Princess Emma

By now Emma really should have been used to this; to her father (and mother) bursting into her room first thing in order to wish her happy birthday before anyone else. It was a ritual nearly as old as she was and one that, though she occasionally groaned over the early hour, she loved. Dearly.

Back? Dmitri stared at his sister, almost dumbstruck about her confession. He shouldn’t have been surprised, it was in her nature to go where she was not allowed, but it still blew him away that she was admitting it. He was certain they dad would have a cow, or two, if he ever found out. Heck, he could already see him waiting for them when they got back to Auradon if he found out they were missing.

“And what?” He stayed low, waiting to hear the next part of her plan. The idea of going to pirates’s bay really did not sound like a good idea, but he was not about to question his sister. She had been there before, she clearly must have known as away out of this.

“I must inform you that you lack my vote of confidence at the moment.” He told her as he moved along a little bit, glancing down the nearby alley. “Do you know which way we have to go? Because they don’t seem to have many signs, apart from.” He pointed to the posters, rolling his eyes a little. They all seemed so ridiculous, but it really was not his place to judge.

But he wouldn’t find out. Obviously, he hadn’t found out about any of Emma’s earlier jaunts, why would this one be any different? They were fine. Just so long as neither of their parents decided to drop by and surprise them.

“I told you. And then we’ll be safe. I have a friend there. Well...more like a stalker. But a helpful stalker who has more than once helped me navigate this island. Which means, yes. I know where I’m going. Found the bay all by myself last time. So if you could try having just a bit more confidence in me, that would be great. Thanks.”

Following his gaze, she rolled her eyes at the poster. The propaganda that littered the Isle was ridiculous and did nothing to inspire moral. In fact, Emma felt it did quite the opposite. Made the residents of the Isle feel condescended to. Set them even more against the idea of goodness. There had to be another way. 

It was a bold move to come aboard his ship, even looking for his son. It wasn’t something that anyone on the Isle did. Too many feared him. But this princess was a brave one. “So … what is it that my son did to you then? Steal your tiara? Break your heart?” At her comment about his hook he raised a brow.

He let his hook trail over her neck, a warning of sorts. He didn’t intend to kill any princess, but he wasn’t one to stand by when being disrespected. “You should watch it here, lass… . some of us here… . don’t have my kind of patience.”

Much to Emma’s credit, she didn’t flinch when the cold medal touched her skin. She barely reacted at all -- at least outwardly. Inwardly, she wanted nothing more than to push it away, put some space between her and the Captain. She didn’t think he’d kill her, but why take that chance?

“Once.” Maybe twice. “I came following the kidnapping of my best friend.” More like after his safe return; Emma had been left behind during the rescue mission. One of the few students who could lie to Fairy Godmother and have it sound believable (unlike the stupid ass camping story). “Imagine my surprise when his kidnapper offered to be my escort.” 

To be fair, Harry hadn’t been a bad guide. Once they got past the whole her punching him thing. 

Conflicted emotion became a storm within guarded blue eyes, her fingers twitched upon her leg as she done her best to keep control of herself. Don’t let anything show, don’t let anyone know. Eva was almost certain she knew what was going on, she was starting to recognize the darkness within. The prophecy that they had often brushed aside – she felt envious that her sister would be the hero in all of this in the end.

“I am sure he was happy to oblige.” Slowly the blonde moved from where she was, her feet carrying her to a spot a little bit away from where Emma sat. She couldn’t get too close, not yet. Without much said, she sat quietly, pulling her legs under her after she crossed them.

There it was, there was the prying. Normally the feeling felt cold, dark, but all of sudden it burned within her. It burned endlessly, lapping at the edges of her control as she done her best to contain it. “Do you…remember the prophecy that has been connected with our family?”

It was so hard to tell her, she didn’t want to lose her family, or be sent away.

“The one about the saviour and the dark one? I thought we all agreed that was just a story. I mean, if anyone was going to become the dark one, it was Uncle James and so far...he’s pretty much still just an ass. Why are you worrying about that?” Had something happened? Had Emma missed some news from home? But then why hadn’t Eva come to find her? Or Dmitri? If something was wrong back in Charmington, then clearly they should know...

Right?

Waiting for her sister to respond, Emma took the opportunity to look Eva over. To take in her the way she was sitting...and the distance she was keeping between them. Something was definitely wrong. Possibly even more so than she originally thought when she followed her out here. But what did it have to do with the prophesy? 

Though, if her uncle had become the dark one, that was pretty big news. And kind of a bummer...in the ‘whole family is doomed’ way. So she supposed she could see how that would put her sister on edge. 

“Your wonderful company of course.” He countered. Well maybe some more entertainment, getting to learn more about her. Since Uma had gone he hadn’t really got much left, the crew had disbanded pretty quickly and he was left crew-less – which he hated because before Uma he had had his own crew. Maybe he was just too complacent now, more of a follower than a leader.

Harry shrugged, hooking the hook on one of his pockets as he walked past her a little.

“The Isle is not friendly to people who don’t belong here, and while you definitely can handle yourself, I would rather not hear about you falling prey to some individual while here.”

Wonderful company. Right. Emma could only imagine what that was code for. Perhaps he was planning to extort her for money -- a protection fee of sorts. Or maybe he was planning to simply ravage her; she’d heard pirates do that occasionally. And while she wasn’t the governor’s daughter (a traditional target), she was a princess. Not that Harry knew that.

Either way, he’d hardly find her an easy target. As she had already proven with her welcoming punch.

“See, the problem with your reasoning, and it is a problem—is that I seem to remember a time—well despite my excellent memory, I only partly remember as I was thinking about Chad doll number four at the time, and how he’d been looking rather morose lately and if possibly, we needed to re-think the type of ink we were using in the printer—“

He cut himself off, a dreamy look crossing his face for just a second, distracted with thoughts of the printer and his army of Chad dolls he was slowly creating. A thought much more interesting than how to get his beloved, but irritating cousin to agree to her fair share of the blame.

Her fair share, being all of it.

“Anyway—the point I was making, is that I partly remember my father going on an impressively long lecture that may have mentioned something about texting and driving.” Chad shrugged, turning once more to glance at his cousin, a knowing look on his face. As obviously, she couldn’t possibly argue with that logic. It was full proof. He deserved to be saved from his fathers wrath, especially when he was so very close to getting the upgrades he so desired for his own Printer.

“Unfortunately, my father doesn’t quite share my mothers opinions on Audrey’s and my true love…and I’m not sure he’d be quite as understanding.” He paused, glancing at his phone to ensure he hadn’t missed another text.

Audrey only allowed him a ten-minute window to text back, and it was a very demanding texting schedule. One he could proudly state, he was a champion at keeping. Unless he was crashing his car. But a man had to have some priorities. He’d rescued his phone at least.

“So, whilst I can sympathise with your reluctance…I’m afraid we’re going to have to go with my original plan…in which you take the blame.”

Emma loved her Aunt Ella. Adored her. But someone needed to tell her that her constant coddling of Chad was creating a monster. Excellent pair of ears? Really? Not even her parents said stuff like that. 

“Yeah? Well then Uncle James and I have that in common.” Meaning the whole disapproval of the Audrey-Chad relationship. It wasn’t that Emma disliked Audrey as a person, she just really didn’t like Audrey with Chad. And vice versa. Somehow, the two of them managed to bring out each other’s worst qualities. Not to mention the whole ‘lap dog’ look was really not becoming. Sure, Chad could be a bit of a d-bag from time to time, but honestly? Emma preferred that to the Chad who ran around at Audrey’s beck and call.

Actually, she preferred the Chad of her childhood. The one she used to get into trouble with. (And the one that still occasionally came to her aid). But if she had to choose between douchey ‘frat bro’ Chad and lovesick puppy Chad, then she definitely chose ‘frat bro’. 

“She’s not good for you. I mean, look at you. Hurrying to make her texting window. Seriously. Who gives their significant other a texting window! You’re a Charming, Chad. Girls...and guys...are lined up around the block to date you. So why are you allowing Audrey to walk all over you. It’s gross.” With a shake of her head, she grabbed her bag from the back.

Eva had been pushed to commit an evil act, the darkness taunting her until they almost stripped everything away from her. She was focused on the failing form in front of her before she sense Emma, sensed her light coming towards her.

“I wondered when you would appear sister.”

She had feared this day would come. When she would have to stand face to face with her sister and choose. Did she try to save her? Try and see if there was still goodness inside of her? Or did she do what Adam had done so long ago? Did she banish her sister to the Isle for the good of Auradon?

She had been told by the fairies that the only safe answer was the latter. That even if Emma was to get her sister to stop, that there would be no guarantee the darkness was gone. 

But Emma didn’t believe that. Didn’t believe that the only course of action was to banish her sister -- doom her for eternity. No. Emma believed she could be saved and if no one else was willing to help, then fine. She’d go at it alone.

“I’ve told you before. I’ll always find you. Just as you’ll always find me. It’s what we do.” She tried to manage a smile. A peace offering of sorts; something to show her sister that she wasn’t here to fight her.

Harry showed up with Gil - totally not just in case he got his ass kicked and needed help walking after… not at all - but no one else. He wasn’t ready to be humiliated in front of anyone else. As much as he wouldn’t admit it, she was really good with a sword.

He smirked, “for my victory dive afterwards? Of course.”

Seeing Gil, Emma began to wonder if she shouldn’t have brought backup. A ‘second’ to use proper dueling terms. Not because she didn’t think she could beat Harry. In a fair fight, she totally could. The problem was if, for some reason, the fight became unfair. Then it would be two against one. That, she might have a bit of a problem with. 

“You’d be surprised,” he laughed. “When I’ve done something, which is deemed as dangerous, many of the courtiers run around squeaking like headless chickens, going on about how dangerous it is.” Though he never did listen to them, he knew his limitations.

James raised an eyebrow when she informed him off her question, the visiting King smiling slightly. “Just don’t go falling into any ovens, we do not need to explain to your parents why their daughter has been cooked. Though that is a very brave quest you are embarking on.”

“Really?” Somehow, it surprised Emma that people would fuss over her uncle. At least in the same way they occasionally fussed over her. “But you’re the King. They should let you do whatever you want.” Because that was what being King (and a grownup) was all about. No one telling you what to do.

Emma couldn’t wait until she was grown. She’d spend all her days questing. Traveling through the Kingdoms and seeking out adventures. At least when her queenly duties didn’t require her to be home. But she was sure they couldn’t take up that much time. Right?

A slight grumble came from Ben, cursing Lumiere for giving him away like that. He knew he was looking out for him, but he hadn’t wanted to see anyone. Not like this. He knew the assumptions, he knew the comments that would come. Some believing he was just like his father, that he had pissed a fairy off. Maybe he even had it coming, that he was neglectful of someone.

The young Beast remained in the shadows, watching Emma quietly. How he yearned to be honest, to tell her the truth, but he could not. He couldn’t have her looking down upon him. No, not Emma. She was his closest friend, the one person he riled upon. If she turned her back on him, if she judged him for this, he didn’t know what he would do. What if she told everyone else? (Though he was certain that was not in her nature, but he did not want to risk it)

“Fine. Have it your way. But just know I’m not leaving here until you tell me what’s wrong.” And she meant it too. However stubborn Ben was, Emma was just as stubborn and would (without hesitation) wait him out. As demonstrated by her stretching out on his bed -- a bed she had laid upon hundreds of times before. A bed she had napped in as a small child. A bed where she and Ben had shared many a secret.

Now it was the hill she was prepared to die upon. Provided Ben didn’t cave and just tell her. Which, in Emma’s opinion, he should just hurry up and do. What did he think was so horrid that he couldn’t share it with her? That she would think less of him? Because Emma could think of nothing. Not even if he were to sprout a second h...oh.

Fingers pinched the bridge of his nose as he listened to Emma, his jaw clenched as he kept his temper in check. Even when she promised, part of him knew that was a lie - how could he stop her without having her under watch? She was just saying that to give him to remove the guard.

Still, he had to trust her…

“Fine.” It was all he said before he hung up the phone. Within the hour the word was sent, and the guards that once stood outside her door disappeared.

Of course it was a lie. Emma was going to do what Emma wanted to do without any concern for her personal safety. Just like always. Only now her adventures had gone from exploring unknown caves to journeying to the Isle. 

But if Ben was willing to believe her, she certainly wasn’t going to correct him. 

She waited a bit, wanting to make sure the guards were gone before she ventured from her room. It meant she missed her first two classes, but she was sure Fairy Godmother would understand once she explained. Sometimes things like this just...happened. Dealing with royals was a gambit like that.

And even if Fairy Godmother didn’t understand, one detention wouldn’t kill her. As long as she didn’t have to serve it hanging streamers or something ludicrous like that.

Heading down to her locker, she wondered if she should stop by Ben’s. Thank him for removing the guard. Fight or not, he was still her best friend, and she didn’t really fancy the idea of never talking to him again.