O' Captain, My Captain [ Blind Date - Nerissa and Rhyden ]

She was so excited. The Cocktail Cabana down at the beach was having their annual ‘Mystery Dates’ event, booths sectioned off with canopies of red silk. Nerissa had been looking forward to this for weeks, and had signed up the minute they were taking applications. It was her favorite time of year; the chance to meet someone new. Experience someone new. The anticipation was almost killing her… she had to wonder why she had shown up so early when she knew the wait was going to be killer. She wanted to peek out of the silk that shielded her from the rest of the cabana, to see if anyone was coming this way yet, but… She restrained. Nerissa didn’t want to ruin the surprise, after all. So she sat back, quietly nursing her Blue Island.

Patience. 

Rhyden hadn’t planned on signing up for this blind date event, truth be told he didn’t even know it was happening when he first came to the Cabana and he was among the last to sign up before they stopped taking applicants. He figured that It worked out well for him last time so he thought what the hell? Why not? Maybe he’ll get lucky again and find another treasure to cherish. He was quick to make his way to the assigned booth where he was told his date was already waiting and upon arriving he grinned to himself, it was showtime. His second favorite time. With a deep breath he parted the red silks and entered the booth…and he was not disappointed by the vision before him and his face showed it. “Well, Ahoy there.” 

Nerissa perked up as she heard footsteps drawing near, a smile spreading over her face as the curtains parted, revealing… a pirate? Oooh, how interesting? A little grin spread across her face as she looked him over. “Ahoy there, capitain~” She greeted, her tone a playful sing-song. “Come to these shores often~?” She certainly hoped so; so far, she liked her first impressions. “I’m Nerissa… does our captain of the night have a name?”

“Aye,That I do. I’m surprised I’ve not laid eyes on you yet. I’d definitely have remembered such a beauty as yerself.” He smiled at her before moving to sit across from her, his large, muscular frame pushing the table closer to Nerissa as he slid into the booth. “Ravishing Rhyden at your service…or maybe I should go with Rhyden the Reaver? Whichever makes me sound more…roguish.” He shrugged. “In any case, Rhyden is the name and tonight wooing you is my game.” He said with a playful wink. “Lovely name that, by the by. Nerissa. Nerissa of sea sands. No, no Nerissa of glittering sands. Shining sands? Hmm…what captures a beauty like you I wonder?” 

Nerissa couldn’t suppress her giggle, propping her chin up on an arm. “Aren’t you the charmer~ I love the sound of glittering sands; reminds me of the beach come dawn.” Her head cocked ever so slightly. “Rhyden~ It’s a pleasure to meet you… If the night goes well, perhaps I’ll invite you to my shores~” Another sip of her drink. “So, Rhyden… what seas does our dear captain sail? What do your days hold for you?”

“Oooh, I do like the sound o’ that.” He chuckled before motioning towards the water with his head. “These ones right here. I sail these waters with my ship and crew where we perform all kinds of songs and dance during the day and at night…well…” He leans in closer over the table. “That’s when we put on more intimate performances. We also Offer a set o’ role-play scenarios for buns to enjoy.” He tilts his head ever so slightly. “What of you though? How does Nerissa of Glittering sands spend her days?” 

“Oh, so you’re local too~” There was a pause as recognition crossed her face. “Wait, you’re the captain of that ship? You’ve been the talk of the coast!” She gives a light laugh. “I am a swim instructor by day, helping teach buns who are new to the water how to navigate. And my nights are spent dancing; sometimes on a stage. Sometimes in private. And sometimes, just sometimes, someone’s lap becomes my stage when things grow more intimate~” She finishes off her drink, the glass set aside. “It’s a shame you only dance during the day… imagine the music you and I could make by nightlight.” She gave a dramatic sigh, doing her best not to smile. Such a shame. 

Rhyden nodded and wore a smug expression as his still-growing reputation finally precedes him. Finally. Then however came the answer to his question and the enticing mental images that followed. “Well, now I did say we put on more intimate performances at night, no? Who says that can involve dancing?” He scoffed. “Besides, I’m the captain. I can make anything I want happen aboard my ship. If I say there is to be song and dance then there will be song and dance!” He exclaimed proudly before a sly smile crossed his lips.“…among other things.” 

Nerissa couldn’t help but grin. “Is that an invitation to join you on your ship I hear?” She was definitely interpreting it as such. “And from the captain no less! I admit, I’m very tempted to accept. What’s better than a night of merriment with good company?” She pauses to look over the captain in question. “Handsome company at that…” A chuckle tinted her words. “But for now, the real question. Tell me, what brought you here tonight?” She had to admit, she was curious; surely the good captain would have buns throwing themselves at his feet. 

“Oh, you can definitely take that as an invitation. I’ll show you around the ship personally.” Rhyden chuckled and stroked his chin. “As for your question…it’s simple. I was just enjoying a walk on the beach and came here to get a drink when I saw this happening and well, these blind date things have worked out for me once before so figured I’d try my luck again.” The greed bun laughed. “After all, a pirate can never have too many treasures now can he?” Then he paused and looked his date over. “What about you?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Laughter lilted her words. “This is my favorite time of year; you get to meet so many new people. And the blind dates are my favorite; it’s a great way to change things up. You never know who will show up. Sometimes, there’s no spark, just nice conversation with a new face. But then sometimes…” She tossed a wink across the table. “Sometimes the chemistry is positively fireworks.”

Rhyden nodded. “Well put, Aye. I like how you view this whole thing…especially about the fireworks.” He gave a hearty laugh. “We’d best be careful not to set my new ship ablaze though, I’m still paying it off!” He let his eyes wander his date’s form. “Though, you’d be worth it.” He said with a smirk and threw a wink back to her. 

Nerissa couldn’t help but stifle a giggle as she felt his gaze, preening her ear ever so delicately. “Now, we wouldn’t want to deprive a captain of his ship, would we?” She gave a thoughtful hum, head tilting to the side. “Perhaps we should go to my place first then, hm? Nothing but us and the crashing waves beside us, the waterside breeze coming through the window… if you want to, of course~”

Rhyden gave a hearty laugh. “How could I say no to such temptation?” He leaned back in his seat and stretched. “The walk there should be plenty nice too, I’d wager. Who doesn’t like a nice long walk on the beach? After all It’s in all the dating profiles.” 

“It is… but if they were being honest on that tidbit, my morning walks wouldn’t be nearly as lonely… Unlike the Bunder profiles, I actually do enjoy a nice walk on the soft sands… but they are -so- much better with company. Especially handsome company.” She grins, giving a small little clap as she leans back. “So, shall we hit the sands? Take in the nightglow and soft waves on the way to my place? I think we could get to know each other a fair deal better there… not that the silk canopies here aren’t nice. And if the night goes well, maybe we can schedule that visit to your ship, dear captain~”

“Aye, let’s shove off from this port! Lovely as it is I’m keen to see the place you’d call home.” Rhyden slid from the booth and stood, offering his hand to his date. “And I promise you, I really do love long walks on the beach. Way more relaxing than the city streets that I’m used to.” 

She was quick to follow suit, pushing her way through the crimson silks to join her new friend. “Well, then you’re going to absolutely -love- the walk to my place… nothing but sands glittering in the nightlight, and the soft song of the wave’s crest… and good company of course.” And with that, she moved to lead the good capitain off into the night, silently marking the blind date as the best success she’d had in a while.