AAAAAAAAAALRIGHTY!
Hi! I'm Seri, but everyone calls me Lick (kehe, makes me giggle every time).
So get this!
The Adventures of Pirate Captain Ban is a side story within the SDS fic: Love is a Battlefield. It is rated M, so most of you may want to run away! Flee with your lives! EEK! HOWEVER, if you choose to read this story, there are a few things you should know:
SPOILER ALERT!
If you'd like to keep a few surprises intact, leave now and go read Love is a Battlefield. If NOT, this here is what you oughta know:
Still here?
Are you suuuuuure you wanna know?
...
Laaaaast chaaaance...
OKAY! Yeesh, u pulled my leg.
...
Fine.
Tidbit number 1. This is an alternate universe!
Elizabeth's city of Liones is in the dead center of the woodland elves kingdom, and yep, youuu guessed it! The entire kingdom has pointy ears and live for CENTURIES! But enough about that, we're here for Ban's part!
Tidbit number 2. Ban stayed behind with his boat.
As I am quite sure he will bitch (can I say bitch on rated T?) about in due time, his boat was built by none other than Meliodas. WHY you ask? Stop reading the spoilers and go read the main story!
Tidbit number 3. This is a big one. You ready?
Ban stayed back with his boat so that he could spend a little one on one time with a certain fairy princess he's been missing for a loooong time. Here's the kicker, the big spoiler: turns out, Elaine has been brought back for undisclosed reasons as Avalon's new Lady of the Lake! There ya go, one of the best and earliest surprises in my big bad fic SPOILED. I hope you're happy... *grumbles* And yea, the boat is not a huge monstrosity. Meli built it in one day with the help of a giantess. Still impressive... so there. Aaaand it's floating around the vast waters of Avalon—NOT the ocean.
Well, I'm pretty sure that's about all you need to know to enjoy this alternate universe SDS Love is a Battlefield OVA.
Here we go!
If you are still reading my ramblings, count me impressed. Me lick you long time!
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING! *sob*
The Beginnings of a New Day
"We kindle and char and inflame and ignite."
The sun gave promise to a lovely warm midsummer day. The most magnificent shade of crystal blue painted the cloudless sky.
"Drink up me hearties, yo ho."
Leaves rustled in the restless wind, granting the birds fortunate enough to roost here a boundless flight to glide effortlessly over the waters obscuring the horizon.
"We burn up the city, we're really a fright."
Hmm.. Cute little, erm... fuzzy things scampered around the grass nibbling the best berries a man could ever ask for.
"Drink up me hearties, yo ho."
...The waters of the legendary lake of Avalon lapped at the small rocky shore that quickly gave way to tall grass and daffodils, well nourished by the exceptionally—
"We're rascals and scoundrels,
"We're villains and knaves."
-Ahem-the exceptionally magical waters. The sound of nature filled the air, a symphony of the Goddesses' own creation.
"Drink up me hearties, yo ho."
Good grief. Fine. I give up. All I wanted to do was paint the majestic scene so the readers could better understand the beauty that the Lake of Avalon has so that—
"We're devils and black sheep," "...wait... I wonder if I could change that to fox...
"We're devils and foxes, we're really bad eggs."
Oh for the love of...
"Drink up me hearties, yo ho!
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me."
Fucking zombies...
The Adventures of Pirate Captain Ban
Part 1
Ban sat criss-crossed. hunched over the front of the helm, carving tiny skulls and cross bones absolutely everywhere with a small knife. By the time he'd be done, it would look more like a chewed up recycled piece of plank instead of the carefully cut and well sanded wood his captain took the time and effort to build for him.
As nice as it was for one of Arthur's errand boys to come and bring him supplies and news, the Fox Sin was more concerned over the whereabouts of his elusive lady. As soon as he'd bid his captain farewell, she'd disappeared. Knowing her, she was probably feeling pretty bad about not getting Excalibur to them yet.
As time wore on though, Ban was becoming a bit annoyed. By his lady's absence, he began thinking about the bad news that kid had brought. Surely the captain didn't need him to tag along for a dumb old funeral, but were those buzzkills even going to let them in? For that matter, all his fellow Sins may have been arrested just as soon as they arrived.
Wouldn't that be great? Pirate Captain Ban would have to go bust them out of prison!
He was grinning at the turn his thoughts took him when he felt an aura more pure than the smoothest whiskey coming from the water. Only one person that could be. Ban stood up, stretched out his long limbs and popped his neck so hard that he had to set his head back on straight.
"Ahhhhh." Best way to crack your neck is to actually crack it, I always say.
The Sin of Greed sauntered over to the railing and put on his most foxy smirk as the object of his desire rose from the waters below. She looked so gorgeous rising out of the water like that, like a lamb just ready to be stolen away by the craftiest fox in town. Too bad she never seemed to be wet... his little Elaine had looked way sexier than Diane or the busty, pointy eared princess when they'd been stomping all over those berries. He could sure go for that white dress she always wore to be nice and drippy right about now.
Damn, must have somethin to do with being one with the water or whatever. Pretty fuckin stupid if anyone asks me. It oughta be the other way around. My hot little number should always look nice and wet...
It intrigued him how she usually tended to keep just out of his reach. Just made catching her all the sweeter.
The way she smiled at him had his eyebrow rising curiously. The blonde was holding something behind her back. It couldn't possibly be that big if she could fit it behind that tiny frame of hers—not that he was complaining. Ban leaned over the rail to get as close to his lady as possible and grinned at her like the big bad wolf, "Whatcha got back there for me, Elaine...?"
The Lady of the Lake blushed, his innuendo failing to skate by unnoticed. Nowadays, Elaine's voice was not heard in the normal sense of the word. No, to hear the voice of his love was like being embraced in the best of ways. The nearest conclusion Ban could come up with, was that as the Lady of the Lake, her voice could not be heard where there was no water. Her voice echoed all throughout his body, sending ripples in his blood much like the wind makes waves across water. Ban loved it. Everything she said tickled him in just the right way.
Shaking her head, her words sent a welcome shiver down his veins. "I... I know I'm supposed to be getting Excalibur... but I... I wanted..."
Ban raised a brow. Even after dying and being dragged back, this vision before him remained shy as ever. "I don't care about that sword business." He yawned out, "I'm sure in due time Arthur will get the thing back. That's sure not what I stuck around for."
Growing a wide grin, the Sin of Greed leaned heavily against the railing again, openly admiring the fairy princess before him, "Now, whaddya got back there for me, hmm?"
Elaine looked down at him, smiling sweetly. Poor girl, if she only knew what he had in store for her... she certainly wouldn't look at him like he was some holy knight worthy of her affection. "I just thought," The splash of crimson on Elaine's pale skin looked like it might become a permanent installment, "that you might... want this back." The fairy pulled a book with thick brown binding out from behind her.
It was his ale label collection! She'd kept it? How'd she do that? She was dead and it was gone. Or maybe, just lost. He'd been a little too upset to go looking for it. Ban squinted his eyes at the treasure she held, standing up a bit straighter. "My eyes aren't what they used to be, Elaine. What is it?"
Her eyes widened, "Oh! Um, sorry."
There's a good little lamb chop. A little closer...
Drifting closer, hugging the book to her chest now, Ban relaxed by cupping his hands behind his head. It was still something of a shock for her, being able to stand on the solid ground of the ship. Figuring he could let her enjoy it for at least a little while, he kept his hands to himself.
Just as the first time she'd alighted on his Meliodas-original, his golden haired beauty stared at those tiny feet of hers. Supposing he could help her out, Ban hummed to himself as he sidestepped closer and began lifting up her dress with a long index finger and thumb. "If you need help lookin' as these pretty little toes, I could always go find you a shorter dress..."
"Ban!" Elaine's blush spread throughout her entire face as she hastily pulled her dress back down, dropping the book as Ban chuckled at the shivers caused by her voice rumbling the lifewater coursing in his blood. Before she could even take another breath, the Fox Sin wrapped his arms around her and fell onto the deck of his ship with his fairy on his lap.
"Now let's see that book, shall we?"
Elaine flushed at his sudden closeness, and more so at the possessive grip he held around her waist. "It's um, it's your ale label collection, Ban." She spoke without looking at him, her expression softening with fond memories as she reached for the book.
Slowly twining his fingers into the bulkiness of her white skirt, Ban's voice changed to tauntingly inquisitive. "And just how were you able to get that?"
"Oh! Umm..."
"Hmm?"
"I, umm... when they picked me and placed me here..."
His hand had a good amount of white fabric tangled around his fingers by now.
"I... I sent one of the dryiads to get it for me."
Ban lowered his face to the bridge of her neck and spoke softly but teasingly as his free hand started trailing up her torso, "And what did that little favor cost you, hmm?"
For his breath being so warm, it sent a chilling tingle that shivered her skin. It was a befuddling contrast to the rest of her, which suddenly felt rather heated, "N, nothing! The da, dyriads and nyiads are happy to help me...!"
"Ahh." Ban breathed her in and dragged the tip of his nose up her neck, bringing his lips to whisper in her ear, "perks of the new job, eh?"
Elaine's breath was becoming labored as she huffed, "Umm... don't you want to look at your book? ...Ban?"
The grin our Fox Sin grew showed nothing but canines as he slowly leaned into her enough to push the glowing red Lady of the Lake onto the deck. "Nah... I'm already lookin at what I want."
Staring into those huge, innocent, glimmering pools of golden eyes were making Ban indulge in many incredibly selfish fantasies. Fantasies that could finally be realized now that the powers that be felt like reassigning his beloved back to the material plane. With most of her skirt trapped in his fist, he released it in favor of feeling the soft leg that was freshly exposed at the very moment he brought his lips down on hers. The taste of her was still sweeter than any of the candies he had ever pilfered from the other Sins.
Nearly loosing herself, what with being pinned between the deck and Ban's lips and all, Elaine hummed her contentment before she remembered that her duties came first. She feared hurting Ban, the one she loved more than her own life, but as she told him when he'd first seen her with Elizabeth... she could not be what he wanted. After a wretchedly short moment of what she truly desired, she forced herself to transform into a part of the lake; now nothing but water, Elaine's form fell and splashed onto the deck.
Ban sighed and managed a smile at the same time. There was a reason why he called her slippery nowadays. The Fox Sin was now holding himself over a puddle with a wet face. Out of the corner of his eyes, he witnessed her reappearing to hover above the water next to the ship, desperately trying to catch her breath. Simply rolling over onto her puddle, he snickered while he propped himself up on his elbows.
He looked directly into her eyes as he licked his face with a long tongue, "Mmm, that's a good drink of water."
Elaine's eyes widened and she remained red, but after a moment of mortified staring—she began to laugh, clutch her sides, and laugh more. Ban's smile grew wider and more genuine as he watched her. A few days ago, he'd believed he would never again hear that sound. After enjoying the view for a little while, he asked, "Tell me something, Lamb Chop, how is it that you are here anyway?" He sat up and leaned his arms over his knees, "I mean, I'm not complainin' or anything... but I was always under the impression that death was permanent."
Golden eyes shifted to glaze over the waters she was brought back to be a part of as she drifted to sit on the rim of the ship, her legs dangling over the edge. "There are certain souls... that do not get to rest for as long as others."
From Ban's perspective, her profile was bordered by the bright blue of Avalon's waters. There she went again, slipping into melancholy. Just what exactly was a guy to do to keep this cool slice of cream pie smiling? "Hmmm."
With a refreshing moan, Ban jumped to his feet and started walking towards the single mast of the ship and began lowering the sail.
"Yo, ho, yo ho,
"A pirate's life for me..."
Elaine turned to see his back to her, and she blinked curiously, "Ban?"
He glanced over his shoulder at her with a relaxed expression as he tied off the sail, "What is it, Cupcake?"
Shaking her head, she asked, "What are you doing?"
Ban smiled up at the sky and took a deep breath of the warm air, "Keeping my promise, of course."
Elaine swung her legs around to the inside of the boat and leaned forward with a tantalizing fire in her eyes (at least it was to the bandit she was with), "Now? You cannot be serious! Do you mean—"
"Yep, stealing you away, just like you wanted." Ban gave her the grin of a predator. "It's what you said would make you happy, yea?"
With a face that flushed anew, Elaine frowned, "But Ban... I can't. As the Lady of the Lake, I cannot leave." Her eyes began to water, was she afraid that telling him this would make him want to go on his merry way? Surely she knew him well enough to know that he didn't put much merit in the word: can't.
Ban groaned melodramatically and eyed her suspiciously, "Alright then, my little water nymph... so riddle me this..." his eyes turned to Avalon lake's horizon with narrowed red eyes. "Just what is it that's so damn important that needs protecting?"
The yelp his fairy princess let out after he asked was delicious. He was pretty sure little yelps like that would sustain him better than food, hell, better than ale even. Every time his pretty little blonde fidgeted with that dress of hers all nervous like that... he fell in love with her all over again.
He snickered and leisurely walked to the helm, placing his hands on the wheel, "Alright, Magpie. Whatever. Keep your secrets. This wouldn't be the first time I've tried to rob you anyway."
Elaine's eyebrows raised all the way up to her sun colored hair as she gagged, "What!?"
When the sail caught the wind, Ban took the wheel for a spin. He turned the ship towards what he figured ought to be toward the middle of the enormous lake, "Well yea, if there's nothing for you to protect, then there's nothing to keep you here, right?"
The blonde floated closer to him, that beautiful fire lighting up her eyes again, "You cannot go to Avalon, Ban! Remember how the water responded to you? The land would be far less forgiving!"
"Hahaha!" Ban laughed, bending over the wheel some, "I gotta keep finding ways to make you yell at me, Lemon Slice! It tingles me so good!"
"Erk!" Elaine quickly covered her mouth with both her hands, though with a voice that echoed throughout his body, it was a pretty pointless maneuver. Especially when she continued to speak, "Ban, you mustn't go! I'm the one who is supposed to be protecting it!"
"It's an it, huh? Well... I kinda gained this title called the Fox Sin of Greed since last we saw each other... and yea, I'm feeling a little greedy right about now." With lightning quick movements, Ban swept his leery lady off her feet and back into his arms—but he didn't stop there. He dipped her down to the sound of another one of those life sustaining yelps. "And if I don't get you all to myself here real soon, then I just might have to act more like the Sin of Wrath, heh." Just like the good little boy that he was, all he did was nuzzle her nose with his. He wouldn't want her to melt right out of his arms again.
Ban straightened himself out, keeping an arm snugly around Elaine's waist and continued his song...
"We pillage and plunder,
"we rifle and loot..."
He raised his free hand to steady the helm whilst wearing a broad, smug grin. This was going to be the first out of many times he would travel with his lady fair; what better place for their first trip than the legendary dead city of Avalon? Lady of the Lake? No way. This woman was the Lady of Ban. The Goddesses couldn't have her... she was spoken for.
"Drink up me hearties, yo ho."
Just for you my lovelies,
Seriphia
aka
Lick