The Pirate and The Merhog

First Night Together

Arthur was wide awake and standing on his two feet with the bandages wrapped around his ribs. He was testing to see how much of his movements wasn't limited due to his injuries. A minute later, Isabella walked in. "How are your injuries feeling, Arthur?" Isabella asked Arthur. "Far better thanks to the healing herbs from the king. Without them, it would have been harder and more painful to deal with. I don't plan to stay here in the hospital as I'm going to leave." said Arthur.

"But where will you go and stay at?" Isabella asked Arthur. "You have any suggestions?" asked Arthur. "You could stay at a motel or hotel." Isabella suggested. "A hotel would be preferred until I fully heal." said Arthur. "And I'll be there to assist you...I mean...if that's alright with you. I'm sorry if I sounded presumptuous." said Isabella. "You helped and stayed at my side while I was unconscious. Why would I refuse your offer now?" Arthur asked Isabella.

"Well.....It's just that you probably know by now that I never had any luck with other men...well except there was one that was interested in me. He is not only a creep but he also slithers and makes hissing noises." said Isabella. "Meaning what exactly?"Arthur looked at Isabella with a confused look on his face. "He's a snake and I don't like snakes to be honest because they freak me out." Isabella said with a scared expression on her face.

"That's kind of prejudice, don't you think to label all snake people like that? I'm not familiar with snake people. I never had interaction with any of them in my time in the king's service." said Arthur. "I'm actually being serious, Arthur. Whenever the crew and I stop at different towns to pick up more supplies for the ship, he always shows up where ever I'm at and he bothers me in a perverted way." Isabella told Arthur.

"Has he been seen here recently? I'm only hearing of this now and I don't know his side of the story. You never once mentioned him until now. I don't even who his name or how he even looks like. And in my injured state, I'm not at full strength yet and need time to recover." said Arthur. "His name is Asmodeus and you'll understand what he's like when you meet him. I-I just hope I don't see him again..." said Isabella. "Well, I don't know my way around this town and city as I'm a stranger to the surface world and to its many customs." said Arthur. "I can be your guide and stay with you... that is, if you welcome me being at your side. I'll be honest, I have nowhere else to go or anyone to turn to." said Isabella.

"I don't mind having you by my side." said Arthur. "You don't?" asked Isabella. "If you're willing to be at my side and support me faithfully and wholeheartedly come what may, I'll be there for you also, no matter what. I won't force or demand your loyalty to me, I rather you give that out of your free will and choice. But I do want my respect from you." Arthur told Isabella. "And I'll be giving you that respect.' said Isabella. "So where do you want to stay?" Arthur asked Isabella. "Wherever you're staying as long as it's not underwater since I can't breathe water like Jules now can. Other than that, I want to stay with you, no matter where you go. I can also cook and sew." said Isabella.

"I can accept that just as long as it isn't seafood." said Arthur. "Don't worry, I know that you don't like seafood. I know of a nice hotel we both can stay at for now. I'm sure you'll enjoy it more than a motel." said Isabella. "Alright then. I don't have anything else with me except for some Atlantician valuables some merchants or traders might want to buy from me." Arthur told Isabella. "I could give you some of my rings if you want but it's completely up to you, Arthur." said Isabella.

"I'm not used to women spending their money on me or for me." said Arthur. "I don't normally do this either. In fact, never offered to do this for any man at all. But...I want to do this for you. Not to prove a point about anything, but to show that I fully support you." Isabella told Arthur who was silent. "Are you okay, Arthur?" Isabella asked Arthur. "I'm fine. No need to worry. But I'm ready to leave this hospital now." said Arthur. "Then let's be on our way." said Isabella. Isabella took her things and left the hospital with Arthur to their next destination, which was the hotel she suggested they stay at. "This is the place we'll be staying at." said Isabella.