Morning, Sunshine
Last night, when James and Sirius had gone to put the prisoners in their cells, the long corridor was silent and barren. Nobody comes down here usually, but due to the games, it was being preoccupied by the boys they had found. The next morning, he was shocked to find 4 of the cells in use. The glow of the sun illuminated their sleeping faces. He scanned them to find his boy. Near the end of the hall, in the last cell that was in use, James’ boy sat, eyes open, alert, and watching.
“Hello there. My name is James, would you tell me yours?” James asked, stepping right up to the bar handles. The boy inched back, his face a mask of emptiness. Something about the boy's eyes or maybe hair struck a memory in James' mind, but he couldn't place it.
“My name is Prince Regulus Arcturus Black. I demand you let me out now.” the boy, Regulus, said in a powerful voice. James was taken aback by the fierceness in his eyes. Then he started laughing.
“You have some nerve making demands whilst chained on the floor and bed head to rival Barty.” James was doubled over laughing at the flush creeping up the cheeks of Regulus. When James caught his breath again, he took a small tin out of his pocket he had snagged from the kitchen on his way down.
“Here, eat. You’re not a prisoner,” Regulus interrupted with a scoff. James ignored him and continued. “You’re just…. Extremely unlucky.”
“There's something we can agree on.” Regulus muttered. James grinned at the words, and although Regulus didn't smile, his eyes held humor in them. He reached through the bars to grab the small tin of peaches. James closed his hand on Regulus’, testing the waters Sirius would’ve said.
“What are you doing? Let go of me.” Regulus said, voice low. His hand was cold on James' warm skin. His skin was pale on James' brown skin. His cold gray eyes met James' warm brown ones and James knew they were made for eachother. Opposites attract and all. James let go quickly and stood to leave Regulus with his breakfast. Before he left, James turned around to cast one more glance at Regulus. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be trying to keep his composure. James thought he was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
~
Sirius loved James, he really did but being woken up at 8 am for an “emergency meeting” was too much. Sirius stood, shaky on his legs from the water rocking the boat, and stumbled to the bathroom. Stepping into the shower, he could finally try to remember the events of the night before. Of course it was all a bit shoddy but he distinctly remembered green eyes, strong arms, and a cologne that reminded him of his childhood, but from where he couldn't place. Sirius finished getting ready and met with the rest of his friends in the main deck.
“Who brought back somebody yesterday?” James had asked. Sirius thought that a stupid question, as he and James had gone out to find someone for the games and scored 2, and James knew that. Why would he be asking such a question in the ass crack of dawn? But then, the rest of the crew slowly raised their hands. James shook his head. “How many?”
“Just one, but, well, she’s sort of a “princess”.” Marlene confessed first. James’ frown seemed to deepen.
“Well, I got one and you got one together so there's us.'' Sirius shrugged. James stared down Barty.
“Okay, don't get mad but I had to do what I had to do.'' Barty huffed a breath. James raised an eyebrow. Sirius pushed down a smirk, knowing Barty, he probably brought some hooker or something.
“Go on.” James said when Barty did not continue.
“Well there was the boy. That was supposed to be it. But then he ran into this girl, a girl who was in knights armor. She had another girl strung upon her back. They both seemed important and well I couldn't have them running off to their king and saying they found pirates so I took them all.'' Barty finished. Sirius' jaw dropped. He brought home three people. The games only allow one person per crew member. What were they going to do? They could get disqualified!
“Well. guess we’ll see what our guests think." James scrubbed a hand down his face.
The crew agreed to bring the “guests” up after they were a good distance in the ocean, so James set to work, navigating and sailing. Sirius helped, of course. He would never leave his best mate working on his own.
“So, Sirius.” James started. Sirius hummed in acknowledgment. “The boy I brought back last night reminded me of somebody, I don't know who exactly. Just keep a lookout on him, alright?” Sirius looked up. “You can count on me.” James smiled at his friend. Sirius grinned back. Sirius left James to do the final chartings of their location and went to explain the situation with the crew.
“So Barts, Marls, you two go down and get the others when James gives his all clear. Me and James will create some sort of seating arrangement in which we can explain our predicament to our new friends. Got it?” Sirius waited for 2 nods of heads. When James hand poked out, showing off his thumbs up, Barty and Marlene left for the dungeons while Sirius began setting up some chairs in a row. He brought out some breakfast for the group of captives and waited. James came out and paced the front. Sirius shared his concern. What if they get disqualified from the games because of the team they have created? This is their last chance at them, and all hell knows they need the winning cash. Just as Sirius was about to voice his concerns, they heard footsteps coming up.
~
Remus was awake. He has been awake. He saw a boy come down and talk with Regulus. He saw the other prisoners slowly wake up in various states of distress. He watched Regulus eat his can of fruit, craving some but never voicing anything. Finally, he saw someone walk down the steps. A tall girl and a fierce looking boy strolled down into the dungeon. He heard a voice call for someone named “Marlene”. He assumed it was the blond girl as she whipped her head around and smiled in the direction of the voice.
The boy clapped his hands twice, drawing the attention of all the prisoners. “We’re gonna take you guys up, that's good? My name’s Barty, she's Marlene.” he pointed to the girl. “You are here for a special reason. You have been chosen.” Barty was speaking slowly, like you might with a frightened animal. Marlene had started unlocking the doors, starting with his.
“Names Marlene. You?” she held her hand up, as if to shake Remus’.
“Remus Lupin.” Remus replied. Ignoring the hand, he walked up and began cracking his joints. Sitting on the hard stone floor had done nightmares for his back and legs, whenever he found the person who put him there, he was going to snap a finger or two off. Regulus strolled up to where Remus was standing and cast a glare over the room. He did that a lot, searching his surroundings. Must've come from living in his particular household. Remus knew how bad Queen Walburga and King Orion could get. He had always dreamed of breaking Regulus out, and well, I guess we are out now, Remus thought, trying to find a positive in his circumstances.
A man had tried running. He didn't get far. Barty had pulled him back by the scruff of his shirt. He leaned down and whispered something in the boy's ear. The boy stopped struggling, so Remus could assume it was a threat, probably deadly. Marlene went on about opening the cages but Barty stayed where he was with his hands on the waist of Mr. Runner. Creating a single filled line, Barty and the runner, Evan, Remus remembered his name from the night before, in the front, followed by a ginger, Lola or something like that, someone who looked like a royal guard, the girl who called for Marlene, him, Regulus and finally, Marlene.
The little parade shuffled up the stairs and took seats on the chairs, as directed by Barty and Marlene. All around them, there was blue water. Just sea and more sea. Remus realized then, they were trapped. It would be suicide to jump of to try and escape. They had to stay with the pirates, do whatever they were “chosen” to do and survive. Regulus tensed up beside him and seemed to realize the same facts.
Just then, a tall, tanned man with glasses came up to deck and gave them all a big grin. “Good morning, friends!” whoever this guy was sure seemed to have a different definition of “friend” than Remus.