Arc 1 Part 3
Pearluna woke up feeling a weight on her chest. As her eyes adjusted she saw that Vil's head was resting on her! Her face quickly turned red as she saw her predicament.
Her breathing started to pick up speed as she was trying to figure out how to get Vil off of her. Suddenly, Vil's head turned where his face was in full view. He looked so peaceful. He wasn't feeling her up with his hands at all.
Realizing she might accidentally be over reacting, the vampire took a deep breath. "I don't want to ruin our partnership over something like this." She smiled at his sleeping form. She noticed that his dark shoulder length hair was not well combed. She got an idea, "Well you can repay me for this." She moved her hands and started to stroke his hair.
'It's not as soft as mine but there is potential.' She thought as she was running her hands through Vil's hair. She started playing with the idea of giving him a ponytail but then stopped herself from getting car ried away.
Vil then nuzzle on her chest from her touch. Pearluna giggled, “Don’t move so much. Otherwise I can't fix you hair."
Vil's eyes then started to open slowly. He felt the rhythmic hand strokes on his head. They felt nice. Just like this pillow... 'This isn't a pillow!' His eyes widened as he saw his predicament.
He tried to get up and apologize as fast as possible. However, before he could move Pearluna used one arm to hold him down on her and her other to cover h is mouth. "I'm going to uncover your mouth." She said with a smile she hoped would calm him. "And you are not going to apologize profusely and loudly. It's still early in the morning and I would prefer us not waking the elderly couple."
Vil nodded affirmatively. The vampire released his mouth. "Is there anything I can do to make this right?" He quietly, but urgently, said.
The vampire continued to smile. "Yes. Now lie down." He quickly did as she commanded. What he did not expect was for her to giggle and then place her head on his chest. "Now stroke my hair like I did for you."
His hand shook as he slowly reached for her white hair. When his hand made contact, Vil couldn't help himself but say, "It's so soft and smooth." He started to stroke her hair and the witch smiled and nuzzled him.
"Thank you. I make it a point to take very good care of my hair and skin." She giggled.
Vil blushed at his predicament but continued to stroke her hair. To have accidentally been in the arms of a girl while sleeping and the only retribution she wants i s me to do this. I am so glad she isn't the type that would have hit me!' He thought.
They stayed in this position for a while. But eventually the sun was up and it was time for them to get ready for the day.
After the pair got out of the tent they were greeted by the older couple. "Good to see you both awake." The gentleman walked to the almost finished axel. "Ready to finish up?"
Vil nodded and got his four floating axe heads out and, with the gentleman, finished the axel. It will hold for the trip to the port. After that I recommend getting a proper replacement." Vil wiped his brow.
Pearluna then approached the final product. "If you'd like I could make it a little more durable just incase."
"Be our guest," the gentleman said.
The witch then walked up to the axel and extended her hands. More sigils appeared and then the axel started to glow. When the glowing ended she put her hands down with winded breath.
"It should be ready." She smiled in satisfaction of her work.
"Okay now to get it installed." Vil approached the wagon. "I didn't notice before but you already have the wagon jacked." There was a pile of sticks arranged in a square shape piled on top of each other until the stack hel d the wagon up. "Shouldn't be too difficult to install."
First the rear wheels were disconnected from the old broken axel. Vil then held the new axel in place as the older gentleman connected the wheels. With the axel installed Vil opened his pack and pulled out a small jar.
You mentioned that the axel was worn out to break. I have this grease that can help the wheels not wear this one out." Vil offered. The gentleman gave him a gesture to do so. Vil opened the jar and the grease floated out, due to his affin. This made it easier for him to grease hard to get to parts of the connection between the axel and th e wheels. When this was done he gave a thumbs up.
The older lady then approached. "Thank you both for helping us. I know it's not much but all we can offer is a ride to the port town."
"Actually, that is where we are heading." Vil replied.
"Then climb into the back and we will be on our way!" The gentleman was already at the horse reins.
The blacksmith and the witch climbed into the wagon and sat next to each other for the trip.
<Scene Change>
The rest of the trip to the port town was uneventful. Once the wagon pulled in through the gates Vil and Pearluna bid the older couple farewell. It was now time to find a ship that would take them to Mariana.
They spotted a ship nearby that was still being loaded. Looking for the captain, the pair found a lizardman directing the crew. "Careful with that! That's going to be your meal for the next few days." He pointed at a crewman carrying a box.
As two approached the captain turned his alligator head and looked down on them. He then smiled. Ah, what can Captain Ajun do for you two?"
Vil took the greeting in stride. Hello sir. My name is Vil and this is my friend and partner Pearluna. We were wondering if you and your crew would take us to Mariana.”
The lizardman captain took off his captain's hat and scratched his head with his tail. "Well we are transporting goods to Mariana. But we only have one room open and even that one is filled with special food for the crew." He then looked at the witch. "There is also only enough room for one bed. I don't know if that would be appropriate for you."
Pearluna then spoke up. "What is this special food that you are transporting?"
Captain Ajun smiled proudly. "Crawfish! It's a tradition this time of year that the crew and I have crawfish boils. If you can't handle the spicy seasoning..."
"We'll be fine!" The vampire quickly said. "The single bed won't be an issue."
Vil looked at her incredulously. With the morning's incident still fresh in his head, he thought she would want a separate bed. Why was the mention of crawfish enough to convince her?' He thought.
"Are you sure?" The gator head turned to Vil. The raised eyebrows also showed his surprise at the witch's quick answer.
Vil glanced at Pearluna and saw her eyeing him. The message was clear, she would not accept no for an answer. Silently deciding to not fight her, Vil came to a decision. "We can make it work. So how much?"
"So I'd usually charge just as much for a couple sharing a bed as two people sharing a room with tw o beds." The captain the look glanced at the pair's hands. "But clearly you two are not that kind of couple. So for the awkwardness you both will be feeling when sleeping, I'll charge you the price of one pers on for one bed." He then extended a hand.
"You have a deal." Vil shook Ajun's hand.
<Scene Change>
"Here's your room." Said a human sailor as he opened the door to where Vil and Pearluna will be staying. "If you have any inquiries just ask. Both of you are our only guests." He then walked away to help prepare the ship to set sail.
Vil put his large pack down next to the bed. Pearluna followed suit with her smaller bag next to his. "So is this your first time on a boat?" She asked.
"Yeah." Vil gestured to the wall. "I also have never seen how they are made. I'm actually really excited to see how it works. Especially the mast and all of the pulleys in motion. What about you, is this your first time?"
The witch smiled and pushed some of her hair behind her right ear. "I have been to the beaches many times. It was a tradition from my mother." She looked wistfully out the small open window. The sounds of waves crashing, the subtle smell of salt in the air, and the endless blue you can get Lost in by watching it move. Don't even get me started on what is under the surface."
"Hard to believe that vampires would go somewhere as sunny as a beach." Vil responded.
"I already told you how the sun affects vampires and we also don't tan. But my mother was a naiad before meeting my father. She wanted her children to see their heritage. That and to get us used to underwater breathing." She explained.
"You can breath underwater?" The blacksmith was confused. "But you are a vampire."
The vampire pointed at her ears. They were fin like now that he got a better look. He didn't even notice in the morning when her head was on him. 'Guess the shock made me not notice.' He believed.
"Races that are turned into a vampire still retain their racial traits and pass them down to their C hildren. My mother was a naiad. When she had me and my brother, we got her water breathing.” Pearluna said. Then she rolled up her coat sleeve. "That and her flawless skin!"
"And the crawfish?" Vil had a teasing look.
Pearluna's face became sheepish. "Mother was the one that had us eat a lot of seafood. Be it freshwater or saltwater creatures, I have a love of it."
There was a knock on the door. "We're about to cast off. Make sure your stuff is secure." The voice of the sailor did not wait for a response as there were footsteps immediately heard after his announcement.
Pearluna looked at Vil. "Want to catch the view?"
Vil only nodded before vampire took his hand and lead him out of their room. As they got on the deck they weaved around sailors doing final checks. Eventually they got to the bow of the ship. They heard the sails unfold and catch the wind. The ship then departed from the land.
Pearluna stood behind Vil as the wind pushed against his back. He had a look of wonder just seeing the view of the endless sea before them. He then turned to smile at her. She put her hand on his shoulder. Take it all in. You only get a first time experience once. Enjoy the moment."
