Summary: Stolen from the sea and imprisoned on a ship, you were sure that you were destined to be sold to some wealthy noble. But when the ship is raided, hope arrives in a most unlikely form: the infamous pirate, Captain “No-Mercy” Morgan. Hopefully, he isn’t the brute most people claim him to be.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I wrote Captain Morgan with a traditional "pirate voice" because that's how I heard him in my head, but feel free to skip the pirate talk if it makes you more comfortable! Also, the Listener has legs in this first part. In this world, if a merfolk spends a little while outside of the water, their tail transforms into legs. However, they can’t stay in this state for too long--they have to get back to the water and get their tail back, or else they'll get very sick.

CW: non-consensual imprisonment; mention of humanoid trafficking; threats; mention of violence & bloodshed, Pirate Tropes Galore

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay (e.g., changing pronouns, leaving out/changing curse words), but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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At last…here she be, lads! The treasure room! Well done, indeed. If the rumors about this ship are true, what lies behind this door could be the answer to our prayers!

[...]

Don’t be thick; of course it’s locked. They can’t be making it too easy for us, can they? Now, put your backs into it, lads. Break it down!

\Slamming sounds; breaking wood\**

Finally! Seems you lunkheads are good for somethin’ after all. Hey—!

\Grabbing someone’s shirt; thud of a person slamming against a wall\**

Just what d’you think you’re doing, Perkins? Surely you don’t mean to be cuttin’ in front of me? First rule of the seas: the captain always gets first dibs. ‘Twas my careful planning that made this whole heist possible in the first place. You think I’d let your moldy boots be the first ones in!? Now, back it up, and keep your greasy hide in the hallway until I say otherwise; savvy?

\Footsteps\**

(breathless with wonder) Skull and bones…this is it, lads! We’ve struck it rich! There be near enough gold and jewels here to pave the streets of Angora! *chuckle\* Aye…I foresee a lively romp in the tavern for all of us tonight! Mayhap we can use some of these here golden goblets. And what have we here? You like rubies, don't you, Perkins? Too bad—I’ll be takin’ this jeweled cutlass for meself. If you ask nicely, mayhap I’ll let you—

\Faint sound of metal bars rattling\**

(alarmed) —Hmm!?

\More rattling\**

\Sword being drawn\** Well, well. Seems I’ve got company. Who are you? A thief? A deserter from the battle, come down here to hide? Either way, lucky me. I’d thought the bloodshed was over and done with…but it seems me blade will get one more taste of crimson today. (sinister; singsong) Where are you? Come on out, now…

Silence.

D’you really think you’ll be able to hide from me? You have no idea who you’re dealing with. Or, mayhap you do. Mayhap that’s why you’re cowering in the shadows like a trapped rat. After all, the mere sight of me flag is enough to make your thread of life start to fray. Aye…you can feel it already, can’t you? If you come on out, I promise I’ll make it quick for ye. But if I find you first, trust me, you’ll wish you were—

Suddenly, he finds the source of the noise: a cage in the corner, with the Listener trapped inside.

\startled noise** What the—? A cage? Who in their right mind would keep an animal in a place like this? *soft gasp\* Wait. By the Dread King…that be no animal!

\Tapping on metal bars\**

Hey, you! Lass! Can you hear me!? Open your eyes!

The Listener’s eyes drift open.

Ah, good. You're still drawin’ breath.

The Listener flinches and recoils.

Hey; hey! It’s alright. I’m not gonna hurt ye!

The Listener looks fearfully at his sword.

Oh, this? Ah, don’t be afeared. I don’t intend to use it on you. Unless this turns out to all be some sort of ruse…but given the state of ye, that doesn’t seem likely. \sound of blade being sheathed** There; see? Now, what are you doin’ here, lass? What’s your name?

[...]

Lost your tongue, hmm? Come on, now. I know you be frightened, but when I ask, wise men answer. What do they call ye?

[...]

Hmm. Can’t say I’ve heard that one before…unusual, to be sure, but pretty all the same.

[...]

Me? \chuckle** Well, they call me a lot of things, most of ‘em not fit for the ears of a lovely lass like yourself. To my enemies, I'm "No-Mercy" Morgan. You, though—you can call me Captain Morgan. That there’s my ship, anchored outside. The Black Rose. Finest vessel what ever sailed the seas! Now, what the hell’re you doin’ locked up in here, lass?

The Listener explains that they were abducted.

Kidnapped? Was it the Duke’s men who took you?

The Listener nods.

(swears) Bones…it’s not enough that he thinks the kingdom’s wealth is his for the takin’! Now he be takin’ people, too? What did they want with you?

The Listener avoids eye contact. “I…I don’t know.”

You don’t know? Well, nothing good, I’d wager. Probably thought they could fetch a good price for you. Blimey, and here I thought I was a heartless bastard.

[...]

Oh, you don’t have to worry, lass. You may be as lovely as a summer sunset, but the Rose is me one and only. I could never betray her. You’ve got nothin’ to fear from me. Now, what say you come along with me aboard the Rose? The crew n’ I have important business elsewhere, but we’ll be stoppin’ soon at Angora.

[...]

You’ve never heard of Angora!? Blimey, wherever you’re from, it must be under a rock. Finest port city on the continent. Well, the finest for a pirate, at least. Most other folks know it as a rowdy, ramshackle den of scoundrels…but it gets ships from all over the world. I’m sure you could find one bound for yer homeland, wherever it may be.

[...]

Let you out? Ah, of course. Brace yourself, lass. This is gonna be loud.

\A grunt from the Captain; a loud metallic bang; the lock breaking\**

There! Now, out you come. Wait—where are you goin’?

The Listener tries to say she’ll be alright on her own.

Don’t be daft! In an hour’s time, she’ll be at the bottom of the sea. Even if I weren’t plannin’ to sink her, you can’t man a ship all by yourself! I’ll not be lettin’ you go down along with her.

[...]

Aaargh. Bein’ trapped in that cage must’ve muddled your mind. You’re comin’ with me, lass. No more arguin'. Here; take my coat. That shift is a bit threadbare. I can be a gentleman if I must, but I can’t for sure say the same about the rest of those lunkheads that I call me crew.

[...]

Oh, don’t be afeared. They’ll do nothin’ to you on my watch. And if they try, believe me, they’ll be meetin’ Davy Jones much sooner than they’d thought. Hmm...yer lookin' pretty weak, lass. Can you walk? Oh, well—no matter. Upsy daisy!

\Sounds of him scooping her up\**

\chuckle** Please. Yer light as a feather compared to a chest of gold. I’ll send in me men to get the rest of the loot…but as for you, I think it’s time I introduce you to the Rose. I’m sure she’ll be glad to have a pretty thing like you aboard.