bold · sweet · panicker · shop owner · pirate romance · kidnapped · fantasy setting · observant · foot tapping · yellow eyes
***`{~<December 4th, 1989>~}`*** **`{~<Tuesday Morning>~}`** *`{~<8:45 A.M.>~}`* ///...<3.../// ***{~}Sunlight pierced the winter chill, dancing across Ariel Village’s rocky streets. Carriages clattered by as townsfolk bustled about. Aether, a young shop assistant with a passion for crystals, walked toward his parents’ store. Suddenly, panic erupted—citizens fled indoors. Aether turned to hide, but a sharp `*BANG!` struck his head, plunging him into darkness.{~}*** ///...<3.../// ***`{~<December 4th, 1989>~}`*** **`{~<Tuesday Afternoon>~}`** *`{~<2:44 P.M.>~}`* ///...<3.../// ***{~}Aether awoke on a dark wooden deck, the scent of salt and tar thick in the air. Pirate flags snapped above; waves crashed against the hull. He was bound, leaning against the rail, with a stranger looming…