The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 7

Leading Celeste in song, Clef started out on 'The Bomnubble in the Middle of the Sea'. Together, the two of them played the song beautifully like it was second nature. Alagatha danced along to the song in a pirate fashion but was careful while holding Echo, as to not drop him. Echo gave a baby belly laugh while in Alagatha's arms and clapped his tiny hands. Even Zarabean seemed to be enjoying himself. He was quite familiar with this tune from the times Alagatha belted out it out when swabbing the deck. From his ridgerunner squatted position, he rocked back and forth to the music. Nibble, on the other hand, placed his claw-like hands on the sides of his head, not enjoying the properly played music. However, he gave the two song players a reassuring smile, knowing they were playing well. Celeste enjoyed her time playing the duet with Clef. She even sang a few lines with him in the pauses. However, just when she really started to really enjoy herself, a scream interrupted all their fun. "LORE WAIN CELESTE!" A voice bellowed from the docks. Clef and Celeste immediately ceased their playing and looked down towards the boardwalk. There stood Ramger, the royal advisor. He appeared to be steaming. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING OUT HERE?!" Celeste's demeanor shifted from happy to annoyance upon seeing Ramger shout at her. She turned to Clef, "Please excuse me a moment." She said before handing him her lute. The crew watched as Celeste stepped off the ship to meet with Ramger on the docks. Ramger asked again, "What made you think THIS was a good idea?!" He asked as he pointed at Clef the ex-strander and the rest of the crew. "Don't you realize those THINGS are going to cost you your reputation?!" Celeste took a deep breath as she looked back at Ramger. "Those PEOPLE are my traveling crew. Anyone who has met me on my travels knows who I have in my inner circle." "Doesn't it concern you that a PIRATE is holding the next HIGH KING?!" Ramger exclaimed, nearly in a panic. "She isn't a pirate anymore." Celeste clenched her fists, "You must stop shouting so disrespectfully, Ramger." She told him sternly. Ramger huffed, "And what have any of those 'people' done that was respectful for anyone, Lore Wain? You are using your title to-" "To what?" Celeste raised her voice, causing Ramger to shrink back, "To do precisely what I'm supposed to? To tell the stories and history to ALL Annerian citizens? Am I to exclude the least of us because YOU consider them detestable? No, the only thing detestable has been you disrespecting me and my crew and doubting my judgment! I'm not a child, Ramger." Ramger gulped before clearing his throat. "Lady Celeste, I'm only thinking of what's best for the people and Echo." Celeste's eyebrows scrunched together at the mention of Echo, "I think I know what's best for my nephew when I see it, Ramger." "I meant no offense! You are only twenty years old, my lady. I've been a royal advisor to your parents! May the Maker let them rest in peace..." Ramger trailed off. It was true that the previous High Queen and High King had gone missing at sea many years prior to the tragedy of their children. It was presumed that they had passed despite their remains never being found. If Celeste was honest, in all her adventures, she had hoped she would find them alive. Perhaps that is why she had adventured as far as the Killridge Mountains. Celeste fell silent at the mention of her parents and looked down at the dock. "My lady," Ramger continued more softly, "Please return to the palace with me before more rumors get started. People are ready talking, many saw you leave with that ridgerunner." "I will return in a moment, Ramger. I need to speak to my crew." Celeste said with her head down. Ramger reluctantly agreed for Celeste to stay a moment longer, "Alright..." Celeste quietly came back aboard and retrieved her nephew from Alagatha. Afterward, Celeste placed him in her sling. The crew was silent, all with their eyes on their captain. Celeste slowly lifted her head and looked at her crew with some tears in her eyes. "I don't know how long it will be before I can be back with all of you... But I want you all to know how much I love you." "We know ye love us, Celeste. We love you too!" Alagatha said, "We have faith ye'll be back sooner than ye think!" Celeste mustered up a small smile, ..." For now, I think it would be best for you all to either settle here on the ship or find a place to stay... I want to offer the palace to you but I'm afraid some of what Ramger has said about reputation is correct... The people don't understand." "It's uh... Understandable." Clef said with a hand behind his neck. "Nobody trusts a guy in a mask." "Then why don't you takesss it off? We've never ssseen your whole face." Nibble asked with curiosity in his lizardy voice. "None ya." "None ya?" "None ya business, Lizard breath." Nibble cackled at the insult before turning his attention back to Celeste, "It'sss okay, Celessste. I know we ain't the bessst looking crew." "... Nor the most trustworthy looking." Zarabean added, seeming the most sad out of all of them. Celeste patted Zarabean's head, "I can still bring by some fruit for you once in a while, Bean." "Zarabean doesn't care about fruit if Zarabean's friend isn't here..." He sadly replied. "Eh? You not care about fruit? Come on, Bean. That's not very convincing." Clef teased. Zarabean looked up at Clef, "What good is fruit without the sweetness??" "Aw, it will be okay, Zarabean." Celeste reassured her ridgerunner friend with a sad smile. She turned to leave the ship once more. "I'll miss you all." Celeste said as she began to leave the ship. Clef quickly stopped her by stepping in her way. Celeste paused to look up at him. "This better not be the end of our duet, Miss Celeste." Clef said with a sly wink. Celeste laughed at him, "Surely not, Lone Strander." She teased him before leaving the ship and joining Ramger on the docks. The crew waved Celeste goodbye as she saddled back up on Muffin with Echo. Then the royal group left the docks and headed back home.