Arc 1 Part 4
Vil didn't understand why he was feeling so sick. Right now he found himself clenching the side of the ship, hurling into the ocean. Pearluna was right next to him patting him on the back.
"It's alright." She comforted him. "Most who haven't been at sea before usually get sea sick."
A lizardman sailor approached Pearluna with a bucket. If you're thinking of taking him below deck, please make sure he aims for this."
"I'll take care of him." The witch accepted the bucket. The lizardman gave a grateful nod and went back to his duties.
When the sailor left Vil felt another round coming. So he hurled again. "When will it stop?" He begged the vampire. He turned and saw the witch using blue sigils and forming a goblet out of ice.
She then put her hand over the goblet and filled it with water from another spell. She extended the drink to Vil. "Slosh the water and spit it out. It will get the stomach acids out of your teeth." He accepted her advice and did as she recommended. "Good, now eat the goblet. You need something in your stomach and the chill should help.” She finished.
It took some effort but the seasick blacksmith was able to start chomping away on the ice goblet. The chill does feel good. But I still have a killer headache.’ He thought as he finished.
"You have any other tricks that can help me?" He asked the witch.
"I do, but we will have to go below deck." She replied.
"Let's do it. Anything to help alleviate these awful aches and pains." He didn't have time to register the witch grabbing him by the arm, and bucket in the other, and lead They back to their room.
When they entered the room, Vil immediately sat down on the bed. He looked over to the vampire, now with her witch's hat and lab coat off, filling the bucket with wa ter from her magic. She then pulled out a small stone from her pack next to the bed and casted a spell on it. She then dropped the stone into the bucket.
The witch turned to him. "Heat emitting enchantment. The stone will warmup the water."
"I think I want to try using that concept on something in the future." Vil said weakly. "So what's the trick to getting rid of seasickness?"
"Ease not get rid of." Pearluna clarified. I can ease the aches and pains. Time on a ship will have you eventually adapt and not get seasick." She then put her hand in the water checking its temperature. "Everyone is different. It took me longer than my brother to get over seasickness."
She then took her hand out of the water, satisfied that it is hot enough. She then turned to Vil. "Take off your shirt."
"Huh!?" Vil blushed and stared at her with widened eyes and his mouth hanging open.
The vampire rolled her eyes. If you want to feel better, take off your shirt and lie facedown on the bed. And don't forget to take your shoes off before putting your feet on the bed. I like sleeping on clean sheets."
With a nervous swallow, Vil did as he was told. There should be nothing to worry about. He survived the morning incident when they were camping. Pearluna even claimed that they were already even for it.
As he lay on the bed he saw the witch put the bucket down next to it. She then took off her shoes and sat right next to him, her bare legs touching his sides. Pearluna then got a towel and put it in the bucket. When it soaked in the water she then twisted it to remove some water from it.
Vil then felt the wet warm towel be placed on his back. Then he felt the towel be gently rubbed over his back.
"The warm water is to make your skin damp and to relax your muscles." Pearluna's voice softly conveyed. "Just relax and enjoy the massage."
"You're doing more than what I initially asked of you when we shook hands." Vil groaned as he felt her hands press the towel on his shoulder. "In hindsight I might have wasted our time when I chose to help that old couple."
"That wasn't a waste of time." Pearluna got the towel wet again. You did the right thing going out of your way to help them. You're a good person." She placed the towel on his back and continued massaging. "Besides I'm not just helping a business partner. I'm helping a friend."
Satisfied with her work with the towel, the vampire put the towel away and reached for her pack. She pulled out a small hand sized glass bottle. "I hope you like the smell of lavender." She poured lavender oil on her hand then put the bottle away.
"It smells nice." Vil answered as the lavender aroma filled the room. His muscles tensed as he felt the witch's hands, with the cool oil, made contact with his back.
"You're muscles are tightening again." Her fingers gently massaged the oil on his skin. As they smoothly glided on his back, Vil's muscles relaxed.
"Sorry," Vil said.
"This is your first time getting a massage." Pearluna softly reasoned. "Just enjoy it." She pressed her thumbs were the shoulder blades meet. "Loosening your muscles will help you not fight against the sways of the ship. You were fighting the swaying and trying to stand up straight and rooted to the ship when you are supposed to move with it."
"Like tall wooden pillars that are composed of pieces." Vil realized. "Those pillars are supposed to move with the wind or the earth if there is an earthquake. If they are just one stiff pillar it would snap in two."
"A good comparison." Pearluna moved her hands to his mid back. "Though I must ask, is my massage satisfactory? People at the sorcerer academy refused my offers and I haven't given a massage in a few years.”
Vil groaned as he felt the vampire's fingers apply pressure. "I think you're doing a great job." Her hands moved to his lower back. "But I'm feeling a little drowsy."
"It's normal to doze off." Pearluna moved back up to his shoulders. "I'll wake you when it's time for dinner."
Vil wanted to stay awake but eventually, thanks to the rhythmic massage, sleep took him. Pearluna kept performing her massage even after he fell asleep. Eventually she stopped. Her hands then started to stroke the human's hair. "Rest now and awaken with rejuvenated health." She softly said to his ear.
The witch then moved her feet back into her shoes and stood up. She took a moment to stretch her arms before reaching down her bare legs to her shoes to stretch her other muscles. She then moved and put her lab coat back on followed by her witch's hat.
She took one final look at Vil's sleeping form before smiling softly. Opening the door quietly, Pearluna took her leave.
<Scene Change>
Pearluna found herself standing on the port side of the ship looking out at the sea. She could hear the sailors performing their duties behind her. As she was taking in the view, she heard heavy footsteps approach from behind.
"So how's our passenger with seasickness doing?" Captain Ajun rested one arm on the railing with his body turned towards the witch.
He's asleep right now. Hopefully he will have an appetite when he wakes." Pearluna turned to face the captain.
The captain then gave her a questioning look. "So does he know about you?"
The vampire looked confused. "That I'm a vampire?" Yes, and he has taken it very well."
"Not what I mean." The alligator head shook negatively. "I meant about you being a princess."
Pearluna made an innocent face. "I'm sorry but I believe you got it wrong about me."
The captain shook his head again. "I've sailed to Mariana enough times to know that stories with more truth from the vampire lands can Reach it due to it being the closest town they allowed to their borders." He turned to face the horizon. For example, people may remember the last vampire that was outside of his home caused quite a scare To many because of his attitude. However, not many know that the vampires that venture forth from their lands are directly linked to one of the many Vampire Count families."
The witch gave a sigh of defeat. "Okay I admit I am the daughter of a count. But to correct you, I don't have the title of princess."
"So what do I call you?" Heir Apparent, M’lady, Mistress?” The captain raised one finger per suggestion.
The vampire shook her head. "I am not the heir apparent. That would be my older brother. I have been called Lady, Lord, and Mistress. It depends on how dramatic the addresser usually is." She then gave the captain a serious look. "I do ask that you do not speak to me with titles in front of your crew and especially in the presen ce of Vil. So far the rest of the crew had been too busy to hear the pair's conversation.
"That sounds fine. At least that means I don't have to pull out my special guest carpet." The captain joked, but then asked. "But why do you want your friend to not know?"
He already wants to prove himself to me for our partnership. I don't want to add the pressure of my status onto that." Pearluna then had a smile. "I also like how he's not been treating me like a noble and isn't afraid of me."
"If you say so." The lizardman walked away from the witch. "Also you might want to wake your friend. It's almost time to start the crawfish boil."
"Of course." Pearluna nodded and made her way back below deck.
<Scene Change>
When Pearluna arrived to both her and Vil's room, she saw two sailors carrying one of the crates out . She stepped aside as the two made their way out. "Thank you." Both said when they passed her.
When they were gone, the witch entered the room to find Vil still asleep and he had rolled over to l ie on his back. She gently put her right hand on his cheek and started to shake his head a bit. What she got in response was his hands wrapping around her hand and hold it on his cheek.
"So soft and cool." She heard him mutter.
The witch sighed. "Okay, that's enough admiring my touch. Now it's time to getup. She used her other hand to help gently shake his head again. She saw his eyes start to open.
As Vil was awoken, it took him a moment to become fully aware of his situation. He felt something cool and soft that he was holding on himself. As his eyes adjusted he saw two flawless bare legs next to the bed. His gaze slowly followed up and he came face to face with Pearluna smiling down at him. He then saw that her right arm was reaching over him and as his gaze followed, he came to an embarra ssing realization.
Are you done enjoying the view and touch of my skin?" The witch said softly with a smile.
Vil immediately let go of her hand. But Pearluna kept her hand on his cheek and rubbed it. After having enough of embarrassing him, she pulled away. "So how are you feeling?"
Vil sat up and didn't feel nauseous during the action. "I don't feel like I'm going to puke into the sea. However, I now feel like my stomach needs to be filled with all the empty space I created."
"It seems my massage did the trick." The witch flexed her fingers. She then turned and tossed his shirt to him. "Come on they are starting to boil the crawfish." And like clockwork the smell of the spices started to drift into their room. The witch took a deep breath. 'I can't wait to pull apart those crustaceans!' She giggled to herself in anticipation.
As Vil put his shirt and shoes on he turned to Pearluna as she giggled. "Um, I'm ready. Are you okay?" He put a hand on her shoulder to snap her out of her little fantasy.
"Oh sorry." She took his hand into her own. "Come on the first batch is probably going to be ready." The witch took the lead pulling the blacksmith along for the ride.
'She must really like crawfish.' Was all that played through Vil's head as he was led on.
<Scene Change>
When the pair emerged to the top deck of the ship, the smell of the seasonings from the boiling pot was very potent. Captain Ajun was standing over and stirring the pot while eying the crustaceans. Then he reached for the rim and, with a mighty pull, out came the inner basket draining the liquid while still holding the crawfish inside with potatoes and cobs of corn.
The lizardman captain then put the basket into an empty pot on the side and finished by placing a l arge ladle into it. "Alrighty, first batch is done! You know the drill, form a line and start self serving.” As crew cheered as they did as they were told, the captain was already putting a new basket, with th e next batch, into the boiling pot.
As Vil and Pearluna joined the line, it dawned on him that he was the only one that didn't understa nd what made crawfish so special. "Pearluna, I know that this will sound strange but, what is crawfish like?"
"Ohhh it's one of the best food to have with someone!" The vampire said enthusiastically. "The smell of the spices, the tearing of the exoskeleton to get to the meat inside, and the explodin g flavor. Couple it with potatoes and corn that are also covered in the spices and a drink, it creates one of The best atmospheres to eat with other people." She gestured to how all of the sailors, both still waiting in line and those already eating, are laughing and talking to each other so adamantly.
Vil took in the atmosphere around them. It was still early afternoon with the sky still blue. Seeing the whole crew of the ship having a good time over this meal had him understand how the food is bringing them together. He then realized how much stronger the smell of the seasonings were as he and his companion neared t he large serving pot.
"I'll show you how to eat them when we get settled." The vampire assured him.
Then it was their turn. First thing Vil noticed was how big the wooden plates were as he picked one up. He saw Pearluna then grab the ladle and pull out lots of crawfish and fill her plate. She then went for two more scoops, making sure she got some potatoes and corncobs.
As she put the ladle down she turned to Vil. "This is a normal serving, now go ahead."
Vil then repeated Pearluna's motions with the ladle. Pouring onto he plate were the red crustaceans. He did two more scoops like the witch did. Now, plates in hand, the pair went to a lone table for two and sat across from each other. The smell of the food was very potent and now it is time for Vil to break open his first crawfish.
