"At least tell me what she looks like!"
Arthur Kirkland had to be the most persistent, tiring, and annoying man in the world. "Arthur, I don't know who you're talking about" Antonio hissed for the millionth time. Arthur merely rolled his eyes and groaned. "How many times do I have to tell you, I won't hurt her! I only have some questions and tests I wish to run."
"You're trying my patience, amigo" Antonio growled, tinkering with his boat. He could never leave while Arthur was watching. That was just an invitation for the Brit to follow. "Well, you're trying mine" Arthur whined. " Honestly, I don't see why you can't just-"
Arthur yelped and clamped his mouth shut when Antonio gripped his shoulders and glared. "What do you want me to say?" Antonio snapped. "That she's got a tail and the torso of a human? That she's what you'd expect?"
"I'd appreciate it if you'd at least stop denying it" Arthur squeaked. Antonio gripped him tighter. "If you know what's good for you, you'll stop coming here. Because even if you are successful in finding her, I will tear you to shreds if you lay a single finger on her."
Arthur narrowed his eyes and scowled. "Let's make one thing clear, amigo" he snorted. She doesn't belong to you. I've spent years trying to find some sign that indicated she exists. I'm not about to give it all up because some wanker thinks he can stake a claim on her."
"You know what, Arthur?" Antonio sneered, releasing him with a small shove. "I will stake a claim on her. Lovi is mine, and I'd rather die than let someone else have her."
Arthur blinked before smirking. "Become rather possessive, haven't we, Antonio?" he chuckled, drawing out the Spaniard's name. "Why don't we make things easier; you just tell me what you know. Answer my questions about your 'Lovi' and perhaps I won't pursue her. No guarantees, of course."
"You're lying through your teeth, Kirkland" Antonio snapped. Arthur tilted his head to the side and laughed. "I suppose you're right" he sighed. "I would never give up that easy. I'll leave you for now. But don't you worry; I'll be back soon."
Antonio cursed as he watched Arthur leave. Such a stubborn fool.
(-)
Lovina was in a daze. Feliciano could see she was paying less attention to what their grandfather had to say than usual and it made him uneasy. Nothing was worse than when they fought, which was often. No matter what, they always seem to butt heads every day.
And Feliciano was often caught in the middle. They both had their reasons and they both had reasonable arguments. Nonno wanted her to start acting like she was part of the family, but shot her down all the time. Lovina wanted to be her own person, but was too rebellious for her grandfather and even Feliciano's taste. So Feliciano was often forced to take a side.
"Lovina, are you listening?"
Here we go.
"Mhm" she hummed absent mindedly, staring off. Feliciano gets a bad feeling in his gut when his sister's stare drifts up to the surface. "Well then what did I just say?" Nonno huffed, folding his arms over his chest.
"Something important, I'm sure" Lovina sighed, tilting her head to the side. Roma rolled his eyes and grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him. "I asked you where you got that" Roma repeated impatiently, pointing to her chest.
Lovina was wearing something new, something man made. Which wasn't entirely uncommon, but it looked brand new. Clothing of any sort almost never looked brand new where they were from. And it looked more like a man's shirt.
"I found it" she shrugged, leaning back and smiling to herself. Roma looked her over, trying to decide whether or not to believe her. "Lovina, what exactly do you do during the day?" he groaned, backing away.
"I'm with Heracles, of course" she answered quickly. For some reason, Roma didn't find that entirely believable. "Is that so?" he mumbled, glancing at Feliciano, who could only shrug.
"Yes, can I go now?" Lovina whined, already rising. Roma frowned and gently pushed her back down, clearing his throat. "No, there's something else we need to talk about."
Lovina cocked an eyebrow and waited while her grandfather cleared his throat once again and glanced back at her. "Lovina, you're at an age where…most girls are thinking about the future. About their future. Namely, starting a family-"
"Woah, woah, woah" Lovina interrupted. "No no. Now way, not happening. I am not letting you tie me down with some idiot so I can poop out babies."
Roma groaned and smacked his palm to his forehead. "Lovina, I wish you'd take this seriously!"
"I take this very seriously" she snapped, moving closer. "And I'm telling you right now, no one's going to be spreading their seed to my sack, thank you very much!"
"Lovina, it's about time you settle down, like others your age" Roma groaned. Lovina rolled her eyes and rose again, already starting to swim away. "Yeah, well maybe I don't want to" she scoffed.
"For God's sake, Lovina, quit acting like a child and own up to your responsibilities!"
Lovina whipped around and glared. Feliciano gulped when he saw that familiar glint in her eyes. It only ever led to trouble. "A child would blindly follow orders like an ignorant fool. I am no child" she hissed. Feliciano wanted to cut in, but couldn't quite find his voice.
"Your brother does as he's told and-"
"I am not Feliciano! I will never be Feliciano! That's all I ever hear from you! Feliciano does this, Feliciano does that; what about me?!"
"I don't know what you do because you're never here" Roma growled impatiently. "All you do is dawdle and laze around instead of being a productive member of society-"
"A society I don't even belong to!" Lovina interrupted. "I've never belonged here; I've never wanted any of this!"
"I am tired of you belittling and disrespecting this family! You don't even try to be a part of anything. You have absolutely no right to whine about not belonging when you don't even try."
Feliciano's heart stopped when he saw his sister's fingers twitch. "Sorella, please calm down" he begged. Lovina didn't pay attention. "Why am I the only one who has to change?! Why is it so bad to want something else?!" Lovina snapped.
"Lovina, there's nothing wrong with having dreams. But you refuse to devote anything to anything important."
Roma didn't know that he had just insulted Antonio. But Lovina didn't care. The water stirred around Lovina's clenched fists as she came closer. "I don't care what you think. I've found something better than anything you've ever offered me" Lovina snarled, eyes darkening, clouded with sheer rage. Roma matched her movement and flared his nostrils.
"I don't know who you think you are, but you have no right to be using that tone with me" Roma hissed. "I have given you and your brother everything I have to offer. It disappoints me to see how arrogant and self centered you've become."
"Oh I'm the arrogant one?" Lovina scoffed. Says the one who's still afraid of humans."
"Your ignorance only highlights your arrogance, Lovina" Roma warned. "You think you're superior because of your foolish bravery when it comes to those heathens? How have I raised such an ignorant child?"
Feliciano came forward and swam between them when Lovina raised her hand. "Sorella, you can't lose control, n-not again" he whimpered. Lovina's eyes softened and came back to focus as she clutched her shaking hand. "You can go see Sadiq again-"
"Absolutely not" Roma interrupted, more harshly than he usually did when dealing with Feliciano. "Nonno, he can fix-"
"I'm not broken, Feliciano" Lovina snarled, constantly glaring at her grandfather. "That's arguable" Roma snorted. Lovina bit her lip and bowed her head. "Fine. Clearly I'm not wanted. I'll stop being ignorant and go. Is that what you want?"
Lovina didn't give anyone time to answer before turning and speeding away. Back to the only place she felt right.
(-)
Admittedly, she should've turned when she saw the ship. It wasn't some dinky rowboat. It was a full blown ship. And those were never any good. Plus, they usually have nets. And the only thing worse than an anchor, is a net. Because nets lift you out of the water. And onto ships.
Lovina thrashed around as soon as she hit the wooden floor, scrambling to find away out. It felt like she was suffocating, what with the ropes and the men gawking and grabbing at her. It was overwhelming to say the least.
A huge lump formed in Lovina's throat. This was the end. Caught by a bunch of idiots to be kept as a trophy until she withered away. What a pathetic way to go. Lovina didn't stop struggling until hazel eyes met piercing crimson ones.
"Let me go right now, you idiotic bastard!" she spat. The albino only chuckled and kneeled down in front of here. "Franny, you're not going to believe this" he cackled, gripping her chin. "And here I thought they were just a myth" he chuckled as he examined her. Lovina tried to bite his hand without success.
"Oh Francis, I really think you're going to like this" he sneered, reaching behind to grab her tail. Lovina fought back tears and tried to find anything to grip to stop him from dragging her across the ship. "I said let me go!" she cried when he didn't stop.
When Lovina turned herself around, she found herself face to face with another man. "Gilbert, she's beautiful" he cheered while he crouched beside her. "Can I keep her?" he chuckled, running his hand down her torso.
"Don't touch me" Lovina croaked. This was terrible. Oh god, Nonno had been right. She didn't want him to be right, but he was. Antonio was only an exception. "Wait til Toni sees her" Gilbert snorted. "He'll wish he never left."
"What do we do with her until then?"
"You free me!" Lovina screeched. Gilbert and Francis glanced at each other before laughing. "Ah, I am sorry" Francis giggled. "We could never simply free such a beauty. When we find something we like, we keep it. Take it as a compliment."
Gilbert started dragging her again. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Lovina caught sight of an extremely tall blonde just watching in shock. She could tell he knew this was wrong. But he just stood there. Damn bastard.
"Bruder, maybe we shouldn't-"
"Aw come on, West" Gilbert cackled, throwing a still tangled Lovina over his shoulder. "Who gets an opportunity like this? I'll tell you who; no one. Live a little."
Lovina let out a massive string of curses and threats as she was carried down to the brig. No one seemed to care. "You're going to stay put for now" Gilbert sighed. "Toni's gotta see this" he added with a smirk. Lovina laid there helplessly as he walked away.
"You god damn bastard, I'll kill you if you don't let me go!" Lovina shrieked. But as usual, no one listened.