Vanitas x Female! Reader ☆ Pure Shores ☆

1. Life As We Know It

(Y/N) smoothed the aging parchment under her fingers, eyes following the swooping, twirling hand of her late Grandmother.
"Saffron, Lily of the Valley, Paopu Leaves...Seaweed?"
(Y/N) sighed in frustration, straightening her back and pushing an errant hair from her face, the corner of the recipe curling immediately.
"Seaweed...seaweed."
She crossed the small, dimly lit room to the stacks of ancient glass bottles, lined uniform on the dark wooden shelves.
Her hand crested each label, eyes flicking to and fro as she went. She tutted softly, turning to scribble ''alphabetise ingredients' on a nearby scrap of paper.
"Your notes were meticulous but your organisation was not, granny." She murmured sourly to herself as she continued to pull jars from the shelves.
After some time of juggling boxes, jars, and inhaling foul tasting dust, she perservered.
Shoved behind a tin crammed with Thyme, she happened upon the grimy container of seaweed.
Popping the cork lid, she felt her heart sink. Inside was a shred of limp, sad looking seaweed, not nearly enough for the poultice.
(Y/N) groaned, returning to study the parchment once more.
"Does it have to be seaweed? Wouldnt Cabletopas grass do?" She wondered aloud witheringly.
Her finger traced the hastily scribbled footnote.

'ATTENTION: Do not substitute Seaweed for Cabletopas Grass for risk of producing intense body odour in user!'

"Well, that clears that up I guess."
(Y/N) rolled the recipe up, quickly stuffing it inside her apron pocket. Grabbing a handful of Munny and her satchel, she headed for the door, her eyes already heavy with exhaustion.
She only had an afternoon before Namine would arrive to collect her sisters Poultice.
It had to be ready.

☆

"How can you be fresh out?"
Demyx gave her a sheepish grin.
"Sorry (Y/N), I haven't had my usual shipment, what with the trouble in Radiant Garden, and the arrival of little Summer..."
(Y/N) nodded in understanding, but couldn't hide her disappointment.
"This new gig of yours still getting you down?" He asked sympathetically.
(Y/N) visibly slumped in response.
"I'm grateful for the livelihood and everything, but these deadlines!"
She lowered her voice as she leant in closer to the vendor.
"I rushed an ointment for Marluxia last week-" she grimaced. "Lets just say he wasn't happy with the increase in body hair."
Demyx' eyes widened. "Yikes."
(Y/N) nodded soberly.
He sucked air in through his teeth. "Well, you might be lucky if you search the beach. I know it won't be the best quality, but maybe if you use enough of it...?"
(Y/N) raised her eyebrows.
"Maybe. I guess right now its the best I've got."
A kind face appeared next to Demyx, framed by shining glossy waves. The emerald eyes were tired but shining, as the young woman gently bounced the bundle clutched to her chest.
"Hello, (Y/N). I couldn't help overhear. Sorry about the shipment delay."
(Y/N) smiled warmly at Olette.
"Its no problem, really. I'll try the beach."
Olette placed a protective hand over the tiny blond head at her chest. 
"Your granny had a trick. Boil the seaweed in Rose Water. It'll improve the quality in a pinch."
The smile faltered slightly on her face.
"Yeah sure. I'll do that."
Demyx beamed at his wife, then turned back to (Y/N), seemingly pleased with their alternative.
"See?" He placed a hand on her arm.
"It'll get easier. I know its hurts with Elymyra gone, but you're doing great so far. There's bound to be hiccups."
(Y/N) placed her hand over his gratefully.
"Thanks, Demyx."
A crowd was beginning to gather at his stall, with customers jostling for service.
(Y/N) moved away, nodding at the couple. Glancing at the greying sky, she could see the cloud starting to gather there.
She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, figuring she had an hour before the tide came in.
Hopefully, she would find what she needed.

☆

The wind was brutal, stinging her cheeks and whipping her (Y/C/H) hair violently.
Her eyes scanned the craggy rocks, watering slightly from the onslaught.
She felt a childish anger stoke within her.
Everyone in town seemed more capable of running the Apothecary than she was.
But she was lucky, right? To be handed an opportunity like this?
Gazing out over the churning sea she inhaled deeply, thinking of her Grandmother. She pictured her sweet, aged face, her powdery scent, the single piece of lavender encased in amber around her neck. Her grief had been too great, so the necklace sat at home, stuffed hastily into a drawer.
She suddenly felt a wave of regret, longing to feel its reassuring weight against her chest.
She shook her head lightly.
This wasn't about what she wanted, she had to honour her Grandmother's wishes, whether she liked it or not...
And right now, she had a job to do, Namine was counting on her.
(Y/N) sighed, kicking at a clump of rocks angrily as she picked her way across the shale. Her boots crunched and slid at the uneven ground underfoot, the sea crashing in the distance.
"Lets see..." (Y/N) mused aloud, spotting a likely looking clutch of rocks, stained green from the waning shore.
She hurried over to them, crouching to peer into the crevices.
"Nope, nothing."
She stood, brushing off her hands.
Maybe towards the cove?
She clambered over a low wooden tide breaker, pulling her skirts after her.
It snagged, stopping her short.
"Gimmie a break." She groaned loudly, tugging hard at the tangled fabric.
With a loud rip, the dress came free, the errant fabric flapping tauntingly where it snagged.
"For the love of the gods..." she growled, feeling her mood sour, as she inspected her ruined dress. She turned, spotting a greasy tangle of seaweed, flickering in the the wind under a large rock.
"Finally!" She breathed in relief, pulling the jar from her satchel as she raced over, stumbling slightly. She had popped the lid and was eagerly squishing the coveted ingredient inside, when a soft noise made her freeze.
She got to her feet slowly, her eyes sweeping the area cautiously in the hopes she could place the sound.
There! She heard it again, echoing gently from the shadowy depths of the cove.
She hesitated, quickly feeling ashamed at the thought of slipping away and feigning ignorance.
No, she couldnt.
She gingerly made her way over, craning her neck.
The sound was getting louder as she approached, her insides turning unpleasantly as the brutally cold sea sprayed her.
Clear as day, (Y/N) heard a groan of pain.
Someone was hurt?
She ducked, resting against her knees as her mind turned on what to do.
It sounded human.
What if it was a solider, washed up from one of the warships? It could be an injured fisherman?
Was it safe?
(Y/N) clenched her fists, mentally chiding herself. 
She was the village Apothecary, she had a duty of care to the people!
She stood, swallowing her fear.
It was no use, she would have to help.
Rounding the stone, she raced towards the cove.
"Hello? Is someone there?"
She stopped dead just short of the entrance.
Again, she heard the wail of agony, further into the inky darkness of the cove.
"I'm coming!"
She pushed on, stumbling against the sand and stone, hitching up her ruined skirt as she ran.
Ducking into the cave at the farthest corner, she could faintly make out a shape, slumped against the rock face.
"I'm here to help. I wont hurt you!" She exclaimed, cringing at the frightened quiver she heard in her voice.
Behind her, a gull shrieked, causing her to yelp in alarm. She turned back, blowing out a breath with a scowl as she willed her heart to stop pounding.
She eased her way in, hands outstretched.
"I can help. I'm not going to hurt you."
One hand reached into the satchel, pulling out a box of matches and a red candle.
"I'm just going to give us some light in here, alright?"
The delirious moans continued.
Her hands shook as she fumbled to light the candle, her fingers trembling.
The match spurted to life, and (Y/N) held it quickly to the blackened wick.
The flame caught, and the small cave was bathed with weak, flickering light.
She headed on, her footsteps squeaking unpleasantly, a hand covering the flame as water dripped from the slick walls.
Finally, she could make out the prone figure, a mess of hair turned away from her, the torso bare and pale.
"Sir!" She ran the last few paces, dropping beside the injured male.
She pressed the candle into a crack in the cave floor, freeing up her hands.
"Sir?" (Y/N) whispered, laying a hand against his naked shoulder, rolling him slowly into his back.
She gasped, her chest constricting.
He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. His inky black hair brushed gently against his porcelain skin. His dark eyebrows were furrowed, his eyes squeezed tight, but even like this he was heavenly.
His shoulders were broad, his torso solid.
"Excuse me, are you with me?"
He shifted, groaning again.
"Guess not." (Y/N) smiled grimly.
"Alright, lets see here. I'll be quick, I promise." She added in a soothing voice.
She rolled up her sleeves, before plucking the candle from its perch, bringing it towards him.
"Lets see what happened to you..."
She ran the light over his chest, softly moving his skin under her fingers.
"Nothing." She murmured. "Alright, what else?"
She picked up an arm, brushing her palm gently down it.
A sharp stinging burst into her hand.
She withdrew it quickly, hissing in pain.
She brought the candle closer, inspecting the thin slice across her palm. Puzzled, she illuminated his arm more brightly, her breath dying in her throat.
Garnet red, raised scales covered the entire lower half of his arms, shining and deadly against his alabaster skin. She brought his arm closer to her eyes, noticing the razor sharp barbs studded underneath his elbow.
"What are you?"
The pale light jumped as she brought it along his lower half.
Bright, iridescent red covered the entirety of the lower half of the strangers body.
The scales lifted and shuddered with each breath he took, rattling and painful.
Where the feet should be were gossamer soft ribbons of pale pink, each tipped with lethal looking spikes.
Feeling a mixture of deep wonderment and fear, she brushed a finger against the scales on his right hip, causing the male to jump, whimpering sadly.
She withdrew momentarily, guilt pulsing through her chest.
She brought her fingers to the light, rubbing her thumb against them.
Blood.
She inclined her head deeper, inspecting the area as much as she could.
The stranger whimpered  again, trying desperately to move away from her probing fingers.
"I know, I know. I'm so sorry." She cooed, her voice heavy with sadness, as she noticed the nasty wound.
Visceral strands poked from the deep gash, angry and radiating heat. A long piece of bone was embedded in the wound, a sickly, foul smelling green liquid coating most of it.
Poison.
"I....I'm not sure how to help you." She told him, her lip quivering.
Her mind turned to a forgotten memory. She was a small child, encircled by Elmyras' loving arms, warm and soft and comforting. Her grandmother was pointing to different illustrations in a heavy tome, explaining each one to a wide eyed (Y/N).
Her withered finger enlightened on a beautiful drawing of a handsome creature, majestic and powerful.
The fins and barbs shone vividly from the page, painted in the most electric of colours.
The people of Leviathan.
"You're supposed to be a myth."
She placed a hand comfortingly on the side of his face, her mind reeling at the absurdity of the situation.
Yet she knew what must be done.
"But I'm gonna try. I won't let you die here." She took his hand. "I promise."
She squeaked in surprise, when the large slender hand squeezed back weakly, as if in understanding.
(Y/N) smiled, emotion welling up inside her, eyes burning.
A wet slapping at her feet broke her from her reverie. Looking back, she realised with horror that the tide was rushing in, and it was already upon them.
Any longer, she would be trapped here, and he wouldn't stand a chance if she drowned.
She had to move, and fast.
She steeled herself, turning back to the mysterious man with a determined frown.
"Time to get you out of here here, friend."
Ripping a long shred of fabric from her skirt, she prayed silently to her grandmothers spirit, to guide them out of this cove, and that somehow, this beautiful creature would live.

☆

AN -  Okay Guys! Chapter 1 is here.
Please feel free to let me know what you think.
Chapter 2 shouldn't be too long coming.
I hope you enjoy reading!

Much love ♡