Vetting

Ava felt her pins behind her eyelids and rubbed them before bringing herself to knock on Theo's door. She was so tired it was hard to stay awake. She hadn't slept at all, staying up all night worrying about her moral dilemma. She laid in her hammock all night, morning, and aftermorning up until it was time to meet Theo. The longer she laid in her hammock, the worse she felt about not coming clean. For hours she had switched tracks and started to try and find a way to explain herself, willing to come clean and take the risk. As the meeting came closer, she began to grow increasingly more anxious. She couldn't come clean, could she? She was at an impasse. No sleep and she still had no answers.

She heard Xyra call from the other side that it was open and Ava let herself in. Tuni, Xyra, and Theo were all in the room. Ava directed a smile and a wave at Tuni who returned it with glee. Ava was motioned to take a seat and she did.

"You look tired," Tuni pointed out, "Have you not been getting sleep?

Ava cursed Tuni for that. What if they figured out she hadn't slept from nerves, "Not last night. I was getting cramps in my legs."

It was the truth, she had been.

"Make sure to stay hydrated. You've been out in the sun for a long time and your body is probably not used to that. Come by my place and I'll give you something to take at night for the cramps," Tuni offered.

"Of course, thank you Tuni," Ava said, then fixed her attention on a waiting Theo.

"Thank you for joining us on your day off," Theo noted politely, even though Ava didn't have much of a choice, "I'll let Xyra go over some details before I jump in with the questions. Good?"

Ava nodded that she understood.

"Right, I am going to be recording your answers. Tuni is here to bear witness to make sure I accurately record your answers. She is also here in the case that you feel uncomfortable or pressured, she can escort you out for a breath of air. The questions we are asking you are from a list of standard vetting questions we ask everyone. You are not being singled out or made to produce specific answers. This is just for your safety and ours, understood?" Xyra droned on in a monotone voice like she had repeated the phrase so many times she couldn't be bothered.

Ava nodded that she understood.

"Let's get started then," Theo flashed Ava a reassuring smile and looked at the paper in front of her. Ava noted that the writing was in Aelizan, "Can you state your full name?"

This was her decision time. She had fully prepared for whichever way she decided to go but now she was finally forced to come to a decision. She looked at Theo, who had a warm and inviting smile on her face, and felt guilt. There was no way she could come clean, not now. She wanted to cherish at least a little more time with the girls, and Theo before they saw her in a different light. It was selfish, she was intentionally hiding something from a crew that had welcomed her with open arms. She pushed her guilt aside and did what Cooker had said, calmed the fuck down. She took a deep breath and began.

"Ava Ableworth."

She heard scribbling.

"Where are you from?"

"Metramir," Ava answered easily. She had visited the Ableworth family there many times.

"Who did you live with before?" Theo asked.

"My family."

"What was the reason for leaving your home? Were you in any danger?"

"I wasn't in any danger," Ava said. It was true. Technically she was in danger because of the raid but that was not the question, "I left home because I was to be married off."

Theo looked down at the paper, "Did you get into any trouble between leaving home and finding the ship?"

"No. I almost got kidnapped but Xyra saved me."

"Did you engage in any illegal activity?"

"No," Ava said, "I did have to steal a loaf of bread from a vendor who wouldn't sell to me but I don't think he sent anyone to hunt me down for the copper I owed."

"You can never be too careful," Theo said with a serious tone, "I can't take that risk. I'm sorry Ava. We can't take you on."

Ava went to say something but no words would form. She had prepared for many different scenarios but not that one. She was scrambling to find the words to say when Theo's serious demeanor lifted and she laughed.

"I'm fucking with you, Red," Theo said and Ava forced a small laugh, "I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd take me seriously."

Ava accepted the apology with a nod. Hoping her shock and her nerves didn't give her away.

"Will anyone come looking for you?"

"No," Ava replied honestly. She was dead to her family, literally.

"In the event of your death, a person designated by you will get a sum of money to help with whatever financial burdens your passing may have caused and they will also receive all your remaining personal items and any money you left. Is there someone you would like to designate at this time?" Xyra chimed in.

"Not at this time, no," Ava admitted and that was quite sad to hear. If she died there would be no one to mourn her.

"I think that's all," Theo stated and looked around to get confirmation from Tuni and Xyra that all was in order. They both gave their blessings to end the process, "Great. Thanks for complying so easily, Ava. You're in, the only thing you need to focus on now is settling into a job so you can get the votes."

"That was all?" Ava asked, trying not to show her relief at the fact that was in the clear. She was annoyed at how she stayed up all night for about five questions but the happiness she felt about it being over outweighed the annoyance.

"There were no warning signs with your answers. You are free to go," Theo confirmed that Ava was done, "See you at training."

"Is it okay if I skip out today?" Ava asked.

"Cramps," Theo remembered, "get some rest and go check in with Tuni later. We want to make sure you are staying healthy."

"I can do all of those things," Ava said with the cheeriest grin she could manage. She waved her goodbyes and returned to the lower decks. Her hammock felt more inviting than it ever had and she sunk in. Her eyelids still pricked her even with them closed but she ignored it, willing herself to sleep. Her body relaxed, tension from the anticipation was dissipating. Ava felt relaxed but a nagging tightness in her chest reminded her of the lies she was weaving and guilt was all she could think about. Eventually, her physical state outweighed her mental one and sleep overcame her.

----------------------

Theo was up early, Navi having woken her up before dawn to let Theo know they had docked in Clabonne. The night before, Ava never re-emerged from the lower decks. She had gone to sleep and abandoned Theo for the night, it was fine and Theo in no way, shape, or form missed Ava. Ava's absence meant Theo fell asleep shortly after dinner. She graced the crew with her presence for a bit while she ate and then passed out in her quarters. Theo was well-rested for the first time in a while.

She decided to take advantage of the calmness that had come over the ship in the early morning hours. No one was awake and the sun had yet to break, it was Theo's favorite time to be out. As they traveled away from the center of Baethos and up towards the north, the cold was starting to settle in. It was that time of length where if you traveled far north enough, they might have been blessed with a beautiful snowfall. Theo much preferred the North in the warmer months but cool weather was a nice change. It wasn't too cold in Clabonne, too south to make a significant difference this time of length. However, in the mornings before the sun rose to warm things up there was a bit of a bite to the air. She threw on a heavy black coat and walked outside.

Theo walked to the bow of the ship and slowly began to climb up on the highest surface she could. The wind was present but not strong, it just gave Theo a bit of a chill. She could see Clabonne in the distance, only the shadow of the town could be seen in the dark. They would have to rowboats to get to shore but it wouldn't be too much of an ordeal that day, Clabonne was pretty dull and her crew usually didn't get down. Clabonne was not open to pirates outright but as long as they maintained order they would be fine with anchoring offshore.

Theo and Xyra had a busy day ahead of them. There were no leads to find, a 15,000 gold package having already been secured in their hold but Theo still had to pass by her contact's place. She needed to get as much information on the missing pirates as she could. Big names were the one disappearing and that meant it was a direct threat to Theo, one of the biggest names in pirating. Not only that but pirates were able to command such control over the Baethan seas due to the fear they instilled in people. Word of pirates being able to be defeated or many of them going missing appeared weak and could threaten their delicate position on the water. Theo also had debts to collect and businesses to check on in Clabonne.

She stood on the bow, reveling in the sound of the waves crashing up against the ship's sides. Theo closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh, cold air. She heard footsteps on the deck and looked below her. A redheaded figure appeared at the entrance to the lower decks and Theo saw as Ava reacted to the cold air. Ava, who was sporting a short-sleeved, loose shirt immediately brought her hands up to rub her arms, trying to create some warmth. Theo watched as Ava scurried back into the deck and then came back out. This time, a thin shawl around her. Ava aimlessly walked around the deck, peering over the sides of the ship to try and catch a glimpse of Clabonne.

In the dark, Ava couldn't see the dark figure lurking in the shadows on the top of the ship. Only when Ava's eyes peered up to look at the sky did she catch a glimpse of the Captain watching from above. Ava jumped back and put a hand on her heart, she was too scared to even scream. Theo laughed from her spot on the bow and started to climb down. She stopped when she was at the edge of the roof of Tuni's infirmary and she bent down, extending her hand out.

"Come on up, Red," Theo encouraged and Ava spurred into action. She climbed on top of a box and Theo gave her instructions on the best way to climb up. When Ava was within reach, Theo grabbed her arm and helped pull her up.

"Good Morning, Captain," Ava greeted with a smile once she had both feet planted on solid ground, "You are up early."

"As are you," Theo rebutted.

"I slept through half the aftermorning, visited Tuni, then went back to sleep for the entire night. My body was fed up with sleep," Ava explained.

"Aye, I went to bed early too. I didn't have your company to keep me awake," Theo teased.

"It's not like it's kept you awake any of these days anyway," Ava poked fun at Theo, who would always refuse to acknowledge she had fallen asleep, "How is your shoulder?"

"Are you training to take Tuni's spot?" Theo laughed, "I am fine. It's getting better. Doesn't hurt as much anymore."

"Good," Ava nodded and tried to wrap the shawl tighter around her, a strong gust of wind chilling her, "Fuck, it's cold. Aren't we in Safriti?"

"Aye," Theo took off her coat and draped it over Ava's shoulders, "The bottom of Safriti doesn't get too cold but once we start coming up a little North it starts to set in."

"I haven't bought anything warm. This was all I had," Ava noted with a click to her tongue, "Are there good stores here for warm clothes?"

"I'm sure you would be able to find something but I wouldn't recommend you debark," Theo said, looking out onto the city.

"What?" Ava tilted her head, confused, "Why? Is it dangerous?"

Theo shrugged, "Not dangerous for you but it'll probably be uncomfortable and you won't be able to buy anything."

"Why's that? I can't afford it?"

"Because you are from Elox. They won't sell to you. I can get you a coat though," Theo offered but Ava was far less concerned about a coat. She couldn't get down?

"I don't understand. How would they know I'm from Elox," Ava asked and Theo stared at her like Ava was supposed to know the answer.

"Uh, right you are serious. I don't know how to put it," Theo bit her lip and took a deep breath trying to decide how to describe it, "Skinny, red hair, tall, and fair."

"They won't sell to me because of my skin color," Ava asked, incredulously.

"I never said that. I said they won't sell to you because you are from Elox and they know you are from Elox because of your skin color," Theo corrected.

"Because of what Eloxians did? That was solved 21 classifications ago," Ava asked, she hadn't read any of what Theo was saying in her book. She felt herself getting defensive over this and she didn't know why. She wasn't blind to the fact that Elox and Eloxians had caused a lot of damage to Baethos but it wasn't like she had a role in that. Again, it was 21 classifications ago.

"Safriti seceded 21 classifications ago but even then they've been at the mercy of Eloxians since the beginning. Secession didn't stop their mistreatment either. They've been under Elox and The Center's thumb this whole time," Theo tried to pull back from a lecture but she was already on a roll. Passion building up in her chest. If there was one thing she knew how to do, it was to scold an Eloxian. Even Ava could not be spared.

"There are patrols and army outposts in every village, town, and city in Safriti. Eloxian patrols that beat them, indiscriminately jail them, make examples of them in front of their families. They do it on a whim too, not because a Safritian did something particularly egregious or illegal but because they can," Theo elaborated, crossing her arms over her chest and faced Ava full-on, "The hatred Safritians have in their hearts from Eloxians is nowhere near the hatred Eloxians have for Safritians. They have no political say in anything that happens to them. Their somewhat stable trade relationship was always being threatened because of Nefriti's refusal to treat them fairly and equally and Elox sends hordes of soldiers to incarcerate and lockdown entire cities if The Center even gets a whiff of rebellious talk."

Ava stared at Theo as she spoke, clinging onto every word she said. When Theo put it that way it made sense. But still, to kick out and keep a whole group of people away because of where they were from seemed wrong. Weren't Efritians doing the same thing that Eloxians did to them 42 classifications before?

"Keeping Eloxians out seems counterproductive to their goal of equality though," Ava pointed out.

Theo chuckled a bit grimly, "Safritians are not interested in equality anymore. There is no end in sight for that fight so they've resigned to protecting themselves. Eloxians still do live in Safriti, ones that were here before the split and were allowed to stay. Eloxians are allowed to visit. Some do. Some places though, like Clabonne, aren't fond of visitors from your parts. They won't kick you out but they won't serve you either. They'll probably pretend they are closing up shop to avoid it. Even talking to you is dangerous."

"How would that be dangerous?" Ava asked, she was understanding everything Theo said but then Theo would tack on some comment that Ava didn't get and another series of questions would pop into her head.

"You are talking to a Safritian street vendor. A patrolman sees you and asks if you are okay. You say you are fine. He takes offense that you are just fine and not more than fine. He decides to accuse the shopkeeper of making your time at his stall undesirable and traumatizing. The shopkeeper is arrested and his stand is destroyed," Theo laid out a scenario. "Patrolmen abuse their power. Unprovoked attack from a soldier to a citizen could lead to a small rebellion within the city but if the soldiers faked provocation, they can do anything."

"I understand what you are saying but we can't deal in hypotheticals or that is all our lives will be ruled by," Ava shot back, having heard that multiple times from her tutor.

"Aye, I agree," Theo shrugged, "That is why I did not present a hypothetical."

That shut Ava up real quick. She did not have a rebuttal for Theo. If her mere presence would cause harm, then the situation in Safriti was far direr than her book had written. Even in a historically accurate piece of writing, the truth was still toned down. True information could only spread through word of mouth and that was not sustainable. Ava felt bad about the defensiveness, not being able to go to shore was nothing compared to living in fear for entire generations.

"Do Cooker, Morgana, Pearl, and Xyra get down?" Ava asked.

"Only Cooker is Eloxian. The other three do because it is easy to spot they are not from Elox. I mean, look at them," Theo laughed to herself and Ava did not understand what was funny. Ava hadn't traveled enough to get a profile of what kinds of people lived where.

"But do they get down?"

"Aye," Theo looked back out at the city, sun beginning to peek out from the horizon, "Cooker has a unique relationship with a lot of the places we visit in Safriti. It's taken lengths of gaining trust and being respectful. Plus, she was so young when she left there that it's hard to consider her Eloxian."

Ava had run out of questions so she just nodded to acknowledge she had heard Theo and stayed silent. Her gaze was focused on the colors that were starting to light up the sky.

"I didn't mean to come across rude," Theo admitted, sounding apologetic, "It's just, that kind of thinking is why harm continues to come to places like Safriti. Eloxians come here none the wiser and cause destruction in their wake."

"Elox is the enemy," Ava said, more for herself than anything. Realization creeping in. Not only was her family hated because they were on the council but they also came from the most hated place in Baethos. While Eloxians sat in their large houses and laughed about the current drama of upper society, they were suppressing the livelihoods of countless others.

"Pretty much the summary of our history," Theo tacked on.

They fell silent, both of them thinking about the realities of the world they lived in. Both of them feeling the weight of helplessness settle in and nag at their brains.