See disclaimer in first chapter.
The whistle rested between Pearl's fingers, her hand raised to sound it as soon as they were within earshot of the other vessel. Rose stood next to her watching the distance close. She didn't appear affected by the fact their boat swayed as it cut through the waves. Her dark eyes never moved from the ocean, scanning the waters for threat. She was glad to have Pearl beside her keeping watch as well. Pearl had always stood by her side and the pink quartz would not forget that. Three short chirps from the whistle startled her from her thoughts. There were people scurrying around on the other ship's deck, and then an answering whistle.
A moment passed while Pearl thought of a reply. She sent out a signal hoping they understood her warning. Back and forth she sent messages with whoever whistled back, until the two ships were close enough to talk. One of the men called out; his awed expression at Garnet made Pearl want to throw him overboard. He announced himself as Captain William Dewey. He looked sunburned, his beard was unkempt, and he clearly didn't have a clue what he was doing.
"Celestite, go with Pearl." Rose said. "Tell them to turn around." As the two Gems jumped onto the other ship, Rose was surprised when Garnet followed them. They landed quietly on the deck, and Celestite introduced Pearl as a messenger for Rose Quartz of the Crystal Gems. Dewey looked at the shorter figure who had stepped forward. He blushed, wondering what she was doing as she moved her hands. When she noticed he hadn't paid attention to her hands, she stomped and waved her hands.
You should leave this area. The land we walk is not safe for you. Pearl signed. When Dewey gave her a confused grin, Celestite stepped closer behind her friend, her height making her tower over the crew. One hand came up to rest on the slender Gem's back as she raised her voice to be heard by everyone. "She said you should leave here. It isn't safe for you where we're from."
"Why didn't she use her voice?" He asked. The blunt question hurt Pearl. It felt as if an arrow shot through her heart, and she flinched. Soft whispers taunted her in the back of her mind. They mocked her, telling her she would never talk again, that she was useless, a hindrance, a burden that did nothing but hold everyone back. She shook her head trying to ignore the vicious words. It wasn't as though she didn't want to talk. She was trying! She wanted to say more than a few words at a time. The hand on her back rubbed in small circles slowly bringing her back to reality. Pearl blinked and looked up to find Celestite smiling reassuringly back. Sky blues watched as the larger quartz turned to the captain.
"She's was under a vow of silence so talking is tiring, and I'll thank you to choose your words more carefully," growled the lunar gem. She scowled darkly at the human. He fidgeted under her glare, flustered at offending the strange women. One of the crew made a comment about "William the Dunce" and another laughed.
"I-I apologize, miss. I meant no offense, truly." The captain stammered. Pearl smiled tightly, nodding her acceptance. "Y-you said I should leave?" She nodded again.
Celestite agreed adding, "It's not safe here."
"It would be wise to turn back." Garnet commented, raising protest from the human crew. Dewey gaped at her. How had he not noticed her before? She was beautiful in an exotic way her companions weren't. Her strange spectacles hid her eyes, but that just made her more enigmatic. She turned to look at Pearl who still stood with Celestite's hand between her shoulders. Her mate was rapidly signing various threats if he didn't quit staring at Garnet like a love-struck fool. "My wife wants you to know she doesn't like the way you're lookin' at me."
The captain stammered for a minute before glancing nervously at them both. The dark stare he received scared him. The glare moved from him to the water. "Nonsense! I'm not going to listen to you; I will find a new land!"
"Very well," Garnet answered, "Be careful, or your ship will sink in the waves. Humans aren't very good swimmers." Her mate nodded. From their boat they heard Amethyst shout her agreement, though Pearl suspected her little admirer had shouted just for fun without knowing what they'd said. Dewey seemed to think about that carefully. He looked at the strange women before him and in the ship near his. He had no idea where they came from or who they were, but he did know they meant well. He grimaced and nodded. He watched the trio jump off his ship and land on their vessel with ease. His first mate approached but said nothing. The man knew when to wait for him to speak.
Pearl, however, had already begun speaking the instant she landed. Her movements were agitated and she paced around the deck. Did you see the way he looked at her? And the way he reacted when she told him we're married? He was still looking at her like she was some kind of food! She glanced at his boat, eyes widening when she saw him turn the sail and break it. The mast tumbled into the ocean. He can't even turn a sail! Amethyst laughed at that. She hadn't been with them for the talk so listening to Celestite recall the events amused her. The part about the captain asking Pearl why she didn't speak upset her, but the long slender finger combing through her hair calmed her.
"We still haven't found the monster." The purple gem said, leaning into Pearl's hand. She giggled as Pearl lifted her, hugging her under her arms.
Rose sighed. "We keep looking." Her lieutenant stole an uneasy glance at the ship William Dewey was on. She set Amethyst down and went to Garnet, wrapping both arms around Garnet's.
You don't think it will attack them, do you? The pink-haired knight asked. Garnet saw several futures where Pearl was right. After a few minutes, she felt the knight tense. "Garnet?"
