Thread: Neverland

Ana pulled her foot out of the mud with a loud, wet, 'Squelch'. Ana frowned in disdain, glancing at her boot, and stepped down on semi-solid ground, careful not to put too much weight on the soft ground, so as to not sink. As Ana found a nice foothold, she shifted her weight and began to pull her other foot out. She cursed angrily when she sank onto her left foot, the one that was on supposedly semi-solid ground. She yanked her sword out out of her scabbard with a hiss and stuck deep into the ground, using it as a lever. With one heave, she pulled herself out of the mud and swung her feet up, vaulting herself onto a rock in the river. She landed with a soft 'Thump'.

Ana suddenly froze as she heard a low, almost inaudible ticking sound. She tensed, her hand clutching her sword tightly, tight enough that her knuckles had turned white. The sound disappeared for an instant, and Ana took advantage and dove for the opposite shore, catching herself on the soft ground and rolling forward, spinning around, her sword still up. There was an eerie silence. Ana took a step back and sheathed her sword.

"Freaking crocodile." Ana said to herself, eyes still on the creek.

The creek was certainly not the Queen's favorite place. The river was shallow here and the carried along arguably the least sanitary waters here in Neverland. However, it was the one and only place she could think of that was remote enough for a conference with the pirate.

Before she emerged from the water, the Queen eyed the crocodile who held claim to the creek as it's own. She nodded to the creature in silent acknowledgment of it's territory and after a moment's pause, it nodded in return, approval of her intrusion.

She emerged from the water at last, scanning the area for the Captain. When she finally located Ana on the opposite shore, the mermaid swam to her slowly. As she reached close to the shore, the Queen closed her eyes and whispered the quiet incantation. She felt the heat on her tails as they burned and glowed. Two ticks later, she felt that odd sensation as her feet touched the soft ground. She glanced down to her bare legs and tied a long cloth around her waist. Hoisting herself onto land, the Queen made her way towards the pirate.

"What was that you wish to consult with me, Captain?"

Ana watched in quiet interest as Zerra walked up onto land, on legs, covered in a cloth. She smiled as Zerra walked over to her. "Well, that's an easy question to answer." Ana replied, slyly reaching towards her jacket and placing her hands in the inside pockets, touching the cool metal to help focus.

"You see, Zerra," Ana said, keeping her tone informal, "I wanted to speak to you about our treaty. It's in need of a few changes, I think." Ana explained, grinning coolly. She kept her hands on her daggers, rubbing the metal and wood with her forefinger and thumb, watching Zerra's body language, trying to judge how she would react.

"Changes," she repeated, pronouncing the word carefully.

She eyed the Captain warily, aware of the dagger she held in her hand. But still, Zerra held the pride of a Queen and the confidence of a seer. The confidence of one who held knowledge over the dangers and surprises that were lurking ahead. Her head was tilted slightly, at an angle where one would see her as conceited and arrogant—yet, poised.

She had been trained well, the words of the patron that was assigned to her when she first rose to the throne still playing in her mind to this day. "Your Highness! You must remember. You are a ruler! There are many people who are depending on you, my Queen. Yes, yes, that's it!" She was still a doe eyed teenager then, unfamiliar with the custom and order of the castle, but since, she had grown and learned, perfecting the art she was entrusted with as she bore the responsibility that was bestowed on her shoulders. There was absolutely no room for weaknesses.

Her eyes betrayed no emotion as they pierced into the pirate's. "What kind of changes do you have in mind, Captain?"

Ana whistled innocently, shifting her weight onto her left foot. "Let me put it this way." Ana began, pulling both her hands out of her pockets and placing them on her hips. in a way that showed cool confidence, as well as humor. She kept her face serious, dismissing Zerra's arrogance. Let the Queen think herself high and mighty for now. Ana thought to herself, fighting back a smile at the thought that ran quickly through her mind.

The day Ana was crowned Captain was a loud one. The words that Hook's boatswain had said to her that day rang clearly in her mind. "Well, the vote's been tallied. Anabella, you are the Captain. Now now, don't look at me like that. You'll be fine. Just remember, you're the all mighty now. No one dares stand up to you. Make sure they understand that!" Ana had been the ripe age of 28, a master of swordplay, and a jack-of-all-trades. There was nothing to learn; Ana had done everything she possibly could to get where she was. Of course, except catch that fairy.

Ana smiled slyly at Zerra's expression. "Ma'am, it's quite the easy proposition. I want a change of territories. As you know, these waters are shared. I simply want you to keep the waters around Skull Island, and Cannibal Cove clear of all mermaids. It's not a hard thing I'm asking. I don't want to risk injuring your mermaids, and frankly, due to the current..." At this Ana trailed off, leaving the silence hanging for a few seconds, then continued. "...Situation, we should play fair, don't you agree?" Ana finished, gesturing the waters behind Zerra.

Ana suddenly remembered another issue, and mentally debated bringing it up. If she didn't, the chances of something happening was going to rise, but if she did, something even worse could occur...

"Besides, just a suggestion, I wished you're people and mine could get along. I know how you feel about mortals, but, ya see, I've got a few crew members, who, well, have what you might call 'friends' within your kingdom." Ana said carefully, her voice showing a small amount of confidence and caution.

It was most definitely not a difficult issue. Most of her mermaids barely ever swim around the dark cavern or the pirate filled cove. But, of course, she was not about to heed to the demands wordlessly, especially upon hearing the suggestive threat.

"I do not know what you may consider as friends, Captain," the Queen retorted sharply, her eyes twitching slightly in suppressed anger. "But, I have confidence in my mermaids' loyalty if treason was the matter which you were trying to imply." She will not have her people be demeaned by such accusations.

As she fought to recollect her calm, the Queen thought of the pirate's demands more carefully.
What did they plan to gain from such requests? Was it just a mere ploy to let the mermaids know their place in Neverland? Or was there something else which they're after?

There was no definite answer that she could conclude even after her thoughts, and the Queen figured it unwise for her to remain silent in the consultation. "Very well," she said finally. "I will inform my mermaids of the matter. The waters in Skull Island and Cannibal Cove are yours to claim, Anabella. I now leave it to your care." Her eyes locked on the Captain then, in a way of transmitting her warning so that it would be taken into all accounts. "But, if I were to hear of ruins and spoils in the waters or in your failure to retain them, be assure that this will not be the last you hear from me, Captain."

Ana tried to hold back laughter. Silly, silly Zerra. Taking things the wrong way. Ana thought to herself, suppressing a smile. "Queenie, don't take it the wrong way. I didn't mean treasonous mermaids. I was simply implying I've got pirates that have made what you may call 'relationships' inside your kingdom. I know how you feel about mortals. I didn't mean it that way at all." Ana explained quickly. At Zerra's agreement, Ana nodded solemnly.

"Of course, Queen. Of course. Couldn't have said it better myself." She agreed, meeting her gaze with calm confidence, letting some humor into her eyes. Zerra should be a little more trusting. Ana thought to herself, smiling. Well, it went better than expected, that's for sure.

The Queen flicked her gaze away from the pirate, resisting the urge to lash out for the latter's insolence. "If that is all, Captain, I would like to take my leave, now," she said with the tone of ice. And before the pirate said any word in response, the mermaid disappeared into the waters.

Ana waved to Zerra as she disappeared, relishing in the feeling of knowing she had successfully angered the collected Queen. Someone thinks herself high and mighty. Ana thought to herself, crouching down low, to get ready to launch herself at the rocks. With a graceful leap, she landed on a rock, and before she could even start to think about where that crocodile was, she was already on the other shore, panting, and hand on her sword. Hearing nothing, she broke out into a sprint, mud splashing everywhere.

By the time Ana reached the ship and was being lifted up, holding onto the anchor, she was completely and utterly covered in mud, from head to toe. Mud on her face, in her boots, even in her inside jacket pockets. Ana hissed and wiped her face, grunting in anger when all it did was get her even dirtier. She shot the crew members bad looks when a few tried to hold in laughter, a couple even letting out a snort. All it took was a low hiss, and the crew was deathly silent.

"I didn't think so. If y'all would excuse me, I'm going to my quarters to get changed." Ana said, walking away to do just that.