Chapter Text
The sky overhead was a dull grey, as clouds roll by, blocking the sun. The ocean waves reflected the grey of the sky, and their choppy movement create a turbulent sea.
“More harpoons! Ready the nets!”
Water splashes and sprays as harpoons are hurled into the tumultuous blue depths. A line of men stand along the railing of the ship, some of them throwing harpoons in the direction of a mermaid, while others lean over to watch, cheering their companions on for their wild behavior.
“I say kill her before she comes aboard!”
One of the sailors, filled with brash courage, grabs a harpoon with no thought to his aim. He heaves the harpoon towards the mermaid, hoping for a lucky shot to strike the elusive creature.
“I missed it, She’s a fast one. Hand me another she’s getting away!”
A woman with curly blue hair, helps to roll up the sail when she sees what the crew is doing, her expression turning to one of disbelief and disgust. She swiftly swings down on a rope with grace, her attire consisting of a blue vest over a white long sleeved shirt, and grey trousers tucked into black boots.
The blue-haired woman pushes her way through the sailors, her voice authoritative and commanding.
“Hey!”
she calls out, drawing the attention of those around her.
“Just What do you think you're doing?”
The blue vested woman lunged forward, seizing a harpoon from one of her crewmates who was about to launch it at the aquatic creature. With a stern expression, she reprimanded them.
“It’s a mermaid!”
The crew mate said desperate to defend his actions.
“A mermaid? Use your eyes!”
The bluenette scoffed and pushed her crewmate forward, urging them to look over the railing. There, a dolphin leaped out of the water, creating a splash before diving back beneath the surface.
“What were you thinking?”
She asked assertively demanding an answer
The crewmate spoke up, “This is dangerous territory, especially tonight. It's the crimson moon, a time when Queen hearts of the sea calls her mermaid daughter to ensnare any man who hears her siren song, making them powerless against her enchantment.
The bluenette rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Is that what they say?”
She tugged the harpoons back onto the boat, a trace of annoyance in her demeanor.
“Ai!” The crew-mate clarified
“It’s just an old folk tale, nothing more.”
the the curly headed captain exclaimed
Suddenly, a massive wave hit the boat, causing a lurch that sent everyone scrambling for balance. Water splashed onto the deck, creating momentary chaos before the vessel steadied once more.
Her voice rang out sternly, cutting through the commotion. 'Enough distractions! Back to work, everyone!'"
"The crew members, acknowledging their captain's authority, chorused in unison, 'Yes, captain Chloe!”
One crew mate still went on not letting it go.
“That was all the sea Queen hearts doing! She and her daughter would pull us under themselves if they could!”
Chloe brushed off the droning on of the crew mate as she walked off.
Grand Duke Luis approached a sailor on the boat, a determined look on his face. “Where's Princess Chloe?”
“Up on the bow”
the sailor replied, gesturing towards the princess perched on the boat's prow. Undeterred by the potential danger, Luis hastened toward her, intent on calling her down.
Meanwhile, Chloe sat on the bow when a wave hit, almost throwing her into the sea. Thanks to her quick reflexes and combat training, she caught herself, laughing in relief and the rush of it even as she hung on from a rope attached to the bow.
“What are you doing?!” Luis scolded her. “Get down from there at once!”
“You've got to stop worrying so much about me.”
Chloe responded with a carefree tone, swinging back and forth from the boat's prow. “I'm perfectly capable of handling myself, you know.”
Grand Duke Luis watched as Chloe hoisted herself back onto the ship his concern and slight annoyance at her stubbornness evident.
"Call me selfish, but I wouldn't want to tell the queen that her daughter fell off the ship on my watch”
he said, his tone filled with concern. “Especially on your birthday of all days.”
Chloe didn't respond, instead focusing on the Spanish galleon ship in the distance. She pulled out a telescope, studying it intently.
“Looks like they're headed to the mainland," she noted. 'We could follow them to port and see what they've got to trade.”
Luis, however, was firm in his decision. “Our ship is already loaded to the gills”
he protested.
“We've risked our necks out here for 7 weeks already. We're going home tonight.”
Luis took the telescope from Chloe's hand, trying to redirect her focus back to the conversation. However, Chloe remained determined to observe the ship in the distance. "You have a point," she conceded. "We shouldn't exceed the boat's capacity. but establishing an alliance with them wouldn’t hurt, right?"
Before Luis could respond Another wave crashed against the ship, causing Luis to lose his balance. But Chloe was quick to react, catching him before he could fall. Unfortunately, in the chaos, the telescope that had been in his hand slipped overboard and sank into the ocean, coming to rest among the seaweed.