>>24131 It is a mystery, and let us drop it there as we're both being killjoys right about now.
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...how else? Beat her without beating her. Like a pirate!
"What're you all red over? Started drinkin' without me?" Stare. Staaaare. Still red, still staring.
"You hard o' hearing or something? Or just admiring me?" Stare. Staaaare. Don't get caught. Come on, go for 100% style points.
"I mean, I know I can be pretty seductive sometimes, but I didn't think you swung that way..." Pose! Ass out, cleavage...well. Ass out. Roars of laughter through the crew, as small as it is. Mostly from Cirno actually, but it'll do - more noise, more distractions. Just a few more feet.
"Or do you mean to say...you want me as your first? It's an honor." Swift-like, me! We gotta work together, me and me! Style points, man, they need cooperation. You'll never win the game with one person, unless the judge is crossing his eyes. He wouldn't be a very good judge if he did that, though. Unless he was trying to judge an ant on his nose or something. Oh wait right yeah panties. Okay.
Slow, deliberate steps toward her, straight as I can manage. Stare, deep. At the first sign of motion, drop the broom and your body with it. Meanwhile, those underwear...I'll be taking them. Fighting, man...gotta keep your cool. Eyes on the prize and all that, but this is only just the start. The panties hanging on my right horn stun her for that extra second it takes me to take her in my arms and dip her, low..."Prepare to be boarded."
"...No." Pffft.
"You're no fun. We're supposed to be having pre-fight banter! You know, playing off each other's words? I steal your panties, you steal a treasure or something? For being as famous as you are, you're terribbbph" Well that was just rude. And strong. More strong than rude. When did she get that strong? Gonna have to do that broom up a little more thoroughly, next time. Also might wanna stop getting thrown places, that can't be good for my head. I heard that moon-lady talking about it once, with all those big words nobody really cares about. Just get to the point, you know? I'm not gonna remember any of this in the morning, and whether it's because of the booze or the...that thing. What was the word? Started with a C, I think.
"...concussion? Was that it?"
"It's what I'm about ready to give you if you don't hand those over in the next 10 seconds."
"Warming up to me already, eh? Just a minute ago if I wanted anything from you I had to take it."
"Five."
"So is this your only pair, or something? Or do you just particularly like..." I never actually got a close look at it before now, but these are kind of cute. Little ribbons and frills, and one little strawberry on both ends. I could see keepin' 'em.
"Zero."
"Thirty."
And drop like a broom-shaped rock. It's a good thing my crew is as attentive as they are, or she might have hurt herself! It's also a good thing they've got the foresight they do, or she might have gotten right back on that broom and hurt herself again. It's also a good thing they're as strong as they are, or it wouldn't have snapped and shredded like it did. It's also a good thing we're already on the other end of the lake, or she might have run back to her home to do who-knows-what! No, no. She needs to be here with us, in the company of friends. Just look at her crying through that stoic face, who could leave that alone? Who wouldn't try to comfort her? Really now. Monsters.
"Now I know what you're thinking. You're scared and you're confused and you're not sure what we're gonna do with you, but that's how everyone is when they first join. What you've gotta realize is that around here, we're a family, not just a ship, and god damn it Marisa if you can't keep up with your chores I'm gonna have to ground you and nobody wants to see that but you know I still love you like I do any of my daughters. Now are you ready to work for me and earn back the right to wear these," I flick the hanging panties for effect, "or do I have to bust out the deluxe punishment bag?" There is no punishment bag. Yet. She either knows this or doesn't care judging by the sudden serious expression. How convenient.
"...I'll be in the crow's nest." Climb, climb, climb. She seems to have forgotten that shame from before already, but I just wonder what she'll be like when she calms down...
"Enjoy yourself! Or else!"
All right. Plus one ordinary witch!
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So hey I'm gonna try not to let that happen again, or at least not immediately. After all, the whole point of this was to get me back into a writing-regularly-mood for when I get those little short ideas. You remember those, right?