Lapis stared dully at the blank wall with her legs pulled close to her chest and her chin resting on her knees. She had memorized every detail of the gray concrete. Every crack and stain and hole. Sometimes she would connect them together and create images. Other times she would count every crack or hole over and over again. Little tedious tasks that would keep her mind busy when she could no longer sleep or was tired of pacing. After centuries of this monotony, Lapis was amazed she hadn't lost her mind. Sighing, Lapis uncurled from her little ball and stretched on her sore limbs. Her joints cracked from the movement. Lapis stood up. The floor was cold underneath her bare feet. Twisting and turning her body, Lapis worked her muscles out to prevent her body from becoming too stiff.
This had been her life for centuries. Confined to this dull, bare cell with no windows, a small bed and the yellow glow of the crackling force field. It was roomier than the gem and Jasper occasionally did allow her out. However, those weren't improvements that made her situation any better. Different cell, different jailer, still a prisoner. Lapis couldn't even remember what true freedom felt like. It was nothing but a faint memory. Not even a memory, a dream. But, she held onto hope. Hope was all she had. Hope kept her going. It kept her sane. She would go home. She would return back to her mother and her sisters and the ocean. Eventually...eventually. Lapis stopped stretching for a moment. Her fingers brushed the tears away from her eyes before she resumed her exercise.
"I can give you a good stretch," a husky, amused voice broke the silence of her cell as Lapis bent over, reaching for her toes. She didn't bother to look up or address the suggestive comment but rolled her eyes. Jasper had a playful, sometimes flirtatious side but Lapis refused to humor her. These moods rarely lasted. Jasper was ruthless and savage. And Lapis knew better. The shield dropped with a soft crackle of electricity and the Titan nearly filled up the small room when she entered. Jasper was broad and muscular. She towered a few feet above Lapis. Jasper was certainly intimidating even when she was in a good mood. The mischievous smile on her plump lips sent chills down Lapis. Her stomach dropped instinctively, but she didn't let her nervousness show.
"Would you like some air," Jasper asked. Lapis shrugged. The question was evidently rhetorical. Jasper never pulled her from the cell without a motive. A weapon, Lapis came to realize. She was a living weapon. Though, every so often, Jasper would request Lapis's presence when she wanted company. Jasper gripped Lapis's arm and roughly yanked her out of her room. Lapis stumbled. Due to their height difference, Lapis struggled to keep up with Jasper as she dragged her down the long, familiar corridor line with empty cells.
"Is this for business or pleasure," Lapis asked, staring at the empty rooms. She had no idea why there was so many or why they weren't filled. This was something she had always pondered each time she was taken from her cell. Jasper snorted, flashing her strong white teeth.
"Does it matter?" No. It never did.
The screams always followed her afterward. No matter what she did to drown them out. They filled her head and seeped into her dreams. The sounds of rushing water mixed with terrified cries echoed in her mind. Lapis stared up at the dancing lights streaming from the stain glass windows onto the ceiling. It made her feel like she was swimming underneath the ocean, staring up at the sun reflecting off the water. Just like all those bodies floating in their watery tomb.
Lapis closed her eyes when the thought flashed through her mind. It was her or them, she reasoned with herself. It was home or be killed. And Lapis would do anything to go home. Why should she care about them anyway? Her hands curled into fists on her lap. Those…those humans. They were nothing but selfish and barbaric beings. She felt contempt for them. Why would she care? Yet, she couldn't forget those screams no matter how hard she tried.
"Aren't you going to eat," Jasper asked between bites, breaking Lapis out of her thoughts. Lapis glanced at the plate in front of her. It was piled with strange looking food in an assortment of colors. A hearty aroma drifted toward Lapis's nose. Delicately, she picked up her fork, scooping up some steaming green vegetation in her mouth. A buttery flavor filled her mouth. It was actually quite delicious. Eating dinner with Jasper had become a weekly ritual for Lapis. It was the only way she was able to keep track of how much time had passed.
Dinner was always a strangely friendly event. They would sit, eat and sometimes make idle chit chat. They weren't captor and captive at this moment. They could almost be mistaken for friends. Or even significant others. However, Lapis always felt the lingering fear and tension around Jasper. Even in her most relaxed state, Jasper was not someone to cross. Lapis had experienced that first hand. So, Lapis ate, quietly. If she was addressed, she made conversation. This was how it had been for 5200 awkward weeks.
"It's good," Lapis commented, taking another bite. Jasper smiled, taking a swing of wine.
"What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"Don't lie," Jasper smirked. This was a warning.
"Just about…those humans."
"Dead humans now. The best kind." Lapis didn't reply and poked at a piece of fish with her fork. Her appetite had quickly vanished even though her stomach growled in protest. She didn't hold the same animosity like Jasper toward humans. While Lapis disliked them based on a disastrous experience that cost her freedom; Jasper absolutely loathed them. Lapis had never found out why but she was never inclined to ask. Jasper did not press the issue any further. She never did. That wasn't 'dinner conversation' and the issue was always quickly dropped or disregarded.
They ate the rest of dinner in silence. When it was time for Lapis to return, Jasper unlocked the cuff around her ankle. An extra security measure Jasper would say if Lapis ever asked. After all the years, Jasper did not trust her. It wasn't like the idea hadn't cross Lapis's mind before. Or that, in the beginning, she had attempted to escape. Her desire to go home and the fear of repercussion kept her tethered to Jasper. Jasper was stronger and more powerful than her. She was a Titan after all. She had ruled long before Lapis was ever born. Lapis was merely a nymph. And a nymph against a Titan was laughable.
Jasper consistently reminded her of this too. Every time she tossed Lapis around like a ragdoll. With every squeeze her arms or neck, with every blow to her body, with every sickening sweet touch. Lapis was always reminded. Through it, Lapis remained faithful because she had hope. Hope that with every abuse, she would come closer to home. Hope that with every village she destroyed, she was closer to freedom. She needed that hope to survive. She clung to it like a security blanket. It was all she had.
"Good night, Lappy." Jasper unceremoniously threw Lapis onto Lapis's bed and left. Lapis was thankful that Jasper didn't decide to linger. Sometimes, whenever she was feeling frisky, Jasper would stay and fool around with Lapis. This happened more often when she was drunk. Her large hands and lips would be all over Lapis. Lapis was relieved when Jasper didn't feel like mauling her. Tired, Lapis curled up on her bed, shutting her eyes. She was hoping to silently drift to sleep. All she heard was screams.