I smile and nod encouragingly.
His expression clouds a bit on the next question. “I am here… because my family needs me to be.”
It is a very heavy answer, thick with hidden meaning. Unfortunately for my curiosity, it isn’t like I can press him without a voice, so I let him continue. Several moments pass with nothing more than the sounds of us chewing in silence.
His frown deepens when he finally looks at the last bit on my list. He wipes his mouth with a napkin and stands up. “Damn, they didn’t even give you a clock? I will take care of these two and get back to you at dinner. The others will be down in about a half-hour. Do you want more food?”
I nod eagerly and move my closed fist as if carrying a bag. He seems to understand the meaning and nods. He puts together a small takeaway container of rolls, steamed vegetables, and a small bit of candy. Leftovers in hand, I gleefully head down the stairs to return to my reading.
I finish the rest of the book and shove food into my mouth. The soreness in my muscles is starting to ease. From what I’ve experienced today, some strength must’ve transferred over from my tail. But it wasn’t like I was strong before I arrived.
My legs tuck under my bottom, and I study the words. At the end of the story, I’m reduced to tears, weeping into my pillow. It is ridiculous. The book ended with a perfectly happy-ever-after, complete with hope and peace.
Human literature is very different from the tragedies I was forced to read as a child. Just as I’m wiping away the tears with my shirt, I realize how bad I smell. I wince and wonder if everyone else who has come into contact with me has smelled this odor.
Being above water is something I have never done. How was I supposed to know how gross I would get? I still don’t have any spare clothes, but maybe I can wash and re-wear these. I am used to being waterlogged, after all.
When I wander back to the bathroom, I almost feel light-headed. It’s odd to roam freely. I wandered around for hours, and nobody stopped me, even if they thought I was weird.
Peeling off my clothes, I rummage back through the plastic crate. I grin as I find something I have never used before: soap.
Soap isn’t great for scales, which tend to be silky-smooth with natural slime.
The other bottle reads: lot-ion. The directions say to rub it on my body.
Oh... like sea snail mucus! Perfect.
I am pretty sure these are the only things I’d need. When I step into the shower, I turn the water on as hot as possible. I shouldn’t like it, but I want to try it. It is too hot, so I crank it to the middle and settle on a medium temperature.
Once the shower head has thoroughly soaked my hair and skin, I open the soap.
Shit.
It smells exactly like the captain. What the hell are his things doing here? And why does he use a body wash that smells like the ocean when he is alreadyliving on the ocean?
Just as I am panicking and cursing myself, a loud pounding on the door sounds.
“Princess, are you in there?”The captain’s obnoxiously irate voice calls through the door, his voice slightly muffled.
I freeze. I have no idea what to do, so I quickly finish rinsing and shut off the water.
“What do you think you’re doing wandering around my ship handing out notes?” he shouts.
Well, damn. That didn’t take long.
“Did you hear me? Do you think I don’t respect you? This has nothing to do with respect. It’s not safe for you to be out wandering around. I gave you a book. Isn’t that enough?” Erik’s voice is full of calculated rage.
I roll my eyes and reach for the disgusting clothes. He is already starting to get under my skin. The prank isn’t that fun anymore. I start rummaging for my pen and paper. He’s still spewing nonsense, but I can’t find my pad. Grinding my teeth, I tear at my hair. I can’t think when he’s—
“Gods, I forgot you can’t even speak. This is the worst…” he drones on.
That does it. I’m so furious, I write on my palm. The writing is sloppy on my skin, but I yank open the door and shove my hand in his face.
Stop yelling, asshole. If yu want respect, be someone worth respecting.
Red clouds my vision, and I’m trying to control my huffing breaths. It takes me a second to realize that he has gone red, but not from anger.
Nope. That's all on me.