Frozen Beyond [gxg]

Chasm Islet

Keahi stepped foot from their ship onto the boardwalk of the dock. Closing her eyes, she took a deep inhale of fresh, salty air. Someone came by and shoved her, the person chortled as they kept walking and Keahi just sighed. Welcome home.

Their island, The Chasm Islet, with the ruddy town on the docks. Growing up, this was just a poor but peaceful fishing community. Her ancestors came to settle here generations ago. Said to have Polynesian blood mingled with gypsy heritage, they longed from freedom from any specific kingdom. They wanted to do what they wanted, when they wanted, and they wanted the freedom to be able to do that.

But now as sharp green eyes scanned over the town, it just looked pitiful. Crow turned it into a haven for pirates, mercenaries, and thieves.

It was sad to see the lurking of shady people around every corner. The poorly constructed buildings with tin roofs. The old inns and working girls on the corner in shaggy dresses.

"What are we waiting around here for?" Jarrah hooted behind her, pulling Keahi roughly under his arm. "Let's get a drink and celebrate! The crew is back together!" He yelled, stringing her along with him and practically dragging her.

Keahi had a hard time getting her feet back under her and when she did, Jarrah had already roped her into the local tavern. Saphire grumbled beside them, crossing her arms and cocking a hip.

"Stop acting like that Saphire." Jarrah pointed.

She just rolled her eyes in a haughty huff.

The thick smell of smoke and stale ale drifted through the air the minute they stepped foot into the old beat up tavern. The ancient scuffed floorboards were warped with age and time, while the chairs and tables stood on rickety, wobbling legs. The atmosphere loud and rowdy as a multitude of people yelled and spoke over one another. It was hard to hear the person next to you with all the chaos. People packed in like a tin of sardines and the barmaid had to weasel her way through to crowd to get anywhere.

Keahi glanced over at Saphire. She looked like she was in a foul mood. "You okay?" Keahi edged.

"Fine." She shot back, shoving past her and Jarrah and heading towards the back of the tavern.

Keahi and Jarrah shared a look, he shook his head. "Ah, she's pissed."

"Why?" Keahi asked innocently, but she knew exactly why and hoped Jarrah wouldn't shed light on the situation.

"Weren't you guys like, a thing, for a while? Then you come back from the dead, only for her to find out you're all domesticated and shit."

Keahi grimaced. They weren't a "thing". Friends with benefits in layman's terms and that ended a while ago before they had set sail for Arendelle. She rubbed her neck stiffly. This would be all sorts of complicated, wasn't it?

She needed to get back home.

Home. With Elsa.

Jarrah walked to the back of the tavern, following behind Saphire and sitting at an old scuffled table towards the back. He motioned for her and Keahi just let out a breath before joining them.

Just as she sat down Saphire practically growled and held up three fingers while shouting, "Your best rum please!"

Oh boy.

                                                                                     ***

"Can you get out of my hammock?" Keahi asked, exasperated. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently.

Saphire's cheeks flushed hotly from the alcohol at the tavern. It was nearly one in the morning and they had spent most of the day drinking.

Well, Saphire and Jarrah were, Keahi just sulked the entire time. Now, all she wanted was some sleep and Saphire wouldn't move.

"Ki-Ki," she purred, "we used to share a hammock all the time." She whined.

"Well," Keahi started impatiently. "That's not going to happen anymore, Saphire. I'm sorry. I'm tired can I please sleep in my hammock?" Keahi begged.

A few more minutes and Keahi finally decided it wasn't worth it and headed back above deck.

Jarrah was also on deck, sitting on the edge of the railing with his foot lazily hanging off the edge as he strummed a lute, the sound easing into the starry night. "She giving you a hard time?" His deep voice cut through the night air.

Keahi scratched the top of her head with a groan. "Yes." She gripped the edge of the railing and leaned her head in defeat. Saphire was stubborn, she always had been. Truthfully, she wasn't even that tired so losing the hammock wasn't much of an issue. She had too many thoughts keeping her up tonight. "What have you guys been up to? You know, after word came back that Crow and I were gone?" She was curious. Jarrah had said they left, but she wondered if it was so mechanical like that.

Jarrah strummed the lute lazily, glancing over the town. Lights speckled in some of the old tin houses, the inn and tavern lit up like a Christmas tree. "We sailed back here, got drunk for a few weeks until we ran out of money. I mean, we grew up together, had each other's backs so it was a little weird when you weren't there. Saphire took it pretty hard. I can always take care of myself, but you know how small Saphire is and how hard it is to protect herself out here. No one ever really messed with her when you were around because they are scared of your fire."

Keahi frowned, twiddling with her thumbs. She had thought that would happen. While Saphire acted gruff and stubborn, she was such a crybaby when they were younger. And she didn't have much to defend herself with. Keahi had always taken up that role. She hoped Saphire didn't get into too much trouble, and hoped Jarrah took extra precaution with Saphire.

Thinking of the past was a little depressing and she ran a hand over her head and through her hair. Their was nothing she could do now, nothing but move forward. She hoped Saphire could do the same. Maybe in the end, they'd be able to come back to Arendelle and live a more peaceful life, outside of all this piracy and under Crows thumb. One could only hope.

Speaking of Crow. Keahi tilted her head towards Jarrah, she watched him before snapping. "Want to go on a little adventure with me?"

"What kind?" But from the way he jumped onto deck, he was already snared.

Keahi's wolfish grin broke out over her lips. "We're going on a witch hunt."