(inspired by a comment on Reddit)
The seagull watched the shifting sand with sharp interest; he hadn't been sure if it would work, but as first one finger, and then a second, clawed through to the surface, Buttons knew his spell had been a success.
Stede was merrily scrubbing walls, his mind turned towards how absolutely precious Ed had looked that morning when he'd set of with his pole and catch bucket to go fishing, his brown eyes bright with excitement since he'd managed to catch two fish yesterday (they weren't big enough to eat, but Stede pointed out that an aquarium in the inn's lobby would be a nice touch, and those fish would be lovely in it). But a strange, scraping this on the porch drew his attention. He thought it might be Ed coming back already, but a low moan that didn't sound at all like Ed echoed through the air.
"Rains?" Stede wondered, because that's what the moan had sounded like.
Another scraping thud, and another moan.
"Drains? Sprains?" No, that didn't make any sense.
Curious, Stede made his way towards the front of the shack. The door opened as he entered the front room, and without that barrier, he was able to understand the low moan.
"Braaaaiiinnss"
Stede's eyes widened as a disheveled, sand covered figure shambled towards him.
"Braa-oh, fuck. It's just you, Bonnet."
"I-Izzy?"
"Aye, sorry 'bout that brains thing. I wanted to fuck with Ed."
"Oh, right. No, totally fine. Um, Izzy? What? How? I mean, uh, you're dead."
"No idea. Just suddenly woke up, covered in sand. Clawed my way out to find some fucking seagull staring at me"