May I request more mermaid x pirate 2pfran? If it’s cool with you?
//No problem! Someone sent in an ask like this a while ago but I think I may have lost it. Anyhow, here you go:
Francios had since settled into life with his mermaid. He hated to admit it, but he had become uncomfortably attached to them. He wasn't quite sure what to do with it anymore. At first, he hoped to profit off the discovery. It would sell handsomely in any market, but now it seemed wrong to him. That was another thing that scared him, nothing had ever felt wrong to him. he was known as the man who would sell you his own family if it meant enough gold for him. Now, well, they seemed to have grown more dear to him than any human had ever managed. It wasn’t a smooth transition, from heartless to loving. Something about s/o just seemed to entrance him. Every time he left his ship, his cabin, he felt like he was leaving a bit of himself behind in that tank. He started to grow paranoid when he was away from s/o for too long. Unsettling thoughts would pop into his mind. What if they were kidnapped? What if that shady crewmember snuck in and did harm to them? His men whispered that s/o had placed a spell on him, and he wasn’t completely certain they weren’t wrong. In fact, the only time he ever felt certain was in his cabin, with s/o. Still, he was respected and feared. His new attachment seemed to make him stronger, more daring. He took on challenges most wouldn't dare attempt and still made it out alive.
Of course, this started people talking. A legend formed around him, and the mermaid that had cast a spell on him. Word spread from port to port of a beautiful mermaid that had enchanted the captain, and in exchange for protection, the mermaid had gifted him unimaginable power. The captain seemed mad, yes, but wouldn't mermaid magic have that effect on most? It was the only explanation his men could come up with, and the ludicrous legend became akin to truth as Francios only became more powerful and feared. A shrill, shrieking voice would cut through the silence of every night, shaking the crew to their bones. It had to be the mermaid, but no one questioned it. Since the screaming imitation of song began to ring through the night, they had never faced a storm.
“I don't know what I should do.” Francios mused as his eyes ran across the map. “You’re sure that the sea serpent lives there?”
“Yes, they terrorized our neighboring tribe for as long as anyone can remember.” A shrill voice answered, dulled by the water in the large tank, but nonetheless sharp.
“We’ll have to go through treacherous water to get there, is your voice up to it?” He seemed nervous. Their voice nearly faltered last time.
“It’ll be the smoothest sail through that region anyone’s had for a long time, and besides, I’ve been drinking that odd syrup you gave me.”
“Yeah, that thing. It’s helped a lot, despite it’s horrendous taste.” S/o assured
“Well, I’m sorry they don’t make fish flavored honey.” Francios laughed. That was also something new. He was never fond of laughing, much less doing it himself. “We’ll have to secure more supplies before we leave.”
“Have fun with that.” S/o remarked boredly as they swam around in their tank. They were thankful for the extra wiggle room. The tub left them cramped.
“I will.” His voice was dry as he rolled up the map, but not humorless. “I’ll be back in a few hours.” He spoke briefly before gathering his things and leaving, making sure to lock the room, nodding quickly at the guards outside of the door. S/o had quickly become his most valuable treasure. He wouldn’t just leave them unattended.
“Are you sure this is the right ship?” Antonio whispered to Gilbert as they crouched beneath the dock.
“It has to be, It’s the only ship that Francios sails with. If there wasn’t something valuable on this one, then why would he only ride this ship and none of his others?” Gilbert whispered back, nudging Antonio as a shadow passed over them through the boards. “That’s our queue, let’s get this party started.” The two crept up closer to the deck, crawling on board silently, sneaking past the watches quiet as wraiths. Antonio motioned with his head towards the captains quarters and Gilbert nodded. They both smiled at the sight of many guards. There must be something important behind that door.
“Hey amigos!” Antonio spoke cheerily, peering over the corner. Many shots rang through the air. Antonio just nearly dodged them before rushing the guards with Gilbert. A short struggle and it was over, the guards had used up their guns firing at Antonio and it didn’t take much to incapacitate them.
“Sweet, a lock!” Gilbert whisper-yelled triumphantly, taking out his lockpicks and making quick work of the contraption. Stepping into the room, the two were in awe.
“Holy crap, we struck it big,” Antonio spoke. The richly decorated cabin paled in comparison to the huge tank to one side of the room, and the hauntingly graceful mermaid swimming through its waters.
“Who are you?” The mermaid spoke with a tone somewhere between haughtiness and uncertainty.
“We, my dear creature, are your saviors,” Gilbert spoke with a smug bow. “Arnt you tired of sticking with that grumpy old man? We’re gonna take you somewhere where you’ll be more…. appreciated.” He stalked around their tank, before losing patience and smashing the hilt of his sword against the glass. A loud crack followed by a booming screech echoed through the cabin, the screaming becoming louder every second. The cracks soon claimed the tank and a flood of water and broken glass surged forward, slamming the two would-be thieves to the ground. The silence that hung low in in the air seemed intrusive after the chaos, the only sound the desperate gasps of the mermaid as they scrambled through the broken glass, trying to press water to their gills.
“We need to run.” Antonio’s voice was urgent as he lifted up his friend. “Grab the beast, we need to go. The guy will be back here any moment. I’m sure the entire town heard that.”