The crashing sounds of waves and chirping seagulls above rattled the eardrums of the sleeping drunk as he laid sullenly over the cold hard floor. The dark shadows casted over the alleyway he had found respite had began retreating rushing away from the light emanating from the wakening sun. Prying open his eyes, he let out a hiss of disapproval, the gleaming sun rays ricochet off the littered bottles of alcohol around him and painfully stunning him. The hooded elf stroked his unkept beard as he rubbed his face of all of the horrors he had summoned in his sleep. The day had come too quick for the elf, he thought as he pushed himself off the once warm spot he had settled and called his bed for the night. He didn't recall when he had found the dark alleyway, perhaps he had strolled off of his ship in a drunken stupor, or he had been sleep walking in his sleep, something he had commonly struggled with as a child. Regardless of how he had come to find himself here, he had appreciate the short rest the small alley provided, away from the busy gatherers of the night.  

From out of his alley he heard the clamoring of merchants, striking hammers agains the anvils, the wakening sounds of the town folks the port began fill. From the shores the sounds of porting seafarers, merchants and bards emerging from their slumber filled the skies with sounds of vibrancy and life. The brooding elf pushed forward, out of his temporary asylum and into the busy streets. Merchants nearby turned in horror as they caught the looming shadow in their peripheral, shocked as the hooded, rough looking elf moved past them, the stench of alcohol following the sway of his movements. Zendrix paid little to no mind to the leering eyes of those he walked past, ignoring the turning whispers as he moved along towards the port. At a short distance he spotted the Jolly Roger of his ship amongst the waving flags of the docked ships. The waving flag brought joy to the elf, as a smile escaped his usual stoic face. The red demon brandishing the black mast had always had that effect on him since the moment he obtained his vessel... one which would be the first of many. 
"Don't you look beautiful today!" .... he called out to his ship as it came closer to view, several seafarers startled by the large man and his booming voice. 

"Thank ye, ye look like a drunk elf guy."

A reply comes from a curious looking woman who is standing not that far away from him. She has strangely colored skin that glistens as if it is perpetually wet, with electric blue stripes across her face and down her arms. Instead of hair, she has layers of fins that frame her face. She's dressed as a seafarer with worn leathers and salt stained clothing, suggesting she's spent a fair amount of time out on the open ocean. Slung over her shoulder is a leather rucksack containing a few odds and ends she always keeps with her. 

She looks the elf up and down with a curious glint in her eye. The man was a pretty imposing figure, standing head and shoulder over the triton woman. He also had a certain air about him. No doubt he was a scoundrel given the anxious looks and hushed whispers of those all around them.

This didn't deter her from approaching though, quite the opposite really. Tsarra knew her away around these kinds of folk. She was one of them too, though people were less afraid of her and more just...weird. You'd think they'd never seen a walking talking magic slinging fish before. 

"That yer pirate ship sittin' there in the 'arbor?" She asks, thumbing back over her shoulder towards the vessel. "Pretty ballsy ta 'ave yer colors flyin' where every guard in town can see 'em."

Though really, any guards who would go after a full blown pirate ship like that better be ready to lose some men and ships in the process. The vessel looked like it was more than ready for a fight. 

"Name's Tsarra, an' I'm lookin' for some work. Ye got any?"

Zendrix stopped in front of his ship, placing his palms against the wood finished hull as if he were embracing a long lost lover. He closed his eyes, gingerly, feeling the small movements of the brigantine as it swayed in place. He had missed the vessel dearly, his home, one he had abandoned a year ago as he set off inland, in search for answers, yet all he had found were more questions. His crew had maintained the Basilisk in top shape it seemed, which left him wondering if his child had been left here aport to rot in his stead. "Gen” he thought under his breath.. his sworn sword had promised to take his gal out on an adventure or two.. the basilisk was not one used to being docked for long. He would surely scold her for her mistreatment, sure the ship looked as great as ever, but no scars meant no adventure, and he’d soon remedy that.

As his mind wandered he caught the sound of a voice seemingly addressing him from behind. Turning, he found an odd individual.. a fish? a woman? A mermaid? the woman was not of any race he had been familiar with in his travels… beyond the mermaids he had come across.. no one had quite the exotic feature present in her. He watched her closely for a moment as she approached. Her words, appearance and mannerisms gave hints of the woman's origins.. "a seafarer “ he thought. He had crossed paths with many who had taken to voyages at sea, this one seemed to carry herself like those born and bred amongst the seasalt. Zendrix chuckled at her as she paid his compliment with her own. His hand reached the bottle within his hood once more, pulling it out before tossing it in her direction.

“Indeed it is… The Basilisk the pride and joy of the Demon king Pirates” as he spoke his eyes drifted back to the black mast, the red demon head flapping in the winds above. His voice was soft as he spoke, tender , revealing the pride he had in his vessel. He smiled as he faced the curious individual. “Aye, a man must stand for something or fall for anything… What kind of captain would I be if id cower before a few guards.” He let out a loud chuckle that echoed through the docks. “Besides…. My crew helped these guys out with some bandits when we first docked here a while back and well…. You can say they owe us one” Zendrix ran his hands through his unruly long hair as he watched the woman closely, hiding the truth of his ships origins and nature before their arrival at the port. His minds were more concerned over the curiosities of newcomer before him. Where did this woman come from? Why the interest in his ship? were those gills on her neck?
“Can you breath under water?” His drunken lips blurted out a his curiosity got the best of him. He quickly slammed his face into his palm after realizing he had spoken the question aloud. Returning his gaze on the girl he smiled once more innocently….

“Tsarra! A lovely name… My apologies it seems ive been in my cups for a bit longer than usual.” He joked as he reached his hand out to the women for a handshake.
“My name is Zendrix Sellar-“ He paused remembering that his family name mattered little here. “Captain of this here ship.. its a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He gave her a big smile before letting out a sigh. “Actually, most of my crew has gone back home to visit their families. Ive also seemed to have lost my sworn sword… not much of a sword if she isn’t around but… Im open to new crew members.. especially those who know their way around the blue. Why don’t I give you the grand tour aboard and if you’re interested we get to know one another… its important for both captain and his crew to gain mutual understanding of one another… don't you think?” He asked her pointing a the vessel before them urging her to join him on the deck. He didn't usually hold open recruitments nor did he let strangers aboard his ship too often but his curiosity far exceeded his mistrust in individuals. 

"Demon King of Pirates? Never 'eard of 'im." To be fair, she didn't keep tabs of those with more notoriety than her. It was possible this man was a big deal, but she wouldn't know. He was just a drunk tall elf guy who apparently fought bandits. Weird. 

Tsarra raises a brow, not exactly having eyebrows but the markings on her face do mimic the facial feature. "Aye, I can breathe under water."

Had this man never seen a triton before? Sure, they weren't terribly common 'round Charon's mainland but...nah, that actually wasn't a surprise. Few of her kind came out this far from their own territory. Most seafolk didn't exactly like surface dwellers for one reason another. They especially didn't like the sun elven monarchy and their dumb god of the sun. Tsarra didn't really understand much of it, she was too busy worrying about making her way in the world which meant working along side surface dwellers more often than not. 

She listens to Zen explain his situation with his ship and crew. From the way he was talking, sounds like the ship had been moored for quite some time and was due for a voyage. Ships were meant to sail, not sit in docks all day. 

"Well, I gotta sword an' I can swear." She wasn't sure what a sworn sword was, but that didn't matter much to her. She'd do whatever work he would pay her for. Not like she had anything better to do since the first crew she ran around with left her behind. Though she tries not to think about them, else she gets saltier than the briny blue. 

She nods when Zen offers the tour. "Aye, a tour would be great. Been a while since I've set foot on a ship that didn't need a paddle."

Following him aboard the vessel, she looks around and takes note of its equipment and general condition. It was almost pristine, like it had just bobbed out of a shipyard and hadn't even had its maiden voyage yet. It reminded her more of royal naval vessels than a pirate ship, well except for the colors and the fearsome figurehead. 

She doesn't touch anything, after all, Zen hadn't actually hired her on yet and it would be a great disrespect to the captain to start messing with the lines or opening the doors without permission. Despite having shite for common manners in civilized society, she knew her way around ships and understood the expectations when joining a new crew. This would be her third time trying to figure out a way to fit in.

Zen had a good point about getting to know one another before commiting to anything. If a captain and their crew did not have the same basic goals and understanding of one another, the risk of mutiny would be higher than the seagulls flying overhead. "Aye, that sounds sane. So, what's yer goal, capt'n? Ye inta raidin', smugglin', warrin', or scavengin'?"

“Aye… Its probably best that you haven’t” He jabbed, a sly smile creeping over his face. The Demon King pirates had grown notoriously infamous over the years since taking to the seas, albeit they weren’t the typical shenanigans of normal pirates. Aboard the Basilisk they’ve brought cheer and tears to many they encountered. From freeing the shackles of slaves breaking off from their masters, fending off bandit coves, or even the occasional plundering other ships for resources. Most aboard have held staunchly to the morale compass of their oh so honorable captain, each member invested in advancing not only their own agenda but that of the ship as a whole. The band of pirates worked hard to make name for themselves amongst other pirates as they all aim to crown their captain, King of the seas.
“You see this here ship… well, its an antique. A lost relic from a time often forgotten” He chuckled loudly while placing the bottle to his lips once more. As he walked his eyes sparkled as he admired the scenery on deck. In his absence his crew had worked wonders on the ship, every inch sparkled and glittered. Zendrix looked to the water Portside, the hull and keep shined like black obsidian in the sun. He was proud of the crews work, and for that he’d make it worth their while.
“This here is the cursed vessel of the previous demon king the king of the seas.. Or so the story goes.” Zendrix continued showing her the ship, from the crew quarters, the kitchen to even the unfinished speakeasy. The ship had some work left to finish but the vessel was as large as a home and fit almost an entire one within. Zendrix circled back to the main deck once again, stopping at the main mast and wrapping his arms around the large wooden plank. He hugged the ship for several moments before turning his drunk gaze to the newcomer.

“As I was saying….I found this ship untouched by time marooned on an island off the continent. Natives nearby called it the island of death due to the black sands and wild creatures running amok. Apparently it was also the resting place of the bones of the old demon king, vanquished by the chosen one during the time of heroes” he thought back to the story the old sage he met on his journey had passed on to him, the stories that drove him to finding the basilisk. “ Im not too sure what it all meant…. But when I came across a waterfall at the center of the island, it showed itself to me, called to me really…. And aboard I found a specter, a woman… and while I didn’t understand much of what she had said I did understand her last words… “King”” He returned his gaze to the curious woman. His eyes had grown sullen as he spoke about the ship, omitting details he had rather not share with others, forgetting to mention the blood spilled, the visions of the future, of the past… The fact hat he himself had never met the specter or the sage… the fact that it was the demon and not him who had acquired the Basilisk, the prophecy which spoke of the new demon king, the future captain of the Basilisk.

“Out of respect for the original owner of the vessel I promised to keep its namesake and honor the gift and so we became the “Demon King pirates” His expression returned to the silly drunken one he originally bore. “But enough with the history lesson, I can share with you more once you’ve settled in… that is if you still want to.. we are an odd bunch.”he chuckled walking and sitting on a barrel on the main deck. “Are you saying you’re willing to swear your sword?” He let out a booming laugh as he slapped his knee in excitement at her quirkiness. “Aye, you’ve seen the ship for yourself… you’ve got the lingo for it and you can breath under water…. I dont even think I can swim” He laughed at himself unsure if he was serious or not “I think you’d make a fine addition to the crew..”

He leaned back and closed his eyes as he rattled her words in his mind as he searched for the right answer. “My goal huh?” Having found it he broke open his eyes and leaned forward, as if he were to spill a very dark secret. “Happiness” he whispered to her once, his voice calm and sincere, before repeating it loudly and more slurred excitement beaming from his eyes. 

Tsarra's eyes glaze over during Zen's explanation of the history of the ship. Some it actually does sound familiar but having the attention span of a goldfish doesn't make for a very good audience member for any amount of explanation. This guy seemed to be the nostalgic reminiscent type. Great. So he's some washed up drunkard trying to get back to his glory days. Adventuring with this guy could either be really bland and sad, or really crazy and glorious. Luckily for Zen, Tsarra was the gambling type, and also pretty dumb. 

"Ah, aye, that's all real fascinatin'." 

She's tries not to be too rude to the man who was possibly going to be her boss for a while. Though she isn't the best at veiling her disinterest at the whole backstory of the ship. Maybe after being around him and his crew for more time, she would appreciate the ship more. At this time, she's just trying to lock down a contact to tide her over for a few weeks or months or whatever. 

A look of confusion crosses her face when he brings up the swearing sword thing again. "Why would I swear at my sword? It can't hear anythin'." Maybe this guy wasn't the brightest either. That would make sense. You can't be tall, good looking, AND smart. That's just not fair. 

She pays better attention when he answers her question. It was important to know what a captain was after since they called the shots for the whole ship. His answer is surprising and a little suspicious. No way that was all he wanted...though to be fair, happiness wasn't as easy to come by as she had previously thought. She'd been pretty down lately since things went sour with one of her previous crews. 

"Huh, that's...a goal I guess." She nods. "Alright, I'll join ye for some time. I'm real good at scavengin' sunken ships and treasure huntin' if I do say so myself."