A Pirate in Time (Completed)

20

My heart slammed against my ribs like a frantic animal trying desperately to escape its cage. I was terrified. Not only was I about to be presented to a deity, a freaking God, but I was about to do so in the middle of some ceremonial mermaid ball.

I can't even do the YMCA! How am I supposed to blend in at a freaking ball!

While I was wallowing in self pity and some serious regret, I failed to notice the large double doors Cecelia had led us to. Now, I was having a rather hard time breathing as I listened to the bustling noise inside.

"Are you alright?" Cecelia asked when she finally looked at me, "You look as though you've just swallowed a sand dollar."

"I'm fine," I tried to smile, but I doubt it was very convincing.

"You'll be alright," she assured me, "Just keep your back straight, head up, and find someplace to hover. By the food is usually a safe bet."

I nodded a bit in thanks, "What about King Neptune?"

"Be truthful," she advised, "because whether or not he shows it, he knows the truth."

I paled a bit more at that. I had a feeling this wasn't going to end well for me. I hoped Salacia was in there to back me up if I needed it.

"Don't worry. He won't be too hard on you," she winked as she pushed open the doors and stepped into the ballroom.

"Princess Cecelia Avernak of the Avernak Kingdom!" An announcer called out over the crowd. They applauded a bit as Cecelia disappeared into their depths.

"What's your name deary?" The announcer asked me in a whisper. I realized then that I was still standing in the hall, and after taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and whispered my name to him.

"And Lady Elizabeth Proctor!" he bellowed. More applause followed, and when I sank into the mingling sea of colors, I felt instantly better that the spotlight was no longer on me.

It wasn't hard to spot the gods. They sat in giant thrones near the rear of the room. They were enormous. Probably close to fifteen feet tall. When I'd met Salacia, she had only been a little taller than me, but now, she and her husband towered over the ball like buildings.

I guess that explained why all the doors were so big in this place.

Neptune didn't look at all how I expected. In every depiction I'd ever seen of him, he was older and sported a long curly beard. Looking at him now, the only thing they'd gotten right was the trident leaning against his throne.

He was incredibly tanned, and his arms and a bit of his face were covered in scars. His hair was deep black and fell messily around his ears. He looked young too, perhaps somewhere in his twenties or thirties, and I couldn't shake the feeling he looked familiar.

I watched him glance down at his feet, and when I followed his gaze, I found a flash of red standing before him. Cecelia.

I think I felt a bit of bile rise in my throat at the thought of them discussing me.

I turned away and pushed myself through the throng of dancers. My destination was the wall, so that I could at least not have to watch my back. This felt eerily similar to the day we fought those other pirates. I was exposed. Weak. Confused. I was almost certain I was going to have a panic attack.

When I finally reached the stone wall, I felt a bit better. I leaned my back against it and closed my eyes in relief.

Maybe this was all a dream. Maybe there were no gods or mermaids or princesses or frilly dresses. Maybe I was still on the ship, sound asleep, cradled by the rocking of the waves.