Amelie had gone out to where she was told, sitting with her back against the wheel. She opened one of the books and just started reading. At first she couldn't really enjoy the book because she was constantly glancing around to make sure nobody came and bothered her. She didn't know any of the crew and didn't want to know them. She knew the grumpy captain and his more gently firstmate. That's all she needed. Though, she realized....she didn't know much about either of them.

As Lev walked up the stairs to the wheel, he saw first the glisten of her fiery hair in the sunlight. He paused for a moment, frowning, then continued on up the stairs. Now he really wished Aiden had accompanied him, instead of going off to check the sails. Bastard probably was just hiding somewhere way up there watching him, more likely. Waiting for Lev to make a goof that would be brought up and teased about later. He thought back to what Aiden had mentioned about her feeling more comfortable around Aiden instead of him. He didn't consider himself so harsh as to run others off like Aiden hinted at, rather, he fancied himself a respected and admired captain for keeping everything on this ship in line. Even her.

"Unless you have the strength to steer this ship, I suggest you find another spot to sit," Lev said as he walked around her to lay out the revised map on the rough surface that was built for it, anchoring it to its spot with the old blades that fit into notches on each of the four corners.

Amelie hadn't even heard Lev come up to the steering wheel. She squeaked and scrambled away from in, holding the book tight to her chest. She'd been so absorbed she'd forgotten where she was. When she calmed down, her face went to a slightly relieved stage. "I'm sorry." Then pulled her knees to her chest and slowly started to read again, though she glanced up at him a little.

Lev grumbled to himself as he glanced over the map, checking his current coordinates. "You apologize too much," he replied bitterly, flicking the large compass built into the wood off to the side, the impact getting it to work again. "If you can, it might be useful to know where you're father might flee to when he feels threatened," Lev suggested with a brief glance over to her.

Amelie tensed slightly when he told her she apologized too much. Did she really? Why shouldn't she apologize? She'd gotten in his way, it was only polite to say she was sorry. Then she frowned when he asked where her father might flee to. "Why should I tell you?" Her voice was calm, but it sounded slightly bitter as well. If he was going to be rude, then she was too.

Lev slammed his fist down on the table, turning sharply to face her with furious eyes. Then, just as suddenly, he sighed and reached up to pinch at the bridge of his nose. She was getting on his nerves again, but he couldn't beat her up. Yell at her, maybe, but that hadn't done any good either so far.

"Because," he answered, trying his best to keep the edge out of his voice. "If we can find your father, then we can finish this whole dumb business, get you back where you belong, and get the reward. Understand?"

Amelie jumped, moving back against the railing, suddenly looking like she'd have to defend herself. Then slowly relaxed when it seemed like he'd gained control of himself. She was still a little suspicious of his behavior. The only reason he didn't hit her, as it seemed to her, was he was trying to get information out of her. She looked away from him, staring out at the water. "The only place I know of that he might hide out at was abandoned about five years ago."

"And...?" Lev said impatiently, stepping toward her as he gestured for her to go on. So close now, if I can just get the whole thing out of her...

Amelie tensed when he came closer, thinking she'd be mistreated again. She shook her head slightly. "There's no point in telling you. He wouldn't go there anyway....besides....I don't want my Nana bothered."

Lev stared at her, blinking, then turned and punched straight into the glass top of the compass. The glass shattered, quite a bit embedding into the skin of his hand, the rest stained red by the blood that eked out. That dumb, worthless wench! Leading me on like that, then telling me he wouldn't go to where ever the place is anyway! I should...should...!

He gave a frustrated sigh, removing his hand from the broken compass, refusing to even wince as a few shards fell from his hand. Without another word to her, he strode off down the stairs and back to his quarters, where Aiden was about to fall asleep in his chair. Aiden came to attention suddenly though when he saw Lev enter with the bloodied, shard encrusted hand. "What...?" he began, but Lev cut him off.

"Geddup there and make her tell where tha' no good sonuvabitch is!" Lev demanded, barely contained rage in his eyes. Aiden sighed and got to his feet, knowing he couldn't disobey Lev, even if they were good friends. Lev was still the captain, and Amelie was one lucky woman to still be alive right now. He pitied the poor thing that had gotten the bitter end of Lev's rage though. He wondered what was broken this time.

---

Aiden went up to the wheel and noticed the bits of trailed glass, his eyes following to the now broken compass. He frowned, but shrugged it off for now. What he was really worried for was her, and getting her to open up before Lev gave in and strangled her. Aiden gave a small wave to her as he stepped across the deck.

"You alright?" he asked.

Amelie jumped and sort of clutched the railing, not watching him leave. But, she knew he'd hurt himself. She'd have said something or insisted to help him if she hadn't been treated like she was. Though, it nagged at her that she really should go help him. She soon just brought her knees to her chest and buried her face in them, trying not to think about anything.

When Aiden talked to her she sighed and nodded slightly. "He didn't hurt me."

Aiden went over to sit down beside her, legs crossed as he leaned toward her with his hands on his knees. "You're lucky. Now, forgive me for sounding a little like Lev, but why won't you tell where your father is? We all might be a little happier in the end if you did."

Amelie shook her head at his question and moved away slightly. "I don't know where he is....the only way I'd know is if I was with him...its obvious that I'm not. So...I'm sorry...but I can't tell you what I don't know."

Aiden frowned, but nodded. "Guess you and your father weren't exactly close?" he suggested, tilting his head a little. Her being a princess, it wouldn't be that surprising. King's were often more attached to their daughters than the girls were of them. And it was all usually more of a desire to keep up the family line rather than true affection for their daughters. He wondered if that was the case here. But if so, why had she fought so much when they kidnapped her? Wouldn't she have wanted to get away if there was a situation like that? He had so many questions in his mind, but he stuck with one for now.

Amelie seemed to scowl slightly. "Would you be close to someone who got you shot because of his stupidity? His pride? His-" She sighed and buried her face again. "I'd have liked to be close with my father, but all he seems to care about is locking me up in that damned castle and making sure I marry someone proper."

Aiden shrugged. "Happens all the time between me and Lev." He shifted to sit back against the rail with her, resting his head on the rough wood. Apparently Lev was deliberately taking his time down there, probably grumbling to himself while digging the glass out of his hand.

"So, what about a mother or siblings, something like that?" Aiden asked. "I'm sure you had at least one friend who's worried about you right now."

Amelie sighed, not looking up. "I do...but its not like they could pay you if that's what you were thinking. They're barely getting by in the first place. I never had any friends within the castle. Besides....only one of my friends actually knew who I was. I always snuck out of the castle, but never in anything that resembled who I was. I also cut my hair in a slightly crude way and just wore it neatly up around my father." She blushed suddenly when she realized how much she had said. "I don't have any siblings or a mother." She said suddenly and wouldn't look up for the world. But something occured to her finally. "Is...Lev ok?"

"I see. Well, guess we all have one thing in common then. It's common for a pirate to grow up never knowing their mother," Aiden trailed off as he gazed up at the sky.

Then, when he heard her last question, he looked back to her with raised eyebrows. "You? Worried about Lev?" He laughed and patted her on the head. "Don't even worry about him. He's probably digging the last pieces of glass out his hand right now, cursing you with every breath."

Amelie just looked away for a moment, knowing there was something personal going through him at that moment, which is why she didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable. Then she frowned, then looked sad. "I'm sorry....but I really don't know...I didn't know he'd hurt himself..." She expected him to hit her...not the compass.

"You really should stop being so hard on yourself. Lev isn't easy to get along with, for anybody. Me included at times," Aiden replied. He was quiet for a moment as he watched her, then added, "Although, I think tonight I'll get him to have a few drinks. You don't have to drink anything, but you should come join. You'd be surprised how different he is after a few pints."

Amelie just couldn't stop blaming herself for him smashing the compass and hurting his hand. She looked at him curiously though. Even though she hated the idea of drinking...maybe she could be around it once...so she could see what Aiden saw in Lev. She nodded slightly then looked away. "Alright...I might just do that."