This Is Your Captain Crashing

Beat The Drum

As Merida stood on the ground of Rapa Nui, watching the plane disappear further and further in the distance, she felt a mix of emotions that drastically clashed within her heart and mind. Regret, relief, sadness, anger, envy, anxiousness and joy all danced around, vying for control of how she was 'supposed' to feel right in this moment. But... She couldn't. Because all she felt right now was an indescribable melancholy feeling that made her bones feel like glass and her muscles like stone.

It was a jarring feeling, to say the least.

It was only when the plane disappeared fully into the blanket of clouds did the princess snap out of her trance. She shook her head and looked off to the side, glancing at the used parachute that was resting on the ground.

She let out a sigh as the cool sea breeze washed over her, her hair blowing behind her like an elegant flag. While the breeze was somewhat soothing, it did little to quell the turmoil of emotions inside her.

"And that's it..." The princess whispered quietly to herself. "Out of the game..." She shrugged, and raised her voice to its normal volume. "Well, it was fun. But... I've got more important things to deal with."

Merida's expression became a hard, stern gaze, and she adjusted her quiver and bow, and walked over to a nearby rock. She sighed as she took a seat on it, resting her chin on her fists. She was facing out towards the ocean, and let the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore calm her conflicted nerves.

As she closed her eyes to listen to the sounds of the ocean, her thoughts wandered towards Izzy. The thought of the other redhead, what could be happening… It somewhat scared the princess. She was scared she'd show up at the resort in Hawaii, and learn from the others that nothing good had happened during this recent challenge.

And without the plane, it meant no cameras, and thus no connection to the others through her phone. She was isolated till she got to the resort, and thus in the range of cell service.

As she sat there, she felt a single drop of wetness plop on her head. This halted her musings, and she looked up to the sky. There were no birds above her, but another drop of wetness landed on her cheek. Blinking and facing out towards the sea again, she felt more drops land on her as it started to rain. Not heavily, just a light drizzle so far.

The redhead groaned and looked around, searching for any sort of  cover before it turned into a downpour. Sadly, all the stone busts of the eliminated contestants were knocked over by Heather after she won the challenge (the condor threw her hard).

Luckily, she spotted Courtney's bust resting perfectly so the stone hair formed a cover from the weather. Standing up from her spot, she made her way over and under the stone carving of her friend, shaking the water out of her hair as she sat on the grass. looking back out at the light drizzle, she only started to feel more melancholy by the second.

It must've been a pretty miserable sight, she bet.

She brought her knees up to her head and hugged her legs as the rain fell onto the Pacific Island, the mood sad and depressing. But honestly, It felt needed.

"Merida?"

The princess looked over and saw an intern in a rain slicker leaning down to glance at her.

"I'm here to pick you up and take you to the resort. We should get going before the weather gets worse."

Merida nodded, stood up, and brushed off her pants. "Alright, let's go then. The sooner I get to the resort, the better."

The intern nodded, handed her an extra umbrella he had on him, and began to lead the way to whatever mode of transportation they were using. Merida opened the umbrella and followed next to the intern, the parasol protecting her from the rain.