Devyn has moved...

Grace had had several trinkets she found precious, but few that she would simply lock away to keep in the sand. It wasn’t as if she could keep anything she found on the island, not even the precious pieces of sea glass. 

“I don’t think so. I think pirates would likely kill me if I tried to send anything out to sea anyhow,” she replied. Yet she couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Do you have a knife to see if you can pry it open? I might have some craft pliers in Tulach House.”

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Simply huffing a small laugh, Devyn shook her head. “Sure now you would get in trouble for it.” She couldn’t think about her own things that she threw out to the ocean, most of them having to do with her parents and just wanting to get rid of the memory. It’s why she was much more interested in the box she was holding than to see what was inside. 

“Rule number 3...” She started to say as she leaned down to grab the knife that was always secretly hidden on her right calf. “...never leave without a knife.” Moving to place the box on the rock - she started to fumble with the lock. It was rusted and sealed shut. “Might need something more heavy-duty than just a pair of craft pliers.” Thinking of the tools she has at her villa from putting up a few decorations and shelves. 

“I have somethings back at my villa if you would like to join me?” 

Ingrid eyes got wide as she nodded her head. “Oh yes please. I like horror way too much. I’ve made some of my father’s advisors uncomfortable what I’ve watched on the jet. Honestly, that’s half the fun.” She watched the video, laughing harder than she had in a long time. “This is brilliant,” she said brightly. “I thought only Weird Al did parodies but this is great.” 

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Devyn couldn’t lie, she was surprised that a royal would like horror so much but it made showing her the video that much more sweeter. Only someone who could truly appreciate both the Backstreet Boys and horror films would love and appreciate the parody video of I’ll Kill You That Way. Watching her reaction as she bit the inside of her cheek so she could prevent herself from signing along, she still laughed along with the princess.

Pulling her phone back and shutting it off, her smile never vanished. “Thought so too but this was something I was more than happy to stumble on. Do have to admit that I sing this version more now than the original.” She confessed as she held out her hand. 

“I’m Devyn.” 

Ever since the bonfire event Miles felt extremely tense. Lives could have been lost had the proper measures been executed minutes too late. While he tried not to dwell on things that were out of his control, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy still. When his phone dinged and he saw it was Devyn, a smile moved to his lips. They had an enjoyable time bartending together at the Pier during the bonfire. 

[ text to Devyn ] That sounds really good. My mind is still all over the place. I’ll pick the movie!

When a knock came to his door a short time later, Miles opened it up to see Devyn standing there with the promised whiskey in hand. “Hey you! You didn’t have to knock. Come in, come in,” he gestured, stepping back from his villa door to allow her to enter. “No Dex?” He asked, quirking his brow. Miles moved into the kitchen to retrieve two of his favorite whiskey glasses. “On the rocks or neat?” He asked, filling his own glass with ice. It was terribly hot these last few days on the island, so a cold drink was warranted for the Captain.

. 

Smiling at the captain, she walked passed the threshold and huffed lightly at what he said. “I don’t think it would be such a smart move to just barge in on a Tulach’s villa.” She said. “Even if you were expecting me.” Also because she didn’t want to barge in case he was changing or something. She’s made that mistake once...and she didn’t want to make it again.  Following him to the kitchen with the bottle, she leaned on the counter. “Uh, neat.” Devyn answered as she started to open the bottle and only took the glasses from him once he got ice for his own cup. Filling his first, she handed it over to Miles before filling up her own. 

“Ever tried a mint julep?” She asked as she moved the bottle away from the counter’s edge and faced the other. “It’s one drink I haven’t tried but have been wanting to.” 

Matt sighed, “If only all those years of playing Fallout actually taught me how to pick a lock. Do you think those bobby things you put in your hair can do the trick?” He asked, thinking of anything thin enough that can go in there. A paperclip might be too thin. “”Yeah, lets go see if we can get that lock off. If we can’t pick it maybe I can try to pry it off.” He didn’t think she’d want to split but, “Nice! Watch it be something we can’t split evenly. Then we’ll need to mud wrestle for it.” He winked at her as they went in the direction of her villa. Dev’s pup walked alongside them during their walk.

“Thanks. I’m still a little shocked by it. At the same time I have been putting more in and shown just how committed I am to our crew and the Tulachs. I kinda want to take another step and cut back on the drinking. It’s been better but I still have those nights where I have a few too many.”

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“If we are going by tricks we’ve seen on TV - then I should be an expert with how constant I watch Supernatural.” Devyn laughed, but she sincerely wanted to see if he could pick a lot from just playing Fallout. “But yeah, I do - at my villa.” She answered in regards to having bobby pins; she didn’t use them often but every girl needs them - that and safety pins. “You would to mud wrestle if it is something we can evenly split.” She teased lightly, not that she was completely opposed. It’s been a while since she’s been involved in a fight and could definitely use a wrestling match just to keep up on her skills. 

Making their way towards the East Villas, she listened to her friend. “Well, it’s a good thing that he did notice how much you’ve stepped up but don’t be too hard on yourself, Matt. You are one of the most dedicated pirates to the Tulach fleet.” Not blowing smoke up his ass, she was being sincere in her words. “Even though this isn’t a full out vacation - it’s not like we aren’t all taking advantage of this small break. Miles wouldn’t have given you the position if he thought you didn’t deserve it and was just going to fuck off.” Being a first mate - there were more responsibilities than what most would believe there is, and perhaps it is a little different seeing how her own captain wasn’t on the island with her and his was. 

“Don’t overthink it and you’ll be great.” She said lastly before opening the door to her villa. “But also don’t let what I said get to your head. I still keep my knives handy.” Taunting him was part of their friend description. “Come on - I have some snacks I need help to get rid of.”  Entering and closing the door after him, she placed the little treasure box on the table before walking towards her bathroom. It wasn’t like she needed to tell him to make himself feel at home, he’s been over enough times to know just to do so. Grabbing a few bobby pins, she went back to the living room giving them to Matt. “Want a beer? Or anything to drink?” 

A phone had been heaven. Out of nothing but habit, she’d logged in a schedule to the calendar. Even if it was unnecessary as of late, it gave Grace some semblance of control over her life. She took small comfort in the buzzing reminders to be at the Canteen for food or to be at the library. Another small comfort was the songs she was allowed to play on low. Grace hadn’t realized just how much she missed it, save for the piano she’d played over at the Tulach House, or the guitar she’d found and tuned. It muddled her thoughts in a way she hadn’t felt in over a year and a half. It had no other access to the internet, no way for her to keep up on the latest news of her life back home. Ben could be king now for all she knew.

Grace instead hummed to herself as she made her way down the coastline, some silly show tune from her childhood playing low on the speaker. She spotted the foreign box in the pirate’s hand as she edged closer and she couldn’t resist peering over. “Looks like some keepsake,” she commented.

. 

Hearing a voice behind her, she automatically stood to her find...the mysterious box still in her clutches. Devyn couldn’t help but to look at the damn thing as if the key would just mysteriously appear before her, or the lock came undone. Nope...still locked. How clique did it really look? A pirate hunting and finding treasure...not realizing it from her talons. Finders keepers, right? Besides she’s deadly curious to see what was inside. 

“Seems precious enough for the person to lock it and apparently eat the key.” She commented back, not actually joking about the key part. Seemed now like she was going on her deep dive adventure to find the thing first. It’ll open one way or another and she was going to be the one to open it. 

Clearing her throat she shifted her feet, “Have you ever kept something so precious to yourself in a locked box to only loose it...or toss it out to the sea?” 

During his amblings on the beach Matt saw a familiar pup in the distance, which meant Dev was close by. As the dogs ran over to someone he recognized her backside. “Dev! Hey girl! What you up to?” He asked as he picked up the pace and jogged over to where there stood. Matt’s gaze dropped to an object in her hand and how wet sand stuck to parts of it. “What you go there?” His nosiness always got the better of him and after his question the lock in front of the box slowly got the cogs turning. “Did you just find that?”

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Hearing a familiar voice, she turned and a smile lifted on the first mate’s features. “I have no idea - suppose the tides washed it in but I can’t open it. Wanna come over and see if we can get it open?” She asked. She didn’t know how to describe their relationship, all she could say is that it was hard for anyone to not enjoy their time around Matt. So, long as you don’t his sometimes childish comments to heart. Suppose that was why he had a mark on his leg caused by her. “We can split whatever is inside.” She offered...before there was something she remembered she never got around to saying to him. 

“Oh, and I hear Miles finally stepped up and made you his first mate. Heard a congratulations are in order?” 

“Your secret is safe with me,” she said with a chuckle. She could keep any boy band secret. “I love them. When I was younger I used to run around singing both them and NSYNC. My brothers made so much fun of me.” She couldn’t help but laugh at the memory, something twisting in her when she thought of her family. While she was thankful Isak was there, she still missed her blood family. “What’s your favorite song by them?”

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Gritting her teeth in thought, she sincerely thought about her question but was coming up blank. “I think it’s impossible to have a favorite for either band, but the song I did scream on top of my lungs was Shape of my Heart.” She answered...kind-of. Pulling out her phone she took it upon herself to enter her room and sit on the edge of her bed, pulling up a video of a parody of the I Want it That Way by the Slasher Boys - or really I’ll Kill You That Way. The first time she watched and heard it, she nearly died of laughter. 

“Don’t know how much you like...horror or even parodies but you should watch this.” 

It was a nice offer, even coming from a pirate but as she said, she had a huge respect for the ocean, and sometimes she feared it.  Hesitating a little, she looked at the girl in front of her and shook her head. “Even if it’s a nice offer, I’d have to decline, as I said, I have a huge respect for the ocean and if I have to be honest, I also fear it”

As she offered half of a sandwich, she nodded, Arielle was someone who would never deny food.

. 

Giving the princess the other half of the sandwich, she enjoyed the food as she stared out to the ocean, in silence. It was only a tad awkward but it also wasn’t like she was going to strike up a conversation with someone who she didn’t feel like wanted to talk back to her. Than again, she should have figured - considering she was hidden in the corner as she watched other people have the fun. 

Eventually clearing her throat, she packed up her belongings her her backpack before forcing a smile towards the princess. “Enjoy the sandwich! See you around.” She simply said as she stood and walked back to the bar she was tending at with one of the Tulachs. 

Wren nodded in response to Devyn’s question. “I would like that” she said with a soft smile. Since she was going to be on the island for the foreseeable future she might as well get the lay of the land, so to speak. “I wouldn’t want to accidentally wander off into the jungle.” She couldn’t even begin to imagine what sort of things lived in there.

The blonde nodded again. “I can manage that much” she assured the pirate. Wren might have been a princess, but she liked to think she wasn’t a spoiled brat. She at least knew how to keep her room clean and respect other people’s boundaries. “Do you have any rules about having people over?” Wren was thinking it might be more convenient to spend time with her sister at Devyn’s villa than the big house.

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Devyn grinned and nodded at the other in regards to giving the princess a tour of the island. Perhaps it was because she was used to the island that Tulach Island wasn’t enormous but she isn’t lying when she said that eventually it’ll be easy to know where everything is. So, as you actually pay attention. “Sure, we can start with the Pier. Since it’s closer.” She said as she turned on her heels as she walked over towards the Pier. 

Thinking about the question as they continued to walk, she shook her head. “Basic as the other rules. They have to abide by the same ones as you. And just tell me who is coming over and if they are spending the night over.” She stated. “I’m an easy person to get along with, despite what most would think or hear. It’s really just, common courtesy rules that I have.” She simply shrugged. “As for anything that you need I can get you whatever you need, want is something that you’ll have to earn. I won’t spoil you but I won’t deprive you either.”

“Thank you,” Leilani hums at the offer, following Devyn towards her villa. “Let’s just hope I get no boredom hunger while I’m here… because then I just might have to take all the food from your villa,” Teeth gnawed onto her lower lip, a small smile pulling up one side of her mouth. Leilani tried her hardest to fall back into old habits with Devyn, but it seemed harder than it should. There was something in the back of her mind that just kept reminding her that Devyn left without a word, and there truly should be no forgiveness for that. Nodding in an attempt to show the brunette that she understood, Leilani racked her brain for any questions that she may be able to run by Devyn. “Uhm,” Holding out the last syllable, her nose scrunched. “Do you think that I’ll get used to being here? I understand that I haven’t been here for long but… it feels like ages.”

“I could jump down and break my ankle, also,” she offered with a scoff. She wasn’t even certain how she’d gotten up there. A small walk to clear her head later and she’d ended up there. She looked up as the pirate ended up on the wall alongside her and her teeth worried her lip. “Just…be careful, yeah?” 

She braced herself on the rock to see if she could crane upwards anymore. “Can you lower anymore? I can almost reach you.”

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It was kind of rich - a trapped royal telling a pirate to be careful but considering she very could possibly get herself in the same position, so, she just ignored making any sort of comments about it.  Wrapping her legs around the thick branch, she just hoped it wasn’t a devious one where he seemed and acted steady but when push came to shove it would break. So, far it was strong with holding her steady as Devyn pushed herself up just a little more just so she could reach down further. 

“Jump if you have to. I’ll catch you...trust me I’m stronger than I look. Trust me.” She called out. “You’ll do more than just break your ankle if you decide to jump off of here.”

New rules were settling in the island and she saw more royals with their phones in their hands. They were only able to text those who where on the island and listen to Spotify and to a degree, Devyn couldn’t fault them for wanting to escape their realities in some music - or laugh with the person they were messaging. Perhaps it was because she was able to use her own phone whenever she had wanted with more to do that she was bored with her phone - or she really just preferred living in reality, breathing in the fresh air. Walking towards the coves, her guard being on alert after what happened only a few days or so ago. There was something the reflected in her gaze - her curiosity struck and walked over to it.  Brushing the sand away from the object, it was a box.... Such a damn cliche a pirate uncovering treasure. However there was a lock. Thus when she picked it up and pulled against the lock. looking over at Dex she sighed. 

“How lucky would we have to be for there to be a key around here, huh boy?” 

Ingrid wasn’t sure what the catch was with the phones. She wasn’t going to ask and she hoped that wouldn’t be her downfall. It didn’t connect to the outside world but she could have music. That alone was worth the risk. She was in her room at the Tulach house, listening to the 90′s pop station she had on as she tidied up. She realized after she had been singing for a while that someone was in her doorway. She looked up, chuckling softly. “Boy bands are infectious. I can’t apologize for it.”

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Coming from the Tulach House after filling out the proper paperwork saying that she was claiming Wren Warwick, Devyn was headed over to her villa just to see if there was anything the New Zealand princess needed before she went to work at the warehouse. However, she was stopped by someone singing 90s songs. She laughed and found herself at the culprit's door. Her arms crossed as she leaned her left shoulder on the door frame. “I secretly agree with you, but if you tell anyone I told you that I will deny it and hunt you down.” She warned. “Do you like the Backstreet Boys?” 

Fiddling with the edge of her shirt, Leilani’s teeth bit into her bottom lip, a slow nod following suit. “I’d love to… still not used to having a set food schedule.” She smiles before her eyes drifted away from Devyn once again. There was a part of her that wanted to think that all of this - being captured, seeing Devyn again - was just a really bad dream that had manifested itself in the deep subconscious of her brain. 

Yet, Leilani knew this had to be real life. There was no way that her mind would be able to think of something this… heart-wrenching to put herself through during her deepest of sleep.

All of this was real, and Leilani better start accepting that fact soon.

Huffing a light laugh, Devyn dropped her gaze to her hands before turning and starting to walk towards her villa. “It’s something you’ll get used to, but if you ever miss out on any of the meals and you’re hungry - just stop by my place. I normally have food there.” She offered. Which she normally does, Devyn still wasn’t a big fan of being in crowds all the time - thus she just hid away in her villa, lord knows it was big enough for her to stay out there for a day or two. 

There were only a few moments into the walk, even though her villa wasn’t very far the silence made it seem like it was miles away. “Also, you should have a phone now...you can text me if you ever get lost. This place can be slightly tricky when you’re new.” She wanted Leilani to feel as comfortable as possible, even with how she got here...she never wanted the Australian princess to ever feel like she was alone here.

                                                       __________

There was a possibility of seeing Leilani here, with Australia’s crowned prince already being captured - it was only a matter of time before the snatched her up as well. She just...isn’t prepared to see her so soon. What was she supposed to say to her? Sorry for leaving you without a word or trace of how to get a hold of me? It seemed as if saying that would be even worse than what she had done. 

Nodding her head, she cleared her throat. “I would take you to the canteen but lunchtime is over and there won’t be anything buy scraps. Would you...be okay with coming back to my villa? I have some leftovers I could use some help finishing up.”