Updated:12/08/16
Chapter 24: Under It All
[ Snow White and the Huntsman- Sanctuary]
Time seemed to freeze as the rest of the world ceased to exist. In front of her lay the bluest of waters, with waterfalls from five different directions all pouring their magic nectar into it like a fountain. Even under the setting sun the lake's surface glimmered, reflecting surrounding trees and other plant life beautifully like a watercolor painting. She wanted to pummel onto her knees and cry in disbelief at finally finding the place so many refused to believe in, and yet she'd continued to have faith in its existence. Instead, she proceeded to stand with her mouth gaping open like a dying fish.
"Woah! That looks so awesome!" Luffy declared, disrupting the silence. Liara smiled as the others remained quiet, seemingly just as astonished by the scenery as she was.
"This is quite beautiful," Robin mused as she stepped forward to get a better look. Liara followed her example and hesitantly approached the lake, pacing herself in case something odd were to happen.
She truly wondered if it was all an illusion that was poking fun at her hopeful mind. She had to pinch her arm a couple times to ensure herself that she hadn't just stumbled and hit her head head in the cavern. Once again, she felt boney fingers squeezing her hand, a type of physical contact she'd recently started to become quite familiar with. It was also one she was starting to wish happened more often, and whether she should be scared or happy confused her to no end. Perhaps she should discuss it later with Robin and Nami.
"I'm with you Liara," the skeleton stated as he stood closely beside her. He squeezed her hand again before pulling away, causing Liara to sigh at the loss of contact.
A gentle breeze tickled her exposed legs and arms, dispatching a shiver across her whole body. She closed her eyes and basked in the peaceful feeling a moment longer before resuming her stroll forward.
When she finally reached the water, she bent down to stick her hands underneath the liquid's surface. A gentle rippling effect spread over the back of her hands as she allowed the cool liquid to flow around her fingers. The water was quite warm, but evidently cooling down as the sun began to dip beneath the horizon line. Even with the curse Liara could feel magic flowing along her fingertips.
Sensing somebody next to her, she glanced up and saw Merida facing the lake with a melancholy smile on her face, causing the wrinkles around her eyes to crinkle upwards. "This place looks exactly the same as when I last saw it," she reminisced to herself. "Still so beautiful, still so full of...magic." Liara sat down and brought her hands back up, shaking the dripping water off her fingers before resting them on her knees. Clearly this place held some memories for the faerie, some of which apparently brought sadness.
[+]
"Liara, I believe I have an idea of a possible way to unlock this curse." Merida narrowed her eyes without glancing down at the young woman. "The mermaids have given me something that would allow you to venture into the lake and swim in its depths while being able to breathe."
Liara's eyes widened. "You mean...I would be able to breathe underwater?"
Merida nodded. "Yes. You see, there is said to be drawings on the wall beneath the lake's surface. These drawings are supposed to contain the very answer needed for unlocking the heart of this-" she gestured towards their surroundings ," -place. Unfortunately, faeries are not able to swim, otherwise I would've looked myself all those years ago. I only know of this idea from listening to conversations between the villagers. I can't say for sure that the answer is under there, but it's worth a try."
Liara stood up so they could be closer to eye-level. She contemplated carefully what she was hearing, trying to make sense of it all in her head. Could the curse be lifted so simply? Was it even remotely possible? She had no choice but to go along with it if she wanted to stand even a remote chance at freeing the confined spirits, so she agreed to the idea.
Pleased with Liara's cooperation, the old woman gestured for the Artist to lower her head some more so they could exchange whispered words clearly. " My dear, I think you should bring your skeleton friend with you when you do this."
"Re-really?" she stammered. "Why him?" She wasn't at all displeased by the idea, just shocked.
"You seem to have the strongest bond with him, and having somebody you trust your entire being to while doing this makes the adventure more fun, don't you think?" Merida answered with a wink.
"I'm not sure that will work though," Liara stated with a shake of her head. "He ate a devil fruit, and devil-fruit users aren't able to swim."
Merida placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "These waters are magic, meaning they contain properties the ocean and other waters of the world don't posses." She continued upon seeing Liara's confused look. "You see, this lake only works for the pure of heart, and regardless of the fact that your friend doesn't posses a literal beating heart, he still has the emotions of one who does. Therefore, his devil fruit powers will be cancelled out, and he'll be able to swim."
She was still puzzled, but if Merida believed Brook would be able to swim with her, then that was good enough. She nodded in thanks and faced the water, trying to ignore the heat that steadily rose to her cheeks. Unfortunately, the faerie noticed this.
"You love him, don't you?"
She was completely caught off-guard. Her cheeks grew pink, and it was all she could do to look at the ground and shuffle her feet like a child who was caught. She took a deep breath and finally met Merida's twinkling eyes. "I...I don't know," she answered honestly, nervously twirling a finger in one of her chestnut curls. "This is all new to me and I'm trying to figure it out."
"Ahh, that's alright. It's important to figure these things out before you act on them anyways," Merida nodded in approval. "Anyways, I think that skeleton likes you too, which is another reason why I'm sending the two of you together." She cackled at how bashful Liara appeared, which drew attention over to the two of them. Knowing that her friend didn't want to be the center of attention in such an embarrassing moment, Merida instructed her to bring Brook over to her place in the morning. "Oh, and maybe a bathing suit too," the old woman called over her shoulder.
Brook ambled over to the blushing young woman, who didn't face him in fear of him noticing her flustered expression. "Liara, are you okay?"
Liara turned around and prayed he didn't notice her timid behavior. She smiled, explained the plan to him, and then excused herself. Though she didn't really want to dismiss his company, she just really needed to find the only other females that were part of their wacky crew.
Brook observed her as she took off, trying to dismiss the worrying thoughts in his head and instead focus on the joy of finally being able to swim again.
Liara quickly sought out Nami and Robin, both of who were standing near the water and watching Usopp, Chopper, and Luffy splash around in the shallow ends. She approached the women and hesitantly requested to speak. Luckily, they agreed, and all three left right away, but not before Nami ordered Franky to keep an eye on Zoro so the swordsman didn't get lost.
Zoro was not amused.
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The room they decided to hold their discussion in was Robin's bedroom, and luckily the raven-haired woman had an eye placed outside the compartment in case any of the boys were nosy enough to try and overhear their conversation. All three of them sat comfortably on Robin's bed, with Liara in the middle. She twiddled her thumbs nervously, trying to think of what to say. She had to get it off her chest, but she really hadn't put much thought into how she was going to initiate the conversation.
"This is about Brook, isn't it?" Nami asked with a grin. The way Liara's cheeks turned the color of cherries immediately confirmed what both Nami and Robin had presumed. Liara pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on the small gap between them. "I...I don't know what to do. I'm so confused by my feelings."
Robin smiled. "Well, how do you feel around him?"
A thoughtful look glazed over the Artist's eyes. "I feel like I can talk to him about anything. I feel a little sad when we're away from each other, and lately I've been having a strong urge to hold his hand. He makes me happy, and we're always laughing together. When I feel sad, I want nothing more than for him to hold me because he makes me feel safe." Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "Am I-?"
"In love with him? Pretty sure that's the case here," Nami chuckled. "I think it's great though, and I'm pretty sure the rest of the crew will support you guys too. Sanji is the only one who would really need convincing, but only because of how hopelessly devoted he is to us." She rolled her eyes.
"I am with Miss Navigator," Robin agreed, "and we won't say a word to anybody else. If Brook is to hear those words, then it should be from your lips and yours alone. "
Liara curled into a vertical ball. "I feel sick."
"Hey, that's normal! It's a good sign."
The brunette nonchalantly lifted her head. "Have you and Robin ever felt that way?"
Robin chuckled and Nami attempted to confidentially smirk. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Do you now?"
"Why don't you find out for yourself?" the Archaeologist teased while the Navigator burst into nervous laughter.
Liara hid her triumphant simper. She definitely wasn't the only "sick" one.
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When morning arrived, the first thing she did was envelop herself in a steaming bath. She closed her eyes and allowed the water to engulf her naked form.
The conversation she'd had with Nami and Robin from the night before replayed over and over again in her mind. She had a lot to consider. Should she even confess to Brook? What could she say?
The lower half of her face disappeared beneath the water's surface. Like a child she blew bubbles with her mouth in the water, feeling amused for only a second before her worries settled back in. She'd never been in love before, but she knew that the moment had to be right. However, there was a troubling thought that continued to nag her in the back of her mind.
What if he didn't feel the same towards her? She'd feel humiliated! She took a deep breath and completely submerged herself in the water, blocking out all conflicting thoughts.
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As planned, Brook and Liara meandered over to Merida's the instant breakfast was finished. The old woman threateningly glared at Brook as she labored in her garden, goading him to ruin her work again.
The skeleton cringed.
"Good morning. Are you two ready?"
They both bobbed their head in unison. "Good," Merida acknowledged. "Hold on for a moment." The aged woman discarded her soiled gloves and slipped into her house for a a few seconds before she reappeared through her doorway with a bottle of blue liquid in her hands.
"This is what will allow you both to breathe underwater, but only for an hour."
"How was this made?" Liara questioned, wondering how the mermaids were able to create a potion, and such a helpful one, nonetheless.
Merida cackled and gestured for the two of them to follow her. "Something about dust from certain shells mixed with water. Nothing too complicated."
Eventually they returned back to the lake. Merida handed the bottle over to Liara, who carefully took it and cradled it between her palms. "Remember, you only have one hour," Merida warned.
"We understand, Miss Merida," Brook assured the faerie.
Confident that they knew what they were doing, Merida strolled away, but not before getting a little teasing in. "Oh, and no drowning no, you hear?" she called out with a laugh before disappearing back into the forest.
Both pirates shuddered.
Brook sauntered to the clear pool, marveling at just how breathtaking it was. He never thought he'd be able to enjoy swimming again, but now that he had the opportunity he couldn't wait.
"Would you care to take the first sip Miss Lia-" His bottom jaw literally fell to the ground the moment he faced her.
She was wearing a light blue bikini that revealed ivory skin and brought out the pools of blue in her eyes even more, with a little black bow placed nicely in the top center of where her breasts met. Her lips parted nervously, and her cheeks turned bright pink in embarrassment under his gaze.
"Nami kindly bought this for me when we were on Sea Breeze Island," Liara hastily explained. If it had been any of the other Straw Hats she might have been only a little shy, but since Brook was the one looking at her...well, she just felt even more embarrassed, as she wasn't the top of person to show off her body. Nami often strutted around the ship wearing nothing more than a bikini and maybe even a short skirt. Even Robin wore clothes that would show off her long legs and a decent amount of cleavage, which of course Sanji absolutely praised whenever he could. Liara had just never really worn clothing like that before, and now, she was practically not wearing any at all.
Brook, upon realizing he had just been rudely gaping at her, broke himself out of his trance and reached down to reattach his bottom jaw. Liara stared at her feet, continuously watching her toes curl. "I'm sorry. I know this is really embarrassing," she admitted, hoping to clear the awkward moment.
"No. You look very lovely."
Her eyes snapped back up to focus on Brook, who appeared sincere in his compliment. She felt like her face was on fire, and judging by the small smile hinted at on his skeletal face, she could tell he noticed.
"Well, I suppose it's my turn," Brook announced cheerfully. In one swift movement his purple shirt flew over his head and he stepped out of his pants to reveal violet swim trunks. This time it was his turn to feel exposed, as he realized how frightening he must have looked, what with being a skeleton and all. He rubbed the back of his hair, nearly causing his hand to get tangled into his afro. "I apologize for frightening you," he nervously chuckled. "I know it's not every day one is forced to see a half naked skeleton."
Liara could tell he was ashamed, and that saddened her greatly. She didn't care if he was a skeleton or not, Brook was Brook, and she had to prove that to him. Before she could stop herself, she walked towards him, his eye sockets following her every movement until she at last stood right before him. With a deep breath, she reached towards his ribcage, and gently placed her fingers over where his heart would be. He watched her curiously, wondering what she could possibly be doing as he tried not so shudder under her touch. Liara closed her eyes, keeping her hand placed on his ribcage.
After a few seconds, she abruptly gasped and her eyes flew open. "Brook, I can feel your heart!"
The musician seemed too shocked to respond, so she affectionately grabbed his hand and placed it over the area her hand had just been.
His eye sockets widened. Sure enough, he could feel a slight vibration against his ribs, pounding in the same pattern as that of a heart. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Maybe he wasn't as dead as he thought.
"This is wonderful!" he exclaimed as he wrapped his arms tightly around her and spun her around, not thinking about what he was doing. "I don't know how it's possible, but I'm so glad! Yo-ho-ho!"
Liara giggled, happy that he wasn't embarrassed anymore. However, the situation grew awkward as they both realized they were half naked with their chests pressed together. Brook cleared his throat and set her down.
[Atlantis the Lost Empire-The Secret Swim]
"I suppose it's time for that sip now," Brook suggested. "I'm sorry. I was going to let you have the first sip, but maybe I better take it to make sure it's okay to drink." He trusted Merida, but he also knew she probably hadn't drank it before and was unaware of any deadly side effects it could possibly process. If it was in anyway dangerous, he wanted to make sure he knew first so Liara wasn't affected by it.
"Alright, Brook. If you're really sure, then thank you," she gratuitously smiled, flattered by his need to protect her.
With a nod, he twisted the cap off the bottle and took a gulp before lowering the minuscule container back down. Liara searched his face for a reaction, and was relieved when he gave her a thumbs-up. "All good, my dear."
Liara took the bottle and sipped the foreign substance. The liquid slid down her throat, leaving a unique but not unpleasant taste in her mouth. Her mouth felt a bit cold, and she supposed it was because she now had the ability to breathe underwater. She nodded her head to confirm she was ready for their dive, and set out with him into the lake, but not before placing the bottle in front of a boulder near the water. They looked at each other, then dove in.
Thankfully, the water was an appropriate temperature. Radiant sun rays seeped through the liquid surface to provide adequate illumination to examine their surroundings. Brook tapped Noelle on her shoulder, and indicated at something on her left side. Curious, she swam over and discovered, much to her delight, a concealed tunnel. She eagerly grabbed his hand, and together they commenced an exploration of the camouflaged corridor.
The tunnel's floor was charmingly painted in pebbles of almost every existing color. Like on the trail to Merida's house, the pebbles all glowed, allowing the pair to float through the curving passageway without bumping into any walls. It was almost as if the tunnel was guiding them in assistance to reaching their destination, which did not go unappreciated.
When they emerged from the corridor, they found themselves in a completely different area. Exquisite yellow fish with light azure stripes glided together, along with other groups that Liara had never seen before. They were all fascinating to look at, as were the flowers that bloomed on surrounding walls, their colors just as varying as the pebbles on the tunnel's floor. As her eyes skimmed the walls, she noticed pictures covering almost every inch of the rough surface. She tugged on Brook's hand and pointed to where she was looking at. His jaw dropped in awe at the sight, and together they both made their way towards the first wall panel they saw.
The image before them was of a group of people, all circled around a man and woman who held hands and looked like they were in love. Every line etched into the wall glowed blue to provide an almost mystical feel. They floated over to the next panel, which displayed the man sitting in front of what appeared to be a lake. "This lake?" Liara thought to herself. Judging by the look Brook gave her, she could tell he was thinking the same thing.
A demonic looking creature with sharp teeth and long fingers donned the next panel, seemingly focused on the man. It had materialized out of the lake, which made the two friends expeditiously rather uncomfortable.
The next part of the story showed the man looking very evil. He stood in what appeared to be a village, and the people around him were running around looking very scared. Liara's heart ached for the villagers, and she gasped as the next area revealed all the villagers laying dead. However, their spirits stood over the bodies, all looking sad and holding each other in comfort. The man towered behind them, while his lover his nearby and cried.
What really captured their attention was the final wall, which presented a fight between the man and somebody with a sword. The figure wasn't very detailed, but the point was clear; somebody needed to fight the man and release the evil. Merida had said the drawings would tell them what to do, but how were they to even find the possessed man?
[+]
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They broke through the water and trudged back onto shore. The duo lumbered on the grass before succumbing to the exhaustion of their limps and collapsing on their behinds. Both of them were pondering over what they had seen and what to possibly make of it. Liara was the first to speak, as she felt a deep connection with the story and was positively bursting with ideas and questions.
"I wonder why that creature possessed him. I mean, he didn't seem like a bad guy before everything happened, so I doubt it was because he didn't have a true heart or something."
"Ah, and he seemed rather in love with that woman, did he not?"
"He did." Her eyes saddened. "It doesn't look like they got a happy ending though."
Brook intently gazed at the brunette's face. "Well maybe they still can."
They looked at each other, silent and overcome with emotion. The skeleton had never loved anybody before, but he knew at that moment that he was absolutely infatuated with the woman next to him. She was compassionate, courageous, selfless, funny, and beautiful. He would, without a doubt, sacrifice himself for her without any regrets if it meant keeping her safe. He wanted to protect her and make her smile while holding her.
He had never so badly desired to be human again.
Liara could've melted underneath the intensity of his stare. Hope blossomed in her heart when she realized that he really might feel the same way about her. She thought back to when she first met him, and how amusing she found him to be. They bonded right away and formed a deep friendship, which had developed into love. At least, she felt love, but there had been no telling if he returned her feelings.
She needed to confess, but not now. They needed a special moment, not drenched in their bathing suits.
"Maybe." They exchanged smiles before he stood up and assisted her to her feet. A light breeze blew by, prompting them to shiver.
Brook chuckled. "Perhaps we should get changed."