[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/kRCo56A.png[/img][/center][color=B5B1CE]
[center][color=7998CE]Race:[/color] Tiefling
[color=77ADFF]Class: [/color] Ranger
[color=7998CE]Location:[/color] Pirate Island 
[color=77ADFF]Interactions:[/color] [@princess] Phia [color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [@Oso] Bastion / Pirates [color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [@samreaper] Menzai [color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [@FunnyGuy] Minerva 
[color=77ADFF]Equipment: [/color] 
[hider=Equipment List]
[color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] Traveler’s cloak [color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] Hidden [url=i.imgur.com/CqhXhFT.jpeg]daggers in boots[/url] [color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [url=i.imgur.com/8Ah0Mon.jpeg]Longbow with etched star markings and quiver[/url] [/hider]
[color=77ADFF]Attire:[/color]
[color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/4KHymg4]Outfit[/url] [color=D5E3ED]⋆[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/DJOOLrL]Hair[/url]
[color=7998CE]Gold Balance: [/color] ??
[color=77ADFF]Injuries:[/color] Scars on body, old chain marks on wrists, ankles and neck, tattoo on wrist with number
[/center][/color]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/YiESyYS.png[/img][/center][color=B5B1CE]

It was hell.

She had escaped one scenario only to end up in another one. Was she cursed? Was this her fault? Arya’s mind raced with questions. The compliment followed by the threat caused sparks to form around Arya. Flames licked her skin and promised to burn in front of her. Her gaze narrowed and her breathing slowed for a moment. 

The struggle to not reply back or hurl an insult took all her self control. Perhaps in her adolescence, she might have fought back; but now? Her stiffening caused Stella to tighten her talons and cock her head at her in wonder, though she remained quiet upon sensing her distress. Either way, Stella knew she was furious and was holding back.

The comment from Minerva caused Arya to glare at her. “He had picked her?” Confusion rose inside of her. Being picked meant terrible things would come her way. Then again, she could likely bear any hardships better than the others. They had not lived a decade of imprisonment like her. 

A branch nearly smacked her and she went to raise her arms, then the cruel reminder they were cuffed caused her to duck instead. Frustration and helplessness rose inside of her and she had to take several deep breaths. [color=77ADFF][i]Breathe in, breathe out. Box breathing, Arya.[/i][/color] 

The magic display did not impress her. Magic tricks such as theirs were a sight for sore eyes. She didn’t shudder and instead, remained poised and tall. Parlor tricks, as her mother would say Her bow tickled her back and for the first time in a while, she longed to use it for nefarious reasons. Her heart ached for her family. She scowled at the bugs attacking them and scowled more at the hot and humid jungle. Despite being cuffed, she could keep her footing. 

Her thoughts were interrupted because Minerva had now chosen Stella and her as companions. Why me, she wondered bitterly. Maybe she’s scared? All that gusto could’ve been to save face, perhaps. She glanced at her and sighed–the conversion was aimed at Stella, who couldn’t understand her. The conversation rattled on and as it did, so did Arya’s amusement and irritation. 

It was true that Stella had sharper eyes–Arya could confirm and learned to trust her instincts. Whatever the Principalities were was beyond the pair. Stella’s plumage was unique–a reason Arya had saved her. The Black Market was not a place for any animal, but especially Stella. The eagle ruffled her feathers indignantly and stared at the women. She nodded a few times and chipped back in response quietly, and enough to satisfy her hopefully, without drawing too much attention to themselves.

Arya went to reply, and inform “Peaches” that Stella could not reply when Phia’s upbeat spirit took a dive–both figuratively and literally. Arya inhaled and moved to assist yet, but Bastion intervened before the pirates could be malicious. The sight of the pair warmed her heart and she relaxed-only briefly. Trouble averted, now Minerva went back to her chatter. Arya remained quiet and stared ahead. Stella chirped back once or twice despite not knowing what she was saying.

Arya turned to “Peaches” Minerva and gave her a knowing look. [color=77ADFF]”Best friends,”[/color] she repeated incredulously, despite knowing each other for half a day. Was she actually friends with anyone here? What was it like having a friend? It had been so long and the thought of it both elated and upset her. [color=77ADFF]”…”[/color] She tried to speak but the sound did not come out. After having Stella threatened, Arya was afraid to reply back.

Then, as Peaches mentioned arriving, she whipped forward to look at what she meant. The smell of salt whiffed through her nostrils. The familiar rushing of waves and ocean before her caused tension to rise. Water–open water. Oh no, did they need to go in the ocean? Her stomach churned uncomfortably and she paled. 

The Pirates now allowed them to speak and ask questions. Arya bit her tongue before she replied smartly. First, Menzai spoke and Arya appreciated his forwardness-not a trait she possessed. She glanced at him and smiled sweetly. Unexpectedly, Meiyu materialized out of the jungle. Her arrival caused her to jump and whirl around with wide-eyes. Where had she learned to do that? As the women spoke, Arya listened. She tried to catch the women’s eye and say thank you, but there was not much opportunity. 

The invitation of questions caused Arya to swallow. She had them-plenty, maybe more than the pirates would want. The shackles were a cruel reminder of her past she had been hoping to escape. The terror and panic surging through her rendered her speechless. She tried to speak twice, but the words did not come out. Stella unfurled her wings and comforted her with them as best she could.

Arya finally squeaked out quietly. The tears threatened to flow but Arya bit them hard. [color=77ADFF]”What...What.. Do you want.. With us?”[/color] [/color]