You are forced to your knees before hundreds of pirates, in a large circular room with a single starlight lantern to cast shadows on the walls. You look up at Medusa as she pockets some cash.

"Let's start with the royalty! The oh-so-fabulous princess of Lumina Stellar is..." She gazes at you from the corner of her eye and sends you a devilish smirk. "Destined to serve me for the rest of her days!"

Her crew erupts in a burst of cheers, thrusting their cups full of Wicked Stinger into the air and spilling it on each other. Clearly all intoxicated.

"And the Earthling terrapin warrior... has been claimed by the Captain Devious Nightwind!"

A second crew roars with approval as a woman steps forward with olive skin, plump lips and a tattoo from her chin, down her neck to her left collarbone and shoulder. Her hair is fashioned in dreadlocks, and she wears a bandanna over her left eye. Scars trail across her left cheek, over her nose and stop at the right side of her face. She stares at Raphael solemnly and nods to Medusa.

You tense up at you are lifted to your feet. You are so wrapped up in your own thoughts, you barely spy Raphael land a staggering punch to the jaw of an approaching pirate. You act on impulse and kick your closest rival in the knee, making him fall to the ground. You then spin around and head-butt the pirate behind you, stumbling back slightly as he falls back into fellow bandits. A sudden, strong grip on your forearm drags you out of the room that has turned to chaos and fighting everywhere, tugging you down the pitch black hallways. You squirm and struggle to no avail, your captor clearly stronger than you. And you discover that your abductor is the Captain Devious and her crew, once it is light enough to see.

"Keep quiet if you wish to live and stay together!" She hisses with a thick accent. Now you notice Raphael struggling in the arms of a crew member, and you slowly relax and walk with them. They lead you to a large, silver-grey ship made of steel and scrap metal. It is heavily equipped with weapons, such as thrusters that double as giant blasters, and machine guns on both sides of the front. The solar sails are slim and black with Captain Devious's flag flying high above, and the Captain proudly walks up to her vessel. The ship is abuzz with the remainder of her crew preparing to set sail as she sets foot on the top deck.

"Ah, Gwendolyn!" A tall, toned man with long, thick hair runs towards your group, sporting tattoos on his shoulders and biceps, with beaded necklaces around his neck and charms hanging on his bandanna. The only clothing he wears beside his bandanna is worn pants and a belt, which hangs lopsided on his hips with the weight of his swords and star-blaster.

The crew mates immediately make a path for him across the deck as he strides towards the Captain and reaches out to her. She holds his hands and guides them to her hips.

"Yes, Osric? What news have you?" She inquires with a kind tone. Upon observing 'Osric' closer, you realize he is completely blind, with large scars– almost appearing to be claw marks at first, over his eyes. You gulp softly. The sight is gruesome, and you don't want to imagine what kind of creature would inflict such pain.

He smiles, his head turned to the side slightly as he speaks to her.
"Draex and Aelani have located the Ruby Flask! They estimate it is roughly 74 quaftes from the Zion Colony." His head turns more to you, and you realize your heart is pounding in your chest, and your breathing is rapid. You cannot be dragged along on a treasure hunt with these pirates, who kidnapped you from several crews eager to get their claws in you. "She is nervous."

Raphael glances at you and shifts in his chains. The clinking tugs you out of your terrified thoughts, as does Gwendoyln unlocking your restraints.

"I trust you will not run. After all, we are aiding you in your escape." She flashes a yellow-tinged smile. Raph stands at your side and raised a brow at you in 'did you plan this, or is she just loopy?' manner, you guess.

"Pardon?" You request curiously, hesitantly following her as one of her crew members beckon you to.

"I see. Your parents did not speak of me. I supposed that is logical. Royalty and pirates are not often associated together in a pleasant manner." She turns to you and gives you a sudden, low bow. "I am Gwendoyln Nightwind, Queen of the Icy Islands. Your parents and I have childhood ties together."

You are more confused and flabbergasted than ever, and it clearly shows.
"B-but, how??"

"That is a tale for another time." Gwendoyln brushes away your questions and leads you to the Captain's Quarters. A box bed in the wall resides in the far corner, very large and easily able to fit two. The walls are a mellow, dark brown blight wood, carved with multiple symbols and signs. The floor is carpeted blood red, and a few paintings adorn the walls. There is a large table in the center of the room, with a dark red, silk-like tablecloth over it. Several steps away from it, is a large, expensive-looking desk with papers scattered over it, with a large map rolled out and held down with random objects; a knife, lamp, and shoe.

"Y/n, I have no clue how you managed to travel this far, especially with this Earthling.."

"OK! What the shell is wrong with us Earthlings?!" Raphael snaps with a slight growl. "I have been through a heck of a lot of crap, and my HUMAN friends helped me out of a lot of scrapes. So please, tell me what's so horrible about having an Earthling tag along!" He huffs, crossing his arms as he glares at Gwen.

She pauses for a moment before chuckling.
"For one, very slow, in all ways." She smirks. "And so primitive.." her smirk falls as she shudders in disgust.

You roll your eyes at the two and push Raphael slightly.
"There is nothing wrong with you. We just see Earth as the catch-up planet, not very up-to-date with technology." You explain, crossing your arms like him. He rolls his eyes and looks around while you speak to Gwendolyn.

Osric soon enters and bumps chest-to-shoulder with Raphael.
"Oh, sorry there lad." He apologizes, holding a different accent than that of Gwendoyln, but equally as thick.

"Yeah, it's fine.." he mumbles, stepping out of the way.

Osric tilts his head, leaning close after a moment of thinking and listening.
"You like her." He whispers to him, a sly smile spreading across his lips.

Raphael's face bursts red, and he coughs roughly.
"Wh-what?? No. Sh-shuddap. Sh-she's a flippin' princess.."

"So? My lover is a queen, and I was a humble servant boy in the beginning."

"She'll be gone as soon as our missions are completed.." Raph shakes his head slightly, glowering at the floor.

"Ah, I thought that as well. But fate is an interesting, tricky being. You never know for sure what it has planned." Osric finds his shoulder and pats it lightly. "Show her that you care, if not in your fullest, then in small hints and gestures."

Later on, Raphael thinks long and hard about Osric's advice, watching him walk to Gwendolyn and hold her as she works.

'If it's in a one in a million chance I could... then I'll try.' He thinks, glancing at you. "Got nothin' ta loose, anyway.." he mutters.

(Captain Gwendolyn 'Devious' Nightwind:

First mate Osric 'Trickster' Currington:

The Blackpool:

Hope you enjoyed!!)