Zami stood by the railing of the ship, looking out at the golden sunrise. It made him nostalgic. The ocean was a crystal shade of blue. That meant they were very close to Stranglethorn now, that was as clear to him as the waters.
And that meant time was up for Zalu. Because of what had happened yesterday, Zalu had only grown more attentive to Jumi. Now that his arm was broken, the old troll needed help with just about everything. And, of course, Zalu agreed to be that help. For whatever reason. There was no doubt about it anymore. Zalu would be leaving the ship with Jumi.
With a defeated sigh, Zami leaned forward onto his elbows, dropping his head down. He reached up, pulling off his eyepatch, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Though he'd done all he could to ignore it, he'd had a growing headache for days now. Maybe it was due to all of this nonsense with Jumi and Zalu, or maybe it was something to do with his eye. Whatever it was, he wanted it to be over already.
"Morning, Z," Syrise said as she leaned her back against the railing next to him, yawning loudly.
Zami nodded in acknowledgement, not bothering to look up at her. Instead, he stared down at the ocean below. One eye shown the boat cutting through the water, while the other shown a still ocean. It only made his headache worse. Sighing once more, Zami closed both eyes.
"Everybody below deck is talking about how we'll be hitting land soon enough," Syrise said, before adding, "Well, maybe not hitting. I sure hope not."
"Yeah," Zami nodded again.
"Not real chatty this morning, huh?" Syrise poked his shoulder, "Well, you always were a quiet one."
A beat passed.
"Get it? Because you're a rogue?" Syrise chuckled, "Little joke there, to lighten the mood."
Zami didn't say anything and, after a moment, Syrise cleared her throat.
"So, uh, yeah, we'll be reaching Booty Bay in a little bit…"
Again, Zami didn't respond. He was kind of hoping if he didn't say anything, she'd just stop talking.
"Sheesh, calm down Z. Your enthusiasm is too overwhelming."
"Did ya need somethin' Syrise?" Zami glanced over at her, "Cause if you done-"
"Yeah, yeah," Syrise scowled, holding her hands up defensively, "Get lost, Syrise. I know the deal."
She huffed and turned on her heel, wandering off across the desk. Zami just sighed, looking back out to the water. A couple of the crew started shouting something about land. As a result, several of the passengers on the deck hurried over to the railing beside him, making Zami grumble under his breath as he got elbowed by several people.
While the other passengers all fought for a view, Zami intentionally looked down to the water again. He had no desire to see the land approach...and Zalu depart. After getting elbowed another time, he grunted and turned away from the railing to leave, and then bumped right into Mythene.
"Oh, thero'shan," She looked up at him, "Good morning."
"Uh, yeah. Morning…"
"I'm rather surprised to find you here," Mythene said as she squeezed past a human to stand at the railing beside him, "I didn't think you would be very excited to reach Stranglethorn now, considering...all that's happened."
After blinking at her for a moment, wondering how such a little elf was always able to shove her way past other people with such ease, he realized she was looking at him expectedly, waiting for a response.
"Oh, right. Uh, yeah," Zami rubbed his neck, reluctantly turning back towards the railing, "I just be...over da moon bout it."
Mythene perked an eyebrow as Zami put his eyepatch back on. After a moment, she looked back out over the railing.
"You're still worried about Zalu."
"...Yeah," Zami shrugged, "I guess."
"I'm glad."
Zami furrowed his brow and looked over at her.
"Oh, I don't mean I'm happy that you're worried," Mythene clarified, "I mean that I'm glad you're concerned for your brother."
She looked down at her own hands, which were set flat against the railing.
"It's good that you care about him," She added quietly, "You're a good brother."
Zami snorted, causing her to look up at him.
"Yeah, I really be da best," Zami scoffed, leaning forward to rest his chin on his palm, "Hmm, maybe if I cut of his other leg…"
"Zami," Mythene frowned, "Just give him time."
She reached out and patted his hand in a consoling gesture. Zami glanced over at her and went to say something, when Syrise's blonde head suddenly popped between them.
"Look! There she is!" Syrise shouted, startling both Zami and Mythene, who quickly drew her hand away, "Gem of the South Seas!"
Through the fading mists of early morning, the dark green foliage of the jungle trees came into view. Zami couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia once again. Beside him, Mythene looked out in awe as the docks of Booty Bay just came into view.
"What, you've never been to Booty Bay, kaldorei?" Syrise grinned, nudging her.
"Is it that obvious?" Mythene asked sheepishly.
"Yup, no question," Syrise nodded, "You got that glint of touristy wonder in your eyes. The kind that spells sucker."
"You ain't missin' much," Zami shrugged, "It all…"
He trailed off, furrowing his brow in concern as he looked at the rather destroyed state of the city.
"What happened here?" He looked over at Syrise, "Da Bloodsail attack?"
"More like the ocean itself," Syrise shrugged, "Cataclysm hit the city hard."
As the ship trudged to a stop, it scuffed against the dock less than gracefully, causing everyone to lurch forward a bit. Once everyone was done falling over, a bell rung to signal the arrival of the ship into the dock. For good measure, a few crewmen shouted about the arrival.
"Time to go!" Syrise grinned, before her smile fell upon seeing Zami, "Aw, cheer up, Z! Why, I bet the Baron doesn't even remember you anymore!"
"Gee, thanks for remindin' me," Zami sighed, "I'd forgot all bout dat. Ugh..."
Syrise held up a hand and went to say say something snarky but Mythene shook her head. In response, Syrise fell silent for a moment and then clapped her hands together.
"Hey, Z, I know what'll cheer you up," She said with a nod, her tone almost hopeful.
Zami looked over at her with a perked eyebrow.
"Let's go see Jazax!"