B4 Ch2 Salty sickness - part1

Sapphire followed Aqua around the glittering city, not sure what else she could do at the moment. After a little while, they stopped in front of what looked like a small marble palace. Aqua said nothing, but entered and Sapphire went after her.

They roamed around a bit before they came across an open room, and Aqua dived into one of the benches inside and waved her fin over the room.

Aqua: Welcome to my domain, stranger!

Sapphire: You don't have to keep calling me that. My name is Sapphire!

Aqua: Well, it's not like you gave your name to us, so what else could we call you?

Sapphire: ... True. Nice place you got here. Although, it's a bit... airy, to say the least.

Aqua: Not really, compared to the dazzling palaces the queen has.

Sapphire: I guess I'm just too used to living in a brick house with a roof over my head, or a cabin with only a hammock to sleep in.

Aqua: Sounds awful!

Sapphire: Not really, actually. But I'd prefer to sleep under the stars.

Aqua: ... Well, I suppose, as the host, I should offer you something to eat.

Sapphire: I'm not hungry!

Aqua: Nonsense! You're just probably scared about what I'm going to give you.

Sapphire: ... Actually, do you have any kind of fish? I need to catch a huge firefly.

Aqua: What's a firefly?

Sapphire: A bug that glows.

Aqua: How are bugs attracted to fish?

Sapphire: Most aren't... This one is.

*****

Some time later, on the surface...

Fang was sitting near the fire with Barak, who was trying to figure out how to eat a coconut, when the green dragon suddenly raised his head.

Fang noticed, and wondered what was up.

Fang: Something wrong?

Barak: ... I smell something fishy!

Fang: Fish?

Barak: Yeah...

The dragon bounced right up and headed towards the islands shore. After a few minutes, he returned with a dark blue shadow, and at a closer glance, Fang recognized it to be Sapphire!

Fang: Hi, Sapphire!

Sapphire: Fang? What are you doing here? I thought you went down with the ship!

Fang: Nope! I asked to go with Barak when he set off on his scout.

Sapphire: Ah. That explains why you're not dead!... What's that you got there?

Fang: A sea amulet, spider size.

Sapphire was about to say something, but the red spider held up one of his arms and spoke in an innocent voice...

Fang: Don't ask - it's better that way.

Sapphire didn't bother to argue, so she sat near the small campfire.Barak joined her, chewing something.

Fang: Barak, what are you eating?

Barak: N-nothing...

Fang: Barak, tell me the truth.

Barak: Just... chewing the air?

Fang: That air smells like fish.

Barak: We are near the ocean.

Fang: Next time, ask me if I want to share or not.

Barak: Ok...

*****

Early next morning~

Fang: Rise and shine, Sapphire! Up and at 'em, Barak!

Sapphire was pretty sure a small spider was trying to get her out of her warm dreamy state. She tried to shove him away, but felt him dash across to where Barak was sleeping.

Barak: Five more minutes, u-

Fang: No, right now, this second. Come on, Sapphire! What are you, a log?

Sapphire: You're not my mother.

Fang: You're right! Ten points for observation, but seriously. Get up.

Sapphire sighed and rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes as Fang tried to get Barak to wake up.

Sapphire: Why do we have to get up so early?

Fang: The early bug gets the grub, so we're getting up earlier to get some business done!

Sapphire: You mean the early bird gets the worm, Fang.

Fang: I feel sorry for the worm.

Sapphire: Then it should sleep late. Just like I want to do!

Fang gave up trying to push Barak up, and instead went over to the nearby banana trees. He returned shortly with a piece of fruit, and shoved it towards the green dragon.

Almost instantly Barak sprang up and tried to chomp down on the banana, but Fang snatched it away.

Barak: Hey! I want my banana!

Fang: No time to eat! You'll work better on an empty stomach, anyway.

Sapphire: Oh really? What about you?

Fang: As a frail spider, I need my strength - I get your share of food!

Sapphire: ... What are your thoughts about me squashing you?

Fang: ... Ok. I can take a hint. First, let's all have breakfast!

Barak: Yay!

Barak practically flew back towards the dying fire, eager to chow down on some fruit and fish.