Ch 1 - 2. Grandma's Rules
Beautiful. Beautiful memories popped up your head, every time you thought of your foster grandma. This wonderful person taught you many things.
There were moments you started to hate everything and everyone. The whole world seemed to be against you.
Yet, this caring soul enlightened your life and taught you how to love it.
Your lovely, wonderful grandma. A woman with many secrets.
---
It was about four years since your foster had grandma adopted you. She gave you a warm home, new clothes and a new chance to live your life.
Of course you attended school like everyone else at your age. Though you had difficulties to adapt. Perhaps the reason was the strict manner by your grandma. She set up many rules, so all in all she didn't allow you many things you'd like to try out. For example: You had to be home early and had to do your homework directly after dinner. You weren't allowed to play with the rich kids from the noble quarter that was inside of the inner ring of the town. (The government mayor's residence was also located there.) In general, you weren't allowed to explore the island especially the town... some quarters were a big no-no.
You've tried out to sneak into quarters like the noble' ones. But somehow you got caught every time, even by Kuzan. That guy was absent for felt-like years. And then, suddenly, he was there to get you out of trouble before it could happen in the first place.
If it wasn't for him, you'd have a lot more to fight with the people here. He explained you lots of things in order to make it easier for you to understand and adjust. The attitude of the citizens here was the opposite of the one's from your home island. You felt like an outsider due to your way of thinking. You behaved nice and polite, and you were thankful for every gift you got. The kids from this town acted different, more ungrateful and egoistic. They complained about almost everything. Merely a few appreciated what they had. It was strange... it felt like they didn't enjoy being alive. That was the biggest gift in life... wasn't it?
Apart from that Kuzan taught you things that you grandma couldn't... in the sense of topics that would be super awkward to discuss with her. Could you imagine to talk about relationships deeper than friendship and to this effect topics (like sexual ones) with your grandma? Nope nope nope! Well, it wasn't less awkward with Kuzan. He was like your big brother who didn't want you to be with some random, stupid guy. At the same time he was your best friend, whom you actually could ask about these issues. So far, you had not asked him about relationships. It wasn't interesting enough for you at that time, although the other girls always giggled by reason of boys.
Apart from rules and your knowledge, it felt like there were more reasons, why you had troubles with others.
At times you guessed that it was simply your personality that was an obstacle to others. Honestly, you did not like to talk so much. You rather listened to others in slight admiration. The other girls acted all mature and were allowed to do much cool stuff... you were so boring in comparison. So you'd preferred listening over talking. Strangely talking with Kuzan was the complete opposite. You loved telling him stories that you heard or experienced. He got never tired of you. Lucky you, really. You didn't want to annoy him as he was your only true friend at that time.
In order to describe your personality it would take a lot of time, it kind of changed with the people around you. You could be loving, cute and well-behaved. Another time you were shy, quiet and rather self-contained. In front of Kuzan you acted cool, extremely cheeky and you got at times very sarcastic. You've learnt that by him, so he was at fault! Haha! If you were honest to yourself, all of those qualities were a part of you... but you acted the most honest with Kuzan. He told you not to listen to others and love yourself. That's why you didn't care about the girl's opinions most of the time. But here and then you'd like to beat that dumb smile out of their faces. Arrogant she-goats.
Another "problem" seemed to be your sense of fashion, since it was different to theirs. You'd prefer useful clothes over fancy ones. Regardless your taste of clothing your grandma sewed you unique dresses which you loved. But you only wore them for school or special occasions. You didn't want to dirty nor ruin them. After all your need for little adventures and explorations didn't disappear. You have always been a curious girl. But now... you weren't allowed to explore the area as you used to back at the islands. Your freedom was restricted. You felt sad about it.
---
Your life was so different from then. On Crescent Island everyone loved you from the start. Everyone knew everyone's story since there hasn't been many of you. On this island, the people were strangers to each other. Only a few were friends. However it was a little bit different in the quarter that you lived in. The neighbours were really kind, but seriously... they loved to gossip.
Grandma was somehow known by the most neighbours. Many came to get a good advice, cooking receipts or simply wanted to drink a tea with her. Her loving attitude was known by everyone, that's why many helped her out and loved her.
You were lucky that this wonderful person saved your life. You had been told, that you had a high fever that almost ended your life. Your body wasn't used to the stress that you'd been through. For this reason you'd been in some kind of coma. You were awfully thankful towards this granny. Especially because of her patience with you.
Your behaviour has been... stressful for the first two years. After being adopted and introduced to your new home you'd troubles with starting anew. To begin with... it took a while before you could move on your own. You had been terrible sick for an eternity. Why? Because you relived your horrible events of your past every time you close your eyes. Nightmares had tortured you at night. At day you'd behaved like a emotionless ghost. Seeing the grotesque face of that man made you go crazy. For a brief moment when your family and friends had been gathered at the town centre, you saw that evil grimace of the spiky shadow. It was only for some seconds, but the image had burned into your mind. It haunted you...
even now, it's haunting you.
Also there had been some incidents which you couldn't remember. Every time you tried, you got a headache or felt sick. There was that one occurrence that you actually did recollect. It was a strange, blurred memory. You had been shopping with your grandma and Kuzan. Everything had been fine... until you got lost. Somehow you got separated from them. The next thing you remembered was a group of men who approached you. You got scared. They wanted to take you somewhere... but you refused. From there on your memory blurred. All you knew was that you freaked out. You freaked out and the men in front of you froze in their movement. Something very bizarre happened, before you passed out. What exactly happened was unknown to you. Neither grandma nor Kuzan told you what had happened that day.
In general no one explained you what happened, when you fainted. You could never recollect the happenings, you'd never remembered anything. Also it came about you slept for days after your dizziness. Grandma got worried every time. She called out a doctor who examined you. He explained you that the cause of your dizziness resided in your weak circulation. If you got stressed and drink less than usual, you simply would lose consciousness. In the end it was no big deal, as it seemed. You just needed to watch your own health. Still, it depressed you. When had you lived on your home island, you had never been this sick... it was new to you.
When your grandma noticed that your high spirits faded, she gifted you two beautiful bracelets. She wanted to cheer you up. On the one side you were thankful and accepted her gift. Those two thin bracelets were artistic and unique. You'd never seen such a piece of art, it looked expensive, although the material of the rings looked rough and old. The surface felt weird, bumpy and yet antique. Only the small pearls that dangled on the rings were glossy and shiny. You liked it. It was different to the usual flashy jewellery that your friends carried. As your grandma insisted on wearing the bracelets, you did as she wished. In the same moment you felt different. The bracelets felt cold and heavy, although they looked light. Somehow you felt queasy wearing them, but you were unable to take them off. Every time you tried, you failed. Also your grandma wished you to carry them all the time. "It's your lucky charm. Don't take them off", she said, you couldn't refuse her.
On the other side you suspected your grandma hid secrets from you. Since the day you started to pass out, her rules had gotten even stricter. Your grandma controlled your actions and took care of your health. Strangely at this point... it stopped. Your dizziness disappeared into nowhere. There were times you passed out, but it became rare. It was another riddle in your life. Why was your body going crazy? First, everything was fine... then you fainted almost all the time and then again... everything was fine. The only remarkable thing was that you became sleepy and tired very often. That became a problem... because you got ugly every time you were tired and exhausted. Your grandma understood this anyways, she knew about your nightmares.
The old lady had stayed with you, no matter what seemed to be in her way. She was there for you... she stuck with you and got through your nightmares with you. Only for this reason you were alive. And endlessly thankful. It was the reason why you had never questioned her demands and rules.
---
A new part of your life began, as [name] Evans, the 'daughter ' (more like granddaughter) of Emilia Evans, your foster grandma.
At the beginning your neighbourhood was pleasant. You got along with the most strangers who had business with your grandma. Anyway you didn't like the most of your neighbours after quite some time. They had a strange shimmer in their eyes when they looked at you.
At first, you didn't notice that something changed around you. But then... it grew more and more obvious. The male neighbours started to gaze at you, as if you were some alien. At least it made you feel irritated and uneasy. Other girls would likely see this as flattery. But you were positive that this kind of stare was no admiring. It was creepy and it was definitively not natural. You still were a child, yet they looked at you hypnotized. That applied only for the male people. Weird, right?
There was a time some mature dude asked you out, but seriously... you were about fourteen years old and still a child. You did not even know what he implied. Your friends kept talking about boys and relationships which didn't interest you at all. It sounded troublesome and boring. A boy would chain you so had no freedom anymore, right? At least the girl's drivel had drawn you to that conclusion.
In any case it was that time you told your grandma and asked her what that was about. Your grandma got really mad. It was the first time, you saw her like that. But you knew... she was simply worried. "You're too young for this kind of relationship, [name]-chan. Don't let strangers near you, please. I am worried that they want to do bad things with you"
"I am sorry, grandma", you whispered compunctious although you didn't do anything at all, "I've told him that I can't because I don't know him... but he was stubborn" His behaviour was so strange, you got scared back there.
"Ohh! What a rascal! I'll tell Ku-kun and he will kick his...!!!" She cleared her throat. After that he started coughing.
"Waah, grandma! Please don't get so upset! Everything is fine! I easily tricked him, so he lost me!" You assured, hugging her.
She sighed. She sounded exhausted. "Forgive me, honey. I am scared to lose you... too..."
"You won't lose me, grandma. I will stay with you until the very end. I promise", you whispered. You were astonished how your beloved grandma reacted. Usually she was quiet and composed. Certainly she scolded you at times you did something wrong (like breaking rules again)... but this time it was so different. Why?
"My lovely girl, I love you so much." She mumbled agitated. "You've seen so many bad sides of the world... I don't want you to see any more of them"
"But grandma... you've told me no one can change destiny right? So it might happen that I see more..."
Gently grandma stroked your head. "There are things that you can't stop from happening, that is true. But there are things that you can prevent from happening."
"And how?"
"Be careful and be aware of your environment. There are people who want to manipulate you... if you observe them long enough... you'll see them through." Grandma was silent for some time.
"[name]-chan. There was a reason I tried you to... hide from a lot of things. I know that I was very strict, please don't be mad at me" Grandma looked at you, apologetically smiling. "Many citizen of this town are liars and corrupt up to their bones. They are highly influenced by... pirates and other swindlers. They are bad guys..." She sighed deeply. We are lucky to live here, we aren't wealthy so they aren't interested in us. We are safe."
"It's okay, grandma. I am not angry.", you replied smiling. Of course all those rules annoyed you... but how could you ignore them, when this person gave you a wonderful life, although you were strangers at the beginning. Nonetheless you reflected on her words. There was something odd there. Fine, it was a sane reason not to let you interact with pirates (after all what had happened). And of course it would hurt to have criminals around you. But she could've told you from the start right? An explanation would have been sufficient. There was a stubborn rebel inside of you, but you always had been a good girl.
Looking in to your grandma's eyes you noticed tears. "Grandma..."
"Sorry..." She sobbed softly. "I've never told you... I lost my son to those terrible criminals."
" What...?" Your eyes widened at that. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."
"It's fine, [name]-chan. Look, it's an old story. It hurts remembering it at times." She told you. "But I think that it's important for you to know. So please listen carefully"
You nodded. You couldn't say anything anyways.
"Now then... My son has been such a good, decent man. He worked so hard to be successful and to win the heart of his beloved girl, his future-wife Maria. They were such a cute couple and later on: a happy family." A heavy sigh. "Everything was fine... until some pirates took over half of the city. He lost his job. But as if this wasn't hard enough, he also lost Maria due to a terrible disease." Your grandma closed her eyes, tears falling down her cheeks. "My son started to drink heavy... so I've decided to take away my grandchild Nola from him, until he calmed down. But... things got worse." She got her handkerchief out of her pocket and blew her nose.
"W-worse?"
"Yes." A brief pause followed. "I was so busy with Nola that I've failed to notice how much he has changed." You could she her feeling of guilt in her eyes. "My son... interacted more than it was healthy with all kind of criminals. Without me knowing he got into dept... maybe... because I was a bad mother... maybe because he knew that Nola got sick as often as her mother that indicated the same disease the same as her Maria's one... I don't know" Her gaze reached the window of your room. She was lost in memories. "Well... my son's dept grew with each night, his desire to gamble grew... he slowly turned into someone I did not know... a criminal... that started to rob others and..." She stopped. "kill innocent."
You opened your mouth in amazement, surely not the good kind. So pirates and its kind destroyed human lives without any sense of guilt? Monsters... they all were terrible monsters that enjoyed killing and ruining other's life. No wonder your grandma didn't tell you, why her son wasn't living with her. After all you'd known that Maria wasn't her daughter, Kuzan had told you. Back then you had no courage to ask her, because you've already known about the other two of her family. She was always so sad, when she mentioned it. It broke your heart.
"Pirates.... are the worst...", you've finally managed to say.
"Pirates are the worst... just as every other criminal, [name]-chan. They may have reasons why they chose the road of an outlaw. But you can never completely trust any of those people. They aren't human anymore, they are devils." After she wiped away her tears, she got a serious look on her face. "There may be criminals that seem to have a good heart... but they haven't. They rob, they kill, they desire chaos, power and wealth. Their interest is always self-serving and of highest priority... thus they stick at nothing to get what their desire." She emphasized every sentence. "Never forget what a single pirate crew did to you and your family."
You nodded obediently. Painful memories were always connected to pirates, you couldn't possibly stop hating pirates. That seemed absolutely impossible.
"I... do understand, grandma. But... but why are you telling me this?" You asked, not sure what she implied.
Suddenly, your grandma smiled at you. An unknown expression appeared on her face. "Because I know you inside out.", she replied, confusing you even more.
"Huh?" You knitted your brows. "What do you want to say? That I would hang out with pirates, if I was allowed to?! That's bullshit, they've ruined my life! I only live thanks to you and Kuzan!"
Again, your grandma stroked your head. "No", she answered, "But you tend to do reckless things. Your curiosity and lust for adventures will never stop" A giggle followed, she didn't sound so sad anymore. After some time there was silence.
"I still don't get what you want to say..." You've felt offended, though you didn't know why exactly.
"Love, my child", she whispered into your ears, making you shiver.
"Love? Why would I love a criminal particularly a pirate, grandma?! I am not that crazy!", you hissed, pumped your cheeks and pouted. "I'd rather kick their asses than develop weird feelings. Feelings, that are annoying and bothersome."
Your grandma laughed. Finally you could relaxed a little, although you still pouted. The whole conversation had made you all concentrated and tensed-up.
"You're still a child, [name]-chan. You will understand as you grow up and turn into a beautiful woman. But remember my words: pirates are devils. Never trust them or they will break you. That's a golden rule."
"I won't ever fall in love with a pirate." Right? There was no reason to fall for monsters.
"Mhmm" She hummed. "You love dangerous games."
"Uh-uh..." That was true, but...
"[name]"
"?" You raised your head, so you could look into her face.
"A pirate cannot love someone else except for himself. In the strict sense they love 3 things: Freedom, wealth - including physical pleasures and power- and... the sea." She stated carefully. "They can play with your heart, with your body... with your mind... and they can break it. But they would never love you. Their evil nature doesn't allow true feelings."
"Got it", you mumbled somewhat annoyed. "I'll remember your words and hold them dear. The golden rule: Don't fall in love with a pirate."
"Good girl" She paced a kiss on your forehead. "I love you"
"I love you, too, grandma" You smiled at her, although you still felt offended. You knew these things, right? They were obvious.
"There is another reason, why me old woman tells you so many random wisdoms."
"There is?"
"Many years ago I fell in love with a pirate, a rather brutal fellow. Luckily I was smart enough to stop myself, before anything could happen. I didn't want to lose my innocence to a murderer, although he was extremely handsome and sexy." A giggle followed, your grandma surely felt young again talking about the past and... guys.
"Grandma! I don't want to hear this!" Now you turned red. Hearing about 'losing her innocence' by the granny was so irritating and weird! An old lady shouldn't talk about stuff like that! "Fine, I got it! But spare me details!"
"Hahaha.. you're such an innocent, well-behaved girl. I should've known that no man could lure you into a trap."
"O-of course...", you stammered, still flushed. "Uh-uh... so there was a handsome criminal before you married grandpa?"
"Yes. In the good old times I was a stubborn girl who wanted some hot spice in her boring life... but I was smart... I knew that I'd only have troubles with guys like him. Good thing, my dear husband was a marine officer with excellent knowledge about girl's hearts. So he easily made me fall in love with him deeper than with the pirate whom he arrested some months later."
"That sounds so weird, grandma...", you mumbled and yawned. You felt tired from hearing so many knew stories from your grandma's past. Keeping your eyes open got hard... but you wanted to hear more. Not everything... but it was exciting to hear about your grandma's life. You've never asked her about it... there always has been that certain privacy wall you couldn't break. But now...
"It was weird, honey. Do you want to hear more?"
"Sure!"
"But... before I tell you tales of the old woman's past... forgive me, for telling you about these cruel matters. I didn't want to tell you about bad people. They aren't always criminals, you must know... there are many bad people with evil minds. If you aren't cautious, they will hurt you. In any way possible."
"I got it, grandma. Really. I'll be super careful with strangers, pirates, criminals... perhaps boys too?" You enumerated with a joking yet serious tone. You made the old lady laugh. "But... grandma?"
"Yes, honey?"
"What does it mean to go out with someone? ... to love someone? Could that one be somebody? Some of the girls were giggling about dates too..."
"Oh dear. You are really growing up so fast. It feels like you arrived just yesterday." Grandma sighed, somewhat nostalgic. "You've gotten such a beautiful young lady although you are still way too young for this." A beautiful, warm laugh followed.
"Grandma!" You exclaimed with a deep blush. It sounded absolutely weird to you. You've never felt like a beauty anyways. If it wasn't for you grandma, you maybe wouldn't wear so many dresses. But she had sewn all of them with her own, bare hands. How could you not love them? "So... so?"
"Now, now. What do you like to hear first? My old tales or what relationships are about?"
"Uhhm... both?"
"Hahaha." Now she laughed with her heart, you smiled. "You will fall asleep, before I finish. Okay then. I'll make you an offer. For today I'll explain you a little bit about love, young lady. In question of my past, we'll have some tee parties in the evening."
"That sounds great, grandma! I'd like to know so much more about you!"
Your grandma smiled softly. "We are not related by blood... but you are my child, my daughter. You are a big part of my life. I'm happy that you want to hear about the boring me"
"Don't say that. You're great! I love you so much!", you happily exclaimed.
"You flatter me, little lady" She grinned in a super cute way. "You want me to fall in love?"
"Uh-uh, you got me." You couldn't resist to joke about it.
"Now listen, [name]-chan..."
