Headed by a Snake

Krysaos, Adamantine-Rank Dread Pirate, was intent on accompanying Tycondrius to Whitehearth.

Tarquin Wroe, Iron-Ranked Hexblade, was also due to join... but his significance was far less.

Anyroad...

Krysaos' overcoat and hat were mended by Mina's magic, the golden buttons properly polished, and his face freshly shaven.

He was a paragon of professionalism that Tycon was proud to call a friend and ally.

"Captain Krysaos," Tycon saluted.

The man returned the salute, as was proper, "At ease, LT. How's the prep?"

"All is in order, save for final checks on personnel." Tycon pursed his lips before continuing... "Krysaos, I must remind you... you've no obligation to accompany me back."

The Captain replied with an ear-grating scoff, "Psh! Y'tryin' to leave me behind, LT?"

"Your mission is complete," Tycon explained. "The previous sea god is dead by your own hands. With the difficulty involved, your debt to me is paid. It is my duty that remains... to return the Ancient's blades to Whitehearth."

"And MY duty," Krysaos yelped, "is t'pay you back."

"I just--" Tycon took a deep breath.

He had *literally* just explained why that was not necessary.

Oftentimes, however, it was difficult for Krysaos to see to conventional reason.

Tycon glanced in Mina's direction.

The young sea elf Lieutenant was walking on the far side of the ship, talking affably to the Coral Boys as they went about their duties. It was somewhat odd to see her with legs... but the current her exuded a much more powerful and confident presence than previous.

Maturity and professionalism, it was refreshing to see.

"Stay with her, Krysaos," Tycon urged. "Strengthen your bond. With your guidance and perhaps some luck, the crew might keep your beloved ship in one piece."

"Nah, I ain't convinced." Krysaos shook his head. "Mina will be fine. She's a good LT-- great, even. She can handle the boys. And if I *really* need her... I'll just summon her!"

He patted the hilt of the rapier on his belt.

Tycon had almost forgotten that Mina could teleport herself to Krysaos' side at a moment's notice. Looking over, the young lady was waving gracefully towards them.

She was a kindhearted girl... Tycon waved back.

Admittedly, he was hoping to pocket Krysaos' favor, utilizing it only after he transitioned from a half-god to a full one.

However, Tycon had underestimated him, something that came as a pleasant surprise.

A so-called 'happily ever after' with Miss Mina was wholly within the Sea God's grasp... yet he chose to value their friendship even above that.

It was... the way that things should be.

Debts should be paid-- more so if doing so was difficult.

Tycon took hold of Krysaos' wrist with a firm grasp, "I will not forget this kindness."

"CAP'N!!!" Shouted a certain lime-green Wonderboy, "DO YA HAFTA GO?!?!?!?"

The other members of the crew were of a similar mind.

...But if that fool, Wonderboy, hadn't said anything, they might have kept it quiet.

"Cap'n! Was it sumfin' Wonderboy did?!" "Cap'n!! Was it coz Miss Mina grew LEGS?!?" "Cap'n!!" CAP'N!!!"

Tycon placed his palm on the shoulder of the Coral Boy standing beside him.

"Take care of the crew, Catshit."

Every crewmember of the Neptune's Revenge had grown over the past several moons. Seaman Catshit... was the only Coral Boy to both meet and exceed Tycon's expectations.

The ship was in good hands.

"Aye aye, Bosun," Catshit grinned. "You c'n count on me."

With Wroe and Krysaos' accompaniment to Whitehearth guaranteed, Tycon was mostly satisfied.

Still... he wanted one more.

...

Elle wrung out the small rag over the bucket before reapplying it onto her best friend's forehead.

Coraline generated a lot of body heat... maybe because of Beatrice. Regardless of the reason, though, she said the damp cloth made her feel a little better.

Elle wished she could do more.

It wasn't fun to be stuck in a bed all the time.

...It was a little funny, though. As long as Elle had known Coraline, the elf had been in a bed almost as much as out of one.

"Ellie..." Coraline's ears twitched, "Your boyfriend's coming to see you."

Elle felt her heart drop. She'd been avoiding Tychon since he got back.

She didn't know what kind of face she wanted to show him.

She was supposed to be happy. The mission was a success... and he was safe.

But... he didn't come to save her as she hoped.

It wasn't a real reason to be upset. If she could narrow it down to one thing... it was that her boyfriend wasn't as perfect as she once thought he was.

Could anyone be perfect, though?

Elle almost jumped in surprise when Coraline put her hand on hers.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"N-nothing... I... haven't talked to him yet."

Coraline gently squeezed her hand, "I don't know what you're talking about, but... you can trust him, y'know. It'll be fine."

Elle swallowed her saliva. That... didn't sound like the normal Coraline. She was the most vocal person against their relationship.

She... *was* against their relationship, wasn't she?

The sound of two knocks made Elle sit up at attention.

She stared at the doorway in silence.

Maybe if she kept quiet... he'd go away.

...Was that what she wanted, though? What she truly wanted?

Tycon's voice, soft but firm, came from behind the door, "Elle, I'd like to speak with you."

Elle tapped her foot nervously. Her talking with Tychon was... terrifying.

He was really smart... so he'd definitely noticed that something was wrong.

He was going to ask about it.

And... she didn't really have a good answer.

Elle was... scared.

She'd finally got the perfect relationship she always wanted... one that, as a little girl, she never would have dreamt of.

But after the events on Moon Crescent Isle... after she and Coraline almost died...

...something had changed in the way she thought of Tychon.

He wasn't perfect.

...No one was.

'Perfect' was impossible.

And who was she to judge?

She was nothing more than Hagrid-- a miserable, hideous, giant of a woman who couldn't even pilot a Divine Armor to save her life.