Music is on my profile!

Chapter 10

All right, it wasn't literally her face. Still, it was uncannily close. The woman—Ali much preferred "woman" to "the thing"—had the same blonde hair, the same pale skin, the same rounded green eyes. She wore a sleeveless gold dress that hemmed above the knee, the fabric almost transparent. She looked a little older than Ali—maybe twenty-five to Ali's eighteen—, but other than that they could have been twins. To top it off, she looked just as stunned as Ali felt.

For a long moment, the two stared at each other in silence. Then Ali managed to form three words: "Who are you?"

ooOoo

Jim cracked one eye open at the sound of shouts. Lifting his head, he found that the entire crew was cheering, jumping into the air and dancing for joy. Silver moved away from Jim, and the two let loose hearty, relieved laughs. They were actually alive!

"Well, I must congratulate you, Mr. Silver," The captain stepped down to their level of the deck. "It seems your cabin boy did a bang-up job with those lifelines." Jim and Silver nudged each other playfully, grinning.

"Mr. Arrow, all hands accounted for?" The captain called. There was no answer. "Mr. Arrow?" Still there was no answer. After a few seconds, Mr. Scroop came forward, holding a tricorn hat out to the captain. It was Mr. Arrow's hat.

"I'm afraid Mr. Arrow has been lost," Scroop said mournfully. "His lifeline was not secured."

Captain Amelia took the hat, looking stricken. Everyone's eyes turned to Jim.

"No!" Jim protested. "I checked them all!" He spun and shoved his way through the crowd, stopping short when he found one peg missing a lifeline. "I…I did, I checked them all! They were secure…I swear!" he said desperately.

The captain gave him a glare full of disbelief and blame. She gripped the hat in her hands and spoke a few sad words in honor of Mr. Arrow. Jim barely heard her, feeling the stab of guilt in his chest. When she instructed the crew to return to their posts, however, he remembered someone else whose lifeline had broken.

"Silver!" He hurried over to the big man. "Have you seen Ali?"

Silver raised his eyebrows. "Can't say I have. Why do you ask?"

"She…her lifeline broke, when she was in the shrouds. She was fine, but she wouldn't come down to make a new lifeline. She said there wasn't time." Dread roiled in Jim's gut. When Silver didn't respond, he turned and ran. Dashing up and down the ship, he shouted his friend's name, hoping to find her on deck, up in the rigging, down in the kitchen, anywhere.

Silver watched Jim run, his face drooping sadly. He remembered what he had said to the boy only minutes ago: "Ye give up a few t'ings, chasing a dream." At the time he had been referring to himself. He hadn't expected it to become true for Jim, so suddenly and so cruelly.

Jim collapsed onto a barrel, despair pressing down on him. His head drooped, and he buried his face in his hands.

Ali wasn't on the ship. Ali was gone.

ooOoo

"Who are you?" Ali repeated.

The woman in front of her frowned. "I was going to ask you the same thing."

Ali exhaled. "Okay. Maybe we should start with a different question. What are you?"

The woman laughed, a lilting sound. "Well, it's obvious that you are a human. As for me…I'm a sirenial."

With a gasp, Ali wrenched her arm from the woman's—the sirenial's—grasp. When the sirenial made to grab her again, she lashed out with one fist, making the sirenial start and lean back a little. "Keep your hands off of me!"

Ali let antigravity lift her into a horizontal position, using the momentum from her attempted punch to turn around. She might be part sirenial, but that didn't make her immune to their power or to what they did with sailors. She didn't feel very capable of movement right now; but she had to get out of here somehow! Maybe she could swim through space?

"Hold on a minute, just calm down—" the sirenial started.

"Keep away from me!" Ali shouted back. Breathing in, she started making long strokes through the air with her arms, kicking her legs furiously. After a minute of straight-legged kicking, she switched to amphibian stroke.

Unfortunately, Ali had only limited experience when it came to swimming. Growing up on a desert planet hadn't given her many chances to swim, even during her years in a port town. It was for that reason that she eventually slipped up, leaning too much into one of her strokes. She tumbled forward with a screech, stopping upside down with a clear view of the scene behind her.

The sirenial was watching her from her same spot in the air, looking deeply unimpressed. Ali groaned when she realized that for all her effort, she hadn't moved an inch.

The sirenial sighed and gripped Ali's wrist again, pulling her upright so they were face to face again. "Are you done now?"

"Are you going to hurt me?" Ali hated how small her voice sounded.

The sirenial gave her a disbelieving look. "If I wanted to do that, I would have just left you to the black hole."

Ali's lips parted. The sirenial wouldn't have braved a black hole just to save her and then kill her, right? "Touché. Well, um, thank you for rescuing me." She took a steadying breath. "Why exactly did you do it, though?"

"I'm what you humans call a kind sirenial. Saving sailors is a common thing for me."

Ali deflated with relief. "Oh...oh, thank goodness," she said softly, closing her eyes. The explanation fit, especially as the sirenial was being so civil with her. Most sirenials wouldn't bother. Even as the reasoning sunk in, she inwardly smacked herself. She had been raised on this information!

She opened her eyes to meet the sirenial's gaze. "I guess I should apologize. I just thought…well…"

"You thought I wasn't one of the kind ones?" At Ali's nod, the sirenial gave an unsurprised smile. "I understand. You would have been right to be afraid."

Ali tilted her head to one side. "Ok, so you don't mean me harm; you saved me from the black hole. But then again, how did you do it? I've never heard of someone resisting a black hole's gravity."

"Humans and other planet-dwellers can't resist it, it's true," the sirenial said a little haughtily. "But sirenials are made to survive in space, and we know how to handle its dangers. Even so, you're lucky that black hole was still forming. The shockwaves from new ones create momentum that we can use to get out of range; but an established black hole would be inescapable."

"Um, right." Ali blinked, not sure how to handle the new load of information.

The sirenial rolled her eyes. "Now, it's my turn to ask a question: why do you look just like me?"

"That's what I want to know." Ali pursed her lips. "Do sirenials tend to look the same as each other?"

The sirenial raised an eyebrow. "Not usually. Why?"

"I'm just testing out questions. I want an explanation as much as you do." Ali pursed her lips. "Well, does it work that way with your other relatives? That is, have you had any kids, and do they look like you?"

The sirenial's face crumpled, and she bowed her head. "Once I had children, a son and a daughter; but neither Daniel nor Isabella looked exactly like me."

"Isabella," Ali murmured. The name rang a faint bell, if only she could remember from where. "And what's your name?"

"Despina," the sirenial replied, eyes still cast down.

Ali's eyes widened. "You…Despina?" Suddenly she felt like she was tumbling through space again.

"Yes."

"Are you sure?" Ali pressed.

The sirenial lifted her head. "Of course I'm sure. I think I would know my own name."

"You're a sirenial, you look just like me, and your name is Despina?"

Despina raised an eyebrow. "Now you're just re-stating the obvious." She frowned when Ali put a hand to her head. "What's the matter?"

"I…I think…" Ali stuttered. Finally she managed to squeak out, "I think we might be related."

"What?" Despina closed her mouth and fixed Ali with an intent stare. "Explain. Now."

Taken aback by the sudden force, Ali nonetheless did as she said. "My grandmother used to tell me stories of my ancestor Despina, a sirenial who was kinder than the rest of her sisters. She rescued a sailor, a human man, from the wiles of her sisters' voices." She lowered her hand from her head. "She brought the man to a livable planet, with a little town, and the two of them fell in love. They settled down, got married, and had two children. The children grew into adulthood, and Despina's husband grew older. When he died he was old and gray, but Despina looked as young as when they had met, since sirenials are long-lived and forever young. The next day, there was some kind of accident at the place where their children worked. When someone came to the family house to inform Despina, she was nowhere to be found."

Ali frowned. "That's where the story becomes a little unclear. No one knows why you left. Some people have said that you abandoned your children."

"I did not abandon them!" Despina burst out. Her eyes were filled with tears. "I loved my husband, Benjamin, and I loved my children. Daniel and Isabella were brilliant mechanics, and got their first jobs at an engineering factory. And there was an explosion at the factory. It made the whole place collapse. I went into town, and everyone was weeping and cursing, saying that there were no survivors." A few tears trickled down her cheeks. "I had already lost my husband the day before. When I heard what everyone was saying, I just…cracked. I had lost the three loves of my life within the span of two days. So I left. There was nothing left for me in that place but pain."

Ali's heart ached, hearing echoes of her past in the story. "Oh, Despina." She wrapped her free hand around the sirenial's shoulder, and used it to clumsily pull her into a hug.

The sirenial returned the hug for several seconds, and then drew back again. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Ali replied. "But…what did you do after you left?"

Despina sniffled. "I went back into deep space. For a while I was part of another sirenial group, but my…rescuer tendencies got me kicked out after a few decades. Since then I've been wandering the universe, doing the occasional rescue but never staying long enough to get attached. Getting attached again would have hurt too much."

Ali bit her lip. "Despina…there's something that you need to know. There's a reason I know this story in the first place. The reason is that Isabella survived the explosion."

Despina sucked in a sharp breath. "What? But how?"

"She was in an underground part of the factory when the explosion hit. She was trapped there for a few days under the wreckage; but people were coming through to clear out the place. Eventually a few of them heard her and managed to get her out.

Her brother didn't survive the explosion. His death and her mother's disappearance—well, your disappearance—were heavy blows, and it took her a long time to recover. But she met a man who shared her grief, having lost two brothers to the explosion, and the two of them came to love each other. Now I suppose you know that Isabella inherited the power of the sirenial song."

Despina nodded. "She had a wonderful voice, only a bit less powerful than mine. What did she do with it?"

"It's not what she did with it that matters here, but what she didn't do: she never used it on the man she loved. His love for her was all his own. Well, the two of them had a daughter, passing down the sirenial voice. And as her life continued, Isabella kept a journal and filled it with stories—the story of how her parents met, stories from her childhood, the memory of the explosion, and of her life from then on."

"So she lived on without me," Despina said mournfully. "She was alive, and I abandoned her."

Ali frowned. "You couldn't have known what happened to her. And she made it through; she found love and happiness after it all." When Despina didn't respond, she tried again. "Remember the journal I mentioned, your daughter's journal? That journal was how her story, and yours, was preserved. My ancestors passed it down through the ages, as the sirenial gift was passed down alongside it. Just think about it. How many generations has it been since that journal was written, or even since the journal was still around for reference? And yet I'm here now, and I know the story!"

Despina finally looked up and gave Ali a smile. "You are kind. And you're my descendant, to boot. Hold on, I never got your name!"

Ali grinned. "It's Alianne. Alianne Wood. Everyone calls me Ali, though."

"Ali. Alianne," Despina murmured. "Both beautiful names." After a moment her eyes lit up. "This is incredible. I have descendants! And one of them is floating right in front of me!"

A laugh bubbled up from Ali's lips. "And I'm talking to my ancestor! It's so ironic that my last living relative is also my oldest one."

"Watch who you're calling old, Ali." Despina stopped. "I'm your last living relative?"

Ali sighed, shoulders slumping. "I guess I have another story to tell you now." She described the earlier years of her life: her parents' deaths, the fire in her home, and her hometown's treatment of her. It was easier telling it this time, as she had stopped denying her past years ago. She still found herself crying by the end of it, though.

Despina hugged Ali and wiped her face dry. "Oh, dear, you've had it worse than I have."

"Well, maybe," Ali said with a sniffle. "Or maybe not."

"You say you only have minimal sirenial power, and people were still afraid of you?"

"Yeah. It's amazing how stigmas can affect people." Ali sighed. Then her lips tilted upward. "Things got better, though. I found a second home, with people who accepted me. I worked at an inn, with Sarah and Jim…" Suddenly she gasped, jerking so violently that Despina had to release her and then grab hold of her again. "Jim! And Delbert! They must think I'm dead!"

"Ali, slow down. What are you talking about?"

Quickly Ali explained what she was doing in space in the first place, although she omitted the destination of the ship. "Could you take me to the ship? Is that possible?"

Despina looked troubled. "Ali…"

"Could you?" Ali repeated.

"I…yes, I could. But are you sure you want to go? You could…you could stay with me instead."

Ali's forehead creased. "What?"

"We're family, Ali. We could find a hospitable planet, somewhere beautiful, and live there together. We could travel, too. The galaxy is an amazing place, Ali, with so much to experience. And I could show you things that only space dwellers can reach. We could build a life of our own, learn from each other; have time to really know each other."

Ali stared at her. For years she had lived without her parents, thinking all her family to be dead. After discovering she had a living relative, Despina's proposal was very tempting.

But then she thought of the people who had come into her life after her mother's death. She recalled Delbert walking around in his ridiculous metal suit. She thought of Sarah's steady kindness. And clearest of all, she pictured Jim, with his deep blue eyes and trademark smirk. Jim, who loved solar surfing and cinnamon toast, and who held compassion under all his sarcasm.

Pulling herself towards Despina, Ali hugged her tighter than ever. "Oh, Granny," she whispered. "I do want you in my life. It is such a miracle that I've met you today, and I don't want to leave you behind. But there are people on that ship who mean the world to me. I have to get back to them."

Despina pulled back and studied Ali's face. Her granddaughter's expression was determined, but held an insistent plea. "You have a bond you want to protect; people you are willing to fight for," she said finally. "That's good. I will take you back to them. But first," she cut off Ali before she could speak. "I have something I want to show you."

Uncertainty rippled through Ali. "What do you have in mind?"

"If you cannot remain with me, there is a song you need to know. None of that," she said at the look on Ali's face. "It's a kind of communication song. If you sing it and focus your thoughts on me, you'll be able to get in contact with me. The same will apply to me when I sing it and think of you."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. It's how sirenials contact each other across long distances."

"Then teach me!" Ali wasn't about to let this loophole go. "Wait, won't your voice affect me?"

"It should affect you less, as you are my descendant."

Ali gave Despina an unimpressed stare.

"Oh, all right," Despina sighed. "I'll hold the power part back."

"Ok. So what's the song?"

Despina smiled and started to sing.

"I hear your voice on the wind

And I hear you call out my name"

"Listen, my child, you say to me

I am the voice of your history

Be not afraid; come follow me

Answer my call and I'll set you free"

"I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice that always is calling you

I am the voice, I will remain"

Despina's voice was just as lovely as any sirenial's should be. Even without power behind it, Ali found herself sighing in pleasure.

"I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone

The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow

Ne'er do I sleep throughout all the cold winter long

I am the force that in springtime will grow"

"I am the voice of the past that will always be

Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields

I am the voice of the future; bring me your peace

Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal"

Ali was vaguely aware of the silly smile that adorned her face. Perhaps Despina had let something slip, or just couldn't keep her voice from having some effect, because the music was enchanting. It seemed to sing through her very blood. Even as Ali took it in, trying to remember as much as possible, she marveled at the complex feelings it inspired. She knew her own voice could inspire positive emotions; but it was obvious that her power was much less refined. Through Despina's voice she experienced her own specific scenarios. There was the elation of long-awaited success; the quiet content of sipping tea in an armchair; the bounce of a day when everything was going right; the sweetness of a lullaby; the comfort of familiar arms around her.

Despina wondered what Ali was feeling. She had found that the feelings differed from person to person, drawing from their experiences and their approaches to life. But she could ask Ali about it later; for now she continued to sing.

"I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice that always is calling you

I am the voice"

"I am the voice of the past that will always be

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice of the future

I am the voice"

"I am the voice

I am the voice

I am the voice!"

With a final, crystal-clear note, Despina finished the song.

"That was amazing," breathed Ali, her eyes sparkling.

Pleased with Ali's reaction, Despina thanked her. Then she got back to business, determined to make sure Ali learned the song. She sang it once more on her own, and then had Ali sing with her several times. Finally, she listened to Ali sing it on her own. When she was satisfied, she nodded. "I think you've got it."

"I think so too."

"Lovely voice, as well. I wonder where you could have gotten that from."

"Let's see, constant practice, learning from my mom, music in my head…and I suppose genetics may have contributed too." Ali winked even as she lifted her head proudly. She thought her voice sounded nice with or without power in it.

Despina laughed. "All right, fair enough; you have your own voice." She took a slow breath in and out. "Now remember, you don't need to sing all of that song to get in contact with me. It works best when you do it in full, but a verse or two will do."

"Got it. So," Ali prodded. "Can we get back to the ship now?"

Despina puffed out a breath. "That ship is a ways away by now. It will take some time to catch up with it. Do you think you can manage without food for a day or two?"

"If it gets me to the ship, I'll put up with it."

Despina smiled. "I thought you'd say that." She turned so her back was facing Ali. "Hold onto my shoulders or my waist, whichever is a better grip. It was hard dragging you away from the black hole when you were just hanging below me. It'll be faster, and easier for me, if you're holding on instead."

Ali did as she said, pulling herself close to Despina as they went horizontal again, with Ali almost lying flat on top of her relative.

"Ready to go?" Despina asked.

"Beyond ready," Ali answered.

"I thought so." Despina looked over her shoulder at Ali. "Oh, and Ali?"

"Yeah?"

Despina smirked. "Don't ever call me Granny again."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ali has a living relative after all—break out the firecrackers and party hats to celebrate! I've posted the full performance of Despina's communication song on my profile; it's a beautiful piece by Celtic Women.

Review review review! :) I appreciate all my readers, silent or vocal, but it really makes my day when a reader leaves me feedback. Tell me what you think, even if it's just in a few words! Love and thanks to the readers who have been leaving feedback :D