Just Cruising
A cruise on the Dead Sea: Five Interconnected Drabbles
~O~
Isles of the Blest
Far in the distance, across the silvery sea, Elysium's lights twinkle like stars beneath the shimmering Veil.
Lily's hair ripples like flame on a breeze as she leans back against the ship's railing and smiles at James.
"Thank you, darling, for suggesting a cruise," she says as she slides her hand into his. Her silk robes flutter and wrap around his legs intimately.
"Just the thing to break the tedium of paradise, I thought," he teases as he winks roguishly at her.
Further up the deck, in a pool of shadows, another soul curls into itself and cries silent tears.
~O~
Lethe We Forget
Lily and James frolic in the pool, laughing, oblivious.
The sun burns white-hot overhead, but envy sears like Cruciatus. Severus squints into the sun, and he tells himself that his eyes are watering because it's too bright.
"Sometimes," a feminine voice intrudes, "I think Lethe should have existed."
Severus grimaces at Emmeline through a splay of fingers.
Awkward silence shimmers on the air like a mirage, weighted by guilt. It's difficult to avoid Em on the ship.
He licks his lips. "I—"
"I forgive you."
He glances at her, apprehensive. Her eyes are blue: calm, deep like the ocean.
~O~
Tartarus' Scourge
The frying pan hisses and spits angrily. Steam roils around her glare.
"Traitor!" She pokes viciously at the sausages, and she raises the wooden spoon. "Avada Kedavra!"
Out in the dining room, caught in their own private bubble, Severus and Emmeline talk intently in an intimate murmur. Their heads are bowed close to each other, foreheads almost touching. The assassination attempt by wooden spoon goes unremarked.
Peter Pettigrew sidles up behind Bella, smelling of pineapples and sweat. He holds a large golden-green fruit right up under her nose. "Ahhhhh. Bella. Wanna taste my juicy-juicy mango?" he breathes suggestively.
Hell indeed.
~O~
Fish Out Of Water
They all hated her. Ignored her. Laughed at her.
Her aquamarine eyes filled with tears, and she sobbed into her hands inconsolably.
A large, black dog lumbered across the deck, pushed its wet nose against her knee. She sniffled, pushed her flaxen hair behind a delicately-pointed ear.
"I don't belong here," she told it sadly.
The animal stepped back, morphing as it moved. A beautiful man stood before her, his long, dark hair in damp disarray.
"I don't think we've met, beautiful. Sirius Black, at your service."
She took a deep breath; her large chest heaved. "Mary-Sue F-fanon."
"Well, hello…"
~O~
Deserves a Quiet Night
The Dead Sea is like a mirror, the night is so quiet.
Silver-white souls drift peacefully down from the Veil, like moonlight. There is no moon here.
They tiptoe past another couple, kissing—they're entwined like fragile glass.
Tonks clatters over a deck-chair; Remus winces.
"Wotcher, Severus, Em."
Remus tugs at Tonks' hand. Around the corner, they slip out of their robes. The water ripples gently when they arrow into it.
"I'm a nymph…" She's green and luminous before her legs morph into a shimmering tail. "Or a mermaid… Choose."
"You." He reaches for her slippery body. "I want you."
Author's Notes:
~ Written for Romancing Wizard.
~ The Dead Sea surrounds the Isles of the Blest (also known as Elysium).
~ In Greek mythology, Lethe is one of the several rivers of Hades; those who drink from it experience complete forgetfulness.
~ Tartarus is a place in Hades, which is reserved for the most evil of souls.
~ I'm sure we've all sent Mary-Sue to Hades in our minds!
~ Last title is from the lyrics for Nightswimming by r.e.m.