Wren Warwick

Already, she was a lot better than her previous royal. So, long as this was kept up - she knew that she and Wren weren’t going to have many problems. Devyn truly could be sweet but it seemed like it was just easier to get on her bad side than her good one. No-fault of many of the people who do end up there - she was just a person that it was difficult to…she has issues. It’s the best way to describe it. However, she could see getting along with the other just fine to where she could ask for something she would want rather than need and the likely chance of her getting it our greater right now, but who was to say that wouldn’t change in the future.  Glad that she was actually listening, her posture relaxed more as her arms fell to her sides and a light smile was lifted on her features.

“Creatures not even I would want to face. So, try not to get too lost and wind up in the jungle. If it helps - I can give you a bit of a tour of the island?” 

Shrugging at her question of any of Devyn’s house rules. “Simple ones. Clean up after yourself, and stay out of my room. I’m not your maid and your not mine.” She said simply, she wasn’t going to pretend to be this royal’s friend. Least of all…not right now. 

.

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.

“I don’t know what we did with it. It’s entirely possible someone stole it and took it with them when they left. We had a dark chocolate, a milk chocolate, and a white chocolate, though I don’t know why anyone would choose the latter,” she responded. Whoever did would get a fork to the neck. “The s’mores should be set up soon.”

Wren laughed at the pirate’s words. “White chocolate is a crime against nature” she agreed. “I mean, its tasty but its not actually chocolate.” Wren preferred milk chocolate herself. “Well, that’s good news. I was almost starting to wonder if that was just a rumor.” If there was one thing Wren had learned on the island, it was that the pirates were just as into gossiping as the royals were. “Although it feels a bit strange to be celebrating summer this time of year.” Wren had lost track of how long it had been since she was kidnapped, but she knew that it had already been summer back in Australia when she was taken. Which meant it must be the start of winter in her homeland right now.

“It’s nice to meet you, Wren. I’m Isabella, but feel free to call me Bella,” the pirate replied and moved her hand out to shake the other’s. After she pulled back her hand and cut off a portion of her cake, tasting it for a moment and letting a smile play over her lips. “You’re right. Deliziosa.” The brunette let off a soft chuckle when Wren mentioned being fearful of her intentions with the caterer. “They’d just be taken off the payroll,” she stated and shrugged. Not to mention all who worked with the Tulach operation signed contracts to keep all things secret when it came to their involvement. Any word of the contract being broken would end with the one giving out secrets. 

“Bella” she said thoughtfully. “As in Tulach?” Wren had heard a bit about all the Tulachs while on the island, though of course she didn’t know much more than their names. Smiling as the brunette confirmed what she thought of the cake, the blonde said “Its hard to make bad chocolate cake.” Then she laughed. “You know, I’m almost disappointed to hear that. I had this image of the caterers being keelhauled.” Did pirates still keelhaul those who disappointed them? Wren didn’t want to find out.

Emerson hadn’t allowed herself much of a chance to actually relax and enjoy the bonfire. Not when she had to keep a close eye on festivities to ensure no one drowned or eaten by a shark. With the influx of thunderstorms, she kept an eye on the sea as well. It gave her little time to enjoy the festivities, but she’d rather be a stick in the mud than irresponsible. A small piece of cake later and she allowed herself to lean against the table. 

“It’s usually this good, yes,” Emerson confirmed. “My first bonfire back, we had a chocolate fountain.”

Wren’s eyes widened in surprise. “A chocolate fountain?” she said, disbelief in her voice. She glanced around the beach, then said “I don’t suppose there’s a chance of one of those tonight, is there?” Wren’s sweet tooth would have been satisfied by almost any treat after her time on the island, but a chocolate fountain sounded especially wonderful “I did hear there would be smores for the bonfire, at least.” The only thing better than chocolate was chocolate mixed with marshmallows.

“Of course. Chocolate is the best, and you should never say no to it,” she teased back, laughing softly as she broke off a piece for her sister and handed it to her. She waited for her sister to take a bite, watching her eagerly as she stood by for her to eat it. “So?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at Wren. “What do you think? As good as I said?” 

“See, this is one reason you’re my favorite sister” Wren teased. “I mean, you’re also my only sister, but that’s besides the point.” Taking the piece Wendy offered her, she took a bite and savored the taste before swallowing. “I’d say its even better!” she said with a nod of her head. “Do they usually have food this good at these sort of parties on the island?” she asked, knowing her sister had likely been to more of these parties than she had.

Gabe allowed both Luka and Demi some time alone with one another as he helped some of his fellow pirates out with a few jobs. Though once he was done with helping carry over some more ice and drinks - he thought he would treat himself with some sweets. Seeing the blonde already on the table and the chocolate cake in her hands but he only paid his full attention to her when she tried to talk with her mouth full. Not very royal-like of her but he was still highly amused by it. 

“Totally understandable - and we like to pride ourselves in saying we have some of the best cooks and bakers around. So, yeah the food normally is amazing at these little festivities.” He answered, “I take it this is your first Tulach party then?” 

“I never would have guessed pirates would have such good cooks” Wren admitted with a shrug. The more time she spent here, the more she was surprised by the pirates. Most of them were nothing like what she imagined, although she still found herself intimidated by a good chunk of them. She nodded her head at his question. “It is” she confirmed. “Do you have them often?” It was hard to think of Tulach Island as a place a lot of party were being thrown, but she was starting to often expect the unexpected when it came to the pirates. “More importantly, is there always chocolate cake?” she added with a small smile.

While the day had started much earlier for Isabella, as she looked over every detail of the party being put together, she had finally been able to relax and enjoy the event for what it really was, a celebration. Summer was starting and that meant smooth sailing, so to speak. She noticed a younger blonde going for a piece of cake and figured she’d follow suit, why not indulge a little? Approaching and noting the woman begin talking before reverting back to swallow her food caused she pirate to crack a smile. I suppose not all princesses have a solid stick up their- her thought stopped and she looked back at the cake Wren continued to speak about. “I was just thinking about grabbing a piece, and I would say your response has sealed the deal.” Taking a slice for herself Bella then nodded at the question, “I sure hope so, otherwise we may need to rethink our caterers.”

“You definitely should!” said Wren with an enthusiastic nod before the brunette grabbed a slice. She had seen the other woman around the island, although they hadn’t spoken before. “I don’t think we’ve met” she said politely. “I’m Wren.” She balanced her plate in one hand in order to stick out the other for the brunette to shake, doing her best to remember her manners despite how much fun she was having. “You know, I’m almost scared to ask what that would involve” she admitted. There was a smile on her face as she said it, but she was serious.. She’d hate to be the caterers who pissed off the pirates.

“You have to try one of these!” Wendy exclaimed, turning and holding up one of the pastries she’d taken from the table of food. It was chocolate, one of her favorites, and she wasn’t sure exactly what kind of dessert it was, but that didn’t matter to her. It was good, and that’s what counted. “It’s so good.” She held it up to the other. “Want a piece?” she asked, a smile on her face. 

Wren smiled at her sister’s excitement. Wendy always had a way of cheering Wren up, and today the younger sibling felt herself getting into the spirit of the day by having some fun. “I have no idea what this is, but if its chocolate it has to taste good, right?” she said. Wren would try anything that had Wendy’s stamp of approval, even if it didn’t have chocolate in it. “I’d love a piece” she said with a nod of her head.

“Who is it?” she asked, wondering if she’d met her. “I just moved into the extra room in the pirate assigned to me’s villa. It’s rather nice, having my own space. She has a dog as well. As long as I let her know you’re coming, I’m sure she’d be fine if you wanted to come and see me, and the dog.” She grinned at her sister lovingly, so happy that she was safe. “Of course we will. Together, we could get through anything,” she said, and her voice held a teasing lilt to it. Reaching up, she brushed some of her sister’s hair out of her face. “Let’s get you something to eat.” 

“She told me her name was Devyn” said Wren. “Have you met her?” Wendy had been here much longer than Wren, so she probably had a better chance to accurately judge the pirates than her sister did. She smiled at Wendy’s words. “I think I would like that” she said. “I hope whoever she is she treats you right.” Wren knew these were their kidnappers they were dealing with, but she hoped the pirate watching her sister was one of the less violent ones. “Is it too much to hope they have chocolate chip cookies?” she asked her sister. If there was one food that always cheered Wren up, it was cookies with chocolate chips in them.

It was one of Grace’s worst nightmares. While grabbing something out of the closet in the library, somehow, the door fell shut behind her and successfully locked her inside.

She found herself knocking on the door, anything to get someone’s attention. Banging, even. Her knuckles grew sore from effort and she rested her hands on the door. “Hello?” she called. “Somebody? Can someone please help me?”

Green eyes lifted to see a window above her head and slim fingers gripped the slats to pull herself up to get a good look. “Hello?” she called again.

What a time to get locked inside.

Wren had gone to the library, wanting to see if the pirates had any books she hadn’t already read. But before she could start looking through the books, she heard pounding coming from a door, followed by a voice calling for help. Quickly walking over to the door, she opened it to see Grace. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice full of concern for the other princess. “What happened?” Had someone locked Grace in on purpose?

Wendy sighed; she understood. If she had not been the first to be captured, she would have been worried sick about her siblings. “Getting used to your surroundings is important. Are you staying at the Big House?” she asked, wanting to know so that she could come and visit her when they were both free. Of course, if she was staying at the pirate’s villa assigned to watch her, she’d need permission. “I’m sorry,” she said, moving her hair over her sister’s hair and comforting her gently. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt. I wouldn’t know what I would do if you had been.” Leaning in, she wrapped her arms around her sister once more in a tight hug, so happy that she was there now, safe and where Wendy could keep an eye on her. 

“I am right now” Wren said in response to her sister’s question. “She offered to let me move in with her, but I’m not sure.” While she was sure the villa was nicer than the big house, there was something unnerving about the idea of living with a pirate. Being trapped on an island with them was scary enough without having one in the next room while she was asleep. “Let’s not think about that” she said, returning her sister’s hug. “I’m just glad to see you again, no matter the circumstances.” She’d spent so long imaging every possible kind of horrifying scenario that see Wendy alive and (relatively) safe was a huge relief. “We’ll get through this together.”

Lili nodded, “Wendy,” she said, again knowing the face and name, but not really speaking much with her outside of casual small talk. “I think having family here is one of those odd situations of joy and fear. It’s great having them and knowing they’re in no trouble - well beyond being captive on an island full of people who may or may not want them dead, and also fearing what could happen to them on this island.” The princess was relieved to see Nikita on the island, away from those who Lili knew could do more damage than good. But part of her also worried far worse could happen to the Orlov sister. Vasilia knew all about the fear of not knowing when she was free in Russia and her sister was locked up here. The relief of seeing her alive on the island was a miracle. “And one day we’ll be able to tell our families and friends about how we banned together escaped this place. But for now, we just have to be patient and watch.” She had made the pirates think she was done with her escape plan, hell even Nikita thought her sister was done planning a way off the island, but that was far from the truth. Lili refused to stop trying and swore she’d get off this island and back home or die trying. 

It was Wren’s turn to nod. “Yes, that’s her” she confirmed. “Do you know her?” Wren wasn’t sure how many royals Wendy had made friends with on the island before her sister’s arrival. “How about you? Do you have anyone on the island?” Of course Wren had heard about the disappearance of the other Russian princess, but she hadn’t run into Nikita here and wasn’t positive the princess was on the island, although the odds were good she was. “I sure hope that’s the case” she agreed. “Because I’m already homesick.” Wren had always been close with her family, and being apart from her parents and brother was almost physically painful for her. “I suppose our best way out of this is just doing whatever they tell us to” she said, thinking out loud. “Otherwise who knows what they might do to us.” As bad as things were, Wren reminded herself that they could always get worse. Much worse.

Wren loves shopping. Especially online shopping, because she can do that while in the comfort of her PJs and without any paparazzi trying to get pictures of her. She’s definitely spent more than her fair share of money on things she doesn’t need, although she tries to keep it under control as much as she can.

What really is my muse’s biggest flaw?

Wren struggles with depression. After her girlfriend’s death, this turned into self-medicating with alcohol. She’s been sober for several years now and hopes that she’ll be able to cope with her depression on the island without having to pick up a bottle again.

Offering the other a smile, she simply said, “Everyone is capable of being that strong, some just aren’t aware of it but we all have a little bit of a beast mode in us.” It was a belief of Devyn’s that everyone is capable of doing monstrous things - for bad or good. Perhaps that’s why she preferred animals to humans at most times. They know what they are already capable of and they never try to hide that. It’s just natural to them. Animals are the purest souls - in her opinion.  Taking her hand, she shook her hand in the greeting, not saying anything. Pulling her hand back she folded her arms at her torso. “I did, but manners is something that just never really dies.” She said as she simply shrugged. 

“I’m not sure if you were told anything but, there are a few important rules to know.” She started. “It’s not much. The island is pretty open to everyone except for a few places that the Royals aren’t allowed into. Like the Heave Ho Hall…3H, the Pirate Lounge, the jungle, and you can go into the cinema but you have to have a pirate escort, but really everything else - knock yourself out.” There was really one other rule about when breakfast, lunch, and dinner was served in the canteen but for right now she just allowed that piece of information allow to sink in. 

“Oh, and you also have two options for living quarters. Either with me in the East villas or if you would like to have your own, you can live in your own at the Tulach House.” 

“I don’t think strong and tough are necessarily the same thing” said Wren. “But I certainly hope I can be that strong.” Being strong in the face of struggles had never been one of the blonde’s skills, but she was doing her best to change that. As she shook the brunette’s hand, she said “I suppose that’s true.” She didn’t point out the irony of a pirate talking about manners, figuring it was best to keep that observation to herself if she wished to stay on Devyn’s good side. Which, since the pirate was in charge of her while she was here, she figured was a smart move.

“I wasn’t told much” she admitted. “So I appreciate you filling me in.” She nodded, paying attention as the brunette explained the parts of the island that were off limits. “I will be sure to avoid the jungle, since I’m sure there’s some nasty things in there” she said. Private island or not, a jungle was a jungle. “As well as any other off-limits places” she added quickly, not wanting the pirate to think she was ignoring that bit of information.

She slowly processed Devyn’s words. Then she said “Does living with you come with any particular rules?” She was sure there must be some sort of catch. Why would any of the pirates willingly offer to share their villa with a royal when they could just shove them into the big house?