#mooostly because it usually doesn't get to her

[b3ast0fburd3n]

Eden watches the other pirates snicker with a blank expression. She doesn't speak enough Spanish to parse out what was said. Even if she could, she was just too far out of range to piece together syllables.

Kids in the commune used to do it to her too. She's 'too weird', 'too rigid', 'too mean'. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Hasn't worked for her yet, but she's willing to try again.

Her stomach twists in knots as ENVY and PRIDE tie themselves together. She swallows it all the same, locking it away until she can deal with it later. There's work to do, fuck the rest. It can bother her when she's laying down to sleep. Doesn't matter, she could use the extra time to carve another tiger.

The scanning of Beth's eyes doesn't go unnoticed. Eden wonders what the woman is seeing. Or what she's looking for. Eden ducks her head, an unconscious attempt to avoid Beth's judging gaze. Her faux-sweet approach sets Eden on edge. The Locust in our garden. Every step closer has her fingers twitching towards to her knife. An outright attack would be welcomed. She can deal with that. She's almost excited at the possibility to fight someone so experienced. Either she'll come out victorious and not have to worry about the snide attitude anymore, or she'll go down fighting. They both sound just as good right now.

When no violence comes, instead a polite acceptance of her offer, Eden's frown deepens. It might be rude, but it would be on-brand at the very least. The thought doesn't cross her mind to watch what her expressions might be telling the other pirate. She watches Beth climb into the jeep, seemingly without a care in the world, blowing a frustrated puff of air out of her nose.

Eden makes her way around the vehicle, controlling her steps so she doesn't stomp like a petulant child. Two of the pirates get in the back of the jeep, the rest piling into another. Beth's immediate lounging and taking control of the space has her squeezing the door handle in anger. Fine. Fucking fine. Start the car, put on your shitty music, do whatever the fuck you want. She can tough it out for a little longer. Then, once they're back at camp, she can run away to hide in her room. Or bury herself in another task. Either way, Beth won't be involved, she'll thank God when that time comes.

Saved? Fucking saved? Ignorant little snake. She sighs, trying to control the boiling in her veins. "Thank you." She forces through grit teeth. God knows she's lying. He will forgive her. She will repent and He will forgive her fantasies of watching Beth bleed out from her throat. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As Eden maneuvers the jeep through the jungle, she rolls her shoulders to try and ease some of the built up tension. It comes back quickly when Beth opens her mouth again. Eden wants to break that flapping jaw. She'll have to serve penance for that too.

"Most of us don't play around after or during an ambush." A lie. Most pirates celebrate for anything, especially surviving another battle. She's grasping at straws. Anything to feel superior over the woman. The PRIDE eats at her. He detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Beth said something in Spanish to the other living pirates, far enough away from Eden to make it impossible to make out exactly what was said. But judging by the men's laughter and nodding and returned, muffled behind fists, laughter, it was something funny. Or, at least, funny to a group such as them.

She took a drag of her cigarette and stood, stepping over the body she'd just looted to approach another. She nudged the corpse with her now dusty ( usually as pristine as possible ) boot. Then, the other spoke again. And Beth's head was quick to whip around and turn her body front and centre to face Eden.

There was something in Beth's eyes, beyond the humour, analysing, and rage — something dark, indescribable. Something you felt like you had seen before but were unable to place. Weathered by turmoil, weathered by age. Weathered by growing up far too quickly and horrid experiences left unsaid.

When you saw that look, a glimpse into something more, how she'd managed to THRIVE was apparent. Beth thrived because she WANTED to, beyond all else. She shouldn't be alive, let alone on the island as a pirate and someone who's FEARED. She was strong, ruthless — Beth wondered how much Eden had heard. From the Pirates. From the Rakyat. From Vaas.

Lips quirking into a grin accompanied her bending down and picking up the body she had previously nudged, slinging it over her shoulder. She gave a gesture and the pirates began picking up the others ( obedient ) . Strolling over, she nodded, a sickeningly sweet edge to her expression. She had noted the clear, inherent dislike and positively loved it.

"If you're offering, who am I to say no? It'd be rude," A shrug as she wiped her sweaty, bloody palms into her cargo pants. There was far less blood than she was expecting, which was always a good thing.

With a surprising amount of grace, the Pirate floated to the passenger's side and climbed in. She tossed her burnt out cigarette, uncaring of where it landed, and switched on the ignition. She put the radio on, humming in approval at the song playing.

"Usually, people say ' thank you ' after their lives are saved. Not that I'm counting, or anything. This isn't Sesame Street," A pause as she then flicked on the awful air-con, lounging back without a seeming care in the world. "You alright? You look like someone shit in your cornflakes, mate."