A Pirates Life For Me

got confused i guess lol *

when they had reached the water she looked down at the water then back at mateo "i.." she mumbled and shook her head "i dont want to run" she said and felt the water sooth her scales. she sunk just below the waters surface and stared back up at mateo

she blinked and dove deeper and came back up with a handful of gold copper and silver coins "you like these right?" she said setting them on the plankbefore going fully under the water again. clumsy men where always having their spare change fall into the waters by the dock. letting out a sigh of bubbles she looked back up at him feeling much safer in the water. if a man jumped in after her it wouldnt have a chance.

(lol what is going on? I'm so lost!!)
Mateo couldn't help that he smiled a bit brighter at her. "Thank you. That's very nice." He said, but didn't look at them in fear that when he looked back she would really be gone. "...Freya you are one silly mermaid, you know that?" He said in a half laugh at his own joy. He felt so odd being happy at keeping her, but then again didn't want to spoil this good mood. "We're going to have to get your land legs back soon though, before the captian knows your missing.....I really don't want to put you back in that box." He said as he sat on the wood. He noticed the other two and motioned to the ship. "Ah-You're free to board the ship at any time. I'll let Avery help me sway the captian. into letting you two stay." He said then nodded to them. "Thank you...both of you."

Hime and Rie stayed near Mateo while he took off.

she was so out of her eleament.

and even if she were to jump in the water... her curse would not let her change back... she would drown in there dark depths... making her only home a grave.

she sighed and sat down on the ground as Rei put his gear up.

the ship was what she had wanted. she jsut hoped what she wanted was good for her....

she pushed herself up so that she held herself on the plank with her arms her fin barely in the water she puckered her lips and kissed his cheek before sliding back into the water

"just give me a minute" she said and dove down into the water speeding around the ship. it felt good to stretch her fin and feel the water though her hair. she grabbed a few pieces of jewlery that had been accidentally knocked into the water and smiled at them looking around to make sure no one notice her releasing all the lobsters from the traps. she then came back up to the plank and jumped using her fin to hold onto the deck. holding tightly she lifted her fin out of the water and shook it as dry as she could her fin turning into legs she pulled herself up the rest of the way. she looked at her clothes with a grimace at how they clung to her uncomfortably

"ehhh stupid sails" she grumbled trying to ring it out as best as she could

Mateo watched the display in shock. He wasn't sure if she even understood what the kiss had meant but he couldn't help the fact that it stunned him for a moment. After a while she came back from the water and made her sudden transformation, thankfully into clothes again so he wouldn't have to put them back on her though the clinginess of the material left little imagination of what was underneath. She wrung her self out and he got her to her feet.
"I'm glad you stayed." He told her in their close proximity but was interrupted by Avery coming with the rest of the crew.
"Who the hell are you people?!" Avery said as he walked up looked Rei and Hime over.
"Avery, meet another group that will be traveling with us. They're-"
"Let me guess unicorns-no fairies-no better yet I don't want to know." He said before motioning up to the ship. "Captian is coming back. We'll speak to him about you two." He said and shook his head as the crew walked on board. They all boarded the ship and stood on deck with everyone else, to await orders from the captian. Mateo began to wonder that now that had Freya what was next...

hime roles her eye's at Avery and Rei helped her up all but carrying her to the ship.

Hime was week.. for what she didn't know but she couldn't back up now...

" kay... lets go" she mumbled to Rei who shook his head.

"yeah... i know i have no choice your the boss. " Rei said humoring her.

she was a ruff girl but seeing her so week scarred him a little.....

the captain walked on board and looked at freya and then at mateo with a raised eyebrow, he turned to the two new comers and walked around them "they can stay.... " he muttered and stroked his beard "but they be workin for it" he said with a dirty laugh

"lass" he said putting his arm around freya pulling her in close to him "lets go upstairs and have a chat hm?" he said and she looked at mateo pleadingly before being escorted by the captain into his room.

be closed the door and walked over to his desk pouring a cup of wine for her "here you are" he said and she nodded smelling it and looking around his cabin

"nice in here isnt it?" he said with a smile "gets lonely out of the seas my lady, you know. you dont have to stay in that dark old room" he said and she smiled "i dont!"

"noooo of course not! you could sleep in here... with me" he said and she took a step back "ahhh i see, i have a face only a mother could love" he said and she shook her head "no... i dont want to stay here" she said and he nodded "well i tried. i cant let you leave the ship lass, but if you leave this room i cant garauntee your safety" he said and she blinked

"ye be an innocent young lass. id hate to see that change" he said running a finger down her jaw line

"ill make sure that the men bring some supplies for your room down below before we set sail." he said walking back to his desk

"t...thanks?" she muttered confused as to why she was saying thanks after he kidnapped her

"its all well my lady, i want ye to be as comfortable as possible..." as he said that her stomach made a loud growling noise.

"come my lady sit and eat" he said walking to the door opening it and talking to the men just outside. as he did so she walked over to the table seeing an apple she snatched it up bitting into it "mmmm" she mumbled as juice dripped down her chin he laughed at her. sitting she began to eat what was infront of her, bread, apples, some type of pork. it all tasted so different and good

after her meal she noticed that the boat had started moving "may i please leave now?" she asked and he nodded " you are always welcome back though... dont forget that my dear" he said and she nodded walking out

he watched the door close and his delightful smile turned to a frown 'keeping her happy is going to be easier then i had thought... just need to make sure she stays that way, ill need her help soon and i doubt she'll do it unless she thinks im her friend' he thought turning to look at the map

she looked around seeing some of the men walking down below with large thick blankets and pillows

she looked at all the men uneasily as they whispered about her while they worked "mateo?" she called trying to spot him on the deck

"well the first order of buisness. Fixing the sails." Avery said and looked Rei over. "Are you up to it? Scrawny little thing. Hands of a monarch!"" He scoffed and Mateo smirked a little.
"Now Avery, every man must earn his keep. As for woman, I'm not so sure." Mateo called down from his place on the ropes. He looked Hime over.
"Would you mind keeping an eye on Freya? She gets into things and I trust that you have the best intentions for her out of everyone available." He said, not really wainting another half mermaid running around without anyone to watch over her. she'd left a while ago with the captian and he'd yet to see her. He tugged at the ropes holding the sails and simotaniously helped at lowering it. He was having trouble holding it down correctly with all the wind and felt his boots slipping on the wood.
"Come on I need some help with this line-" He said till he took another slip and fell. He caught the rope but it bit into his hands, burning the center of his palm a pink color. His foot got wrapped around the rope, ending him upside down, a foot above the deck floor, infront of Freya and the others spinning around slowly. "You're turn Rei." He laughed uneasily as Avery gufawed a laugh at Mateo's predicament.

freya smiled "oh there you are" she giggled poking his nose "having fun" she asked "so how do i get you down, do i-" she said pulling on the rope suddenly making him fall

"ahhhh! im sorry!" she said kneeling down to help him "you hand!" she said looking at the burn mark. she pulled his palm to her lips and kissed it. as her lips touched it his hand started to stitch itself together and all that was left was a little line by the time she pulled her lips away "is everything else ok? you didnt break anything did you?" she said worriedly

When she kissed his palm, he felt his face grow hot till she suddenly pulled away and the rope burn was gone. "Whoa, how the heck did you do that?!"
Theother men on the ship, not knowing that she did it to heal him, snickered at Mateo while some of the others huffed and wished it was them. He cleared his throat trying to appear tough though his neck hurt like hell from hitting the deck and he was surprised by her worry. "Nah I'm fine. Happens at least twice a week." He lied, rubbing the back of his neck.
"So...what did the captian want?" He asked as he popped his back with a stretch.

Avery turned to Rei. "Well you heard the man, get your ass up there!" He whirled and Hime next. "And you get to it, can't have you in the may of man's work!"

"he fed me..' she said and shrugged then pulled an apple from her dress pocket and smiled handing it to him

"i dont know why but he... is really nice to me " she said and looked down at her feet. she still didnt have her boots on and her burn victim looking feet made her frown "Me veo como un bicho raro ¿no?" (i look like a monster dont i?)) she mumbled curling her toes

"No. creo que eres bonita. Como una princesa del mar." (No, I believe you are beautiful. Like a princess of the ocean.) He said and ruffled her her. "No tengo nadie a que yo puedo decir eso y sea cierto." (I don't have anyone I can say that too and have it be true) He said sticking his tongue out at her playfully.
He took the apple as balanced it in his hand, tossing it up and down in thought. 'What are you aiming at........I wonder?' He thought but didn't want to burst Freya's bubble. She had enough to worry about, he was just going to have to keep a better eye on her.
"I was wondering, your new room is being built. Could that girl Hime stay with you? You seem to trust her after all and it would be nice to have someone close with you that you know about right?" He said, fishing for her to say yes. At least with im and her partial siren abilities and the ability to control Rei, if Mateo ever couldn't get to her he wanted to have someone there that could.
An idea hit him when he grew tired of everyone staring at him and her.
"Hey wanna see something cool?" He said, pulling her by her hand towards the ropes. "You think you can climb all the way up there?" He asked, pointing up to the crows nest with a taunting smile.

"sure" she said to the talk about having a room mate but then looked up at the crows nest and looked back at him

"yeah and i bet i wont fall like you" she said winking and sticking her tongue out. but she was all talk. as soon as both fet touched the flimsy rope net she clung for dear life "ehhh" she mumbled looking up at how high the crows nest was. she took a few more steps and then looked at the deck below. it wasnt more then 6 feet below her and she felt a little light headed.

she finally made it to the crows nest and looked down below them. the only thing that rang through her head was 'how am i suppose to get down?"

(Sorry soooooo tired. TTYL *pass out*)
Mateo grinned at her comment about falling and watched as she made her way up the rope, looking like an alley cat over water. He made his way up behind her, watching to make sure she didn't slip through a break into ropes or fall. When up on the stable surface of the large circular nest, he came up beside her placing one arm beside her and the other on the other side of her to keep her steady against the wind. "Now look out there." He said pointing out to the ocean. It was a vast exanse of water, rolling tides and mixes of sea creatures like a pair of dolphins that skimmed the waters beside the boat. He stared longingly at the water, wondering why it was he was not gifted to be able to never have to leave the ocean and return to land.
"Everyone, including Avery say's it all looks the same, all the oceans are just peices of water connected together. But I see it a bit differently." He said as he watched the people bellow them. "Its like looking at a map from up here...all the places to go and left to visit and discover. Just think of what lies under these waters or on the next island. Multitudes of artifacts and gold as far as the eye can see. Stories and legends to be made from every voyage. And people of all kinds to be found across oceans." He said, the relaxed his excitement and looked to her. "Everytime I'm up here I feel like I have to know it all, see it with my own eyes not just some storied I hear from old crewmen and sailors." He squeezed the wood with his hands and felt his attention pull to his left hand with the spot. "But I guess that will just get me into trouble and perilous danger. I must be the only pirate alive that actually wants to thow himself into dire situations intentionally." He said with a half laugh.

she leaned back against his chest "ive never see it so high up... its beautiful" she said and smileed "when your under water..." she said and smiled closing her eyes "there is no limit infront of your or to the sides. no railings, no cages..." she said and opened her eyes. "total freedom. the things that are down there... they amaze me..." she said opening her eyes and her smile faded

"maybe... one day you could swim with me... " she said it but something inside her made it seem like it wouldnt happen... at least not in a good way. she leaned back against him again

"i used to look at ships with a longing of understanding... ive seen plenty of sunken ships... but... now that im finally on one..." she closed her eyes

"i noticed" she said and looked at him taking his hand with the red bandana on it "that you have a curse marking" she said and sat on the ledge looking at his palm

"will you tell me the story?" she asked her hands lightly wrapping around his

Mateo thought for a moment. He should have been unsure of telling her, should have told her no or ignored the question. But when it came to her looking at him, knowing so easily about something he hadn’t told anyone when she was so naïve to his world…how could he keep something from her?
“I got it for killing a man.” He said and looked out at the ocean. “I grew up in a bad part of Barbados, a major Spanish port like the one we were just at. Everyday the ships would come in and the pirates would always stop at the tavern where my mother and I stayed. They would always have such stories of adventure and infamy..It made me wonder what if I could do something the gain my family more respect, to give us the life we should have had. You can imagine what I thought when the captain of a ship suddenly showed up one night, flaunting some map he had and boasting about the treasure it lead to. It was a chance for me to make things right…but things went downhill shortly after. I said some things I shouldn’t have to my mother and ran off to join that captain’s crew. I was only about 12 then, still naïve enough to believe the captain’s stories and put faith behind that treasure that would make me richer than the king of Spain.” He had the beginnings of a smile but it was weak, tired. “It was about five years before we finally found it, by then the crew was more like a family and the captain was like a father to me. We all headed ashore and were instantly greeted by some indigenous woman raving that the treasure was cursed or something. We all laughed at her and branded her as insane…We found the cove with the treasure after a day’s search. There was gold everywhere, piles higher and thicker than our ship could carry. The only thing not touched by gold was a silver box that sat in farthest reaches of the cave. Everyone was too busy stuffing their pockets to really notice it. Except me.” He remembered holding the cold silver box in his hands, staring at the odd inscriptions that littered it and the large human skull that was imbedded into the front with rubies for eyes. It made him shiver slightly. “Suddenly the captain pulled out his gun and began shooting the crew members. I was too confused to understand till he pointed the gun at me. He told me it was nothing personal, that he cared for me like a son, but that he couldn’t have anyone taking the treasure he’d worked so long to find. I didn’t know what to do, except get away from him, I tossed the box at him knocking him to the ground and breaking the seal that held it shut.” He seemed to zone out for a moment before continuing. “There was a loud screaming noise from the box and the next thing I knew the captain was swallowed by black smoke. I was terrified, and ran like a coward. I didn’t get very far before I blacked out. The next morning I woke up on a fisherman’s ship with this spot on my hand. They told me it was a curse, one of the worst kind. A sailor marked by the black spot would suffer a death so foul, their souls damned for eternity.” He looked to Freya and shook his head with a half smile. “I’m still here now and it’s been almost a year. And I have to say I’ve had pretty good luck so far. I’ve found a map, joined a new crew, and met people I will never forget. Maybe it’s not really the kind of curse they say it is. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.” He said and stroked her hand with his thumb.
“I would like to see under these waves someday Freya. But for now lets worry about what we are searching for today, okay?”

freya nodded "looking down "ive killed many men..." she said ans looked back at the sea "i can feel it though, for a split second. the pain." she said and felt her eyes dull "then when you feel the years of life that you stole from them... it rushes into your viens..." her eyes where zoned out into the water as she talked "it burns slightly, and give you a headache." she took a deep breath before looking back at him

"gold holds to value to me, ive seen caves a mile long covered in the stuff." she said "i like how it shines... but thats about it."

she looked back down at hsi palm and blinked pulling her dress up to her hip. she had a purple spot in the exact same shape and size as the one on his hand

Mateo was surprised to hear the truth of at least some of the myths come from a mermaids mouth and not a drunk sailors. 'So they do need the life of sailors....like at the port.' he thought, remembering the dead man, but didn't question her further on it.
"Gold still does make happiness, no matter what people say. But I'm not out looking for hoards of it anymore." He said and looked back at her to ask her a question and caught her hiking up her dress.
"Freya-what are you-" He said as he gawked but snapped himself out of it and took her hand to stop her. Instead he paused, as he caught sight of the purple mark on her hip. He frowned and pulled the bandana off his palm and looked at the black mark on it. "Pues, that is....a little...okay, really odd." He said. "Em, where did you get that from?" He asked then blushed slightly as he thought about the fact he was staring at her and looked up at her face.

"i was born with it, its the only part of my fin that isnt scaled" she said and let her dress drop back down. she felt he boat rocked heavily and she gripped the railing tightly looking down below. there was a large ripple in the water next to them with a massive dark shape

"ahh... that is not good" she mumbled "we really should get down. i think we are under attack!" she mumbled not really knowing how to get down. a large tenticle slapped across the deck as a sea monster lifted its head up with a roar

(Squid attacks. That has to be the scariest thing that could happen out in the middle of the ocean! Nightmares!)
Mateo's first action was to grab hold of Freya as the boat lurched from the attack. "What the hell is that-?!" He was only able to cough out just as the crew started flipping out as the tenticle curled around the mast and rope on the crows nest. With another roar the monster brought out of the water more tenticles. "Damn..." He pulled her up into his arms and reached for one of the ropes holding the sail down. He looked down at the deck at the chaos and said a small prayer under his breath out of forcive habit before jumping onto the rope. The rope laxed under their combined weight, bring one side of the sail up till it caught on the top hook, dangling them a short distance above the deck. He let Freya down and dropped shortly after her. He looked around, searching for a place that wasn't covered in guns, swords, and tenticles. One pirate ran past them and stabbed the tenticle with his sword but the tenticle simply crushed him.
"Freya, get bellow deck. Just till things clear up." He said to her, just as the ship gave a loud crack. The monsters tenticle had squeezed the mast, bringing it falling down to the deck. Mateo pushed Freya aside and jumped back himself, The mast landed killing two men and threw Mateo to the side of the ship. He shook his head at the pain that shot up his back and held onto the side of the ship to steady himself. He caught sight in the water what looked like a giant squid but with a scarier quality. This things was a giant monster, and it was attacking the ship, out in the middle of nowhere, with no way for anyone to escape...

* i sleep and go to work and im so lost LOL you cats are too fast for an old lady like me lol *

freya rushed to one side as the tentical slapped the deck. she tried to see mateo over it but couldnt. being shoved by rushing men she slammed intot he railing.

she coughed and looked over the edge 'if i can get into the water i can get safe' she thought and went to jump off the deck. she landed though on an outstretched tenticle slidding across the slimey surface avoiding its suckers. it flung her back onto the deck and she crawled the rest of the way to the stairs runnign down them hidding under the stairs.

the crew where being tossed around like rag dolls. and after a few moments of firing finally one of them hit the beast in the eye sending it into a fit of rage. it pulled the mast down and leveled the captains quarters. the captain luckily on deck at the time.

"MAN THE CANNONS!" he yelled but the frenzied men wouldnt listen.

the sound of cannor fire rang out but it was not from their ship. instead it was a ship just ont he other side of the huge monster, they had basically come out of no where. they fired another round of cannon balls into the monster splattering its guts on the mamed ship. the beast in one more final stroke of rage brought its tenticle down the middle of the ship cracking it in two

the wood splintered around Freya and she felt the stairs collapse ontop of her. the wood pressing against her chest so tightly she couldnt expand her chest to breath. kicking her legs wildly she tried to move as the place filled with water. she saw it touch her boot but it was a while before it actually hit her skin. if the water would jsut touch her she could use her tail to push away but her flimsy unstable legs werent strong enough

the captain of the ship infront of the sinking ship smiled and lowered the row boats with a few of his own crew mates onboard to held the surviving men of the wreak onto his ship. little did the crew know it was more of a hostile take over. the men who climbed aboard where tied, and those who did not come willingly out of the water where dragged. including hime, and rei.

"now then... i hear you have a ... a mermaid?" the young captain said with a disgusting grin. "ahhh come on lads! speak up and you all get untied?" he said and walked up to an older pirate "you man. where is she?" he said and the man kept hsi head down. the captain pulled out his pistal and shot him point blank going around the men firing at those who didnt speak up. finally coming across one that would "WAIT... its um... her" he said motioning to hime and the man smiled laughing cockily "a mermaid would have a fin after being soaked" he said with a laugh firing the mans head right off with another bang. he loaded the gun back up and heard a member of his crew shout "captain! you better look!" he said and the captain turned towards the wreak to see a man swimming around the messy waters

"go fetch him!" the captain said impatiently tapping his gun in his hand

"FREYA!" Mateo called, treding water as he searched the wreckage. He'd lost her...how could he have lost her?!
'Maybe she swam to get away. Maybe she's under water waiting till its safe.' He thought but by the looks of the stirred and debri filled waters he was sure she wouldn't have been gone this long if she wasn't trapped somewhere. For a horrified moment he wondered if the monster had gotten ahold of her. He didn't notice the other ship in his panic, infact he'd been caught by a rope under water when the life boats had captured the survivors. A wave dunked him under the salty waves again and he sputtered up water and he shouted her name again.
Suddenly he remembered telling her to go bellow deck and looked at the slowly sinking half of ship that contained the smashed in captians quarters and the section of stairs leading bellow deck. He took in a deep breath and dove under the waves. He made his way through the salty water blindly, some how finding his way up and into the section of ship gasping for a good breath. He looked around in the low lit room and called to her, "Freya, estas aqui?! respondeme!" (Freya, are you here? Answer me!) He was tredding water and was already begining to feel tired he saw towards the steps for a place to rest for a minute till he caught sight of something white.
"Freya!" He said flipping it over but found it was instead a dead crew member. He back paddled away from the body in disgust and then heard something struggling a little further up. He looked to his left and saw her trapped under the crushed in stairs.
He swam over to her, relief flodding him as he helped work the wood off her. With forceful pushing and his adrenaline in the moment, helped send the large peice hold her in place into the water. "Christ, don't scare me like that." He huffed then jumped when the ship creaked and began sinking faster, sliding him and her into the water. He wasn't sure how much more he could take of all this battling currents and was struggling to stay afloat even then. "Come on let's get out of here before I drowned." He huffed, as a falling board narrowly missed him.

* ima going to just skip the the time now lol *