Inside Duke's cabin aboard the Swordfish.
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle...
Boiling water bubbled steadily in the glass kettle, steam curling up from the spout. Duke carefully used tongs to place loose tea leaves into two porcelain cups.
He lifted the kettle, angled the spout, and poured the hot water slowly. The steaming liquid cascaded down, releasing the aroma of the tea.
"An elder I once knew told me this: no matter what you're doing, there's always time for a cup of tea."
Setting the kettle aside, Duke placed a cup in front of Miss Fortune, Sarah, on the table. Then he dragged over a chair and secured it to the floor clamp so it wouldn't shift during turbulence.
He sat down, resting one hand on the table while the other reached into his inventory. In a blink, he laid out a generous spread of pastries and snacks that completely filled the tabletop.
"What do you think?"
"Bilgewater folks don't have time for such leisurely things."
Sarah picked up a jelly-filled pastry, gave it a glance, then put it back on the plate.
"We don't waste time on trivialities like this. Strong rum, grilled meat, and a bounty on the Sea Witch, that's more our style."
"Time," Duke said calmly, watching the tea leaves rise and fall in his cup, "is like water in a sponge, squeeze hard enough, and you'll always find some."
He didn't seem bothered by Sarah's barbed words. She, meanwhile, continued observing the furnishings around the cabin and suddenly said:
"You don't look like a research vessel."
"Oh? Why wouldn't we be?"
Duke shrugged, but Sarah pressed on.
"That kid hiding behind you might be a genuine craftsman, but you? Definitely not. I know the look of someone who's obsessed with building things. Their eyes burn with a pure, unwavering passion. Yours..." She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "...have something else hidden inside them."
"Come on, Sarah," Duke said with an innocent smile. "I know exactly who I am, just a craftsman and a scientist who loves building things."
"No craftsman uses weapons that terrifying."
"Well, I built them myself. What, you expect me to let them gather dust in a corner? Besides, what kind of inventor can't even use their own invention?"
Sarah clicked her tongue inwardly. This kid was good, too good. His face showed nothing, his voice never wavered. Trying to draw out his true intentions would be like squeezing secrets from stone.
"Fine," she sighed. "Let's pretend you're a research crew. But what's there to study in Bilgewater? It's crawling with thugs, pirates, hitmen, and fugitives. Are you running experiments in a slaughterhouse?"
She took out a square-tipped cigar, the kind with a spicy, intoxicating aroma. Duke saw and silently passed her a cigar cutter, a lighter, and an ashtray from the drawer.
As she toasted the cigar's end, Sarah added casually:
"You may have me at your mercy now, but the real powers in Bilgewater aren't so easy to deal with."
"Think about it, kid. A research vessel from Piltover, loaded with high-end equipment and top-tier weaponry... Everyone who sees it will want a bite."
"Even if they can't get the whole meal, they'll at least want to sip the soup."
"You really think you'll hold out?"
"Why do you think I went through all this trouble to invite you aboard?" Duke chuckled, popping a malt candy into his mouth.
Sarah scoffed.
"Still sucking on sweets? You really are a child."
"In Bilgewater, kids your age are already wielding knives to survive. Either they join gangs or end up chopping meat in the slaughterhouses."
"By your age, I was already hunting down cutthroats solo for bounty money."
"Bilgewater isn't some warm, civilized Piltover."
"Are you trying to intimidate me?"
Duke placed an ivory and ebony pistol on the table, then took out a soft cloth to polish the metal.
"You're using veiled threats to emphasize how brutal Bilgewater is while making yourself seem exceptional. Nice tactic."
He tossed the cloth aside and raised the ebony pistol, aiming it directly at her heart.
"But I believe in my weapons, and in my little ones."
"They'll ensure I leave Bilgewater safely, and take everything I want with me."
Sarah blew out a puff of acrid smoke, eyes narrowing.
"And what is it you want?"
"Do you think you can give it to me?"
Duke lowered the gun.
She shuddered. Being stared down that barrel felt like having a great white shark tracking her in the deep. Fear. Helplessness. Pure dread.
"Depends on what you're asking for. Every deal has a price."
By now, Sarah understood that Duke must need something from her. Otherwise, when she'd threatened him aboard the Siren's Call, he could've sunk her ship with one shot.
And there was something strange in his gaze, not lust, not aggression, but... curiosity? Recognition? Like an old friend seeing someone again for the first time.
Not the usual way men looked at her.
Sarah knew the power of her charm. She'd used it countless times to disarm men and rob them blind, sometimes of their heads, too.
But this boy? He didn't react at all.
She studied him again. No more than sixteen or seventeen. But calm. Calculating. Deep. Nothing like an impulsive, arrogant teen.
The mystery only deepened.
"What do I want?" Duke leaned back, folding his arms with a sly glint in his eyes.
Sarah leaned in slightly, resting her ample chest against the table.
"Name it. I can give you anything, if the price is right."
"What I want doesn't depend on what you have, Miss Fortune."
"It depends on what you're willing to give."
"Nicely said."
Sarah leaned back again, her arms folding as she held the cigar between her fingers.
"No one gives away everything they have. They just haven't heard the right price yet."
Duke pulled out a small case and set it on the table.
He had been preparing this ever since he knew he'd head to Bilgewater.
"With the right price, you can get anything."
"Then let's see if your price is high enough."
Sarah dragged the box toward her, flipped it open, and her smirk froze mid-face. A weight settled on her chest. Shock. Awe.
Clack!
She slammed the lid shut. Her breathing grew ragged. She stubbed out her cigar in the ashtray with a trembling hand.
"Where did you get this?"
"So? Is my offer high enough?"
Duke didn't answer.
Sarah rubbed her forehead.
"I should've known better... I got greedy. That's what put me on your damn ship."
"But you're already here," Duke said gently. "Aren't you?"
She opened the box again and stared inside with a burning gaze.
"A brand-new clockwork exoskeleton suit from Piltover... I've seen them, but never one so refined."
"The ones on the market are garbage, nerfed, locked down, stripped of all the good features."
Duke popped another malt candy.
"Those are outdated models. What you see here? Top of the line."
"Can you get me more?"
She tore her eyes away from the armor and looked at Duke, deadly serious.
Her supply lines were all blocked by Gangplank's forces. But with exosuits like this? She could finally get her revenge.
"Let's reintroduce ourselves."
Duke pointed to himself.
"Duke Sanchez. Creator of the clockwork exoskeleton."
"You built this?"
"Do I not look like it?"
He shrugged. Sarah rolled her eyes.
"You should've led with that. I wouldn't have wasted my breath."
"So what do you want, Duke? I'll help you with anything, so long as the goods keep coming."
"I'm worried you can't handle it."
"Tch. Quit being coy!" Sarah slapped the table. "Are you a man or not?!"
"Then I'll say it."
"Say it!"
Duke leaned in, eyes gleaming with boldness. A playful smile curled his lips.
"I want you."
End of chapter...
To be continued...
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