[Episode] Showdown at the O.K. Coral

Spoiler:

With paper in hand and the sun high above, Elena found herself in a better mood than usual today. It seemed that a pirate crew from the West Blue had been spotted nearby the week before, and if the rumors were correct, then the payout for their heads would be a tremendous boon for her currently empty bank. Besides, if it actually was the crew they thought it was, then they were wanted for attempted human trafficking, and she couldn't simply sit by and abide their presence in her seas.

No. The money was making her particularly pleasant, but it was hardly the only reason why she had taken the bill from the local navy office.

So, humming quietly to herself, the absolutely large woman rode atop her equally as bulbous floating bubble through the crowded streets. Even with her tail coiled as much as she could comfortably manage, it was still a squeeze to get some places in human towns, and she had to be careful not to trip some wayward child with her tail by mistake.  Every so often she stopped to meagerly allow someone to pass by at a crossroads, only to continue on her way again towards the docks.

A soft breath pushed through her nose as the gentle blue curve of the horizon was joined by the sight of so many ships tied to the wooden structure that bore them when not at sea. Some were large; probably a wealthy trader come to hawk his wares. Others were small; either a fishing vessel or even the odd boat meant to ferry crews back and forth from a ship too large to bring in fully. Some were downright cute, such as the small boat with a single sail she had just spotted.

Little Castle. Very cute, she thought with a chuckle.

However, this was no time for admiring the craftsmanship of such things. It was just passed noon already, and by her estimates, the last known location of her target was to be a four or five hour swim at an easy pace. She could definitely make it in two, but she preferred the twilight hours, herself. It made her job easier, and she would be hard pressed to deny the drama of it.

So, while doing her own mental calculations and plotting the route roughly in her imagination, Elena neatly folded the bill and secured it in the waistband of her skirt. For just a moment or two longer, she wondered if she could spare the time to grab a bite to eat first, before leaving.

She was about to make a big payday, after all.

WC: 441/5000