"Why Miss Turner, as I live and breathe!"
Naomi took off her Captain's Hat in order to duck under the small doorway and into the cozy little book shop, A Novel Idea. The shop owner, Mercedes, was a nice older woman, if not a little eccentric. She had rings on every finger and wore a faded shawl of deep purple decorated with what had once been bright pink butterflies. A mixture of pencil lead and ink were already smudged darkly on her hands that were clasped to her chest. Though, it was entirely possible that they just could never ever be fully washed off by this point.
"I had no idea that you were coming back so soon!"
"Apparently I need to write much farther in advance," Naomi mused.
"Got any more stories for me!?"
So much for any formalities like: how have you been? Or I'm glad you're in good health!
However, Naomi couldn't fault a woman for knowing what she wanted. And while it had been Elena's idea to sell Naomi's stories, stating that everyone should revel in awe as much as she did from her letters, it was Naomi herself who acted upon it and chose Mercedes as she personally knew that she didn't possess the soul of a dramatic. Plus, the old woman already had a history of writing and successfully publishing the adventure tales of the famous Avaloran explorer Antonio Agama.
"Well, I did visit a museum in the Kingdom Of Adelissi!" Naomi began as she approached the counter, placing her hat on it. "They had all this information on the history of the Great Pyramids and even real life mummies!"
That seemed to catch Mercedes's attention as she leaned over the counter, digging around in her dress pocket to produce a pencil and small notebook.
"The process on how they do mummification is really fascinating!" Naomi exclaimed, her eyes bright with excitement. She tried to emulate the hand movements her guide had used. "They actually take out all the organs and place them in these incredibly decorated ceramic jars-"
"That's nice my dear," Mercedes interrupted. "But do you have anything like a multi-headed hydra, or a King that you danced with at a ball, or a 1000 year old curse being unlocked because you read a forbidden passage!?"
Naomi chuckled. "No, not this time. Plus, I have worked with Dr. Mendoza enough in the Maruvian temples here long enough to know that the first rule is that you don't read the ancient text out loud."
The older woman didn't even try and hide her crestfallen expression as she pocketed her pencil and notebook.
"Oh, well. I'm sure you'll have something else next time! After all, the independent explorer out on her own! Somethings bound to come up!" She said optimistically, grabbing one of her own shortbread cookies that were in the complimentary "Take one" basket by the register.
"I mean, Senor Agama has been doing it for many, many, many years!"
"Right..." Naomi said as she went up to fiddle with the little turquoise gems of her choker nervously.
The young Captain guessed that the news hadn't spread yet that she was going to be staying here in Avalor for an unknown amount of time. While this would seem like such a mundane piece of information to most, it would shock anyone who knew her personally to know that the organized and list orientated Naomi didn't have a plan.
Even her first voyage had been planned out to the smallest detail, because for a while, it had just been a dream hanging up on her bedroom wall until her childhood friend Veronica had visited her. Seeing that the Caribbean port friend of her youth was now all grown up and a Captain of her own ship had reawaken Naomi's desires to go back to her seafaring roots. Back to when she could pack up all her belongings in 10 minutes and be on the next ship out.
No ties, no rules, no responsibilities.
"Speaking of Antonio!" Mercedes then said eagerly, placing the half eaten cookie disgustingly back into the basket and brushed the crumbs from her hands. "I finally have enough short stories about you that I'm going to start combining all of them into a book! With your permission of course."
Mercedes turned around to pull out a large drawing notepad from her own personal book shelf. It thudded loudly against the countertop and she began to leaf through until she found the desired page.
"I've even been sketching out a few book covers!"
Naomi had learned during the interview process that Mercedes had also spent many years being a propaganda writer for the rebellion during Shuriki's dictatorship. They were now even framed proudly up on the walls in just about every corner of the store. However, when the rebellion was won and Elena and her family were restored to the throne, Mercedes had taken it upon herself to be the official writer for the life and times of Princess Elena. And also a romance writer for the hushed circle of people that quickly tucked those kinds of stories into their pockets. And without the previous experience of being in Avalor during the dark times and actually being an active part of Elena's life as Crown Princess, it wasn't until after her first story was published that Naomi realized that Mercedes often took creative liberties with the truth that was presented to her. Which reflected in her current sketches.
Naomi took her lower lip between her teeth and bit down tightly in order to make sure she didn't laugh out loud. The first one had her smoking a comically large pipe as she sat a top a large open chest filled with gold and jewelry, and her Captain's hat having quite a few extra feathers in it rather than just the one. Another one of them had her in an eye-patch, even though she was very certain she still had both of her blue eyes, and a cutlass in her hand while she was fighting what looked like a giant squid. And the last one had her swinging from a rope, with a woman clutched tightly in her arms like a regular damsel-in-distress as a mob of pirates followed behind.
While there was truth in all these pictures, it was only a sliver.
The treasure chest had only been a jewelry box, mostly filled with shells and a few precious stones for a grandfather who wanted to pass it on to his grandchildren. And while there had been a giant Squid, she had known about it way in advance and had carefully planned a route to go around it quietly and safely. And as for that damsel, she had not been one, not even close. She had in fact been the most incredible person that Naomi had met, that she dared not even think of her name right now or she would begin to remember and lose herself.
"They are definitely...exaggerated," She said flatly.
"Well, you've got to keep it exciting!" Mercedes swung her arms in a wide motion to emphasize her point. "It's how you earn your fortune. Which reminds me!"
Mercedes ducked behind the counter and produced a small bag. "Your share for the month."
Naomi picked up the bag and a pang of disappointment stabbed her chest, as she barely felt any weight in it. She honestly wondered for a moment if there was any coins in there at all or if Mercedes was playing a cruel joke on her.
True, any cash was helpful to get medical supplies, some bread and grog, or anything else she would need on her journeys. And she should have expected this outcome, the last few letters she had written were few and sparse in between and not much in the way of high sea adventures, so no stories had been written about her.
But that had only been two months though. Was her success really so fleeting?
It had certainly gotten exhausting, adjusting her lifestyle to live day by day for two years. Not knowing if she would have enough money for a box of crackers, which had happened on one or two occasions.
Naomi cast one more glance to the book covers, trying to envision what her legacy would be immortalized as if she said yes. And she couldn't, so she couldn't say yes. Not right now.
"Thank you for your continued patronage," Naomi said politely as she tied the bags cord to her belt. "If you'll excuse me, Mercedes, I'm meeting up with a friend. So, we'll talk later about the book."
"Of course, of course, the young always have something going on." Mercedes said, gathering up the sketches. "I really do look forward though to whatever story you bring me next!"
Naomi only hoped that she was able to bite the inside of her cheek hard enough to not show her grimace at the woman's words as she put back on her hat and quickly exited the shop.
"Here's your pint Naomi!" Carmen said cheerfully as she placed it on the table.
"Thanks," Naomi smiled broadly at the woman, she really didn't have to come all the way from the kitchen just to give it to her. "Can I actually get another please? Gabe should be here soon."
"Of course!"
As soon as Carmen left, Naomi immediately picked up her tankard and took a large gulp from it. She didn't know what the secret ingredient in this was, like all the drinks and food here, but whatever it was, it was amazing! It was no wonder that this was the most popular restaurant in the Avalor City Center.
The front door bell then chimed and Naomi immediately turned to look a little more enthusiastically than she wanted to. Luckily enough Gabe, who it finally was, didn't seem to notice.
"Over here Nunez!" Naomi exclaimed unabashedly and even waved an arm at him. It worked as he turned to her, and gave her a winning smile when he saw her face. A smile that could make a girl of more 'delicate sensibilities,' one of Esteban's favorite terms, swoon on sight.
"I hope you didn't wait long. Final inspections took a little longer than necessary." Gabe said, sliding in the seat across from her and pointing to his five o'clock shadow for further evidence. Though, Naomi could of guessed that easily from the fact that he was still wearing his Captain Uniform, with his now many honors and medals gleaming in the candlelight.
'So, he would have come clean shaven,' Naomi then thought to herself intrigued. Honestly, she was glad that he hadn't. Call her old fashioned, but she liked facial hair on men.
"It's okay, I understand. I'm just happy you were able to make it."
And she meant that. She knew it mustn't have been easy to be in charge of every soldier in the Kingdom, especially since he was the youngest Captain of the Guards in almost over a century.
"And it's really great to just be back here."
"Back as in here to visit?" Gabe slipped his large tan fingers through her smaller pale ones. "Or back here to stay for good?"
Now that was a loaded question. Naomi had only been back for a handful of times since she began this new daring way of life, and all of them had been for her best friend: once for when Elena had needed her against Ash and Chatana, another was Elena's Coronation as Queen, and the last time had been Elena and Mateo's wedding almost a year ago.
And last night, everyone had talked all throughout dinner in catching up and reminiscing about past memories that plans for the future hadn't had time to come up. Which Naomi had been grateful for at the time, but she knew she couldn't outrun it forever.
"I haven't decided yet," Naomi admitted. "I miss you guys like crazy, but I'm not sure what I want to do yet."
"Really? I thought you wanted to be Captain of your own ship, and naturally you would follow your mom."
Before Naomi could respond, Carmen came by with the second pint of ale.
"And there we are!"
"Thanks," Naomi said, sliding her hand out from Gabe's. "Again, you really didn't have to do this yourself."
"Well, if I can be honest. There's something I wanted to ask you." Carmen pulled out a piece of paper from her apron pocket. "Could I get your autograph?"
"Oh! Of course Carmen," Naomi said as she felt a sense of pride boost within her. She grabbed the piece of paper and the quill that had magically appeared in front of her.
She smoothed out the paper and just as she was to touch the quill to the paper, she froze. It was a copy of one of Mercedes's short stories.
This one in particular was based off when Naomi's mast had snapped and she had to drop anchor and swim a mile to the nearest island. She had survived on this marooned island for a week, using only what small things she had at her disposal to get fresh water, hunt, and keep warm before she was luckily found by some locals on the next island over that had been out fishing. She had never felt more alive and invincible than during that experience.
And all of those ingenious tips and tricks had been thrown away and instead were replaced with a story about Naomi being marooned, but about her swinging from vines and receiving advice from an Ancient Island God. When Naomi had gotten the story mailed to her at her next port, she had been ready to put her foot down. But it had also been the best seller out of all her stories and had supplied her with enough money for almost half a year.
Now, she couldn't shake the sudden realization that she had sacrificed her moral integrity just for money. But, there was no one to blame but herself.
So, Naomi quickly scratched out her autograph, keeping enough control to not let her anger seep out and cause her to tear the piece of paper. She forced on a tight smile and gave it back to Carmen, who beamed at it.
"Thank you so much again!"
Naomi nodded.
"Just let me know when you two are ready to order! I'm taking care of you this evening just for this!" Carmen said as she hurried off back to the kitchen.
"I don't know how you do it Naomi," Gabe said with a smirk. "How you can bask in all this attention and still talk to a mere mortal man like myself?"
Of course he would think that, she knew Antonio Agama was one of his heroes. So, he was like Carmen in that aspect, only seeing the fantasy side of it rather than the gritty reality.
"I just like getting recognition for my work," Naomi said hastily, though she had no idea if she was saying that to reassure Gabe or herself.
"And to go back to your earlier statement: my mom's an incredible person and a great Captain." Naomi shrugged her shoulders. "I'm just not sure if military life is for me exactly."
"Well, you don't want to go in to it with half-hearted feelings," Gabe said with some of his familiar stern and authoritative tone coming through. "You'll fail very hard and very fast if you do that."
"How did you ever decide you wanted to be a soldier?" Naomi asked earnestly and if she had to admit, a little desperately. "I mean, it would have been easier to be a baker like your father wanted."
"It certainly would have been," Gabe mused. "I was so young when I decided to join too, barely 15. The law at the time, under Shuriki, had allowed people to enlist even younger, but I was considered a man by Avaloran Culture and could do what I saw fit regardless of how much my parents protested."
"15?" Naomi whispered.
It was the same age she had been the day she met Elena. Which had also been the same day that Elena had chosen her to be on the Grand Royal Council, regardless of her young age and station.
"And you've never regretted it? Even though you were making these huge decisions at 15?"
"Not even for a day."
Despite that not being the answer Naomi had hoped for, she did feel a slight ease in the glow of his unwavering confidence.
Naomi's eyes flicked down to their hands that weren't interlocked anymore, but now touching knuckle to knuckle. It was always easy to feel so at ease with him, he was one of her best friends. Plus, how could anyone not fall in love with the strong, and confident, and not to mention handsome Captain of the Guards?
And there had been the seedling of a budding romance at one time. However, the two of them decided when Naomi had first sailed out that they would put it aside and just remain friends, and see where they were when their paths would cross once again.
While they had never talked about casual or not-so-casual relationships they've had with other people since then, Naomi had in fact had a few flings with people at different ports. Connections that had seemed instant and wonderful, but almost all mutually understanding that they were in the end fleeting. Now, some part of Naomi craved the want for a companion, her ship and her quarters certainly had enough room for two.
However, she could never see Gabe giving up his position that he had worked so hard for and join her on the seas. Not in a million years. And as for Veronica...last Naomi had heard, she had met a nice pretty widow and was now settled down comfortably with a sugar cane plantation.
Perhaps, Naomi began to wonder, if she went into trade, then that want for company could be filled with a real Clipper and a full crew. After all, sailing was how she acquired so many people that she still referred to in her memories as "cousin," "aunt," and "uncle."
Not to mention that with that solution, her and Gabe possibly could handle the long distant relationship like her parents had. Their familiarity and attraction would certainly make it easy and it would be a surprise to no one if they got more serious. But, she didn't do anything half-heartedly.
So, it wasn't fair to him to get his hopes up right now.
"Well, my friend, I will take that to heart and you will be the first to know what I decide and see if our paths align. But don't wait on my account." Naomi's hand went to her choker gems.
Gabe didn't even have to say anything to make it obvious that he caught on to her clumsy metaphor. But, he didn't seemed hurt, more like he had expected this. So, with a smile, he then said matter-of-factly.
"Right behind Elena though?"
"Of course, but above Mateo."
Gabe slammed down his tankard. "Wow, I am honored Captain Turner to be of such high rank!"
"Oh, don't be so prickly," Naomi said relieved that the tension was broken as she took another sip of her ale. "You're just still upset because you lost last time when I ate more chili peppers than you."
"First of all, I had a stomach thing last time," Gabe said pointedly, causing Naomi to roll her eyes. "And second, just for that comment, I demand a rematch."
Naomi smiled and slammed down her own tankard in enthusiasm. "Alright, Captain Nunez, I see to your rematch, as long as you're prepared to lose."
A few hours and several chili peppers later, the two of them walked out of Carmen's restaurant with Naomi the victor once again.
They said their friendly good-byes with a short hug and went their separate ways.
As she reached the port, Naomi thought about heading to her parents house as they had said she was welcomed to her old hammock at any time. Her father would be the only one there though since her mother had left to check on a fishing boat that had taken a bit of damage and had to port in Galonia.
However, despite the late evening, she felt restless, and it wouldn't do anyone any good if she could only just lay there and stare at the ceiling for hours. She decided then to head back to The WindChaser.
That turned out to be no different though, for as soon as she got to her ship, she immediately went to her cabin, hung up her hat, and flopped onto her bed fully clothed with her eyes glued to the blue painted ceiling that resembled a clear sunny sky.
She turned to look at her small treasure trove of all the souvenirs she had collected these past two years that should have indicated that she was living a pretty grand life.
So, was it selfish of her that this way of life no longer excited her? She seemed to be living most people's dream, her's included at one time.
It was pathetic really. She had only been in Avalor for a day and she had already experienced her highest of highs with being reunited and now her lowest of lows that she no longer had anything to show for it.
Her friends made it seem so easy. Gabe had been in the Avalor Royal Guard for almost 10 years and accomplished his high ranking position at 19. Mateo was the Royal Wizard for 6 years now, which had been a position he had been working towards since he was 10 years-old by learning magic in secret so he could follow in the steps of his Grandfather Alacazar. And Elena...Elena had known her place in the world since the day she was born.
So where did that leave her?
What did she want?
Naomi decided to close her eyes and began to break it down: She liked to help others and to keep busy. She wasn't afraid to learn new skills or meet new people. She didn't want to sacrifice the ability of being able to take decisive action. And above all, she wanted to live each day with a sense of accomplishment.
So, with those in mind, that narrowed it down to any job from a Woodcarver to a Doctor. In other words, a million things.
Naomi let out a huff of frustration in how much she was running in circles.
She then unexpectedly remembered that her dad had mentioned something about a big spice delivery coming in tomorrow. He was never one to turn away an extra set of helping hands and she might as well start back at the basics and work from there.
Or who knows, perhaps an Ancient God would come down soon and bestow that much needed wisdom and answer to her. After all, it might not be so bad anymore for one of Mercedes's outlandish stories to finally come true.