Sleeping out in the open by the fire since her body was so worn felt like the best option. There was no way anyone would dare approach the area at this point. It would seem the bird she transformed into enjoyed a diet of mostly bones and marrow. When she awoke that was the first noticeable difference to the bodies. A good portion of the bones were gone. Standing up from where she had been sleeping bone dust could be beaten off her clothes falling to the ground like fresh snow. Alexandria made a disgusted face at first since that wasn't something she would do all the time. However the rush of the kill was nice even when she was outmatched a bit at first.

A single shriek made her jump a bit, turning around to see the bird she had spotted at the beginning of the fight. Even though it was picking at what amounted to her leftovers the fascination with the creature trumped that image. Pulling out her journal slowly so as to not startle the bird she did a very rough sketch with a piece of black stone she found nearby. Underneath the drawing she wrote;

This creature saved my life. New checklist item get colors in order to bring life to the picture.

Closing the journal quietly she got up and moved around the bird grabbing all the useful things her enemies had on them. Walking towards the makeshift dock making a small pile in front of her. There were two hammers, one knife, some interesting coins, a compass, and what looked to be a single shot pistol. Blowing air out of her mouth Alexandria walked back to the bodies grabbing as much clean fabric as she could find. Walking back to the pile she placed all the items onto the cloth folding it all up into a makeshift back. Making one final trip back to the area gathering any other useful pieces of rumble such as small stones, useable pieces of wood, and any more of those colored rocks for sketching.

Moving past the fire checking to see if the other fish were still good. Sadly flies had laid claim to the remaining two. Blowing out air a sad expression crossed her face. Turning to the bird for a final time she inched as close as the creature would allow her. Standing there for a moment just admiring the colors, not particularly fond of the eating habits. The bird finally looked up at her making direct eye contact. Alexandria tilted her head to the side which the bird seemed to mimic her a few seconds later. A smile spread across her face as she bowed her head.

"Well thanks for the help but now I am off on the next adventure. Stay out of trouble and try something else beside bones and corpses. There are plenty of good food choices out there." The bird cocked its head to the side as Alexandria waved with an infectious laugh walking towards the ship.

Walking up to the back picking it up gingerly so the contents didn't spill everywhere. Fixing one of the pieces of wood she retrieved to the tied end of the bag continuing on to the ship.

It was much bigger from further away was her first thought as she neared the small ramp to walk onto the ship. It didn't seem as though the word ship was appropriate. Boat was most likely a better word. She rummaged through her mind, speaking out loud, "Dingy is more like it." She walked on board looking around to get a first impression of the deck. It was pretty bare aside from a few essentials. Simple rigging, a single mast, and a few barrels. There wasn't even a bucket and mop to clean and swab the deck which didn't sit right with her. Walking around a bit more, the minimalist appearance made sense. The vessel had been moored for a good while. They must have waited at that spot trying to collect as much as possible before moving on.

Walking to the stern of the vessel she found a small cabin which to her delight and surprise came with a tub. Another checklist item could be marked off. Shivering with anticipation at the prospect of a bath she almost stripped down right then and there. However, a desk in the corner of the room caught her attention. So far the desk was the best looking thing on the ship aside from the tub. As she came closer the excitement in her eyes almost eclipsed that of seeing the tub. On the desk was a map that seemed to be of the known world. Of course there were parts of it that had no markings which meant undiscovered at least by this vessel.

She walked around the desk placing the makeshift bag on the floor behind it pulling out the chair so she could sit down. Her eyes poured over the map taking in every inscription and the detail. This was the reason she craved freedom. Exploring the world on this map just became the ultimate checklist. There were not many maps of the world, especially one this detailed. Of course it wasn't fully finished but now that task would fall to her. There was the matter of forming a crew and getting a better vessel. As it stands right now this thing could barely house the three dead primitive slobs outside. A chuckle escaped her lips at the primitive slob comment. Glancing over at the tub wondering why they were so filthy with a tub on board.

Speaking of being filthy. Taking a minute to look down at herself. She still more or less had the clothes from the facility. The blood from the kills outside was now dried and caked. Shivering a bit, running her hands over the clothes and looking back down at the map. It was time for a bath, new clothes, and then a closer look at her future endeavors. Scanning the room she spotted something in the far corner. Wiping her hands on her clothes marching over to the object. It seemed to be a chest of some kind. Inspecting the chest with her hands until she found a latch. Thankfully there was no lock. Flipping the latch and opening the top to reveal clothes. Her eyes sparkled like precious stones. Almost diving into the chest, hands rummaging trying to find something that would suit her body. Emptying the contents of the chest on the floor she began to sort through everything.

After a few minutes of throwing clothes around she came out with a pair of pants, a blouse, some undergarments, a bandana, and the price at the bottom of the chest a pair of new boots. Taking all the things she chose to wear and placing them on the desk around the map. Now that clothes were acquired it was time to have a bath. She walked over to the tub looking inside. Sadly there was no water inside however all the things needed to wash were underneath even a very small bar of soap. A giggle of excitement escaped her lips taking a deep breath bathing in the aroma.

The only problem now was to find water that was suitable to bathe in. The one thing she was sure of was that large bodies of water were not good for cleaning. There were so many things that could go wrong. However she needed to bathe since the dried blood wasn't good on her body or her hair. Walking out back onto the deck scanning for something anything that could be useful. Looking to the left of the door she saw two big barrels with lids. Her eyes began to glow walking over pulling the lid off to reveal water inside. Jumping up and down cupping her hands together dipping them into the water. The sensation made her body go limp. She almost fell over from the smooth caress of the water. Bringing the water to her lips taking a small sip. A sigh of relief just standing there enjoying the moment. She could now take a bath.

"There is something about a refreshing drink that hits all the right places."

Alexandria froze a few drops of water fell from her hands. The noise echoed around her so quiet to others yet explosive to her. Who was it now come to interrupt her moment. All she wanted was a damn bath was that do much to ask?

"You could at least ask before helping yourself to someone else's provisions. I can see that this world hasn't been kind to you. However that is no reason to steal. Unless of course your a pirate."

The zing of a blade vibrated towards her. Alexandria closed her eyes picturing the bird in her mind trying to see if she could bring that shift back to the surface. At the moment she seemed to be out of it even with sleep and some food. Moving slowly she turned around to face another woman with what appeared to be a cutlass in her hand. The business end was pointed directly at her. She raised her arms attempting to show she meant no harm.

"I am not a pirate at this moment but it seems like a fun life."

The woman chuckled cracking her head to either side gesturing back to the scene behind her. "Are you responsible for that blood bath back there?"

Alexandria wasn't sure how to answer that question since those could be her comrades. However it would make a lot more sense as to the contents of the ship especially the clothes inside the chest. Keeping her hands up she tried to take a step forward. The woman jumped down from her perch on top of the small cabin leveling the blade to Alexandria's neck.

"That wouldn't be a smart move. I have been out here a long time. It wouldn't be hard at all to kill you. So please answer the question."

Taking a deep breath feeling the cold metal against her pulsing neck making eye contact with the woman. "Yes I was the one that killed them. That bird there saved my life in a sense."

The woman burst into laughter looking back at the bird then to Alexandria. "That bird is called a vulture. Are you trying to tell me that creature killed those bandits with you?" She turned back to the vulture who was still snacking on the bodies. "That is highly unlikely they only it bones and marrow. Helping people isn't something they do either."

Alexandria made a mental note of the birds name glancing over to get another look returning eye contact to the woman. "I don't need to justify how it happened. We don't know each other and the last time I trusted other people I almost died for it."

The woman sighed letting out another small laugh. "That is true forgive me. My name is Lyric. I have been watching you since you boarded my ship. The reason you never saw me is because I can disappear when needed in a flash." Lyric flicked her wrist slightly the blade moving away from Alexandria's neck. In that moment she disappeared from view.

Her mouth dropped open looking around for Lyric. The next moment the cutlass was back around her neck from behind with breath drifting against her earlobe. A shiver went down her spine but moving wasn't good since that meant slit throat and death.

"Would you not breath in my ear. Either kill me or let me go. I have no time for games." Lyric giggled spinning away from her, sheathing her cutlass, and bowing.

"Now that isn't fun at all. I have no intention of killing you. I just wanted to see what you wanted. Maybe we can do those things you mentioned together?"

Alexandria's eyes lit up with excitement. The nature of Lyric's intentions was still unknown however it was clear she would be a powerful ally. Perhaps an arraignment could be made.