Chapter (7)

Boss Lady takes the lead as I tread close behind her further below decks where the temperature and humidity can be described as a tropical sweat fest. How she has the will to keep a coat like that on through this heat leaves me impressed, but my admiration is quickly overshadowed by the potential birth of my very own claustrophobia.

Who would have thought that the further you go below decks the more iron, compact, and noisy it would be? At least the faint cyan lighting from the ceilings adds emotional closure to this uncharted territory.

I'm pretty sure the lower you go the more spacious it is, but then again, we do have sails and oars so… okay who designed this ship!

My knit-picking quickly swirls to fear the sight of small silhouette nimbly swing from above startles me before it lands on thin railing and scurrying off.

"Coming through!" A preoccupied voice with a squeal of a tune goes off too close to me and my cry of shock rings out of pure instinct.

I barely have enough time to dart down to glimpse two terrifying hairless gremlins rushing past me. My heart skips a beat as the second one grazes me.

"Oh, pardon me, Milady!"

"None are needed. My sincerest thanks for everything you are doing!"

That's one way to get a spring in the gremlin's step.

"Milady!" A low nasally voice echoes throughout these creeping walls as a stocky man of tinier stature hops down from above to block our way.

Interesting look with the chestnut hair combed into a clean cut will sporting an wacky stubble twirled around his chin. However, this new arrival sends shivers down my spine of how bizarre this whole situation is!

"The sails have been weaved anew and are ready embrace the wind." He reports offering Boss Lady what looks like industrious looking clipboard. "But I really wish that Ghilanthros fellow wouldn't hover over them, so."

Oh yeah, I'm right behind her, so it's only natural he will lean in and whisper the rest to Boss Lady. I highly doubt that they are planning a brutal demise for me so I might as well step back, lest I risk the wrath of Boss Lady's whip blade.

Her chuckle cuts through the thick stale air offering a warm assuring smile. "Please forgive him, Anli. the boy's restive presence means well." She warmly tells him. "Still, do relay my message of him wishing to be at ease, lest he risk my wrath."

That hearty chuckle from the tiny pointdexter cannot be more goofy. Even I'm trying to hold in my laugh, lest I wish to risk the wrath of her whip blade.

"If that doesn't get through to him, I don't know what will." Anli jokes. "We'll have the sails restored and we'll be able to let the wind carry us once more."

She nods. "A relief truly. Many within our host must rest." She grimaces. "Though I fear we may call upon them again for our oars and sails must intertwine when the Maelstrom sniffs us out."

"Don't you mean, if he sniffs us out?"

She frowns. "'Twould be an answer ideal, though we both know the Maelstrom has been eager to find out scent."

Man talk about a badass title!

It's not long before this heavy silence starts overstaying this welcome and that grimace across skipper's face is definitely not helping matters.

"I understand, Milady." It's always comforting to have someone speak with that resolve in their voice. "We're with you every step of the way. But... what have you decided to do with-"

Boss lady's eyes soften. "Eulynde will balm his wound. The ship's oars can be fickle constructs."

"Aye, I can attest to that." The fact that he's smirking at me is a refreshing change of pace. Just when I'm getting used to letting everyone start hating my guts. "Count yourself lucky, berry nose. Those oars can take yer 'ole head off if you're not careful." 

Speaking from experience, are you, asshole? That would be my retort if the midget didn't just brush past me.

And with that, Boss Lady continues to guide me down the dark and ominous hall with her presence and more soothing lights on the ceiling to keep me from succumbing to that familiar acquaintance known as anxiety.

"Watch your head." She alerts me as she dives just below the narrow entrance into a tiny room. "Do forgive the mess. Visitors rarely frequent here and pouring over charts leaves no reserve for other tasks."

I feel a little better now that we're in what can only be a tiny office, and given the amount of maps and charts are scattered across the desk and walls certainly adds a messy charm to this place. 

"Uhh... weren't you going to take me to someone to fix my nose?"

"It will be tended to. Do take a seat." She offers. 

Her generous offer does sound a little suspicious, but I guess that's just the paranoia kicking in. Disregarding those irrational thoughts, I cautiously take my seat, making sure that there is no slouch in my posture.

I'm still too young to get kyphosis, new body or no new body!

Still though, being alone with someone of the opposite sex in a closed off room where its a little warmer than usual is a little intimidating.

"I... appreciate the break." Is the response I have chosen. It sounds a little original, maybe too bland, but I know far too well is if one tries hard to act cool it tragically backfires in one's favor.

Something younger me learned the hard way...

Still though, this could be my chance to get some lore about the world I'm in. Maybe a glimpse of its history, epic S class or god tier monsters, or whatever they're called, that I'll need to stay a thousand mile radius from, and hopefully clues on nearby settlements! Maybe even that cliché magical academy!

Play it cool dude! If social skills have taught you ANYTHING, hijacking the convo will leave you crashing and burning. Don't knit pick details, go with the flow and- holy crap I'm parched!

"I'm sorry to ask, but... prisoners are allowed water right?" I sheepishly ask.

Her red amber eyes blink. "Truly?"

That's a no.

"Nothing like water for a parched throat." I don't even know why I'm persisting. "Clean water, preferably

Her glare darkens. "As if we have enough to sustain those who would threaten those under my care."

She walks past me towards the exit. "Do wait here."

I risk a little bit of snark with a casual shrug.

Sure... just leave a complete stranger alone with all this priceless information. Ahh who am I kidding? They'd know something would be missing. 'Sides, s'not like reading maps with no moving marker is a specialty of mine.

I know the rag is meant for my nose, which isn't really all that useful unless its dipped in cold water, but I might as well wipe off the excess sweat while I'm at it.

I can't help but feel a little ashamed that a small act of gesture is being ruined by smothering muck off me, but I try to look on the bright side that this rag has a practical use.

"Care to surrender what your hand grasps?"

Every muscle within me threatens to jump out of my skin. I look up at Boss Lady hovering behind me with a sharp stare. Her hand extends out anticipating me to deliver a sweaty piece of cloth.

It's kind of weird if one would ask me, but I'm not to judge. After all, it's not like I can say 'no' to begin with.

"Uhh... sure. You... go ahead..." I drop the rag into her callus marked hand, and she takes time to scan what looks like stains of ink on the abused fabric.

My skin crawls knowing that I have applied it to my body before I even realized it!

"Umm... I might be overstepping my boundaries but..." I summon the will to soldier on as her piercing gazes dives deep into my soul. "I-is it possible to get a new rag? Preferably one with at least cool water for my nose?"

Silence turns out to be my answer as she continues staring at me intensely like every protagonist does to a supporting character to get them to do something!

Why can't she just tell me what she wants?! Her stare power might reduce me to a puddle if she- OH CRAP! IS SHE TRYING TO TURN ME INTO A PUDDLE OF MY OWN SWEAT?! FUCKING HELL, I JUST WANT TO GO HOME! WHY AM I HERE!

"I'll return shortly." She finally responds before departing.

If only her words appeased my worries. If anything, they done the exact opposite...

'I'll return shortly'?! Why just that?! She couldn't have just said, 'Sure no problem' or something along the lines like that? Why do people hafta be so cryptic?! Okay... okay... calm down, dude... maybe she's just going to see if they have any spare rags... heck! Maybe there's a chance they don't have cold water and I have to just suck it up! Yeah, maybe that's what she meant! I-I mean... there's no way I offended her... she can't off me for asking for something right? RIGHT?!

"Still comfortable?" Her voice uproots my wavering posture as I wait with baited breath what she's planning to do next.

Judging from the pitch of, what I assume is water, and a small jar filled to the brim with a thick amber essence, nothing awful. I hope.

It's only when she offers me the pitch is when things have been set down to DEFCON 3. Man this thing feels so smooth and organic, it might as well be in a museum not ruined by some loser who might break it! 

Though popping open the jar lid could raise things up to DEFCON 2.

"A balm for your wound?" Ahh so that's what it's for.

"Yes... thank you." I just hope the water isn't poisoned.

Thank goodness she looks more curious about me, but I just wish that the 'balm' would sting much less.

Other than the sudden blurry vision and stinging tears, this isn't so bad!

"Do be still." Well at least she's not insulting me. "Balming is not my art, but Eulynde, preoccupied as she is, spared me this."

Now would be a very good time for a quick water break? If it is poison, please let me wake up in the hospital with no medical bills.

One slow slurp and a swish later and I can feel my throat begging to feel that crisp clear water run down it's canal. One prolonged gulp and a brisk fluid racing down my gut without tearing it up later, I've deduced that it is not poisoned.

Hopefully I haven't jinx myself. 

"You truly believe I wish malice upon you?" That perturbed tone creeping in her voice just made things a little unsettling. "I believe I am insulted." 

That would be easier to believe if she isn't plastering a pout toddlers love to put on. 

"It's nothing personal." Play it cool. "It's just... I'm not used to accepting things from strangers." 

"Yet you requested water from one." 

She raises a good point. What really is my thought process?

"I'm sorry." I just... asked on impulse, Ahh!" Fuck! That smarts! "B-but I-I do appreciate the water! Sorry for doubting you."

Luckily her glare softens. "Is that so? Well... I supposed you are not to blame for thinking so. You were brought aboard my vessel without clarity of your fate."

My nod moves faster than my mind before her cryptic words quickly seep into my unusually thick skin, leaving the chill lingering free of rent.

I nearly let it slip pass me. A brush of her hair. Something people will do from time to time, out of habit or more practical reasons. It's truly a wonder what peripheral vision can pick up!

When was the last time I've seen unassuming ears appear so distinct with their sharp edges? 

Holy crap she's... she's...

"Well?" Her words, soft and serious as they are catch me off guard.

"W-what is it?" 

"Mind explaining why you were found amidst wreckages aftermath?"

Casting aside that Athairnor is not human, I doubt letting out a deep breath and being candid would make my situation any better, never mind her buying that I'm all suave about it. As if charisma is one of my main unknown stats to begin with.

That's the sort of thing reserved for OP protagonists.

"Your answer is as good as mine." Man, I'll be amazed if I get used to my new voice.. "All I know is I woke up beneath the ocean and was stuck of a wood rift before... everything else happened."

A brow arches. "Is that a fact?"

Nodding is preferable giving my words have disintegrated into sharp breathing through my teeth. 

Please, hurry it up!

"You... truly have no clue where you are, do you?"

Her words, soft and serious as they are, paralyze me. Does she think that I'm...

No! No way in hell does she think that! How the hell can she figure out that I might be someone- Oh crap... unless I've been acting like a totally different person in a totally new body! A body belonging to its original owner with their own personality!

I let out a deep breath to calm my nerve and decide to be candid about my situation. I doubt she'll buy me trying to act all suave and dismissive about it. As if charisma is one of my main stats to begin with.

"All I know is that I woke up in the middle of the ocean I don't even know and I got picked up by people I never even met."

She raises a brow. "A claim bold, truly."

My brows furrow. "Well, madam, it's not one I have chosen lightly."

I can tell she's studying me at this point, and I strangely feel relieved about what other questions she has in store for me.

"In any case, you are at a loss. And you do not even recall where you are?"

Finally! My chance to know something about this world!

"Let's pretend I don't." I play it cool. "May I ask who you are and where am I for starters?"

"You may." She asks. "But 'twould be fitting to ask the name of my guest. Surely you must recall your own name?"

That question gets my heart racing. Sharing personal information is not something I'm comfortable with. Even if I'm Isekaid.

"Just call me Ken." Simple enough alias.

Her inquisitive hum eases the tension. "Very well... Ken. And you may call me Athairnor." She withdraws her balm filled hand, a hopeful sign that the torture as past. "Allow me to welcome you to my host of the marooned and the vagabond."