All the Reptide pirates began settling in for the night.

All except, Queen, who was efficiently threading together clothing for the survivors,

taking extra time on one in particular.

With a dark colored scarf in hand, they approached the pink-haired blacksmith with a bashful expression.

Luh, here is the scarf you requested for the colder nights underground.

Queen says, yeah, Alicea replies.

Luh, um, I'd like to recite a poem for you, too, you,

though I should warn you, Luh, because I am cursed, it will remain unfinished.

Though, Luh, perhaps for some things, that is for the best.

Alicea, reluctant, stumps with her hammering and raises an eyebrow to Queen.

The silence is... silent.

Right, Luh, here it goes.

The bloom of the brightest light shant radiant brighter than the glow of your heated metal.

Yet, there is no passion hotter than the flame that flickers behind the irises staring at your

steel. Stealing, a heart is no small task, though the pirate in me sees yours as a treasure,

worth trying and failing. Failing, to find the muse that shall break my curse is my worst nightmare.

And dying, before having said all I want to say,

would be my greatest failure.

Good night, queen frantically hands over the scarf before rushing away.

Too stunned to react initially, Alice is left staring blankly at the scarf.

Then, she smiles.

She whispers softly to herself.

...