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.