Cautionary Narratives for the Inexperienced
A/N: Just bonding time with the Blasted Scorn crew before the real story starts. My research was kinda limited because there aren’t enough mythical creatures in the sea. I’d make up with one but even I can’t consider anything more scary than a siren or a kraken. Enjoy.^^
Word Count: 937
TW: talk about lethal creatures
***
"You're telling us," Eubha starts, keeping elbows on her sides. "There's a ghost hiding under the sea?"
"Not exactly a ghost, lassie," Miss Kentway replies, lifting the lantern high. "It's a monster that drowns a ship, dragging it down to the ocean. It's body moves like a ghost but it has the strength of a lion, striking terror onto the hearts of people. It can disguise by taking cover on different areas to not be caught. It's a creature, no one should ever cross paths with."
Ianete groans, close to dozing off to a sleep. Titanrin takes a sip of their whiskey, wiping the liquid off their mouth. Kentway has been telling monster stories to the crew and some fell asleep as she kept on droning about them. Only Eubha remained awake and with strong interest.
They succeeded in their recent attempt of stealing the gold from the king of Drivalon dynasty. They managed to outwit the new group of pirates, who dumbly watched them escape with their prize in tow. Dunderheads. They knew next to nothing about being a pirate.
All sorts of pitiful creatures lurk under the surface of the stormy seas, searching for a prey to catch.
When they were young, Titanrin often laughed at the notions of terrifying monsters and their so-called appetite. As they grew older, it had been apparent that said creatures existed after all.
As they hate to tell the story, Titanrin went up against a kraken on one of their travels when they began their path as a pirate. It had been relentless to tear down their first ship but they refused to give in to defeat. So, they tricked the creature into following another ship. They rubbed a genie lamp, only wishing for a mirage of their ship to be used as a distraction. The genie granted their wish, allowing them to escape unharmed.
While Titanrin would like to ask for another one, they aren't pleased by the limitations the genie has to offer. So, no thanks.
"How exciting." Eubha clasps her hands together. "Can I visit the monster on it's home? Please, Miss Kentway."
"Well, you can't go down there," Titanrin says, nursing their bottle of whiskey.
"Why not?" Eubha asks, curious as a cat.
"Besides." Ianete scoffs, leaning their cheek against the back of their hand. "You're too young to explore places similar to that on your own. Maybe when you grow a feet taller, per'aps, we'll see by then."
"Tell me more stories, Miss Kentway!" Eubha begs, queuing the sigh of Ianete.
"Very well, child," Kentway murmurs in resignation. "Do you know about the maidens that live down the ocean? Waiting for people travelling across the sea and luring them to their doom?"
Eubha gasps, grasping on the handle of her chair.
"Sirens? Are you talking about sirens?"
Ianete throws a palm on their face as Kentway grimaces. Titanrin sets the bottle of whiskey aside, trying to hide their yawn.
"No, the creature is known as a Scylla," Kentway answers, her face turning ashen. "May the gods help us all. They could take down six travelers if any ship gets to close to their rocks. Her heads starve and feasts on the taste of flesh."
Ah, yes. Scylla was a bloody hideous creature that deserves to be banished from all seas. If Titanrin had it their way, they would get of it for the benefit of all pirates and fanatic sea-faring adventurers. And for themself, of course. No pirate wants to be travelling across the seas with the fear of being watched as their guide.
"Numerous creatures remains hidden in the shadows under the sea," Kentway explains, keeping her clasps hands behind her back. "Often, they are wicked and sly and wait for gullible targets to be their victims. I wish I could say friendly creatures roam the ocean. However, I sadly cannot."
Eubha shudders and Ianete gags.
"That's why, you ought to follow the rules to be safe," Titanrin points out languidly.
"Since when there are rules of being a pirate?" Eubha asks, sighing in frustration.
"There ain't a bloody rule of being a pirate," Ianete hisses. "There's pre-cautions for bein' safe and shit. Oh, and for not destroying this ship. Need I remind ya, it's not easy repairing a ship as big as this one!"
"Keep your voices down," Titanrin says, pressing two fingers over their lips. "Most of the crew are being asleep."
"Fine," Ianete mumbles, scowling.
"You too, Eubi," Kentway says sweetly.
Eubha throws her hands up. "I didn't so anything."
Ianete scoffs, their shoulders slumping.
"Except irritate me."
Titanrin shrugs as the two people get into another fight. Having a grumpy and a sunny person on their crew placed them on a difficult situation. It's bad they get on each other's nerves more so than not. Eubha remained more cheerful as Ianete gets more sullen. A very peculiar relationship these two had shared.
When the lantern turns off, Kentway still continues on telling the stories involving different sorts of mysterious creatures. Eubha still listens with interest and Ianete starts to sleep.
Titanrin shifts in their shirt, hanging their arm loosely by their side. They glance out at the circular window, watching the sweeping motions of the sea. It might be filled with vicious creatures hiding in the shadows like cowards, the fact didn't deter them from sailing it and beyond.
Perhaps when they reach to a new land, they won't have to worry about such dangers for the time being. They had priorities to concentrate on.
With the waves of the sea lulling them to slumber, they close their eyes.
***
