Ryvara looks up sharply, relief as well as concern visible in her eyes. "Father? How did you...?" She shakes her head. "Never mind, it doesn't matter." She frowns a bit. "I've got a few questions to ask you."

Raul interceded as the voice of reason, for a change. “I think they had better wait till we’re all safely aboard the Baratilla and sailing away from this death-trap of an island.” Finnigan nodded agreement, standing up and helping pull Ryvara to her feet. He kept her hand tucked within his grasp, though, daring Hawks to say anything about it with a look.

Ryvara gently squeezed Finnigan's hand, holding it carefully with her own as she got to her feet and moved after him. "I guess it could wait." She murmurs, frowning softly as she looks over at her father, trying to determine exactly how much he had never told her.

Captain Hawks felt on the verge of bursting a vein, but he said nothing, merely turned around and stomped away, back through the forest. The rest followed, more quietly of course, and they all managed to reach the beach without a sign of the Blood Drinker. Before they got in the rowboat to take them to the Baratilla, however, Finnigan stooped down and gathered a handful of sand, letting it slip out of his fingers and scatter on a breeze as he said his last farewells to his brave crew of men. When he was done, he turned and faced the rest of them. “I’ve come to a decision.” He announced. “I’m going to give up pirating. For good. From now on, I’m turning respectable.”

Ryvara looked surprised. "Finnigan? You're serious, aren't you?" She bit down on her lip, unsure of how exactly to react, or even more importantly, how they'd manage to stay together.

He nodded. “Completely serious.” He turned to Hawks, his hands on his hips, and a half-smile curving his lips. “After all, if my old Captain could do it, than so can I.”

Ryvara couldn't help but smile at Finnigan. Way to go! Dad's sure to cool off after that remark. "Still going to sail though, right Finn?"

Finn’s little smile turned into a charming grin. “Of course. I wouldn’t be satisfied anywhere but on the sea.”

Raul chuckled, and slapped his shoulder. “You’ll still let me be your first mate, won’t you?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Hawks eyed Finnigan warily. "If you think that act is going to make me forget about the way you were all over my daughter like that-"

Ryvara spoke up. "But father-"

"Silence, Ryvara.” Her father commanded angrily.

Finn’s grin vanished like the sun behind a cloud. He leveled a glare at Hawks. “Don’t speak to her that way, Hawks,” he said, taking an aggressive step forward.

Raul immediately jumped between the two of them. “Gentlemen, please. Whatever fight you’re about to have, save it till we’re on the ship, won’t you?”

Hawks glanced to Finn. "I can speak to her as I wish." He nodded to Raul. "But… I won't speak of it further." Ryvara glanced down at the water, sighing.

The four of them got into the rowboat, heading back to the Baratilla in tense silence. Little did they know they had been watched… and that they were taking a stow-away with them…

Huddled in a corner of the boat, the Beast crouched, wrapped in its disguise as a rat-creature. It could change forms at will. It had never left the island in all its memory, but something about the non-meat girl drew its curiosity. It knew the time had come for change. There was another world out there, beyond the waters. It intended to feast very well…

As they reached the Baratilla, Ryvara was the first to climb onboard. She welcomed the familiar decks once more, and looked quite a bit more relaxed as she was on board. Unseen by the sailors of the Baratilla, a small black rat scurried out of the rowboat and down into the hull of the ship. Finnigan was the last to climb out. Like Ryvara, he felt immediately at ease once he had the comfort of a study ship underneath his feet.

Hawks stepped onto the ship next, eying Finnigan. "Now... about my daughter.." He narrowed his eyes at Finn, causing Ryvara to wince slightly.

Finnigan faced Hawks squarely, his jaw line set. “My intentions are honorable, I assure you.”

Hawks looked him over again. "And what exactly are your intentions?"

Finnigan started pacing a bit, aware that now was the best time to be fully truthful. “All right. I admit it. My intentions were not good, in the beginning. I kidnapped Ryvara, in order to get revenge against you, Hawks.” He held up a hand, to forestall any outburst. “But… that changed. I changed…” His eyes caught Ryvara’s, and he smiled at her, a private smile between them, full of love’s promise.

Ryvara couldn't help but smile back in Finnigan's direction. She was just happy that he was still there, still alive. Hawks, however, still didn't look too pleased. "So, what are your plans? You do realize that you won't be able to see Ryvara for much longer... that is, even if I permit it."

Finn looked back to Hawks, frowning. “What do you mean by that?”

Hawks crossed his arms. "You'd be gettin' your own ship, correct? Ryvara's still part of my crew... and she's my daughter. If you think she'll be going along with you... you're wrong."

Finnigan’s hands clenched to fists at his sides. “So you’re going to force her to choose between you or me, is that it, Hawks?” He bit out in frustration.

Hawks glanced in Ryvara's direction. "It's better this way. Besides, I already know what she's gonna say." Ryvara seemed strangely submissive around her father, however.

Finn turned to her, as well. “Ryvara?” He called to her. He didn’t say anything more. She knew what it was he was asking.

Ryvara swallowed hard, nodding slightly as she moved to Finnigan's side, speaking nothing but letting her actions speak for themselves. He took her hand once more, his heart filling with quiet joy. All throughout his life, he’d played the outcast. Now, someone was finally accepting him for self. He could not express these feelings in words, however. He merely squeezed her hand warmly and looked back to Hawks, arching one eyebrow.

Hawks looked back at Ryvara, a scowl on his face. "You know you're making a big mistake."

"It's one I'm prepared to make, Father." She replied quietly.

Hawks lowered his head in defeat. He’d known this day would come. The day when he would lose his baby girl. “You’re just like your Mother…” he muttered, shaking his head and looking out towards the ocean and he moved and leaned against the railing.

Ryvara heaved a sigh, casting a glance at Finnigan before leaving his side and moving to her father's. "I'm not leaving you for good, you know." She moved, leaning against him slightly, snuggling against him like she used to do when she was little. "But I'd like to know the truth, Father. The truth about what I am."

Hawks looked at his beloved daughter, and there was something a little like fear in his eyes. He sighed heavily, but nodded. “I knew this day would come… let’s go to the cabin. I’ll tell you everything…”

Ryvara cast another glance at Finn, but nodded, moving towards the cabin. "Thank you, Father."

Once inside the cabin, Hawks moved do sit behind his desk. Ryvara and Finn followed him in, shutting the door behind themselves, and occupying the two seats in front of the desk. For a long minute Hawks was silent, just staring at his hands. Then he looked up at his daughter, his eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you remember of your mother, girl?"

Ryvara took Finnigan's hand in her own, squeezing it gently for reassurance that he was there. "She was beautiful…” she began in a soft, yet thoughtful tone. “She died when I was very young… she had the most amazing singing voice, and she'd sing to me... she'd sing me to sleep... and she always loved the sea.." She looks up after a moment. "That's about all." She admits.

Hawks leaned back in his chair. His face was etched with sadness, and he looked older than his real age would normally signify. “Ryveranai- your mother- she was an extraordinary woman… but… she wasn’t human.”

Ryvara blinked for a moment, then nodded, prompting him to continue. She remembered her conversation with the monster, and her heart filled with trepidation. Hawks stroked his chin and swallowed before continuing. "I didn't know what she was, for a while. While returning from a raid on a seaside village, I saw her. Standing on the beach, staring at the water, she looked human. But as I approached her... I could tell there was something different about her. She turned to look at me, fear in her eyes... but there was something in those beautiful eyes that made me want to help her. There was something in there I couldn't help falling in love with.."

Finn just listened with intense curiosity. Somehow, the thought that Ryvara wasn’t fuly human didn’t bother him in the slightest.

Hawks took a breath, looking towards the window as he continued. "I fell in love with her the moment I saw her, but I hadn't wanted to scare her away. She tried to run, but I caught her arm. She was scared of me... and I wanted to do anything to stop her from being so scared. I told her I wouldn't hurt her, and she reluctantly believed my words. From there.. I changed my life. I tried to visit her, as often as I could. But one day, I found out about her. I planned to surprise her, to propose to her after I did, and so I went out to the beach. She was swimming... and she was so beautiful and graceful that I didn't want to disturb her. But as I watched her I realized the truth… how she moved like that... it wasn't because she was good... it was because she was a water nymph. I told her about it when I finally got the chance to speak to her, and she looked like she would've run again. But she didn't. And I got the chance to propose to her, telling her it didn't matter. She married me a month later."

Finn looked thoughtful. “So that’s why you gave up pirating…” he said, almost half to himself.

Hawks nodded. "Aye. It was. I would've given up my life for her." He glanced back towards his daughter before continuing. "So I became respectable. For her. We had a good life, especially after she gave birth to you. I had never seen her happier. But one day... she was gone. We had come ashore for supplies, and discovered that she was no longer on board. You wouldn't stop crying that night, and I wanted to cry myself. We searched for years, but never found her. I still haven't given up the hope that she may be alive out there, somewhere... But... I wouldn't know where to keep looking. So I told you she was dead.. because I didn't want your hopes to get up.. your hopes that you'd find her, because you very well might not."

“What could have made her abandon her family like that?” Finn wondered aloud.

Hawks looked up sharply. "She would've never abandoned us like that... she would've never abandoned Ryvara. Something must've happened to her. That's the only explanation."

Finn, seeing the pensive and confused emotions flashing through Ryvara’s eyes, spoke up. “Perhaps we should continue this discussion tomorrow. It’s been a hard couple of days for all of us.”

Ryvara nodded slowly, looking over at Finnigan. "I'll show you to your quarters." Getting to her feet, she glanced in her father's direction. "Goodnight."

Once in the lower quarters of the ship, Finn gently grasped Ryvara’s arm. “You don’t seem surprised by all this,” he said slowly, searhing her gaze.

Ryvara sighed softly, looking over at him. "I've always felt kind of out of place.. I guess this just explains things. At least it's better than being told I'm not his real daughter.." She smiles weakly. "But I'll be all right."

Feeling proud of her, Finn smiled back and kissed her forehead. “I’ve always felt like something of an outcast, myself… I guess we two misfits just belong together.”

She smiled again, looking back at him. "I guess we do." Stopping in front of a room, she gestures at it. "This is your quarters... I'm right across the hall if you need me.”

Grinning roguishly, Finn pulled her towards him. “What if I need you right now?” he asked suggestively, arching one eyebrow.

Ryvara laughed, kissing him lightly on the nose. "Then I'll tell you that you need some sleep, because you're delirious. At least try and get some sleep, won‘t you?" Reluctantly, Finn let her go. He nodded agreement, but after she’d gone into her room, he went instead to find Raul. He was in need of some advice from a friend.