(Couldn't think of anything else to name it. -shrug-)

So yeah, you can read it an all, just so not allowed to post. Only posting to be done is by me, Kya Katsumi: or Kry:.

My basic outline of char-

Name: Mei-Lein
Age:23
Mini History: Mei-Lein is considered a princess among the other girls who are currently being escorted by ship to their new husbands in England, as a bid for peace among the Orient and the British. Her father is a very wealthy, very powerful merchant and businessman, enabling her to have her own cabin and personal guard while on the ship.

Name: Deshi
Age: 20
Mini History: Deshi is an orphan and a thief. He used to get caught, a lot, as he grew up, but quickly got better.

:yumeh2::feesh::vicky::boogie::squee:

It was a rather extravagent ship, something large with plenty of rooms. Well cared for woods, neat paint. One of her father’s rather large and decorated merchant ships, one she never cared to remember the name of. She missed her father dearly right now. It had been a few months now since she’d last seen him, the day she’d boarded the ship to sail away from him, from her home, her childhood. As soon as the ship reached the port in England and she took her first step on the English soil, she could never return to her family. It had been that thought that plagued her many nights during the first month, it kept her awake in the middle of the night, cleaning the tears from her face.

Mei-Lein sighed as she set her ink brush down, done writing on the rice paper scroll. Leaving it to rest on the little table at one wall of her rocking prison cell, she gracefully stood, tiptoeing silently to sit at the end of her bed near a little round window that looked out to the sunset reflecting of the calm waters, only disrupted by the way the ship sliced through the water. Straightening her back as she heard someone knock at her door, she quietly bid them enter. Brown eyes watched the door as it opened, her personal guard entering, bowing then dropping to one knee and not even look at her. Her heart panged in sadness, for she knew this person.

“Is something the matter, Li?” She asked softly, hoping that her one time best friend would look at her. He did not, and she hid her sadness over it well. “We should be coming upon land soon, My princess.” The man spoke so formally, and much as she wanted to change it, she could not. She let a smile flicker though as he had referred to her as ‘princess’. While not of true royal blood, among her peers of other women that were being shipped to England for the finalization of a peace treaty, she was of the highest standing with the largest dowry, her father was a very wealthy, very powerful man. “I see. Thank you Li.” She replied as the male stood, bowed once more then turned to the door to leave. “I also wish to offer my condolences. It is hard for such a delicate flower like you to be surrounded by death.” He said, just before stepping out of her room and closing the door quietly.

Mei-Lein sighed as she thought about his words, there had been another death today, the second of the other brides, but sixth among total deaths, which was rather fortunate. Shaking her head softly, ignoring the gentle tinkling of the jewelry, she looked once more to the sunset. Yawning sleepily after a few minutes, she stood and slowly removed each piece of jewelry, placing them in the little chest on her desk with the other jewels she wore, then lifted a hand to remove the pin she had in her hair to keep it pulled back, followed by removing the silk robe she wore over her sleep clothes. Padding back to the small cot, she slid under the sheet, one arm coming up to fold under the soft pillow to add some extra support for her head, and she closed her eyes, letting the gentle sway of the ship rock her to sleep much like her mother once used to do when she was only an infant.

Mermaid Azaela


Human Azaela


Azaela is adventurous, almost too much so. Her father is Poseidon, ruler of the seas, but much like any ruler in a vast area, there are few things he cannot oversee and control. She has been forbid to have any contact with humans as her father believes they are only trouble, but that only fuels her desire to see them. She often sits upon rocks or in coves and sings to draw ships to her so that she can get closer looks at what they carry, as her voice entrances the humans. She will also often follow a ship or approach an anchored ship in curiosity which can be dangerous but she doesn't care. Rarely she will travel to shore and transform into her human legs to explore. Her father often worries as she is the princess of the sea and knows all too much about it and it's treasures and fears her value to those who wish to claim the ocean and/or it's treasures. She wears a small shell pendant that holds her magic.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~

Azaela was in a sunken ship, The Elizabeth, covered in pearls and other precious jewels staring at herself in a round dresser mirror pretending to be of human royalty. This particular ship was one of her favorite underwater hideouts. Her father never found her here and the ship was rather large with multiple glamorous rooms and intricate engravings. It was clearly a ship that carried human royalty. If the ship itself didn't prove so, the large chest of jewels and other fineries sure did. A large shadow filled the room before quickly moving out. Curious, Azaela slipped out of the jewels forgetting about the pair of ruby ear rings, and swam over the stairs and out of the Elizabeth to see the bottom of a ship passing over head. Her eyes lit up and she quickly swam after it hoping not to be spotted by any of her fathers guards in the area as they always ratted her out. She needed to remember when she became ruler of the ocean to fire them. Her silky blonde hair floated gracefully behind her as she propelled herself forward to catch up to the vessel.

Name: Ryek Le'Raux
Age: Undisclosed
Info: Ryek Le'Raux has been captain of the ship "Devil's Dream" for well over 10 years. Often he is reffered to as the Sea Demon. Not much is known about Ryek's past, as he refuses to share such information. He is very agile, very good swordsman and very good with his pistol. He often takes prisoners, always pillages other ships if he thinks they're rich enough to bother with. Enjoys chasing mermaids and hunting after other mythical creatures.

The "Devil's Dream" is one of very few ships that can honestly be called, the fastest ships to ever sail the high seas. She's a dark grey ship, with sails as white as a snow, the jolly roger is always flown atop her mast. She's a big ship, but not too big. She's armed with cannons, but still retains her agility in the water. Sometimes she moves as if alive and Ryek often comments that he lets the ship choose her own way.

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Ryek stood tall and proud at the helm. His eyes didn't miss a thing, one hand on the wheel, as he watched his crew scurry about their duties. Some scrubbed the deck, others tugged at this or that rope. A few just milled about, the only thing that matter was that all the important things were being done. The sail caught the wind and Ryek grinned. For the most part, he was letting the ship steer herself. The grey prow cut through the water, sleek and with purpose it would seem. She was a beauty to watch from afar and a terror to behold in battle.

His first mate stood not to far from him, and Ryek gave the young man a quick glance. Ryek didn't trust the man much, he had too much ambition and that would get the man killed. Most likely, that kind of ambition would get him killed by Ryek's sword point or pistol. Ambition was good, admirable, but not when the one full of ambition always set his sights a little to high. Of course it would be awhile before anything would happen. Months probably. Ryek returned his attention and thoughts to his other crew members and to the sea ahead of them.

They hadn't long left port. A nice pirate town, hidden in a nice, large cove. Lovely place really.

A groan sounded in a small enclosed room of the ship, the owner of the sound slowly waking. Golden colored eyes slowly opened, the male silently grumbling as one hand came up, the heel pressing against his forehead as if that would help him get rid of the headache he was currently suffering. Sitting up, the hand moving from his forehead for a few seconds to brush back green strands of hair from getting into his eyes before it settled at his side. Looking around, Deshi found he was in a room of sorts, filled with rolled up papers and a table in the middle that had a large hand drawn map on it. Apparently he’d snuck on and hidden in a navigation room. Shaking his head, he stood carefully.

He scratched the back of his head as he thought back to how he got here. It had started with him in one of the local taverns, nursing a few drinks, pickpocketing a few of the other drunks. Someone had noticed and called him out on it. There’d been a drunken fight started since someone had thrown a punch, he dodged, and it hit another drunk pirate, knocking him into another group of people. From there it deccelerated into an all out brawl, before one clump broke away to chase after him when he tried to get away. He ran all the way down to the port and nimbly climbed to the nearest ship before the inebriated pursuers could catch him. It was amazing he’d managed to sneak in and not get caught, but he had, and he’d fallen asleep quickly.

Finding a window, he glanced outside, cursing as he noticed nothing but ocean save for a small speck of what was land in the back ground. He’d slept too long apparently and the ship had cast off from land. He couldn’t leave either, not knowing how to swim didn’t help really. Sighing he turned away from the window, deciding to stay here instead of wander the ship. Curiousity go the better of him and he started poking about the scrolls of paper, reading a few passages before rolling it back up and putting it back.

Azaela poked her head above the surface of the water, sapphire eyes scanning the ship. It was a large merchant looking ship, it appeared extravagantly decorated, and it was beautiful. Azalea began to swim after it when something caught her eye in the distance. It was another ship! This one was also quite large, it was a grey color with white sails. Azalea was excited, she'd never seen two ships at once before, not in this vast ocean. The merchant ship she had been following seemed slow compared to how quickly the white sailed ship seemed to be approaching. Was it in her head, or did it suddenly seem to grow cloudy and gloomy as the ship grew nearer? A sudden grey fog set in around her as she began to grow anxious.

The lookout in the crow's nest shouted something and Ryek's first made was already handing him the spyglass in response. A ship. A ship had been spotted. Ryek lifted the bronze spy glass to one eye, bringing the merchant ship into focus he grinned. It was a large merchant ship, surely something valuable must be on it. "We'll take that ship." He spoke as he lowered the spy glass, handing it to his first mate. Ryek barked out orders that were repeated loudly by his first mate. The crew scrambled to obey. Some slipping below decks where most of the cannons were.

"Kill the crew, take anything that looks valuable. We'll blow a hole in her hull then board." The crew shouted their acknowledgement, and the "Devil's Dream" drew every closer to that merchant ship. The jolly roger flapped and flew proudly over Ryek's ship, announcing his intent before he was even within firing range. Slowly the sails were lowered, just the tiniest bit. Slowing the agile ship as she came up parallel to the merchant ship. Two cannons fired. One missed, the other smashed into the hull just half an inch above the water line.

The merchant ship would sink, but slowly. Already Ryek's crew was throwing lines over to the merchant ship or swinging across to it by way of the mast ropes. Ryek made his way quickly down to the deck from the helm. While his crew distracted the merchant ship's crew, Ryek would slither around and claim the valuables. Then he'd come up to the fight, if there was still a fight left. Easily Ryek slipped across one of the lines to the merchant ship. Excitement gleamed in his eyes and a smile was on his lips. Exhilirating.

Mei-Lein woke to the sound of a large boom, something that caused the ship to shudder and shake, she could hear parts of the ships wood snap apart. Sitting in her bed she looked around, panicking for a few seconds before throwing the sheet off, leaving her only in a pair of kneelength sleep breeches and a short sleeved shirt. Grabbing up her sleep robe, she poked her head outside the door, watching as crew members seemed to run back and forth like headless chickens, the noise deafening. Properly robed, Mei-Lein slipped from her room to locate the other girls, most of them having pooled together into one tiny cramped room. Frowning softly she asked them to follow her back to her room.

As she let them walk past her she counted each one, noting another two missing, possibly killed now, dwindling their group from eight brides down to four. Her heart clenched with pain and sorrow over losing more, but it was an everyday part of life. She could not change that. Moving away from the room they’d hidden in to her room the girls before her let out shrill screams as a male moved toward them, brandishing a sword of some sort. Pushing through the girls, she quickly dodged the down stroke, her spin allowing her to lean in and elbow the obvious pirate, apparently a drunk and bloodthirsty one. Using the advantage from her rib strike, she turned again, using her elbow once more to land a blow to his neck. “Go!” She shouted to the other girls, noticing with some satisfaction as they listened, disappearing down the hall to her room.

Turning back to the greedy pirate, she considered her options. Li had taught her a few things, but not enough to really inflict serious damage or kill another. No one had ever considered that the guard would be unable to protect his charge, till now anyway. She was prideful, but not stupidly so, gathering up the flowy robe while the pirate was down, adding in a kick to the lower half of his body to make sure he remained otherwise occupied, she ran to her room, opening then slamming the door and shoving her large dowry chest against the door with the help of a few of the other girls. Now came the worst part; waiting.

~*~*~

Golden eyes snapped up, away from the current scroll he’d been reading as the sound of excitement followed after a large blast of a cannon ball smacking through another ship. Dropping the scroll where he’d been standing, he slowly left the little cabin room, tiptoeing till he reached the top deck. Staring as he watched the multitude of the pirates toss lines to cross to the other, obviously, large and resplendent merchant ship. He watched as, once they crossed over, they meet opposition from the trading vessel, not just from the ship’s crew, but apparently in the form of soldiers too.

Deshi waited for a few moments, before he too made his way over to the lines, slipping among the fighting mass. He moved swiftly and silently among the bodies, managing to avoid getting hit for the most part, but taking down quite a few from either side when they tried to engage him. Twin blades glittered in the night, though quickly becoming coated in the dark crimson liquid that spilled from the enemy. Steathily moving to the lower levels, Deshi winced as he saw a rather attractive female knock a pirate to his knees when she landed a well placed kick. Hiding in the shadows, he allowed her to pass him. He was never in to the human trafficking business many others were, but she was quite the beauty. Moving further down he checked the other rooms, riffling through chests and putting any valuables he found in the sack he had hanging from his belt at his butt.

Moving from the current rooms once he had his pick, he moved further down, taking great advantage, and enjoyment, from the pirates having distracted the men of this ship. Finding himself at the lower level where most held the other cargo, tradable goods, and food, he poked around slowly, grabbing a piece of fruit that didn’t look terribly spoiled. Munching on that as he serched through more chests and boxes, he didn’t notice a single remaining guard till the loud pop of a gun firing. Grunting in pain as the bullet scraped his non-dominant arm, Deshi turned, a throwing knife in his right hand just as the guard fired again, the bullet lodging in his shoulder as he threw the knife, his aim accurate as the blade sunk through skin of the others throat. Cursing fluidly, the green haired male removed sleeveless shirt before snatching another knife from the thin sheath at his hip, using the blade to dig the bullet out. Finding some cotton he managed to make a decent bandage for himself, wrapping it round his upper torso and shoulder tightly. Pulling his shirts back on, the green leather vest left undone, he bound the wound on his upper arm, turning to leave the bottom quickly, one of his twin blades in his right hand.

Ducking below the surface as a loud boom roared from the gray ship as it seemed to dock with the other, Azaela curiously made her way to float between the two ships, breaking the surface again slowly to better see the excitement. She watched as ropes were thrown from the gray ship to the merchant. Men swung and slid to the ship as she heard shots and screams and chaos above. What was happening up there? Her long honey blonde hair floated up around her as her arms waded in the choppy water between the ships. A body fell between them with a loud splash six or seven feet from her as she dove below the surface to save the man. She grabbed at his clothes and arms as a crimson ink dyed the waters around them. As she turned him over his glassy eyes stared up towards the surface, unblinking and gray. She released her grip on him to cover her mouth as he sank down towards the deep dark depths of the unknown. Swimming quickly back to the spot she had waded in before, sapphire eyes scanned the space above her waiting to help if the moment called for it. Her heart was beating fast at the excitement and fear. Fear not of the men, but of her father finding out where she was and what trouble she had the potential of being in.

Ryek didn't hesitate to land killing blows to his enemies as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Any that stood in his way of treasure was an enemy, so naturally the crew of this merchant vessel was his enemy, since he wanted whatever treasures they had, and the did not seem inclined to just hand them over. Grinning like a mad man, Ryek cut down man after man. Some seemed to be soldiers. Well, any treasure worth hiring soldiers to gaurd, was definitely the treasure Ryek wanted. His first mate wasn't far behind him, and Ryek signaled the man to go below decks ahead of him, the man took a few others of Ryek's crew with him while the rest remained on deck fighting and it seemed, winning.

They could possibly take the ship, the port wasn't too far, as slow as she was sinking, Ryek could probably haul her back and sell her for a good bit of gold. Ryek wouldn't do that, he would sink the ship with any remaining members of her crew. He started down towards the cabins. Ryek ignored most of the rooms, he moved slowly though, cautiously. His sword in one hand and his pistol in the other. As he rounded a corner, he noticed almost immediatly a man standing guard outside of one of the rooms. He looked oriental and as if he had just gotten there, panting slightly. He must have run up to see the commotion and then run back to his post, to protect whatever was in that room worth protecting. Interesting. Ryek didn't hesitate, he raised his pistol and fired. His aim had been true, the man collapsed to the floor with a bullet in his brain.

The fella hadn't even had a fighting chance. Well, Ryek was a pirate afterall. He made his way to the door the young man had been gaurding, with his foot he pushed the dead man a bit out of his way. Ryek put his pistol away and tried the door, it gave just slightly. He pushed again. Something was blocking it from the inside. Interesting. Ryek knocked lightly on the door. "The ship is sinking, oh, and the guard that was here is dead, I put a bullet in his head." Of course, he was assuming someone was in the room, though with the door blocked from the inside there had to be someone there. Honestly, Ryek didn't really expect the person in there to open the door or answer him.

Mei-Lein and a few of the other girls jumped as a shot fired, closer to the door than usual. The girls all screamed and whimpered though as the door pushed in slightly, but unable to move further. Some cried harder when someone on the other side of the door spoke, but Mei-Lein was more interested in whether or not the guard killed was Li or not. She did not doubt him though about the ship sinking, and much as she hated it, she’d rather not die. Standing carefully, she moved to the door, managing to adjust the chest so she could let the door open a crack. Letting her brown eyes glance down to the ground, she spotted the guard, exhaling in relief as she didn’t recognize the armor. It wasn’t Li. “You are a part of the attacking ship?” She didn’t really ask, but more let it come out as a statement.

Turning from the door, she tried to shush the other girls. She remained tense, knowing that if the other wanted, he could easily slip a sword through the crack to stab her, or shoot her. But if he did he would lose out. “Sir, if you are not the captain, can you bring us to the captain? If you are, I would ask a favor of you.” She asked, swallowing thickly as she let her eyes rove over the other girls. She turned back around to peer through the crack trying to see the other. “Can you at the very least let the other girls leave with some of their dowry to their husbands on English soil?” She pleaded, wanting the other’s promise for the safety of the other girls. A few of the others cried out and began speaking rapidly in their native foreign tongue, commenting about how she did not request the same for herself. She did not turn to look at them though, remaining looking out into the hallway through the crack.

~*~*~

Deshi paused at one end of the hallway, hearing the sound of a gun fired, hiding in the shadows off the corner. Shit. He cursed to himself as he saw one of the pirates, more than likely the captain standing in front of one of the doors. The girl he had seen from earlier was no where in sight, but he was unsure if she was in that room or not. Sighing softly, he remained where he was, unsure what to do. Glancing around, his eyes widened in surprise as he found another way to the top deck, and he bolted toward it, up the stairs. Straight into another fight with an obviously important soldier and another pirate. Deshi tried to move out the way, climbing up to the railing and walking along the edge carefully.

Apparently not paying complete attention to his surroundings, the green haired theif was rather surprised to find himself falling, one of the pirates having been thrown toward the railing he had just stepped on, back and head hitting his foot and leg. Gasping he tried to grab onto something, but he couldn’t snag anything in time before he plummeted to the water, the air in his lungs being pushed out with the slap of water. Flailing in the water, he could feel himself being pulled under. He couldn’t swim! He couldn’t breathe! Flinching once more in an attempt to kick back to the surface, Deshi felt his eyes grow heavy as he slowly drowned, his watery surroundings growing hazier by te second.

There were loud noises above her that seemed to echo between the two ships. What were they, the sudden loud claps that rang in her ears? Another body fell into the water, a cloud of red quickly surrounding them as she swam to check for life.

Azaela had never seen anything like this before. Her eyes were filling with water as she choked back tears for the fallen and anger. Maybe her father, Poseidon, was right about humans after all. She released the body of the man as he sank to his watery grave.

She was contemplating fleeing before she was spotted, she could do nothing for these poors souls anyway, not those who were already dead at least. With a deep sadness Azaela turned to swim away as another body fell into the water, a man with green hair in a green vest. It pained her heart as she talked herself out of checking on him, he would surely be dead like the others.

Azaela didn't make it far before her heart told her brain to shut up. Quickly turning back, she dove towards the man who had just fallen. She was sure he would be dead like the others, but couldn't live with herself if she didn't check.

Bubbles drifted from his mouth as he gently slowed to a stop from his descent when Azaela grabbed his hand. Her eyes widened as his hand seemed to clench around hers for a moment, he was still alive! She wrapped her arms under his as she swam towards the surface with a slight struggle. He was certainly lighter in the water than he would be out of it, but he was still twice her size.

As they broke the surface Azaela she made sure to keep the mans face out of the water as she searched for a way to get him onto one of the boats, but which one? The merchant was clearly sinking, and the other, she couldn't decide if it was good or bad.Towards the other end of the grey ship hung a rope that had been used to swing to the merchant. It now hung in the water, bobbing and slapping at the side of the ship.

Tugging the man at her side, struggling to keep his head above the water as she swam, she made her way to the rope.

If he was not the captain...Such words. From the lips of any seadog Ryek would have taken it as an insult, but clearly this woman was unfamiliar in the ways of the sea. Still, he reached up to check and see if his hat was still on his head. It was. It was a fine captain's hat. Clearly he looked the part..didn't he? He ran a hand over the front of his large coat and looked down at the rest of him. Yep. He certainly had put on his captain clothes this morning. For a moment a smile graced his lips as he seemed to think something over.

Ryek was French, but that wasn't the only reason he didn't care much for the English. Still, he said nothing about any of that. "I am clearly the captain, and I am most certainly winning this fight." He glanced over his shoulder, back the way he had came. The noise up on deck had grown just a little softer, a tiny bit quieter. Ryek was sure he was winning, a few of his crew came down, grinning wildly. Ryek signaled them to be quiet before putting his face back infront of the small gap the slightly opened door allowed him. "You are in no position to bargain with me. The ship is sinking, you will all drown. However, if you open the door, and surrender all of your valuables to me, I give you my word that I shall see you and your ladies safely to English soil."

Mei-Lein frowned. Did that mean Li was dead too? Shaking her head she focused on the most pressing matter. Not considering the other, she had to save them anyway, she grunted as she pulled the chest further away so that it could open more. Standing in the door, doe brown eyes stared at the male, taking in his clothes. Well, it certainly was a nicer get up than the others, and even in her nightclothes she felt better dressed. That isn’t to say she didn’t feel exposed, she was in her sleep clothes, by the standards of her people, she was naked. But there was no time for her or the others to change. “We will go with you for now, but I would still discuss them getting to their husbands with their promised dowry.” She spoke clearly, before looking at the girls, speaking in their native tongue fluidly. Telling them to collect their valuables and go to the deck.

Watching as the girls quickly scurried away, whimpering as they passed the pirates. Sighing she shook her head at them, they were fragile creatures, though they had had less than her growing up, they had been far more sheltered than her. Many of them had older siblings. Mei-Lein was an only child, secretly learned to fight, and tended to study her fathers merchant books. Stepping back in to her room she grabbed the sheet and shoved her smaller chests, containing her jewelry, in the center of the fabric before turning it into a small bag. Her eyes landed on the letter she’d never be able to send, moisture slowly gathering at the corner of her eyes, one bead slipping down her cheek silently. Lifting one hand, she swiped it away before moving to the door way. “You’ll need someone to carry the chest in here. You should also check down at the bottom. There were many boxes of silk and spices down there.” She said calmly before walking out of the room, past him and to the top deck.

~*~*~

Deshi groaned softly, coughing water from his lungs as he was held above the water, gulping in air repeatedly. His throat and chest burned, not just from the chill of the infinite liquid surrounding him, but also from the water having gone down the wrong pipes. Barely conscious, he felt someone pulling him, and with blurred sight he saw it was towards the pirates ship. Groaning once more, he let go, slipping out of consciousness as they reached the large ship.

Azaela reached forward and grasped the thick rope as best she could while still trying to keep the man's head above water. Giving the rope a little tug she wondered how it would get back onto the ship. Tugging at it once more she decided that wasn't going to make it happen.

The waves were choppy between the two ships making it hard for her to keep her grip on the human. Her fingers dug into his clothes as she struggled to keep the waves from taking him away. She was still clinging to the rope, her arms were begining to ache and her breathing was heavy. Feeling helpless and at a loss for how to get the man on board the boat she did the only other thing she could think of, and yelled. "Hello? Is anybody up there? This man needs help! Hello?" She wondered if the people left up there were good or bad. Hoping for the best she shouted once more, "Help!"

Ryek was being rather patient with these ladies, as the female he spoke with moved the chest so the door could actually open, he made a discreet signal to the other pirates. The fiends inched a little bit closer and Ryek nodded very slightly. He was definitely up to no good. As the girls scurried out, Ryek stepped to the side, but when the girls went to pass his pirates, the men almost literally pounced on the poor girls. Grabbing them roughly and slapping a hand over their mouths so they couldn't scream. Ryek couldn't help but grin as his pirates dragged the ladies away. They would be taken to his ship of course, and chained below the decks. Later, he would sell them as slaves. He knew a good market for such things.

Ryek stepped into the doorway as the girl he was 'negotiating' with tried to leave. He completely blocked her escape, and only half listened to what she was saying. One hand reaching out to grasp her arm gently, just as his first mate came around a different corner. Ryek spoke in french. Rapidly. Whatever he said caused his first mate to laugh and nod. Ryek looked at the girl. "My first mate will escort you to my ship. He will show you to your new room and you will remain there until I come to get you." He stepped out of her way, but didn't let go of her arm until his first mate had very gently taken her other arm in his hand. The first mate murmured some soothing words to her about how everything would be just fine as he led her away. The first mate would take Mei-Lein to Ryek's ship and lock her in Ryek's quarters. Ryek glanced at them. "Send me more men. I'll need help with some of this." The first mate only nodded, and his grip on the girl's arm tightened a bit as he led her away.

Of course there were still a few pirates scurrying about on Ryek's ship. At the calls of help, one looked over the side and blinked, if they were from the merchant ship Ryek might want them as prisoners. The pirate wasn't too sure what to do. He stared down at the woman and the seemingly unconscious male. "Oy, lass, grab the rope and I'll pull you and your boy up." Already the pirate was reaching for the rope to haul them up.

Azaela was relieved when a man popped his head over the side of the boat. Listening to him she knew there was no way she could hold the man and the rope. Carefully and with much trouble, she tied the rope around the man's waist so that he could be pulled onto the ship. She didn't want on the boat anyway, her father would be furious if he found out she had not only saved a human, but boarded their ships too. Although, it did sound rather exciting. Still, she gave the rope a little tug again, holding the man's head above water. She yelled up at the man on the ship, "He is tied onto the rope now!"

She backed away splashing her tail in front of her as to not take her eyes off of the human. She wanted to be sure the knot didn't come loose and drop him back into the sea.

Mei-Lein blinked as the pirate stopped her, frowning unhappily especially when he gripped her arm. When the other male with him laughed after they spoke in a different language, she grew even more suspicious, but decided not to dwell on it. She walked quietly with the other, turning to look back at the captian. She had the sinking feeling that things were not going the way she wanted them to. Flinching as they made it to the top deck and she laid eyes on all the dead, it was a sight she wished never to have had to see. Sightless eyes, silent screams, gaping wounds. Lifting a hand she used the fabric to cover her mouth, hiding a frown and bubbling whimpers that she didn’t loose as she stepped and stumbled through the blood soaked woodplanks. “Princess!” She heard someone shout, cuasing her to turn slightly toward the first mate as she looked behind them. "Li!” She shouted, half glad he was alive, half in warning as a pirate brought a blade down into her personal guard and friend’s back, finally delivering him a slow, but killing blow. Wordlessly shouting as she made to escape, but knowing she wouldn’t, she barely struggled further, falling into shock.

Ryek's first mate took the girl across a plank that had been laid between the boats. Now that all the crew of the merchant vessel were dead or captive, it was safe to cross on planks, without fear of someone shoving it off. The first mate took the girl onto the pirate ship and right up to the captain's cabin, he opened the door and shoved her in there. "The captain will return shortly." The door was closed and locked from the outside. No way to open it without the key on either side. The girl was trapped. The first mate set about sending more men over to the merchant vessel to help Ryek with the booty.

The man at the rope noticed something odd about the girl in the water. The pirate said nothing, only motioned for someone else and spoke rapid french to the other who dashed off almost excitedly. "Alright, lass, I'll be bringing your boy-o up now." The pirate tugged on the rope, first to get a feel for the weight of the young man, then he tugged again, this time actually hauling him up. While he did that, his eyes were on the mermaid. Watching her carefully and trying to keep her attention on him. "You'll come up second then, after your boy-o is safe?" He called to the girl, hiding any suspicion he had of her. Meanwhile, four other pirates had run across the planks to the merchant ship.

Afte rall, the ships weren't too far apart, the planks between them spanning only about three and a half feet long. The four pirates carried something between them, and once they had come around behind where the mermaid faced, the let down the net. Ryek would pay them beautifully for a mermaid. The net would fall, and hopefully the mermaid would panic, her struggles would only get the net tighter around her. If she didn't manage to avoid it somehow.

Ryek himself was just coming up on deck as the men tossed the net over the side. Curious, he came up behind them to see what they were trying to catch, while he motioned the men his first mate had sent over to go down below decks and get the rest of the treasure.

Watching as the man hoisted up the boy in the vest, water dripping from his boots and fingers as he hung limply, Azaela breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't be drowning in the sea today. When the man on the ship asked if she would be coming up too, she only stared up at him for a moment. She truely did want to see what was on the ship, she could hardly imagine what wonders it might hold. She hadn't actually spoken to a human before today, they were certainly proving to be interesting creatures, maybe she would climb aboard and have a fascinating conversation of sorts! But if her father found out what she had done, he would lock her away into her old age, or worse, take away her magic keeping her from transforming again, among other things.

She was just going to dive back into the water before deciding to do anything she would regret when a heavy mesh blanket fell around her. She held out her hands to feel of it when she realized what was happening. This was the same awful material that killed and captured so many of her fishy ocean friends. She tried to push it away and squirm out of it, but the more she struggled the tighter it seemed to get around her.

Mei-Lein stepped into the room, staring unseeing around the four walls. Knowing she was to wait, but not knowing how long, she sluggishly made her way to the cot, setting the makeshift bag near the edge before sitting on the edge and lying on her side, feet still hanging over. Moving over, she pulled her feet up and curled into a ball. One hand coming up to wipe the tears from her face, exhaustion settling in and her eyes slipped closed to sleep.


Deshi groaned as he was hauled up to the deck, and part way up he slowly regained consciousness. "Wha-?" He wondered aloud softly, gaze still a bit hazy. Once he got to the railing he helped pull himself over, groaning as it stressed his shoulder wound that started to bleed again. He sat on the deck, leaning his back against the rails for a few, though when he noticed the captain move his way, he tensed, not letting up even when he realized his attention was on whatever was going over board still.

((sorry, I know it sucks...>.<))

Ryek blinked and stared down at the girl splashing about in the water between the two boats. He blinked again. Was it really a mermaid? A big grin broke out on his lips as he clapped one of his men on the back, so hard the man nearly fell overboard himself. Ryek laughed heartily. "Haul it in boys. Quickly, it's almost time for us to be off." The men had everything under control and so Ryek watched for a only a moment. A mermaid. What luck he was having today. The captain was still grinning as he moved away from the men that were now hauling the tangled mermaid up to the deck.

Ryek moved towards one of his crew members that stood leaning down over a young man. A soaking wet young man. Ryek's brow furrowed slightly as he stepped closer, waving the pirate off and away as he took the man's place, bending over the wet young man. "Boy, are you crew member or an unfortunate stowaway to that merchant vessel?" Ryek noticed the blood on the young man's shoulder, but first, he had to decide if the man was his enemy or not before tending to the wound. He did reach down and unknot the rope that he had been hauled up with.

Ryek's first mate took his position right out side Ryek's cabin door after sending the required men to finish hauling the booty from the merchant ship to the pirate ship. He leaned casually against the door, true it was locked, and the other girls were safely chained below in the hold. To be sold as slaves, still if someone managed to slip from the merchant ship to here, the first mate would be there to prevent him from rescuing Ryek's captive.

Deshi groaned minutely as the captains attention came to him, not that he hadn't expected it, but more he'd hoped to escape it for awhile longer. "A stowaway. But not on that vessel." He admitted, voice hoarse from the cold water, as well as the sting of swallowing the salty water. When the other reached out and undid the knot, Deshi's hand had twitched near one of his blades, but he didn't draw it. Wouldn't be nice to just attack the man whose crew had just saved him. Though he wondered how he'd gotten the rope tied around him in the first place. Good arm came up and he cradled his forehead, moaning the gentle throb in his head.

Before she knew it, Azaela was in trouble. She was wrapped up tightly in the net, unable to free herself, and being hauled aboard the large gray ship. She was entirely out of the water now, the faces of the crew growing bigger and more distinct as she stared up at them, realizing these were in fact, not, good humans. Another great I-told-you-so moment for her father, she should ever see him again. Her heart raced at the thought. What if these people held her captive, took her magic and used her knowledge of the ocean to seek it's treasures. Well, she wouldn't let that happen.

Hands pulled at the net to haul her over the wooden railing as she landed in a heap on the deck. The net was quickly untangled from her as she transformed into her human legs, a soft golden glow eminating from the small shell necklace on her chest. She was left in a pale lace matching bra/underwear set, completely unaware that any other human female should have felt underdressed and exposed in such a situation.

She was still half laying on the deck, holding herself up off of her side by her arms, sitting on the net as she looked around at the faces crowded around, staring curiously and mischieviously at her. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out, she wasn't sure at this point what to do or say. Her best bet would have been to remain in her mermaid form and retreat back into the water, but the man standing behind her surely would not have allowed that.

"A stowaway on my ship?!" Ryek laughed heartily. "Your either very brave or very stupid." Ryek grabbed the boys hand and hauled him up to his feet, clapping the young man on his uninjured shoulder almost in a friendly way. "No one gets a free ride on my ship, boy. You'll have to work to earn your keep or I could sell you as a slave when we make landfall. I'll let you decided your fate." He gave the boy's shoulder a squeeze. "Go find a crew member to patch you up. Tell'em Ryek sent you." Ryek turned from the boy. The mermaid had been hauled up and the captain turned around just in time to see her tail turn into human legs.

What an amazing trick. Must be magic or something. Ryek hurried over to where his men had the girl surrounded. He didn't waste anytime, in reaching down and taking both her hands in his own before lifting her almost effortlessly to her feet. His eyes roamed over her figure. Scantily clad figure. Very nice. Ryek liked what he saw. "Daughter of the sea. Welcome aboard my ship." He pulled her close, his grip was firm.

Meanwhile, all the booty had been loaded onto the Devil's Dream, and his crew had already begun to set sail. The merchant ship was still sinking, slowly but surely. Though now that the ship had been scavenged and all crew were back aboard, the Devil's Dream rocked as cannons from below decks fired at the merchant vessel. Hurrying it along to it's watery grave.

In the next moment there was a man standing over her, grabbing her hands and hauling her to her human feet. It was a good thing she'd practiced using them before or she might be in for some trouble. When he pulled her close and welcomed her she began to feel a little more comfortable. Maybe they weren't bad guys after all.

She smiled now, how exciting it was to be speaking with a real human! But the smile quickly faded when she thought again of her father. It made her stomach turn, she was going to be in so much trouble, everyone in all the seas would feel Posiedon's wrath if he found out. "Thank you for your kindness, but I can not stay," she said reaching up to finger her necklace, ready to return into her mermaid form. "I must be going now," she said pulling away from him.