A Hunter's Treasure

Price to Pay

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Third Person P.O.V

As Red swam at a great speed through the day, she slowed a bit to swim at a leisurely pace by evening, the sun low but not quite at sunset level yet as it shines down on the waters below. Seagulls followed the Red Bluster overhead, their cries filling the area.

Standing on the boat, Jacob peers through his navigation device at the evening sun, humming quietly under his breath as he looks down. (Y/N) was leaned over the map, cheek resting on her palm as she looked over it with furrowed brows. Maisie was leaning on the boat with an unending smile, Blue on the boat's edge next to her.

"Well... with Red's speed, we should be in Rum Pepper Island within three days," (Y/N) drags a finger across the map, tapping their destination with a nod.

"Aye, if she were going the right direction," Jacob murmurs, grabbing a bundle of rope as (Y/N) looks up.

"What are you doing?"

Jacob doesn't respond, looping the rope securely around the front of the boat and around him waist before lowering himself down with grunts of effort. He lands on the left side of Red's face, Red softly growling in question as her eye darts towards him.

"All right, beast," Jacob exhales through her nose, leaning into her view with a firm expression. "I need you to turn."

He motions with his hand for emphasis, Red's pupil shrinking and expanding a bit.

"Okay? Can ya turn?" he questions in a light tone, leaning back a bit with a raised brow.

She does nothing, making him frown lightly.

He clears his throat, speaking slowly as if talking to a small child. "Can. You... turn," he waves his arms in a turn motion. "To starboard, yeah? To the right?"

Red doesn't respond, her eye watching him.

"Right, ya dumb beast. Right!" Jacob huffs in frustration, gesturing to the right with both arms. "Can you turn to the right? That way!"

"Jacob, shouting at her isn't going to make her magically listen to you," (Y/N) calls from above in a musing voice, making him look up at her with a light pout.

"Exactly," Maisie giggles, shaking her head as Blue watches Jacob with a head tilt. "She don't understand ya."

"Oh, she understands, all right!" Jacob stubbornly responds, glaring down at Red's eye in an accusation manner. "She's just being monstrous."

"Ah," (Y/N) humors the man with a dramatic nod, looking up in both amusement and exasperation.

Red grumbles quietly, her eye still watching Jacob unblinking as he glares back.

"This is getting us nowhere," (Y/N) sighs through her nose, looking back at the boat. "Hmm. You think you can get Red to turn, little one?"

...

"I need you to turn to the starboard!" Jacob could be heard, frustration evident in his voice.

(Y/N) loops the rope around the front of the boat and around her waist, lowering to a squat with her arms out. Maisie climbs into them, holding onto (Y/N)'s shoulders with her legs curled around her torso securely.

"Over there!" Jacob shouts in annoyance, groaning as he gestures to the right. "Right where I'm pointing! The starboard, that's the right."

(Y/N) lowers down on the right side of Red's face with Maisie in her arms, Blue cooing as he watches the two with wide eyes. Red's eyes shift when she feels the movement, Jacob scowling when she looks away from him.