Bounded from the start (Vega and Libelle)

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

Ireland had been her home for the last few years, she knew the people around her village, she had love or so she thought. Roderick had used her and cheated on her, worst of all when she found out she killed the woman he cheated on her with. That earned his wrath; he stirred the townspeople into a frenzy claiming she was a witch. The townspeople believed him because he was well respected among the community. The people beat her as she fought back their advancements but before she knew it she was tied to a stake.

The screaming from the townspeople on how she was a monster, the fire was light at the base of the stake. She had to think on her toes, even though he had been beaten blood she could still use her powers. So she focused and forced out a knockout gas, the biggest use of her powers at that point as she watched the people fall asleep. She used her hands to burn the ropes that tied her to the post. Her skin hardened in an effort to keep her safe from the flames that consumed the stake. She moved amounged the passed out people leaning over Roderick she raised her claws to kill him but she still loved him. She couldn’t bring herself to harm him.

In tears she placed a scar along his face as a reminder of what he did to her. Hoping people would assume she was dead because of the ashes that would soon be there. She took off from the town she had made her second home. With a heavy heart and wounded. She had no idea how long she ran for, all she knew is she arrived where the port was and crumbled to the ground gasping for breath as she sobbed out in pain in her tattered clothing. She wrapped her arms around her, she was no longer hard skinned she just looked like a woman who had been attacked.

She had nothing, no way to pay her way and she needed time to heal. She felt hopeless and as if she was utterly nothing. She found herself laying her head to the ground as she cried out in pain. She couldn’t stop her body from shaking, she couldn’t stop the tears she felt utterly weak. She felt like nothing, she was nothing. Roderick’s words echoed in her ear. ‘You were always just a pawn, how could I ever love a monster like you.’ She had no idea how long she had been crying or if anyone even noticed her.

[Vega]

"Scars tell us stories and those stories tell us that you have lived."

He softly played with her hand as he tangled and untangled their fingers together. His world was vast and he had experienced many things. Met so many people from varied walks of life that it never crossed his mind that someone might not have heard about Shield Maidens and Vikings. And to most Valkyrie were either a myth or deities where no outsider knew the truth. He felt a world apart from his life with his mother. As though it all happened a century ago. He wondered what his family back home would think of Bell. The Gyspies were no question he knew they'd accept her, especially after what she just went through.  The Valkyrie though... His homeland was rough and so were its people but maybe his mother would love her immediately.  Welcome her with open arms and so in turn the rest would follow suit.

He inhaled a sharp breath and nodded his head softly. "I'd like to think we always protected each other." a soft smile danced across his lips.

"Well, you're not alone anymore. So maybe one day we can achieve those expectations together. " 

He was expecting the crew to come and separate them to prepare for the wedding. He wasn't expecting the spark that flung from Bell's tongue. A proud smile showed on Vega's face as the men came into view as the door flung open. He wasn't ready to leave Bell's side though. It was weird. They'd just met and already he was feeling so drawn to her like it hurt to be pulled apart. But willing he went. He had to so the men wouldn't be forced to drag him off. But this was not before he eyed the cook who she was left with. Shooting daggers with his eyes his way as he was escorted away. 

He had heard the cook was happily married and his young son worked in the kitchen on the boat with him. But that didn't mean much to Vega. So he moved quickly through the preparations for the wedding thinking the faster he was done the quicker she'd be at his side again. Resting and healing as she should. Except he was slowed and stopped in his tracks as the Captain forced him into a seat in his private quarters. The foreboding silence was only disturbed by the harsh footfalls the Captain made on his way to his seat. "Your rings..." he at last broke his silence. Lighting his pipe and puffing out a heavy cloud of smoke like a train engine of the future.  

Vega looked down at the ring he placed there in a panic. His fathers. "What about them?!" he never really meant to be defensive but it came out naturally as such. But the captain just laughed and puffed on his pipe. Kicking a chest across his desk towards Vega as he rests his feet on too said desk. Hesitantly he opened it and much to his surprise and dismay all sorts of jeweled trinkets came flooding out. He was overwhelmed. "I... We're okay with the rings we've got." without realizing Bell would likely want to eat the gemmed rings he turned them down. Thanking him humbly for the kind gesture. 

And so the old man shrugged as if to say suit yourself. Standing and gripping Vega's shoulder with a firm shake. "Well then since that's settled. Let's get you two married proper. The bride should be ready by now."

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

✧ Bounded from the start ✧

No one had ever made scars sound or even feel as beautiful as he did. She knew she would heal and faint lines would kiss along her darker skin. She could at least look at them as something that brought her closer to a life she wanted. A life where she wasn’t used but rather cared for and loved even. It felt like a fairy tale in many ways, she never believed that she could have such an ending. “Are you a warrior with scars?” she mused aloud.

Their fingers lacing together and then apart as he played with their fingers, his gaze seemed chilled and far away for a moment. She could ask about it yet she didn’t fully feel like it was her place to crack open his chest and bare all his secrets. Asking anyone to bare their secrets so freely seemed unfair. Even though she had been so willing to open up to the man who had saved her from a brutal ending fate. Insead she buried her face against his chest taking in the scent of the sea and heat that swirled off him.

The warmth that spread through her as he spoke of her no longer being alone, “It is a strange concept for me. Even when I was around people I felt out of place and alone after my mother passed. Having a place that feels like home I’ve longed for.” her gaze trailed along the side of the ship towards his face. Just as she was curling into him, ready to stay there and talk with each other all day long. Yet the door was flung open and that tether that seemed to connect them only made her watch in longing as he disappeared.

She felt herself stiffed at the thought of him not being near, even though deep down she knew the people on the ship were like her in some ways. Either damaged from the world, or lost and searching for their home, or thrilled for an adventure. She watched Daniel disappear as a woman came and took her hand. She must have been one of the only women on the ship. As she pulled her into a room she moved over to a cabinet pulling out a dress that had seen better days. “It's the best I can do on short notice.” The woman spoke gently. “I help you get dressed?”

“O-okay.” Libelle moved to remove the oversized clothing off her body. The younger woman helped her into the dress moving slowly hoping not to hurt her too much. “Thank you for your help.” Belle said softly as her gaze fell upon the girl, she could see the pale white over her natural eyes. She was not human yet Belle didn’t fully know what she was. “Do you do this kind of thing often?” She tried to joke.

“No, the men wander into the brothels at ports but that is about it that I know of.” she gave a creepy smile before stepping back. “You look beautiful, though I am sure anything would look good on you.” She gave a gentle squeeze of her hand. “Now we must get you to the deck.” She said as she pulled her back down the hall. Pausing, waiting for the queue to bring her on board. Libelle felt a knot in her stomach all of a sudden.

“I wish my parents were here.” She said quietly to herself for a moment before the woman whose name she never got led her to the stairs as music drifted from a flute, a few notes hitting sour every now and then. Slowly looking up towards the light drifting in, taking each step slowly as she finally appeared out from under the ship squinting for a moment. Yet as she adjusted to the light her gaze finding him once again the knot disappeared. The faces became a blur as she moved over towards Daniel and took hold of his hand. What would married life be like she wondered as a smile touched her lips. Saying ‘I do’s’ when she was supposed to. Feeling the cloth wrap around their laced hand after rings were placed on each other's fingers. Before moving in to kiss him softly.

The crew cheered and quickly swung into celebrating the newlyweds.

[Vega]

What would marriage be like?

As a child, he'd thought of this often. Letting his mind wander in the thought for hours. Conceptualizing the love and warmth. Peace and unity. All the things his parents didn't have with his blatant lack of his father's presence. Maybe that's what doomed his imagination on this matter. Giving up on the idea as he grew and matured. And learned just how much this world hated him.

Is that why he left?

This new point of wonder filled his heart. Losing the desire for marriage as he learned from life experiences that no one would ever love him enough. The Wind would always take him. And even if she were a Gypsy too what type of love would they have if they were always on the run? And so, marriage left his mind. In fact, it became quite a deterrent. He didn't want it. Seek it. Or lead anyone on. And maybe in the end that hurt him and his sensitive heart a little more. But somehow it also saved his heart.

The years passed by and so did his chance for love. But life is a cruel joke we call fate. Laughing at you when you tell it your plans for your life. And so the man who ran from love suddenly ran right into it. His heart was too big to turn away from Bell the moment The Wind blew him to her. And after the whirlwind of events he found himself standing and anxiously waiting for her to appear from below deck.

Asking himself, what would marriage be like?

A childlike chuckle bubbles forth from deep within him. Unlocked by how his life had just completely made a full circle. And that's when she appeared. When he had the absolute brightest smile plastered across his face. Completely melting away his anxiety and any remnants of doubt. Of course, the circumstances for their wedding weren't ideal.

But DAMN was she the most beautiful bride.

They were both beaten, battered, and bruised. Carrying burdens that should've never graced their shoulders. But at this moment Giovanni was the happiest man. And maybe that was foolish given he was lying to her. To everyone by hiding his face. His name. His species. Believing it was for safety. Bell had already been through enough adding being saved by a Gypsy to that would likely make it worse.

He didn't know how the crew on this ship would respond to him being Gypsy. There was a slim margin of a chance where they could possibly accept him. Not care or even fully understand what being Gypsy meant. But with how well traveled and clever they all seemed that margin grew smaller. In fact, it seemed they knew exactly what a Gypsy was. And so like everyone else, they were likely to hate them just as much.

Maybe he could tell and show her in private his truth. Off the boat if they were ever given that moment. A moment where the walls didn't have eyes and ears. “I Do.” he said when time with a strange pride that bubbled in his chest. Repeating the vows he'd wished he'd written himself. Taking in the smoothness of the cloth against his skin as it bound their hands together. While the reality of the moment set in, her soft lips brushed in a feather light kiss that lasted too short.

The cheers from the crew filled the intimate with a hardy vastness. They couldn't afford to throw the rice in their stocks nor were there flowers whose petals could be used to celebrate the moment. But Vega didn't need them. And so he lifted his new wife as he'd seen many do before him and carried her off. “One day we'll have a better ceremony.” His words gently caress her ears so no one else can hear his secret promise.

One crew member guided him to a new room as he carried her. The captain's room by the grander look of it. He set her down and closed the door gently behind them. His eyes immediately landed on the small Basket of gifts neatly placed on the desk in the room. He snorts softly as he spots the mead bottle. Truly grateful they would share their little taste of home which was hard to get out here. Vega wiggled it out of its nestled spot in the basket. Eyeing What other goods were with it. A smile soon lit up his features. The crew threw anything they thought was nice and good enough to be deemed a wedding gift into the basket. Fresh water and bread. Fabric enough for a decent outfit to be made for Belle. Incense. A small bit of chocolate. The mead of course. And a few coins clearly scrounge together to bless the couple with something.

Vega smelled the liquor after uncorking it. Allowing the aromatic scents bring him right to the gates of Kattegat. He hummed with pleasure and warmth at the familiar feeling. “It's a drink from my home. It's made like wine but honey is used instead of grapes and the local spices change depending on the area you live and the seasons.” he offered Bell a cup once it was poured. “If memory serves, this is from the far north. Where the locals use spices with warmer tones to combat against the brittle frost outside.” He sat. He needed to be careful drinking because once drunk he couldn't hold this form. And once lost it would take too long to change right back. So he sipped slowly as he watched the waves through the porthole slosh by.

[Libelle "Onyx" Ryoko - Council]

✧ Bounded from the start ✧

As Daniel's firm arms encircled Libelle, she fought the instinct to react defensively to the sudden closeness. For a fleeting moment, confusion flickered across her face before she allowed herself to relax in his embrace, exhaling a shaky breath that betrayed her inner turmoil. Guided toward another room, she listened as he spoke of a better ceremony, his words drawing her focus back to him. "It's perfect, no reason to fret. It's how my parents were married," she reassured him, attempting to steady her nerves and regain her composure.

Once she found her balance again, Libelle's curiosity led her to peer into the basket, though her attention was swiftly recaptured by Daniel. The pop of the mead cork resonated with memories from her childhood, evoking a gentle smile as she recalled mischievous moments. The familiar, comforting scents enveloped her, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. "There was always this large man who would come from the north; he'd grunt his demands, and somehow my mother always knew what he wanted. She sold this mead at the bar where she worked, and he’d only ever complain about the heat, yet he was always swathed in furs. My mother used to tease him about it," she reminisced, her gaze softening with warmth.

As her fingers wrapped around the cup, she closed her eyes and took a deep sip, letting the spices warm her from the inside—a comfort her draconic nature craved while being on the water. After savoring another lingering sip, she opened her eyes to glance into the basket, her curiosity piqued by the fabric within, her attention diverted from the scattered coins.

One hand was extended to her while Daniel's other hand reached into the basket, extracting a piece of fabric. As her hand closed around it, she felt a gold coin pressed into her palm. The immediate sizzle of burning flesh released a sickly scent into the air. The coin's contact lasted only a moment before she whimpered, the searing pain forcing her to drop it.

The cup, now nearly empty, clattered to the floor of the cabin as Libelle instinctively shifted back, putting distance between herself and the basket. She bit her swollen lower lip to stifle a cry. What once appeared as freckles across her skin now began transforming into larger patches as her body attempted to manifest its scaled armor. She fought against the change, recalling how her body would automatically enter a protective mode when it sensed danger.

Examining her hand to assess the damage, she noticed the coin's imprint burned perfectly into her palm. Thankfully, only the surface of her skin was affected. The burn throbbed with acute pain, and without conscious thought, she exhaled a soothing gas to ease the discomfort. It was only when she realized she wasn't alone that her gaze lifted from her injured palm to meet Daniel's eyes, concern and vulnerability mingling in her expression.