CH 3: Poor Unfortunate Souls

"Now missy, there's no need to be so snarky ~" The demon smiled at her, "Why don't you come out of the water and we can have ourselves a little chat, hmm?"

Esme rolls her eyes and sinks into the water without a word.

"Oh, I do like your spunk - but don't make me go in there after you. This is a very expensive dress after all."

Ugh, fine.

There's a flash of light and Esme walks effortlessly out of the water on two legs, wearing a short scaly green dress, and black heels.

"My, aren't you a vision~" The woman looks her up and down with an intrigued gleam in her eye. She was a natural beauty of supernatural nature, with a light seafoam tint to her skin, voluminous waves, long dark eyelashes, and green scales up her arms. With full lips and soft curves, she was truly exquisite.

"And who do I have the pleasure to speak with?" Esme smiles sweetly, but challengingly, as she takes a step forward. Rarely did she ever speak to someone in her neck of the woods. Well, water really. 

"Oh, posh are we?" The demon smiles down at her, noting her small size, "I'm Rosie dear. I'm a connoisseur of flesh myself, so naturally, I had to come see who was making this magnificent blood bath." She shakes Esme's hand without warning, bouncing her arm up and down excitably. If she weren't careful, she would rip it right out of the socket itself! Perhaps that was her goal. 

Either way, it wasn't pleasant. 

"I-It's lovely to meet you." Esme chuckles nervously, taken back by her sweetness, yelping as Rosie pulls her forward. Soft, yet strong, hands cup her face and swish her from side to side in infatuation. Two thumbs swiped up her top lip to inspect her fangs and the visitor leaned in with wide black abysses for eyes. 

"Strong teeth! My goodness, look at those fangs! Ha-ha, why this is just a sight." With a sharp yelp, Esme feels her body lifted from the ground and spun around as Rosie celebrates her discovery, "Now, I know just the place you'll love to call home! My town is filled with people who would just die all over again to see you! You've become quite the topic of discussion throughout the pentagram.." She smiles, walking away with her still in her grasp.

"And that's?" Esme bats her eyelashes with a raised brow. It takes a few wiggles before she frees herself, but finds her forearm quickly back in the hands of the nuisance. 

"Cannibal Town, dear!" She cheers, "I have a town full of gals and gents yapping their mouths off about some bloodthirsty Siren. You've nearly become an icon to them!"

And she was right, as soon as she entered the so called Cannibal Town, Esme was flooded with people who wanted to ask alllllll types of questions. She could barely move, people were on top of her. There were flashes from brownie box cameras, desperate to get a snapshot of her. 

Esme would admit it, the thought of a crowd she never met before idolizing her in such a manner did thrill her. She was always a gal that knew how to please a crowd, demand attention, and run the room, so she wasn't phased by the sharp smiles of those that awaited her. 

"Did you ever eat human flesh before you died?!"

"I don't know..."

Their questions were becoming a bit overwhelming, causing Esme to become a bit frightened with how much she realized she couldn't recall. It wasn't the crowd, it was the fact that every time she tried to dig deeper into her memory, she just found herself in a fog. No matter how hard she tried to reveal the truth to herself, certain things were locked away from her. 

It wasn't her time yet. 

"How did you end up being such a beautiful siren?"

"....I don't know...."

Every sound from their throats sounded like needles on chalkboard to her, becoming maddening. Her fingers soon find her head and she tightens them around her curls, pulling harshly and trying to cover her fins. 

"Where are ya from?"

"..I - I don't know!" She shouts, visibly becoming flustered. Esme's skin slowly washes over with an icy blue, her fangs protrude forward, and her waves slowly begin....blinking? Sea serpents suddenly appearing from her head and hissing at the sinners.

"Allrightyyy I think we've had enough questions for now~" Rosie says as she drags Esme away into her Emporium, closing the door. Esme sighs and resorts back to her usual appearance. It was after hours, not one soul in sight.

"What's eating at you?"

"Nothin', I'm on top of the food chain!" Esme laughs widely, doubling over, "Get it? foo - hahaha.....ha.....ha.....erm-" She clears her throat to see Rosie deadpanning her, "Well I thought it was funny..."

"I'm not humoring ya hunny, come on...what gives?"

"I don't remember anything of my life." Esme says blankly, "So all the questions....ehhh it's a little..much." She sighs. "I don't even know what I'm supposed to do here, really."

Rosie chuckles, walking towards her and placing a hand on her shoulder, "Hun, I think you'll do just fine..." She smiles warmly, her sharp teeth glimmering in the light, "Someone of your Excalibur? Please, you'll find your place in no time~" She takes Esme's hands to give her a reassuring squeeze when she notices her ring.

"Oh my, are you married?"

"........I do-"

"Oh, that's right." Rosie waves her hands, "Silly me, memories and whatnot, but hey sometimes it's easier to forget the old sack, huh?" She laughs with a hand on her chest, leaning back. She straightens up and wipes her eye, inspecting the ring, "But I do say...it is gorgeous....such an enticing shade of green. Goes with ya whole vibe! Here, let me try it on, see how I like it."

Esme happily extends her hand, but as soon as Rosie goes to pull it off, it doesn't budge and a cloud of dark magic appears around Esme. Shadows inched towards her, sneering down at her. Whatever she had following her into this realm was nothing she had seen before.

"Oh!" Rosie exclaims, backing up and looking at the aura surrounding her, "Well, isn't this somethin'." 

Esme looks up at the runes, "Ugh, this again?" She rolls her eyes, shaking her hand, and making them disappear. "Forgive me, I don't know what this thing is but it keeps doing that."

"Someone wanted you very protected my dear........that's very good to know..." Rosie smirks, "I think the more time we spend togetha, the more fun we will have. Whaddya say?"

~

As the months went on, Esme quickly became accustomed to this new life. One of the sinners of the town begged her to perform at his bar, and now Esme was back on stage where she belonged. People would line up around the corner, wives would snicker, kids would follow her for signatures. 

The thrill of a piano, the ears of sinners throughout the town set on her voice and her voice alone.

She became the envy of the town, especially amongst the ladies, which seemed to be the storyline of her life much to her ignorance.

Days and weeks passed by and eventually, Esme is approached by this young woman who begs to speak with her after her performance. In her defense, she tried to decline, but this dame was practically groveling at her feet. She knew men could act this pitiful, but she was disappointed to see a woman act as such. 

As they go into a separate room, the girl begins to spill her heart out to her, ranting on and on about how she needs Esme's help to make a man fall in love with her. This was the emergency she needed her for? She blabbed on and on about this waste of hair as The Siren sat there, filing her nails in discontent. 

Esme rolls her eyes at the thought, "Men are dogs darling, but I can help you alright ~"

"How?! I'll do anything!"

Before Esme can tell her that no deal would be necessary, her siren voice speaks to her.

"Take her voice, use it for your power~"

Esme smirks to herself knowingly. "Well, I can help you, but it would cost you. You can't get something for nothing ya know..." She walks past the woman, circling her.

"But I don't have an-"

"Oh please, not money! What I want from you is so finical you won't even miss it~" She smirks, leaning into the woman, "What I want is....your voice ~"

"B-But without my voice, how will I?"

"You have your looks!" Esme sticks her hands out, cupping the woman's face, "Your pretty face! And don't underestimate the importance of body language - ha!"

She begins to sing in her alluring melody.

(Poor Unfortunate Souls, Pat Carroll 🎶)

The men down here don't like a lot of blabber,

They think a girl who gossips is a bore,

Yes, on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word,

And after all dear,

What is idle babble for?

Esme's green aura forms around her, her eyes glowing, and a growl to her voice.

C'mon they're not that impressed with conversation,

True gentlemen avoid It when they can ,

But they dote, and swoon, and fawn,

Over a lady who's withdrawn,

She pulls her face to hers by the chin.

It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man ~

C'mon you!

Poor unfortunate soul ~

It's sad, but true

Her magic forms a contract in front of the woman.

If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet,

You got to pay the toll,

Take a gulp, take a breath,

And go ahead and sign the scroll!

The sea serpents in her hair turned to Esme's face and hissed in a chuckle.

I got her, boys

The boss is on a roll

For this poor

Unfortunate

Soooulllll~

And that's how it started. Soon, Esme would own several souls around the pentagram. Mostly sinners she tricked into giving her their voice in exchange for a lustful relationship. She could manipulate anyone's mind to do whatever she pleased, and so many people had favors for her to contemplate. Her favorite though were the men who willingly sold their souls to her for a relationship, and Esme agreed...but she never specified what kind of relationship - now being their owner.

She was cunning, calculated, and very smart.

Rosie and her had grown much more fond of one another during this time. The overlord was becoming increasingly impressed by her friend's potential and good ole' razzmatazz. My goodness, this girl had spunk and she could be quite useful to her. She enjoyed her company, finding a companion and source of distraction from her boring egg of a husband. They made an excellent pair, dazzling each other with their talents. 

Esme became very enamored by Rosie's ability to hold a crowd, maintain order in her territory, and keep her name encrusted with solid gold. As the newbie got more accustomed to her new life, Rosie watched her with a keen eye. 

The two are yapping about, walking around the town, and sipping on some well needed Joe. 

"This coffee is delicious, what kind is it again?"

"Blood roast dear, I sell them all the time. I could get you a good deal."

There's a silence as the two walk before Rosie clears her throat, "You've grown quite strong, hun. When you're ready, there are a few of friends I'd like you to meet. I think your time has finally come."

Esme opens her mouth to respond, but instead drops the coffee cup with a gasp as she falls to the ground holding her head. She feels a sharp pain piercing through her. "FUCK!"

"What's wrong?!" Rosie bends down to help her but the two snap their heads up when they see a sinister dark red glow take over the sky, followed by a hysteric, psychotic laugh. Esme's ring begins to burn brightly and her head is pounding.

"I don't know...."

She trembles.

"But I think something is coming..."

(A/N: Another beautiful fanart of Esme by @ILuvHavingNoBrain  Thank you!! 💗💗💗)



(A/N: Also, chocolate chip cookies to anyone who can point out all the Disney references in this chapter. 🍪) 

🖤Words: 2052🖤