high_seas | The Day o' Davy Jones

All right - when Gaius comes back, get one from him. He's got all the rest of 'em, we're handing 'em out to anyone who needs.

[he grins, then] Yanno, all this time here the one thing I ain't had was a strategist. You're no Lu Meng but if ya got some ideas, I'll hear 'em out. [anytime between now and...whenever they actually start fighting, that is.]

I don't know what ideas I'll be able to come up with, honestly. It's still rather jarring knowing I've been gone so long, but I know I can't piss about trying to find my footing again.

[Almost as an afterthought, he reaches to see if his journal came back with him -- and it did, of course. So he flips to the most recent entries, quickly skimming them.]

Can you think of anything else I should know? Or shall we head for the fight?

Uh.

[dammit Draco don't make him be smart]

Dunno. I'd rather regroup, make sure everybody's got what they need before we go in. It looks like there's more'n just us fighting here, but I don't think there's time to get every last one of 'em lined up ready to go. So long as I know my guys are prepared, 's all good.

[manly nod] Good to see ya again, kid. [even if it might not be for much longer]

Right, yes. You, as well.

[Though he sounds a little distracted suddenly, eyes narrowing a bit as he reads over something in the journal again.

He looks up abruptly.]

Sorry, just— Do you mind if I dash back over to the Backwater Brig? You mentioned, er...stocking up on weapons and magic stuff, yeah? I'll probably run into Gaius there anyway and I can get a necklace from him, and then we'll join you lot at the battle?

[shrugs; see, that was a fast plan you came up with there, Draco]

Yeah sure. Works for me. See ya in a bit.

[Nods.]

I'll see you, then.

[GOODBYE FOREVER, GAN NING.

...No, not really, but he does wait until Gan Ning takes off and disappears from view before he circles back around to the fountain, where Meep is. He doesn't approach him, though, since he seems pretty busy.

Just eyes him curiously, looking back and forth between Meep and the journal in his hands.]

[She's already ran into Sanji, and with his help she managed to find a dress and get her legs under her once more. She's trying to learn a bit about what is going on, and why she got separated from her crew. For her she barely believes she's been gone, but she's got the feeling it's been a bit, maybe.]

[At the moment it did't matter. She needed to check out things first, then maybe find her crew. So out in the town she walked, bare footed, like always, looking around. As she sees the blond though her eyes light up. Draco is looking at Meep and the fountain, but Ariel is watching him.]

[On silent feet she ran over towards him, stopping a few feet before him and grinning, feeling more at ease now that she found someone she trusted.]

Draco! What is going on?

[Well THERE'S a voice he hasn't heard in entirely too long!

Draco starts, eyes going wide as he spins on his heel to face Ariel.]

Ariel. How did— What're you—??

[...Ahem.

He manages to take a breath and calm down, though it doesn't stop him from quickly stepping over to her. After all, didn't he just reappear here, too, apparently? So he obviously wasn't the only one.]

I didn't think I'd ever see you again.

[The calm facade slips and he grins a little, doesn't bother to stop it.]

Wish I had a proper update for you, though, but honestly, I don't. Evidently I only just returned myself. How are you??

[For her it doesn't seem like that long since she had seen him. She did leave before him though, sadly. The girl can't help but smile as he greets her. She had grown such a fast crush on Wan, but he was really the first human she had ran into. Her crush on Draco had been much slower, to the point she didn't realize she had one.]

[Still, seeing him made her smile with ease, even with all the chaos going around. And Sanji said that the crew was battling? Or at least would be. it was a bit worrisome.]

I didn't even realize I had gone missing, but it's good to see you again. It sounds like there is a lot of trouble going on. [As they were closer, she reached a hand out to rest on his arm, sticking a bit closer to him as she looked around at what was going on here.]

I'm fine, I think. Was I really gone? Is there really a battle starting? With Jones?

[It's so stupid, but just that simple touch makes him flush a bit.

Oh, for Merlin's sake.]

You were. You've been gone...awhile, actually.

[Averts his eyes, glancing in the direction of where the battle rages on. The green clouds seem thickest there, with lightning occasionally flashing overhead.

He shudders a little.]

It seems I disappeared, too -- a matter of weeks, so says our esteemed captain. I suppose something needed our help here, so we were called back. And yes, just in time to fight that arsehole. [Huffs.] I don't even remember being home again. What a waste.

[He looks back to her.]

I missed you, you know. [The corner of his mouth quirks upwards again.] No one else was quite so willing to ride my broomstick.

[...............EXCUSE THE SUDDEN RUSH OF COLOR TO HIS FACE. Bloody buggering fuck, has broom talk always sounded so inappropriate??!]

[She looked at him sadly as he said she had been gone a while. It doesn't seem that long to her, but she felt guilty for leaving, as if it were her fault or something. She sucked her head a bit, frowning at that.]

I'm sorry. Like I said, I didn't even know I was gone. I wish I hadn't gone though.

[She looked off to where he glanced to, turning a bit to look as well.]

So that's what that is. I don't know how much help I could be, but I'm willing to try.

[Only, she felt herself blush as he said he missed her. It brought the smile back to her face, turning to peek a bit through her hair at him. And that broom comment. He might have gone red but she didn't quite pick up on what other meaning that might have had (right?), so she chuckled instead.]

I would have missed you too, so you know, if you were the one to leave first. Ah, but clearly no one was as adventurous as I was, about your broomstick.

[No, Ariel, don't say things like that. Though... the devious smirk on her face right then? It kind of makes you wonder if she really does get what other meaning that statement might have had. Hmm.]

[Chokes.

Might erupt into a small coughing fit.

BUT HE RECOVERS, clearing his throat and plastering a smile onto his face.]

N-no, you were certainly the most adventurous of anyone!

[Clears his throat again and shakes his head like that'll help him get his act together (be cool, man, damn), before he remembers the journal in his hand. Oh yeah, there's stuff going on. War and things.

He tips his head curiously, eyeing Ariel.]

Speaking of helping... You're a mermaid. [Yes, well spotted, Draco.] Can you sing?

[She gave him a moments look as if to ask if he were all right, before he smiled again. Honestly, she loved it when he smiled. It made his face light up in a good way.]

[But she made no comment to that, just giving him a proud look a moment before he asks his question. Huh, that was a weird sudden need.]

Yes, actually. I'm... one of the best out of all of my sisters. I love to sing.

[Now wasn't really the time, was it? Or... was it?]

[Draco wishes it were the time, honestly. To hear her sing properly. He knows mermaids can, of course, they're known for it, but the ones at Hogwarts sound bloody awful if you happen to catch them above water -- that terrible screeching sound, ugh.

But perhaps it's different for Ariel. It's something he would like to listen to.

In any case, he holds out the journal, which is open to a certain post.]

I found this just a moment ago. Trying to gather any information I could, you know? About what's been going on. It's an older entry, at least a week or so, but I found this bit particularly interesting.

[He points to the line in question:

For now, I will teach you the magnetation melody. This one should draw all the shards to you.

The words drift out from the page as well, in Meep's voice, but it easy to speak over them.]

He gave them this spell -- or whatever it is -- and yet no one's used it yet and I can't imagine why. I wanted to ask him...

[A quick glance to Meep might explain why Draco hasn't yet. The man is clearly involved in whatever meditation he's doing, and since Draco isn't sure what he's trying to accomplish, he's hesitant to interrupt him.]

Do you think we should try it?

[She he points out the journal she leans in close to his side, peeking in at the journal itself, though she can hear what is being said. The tune that is being given to them.]

[She looks past Draco to Meep, taking in his appearance again and understanding why the other hadn't asked yet. The other did look focused.]

It doesn't seem so hard. [She focused on the tune again, humming a bit, fixing the sound once in a while, until she thought she had something like it. Had it been written down she would have got it instantly, but this would take a moment. Mimicking wasn't hard though.]

[Her humming was soft, very low, just in case it did cause a problem that they weren't ready for yet, but after a moment she nodded, firmly.]

We should try. It can't hurt, or, maybe it can, but we should try anyhow!

[But then she held in a breath, looking unsure.] But, how? Do we need to go to the fight itself? If so we should start moving, hmm?

[Finds himself leaning in to hear her better, but he quickly straightens again when she looks back at him. Ahem. What, he's fine! He dons an overly thoughtful look at her question, cheeks going a bit pink again.]

Yes, let's get closer! That's where a number of the shards are, after all. That people have collected. Maybe the spell will work better if we're in closer range of everything.

[Pause.

Goes a bit shifty-eyed.]

Er, but not too close. We don't want to draw Jones' attention, either.

[Also, the thought of being too near to that mess is just bloody terrifying.

Draco starts to head off down the path, but then remembers his manners and turns to hold a hand out to Ariel.]

Shall we? Once we have the complete jewel, luck should definitely be on our side. We'll be able to get out of this place!

[She didn’t mind him leaning in, and she would have done it louder but she isn’t sure what the reaction would be if she did. As he said they should get closer she gave a firm, determined nod]

Close, but not too close. Do you think it’ll work? If we piece it together? [she cautiously, taking his hand as he offered it, letting her fingers close around his firmly as they started to move. She let him lead the way, looking up towards the mess they were headed too.]

That’s the goal, right? To get the jewel and go home? What about the people here, that live here? And if we go home... we won't see anyone again, will we?

[...Oh, now they're holding hands.

Somehow he hadn't thought ahead that far and it didn't quite click that that's what he was initiating. Durp.

But he squeezes her hand back regardless, and then shifts his grip so that their fingers are intertwined. The world is ending, right? So why not. Plus it leaves a nice, warm feeling in his chest.]

I can't say... I hope it will, though. It would make that Meep fellow a bit of a berk if he gave us a shoddy spell.

[He says it lightheartedly, like it's something amusing, but really...he wants it to work. He needs it to. There are people here he's genuinely grown to like, beyond all expectations, but it doesn't make this place home. And he misses the Wizarding World fiercely.

So he nods.]

Yes. I'm not sure what will happen -- it's possible we won't ever see each other again. But we should at least be able to get back to where we belong. The people here...they'll be fine. Our wish won't affect them, I think.

[He slows down as they approach the battle, then pulls Ariel behind what used to be a shop but is now just crumbling walls, blasted at some point during the fight.]

Here, this should work. Are you ready?

[In case she needs to hear the melody again, Draco holds the journal out for her with one hand. His other one is already occupied, after all.]

[as he intertwined his fingers with her she couldn’t help but smile more behind him as they moved. Okay, so, she liked him, and she might actually know that. He’s no Wan (and she hadn’t met Eric yet) but he’s still a bit of a Prince to her.]

I don’t think I’ve ever sang a spell before. Hopefully I can do it.

[She wants it to work for people who do want to go home. For her she doesn’t want to go home. Home means back to her angry father and being grounded for wanting to be around humans, and here she’s been around humans and dragons and pokemon and other beings that she just isn’t sure she wants to go back at all. It’s not like it’s a hard life, just restrictive. She’ll miss people. Humans. She’ll miss her crew, and Draco.]

[but if they all wanted to go home, she would do her best to help! when he says it’s possible they won't see each other again though she bites back a whine. as he ducks them behind some rubble she looks off at the mess of a fight with wide eyes. this was going to be bad, wasn’t it?]

So long as everyone gets home safe. [she said sadly, half hiding behind the rubble, but also staying close to him, hand clasped to his. He pulled the journal out again for her, and asked if she was ready. Giving him an uneasy glance she wasn’t sure if she was.]

[With a small bounce of her feet, and a squeeze of his hand she leaned in suddenly, pressing her lips to his in a quick kiss. She might never see him again, after all. When she drew back she was blushing hard, looking down a bit and nodding once more.]

Ready, I think. I... I think... yes. [she let the tune play again for a moment, trying to get it in her mind while not looking at him.]

[......Blinks.

Then just sort of stands there in a daze for half a second, before Ariel's voice draws him out of it.

And yes, his cheeks feel warm again, but there's mostly just this almost entirely foreign burst of affection that bubbles up within him.

He'd thought, you know, with Pansy, maybe... And he loved the girl dearly, but she was a nightmare at the best of times (especially when dancing was involved -- he shudders at the memory of the Yule Ball), plus he hasn't seen her in two years...

But Ariel is right there in front of him and he doesn't know how much longer any of this is going to last and really, he's a MAN. Seventeen now, so there's no need for these flustered shenanigans. Just...just do it. For Merlin's sake, Malfoy, she had to bloody kiss you first, you tit! Return the favor already, don't leave her hanging!

With that in mind, he closes the distance between them again, the journal falling from his grasp to thump gently against the ground as he raises his hand to Ariel's face, cups her cheek, and draws her back in for another kiss.]

[She's still a bit surprised with herself, for her actions at all. When she first got here she had fallen pretty fast for Wan, and waiting for him to make a move had proven to be fruitless. She had wanted to kiss him, but she had always been told by her sisters that the guy was to make the first move. It was only proper.]

[If she wasn't going to see Draco again after this though... why not? A kiss for luck, she had mentally thought to herself, as if she needed the excuse. And if he said anything she would have waved it off and said just that. 'For luck.' She had heard someone else use that term once before.]

[Instead she realized that the journal fell from his hand, making her look up just as he cupped her cheek, his hand feeling cool to her warmed face. For a moment she thought her heart stopped completely and everything in the world around them paused. As he kissed her back she leaned into him softly, her hand resting at his chest just briefly, keeping her balance as she returned the kiss.]

[This was not what she had thought she would be doing just the other day. From camping to being back on the ocean, to a battle and good bye. The warmth she felt from the kiss made her heart race once again, allowing herself just a moment to ignore the world. But just a moment.]

[When he pulls back, he's feeling rather proud of himself. Aww yeah, kissed a girl! His hand moves from her cheek to tuck some hair behind her ear, and he grins.]

You're very pretty, you know.

[Hovers there for another moment but then steps back a little, catching the hand she has on his chest.]

And I'd love to continue this but I think there might be slightly more pressing matters, at the moment.

[Said a bit teasingly as he gives her hand a squeeze, then lets go and bends down to pick up the journal again.]

We should probably get to it.

[She's feeling pretty proud of him as well. And herself, really. What horrible timing though, to get a kiss from a prince and have to think about it more later.]

[He called her pretty though, and that made her a bit bashful, in a happy way. Her hand moved to touch her cheek, letting him keep the other for the moment.] I should have given you a kiss before this, but you're right. Right...

[Right. More pressing matters. She felt her heart race for more reasons then nerves over this battle though. As he let her hand go she let out a breath, nodding firmly again. Lets do this.]

Okay. Okay... so this should... what? Bring us the shards? Or piece them together, or... or, do you have any idea what this is going to do? [She asked as she leaned in beside him to look, and hear Meep's tune again. She started to hum it again, softly, trying to get it in her head. She would let him talk first, to see if he was sure they should try this, but... she thought she was ready. She as already trying to hum long with the journal for a moment longer...]

Better late than never.

[Said with a small smile as he focuses on the journal entry.]

It says it should draw all the shards to us. But I can't say if that means it will actually put the jewel back together or if we'll just...have all the shards.

[Nudges her shoulder with his own.]

Go ahead. That's the only way to find out what will happen.

The Day o' Davy Jones

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