Author's note: Don't own Suikoden IV. Adore it to bits though. Please don't bite my head off for that. You can sue me if you want, but I have no money to my name, so there.
I actually named my ship the Keladiahn, but everyone seems to know what the Dauntless is so I'll just go with that. Unless I get my hands on the Japanese novel and decide to use that version of the ship's name (highly unlikely though).
Please enjoy.
Echoes of the Past
by Kaluin
If one paid attention enough when they walked by the first floor of the Dauntless, one could almost hear the echoes of the past. In this case, the voice of two male voices teasing each other endlessly with laughter interposing itself within their discussion.
If one came closer to the captain's quarters, one could almost see the ghosts of the past--the silhouettes of two men, one in his late twenties, the other barely out of adolescence, chattering and taunting each other in an endless match of wits. Both are smiling, the older one with a visible touch of mischief and carefreeness, the younger one with feigned innocence and true joy. They seem at ease with each other and one can feel the closeness they share. Some will say it's brotherhood, some will say it's camaraderie, but very few will get the right answer as they move on to other parts of the ship.
If one opened the door to the captain's private quarters, one might see a vision from the past. Upon the bed slept a layer of dust, long untouched, but if one paid close attention, one would see two forms seated together, the youth--barely a man--upon the other's lap, speaking in hushed voices. Whispered tenderness. The older of the pair hugs the smaller form, his head resting against the youth's shoulder. The youth leans back and shows from a leather bound book pictures, portraits that he drew and accumulated over the years, telling the story of each individual and each scene.
If one listens closely enough, one can hear the youth as he describes various countries and cultures...and expresses a desire to visit them all with his companion, looking at him with warmth and ardor.
If one stays long enough, one might see the man--a handsome pirate--press the book shut and take it away from the youth--a benevolent captain. The pirate pulls the youth closer, although they are already impossibly close, and rains kisses upon the lad's skin. Eventually, one would see them rest upon the bed, the absorbed boy lapping kittenishly at his smiling beau's lips. They share a kiss which the man uses as distraction to reverse their positions. Neither seem to mind this as they kiss and love each other.
If one returns to the door of the room, one might hear the whispers of love as the two forms disappear from view, taking away the visitor's sight of them and leaving behind echoes of their presence.
When one leaves the ship after witnessing this vision... one believes that the two ghosts must have been happy together and one hopes that they still love each other in the beyond.