Sirens out of Sea

Chapter 1 (Uncomplete sorry)

Finally, it's my turn. Ann closed her eyes, imagining the sea at her fingertips, and the salty breeze against her face. The creaky boards of her father's ship bounced as she walked across them. As Ann focused, she could start to hear the boots of her crew hitting the ground with each step. And her first mate, barking orders to the groaning men and women that crowded the deck. Everything she'd ever wanted since she was a child, all laid out in front of her. The sea belonged to Ann, she knew it.

"Miss Sallow." a soft voice interrupted her train of thought. Ann sighed as her vision disappeared, only to be greeted by a huge mirror. Staring back at her was a slim figure, with hazel eyes that yearned for the water, and black hair tied into a messy bun. Ann's eyes searched across the mirror, watching as the short and elderly maid beside her pulled out a long and flowy dress, "Your father picked this dress out for you Miss. It's quite elegant, no?"

"Very." Ann forced a faint smile. As much as she was grateful for her family's riches and all the gifts and trinkets she received from her father, she dreamed of other things than dresses and puffy gowns (Not that she didn't enjoy them, but it's hard to have a good time when your being suffocated by a tiny corset). She had already spoken her mind to her father but was always dismissed with rather harsh words,

"Ann, if we are to keep our high status among this city we must portray ourselves as so." Ann's father always repeated the same speech every time Ann even thought about going down to the harbors. "I can't have my daughter seen as low-life pirate scum. Besides, you already know that the royal guard and I have searched those waters and found nothing more than small islands that seem uninhabitable." He believed every word he said, and so did the people of Urbsinmare.

Urbsinmare, being in the middle of nowhere, was the only land anybody could see for miles. Just endless, empty water till the horizon.

But Ann would beg to differ; she believed that there was life beyond the land of the city, and her mother had whole-heartedly agreed. As Ann pulled herself back to the present, she could see her mother's plethora of notebooks stacked in messy piles along her room's walls. Each volume contained her mother's adventures and travels. Long hours Ann would spend reading the journals in awe, imagining each scene play out in her head. Before meeting Ann's father, Ann's mother explored the seas at her will. She would search endlessly for life beyond the city, or any people who were crazy enough to join her.

"I've noticed that everyone who joins me on my travels, yearns for something similar as I, adventure, or an escape from their irritating siblings." she'd written. That always made Ann smile, though she doesn't have a sibling of her own, she would always imagine her mother like a sister. "Alright first mate, ready to show these newbies how it's done?" Ann imagined a tall woman with curls in her hair that bounced when she walked. A large hat that rested on her head, and a golden coat that fell to her ankles.

"Oh don't flatter yourself Captain Sallow, you know you're still a newbie yourself." I would say, gripping the helm, pointing my nose to the sky.

"That's Mom to you, young lady," she would laugh, the warmth in her smile would be welcoming, "and watch that tone, you're lucky that you're even allowed to stand on my deck ya' klutz."

The maid gently slipped the dress over Ann's head and played with it until it was snug against her skin. The dress was beautiful, with a soft blue that spilled across the puffy sleeves. And a pastel yellow skirt that covered Ann's long legs. Small flowers lined the hem of the dress, making her look like royalty. But Ann still felt out of place. Before she could slip back into her imagination, a soft knock came from the bedroom door.

"Dear gods.." the maid mumbled under her breath, "The most important night of the year and people just come knocking on doors like it's Halloween." she sighed and shuffled over to the door, opening it with a creak.

"Oh, Miriam what are you doing he-" a person around Ann's age stood at the door. His chestnut hair was long and poorly braided. He wore a black vest, with puffy white sleeves, and a long blue cape that draped over his shoulders.

"Boy, just because you fancy this young lady doesn't mean you can come waltzing over here like some merchant." Miriam growled. Though her façade seems soft and bubbly, her stare could tear you apart in seconds.

"I-" the boy stiffened. Flushed he looked down at his boots. With a sigh, Miriam slipped past him and pinched his ear, bringing him down to her face.

"You have 5 minutes boy. And if I don't see you back in this hallway-" she looked like a mother scolding her child. Ann bit her lip trying to suppress a laugh.

"Ok, ok!" he said bitterly, pulling away from Miriam. As she walked away, Ann could hear her whisper,

"Does that boy even bathe? He smells like a can of dog food." A little snort escaped Ann as she watched the small maid leave the hallway with a grin. Ann's eyes drifted back to the person standing outside her room.

"Wow Ann... you look," he stepped forward, studying Ann, "horrendous. Did a bird make a nest in your hair?" pretending to be taken aback, Ann gave an exaggerated gasp,

"I worked long hours on this piece of art!" Ann patted her hair with a scoff, "You're not quite eye candy either, Sisko." Scooting herself behind Sisko, Ann laughed at the sight of fallen petals in his braid. "I see the ladies have been throwing bouquets at you again."

"If only you were there to see it! One noble even threw roses at my face." He reached for his head and rubbed it gently, "And it still had thorns on it..." Plopping himself on the edge of Ann's bed, Sisko stuck out his bottom lip and sighed dramatically.

"May I?" Ann asked, walking towards the guard she sat behind him and pointed to his braid. After a few moments, he nodded and turned away from her. With a smile on her face, Ann sat with her legs crossed and started playing with his hair.

"So," she questioned, picking the little petals from his braid, "What did you come here for anyways? I hope it wasn't just to complain about your adoring fans." 

[Im going on vacation so I'll finish this later :)]