Deep within the Dark Waters

Chapter 1

" What is the point to rehearse dinners?" Alexander asks rhetorically and somewhat annoyed as he adjusts his uniforms jacket. Cass' heals of her long boots hit the ice covered docks of their home. they're stepping off the ramp of the Siren. Her long brown hair put half up a few of the small braids in her hair are now loose as the yarn woven in with it has been replaced a few times. Her layered thick navy blue dress that matches the yarn in her braids flows in the cold wind of the winter air. " This isn't our wedding Alexander, it's Ruth's." She states looking back at him as he steps onto the dock as well. A smile falls on her face. Her violet eyes pan up him. His uniform is quite different from his normal attire. His tan jacket matches his pants as it's stitched very well. His white undershirt shows as it's tucked in neatly into his pants. A few silver and golden objects are alined along the pocket of his jacket, medals are what she assumes they are. His longer hair is brushed back slightly enough to show a difference, his bangs no longer in his face. She smiles wider. " Yes?" Alexander asks raising an eyebrow. " My aren't you handsome." She says winking at him before chuckling. Alexander narrows his eyes and smirks. " Do you prefer me like this?" He asks gesturing to his clothes. She steps towards him. Reaching a few inches from touching him, she looks up at him. " I prefer you the other way." She whispers softly her eyes piercing his. He smiles in response, his hand stroking her cheek in response. " Correct answer Ms Cass." He whispers back. " But you do look very handsome in this uniform." Cass says as she leans up as he's already leaning somewhat towards her, planting a kiss on the side of his mouth. " You look beautiful." Alexander states his eyes warm, as she pulls away. Her navy blue dress is made of a thick material, golden colored buttons start at the very top of the neck of her dress and go straight down to the hem. The neck of her dress is higher and is secured around her neck, covering her collar bone. The front of the dress is much shorter than the back as the front shows of much of her tall black boots. She smiles at his words. " Thank you." She responds. " But I doubt it'll be good enough for Ruth." She adds as she turns to continue on. Alexander's walks along with her, the snow crunching with each step they take. " Why do you say that?" Alexander asks as his breath is seen from the cold. Cass chuckles. " I haven't spent a moment with Ruth in a long time. I doubt she even wants me here." She says as she steps off the dock and onto the street, loosing her footing for a moment at the hidden ice underneath the snow. Alexander reacts quickly catching her arm helping her steady herself. Snow covers the entire street, stores and buildings. In a beautiful but frigid scene they walk through it.

" Your her sister Cass, I would assume she'd want you here. You were invited were you not?" Alexander asks. " My mother invited me." Cass says folding her arms to assist with keeping warm. Alexander looks at her from the side for a moment questioningly. " Are you certain?" Alexander asks somewhat intrigued. Cass scoffs and pauses for a moment from speaking. " No." She finally answers. Alexander shakes his head at her response. " Don't assume then." He states as they turn a corner passing another couple. " I don't even know the man she's engaged to." She says frustrated. " Perhaps you should not have stayed away this long." Alexander states somewhat in a sarcastic tone. Cass looks at him with a warning look. " Do you want to come with me to this or not?" She asks annoyed. " You have enough time to mend things between you and her Cass, even if you wanted to leave we can't risk getting on the waters with the weather being this way. We're stuck here." Alexander states disregarding her previous words. " I know." Cass responds with a huff.  Alexander sighs before putting his arm around her comfortingly as her house becomes visible. " This will be good. For both of you." Alexander states as Cass nods in response. " I'm glad your here..." Cass reveals softly as she looks over at him with a smile. " Of course." Alexander assures her as he returns her soft look. " Are you going to be able to deal with my father?" Cass asks with a smirk as she still looks at him. The bottoms of their boots hit the steps of Cass' large home and they both stop. Alexander's eyes cut to here as he is quite. " He doesn't hate you." Cass try's to assure him. Alexander's dark eyes drift down and then back to hers. " No but he prefers to be my employer as do I." He states his throat becoming raspy from the cold. " Why?" Cass asks. " Your his daughter I doubt he wants to think about the fact your alone on my ship with me." He answers callously. " I'm not alone, I'm with you. He trusts you." Cass says her body turning to face his. Alexander shakes his head. " Does he really have a choice? Your no child anymore. He can not control what you do, but I can assure you. He isn't in favor of it." Alexander states as the wind hits them, both of them holding eye contact with each other. Cass opens her mouth to respond as the door of the house opens loudly and abruptly.

Both of them turn around quickly to see Cass' mother step out with a smile. She looks relieved but the stress of Ruth's engagement is shown on her worn down expression. " Cassandra... Welcome home my dear." She greats as she quickly walks down the few steps her brown dress dragging down the steps before she pulls Cass into her arms. Caught off guard Cass freezes in her arms before slowly returning the hug. Alexander uncomfortably watches the scene take place. Cass' mother eyes Alexander for a moment as Cass slightly pulls away to face her. Cass sighs slightly before speaking. " How's father?" She asks. Her mother chuckles in response. " Ask him yourself. After all I thought you'd want to know Ruth's feelings currently." Her mother states with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. " Is she regretting excepting the engagement?" Cass asks a bit confused. Alexander clears his throat grabbing there attention. Cass looks back at him with interest. Alexander gestures forward to the doorway. Following his gaze her eyes set on Ruth who stands hold the doorknob of the house. Her hair tightly wrapped in a bun, her light baby blue dress matching the tight blue stoned necklace around her neck. Nothing about her has matured or changed in past years, as if time hasn't passed. Cass stands now alone as their mother has now gone to greet Alexander. " No I haven't. But thank you for your considerate concern Cassandra." Ruth coldly answers Cass' previous question.