Selena Hilpo's Story

Selena was enjoying the sunlight on the deck of the boat, when she looked in the ocean and realized how hungry she was. However, she didn't want anything the ship had, she wanted to catch her own meal. So she striped off all her clothes and jumped into the water. Once she hit it, she got her tail back, and swam around happily until she found a swordfish that looked good. She did as she always did and sang her song, making the fish swim right next to her, where in which she immeadialty bit into the fish and ripped out a chunk of meat. She wasn't the most civilized, but she did enjoy herself some swordfish. After finishing off her still alive meal, she swam around the boat and found the stairs leading to the deck she always used when returning from the water.

She made her way quickly up the stairs, her legs returning shortly after she grabbed onto the first rung of the ladder. She just stood on the deck, still stark naked, but happy as a clam. She then nocited her captain wasstanding above her, so she waved to him, while serching for her clothes, "Hey, Captain Teach! Hope your day has started as well as mine." She said with a smile, as she wiped off the last of the blood from her face.

Connor was still in thought when he heard a splash. He knew it was Selena but he didn't mind her much. She was probably looking for food since she hated regular food. He was still in thought about a small house and a beautiful wife he would marry after he returned to Bath with his loot. "Hey, Captain Teach! Hope your day has started as well as mine." said Selena in her peppy attitude she had towards him as he turned and saw her naked then rolled his eyes. He was used to seeing the mermaid naked. "Well it was then you decided to go skinny dipping now get some clothes on and buck up we have a big day today." he said turning back around staring at the sun. "Anyone else awake yet, or just you?" he said wanting to get to the island fast so he could 'sample the wares before they took it all. It has a good economy fro such a small island but not for long.

Selena had finally found her clothing, and was in the process of putting them on. She didn't really like wearing clothes, but Captain had said she needed to in order to blend in and not cause a distraction. She laughed a bit when he mentioned her skinny dipping. "You know, I wouldn't mind some company down there." She teased, as her nature. But when the captain asked if anyone was awake, she responded, "Come on. How often is anyone awake before either of us?" The answer: Never, she always got up early to enjoy her water before they set sail, and Captain was up for some reason, although she didn't know it.

She put on her shirt at last, but was still soaking wet, although why should she mind it. "You don't think I know it going to be a big day, we are going to a wedding, you know I always cry at those, remember when we held up that one in Cuba, we made so much money, so much sparkly gold. Plus they had tasty meat." She smiled as she said all this, all the while getting closer to the captain, and was now standing behind him, leaning on the door to his room.

"WELL, LOOK AT YOU TWO, UP SO EARLY!!" Carmin said next to the mermaid, who was leaning on the door into her brothers room.

Carmin didn't particularly like Selena, she thought that the mermaid was just a wench who was planning to seduce her brother, and then drown him. "Pardon me Selena, I have to talk to my brother for a sec", she said to the mermaid.

Carmin took a few steps towards him, and asked in a serious tone, "alright, wedding. Everything planned out? Is mister cabin boy groom-heartbreaker ready? Y'know, this might be your biggest heist yet."

Selena didn't really think much of the Captain's sister, she didn't think badly of her, but not highly either. Although, she did enjoy messing with her from time to time, and this was one of those times.

"Well, good morning to you, Carmin. I was wondering, do you think you would taste better raw, or boiled. I just can't choose, although such soft skin as yours would be very tasty in a nice lemon sause. Don't you agree?" She said, getting very close to her, but then backing away to sing a song that seemed to make the fish around the boat go crazy. She always did like to freak her out by gloating her eating of humans, even though they weren't her favorite meal. "So, did you get any good sleep? I hope so, because today is going to be fun." She smiled a tad evily as she said the last part, before resuming her song.

Carmin was sarcastic right back to Selena.

"Boiled, I guess. You wouldn't want to eat skin raw, with all the dirt, bacteria, MOLES AND WARTS" she said, intensely staring into Selena's playful looking eyes.

The mermaid then started to sing, causing fish to jump out of the water.

"Yes Carmin get out a few nets, Selena keep singing" Carmin could hear her brother say. Carmin made her way under the deck where the nets were kept. She came back up the stairs with a long brown net, and cast it into the water. As she looked down into the water, she answered Selena's question.

"I could barely sleep last night. I mean, if this whole shindig goes well, we'll be the richest pirates in all of the seas."
Carmin knew that if the plan was a success, her father would be proud.

Selena was enjoying singing, she always had. Her favorite thing to do was to order fish to do things while singing, which took a while, but was very fun. She was in the middle of a very high note, when she noticed the fin of a shark. Merpeople, unlike land ones, could tell an individual animal by something as simple as a fin, like how humans know dogs by their furs. She knew this shark, it was her pet, Nemo.

"Nemo!" She screamed, and started scrambling taking off her clothes, and after she took them off in record time, she swan dived into the ocean for the second time that day. Once in the water, her pet, a great white shark, began to nudge at her, looking for attention, "I missed you. Yes i did, yes i did. Did you miss mama?" She was talking to the shark like a baby or pet, because it was a pet to her. The shark only nudged up against her, and she began to scratch beside his dosil fins, and was continuing her baby talk, and gave it a kiss on the snout. "Nemo, wave to the captain." She said, and the shark turned to the boat and raised itself n the water, and waved its right front fin, like waving to someone in the distance.

Carmin rolled her eyes at Selena's waving shark.
"cool trick" she silently grumbled.

The net was filled with all different kinds of fish. There was even some squid that was caught in the net. Suddenly, Carmin could hear footsteps behind her. She turned around to see that it was the cabin boy, Luke. He was the one who was going to be "married" to the princess. Carmin didn't really know that much about luke, but she definitely knew he was one of those silent types.

"Hey, Luke" Carmin said as she lifted the net up from the water.
"Big day today. Ya ready?" she said with a small smile.

Connor

Connor rolled his eyes as Selena jumped back into the sea. It was impressive though that she had a shark who could wave. Connor smiled and waved back. It was good to have a shark on your side and Connor never complained of Selena's pet. He then heard a familiar noise it was the 'groom-to-be.' "Mornin' Lover boy. Ya ready for your big day?" he asked enthusiastically as the ship went into port. It was empty much to his pleasure then Connor threw a pouch of coins worth about twice of a farmer's salary. "Go get something respectable to wear to yer' wedding then wait for the signal when were done." he said then motioned him to go away.

Luke

Luke nodded then picked up the pouch. "Aye" he said then rushed off the ship before he was seen by any of the natives. He rushed to a boutique trying to find a suit. He got one he liked quickly then put it on and made his way to the castle many thoughts rushing through his mind at once. He kinda did like the girl even though he was doing this just for his captain. He thought of a way he might be able to do both, marry the girl and get the treasure. He was lost in thought as he walked into the castle.

Connor heard Selena calling him and poked his head out the window. "Hey Captain. I'm going to follow lover-boy, promise I will not sing anyone to death, can I please go?" He sighed and nodded knowing she would get into trouble but he really wasn't in the mood for a headache today. "Very well but get some clothes on, if you have any type of formal dress at all wear it. You're going to a wedding not to play around." he said sternly. He was under a bit of stress but also needed to remember he was the captain so whatever went wrong could be traced back to him. He didn't want his reputation to be any less than his father's and he was mighty close to being that good and he would ensure it if he could pull this off.

"Yea!" Selena yelled when the captain told her she could go, although she had to wear something fancy to get in. That bummed her out a bit, but she was still excited even as she kissed Nemo goodbye and told him to be a good boy for the captain. She then climbed up the fimilar stairs and made her way to her 'room'. It was tiny, she didn't really even sleep on the boat, she just layed in the water, but she kept her most valuable things in there. She had found what she was looking for, a red and black dress that seemed to have been made for some type of celebration, because she found a weird headress that went with it, although it was pure black and white in the center. She put on her 'fancy' clothes, and she must have looked at least color-blind, although she couldn't tell, she never understood human's fasination with clothing.

She made her way out of her room and went to the captain, and said, "Hope I look good. I got exploring to do." She said with a huge smile as she hugged him, human greeting were hard for her too understand, although kissing was reserved for lovers, so she hoped this was the right expression. She quickly left, still-bare foot, and made her way to whatever building she could find. She just left a fishery, when she noticed someone dressed-up walking to the castle, he seemed to being having a hard time walking, so she assumed he was a merman, and she began to sing as she walked up to him, "Hello." She said sweetly, "You going to the wedding too, because I need a date." She said, knowing that there was only one reason to dress up today, and she didn't want to sing past the gaurds.

Carmin looked back at Connor, and she could tell he was stressed. She knew exactly why.
Carmin walked up to the helm, and put her elbow on her brother's shoulder.
"Hey, relax. you're fine. I'm sure dad's proud of you, wherever he is right now. just do your best, and it'll be fine."
Carmin looked back at Selena, and sighed.
"i still don't understand why you let her join your crew. just sayin. you know what, let's go start the mornin with two bottles o' rum, aye? or perhaps we could plan the....afterparty? I mean, what are we gonna do with all that fish?"
Carmin pointed to the net full of the fish and squid that she tied up and left on the deck.

Molly Vanessa Dubois

Molly after getting dressed was idle for a little while so she decided to take a stroll about the manor. There were many people rushing to and fro setting up chairs and flowers. Everyone stopped to greet and congratulate Molly on her engagement. She could see how happy everyone was. This wedding wasn’t just for her and her husband to be but for the whole island. They while focusing on the wedding preparations and celebrations could forget about daily life and the mundane. This was to be one of the most exciting things to happen since the islands creation so it was important for many people. Everyone had a hand in making sure the preparations went perfectly. Molly was told by many that they wanted to help her as much as they could because she always selflessly helped them, even when she didn’t have to. It was her duty to see this through.

Molly left the Manor and walked down the island road. She wanted to think a bit about what was to happen today. “How can I marry someone I barely know?” Molly pondered aloud to herself. “Perhaps my parents have more of a political agenda for this marriage? However, I haven’t heard daddy mention a single thing that he’s gaining from this outside of a son in law, not money, or a peace treaty… nothing.” Molly stopped as she paused in thought as well. “I guess the thought of their daughter getting married is just that important to them. Wow… Molly, look at this crazy happening. I only met this man twice before, and he seemed not so much like a man but more like a boy… I’d bet I could beat him easily in a fencing duel, however Teacher Hamilton always said that once you prematurely judge your opponent you’ve lost your own footing.” Molly spoke quietly to herself as she continued down the road. She saw a rose bush and she picked one of the ruby red blooms. Twirling it in her fingers she stared silently off into the scenery.

“I wonder where this guy’s family is and why haven’t I met them? I don’t think my parents are looking into this the way that they should. I suppose they’re so caught up in the distraction of marriage too. Something just isn’t sitting right with me…” Molly turned around with a sigh. “Well I suppose I should head back to the Manor, if Mama doesn’t see me in regular intervals she’ll assume I jumped ship and became a runaway bride. That would be terrible for anyone else around her….” Molly picked up her pace a bit as she headed home. She began to hum a little wedding song one of the farmer’s daughters would sing while she worked. Molly heard the girl sing the song when she’d help the girl and her family with the gardening on occasion.

“Beautiful… bells… Ringing~ ringing~
People… in pews…Singing~ Singing~
I stand at the alter….
With the priest do I wait.
I pray to god that he’s not late.
And if at final bells toll at the alter I alone stand,
Then my heart has been shattered by a man.”

The song wasn’t at all a happy song but it was the only wedding song that Molly knew so she sang it anyway. She thought it was catchy and it reminded her of the simple hot days where she would help out the town’s people. The little things like that made her happy. She happened to see a girl of long blonde hair running about barefoot down the island road in the distance. “That’s curious… I don’t think I’ve seen her before. Hmm? Perhaps she’s with the groom party… which would mean that the groom party is HERE! Oh I’d better hurry back!” Molly gathered up her dress and ran home as fast as she could run.

Molly made it home and her mother was there waiting for her. “Molly where have you been?!” Mrs. Dubois asked in an angry whisper. She didn’t really want an answer as she did not wait for one. She pulled Molly along into the Bride’s room for yet another round of dress alterations.

Phillip B. Gottschalk

Phillip changed into his best garments at his home. He had a suite custom made for special occasions like this. Phillip had been living on the land for some time so he had grown accustomed to the practice of wearing human clothing daily. He rather liked a nice outfit. He still didn’t care for walking on feet though. He would much rather swim places than walk. Walking on human legs simply felt unnatural for him so he often looked to be uncomfortable when he took steps.

A young girl walked up to him and said in a sweet voice, "Hello."

Phillip looked over surprised. “Oh, good morning there young lady.” Phillip greeted the young lady who gave off an aura of the ocean. She must have been a mermaid. Phillip was further surprised by this happening and his smile grew brighter.

"You going to the wedding too, because I need a date.” The girl said rather comfortably.

Phillip chuckled a little. “Indeed I am. My best friend is getting married today. You must be with the groom’s party. Seeing that I am without a date as well, we might as well go together. I’m Phillip B. Gottschalk. Nice to meet you fair maiden.” Phillip said as he smiled perpetually. He was in a very good mood today. He extended his hand as to shake hands with her.

Selena was happy that she had met another medperson, and appearently he knew the bride, so that was always a plus for her. She shook his hand and then moved her body so her arm was locked into his, "Call me Selena." She said very joyously.

"So, Phillip, tell me, how long have you known our blushing bride for?" She asked, still locked with him, trying to get them to move at a steady pace. "I have known the groom for some time, and let me tell you, i always cry at weddings, like at this one in Cuba, so beautiful. Although, I wish my pet, Nemo, could be here, although seeing how the castl eis land-locked, not lickey to happen." She said, still veyr happy, and then she began to hum while waiting for Phillip to respond.

Phillip B. Gottschalk

“Nice to meet you Selena!” Phillip greeted the young mermaid. He locked arms in response to Selena’s gesture. She seemed very pleasant.

"So, Phillip, tell me, how long have you known our blushing bride for?" She asked

Phillip scratched his head in thought. “Oh… lets see… I met Molly when she was 12 so I’ve known her for about 9 years.”

Selena seemed to be a bit of a chatter box. Phillip didn’t mind. She was friendly, a mermaid, and funny. She continued on in conversation.

"I have known the groom for some time, and let me tell you, I always cry at weddings, like at this one in Cuba, so beautiful. Although, I wish my pet, Nemo, could be here, although seeing how the castle is land-locked, not likely to happen." Selena spoke happily.

Phillip was surprised to hear that the young lady had attended many weddings, for Phillip himself had attended none before. He knew what a wedding was but never attended one for lack of a reason. She must have known many friends who were engaged. Or did she mean that the groom had previously been married? Phillip wasn’t quite sure what to think. “So what type of pet is Nemo?” Phillip asked.



The two arrived at the castle and the guards recognizing Phillip let him and Selena in without an issue. Phillip turned to Selena and ushered her into the Chapel of the castle where the ceremony would be held. “I think we are to wait here. This room is very beautiful don’t you think?” Phillip asked. He was beaming with excitement. He was really considering marriage for himself at this point.

Molly Vanessa Dubois

Mr. and Mrs. Dubois were notified that the Groom had arrived. They personally came out to meet him. Molly was told to wait in the bride’s quarters until it was time to start. She peeked out of the door occasionally to see all that was going on. There were many people pouring into the Castle. Everyone dressed in their best.



“Welcome, welcome our young groom!! Sir Bachgen it is a blessing to see you!” Mr. Dubois greeted Luke with a grand smile. Andrew Thomas Dubois gave Luke a big hug and several heavy pats on the back. He liked Luke, he thought that he was humble and had lots of potential. “Are you ready for life’s next phase? I hope so because it is indeed here my son to be!” Mr. Dubois chuckled with his arm around Luke’s shoulder.



“Sir Bachgen, Where is the rest of the Groom party? I would like to make sure they are all present and comfortable before we start. Also, your parents, won’t they be in attendance? As Molly’s parents we would like to sit with them during the ceremony.” Yevette Ethel Dubois was indeed an efficient person. She was most gentle with Luke in comparison to how she ordered everyone else about. She liked Luke he made her feel as if she didn’t have to fussed to get him to do something. This is possibly because Luke was afraid of her.

Selena was amazed at the size of the Chapel the wedding would be taking place in. It was huge, and so shiney. She could make out the artwork, and she knew how much it was worth. Phillip had said they should wait in here, and then he asked her about Nemo. "Nemo. He is a great white shark, I've had him sence he was a pup, he was so cute back then," She voice almost floating, "He is bigger now, but he is still a cuddle-bug. Maybe if I am around after the wedding we should go and see him, I do grow tired of wearing human clothes, they just feel weird on me, you know?" She asked, and began to sing, softly inorder for him to know he could answer, but she felt that this space was wasted without some kind of music in it.

Phillip B. Gottschalk

"Nemo. He is a great white shark, I've had him since he was a pup, he was so cute back then," Selena said her voice almost floating, "He is bigger now, but he is still a cuddle-bug. Maybe if I am around after the wedding we should go and see him, I do grow tired of wearing human clothes, they just feel weird on me, you know?" She asked, and began to sing, softly.

As Phillip listened to Selena talk she confirmed more that was indeed a mermaid. Perhaps the fact that she so freely would admit to having a pet shark or to being uncomfortable in human clothes meant that she knew that he was a merman as well. It didn’t bother Phillip, he was glad that he could be open with her about that as well. “I’ve never been on friendly terms with a shark before. I didn’t see many of them where I came from. But there seem to be plenty here. I would like to go see him.” Phillip replied with a big smile. “I also know how you feel about human clothing. It took a while but once I got used to them I began to love wearing them. They can accentuate one’s personality. For example, because you seem to have a very bright personality, bright colored clothes would accent your personality. Molly taught me that.” Phillip was somewhat proud to share some land based knowledge with his new young friend.

Molly Vanessa Dubois

When Mrs. Dubois asked about the grooms parents Luke hung his head “I I'm an orphan ma'am "he said his voice sounding sincere.

“Oh my heavens! I hope I didn’t upset you Sir Bachgen! My sincerest apologies!” Mrs. Dubois apologized she bowed elegantly and respectfully.

“Yevette dear…” Mr. Dubois sighed. “Well son, it seems that you’ve grown to be a fine young man and I’m sure they would be most glad to know that!” Mr. Dubois gave Luke another hug. He had no problem showing affection to others and as a king, he was admired by everyone in his kingdom. He had no problem with other nations in terms of political relations. So under his rule the island has known nothing but peace.

Molly could take hiding in the Brides room no longer. She opened the double doors and stepped out as if she weren’t breaking any of her mother’s rules. She had overheard part of her fiancée and parent’s conversation and came ready with a comment of her own. “Greetings, Sir. Bachgen. I suppose today you shall be an orphan no longer. You’ll have my family to call your own from today on right?” Molly spoke calmly as she held up her dress while approaching the group.

“Molly I told you to STAY…. In the Bride’s ROOM!! Heaven’s it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony! Oh No!!!” Mrs. Dubois was highly upset, however she had a feeling that Molly wouldn’t stay in that room even had she locked it.

“Well mother I suppose we shall have to start the ceremony now won’t we.” Molly sassed eloquently. She was tired of waiting around for her fate to be decided for her.

“Oh… darling must you upset your mother so?” Mr. Dubois said as he gave Molly a slight look of disappointment. However he was most proud of his daughter. He could see that she carried his heart and her mother's determination.

Molly gave Luke a curtsey, “Shall we be married Sir. Bachgen?” She smiled.

Selena was fancinated that Phillip said he loved human clothes, and could give her tips, even if it was from the bride.

"That is interesting, although I could be wearing a tuxedo, and I couldn't tell the difference in appeal." She laughed a little bit, and then realized Phillip had said he had grown up with-out sharks, "WHAT!? Where did you grow up, a lot of merchildren have sharks, even if it is only nurse sharks, it's like dogs to these humans. We are getting you one, no ifs, and, or buts, got it?" She said all serious, and then heard a woman scream out that the bride should stay in the room and then she noticed Luke and his blushing bride, although, she looked a tad pissed off at something.

"Looks like the wedding will be starting soon, want to sit down or say hi to your friend." She asked while looking at him, "Oh, yea. Don't let this make you think we are done talking about you never having a pet, but start thinking of names now." She said, and just stood beside Phillip.

Molly Vanessa Dubois

Luke smiled and shook his head. "I have plenty of luck how else could I be able to marry a girl like Molly."

Molly blushed and shifted her head to the right while she placed her hand on her cheek. “You’re too sweet Sir Bachgen. “Shall we be married Sir. Bachgen?”

Luke bowed back to her "Yes we shall Ms. Dubois."

“Shall we proceed into the sanctuary Sir Bachgen?” Mr. Dubois asked Luke with a kind smile. Mrs. Dubois calmed her puffy expression and began her procession into the Sanctuary.

“I do hope that all of your guests have arrived Sir Bachgen. I would like to start the ceremony soon. Is there anything you would like to request?” Mrs. Dubois asked Luke as she made her way toward the sanctuary.

Phillip B. Gottschalk

"That is interesting, although I could be wearing a tuxedo, and I couldn't tell the difference in appeal." Selena laughed. Phillip chuckled along with Selena. When Phillip said that he hadn’t seen many sharks Selena was surprised. "WHAT!? Where did you grow up, a lot of merchildren have sharks, even if it is only nurse sharks, it's like dogs to these humans. We are getting you one, no ifs, and, or buts, got it?" She said seriously.

“I grew up in the Baltic Sea near Germany. There are a few sharks there but not nearly as many as there are here. We Baltic Sea mer folk aren’t very close to sharks. But perhaps I could have one as a pet. Some of my mer brothers, who I met in the here in the Caribbean, owned pet sharks. However I like dolphins much better. They are far gentler.” Phillip explained calmly.

"Looks like the wedding will be starting soon, want to sit down or say hi to your friend." She asked while looking at him, "Oh, yea. Don't let this make you think we are done talking about you never having a pet, but start thinking of names now." Selena responded.

“Oh alright. I’ll try to remember but I’m sure I’ll be too excited to think of any.” Phillip replied. “We should sit. I spoke to Molly earlier and if Mrs. Dubois thinks we’re in the way she’ll get angry and fuss at us. We can talk to them after the ceremony.” Phillip said while keeping his eyes locked on Molly, the Groom, and the Dubois’. The Dubois’s and Luke Proceeded into the Sanctuary and the musicians began to play.

Selena was sitting with Phillip when she felt something hit her head. She looked around to see who threw it, but she couldn't see anyone within range. She then decided to look in the note, making sure Phillip didn't see. When she opened it, she easily recognized the hand-writing, it was the captains.

The note told her to stall everyone for around ten minutes and that if she wanted to take Phillip, she had to make sure he could be trusted, which she didn't know how he would respond, although seeing how they were robbing his friend blind, probably badly. She needed a way to distract everyone, when she got an idea.

Her idea was simple, she got up from where she and Phillip were sitting, and she ran up to the alter, to were Luke was, but his bride was still not in, so she went up to Luke, and said into his ear, so only he could hear, "I hope you are ready for the song of your life." She chuckled a bit before turning to everyone else in the Chapel, and saying very loudly, "Good day, everyone. I know you were looking forward to seeing the wedding, but I must say, this is one of the most beutiful places I have ever seen." She said, dramatics were well within her personality, "My name is Selena, for those of you who do not know, and I am a mermaid. It is tradition in my culture that we sing the song of true love before the wedding is started, so if the people playing the instuments would start up again." She said waving to them, and they started, fortunatly the beat was simple, but the song took around 12 minutes to complete, and it was a duet. "If I could get my new friend, Phillip, could you help me sing these two into their new life as husband and wife?" She said and extended her arm to him, knowing even he must know that song, everyone learned it when they were young.