Eliana had spent her whole life looking for something: freedom. The daughter of a whore, she had expected to find freedom inside of a coin purse rather than on the arm of a man, and, for much of her life, she'd believed that was where she found it. Why, then, was she so dissatisfied? Why, then, was she forced to steal and lie, to sometimes murder, and to whore herself out just to scrape by? She was as much a slave to the coin as her mother had been to the madame...and for what? For a lie that she had repeated to herself so many times that she had actually started to believe it...
It wasn't until he was gone that Eliana knew she had missed her chance. Love wasn't the same as freedom -- the young, naive girl whose heart had been broken in Connlaoth had thought that they were. It was a mistake she had sworn to never make again, so when she found herself falling in love, she had run from it: she had left him sitting alone in a tavern without so much as a goodbye or an explanation... He was hardly the first she'd left behind -- and some of them she had truly cared for.
But there was something different about Gherrick, something that had crawled into her heart and warmed it, something that could not be covered with ice. And that something ached, and no amount of wine or sex could drown it.
She was a damned fool.
Eliana robbed that merchant blind and slipped away in the dead of the night. She was a woman who had made her own way in the world -- she fended for herself and admitted when she made a mistake. And leaving Gherrick was, perhaps, one of her greatest. By the time she reached the tavern in which she had left him, however, he was gone...and even if he wouldn't have her now, even if he couldn't look at her, she needed to tell him how very sorry she was, that she had been so afraid of making a mistake that she had made an even bigger one in leaving...and to thank him for making her realize the truth: the freedom she sought would never be purchased with coin, and she would never find it alone.
Gherrick had told her where his ship was anchored, and it was to his ship that she went. He was a pirate -- the sea was in his blood, and he would come back to his ship, eventually. A few words and coins were exchanged with the harbor master, and she could breathe a sigh of relief: his ship remained moored where he had left her, still awaiting the return of her captain. But what, she wondered as she stared upwards at the boat, was the best way to proceed? Ingratiate herself with the crew? (Easily done, she was sure -- pirates were thieves, and she had been slipping in and out of their gangs for years.) Hire a look-out? (There were plenty of kids on the docks here; surely, she could convince them for a fair price to notify her should Gherrick return.) Leave him a letter? And if she did that, should she ask him to meet her somewhere, or should she just tell him on paper what she had come all this way to tell him in person?
(Soundtrack for this post: Foo Fighters - Best of You (http://youtu.be/h_L4Rixya64))
Ah, the sea, the glorious sea. The salt in the air, the sands beneath your feet, and just about everywhere it felt infused by the sun.
He grew up in a place surrounded by such a scene, one that tiered up, around and even sometimes over the ocean. Windevhr islands though, most thought were a dream. And he supposed they now were- and well, it appeared that this place, this time...
This was all his home.
Though as he continued to stroll along the docks, it appeared as if he wasn't the only one lost. And being the gentleman that he was, he couldn't help but always desire to lend the needy a hand. So to the female figure he began to pass, he paused and bowed lightly.
"My lady... it seems you are lost. Are you looking for a ship? I know the Casta-Tonas has just left."
Though he wouldn't mind taking on an extra man, or rather woman, should she have missed her ride. He missed the sea anyways and needed to take a long voyage now more than ever.
Eliana was in the middle of weighing the virtues of each plan when that familiar voice came to her -- not from across the harbor or in passing conversation...but speaking directly to her. Her fingers dug into and crumpled the fabric of her cloak.
She had been rehearsing in her mind, going over what she wanted to desperately tell him and what she hoped he wanted to hear. But, he had caught her off-guard...and, for once in her life, she had no words to offer him.
It felt too soon -- far too soon -- to face her shame and embarrassment...
"Yes," she answered softly, although she didn't turn, not yet. "A ship captained by a man named Gherrick Windevher."
He had so many lines ready to flirt lightly with the girl and help her on her way, though when she spoke his name, he began to choke. No one knew him by that name...
Except....
And here he stepped forward to get a look at her face. And his breath caught.
"Eliana?"
And it looked like he too, knew not what to say!
Eliana's nod was slight and, of course, entirely unnecessary. She regarded him with a soft expression for a moment, unsure of how to begin what she had come to say...but relieved that, at least, he hadn't immediately walked away.
There was still plenty of time for that, though.
Lifting a hand, she gestured to his ship. "I knew you'd come back here sooner or later." She cleared her throat softly. "I was afraid I'd miss you."
To say he was surprised was an understatement, though despite how they had 'parted', he was relieved to see she was, well, okay. And at that, he gave her a smile, a genuine smile, which quickly curled leftward into a smirk.
"Did I keep you waiting long?" he asked playfully.
His smile made it easier to smile back. "About ten minutes? You have good timing." As usual -- he always had.
Clasping her hands modestly in front of her, she gave him a once over, curious, in much the same way he'd been looking at her.
"Gherrick," she began more seriously. "Can we talk? I know you're probably upset with me, but I..." She took a deep breath. "I have things I need to say."
"Ten minutes?" And his smile naturally blossomed wider across his face. But at her words, his face grew more serious as he shook his head.
"Of course we can talk. I'll always have time for you." And he gestured towards his ship. It would be the most private spot, naturally, since the crew was still out, and well- nobody else should be on it.
He was quiet as he lead her up the gang plank, but all smiles still, and he was excitedly telling her about a few dashing tales about how the ship gained a few scars that they visibly passed. Once on deck, he gave her a regal bow, and upon rising, those blue eyes met to hers.
"This is my ship, my lady. Welcome aboard."
El hovered nervously on deck, in spite of his graciousness. He was doing his best to put her at ease, but the subject matter combined with her senses' disapproval of her being on board a ship made it difficult to feel truly at ease.
"It fits you somehow," she answered with a smile. Not that she was an expert on ships -- far from it, in fact... "Look, Gherrick, I wanted to say that I'm sorry. What I did -- leaving you like that -- it was...childish. And thoughtless. And you deserved so much better."
Gherrick stared at her for a time, he smile neither leaving nor growing.
"Is that it?" He chuckled. "You came all the way to this port city to apologize?" He gave her a playfully skeptical look. Though if he was hurting, he was being very good at hiding it. But he wasn't one to let others be harmed over him. Even if the hurt was caused by her leaving, he would not let her suffer for it. He could swallow it down. She did not deserve to ever be hurt.
"And who isn't childish? Maybe my breath just smelled too bad. Though I often times chew on mint. Maybe I should go fetch some before we go out to see?" And he gave her one of those smiles of his, but somehow, it didn't fully reach his eyes.
Her eyebrows rose slightly in reaction to his joke, but she made no comment on it. Gherrick deflected with humor in the same way she deflected with sex.
"Of course I did, Gherrick. I don't usually travel halfway across Serendipity just to say that I'm sorry. I...care about you. I think I may have even fallen for you." Even as she spoke, her tone revealed just how silly she thought it was. Love -- it was not something she held in high esteem. And as she spoke, she squared her shoulders, as if she were expecting a physical blow. "And I panicked, so I ran. I've never had good luck with caring about people, you know."
It was here Gherrick smiled and ruffled her hair, much like a brother would do to his younger sister.
"Really, El, that's too dramatic. Even for you! You don't have to flatter me because you up and left. You did warn me after all," he went on, smiling at her and leaning into his staff, so that his one cheek and side of his body pressed against it.
He could tell this was difficult for her.
It was difficult for him too-
and well, as she guessed it-
The best remedy he believed, was to keep up the jest.
Because if he were to admit.... to admit what she did...
He didn't know what would happen next.
El's face was neutral, and it remained that way for a moment before she dropped her eyes to look away from him. Well, waht did she expect? She had had her chance. And she was fortunate he was being as patient with her as he was. If she had refused to speak to him, she wouldn't have blamed him -- though, in some ways, that would have been easier.
"Well, that's all I wanted to say, Gherrick." She turned away from him to go. "Stay safe. Try not to piss off all of Connlaoth."
Well, that's definitely not what he expected. And as she turned to leave, his smile dropped.
"Wait!" And he nearly tripped over his own two feet to get himself between her and the gang plank where she was heading to exit. Panting lightly, his eyes took her in.
"The El I know doesn't apologize, and she certainly doesn't give confessions."
Gherrick's sudden appearance in front of her caused her to draw back slightly in surprise. She blinked away the emotion that threatened to spill, and smoothed her face into a softer expression, one of slight amusement. "I thought you didn't approve of that woman?"
"Not approve?" he laughed. "Never." And gave her a narrowed, playful look as he leaned, once again, into his staff. "I accept everybody. Everyone has a right to free will. Just some..." And he bobbed his head thoughtfully as he looked skyward. "Well, some, " he gave a smile and a shrug as he looked at her. "Just choose a more... unique path than others."
They were quickly slipping back into their own banter. There was comfort there -- an old dance to which they both knew the steps. "Well, Gherrick," she murmured with a laugh breathed through a sigh. Reaching out, she lightly smoothed down the collar of his shirt. "I suppose I can be very direct when there's something I want. I only play games when I'm not sure of what it is I want or if I'm with a mark. And, sometimes, that game is to be direct."
"And your direct path lead you here?"
El nodded slightly as she released his collar. "Yes. It did." Her smile remained, as pretty as a sunset, but it didn't seem as genuine as it could be. "And I've said what I've come to say. I'm not here to force myself on you, Gherrick -- if that's what I wanted, we'd already be in your room -- or your cabin or whatever it is you call it -- and we'd stay there until I was done with you."
That should have been obvious, shouldn't it?
He laughed, and well, he blushed.
"The same Eliana I knew before. But did you really travel so far just to tell me all that, to tease me, then to leave after a five minute conversation?"
His smile broadened.
"Come into my cabin. Though it might not be... quite what you're expecting, I've been told I make a mean cup of tea."
Eliana's smile grew a little more real at that, and she chuckled softly. Well, there was no reason -- absolutely no reason -- for this to end poorly with her stomping off to sulk, was there? Except that it might possibly feel a bit better in the short-run.
"Of course, Gherrick. If you'd like to have tea, then we'll have tea. But you know how tea goes right to my head -- don't expect me to behave."
He continued to grin.
"If I didn't realize the dangers I wouldn't have asked."
And he offered out his arm. "Shall we?"
"If I didn't know any better," she answered as she accepted the arm, "I'd say you're hoping I'll pull you into that bed and never let you up for air." She tsked softly, but the look she gave him was openly curious.
Typical man after all.
"Eliana!" And here he tsked. "I invited you to my cabin, not my bed chambers. They are completely different places, I assure you! And the tea, naturally, was a rather innocent invitation!"
"I'm not sure I believe that," she answered, teasing him back in equal measure as he led her down into his ship. "I suppose you'll be setting sail soon?" she wondered, flipping easily back to a more civilized conversation. "Where are you headed this time? Not back to Connlaoth, I hope?"
Gherrick sighed.
"How'd you guess?"
"Because that's where you're likely to get into the most trouble." Obviously...
Finding a seat at the table, Eliana settles down into the chair gently with one leg crossed over the other to watch him start the tea.
"I'll never understand why you want to run into trouble rather than away from it."
After pouring water into the kettle, he cast a large grin in her direction.
"Didn't you know? Trouble is my middle name! You can't exactly avoid it if it's part of who you are!"
"That's an interesting way of looking at it, I suppose." Placing her elbow on her table, she props her head in her hand. In truth, she was surprised this ship is so big -- it certainly didn't seem it from outside...
"Well, when you come back, you'll know where to find me. Assuming I haven't moved on, anyway." She paused to consider her options, then gave him a cheeky grin. "Odds are about 50/50 on that, I think."
"When I come back?" his smile was a whimsical one. "So you didn't come here to tag along for the ride?"
There is a moment of heavy silence, and then El gives her head a simple shake. The smile she gives him is genuine, though it's not a particularly happy one. "No," she says at last. "I think I had better not. I'm sure you're looking forward to rescuing damsels and giving to the poor."
And, frankly, while she could smile and pretend for a little while, it was a lot easier to shut herself away somewhere...
"Yes..." he went on, thoughtfully. His smile never left his lips. "Wouldn't you? Especially with the idea one might be able to persuade a lovely lady to remain as a visitor upon his ship? Or, if you'd prefer, you could be my first prisoner!" he went on, playfully.
That made her laugh. "Oh, so you like your girls tied up, do you? Well, I warn you -- there's not a pair of handcuffs I haven't been able to wiggle my way out of. Especially the fuzzy ones." Her own tone was equally playful -- nevermind what she was suggesting!
"But I'm not the kind of girl who saves the day, Gherrick, as you well know. I rather like my habit of breathing. And even though the saving-my-life-sex could have been great, I'll go mad if you keep teasing me like that."
Oh, didn't she have a way with words! Words that easily made the red haired man blush.
"So.... is that a yes? And I don't do the hand cuffs thing," he said, still joking but he had to clear his throat a bit- cause well, this sort of charming flirting wasn't exactly an area he was completely comfortable with.
"We only have strong and abrasive sailor's rope."
Yep! Clearly nothing sexy about that!
"Ooh, I've never played with sailor's rope before..." There was a sparkle in her eye -- no, she certainly wouldn't mind a bit of a game! And she was always up for something new...
"I'm not sure I'd be any help. What happened to wanting to keep me out of danger, Gherrick?"
"Keep you out of danger?" Gherrick laughed. "What do you think the rope is for! If you remain on my ship as my prisoner- er,Imeanasmyguest! Surely, no trouble will befall you! And if trouble dares to find us, I'll protect you. You know I'm as good as my word."
"As if I'd let you," she answered with a smile. "Unless you think you can find a way to keep me entertained in your dungeons, Gherrick? I'm afraid I get bored rather easily. I could give you a few ideas if you'd like... I do have a rather...extensive...collection of toys, after all. And the experience to give you quite a show." Her smirk was quite telling: she certainly wasn't talking about dolls or toy horses...
Though Gherrick blushed, he replied in a gentlemanly fashion, as any prince- former or not! ought to do.
"I wouldn't make you entertain me, Eliana." His voice was a bit serious, though carried a playful air to it. "Besides, as a guest..." he went on, swallowing the awkward knot in his throat. "I'd be the one doing the entertaining."
"Oh?" Eliana wondered, drawing out the syllable playfully as she eyed him. "Well, this gets better and better, doesn't it? I think I could get used to being entertained by you. Maybe just a little hint..."
Gherrick laughed at her reply.
"Well, I have many skills to keep you entertained. I play a mean lute, can out dance just about anyone, and I can juggle- wanna see?"
"All at once? That is quite the trick." It felt nice to laugh, even if the tension between them remained heavy. Neither of them had revealed the true state of their heart...and they both knew it. It was ridiculous, but, it seemed, they had both fumbled their way into unfamiliar territory...and now were at a loss as to how to proceed.
"But, I really do think I should go."
It was then he looked at her, his expression softening, becoming more serious.
"Is there no way I can convince you to stay?"
It was a sweet offer, and her answering smile was soft in response. "Do you really want to do this forever, Gherrick? Dance around each other like this and pretend none of what happened...happened?"
"Well I am a good dancer..." was all he could find himself in giving a reply. Why did this have to be so difficult? And why couldn't he NOT beat around the bush on how he felt?
Their time spent together....
It wasn't something he'd ever forget. But he was an avid flirt, and as free flowing as the wind. So was she-
Would it be too cruel to confess anything? Or is it more cruel he remain in his own ignorance?
Eliana gave a soft chuckle and rose to go. "I'm sure we'll see each other again, Gherrick. It may take another five years, but I'm sure that this isn't goodbye forever. I just think I need some time to myself to heal and forget and forgive myself for being such a fool."
Gherrick studied her, before his features softened- and he appeared almost sad... lost.
"If... that is what you wish," he told her softly. "I will never force anything on you, Eliana. But just know, I'm always here for you. Even in five years."
"And after what I did, how could you want me to stay? Besides, I'm absolutely hell to live with when I don't get what I want." And what she wanted, well, she'd lost her chance to have...and there was no one to blame but her...
"What does.that matter? We're all humans. We make mistakes."
"Yes, but some mistakes are greater than others, Gherrick. And leaving you like that was probably the greatest mistake I've ever made." Her voice was soft, but there was a hint of a smile on her face as she added, "And I've made quite a few." One of which he had rescued her from, once...
"Gherrick, I never lied to you. But I did hurt you, and I'm sorry -- so sorry -- for that. You want -- and deserve -- a girl you can treat like the innocent princess. I think we both know that's not who I am. I came here because I wanted you to know that I was sorry, that I'm willing to put aside my old life and try to be something else. But I'm not perfect or simple, and I'm sure not a princess."
Gherrick smiled, really smiled as he stepped forward to brush her hair away from her face, using both his hands before he cupped her cheeks and looked deeply into her eyes.
"Is that a promise?" He asked, still smiling.
The sudden shift, going from a tense stand-offishness to such an intimate gesture, brought her heart into her throat. She searched his gaze for some sign of what he was thinking and what his intentions were. Had she said too much? Exposed herself to him and forced him to play his hand?
"I'm not asking you to forgive me, Gherrick. And I'm not trying to guilt you into doing something you might regret later. I just thought... If there was still a chance... Then I'd try."
At such a revelation, Gherrick could not stop smiling. He still held her face, his blue eyes dancing, as was his heart, as he admired her in all of her glory.
"Would it be too presumptuous if I wanted to kiss you right now?"
Her face split into a grin, and she laughed softly. "No," she murmured happily, scarcely unable to believe his words. "I don't think it would be presumptuous at all. In fact..." She leaned forward slightly, encouraging, "I think I'd like that very much."
Gherrick's eyes danced.
"You would love to taste these lips wouldn't you?" he teased, leaning in some more, as if daring to kiss her. But he held back. And just before she'd get the chance to say a word, his hand moved behind her head as he drew her in and kissed her long, kissed her deep.
Oh, yes, how well he knew her... He was quite the tease, but, then, so was she. It wasn't until she was about to tease him back that he finally kissed her...and she responded enthusiastically, leaning in to respond in kind and to reward his gesture with encouragement for more.
Naturally, it was then that the tea kettle let out its whistle to announce that the water had began to boil, starting out soft and building in pitch as the pair let it go on without interruption for a long moment.
"I suppose you'd better tend to that..." From the look on El's face, however, she would have been happy to just let it go on forever.
"Yeah.." he went on, muffling his own reply with a kiss. "Later. Lips, face.. things are busy," he mumbled, or something to that affect as he continued to kiss her back, enjoying each sensation their lips connecting brought him, for each angle was exciting and knew, as was holding her close and doing so openly.
It had been far too long since he had ever done this with a girl.
And the last one...
Her fate was an awful one. But the way he saw it...
Eliana's fate would be better off with him.... right?
Well, at least that's how it felt as he continued to kiss her, and kiss her and kiss her well.
"By the goddess... what is that perfume you're wearing?" he found himself asking, as the scent was so wonderful, welcoming and so...
her.
Eliana's giggle was soft and pleased, delighted, in fact, by both his attention and his compliment in noticing the perfume. "Something expensive," she answered, teasing girlishly as her fingers brushed down the line of his jaw and side of his neck, admiring the curve beneath her fingertips. "I doubt you could afford it."
"Please," he told her between kisses while puffing out his chest. "Who do you think you're kissing?"
"A poor pirate," she answered with a smirk and with glowing eyes as she regarded him. She pulled away, but only long enough to regard him smugly without his lips distracting her. "Where did you say your cabin was, Captain?"
"I.. I have two. One below deck, the other...."
But he paused, his eyes- that were once half lidded, suddenly opened wider as he gave her a most surprised look. What was she planning on doing with that information?
"What?" El wondered rather innocently, although there was a particular twinkle in her eye. "You look like you think I'm planning something devious. Would I do that to you?"
Well...
"The truth is, if I'm going to accompany you on your adventures, I need to know where to bring my things. Unless, that is, you've changed your mind?"
Gherrick's face went red but he smiled none the less.
"And you can't just drop your things onto my deck?" he asked her playfully.