So this is sort of going to be an AU version of the ship in a more experimental way. Like a kingdom&sea AU of the ships. It's experimental so I'm just seeing where I take it.
Once there was a young prince named Nightmare that was known for his pearl...
Instead of hitting my head, he sliced through my chains and stuffed me into a dumbwaiter. He told me to escape while he led the attention away from me.
That's going to be tough with how my body is screaming in pain and my only way of getting around is to CRAWL. I can't get far without being spotted...What do I do?
Then I feel my soul beat faster, threatening to flee my chest. I recognize the feeling and feel a spark of hope with it. That is quickly flushed out with a sense of dread. Did the trick actually work and lure him out? I hear things go quiet from the shouting and alarm from moments before, calling Cross a traitor and things like that. I hear a few punches and then silence. I raise the door to the dumbwaiter, glancing out to see a kitchen...A large kitchen. I see all the staff in it knocked out, and lying on the ground. I slip out, glancing around as the pulsing from my soul grows stronger. I can feel it coming from some boxes in the corner. I crawl closer, reaching the boxes to see them marked to be sent to Outer.
This could be my way back....Hide in these and get delivered...Would that be safe? But why am I getting the feeling that Nightmare is nearby?
I curiously slip around the box, seeing a glimpse of two purple eyes staring back. I recognize them.
Nightmare...?
"Killer, thank goodness you're alright! I'm here to get you-"He begins, reaching out.
No no no no! He cannot be here!
I push some boxes to block him in, shaking my head.
He is doomed if he is found!
Then I sense someone coming, chills going down my spine. My soul slows, and I frown, then feel two arms pick me up as I start to pass out. I don't have the strength to stay awake anymore...
Uuggghh....Great....
I wake up, feeling my body ache all over. The first thing I see is a ceiling above me, then feel fabric for blankets over me. I sit up, finding myself in a bedroom. I lift my hand and jolt when a human hand enters my sight. Then I realize that the hand is mine. I glance down, seeing that I've been turned human and bandaged, though the layers of muscle and skin mean that the bandages do little to help my wounded bones underneath. Dark skin and black hair are what entered my sight for my new look. Black hair past my shoulders and when looking in a mirror, I see red eyes looking back. No streaks on my cheeks, completely normal-looking for a human. But I'm not dumb enough to think that this is all there will be. Surely there's more to it. What does whoever took me want with me? Nim wouldn't do this...Would she? I mean, I am unrecognizable as a human so Nightmare may not find me, which is what she wants....Ugh, why can't I just get back to Horror?
"You better be up. You're being wed at sundown in the ritual."A voice says
Ritual...?
"We were hired to get you, Laughing Shark. We used the madness to our advantage and were paid extra to make you different to live on land with the clients. You'll see what I mean soon."The voice says
Plural? MULTIPLE people caused this? For a wedding? An arranged or bribed one even that I'm sold into? Great....
I lay down, watching the sun fade from the windows. Then some women burst through the door, pulling me from bed and forcing clothes onto me and yanking my hair. Then I get pulled behind them and shoved forward, causing me to stumble with my head spinning dizzily. I hold my head, trying to shake off the dizziness.
Then, a pair of hands grab me and start leading me along. I see a stranger gripping my wrists and trying to get me to dance. His grip is starting to hurt, so I follow along. The stranger grins with his eyes scanning me carefully. No words are said but his gaze disgusts me as I can only imagine his intentions. Then he pulls me closer, our faces inches apart. I try to pull away in alarm, not knowing what he is trying. I kick him away, getting him to release me for a moment before he repeats the action again. Then the ground rumbles and he tosses me aside with a huff.
"Worthless purchase. Can't even do the easiest thing to satisfy me."He huffs
Then another hand grabs me and I find myself in another dance, this time being held where I am wounded so I cannot resist. He repeats the same actions as the first, but I still resist and get tossed aside. This becomes a cycle that I quickly lose interest in, often glancing away but following their lead. I'm in no shape to disobey.
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They keep leaning their faces in as if expecting something from me. What is this sign? Why is it done? Am I supposed to do something?
The ground rumbles even more and I get tossed aside, hitting the ground roughly.
"Do not try to disrespect us with a trick such as this. This is no bond to be."Powerful voices roar
I glance around for the owner of these voices but don't see anyone. What is this ritual supposed to be?
"I can't believe this brat rejects us!"
"Worthless shit!"
"Who is dumb enough to try next?"
I shake my head as the men continue to complain, tending to my scraped knee that has a wound hidden beneath my skin on my bones. Then I feel my soul jolt as it surges with energy and changes shape. I frown when I see a shadow cast over me.
No....
"*AHEM* Well it's no wonder you keep failing if you treat a lady like this. What are you, savages? Where are your manners and class?"A voice asks
I glance up as a hand is extended to me.
"May I be of assistance to you?"A new stranger asks
This time I take in his appearance. Hickory brown skin with shaggy caramel hair...Green piercing eyes and a gentle smile...Dressed in greens from head to toe, he extends his hand to me. Certainly much friendlier than the rest. And...offering me help? My soul spins quickly and I glance around, knowing that Nightmare is close according to this signal...Or is he?
I take his hand, surprised to feel him hold my hand gently and lift me to my feet.
"Let's show them what a real dance is, shall we?"He suggests
