Uncharted Waters

Shoukoku no Altair

Original Character

Summary: Life is like the ocean. You navigate your way using everything in your disposal. When challenges are thrown your way, you must keep going. But the ocean is endless. Eventually, you will come upon wholly unfamiliar territory. One have no choice but to brave through it. L'isolani sailors are the best seafarers out there. But their womenfolk are not to be underestimated either.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoukoku no Altair. All OCs in this story belong to me

Warnings: OCs, typos, grammar errors

IF YOU DON'T LIKE CANON CHARACTER X ORIGINAL CHARACTER PAIRING, TURN BACK NOW

CHAPTER 3

"Boo."

"Aaah!"

Odilon laughed seeing his twin sister jumped out of her skin. He stopped when Orelia turned to him with narrowed eyes.

"Dearest brother, didn't our mother taught you to knock?" She crossed her arms. Odilon simply smiled

"Indeed she did. I did knocked but you didn't answer, so I opened the door. You were staring rather intently at-" He bend down slightly to pick up an object of the vanity dresser. A comb. "This. Lovely work of ivory. So what did it do to you aside from making your hair all smooth and pretty?"

"There is no need to sound jealous, Odilon. Your hair is great too. Very sleek," Orelia twirl the end of Odilon's ponytail around her index finger. "And for your information, I was thinking."

"Of what?"

"What else to bring for our trip," Orelia points to her open chest. She is in the middle of packing for her trip to Cuore with their mother. That is the reason why they went to the city. The family is spending some quality time before they part ways. Bartolomeo will go to West Centro. Odilon will conduct business with the countries in Eastern Centro. Elenora and Orelia will travel to Florence for a little sight seeing. It won't be until a few months later the entire family will reunite again.
Odilon scanned the contents of her chest. "I think you got most of everything, Lia."

"Most, you say," Orelia pursed her lips. "I knew I need to go over the list again. I must have misplaced something as well. I have to be sure-" She moved to empty her chest when Odilon grabbed her shoulder.

He looked at her warily. "Your micromanaging shows when you're stressed. Spill."

Orelia hesitated. Odilon would never judge her. He will always be her ally. Even when they have a bad fight, her brother never turn her away. "...It's complicated," She finally said after a moment of silence.

Odilon sit down on the bed and patted the spot next to him. Orelia sits down. "I have time."

"What about your preparation? Shouldn't you be at the docks now?" Orelia asked. They are scheduled to depart at the same time. Odilon will accompany Orelia and Elenora to Bosque before heading to Phoenicia. Naturally, there are lots to prepare for. From the condition of the ships, supplies, tradings goods, etc.

"I have time for you," Odilon bump his shoulder to hers. "Always."

Well, when your brother said that while giving you such kind looks, you can't say no. So Orelia tell her twin everything. Odilon listens attentively, never interrupting her. He have always been such a good listener.

"...Wow," Odilon muttered after she finished her tale. "No wonder you've been out of sorts lately. And that time at the banquet-"

Orelia groaned, cutting him off. "Don't remind me of that."

"He keep glancing at your direction, you know," Odilon told him. "I'm pretty sure Donatello Doria noticed it too."

"I don't know what to feel about that," She rest her chin on her palms. "I'm starting to regret ever going to that gulf."

"No kidding. The way you two met sounds like something straight out from story books," Odilon smiled in amusement. "I can't blame him for obsessing over you."

Orelia winced. "Do you really think so? He is obsessed with me?"

"Okay, that might not be the best word to use…," Odilon shot her an apologetic look. "But you don't exactly forget a meeting like that. I say that he's intrigued with you. It's not everyday you meet a sea nymph." He barely avoid getting hit on the face by a pillow. Orelia scowled at him. "Can't blame someone from being so captivated."

"You're not helping," Orelia crossed her arms. "At all."

"All right, all right. This is me helping you by giving an advice," Odilon place a hand on her shoulder yet again, causing her to look up. "I say go for it."

Orelia's eyes narrowed to green slits. "What do you mean by that?"

"I think there's something going on with the two of you. You said it yourself earlier. You two have- and I quote- 'inexplicable connection'" Orelia frowned. Odilon continued, "I think what you have here is l-"

"No!" Orelia cried. She pressed her hand against his mouth. "Don't say the word! It's not that! It's definitely not that! This is not a fairy tale!" Her eyes looked at him pleadingly. Her next words are said in whispers, "If you said it… It will be like it's final… No point of returning…"

Odilon look at his twin. She is denying it fiercely but they both had an inkling of what this might be. This is the first time he see her like this. Maybe if it wasn't Boccanegra Orelia would be calmer… But they really can't predict life. Odilon place a hand on her head. "Take a plunge into the water," Orelia blinked. "If it's too cold for you, pull right back out and dry yourself. Don't do it again. If you want to stay and follow the flow… It's entirely up to you."

"...And what if I decide to stay in the water?"

Odilon's lips quirked. "You'll know when the time comes."

Orelia sighed, "That's not really helpful at all," But she bump her shoulder to his anyways. "Thank you, Dil." She rest her head against his shoulder.

"Anything for my sister dearest." Odilon rest his head on hers.

"Now help me check everything."

"Okay."

Amadeo is in good mood these days. He is still his usual energetic self but Roni have picked up the subtle changes in his nephew's behaviour. Last week he was a bit subdued. It's as if he have a lot in his mind. His eyes would follow every passing blonde female. Amadeo would have this faraway look in his eyes, as if he's trying to catch something. It actually the expression sailors would have when they are trying to see the ventis and Ippocampis. Never in hundred of years Roni would see Amadeo with such expression. It just look odd. Now? He is even more animated. Like he have found something interesting. A new goal to strive for. Turns out Roni isn't far off mark.
The reason of Amadeo's recent behaviour is rather simple actually.

It was a girl.

Not just any girl but it was Orelia Canella.

And judging from Amadeo's stunned expression when he lay his eyes on her at the banquet… It appears that Orelia is the sea nymph his nephew saw the other day. Roni didn't ask but he can connect the dots. Now, where Orelia went swimming is none of his business. Their actual first meeting is something best left alone, Roni thinks. He is more concerned about the fact that Amadeo have been quite taken with the girl.

She is quite the catch. Orelia came from a good family (albeit with problematic history. Then again, most noble families in L'isolani have their own share of trouble). The Canella family is affluent enough to afford a large amount of dowry. Giovanni have cemented himself the reputation as the man who finally secured the Rocca permanently. And let's not forget that Pommelina Canella is the matriarch of the house. Running through her veins is the blood of Pietro Fregoso, the last Doge before Boccanegra-Doria rivalry started. The Fregoso family have its own share of Doges as well. So no one can deny Orelia's (and Odilon's) lineage. And Orelia (and Odilon) is Pommelina's granddaughter. If what they say about the apple doesn't fall far from its tree is true, then Amadeo is in for a ride. Men from L'isolani are known to be cutthroat and hardy. Most outsiders didn't realise that their womenfolk are just as fierce as their male counterpart. It is common for L'isolani women to go straight to work right after their male relatives died. They make investment in commerce, learn a maritime artisan trade, and manage property. All while raising their children. To say anything disparaging about their women is the same as spitting at the memory of Roni's own mother. The siege of Rocca is actually rather recent. The Canella twins were 6 years old when it first started. Which means Orelia have witnessed the whole thing, including how Pommelina defended everything with all her might. And then there's Elenora, who originated from another country but married a L'isolanian anyway. She definitely know what she signed up for when she joined the Canella family. Moreover, Roni heard it's a love marriage.

Roni can't stressed it enough. L'isolanian women are strong willed, and you don't have to look far for an example.

Trust Amadeo to set his sights high. Roni never spoken with Orelia before so he can't be sure of her characteristics. But he will say this as much, courting her won't be easy. Marriage talks with her family will sure as hell won't be a walk in the park. Now Roni is getting ahead of himself. His nephew have yet to say anything about his intention regarding Orelia Canella… But Roni was young once. He had his share of experiences. He witnessed everything from Gino's clumsy attempt to approach his first crush to their older brother Guglielmo courting Amadeo's mother. Let it be known that Amadeo inherit more than just her hair colour and nose. Even if Amadeo is anything like his father (and he does), it's not going to as easy as steering a ship. Even Triton is not successful wooing Amphitrite at the first time.

The older Boccanegra look up to the sky. 'Divine Father Triton, please grant me strength. This is going to be a storm.' He prayed pleadingly.

A faint rumble can be heard in the distance. Surely that's the sign of Triton listening to his prayer?

Most of the world building here is based on information I found online. I am not an Italian so I can't be sure with Italian history. Please forgive me for any mistakes!

It's not Year 75 / 451 yet. We still have a bit more to go on before canon plot starts.

Thank you for reading

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