AU-gust 2022 Day 1: Underwater
OCxCanon
Lazuli Eden belongs to me! Featuring: Trey Clover (Twisted Wonderland)
His golden gaze sparked with surprise and nostalgia as his fingers trailed over the clothes he had found buried in the closet, the fabric bringing back a memory he had nearly forgotten.
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“How are things going down there?”
“They’re fine so far. But… I don’t see anything yet.”
“Do you want to come back up?”
“No… I’ll try searching a bit more.”
“Alright, just make sure you come back up before the spell wears off.”
“I understand. An hour and a half right?”
“Should’ve known you’d be keeping track. Dial in if you need anything. Or if you find anything.”
“Got it.”
The voice on the other end went quiet, leaving him to be embraced by the sounds and feeling of the ocean. Under the surface, everything seemed peaceful, magic allowing him to see as clearly as if he were on land. Curiosity drove him forward, his assured movements taking him deeper into the sea. The ocean water seemed to hug him, fish swimming around him curiously as his golden gaze scanned the floor.
That’s when he saw it.
The Eden.
The fabled shipwreck that historians and pirates alike searched for.
Anyone could see why. Years and years of being underwater couldn’t take away the magnificence of the ship. The tall masts glimmering with silver adornments that beckoned him closer, seeming to welcome him abroad.
Surprise jolted through him as he landed on the deck, the rich mahogany still intact and flawless. For a moment, he wondered how the water hadn’t damaged the ship, only to realize that as soon as he set foot on deck, it were as if he were standing on dry ground.
“How is this possible…?”
An awed whisper left his lips as he walked down the hall, following his instincts to find the captain’s office as his fingers trailed over the walls that showed now signs of decay or water damage, his gaze flitting from painting to painting as he tried to make sense of it all. Each step on the smooth red carpet of the ship only served to fan the flames of his curiosity and wonder.
It was as if he had stepped through time, back to when the ship stood at its full glory.
And then… Just as his hand touched the doorknob to what he guessed to be the captain’s office, the door swung open, revealing a seemingly young girl with piercing silver eyes, her deep blue locks falling over her shoulders like a waterfall frozen in time.
“Who are you? How did you get inside?”
“...Trey Clover. I- I just walked in through the deck-”
He scrambled to find his words, his thumb pointing over his shoulder to the hallway behind him. The girl in front of him narrowed her eyes, the momentary silence giving him a chance to take her in. Despite her small stature she had an commanding aura that surrounded her, a black coat with gold embroidery hanging off of her shoulders Her white collared shirt was slightly unbuttoned, yet still tucked into the black jeans that she wore, as if she had only just begun to relax before he had intruded. Her hand was resting lightly on the silver hilt of a rapier, glimpses of a deep blue gemstone winking at him from between her gloved fingers.
Only then, did everything fall into place.
“You’re Lazuli Eden.”
Her fingers curled around the hilt of her rapier, her lips pressing into a thin line as she observed him warily. He quickly raised his hands, emphasizing that he was unarmed, a gentle smile gracing his features.
“Sorry! I’m something of a… history buff, you could say. Which is why I don’t understand how…”
Lazuli relaxed, yet her gaze was still guarded as she waved him into the room, a quiet sigh leaving her as she settled into a comfortable looking chair behind a large mahogany desk. She watched him as he found his own seat at the sofa that faced her, her chin resting on her hand as she leaned against the desk.
“How I’m sitting in front of you as though I were alive?”
He started to nod, only to stop in confusion, his brow furrowed as he processed her words.
“I’m sorry. Did you just say-?”
He looked up into a gaze filled with amusement, her other hand resting upon the tabletop as she tilted her head.
“That’s right, Trey Clover. You must know if you’re a history buff. That the Eden went down ages ago, never to see dry land again. I am not alive.”
She paused, letting the words sink in as she watched him. Golden eyes stared back at her, confusion swimming in their depths as she smiled at him.
“Yet, I am not dead either.” He frowned slightly, a hand running through his green hair as he let out a sigh.
“You’re speaking in riddles, Captain.” “Come now, surely any self proclaimed history buff knows of magic fueled by desire? Fueled by willpower and determination?”
Her words were teasing, yet not condescending, giving him the keys to answering the riddle of her existence in front of him. His frown deepened, thoughtfulness overtaking his features as his gaze swept the room.
“Of course I have. When one wields magic fueled by their desire, it’s said to hold power strong enough to rival even ancient magic.”
She nodded approvingly, her eyes shining brightly as she kept her gaze fixed on him, waiting to see if he would reach the answer on his own.
“And when the desire of many combines?”
Her gentle prompting received an immediate answer.
“It’s said to perform miracles.”
Lazuli smiled with satisfaction as she leaned back in her chair, giving him an approving nod. A silence fell over them, as if everything were answered. Yet…
“I’m sorry, Captain. I’m still confused. I get that desire has frozen you in time, but… The desire of many? You’re the only one here.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“What?”
At that moment, muffled laughter drifted in from outside, only fueling his confusion as Lazuli’s musical laughter replaced it. Her guardedness had all but dissipated, mirth sparkling in her eyes as she stood up suddenly, her hand beckoning him to follow her as she skipped to the door, opening it with a flourish. The previously empty hallways had people darting in and out of them, mingling with one another as children ran to and fro beneath the feet of their caregivers.
“What?”
“You’re starting to make me think that your vocabulary is limited, Trey Clover.”
Her words held no bite, warmth exuding from her as she led him through the hallway. With each step, he was able to see the legendary captain in action. Able to see the way she greeted each person, able to see the smile she gave the children, able to see the respect everyone on board held for her. In no time, they were back on deck, a crew bustling about as they prepared to set sail.
The so-called ghost ship was now full of life, sails billowing majestically in the water.
“How do you think the ship was undiscovered for so long?”
He tore his gaze away from the scene, finding silver eyes peering up at him triumphantly.
“I assumed there were protection spells, or conditions that had to be met. Never did I imagine that you would all still be here, frozen in time, moving through the ocean as you pleased.”
“Yes, those would be the logical conclusions. Then again, this wouldn’t be possible without my crew.”
She stood proudly at the stern, looking down at the crew that worked jovially together. Instead of following her gaze, he focused on her, shaking his head slightly.
That’s not true. This crew wouldn’t be here if they had any other captain. Anyone can see the respect they hold for you.
“Have you ever…?”
“Regretted our decision?”
She turned to look at him, a knowing look piercing him as she flipped her blue locks over her shoulder.
“Never.” Lazuli giggled at the look of astonishment on his features, pride making her stand straighter, with all the glory of a legendary captain.
“I have the best crew anyone could ask for. And now we have the chance to do what no one else could, to explore the ocean depths and all its secrets. On top of that, we have all the time in the world!”
Her enthusiasm was contagious, a smile tugging at the corners of his own lips as his gaze glimmered.
“That does sound amazing.” Lazuli paused, her gaze unreadable as she surveyed him, her eyebrow arched slightly.
“Would you like to join us?”
“What”
“There’s that limited vocabulary again.”
He blushed slightly, letting out a chuckle as she smiled at him, a hand resting on his shoulder.
“Join us. Anyone aboard the ship is protected by the spell, and if you ever change your mind, you can leave. We’ll take you as close as we can to dry land. Your body won’t have aged, so you’ll still be able to do everything you wanted to.”
“I can really stay?”
“If that’s what your heart desires.”
He paused, his gaze flitting over the lively deck and taking in the watery depths around him, before finally meeting the silver orbs that peered at him curiously.
“Where to next, Captain?”
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“What are you doing?”
The musical voice that surrounded him prompted a surge of affection as slender arms embraced him. Trey smiled as he looked down, his arms going to embrace the captain that now stood in front of him, the old fabrics cast aside.
“I was remembering the first time we met.”
Lazuli smiled fondly, before giving him a worried look.
“Do you regret staying with me?”
He let out a chuckle of amusement, gently pulling her into his lap, and earning himself a squeak of indignation that melted away as he kissed her cheek.
“Never.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
She sighed in relief, her head resting on his shoulder as settled into his embrace, an affectionate smile gracing her features.
“Good. I love you, anchor.”
“And I love you, gemstone.”