First Night Aboard [Ludwig/Feliciano/Crew]

[orewadoitsusei]

Ludwig had settled down for the night, idly reading a book in his cabin and humming an old German lullaby. The Kapitan would have laughed if he knew, but it was a way to calm himself so that he could sleep.

Is Feliciano sleeping? He wondered, looking up from his book as the sheer strangeness of that thought. Why was he thinking of Feliciano, of all people? Why did he even care?

The first night in a new place is never easy, His inner voice reminded him. You couldn’t sleep your first night aboard the Imperial Eagle, either, could you?

“No,” he answered himself aloud. “I couldn’t.” Because his inner voice was right. The first night in a new place was always disorienting and frightening. And there was always the bit of exhilaration at knowing that adventure lay ahead…That, too. Such emotions kept even the strongest of men up at night, and certainly Feliciano would be no exception.

“I should go check on him, shouldn’t I?”He didn’t need his inner voice to answer that one. With a small sigh, he climbed out of his chair and made his way to Feliciano’s quarters. The man was awake, just as he expected.

“How are you doing, Herr Feliciano?” he asked with what he hoped was a reassuring smile (but was actually more of a grimace). “The first night aboard is difficult for everyone…It is only natural.

“But, if you cannot sleep, would you like to come with me to the deck?” he offered, holding out his hand for the Italian. “Surely some fresh air would help calm you. The sky is beautiful, too…so clear this time of night…”

[nyo]

This was...mildly irritating-an emotion that wouldn't have seemed all that strange to a normal person , but was an extreme abnormality compared to Feliciano's normally happy personality.

He'd been lying in the same spot on the cot, eyes closed and awake. His brain and his internal clock both told him that something was wrong with this fact-but his body didn't seem to want to agree with them.

In the few hours that that he'd been there, Feliciano had managed to cover to completely cover the room in the few belongings he'd brought on board with him. Not that his quarters were very large mind you-though that might have been normal for ships, not like he'd really know, seeing as he hadn't actually been on one before-but it was still quite a feat by any means.

After what felt like an eternity-but in actuality couldn't have been more than a few minutes-he dragged himself up and started pacing. He could always go outside, he was pretty sure no one had said he had to stay in the room. But then he's wake someone up-and then they'd be angry, and then they'd yell at him. But maybe if he was quiet...

He was dragged out of this thought process by the arrival of someone else in the room...maybe he should have locked that door...nah, probably not.

“Vee Ludwig~” He grinned happily at the German first mate. “I'd really like that!~” He replied delightedly delightedly, taking the offered hand and following Ludwig up to the deck.

[orewadoitsusei]

Ludwig noticed his face was beginning to feel uncomfortably warm as Feliciano took his hand and began to follow him. He considered letting go, but decided it would be rude and unnecessary. After all, who said it had to mean anything? He was merely trying to help a new crew member, nothing more.

There was a beautiful full moon that night, and no clouds to cover it or the stars that twinkled merrily. As always, Ludwig was awed by the beauty of the sky, though he'd seen it this way many times before. "Do you see, Feliciano? Beautiful, ja?"