Long Lost | Once Upon a Time (EDITING)

V. Good Form

Neverland
Roughly 14 Years Ago...

It was a windy night among the dark waters of Neverland. The clear sky was lit up with dozens of stars and a stunning full moon that cast light down upon the island shores. Drifting leisurely through the endless sea was the Jolly Roger. She was filled with pirates, all sleeping or carrying out their individual tasks aboard the ship. Captain Hook stood just at the helm, a single arm resting on top of the ship's wheel as he gazed out at the horizon. His thought-plagued mind had put him in a sort of trance as he wondered about many things. One of those things happened to be their newest crew member, a young girl he had run into just days previous on the Lost Boy infested island. Hook's mind mulled over the possible scenarios that brought Grace to Neverland, or what interest Pan had, but he knew the only answers he would receive are if he asked the girl herself.

Grace had been walking across the many decks of the ship and exploring different rooms the more comfortable she became aboard the Jolly Roger. She quickly grew less afraid of the setting and began to accept that she was better off surrounding herself with Hook and his crew over the treacherous island, where death lurked around every corner. She had her own questions for the pirate and took it upon herself to join Hook by the helm of the ship. Walking up the short set of wooden steps, her eyes drifted across the deep blue sea as she trekked steadily over to the side rail.

Hook's gaze flickered over to the teen when she asked, "I thought sailing was supposed to make you nauseous." Grace rested her arms along the wooden rail while she did. She wondered about this question for some time now, as she had heard much about sailing in the past but had never actually gone out in the waters herself.

The pirate turned in her direction, the view long forgotten as he instead shifted his focus to Grace. "For some first-time sailors, it will. The fact that you aren't says you've got a good pair of sea legs." He commended, causing the girl to be grateful that she wasn't affected by the typical motions of the sea. "I take it you've never been sailing before?"

Hook's question had been precisely worded. He knew she wasn't a very forthcoming person, and he had a long way to go before she would begin to trust him or his crew, but he was curious to know anything about her past. Everyone brought to the island had a story that led them to Neverland. Whether it was pleasant or not, it was still a vital piece of information that told a lot about them and how they became the person they were today. If Hook wanted to learn anything from the girl, he would have to be careful with what he asked and how he worded his questions. Otherwise, all he'll get is a disengaged response that only told him what he already knew: the girl has trust issues.

Shaking her head briefly, she revealed, "No. There wasn't much water where I lived before."

Hook raised a brow in her direction before revealing something about himself. "Sounds rather dull, if you ask me. I can't imagine living anywhere far from the open waters. When I look at that horizon, I see opportunity."

"Opportunity for what?"

"Why, to journey wherever I want, of course." The pirate grinned. "The seas hold the most opportunities for adventure. They can take you anywhere in the world."

Turning back toward the waters below, Grace muttered out, "Except from this realm." Hook could see the ghost of a frown appear on her expression. He knew as well as anyone that the girl wanted to leave Neverland. She'd be crazy not to.

"Aye... Without some form of magic, there is no way out of Neverland." He said solemnly. "Though that doesn't eliminate the possibility from the future." The statement was intended to bring her hope, though it did little to change her state of mind.