The Bonds That Mend

Captured and Contained

Stupid girl. How did she allow herself to be captured like this? King George V wondered as she looked for a way out of her cell. It was all because of a single ship that took her by surprise and broadsided her. After the surprise shot, which shattered the left turret on rigging, the sortie slowly surrounded her, leaving her with only terms for surrender.

If she wasn't left awestruck of who was alive in this world, she wouldn't be in this situation, stupid girl, she really messed up this time.

As she contemplated her own actions, King George V could hear the faint sounds of footsteps, slowly growing louder as they made their way to her cell.

"Master, she is still dangerous, are you sure you want to enter alone?" A familiar voice spoke up. Maybe it was Belfast? Maybe Sirius... It's been a long time since she has seen those two.

"I will be fine, don't worry." A male voice replied. It must be a Commander, from the sound of his voice, it sounded like he was from the Eagle Union. Her suspicions were confirmed she saw the Commander. An Eagle Union badge on his right arm and how he carried himself looser than a Royal Navy Commander was all the evidence she needed. The Commander, upon looking at her, took a deep breath and just... Stared at her.

What was the Commander doing? Perhaps he was planning to torture her with strategies that only he would know, maybe he was thinking of her execution. It serves her right, she didn't belong in this world in the first place, it was a mistake to even think that she could make a new life here.

The bars of the cell slowly quickly slid open, which caused King George V to jump a bit and return her attention to the Commander. The Commander slowly walked in and pulled up a chair. The door quickly slid back when the Commander sat down as he continued to torture her with his stare.

After a few minutes, the Commander finally spoke, ending the agonizing silence in the cell. "So... King George V." He said in a gentle voice, surprising his prisoner. "Not... Our world's King George, but damn similar, that's for sure."

"Do what you want with me." King George V growled at the Commander. "I will not tell you anything!"

The Commander continued to inspect the ragged ship. "Definitely a lot more scars. Must be from the Sirens." He said before realizing what she just said. "Oh, well, I'm not exactly here to ask you anything."

"I... I am quite confused. Why are you here then?"

"I'm here to offer you a place to stay."

"A place to stay?! Don't make me laugh!"

"I'm not joking. I can see what's going on with you. Your clothes are in rags, you barely have enough power to even stand up, much less fight."

"And I don't need help from you or your Azur Lane, Commander!" King George V shouted before spitting on the Commander's face.

The two maids behind the commander suddenly took arms but stood down as the Commander raised a hand, then slowly relaxed.

"I have no reason to keep you here. You do realize this right? I understand that you will never tell the secrets of the Sirens out of some weird, forsaken, taboo reason, however, I do pity you. The world you came from must have been a hard one. You must really see us as the fakers here and I don't blame you."

"Then let me go."

The Commander paused for a moment before taking a deep breath. "If I let you go, you'll be alone again. I know you barely have any contact with other METAs and fighting the Sirens by yourself, must wear out your rigging."

"Why would you care if I fought alone?! I am The King George V!" She proclaimed as she stood up. "I came from a world that is destroyed by the Sirens AND survived! For you to help me will only hinder me!"

The Commander remained silent as he listened to her speak. It was only when her stomach growled, her prideful demeanor collapsed, causing her to fall down to her knees. She hasn't eaten in days, not that the quantities of foods she eats at the moment fills her stomach anyway, but at least it was food... Even though all the food she had was just sorry excuses.

The Commander's eyes widen before he stood up and turned to the maids behind him. "Open the bars." He said before the door slid open and closed upon his exit. "Keep watch of her. I'll be right back." He said before walking off.

The Commander came back with a... A Dutch Oven... King George V could smell what was inside, her mouth practically started to drool as the Commander reentered the cell. The Commander placed the pot in front of her and opened the lid, revealing a still warm stew. King George V was about to take the Dutch Oven and eat the stew before the Commander stopped her.

The Commander quickly gave her a spoon. "Dig in." He said before sitting back.

King George V held nothing back, every bite was always a spoonful as she cleaned the pot of its contents, almost nothing remained inside except a few scraps of leftover food she was trying to get. She took a moment to look at how much food she ate. Although it wasn't enough to fill her, she was quite satisfied with the food... Then she realized that she ate everything...

"I-I am sorry." King George V apologized, "I-I didn't mean to eat all of it. it was so tasty and-"

The Commander only gave a hearty laugh as he watched her finish the stew. "You must have been hungry! Only you could finish a stew that fast on an empty stomach!"

King George V's cheeks became bright red as she looked down in embarrassment.

"O-Oh! No! I didn't mean it as a bad thing! I'm just glad you are well fed." He said with a smile.

"Don't lie, I'm just a heavy eater..."

"I'm not lying... It shows that you haven't eaten enough in your time in our world. I'll tell you what, if you stay, I'll feed you." He said as he extended his arm.

Was he really trying to bribe her with food? Who did he think he was?... But the food was so good. If she was going to be kept being fed like this... Why should she leave? 

Stupid girl... This might be the dumbest idea she could ever make...

King George V shook the Commander's hand. "Very well..."