My Dear Pirate

"Aurelia!" my father voice booms through the hallway and I flinched. Did he know my plan? I tilt my head to see my father swimming furiously towards me and I can't help but feel nervous and scared. Not because he looks ridiculously mad, it's because he'll probably forbid me for going out again. To say the truth, they didn't know that I sneaked every night to go to the land and explore. I did my best to behave but it seems trouble always seeks me out and just ruin everything! Or because you're just too indenial to admit your mistake, you little s**t. My brain snaps back at me. Yeah, and my brain too. We just don't get along and I don't know why. Are there rumours floating around that I didn't know? Did someone saw me? Was I too suspicious? What am I going to do?! My father stops in front of me with his deadly serious glare. Or to say his everyday look. No wonder why mother left him, he doesn't know how to have fun or talk normally like a merman do! Don't get me wrong, I love my father, so much, but if he's always like that then he'll end up alone in this big palace that he built for us. My sisters for sure are gonna ended up getting married while I on the hand will probably get caught by some fisherman and sell my body parts to some maniac. He's gonna get lots of gold by then. "I heard that you slapped Barry with your tail in front of a whole lot of people?" Oh. I see. I let out an imaginary relieved sigh and my heart feels slightly at ease when I heard the problem. I thought that I was done for sure. Though seeing my father's reaction, I can tell that he's really mad at me. It's not a really big deal though, but as always he's gonna make it a big deal. "I was just defending myself from that perverted fish, dad!" I blurted out, making myself sound scared and fragile. I clasps my hands together and tries to make myself even more helpless. "I was so scared when he caress his tail with mine! And dare to say, he did it publicly! I don't want to ruin my reputation any further and drag yours down, dad..." I feigned a cry, letting out a sob occasionally and wipes a fake tear away. Even though we're deep underwater. My father face slightly changes into pity and rage, and slowly he pulls me into a hug. My eyes widened in shock from the sudden affection he's showing. He doesn't really like to be soft around us or it's going to ruin his image as a ruthless leader. But sometimes he can really be a father too huh? My sisters gonna be so jealous when they'll hear this. They won't probably believe me since I always tell lies and fake stories so that I could look cool but this time it's gonna be real. Perhaps I can help dad look more approachable to my sisters so they can spend time with him and change their mind towards him. He just need a little encouragement and telling white lies so he can let out his inner dad. "I'm sorry, Aurelia," my father whispers softly as he soothes me by caressing my hair. For a moment I feel like crying and admit everything to him but that just will make him mad so I simply wrapped my arms around him and just take the affection he's giving me. "I didn't know. I failed to approach this matter delicately as your father and I failed as a king to listen to some rumors that I haven't seen with my own two eyes, and yelled out at you without even knowing why you did that." He hugs me tighter. I should probably be scared right now because it's getting harder to breath but if I think more sensibly, my father is just comforting me and it's rare so I'll probably let him. Though I'll stop him when he ends up accidentally choking me. I still have plans later. "It's okay, dad. It's my fault too for not telling you as soon as I got home but I don't really want any more problems. I'm sure Barry will learn his mistake and understand why I did that to him. I'll probably apologize to him tomorrow too so we'll live more peacefully and still in harmony." I mentally screamed yes! when dad finally lets go of me, letting me breath more comfortably and not worrying to die from short of breath. My father looks at me in wonder and another miracle! He smiled at me. Am I dreaming? Did dad really smile? Now they really won't believe me. But at least I get the chance to see my dad smile right? He looks more scarier when he smiles though. "You've really grown, Aurelia." He gives out one last smile before leaving me dumbfounded in the middle of the long dark hallway. What does he mean by grown? I'm already 22! Did he still see me as an annoying kid before? Aside from your attitude, your height makes it more unbelievable to convince anyone that you're in your twenties. How do I shut my brain? I went to my messy room and wait a little longer before I can finally reach the isolated shore to change my tails into a pair of feet. I sat for a few moments, admiring the starry sky like I always do before taking my hidden clothes into my secret place and finally walks towards my most favourite place. The tavern. I opened the door with a loud bang that stole a lot of attention from drunkards and workers. The owner of the tavern sneers when he sees me but I gave him a smug smile before sitting in a stool and ordered some ale. He snorts not giving me a second glance as he continues to wipe some mugs. "Ya got some coins, lass? And don't say yes because you always leave without paying and definitely without wrecking some of my things!" Even though he's angry, he never really dared to yell at me. Making it more fun to tease him. I silently giggle as I try to imagine him being so red in anger but still manages to control his voice to minimum. "Don't be so angry, Wran. You gotta admit that I bring fun around this place, making it more livelier and attract more customers, yeah?" I laughed when he finally relents and gave me a mug of ale. "I'll probably trick some drunkard to a drinking challenge and make them pay for it. So it's gonna be a win-win for the both of us, right?" I wink at him not noticing that someone entered the tavern making the place silent. I tilt my head slightly, confused from the sudden change of atmosphere and there I saw a man with a suspicious sense of style. The only striking feature he have is his hair. It looks like the sky when it's midnight and there's no stars. So dark. There's a noticeable scars from his face and a cloth that covers his left eye. Time seems to stand still when his right eye met mine. My heart seems to react immediately because it feels like there's a horse inside me galloping in full speed so I look away before I go paranoid, thinking that my heart will burst if I stare at him. I didn't know what time it is when a fight has finally break out. I cannot fully enjoy it though because the alcohol finally caught me so I just hopelessly laugh at the men exchanging fist before drunkenly trip over at each. I laughed so hard that I even choke on my own saliva when they both fell down and accidentally kiss. No doubt that this is the best adventure that I have so far. Except for the feeling that someone might be watching me. Did they see me choking from laughing? That would be embarrassing.