Chapter Text
Mina ran along one of the promenade decks, tears streaming down her cheeks. She held her skirts bunched up in her hands as she ran, her fists clenched so tight she was amazed the fabric hadn't ripped. Her dark hair was disorderly, wisps free from their tight entanglement.
Marco leaned against the railing and gazed at the night sky, dark eyes scanning to see the constellations. Everything was so clear out at sea. A form bumped into his back, but before he saw who it was it was long gone. It didn't take him long to see who it had been though: the girl from before. No one else was on deck at the time. Why is she out here at this hour, let alone in such a distressed state?
Mina didn't stop running until she nearly flew into the railing of the stern of the ship, even when she tripped on the stairwell. Her breathing was hitched and ragged in the cool night air, the wind blowing her dress and hair in a multitude of directions. Without fully thinking about what she was doing, Mina hoisted her skirts up again and started to ascend the railing. It was slow and clumsy, but she finally made it over the top and down to the floor on the other side. Her pale hands were fastened to the rail as she let her arms stretch out, tipping her forward to cast her gaze onto the turbulence below. Her eyes were empty as she looked down, and she failed to notice the figure walking up behind her.
"What...are you doing?" the newcomer asked, his voice resonating on the abandoned deck. Mina turned her head sharply, taking a minute to focus.
"Why would it matter to you?" she hissed, her tear-filled eyes narrowing at the man behind her.
Marco didn't fail to notice the tear stains on her flushed cheeks. He stepped forward slowly, choosing his next words carefully. He held his left hand out. "Just take my hand; I'll pull you back in.."
"And why should I trust you? I'll jump if you take another step!"
"No, you won't," he replied. The girl's brows furrowed in confusion. He went on to explain, "If you were going to jump, you would have done it by now."
Mina wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand. "Just go away; you're distracting me."
"You know I can't do that now; I'm involved. You jump, I jump."
"Please, you're crazy. You'll be killed." The freckled male took off his overcoat and started to roll up his sleeves while she spoke.
He looked at her with a look of mock fear as he responded. "I'm a decent swimmer."
Marco was unlacing his boots by the time she spoke again. "The fall itself would kill you."
He smiled gently. "It's not the pain I'm worried about."
"Then what are you..worried about?"
"The cold; the water's freezing at this time of year."
As he spoke, the young woman looked down at the ebony ocean below. "H-how cold?"
"Maybe a couple above freezing? At warmest."
A shudder ran through Mina's body as she stared into the Atlantic's depths, turning her head only slightly. "W-what does it feel like?"
"Like a thousand knives puncturing your body at every angle imaginable." Another chill shot down her spine. "Which is why I don't really want to jump in after you. But, if you insist on it, then so do I."
"You're insane."
"Not the first time I've heard that. But with all do respect, miss, I'm not the one hanging off the back of a ship."
He took a couple steps closer, hand outstretched and full of caution. His dark eyes were trained on her. "You don't really want to do this, do you?"
She turned around slowly to fully look at him. "Okay, fine, you win.." she mumbled, reaching her hand out to catch his. She cast her gaze upward to meet his. Her dark orbs widened slightly as she caught his chocolate ones. 'Wow, he's not bad looking, is he?'
The corners of his mouth quirked in relief. "I'm Marco, Marco Bodt."
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bodt," Mina said, averting her eyes downward once again. Now that she thinks about it, this height is terrifying. She exhales shakily as she takes a step up to the first rail. Unfortunately, nothing could be easy. Her dress caught underneath her foot, and before she knew what was happening she was slipping on the rail entirely.
She shrieked desperately as Marco tightened his grip. His voice was gentle, calming. "Easy, easy..I won't let you fall." His muscles were straining as he finally managed to get her over the deck's railing. She fell with him in a heap, both breathing heavily.
Quartermaster Eibringer ran across the deck. "What on earth are you doing?!" He roughly pulled Marco off of Mina by the collar. From what he could tell, Marco had been all but kind to the young mistress. Two orderlies weren't far behind.
He turned his attention to the boy. "Don't you move." Turning his head to the seamen, Eibringer commanded, "Bring the Master at Arms."