[IC] Pirates Vs Mermaids

[Chenzor]

"Great! At least one of them accepts, ay cap'n?"Balon said with a smile and nudged Blythe. "You should all stay, if you ask me, but that's up to you of course!" The feeling he felt earlier about this maybe clearing up slowly started to fade, however. He couldn't help but think that if this island was populated with suspicious and maybe even hostile mermaids, sooner or later one of these "misunderstandings" might turn into a conflict. Meaning Balon would have to use his sword to harm those he wouldn't want to harm. Maybe even these girls. He shuddered at the thought. He remembered his service with the royal guard... His superior had ordered him to execute a woman for stealing. He was as mad as the dictator, Balon had thought. He had no choice then. He slew the innocent woman and left at the first available opportunity.
Her teary eyes still haunted him to this day, and now he saw them in the eyes of the mermaids. They all had beautiful eyes, Balon thought... But the memories lingered. He thought about what it would mean if he would have to slay the white-haired girl... Would he be able to? And if so, afterwards would he still stay at this island? Would he flee again, run away from his own wrong-doings?

No. He wouldn't let a conflict break out between them and the mermaids. There has to be a way to live in peace. There must be!
Realizing he had been looking at Leo for a little too long, Balon blinked, stood up straight and hoped she hadn't noticed. He cleared his throat quietly and resumed his smirking. Hopefully nobody had noticed at all...

[bravewolfd]

"I agree, you should all stay with us. It'll be fun and we can put all this behind us." In truth Blythe did not trust the mermaids to separate. While these ones were easier to handle in a fight Blythe had heard of giant merfolk. Some were crossed with whales and others with colossal squids. If were to retreat back to their kingdom and bring reinforcements then he couldn't promise a low number of casualties. Even the normal sized merfolk were known for their admirable fighting skills. "Luz I'll let you start dinner. I'll head back home and wait for you there." Blythe started to walk home and Drake sat in the dirt listening to everyone's conversations.

[CLIW]

"Now, I could use a little help gathering some ingredients for dinner," said Luz. "I figure that since you mermaids are familiar with the island, you know what plants are edible and what ones aren't. Would I be right in that assumption?" She was still quite nervous, especially with the one named Leo around, but a little glancing from her to Balon told her that they were at least on good terms. Hopefully then it was safe to say that the white-haired woman wouldn't attack one of his crewmates.

She spoke at Gwen, now. "I'd love to make up for my very stupid decision of hauling you over here in a net. So if you'd like to stay for dinner, you get extra dessert. And surprisingly, my desserts don't involve insects or their larvae."

[FaeFae]

So, Blythe was their leader, that explained a lot. They weren't malicious, they were just ignorant. "I accept." Amphi always accepts food. food doesn't do confusing things, food is too busy being delicious. She looked to Leo "I am the only one of us here who isn't injured, and I AM the mermaid who knows the island the best." Amphi had calmed down, now that she had a goal and something to do. It was always her belief that talking something out was the best way to go about things anyways. "I'll go get some things to add," She glanced around...seeing all the humans there." Though I might need help carrying things back...there are a lot of people to feed." Amphi felt more at ease now, They seemed sorry enough, especially Luz. That and they outnumbered them greatly but still haven't tried to hurt them really. Amphi looked but to Leo" You should really go see the doctor...You look awful."

[Tip]

Gwen relaxed a little at Leo's soothing words. "You should all stay, if you ask me, but that's up to you of course!" Sensing peoples emotion was the thing Gwen was best at, and she could sense a hint of suspicion in the one she learned to be Balon's words. Then their 'leader' spoke up. "I agree, you should all stay with us. It'll be fun and we can put all this behind us." Here, too, she could hear uncertainty. She began to squirm; she was feeling uncomfortable, even more so when the red-headed woman spoke directly to her. "I'd love to make up for my very stupid decision of hauling you over here in a net. So if you'd like to stay for dinner, you get extra dessert. And surprisingly, my desserts don't involve insects or their larvae." Great. What was she supposed to say, 'Sorry I don't trust you so I won't come'? Come on, Gwen, think. Amphi spoke up and of course she accepted at the mention of food. Trust her. She began twiddling her fingers, took a deep breath and muttered, "I can't come. I... I... I must meet Queen Helena, but let Poseidon bless you all." Smooth, Gwen. She smiled quickly at Leo and Amphi before walking away and diving into the ocean. Assuming her tentacles again, she swam surprisingly fast. As she swam she prayed, Sorry Helena if you heard my excuse, but it saved my skin. Those humans are dodgy, and I don't want involvement. Gwen swam near the surface, flipping and jumping as she went. She got out at an island, and with a pop, assumed her human legs. She jumped into a hot spring, leaned back and relaxed, shutting her eyes and blocking out everything apart from nature's sounds.

[Cyanide Sweetie]

Leo brushed off Amphis concern, stubbornly scrubbing the back of her hand across her forehead to defer the blood from getting in her eye. She frowned as Amphi as she happily agreed to go off with Luz to help her gather food for dinner scowling at her best friend she wanted to tell her how much of a not good idea she thought that was but she didn't want to offend the humans. She watched as Gwen shoulders stiffened, standing up suddenly she blurted an excuse flipped around and stiffly walked to the beach, Leo stepped over, covering Gwens exit. Good atleast she was out of harms way!! Leo glanced over at Balon, he was looking at her but he had a far away look in his eyes and she could tell he was a million miles from here, suddenly he blinked and his eyes came into focus and he looked away. She looked at him curiously and then looked at the humans surrounding her wondering what would happen next. what would she do while Amphi and Luz took off to find food? She took a deep breath and tried not to be too worried for her friend, it didnt help that she feared that Amphi would be too over trusting with the female human and tell her all about the merefolk.

[bravewolfd]

Drake grabbed a long stick and used it to support his leg. "What do you make of these people Balon? You don't think they'll force us back to the dictator's clutches, right?" Drake dreaded the thought of going back there watching his friends be slaughtered for breaking petty laws such as not bowing in the leader's presence or being short on taxes. He didn't care if this land did belong to the mermaids, he wasn't about to give it up. Looking up at Leo he frowned before saying, "I can take you to our doctor if you'd like. Balon will even carry you there." He really hated having to be hospitable to his enemy, but captain's orders.

"What? They have been discovered by the humans? Oh dear me, what if they are knights of the dictator? They could be filleted or raped or worse!" Helena was pacing back and forth. "Even if they aren't knights they could still be in grave danger. Humans are all disgusting creatures. I have no choice... Dylan, save our girls and crush all the pirates." Dylan had been listening to her through a window in the underwater castle. He was the cross between the extinct shark Megadalon and one of the few merfolk willing to kill.
"Are you sure that's a wise choice my queen? Seems a bit early to~"
"I said go Dylan!" Flashes of her old days of being a slave converted her reason into fear.

[CLIW]

Luz gave a friendly half-smile to Amphi and stood, clearly impatient at the conversation. Addressing the mermaid, she said, "If you're not comfortable being alone with me--which I completely understand--I wouldn't mind at all if you wanted to go off and collect things on your own. Just be sure to tell me how to identify them, if it isn't too much trouble." She was obviously very eager to get started learning the tricks of finding good food on this island, and this was shown when she set off at a brisk pace. The truth was that the living things here, mermaids included, fascinated her. In fact, not surprisingly, she thought that all of the mermaids here, despite the injuries and hostility of Leo and the unfortunate mistake of bagging Gwen in a net, were quite beautiful.

But she wasn't going to admit that, yet.

[Chenzor]

"What do you make of these people Balon? You don't think they'll force us back to the dictator's clutches, right?" Drake asked him suddenly. Balon blinked. "Well when that one pounced me in the hot springs I thought at first she was an assassin... But clearly it was all just a misunderstanding." he responded, nodding at Leo. He realized however that Leo had realized him staring at her. Curses! he thought. "I can take you to our doctor if you'd like. Balon will even carry you there." Balon blinked. Carry her? By Blythe's beard why would he do that? He'd never refuse to carry such a beautiful person but come on, that's too easy. "Come now, Drake, I don't think such a strong warrioress needs a man to carry her around. I'll escort her to the Doctor's hut." he said, an offer. He looked at Leo and gestured his hand towards the settlement, as if to say "Ladies first", but also as if to say "If you want? Yes? No?".

[bravewolfd]

The giant shark man has changed into his human form. His was as tall as the palm trees on the beach. Hi couldn't traverse easily through the forest so he had to walk along the beach. Dylan eventually made it to the hot springs and found a relaxing Gwen in the water. He had a mischevious smile and began to creep up on her. "RAWR!" he yelled.

Drake's walking stick broke when he started to head back to the town. He looked at Balon with puppy dog eyes. "If you won't carry her then could you carry me?" He held onto his leg acting as if it was in a lot more pain than it actually was to fetch more sympathy.

[FaeFae]

Amphi giggled, she could see Luz's excitement about finding food. Finding food wasn't that difficult, It was everywhere if you knew what you were doing. She watched as she set off and grinned "Do you even know where your going?" She started to walk towards the shore " Come on, there's a good place this way." She didn't want to bring them deep into the forest, not yet anyways. she barely knew them...and the others would flip out. Amphi wanted to find out more about them, and what they were running from. Best to keep close for now. Plus Amphi knew something way better than grubs. She looked over her shoulder to see if Luz had decided to follow her.

[Cyanide Sweetie]

Leo watched as Balon and Blythe conversed quietly, but was distracted by Amphi skipping off with the human female. Be careful friend. She swung her attention back to Blythe when he asked where if she could like Balon to carry her. Her eyes darted to him...his strong well developed tattooed(?) arms sparkled with the dew from the hot spring. SHe flushed looking away guiltily, ."U-uh no! No! I dont need any help. I am perfectly capable of walking, thank you" She strutted off in the direction Balon waved trying to clear her head.

[Chenzor]

Indeed, Balon's arms were tattooed. Vines, thorns, roses, skulls, swords and other thuggish motives adorned his sleeves, but one tattoo stood out. On his left shoulderblade there was a compass, brilliantly decorated with flowers and a crown on top. It appears in the middle of the compass some sort of symbol had once been, but a long scar cut through the tattoo from upper left to lower right, making it hard to make out what the symbol had once been.

Smiling politely as Leo agreed to let him escort her (but not carry her) he walked with her toward's the doctor's hut. With Drake as well, who managed to break his walking stick. Rolling his eyes, Balon met Drake's puppyeyed gaze. "If you won't carry her then could you carry me?" He asked, and Balon responded with a grunt. "Fine. If it weren't for you weighing just ten pounds I'd say no, but you're not exactly a sack of potatoes." He said, playfully mean. He grinned and lifted Drake over his shoulder so that he'd dangle helplessly like a 'sack of potatoes'. "To the doctor's hut we go!"
Balon laughed almost the entire way there.

[bravewolfd]

Once the trio got to the doctor's hut Leo was bandaged. Drake slept inside his own home letting his leg heal. It had scabbed over and only hurt upon contact now. Blythe visited the doctor's hut to see if Leo was better. "Ah, no longer bleeding I see, fantastic. While we wait for Luz to get back with Amphi and the ingredients for dinner why don't you make sure the Lass doesn't get bored." He said looking at Balon. Blythe thought the mermaid to be beautiful and hated to see her lovely skin stained in blood. "Balons a fun guy miss, he'll show you a good time."

[Cyanide Sweetie]

As Leo marched to the healing tent she glanced back at the guys just in time to see, rough-scoundral-bad-boy Balon throw the cute little blonde human over his shoulder. As Balon walked Drake bounced, his rear in the air, it may of been Leos imagination but she could of swore she saw Drakes bottom lip poking out in a pout. Turning back around she tried to smother a giggle at how ridiculus the humans looked. Her giggle was replaced by Balons much louder, charming laughter, he was quiet enjoying making the other human uncomfortable. Leo rolled her eyes smiling. Ducking into the medical tent Leos smile faded, as she goot antsy about the humans medicene and the unknown affect it could have on her. "Just a bandage, please."She murmered at the person who walked up to her, assuming that they were the residential doctor. They patched up her head as she watched someone else take care of Drakes leg, as soon as they were finished they escorted Drake back to his tent to rest. The only familiar face left was Balons. She parted her lips to speak to him but then the captain popped in, speaking to her, "Ah, no longer bleeding I see, fantastic. While we wait for Luz to get back with Amphi and the ingredients for dinner why don't you make sure the Lass doesn't get bored." His eyes seemed to scan her face, "Uh, yes. Thabk you. Your cloth bandages work almost as well as our Kelp ones." Though Amphi hadn't been gone for long Leo couldn't help but worry about her. She also wondered if Gwen had made it home saftley. Leo looked at him inquisitively when he mentioned Balon keeping her company. You would think that with her being a member of the vaguely hostile opposing race of this island that the leader of their people would want to stay and entertain her himself. Not that she minded Balon, at least she had a wierd make shift sort of familiarity with him."Balons a fun guy miss, he'll show you a good time." Leos mouth dropped open, it may of just been the captains silky charismatic voice but that statement deffinitly sounded suggestive to her, she wasn't sure what humans deemed entertainment but the way the captains voice had purred had her mind running wild. Shocked Leos only reaction was her spine stiffening and her barley resisting the urdge to fan herself as it got notably ten degrees hotter in the tent.

[CLIW]

Luz followed Amphi with a cheerful smile and not the slightest bit of hesitation. "I very much appreciate your help, ma'am, unless you're going to poison us, in which case, I'm the only one you're going to kill because I'll test anything suspicious." She gave the mermaid a thoughtful look. She looked nice, friendly, had cool clothes and nice legs, and was understandably giving off nervous vibes. "Anything you'd like to tell me about yourself?" she asked, deciding that it was a much better conversation starter than You better not try to murder my crew.

[FaeFae]

Amphi shrugged "Not much to tell i'm afraid. I've always lived here, and i help take care of the island." She glanced back and smiled "Speaking of that, i have a bit of advice, when you're gathering food for the crew, make sure to use as many different things as possible. If you use only one thing until it runs out, soon you wont have any at all. Especially with how many people you've got." Amphi stopped abruptly and picked up a sturdy stick." Watch closely." She walked over to the water edge until just her feet were covered. Then she yelled " I'M GOING CLAMMING NOW SO ANYONE WHO DOESN'T WANT TO GET EATEN BETTER SCRAM!" She grinned at Luz,"it's best to announce around the water to avoid..mistakes." Amphi started to vigorously dig in the sand with the stick and yanked something out. She held out a tan and white shell that was twice the size of her hand and said " This is a clam, i'm not sure if you had these where you came from but they are great! A good amount settles on this shore. What do you think, will these do?"

[Chenzor]

Balon simply stood, arms crossed as he watched Drake and Leo get patched up. When Drake was taken to his home to rest, it was just Balon and Leo left in. THe air was a bit awkward and he could almost feel her being nervous. She opened her mouth to speak just before the captain popped in to interrupt her. "Ah, no longer bleeding I see, fantastic. While we wait for Luz to get back with Amphi and the ingredients for dinner why don't you make sure the Lass doesn't get bored." said Blythe. Balon nodded in response. "Of course cap'n."
"Balons a fun guy miss, he'll show you a good time." Balon covered his face with his palm. He just knew Blythe was gonna say something like that. After he left, Balon turned to Leo who was now blushing... A lot. "He's just a jokester. I'm sure he didn't mean anything... suggestive." Great. Now it's even more awkward. "But hey... You managed to faceplant the rocks, what, three times? Is it some sort of secret martial art of the mermaids?" he asked, smirking.

[Cyanide Sweetie]

He's just a jokester. I'm sure he didn't mean anything... suggestive." leos tension eased as she saw how awkward Balon got, facepalming in the captians wake. In what leo assumed to be an attempt of diffusing the situation Balon smirked.But hey... You managed to faceplant the rocks, what, three times? Is it some sort of secret martial art of the mermaids?" She know she should take the comment offinsivly but for some reason she didnt see Balons teasing as degrading. Instead she teased back, "Twice, actually. And the first time i had a little help." She winked at him. "I don't count Amphis affection as an assult, even though i did smack my head a little. While amphis extreme attention is a normal occurance for me, I'm not usually such a ditz! Its not esspecially a Mere trait."
"What about you? Tell me, Boloney do you go around knocking girl's shells off butt-ass naked often?" She flashed her dimples at him. Honestly she was suprised with herself. Suprised at how easily she relaxed, speaking very familirarly with the human. She decided to blame it on the loss of blood and not let it bother her.

[CLIW]

"Wow!" said Luz with a grin. "I really owe you one. I don't think the crew would be so happy with me if I brought back grubs." She picked up a stick and weighed it in her hands a little to gauge its strength. Then she knelt in the sand and copied Amphi, and soon she had dug up a few clams herself. "We had these back on the mainland, but... well, only the rich people really had them. I stole one, one time, thought it was super tasty. Hopefully the crew back there will agree."

She fell into a deep fit of thought. What to serve them with? Will this be enough? Should I make enough for leftovers? Will there be enough sugar for dessert?....