When Stars Fall (NaNoWriMo22)

Chapter 12

I sit comfortably in a cushioned chair and watch, to my amusement, Averett be pulled left and right by the skirateer. "My crew won't be awake for another six hours so let's get to work." He shoves Averett onto a chair. "The name's Captain Spear! This here is my asterboat." Captain Spear is an animated man. Since we've been brought up to the Captain's quarters, he hasn't stopped rushing to and fro. "I'm Averett, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." They shake hands like men usually do. I smile at the exchange. "And you, pretty darling?"

"Alcyone," I mimic what Averett did and hold my hand for the Captain, "it's a pleasure to be acquainted." He smiles, taking my hand and placing a kiss on my knuckles.

He's a flirt. I should feel revulsion, but I know he means no harm by it. He cannot help it. "You may check in my closet for a dress," he points to another room, "This one won't do." I cross my arms over my waist. "Why must everyone hate my dress? I think it's nice." The Captain rakes his eyes over my attire in displeasure. My opinion of this man is turning sour by the minute. "Oh, you poor girl," he folds his hands together, "there's too much ruffle. The green mismatches with your shoes and...is that cotton linen for an underskirt?" I try to understand what he sees, but it's like I'm blind. I cannot see the atrocity that both have express

"How have you not been itching?" He exclaims, eyes wide with horror. Itching? I haven't a sliver of an itch in my dress. "Your dress is soaked through, anyways." The Captain has point there. I'm not sure if Stars can catch a cold but I wouldn't risk it. Not with so many on my tail. I relent and give in to their requests. I leave the men along to do whatever it is the Captain has in store for Averett.

The closet is grander inside than how it appears on the outside. There are hundreds of clothing items in here. Many of them are horrendous and absolutely ridiculous. There were racks of different colored hats and brightly colored coats with beautiful buttons. I step toward the section with women's clothes and flip through them. As a young Star, I had always wanted to be one those girls that try dresses like these leisurely. There were so many that had the opportunities to look beautiful with.

I flip to a flowy purple dress that has a type of shimmering lace layers on top. I am in awe by it. The shine reminds of a starry night against the ever-changing sky. I pull it out of the hanger and place it in front of my body the way Tabby did merely a day ago. The dress is nice and appears to be a nice fit. I don't know what possess me, but I have an urge to have this dress. With one hand, I pull my dress up over my head. The dress comes off easy, without a snag.

Underneath my chemise, I can make out the new dark bruises around my torso. My body bruises easily, I note. I toss my green dress aside and nearly throw my new dress over my head. "Stop!" The Captain snatches it away from me. "You cannot wear this beautiful gown smelling like that!" My eyebrows draw together at his outburst. I do not take offense. I had not realized that I smelled in any particular way. He grabs my arm and leads me to an adjoining room. "It's taking a long while to style your husband," he says as he turns random knobs and pours vials unto the water, "You may bathe as long as you like. Here." He hands me a jar with green salve in it.

I unscrew the lid and smell it. It stinks of something earthy and vile. I recoil at the scent. The Captain laughs at my disgust. "It'll heal your wounds. Don't worry, the smell won't last long once it touches your skin." I give him a tense smile and nod quietly. He leaves me be and I place the jar on a nice marble counter. I didn't completely understand the human obsession for cleanliness until I sunk into the warm waters of the Captains bath. My sigh of relief echoes from wall to wall.

* * * * *

The pungent salve doesn't let out, even as I gracefully put on my dress. The Captain had brought me a thin chemise to put on and new shoes that accurately match the dress. It's all better than I could've expected. The dress is so lightweight with all the fabrics it must've taken to make it. The soft material glimmers with the light, winking at me through the mirror. I leave the back loose as I do my best to glide out of the Captain's closet and into the main cabin.