Fandom Part of Your World

[redroseknight]

It was rather interesting how swiftly time flew by once one was no one longer so fixated on the monotony of it all. 16 years had passed so slowly for Ariel when all she had to do to entertain herself had been to scavenge around ship wrecks looking for human artifacts and learning about them through Scuttle. While she wasn't sure exactly how long she had been ashore with her human legs, it had likely been a couple of years at this point if the changing seasons were anything to go by. Yet it seemed only yesterday to Ariel that she had arisen from the ocean and stumbled on new legs, toes digging into the sand to seek purchase to hold her steady. She had emerged with fantasies in her head, expectations of being swept off her feet by the human man she had seen and being able to explore the world of humanity that had to be nothing but wonderful. What a fool she had been.

"It has been quite some time since we've seen so many visitors for Prince Eric, but I suppose that's expected with his engagement announcement. Everyone wants to make sure they are friends with the soon-to-be king, right?" Olivia giggled. "Thank you for coming with me, Ariel. I had thought that I was going to be stuck just having Felix with me this morning to fetch what we need from the market for tonight. He's so infuriating. You're much better company even if you never say a word."

Ariel looked to the shorter brunette walking alongside her and smiled, giving a small nod of her head to show she was listening. It had been so difficult at first to learn how to communicate without the use of her voice, but she had learned how to use gestures with the other staff of the castle. Her face was also expressive enough that most could tell how she was feeling from a glance. Ariel had never been as capable of concealing her emotions as her sisters had been, and the human world hadn't been so unforgiving that she had been forced to rein in her more exuberant personality entirely. Still, she was far more muted in excitement than she had been while she had been in the ocean. While she was safe, she was aware that her time limit for her deal with Ursula had run out. The devil was going to come to collect one day.

A flash of raven and blue caught Ariel's eye, and the red haired young woman turned to look to her right. Learning about the humans around her had lost a bit of its charm since there had ceased being anything truly new or fascinating to learn from them, so it was natural that someone standing out in the crowd would capture Ariel's attention. This woman was dressed much differently than the other women she generally spent time with from the castle or in the market, and her skin was a much warmer, darker olive hue. Her head tilted to the side for a moment as cerulean eyes took in the woman's exotic appearance. Ariel would have been struck dumb by the woman's beauty if Ursula hadn't already done so with her magic.

"Are you listening, Ariel? And here I was just saying you were better company than Fel--oh. I guess you haven't met the guests arriving to see Prince Eric, have you? Can't say I have met them. Heard from Ellen that one there is a princess, but I doubt that all royals are as affable as our Prince Eric. Makes me a bit anxious to meet Prince Eric's betrothed. Then again, with your memory loss you might be a princess yourself and not even know it!" Olivia laughed to which Ariel feigned her own laughter to cover up the sting of that remark. Yes, she herself had been a princess. She once had the oceans at the tips of her fingers, everything she could have ever wanted and needed except the freedom to explore as she pleased. Now she had that freedom, but it had cost her so much that she wondered at times if that had been a fair trade. And that was excluding the fact that the specter of Ursula's return to drag her back to the sea as per their agreement ever loomed in her mind. She hoped that the simple dress she wore would help her blend in with the common folk around her, but even if she hadn't had that vibrant red hair...nothing was common about Ariel.

 

[Kaiju Cat]

Jasmine never dreamed she would find herself in this peculiar situation with Aladdin; it left a bitter taste in her mouth. Although she’s a strong woman, letting Aladdin go was hard on her heart. After all they've been through together she thought she found her true love. She thought Aladdin going to great lengths to be with her utilizing genie’s magic would tie them together though she wanted Aladdin to be himself rather than lie about his origins and fake being a prince just to be close to her, one of things she hates. Aladdin was a fresh breath of air different from most men that came to Argabah for her hand in marriage; she turned down suitors than she accepted, finding them too eerily similar with dull personalities unlike Aladdin who has a flair for adventure, something she adored and the chemistry that they had together. She supposed him being disillusioned about palace life and the politics of being a ruler that came with the package of marrying her had changed Aladdin’s perspective on life with her. It shouldn’t have surprised her that Aladdin had grown distant from her; it's troubling that Genie noticed the sudden change; he couldn't figure out what’s wrong; he tried to console her, failing with his words it didn’t provide comfort nor Rajah could help her feel better. She fell into a state of depression at Aladdin’s disappearance which is happening more often than she liked. At some point he would be gone for days on end leaving her lonely and longing not even her father the Sultan was able to help her except watch her suffering in silence he asked if she would like him to talk to Aladdin he had a few choice words for him none were good. To her father’s credit he tried to get to the bottom of what’s troubling Aladdin even if his idea is the blunt approach he hated seeing his only daughter and child in pain after all Aladdin and her had been through together. Jasmine didn’t see a point in talking whereas the anger was bubbling as Aladdin seemed to avoid her now it’s serious when Abu couldn’t figure out what’s going on although he can’t talk he’s expressive giving her an empathetic look and a pat, but he never left Aladdin’s side despising palace life more than anything he’s honest to her, which she appreciates.

Finally she couldn’t take it anymore waiting or being lied to like this. The confrontation left her less than impressed with Aladdin demanding he start being honest with her whether he loves her anymore or wants a life with her. His wish on wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps was the answer she needed. Her heart sank once the reality set in that he's gone and he left her like this. She could blame Cassim for this, but it’s not his fault his son is a drifter like him she blames herself for not seeing it coming. So much for being in love with her and going to great lengths to get with her to the point he hid his identity from her. She figured he was lying already, but let it go because she was falling for him and with his spontaneity. She thought saving the kingdom from Jafar brought them closer, maybe Jasmine was lying to herself. Aladdin leaving her the way he did destroyed her emotionally she spent days locked in her room grieving her broken relationship it wouldn’t be so hurtful if Aladdin was like any of those pompous men that only loved her as their trophy wife not for the strong willed woman she is, but expecting her to be a dutiful princess. Jasmine knows those men only cared for her because of her beauty and what was expected as a royal. She isn’t the stereotypical princess like some of the girls that she sat with at parties, her eyes would glaze over when all they talked about was status, dresses, or a suitor coming to ask their hand in marriage. The girls would give her funny looks as she went into heavy details about her adventures. They would stare at each other and giggle. Jasmine didn’t fit the mold of a princess, which is why she seemed annoyed at her father for dragging her to these superficial occasions. He scolds her for not trying hard enough, but she doesn't care anymore what her father says as the same girls treated her like she has grown a second head, of course Jasmine isn’t blind to the gossip of her not being like them, and she stopped putting in effort when the girls pushed her out of their circle stating that she should just leave. The saving grace was that she’s not the only one who despised the superficiality of these parties whereas another princess from the neighboring country from Agrabah joined her side. Samira made these parties bearable, unlucky for her, Samira ended up getting married to a king, she hardly joined her anymore, only a hello and a goodbye.

The loneliness in her heart, and her father’s blessing although hesitant in her choice of leaving, Jasmine took her chance at leaving Agrabah, and with the prospect of adventures to come, she took it as a sign to begin a new life for herself. Her father knows Jasmine isn’t like any of the other princesses, which is why he thought Aladdin was perfect for her, so much for his faith in him. He’s reluctant on letting her go, worried she’ll get her heart broken again if she finds love again, not unaware of the gossip that her fiancé left her in his dust, or that he’s a street rat. Jasmine had her mind set on leaning, knowing she’s strong, her tears dried up. He made sure to let her know she has her blessings, to not let the bitterness cloud her heart or her mind, those were wise words that Jasmine took to heart. It’s been weeks since she left Agrabah. Although Jasmine felt the weight on her chest growing for leaving her father alone he’s not in good health the look he had on his face and the smile told her everything she needed to know he approves, he expressed she’ll likely regret being chained to the palace if she chose to stay, going into the story of how he was like her during his younger years loving adventures, he met her mother during his travels, chose his duty to his people over traveling, and her mother was pregnant with her, life in a ship isn’t for a princess, and not when his queen was nine months pregnant with their child. Her father knows Jasmine has his love for adventures, her mothers beauty and head strong traits. It’s not a secret her mother was beloved by her subjects, she’s headstrong and a just queen, best known for her kind heart. Unluckily, the incurable illness took her life too soon leaving her widowed husband and five year old daughter. Jasmine remembers her mother through stories.

Sensing she’s leaving, Rajah refuses to let her go a alone insisting on accompanying her, he’s been with her ever since her father rescued him from the black market to be sold for body parts, a tiger is worth lots of gold apparently. He’s been close to his Jasmine for years, he had a hand in raising her too. Now at 400 pounds, Rajah scared off suitors who somehow offended Jasmine knowing too well they only loved if they could get something out of her. It’s only Aladdin where he trusted men, but that proved stupid as he betrayed Jasmine leaving her broken and bitter. Like Genie, carpet, and Abu he didn’t understand the sudden change in Aladdin either. At least they tried to help her though words did not help Jasmine emotionally she knows they tried at least. He chose to leave with her because of the worry that she would get her heart broken again, and sensed she’s not coming back for a long time. It’s been nearly a month ever since they’re departed, they have been through a lot together. Pirates, kidnappers, serial murderers, and pick pockets come with the package when it comes to too many adventures. Jasmine’s adventures previously with Aladdin and Jafar trying to usurp the throne could make a novel of her life, one of the reasons he wants to leave is to be by her side, and get a feel for life outside of Agrabah. Being a 400 pound tiger he’s not weak, a bite and slash with his claws made him a force to be reckoned with. Jasmine is not easy either, there’s wits to her, and proves she’s not a stereotype, secretly admiring Jasmine. She’s his human daughter.

He watched her admiring the silks of vibrant colors, large glass beads, sashes, and jewelry. Jasmine stopped to admire a black sash with golden lettering thinking this would be a perfect present for her father. “ Rajah? You think father would like this?” She noticed a silver pocket watch that had her father’s name on it. It’s hard to choose, suspecting he would like anything and maybe happy to be happily married. He wants her to be taken care of after all. “ How about this pocket watch? I know you’re thinking he would like anything that comes from me,” She sighs. Rajah looked at her potential gifts, gently prodding the sash and watch with his paws, expressing his way to pick both. The sultan isn’t the kind of man who is shallow or cruel. If it comes from Jasmine he’d be happy even if it’s not eye pleasing. Rajah admires her father, sometimes not seeing eye to eye on her choosing to marry, Rajah chased them off, surprised her father approved of Aladdin though he lied to Jasmine, not a good first impression to him. To see Jasmine hurting, set his anger off, Jasmine held him back saying Aladdin isn’t worth it. Facing him would surely not end well for Aladdin as a tiger’s wrath is deadly, much less Rajah’s. He perked up, sensing eyes were on them.

When Jasmine took her eyes off her potential gifts for her father she noticed Ariel and Olivia. She heard gossip in the city about a prince Eric falling for a mysterious girl with an enchanting voice who saved him from a shipwreck, it wasn’t meant to be. Ariel could be that girl, maybe, she looked the woman up. She had creamy skin, fiery red hair, and full lips that’s shade of a red rose. Jasmine can’t help but think there’s something different about Ariel, but can’t figure out why, instead she glanced at her and her companion. “ Are you lost? Maybe I can help?” She almost chuckled, she’s a traveler from a faraway country, if Ariel had been a visitor to Aragbah she would show her around as Jasmine knows the market place’s alleyways like the back of her hand. Rajah couldn’t quite figure out why Ariel smelled like seawater to him, adding more mystery to this girl. An animal's smell seems distinct from that of a human’s five senses, much a tiger like him. He could feel Ariel isn’t alone either, sensing her little lobster companion hiding in her hair. Maybe Ariel just finished swimming. It's a warm, hot day, a sign of summer. Although Rajah started to have doubts it’s not just his assumption Ariel was just having a fun day at the beach. He sat on all fours, noticing Ariel is friendly, she gave off that aura. But Rajah is nearby if he’s wrong. He can’t risk Jasmine's safety after Jafar, and he’s slime. Rajah didn’t give off signs of his distrust, he would pin back his ears and stomp his tail if Ariel is bad news.