[ it's been a an hour or so since everyone's had their less than pleasant landing. you're struggling, for whatever reason -- maybe hanging onto something, or just treading water or dogpaddling. ]

[ suddenly, a firey bird circles around your head and screeches! it's nick junior, but if this is your first time seeing him, it's an actual phoenix! what the heckie. ]

[ shortly after, a reef shark is headed your way!! uh oh!! nick junior just threw you under the bus! you're about to get eaten! better start swimming for your life! ]

[ but wait, someone is... riding the shark? it's maya, hanging on as the shark dips in and out of water to reach you. ]

Hey! [ the shark nips at something in the water with its scary, scary looking teeth, but maya pats its head and it seems to be soothed by that. still, uh....... if you're bleeding there may be an issue. ]

Need a hand... or a fin?

[ she flashes you a winning smile. why is this happening. ]

[ oh wow, look at that! it's a pirate ship! and somehow, you've been captured, dragged on deck by some scruffy looking "merchants"... and dragged straight to the captain, who is dressed up for the occasion and has a phoenix sitting on her shoulder. ]

[ yeah, it's maya. dead pirate maya. bet you didn't expect that. ]

Yarrr, shiver me timbers! [ stop larping, maya. ] Keelhaul this landlubber to the brig!

[ the pirates holding you look at each other menacingly, and start to drag you off, but... ]

Aww, just kidding! It's me, Maya. [ as if somehow you wouldn't know that. she turns to her... underlings? ] And this is my friend! So let 'em go! And get us all some crackers or something.

[ congrats, you are a free reclaimer!! soon to be eating crackers. ] What's up? Wanna join my crew? Or take a sail?

[ how did this happen. ]

[ A; hey, there's maya just chillin in the middle of town! weirdly enough, she seems distracted... like she's concentrating on something. she smiles hello to you, but otherwise.... whatever's got her deep in thought is keeping her busy. it's weird that she's quiet. this is weird. ]

[ then, all of a sudden, she's wobbling precariously, hand to her head. ]

My... ramen...

[ and then she faints on the spot. what the fuck?? is she hungry??? is this a bit??? is she ling from full metal alchemist??? ]

[B; alternatively, catch her later by the docks..... she has many, many bowls of ramen and is placing them in very small boats as if she's going to ship them out to sea. what the heckie? when she sees you approach, she clicks her tongue. ]

I know it smells delicious, but if I can't have any, neither can you!

[ that explains nothing. ]

[ A; the jail is a depressing, dingy d-place.... full of the most dangerous degenerates. what you're doing here is your business, but it looks positively miserable. not somewhere you want to be around long term. as you walk through it, the prisoners rattle the bar, growling or spitting in your direction, and.... one waves at you? ]

[ wait, that's maya. ]

Hi!

[ maya's in jail???? wait, this isn't a surprise, she's clearly hardcore murderer. ]

[ B; alternatively, if you are also in jail, bear witness to mingle time where all the burly, tattoo'd, scary-looking convicts are gathered in a circle...... with maya. they're talking about their feelings? one is crying a little, while maya pats his arm. it's kind of like this. ]

You just need to tell her how you feel! It's really not that scary.

[ she notices you, and waves you over. ]

Come on over! We were just all telling Bonesaw he should ask out Skullcrusher. Don't you agree?

[ you know what this is. ]