Chapter Text
The sea was rough, it’s cold waves embraced the shore, pushing the ice that covered it onto the sand with a deafening scraping sound. A sound reminiscent of a home that no longer exists. She couldn’t help but reminisce on days like this. She could not prevent her past from flooding her mind, just as she couldn’t prevent the storm from rolling in. Although she wished she could. She watched in awe as the Marine’s ships bounced roughly in the ice capped waters, splintering and chipping with every motion. The ships breaking reminded her of her own fragile state of being, shattered and broken on the rocks of reality.
Her grey curls were forced to motion by the incoming storm’s wind, watching as the clouds passed over the ships. She ran back to the shelter of the trees, trying to avoid the rain. She didn’t seem to want to be caught in the rain, but she wanted to keep spying on the ships and their chaos. She watched as the first ship went down, shocked at how frail it seemed to be. She watched on in horror as the marines started to swim towards the ice, towards the shore, and towards her. She ducked quickly behind a bush, trying her best to hide away from them. Sure, not being a pirate kept her from being their target, but she did not wish to be caught watching their misfortune. She watched as a particularly striking marine seemed to guide the others out of the sinking wreckage.
She felt moved slightly by the actions of this woman, trying to get a better look at her before realizing she was staring back at her. Her blond hair framed her face in the way a golden frame surrounds a classical painting, her black eyes reflecting a purple light in the storm. Though, was that purple her own? Lavender like the tips of the island dweller’s hair, like the fur on the tip of her tail, like her bright purple eyes and her dark purple outfit. No wonder this highly trained woman saw her, she clearly stood out like a sore thumb in the autumn leaves. She hid in the foliage again, trying to hide from the woman who already knew she was there. Unfortunately, she was in fact noticed, and the marine with the golden hair was already beside her. “Hey there, why are you hiding in here?” She spoke, her voice like flowers in a spring breeze. “You don’t need to be scared of us you know, right?”
The lavender girl froze, slowly looking up at the woman, boy this was an awkward situation. She hated being so awkward, but she could hardly bring herself to speak. She tried to hide her face in her hands before responding. “Sorry, sorry, I promise I was just waiting to watch you guys sail by, I didn’t know that was going to happen. Sorry”
Such a response triggered a laugh from the blond, she extended a hand to the shaking lavender girl. Helping her up from the ground, smiling at her like an angel would. “Apologies are for me to say, I didn’t even introduce myself did I? It’s Marine Vice Admiral Hototogisu, and you’re the stranger on a deserted beach.”
“it’s… not deserted. There’s a town past here. Sorry…” she pointed off in a direction behind them, her tail coiling around her leg. She looked into Hototogisu’s eyes again, now that they were out of the storm’s rain and in the protection of the trees, it was more clear to her how unique this marine was. She was not used to this kind of kind treatment from their higher ups after all. “I can take you and your crew there, if you want anyway.”
“really! Oh well thank you little lilac. I’ll definitely take that offer.” And with that confirmation, the lilac girl started to lead the group towards the town, making sure to keep the group as free of rain as possible making it to a large building on the outskirts before the girl piped up again.
“Miss Hototogisu, I can’t take you guys any further. The town isn’t the biggest fan of you guys. Apologies.” She could hardly look at the group as she said that. Her demeanor shifting to one of discomfort before she continued to speak. “But, you guys can stay in here if you want, it’s my hotel I promise.”
The hotel was not huge, but it was lavish. The carpets were red and gold, with crystal lights and marble pillars decorating the area. The lounge area of the hotel was full of dramatic seats in red velvet, tables with golden candles, and a large fireplace in the center of the rear wall. The whole group entered the hotel, each being sent off to their own rooms until the two were alone in the lobby. The lilac woman stared at the counter awkwardly, she hated the silence that the storms brought to this island. She knew they wouldn’t be allowed in the rest of this accursed place, she knew the town already disliked her. She knew the town hated both her and the blonde woman she was helping. She did not care however, she didn’t want to see her suffer, she knew it was stupid but she wasn’t exactly in a position to refuse to aid them.
“I wish I didn’t have to do this, do you mind if I ask you to stay in the house with me behind here? I wasn’t expecting to host a whole marine crew in here, and I don’t exactly have more rooms. I won’t be sleeping anyways” she smiled, trying to not act like this was the most cliche situation imaginable. She was aware of how stupid the whole thing was, she knew this situation was something that many writers would write about. “Don’t worry, I have a spare room. Just until y’all get your ship back, don’t want to put you guys out in the woods.”
The two laughed together for a moment, both knowing just how absurd the entire situation was. It took about five minutes for the two to stop laughing. “Alright then miss lilac, I’ll take you up on that offer.” The blonde spoke, looking up at the mystery woman who offered her shelter. The lilac woman nodded, stepping out from behind the desk, beckoning for the woman to follow her to the area she spoke of. She contemplated her own motives for a moment, was this a selfless act? A selfish one? Who knew, she didn’t, but that’s alright.