A/N: Delayed but here it is. Word was messing up...but thankfully, turning off wi-fi seemed to help... -pets laptop- poor thing.
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving and a safe Black Friday (you couldn't pay me to drag my butt out on that day).
Read, enjoy and review! (Kind of a meh chapter...)
Comfort
"So…this is the ship?" Gerald said incredulously as we stood on the docks with Faran and Sacher. The ship was large, twice the size of the Lemurian Ship, made from an unfamiliar dark wood with fastenings of a deep bronze color. The figurehead—which looked as if it was carved from polished marble—was in the shape of a siren, reaching her arms out before her, mouth open in silent song. The mast towered high overhead, trying to rival the height of the lighthouse. None of that was more impressive than the sails. They were large and brightly colored—the same color as the large tent the troupe performed in.
Sacher beams proudly at the ship as Milieu clambered up the ropes to the bird's nest, calling out orders to her brother on deck. "Yes, with enough room for everyone, a large deck to practice routines, and even a kitchen."
"It seems…a bit much." I mutter under my breath as some of the men carry supplies up the gangplank.
Feuille appears at the top, weaving in between the men and taking Mary's hand, smiling brightly, "Your room is across from mine and Milieu's. We've already heard a lot about your travels from Lady Sacher…but we'd really like it if you told us yourself."
Mary laughs gently, her cheeks coloring a little, "Oh, but it's not my story alone. Besides, it all started with Gerald and Robin. If they hadn't followed my cousin to Imil, I don't think I would have left Imil in the first place. At the very least, I wouldn't have gotten past the mountain range." She smiles warmly at Gerald, "I always wouldn't have had as much fun."
The fire Energist clears his throat, rubbing the back of his neck, "Is this thing fit to sail?"
Faran lets out a laugh, slapping him on the back, hard enough to make him stumble. "Of course, the ships that come out of Lalivero are strong and fast. Granted, they can't hold a candle to the Lemurian ships, but they can weather strong storms and waves." Certainly not enough to make it through the traps around Lemuria unscathed. This was left unsaid, but the hint of darkness in Faran's eyes said more than words that he knew this fact well enough.
He clasps my shoulder suddenly, "I hope your travels fare well, young Robin. It seems we're always laying our fate in the hands of you and your companions."
"It's not only us, Faran…" I bow my head, "Thank you, you have been a great help to us. When we're through, we'll escort Sheba here…at least for a visit. I'm sure she does want to see you."
"Somehow, children force us to see what we're incapable of seeing on our own. I welcome your return with my daughter." The man smiles, "Good luck on your journey."
Mary bows, "Thank you, Lord Faran." She laughs softly as Feuille pulls her up the gangplank, Gerald grumbling a little as he followed them.
Faran turns to Sacher, taking her hand and kissing it gently, "May your travels to the other continents see profitable for you and your troupe, Milady."
She laughs softly, a gentle, courtly laugh that seemed out of place amongst the smell of salty sea air and the cry of sailors. "We'll come back as soon as we can, Faran. I'll thank you and your people properly for this beautiful ship." She follows us up the ramp, the men on the docks helping push the gangplank onto the deck. She calls out orders to get some of the stronger men rowing the ship out to sea, turning and smiling at me, "Why don't you four get settled? Think of this as a little vacation."
"If the ship is attacked?"
She waves her hand, urging us below deck, "We'll worry about that later, we're not even out to sea yet. Honestly, children your age would be more concerned with who they're going to marry." She smiles, "It seems Feuille has already taken your friends to their room. You two will share, I'm sure that isn't a problem. Just go down this corridor, across the common room, and then take a left. It's the door with a leaf engraved on it. Your room is next to Mary and Gerald's." She waves, heading back up the stairs.
"That woman certainly assumes much about us." He was careful to keep his voice low, in case a troupe member was lurking in the halls.
"People have been doing nothing but assuming since we've set out, she's no different from the others…but she did offer us a ride. We shouldn't have to rely on her for long…just until we can meet up with Garcia and Picard." I smile, slipping an arm around his shoulders, "This isn't bad—a private room on a large ship."
He sighs, "I feel like I'm going to get lost." He relaxes slowly as we enter the common room. It's a wide open space with thick glass overhead—people hurry across, carrying ropes and lowering the sail as the ship reaches open waters. "It is impressive…I wonder if the glass will break."
"It seems sturdy enough…but I wouldn't want to be standing under it in the middle of a storm." I turn down the hall, spotting the door with a laurel leaf engraved on the plaque. I test the knob and it twists easily in my hand, the door swinging open. The room inside seems like something that belonged in a comfortable cottage hotel not a ship full of circus folk. The large bed was nailed to the floor; thick plush sheets piled high along with four or five pillows. "They seem to be concerned with comfort…"
Ivan slips off his boots and cape, hanging it over the back of a chair before sinking into the bed. He lets out a contented sigh, spreading his arms out and moving them up and down as if he were making a snow angel. "It's really nice…"
I smile, leaning over him, "Having fun?"
"Yes, you should too. We've been running around so much…I know you're restless, but you need to take some time to relax. We all do." He reaches up, removing my scarf for me and letting it drop onto the bed.
I unbuckle my breastplate and sword belt, flopping onto the bed next to him, exhaling. I run my hands through my hair, "Hopefully we can make it to the next continent without incident…we're not going to be with them for long, we need to make sure those twins can look after each other…and this troupe."
"Getting attached?"
I sigh, "There's just been too many senseless deaths because of Psynergy…I don't want them to have blood on their hands because of it."
-TBC-
