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In The Mist Of The Erie Isles

By Mantrid Brizon

Episode Thirteen: All In The Past, Pt.3

“Hello, Jarae." The stowaway speaks, waving only her fingertips.

“Merna?!"

“You know her?" Valan's eyes grow wide.

With the crew gathered together, they surround Merna, who sits in the lounge, forced into the corner of the dining booth. Shimmering blue eyes look back at her captors as she crosses her arms, glaring angrily. At five feet and six-inches tall, she's on par with Kirsta and Jarae, and her body is nearly a perfect replica of Jarae's. Ample, C-cup breasts fill up her blue blouse, aided by her old, tan bodice. Toned legs are covered in forest green trousers, and her black, hide boots are quite old and faded. All of her clothes have since been cleaned of coal dust, and their stolen possessions sit atop the table.

The Jaliscan's hair, which reaches just past her shoulders, isn't nearly as wild as Jarae's pink locks; it's straight, fine, and the vivid yellow color of a wheat field. Her fur is patterned very similarly to Jarae's, albeit far darker. Her two-tone fur is a rather traditional looking dark and light combo. The fur that covers her snout, beneath the bridge of her pink nose, and which runs over her neck, chest, belly, and betwixt her legs, is an ashen gray; it accents the darker gray, almost black, that covers the rest of her body. The tips of her ears and tail, are solid black, along with black fur that covers her hands, like gloves, and feet, like socks.

“Someone has a lot of explaining to do..." Kirsta growls, reclaiming Luvel's stolen comb.

“Yeah! How do you two know each other?" Mairlynn turns to Jarae.

“I'm far more concerned with how she got aboard." Trellan holds the pouch of Valan's stolen coins.

“I walked..." Merna smirks.

She turns her head, looking away and glancing out of a window.

“Jarae?"

“Hm?" She turns to Trellan.

“Care to explain this, before everyone gets mad and tosses her overboard?"

“Merna... Well..." Jarae sighs, hesitating to speak.

“You've done well for yourself... You were always good at that."

Merna turns toward Jarae, glaring at her with a seething hatred that few have ever seen, let alone felt.

“I guess we weren't good enough for you... Was Radiz good enough, or was he just collateral damage?" Merna continues.

“Wait... Your eyes!" Irzain steps closer.

“Yeah, that was me." Merna grins rather smugly.

“I don't believe this." Kirsta shakes her head, resting her face in her palm.

“I'm confused." Steingar speaks up. “Who the hell is she, and how do you know her? Start talking, animal..."

“Hey!" Valan draws his pistol, stepping between Jarae and Steingar. “Don't talk to her like that!"

“I can take care of myself, Valan!" Jarae snarls.

“Heh... A well bonded crew, in their natural habitat." Merna snickers.

“Shut up!" Steingar points a clawed finger. “I want some damn answers for a change!"

“Alright!"

Jarae steps forward, hanging her head in shame.

“Merna and I were both in the group that kidnapped Irzain." She begins.

“All we wanted was a ride on your ship." Merna growls.

“Shut the hell up!" Kirsta glares at the stowaway.

“Merna was the lure, and I threw the fire bottles... We were all there, when you came to rescue Irzain from the abandoned warehouse we were hiding in."

“How did you get out of that inferno?!" Mairlynn gasps.

“... Oh, now I can speak?" Merna snickers.

“Answer the question." Valan sternly demands.

“The guards came and started a bucket brigade. Incensed, Radiz's men started shooting. He may have been an idiot, but he was still our leader, and they didn't forget that just because he was dead."

“Some leader." Trellan shakes his head.

“Eh..." Merna shrugs her shoulders. “We made do. Anyway, during the fire, I swiped the coin purse of one of our own and fled through a side door. The rest were shot, stabbed or burned to death. It seems that guards don't like being attacked."

“Who would've thought!" Valan quips.

“Hehe. Yeah." Merna grins. “I used the coins to buy supplies and a ride to another island. My luck wasn't so good, though, so I decided to head to another island. There are plenty to choose from!"

“Why would you pick this ship?" Trellan inquires, visibly curious.

“Because I saw her when you left." Merna looks at Jarae. “First, I decided to rob your Helngar, especially after I saw how much vasariks the old Vizhek had, but then I thought 'maybe I should hitch a ride, too!'. The ship looked big enough to hide aboard."

“That was kind of stupid." Kirsta laughs.

“Yeah, I realize that now!" Merna chirps.

“So, now what?" Irzain asks the others.

“Jarae?" Trellan turns to her.

“Hm?"

“... What do you suggest?"

“Are you serious?!" Kirsta gasps, looking at the towering Vizhek.

“Very. She knows her best; she can make the decision." Trellan replies.

“Is that a good idea? Because that doesn't seem like a good idea." Steingar remarks.

“It's my ship, and she isn't capable of stealing it. None of you are."

“Clearly." Merna mutters, staring at Jarae.

“Make your choice, Jarae. Keep her or get rid of her. I'm washing my hands of it."

Jarae's shimmering, pink eyes scan Merna's form as she sits at the dining booth, arms crossed and glaring back at her. The hatred on her face is plain to see. Despite or perhaps because of Merna's rage, Jarae remembers how Merna was in their old group. She takes a deep breath, exhaling through her pink, feline nose.

“Well... She was never the violent type... She was the first to suggest hiding and sneaking to avoid trouble."

“Surprise, surprise." Steingar murmurs.

“If you promise to be good, we can give you a ride to the next island or something..."

Merna's expression changes to one of shock, her eyebrows raising and eyes widening.

“Are you sure about this?" Valan leans closer to Jarae.

“She would never hurt anyone. It's not in her nature. Besides, does anyone here really want to be the one to push her into the ocean?"

“It's settled, then. Don't steal our stuff and mind your business. We'll be on another island in two days or so. There're two rooms left with cots in them; you can claim one. Goodnight!" Trellan instructs.

Steingar walks slowly backward from the room, following after Trellan. He keeps his glowing, golden eyes trained on Merna. Shaking her head in disbelief and rubbing her temples with her thumb and middle finger, Kirsta also leaves the room. Irzain follows suit, then Mairlynn, and finally Valan. Jarae and Merna, now left alone, stare at each other.

“You left out the best part, Jarae..." Merna sighs, as she slides out of the booth. “I was Radiz's lover before we ever found you. The greedy whore that you are, you didn't like that, did you? Is that why you did what you did? Is that why you stole him?"

“I never stole Radiz. He chose me instead... Men always choose me." Jarae smirks.

“Only because they know that they can have you. You were never difficult." Merna snickers. “But why did you do it? Why, after stealing him from me, did you decided to let him die? Why did you let the rest of us burn? What did we do to you, Radiz's queen, to deserve your betrayal? What did they have that we didn't?!"

“I-I... Radiz was making a mistake."

“That's never motivated you before. Radiz was an idiot; he was all muscle and no brains. His many, many mistakes never bothered you."

“It did then." Jarae insists.

“Uh-huh... I'm not much of a fighter – you said so yourself – but somehow, I'm going to make sure that you pay... Pay for stealing Radiz, pay for getting all of my friends killed, and even worse, you'll pay for me seeing you happy... The look on your face when that human gave you that flower; I could've ripped your guts out, if I had the nerve and the strength..."

Leaving the stolen pendant atop the table, Merna pushes past Jarae, heading for the cabins.

“Don't get any ideas..."

“I know which room is yours." Merna grins sinisterly. “If I had it in me to smother you in your sleep, you'd already be dead."

Left alone in the lounge, Jarae turns her eyes toward the pendant. Picking up the simple, onyx artifact from the table, she has a rush of fear. What could Merna do to get revenge, without using any violence? Was that just a cover? Is she plotting her first murder? Exiting the lounge, Jarae watches as Merna's tail disappears inside of an unclaimed room. It's adjacent to her own. From his doorway, Valan watches the newcomer's room with narrowed eyes. He turns his head, smiling warmly at Jarae.

“I like what you did..." He speaks as she walks by.

Jarae stops, turning her melancholy eyes toward the human.

“What did I do?"

“You showed mercy. I respect that."

Glancing toward Merna's cabin door, Jarae suddenly has a thought. It's a thought that brings a little smile to her lips, a simple fantasy involving Valan's protection. Returning her attention to him, he motions for her to come closer, while stepping backward and into his room. Peeking in through his door, Jarae watches as he pulls open a nightstand drawer. She steps inside, approaching him slowly as he seems to make several subtle motions; it appears that he's mixing something. Turning toward her, he grabs Jarae's hand, turns it over, and gives her an unusually compact, freshly loaded pistol.

“Valan..."

“Please, don't throw this one away." He quips. “Keep it, just in case."

“Thank you, Valan, but..."

A little smile crosses her lips, and the Jaliscan slowly sways her hips, swishing her tail as she leans a little closer. She slowly wriggles her body before him, taking her free hand and stroking the soft flesh of his cheek.

“Wouldn't you rather protect me yourself?"

“Of course." He grins. “But I can only sit up and watch the door for my lover."

“I can return the favor." She coos.

“That's not the only thing I want, Jarae... Please, don't be like Mairlynn."

Jarae's sorrow returns, once again rejected by him.

“What, uh... What did you mean, before?"

“Before, when?" He asks.

“When you said that I was 'better than that'."

“Oh... Maybe this isn't the best time to talk about that."

“Please! I want to know what you meant."

“Okay..." He sighs. “I wasn't judging you earlier, and I want you to know that. You're not a whore, Jarae, and I never thought you were, but you're mistreating yourself when you act so... Open... To men, I mean. I meant that you're a good person, a kind person, with a wonderful soul, and you have many more talents than just your body. You just don't seem to see them the way that I do!"

He rests his hands on her upper arms, holding her gently as he pleads with her.

“You don't give yourself enough credit for your gifts! You're better than you think you are."

“I-I..."

“Are you alright? You're trembling."

Looking into his eyes, Jarae is awash with strange sensations and thoughts. How could he ever see her as more than the sum of her parts? For as long as she can remember, no one has ever looked beyond her flesh. Is this some sort of trick? Why would he go through such lengths, when she routinely offers her body to him? All he has to do is take it, and he easily could. What is he truly after? Fear swells within her, and the Jaliscan woman slowly pulls away.

“I'm fine... But you're wrong. I'm a woman; I only have one real purpose, and no value beyond this." She speaks softly, waving a hand over her body as if presenting it to him.

“Jarae." He steps closer.

“No!" She steps back. “I can only ever be what I am, and the only thing of value that I have is between my legs. If that somehow isn't good enough, then I have nothing more to offer you."

Spinning around, the anxious and trembling woman rushes from his room. Valan chases her, but only until his door.

“Jarae!" He calls out to her.

She slips into her room, pistol in hand, and slams the door behind her. He can hear her locking the simple latch. Sighing in frustration, Valan's disappointment and pain begin to swell. He slams a hand against the doorframe, and suddenly remembers the large sack of wine in the galley. Checking his nightstand drawer, he collects his father's silver chalice. Sitting on his cot and looking toward the poster of himself, which he's mounted to the back of his door, Irzain dwells on himself. Lying back, he closes his eyes as he feels Arona swaying. Why do ships seem so comforting to him? What did he do before?

The rocking of the ship soothes his body, and the subtle sounds – the sloshing water and the creaking of the wood – soothes his mind. Within a matter of moments, he drifts into a deep slumber. Soft fur rubs against his flesh, and claws rake through his beard. Slowly opening his eyes, Irzain looks into the turquoise orbs of his lover. The purple and black Helngar gazes into his eyes, her warmth radiating over and through him as she lay naked atop him. With his arms around her, he gives the larger, imposing female a squeeze, before leaning in and stealing a kiss.

“Ooh, my love. I've missed this." She coos.

She nuzzles his neck and kisses him very softly, before licking him with her long tongue.

“We don't get to do this enough."

“I know." He replies, speaking in a hushed voice.

She takes a hand and slides it down his nude form. Grabbing his erection with confidence, she kisses him deeply, shifting her body and preparing herself. The tip of his manhood teases the dark flesh of her loins.

“Mmm..."

“Naoma?"

“Yes, my love?" She looks down at him.

“Should we really be doing this now? ... I mean, we don't have much time before-"

“Shh..." She presses a clawed finger against his lips. “I don't want to think about that. Right now, you're all that I need."

She lifts her supple body, looking down at her human lover. With a smile crossing his lips, his eyes are drawn to the glossy, black flesh of his lover's nipples, which cap her impressive bust. He winces, but not from pain; Naoma, his Helngar lover, pushes his manhood into her warm body. She shivers and gasps, while Irzain feels her tightness. He grasps her womanly orbs, squeezing and massaging them as she takes him into her, inserting him to the hilt.

“Baby..." He sighs.

“I love you. I love you more than anything. I want us to leave this place, but first..."

Her lips curl into a sinister grin as she leans closer. Her long, tapering tail sways with delight as she kisses him deeply, lying over him once more. Naoma doesn't answer, instead only pushing against him. The sensation of her loins enveloping his male organ is incredible, and Irzain can only grunt and groan as she rides with considerable skill. Back and forth she moves her body, swaying and rocking her pelvis, growing bolder and more forceful as their passion swells.

“I love you, too. We'll be gone soon, and then we can start our lives together, and our family."

“Mmmm-can we, hhf, start our family, hhf, right now?" She asks so sweetly.

“Yeah. Keep going, Pumpkin."

They grow closer and closer to climax, and soon, Naoma shivers and squeals. Irzain feels her loins tensing up, and soon releases as well. Opening his eyes, Irzain sits up in bed. Aroused, he pants and gasps for breath, trying to calm himself. He rests his face in his palms and runs his fingers through his brown hair. The dream, the memory, was a powerful one. As passionate and wonderful as this memory is, it hides something dark, something evil. It stabs at the back of his head, like a murderer's icepick. What happened? Why were they both so afraid? At least he remembers what's most important.

“Naoma... Your name is Naoma." He sighs. “I miss you."

Sniffling, Irzain fights back the tears. With every dream, his love's importance grows. His sorrow and loneliness are becoming palpable; what he wouldn't do to have Naoma back in his life. After calming himself down, he looks toward the porthole. To his discontent, it's still night out, however, he doesn't wish to sleep anymore. He couldn't, even if he wanted to. Hoping to clear his mind, he decides to take a little walk. Perhaps he can watch the sunrise from the main deck?

Irzain slips on his boots for the second time that night, before making his way out of his quarters. Walking slowly through the hall, he hears something strange. Following the sounds of incoherent grumbling, he heads for the lounge. Peeking his head inside, he finds Valan seated at the dining booth. The large sack of wine, which holds three gallons, sits in a box atop the table. The silver chalice seems half-full as Valan sits slumped in the seat.

“Forget something?"

“I just... Really need a drink... Or five." Valan speaks with a mild slur.

After a forced swig of his wine, Valan fills his chalice again, nearly knocking the goblet over as he loses more of his coordination.

“Does that help?" The older man asks, stepping into the room.

“I think so... I've never been much of a drinker, especially not anything as strong as wine."

Irzain sits across from the younger man, watching as Valan downs the contents of the chalice. He winces and grits his teeth, slamming the base of the ornate cup atop the wooden table.

“Yeah..." He chokes out. “That's something!"

“Are you alright?"

“Is it wrong? Am I somehow being selfish and I just don't realize it?" He asks with slow, drawn out words.

“I'm not following." Irzain shakes his head.

“When are you ever..." Valan sighs.

“Is this about Jarae?"

“I don't know what it is. I saw something in her eyes the night we met. It only got worse when we sat in that boat, floating in the ocean, and I..."

Valan pauses, turning his eyes toward the older man. Though he's clearly tipsy, he isn't drunk enough to make the mistake of sharing. Taking a deep breath, Valan succumbs to his melancholy and slumps back in the booth once again.

“Anyway... I got it in my head that I could fix her. I see all of this potential, everything that she could be; I want to bring it out of her, and the only way I know how is to treat her better than anyone else in her life ever has."

“It sounds like you love her." Irzain remarks.

“No." Valan shakes his head. “I haven't known her long enough, but I could. I could love her... If only she'd let me."

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make her drink." Mairlynn chirps, walking into the lounge.

“What're you doing up?" Irzain turns to her.

“In all of that excitement, I forgot my snack! I wanted the last piece of swiss cheese, but Merna stole that too... Is that the wine?!"

“Yeah." Valan subdues a burp.

“I thought that was Trellan's."

“I'll replace it." He sighs.

Stepping inside, Mairlynn sits beside Valan and across from Irzain. The diminutive elf grabs his silver chalice and pours herself a drink.

“Hey..." He mutters.

“I only want a taste."

Mairlynn licks a trickle of wine running down the goblet, before placing the cap back on the heavy sack and setting it aside.

“Don't you ever get tired of that?" Valan rests his head against the wall.

“Tired of what?" She asks, before taking a sip.

“Your over-the-top, obviously desperate attempts to get sex."

“I didn't mean it like that!" She whimpers.

“You always mean it like that. It's all you ever think about. You're like a caricature."

“Speak your mind, why don't you..." She grumbles.

“I think what he means is that a lot of people could probably see past your looks if you weren't so... Erm..." Irzain pauses.

“Off-putting. Obnoxious. Desperate." Valan answers, chuckling softly.

“Fine, asshole! I'll leave then, and you can sulk over your damned pet all you want!"

Mairlynn slides out of the booth, storming off in a huff. As she reaches the archway, she nearly slams into someone.

“Out of the way, flea-bag!" She snarls.

As the Falmun pushes past the being just outside of the room, Irzain and the intoxicated Valan shift their attention toward the opening. Stepping in from the hallway, Merna looks confused and a little offended.

“What the hell is her problem? I returned everything!"

“She's just... Having a mood." Irzain answers.

“Oh! I have those too, for a few days out of every month. Luckily, that's already happened this month."

Walking further into the room, Merna greets Irzain and Valan, introducing herself properly. Irzain responds, shaking her hand as he greets her, before further introducing Valan, who finishes Mairlynn's drink, and isn't in a position to speak concisely for himself.

“Does he always drink like that?" Merna sits beside Irzain.

“Not that I've ever seen."

“Really?! Is something bothering him?"

“..."

Irzain glances toward Valan, unwilling to share his information so freely with a stranger. However, the younger man leans forward; his head thumps atop the table, as he slumps over.

“I made a mistake." Valan murmurs.

“How so?"

“I thought I could fix her."

“Who?" Merna cocks her head.

“Uh, Valan." Irzain clears his throat.

“But I'm a failure... I failed Jarae." Valan's voice shivers.

Merna's shimmering, blue eyes widen as he rambles.

“I did everything I could. I wanted her to see what I saw, to feel what I thought I was feeling, but she doesn't. She hates me. Why couldn't I help her? What did I do wrong?"

Rising from her seat, Merna moves around Irzain. She slides into the booth, taking the space beside Valan, where Mairlynn had been sitting. Reaching for his silver chalice, the back of Valan's hand strikes the stalk of the cup, knocking it over. A trickle of fortified wine spills from it, running across the table. Merna reaches for the goblet, setting it upright and moving it away from him.

“I think you've had enough."

“I'm sorry." Valan sniffles, looking at the spilt wine.

He closes his eyes and takes a deep but shaky breath. Merna and Irzain watch in shock as the intoxicated gunman begins to cry.

“I failed her. I failed everyone. My father, Vella, my friends... What am I talking about? I don't have any friends..."

“Shh, it's alright." Merna speaks softly, petting his head.

“I thought I saw good in her. I thought I could trust her."

Sliding closer, Merna rests her arm over Valan as he weeps, his tears dripping onto the tabletop and mixing with the thin stream of wine.

“I'm sorry."

“It's alright. You're okay, Val." Merna coos.

“Val?" Irzain murmurs, raising an eyebrow as he watches the pair.

“Jarae isn't exactly normal. You aren't wrong; she's not a bad person, but she isn't really a good one either, at least not in the way you're hoping." Merna continues.

“What should I do?" The crying Valan asks the newcomer.

“You should cut your losses, Val. There are better women out there, women who won't hurt you, who won't drag you down, and who won't let you drink yourself to death, all alone."

“Thanks. I don't feel so good..."

“Let's get you to bed."

Gently pulling at him, Merna leads Valan out of the booth, like an adult directing a small child; her arms hover over him, pulling him into her as she guides him. Irzain is disturbed by the perplexing little smile on her face, as she takes Valan away, leading him out of the lounge and toward the quarters. Irzain now sits alone, in the dim light of the lounge.

“... What just happened?" He thinks aloud.