A/N - Hi ! This is what I guess I would call a teaser to what will eventually be chapter one. This all depends on the feedback I get. This is not me whoring for reviews or whatever the analogy is used on this site lately. Writers really count on and appreciate the comments in a well written review. This first bit is rather melancholic and while it does lighten up in chapters I can't promise any intense fighting action as those scenes aren't my best. Raven is my favorite character as she is to many on this site and I just like giving readers opportunities to see her in a different light. I try my best to keep her in character but this story is about development and growth so I guess we'll just see how it goes.
The rating will change for later chapters.
Ethereal PT I.
The ship is silent on its voyage back home. The captain's home. Her home.
The stars are much more beautiful from afar she thinks. Brilliant balls of gas that burn brightly light years away while we watch them from the comfort of our soft green covered lands. They can see them now. These stars they count on light and power their planet. They take comfort in the thought that everyone they care for is secure beneath the dark blanket of dwarfs, giants and novas. But what of her ? Are they thinking of her down there ?
And she wonders when it is exactly that they'll begin their search for her. Will it be on a quiet evening while they sit stiffly in their wood chairs, strategizing and plotting their next actions in defense? In the midst of a retaliation tactic would it suddenly shoot up their spines? This overwhelming feeling, the nagging voice insisting that perhaps something isn't right ? Would one of them be overcome with an urge to speak and wonder aloud?
"Where is she?" Will it occur to them to ask "Where has she gone?"
The captain's stare is empathic with tired grey eyes that recognize her pain as she gazes at the moon fondly. They'll never stop to think if she'd been taken against her will or left on her on whim. And the only ones who wonder will never speak. She fidgets with the dress she's been asked to wear. It is modest, black and stark against her pale skin. The fabric is a rough lace that itches her tender arms but she's been assured that this is pleasing.
" Azerath is but an hour away, Miss." The captain is soft spoken with a light voice that a reveals the age of a man much too young to carry such burden in his tone. His eyes are gentle and now sympathetic as he feels the realization sink upon his passenger.
She thinks to herself of who exactly she'll be pleasing when she arrives. She imagines they'll tell her she looks every bit as lovely as her mother. A living picture of grace herself. She imagines she'll be a spectacle for the court to fixate their eyes on until her last breath. Gape at her they will but these people will live to please and while she's only ever wanted to escape this life she tells herself that she will do it only for change. She'll do it for her people. Her servants so lost like children.
She will be a better master than her own.
The master she and her companions fought so fiercely to defeat is back to haunt her with his memory. For every happiness there is a consequence, she knows this. But it's all too soon. She can almost feel the smile she'd worn on her face that day and was desperate for a reason to do it again. She could still remember the intense beating of her heart from a safe embrace and lasted till the days that fell after. Such feeling. Father would never approve.
But this is not about being a better master. This is not about being a master at all. Her heart beats now to remind her that it's reason for beating has been left behind. Beating ignorantly in her chest as if she could ever forget what she's lost now.She searches her mind for the soft blue eyes. Heavy with grief but sobering and calming. She thinks to a time where his hands were bare and his face in plain sight. Those hands were warm. His hands meant protection. She's never been one to count on anyone else for security but he made things terribly secure. He bore his feelings on his face one day and spoke to her without words. A shaking hand against her skin and an unyielding gaze.
The ship travels faster leaving galaxies behind and she cranes her neck back and stares at the empty black void forlornly.
She'll never see him from here. But maybe if she reaches he'll reach back.
The humans always speak of the abilities their hearts posses. How feelings can be felt through an organ that's only known purpose is to pump blood. She's never believed it could communicate with others. She's never believed it connected or synchronized with others. But now she finds herself a true believer in it's ability to ache.
" We're here Miss. Raven." The captain extends his hand to her and she takes it ,blindly. A blank look on her face as she tries desperately to cling to every human lesson she's ever learned.
No it's clear now. And perhaps her lord would be so kind as to allow her friends to this wedding.
It's really rough and sometimes I forget readers aren't in my head with me while I'm reading over what I write so questions would be really helpful.
Keep it constructive please !
--Violet.