Golden Thorns Chapter One
As he stared into the fast moving water he was vaguely aware of someone approach and lean on the railing next to him.
"Can I help you with something?" he said without looking up.
"I was about to ask you the same thing?" her voice was soft, gentle, with an accent he couldn't place, "you seem a little preoccupied."
"Is it always in your nature to ask personal questions of strangers, or am I just extra special?" he replied.
"My apologies, I did not mean to intrude."
"My problems are not your problems, it would be best if you didn't ask."
"No-one should have to shoulder their worries alone."
Who was this girl, asking questions and yet seeming to have a response to everything? No matter, she would leave when she realised that he wasn't going to reply.
"Judging by your weapon and presence on this ship, is it safe to say that you will be attending Beacon, oui?" she certainly was persistent, credit to her for that.
"What's it to you if I am?" he replied noncommittally
"I am as well, but as you can probably tell from my accent that I am not from Vale, and I do not know any of my fellow students yet."
"Where are you from, I haven't heard your accent before," it slipped out before he could stop himself. He was now party to a full blown conversation. Great, just great. This was unexpected. Acknowledging that the interaction was now unavoidable, he turned and looked at her for the first time. She was tall, like him, had dark blonde hair and bright green eyes set in a very symmetrical face.
"Far west of here," she answered, "and you?"
"Not too far from here."
There was a welcome pause in the conversation. He listened to the sound of the waves as the ship sliced its way through the surf.
"What is your name?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"Ha," he laughed derisively, "who cares, it's not like it carries any weight or significance…" anymore.
"That may be, but I still wish to know."
"Coran," he said slowly, "Coran Silverthorne"
"Oh, I'm sorry"
"It was four years ago"
"No amount of time can heal such a loss, I'm still sorry."
"Thanks."
Another period of silence during which the girl went very still and quiet.
"We will be arriving soon," she said suddenly, "and I have to get my things together. I will see you at the opening ceremony, oui?"
"Yeah, sure," Coran replied as she started moving off.
"Hey!" he called after her, she stopped mid stride and spun round, grinning, and Coran noticed how bright sunlight seemed to break through the clouds and make her hair shine. For a moment the words caught in his throat before he finally said "I didn't catch your name."
"That is because I did not tell it."
"So wha-"she stopped him mid-sentence
"It's Marie" she said. And with a wink and a last grin she disappeared down into the hold and, for the first time in four years, Coran was sorry to see someone go.