Meeting

The wind whipped against the sails of the Night Raider, and Jorlais stared up at the sky thoughtfully. What would the gods bring him today? He gripped the steering wheel, aimlessly drifting through the ocean, no real destination in mind. After a couple hours of sailing with no purpose, a cry rang out from one of his crew members, and the captain looked down at the main deck curiously. The man was crying about something, and Jorlais sighed, dropping anchor and walking down to the distressed man. “What the hell is going on?” he growled. The man pointed down at the water, where a clump of stray fishing net was thrashing around barely beneath the surface. Jorlais’ eyes widened as he saw the flash of scales, and before any other thought could cross his mind, he cast his hat aside and dove into the cold waters. His fingers fumbled as he tried to untangle the thrashing mermaid from the net.

Ansel was terrified. After everything he'd been through in the past few days this was the last thing he wanted. He'd been fleeing, to where he wasn't sure but away from his home was for certain. He'd been pursued by other sirens when he had ventured too close to shore and got caught up in fishing nets. The two male sirens who'd been chasing him, one of which had once been his lover, found him in the nets and he'd thought for sure they'd kill him for his crimes. But instead they left him for the humans to find, a fate worse than the sirens could give him. After what seemed like hours of thrashing about he had finally worn himself out and gave up. He let himself float in the net, thankful it was under water. But then the sun was blocked out by a looming shadow and a moment later he felt hands on him, pulling at the net and digging the hooks deeper into his gills. He squirmed and thrashed doing everything he could to get away from what he could only assume was a fisherman come to claim his prize. He bared his teeth, hissing under the water the best he could to scare off the human but to no avail. He was done.

Jorlais felt the mermaid struggling, and he frowned with determination, drawing his cutlass from his belt and using it to free the monster. When he had finished, he grabbed the mermaid by the waist, pulling him to the surface and climbing onto the boat with him. He growled savagely at his crew as they gathered around to see what their captain had fished out of the net. “Someone go get me some water!” he barked. “Keep tossing it on him while I get these hooks out of him!” He turned back to the mermaid… merman? “What are you?” he asked the creature, pushing his long black hair out of his eyes. “Listen to me. My name is Captain Jorlais Finch. I’m a vampire, and I can suck the pain out of you. Give me your hand, and then I’ll get those hooks out of your neck. Listen to me and do as I say if you want to live.” He watched as a group of his men came up, taking turns pouring water on the monster’s gills. “Let me help you,” he hissed.

Ansel pushed himself back from the peering humans as much as he could until his back hit the railing of the ship. He hissed, his eyes darting from the Captain to the rest of the crew. These didn't look like fishermen. “Vampire?” He finally spoke at Jorlais’ statement. He was frightened and hurt and didn't know what the hell he'd just gotten himself into. “S-siren..” he answered his first question but stayed back, coiled in on himself and shaking slightly. He hissed, baring his fangs at the first crew member who threw water on him but he quickly settled when he realized they were merely trying to help. He raised a hand to his neck, pulling at one of the hooks that had imbedded itself into one of his gills. He winced, blood trickling down his fingers and throat. He was determined not to let these humans have any sort of control over him. As soon as he could he'd jump back into the water and get as far away from the wretched place as he could.

Jorlais sighed heavily, watching the siren struggle with hooks. “Dammit, knock it off, you brat,” he mumbled, and he suddenly surged forward, grabbing his hand and bringing it to his mouth, biting down and focusing. He focused, taking his pain from him, but he was also trying to sap the energy from the creature so that he didn’t fight so much. Once the siren stopped thrashing around so much, Jorlais let his hand fall from his mouth, and he leaned forward. “Siren, calm down. You’re only making things worse,” he said, his tone oddly gentle. He expertly removed the hooks from the siren’s gills, nodding once and picking the monster up into his arms. “Get us to the nearest port immediately! This siren needs help,” he bellowed, and immediately the crew burst into action. The handful of men continued to pour water onto the siren’s neck as they barreled towards land. Jorlais looked down at the siren in his arm, who was hissing, but didn’t have the energy to do much else. “Vampires don’t suck blood. They suck emotions. So I bit you and sucked out your pain. It’s the best painkiller around,” he said with a grin. “What’s your name, siren?”

Ansel’s immediate reaction was to pull away from the vampire but he was quick enough and he felt his fangs sink into the palm of his hand. He whimpered softly but he felt his energy once again draining from him. He couldn't fight back when he lifted him into his arms and merely hissed a warning the best he could. But to no avail. “I don't know..” he began. “What a vampire is…” he muttered softly to Jorlais’ explanation. His chest was heaving with every breath he took. He could breath above the surface but not for long and it was already becoming difficult for him even with the constant dousing of water. His silver eyes focused on the man carrying him as he tried to figure out if he was genuinely trying to help him or not. “Pr…” he began to answer his question but stopped. His title was useless now except to perhaps put him in more danger. “Ansel Xavier…” he muttered.

Before he could answer, the boat came to a halt, and Jorlais looked up to see that the boat had docked. He grinned down at Ansel. “Don’t worry. I’m going to help you,” he vowed, and he rushed off of the ship, down into the town, Ansel in his arms. “Listen, I’m going to get you a tank, and I’m going to nurse you back to health. It’s too dangerous for you to go back into the ocean right now. You’re too weak and vulnerable.” He carried Ansel down to the nearby glassmaker’s shop, and he yelled frantically to get the shopkeeper’s attention. “Listen to me, you oaf. Make me a tank big enough for three sirens like this one and get it done in ten minutes or less, or else I’ll kill you,” he growled, his eyes blazing. The man nodded, frightened, and he ran back and began working. Jorlais turned back to Ansel. “Don’t talk. You’ll only tire yourself out even more,” he said softly, his bright blue eyes meeting the siren’s electric grey ones. “And stay calm. Keep your breathing steady.”

Ansel was too weak and too frightened to argue with him so he simply nodded. His webbed fingers holding onto him as tightly as he could while he struggled to stay conscience. His long tail lay limp over Jorlais’ arms and his fins nearly drug the ground. He could still feel the warm blood trickling from the wounds the hooks had left and he was starting to feel queasy. He was on dry land, in the arms of a vampire(whatever that was) who was barking orders at some random man. He didn't understand it one bit. Why did this man want to help him? Probably to set him up as a sideshow freak and make money off of him. He couldn't live his life in a small enclosure. He need to get back to the ocean. He couldn't stay there. The more his mind wandered to such thoughts he began to thrash weakly and his again.

“Listen to me,” Jorlais growled down at Ansel. “Stop it. You’re going to die if you don’t calm down!” He swallowed thickly, baring his fangs at the glassmaker. “FINISH THAT FUCKING TANK NOW IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!” he roared, and within another minute, the man handed the tank over, a terrified look on his face. Jorlais quickly set Ansel down in the empty tank, and he pulled it all the way to the shore, where his men sat anxiously. “Don’t just stand there; fill the damn tank up before I skin you all!” The crew went to work, and - though it was incredibly difficult - when they were done, Jorlais pulled the tank up onto the ship and into his quarters. “Ansel Xavier.” His voice was low as he stared at the siren, who was peeking out at him through the water. “I am a vampire. An emotion drinker. A monster. Your people’s songs do not affect me, but they will affect my crew. As to what I’m doing on this ship…” he trailed off, an evil grin appearing on his face. “Why, I’m a pirate.” He clapped his hands together. “Despite this, I have decided to nurse you back to health and then release you back into the ocean. Understood?”

The siren stared at him through the water, taking in every word he had to say. A pirate then? How many of his kind has the sirens at home taken down? Countless. He swam to the surface, coming above just far enough so he could speak to him. “You're going to release me?” He asked cautiously. “Why? What have you to gain from helping me?” He eyed the pirate suspiciously. After a moment he looked down at his hand at the punctures from Jorlais’ teeth. He had taken away his pain. But he couldn't understand what he wanted out of this. Humans, especially pirates never did anything without a price.

Jorlais leaned against his desk, smirking. “You won’t believe me. Let’s just say I have a good feeling about you.” He turned, stretching and taking off his wet shirt. “We’re first going to go to a dear friend of mine. She can give you the ability to change into a human form of yourself. That way you can assist me on the ship as you heal. How does that sound?” He turned to face the siren. “Not that you really have an opinion that matters to me at the moment.”

He glared at him, bobbing at the surface of the water. “So in other words you want me to be your slave?” He growled. “Fuck no. I'd rather die.” He dipped back into the water, swimming around a bit before settling on the bottom and watching the pirate. He'd stay there as long as he had to. He wasn't going to be anyone’s toy. Especially not an overconfident vampire-human.

Jorlais hummed and grinned at the siren. “What a spoiled child you are,” he purred, and he chuckled softly. He stood, staring at the siren intensely. “You aren’t going to be my slave, idiot,” he hissed angrily. “I’m going to train you to be my right-hand man.” He thought for a minute. “A pair of monsters commanding a crew of stupid humans. Won’t it be wonderful?”

He raised an eyebrow but still didn't surface. He wouldn't let a smooth talker’s words get to him. He was a siren after all, smooth talking was their nature. But he had to admit he was an attractive gentlemen. He let out a sigh under the water, coming out just as bubbles and he surfaced again. “I don't want to be human. And after everything I've been through I'd much prefer if you just left me alone.” He explained to him, sadness in his eyes but he wasn't about to explain everything to this perfect stranger. “I need sleep. I haven't slept in days…”

“Then sleep,” Jorlais replied simply. “I’ll leave you alone. I’m sure you’ve had a rough few days. Just rest up, and I’ll come get you when we arrive. And she isn’t going to permanently change you. She’ll most likely make it so that you can shift between forms. It’ll make you more useful even if you don’t stay on my ship.” With that, he pulled on a new shirt and left the cabin, going to steer them to the Witch.

The siren swam around nervously for a moment. A witch? He'd always been taught that witches were one of the most dangerous creatures and that he should stay away from. But he wasn't home anymore. And this pirate seemed to want to help him, not harm him. He still wasn't sure if he could be trusted yet. Ansel let out another sigh and dipped down into the water, curling up in a corner of the glass tank and drifting off to sleep.

A few hours later, the ship docked on a small island in the middle of the ocean, and Jorlais went into his cabin, smiling a small smile at the sight of the siren fast asleep. “Ansel,” he called, approaching the tank. “We’re here. Did you sleep well?” He looked at the bottom of the tank. Thankfully some of his crew members were smart enough to put some buckets of sand in the tank. Good, he thought to himself. He wanted the siren to be as comfortable as possible.

The siren roused to the sound of his name being called. He lifted his head, peering out at the pirate. After a moment he surfaced and let out a yawn. “I don't want to be here.” He said softly, a sad look on his face. “Just let me go..”

Jorlais sighed softly, his smile apologetic. “I can't do that. For your safety and my own. Please, let me do this for you. It'll make life easier for you,” he asked. Not pleading, never pleading. Captain Jorlais Finch didn't plead. “I know you don't trust me, and I don't blame you, but I'm doing this to help you. I want to give you a new life. I can tell that you're running from something; I know the look all too well. Let me give you new opportunities, Ansel. Let me save your life.”

He sighed softly. “How am I supposed to get there?” He asked, watching the pirate. He was right. He certainly couldn't go home. And he couldn't go to any of the other kingdoms for refuge; they were in a time of peace. No one would take him. “Why do you want to help me?”

“I'm having her brought to us by my men,” he answered with a dismissive wave of his hand. “And I'm helping you because it's the right thing to do.” He smiled gently, swallowing the lie that he had told. “But you don't believe me, do you?”

“You're a pirate. And a human. Why would I believe a thing you say?” He asked, glaring at him. Vampire or not this man looked human and that was enough for Ansel. He was just as bloodthirsty and self-centered like the rest of them. He knew he had to have some sort of ulterior motives to ‘helping’ a siren.

“I’m not a human,” Jorlais retorted exasperatedly. “But whatever. I suppose I’ll just have to prove it to you that my actions are genuine.” He leaned against the tank bravely, not afraid of the downtrodden siren.

“I just want to leave.” He said again, clearly weak and exasperated. “I don't need your help anymore. Thank you for getting me out of those nets, but I'm okay now.”

Jorlais stared evenly at the siren. “Ansel,” he said slowly, frowning deeply. “Listen to me. You’re not fit to go back yet. You’re still weak, and I know that the second you go back into that ocean, you’re going to be attacked by something. You’re going to be taken advantage of. I don’t want that, and neither do you. Also, with this ability that the Witch is giving to you, you’ll be able to further escape whatever you’re running from. Okay?”

He let out another sigh, closing his eyes and finally giving in. “Fine.” He agreed, looking up at him. It wasn't like he was getting much of a choice anyway. And he supposed it was better than living the rest of his life in a tank.

Jorlais grinned a bright, genuine smile. “Thank you. I really appreciate it,” he said honestly, and he looked up as a knock sounded from the door. “Come in!” he called, and that was when she entered. The Witch.

Maia pushed the silver strands of hair behind her ear, looking over the pirate for a moment before turning her attention to the tank. “A siren?” She asked, eyeing Ansel who watched quietly. “Why have you brought me here, Jorlais? You know I do not appreciate being pulled from my home for house calls. I work best in my own residence.”

Jorlais straightened, walking over and grinning. “My dearest, dearest Maia. Thank you so much for coming here on such short notice. You see, I need a favor, and I’m willing to pay any price for it. I just need you to make it so that this siren here can turn into a human every once in a while,” he explained.

She looked up at him, her arms crossed over her chest. “Jorlais, your charm does not work on me.” She pointed out with a sigh but looked back up at Ansel. “What use is he of you?” She asked, looking him over. “A wounded siren? And you want him human too? I do not understand you sometimes, my friend.”

“You don’t need to understand,” he said evenly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Just do it, and I’ll reward you handsomely!”

“This is not usually the kind of thing I do. I specialize in curses.” She pointed out. “You want me to curse your new plaything?” She raised an eyebrow teasingly.

“It's not a curse if it's for his benefit~” he said smoothly, grinning. “Please?”

She rolled her eyes. “Very well. I need to collect a few things though before I can do it for you.” She looked from Jorlais to the siren in the tank, stepping forward. “Tell me, do you want this?” Ansel looked at her, a bit scared before his eyes darted to Jorlais. “Y-yes.” He nodded. “He saved my life. I can better repay him if I can transform.”

Jorlais’ crystal blue eyes widened in surprise at the siren’s answer, but he stayed silent, watching them closely. He and Maia, the goddess of witchcraft, had known each other since Jorlais had been a child, so he trusted her with Ansel’s life. He trusted her to do her job and help him, just as she had always done.

Maia nodded. “I will get the ingredients I need and return swiftly. It's okay if you change your mind, little fishy. I won't let him hurt you for saying no.” Ansel nodded and watched her leave before he looked back at the pirate, shying away a bit.

He laughed softly. “Little fishy~” he cooed, walking closer to him. “Don't be afraid of her. Just because she's a goddess doesn't mean she can't have good intentions. She's saved my life more than once…” He pulled his chair from his desk and sat down in front of Ansel. “Would it help you trust me if you knew more about me?”

He watched him carefully, not saying anything right away. He dipped back under the water, sitting on the bottom with his back against the glass and his tail pulled to his chest. He nodded though after a moment of just watching him.

Jorlais stretched, nodding thoughtfully. “Okay. Well, as I’ve told you, I’m a vampire. Vampires are a type of monster that is virtually emotionless, and so my kind requires feeding off of others monsters and humans to sap emotions from them. I simply bite the person from which I want emotions, and I take whichever emotions I want. I don’t feed often, and when I do, I only like taking the bad emotions,” he explained. “For me, feeling bad is feeling anything at all, so I’ll take it. Some of my kind drink blood because it contains more raw emotion, but they are few and far between.”

He nodded slowly, uncoiling himself and surfacing again. He crossed his arms on the rim of the tank, looking down at him. “Can you take away my emotions?” He asked nervously. “I-I lost my sister and my parents today…”

He raised an eyebrow, standing and approaching Ansel slowly. He stared into the siren’s brilliant silver eyes, frowning. “Sometimes it is best to mourn and feel emotions for the things that hurt our hearts. Avoiding emotion isn’t exactly the healthiest option,” he told him, his voice soft and caring for an unusual change. “But if you really wish for me to take the pain, show me where you want me to bite.”

He swallowed thickly, holding out his wrist for him. “I-I-I just don't know how to handle it right now… it's too overwhelming…” the siren explained, looking down at the ground to hide the tears in his eyes.

Jorlais nodded once, and he gently took his wrist, unsheathing his fangs and sinking them into the siren’s tender skin. He focused, closing his eyes, and began to sap all of the negative emotions out of Ansel’s heart. When he was finished, he pulled back, tearing a piece of his shirt off and wrapping the cloth around his wrist. “My mother and father are also dead,” he told him, looking up to meet his intense stare. “I understand how much it hurts. Don’t feel as though you aren’t allowed to feel that simply because you are surrounded by strangers. If at any time you need to let your emotions take over, tell me and I’ll leave you alone in the room for privacy. Alright?”

He flinched and bit his lip as the vampire’s needle teeth impaled his wrist. He whimpered softly and nodded to his words, giving him a smile. “Thank you.” He told him. “Thank you for saving me. I-I was afraid humans would find me and use me…” he explained. “Or that I would die in those nets…” he held his wrist tightly, biting his lip and looking down. “I'm sorry for not making it easier on you. I was scared… I still am…”

“I understand,” the vampire reassured him. “I don’t know why, but as soon as I saw you stuck… I knew I had to save you. I promise you that I’m not doing this for personal gain. I simply wanted to save you from humans.” He pulled up his shirt, revealing a nasty scar that ran down his side. “Humans are no friend of mine.”

He looked him over and nodded. “Humans are cruel. But so are monsters.” He told him. He looked up as the goddess stepped into the room again with a burlap satchel of things. “I need a scale, dear.” She told him, pulling out a bowl and various strange looking items and placing them on the pirate’s desk. “If you still want to do this.”

The pirate captain stood, letting Maia approach the tank. He watched Ansel curiously, wondering if anything he had said would make the siren back out.

He looked at her nervously for a moment and then at Jorlais but he didn't change his mind. He reached down and plucked a loose scale from his tail, handing it over to the goddess. She smiled at him. “Thank you, fishy.” She said, taking the scale back over to her belonging and began to brew up something in the little bowl.

He watched as Maia finished up her spell and approached Ansel, and he couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. Ansel was really going to join his crew. He bit his lip to control himself, watching as Maia gave the siren instructions.

Ansel nodded softly, his eyes glued to Maia’s as she said a few words and before he knew what was happening his tail began to tingle until the scales melted away and he was in the tank, completely naked and treading water on two legs. He looked down at himself in shock and awe. “And you said I-I can only stay in this form for a few hours?” He asked Maia, tearing his eyes away from himself. The goddess nodded and smiled. “The more you get used to it the longer you'll be able to last in that form. But it will never be permanent.” She explained to him. She went back to the desk and put everything away again. She smiled at the pirate. “Take care of him.” She whispered to him. “He's a special one.”

Jorlais nodded once, seeing Maia off the ship before turning back to Ansel. “Step on out,” he offered, extending his hand for Ansel to take. “Let’s get you clothed. Welcome to the crew of the Night Raider.”