that needle cut into Helena's hand, James reached out for her. Clearly, she would be having none of that. He had angered her. Of course, that was always the best way to get information out of the the girl, he knew that for sure, but he wanted to wait until she was safe to do that. It appeared, though, she wasn't even safe in Jim's presence. His eyes darted worriedly from her bleeding hand to her angry eyes, making an exchange every few seconds. The last thing he wanted to happen while he was here was for her to get hurt. Plans never seem to go the way they should, but hurting her...James ran a nervous hand through his hair as he did his best to plot out his next course of action.

Raising a brow, James watched the princess in her gentle rage. She was angry over a marriage? Oh, that would explain what all this running away business was about. His eyes followed her, but he stayed put. The business of royalty was no business of his. It bothered him a little that she thought he agreed with any of it, but in the end he was only here to bring Helena home, and if there was a wedding waiting for her when she returned, well, then that was something she had to deal with. True, it was a little selfish of him to not care about an old friend's fate, but he was sure she would be fine. He still had to pay bill, didn't he? And he couldn't exactly do that with an empty wallet. His poor ship was in need of repairs, and that wealthy sum of money would help with that.

Short of throwing her over his shoulder, it looked as if James wasn't getting the girl to go along with him. That was in no way a good thing. Moving toward the exit she was closing in on, James did his best to catch up to her. At least that loud woman was gone for the moment, even if she was bringing backup when she returned. Jim wasn't too worried about a couple of guards; they should be worried about him. Two or three men had no chance with him, and he would show them so if they tried anything with him.

Back to the girl James thought, running in front of her and reaching out to grasp one hand on her waist and another on her shoulder, semi-effectively holding her in place. "Listen, I'm not here for that marriage bit. I didn't even know about it until just now," he started explaining, keeping his eyes on hers and the worry out of his face, "But even if that idea doesn't appeal to you, you can't tell me you're happy here." His eyes betrayed him, softening enough to bled out a little concern. Moving his hand from her waist to the mark on her cheek, he frowned. "If she wasn't a woman, I'd kill her for that," he added as a side note. Tying things up, he said, "We can sort all of this out later. What if you came with me, but I didn't take you home yet? You can still be a fugitive if you want; we can be criminals together. Whadya say?" James tucked the worry away, letting his charming smile take its place, touching his eyes.

Still she hadn't mentioned her fears or worries about the man. Truly she knew he wouldn't believe her. She was just a woman no one listen to her. She needed to get away from here, she needed to find a better hiding place. Maybe she'd cut and change the color of her hair this time. No one could find her then right? Though she knew getting away from this shop before the boss brought back the guards was a good idea. She shouldn't be worried about them as she is a Princess, but she just didn't want to deal with it.

Yet before she had a chance to step out of the building Jim was in front of her. She stared at him blankly, listening to him. Of course he didn't know about the marriage. He wouldn't care about the way, just the payment in the end. She felt her gaze soften, as he touched her cheek. It made her hope for something, she had long ago given up on. Her eyes couldn't hide the hope, when he mention they could be together. She really wanted to hope that he wouldn't take her back. Her eyes searched his and his face to see if he was really being honest. Yet she knew she was being foolish. Jim was a charmer he had always been, and she knew he'd want the sum offered. " Don't kid your self Jim, would you really walk away from the sum my father promised you? I know it's not some small amount." She said.

She was no fool. Still, James had hoped he could fool her. Yes, that money meant a great deal to him. Yes, he was going to take her back for the money. He respected when someone held to their morals or whatever it was she was doing, but an arranged marriage was part of her culture. It was something she was born having to face, and she should have known that. Why fight it? It wasn't as if it was only her having to suffer from it? He just wanted that money. Jim wanted to take her back, feel that gold in his hands, and be on with his life. Couldn't she do that? For him? She had everything handed to her, everything she could ever want. He had to work for everything he had, and he wasn't going to let her stand in his way for something small like this.

James shook his head and sighed heavily. He let go of the charm for a moment, knowing he didn't fool her one bit. That hope of hers, those one she let dance in her eyes, it made his resolve waiver, if only for an instant. Lowering his hands to his sides, he let his gaze drop to the floor. She wasn't going to cooperate. Fine. They could always do this the hard way, all though he wasn't looking forward to the hard way. Breathing another heavy sigh, Jim nodded in agreement with her. "I won't lie, it's a lot of money. I could do a lot with all he's giving me," he told her honestly, "but I won't get any of it if you don't come with me." All this fuss over a marriage. He really didn't understand it at all. Shaking his head once more, he turned the tables on her, putting her on the spot, "You can't tell me you'd rather be here, making dresses for women with lower status than you. Why are you here?"

Shifting his weight, his eyes met her for a brief moment, but only long enough to show her he really was sorry. "Forgive me," he said, and as he did so, he placed one hand in the middle of her back, kneeling down and swiping his other one under her legs, knocking her off her feet and into his arms. "It's been fun, princess, but I really do need to get you home," he told her, turning toward the back exit. With the sole of his boot he kicked the door open and made his way swiftly to the ship. As he came to the rope ladder, a leather harness dropped from above. Looking up he saw one of his men throw him a thumbs up. Great, they had expected this. All right, well, no use wasting time.

Strapping her in around her struggling, James pushed her toward the ladder. They had lowered the ship since he had left earlier. Good, that meant the ladder met the ground. Pointing at the ladder, he ordered, "Get up there. We can argue when we're in the air."

The moment he moved his gaze away and his eye dropped to the floor, any illusions she held about him and her were shattered. It wasn't about her at all, he just wanted the money. It would always be about the money. She couldn't didn't want to believe this, but she had to. Any hope she had was gone. She adopted a blank look to her face. Before she could answer his questions, she found her self not longer upright and in his arms.

She started to shout and struggle, trying to get out of his arms. Of course he was must stronger than her. She felt betrayed by him, she had never thought he would betray her like this. She was shoved into the harness all while she was still struggling trying to get out of it. She glared at Jim," No, I refuse" She said blankly. He wanted to force her back, then she wasn't going to comply at all.

Helena's stubbornness was going to get him caught. He could hear shouting and quick footsteps coming over to them. The guards were looking for him. It wouldn't be too difficult to find the giant, looming ship floating above the shop puffing smoke and all around being ominous. No, he had to get out of there before they could stop him. But how? This girl wasn't budging. She was angry with him, he could tell, but he had to get here out of this place. If only he could think of something, anything, to convince her that the ship above was the best place for her at the moment. Good thing quick wit was something he prided himself in. That, and his charm, but it seemed his charm was failing him with her.

One of the crew spotted the trouble James was having and descended the ladder to help his captain. He did his best to secure the princess' harness to the ladder so she wouldn't fall if drug up it. That was a last resort, though. James didn't want to force her to accompany him. The last thing he wanted was her to be cross with him the entire trip back to her castle, especially since that was going to take somewhere in the ball park of a week. Waving the crew member off, Jim approached Helena again. He knew she had fallen for him, and he hoped to use that to his advantage.

Breathing one last heavy sigh, he locked eyes with the princess. "Fine. I won't take you home. Just come with me, please? We can go anywhere you want. We just can't stay here," he promised her. This time he meant it. If she didn't want to go home, he wouldn't take her home...yet. James was still banking on his charm to convince he later that she needed to go back. That gold wouldn't wait forever, but it would wait long enough. Meanwhile, he could do a few side quests to keep up his personal revenue. For now he just wanted to be out of this place with the princess safely in his possession. "No lies, I promise," he said, standing only a breath away from her. His hand caressed her cheek once more, this time not out of concern, but charm. Placing a gentle kiss on her cheek, his eyes searched hers, pleading with her to take him up on his offer.

Helena heard the guards, but at the moment she didn't care. She was still mad, it would serve him right. Then she wouldn't have to go back home. Helena watched him, a bit surprised. She knew this time he meant he, at least for now. She knew it wouldn't last long, his men would what whatever their cut was of payment for her. Yet she knew she might have a chance to escape then, or take the drastic approach. Color rose to her cheeks when he kissed her cheek. She knew she could still refuse, there wasn't much time where he'd be able to get away if she did.

She studied him, she was so weak she knew it. Jim was always her weak spot, and she knew she didn't want him in jail. It's why she made the hard choice once a upon a time. She sighed, " I know you only meant that for a limited team, but when it comes to you I'm weak" She mumbled, the first part was easier to hear the second part not some much. She turned and started climbing up the later. If he went back on this promise though, he would feel her wrath. Not too long after she started climbing was she over on the ship. She was trying to figure out how to take of the harness. That when she noticed her bloody figure, and now hand. She grimaced at it.

Grinning sheepishly, James knew he had won. Well, of course he had won. This was James, after all. He laughed when she agreed, making her way up the ladder with no more fuss. Yeah, he played his game well. Now that she was on the ship, he scurried up the ladder and drew it up after himself. Just in time, too, because the guards came scrambling after only seconds later. Smiling like a fiend at them, he waved goodbye and shouted, "So sorry for the inconvenience, but I need to take my princess back. I hope you can get along without her." The fat woman looked absolutely irate. Good. She had no way of knowing how angry she made him, hitting an innocent girl like Helena, the woman should be ashamed.

Watching the dress shop disappear as the ship carried on its way, Jim turned to the girl. His hand grasped hers, and he bowed his head enough to place a chaste kiss on her hand. "It's been a while, my dear. I had hoped you would be happier to see me," he chided playfully. Pulling her gently to the ledge, he leaned one arm on it, keeping his eyes on her the whole time. "Now, where shall we go? A fancy dinner? A stroll through the park? Anything you desire, princess, I can give it to you," he said, giving her his most charming smile. Keep her content, then spring the plan on her: that was the idea.

Helena watched him rolling her eyes. It seemed one of Jim men had decide to help her out of the harness. She knew that Jim had some other motive or plan. You didn't spend your childhood with a person, and not know them. She still felt the urge to run. He would only try to keep her happy for so long, before she ended up back home. She needed to kept her thoughts and mind clear while here. She couldn't let her self, see falsehoods.

Helena blinked as Jim, went through his little routine. She wanted to roll her eyes again, but didn't. She looked to Jim," Stop. You and I both know, you'll only do that for so long, before trying to drag me back home. " She said bitterly. She couldn't help speaking these thoughts on her mind around him. " Though, if you want to do something, can you point me to medical supplies, I'd like to treat my bleeding hand" She told him. It would also give her a chance to scoop out the ship a little, she needed to learn more about it, in case she needed to figure out how to escape.

Shaking his head, James looked to her again. "You always were too smart for you own good," he said in reference to her figuring out his plan. "You're right. I eventually plan on taking you back. You can't stay on the run forever, missy. For now, though, just enjoy what I offer you. I promise I won't be too terrible of company." He laughed at his own joke, not really caring if she thought it was funny. Jim found himself hilarious, that's what mattered.

His eyes shifted to her hand, far more red than he remembered it being. Shock hid itself well in his eyes, as did worry. Nodding, he agreed to show her to the infirmary. Even a man like James was no fool. Did she honestly believe he would allow her to wander on her own? Let her get a feel for the place, all the hidden nooks and crannies? No, of course he wouldn't. Instead, he placed a hand in the middle of her back, guiding her to where she needed to go, doing his best not to give her too much chance for sight-seeing. "Yeah, let's do that, then. C'mon," he said as he led her down into the ship and into a hallway.

The nurse received Helena quickly, applying all the necessary things for a cut: first aid antibiotics, bandages, the works. All the while, James stood in a corner, watching the girl carefully. He wondered to himself what was on her mind, but was not too worried about it. Once the nurse had finished, Captain Jim offered the man a word of thanks before turning to the girl again. The nurse took the hint and left the room. "Now that you're no longer falling apart, will you take me up on my offer?" he asked, hoping she would. He really wanted to show her a good time before having to return her back to the place she dreaded. "I mean it, anywhere and everywhere you want to go."

Helena rolled her eyes," Or maybe I just know you too well." She told him. She sighed, she could stay away forever if she wanted. " I could, but I suppose you won't let me" She said. ' No one will, I just wish he'd listen to what I want, instead of having his mind on the gold.' She thought sadly. She had manged to get those words and expected to hear him answer, but his gaze had shifted to her hand.

She nodded, not saying a word. She tired to map out the route he was taking her down, yet he moved her towards the nurses way to fast. She was pissed, he knew she was trying to get a lay of the land. She would have to figure another way, and she knew if worse came to worse, she could always take the drastic approach to things.

Helena just stood there blankly. She just wanted to get away, this was going to be to much for her. She knew it, this would really be a test for her. She smiled at the man and nodded before he left. She looked back to Jim, she didn't want to go anywhere, she had nothing in mind. Her only goal was to never go back home, but he didn't care for that did he. She sighed," I don't know Jim, I don't know. I don't ever want to go back home, that's all I want" She said.

James leaned his backside against a table behind him. Crossing his arms he furrowed his brow. She was being difficult, but had he expected anything less? Helena, the difficult princess. What was with her demand to not go home, though? What princess would rather work in a sweat shop than go home to a nice cushy bed with slaves and lavish toys to play with. It was odd, definitely odd for him. He wanted to know, but then again he didn't. Work was work, and it really didn't matter too much to him. Still, they had been friends once, and what was the harm in worrying about a friend? Against his better judgement, Jim finally blurted out, "What is with you? Something happen to chase you off?" He was curious even though he hated it. James wanted to know what was going on, what was making her not want to go home. Whatever it was, he was sure it could be resolved and he could get his money.

Shrugging his shoulders, he uncrossed his arms and began to think out loud. "What if," he started, throwing his idea out there, "What if I decided not to take you back. At least, not on my terms. What if I waited for you to okay it?" It was a silly idea since she had just said she didn't want to go back. James was banking on his persuasive ability, though. He knew his charm had gotten him plenty of things in life. Now he was hoping it would get him this. He needed the money, and he needed her to go home to get the money.

Then an idea sparked in his mind. There were other ways of getting the money, other ways they kept her away from home. "What about a ransom?" he asked, almost laughing at the idea. It was crazy. Why would she agree to be kidnapped by the guy who was taking her home?

Helena sighed softly," Does it really matter Jim? Either way, not matter what it is, it won't stop you from eventually dragging me back even if I am kicking and screaming" She said. She couldn't tell him, she had a feeling he'd just call her a silly fretting princess with wedding jitters. She wasn't though, she may not be strong or even know how to fight but she knew evil and that man her so called future husband was it. She had a feeling what little peace would come from this union wouldn't last young, and that she might met with a horrible fate. This man had plans, and while she didn't know what they were, she wouldn't be used in them or his pawn. She would protect her country by running, and while she looked like the bad one, in the end she knew it was for the best.

Helena looked up at him," Jim it's never going to be okay for me. I'd rather die than go back there. I don't expect you to understand that. I'm sure you think I am foolish for walking away from a life like that, but I'd much rather work the rest of my life or die or even face a worse fate" She told him, her voice and expression very serious. " Ransom?" She asked kind of confused. Why would he be talking about that. If she could she'd give him all the money that her family had to make sure he never took her back there, but she didn't have that kind of power. There was only thing that would make her go back, but she knew the chances of encounter that exactly thing were non existed.

She didn't answer his question. He frowned a bit because of it, but he let it go. Obviously she wasn't going to talk about it, since that was his second time asking and all her got was a quick deflection. He would leave it alone for the time being and she would come around in time. "Oh, yes, dear princess. You're right about that for sure. Eventually I want you to go back," James told her. "Whatever it is, you can't run from it forever. Best to take it head on, right?" Seriously, what could a princess have to worry about? What could possibly have made her run away? He was beginning to think she believed her reasoning was silly, otherwise why would she keep avoiding the answer? If she thought it was silly, then she really should have gone and fixed it.

Playing off his idea, he hoped to keep her around long enough to convince her to go home. "Yes, princess, a ransom," he said, getting ready to go into an explanation, "Hear me out. What if I go back? Give them the name of one of my crew members, tell them they took you and are demanding a ransom. That way you get to stay away from whatever it is you're running from, and I get my money." It was all an elaborate game, but it was just that to him: a game. Either way he was going to get paid. "What do you think?" he asked, raising his brow curiously, "Unless you have a better idea?"

Helena wanted to roll her eyes even if it was the unprincess like thing to do. This wasn't something that she had to power to fix. He didn't understand, and he never would she knew that. No one ever understood or even listened to her. Was it because she was a woman, or was it because she was a Princess and clearly nothing major could be wrong in a princess life. Though it might be both, and she hated that, as both her only options to solve problems were to run, kill her self or somehow convince a man to take care of it, but she didn't have that skill. The only person she knew would have done anything for her was Jim, but that was when the were younger, before she had to cruelly cut him out of life and to this day that still killed her.

She looked up at him listening to his idea, hope blooming in her eyes a little. She didn't mind that idea at all. Sure part of her said he was going to use that to buy a little time to make her go back, but part of her hoped that her old friend, the only man she'd ever love was really trying to give her away out. " I don't have a better idea, that idea sounds perfect. Especially if it means I don't have to go back" She said smiling softly.

She agreed. Fantastic. That meant James could still get the money he needed while she hid out for a while. Oh, but what was he going to do with a princess? She wasn't much, not that any princess was. He couldn't put her to work, that was for sure. Even if he could guarantee she could do it as good as his men, he couldn't risk her being recognized. Oh well, James was a genius, he would figure something out. Until then she would just have to lay low and stay out of everyone's way? That shouldn't be too hard to manage, right? "Good, then it's settled," he nodded, straightening his posture.

"But," he said, opening the door to the hall and waiting for her to follow him, "while you're hear, I think you better tell me why you're here." Jim's smiled broadened. She wasn't going to be allowed to camp out on his ship for free without at least telling him why she was doing it. "Just between you and me, I promise," he said, motioning her toward the door. "We can even do it over dinner. What do you say?"

Helena watched him, here eyes moving back and forth, trying to read him. She wanted to know what he was thinking, to know how long she had before he was tricking her back to her home. She stood up and nodded, it was settled for now she knew. She followed after him before sighing. There was a reason she wasn't telling him. He was just going to think she was some stupid girl, and try to placate her. " Well I'm here because you kidnapped me from the dress shoppe" She said with a slight grin.

She sighed once more still following after him. She didn't have a choice did she, he was going to demand the answer and she knew she'd tell him why. Then he would try to convince her, that these silly little fears of hers were unfounded, and that she needed to get over them. Course he's say it in his little charming way, and she wished she could believe that. Yet she had seen and felt different. She at first thought it was fear because she didn't know her soon to be husband. Then she met him, and saw that he was truly terrifying. Sure he put on an act for everyone else, but she could see threw it, and seeing him attack the guard late a night, she knew she wasn't crazy or silly.