"Hey dude." Santana heard behind her. When she turned around she saw Mara standing a few inches from her. She walked over with a small smirk on her face and stood next to Santana. She breathed in the air audibly and bowed down to rest her elbows on the wooden deck beam. "You're up early." She stated, turning her gaze to the brunette. Santana shrugged and then pointed to the small babbling creature in her lap.
"Saahra has been up for the last couple of hours. I figured I could sleep when she decides to." Mara smiled and then looked behind her noticing some astray arrows.
"Did you shoot those?"
"Not very well." Santana smirked a little. "I wanted to learn how to defend myself. I only really know how to work with my hands and with her- well I just need a different approach. Can't be caught in a fistfight with this one crawling about."
Mara laughed loudly. "I'd like to see you in a fist fight."
"I don't think you would. I don't play fair." Santana stated smirking widely.
"I could teach you. I mean Quinn would probably do a better job, but you knew that. So feel free to reject me for a better teacher."
"No! I'd be very grateful if you would teach me. Quinn's great but- I don't know." She said looking flustered. She wasn't entirely sure why the thought of Quinn teaching her was making her so anxious. She just felt embarrassed. Mara raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. The redhead was suspecting that the woman looking back at her would probably end up falling in love with Quinn, like she did once upon a time. She wasn't going to push it though, knowing how painful falling in love could be. Besides, watching Santana fall over her words was more than enough appeasement.
Mara picked up a bow and some arrows that were sticking in the wooden surface of the deck. "You know, now that we're flying with this ship, you should be more careful. You could kill someone if they fly over." Mara said sounding stern. Santana's face flushed realizing her blunder.
The redhead then took the infant -who had now slavered all over herself - and yelled at Mike who was standing at steering wheel.
"Hey where's Maddie? I need a babysitter for a couple of minutes." She yelled giving Santana's face a more intense shade crimson than she already had.
"That's really not necessary, you know."
"Really? You want to learn how to shoot with her in your arms?" Santana grumbled mentally and reluctantly stated that Mara had a point. She then let the first mate of what she called a damn ship call for Maddie. Maddie was a 16 year old kitchen help, who most of the day had nothing to do, since the cook wouldn't let her touch any of the pots. She was the perfect candidate for a temporary babysitter. After the young blonde came to collect Saahra, Santana slouched near the edge of the ship, waiting for Mara to come and start whichever lesson she had in mind.
When Mara handed her a bow she immediately felt more at ease. There was something about the redhead that made her feel comfortable. Maybe it was the fact that they were from Maisans. She understood her ways and never made her feel as if she was a fool. She respected her, she was on the same level as the redhead. She appreciated the rare familiarity.
"Okay let's start with your posture." She said making Santana frown. The last time she heard comments about her posture, she was still living under her abuela's roof. "Just the way you stand Santana, not for appearances, just to be able to shoot properly." She said laughing a little anticipating whatever judgment Santana was making.
Santana rolled her eyes and nodded "Alright, well show me then."
"So impatient." Mara teased and then told the dark skinned girl to put down the bow for now. "Stand like this, your legs should be open so you're stable. Your left and right knee should be equal to your left and right shoulder." She redirected Santana's stance a little and then smiled. "Good. Bend your knees a little more though."
Santana felt a little silly doing this without a bow, but she was grateful nevertheless for learning the basics. At least next time, she wouldn't look like a total fool in front of Quinn. Santana frowned a little. Quinn? Wait, what?
"Santana are you paying attention?" Santana widened her eyes.
"Yes sorry!"
"Right. I was asking you if you're right or left handed."
"Right-handed." Mara nodded then took hold of Santana's left arm and stretched it out in front of her.
"This is where your bow goes, as you know." Santana smiled, then Mara redirected her own position and now stood behind Santana. She picked up the bow and put in Santana's hand. "Okay now don't put your shoulder up, keep it down. A straight line. The same goes for your other hand-"
"Am I missing something?" Quinn said as Mara giggled a little. Santana on the other hand let go of the bow. As the wooden weapon made a dull sound against the deck, she closed her eyes. She felt the embarrassment seep down to her gut. She nearly even yelled 'nothing'. She was cursing herself 'For fuck sakes, Santana!' She didn't know, nor did she acknowledge why the Woodling was making her so nervous. Ever since they left Dianeas she felt more on edge around her. Maybe it was because she had seen her at her weakest and now felt embarrassed about it.
"I'm just teaching her some basics for archery."
"Archery hu." Quinn heaved a brow while Mara shrugged.
"I told her you're the better teacher but she was glad to have me anyways."
"Mara stop. You're amazing." Quinn commended her and then sat down against the side of the ship.
A slight uneasiness settled within Santana. She didn't like it when Quinn watched her, it made her feel rotten.
"Calm down, we're not using arrows yet." Mara whispered in her ear. It was then that Santana realized her respiration had changed drastically. She was taking in uneven breathes at a rapid pace. Baffled by her own reaction she tried to shake it off by concentrating on Mara.
"Okay try this stance a couple of times, so you feel comfortable with it." Mara said to the brunette while watching her carefully. Meanwhile Quinn had fetched a piece of bread and was munching on it greedily. Watching Santana made her smile. There weren't that many people in the world that liked to learn new things and admit their weaknesses. It was a good trade to have. After some time, when the bread ran out and certain details were starting to bother her she spoke up. They had started with arrows and Santana kept missing her target by a couple of inches which was making her frustrated.
"Mara, tell her to bow her elbow. She'll only hurt herself this way and-" As soon as Quinn spoke up Mara turned around smiling. "You're so fastidious." She giggled. "But in a good way." She added. She took a step back and nodded. "Well you better take over then Lucy Q." She smiled and started heading towards Mike's cabin.
"Fastidious? I'm not- hey! Mara I didn't mean for you to-"
"No, no it's fine. I have to discuss the schedule with Mike anyways."
"Okay? Dramatic much." Quinn beamed graciously and headed over to Santana who was ready to stop her mid-day exercise.
"You know, I think Maddie might be sick of looking after Saahra and I-"
"Santana." Quinn sighed. "I know you've been avoiding me since Dianeas- well, since the morning off our departure from Dianeas, but I'm only trying to help. I promise I won't say a word about anything besides archery." She stated.
"Hey." Quinn called as Santana turned around looking at the Woodling. "I brought you some meat stew." She said stumbling a little from the wind beating the ship to its rhythm. They were travelling by airship since the crossing to Eagle eye bay would be safer and shorter that way. Santana didn't say anything and looked back at the horizon while petting the hair on her child's head. Quinn sighed audibly and still decided to step forward. She then sat down next to brunette, who didn't show much regard for Quinn's presence. Quinn looked down at the wooden bowl with dark meat stew in that she was cradling. "You can't keep doing this to yourself. I mean every single night since-" She stated.
Santana frowned, even though she had loved nothing more but to ignore the immanent existence which was slumping next to her. "Santana." The blonde murmured a little and Santana closed her eyes. She sighed a little after a moment or so.
"I know." She voiced and then added after being silent for a minute " I just can't believe we're back on this ship, continuing our quest as if nothing happened!"
"We're not doing as if nothing happened. The Sisters of the Seven took it on as their responsibility. How many times do I have to tell you it wasn't your fault, nor is it your responsibility to go look for those kids." Quinn said with a determined and high pitched voice.
"Just imagine if it was you. I nearly gave Saahra to him. Gods know what he does with those children." She said holding the child a little closer now. Quinn put her hand on Santana's elbow and squeezed it.
"I promised you that when we would arrive in Boomen, in Eriles Tayule that I would ask around. I intend to keep that promise. I give you my word; If I hear anything about it, we will go look for those children okay? But for now, you have to focus on yourself, and on her." Santana smiled a little after that.
"I'm a brooder, it's who I am. I can't help it." She said and then took the bowl of meat stew, which had cooled down extremely. She scrunched up her nose up a little when she swallowed a spoonful.
"Should've eaten it when it was hot." Quinn said playfully while tucking some of Santana's hair behind her ear. Quinn held her gaze a little longer than usual, which made Santana's heart skip a little. She furrowed her brows deeply after the Woodling leaned forward to look at the sunrise. She couldn't help but gaze at the girl a little longer and open her mind for contemplation.
'What?' Was the only thing that echoed within her mind though.
'Like that's the problem.' Santana thought realizing the blonde's presence alone was alluring her heart to stumble. She rolled her eyes trying to keep up the wall she had tenderly nurtured over the years.
"Fine."
"Okay, take your position." Quinn stated then walked behind her. She wrapped her arm gently around the brunette's waist and pulled her into her. Santana froze as her eyes grew wide, she literally stopped breathing so Quinn wouldn't realize how fast her heart rate was going.
'Who am I kidding she can tell when I'm slightly nervous with her aggravating Woodling abilities, she must be exulting at this point.'
"Don't lean forward." Quinn said gently, as her breath tickled Santana's neck. Santana adjusted her stance and soon enough Quinn let go of her waist. She felt relieved. She couldn't stand how close this person was getting to her.
"You should be aligned with the target, and be stable." She then took hold of Santana's wrist, making the girl curse herself again for gasping unnoticeably at her touch. "Put your wrist behind the handle, not your thumb. And bend your elbow a little. You're only hurting yourself holding your arm that straight."
Santana arched the bow tightly as Quinn took a little of the tanned girl's hair and tucked it behind her ear. Santana was about to release her hold on the bow to question what the other girl was doing, but Quinn held her in position. She took Santana's right hand and held it against Santana's mouth. "Choose an anchor point. If you don't like this position, you could also use this one." She stated and pushed Santana's hand a little under her chin. "Up to you to choose one."
"Okay." Santana whispered.
"Alright, now let go of the position. Here's an arrow. Try to recall what I just told you."
Santana did what the blonde instructed, she took an arrow and tried to remember everything. She shot it and it came a little bit closer to the target. Quinn laughed and was about to march over to tell her she didn't align her feet properly but instead Santana turned around harshly and looked livid. She handed the bow to Quinn in a rigid manner and walked away.
"Santana! Hold on." Quinn walked behind her still feeling a bit amused. Santana turned around and changed Quinn's lightheartedness.
"I'm sure you were absolutely marvelous the first time you used a bow as you are in everything, but the rest of us have a gradual learning curve."
"What?" Quinn nearly laughed nervously. Santana was still walking away, which was making her annoyed. "Why are you so angry?"
This seemed to have stopped he girl in her tracks. She turned around and said "I don't like being laughed at. I'm over this lesson, I'm tired and I'm going to get some food."
Quinn was baffled and extremely bothered by the brunette's behavior. She nearly groaned and wanted to throw the bow on the ground. A childish tantrum would suit her fine in this particular moment, but she was raised to be graceful. The feeling however was overcoming, so she flexed her hands and took the water out of the clouds with a forceful swift. She then pushed her hands forward and aimed at the sea, while uttering an uncontainable groan after all. The water plunged into the green mass but it didn't make her feel better.
"Wow there tiger." Mara said playfully.
"Not now Mara." Quinn passed her but Mara searched for her hand.
"Quinn. Calm down. Look up." She told the blonde. She then did so and realized her mood was making a localized windstorm. "Look at me. Try to let go of the frustrations." She searched for the soothing ingredient Mara always seemed to have in her eyes, but she couldn't, instead she expressed a scream and the ship took a severe beating which resulted in the foremast cracking down a little.
Mara raised her eyebrows in concern. She hadn't experienced Quinn being this enraged and frustrated. "Quinn-"
As she heard the crack above her she nearly immediately calmed down. The regret replaced her rage and she whispered feeling astounded "I'm sorry."
She rapidly trotted up the ratlines and used her magic to fix what she had just broken. Mara was a little worried about Quinn's attitude. The fact that her feelings could affect the weather uncontrollably was something to ponder very carefully.
When Quinn came back down, Mara tried to talk to her. "Just don't!" The blonde retaliated. "I said I'm sorry."
"Quinn. You nearly butchered the front of the ship."
"I know. I guess, I haven't been sleeping well. You know how I get when I'm tired." She said, but Mara was unconvinced.
"Really? This has nothing to do with Santana."
"I'm having walking dreams and you think this is about some girl?" again Mara raised her eyebrows, higher this time.
"Some girl? Defensive, that's not a sign at all-"
"Oh fuck it. Yes, I admit it. Santana adds on to the pressure and stuff."
"And stuff."
"Can you please not? Don't you see you're making it worse. I just need to calm down." Quinn said reasonably. Mara held her in place though.
"Quinn, just talk to me." She said gently. She wrapped her fingers around some strands of hair and petted it gently with her thumb, like she did years before. Quinn sighed, composing herself slightly by the remembrance of their past.
"She's just so angry and I don't know why." Quinn said and then walked away. Mara sighed a little.
"I do."
"Good afternoon all." Mike said cheerfully as he entered the kitchen. Most of the people liked to dine in the room next to the kitchen but he liked to compliment the cook before he took a bite. It was the polite way of doing things.
"Madeline, this looks great." He said just as he did every day.
"Good afternoon captain." Mag, the actual cook, said to him and he smiled nervously.
"Mag, everything looks great as always."
"Of course it does. I cooked it, but you're late and it got cold. Here laddie." She said. "Now get out of my kitchen the both of ya, I can't be having you lot messing up my kitchen. Not even you captain. Respect, but get out." She said feverously. As much influence and authority Mike had, the cook was an exception on every ship. If you didn't want hairs or worse in your soup, you had to be nice to the cook. Mag was a perfect example of a cook you'd find on these ships. Even though she had what one would call a 'slow' accent originating from the eagle eye bay isles, she wasn't slow of wit.
Mike was still picking out some bread rolls when he felt Mag hit him with a wooden spoon. "Get out boy. Choose it now, or it I'll be gone." She said as her cheeks flushed red. They nearly flushed every time she spoke as she was passionate about everything.
"Alright! Mag!"
He stumbled out of the kitchen and into the dining cabin, where most of the more 'privileged' crew members would eat. Most of the crew members were gone though. Lunch was served 2.5 hours ago, but there were still some people around. They had most likely come back for seconds or a dessert, or maybe just a rest from the sun.
"Hey all. You're all taking a rest?" He asked sitting down next to Quinn, but they all basically shrugged. He handed her a piece of his bread roll and continued "So, we'll be arriving in Eagle Eye bay tomorrow morning. I'm expecting no trouble of you. I know it's been tense the last few days." He said nearly pointing at Quinn (and Santana). "But, we'll all be leaving each other soon and I'd like for us to make the best of it." He smiled widely and then picked off the grains from his roll.
"We're leaving one another?" Santana mumbled.
"They're not coming with us. They're a nautical crew, they don't belong in the woods with us."
"Oh, I see." Santana said being a little disappointed she was going to have to leave them behind. Even though Mike's consistent merriness and Mara's continuous curiosity bothered her to borderline insanity, their presence was growing on her. And with them not around as a buffer between her and Quinn, things were bound to get heated. After the shooting lessons, she took the time to finally confront herself with whatever was happening, not that it helped much. Santana knew what had happened and was doing everything in her power to stop it.
She was starting to develop feelings for the Woodling, she didn't really know how to define them. She couldn't figure out if she was making it up in her head or if it was happening, or if she confused a feeling for another. Either way, she hated herself for being weak, she hated that because Quinn saw her vulnerability she now had a newfound attachment to the blonde and most of all she hated her. Even though was she most likely falling in love with her, she hated her. How could have feelings for a self indulgent, egocentric, tree-hugging smartass?!
She was terrified that Quinn would find out too. After all, Quinn could sense a change in an animal's heart beat, an animal's sense of surrounding. Santana had a heart, and she suspected Quinn's ability to reach further than animals. She was nearly sure she could read people's emotions, their bodies and change in demeanor, which made her even more furious. She always hated people who told her how she was supposed to feel, it was going to be even worse when someone would tell her how exactly she was feeling perhaps without her fully grasping what she was feeling in the first place.
When Quinn and Santana left the dining room, Mara looked at Mike intensely. "Have we had anymore weather changes?" Mike asked cautiously.
"No." Mara answered quietly and then sighed. "I'm not sure it's the best idea for those two to head in the Shoaclan Mists by themselves."
"We don't really have a choice; We're not fit to go with them, we'd only be a bother to Quinn. She needs to teach Santana how to survive in there, she can't teach all of us."
"I know, I just- I'm worried."
"Quinn can take care of herself. She'll find a way."
"Your wisdom is beyond your years." Mara said smiling.
"That's why I'm captain." He said winking at her and then stood up. "Come on, I need you at the wheel."
"Mike." They heard behind them.
"Madeline." He said sounding a little surprised. She handed him another bread roll with poppy seeds on them.
"I know you like them." She stated and he chuckled nervously.
"Uh, thanks Maddie." He stated while Mara just looked at them amusingly.
"So captain." She said once on deck as they were directing the ship west. "You and the kitchen maid."
"Watch your words Red." He said pointing to another coordinate on the map they had. "The shipmaster informed me we should be coming through some rain soon, alert the crew to put on their coats and hats."
"I thought we weren't coming through weather changes?" Mara said anxiously as she regarded Quinn.
"Not that kind of weather Mara, just plain old predictable rain with a little bit of wind." He said putting his hand on her shoulder. "Look, see the meter is telling us." He said and she acknowledged the humidity meter. She smiled almost and then calculated the steps she needed the crew to take.
"We can't run before it?" She asked but Mike shrugged.
"I don't think so. We're already at a high speed. The only way we could go faster is if we ask Quinn and I don't really want to take my chances with her at the moment. After what happened-"
"Right." Mara said determinately. "You lot! Lower the top mast, top-gallant and royal to deck level. We're headed into some wind." She yelled at able seamen.
They didn't say much, maybe one or two said 'ay'. They lowered the sails and waited for the next command. A couple of them were reprimanded by the sailmakers for not handling the sails with care.
Then about a half an hour later, the rain was poking their heads, their shoulders. It was soaking them to the core. Quinn who was still in the cabin frowned a little.
'Why didn't they just ask me to avoid it?'
She crossed her arms feeling a bit perturbed. She made one mistake and now all of the sudden they can't trust her. "For fuck sakes." She mumbled.
She was about to go out and at least help them keeping the ship steady as Santana said her name loudly. She turned around surprised. The dark-skinned girl hadn't spoken much to her.
"Your coat. You'll get soaked if you don't wear it." She said picking it up from the chair and handing it to her.
"Where's Saahra?"
"Sleeping." Santana said quietly and then turned her back on the blonde. She entered the kitchen and sighed deeply. When silence fell between them, she felt comfortable. Just being around her. The minute the Woodling started speaking though it aggravated her. It was like her voice was too much for Santana to handle, it made her too anxious. But her presence (with some distance between them) was comforting.
Quinn walked outside with her coat on and frowned cautiously. Mara, who was catching onto Quinn's mood yelled at her. "Quinn, we could use your help at the ropes!" She said and Quinn sighed.
"You know we could've avoided this!" Quinn yelled back but she was ignored. She headed over to the men holding the ropes steady as she helped them from slipping.
When the storm cleared and the deck started drying up the air was cool and night fell upon them. Mike decided ask Quinn for a floating fire.
"It would help warm everyone." He said.
"Why don't we all just go inside?"
"Well, I was planning on having a little gathering, a party you could call it. Mag made her specialty and Santana is going to provide for music." He said sounding excited.
"Santana?"
"Yes, Mara has heard her play." He stated nearly jumping up and down but Quinn frowned.
"Play what? I have never seen her sing or play any kind of instrument." She said feeling angry yet again. She didn't like being out of the loop. And this being about Santana disturbed her even more. Santana was her responsibility after all, and as far as she knew, she knew the brunette best.
"The guitar, the reason why you've never heard her is because she only does it in the evening. Right around the time where you do your protection rituals outside."
"Oh." Was the only thing that came out of Quinn's mouth. 'Oh'
"Now, come on. Help me set up these candles. We can't dance if we can't see. And where would you put the floating fire, it's not dangerous is it?" Mike asked all at the same time. Quinn had to contain herself from rolling her eyes.
"Mike calm down. There's no danger in a floating fire as it isn't really a fire, it's just a source of warmth and light. I just hope we don't attract too many birds." Quinn said drifting off a little. "But, anyways I'll help you with the damn candles."
As Quinn was trying to make the floating fire Santana walked on the deck with Saahra in her arms. Behind her, was Maddie with the guitar. Maddie couldn't choose who she liked more; Santana or Mike. Both were dashing and 'dreamy' in their own way. She saw a bigger chance with Santana, then again Santana had a baby and she was only 16. Her expression darkened a little as she put the guitar down next to Santana.
"Wanna switch?" She asked the brunette but she declined.
"Nah, I think I'll have Sari for myself tonight."
"But you have to play?"
"That's why Mike is bringing the little baby seat the ship carpenter made. So she can enjoy everything while sitting in a comfortable tiny chair made especially for her, hu querida."
Maddie was a little disappointed and nearly pouted at the idea of it all. She quickly turned around and headed down below.
"You just broke her heart." Quinn said lightheartedly. Santana chuckled.
"Yeah, I know." Santana looked at Quinn and as she did earlier, she felt more at ease. Maybe it was the acceptance her feelings for whatever they were, or maybe it was the distance that Quinn was keeping that relieved her.
"So you play?" She asked awkwardly. Santana looked at the guitar resting against the side of the ship and she smiled.
"Yeah, I do. I guess you never realized." Quinn nodded sadly. "You don't play?" Santana said somehow hoping she did but Quinn shook her head leaving Santana disheartened.
After Mag came in and everyone devoured her specialty pork that she had kept for the last night, Santana put Saahra in her seat.
"Well don't you look comfortable." She stated however the little girl didn't quite agree with that sentiment and started pouting. "No, no! Baby, please. I'm gonna play, see. You like that." The girl sniffed a little but she didn't cry. Santana then picked up the guitar and stroked a couple of strings. She continued by tuning the guitar as the rest of the crew waited in anticipation. It had been a while since they heard her play. She hadn't played at all the last few days, so they were happy to have a little music back. This time they could even dance around or look at the stars while enjoying Santana's voice.
She played a couple of notes as intro and then started singing in her southern tongue. It was the only way she knew how to sing properly. The emotion seemed to surpass her in a different language.
"Uno se despide insensiblemente de pequeñas cosas
lo mismo que un árbol que en tiempo de otoño muere por sus hojas
al fin la tristeza es la muerte lenta de las simples cosas
y esas cosas simples que quedan doliendo en el corazón."
Quinn took in a shallow breath and watched the brunette, well stared at her was a better word. There was a rasp in Santana's voice that made it captivating to watch the dark lips move.
"Want to dance sailor?" Mara asked nearly startling Quinn. "Drool much?"
"Hallucinate much?!"
"Un vuelve siempre a los viejos sitios donde amo la vida
entonces parece como estan de ausentes las cosas queridas
por eso muchacha no partas ahora soñando el regreso
que el amor es simple y a las simples cosas las devora el tiempo."
"Just dance with me. It'll cheer you up." Mara said as Quinn huffed but she did so anyways. Mara tucked her hands around Quinn's waist tentatively. As she started dancing, she saw Santana staring a little and then looked away. It was painful to watch the girl's emotions betray her. She knew what it was like. Even now, when she danced with Quinn she could feel her heart grow wider. She always cared for the Woodling, she just cared for the sea more. Sometimes love wasn't enough.
"I can feel your heart." Quinn whispered acknowledging the redhead's feelings.
"You can always feel my heart, you just have a hard time feeling yours."
"Mara-" Quinn sighed and attempted to stop dancing.
"I'm not talking about us. I love the sea and you love your ways more. We'll always have this though. I'll always be able to dance with you without it being odd." She smiled widely accepting what was.
"Demorate aquí en la luz mayor de este mediodía
donde encontrarás con el pan al Sol la mesa tendida
por eso muchacha no partas ahora soñando el regreso
que el amor es simple y a las simples cosas las devora el tiempo."
"Yeah." Quinn said regarding Santana once more.
Hi all It's been a while I realize, hope you enjoyed this update. I intend on making my chapters twice as long since I don't find the time to write as much, but once I am writing I usually don't stop. The name Saahra is basically the Spanish way of pronouncing Sara (with a rolling r, and a different a). I always appreciate reviews and I'm grateful to everyone who followed/favorited/reviewed my last chapters.