Swamped

"The sound might be having an effect now, but it's hard to say. We need more of a test to be sure."

"So, what, a bigger bell?" Black asks.

"No, it's not about the amount of noise so much as it's about melody. We need a good song. Preferably one we can sing in time with the bell." You think about that. "I can think a few sea shanties that might work, but it'll be easier to harmonize if it's a song we both already know."

"Not much of a singer, but I've heard plenty of drinking songs. One that'd work with a bell, though..." He pauses. "Oh, there's the one about Mary and Steve going drinking before a voyage. Don't know if it's got a particular name, but I know it."

"Ah, I remember that one." It was a particular favorite to sing in the galley when the captain was around, because he clearly didn't like it but also knew better than to raise a fuss over a song. "And yes, I can definitely see how the bell could fit in there. So let's get ready."

You and Black face Sunflower, and you hold up the bell and start the song.

"It was the night of Harvest Eve *ding*
When Captain Mary and First Mate Steve *ding*
Drank till the barman made 'em leave *ding*
And he told 'em they were banned.

And good ol' dear drunk Captain Mary *ding*
Told her old pal Steve they shouldn't tarry *ding*
It was time for a voyage legendary *ding*
To a new and distant land.

So that very night they gathered a crew *ding*
Most of 'em had been drinking too *ding*
They grabbed the ship and painted her blue *ding*
And sailed off into the night.

Then day came around and so did the beer *ding*
Wendy asked Steve, why the hells are we here *ding*
And all Steve could do, as he shook with fear *ding*
Was point to an amazing sight.

There was a mer-"

"Good grief, that's obnoxious," Sunflower says, shaking his head. Then he pauses. "Wait. I actually heard that? With my nose?"

"Possibly?" you reply sheepishly. "We were a bit desperate."

"I've clearly missed something," Sunflower groans.

You and Black fill him in, quickly.

"And these thugs said a 'Lady' would be coming by soon. I think she may have been the one who paralyzed you," you conclude. "We don't have much time before she gets here."

"And you wasted that precious resource singing and filling me in?" Sunflower sighs. "Well, nothing we can do about that now. I think it would be best if one of us talks to her and the other two hide, so we can act depending on how she reacts."

"That makes sense," you agree. "So who should meet her?"