trans_9 | PIRATELAND

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PIRATELAND

An area built over a bay, there is no actual solid ground anywhere to be found in Pirateland. It's a land made entirely of wooden walkways, nets to climb, and of course, wooden pirate ships to explore. And then there are the rides: A pirate ship that swings nearly upside down; bumper boats; a ride that starts out as a Tunnel of Love but quickly transitions into a drunken pirate-themed It's a Small World.

And then, of course, there are the souvenirs to buy in the many assorted gift shops. Flimsy plastic swords, pirate hats, stuffed parrots. Or why not go get drunk down at the tavern?

((OOC: Like with Kittenland, feel free to come up with your own rides and attractions at Pirateland in addition to these ones!))

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"Pirates!?"

Sandry was, to say the very least, completely appalled by the giant sign in front of her. Pirateland? Had the creators of this so-called 'amusement park' completely lost their minds? They must have, she decided. No one in their right mind would ever create an world of entertainment based off of the cruel and disgusting beings that were pirates.

The noble gave an uneasy glance toward Daja, who stood next to her. "What do you suppose they've created?" she asked quietly, leaning as close to the entrance as she dared. All she could see at the end of the dock was a ship, large and crawling with excited park-goers. If only they knew! "I don't see how any of it could possibly be good. Just look at that ship! They haven't cared for it at all!"

"Why would anyone want to turn pirates into...amusement?" Daja said, horrified. She stared at all of the people passing them by. How could they look so happy? Didn't they know what kinds of atrocities pirates committed?

"And that ship couldn't possibly sail - look at those sails, they couldn't carry along a rowboat, let alone a fully sized ship. Not to mention they aren't even facing in the right direction." And just as Daja was speaking about it, that ship - or to be more precise, that ride - began. Suddenly, it was swinging form side to side, squealing patrons whooshing along with it through the air. Daja gasped, in both surprise and horror. "Sandry, what are they doing?!"

Sandry's eyes grew wide as the ship started moving, and she gave a horrified squeak in response to Daja's question. It had to be some form of torture, with the way the people on the ship were screaming. From where she and Daja stood, it didn't look like much until the ship flew up into the air.

She was just about to turn to Daja and explain her need to help the poor people when a scraggly man walked between them, bottle in hand and crooked grin on his face. With a loud, gruff, "Arrrr!" at them, he stumbled along down the dock, where he was almost immediately swarmed by children and parents with cameras. Sandry felt herself go pale, and she grasped Daja's arm quickly. "Oh, I don't understand! Let's find another place."

Daja instantly raised her staff at the man, ready to bash his head in if need be should he move to attack them. But then he moved away...and was surrounded by children. Children!

"But Sandry, we have to help!" she said, still holding her staff at the ready. "There are children there! What if he tries to capture them as slaves?" She stared at the crowd, aghast. Those children's parents were there! How could anyone allow their own children to talk to pirates?!

One of the children moved forward to get a picture, and the pirate kneeled down on one leg, setting the child on his knee. Daja gasped. The pirate was holding the child!

If any other event had happened--a sudden canon ball whizzing past them, or a peddler with a strange array of pirate hats had shown up--Sandry would have turned on her heel and pushed Daja away. The only thing that had made her hesitate in the first place, besides her worried curiosity, was the children...

And now, any second now, she just knew that the pirate was going to take off with at least one of them. Daja was right: they couldn't leave, and they did have to do something to stop the inevitable.

"But what should we do?" She could definitely take care of the pirate via his clothing, but what if others showed up? What if the parents were spelled and turned on them? There were so many possibilities, so many scenarios that Sandry really didn't know where to start.

"We should..." Daja said, trailing off. What should they do? Daja felt woefully unequipped to deal with this place. But they had to do something.

"We'll talk to them," she said, firmly now. "We'll explain to the parents that they shouldn't be allowing their children anywhere near pirates, and if the man tries anything then we'll do whatever we can to keep those children safe."

Daja shifted her staff in her grip. They'd faced tougher foes before - although she had to admit, she wished that Tris and Briar were with them too. They were always useful in a scuffle.

Talking was a good idea, and definitely one Sandry could get behind to start them off. If it really came down to it and some kind of fight broke out she would just have to be ready to back Daja up where necessary.

After a moment's consideration, Sandry gave Daja a sure nod and stepped forward. "Start with the parents, then, and go from there. It shouldn't be hard to reason with them." So long as they listen, she added, almost without realizing it. They had to listen, or she didn't know what would happen.

Chin set, she marched forward to the nearest group of parents, and, ignoring the strange looks she was receiving, started, "I really hate to step in on your fun, but I'm afraid you've all stepped into a very dangerous place..."

Daja stepped forward as well, standing side to side with Sandry, making an imposing figure as she stood tall, with her staff at the ready.

"I do not know what you have been told, but pirates are not the stuff of fun and games," Daja said. "I'm sorry, but you must get your children to safety. They are in grave danger here.

The parents all looked at each other, stunned, before one mother burst out laughing. "Look dear, they've really gotten into it!" she said to her husband, evidently thinking that Sandry and Daja were just playing along with the theme. "Oh, or are you park workers too?"

"Oh please, you must understand! Your whole families are in great danger if you stay." The parents continued laughing, one even going so far as to mention their need to talk to the park about the quality of their workers. Sandry glanced up at Daja, distress apparent in her eyes. They don't believe us!

There had to be something around they could point out, something that might trigger realization in the parents' minds. But there was nothing. Fake barrels and sacks of grain on the docks, unused rope that looked as though it had been hanging from the same post for years... Sandry paused. Daja...

"We are not park workers. Please, pirates attacked our home. We know from experience that they will not show you mercy," Daja pleaded, trying to get them to understand. They parents just looked at each other, like they were starting to think that the two of them were perhaps a little crazy.

What else can we do? she said to Sandry. I don't know how to get them to understand!

Unbeknownst to Daja though, the commotion hadn't escaped the notice of the pirate - who had discretely alerted a nearby handler. The handler, who at least wasn't dressed as a pirate and was instead in a normal park uniform, cautiously approached them. "Ladies, I need to ask you to stop bothering these people," he said.

I don't know either, Sandry replied, wringing her hands. There had to be something they could say or do to prove to the parents that this entire set up was wrong.

She paled as the worker approached them, but almost immediately grew red again at the notion that they were the ones causing trouble. "Sir, you must understand, this is hardly a thing to take lightly!" But then she noticed the pirate nearby, laughing as he took another picture and ruffling a child's hair before the kid trotted back over to his parents.

Daja... Daja I'm not sure what to think.

Neither do I, Daja said, wavering with uncertainty. None of this makes any sense!

The handler raised his hands in an appeasing gesture, and started to talk to them quietly, so that the children wouldn't hear. "Look, he's not a realpirate, you see? He's just an actor. Now if you please, I have to ask that you stop disturbing the other patrons."

"An...actor?" Daja said, hesitant. She looked over at the pirate. Well, she supposes he was rather...odd, for a pirate...

Sandry had to agree: he was a terribly strange example for a bloodthirsty cutthroat. An actor. With an unsure look to Daja, she nodded to the worker.

"I ah. Apologize for any misunderstanding on our part, then," she said slowly, obviously still trying to piece everything together herself. "Neither of us has ever experienced this...particular brand of entertainment before. We'll be on our way shortly."

With another glance at the pirate, then back to the handler, Sandry took Daja's elbow and directed her away. Once they were a safe distance from the patrons and the actor she allowed herself to breathe more deeply. "Pirates for entertainment? Some places are very strange indeed..."

"Y...yes. We're sorry to have bothered you, sir," Daja said hesitantly, bowing to the man before leaving with Sandry.

She turned to look back at the 'pirates', still feeling so very confused. "Definitely strange," she agreed. "They might as well be using murderers and thieves as entertainment!" Daja paused for a moment, turning to Sandry with a slightly horrified expression. "Sandry...you don't think they would have a Murderland or Thieves Land here, do you?"

Sandry looked just as aghast as Daja, and she drew the gods circle quickly on her chest. "I would hardly put it past them, when they've something as tasteless as this here already."

This amusement park business could not be trusted, she decided. If they were going to make fun from a subject so clearly dangerous, they were not the place for her. All of these people would be getting the wrong idea of pirates, and it would probably be dangerous to all of them in the long run.

"I don't know that we should stay, Daja..."

"No," Daja agreed. As a Trader, she didn't draw the gods circle on her own chest, but she certainly agreed with the sentiment. "I...I think it would be best if we return to the ship."

At least there they wouldn't have to worry about the bizarre and disturbing practices of other worlds.

[[ooc: shall we wrap up here?]]

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