Here, have some themed ambient music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sObsv8TWqVs

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The Shimmering Avenger drifted across smooth seas under a full moon’s glow. Her masts remained at half-sail, her crew content to proceed at a calm pace after the day’s rush to enter the Kurtao region. Among tranquil waves and gentle winds, most of the crew was already below deck asleep and the lamps doused. The moon provided more than enough light for the nocturnal crew remaining awake.

Ghost, the ship’s quartermaster, emerged onto the fore deck and stretched. Unlike most otters, his fur was pure white—an identifying characteristic of the Leimaian priesthood, and it reflected the moonlight brilliantly in contrast to his dark-furred crew mates lounging nearby. They gave him respectful nods as he passed by.

“Where is the captain?” he asked.

One of them pointed upward at the Avenger’s main mast. “She’s watching the horizon again tonight.”

Ghost climbed the rigging to reach the highest point on the ship, a small lookout platform above the sails where only the most daring crew mates, or those with wings, would feel safe standing. The fact that a small rabbit like Captain Starlene Zara felt so comfortable up here impressed Ghost every time he watched her climb up.

“Hello, Ghost,” said Captain Zara, without even breaking her gaze out ahead. She stood leaning forward with only one hand back grasping one of the mast’s ropes for stability. The slight wind flowed over her fur and wavered her long, lop ears.

“Good evening, Captain. May I join you?”

Zara smiled and turned to offer a hand, pulling him up. In spite of her size, her years as a privateer captain gave her considerable strength. “Can’t sleep?”

“Just a bit restless,” he replied in his usual soft accent. “I’ll feel safer once we’re closer to port.”

The captain chuckled and returned her gaze far ahead as the Shimmering Avenger continued her leisurely pace.

“I’ve been wondering…” Ghost began, “Why is it you come up here at night when everyone else is asleep?”

Captain Zara took in a deep breath and calmly let it back out. “It’s one of the few instances where I feel close to the Avenger.”

Ghost sat back, curious. “How so? Wouldn’t you feel closer being in your cabin, inside the ship?”

Captain Zara shook her head. “Being inside allows me to feel the ship, but being up here… I see what she sees, I can move with the waves she crests, and the wind that fills her sails is the same wind that caresses my fur. Up here, there are no other crew members, no distractions… just me and the ship, at peace, together. It’s like we’re one and the same.”

Ghost smiled, “Poetic.”

“In a way, the two of us are kindred souls. We both have encountered loss, and have since grown stronger since. I lost my husband on that fateful day, and she lost her captain.”

“True, though the former captain was corrupt.”

Zara tilted her head for a moment, “Yeah, that’s a good point, but a captain is still a captain, and without one, a ship is without guidance. I took up the role, provided her a purpose, and in return she’s carried me across these seas to adventures I never would’ve imagined experiencing.” She paused and gave Ghost a pitiful look before glancing back out to the ocean. “I know it sounds kinda weird…”

“Not at all,” Ghost replied. “Forming an emotional attachment to a ship is quite common, and the Avenger is your ship, after all. She’s been good to you. To all of us.”

“I must admit I didn’t quite expect a priest to be so understanding of an object.”

“On the contrary, we believe that when something is brought into the presence of such affection, of love, even… then it gains a soul. To be honest, though, I stopped being a priest years ago, so take my word as you care.”

“I trust you with my life, Ghost. You know that.”

“As do I for you, my Captain. You’ve yet to lead us astray.”

Captain Zara gently tightened her grip on the Avenger’s mast. “We have yet to…”

The two friends remained silent, enjoying the view and the comfort of the ocean breeze, as the Shimmering Avenger sailed on, carrying them to their next adventure.

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This image came to me out of the blue, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to update Captain Zara’s design (you may recall she was previously named Captain Star, before I realized that name was already taken by a British cartoon). I realized midway into coloring that I forgot to include her headband, but that can be added later. She also has a tricorn hat, but it keeps getting blown away XD And finally, I’ve designed her brand new Jolly Roger, which you can find here: https://sfw.furaffinity.net/view/13838464/

The scene up there was one of the calmer moments in an otherwise hectic pirate life, where Zara had a chance to relax and not worry about putting on a show of toughness in front of her crew. Not that she would need to, but she figures it helps with her image. By day, she can be quite frightening! I’ve begun work on an adventure starring Captain Zara and her rival, La Rosa (to be revealed later), which I hope to finish sometime in the next few months. I had a lot of fun plotting out a high-seas tale of pirates and ghosts! Until then, enjoy this moonlit prelude to adventure!

Captain Starlene Zara © Aelius (me)