~ Dream ~
It was dark in hear and I woke up to what looked like I was underwater, but in some kind of cave, I looked around my surroundings and saw Ariel approaching what looked like the Sea Witch, Ursula.
Ursula: Come in, my child! You're here because you have fallen for a human... Here's the deal: I will give you a potion that will turn you into a human for three days. And you've got to get dear old princey to fall in love with you
I watch as Ursula produced the golden contract with her henchmen smiling in the background.
Ursula: Of course we haven't discussed the subject of payment! You can't get something for nothing you know. What I want from you is your voice. Go ahead, and sign the scroll. I'll help you, you poor unfortunate soul
I wanted to stop Ariel but my voice didn't get through to her, and without hesitation, Ariel signed the contract. I was about to swim towards her when someone tugged me back and I saw the same tentacles from my first dream about the Sea Witch story, I wanted to fight back but two people grab a hold of my arms and just laughed, then the I saw Azul from before appearing in front of me as I struggled to catch my breath but Azul held my head like as if I was a fragile porcelain doll. He leaned close to my face and I was able to see his eye clearer now. His eyes were silvery-blue, and he held a smirk on his face when his lips ghosted over mine and spoke.
Azul: You Belong To Me
Roxana: [eye widen] N-No... It can't be
~ Dream ~
Roxana: [sits up] NOOOO!!! [huff] [huff] [huff] Where am I? Oh, that's right, I'm at Octavinelle
[knock knock]
Jade: Ms. Love, are you alright?
Roxana: Umm... Yes, I'm okay, I only had-
[door opens]
Jade: Had what?
Roxana: Umm... I only had a nightmare, what's with the tray and-
Jade: Azul instructed me and Floyd to take good care of you, so we must obey his orders. Now, would you like some morning tea?
Roxana: S-Sure
Jade handed me a cup of tea and I sipped it, only to realized that it was earl gray tea, I smiled and finished the tea while Jade lay out my school uniform on my bed.
Jade: Now then, Angelfish, shall we get you dressed for school and breakfast
Roxana: Oh, I was hoping that I could dress instead
Jade: But Azul instructed me to dress you properly if you're going to look sharp for Octavinelle
Roxana: what?
I placed the teacup on the tray and saw that my uniform was replaced with a different color vest along with the armband, instead of a gray vest I got a lavender one, and the armband was changed to the Octavinelle one. I was confused but Jade started unbuttoning my top when my guard was down, I was about to push Jade away when someone caught my hand, and that person was Floyd.
Floyd: Azul wants us to get you ready so that you can have breakfast with him, you won't wanna keep him waiting, so be a good Angelfish and let us dress you up
I know that Mae told me to not break, but I had no chance against the twins, so I give in this only time and allowed Jade to help me get dressed. I was a blushing mess but it was quick when I got dressed, he placed my shoes on and brought me to the vanity where I sat as Jade brush my hair, he placed my hair in a messy bun and put the bow that Azul gave me as a gift.
Jade: There, now you look beautiful, we should probably get going, we don't wanna miss breakfast
Roxana: 'I really do hope Mae Senpai find a way to get our friends, classmates, the Ramshackle Dorm, and me out of this or else I'm trapped here forever'
I grabbed my school bag and followed Jade and Floyd to the lounge where Azul sat there waiting, he looked up and smiled as he approached me and kissed my hand.
Azul: It's so lovely to see you, Angelfish. Shall we get going
Roxana: O-Of course
Azul: Now there's no need to be afraid, my dear Angelfish. We'll take very good care of you. Oh, and after school, I want to discuss with you about the Contract you haven't made with me yet
Roxana: Oh, I thought about it, and I decided not to take the deal
Azul: Oh, and I thought you wanted to go back home, aren't you worried about your father?
Roxana: I realized now that, if my mom left for her reasons, then I should accept my faith that I was brought here for a reason
Azul: Oh?
Roxana: I could never have gotten this magic unless there is a reason behind it, and I think that the Night Raven College can give me those answers. I'm sorry Azul, I should probably go get some breakfast. Please excuse me
I quickly left Octavinelle and hurried to the cafeteria, and made it to grab something to eat, while I was there, I sat at a table all by myself and ate some rice. I was sitting there calmly when all of the sudden, I get hugged by someone, I freaked out because I thought it was Floyd but I looked back and saw Kalim.
Kalim: Jamil! Our Marigold Princess is here!
Roxana: Ummm. Kalim, it's so good to see you
Jamil: Kalim, you must refrain from shouting across the cafeteria, you scared Roxana
Roxana: Oh no, it's fine, I was expecting someone else. But the question is, why are you here?
Kalim: We saw you sitting all by yourself, so I thought you could use some company
Roxana: Thanks, Kalim. I'm just not feeling too good, I think it's because of the exams
Kalim: If it makes you feel any better, you could come and visit us for that Royal Dormitory Tour
Roxana: Really? That would be nice
Jamil: We can do it during the Winter Break
Roxana: Really?
Jamil: Of course, it would've been Kalim's pleasure to have to come and visit
Kalim: Yes, you would love the parade we have in Scarabia, we always celebrate
Roxana: I would love to see that, thank you for cheering me up
Jamil: we're glad to cheer you up too
Mae: Roxie!
Roxana: Mae Senpai
Mae: I forgot to give you back your Potion book, thank you for letting me borrow it
Roxana: It's no problem, really
I took the book and placed it in my school bag, once I was done with breakfast, I resumed my classes. However, Jade and Floyd have to keep a sharp eye on me, once classes were done, I walked back to Octavinelle and went to my room to stay there and do my homework, but I heard the door open and took a peek to see Jade and Floyd going off somewhere. I quietly followed them and saw them go into a mirror. I wanted to follow them, but at the same time, I stopped when I saw them change form into what looked to be Moray Eels. I was shocked that I didn't expect them to be merfolk.
Octavinelle Resident A: Y-You!
Roxana: Huh?
Octavinelle Resident A: Y-Y-You isn't supposed to be here! I told you before! I-I-It's Dangerous!!
Roxana: B-But I'm only here because-
Octavinelle Resident A: I-It doesn't matter, you have to... Gah!!
Roxana: A-Are you alright? Say something!!
Octavinelle Resident A: I-I have to kill you
Roxana: [eye wide] What?
Octavinelle Resident A: For the sake of taking what's mine... I have to kill you
I looked at the resident's eyes and noticed his eyes changed, they were now soulless and he didn't behave like his normal self. I panicked and ran through all the hallways until I reached what looked like the mirror Jade and Floyd went in. I was backed up when I was cornered by the resident that I slipped into the mirror and into the ocean. I was trying to hold my breath and went for the mirror, but it cracked and now I'm trapped underwater. I tried looking for another but my vision was getting blurry, I was running out of air.
Roxana: 'Someone... Anyone... Please... I don't...'
I don't wanna die
No One's P.O.V
Roxana was starting to feel her life being drained when all of the sudden, merfolk caught her and uncorked a bottle of potion. He drank the potion but didn't swallow only to kiss Roxana and force her to drink it, after hearing a couple of gulps. Roxana's eyes began to open slowly until she felt her legs transform and change, along with her clothes and skin began to change too. She was starting to catch her breath and cleared her vision when she saw who her hero was.
Roxana: [gasp] How... How did I...
Azul: Oh Angelfish, you should be careful when you're in the ocean, you won't know what kind of surprises you'll find here
Roxana's eyes widen when she got a good look at her hero and realized it was Azul Ashengrotto, not only that when she saw his merfolk form, it made her receive flashbacks from her past self...
~ Flashback ~
Little Roxana: You know, When you grow up... Will you be my best friend?
Little Boy:... [smile] Yeah, we can make a deal... I'll be your best friend... We can be Best Sea Friends for Life... Just you and me... And can I include two other friends too?
Little Roxana: Sure! The more the merrier
~ Flashback Ends ~
Roxana: I-It can't be...
Azul: Are you alright?
Roxana: U-Umm. I just- whoa!
Roxana was having difficulty getting used to fins and tails but Azul grabs a hold of her, gently, and guided her on how to swim.
Azul: It will take you some time to get used to them. Come, why don't we take a trip to memory lane
Roxana: A trip? To where?
Azul: You'll see... Fufufu
Azul swam guiding Roxana to their location, as they reached to the surface in time to see a beach. Roxana was amazed but saw something that caught her eye, she swam closer to it and figured out what it was, it was a cave but not just any cave, a special cave where she hid all her treasures and most precious items. Roxana was surprised that they all remained here and didn't end up stolen.
Roxana: [gasp] my treasure cave, how is it still
Azul: Safe... Let's just say I took the liberty to ensure they were all safe
Roxana: Azul... Does that mean...
Azul: Yes, I was the boy who made a deal with you long ago
Roxana: Azul... I [sobs] [sobs] I don't know what to say [sobs]
Azul: Please my dear Angelfish, don't cry
Azul came closer to Roxana and wiped her tears and he held her close and she cried into his chest.
Roxana: It was you... You're my best Sea Friend for Life, you're the boy who I met when I was 5 years old
Azul: [smile] It's true, I'm the boy that became your Best Sea Friend for Life
Roxana's P.O.V
I and Azul stayed near the cave for almost an hour but it was a good hour where he and I looked at all the treasures I kept in this cave just for me and Azul, to beautiful seashells, to the things I would think Ariel would keep in her cave.
Roxana: I remember this one, you found this for me, it was a beautiful conch shell
Azul: Everything here was half of what you found and half of what I found
Roxana: I remember how we turned it into a challenge. Whoever found the most amazing treasure would have to give the winner a prize, you always won so many times and even I couldn't beat you
Azul: I remembered
Roxana: Do you remember the song you and I sing together?
Azul: How could I forget
[Song: That Distant Shore by Adriana Figueroa ft FamilyJules]
[Roxana Love]
It all became so lovely
Those bluest skies above me
Those funny feelings I had never felt before I met you
I thought I'd stay a while
I tried to learn to smile
So many colors I had never even known
Maybe I'll find myself sitting on that distant shore
Maybe I'm not alone
[Azul Ashengrotto]
Then I see the colors fading
Gentleness of light escaping
Shadows of my fear invading, have I seen this all before?
I know that there's something residing
A terror deep inside me
I couldn't understand how you could be so bold
[Roxana Love/Azul Ashengrotto]
Maybe I'll find myself smiling on that distant shore
Maybe I'm not alone
Azul and I sat on the rocks where he and I held each other close, I lay my head on his shoulder while I smiled. I may not be happy being trapped in Octavinelle, but at least I'm glad to find my long losing Best Sea Friend for Life. We were both watching the sunset, when I started to feel drowsy and fell asleep.
No One's P.O.V
Azul noticed Roxana was feeling sleepy, so he decided to take some of Roxana and his most prized treasure with him and swam back to Octavinelle where he placed the bag filled with Roxana and his treasure. While he placed Roxana on the couch and uncorked a bottle and drink the potion but didn't swallow it. He then kissed Roxana and made sure Roxana drank it all. Once he pulled away, he watched as her fins and tail disappear and she reverts back to her human form. He then drank his potion and changed back where he placed his coat over Roxana and carried her body along with the bag to her room. He placed her gently on her bed and the bag next to her where he placed all his and her treasure on a shelf.
Azul: It's good to have you back, Roxana Love
~ A Few Minutes Later ~
~ Octavinelle Dorm - Lounge ~
Azul:... What did you say? Mae Senpai is with Leona?
Jade: Yes. It seems that the client has somehow fallen into Savanaclaw
Azul: I see. That is... Just a little outside our estimations...
Floyd: What'cha wanna do? Squeeze 'em?
Azul:... No. And it's probably fine to leave Leona alone as well
Jade: Wouldn't it be troublesome if he becomes our opponent? Should we not make the first move?
Azul: He is a slothful male lion after all. His principal is to keep his neck out of difficult matters. Of course, he is a troublesome opponent, I completely agree but... I'm sure he feels the same. He wouldn't even consider antagonizing me because he enjoys it
Jade: I believe the expression goes something like... don't kick the hornets' nest. As you wish
Floyd: Tch. He seems like he'd be good to squeeze
Azul: You two. Please continue to keep a close watch on them
Jade/Floyd: Alright
Azul: The sooner the three days pass, the better I will have the Ramshackle Dorm and Roxana Love. She may not want to agree to sign a contract with me, but I have better plans for her. Fufufufu
While Azul felt confident that he was going to win, what he doesn't know is that someone has been listening to their conversation in spirit and left the area without a trace.
???: For the sake of Ms. Love, I shall not allow this Octopus to go near her