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Arc 1 Part 6

　Vil was the first to wake up. He turned his head to see that Pearluna was still asleep. He smiled at her sleeping form and quietly slid out of their bed. As he made his way to the door he saw the vampire move. But she just moved to the middle of the bed instead of remaining so close to the wall.

　Seeing that she hasn’t woken up Vil continued to leave their room. After gently closing the door, he made his way up to the top deck. As he got onto the top of the deck, he could smell food being cooked.

　Upon getting to the outside he saw that the same stove used to boil the crawfish was now being used for breakfast with the captain once again behind it. ‘Might as well get food for myself and Pearluna.’ Vil thought as he got in line.

　The line was long but it made sense. The crew probably got up earlier to perform their duties while Captain Ajun was cooking. It took a while but eventually it was Vil’s turn.

　“Was starting to wonder when one of you was going to show up. Your friend still out?” Ajun greeted.

　“She is. I was hoping to get breakfast for both of us.” Vil started looking at what was left available.

　It was a simple lineup of food: scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, and water. The plates were also the same large plates used for the crawfish boil the previous night. “You sure you can carry two big plates and two cups of water?” The captain looked concerned. “Because you are the last one, I usually give extra.” He already had one plate with a larger pile of grits and eggs on it.

　Vil concentrated on the plate and it started to levitate in the air. “Yeah I should be fine.” The captain nodded and served up the second plate. He then finished by handing the two cups of water to Vil.

　Pearluna started to rub her eyes as she awakened. As her eyes adjusted she sat up and stretched her arms. She looked around and saw that she was the only one in the room. “A shame I woke up late. I was hoping to have Vil stroke my hair again. He did a good job fixing my bed hair.” She said to herself.

　She started to smell food coming from somewhere on the ship. ‘I wonder what’s for breakfast.’ She was about to start getting out of bed when the door opened.

　Before the witch came Vil holding two cups of water. “Oh you’re awake.” He stepped in and was followed by two plates containing the same food. “I went to get us breakfast so you could sleep more.”

　“You got me breakfast in bed.” Pearluna smiled. “See, I told you that you were kind.”

　She reached out as Vil offered her one of the cups of water. She took a look around the bed and saw that there was no stable surface to put it. Then she had an idea. The witch put her hands on the cup and blue sigils appeared. She then let go of the cup and it levitated in place. “Pass me the rest.” She suggested.

　Vil saw no problem with it and complied. As the last item, the second plate, was enchanted to levitate Pearluna looked at him. “Come on.” She scooted over and patted the empty part of the bed, inviting Vil to join her.

　Vil hesitated at first. ‘Well she hasn’t been aggressive against me. I guess she really does enjoy my company.’ After the hesitance he slid back into the bed covers next to Pearluna.

　They ate in a comfortable silence. The meal was pretty hearty with the portions that they were given. As they finished their plates, Vil moved them on top of one of the crawfish crates with his affin.

　Both breath a sigh of satisfaction as they leaned back in the bed. “That was good.” Vil said. “So what do you want me to do for you as your second favor since last night?”

　Pearluna gently placed her head on his chest. “You did a good job with my bed hair last time.”

　Vil’s hand had already started running through her white hair. “I think you just like the feeling of your hair being stroked.”

　“I can’t deny that. But I think you like how soft it is.” The witch replied.

　They enjoyed the moment. After a while Vil stopped stroking Pearluna. Taking it as a sign that they have been in bed long enough, Pearluna stopped resting her head on Vil.

　The pair went on to their own devices on the ship for the remainder of the trip. Pearluna would often find herself looking out at sea taking in the view. She could see fish swiming alongside the ship as the light reflected off of their scales. At one point a whale sprung to the surface to make a splash before disappearing back into the depths below.

　The witch leaned on the edge of the ship as such occurrences happened. She had to restrain naiad part of herself from making her jump into the sea for a swim. She had no doubt that her naiad traits would make it easy for her to keep up with the ship. However, she did not want to put unnecessary worry on the crew and Vil. ‘I should take Vil to the beach once we get settled in Mariana.’ The vampire thought to herself.

　Vil meanwhile was watching the crew go about their duties on the deck. His eyes followed the rope pulleys for the sails and was slowly piecing together what each rope was connected to and what did it do. It was just fascinating watching the crew work. A few rope pulls here and the sails would be moved into place to catch the wind.

　He found his eyes drifting over to Pearluna looking over the port side of the ship. Even though she was shrouded under the shadow from her enchanted hat, he could still see her long mid back length hair moving in the wind. She looked serene and Vil was slowly getting lost looking at her.

　The blacksmith immediately shook his head. ‘Don’t think about her romantically.’ He mentally told himself. ‘Don’t ruin the friendship you both currently have by making it awkward.’

　Was Pearluna pretty to Vil? Yes. She was also pleasant to be around. But the pair are going to be working together for his idea. They will be spending a lot of time together and if it gets awkward or, in the worst case, hostile, Vil felt that they would go their separate ways. He did not want to risk losing the pretty witch. Not because he would lose the key to making enchanted objects, but because he did not want to lose a friend.

　A few more days past for the ship’s voyage. There was no conflict that impeded the journey and the routine was simple. There was only breakfast and dinner when it came to food. Captain Ajun’s reasoning was because of the crawfish.

　It was the time of year where the crew got crawfish and the occasion of having them meant that dinner would always be hearty. To make sure that the crew would be hungry enough to eat the batches that would be served would be too have only two meals a day. That is why breakfast was hearty as well, so the crew could go without lunch but be hungry enough for all the crawfish.

　One day, after eating breakfast, Vil and Pearluna made their way to the deck of the ship. The crew were moving around faster than usual. The captain approached them and said. “You didn’t hear down there but we can see Mariana.” He pointed forwards.

　In the distance land could be made out. As the ship got closer the pair could see many ships off the coast. Some were traveling merchant vessels heading off to sea. There were also fishing ships heading out to get their catches or returning with their hauls.

　As the ship got closer, the pair could make out the town. Its harbor stretched all the way to the defensive walls that were the town’s perimeter. The buildings were simple and there were the bustling of people going about their daily routines.

　The most common people next to humans, especially on the docks, were naiads. They could be seen swimming in the water assisting ships and others however they could. Some naiads were already approaching the ship that the blacksmith and witch were on.

　The pair stood back as the lizardman captain and his crew coordinated with the naiads to bring the ship into port. The ropes were tossed to the people on the boardwalk and were then tied.

　After docking was finished, Captain Ajun personally escorted the pair off. “It was a pleasure having you two onboard.”

　“Likewise captain.” Vil replied. “I hope we meet again sometime.” Both Vil and Pearluna waved goodbye as the made their way into Mariana.

　“We should look for a landlord.” Pearluna suggested. “Best to ask the guards where we can find one.”

　The witch walked up to the nearest guard in town. “Would you happen to know who we can purchase some land from?”

　“The landlord is in the outer parts of Mariana with his wife.” The guard then pointed to a road going east. “Follow that road to the guardhouse near the wall. Those two usually have a picnic out there.”

　Thanking the guard, the pair began their walk eastward. As they were making their way out for the main town, Vil noticed how everyone dressed. There was the fair share of usual clothing he had seen back in the Kingdom of Jus Terin, he saw that many people were wearing kimonos.

　Pearluna noticed his staring. “It’s a clothing style shared by many in these lands. The vampires also have this style of dress.”

　“You’re not wearing one right now though.” Vil stated.

　“I was trying not to stand out too much at the Sorcerer Academy.” The vampire pulled on her lab coat. “This was worn by many of the alchemists.”

　The pair were getting closer to the wall around Mariana. The guardhouse could be seen. But the view was what caught the pair. Small farms were out here away from the main town. Stores were also around, but were more separated out. Looking north there was a large manor on a hill overlooking the entire town.All in all it was a very peaceful setting.

　As the pair approached the guardhouse, they saw a lady with nine foxtails and fox ears wearing a pink kimono. “Oh hello.” She turned to them. “I haven’t seen you two before. Are you new?”

　Vil let Pearluna speak. “We were looking for the landlord. We are interested in buying some property.”

　The nine tails started to sway gently. “My husband is in the back with the guards shooting targets.” She sweetly said. “I can take you to him if you’d like.”

　“Please, lead on.” Pearluna politely bowed and Vil followed suit.

　They followed the nine tail woman around to the back of the guardhouse. They saw a naiad man in a black kimono drawing a bow as some guards were chatting. The naiad fired and hit the third ring from the center. The men cheered.

　The naiad turned laughing with the guards before noticing his wife. His fin ears flexed a bit. “Honey, care to take a shot?”

　The woman shook her head. “I’m sorry, but this lovely pair wanted to meet you to buy some land.”

　The naiad man turned to Vil and Pearluna. “An interesting pair. Captain can we borrow your office?”

　The captain stood up, his eyes were on the witch. “Only if I can be present.”

　“What about you dear?” The naiad approached his wife.

　“I’m rested now. Don’t worry your record will still be above mine when I’m done.” She hugged him with her arms and tails. As they released their embrace, she turned to bow to the vampire and human. “It was a pleasure.”

　With that the pair found themselves following the guard captain and the naiad into the guardhouse.