Sure enough, Lapis fulfilled her promise. Peridot was given food, and a proper cabin and hammock. She awoke groggily in the night, her muscles painful and heavy. Of course she wasn't used to work, she always had everything done for her and wasn't allowed the slightest bit of independence. Peridot had always wanted to be creative, to work and study and make things, but she had always been stuck until now. It felt good for her muscles to ache, even though she easily had many bruises on her pristine skin where she had dropped something or slipped on the deck. She sat up and nearly fell out of her hammock. Oh, right, boat. She was still getting used to boats, thought the nausea had calmed down quite a bit. She looked around the cosy cabin, it was calm, serene. The creaking and sounds of waves contributed to the atmosphere. Peridot's attention was drawn to the noise above, it sounded like most of the crew was up there having a good time. She felt a pang of sadness as she wished she could join them, that wasn't exactly possible as Lapis had firmly locked the door. It wouldn't budge, she had tried, though she didn't exactly know what she would do. Get revenge for Lapis basically ruining her life and killing her parents? Though she hadn't actually ruined her life... and she didn't feel anything for her parents.
Peridot slipped out of her hammock and went to try the door again, it didn't budge. She had tried picking it with her hairpin but to no avail, she didn't know how to pick a lock at all. She flung it away, slumping against the door and groaning, too fatigued to get up again. She laughed half-heartedly. They don't exactly do honest pay for honest work here, or else my legs wouldn't be jelly. She rubbed her forehead as there was a knock at the door. She jumped up.
'Who's there?' she heard some muttering and then it was Ruby who answered.
'Hey, it's just me. Sapphire's here too, we're gonna try to get out.' Peridot listened through the door and her eyebrows furrowed.
'How are we going to get off the boat you clod.' She heard a click, and then another.
'There's a lifeboat, if we can figure out how to get it down with enough supplies without alerting everyone we should be okay.' There was a final click, she stepped back and the door opened. Sapphire and Ruby both wrapped her in a hug.
'We have to be quiet.' Sapphire muttered softly. They crept as silent as they could through the passageways and up the stairway. The clamour and music was louder up here and they saw a warm light through a crack in the doorway. Ruby hurried past, holding onto Sapphire's hand as they went up the stairs, but Peridot hung back.
She peeked through the crack in the door, seeing a table with nearly the whole crew laughing and shouting and singing and clapping. Lapis herself had one leg up on the table and was aiming with a dagger at a painting of a nude woman on the wall. she was obviously drunk as she wore a big captains hat with an array of fancy feathers, it half covered her face so she had to lean her head awkwardly to the side. Jasper was currently collecting banknotes in a pile, betting whether Lapis would hit it or not.
'Go on ye bastard.' someone shouted. Lapis yelled back over her shoulder.
'Arright, arright i'm gonna.' She drew her arm back and chucked the knife at the painting, hitting it square in the face. They cheered, and Jasper divided the winnings among them. Peridot couldn't help but smile at this display, but it was quickly exchanged for an expression of horror as she realised Lapis was staring right at her. They stared for at least ten seconds before Lapis looked away and began chatting with jasper.
That didn't seem right. wasn't she supposed to draw her sword and start chasing them? She scrambled away from the door, dread in the pit of her stomach. we'll be fine, we'll get out. She bolted up the stairs and over to Ruby, panting. Ruby was currently loading crates into the boat, Sapphire sorting through them.
'What took you so long? we thought you'd been caught and we were about to leave without you.' Peridot caught her breath.
'It was nothing, everything's fine.' She helped Ruby load the last crate and they clambered in. Ruby puzzled around the boat.
'Okay uhh... untie that rope there.' Peridot untied it and Ruby untied the other, the tried feeding the ropes to the pulleys but it wouldn't budge, it was jammed entirely. Peridot's blood ran cold. That's why she didn't do anything. Her voice was shaky.
'We need to get out of here, back to the-' Sapphire gasped as Peridot was hoisted into the air by a Jasper and thrown back onto the ship where she landed on her back.
'What the fuck do you think you're doing.' She bellowed. Peridot lashed out in fear but realised Jasper wouldn't hurt her... badly at least. she scrambled to give an excuse.
'I- I'm-' Someone lay a sickeningly gentle hand on her shoulder and she went rigid.
'Jasper, don't hurt the poor girl.' Lapis lifted her up and put an arm round her shoulder. Jasper stood silent, still looking bitter but understanding that Lapis wouldn't have any of it.
'Oh come now, no need to be so tense princess.' Suddenly there was a vice-like grip on her arm and she cried out, blood ran red down to her elbow. Lapis was furious, obviously.
'Your little trio will be doing every scrap of work i can find for you tomorrow, until then i'll be having your lock picks.' She spat the words viciously. Lapis ransacked their pockets and shut them in their rooms. Peridot was shaken at the ferocity of the captain. She curled up that night in her hammock, dread lingering in every part of her body.