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The Revenge had dropped anchor in the cove ostensibly so that they could restock their freshwater and supplement the ship’s pantry with whatever foodstuffs were available on the island. It should have been a straightforward task and taken no more than a couple of hours. But then Stede happened upon the little glade in the forest.
“Oh, Ed! Isn’t it lovely?” His eyes shone with excitement as he surveyed the patchwork of color in the clearing. “This is a perfect spot for a picnic. Come on, let’s gather the crew. They’re likely ready for a break.” And who was Ed to say no?
That was how the crew of the Revenge found themselves in another impromptu crafting session, trying their hand at floristry this time. Stede had thought it would be fun for the crew to show their creativity using the flowers in the meadow, and despite the grumbling and more than one declaration that crafting with flowers was “stupid” and “not cool,” once Ed had glared at them, they had all fallen in line.
It turned out to be more fun than they had expected. Pete had found the tiniest blossoms and was attempting to fashion a flower ring for Lucius’ wooden finger, while Lucius sketched him hard at work. Oluwande and Jim were huddled together, Jim pointing out specific flowers and Oluwande adding them to an impressive floral display. Occasionally, Oluwande would tickle their nose with a bloom eliciting either a playful glare or a fond look, depending on their mood at that particular moment. Wee John, ever the artist, had made himself a lovely flower crown with trailing vines that he had found at the edge of the glade, and was helping Frenchie add floral accents to the strap of his lute. The Swede, also crowned in botanical splendor, had plopped an extra wreath atop Izzy’s head, and was gliding around the clearing, singing to himself. Izzy sat against a tree, sulking, but hadn’t put up much of a fight when Swede had gently placed the result of his hard work on his head, and had left it in place after Swede had wandered away. Roach had insisted that he wanted to make something practical, and had been weaving a set of mats using thick blades of grass.
As the co-captains sat nestled together observing their crew, Stede wove a flower crown of his own, and when it was complete, settled it atop Ed’s head, murmuring words of adoration: “You look positively radiant, dear… Like a woodland fairy princess… It complements the silver in your hair so beautifully…”
A pink to rival that of the meadow bloomed across Ed’s cheeks. “Thank you, love,” he said softly, bashfully. He plucked a single flower and tucked it behind Stede’s ear, and snuggled closer to his beloved.
The crew basked in the relaxing atmosphere of the glade until late afternoon. As the sun started to dip behind the trees, they made their way back to the beach and boarded the dinghies they had left there. Ivan and Fang greeted them as they came alongside the Revenge. Lucius and Pete had worked together to make a flower crown for Fang, who got a bit misty-eyed when they presented him with the gift. Ivan and Buttons said they didn’t need any flowers, but Wee John insisted they each take a small bouquet, and Buttons had seemed rather impressed with the small garland the Swede had crafted for Olivia.
That evening, as the Revenge sailed toward her next adventure, and Ed snored softly in their bed, Stede sat in his armchair, sipping his tea. He gazed at the flower crown that Ed had so carefully placed on the desk earlier, and smiled as he listened to the soft sounds of a lute drifting down from the deck. Today had been an unexpected success; he would definitely be adding crew arts and crafts to the weekly schedule.