BEFOREMATH (SJSM fanfic)

Pearly Pop

????:

" Hhhhngh... "
I never thought something could sound blurry, but it here I am.. everything is muffled and my ears are ringing like crazy.. and where even am I ? I feel wet, cold, and numb.. the surface beneath me feels like.. wood ??? Am I on a ship ?
The last thing I remember is swimming around a shoreline, it was dark and I thought no one was around, but something ended up hitting me on the head, I guess that'd explain my headache, too

I tried to move my arms, I barely could, and as my eyes slowly began to work again, I can see the brown, woody texture, I could feel it sway and creak as people softly spoke around me.
Someone picked me up just as I could see clearly, though I was still a little dizzy and delirious, they were pirates ! But they didn't look too threatening.. I think if they wanted to kill me, I wouldn't have woken up at all. I feel grateful but also a bit puzzled, after all, I am a real life mermaid siren, maybe their pirate experience made them feel desensitized ? Who knows.. I'm just glad I'm safe

One of them walked up to me and looked at me, I tried to make eye contact as I was held up to them, " yer awake.. " they sounded quite astonished, I guess I can't blame them. All I could do was nod in response, " how odd.. a real mermaid.. but what happened to ye ? "
" Don't knowww.. I was swimming and somethin must've hit me.. "
" Agh.. how unfortunate.. " they saddened, " at least we got ye patched up.. "
A few more pirates came along, observing me curiously, " it be a real mermaid !!! " " How majestic.. " " and very big.. wow.. I'd think ye'd be an eel from far away " their comments didn't bother me much, I'm self aware, I know what I am, and I oddly feel a little happy seeing their reactions are quite positive too

The pirate who spoke to me cleared their throat, upon second inspection, they seem to be the captain of the crew. I've been into marine biology, ocean stories, sea monsters, and on and on and on, I've gotten a good idea of what a captain pirate is supposed to be, they stand out quite a lot, and judging by how the other pirates backed up when they cleared their throat, that's another hint.
" Say.. I don't mean to sound rude, lass, but.. are yee really a mer ? "
I nodded
" Mm.. there be no evidence of yee lyin, we have no reason to distrust that, it clearly can't be a silly costume... What's yer name ? "
" Aurla, my name is Aurla "
" Ah, what a nice name ! " They smiled softly at me, I smiled back a bit " are ye hungry ? "
My stomach did feel quite empty.. it's been a while since I've been able to find some good food.. " yes.. "
" Alrighty then, let's bring er on ovr to the kitchen !! "

A few cheers errupted as they started to drag me away, I couldn't help but keep smiling, it's a nice change of scenery and emotion from the horrific mansion life and the lonely sea, it feels as though I'm back hanging out with my old friends again, both from before and inside the mansion, my cheery childhood friends and the odd but pleasent specimen of the mansion.. I know I'll eventually likely lose the pirates as well soon enough, but It doesn't hurt to try and have fun no matter the situation that I'm in, I'd rather have temporary company and make good impressions rather than to go insane from isolation. I know it'll pain me if I lose contact with them somehow if we ever get close, but that's how life goes, not all bonds are meant to last, but still.. it never says that all bonds break.. and I wish that someday, one of mine won't.

Some crew members walked down into the ship while others stayed above, probably to keep watch for potential threats, the rest are heading to the kitchen and as soon as the door to the ship was opened, my nose was immediately soothed by the lovely smell of the food, my stomach rumbled and I smiled widely. God, I can't wait to eat !! Sure, fish, jellyfish, sharks, starfish, manu marine animals taste great, and I'm able to eat many of them due to my new form, but they're started to get a little boring to eat, and it's not easy to catch and eat them all the time, and my taste in food has.. certainly changed from my time as a generic lab assistant. I don't know how they made me so desperate for any food in just the span of around a year but they did, they gave us food, but it tasted awful, I'd rather eat airline food !! And this smell truly proves to me that heaven is infact real
Maybe I am in heaven, I wouldn't be surprised..