Chapter Text
The voyage should have been exciting, at least, that was what everyone kept telling Dave.
The ship was luxurious, the weather pleasant, and the destination was a private island estate where he would be reunited with his friends John and Jade after months apart.
By all accounts, it was supposed to be enjoyable. Instead, Dave was bored out of his mind.
He lounged against the polished railing of the noble vessel, staring out at the endless ocean. The sea stretched to every horizon, wild and untamed, and somehow that only made the gilded cage around him feel smaller.
Servants moved quietly across the deck. Officers saluted passing nobles. Etiquette dictated where he could sit, how he should stand, and which fork he was expected to use at dinner.
It was exhausting.
His expensive coat felt suffocating. The embroidered cuffs irritated him. The polished boots pinched. Every piece of clothing seemed designed to remind him exactly who he was supposed to be. Except his shades…those were entirely him.. and he refuses to remove them..no matter what any rules or etiquette says…
That be….a noble.
A respectable young member of the royal court. Dave hated it, not his family, never his family.
Just everything else surrounding them …. exhausting and annoying.
His older brother, Dirk, was a prince and heir to one of the Empire's most influential houses. Dirk carried the responsibility well, always appearing composed, capable, and annoyingly perfect. Which was far from the truth if you really knew the guy…. but it's how the empire saw him…
Roxy was a princess beloved throughout the realm, able to charm an entire room without even trying… she fine the way she was. not needing to worry about royal duties.
Rose possessed the sharp intellect and mysterious air that seemed to make people listen whenever she spoke. And a sense of know-how and silliness that few don't get to see, but Dave does, being twins and all, plus her strange new hobby of fortune telling…
And then there was Dave.
A lesser noble by comparison, still wealthy and privileged. Still expected to behave properly. Yet somehow he never quite fit. He loved his family dearly. Would fight for them without hesitation.
But while Dirk thrived among politics and Roxy enjoyed court life, Dave often found himself staring out windows and wondering what existed beyond the palace walls.
Beyond the cities, hell the Empire itself. It was the sea that called to him in a way court life never could.
Out there, ships answered to storms rather than schedules. Sailors cared more about skill than titles. Nobody bowed, or cared about bloodlines, especially no one spent three hours discussing seating arrangements….That sounded wonderful.
A gull cried overhead. Dave watched it soar freely above the waves Lucky bird. No expectations, duties or endless ceremonies. Just sky and ocean.
His gaze drifted across the water once more.
Somewhere out there, pirates sailed these same seas, smugglers, explorers, and best of all ….adventurers.
People who woke up each morning not knowing exactly how their day would unfold, people who were free. The thought lingered longer than it probably should have.
Behind him, a cabin door opened…
Rose emerged, dressed in a heavy but fashionable gown, one of course designed and crafty made by her personal seamstress Kanaya. A highly talented and lovely Jadeblood troll. And don't think, for a fucking second he doesn't notice the way those two stare at each other...Dave totally knows their in love, he wont get in their way…
Noticing how she carries herself when she's lugging another one of her books, looking entirely too pleased with herself. Dave immediately became suspicious. Whenever Rose looked pleased with herself, destiny usually followed. And destiny, in Dave's experience, was rarely normal. The ocean breeze ruffled his soft blonde hair.
Far beyond the horizon, hidden from view, crimson sails moved steadily across the water. And without knowing it, Dave was sailing directly toward the most interesting mistake of his life.
Rose appeared beside him, bumping elbows, a warm motherly smile as she gazed up at him.
“Looking at the sea again dear brother..?”
“Hmm….yea…its calming and shit”
she chuckles at his vulgar language, they were traveling alone, so what did it matter if they were a little free with how they spoke, so course she didn't scold him.
Resting head on his shoulder, enjoying the calm clear day.
“I have something you'll want to hear…something exciting..”
“...I'm listening..”
“I heard the staff and sailors say that there are pirates in the area…”
“Oh yea?? Cool…pirates are awesome..” he remained monotone, but she could sense he was at least a little thrilled.
“Oh.. and there's something else..” She lifted her head and took hold of his arm, tugging slightly.
“I had a vision…about you?” Dragging him off back to her room.
“Whoa…like for reals? Me..what did you see?” He didn't really believe in all those fates and seeing into the future mumbo jumbo, but it made his sister happy, so he played along. With a small smile he let her lead him to her cabin, where Kanaya was setting Rose's crystal ball.
“Indeed I did Dave…thank you love..” Kissing the troll's cheek, watching her light grey skin turn bright green with glee.
“Geez you actually brought that thing with you… Can you actually see anything in this ball??” He briefly touched it, Kanaya swats his hand away and repolishes it, Dave jerks his hand back pouting, as he nursed his hand.
“Of course I do… sit sit..” ushering and instructing him to pop a seat across from her. Planting his fine ass on the cushioned chair he shimmies to get comfy staring between the ladies, not sure what to expect.
“Now then..” Rose began, gazing intensely into a swirling glass orb, her voice dripping with ancient mystery. “The celestial bodies are shifting, brother. The void in your heart is not eternal. The stars foretell a grand tempest that will tear you from this mundane reality. A force of pure, untamed destiny is coming to claim you. In my visions, the cosmic alignment takes the shape of a celestial crustacean….
A giant, angry crab.”
Dave leaning back on a velvet comfy lounge chair, adjusting his high-society shades, raising an elegant brow.
“A crab, Rose? Really? My destiny is a piece of premium seafood? Are the stars telling you I need to open a high-class fish market because honestly—”
There was suddenly a ruckus outside, people shouting, cries out in terror, the loud booms of cannon fire. A raid? Gasp.. the pirates!!
Kanaya straightened up, trying to urge her love and her brother to safety. She would be the final line of defense if the sailors and guards fell to those scoundrels.
The elaborate and fancy ass stained glass scattered as a black and grey figure bursted through, shards of glass flew through the air. Kanaya instantly covered her love, hissing and snarling at the intruder.
The haunting stranger swung into the drawing room, the crystal ball was flung off the table and crashed on the floor. The figure arrived on a heavy iron chain, crashing directly onto an expensive mahogany table, carrying a long heavy burlap sack, the troll covered in sea spray and fury.
“Who Are You, You Brute!!” Kanaya cried out, keeping Rose out of harm's way, she would risk her life for Lady Rose.
“Stand down jadeblood.. I am the ruthless and feared pirate Captain Vantas!!”
“...Amazing.. and dare I ask.. what you want with us?” Rose ….dispute the situation remained perfectly calm, a steady voice of maturity and class.
The pirate captain tossed his head back in a cackle of cruel laughter, before staring down at the three baring his fangs, gesturing dramatically to Dave of all people.
“What…do I want?? …I WANT YOU TO HAND OVER THE NOBLEMAN AND NO ONE HAS TO DIE! STRIDER, YOU PRIVILEGED PIECE OF GARBAGE, YOU ARE COMING WITH ME! HOOK, GUARD THE FLANK!”
The lobster presumably named Hook? Snaps claws aggressively from the pirate's shoulder.
Dave stared at the red-faced pirate captain and his angry pet, blinking stunned obviously but not ..scared.
“...Huh. Look at that. Rose, you were right on the money. The crab vibes are immaculate.”
Karkat Screeched, he would not be disrespected in his hour of triumph.
“I AM A TROLL, YOU INSOLENT IDIOT, NOT A SEAFOOD PLATTER! GET IN THE SACK!!"
“Cool… let’s go”
Karkst blinks….wait what???
The attack was swift and merciless. Crimson sails appeared on the horizon, and within minutes the dreaded Crimson Crab was alongside the noble vessel. Pirates poured over the rails while panicked nobles screamed and fled below deck.
At the center of the chaos stood Captain Karkat Vantas, scar visible beneath his coat, twin chained scythes with a firm grip of his intended prize, wearing the burlap sack was lugged over his shoulder, the lobster once perched there, grasped and hung from his masters belts and fabric around his hips. Trolls were remarkably strong, hoisting Dave around as if he was a sack of potatoes or a rug.
Now that Dave thought about it… he had heard legends and stories of this Captain Vantas, every one of those tales had painted the troll as a terrifying criminal, yet as the captain seized him and declared him a hostage, Dave's reaction was not fear but unmistakable satisfaction.
The sight stopped Karkat cold, just for the moment. Instead of struggling, pleading, or demanding release, the noble looked almost pleased, as if something had finally gone according to plan….he ignored for now and hauled his precious cargo onto the awaiting ship.
Nearby, Rose Lalonde remained perfectly calm, watching events unfold with the serene expression of someone whose prophecy was proceeding exactly as expected.
Beside her, Kanaya Maryam looked considerably less composed, she was beside herself with worry. Fear for Dave's safety was written plainly across her face, and she could not understand why neither sibling seemed remotely concerned about being surrounded by armed pirates.
Karkat found himself growing increasingly irritated. Hostages were supposed to be terrified. They were not supposed to smile at him as if he'd done them a favor.
Yet the look Dave gave him…when he merely glanced at the captain's scar, then at the black lobster perched nearby, and seemed even more convinced that everything was unfolding exactly as it should.
The realization filled Karkat with a sense of impending doom he could not explain…
Karkat looked back to his crew, they worked like a well powdered and cocked gun, seamless and deadly. His crew plowed through those guards and sailors as if they were nothing.
While Captain Karkat Vantas hitched his infuriatingly cooperative hostage higher on his shoulder as he confidently crossed the plank separating the ships. The rest of the boarding party worked to keep the noble ship in chaos. Gunfire echoed across the deck as sailors and guards attempted to rally against the pirates.
Near the main mast, Kankri Vantas moved with surprising efficiency, calmly disarming opponents and directing crew members through the confusion.
Beside him, Imposter fought in complete silence. His long black hair whipped in the wind as he dodged musket fire and struck with practiced precision. The iron shackles permanently encircling his wrists clinked softly whenever he moved, the only sound he seemed interested in making. No one knew where he had learned to fight like that, and those facing him rarely remained standing long enough to ask.
Elsewhere, Vriska Serket looked like she was enjoying herself far too much. Swords flashing in the sunlight, she danced through the melee with a grin that suggested this was the highlight of her week. Noble guards quickly discovered that experience and expensive training meant very little when confronted by someone who genuinely loved sword fights. Every successful parry seemed to make her smile wider.
Then there was Dyce. Technically, the cabin boy was supposed to stay out of serious battles.
Technically, reality rarely cooperated.
The young red blood darted across the deck with a pair of daggers, weaving between larger combatants faster than most adults couldn't track. He wasn't strong enough to face trained soldiers head-on, but he was quick, clever, and impossible to catch. More than one guard found their belt cut loose, their weapon stolen, or their footing sabotaged by the grinning little menace before they even realized he was there.
Kankri spotted him narrowly avoiding a swinging saber and immediately felt his blood pressure rise. Dyce spotted Kankri spotting him and vanished behind a stack of crates before a lecture could begin.
By the time the pirates withdrew, their objective had been accomplished. The noble hostage was aboard the departing ship, the crew of the Crimson Crab was retreating in good order, and the noble vessel was left in complete disarray.
As the pirates pushed away from the ship, Dave sat calmly while tied to the mast, looking entirely too pleased with himself. Watching him, Karkat couldn't shake the feeling that kidnapping this particular noble was going to cause far more trouble than it was worth. Behind them, the crew celebrated another successful raid.
The Crimson Crab began to sail away, and somehow Dave was smiling as if he were finally going home, for Dave was finally getting the adventure he ached for, guess he had to maybe start believing in fate and destiny or whatever..
Back on the noble vessel, Rose turned to her men, more were only scratched and bruised, scars and wounds that would heal in a short amount of time, no one was dead amazingly. It was as if those pirates knew exactly where to strike to do the least amount of damage…
She sighs, casts her gaze upon her love, ever calm and delicate.
“Kanaya dear…be a lamb and please send a message to the prince.. our precious brother has been taken…he must be informed of this..”
She leans down to grab one of her books that has been blown up, seeing if it could be salvaged.
The jade blood nods and sprints off to send a message dove to the crown prince at once. Rose only looked on at the retreating pirate ship, in the distance a cloud of fog along the water, the large ship soon engulfed by the fog and could just barely be visible…but what stood out plain as day…was the Crimson flag billowing in the wind…
“Well dear brother…I hope you find what you were searching for…and be safe..” she spoke to the wind, as it carried her twin off to adventure and his destiny.