Notes: This script is okay for monetization. Can be used on Patreon, just let me know if you do. If you use it, please give credit. You can change pronouns if preferred but otherwise please don't edit the script. My scripts are meant for adult audiences and all characters are 18 . For clarification on the format of the script, any place that says (Pause) is a place for the Listener's response. Anything in \asterisks and italics** isn't meant to be read aloud, it's there to either hint at the tone or provide context that might help the script make more sense.

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Summary: After another long journey across the seas to far off lands, Narrator - a flirty pirate captain - finally returns to their favorite tavern and, more importantly, to their favorite tavern keeper, Listener. However, this time is different then Narrator's usual visits; this time, Narrator has a proposition for Listener. This proposition is one that could change both of their lives drastically, and one with several implications around it that neither knows how to bring up.

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Word Count: Approximately 1,907 words (Not including any actions or cues left in asterisks and italics)

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Writer’s Notes: This is another story from 'The Lands Beyond' universe, though can absolutely voiced without voicing any of the other scripts! There's no prior information needed (and I don't actually have any other information for these characters, at this moment) for this script or universe.

Script Below:

\The tavern is warm in the late evening, all the regular patrons taking up their usual spots at the bar and wooden tables. The doors creak open to reveal Narrator and their crew. Narrator laughs joyfully as they stride up to the bar.**

“By all the lands and all the seas, it feels like it’s been years since I’ve last set foot through these doors! The best tavern in the world, and I’ve finally returned. It’s damn good to be back.”

\Narrator leans against the bar, grinning at Listener, who stands behind the bar.**

\Flirty** “And it’s even better to see my favorite tavern keeper again. How’ve you been, my dear?”

\Listener replies that they’ve been well, and they ask how Narrator has been.**

“Well, I can’t say that our last journey didn’t leave me feeling like death with a pulse, but now that I’m here, I feel better than I’ve felt in a long while. Especially since I’ve laid eyes on you.”

\Listener rolls their eyes and tells Narrator that they sound like a bard looking for a coin.**

"I can assure you that I'm neither a bard, nor am I looking for any coin in exchange for my flattery. I, unfortunately, lack any musical skills, though I'm not in need of coin so you can rest assured that my compliments are genuine. For you, they always are.”

(Pause)

“What, do you think that I praise you because I have an ulterior motive? I mean, my silver tongue may be one of my most useful assets, but you’ve never been the type to be seduced so easily. I’d only be making a fool of myself and wasting time - both your and mine - if I thought that I could win you over with words alone.”

\Blatantly flirting** “However, it’s my heart that speaks such words into existence, rather than my head. Therefore, you can rest assured that my flattery is very, very genuine.”

(Pause)

“Can you blame me? From that very first time I saw you - standing at this very same bar, every bit as stunning as you are right now - I was enchanted. Then you handed me the first warm meal I’d had in months and let me stay here free of charge for the next month."

(Pause)

"Yes, you did put me to work for that month, but that doesn't negate the kindness of your offer. You could have just as easily turned me away and given the rooms to a paying customer. But you didn’t. Instead, you gave me a place to stay, and the opportunity to find my footing. Even with such an attractive face, I couldn’t have predicted you’d have an even kinder heart. Especially given the wicked words that your tongue speaks.”

\Narrator laughs at the exasperated look Listener gives them.**

\Heartfelt** “But truly, your gesture was kind beyond what I could ask for, especially given the trouble I caused you when I tried to work at your side. Gods know that I only made your job harder. But you continued to allow me to work at this very tavern, spending my days serving drinks in exchange for a roof over my head. You taught me much of what I know about gambling and swindling, as well as the most creative swears I’ve ever heard. I spent every day working at your side, and we ate together every night before bed, and I was happy. Incredibly happy. I’d dare say that I was the happiest I’ve ever been.”

“However, as you know, all good things must change, if not come to an end all together. And even back then, I knew this. So when I was on the docks and was offered a place on a ship about to set sail, it was an obvious sign that I needed to leave before I overstayed your generous welcome. So I rushed back here, thanked you for your kindness, and told you that I would return in the future, before I set off to sea. It was when I was on that ship that I had found what I had been lacking when I came to you - a purpose. I came to you with a life I no longer wished to belong to, one I couldn’t even tell you of, and you gave me the means to start a new one. You gave me the greatest gift I could never have asked for, and I doubt I could ever repay that.”

\There’s a pause as Narrator clears their throat.**

\Slightly sheepish, mostly heartfelt** “Sorry for my sentimental rambling, but all of that was to say that you allowed me a chance at a new life, and I’m eternally grateful. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the chance to find my love for the seas and eventually form my own crew and travel the world.”

\Passionate, sincere** “I owe my life to you. I… I owe everything to you. I feel that I can’t say that enough. Everything I have and everything I am, I owe that to you.”

\Listener protests, saying that Narrator was the one who made themself who they are.**

“I appreciate that you think that all of my growth has been my own, but it truly hasn’t. You, and everything you’ve done for me, have changed the trajectory of my life. I would hardly be a pirate captain with a reputation known across the lands and seas. I wouldn’t have a crew or ship - Hells, I doubt I’d even have a life to live. I’d most likely be dead and rotting, if the vultures hadn’t already picked my bones clean. You kept me from such a fate. You saved me. And I owe you for that.”

\Listener tries to say that Narrator doesn’t, but Narrator cuts them off.**

“Ah, ah, ah. No trying to deny it. I may not have a formal contract stating that I must repay you, but I refuse to let such a debt go unpaid. Especially to such a dear, beloved friend. It’s with that in mind that I have a… Hm. A proposition, I suppose, would be a good term for it. I have a proposition for you.”

\Suspicious of Narrator’s ‘proposition,’ Listener skeptically asks Narrator what they mean.**

\Joking, pretending to be hurt** “Your skepticism wounds me! You don’t trust me? After all this time?”

\Narrator laughs.**

“But joking aside, I promise it’s nothing so evil or wrong. It’s simply a proposition between close friends. Just an idea I wanted to present to you for your consideration.”

(Pause)

\Amused, flirty** “Well there’s no way to know until I tell you, is there? So perhaps I should just tell you my proposition, and if you think it’s truly something loathsome, then I will gladly sit and listen to you tell me off.”

(Pause)

“Oh, yes, gladly. I’d be happy to listen to you for as long as you please, even if you are scolding me. Maybe even more, if I’m being truthful. I’ll admit to missing the way you would tell me off for bleeding all over the counter. I always got the feeling that you use scolding as a way to show that you care, and that pleasant thought made the sutures hurt much less.”

(Pause)

“Ah. You meant to tell you more about my offer. I understand now.”

\Listener teases Narrator for their confusion. Narrator laughs along goodnaturedly.**

\Fond** “I can’t deny where my thoughts went when you asked for me to tell you more. I promise that I shall stick to the topic at hand now, if you can quit laughing at me.”

\Despite their words, Narrator chuckles as well before Listener finally calms themself.**

“Thank you. Now, I have no subtle, flowery way to present this offer, so I’ll just say it outright. My proposition is this; I want you to join me on my ship and become part of my crew.”

(Pause)

“I assure you, I’m completely serious. I want you to join my crew and set sail with me.”

(Pause)

“Oh, there are a vast many reasons - an uncountably high number of reasons - that I want you at my side, and I suspect that even I am not consciously aware of all of them. I suspect that if you were to join me, some of these reasons would become clearer in my mind as we spent more time together, and I might even be able to share in these with you. However, the main reason is as I just said; I wish to repay you for every kindness you’ve shown me."

(Pause)

“I know that this is your taven and you’ve spent so long making it what it is, but this isn’t meant to be your fate forever. You are growing restless, I can see it. This life - your life - needs to change. You need a new start, just like the one you gave me. And you may call me selfish for this, but I wish to give you this start. I want to be the one to extend this offer to you. Even more selfish yet, it’s because I want your new life to still include me. I want to live a life by your side. I wish to be there for you, even more than I can be now. I miss you more each time I leave, and I seek to hit two birds with one stone. I wish to give you the change in destiny that you crave, as well as to have you as a more steadfast presence in my life. It’s as I said; I am so very selfish, but I still want to see you happy. There’s no denying that I would gain something from this proposition, and I won’t try to hide such a fact. But I still wish to give you something that brings you joy, as well. I wish to see you happy - I want to see that spark of life in your eyes. It’s there still, but so dull now. I want to nurture it back to health, to see it grow back into that lightning storm like what it was when we first met. I want to see that wild joy in your eyes once again. Both for your sake, and for mine.”

\There’s a heavy pause before Narrator speaks again.**

“Of course, you’re free to turn me down. I would understand if you did. This is your home, and I will not tear it away from you, nor you away from it. If you wish to remain here, I will accept that answer with no question, despite the longing I see in your eyes whenever you look toward the sea- Ah, sorry. I’m trying to remain impartial as I say this, but as you can see, I’m having a bit of difficulty.”

\Narrator laughs softly.**

“I digress. As I said, I will accept whatever decision you make, without question or judgement. So I ask of you, my dear, that you at least consider my offer. If you were to join my crew, I would show you a life of wonder and excitement, a life that I know you long for. I’d give you the world, and all I’d ask is that you allow me to see it with you.”

\When Listener doesn’t reply, too caught up in their spinning thoughts, Narrator sighs out of worry for their relationship with Listener.**

“If you don’t have your answer now, that’s fine. It’s no small choice to make, and I’d expect that you want time to make it. But we set sail in one week, and I fear that our next expedition will take far longer than any before. I’ll need your answer before then.”

\Narrator pushes away from the bar, getting to their feet.**

“I’ll leave you to your work then. If you should need me, I’ll be just a few doors down. You know which room I’ve chosen, and I trust you still keep a spare key for it. You’re always welcome in, and I’d be happy to talk to you, no matter what we talk about. If you would prefer not to, that is fine as well, but I… I’d like to share a meal with you one last time before we set sail. Just like we used to. So, if you’d please, I’d like you to join me for dinner on the last night of this week. I’ll cook for us, I just ask that you be there. Please. I’m afraid it will be the last time I have the chance to enjoy your company for…”

\Narrator pauses, hesitating at the fact they know it might be* the last time they ever see Listener.\*

“For a while. And once we’re done, you can tell me your decision, and then… Well, I guess we’ll have to see, won’t we?”

\Narrator chuckles, but the sound is something sad and worried.**

\Melancholic but sweet, almost loving** “Until then, I suppose. Have a good evening, my dearest. I’ll be around the city. If you need me, simply call for me and I’ll return to you.”

\Narrator walks away, their boots heavy on the floor as the people in the tavern continue about their business, and as the world continues to spin.**