Her future and reputation as a cryptozoologist would be cemented in history as the first to study and help care for, not just one, but multiple Krackens. Edith may very well laugh and take the piss, but she was very much ‘excited’ too.
The large vessel lurched to the side, making Jessica stumble and Edith flap her little wings to lift her chunky body off her shoulder less she fall off.
“Well, that’s poor driving,” Edith muttered as she gently set her bulk down back on Jessica’s shoulder.
“Kracken’s Hole in view, portal doorway imminent,” a bellow sounded from the crow’s nest, and the morning mist slowly dissipated as they passed through what could only be described as a shimmering wall. Shivers stroked up her spine as the magic from the portal rippled through her. Edith sneezed in response, a tiny fireball shooting from her nose.
“Bless you,” Jessica chuckled, luckily, nothing caught on fire. “Oh, would you look at that?” she breathed out as the small paranormal town came into view.
Set around a small cove, the town was nestled quaintly into the hillside. She could see the town was already full of bustle, their daily routine already well underway. The town itself was legendary within the magical world. Home to all manner of paranormal creatures as well as the Krackens. It was also the home of the Moonchild Coven, witches that were revered throughout the world.
Jessica knew, from the intense research she had undertaken the moment she had been offered and accepted the job, that there had been three Krackens. Maximus, Brutas, and Dave. Unfortunately, Maximus had passed away, although only the guardians knew how. So that left Brutas and Dave and a group of eggs.
That’s what had gotten her really excited about the job, no one ever had had the chance to study baby Krackens, nevermind eggs and witness a hatching. And didn’t that just make her feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Her family knew she loved all mythical beings, but not many knew she was obsessed with Krackens. She had read everything there had ever been printed about them, she had books, posters, toys. If it was Kracken themed, she probably owned it.
Her thoughts were so focused on her obsession she hadn't realised that the ship was moving into position to dock.
“Everyone off,” a deep voice called out in a friendly manner; the ghost crew were already hard at work unloading supplies as the other passengers disembarked.
“Shift that arse then,” Edith stated and fluttered her wings. “I am keen to get settled then try out the pub.The Ferret’s Mottis famous, don't you know? I’ve been told their Scrumpy is fabulous, and I could really do with a pint ofVicar’s Knutt.”
“A pint of what now?” Jessica frowned, the words of her familiar not computing.
“Vicar’s Knutt, it's a cider,” Edith stated as she flapped her little wings and took off towards the gangplank. “Best cider in the south of England, according to the para pub guide.”
“It best be with a name like that.” Jessica shuddered and made to follow her dragon, when one of the pirates stepped into her path.
She noticed him when they had first climbed aboard. He was a ghost, well, that’s what she had surmised by the way he could walk through walls but when he wasn't doing that, he seemed more solid than the others. But it was also his aura, the way he held himself that showed he was something more. Well, apart from being the captain, which was bloody obvious from the orders he threw out. And now he standing in front of her, she would admit he was a good-looking guy.
“Jessica, is it?” he asked
“Indeed, can I help you?”
“Maeve was supposed to meet you, she’s unable to come.”
“Oh, that’s a pity. I was looking forward to meeting her, how do you know her?” Jessica asked, a little disappointed that she wouldn't get to meet the famous Moonchild Witch.
“She’s my mate,” he said with a smile and a sparkle in his eyes. “My little ol’ ball and chain.”
“If she heard you describe her as BASTARD that, she would have your BELLEND balls,” a new voice chimed in. A small greyish-blue pigeon perched on the railings, wearing the biggest pair of thick rimmed glasses she had ever seen.
“Oh shush,” the pirate aimed towards the pigeon before turning to Jessica. “This is Binky, he’s Maeve’s familiar and a pain in the arse. Take everything he says with a pinch of salt because that bird has issues.” With a tip of his hat, the pirate vanished, leaving her alone with the sweary bird.
“Pinch of salt, he's such a salty git,’ Binky grumbled to himself before he clocked Jessica with his right eye… the left was doing its own thing.
“Welcome to Kracken’s Hole, any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask TWAT!”
With that he lifted his wings, flapped them, and glided down towards the dock, leaving Jessica to navigate the gangplank and the dock alone. Edith had vanished but Jessica wasn't worried. That dragon was more than capable of looking after herself and, to be honest, it gave Jessica a little break from the sarcasm.
“If you follow me, I will escort you to the Hollow where ARSEHOLE we can get you FUCK settled.” Binky nodded and pointed a wing towards a small path that led up the left side of the cliff that housed the town. Before she was able to take a step forward, a pirate walked past her and winked.
Jessica would have smiled but the fact the pirate was stark bollock naked threw her for a loop.
“Mate, would you please put some clothes on? You are scaring the WANKA tourists,” Binky shouted. “Come on, it's this way.”
Jessica already loved the town; she immediately felt at home and could not wait to get settled and start working.
Following the pigeon up the hill made her smile. There was something so therapeutic about watching his feathered arse sway from side to side. Every now and again he would skip on one foot before going to his stride, and if there was something he thought she would like to see, he would sweep a wing out to the side and point it out.
