help me, darling. help me, please.

[rosestolilies]

[ So much to think about, and the clouds are no escape for your fine Queen today.

"Their own love in their rightful Queen can be strengthened. Compassion will show you both the way, I am certain. Some girls just want to ride the wind wear ever it takes them, and live life to the fullest."

Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Such a mess, it's all become such a mess! ]

- ♡ -
[ The mirror is recording as the Queen stands at the shoreline, the long stretch of the dunes at her back, the sheer plane of water before her. And overhead the clouds are still flashing with lightning, even as the serpent's bones rain down and warriors close in upon the ship. The storms are banished first, brushed aside with nothing more than an impatient motion. The ship will have to come down next, and she reaches upwards, pausing for only a moment when the High Priestess appears, her feet wet when the tide rolls in, and her head shaded beneath a paper parasol. She says something that can't be heard and the Queen nods distractedly, beginning then to reel down the Labrys as if she has caught it round with a lasso. The Pirate Queen appears at the rails, looking startled and irritated, calling out gruffly,]

Ready to open your mouth, woman?

[ Her majesty sighs, stating very deliberately, ] We do need to talk, yes.

[ The ship hits the ground with a spray of sand and sea, but the gangplank is lowered, and the Queen steps onto the ship, leaving the High Priestess standing at the edge of the tide. A squadron of large brown bears take up positions around the site. The Warrior Princess does not take long in joining them, her face cut and streaked with ash and blood. She does not take her eyes off of the ship, not even for a moment.

When the Queen reappears to see her there, she smiles bashfully. ]

High Priestess, you still have those bottled little folk, don't you, my dear?

[ Whatever the expression on the High Priestess' face, it is not pleasure, but she inclines her head obediently. Soon enough, a cat can be seen walking slowly down the beach, a rope in its mouth that is tied to a floating crate. The faeries inside rattle in their bottles, lights flashing within.

The Pirate Queen crows something rude and self-aggrandizing from the rails, grinning, and the damsels are led up from below deck by an honor guard of battered skeletons. The Queen opens her arms to them. ]

Darlings! I'm so glad to see you safe!

[ The Damsel goes to her, if no one else, and even she has soon moved on, hurrying across the sands to greet the Warrior Princess with a hug that is not returned.

The gangplank of the Labrys recedes when the crate is safely onboard, and though the ship does not seem to be moving, some of the skeletons wave cheerfully from the decks, giggling in that eerie way of theirs. ]


[[ooc; We will leave the comments open for all of you, but there will not be any NPC interaction on this post.]]

Comments

[golden_gaytime]

That's very kind of you. [ She holds the bags up; they're not too heavy, but they are stuffed with fabrics of black and white and something between peach and pink. ] I see. You must tell me all about what's kept you so busy. I'm sure I've missed a lot, with as lively as the gardens can get.

[drinkswithminors]

Well I'm sure your time was a lot more exciting than mine.

[golden_gaytime]

Maybe so! It was all new to me, that's for sure. [ Pointing. ] We should trade stories. I believe that would be fun!

[drinkswithminors]

Maybe later. For now, we should get you back to your place, and probably to bed. You've had a lot of excitement. Time to rest, I say.

[golden_gaytime]

It was very exciting, true, but I feel fine. [ One look at her will make that obvious!

One more look at Akira, though... ] You look more like the one who needs some rest. Did you pull an all-nighter for some reason? [ Mugi knows a thing or two about what someone looks like after something like that. ]

[drinkswithminors]

Hey now, I'm not the one who was kidnapped.

[golden_gaytime]

This is true! If you had been there with me, I could have shown you that everything was fine.

[drinkswithminors]

So... you're really okay? -Weight visibly leaves Akira's shoulders, the tiredness in her eyes becoming more honest.-

[golden_gaytime]

Yes, I am, though... [ She gently rubs at her own wrists from where the shackles had been worn that first day, long ago. Honestly, the Pirate Queen was far too paranoid for her own good. But it had to be part of the act, right?

Mugi looks down toward her feet. ] I admit that a warm bath would be lovely. I have been on my feet more than I am used to.

[drinkswithminors]

How about you come spend the night with Kazumi and me. She can cook you a nice dinner, I'll draw you up a hot bath. Good for all of us.

[golden_gaytime]

That sounds like a lovely time! I have been meaning to watch Kazumi-san cook, after all.

[ Though something puts the brakes on her making these plans. ] I will want to check in with Larry and Taokaka first. Would you mind waiting here a moment?

[drinkswithminors]

I'll wait for however long you need me to, sunshine.

[golden_gaytime]

I would hope so, Akira-kun. [ Mugi starts with a smile as she turns, casually adding: ] You have my clothes.

[drinkswithminors]

Huh? -Akira blinked, then smiled, letting out a small laugh.- Heh. So I do.

[golden_gaytime]

[ Amused. ] I'll trust you to take care of them! [ With a tiny wave, she jogs off to find Larry. She had missed the sleepover from a while back, so this was a good chance to make up for that, even if it was a much smaller gathering! ]

[drinkswithminors]

-Akira let out a long sigh once she was far enough away. As good as it was to see her again, and know that she was safe... she knew she was in for a scolding when she found out just how worried Akira had been.-