- Username:
- mtuan,
- Laurella/Laura
- dfab
- (ft Atari)
Night falls like a blanket over the horizon, painting the distant sea in hues of blue and golden-gray. The sky above darkening as the minutes go by, but even in the lateness of the day, she could make out the unruly sea lion forms out by the beach. Their calls sound solemn, barking every so often to call for one another as they peer out into the distance, where the linger colors splashed against the faraway skyline.
Gazing out with the colony, Atari spots the faintest of silhouettes out in the distance. Of a galleon, of a ship, seemingly already docked, anchor dropped. Although their shouts are too distant to hear, Atari is sure that one of the crew members is likely dropping their little boats, ready to make it out here, to the markets where they can replenish the drained supplies. A distinct flag flies above the mast and even without squinting- Atari knows of the Jolly Roger flying high and proud.
Unable to keep herself from the curiosity any longer, the young woman wades into the waves until it hits half way up her knees. And then something- or someone catches her attention.
Although it'd become dark out, quite counter-intuitively, the dimness of the ocean- the only light coming from the port behind her- is what catches the movement. As the bioluminescence of the ocean (plankton) becomes visible under the stars, the outline of another being forms each time movement disturbs the sea life below and Atari couldn't help but audibly gasp, a slight squeak in surprise pushing past her lips as she whips her head around, only to be met with a pair of eyes glinting in mischief.
"Didn't notice me, aye?" the smooth voice of Laurella taunts and Atari could do nothing but scan her figure, eyeing her up and down in confusion. The waves continue to hit the wench, both drenching her in the salty sea water she sat in and illuminating the outline of her physique- she sat with her legs straightened out in front of her, by the wooden post of the port's boardwalk, somehow gone unnoticed from the prying eyes of the port. (Atari blames her dark appearance and the shadow of the night for concealing her so well, quite literally underneath the noses of the others).
"How long have you-"
"Been hidin' here, lass?" Laurella doesn't bother with allowing Atari to finish her inquiry, already aware of the other younger woman eyeing her up and down, as if to make sense of her rather odd position. She wore her white undershirt, plainly sullied, some black outer coat embellished in gold, a deep maroon-ish pair of trousers, and a pair of boots that only further solidified her buccaneer appearance. In her hands, she held a jar of some liquid, unknown, but a dark-reddish hue against any light Atari could salvage from her vantage point.
Stunned, Atari says nothing as she continues to simply stare. This sea wench was beautiful- in her delicate facial expressions, dark salt-drenched brunette locks and pale complexion. Her eyes held a spark of something indescribable, of mischief and perilous things, and her skin inked in dark lines wherever Atari could see. From the various scripts to the ship wheel adorning her skin, Laurella had-
"Quit starin' would'ya? You land lubbers never seen a female first mate before?" I've been hidin' out here since the sun's gon' down, from you landsmen. You'd rarely find any of ya townspeople wading into the waters underneath your precious port, so it was the perfect place to stay."
"But why-"
Again, this young woman doesn't seem to have the patience to wait, immediately cutting Atari off when she sees fit "Why have I been 'hiding' here? Well, I can't spill all me secrets now, can I? Though Capt'n Cal's got quite the surprise... I suppose I'm on lookout." The sea wench winks; Atari only stares, speechless and stupidly dumbfounded.
Come now and follow me down
Down to the lights of Galway where
There's fine sailors walking the town
And waiting to meet the ladies there.
[682 words]
