Alexandra never forgot the day her grandmother had given her a book of alchemical recipes, some money, and a map.
"The money will help you in your new life, after you leave us. The map will take you to where you need to go. And the book contains some of my more successful alchemical mixtures.
"When you leave us, Alexandra, you will be the only one of our kind in this new land. You must always remember to be kind, wise, and generous; but do not be naive or overly trusting. You are the ninth of our line, and so you must go and make your own Dynasty.
"This land, it is called Barnacle Bay, and it was once a refuge for piracy. You know the rules of the Dynasty. Select a prime plot of land. Build an abode in which you and yours will live for generations. Complete the tasks to which you are assigned. And when the eighth of your line tastes the food of the gods for the first time, you will be free to send the ninth of the line to start their own Dynasty.
"Go now, Alexandra, and be the queen of those pirates."
-----
Gil wasn't sure what to make of the young woman knocking at his door. She was dressed in the style of a pirate wench, but...in a soft purple he was pretty sure his wife would call lavender. Maybe lilac. One of the L-word purples, anyway.
Her hair was cut very short, a bright pink (or was it magenta or fuschia? Women and their fancy color names!), with purple (violet?) tips. He wasn't particularly fond of women with short hair, but somehow, the style flattered her lovely face. Her eyes were definitely some strange purple-pink combination he wasn't going to try and name. And the strangest part? Her ears were pointed. Like she was an elf. Or a faery. Or an alien...Vulcans were aliens, weren't they?
"Uh, can I help you?"
"Hi, my name is Alex, I'm new to the island. I just bought some land over at 432 Tidal Terrace, and I'm just introducing myself to my new neighbors."
Gil just stared at her in astonishment. He'd had his eye on buying that prime piece of real estate - had, in fact - been ready to discuss it with the realtor and with his wife next week. It would have been big enough to plant a garden that he and his son could tend to, and some space for Laurel to do whatever she wanted to do (and to put some of the knick knacks she kept bringing home from work).
Plus, this girl was just too...friendly. Not surly. And there was a definite plus - she wasn't yelling "Yargh, matey!" every time she finished a sentence.
"Alex isn't a girl's name." The moment he said that, Gil just wanted to smack himself. He could almost feel Laurel's scolding glare on his back.
The girl just blinked at him, once, like he'd announced he was pregnant by aliens. "It is when it's short for Alexandra. Lexi makes me sound like I'm two years old, and Zandra just sounds stupid."
"I'm sorry, it's been a rough day. My wife was ill this morning," he paused when he saw the apology in the girl's eyes, "but she's doing better. So please, let me restart this.
"Hi, my name is Gil. Gil Lai. Welcome to the Bay."
-----
Laurel had been this flabbergasted only twice before in her entire life. The first being when Jonah was doing poorly in school, and she had to take so much time off from work, she was in danger of being fired. The second being when she had heard from the bank that Gil had done an inquiry into a possible mortgage of some undeveloped land. However, she didn't think anything could top the surprise of hearing Gil agree that he would love to pack up and move onto that land with the girl.
On the condition his wife and son were going to.
"Of course," the girl - Alex - said.
It wasn't too long before the girl - Alex - was on her way. Apparently, Gil had told her how to find the best fisherman in the Bay, Jeff Smith. And now Gil was excitedly packing up his stuff, her stuff, and Jonah's stuff.
"Gil?"
"Yes, my dear?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"Laurie, my love..." Gil stopped packing, and sighed. "I love cooking, you know this. But more than anything, I want a garden. A garden full of perfect ingredients. A garden that will let me cook the perfect dishes. Alex told me that I could quit, work on my garden. All she wants of me is to learn how to paint her portrait and grow her a couple of life fruits."
"And nothing else."
"And nothing else. All she wants of you is to learn how to sculpt. Whatever you want to do otherwise is up to you. Stay with the warehouse, or quit. Have another baby - or more - or not."
"So why does she need Jeff?"
"She was looking for a fisherman. Something about the deathfish myth. She seems to think that if the best one can find it, then it'd be him. I told her to ask Jeff about photographers, I think he knows a few of the paparazzi."
Laurel thought about it for a moment. "No no, I know someone who could be a photographer for her. He used to be a crime scene photographer."
"You mean Chase?"
"Why not? He may have arrested me once or twice, but he seems decent."
Gil's smile was both warm and amused. "And she may look at him as boyfriend material, instead of me?"
Laurel's answering blush was all the answer he needed.
-----
Jeff wasn't exactly sure how it had happened.
He'd heard from Juan that City Hall was planning to cut the budget for scientific endeavours, and he should come to the protest. After all, if there were no scientific endeavours, then no one would know what was in the industrial sludge that could be affecting the fishing spots.
It sounded good at the time, anyway.
More importantly, he didn't have anything to do, so he agreed to show up. What he hadn't agreed on was the lovely and exotic young woman also arriving, interrupting his own protesting, and asking him to move into her house with her. Well, more like onto her land, she was still debating the perfect home style - but she promised that he wouldn't have to sleep on the land with no amentities - unless he wanted to do so. All she wanted was for him to do as he had been - fishing. He could keep the fish, or cook it, or sell it. She asked only for any deathfish that he might be fortunate enough in catching. But otherwise, he could spend his days with his mistress, the tempestous sea with all of her delightful bounty.
Jeff had a passing thought, at that, that he'd like to be fortunate enough to catch this enchanting young lady, but he kept that thought to himself. Plus, if he knew Juan (and he did!), Juan was annoyed the girl wasn't even looking at him.
"Sure, I'd be glad to help."
"Grand! My name is Alex, by the way."
"Good afternoon, Alex, I'm Jefferson Smith. But just call me Jeff."
