A Gem For Your Thoughts? A Beautiful Misunderstanding!

[Cat]

Myra #8

No, nothing could go as she planned. Myra wanted to find some quiet place without another pair of eyes. She sighed. Was the crazy fishwoman reading her mind? Probably not, but she had a pretty troublesome talent to ruin everything Myra planned.

“Uh…that´s kind. Thank you”

She replied and tried to smile at least a bit.

“That is exactly what I needed”

She muttered and followed her target before she disappeared. Young miss Raven didn´t doubt that the fish woman will be able to do it just because it will make it more difficult for Myra. What Myra didn´t expect was the introduction of the fishwoman.

“I´m Myra”

She automatically replied and winked in surprise. Kenzie made something easier for her or was it a fake name? Sure, it was. She shouldn´t believe strangers so much.

“I am not from here too. I´m from West Blue.”

Myra entered the small house. It was too small by her criterion, but it was somehow snuggly. The lack of space was surprisingly quite comforting instead of claustrophobic. She looked around with curiosity and followed Kenzie.

“Thank you. You are very kind.”

Myra thanked old granny and bowed. It wasn´t common to see her bowing, but she wanted to take at least a closer look at Kenzie´s bracelet.

“But it is true, that it would be better to change to something less dirty. Thank you for the water and towel”

Myra thanked the old lady once again and she got an idea of how to revenge on the fishwoman for her stress. Miss Raven decided to give that girl a job, which will relieve Myra from part of her responsibilities and bring them to Kenzie.

Myra drank her water and looked at Kenzie. She needs the bracelet first or not?

“Let´s go”

The patience of the young lady was almost gone. She couldn´t wait longer for accomplishing her plans. She waited for Kenzie to willingly leave the house and joined her.

“Nice bracelet, where did you get it? I think I saw it somewhere…”

She asked.

[Kami-Gaz]

Myra? That was a pretty name for the woman that stood before her, the fishwoman offered a kind smile to her and nodded to take the name in. She seemed to be such a lovely person, being kind to her elders and so respectful of everyone. This person would make a very wholesome friend it seemed.

“Oh this? I bought it for cheap from some dodgy bloke about an hour ago. Black trench coat filled with all sorts of things.” Kenzie spoke as she walked out of the building and onto the main road, the building that was burning looked to have been kept contained and was getting beaten back now. Anyone that stayed in there longer than the lad the pair had originally rescued would have easily died by now.

“I think he or one of his lackies stole it to be honest. I didn’t want it getting into bad hands, so if I find the owner, I’ll happily give it back to them.” She spoke, bringing the wrist that wore the bracelet up to her face to inspect it a bit more as she walked. It really was a pretty thing to look at and a shame to think someone that sleazy got their greasy hands on it.

She then paused outside of the door to her hotel. “You can use my shower if you want, I don’t know if I have any spare clothes that would fit you but I might have a dress or two that could work.” Kenzie spoke as she looked over the soot and grime covered Myra, she really was a gem.

[Cat]

Myra #9

Myra was left speechless. She was shocked by the fishwoman´s naivety when she admitted that she bought something stolen. Young lady Raven heard in her head echoing words „cheap …dodgy bloke…trench coat“. That bracelet was everything but not so cheap to deserve something like that.

The most shocking thing was Kenzie´s willingness to give the bracelet to its owner. Myra couldn´t believe it, the fish woman wasn´t probably telling truth. There wasn´t a possibility that if she says something like: „Well, It belongs to my family. Will you return it to us, please? “ then the bracelet will miraculously return to her family.

She wasn´t able to keep a calm expression so she pretended to cough to hide it. It wasn´t that case and she wasn´t going to say please at all. No, that will not happen anytime.

„Maybe I will remember, where I saw it “

She muttered and followed Kenzie to the hotel. She had to think of some plan for how to get the bracelet. Some plan that the crazy woman will not be able to ruin. She sighed because she had no idea how to do it. Kenzie´s voice took her attention and saved her from long planning of theft.

„Shower? That sounds too tempting to say no to it “

She smiled and got a brand new idea. She will take the bracelet when the fish woman will be in the shower! What can go wrong with this plan? Myra hoped that nothing.

The only problem was her paranoia. Why should someone offer her shower and dress just like that? That was suspicios and she had to be prepared to disappear just in case that it was trap.

[Kami-Gaz]

Kenzie nodded to the woman as she agreed to use her shower, it was only fair for her to get clean and have a fresh set of clothes that weren’t singed or smelling of soot and ash. With a smile the woman with smudged arms that had a luminescent glow to them walked to a wardrobe and opened it up to reveal a massive variety of loose-fitting sundresses, bathing suits in both the one and two piece style and accessories that would work with all of them. It was a shame her current swimming wear was ruined; it was one of her favourites after all.

“I’ve got a feeling you will like something dark; I don’t have much but there is this old formal one that might work.” The fish woman spoke with a bright smile that was as bright as the light that shone from her bare arms was. Carefully, without letting her dirtied skin touch it she removed a fantastic looking dress that looked a little long for herself but almost perfect for Myra. From the shoulders it was thick strapped black dress which was very modest. Around the waist was a black leather belt that had a simple silver buckle but from this point the black material slowly shifted in a gradient to a deep sky-blue colour as the dress flowed out into a gently ribbed skirt.

“It was always a bit too big for me, but I think it suits you well!” Kenzie spoke before laying it on the bed. In a flash she turned around and carefully picked out a few articles for herself, a pastel blue sundress with a matching one-piece swimsuit that was missing a large chunk on the right side that made it look like a shark had taken a bite out of it.

With a big smile the young woman nodded to Myra. “I’ll take a shower now, and then you can hop in if you want. I’ll clean this bracelet when I’m in there. I would hate to hand it back to the owner covered in soot.”

[Cat]

Myra #10

The fishwoman´s room wasn´t the best in this hotel, but it was clean. Myra didn´t have to worry if something would bite her finger if she touched it, it was somehow relieving. She planned to sit somewhere and wait until Kenzie go to the shower without the bracelet.

The only confusing thing was that the fishwoman girl took one dress for Myra instead of her self’s. Young lady Raven winked. Was that supposed to be a gift? She usually didn´t get gifts from strangers.

“Thank you?”

She asked due to surprise instead of simply saying thanks. She looked at the dress with sudden interest, it was pretty with a decent color gradient to the blue of the almost same shade as her hair. Myra smiled but was confused. The dress looked as if they were prepared for her but how could someone know that she would be in this room? Her paranoia grew even more. It wasn´t normal.

“You are so kind to me”

She almost panicked and was thinking about running away. It had to be a trap or joke. She smiled and decided to wait until Kenzie left the room so she will have the opportunity to grab the bracelet. Then she will run away.

Young lady Raven should probably expect, that the fishwoman would find another way how to ruin her plan.

“Sure”

Myra said half to agree with Kenzie´s plan to clean the bracelet and half as a sign of resignation. No, there obviously wasn´t room for planning. That damn girl was somehow ruining every her plan and she also was behaving like her friend during it. It was frustrating.

Myra looked at the bathroom doors with pure desperation. The fishwoman was a respectable opponent during this game. She sighed and suddenly wished for the bracelet to not be the one from her list.

She took a folder with a list of stolen things with their description from her bag. She searched for the paper with the image and description of the bracelet. She sighed. The description matched perfectly with what she saw.

Myra sat down on the floor. She was still holding the whole folder in one hand and paper with the bracelet in her right hand. She unhappily looked at it for few minutes. The young lady was sure that even if she opens the doors of the bathroom and tries to steal it, she will not be successful for some unpredictable reason. She will probably slip on the wet floor or something like that.

Myra wasn´t sure what to do so she decided to improvise once more. She took the paper with description and put it on Kenzie’s bed. When the fishwoman finally got out of the bathroom, Myra took the dresses and smiled.

“Thank you”

She thank Kenzie and headed to the bathroom. She was silently hiding her nervosity. It probably wasn´t a good idea to try to trust someone she knew only an hour or two.

[Kami-Gaz]

Kenzie closed the door behind her in the bathroom and didn’t even lock the thing. With a few motions the soot stained, ruined bikini she was wearing was discarded and the shower was on to a near scalding heat. This was going to be a tough job to completely get all of the soot off of her skin, out of her hair and off of the pretty bracelet she was still wearing. Luckily for the fish woman there were plenty of soaps and shampoos to use to help. That and her innate ability to make water do what she wanted, within reason of course.

By the time she was out not a single fleck of evidence that she had been in a burning building just that morning clung to her, the shark bite one piece suit had been donned and the semi-translucent pale sky-blue sundress was on over that. The bracelet looked nearly brand new and gleamed in the light as Kenzie applied some basic makeup to her face. Twenty minutes had passed and now was the perfect time to pop out and wish her new friend Myra a happy shower.

“Enjoy, there is plenty of shampoo, body wash and hair conditioner in there and if you want to borrow my makeup go ahead. Might not be the best colour pallet for you but I am sure you can make it work for that pretty face.” The fish-woman said as she walked past, Myra seemed to be eager for the shower and Kenzie couldn’t blame her, it felt awful being covered in that much gunk.

After a few minutes of gently fixing up her hair in the mirror and making sure she had gotten all of the black soot, Kenzie spotted the folder and papers. With a curious eye she glanced over the document and noticed the description of the bracelet and then the name on the folder. With a smile she sighed and shook her head. “Struth, Myra, yer a difficult bean.” She said softly before carefully taking the bracelet off and placing it on the folder and moving to stand by the door.

“Myra, all you had to do was ask! I will help you get the rest back if ya wanting!” She called through the thin wooden door to the bathroom before going to take a seat on her bed and read a magazine as she waited.

[Cat]

Myra #11

Young lady Raven closed the doors of the bathroom and stopped across the mirror. She looked at herself and it wasn´t a nice view.

She desperately looked at the ends of her hair, the blue looked more like dark grey. She wasn´t sure if she will be able to save it.

“What have I done?”

She muttered and asked her reflection in the mirror. She got late to the fact that it was an even worse idea to leave the folder on the bed than she thought. What if Kenzie took them and bring them to her family rivals? Something like that could spoil her family’s reputation.

“No…”

She looked at herself with eyes widely open, but her legs denied moving. If she returns to the room, she will have to ask for the bracelet. When she heard Kenzie’s voice she turned in her direction. She listened and almost whole stress left her. She couldn´t believe it but it seemed that the fish woman was willing to help her.

“Yeah, I know”

She said silently and entered the shower. Hot water was exactly what she needed. Myra closed her eyes and listened to the sound of falling drops of water. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and looked at the soap. It was quite surprising. She didn´t know that there were special kinds of soaps for the fish women.

Myra sighed and looked for something like common soap, which was supposedly more friendly to her hair and skin of a regular human.

The whole shower took her probably longer than it should, but her hair was half blue again! She quickly dressed up and improve her visage before she left the bathroom.

“I am sorry, it took me quite long to wash everything from my hair”

Then she looked at the bed. The bracelet was there with all the files.

“Thank you, I didn´t want to push you into something.”

She nodded and smiled. It wasn´t true, but nobody could know it. Young lady Raven carefully took the bracelet and compared it with the description. It would be unfortunate if it wasn´t the right one after all. Myra put everything in her bag.

“Let me thank you one more time for everything… What would you say to some late lunch? I suppose that there has to be some other pub.”

She tried to show some gratitude and also change the theme, but there was one more thing.

“Could I have one more question? Do you remember how looked that guy who sold it to you?”

There wasn´t a big chance, that Kenzie would describe that man in detail, but who knows.

[Kami-Gaz]

Kenzie moved to sit on the bed after hearing how Myra was happy for her to help. In a moment she lay back and let her hair splay out backwards. The bracelet and file were next to her, but she was not looking in that direction she was looking at the ceiling. Her eyes staring into the middle distance as if she had spotted something interesting. In actual fact she was letting her mind wander as she waited for the other woman to wander out of the bathroom.

A lot of time passed but the fish-woman did not notice, it had felt like just a blink to her. “Struth, you weren’t pushing me in to anything. I’ve found life is too short to be selfish… I live to see people smile.” Mckaela said softly, shifting to sit up properly and smile at her newfound friend. With a glowing hand she pushed her hair back.

Kenzie shifted and slipped some open backed flip flop sandals on as she got off of the bed and stretched out. “Oh, you’re going to need shoes too.” She said absent mindedly before digging into the wardrobe and pulling out a box. As she started to shift through the contents of the box she nodded. “Lunch sounds great.” With a smile a sleep black pair of string leather sandals that were very adjustable were produced, they even had a few inches on the heels to help with height. “Describe him?”

She placed the box back in her wardrobe and handed the final part of Myra’s look to her. “He was taller than me, looked almost like a skeleton he was that thin. Grey eyes with heavy bags under them. His hair was balding and really greasy, it was slicked back to hide the missing patch on top. He wore a long trench coat, black t-shirt and floral shorts.” Kenzie explained, she always remembered an interesting face and that was one that she could recall from the days events clearly.

[Cat]

Myra 12

Myra was confused. Kenzie was politely replying to her and only a moment after that she decided to give her shoes. Was she supposed to deny it or not? She was unsure. The most important question was, what was the fishwoman planning? Because nobody gives new clothes, or shoes without any side intent.

Before she thought about some theory, she observed the girl before her with interest. She found nothing suspicious. No clues, just suspiciously generous behavior.

“Thank you, very much.”

She thanked Kenzie and smiled. It was quite pleasant to have pair of shoes again, but she wasn´t sure about the price of this kindness. Young lady Raven was almost lost in her thoughts, but she briefly noticed the description of the thief.

“Thank you one more time”

She thanked Kenzie again. She showed too much gratitude for her taste, but she wanted her revenge for all the stress. So many plans were ruined by this fishwoman so it couldn´t be coincidence. Myra needed to think of some way how to persuade Kenzie to join MARI and take the job because nobody sane would do it willingly.

“Let´s go then”

She friendly smiled and headed outside. She automatically headed to the small square nearby and then stopped. She wasn´t sure if there was another restaurant or pub. The only place she remembered was a nearby small restaurant, where most of the things on the menu were fish – but do fishman eat fish? She had no idea. Maybe they had fish as pets and it wasn´t good timing for this question.

“Is nearby another pub or something like that?”

She turned at Kenzie and was obviously embarrassed. She was thinking about so many things that she forgot something like this.

[Kami-Gaz]

With all the tanks Kenzie had been given by Myra she beamed a positive smile to the young woman who was looking incredibly pretty in her dress. She looked radiant now the soot was gone, the dress matched her hair almost perfectly and the shoes she was in were just so cute in how they matched her style. It was an image the fishwoman was going to burn into her minds eye for weeks to come.

“Yes, let’s get moving!” She replied as she picked up her room key and a small hand bag, opening the door and letting Myra leave first. As she locked the door behind herself she thought for a moment. “A pub? That does sound nice to have some pub grub.” She replied to the young woman’s question before taking the lead to walk out of the hotel.

“There’s a great seafood place nearby too! I could slay a lobster right about now!” Kenzie announced, turning her head as they walked to gauge Myra’s reaction. The fishwoman was born and raised on fishman island, eating fish and crustaceans was a comfort food for her. As the pair left the hotel the smoke of the building that they were in earlier could still be seen in the distance, despite the fire being put under control it was still too much to be entirely put out.

“I feel sorry for the owner of that spot, Myra, he didn’t like me, but I overheard him saying how he built it from nothing. Put his entire life into making his dream come true. And it is just all gone now all in one accident.” Kenzie explained, letting her smile slip to be sombre for a moment. Little did she know that the accident was caused by the raven that she was leading to a seafood restaurant, not that it would bother her at all, if anything it was a funny coincidence.

[Cat]

Myra 13

Kenzie looked enthusiastic about her plan. Myra smiled and followed her while solving a mystery about the fishman menu. She should probably study more about them, but she was too proud to admit it loudly.

Her unspoken question was replied to by the fishwoman herself. She suggested eating fish! Myra nodded and agreed with Kenzie´s proposal to eat wherever she wanted.

“That sound great!”

The problem solved itself and everything was all right. Young lady Raven followed Kenzie. She listened to her words and bit her lip. It was hard to believe someone could be so naive.

“Yes, it is sad how one incident can change so many things.”

Myra tried to agree with Kenzie but she wasn´t sure what to say. She wasn´t sure how to persuade someone that she pities someone. There also wasn´t a reason why should she feel regrets. She had done what was needed and it was all Kenzie´s fault.

Young lady Raven was silent probably more than she should. At least she thought so. She wasn´t sure if Kenzie said something or how long was she quiet.

“Did you say something? I´m sorry, I was lost in my thoughts for a moment. Too much work, so little time”

She smiled and tried to say something quickly. The first thing which came to her mind was a universal apology frequently used by her father.

[Kami-Gaz]

“Hm? Oh, just how sad things can be sometimes. Nature is crazy when random birds fly into a kitchen and knock something over that causes a fire.” She spoke before shrugging. “Thanks to us everyone got out! So, after a bit of time they can rebuild, I am sure they have insurance.” She added, brining back her cheery smile before twirling mid step to let her dress rise and fall dramatically, her neon-coloured arms reflected off the materials well and highlighted the subtle pattern that was in the cloth.

“Oh well, what’s done is done. Not point in crying about it.” Her bright smile remained as she skipped ahead and started to lead Myra out of the hotel and towards the restaurant that they had picked out, a good seafood place that Kenzie was looking forward to sitting in again.

As they entered the building, a place called the Mariners Ketch, Kenzie flourished her arms and enjoyed the scents of fresh seafood. “This is amazing!” The fishwoman announced, walking through main entrance and indicating that a table for two is all they need. A waitress took the lead and Kenzie followed. The tables were of an old rustic wood and the seats were repurposed barrels with cushions in them for comfort.

“So, Myra! What’s your favourite fish? I love a good Bassa. They are a catfish and are best smoked in a garlic marinade!” Kenzie spoke, sitting down in her seat and peering at a menu. Before the waitress even finished pulling out her notepad the Fishwoman nodded in her direction. “Could I get a Pipsi-Extreme please?”

[Cat]

Myra 14

Young lady Raven followed the fish woman. She was somehow fascinated by Kenzie and by her view of the world. Myra had to admit that she was a good actress, or she was unique.

Luckily their way was fast and Myra wasn´t forced to think much about it. The restaurant welcomed them with a cozy interior and delicious aromas of local cooking. It was enough for Myra to remember how hungry she was.

She opened a menu, and it was hard to decide. Everything looked so tasty to her. Young lady Raven smiled at the waitress.

“Try to surprise me”

She was sure, that the waitress didn´t like her choice, but she kept smiling.

Young lady Raven turned her attention back to Kenzie. She wanted to persuade her to work for MARI because her stress cannot stay unpunished, and this will also help her!

“So, you are a doctor?”

Myra asked and was still smiling.

“I have to say that I was surprised how cool-headed you are. You know, almost everyone was just panicking, and you returned back to the pub”

Myra paused and avoided the fact, that this was something that angered her and caused her so many worries. This was the moment when Myra became wary again, this was truly uncommon.

“Are you so brave or is there some interesting story behind it?”

Myra observed Kenzie and give her some space for reaction. This could reveal more about the fish woman than anything.

“I know about one small organization, which could appreciate someone like you. They are organizing a few martial arts tournaments. Nothing so big. They are giving part of their profit to an orphanage and another part to one school of martial arts.”

It wasn´t a lie. It just wasn´t describing the whole reality, but if Kenzie was naïve she could be interested in charity.

[Kami-Gaz]

AS the pair of women sat at the table and their drinks were ordered the same waitress came back to take food order. Myra going to get surprised was going to be fun… “Could I get… The pan-fried marinate Bassa… a side of fries and a side salad, please?” She asked with a bright smile and a nod before turning her full attention to the other woman. Nodding to answer her question about being a doctor. “Yes I am.”

“I’ve got a little experience dealing with tense situations.” Kenzie admitted rather humbly, it was not good form to admit you were a gladiator and you learned to deal with hairy situations and wounds just to keep yourself alive. Oh well, that would be a story for another time!

“Oh I’m brave, but there’s a few tales behind it too… get me a few drinks and I’ll tell you everything.” She joked as the food started to come out to the pair. A lobster meal for Myra and the Bassa for Kenzie, laid out with smaller plates of garnishes and sides for the pair to mix and match. The final thing to be placed down was a shell cracker for the raven-haired girl in a pretty dress. “Struth! That’s a surprise alrigh’.”

It was then the mention about an organisation came… an organisation that used metered martial arts tournaments to give money to orphanages? Sounded an interesting gig for sure. The woman was part way though cutting her fish as her eyes darkened and memories, she thought were banished came to haunt her for a moment.

“All participants are willing? The matches are to forfeit or judges conclude the match? There are a stringent set of rules for all parties taking part to stop abuse and unnecessary blood shed?” Kenzie asked as with a harsh and hard cut her knife scraped across the bottom of her plate, making it crack into two perfect halves. “If yes, then sure! I’m game! I'll work as a medic for that.” She spoke, her tone shifting from the melancholic depression to her usual bright and bubbly.

[Cat]

Myra 15

Myra’s suspicion slightly rose when Kenzie tried to hide something. She had so many ideas about the reason for that. The important question was if Kenzie is really naive or if is she a good actress.

When the fish woman mentioned one option to get more info, young Raven smiled.

“I can arrange it”

She winked and gently laughed as if it was only a joke, but she started about buying more drinks for Kenzie. Her thoughts were interrupted by food. The waitress was bringing her food and Myra admitted, that the chef was quite creative.

“Oh, thank you.”

She wasn´t hiding a surprise, but the most important was the fact that she finally got something to eat! So long was she waiting, and her attention was taken by those plates on the table. She took her plate and stopped talking for a while.

Then she returned to her plan. She expected refusal or agreement, but that fish woman surprised her again. This time Myra felt offended.

“Do I look like someone who relies on slaves?”

She wasn´t so weak or poor to need something like that. People were working for her usually because they decided to work for her or her family.

“No, everybody is participating willingly. I suppose that true martial artists are hard to enslave, their will is indomitable. What do you think?”

Young lady Raven asked.

“And about rules. We cannot stop a fight before at least one of the fighters decides to stop or isn´t able to continue. You know, they are taking it seriously and feel offended, if you stop them when they think that they are still able to win. It is also the reason, why there is a need for a doctor.”

Myra sighed. She told probably more true facts than she wanted to say.

“Some other questions?”

She smiled again. It was time to call the waitress to bring some other drinks.