Killian was on the upper deck, looking out into the ocean. He was trying to decide what their next destination would be. Mainly because he didn't want to think about the kiss he had just shared with Ariel. He did enjoy, a little too much actually, it was beginning to worry him. Usually when he kisses women it's not a big deal, it's just a kiss after all.
But with Ariel it was different. He actually enjoyed. That is not to say he didn't enjoy the millions of other kisses he had experienced before, it was just a different kind of pleasure. The other ones usually led to sex, and then that was it. He was done. But with Ariel, it left him wanting more. That was something he did not want though. He didn't want to fall in love. The sea was the only thing he truly loved in this world, because he knew he could never lose it. Opening up his heart to Ariel however, that could get complicated.
Speaking of Ariel actually, where was she, Killian wondered to himself. He turned to face the crew, and he saw that all of them where already on the ship getting ready to set sail, all except his little mermaid friend.
"Have you guys seen our little fish friend?" Killian asked his crew.
"I think she's still at the bar" one of them shouted out.
"Will someone please go get her?" Killian ordered, in a somewhat annoyed voice. He certainly did not want to start babysitting her.
Just as Killian finished his sentence, Ariel appeared on board, gasping, trying to catch her breath.
"Why are you out of breath Ariel" asked Holden, one of the crew members. He was one of the younger men on board. He had actually been very nice to Ariel from the beginning, and the two of them had become good friends.
"I was….. running over here because I thought you guys might have left" said Ariel.
"Well we're still here so can you please get on so we can go?" said Killian.
"Actually since your still here, I was hoping you could wait for just a few more minutes. You see I haven't really spoken to my father since I left home, and I really need to talk to him, he is probably extremely worried about me at this point" explained Ariel.
"And why can't you do it on the ship?" asked Killian, again with an annoyed tone to his voice.
"Well you see the only way I can communicate with him is through this magic shell he gave me, and I need to be in the water to do that. I mean, like the shell needs to be in the water and I need to be in the water, and yeah it's complicated. So please just give a few minutes."
Killian looked up into the sky for a moment. Ariel could see that he wasn't please, but she really needed to talk to her father. "All right off you go" said Killian. "But if you're not back in ten minutes we are leaving without you."
Ariel nodded her head, and ran off to the beach.
She went as far as she could get, she didn't want to have anyone around.
She took the shell and placed it on the ground, the waves rocking back and forth. She sat down, and then took her hand and rubbed the shell three times. She then took her necklace and opened it up. Inside was a pearl, a magical pearl.
She placed the pearl inside of the shell. The shell started to suck in some of the water from the ocean, and it started to form a mirror-like wall of water. In a few moments Ariel's father appeared.
Ariel's father was Triton, King of the Sea.
"OH Ariel, where have you been? I have been so worried about you, I was afraid you were in trouble!" said Triton, with a look of relief on his face.
"Sorry dad I've just been really busy" said Ariel.
"Busy…. doing what?" asked Triton.
Ariel told him about everything that had happened since she transformed into a human.
It was a lot to take in, and Triton just stood there, looking at his daughter. He sends her off to see the world, and she ends up getting involved with Pirates. He didn't like this at all.
"Ariel" said Triton.
"Dad I know what you're going to say, but please listen to me" said Ariel. "I really, really love being out here, and sailing the seas, and exploring lands. I am not too fond of all the stealing and stuff, but that isn't me anyway. I just want the adventure, the freedom."
"Are you sure this has nothing to do with this Captain of yours?" asked Triton.
"No dad" said Ariel letting out a small sigh. "Captain Jones is nothing you need to worry about."
Killian was actually standing a few feet away from her as she said this, but he made sure to stay out of sight. He couldn't believe it though; Ariel was the daughter of Triton, the most powerful creature in the sea, which meant that she was a princess. Suddenly Killian had an idea. He could probably get a lot of money if he wanted to sell her off to some rich man in search some company. She was a princess after all and not just any princess, the daughter of the all-mighty Triton. But at the same time, if he did do this, Triton would probably find out and kill him. So he decided to let that idea go.
"All right Ariel, I trust you" said Triton. "I have to go now. I love you, and be careful."
"I love you too daddy" said Ariel. "And I will, I'll talk to you soon. Bye." And with that, the water mirror disappeared. Ariel took the pearl and put it back in her necklace.
Interesting Killian thought, that necklace was more valuable than he thought.
She then took the shell and started to head towards the ship. Just then Killian decided to come out from behind the bush he was hiding in.
"So, you're Tritons daughter" Killian said, with a mischievous look on his face.
"What are you doing here?" asked Ariel. "I thought you said you were going to leave if I didn't return in ten minutes? Couldn't stand the idea of leaving me huh?"
"No, actually I umm actually saw this very pretty young lady walking towards here and since you weren't back yet I decided to get her attention. I just happened to run into you once I was done with her."
This was a lie of course. He actually was worried about her. She had been gone for about thirty minutes, so he decided to go look for her.
"Right, well we can go now" said Ariel.
"Hold on love, when were you planning to tell me that you were Triton's daughter?" asked Killian. "That is quite valuable information."
"And that is exactly why I wasn't going to tell you and why I didn't want to find out" said Ariel. "And if you dare try to sell me off because of who I am, my father will find out, and he will kill you."
"Is that a threat?" asked Killian.
"Yes" said Ariel, her eyes were locked on his eyes.
"Don't worry love" said Killian. "The thought did cross my mind but I am not stupid you know. Now come we really must get going."
"Why are you in such a rush?" asked Ariel.
"You see that castle over there?" said Killian, pointing to this grand castle that was at the top of the mountain at the far end of the island. "That is where the Queen and King live."
"So?" asked Ariel, not seeing what the big deal was. "You're a pirate, why do you care about the Queen and King? Did you steal their treasure or something?"
"No" said Killian.
"Then whats wrong?" asked Ariel. She was determined to find out why he wanted to leave so badly.
Suddenly, a piece of paper flew by Ariel and landed on the floor. It was a wanted poster, and surely enough Killian Jones was on it.
"Is this why?" asked Ariel, picking up the paper and showing it to him. "Because you are on the most wanted list?" Ariel started to laugh, finding the situation amusing.
"OF course not" he said, snatching the piece of paper from her hands and crumbling it up in his fist. "I take pride in being on the most wanted list."
"Yeah so much pride that you decided to crumble it up and throw it out, instead of keeping it so you could put it in your cabin" said Ariel teasingly.
"Laugh all you want its true" said Killian. "No the reason I want to leave is because there is a ball tonight, and I didn't want you to find out because you would probably beg me to go, and I really hate balls."
"There is a ball tonight?" Ariel asked, a huge smile forming on her face. "Well you were right; I will beg you to go. I have always wanted to go to a ball! Captain we need to go."
Killian rolled his eyes. This is exactly what he didn't want, but the girl was so persistent that he felt the need to tell her. One of the many things he liked about her, he supposed.
"Please, please please, please, please" said Ariel, tugging on his arm like a child.
"You are not going to stop until I say yes are you?" asked Killian.
Ariel nodded, those big green-blue eyes looking right into his. There was no way he could say no.
"Fine, you can go" said Killian.
"Wait, your not coming?" asked Ariel.
"Of course not, I told you I hate balls" said Killian. "The crew might be interested; I doubt it though so you're on your love."
"But you can't leave me alone. I won't know anybody, I don't even know how to get there" said Ariel. "It will be fun, please? Besides there will be food, and music and plenty of women for you to try to bang."
Killian looked at her curiously. Was she really trying to bribe him to go by mentioning women?
"It would really mean a lot to me if you came" said Ariel.
Killian stared at her for a bit before answering her. "Fine" said Killian.
"AH thank you!" Ariel said happily. She moved towards Killian and put her arms around him, hugging him.
Killian was taken off guard by this. Ariel quickly realized that she was doing and quickly pulled away, a bit embarrassed.
"Right, well you better go get a dress" said Killian.
Ariel nodded, and went off.
Meanwhile Killian went back to the ship and told the men about the ball. He told them to try to get some nice clothing; they couldn't walk in there looking like pirates.
A few hours later, the men where all ready to go, they were just waiting for Ariel to come. They were going to take a carriage, while the rest of the men were going to ride on some horses.
All of the men looked very handsome and clean in their black suits. Some of them stole the suits, others bought them, but they looked nice nonetheless.
Even Killian looked extremely dashing in his suit.
Ariel finally arrived, looking absolutely stunning in this emerald colored dress she bought. It was the same color as the emerald on her necklace and it really brought out her eyes. Her hair was pulled back, leaving her bangs to fall on her face. She took Killian's breath away.
"Wow" she said as she saw all of the men dressed so nicely. "You guys look amazing."
"Thank you" said Killian. "You don't look so bad yourself. Shall we?" he asked as he extended out his hand.
Ariel took his hand, and he led her to their carriage. The rest of the men got on their horse, and they headed off to the ball.
They reached the castle in about an hour. It was really a beautiful castle and a beautiful night. The moon and stars were shining brightly, and you could see the reflection of the moon on the ocean.
They got out of the carriage and walked towards the gate. Once they reached inside, Ariel was amazed. There was so many people there, dancing, smiling, having a good time.
Killian could see how happy she was. "Why don't you run along, have fun. I'm going to get a drink" said Killian.
Ariel went off, excited to go dance and meet new people.
The King and Queen had just made their grand entrance, and went off to dance. After they took the floor, everyone else joined in.
After a few dances, the King decided to go get a drink. The Queen was left on her own.
Ariel was distracted by all of the beautiful artwork around her, and she accidently bumped into the Queen.
"Oh my gosh I am so sorry your highness" said Ariel.
"Its ok don't worry" said the Queen. "You can call me Snow by the way, your highness is too regal."
"Right Snow, nice to meet you, I'm Ariel" she said.
"Ariel, what a beautiful name" said Snow. "You know I haven't seen you around before, are you new here?"
"You could say that" said Ariel.
"Oh well welcome I am so glad you could make it" said Snow.
The two ladies went off to talk. Snow was really nice, Ariel thought. It was nice to finally meet another woman; she really hadn't been around any since turned human.
Meanwhile the King, Charming, was over at the food table, getting himself a drink.
Killian was also there, standing by himself, drinking a glass of punch.
"Having fun?" asked Charming, standing next to Killian.
"Oh yeah I am having a blast" said Killian.
"Are you by yourself?" asked Charming.
"Now I am here with someone. Well many people actually" said Killian.
"That's good. So umm where are they?" asked Charming.
Killian looked around and found Ariel talking to some woman.
"Ah you see the red head over there in the emerald dress?" asked Killian, pointing to Ariel. "I'm with her."
"Ah, she's beautiful" said Charming. "She is also talking to my wife."
"Oh that's your wife?" asked Killian. "Huh"
"Yeah" said Charming. "It looks like they're having a good time."
"I suppose so" said Killian.
"Well it was nice meeting you…?" said Charming.
"Ah Adrian Peters" said Killian, knowing that if he said his real name, he might recognize who he was.
"Charming, nice to meet you" said Charming, shaking Killian's hand. "Well I must go, enjoy the ball."
"Thank you, you too" said Killian.
He saw Charming go over to Ariel and his wife. They both left, leaving Ariel alone.
Killian decided to walk over to her. Once he reached her, he tapped her shoulder.
Ariel turned around.
"My lady, would you like to dance?" asked Killian, extending his hand.
"Oh I would love to" said Ariel. "But I don't know how."
"That's all right love, I'll teach you" said Killian.
She took his hand and he led her to the dance floor. He took her free hand, and placed it on his shoulder. He took his hand and placed it on her hip.
They then started to move back and forth, Ariel looking down at his feet to see what she had to do. After a few tries, she finally got it, and they started to dance.
She couldn't stop smiling, she was really enjoying herself. He spun her around a few times, and they kept their eyes locked on each other at all times.
How nice it felt to have her in his arms, so close to him.
Ariel decided that now was a good time to ask him something that had been on her mind all day long.
"Captain, can I ask you something?" said Ariel.
"Anything, love" said Killian.
"I just wanted to know, why, why did you kiss me earlier today?" Ariel asked. She was a bit worried that he wouldn't answer her.
Killian looked at her, surprised that she would ask such a question. Did she feel something special like he had? Or did she regret him kissing her? Either way, he wasn't going to admit how he felt about it, not to her, not even to himself.
"Don't flatter yourself love, I only did it because I thought it would get that man to go away. Obviously I was wrong. But it didn't mean anything if that is what you're asking."
"No, of course not I know that, I just wanted to know that's all" said Ariel. She found herself to be a bit disappointed. She felt like such a fool for asking him that. Here they were having an actual romantic moment, and she had to ruin it. But that kiss was something.
It certainly wasn't her first kiss, she had plenty of admirers back home, but it was her first kiss with a human, and it was the first kiss where she really felt like it was something special. It was magical actually. She hoped that Killian felt the same way, but it was clear that he didn't. It was just another kiss to him.
"I am umm, going to go now" said Killian, as he started to walk away. "I'll see you at the ship."
Ariel just stood there, watching him leave. Then she noticed that he went over to talk to some women. They talked for quite some time, and then they ended up leaving together. Great she thought, another harlot.
She decided to go and try to find Snow. She could really use the company.