A Pirate's Heart is Fickle as the Seas

Hey, Denny!

Oh, long time no see! It's not often I see you outside of the tavern.

Hahahah! I could say the same about you. Have you ever tried the tavern in Rinde?

Only every time I find myself in Rinde.

Well, there's a girl who works there, she asked me to keep an eye out for you. It seems there's a soldier out looking for you in Rinde. You'd best stay away for a while.

Understood! Thanks!

Well, now I've done that, time to head back to the tavern.

A soldier? Looking for me? I have a bad feeling about this.

Someone who works in the Rinde tavern... It must be her. Maybe I should go say hi!

Welco, Denny! What are you doing here?!

Is that any way to greet a customer? I'll have a ginger ale, if you don't mind.

Denny, I thought I told you not to come here. I guess the message never reached you...

I got the message. That's why I wanted to come here.

You're impossible. You never listen, do you?

I go where the wind takes me. Or where my heart takes me.

Anyway, tell me what's up. What's this I hear about a soldier?

So about that. A soldier's been coming in here for a couple weeks now always asking for you. Do you have any idea why a soldier is after you? What have you done?

Hahah! I'm a pirate, remember? What haven't I done is a better question. It's not unusual for the authorities to be after me.

I'm serious! If this soldier catches up to you...

Ah! I've finally found you, Denny!

Hey... This girl is the soldier?

What? Of course not!

She's just a customer who's been coming in a lot recently. She claims to have run away from Unigan, something about being from a rich family...

Well well, it's not often you see such a young noble lady in a tavern like this.

What do you mean "a tavern like this"? But you mean you've never met her before?

I think I'd remember meeting someone like this before.

What?! You're such a meanie, Denny! It's me! How could you forget?! Two weeks ago, when I was being accosted by those men, you came in to save me!

Hmm... Nope, don't remember. But I have to say, it does sound like me.

How could you say that? I've been looking for you ever since. I've been longing to see you again.

I'm flattered, but I think you're a bit young for me.

No! But when you saved me from those men, you said you thought I was cute!

That also sounds like me. But then I compliment most women I meet.

You're such a meanie!

Anyway, like I said, sorry. I'm just not into you in that way.

I-I'm not too young for you! I'm 18 years old, old enough to marry!

Sorry, still too young. If you were 20 years older, then maybe something could happen.

But...I love you! You lied to me! Made me look like a fool! I don't know what to do now!

Denny! You can't just leave her like this. She's such a poor, young girl. If you don't fix this, you're barred from my tavern for life!

W-Wait! If you do that, I won't be able to see you again.

In that case you'd better follow after that young girl.

Okay, okay. I'll see what I can do!

Ah! Denny! Could it be that you've changed your mind and have come back for me?

I guess... No turning back, I suppose.

You really are a gentleman.

But why won't you court me? Am I not...appealing enough?

No no, it's not that. I just think that someone like you could find a better match than someone like me.

Get away from my daughter!

Father!

So this is Denny! You're the pirate who seduced my daughter!

Huh? Seduced? Hey now, what are you talking about?

Father! Don't be rude to Denny! Denny isn't that kind of...

Silence! You will hold your tongue! I am talking to the dastard who stole my daughter's heart!

So, pirate, here to take my treasure, are you? Or perhaps seduce my daughter in the hopes of joining high society?

Ha! You must be joking, right? I wouldn't want to join your family for all the money in the world!

Then stay away from my daughter! Come, let us go home!

Father! No, let me go!

Wow, what a terrible father.

... It looks like they were heading to the Serena Coast. I wonder if they're going to be okay just the two of them.

I guess I should do something, maybe keep an eye on them until they get back to the city.

Guess I should take a look to be safe. They should be okay, though.

AAAH!

That voice!

B-Back, foul beast! Don't you come one step closer!

Aaah! Someone! Please, help us! Oh, please, Denny!

Hmm? Is she calling out for me?

Denny!

Just leave it to me!

Thank you, Denny. That's the second time you've come to my rescue.

Why did you help us? After I said all those nasty things to you...

Well I'm involved now, aren't I? Come on, let's get you back to the city.

I'm sorry, Denny. It seems I misjudged you. Please accept my apologies. I should have trusted my daughter when she said you were a good person.

Father...

I thought... I thought you were a scoundrel running after my daughter. That's why I went to the palace, and asked a guard to track you down and arrest you.

Ah, so that explains it. So that's the soldier who went to the Rinde tavern looking for me.

I really am sorry. I'll tell them to call off the search right away. Please forgive me.

Hey, I'm a pirate, it's not like I've never been a wanted man before. It's no big deal.

You're a strong man. And kind, too, forgiving me so easily.

It seems my daughter has fallen for you. How about it? I would be happy to see her with a man as dependable as yourself.

I'm a pirate. More than anything I love freedom. My life is out on the open ocean. Would you really want her to be cooped up on a ship?

No, I don't suppose I would. But, I must admit I slightly envy you for having such a life.

Denny, I see now your love is for the sea. There's no way I can win against that. You're drawn to the sea breeze, but I only find it messes up my hair. I'm not ready for it.

But one day... One day I'll be ready...

Well, here we are, Unigan. Guess this is where we part our ways.

But you know, that girl... She definitely left an impression. If we meet again in 20 years or so, I might actually consider it...