seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Greece
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from T1
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Netherlands
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from T1
seen from T1
seen from China
seen from Australia
seen from Uruguay
seen from Japan
seen from France
seen from Türkiye
seen from France
for the spotify wrapped question, 17, 81 and 69 😏😏
17: comfort crowd by conan gray (smgh song <3)
81: cowboy like me by taylor swift (be gay do crime)
69 (hehe funny number): invisible string by taylor swift
NOT INVISBLE STRING BEING THE SMIRK SONG.... teal was the color of your shirt when you were sixteen at the yogurt shop 😏 you used to work it to make a little money 😏😏😏😏🤑🤑
another halloween comm! ♥
🎵??? love you <33
julian moon and zella day for sure!! especially that transition from heartbeat and the other song you never shut up abt skdfjd /aff. also girl in red obviously and definitely sofia for gay reasns (simp). dodie's earlier music, particularly her "you" and "intertwined" eras (+ she)!! aaand the songs u added to my birthday playlist that i love (like couple of kids) + the server yearning songs :) yearning ganggg. love you kinnn <333
12 and 17 <33 lyyy
hiii kinstie <333
12. a song you can scream all the words to:
hmm my favorite song for screaming all the words is probably brutal (olivia rodrigo) bc so true
17. a song that reminds you of a good time:
oooh "what is this feeling" from wicked bc i remember dancing in the kitchen to wicked (particularly that song) when i was younger and also i've sung it with @ashredofhope in duets before for fun which is always !!!!
lyyy kinn <3333333
rcsfu, forbidden food and warriors <33
NOOO NOT WARRIORS GDHFSJDHJS
Same Sea, Same Soul, Same Heart
Chapter 8 Danna and Nova pine for eachother, while Nova’s plan falls into motion.
link to masterlist
link to chapter 7
Wc: 1723
Nova cracked her knuckles, and sat down.
“So, here’s the plan we have already,” she said to her crew. They were gathered around the deck, a table with a map pinned on it in front of them.
“I managed to pull a few strings within the castle, and the idea of a sea wedding was introduced to the prince. Apparently the mysterious bride was excited by the idea. So, the wedding should be here.” Nova moved a small red painted ship to a cove outside Gatlon City. “If we attack from here,” Nova said pushing a black ship in from the opposite direction of the city. “Then they will see us, and know that the wedding is being attacked. While rushing to their ships, we will attack the wedding. If possible, we take hostages to use as an exit ticket, but we can’t save everyone.” Nova smirked. “And while the armada rushes to save their prince and kings-” Nova shoved a fleet of ships across the maps. “Ace will slip into the palace, and conquer the city. Any questions?”
Her crew shook their heads.
Nova grinned. “Excellent. Details will be ironed out as new information comes in, but that’s the general gist of it.” Nova swept the ships into a small cloth bag, and rolled up the mat. “Now, don’t you all have work to do?” She shooed them off.
Moxie hurried up to her. “What if Danna’s there?” She asked.
“What about it?” Nova shrugged.
“...Well would you kill her?”
“If it comes to it, yes. I’d never put my ambitions on the line, just for a girl I don’t even like.”
“But what are your ambitions? You talk about them, but I don’t actually know what they are.”
Nova inhaled deeply. “I want to avenge my family. If the Renegades had given them the help they had needed, they would still be alive.”
“Nova, is that really what you want?”
“Yes. It is. Now, I’m busy, and so are you.”
Moxie caught her hand, jerking her to a stop. “Nova…”
In seconds, Nova had whirled around, and pressed a dagger to Moxie’s throat. “Don’t even start,” she growled. “And don’t touch me.”
Moxie sighed and looked down. “Yes Captain.”
Nova spun around, and stalked away. She hurried into her office, and swung the doors to her balcony open. The sea swayed below her, wild waves reaching up to slap the hull.
“Oh, why did I ever even think I had a chance with Danna Bell. Me, of all people. To her perfection, I am nobody. Why was I foolish to ever even begin to think that she might stoop low enough to love me. The scum of the earth. A thief. A liar. A traitor. A murderer.” Nova hugged her arms tight around her body. “Why did I fool myself?”
The clouds hung heavy, as if sensing Nova’s foul mood. She walked back inside, footsteps plodding heavily across the wood floor.
Nova closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply. She let all her thoughts collect, and when she exhaled, she let them all flow away. SHe cracked her eyes open, refusing to even think about Danna. She picked up a piece of paper, and a quill. Sitting down in her chair, Nova began to write a letter. Before she could overthink it, Nova stuffed it into a bottle, and tossed it overboard.
The odds of the person she actually wanted it to get finding it were next to nothing, but still Nova hoped. Hoped a foolish, stupid, pointless hope.
And she knew that. But still, Nova hoped.
---
Danna scurried down the vines outside her window, disguised under a heavy cloak. The guards didn’t even notice as she darted past them, using shadows as cover. It wasn’t surprising Nova’s crew had been able to steal her so easily. The men were incompetent. Completely, utterly incompetent.
Danna smiled to herself.
She hurried through the streets, gaining more and more speed as she neared her destination.
Finally, she was racing in a flat out sprint, coming to an abrupt halt inches away from the cold waves.
Her shoes sank into the sand, and Danna threw them off.
A laugh burbled out of her throat as her toes wiggled in the sand.
Danna screwed her eyes shut, and placed a single foot in the water.
It was cold, and gently lapped against her ankle. Danna laughed again.
She had never been in the sea like this before.
She stuck another foot in. Slowly she waded farther and farther, until her hips were under water.
It was silly, but Danna felt like she and Nova were connected through the waves.
They were in the same sea. Despite the distance between them, it was still the same water. It felt like it was watching over her. Keeping her safe.
Danna breathed in deeply, and bracing herself, dove under the waves.
The water covered her head, tugging her hair in different directions.
She moved her fingers through the water, just like she remembered frogs doing.
Danna moved forwards. She tried to smile, but water flooded her mouth. She accidentally swallowed a mouthful, and frantically tried to stand, only to realize she had floated away from the shore.
Danna frantically paddled her arms, somehow flailing her body back to the shore. She lay on the sand, coughing salt water up.
Danna collapsed down, lying on the ground, The stars twinkled far above her, and she wondered if Nova was looking at the same ones.
Danna smiled, and brushed a piece of hair from her face.
“I miss you, my love,” she whispered into the nothingness. “I hope that I can see you again someday. Even if it is when we are in the stars.”
---
Nova sighed, and collapsed onto her balcony. She looked up at the stars shining bright above her. The clouds had cleared, and now the thin moon hung high in the sky. She gazed at the shore, where she knew Danna was, probably safe in her bed, forgetting Nova had ever existed. Maybe she was getting ready for the wedding. Nova wasn’t sure whether or not she wanted Danna there. At least she could see Danna again.
But Danna would see her dark side. Her bad side. The brutal, violent, killing side. The side Nova wished didn’t exist.
Thinking about it, Nova definitely did not want Danna there. She didn’t want Danna to view her as even more bad.
Nova sighed heavily, and looked back to the stars.
She wondered if Danna was looking at the same ones. Probably not. But it was nice to think that she was.
“I miss you, my love,” Nova whispered to the sky, wishing Danna could hear her words. “I hope that I can see you again someday. Even if it is when we are in the stars.”
---
Danna slowly got up, her wet body caked with sand.
She looked back at the ocean one last time, and saw something glinting in the waves.
Danna walked over, and laughed when she saw a bottle floating by her feet. She bent down, and picked it up. A letter was tightly rolled up inside, safe and dry. Danna pried the bottle open, using her teeth to pry the cork out. It had swollen after spending hours in the sea.
Finally it popped free, and Danna slid the letter out. Carefully, she unrolled the parchment. Danna gasped, and fell to her knees as she read.
Dearest Danna,
I know this letter will most likely never reach you. It probably will never reach you. But I hope that the sea will care for me, as it has always done, and see that this bottle makes it into your hands. Danna, there is no amount of words I can write that could accurately phrase what I want to say to you. You could never understand how much you mean to me. I know that I’ve done bad things. I know I hurt you. And I don’t expect you to ever forgive me. I wouldn’t forgive me either. I want you to know that ever since we’ve parted, I have thought of you almost constantly. I love you, Danna Bell. And I have to live with the fact that I sent you away. Because I was scared. That was the only reason. I was a coward. I left you. I couldn’t even bear to see your face so I drugged you. I’ve done terrible things, but that was the first thing that truly made me feel guilty. I’m sorry I was such a coward.
If you are reading this, then maybe the universe has decided I can be saved. Maybe it did give me a scrap of luck for once in my life. I’ll think of you for the rest of time, because you are my heart.
I love you.
Nova
Danna let out a sob, and pressed the letter right to her chest. She hadn’t been an idiot. She hadn’t been a foolish, naive noble. There was a chance for them to be together.
And Nova has thrown it all away.
For a second, Danna was angrier than she ever had been. But the more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Nova had an entire life. She was scared, and confused, and she wasn’t about to throw it all away for someone she was supposed to hate. Unlike Danna, Nova actually had something left to lose. Of course she sent Danna away.
And Danna could never be mad at someone she loved that fully. Danna could never be mad at Nova. No matter how many terrible crimes she did, Danna would always forgive her. That was the way love worked. You always return to the arms you know best.
“I got your letter,” Danna whispered. “I promise, if I see you in this life, or the next, I won’t let anything tear us apart. Never again.”
---
The two girls sat near the sea, looking at the same sky, wondering if the other knew the depths of their love. The lengths they would go for the other.
And neither of them knew that the other wondered the same thing back.
They just sat, looking at the sky, wishing on every star they saw, that there was a way for them to be together again.
Tag list: @novissa @thepurpledragon4444 @phobidawg @rvbell @redassassin @ifyouhadntbutyoudid (let me know if you want to be added/taken off!!!)
Same Sea, Same Soul, Same Heart
Danna is the daughter of a noble in Gatlon city. Gatlon is ruled by King Hugh and King Simon, members of the Renegades, the gruop that saved it from the anarchists and Ace Anarchy. Nova is the niece of Ace Anarchy and is the worlds most feared and dangerous pirate. She kidnaps Danna as ransom, and while they travel back to Danna’s father the two girls begin to realize they weren’t so different after all…
Both girls deal with missing each other, and Danna has to make a big decision
link to masterlist
link to chapter 6
wc: 2074
Danna blinked her eyes open blearily.
“Nova?” she asked, her words slurring in her mouth.
A body collapsed on top of her. “Oh, Danna, you're alright.” It was her mom. “I’m so glad you're safe! I was so worried. Are you okay?”
“Mom. What happened?” Danna asked. The last thing she remembered was Nova looking down on her, eyes bright with tears and guilt.
“That awful pirate almost killed you!” Her mom let out a sob. “Oh, I was so scared. He held a knife to your throat. A knife! Can you believe it?”
Danna’s hand trailed to her throat where a thin cut lay. “No,” she whispered quietly. “I can’t.”
“Well, it’s all okay now. You’re back. You're safe.” her mom hugged her tightly. “You better come downstairs. Your father will be glad to know you’re up.”
Danna tried to smile. “Okay.” She picked herself out of bed. “What about No- the pirate?” she asked, correcting herself mid sentence. Danna wasn’t quite sure why. Nova had left her. SHe knew exactly what she was doing, but Danna was still protecting her.
“What about him?”
“Is he caught?”
“No.” Her mothers lip curled. “He got away. But don’t worry. He will never get anywhere near you again.”
“Good,” Danna said quietly, hoping with her entire heart it wasn’t true.
“Come quickly, your father has news!” Her mother said, then hurried out of the room.
“Would you like to bathe, Miss Bell?” A maid asked.
She shook her head. “I’m okay.”
“Let me help you change,” she started forwards, but Danna stopped her.
“I’d rather do it myself. If that’s alright.”
The maid looked at her confused, then nodded. “Of course, milady. Call if you need help.” She hurried off.
Once Danna was alone, she crumpled to the ground. She struggled to find her breath as tears racked her body. Danna was alone. All alone. Nova had left her. Danna felt like she was suffocating.
So she lay on the floor sobbing, trying to find a reason to keep going.Without Nova near her, the future looked pointless. Was what Danna had even a life? No freedom, no choices. There was nothing for her.
They said she was home.
But Danna knew they were wrong.
This wasn’t her home. Her home was with a short girl with choppy black hair and sea colored eyes. Her home was with a girl who was as unpredictable as the sea. Her home was with a girl who was just as likely to cut you with her words as a blade. Her home was with Nova Artino.
No. Her home was Nova Artino.
And Danna wasn’t home anymore.
---
Nova dragged the chest into the storage, arms barely strained by the heavy gold.
“Nova?” A voice asked hesitantly.
“Yes?” She didn’t bother looking up. She knew who it was. “What is it Viv?”
“Look, I know you aren’t going to say anything. I know you are going to keep up your nothing gets to me, facade. But it's okay. You don’t have to pretend.” Viv placed a hand on Nova’s shoulder gently.
“What are you talking about?” Nova ducked away.
“I saw the way you and Danna acted together. I can tell when two hearts are made for each other. You’re like me and Moxie.”
“Listen. I have no feelings for Danna Bell,” Nova said quietly.
Viv sighed. “I know you won’t admit it. But I know you. And I can tell you're hurting.”
“I am fine.”
“No. Nova, you’re not fine. You are hurting, and I know that you don’t want to let your walls down. And that's okay. I get it. I get it maybe more than anyone else,” Viv sighed. “Just… I’m here for you. When you’re ready.”
Viv started to leave, but Nova shot her hand out.
“Wait,” She said in a quavering voice. “Stay… please.”
Viv smiled. “Of course. Do you want to talk?”
Nova slammed the door shut, and fell into Viv’s arms. She shook with sobs.
“I miss her,” Nova cried. “I could have let her stay. She wanted to. But I was too much of a coward. I was too scared of Ace. I traded Danna for money I don’t even need. I sentenced her to a life without freedom. It’s all my fault.”
“It’s okay, Nova. It’s okay,” Viv said, holding tight to Nova’s shaking form. “This isn’t your fault.”
“No. It is. This is all my fault. I should have just kidnapped Adrian. That would have been better. Then no one would have gotten hurt. Danna and I never would’ve met.”
“Look at me. If you never met Danna, you wouldn’t be the person you are. She’s like a second part of you. She’s your heart. Without her, you wouldn’t be Nova Artino. Never wish that you never met your soulmate. Because even if they leave you more hurt than before, they fill a part of you that was left empty before.”
Nova wiped her eyes. “I’m never going to see her again. She’ll spend the rest of our lives hating me. For what I did. And I deserve it.”
“Nova, you don’t. You deserve love. Not hate. And you have to believe that you are going to see her again. The universe works in strange ways. But if she’s yours, then you’ll see her again.”
“Promise?”
Viv nodded. “I promise.”
Nova smiled weakly. “I should go. Thank you.” She wiped her face off. “And Viv?”
“Yeah?”
“If I ever hear you telling people about this, I won’t hesitate to throw you overboard.”
Viv laughed. “That’s my girl.”
---
Danna stepped into the parlor, dress pinching her ribs tightly. She hadn’t worn a corset in ages, and she certainly hadn’t missed them.
“Danna! Oh, my baby, I’m so glad to see you home, safe and sound,” her father said, racing over to embrace her. “We were all so worried.”
“Thank you father,” she said stiffly. “I’m just glad that this whole mess is over.”
“As am I. Sit, sit! We have news.” He ushered her over to one of the plump couches.
Danna settled down, and reached for a scone. She stuffed it into her mouth, and sighed as the tart raspberries exploded on her tongue.
“Danna, back straight,” her mother reprimanded.
Danna suppressed a groan, and sat taller. She hadn’t missed that either.
“So, what’s the news?” Danna asked.
“Oh, we’ll tell you soon. We just need to wait a little bit longer,” her father said.
Danna gulped. “Wait for what?”
“You’ll see.” Both her parents were grinning.
“Hm.” Danna grabbed another scone, and crammed it into her mouth.
Her mother raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything.
Danna suppressed a grin. Normally her mother would have stopped her at one scone. But she was still worried about Danna.
“Have they found the pirate yet?” Danna asked nonchalantly.
Her father sighed heavily and shook his head. “No. But don’t worry. They will find him, and make him pay for what he did to you.”
Danna tried not to grin. Nova was still safe. “That’s too bad,” she said, trying her best to sound sad. She wasn’t. At all. She was giddy. Nova was still okay.
The doorbell rang, and the butler hurried off to answer.
“Smile, Danna,” her mother instructed.
“Who is it?” she asked anxiously. “Who’s coming over?”
“You’ll see.” Her mother smiled primly. “Please behave.”
“Behave? Mother, I’m not a child anymore. I-” Danna stopped talking when she saw who walked through the door. Her jaw dropped.
The Kings, and the crown prince stood in the doorway to the parlor.
“Your highnesses!” Danna hastily rose, and dropped into a low curtsy.
“Please,” the prince said awkwardly. “No need for any of that.” Adrian smiled.
Danna brushed herself off, and put what she hoped was a demure smile on her face. It felt like more of a grimace.
“What do we owe this visit?”
“You didn’t tell her?” King Hugh looked at her parents with surprise.
Danna’s father cleared his throat. “We thought it would be best if he told her himself.”
“Tell me what?”
“Perhaps we should give them some privacy,” King Simon suggested.
“What's happening?” Danna asked.
Adrian shuffled awkwardly. “Maybe we could go to the gardens,” he suggested.
“Good idea,” Dannna said quickly. She needed to get out of the house. She needed to be outside. “This way, your highness.” She extended an arm, and nearly bolted away.
She pushed the door open, and inhaled the scent of salt and flowers gratefully.
Adrian chuckled. “Couldn’t handle being inside any longer?”
Danna groaned and nodded. “Ugh yes. It’s awful. I’ve been back for less than a day, and I’m already suffocating.” Adrian and Danna were actually much closer than they seemed. For years, they had snuck away during events along with two other friends. They hated the scheming and politics of the court, and bonded over their shared hatred of it. They tried to keep it secret so no unwanted rumors would spread.
Adrian's face creased. “How are you? That must have been so scary…”
Danna laughed. “It wasn’t too bad. Can I tell you a secret?”
Adrian nodded. “Of course.”
“And you promise to never tell?” Danna asked.
He solemnly held out his pinky. “I’ll even pinky swear.”
Danna laughed, and shook his pinky. “Nightmare isn’t Noah Artino.”
“What is that supposed to mea?”
Danna sighed. “She’s not Noah, She’s Nova.”
“Nightmare’s a girl?” Adrian’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Danna nodded. “And she isn’t as bad as she seems.”
“Danna, she kidnapped you.”
“Yeah, and while I was kidnapped, I was more free than I ever had been.” Danna sighed. “She’s done bad things, but at heart she’s a good person.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“So. What’s so important that you came here to tell me?”
Adrian groaned. “Danna, I know this isn’t what you wanted. I know you never asked for this life. I didn’t either. I have the same amount of choices as you. Maybe less even. But I get to choose who I marry. And…”
“No.” Danna held up her hands. “Don’t even finish that sentence.” she hurried away.
“Danna, wait. It’s not what you think!” Adrian jogged after her. “I don’t like you.”
“Thanks,” she said dryly.
Adrian sighed. He caught her arm. “Please… just listen to me.”
Danna groaned, and spun around to face him. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“Listen Danna, I know this isn’t what you want. But you have to face the reality of our lives. We can be together in public, but not as a couple privately. This is the only way we can escape something we both don't want.”
Danna inhaled deeply. “Adrian… I’m lesbian.”
“Oh. Shit.”
Danna laughed softly. “Yeah.”
“Can’t you tell your parents? My dads are together, and they are fine with it.”
Danna shrugged. “I don’t think it would matter. They would just say I’m confused. Or that I’m just being difficult. Look, Adrian, I don’t have a choice now. I know that you wanted to help, but you’ve just made everything so much harder.” Danna groaned, and rubbed her temples.
“The pirate… Nova…” Realization dawned in Adrian’s eyes. “You love her, don’t you?”
Danna nodded sadly. “I don’t even know if she loves me back. But I’d die over and over again for her.”
“I can help you escape! I can get you to her.”
Danna smiled softly. “Adrian, thank you, but I can’t. I don’t want to risk it.” She sighed heavily. “I’ll marry you. You were right, it is our only option.”
“Danna, that wouldn’t be right. That’s not you! Don’t pretend to be someone else,” Adrian pleaded. “Shit, this is all my fault. Danna, I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s not. You were trying to help. And you are right. It’s a good option. We can pretend to be together. Hell, maybe we can adopt a kid or something. But I can’t be with Nova. I know that.”
“Danna…”
“Adrian, we are out of options. Even if my parents let me turn you down, eventually they’ll force me to marry someone. I’d rather it be you.”
Adrian wrapped his arms around her. “If this is what you want, then I will help you as best I can.”
Danna smiled gratefully. “Thank you Adrian. It means a lot to me, I hope you know that.”
He nodded. “We’d better go tell the others then.”
She cringed. “Fun.”
“Get used to it.”
Tag list: @novissa @thepurpledragon4444 @phobidawg @rvbell @redassassin @ifyouhadntbutyoudid (let me know if you want to be added/taken off!!!)
Same Sea, Same Soul, Same Heart
Danna is the daughter of a noble in Gatlon city. Gatlon is ruled by King Hugh and King Simon, members of the Renegades, the gruop that saved it from the anarchists and Ace Anarchy. Nova is the niece of Ace Anarchy and is the worlds most feared and dangerous pirate. She kidnaps Danna as ransom, and while they travel back to Danna’s father the two girls begin to realize they weren’t so different after all…
Nova must finally exchange danna for her ransom, and both girls struggle to leave eachother forever
link to masterlist
link to chapter 5
wc:2876
Moxie clambered aboard, breathless from rowing across the choppy sea.
“Well?” Nova demanded. “Any word?” they had been waiting right out of view of a coastal town for almost a week now, waiting for Danna’s father to write back.
“Yes!” Moxie handed Nova a letter. “And even better, I heard the servants talking in the manor. Apparently his Grace is here already.”
Nova grinned. “Excellent.” Slipping a dagger out of her pocket, she slit the envelope open.
The letter had been written in a hurry, several ink blots, and smudged words on the parchment.
“What’s it say?” Genevieve asked, joining them on the deck.
Nova smiled grimly. “He agreed. He’ll meet us on the dock, alone, tomorrow with 10,000 gold pieces.”
“You really think he’s going to obey those instructions Nova?” Viv asked nervously.
Nova scoffed. “Of course not. The entire fucking army is going to be there.”
“So… what’s the plan?” Moxie glanced at Nova nervously.
“Stays the same. We go in with Danna, we leave with the gold.”
“Nova, once they have Danna, they are going to kill us.”
“I’m well aware of that Moxie,” Nova said. She slipped her dagger back into its sheath and slipped the letter into her waistband.
“Then how are we going to get away?”
“They won’t catch us.”
“Umm, Nova? We can’t stand up to them, and expect to survive,” Viv said nervously. “How are we going to survive then?”
“Simple.” Nova grinned. “We change the meeting time.”
Realization dawned on their faces. “We don’t let him come to us…” Moxie breathed.
“We’re going to him,” Viv finished.
“Exactly.” Nova tilted her head back and smiled in the sun's light.
“So… when are we leaving?”
“An hour. Wake up Miss Bell. She has an important meeting I would hate for her to miss.”
Viv nodded, and hurried off.
“Hey Nova?” Moxie asked cautiously.
“Yes?”
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
Nova looked at Moxie, surprised. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Well… it’s just that you and Danna seem close. Connected almost.”
Nova burst into laughter. “That’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said to me,” she snorted. “Me… and Danna?” Nova gasped for breath, tears in her eyes. “That’s actually hysterical.”
“Nova, I’m serious.” Moxie actually looked concerned.
Nova straightened. “Look, you don’t need to worry about me and Danna. She’s the epitome of everything I hate. A rich noble. A Renegade. She could be dead, and I wouldn’t care. Understand?” Nova stared at Moxie, her eyes burning holes into the other woman.
“Yes captain,” Moxie sighed. “I understand.”
“Good. Viv’s are coming with me, you stay and watch over the ship.”
“You're only bringing two people? Is that smart?”
Nova raised an eyebrow. “You forget who you're talking to. We’ll be fine.”
Moxie nodded, then pulled Nova into a tight, bone crushing hug. “Please keep my wife safe,” she whispered.
Nova nodded. “I will. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“I know you won't. But Nova, take care of yourself too. I know you want us to believe you're invincible. But you're human too. You have your limits. Don’t push them too far. We need you back. We need our captain.”
“I’m Nightmare,” Nova said. “My limits won’t be a problem. I built myself up from nothing. If anyone is unstoppable, it would be me.” Nova bit her lip, and looked at the endless sea. “I need to get ready. I want Miss Bells wrists secured, and a bag over her head. She’s a risk I don’t want. Clear?”
Moxie sighed heavily. “Crystal, Captain.”
---
Danna sat in the swaying boat. She tried not to panic, but it was hard when all she could see was darkness, and her wrists were bound against each other, a hard rope chafing her raw skin.
“Comfortable, Miss Bell?” Nova’s clear voice asked.
Danna tried to control her breathing. “Perfectly, thank you.” She had no idea where they were going, only that Danna wasn’t able to see anything.
“Good.” Danna could almost see Nova’s lips curling up into a smirk. Her blue eyes twinkling, like the sun on the sea. Danna could see Nova in front of her, clear as day. It hurt when Danna opened her eyes, and the dark greeted her instead.
“Where are we going?” She had asked at last. Danna didn’t expect an answer, but it didn’t hurt to ask.
“Unfortunately, your time on the Nightmare has come to an end,” Nova responded. “You’re on your way to be reunited with your father, and we’re on our way to get a lot richer.”
No…. Danna was going home. She was going back, away from the pirates. Back to normal life. So why did she want to stay? A part of her yearned to stay on the sea. In the few weeks she had stayed on the ship as a prisoner, Danna had experienced more freedom than she had ever known. She didn’t want to go home. But that wasn’t all. Part of her wanted to stay with Nova. A foolish, idiotic, stupid part of her body wanted to stay with Nova, and be free. Her heart wanted Nova.
But Danna refused to acknowledge it. She hadn’t fallen for the notorious pirate captain, the king of the seas. Had she? In her mind, they seemed like two separate people. They were two separate people.
Noah Artino, the dreaded Nightmare, terror of the seas was not the same person as Nova Artino. They couldn’t be. But as Danna felt the rough rope chafing her hands, she knew that she had overlooked all of Nova’s faults. She had forgotten why the stories about Nightmare had scared her when she was younger. She had seen the real person, and forgot the legend. Forgot that Nova had two sides. Forgot that Nova and Nightmare were the same person.
“Finally,” Danna said lightly. This was good. She was getting home, safe and out of danger. “It’s about time.”
She could see Nova’s smirk in her head.
“You’ll miss us, won’t you my lady,” the captain sneered.
“Of course not. I’m happy to finally be leaving your clutches,” Danna replied, trying to keep the tears from spilling out of her eyes. She was glad they couldn’t see her face. Her eyes were screwed shut tight, and her mouth was curled into a grimace. She was in pain.
Nova was completely right. Of course she was. Danna was going to miss it all. She would miss the sun on her face, and the wind in her hair. She was going to miss the smiling faces who genuinely wanted to be with her. They didn't care for power. She was going to miss the feeling of genuine friendship. But… most of all she was going to miss Nova. The dry humor, and witty comments. The grace the captain moved with, and her lethal skill. SHe was going to miss the captain’s dark hair, and sparkling sea eyes. She was going to miss her warm hands, roughened from years of hardship. She was going to miss the girl who hated her more than anything else. It was ironic really. The same person who hated everything that Danna stood for, was the same girl Danna loved with her entire heart. Danna realized with a start that she really did love her. She had known for some time, but she realized it now.
She loved Nova. Danna Bell was in love with this pirate. And Nova didn’t love her back. She never would. That was just the way life would work.
They were about to part, never to see each other again. Shouldn’t Danna be grateful? She was never going to be in danger again. She was going home. Back to the life she knew.
But she didn’t want to. She wanted to stay on the sea with Viv and Moxie and the rest of the crew. Danna wanted to stay with Nova. She never wanted to see her family or the court again. She wanted the one thing she could never have. She wanted Nova Artino.
And Nova Artino didn’t want her.
The boat bumped against something and Danna jolted backwards.
“We’re here.”
Danna felt Nova’s arms snake under her, and yank her up.
“I can walk on my own,” Danna said frostily, trying to ignore Nova’s warm skin on her body.
“Can you? Then, by all means, walk.” Nova laughed softly.
Danna didn’t move. She couldn’t see anything.
“That's what I thought.” Nova yanked her forwards, settling her onto a soft surface. Sand trickled between her toes. “Lets go,” Nova growled, and pulled Danna forwards by the hands.
The sand quickly changed to a hard packed dirt road. Danna hissed as her toe kicked a rock.
“Careful My Lady,” Nova said dryly. “Don’t want you to get hurt, now do we?”
“What do you care?” Danna asked. “I know you don’t give a shit about me.”
Nova inhaled sharply. “I don’t want to have your value decrease,” was all she said.
Danna bit back a sigh. Why did she keep hoping Nova was going to change her mind?
All Danna was to her was a pile of gold. Nova only saw her as a source of profit. Nothing more. Why did Danna keep hoping Nova would not give her away? She was only hiring herself more.
“Where are we?” Danna asked.
“Quiet,” Nova hissed. “We’re at the edges of Gatlon.”
“But my father doesn’t live anywhere near here!”
“He’s staying in your vacation home.” Danna could hear the scorn in Nova’s voice. “That's where we’re going.”
“Oh.”
They halted.
“Viv, go ahead and take out as many guards as you can. Then stay as watch. You know the signal if something goes wrong?”
“Yeah,” Genevieve responded. “I’ll meet you back here then?”
“Yes. Good luck,” Nova said curtly.
“You too. It was a pleasure, Miss Bell,” Viv said. Danna pictured her sinking into a small bow, a playful smile on her face.
“Likewise,” Danna responded, a smile on her own lips.
Nova ripped the bag off her head, and Danna blinked in surprise. Nova wore an outfit almost identical to the one she had been wearing when they first met. A long black coat with shiny gold buttons. A black hat that covered her face and hair. Her waist was lined with swords, guns and knives. She looked like Noah Artino, dreaded pirate lord. She looked anything but Nova Artino, the girl of Danna’s dreams. But still Danna ached to be close to the girl.
“I’m going to need you to behave,” Nova instructed. “I can’t lead you. So follow me, and we all get home safe and sound. Got it?”
Danna nodded. “Got it.”
“Great. Follow me.” Nova hurried off through the shadows. They were a block away from her house. She recognized the houses, decked in gold and mosaics. The beauty that once awed her now disgusted her. How many lives could that have saved if the money had gone to people who had actually needed it? How many people would have never starved or been killed? Danna’s lip curled.
“Hurry up!” Nova hissed.
Danna jogged to catch up. Her long legs carried her over to Nova.
She couldn’t help but gasp when she saw the gleaming manor.
It was so familiar. How many times had she stood in this very spot?
“Ready to go home?” Nova asked, smirking.
Danna breathed in, and out. “Yes. I can’t wait to get back to civilization,” she said haughtily.
“Of course you do.” Nova shoved her forwards.
“What are you doing?” Danna asked. “Are you just walking in?”
Nova scoffed. “Of course not. That would be rude. We’re knocking first.”
Danna couldn’t help but laugh. “You kidnapped me. You broke into my house in the middle of the night. You can’t possibly be worried about manners.”
Nova smiled slightly. “Ah ah. That wasn’t me, that was my crew. I would never be that callous.”
“Nova?” Danna said gently.
Nova’s grip tightened on her, but she didn’t say anything.
Danna breathed in deeply. Chances were she would never see Nova again. Better to say it, wasn’t it?”
“Look, Nova, I know you hate everything I represent. And I understand, I really do. I hate me too. I just… I want you to know that I don’t hate you. I could never hate you.” Danna bit her lip and looked down.
“I could never hate you either,” Nova said tightly.
“Then don’t make me go back!” Danna said quickly. “I can’t stand my life. The time I’ve spent with you was better than anything I had ever known. I can’t go back! It will kill me.”
“I have a job to do. I’m sorry, Danna. But this is goodbye.”
Danna nodded. “I understand. I just wanted you to know, Captain.”
“You can call me Nova,” she whispered. “It’s nice to know that someone outside my crew and my family remember me.”
“I could never forget you… Nova Artino.” Danna attempted a smile. “Let's just get this over with, yeah?”
Nova nodded, and breathed in shakily. “It was nice knowing the real Danna Bell.” She stepped forwards, and knocked twice on the door.
“I’m sorry,” Nova whispered to Danna, and jabbed a needle into her arm. “This is the only way.”
Danna collapsed, her head lolling backwards. The last thing she saw was Nova’s sea blue eyes full with tears.
---
Nova held a knife to Danna’s throat. The girl lay collapsed against her.
Nova felt terrible. She was a terrible person. How could she be doing this? Danna didn’t deserve this. She was forcing her to go back to a life she didn’t want when it was so easy for them to run away together. But she was too scared to disobey Ace. She couldn’t bear to see his disappointment when he saw that his niece was in love with a noble.
The door opened, and Danna’s father stood in the doorway, fear on his face.
Nova pasted a smirk on her face. This was her way of life. She could do this.
“Hello, Mr Bell,” Nova said.
“Danna!” He said. “Oh thank god, you're alright.”
“Not quite.” Nova tilted the blade up. “Where is my money?”
“What did you do to her? Our agreement was that you would meet me at the dock, tomorrow. And she would be safe and unharmed.”
Nova grinned despite the tears threatening to spill over her eyes. “Never trust a pirate to keep his word. Especially me.”
“What do you mean?” The duke trailed off. “You’re Nightmare.”
Nova winked. “I am. And your daughter is fine. She’s just drugged. In a few hours, she’ll be fine. Ish.”
“Nightmare doesn’t take prisoners…”
Nova groaned. “I don’t have time for this! Give me the money. Or else I kill your daughter here and now.” She pressed the knife against Danna’s throat, cutting a small line of red. Nova tried not to wince.
Danna’s father nodded shakily, and whistled. A servant appeared, and the man whispered something into their ear.
“You’ll get your money, Noah Artino,” he hissed.
“I’m counting it,” Nova replied coldly. “It’s not like you need it, anyways.”
They stood there, glaring daggers into each other.
The subtle rise and fall of Danna’s chest comforted Nova, and she fought the urge to brush a strand of hair out of her face.
Finally, the servant reappeared, carrying a huge chest. Their face was bright red from the effort, but Danna’s dad didn’t care.
“Trade me Danna, and you get your treasure,” he said.
“How do I know you won't attack me from behind while I’m busy carrying the chest.”
“You have my word. And unlike you, I actually mean it.”
Nova shrugged. “Fine. If you attack me, you will regret it.” She laid Danna down on the ground. Her hair spread out, a halo around her face.
“Set the chest down, and back away.”
“No.”
Nova pulled out her gun, and placed a finger on the trigger. “Would you like to rethink that?”
The man shakily backed away.
Nova whistled sharply, and Viv melted out of the shadows behind her.
Danna’s father gasped.
“Carry the chest,” Nova hissed under her breath. “I’ll cover.”
Viv nodded, and hefted the chest up as if it was nothing.
“Nice meeting you!” Nova called out as they hurried away. She kept her gun trained on the man.
“It went alright?” Viv asked.
Nova nodded. “Yeah. it was fine.” The look of pure betrayal was still fresh in Nova’s mind though. The way Danna had looked at her while her body fell onto Nova.
Nova never should’ve let herself get so attached to Danna. It had come back to bite her in the ass, and Nova’s chest felt like there was a gaping whole in it.
“Fine?”
“Yes, fine. Hurry up, it won’t be long before the Renegades come after us.” Nova looked back over her shoulder anxiously. “We have what we came for.”
“Do we?” Viv looked at her, concerned. “You seem…”
“I am fine!” Nova screamed. “Hurry up, or I’m leaving you behind. We did what we needed to do.”
“Yes, Captain,” Genevieve said heavily, and hurried after Nova. “You know best.”
Tag list: @novissa @thepurpledragon4444 @phobidawg @janisarkisian @rvbell @redassassin @styeenza @ifyouhadntbutyoudid (let me know if you want to be added/taken off!!!)
