Sorry for the wait, I wrote and rewrote this about 17 times!
The steady swooshing of the brush against the deck was my only companion as I washed away, waiting for James to return.
It took forever.
Either that, or without the second part to our duo, time went slower. It hadn't been more than a few minutes, and already a part of my felt like it died. From boredom, or course. I wasn't that clingy.
Anyways, I figured that I might as well entertain myself with what exactly James had been summoned for. I briefly thought over discipline, before rejecting it. Only the most serious of the serious punishments went through our captain, and besides the usual craziness that we were, no important laws had been broken. My father was the one that watched over us, and was the one who usually set us straight when we toed out of line.
James could have been sent on an assignment, I supposed, but it was about as likely as punishment. We were lower ranking, and any significant matters would be left to those more important than us. Anything that we were to be involved in would most likely be addressed in a large group.
That only left some sort of reward. James, when he wasn't with me, was a hard, steadfast worker, devoted to his duties and getting them done. Quiet and committed, with the right tools and the right amount of time, he could get anything done. I am ashamed to admit that I am his polar opposite. My attention is too flighty for me to devote to one task for too long, and I usually end up botching it, or leaving it half done. That, coupled with the time taken, made remuneration the most likely outcome. Whatever it was, I'm sure that it was duly earned. Our captain wasn't one to fire anything, whether it be recompense or penalization, willy nilly at those undeserving. Of course, I was a tad bit jealous. I knew that I wasn't winning any awards for what I did do, and that I was probably only here because this was the vessel my father was stationed on, but I managed to squash it down. James was a good friend, and well deserving of whatever he got.
As I had been pondering, James had exited the office and was currently standing before me. Oblivious to him, he only managed to obtain my attention when he poked me in the nose with the tip of his boot.
"Ow, what was that for?" I asked, rearing back onto my knees.
"You weren't paying attention. I had to get you to notice me somehow." He said, smirking. Oddly, the usual jest behind his tone was gone, leaving it strangely flat and hollow.
"I suppose that's true. How did it go? Is my Jamesy-Wamesy moving up in the world?" I asked, teasing him with an exaggerated pout on my face.
A brief look of pain passed his eyes before he replied with, "Actually, yes. A good friend of the captain's has requested a younger crewman, and the captain saw fit to apply me for the job. I officially become a member of the crew in three weeks time, when we hit the shores of Barbados."
"Oh James, that's great! You're always telling me that you want to be someone someday; this might just be your chance. We should be celebrating. Why aren't you?" I asked, noticing the sour look that hit his face.
"I have to leave you. I have to leave your father. I have to leave everything that I care about. Yes, I am excited, but I'm also a little bit sad. I'm starting completely over, and who knows if there's another person in the world that can match your level of insanity." I was pleased to note that a lighter tone was shrouded among that last statement, as opposed to the angsty undercurrent of his earlier declarations.
"Oh, I guess so. No one can be this amazing, its something unique I, and only I, have alone. I'm sure you'll do fine though, James. You were born to be a navy man, and don't let something like this effect that. You'll find better people than me; ones that think and act like you, and won't get you in so much trouble. This will be good for you." I said, trying my hardest to remain upbeat. I was happy for James, but I was going to miss my best friend. No one would put up with me besides him.
"I suppose so, but I'm still going to miss you. We might as well make these last weeks count." He said, pulling me up, and offering a slight smile.
"Now you're talking my language!" I said, laughing with a wicked grin on my face.
~~~Time Skip, the day before James' Departure~
I lay under the stars, the deck warm under my arms as I traced familiar constellations and patterns. My companion was silent beside me, mentally following the lines that I was making, telling the story of the gods and all the deeds, good and bad, which had been preformed. A heavy silence hung in the air, buoyed down by the realization that this was the last time that we were ever going to do this.
"Their beautiful, aren't they?" I finally said, looking over at him lazily.
"Yeah. It's odd that we have passed under them so many times, and never really appreciated them. Now, that this is last time, it seems so much more vibrant." He said, always the poet.
"Yeah. I'm going to miss you James, how else am I going to stop and appreciate these things?" I said, turning and smiling towards him.
"I'm going to miss you to, Nic. Hopefully we'll meet up some day, when you get your act together and do something with your life." He jested, elbowing me in the side.
"Should be easy, once I get my bad influence out of the way." I joked back, rolling him slightly.
"Hmm. If anything, you're the bad influence on me. With your crazy stunts and all."
"You're the one that swings from the rigging. I merely go along for the ride."
"You co-orchestrated that."
"Only by gathering the materials."
Our conversation continued on like this for quite some time, until both of us finally fell asleep.
~Morning~
I awoke with a start, the first delicate rays of morning hitting me square in the eyes and blinding me. Cursing under my breath, I rubbed them and turned the other way, desperately blinking back the tears that had welled up to quell the pain. Finally able to make out shapes, I scanned the area around me. Men had started to bustle around, tending to the deck and sails of the Ladybird. The only thing amiss was the fact that my shadow was gone. Peering around, I tried to find him.
Finally, I spotted him, with the captain's arm around him as he was walked off the deck. Both sets of feet were poised to hit the ground, sand billowing under the soles of their shoes. Scrambling up, I hung over the deck to watch their progress. They made their way over to another set of gentlemen, a tall, imposing, gray haired man with brows drawn down in a harsh V. Behind him, a young man with auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail fidgeted, scanning James as he was brought before him. Brief words were exchanged between the two, before the other captain, who I was later told went by the name of Witting, nodded, eyes barley lightening in what I assumed was his version of a smile. All shook hands, before returning to their respective vessels. Naturally, I jumped James for information the minute he was alone.
"So, was that your new captain? What was he like? And who was with him?" I asked in a rush, following him as he gathered his scare belongings into a knapsack.
"Yes, his name is Archibald Witting. He was strict, stern, harsh, bellowing orders like it was his first language. That was one of his crewmen, Andrew I believe his name was." He told me, meticulously folding his stockings and shirts, placing them neatly in his bag.
"Sounds great. I really hope that you have a good time and go places James. You deserve it, for putting up with me all this time." I said, suddenly feeling very emotional as I realized that he really was leaving.
"You do to, Nicky, and I'm sure that you will. Everybody can't help but bend to that insane will of yours." He said, slinging his stuff over his shoulder.
"I guess this is goodbye?" I said, receiving a nod as acknowledgement. Lunging forward, I wrapped in a hug.
"Good luck." I whispered, crushing him to me, fighting the tears that threatened to spill over.
"You too." He whispered, and I could tell by the hitch in his voice that he was fighting emotion to.
We finally separated, me following him up the deck. He was met with lots of back slaps and good luck wishes as he departed, walking down the gangplank and away from me. Turning back one more time, he waved at us all, before disappearing from view.
I was missing him already.
Chapter 2, finally here! Review, please?