Collen Merah's Story

Collen swiped off sweat off from his forehead after placing down another crate of food supplies. It was a warm, sunny day and the crates were heavy on his slender arms. Another crew member was already bringing in the next box and the boy moved out of the way, heading to get the next one. Even if he felt a bit exhausted already, his time on the ship had taught him not to complain about mundane tasks.

Captain Lohran walked back to the docks from his encounter with the man named Tora. And he still had a bit of a mischievous smirk on his face thinking about what to do if the man presented him with any issues. And as he approached he took notice of who was doing what, and what kind of effort they were putting into their work.

"Ey! Mister Ocrest!" He called.

"Yes, Cap'n?" Ocrest replied, dropping the corner of the crate he was carrying onto his foot causing him to muffle a scream of pain through tightly pressed lips.

"Ya seem distracted, mate."

"N-nnnnnot at all Cap'n!"

"Hmm... How's yer foot?"

"Hurts mighty right but I ain't bothered by it, sir!"

Captain Lohran's eyes narrowed, and Ocrest gulped as he hoisted the crate a bit higher.

"Carry on, mister Ocrest."

"Yes, Cap'n!"

Ocrest continued on his task, and Captain Lohran spied the lad walking off the deck to pick up his next crate.

"Boy. C'mere a moment." He called, gesturing for him to approach.

Collen gave a quick glimpse as Ocrest dropped the crate, the exchange between him and Captain one of the many he had witnessed around the ship. Just as he was about to take another crate, he heard the Lohran calling him.

“Yes Captain?” he walked towards him and did his best to stay calm. One wrong move or word could test the Captain’s patience.

"I need ye ta go into town and fetch me favorite drink. Ye know the one, right lad?" He asked, handing Collen a small stack of paper bills. "Two 10-pack boxes should do, lad."

Collen took the bills and nodded. "Yes sir." He wasn't sure how he'd carry 20 bottles, but he wasn't going to mention that to him. He would do it even if it took several trips.

"Good. Try ta be quick 'bout it, lad. I'm harboring a rather insatiable thirst right about now."

Collen nodded once again. “Yes Captain!” he replied firmly and took off running towards the town making sure the paper bills were tightly in his pocket as he ran down the streets looking for the closest tavern. He could already imagine the look on the tavernkeep’s confused look as he’d ask for 20 bottles of Hilgrande, Lohran’s favourite red wine. Lately it had become more and more common for Collen to be the one fetching that precious drink for him every time they docked. Collen didn’t dare to question it but most tavernkeeps definitely questioned a kid buying wine. Luckily the name Armedus Lohran was rather well-known, and it hadn’t been just once or twice he had used his name to get what needed.

As he arrived to the tavern, he saw a couple of patrons chatting and drinking but it was rather quiet that time of the day. The patrons gave a side glance at the young boy with messy hair and dirty clothes entering.

"Hey boy! Lost your daddy?" One of them laughed loudly.

Collen turned at the man feeling the sting of his words inside but kept no expression on his face. "None of your business, old man." he remarked back as he walked up to the counter. Not seeing the tavern keep around, he reached to ring the bell to call them.

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Former Soldier/Mercenary | Attire | #800000

The sun was already high within in the pure blue sky, clouds dotting across the sky like puffs of smoke in the wind. The air smelt of saltwater and fish, something that took some longer to grow accustomed to than others. Slow and heavy footsteps made their way across the main street of the small portside town as a tall figure walked with purpose, but also seemed to be taking their time. Ros let out a small yawn as she stretched, she slept in longer than she had planned, never was a morning person anyway. She had plenty of errands to run today, and she had slept past half of the things she were supposed to do, maybe tomorrow she could get some of the other things done. Pushing those thoughts from her still sleepy mind, she made her way over to one of the taverns she had been to the night previously. This town may not have had much going for it otherwise, but the tavern seemed to be one of the best places to spend one's time in an otherwise lackluster town.

The moment the door opened, the tavern fell silent as Ros stepped in. Eyes and heads immediately turned in her direction, after giving a few hard glares an glances, the sea of faces quickly turned away from her and went back to their business. Easily being taller than most people in this town made her stick out like a sore thumb, especially with her ever broody and large stature in general. Walking up to the bar she sat down with a soft thud, keeping her back turned towards most of the environment around her.

"Aye, what be yer poison this mornin', miss?" the barkeep questioned with a hardy smile.

"I'll take a Bloodcrest ale, and a pint of copper-shine. Please." the woman said with a small smile, flashing the barkeep with a wink. "Oh, and a steak and bread platter as well. Double the tatoes this time?" Ros chuckled, as she placed down a large stack of paper bills, pushing them towards the barkeep.

The man flashed her a smile as he quickly accepted the money, "Yes, ma'am. Will be out shortly." he said he retreated into the back shortly after pouring Ros her drinks and handing them to the woman.

Ros sat back and was lost in thought as she waited for her food, only coming back as she heard a commotion of patrons. Looking over her shoulder, she saw them heckling someone that could have been no more than fifteen years old? If even that. He was a small, scrawny kid with orange hair. Just a kid..., she thought to herself as she shot the men in question a deadly glare over her shoulder. Making eye contact with the men for a few short seconds before they immediately looked away.

Huffing to herself as she took a sip of her drink as she turned back to the bar. Her attention being taken back when the young boy from just a few moments ago came up to the bar and rang the bell. A small chuckle creased her lips as she took another sip of her drink, "Aren't you a little young to be in a place like this, kid?" a small smile creased her lips for a moment before she took another sip from her drink.

The barkeep returned a few minutes later with Ros' food in hand, placing the platter infront of the woman with a smile. "My bad, love. Took a bit longer than intended."

"No worries. Thanks, mate. But uh, I think our friend here has an important question for you." Ros said with a smile as she nodded towards the boy a few feet away from her. Pushing a few extra bills his way, "Whatever his order is, give him a side of some food to go? Make it a part of my tab." Ros said softly before she began to take part in her own food. The barkeep gave her a nod as he quickly retrieved the money before walking over to the boy that rang the bell.

"Aren't you a little young to be in a place like this, kid?"

Collen turned towards the redhaired woman. "Aren't you being kinda nosy?" He snapped back. As if he had a choice to be somewhere else.

As he waited for her and the barkeep to finish their conversation, the boy patted his pocket making once again sure the bills were in there. Just the thought of losing them and having to face the Captain gave him nightmares.

Once the man walked up to him, Collen gave a slight smile to the familiar face. “Hey Gus, I need that wine again. Hel… Helga… ah, no… umm… Hil…. Hildagran!”

"Ah. Hilgrande. 'Course he wants the expensive stuff."

He was a portly man wearing a traditional (stained) white wool tunic and some brown leather pants and boots. His scraggly beard hung to just below his clavicle, and his hands, rough and calloused, were showing signs of skin cracks from having had to wash his hands a few too many times today.

"How're ya doin' kiddo?" He asked.

The boy turned his head away. Even without saying a word it was clear, that things could be better. In more normal circumstances he hadn't mind chatting with the man, but ever since he had went to work for Captain Lohran, people he knew tended to ask too many questions. Eventually he spoke quietly “I'm…. fine.”

Gus came forward and put an arm around Collen's shoulder, guiding him to the far side of the room away from everyone else and kept his back to the patrons so nobody could hear him or read his lips.

"Are you really okay, kiddo? Lohren's not exactly a mysterious guy, ya know. And I don't like him."

He glanced at the patrons, then back to Collen.

"He hasn't tried to hurt ya, has he kiddo?"

Collen looked down staying silent for a moment. He wasn't sure how much he even wanted to reveal to Gus, more so what he wanted to reveal. If the word of him bad mouthing about Lohran would somehow spread he'd be in a big trouble.

"It's.... It's basically: ‘do as told and don‘t mess up.’" He said quietly. The boy had definitely seen too many fingers cut off from the crew already for smallest of mistakes. He just hoped to avoid the same.

"It's not too different from home."

Gus nodded, giving Collen a pat on the shoulder. "Just be careful, kiddo. " He whispered.

"Hey. Before you take off, lemme give ya somethin." Gus walked into the back and returned with a wheeled cart. "Here. You can load the wine boxes in here. Just be sure it gets back to me by the end of the day, okay?"

Collen was a bit surprised as Gus brought out the cart. It was going to help immensely. "Th-thanks Gus" he muttered and handed him the stack of money for the wine. "It’s enough, right?”

Gus took the money and counted it, just to be sure, and gave Collen a smile. "You take care o' yourself, kiddo. Even if that blowhard is a taskmaster, try not to be stranger. Ya hear?"

Collen chuckled with a nod. "I'll try. Thanks Gus."

As he was putting the bottles of wine in the cart Collen glanced at the man. "Don't know when I be around next. First mate said it'll be a long journey. Looking for new land or something." He told Gus quietly not wanting to spill too much to the other patrons.

Gus blinked. "Oh... I guess you're goin' out with that crazy brunette who does the map thing, yeah? She's supposed to be the one leading it, if I hear correctly."

He scratched his belly and chuckled. "Haven't met her myself. But still, keep your head up. Now skedattle. Don't want that Captain havin' any excuses to yell at ya."

Collen had no clue who the mysterious brunette woman was but it wasn’t really in his interest either. He doubted a person like that would even care about a mere ship boy. The boy said his goodbyes to Gus and pushed the little cart heading back towards the ship hoping the Captain was still in somewhat good mood.

Korrin eventually found the Tavern and, pulling his hood up to keep the upper part of his face hidden, walked in, taking a look around for a place to sit. His jade eyes stared at the patrons there currently as he walked to a corner near the bar. He eyed the tall woman there and turned his gaze back to the table. The Flame tickled the back of his head in response to that action. Like an itch wanting to be scratch, the flame gave the desire to challenge her to see how tough she was.

But Korrin would have none of it. He’d get his first full meal in awhile to feed his body, nothing more nothing less. No fighting anyone unless they had the intent to do him harm. Food was a better substitute for soothing his Flame, for awhile at least. So he sat waiting for the tavern keeper to turn his attention to him, all the while keeping an ear open for an opportunity to join this upcoming journey. It’d be an adventure of a lifetime, that was for certain.

He waited and observed said keeper come out from a door, giving the taller woman her order, then turning his attention to a boy, a little younger then he is. Two years younger, maybe more. He listened to the conversation. He did not like the way the boy hesitated when asked if he was okay and if his Captain didn’t treat him rough. Something about the boy’s answer kindled the Flame a little more, and brought tension to the muscles in his arms. There was no reason to be hesitant. ”No reason at all. If something’s wrong say it. Don’t bottle it up.” he thought angrily. ”Then again, He gave me no reason when he cast me out of home.” His thoughts nearly caused him to miss out on the mentions of the expedition the Boy’s Captain was in, with a Mapmaker wanting to go to the New World no less.

He’d worry about finding a way to join later. He needed food in his belly to and he needed it as soon as possible to soothe his growing anger. He tapped on his table, but it was more like a knock on the door.

”Steak and vegetable platter, with Mead?” he asked, as calm as possible. He then drummed his fingers, taking deep breaths, thinking of the forest, the Wild, and imagining the Vast Beauty that could be the New World’s Wilderness.

Collen ran through the city streets pushing the now empty wine cart. He had been sure to let another crew member know he'd be gone for a short moment just in case the Captain decided he wanted to use him for something. The boy still tried to be quick on his errands, and the empty cart was light and easy to push.

”EY! Get out of the way!” Roared a voice behind him.

Collen's head whipped back towards the source. ”Dad? What is he doing here?” There said with a scowl on his face.

As his eyes looked for the source of the sound, who turned out to be a man he didn't know, Collen missed a crack in the cobblestones beneath his feet which caused him to stumble and push the cart which slipped from his grip and went sailing down the inclined road ahead.

Cursing like a sailor he got back up from the ground and run after the cart.

Meanwhile...

"Dammit all." He growled.

Tora had wasted a good chunk of time attempting to gather more information. Nobody else knew anything. So he'd have to do some more dirty work later in order to confirm his suspicions.

Lost in thought, he turned a corner and was greeted by the sensation of something slamming into his legs. His feet were thrown to the side causing him to fall on the object, a wooden cart, tipping it onto its side and cracking the length of one of the wooden panels. Tora rolled onto his back and then quickly onto his side and to his feet with one hand on the hilt of his sword.

Collen run after the cart but didn't able to catch it in time to stop it from hitting someone. Collen barely gave the man a glance as he didn't feel the need to apologize to the stranger for such a minor incident. Instead he grabbed the cart and pulled it closer before spotting the crack. "This can't be real." He muttered under his breath.

Turning his head towards the man. "Do you always break other people's things?" He asked sharply.

The instant Tora saw that it was a child chasing the cart, his hand lifted away from the hilt of the sword and he stood to brush himself off. At Collen's question, Tora glanced down at him.

"My apologies. I didn't see it coming."

He glanced to the cart, noting its age and the crack now along its length.

"Was it important to you?"

"At least Captain's wine bottles are on the ship," he thought, subtly shivering from the thought of breaking one and facing the Captain's wrath. He would prefer an angry Gus over an angry Captain any time.

"Someone lent it to me." He replied.

Tora appraised the young man's response and gave a subtle nod of satisfaction.

"I see. Again, I offer my apologies. Shall I come with you to give it back so I can help explain its current state?"

Collen shrugged. "Whatever. Do what you want."

He didn't wait any longer as he grabbed the cart and continued to push it towards the inn. The quicker it was done, the better. Collen kept up a good pace as he jogged towards the inn while paying more attention to his surroundings. Tora followed him closely at a brisk jog, and neither of them exchanged any more words even as they arrived and opened the door. As the boy stepped inside he gave a small wave of hand at Gus behind the counter, who waved back to him with a smile as he began walking over.

"Hey kiddo. Thanks for bringin' the cart-... Uh, what's that?" He asked, pointing to the crack.

"The fault for that would be mine, sir. In my clumsiness I fell on and damaged your cart."

"Ah. Well, it seems in tact enough to still work. A quick nail or two should do it."

"Do you require any compensation for the damages?"

"Mm? Nah. Thanks though. Hey, kiddo. You should run along. Don't need ol' nasty face giving you a hard time now, yeah?"

As Collen gave another wave and dashed out the door, Tora followed Gus to the counter as he put the cart away behind it.

"So ya fell on it, eh?"

"Indeed. My apologies."

"Heh. Yer a good lad, aren't ya."

Gus turned around and leaned on the country looking at Tora.

"Ya don't seem the type to just fall like that."

"How so, sir?"

"With a sword like that, and how you've stood with perfect balance since the moment I saw you walk in, there's no way yer that "clumsy" ta just fall on the cart."

"Hm."

"It's not a big deal. Like I said, the cart's still usable and a good nail or two will make sure it stays that way for a good while."

"I see. My apologies for the charade."

"Heh."

Gus took a swig of water.

"Ya know, the boy's a good kid. He don't have anyone really lookin' out fer him. So yer little act to try and take the blame is enough fer me ta overlook this."

"How so?"

Gus looked around the room to make sure nobody was listening before leaning in a bit closer.

"The boy's in the service of the Captain. Lohran or whatever his name is. Kid's been left alone so far. But that guy's reputation is long enough ta cover the entire floor of my tavern. It's only a matter o' time before he does something ta hurt the boy."

"Is that so?"

It was Tora's turn to lean forward on the counter and whispered to Gus.

"I'll be candid with you. I've heard much about the Captain and have come to ascertain the truth about him for myself. If he's as bad as I've heard, I have every intention of ending his life. Given what you've said, it seems I've no choice but to escalate the pace of my investigation. He's leaving soon, is he not?"

"Yeah. There's a lady in town, some crazy map lady and her daughter, who are going ta "discover a new world." And they got the Captain ta agree ta take em there. They leave in two days er so."

"I understand. Thank you. Do you know where I can find this woman and her daughter?"

"They're at another tavern just down the road, last I heard. Map girl is the talk of the town these days for the crazy crap she's always spouting. Hard not to know where she is at any given time."

Tora chuckled.

"My thanks, sir. I'll be on my way."

As Tora turned to leave, Gus stopped him.

"One thing, lad. If ya go after the Captain, watch yerself. He and his crew ain't exactly known fer playin' fair or accepting open challenges with grace and all that."

"I wasn't expecting anything such. But you have my thanks."

With that, Tora left the tavern and Gus returned to cleaning the glasses and dishes of the patrons.

"Good luck lad."

In the blink of an eye, the day of departure had come. The entire crew of the Silver Moon had gathered on deck, and a large crowd had gathered, more out of curiosity than celebration, to see the event. The Captain waited in his quarters, not one for conversation or festivities. Cretas, meanwhile, was on deck with Lemnia waving to the crowd.

"Everyone! Thank you so much for coming to witness history in the making! A new world awaits beyond the horizon. And WE shall claim it for our own in the name of Mar' Valoa!"

Exchanged looks and murmurs spread through the crowd. And as she looked to Gus from the tavern, Cretas gave a wink.

"Gus. Look after Derf for us, okay?"

Gus gave a thumbs up, patting the dog's head with his tail wagging happily.

"Everyone... Farewell!"

A customary glass of wine was broken against the hull, and the anchor was raised. The ship slowly drifted into the bay, and then opened the sails before turning and heading out towards the open ocean.

They were underway. And Lemnia looked sadly back at the shore as her mother stroked her hair.

"Don't worry, my love. We'll come back for Derf once we discover the new world and build a home for us all to live in."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Plus, this ship isn't exactly dog proof. We'll need a better vessel to carry him in when we bring him to our new home."

"Okay." Lem said sadly as she hugged her mother's leg.

Korrin looked about the ship before it began moving out of the Bay and into the open ocean. Waving at the small gathered crowd as the ship went. It took the young hunter/warrior a lot to not marvel at the open water. The most captivating thing about it was it was so large and blue! He never saw water much like it. Though the way the ship moved about in the water, made Korrin a little bit uncomfortable. If boats moved in water this big, does the waves get big as well was a question floating in his head.

“Well, maybe that will finally snuff out the Flame crawling in my mind.” Korrin thought to himself. But that was pure speculation, for how can one put a fire inside their own mind? Sighing he reflected on the crowd that gathered. ”Would Mother and the rest, excluding certain parties, have seen me off if I wrote to them beforehand of what I was doing, here and now? It’s been... Desmiel knows how long. Oh well. I’ll just do the Job and come back safely. Give Cretas enough credibility about the New World. That would be enough.”

Korrin simply stared out at the Horizon, and took a deep breath. Then almost gagged at the salty scent of the ocean. It seems traveling by sea had a few more caveats for him to get used to. ”Does the sea air have to be so salty Ms. Cretas?” He asked aloud coughing at the word ‘salty’.

Collen wasn’t one for farewell celebrations. He had gone up the deck for just enough to see Gus, give him a small wave and then return to his work below the deck. As usual he was doing whatever he was told to. Running around the ship’s nooks and crannies had become familiar to him.

“Ey boy! Cap’n wants his breakfast.” A cook shouted as Collen was walking past the kitchen area. Collen just gave the man a little nod as he took a tray with the food. He walked up carefully, the ships movements felt natural to him. He stepped out from below deck and headed up the stairs towards Captain’s quarters.

Lemnia leaned on the guard railing at the edge of the ship as a small school of flying fish were leaping out of the water and soaring like birds a short distance away. Her eyes sparkled at how beautiful the rainbow created by the spray of the water as they leaped about was.

"So prettyyyyyyy." She cooed.

As the fish began to disappear behind the ship she hopped up, dusted herself off, and hopped in place.

"Mom needs to hear about this!"

The instant she turned around and took one step across the deck, Lemnia face planted into the hardwood floor with both arms outstretched ahead of her. The crewman at the wheel jumped at the sound, brandishing his sword.

"WHO DARES TA-... Oh."

Sheathing the sword, he walked over and helped Lemnia to her feet.

"Ya all right there missy?"

With watery eyes and a quivering lower lip, she nodded and continued on her way. Dashing across the deck to the far-side stairs, she planted her foot and turned too late to see Collen below her. The fault in her concentration caused her foot to slip from beneath her, and she tumbled down the stairs directly at Collen.

Collen had no time to react as the sudden hit made him fall backwards as well, causing the tray fall from his hands.

"Hey! Watch where you're go...i...ng..." his harsh voice faded as he realized that the girl in front of him was the daughter of that important lady on the ship. He didn't want to get into trouble for shouting at the girl.

He pushed himself up quickly remembering the food. "Shit." He cussed as he saw it spilled over the stairs. That he was going to get in trouble for.

Lemnia rolled onto her side facing away from Collen, gripping her elbow and half curling into a fetal position.

"Ooooowwwwwie." She muttered, trying her best not to cry despite the watering in her eyes beginning to build.

Collen was cleaning up the food as glanced at the girl who still hadn't gotten up. "Uh.... You okay?" He asked carefully now worried the girl was hurt because of him. "I'll be dead if she is" He thought in his mind as he moved closer to her. "Can you get up?"

Lemnia continued to grip her elbow and, unsuccessfully, fight back her tears as the pain shot through her arm.

"Oi! Boy! What'd you do?" One of the crewmen asked as he approached the scene.

Collen swallowed from both seeing the girl cry and hearing the crewman shout. "I-i-it was an accident!" He said quickly. Knowing full well he'd get all the blame he didn't even try to claim the girl was one running into him. "I'll clean it up!" He got back down on his knees to pick up the food in a hurry.

The crewman knelt down next to Lemnia and helped hoist her up.

"Did Collen hurt ya, girlie?"

Sniffling and holding her elbow, Lemnia shook her head.

"I slipped down the stairs." She sobbed.

"Didja now? Well, be careful wouldja? Takes a while ta get yer sea legs."

Lemnia nodded, and the man turned to Collen.

"Boy. We'll clean up here. Go get a fresh one fer the Cap'n. Keep him waitin' and it'll be all our backsides fer not helpin' ya get him his meal in good time."

"Y-yes sir!" Collen scrambled up and practically run back to the kitchen. "I need new meal for the Captain." He said to the chef in a hurry hoping they wouldn't ask too many questions.

"Wait. Whaddya mean you need a new meal? What happened to the first one?"

"Uh.... an accident." He said carefully and then rubbed behind his neck. "It fell in the stairs" Collen knew the cook would hear what happened sooner or later so he might as well admit it.

The cook shook his head.

"Boy... You'll be the death of all of us."

The cook quickly whipped up the Captain's meal again and handed the tray to Collen, holding tight to it for a sec before letting go again.

"Drop this one and I'll be the one to tan your hide. Got me?"

Collen was waiting as he made the meal staring down most of the time. He hated being on this ship. He hated Lohran and most of his crew. He had no say in anything and simplest mistake could be a death sentence.

"Yes sir." He simply stated knowing full well the threat was true. He took the tray and walked back up, this time being extra careful.

He reached the Captain's quarters and knocked on his door. "Breakfast Captain!"

"Come in." Came the Captain's voice from inside the cabin.

As Collen stepped in he saw Lohran standing at the back of the cabin facing away from Collen with his hands behind his back and looking out the big window at the ocean. The boy placed the tray down on the table and turned back to leave.

"What took so long, boy?"

Collen froze and turned back at him. "Sorry Captain. Won't happen again"

His left hand was in a fist, gripped at the wrist by his right hand. The fist opened and the fingers rolled before becoming a fist again.

"That's not an explanation, Collen."

Collen swallowed as Lohran was getting irritated. He knew that just like the cook, Lohran would hear about it sooner or later. Collen braced himself for his anger as he spoke "I accidentally run into the girl and the food fell on the deck so the cook had to make second patch Captain." He said once again taking full blame.

The Captain turned his head ever so slightly, but not enough for Collen to see his eyes.

"How do you accidentally run into someone, boy? Is there not enough room for two children on deck to move around?"

He swallowed again frozen in place like a scared deer. "I-I wasn't paying attention Captain."

He was certain if Lohran wasn't going to throw him overboard right away, his punishment was going to be even worse. Especially if he found out the girl was hurt.

The Captain turned halfway, glancing at Collen out of the corner of his eye.

"We're at sea now, boy. This is the last place and time to lose focus on anything... Understood?"

"Yes Captain" As Lohran waved him away, Collen hurried off. His face was paler than he realized as he had no clue how he was alive still. The boy hurried off and hide back below deck hoping to avoid anymore problems for the day.

Collen’s attempt to stay unnoticed had already failed as he was told to get back up deck and start cleaning. Apparently someone on board had already become seasick and was throwing up overboard. He rolled his eyes mentally as he fetched a bucket and mop. “Freaking landlubbers” he muttered. Being on sea his whole life, Collen rarely got seasick even on stormy seas.

He walked up the deck and towards where a young man wearing a weird fur hood, jacket, cape? was standing near the railing. “Move.” the boy said bluntly as he grabbed some rope that was laying on the man’s feet and started tying it up to the bucket. He tied the other end of it to the railing and with all the power he had, Collen threw the bucket into the sea, making sure it was far enough to not hit the hull. As the bucket was full of water, he started pulling the rope back up slowly but firmly while cussing in his mind of all the shit jobs he had to do.

Korrin nearly jumped out of his skin when someone told him to move over. When he turned he saw a kid moving to getting a bucket of water. Korrin blinked at this and looked around to see if anyone else was going to help the kid, Who was now pulling up on the rope attached to the bucket slowly. Korrin blinked again, and was almost pulled into a memory. Shaking his head he walked to both kid and the rope.

”Right, it’ll come up a little faster if you had help pulling the rope.” Korrin said as he gently grasped another section of rope and began pulling at the same pace. ”Got a name kid? You seem to be running about doing almost a lot of things around this ship, I might as well know it so I know who keep the path clear for.” He said the last part in regards to being told to move by him moments before.

The boy gave a quick side glance at the other person. To him it didn’t really matter if he got help or not, but since he had already grabbed the rope, Collen didn’t see the point to tell him off either. “Collen” he stated simply. “But everyone calls me ‘boy’ around here.” he shrugged. To him being called by his name usually meant trouble anyway.

Collen fell back into silence as he had nothing to say to him. They hoisted up the bucket and Collen untied the rope quickly, having done the same several times by now. He went back to get his mop and then looked at the deck to see where exactly he was needed. It didn't take a long for him to notice the unwell looking man as he let out a slight irritated sigh and lifted up the bucket.

Korrin nods at the boy’s name as he then helped him get the bucket back onto the deck. It was thus the boy then untied the bucket and went off doing what he was supposed to do with it. ”You’re Welcome!“ he said, despite not getting a ‘thank you’. The young hunter then walked back to the mast to lean on and watch the Horizon.

”Good lad. Reminds me a little bit of me when I was his age. Though, is me saying that a good thing?” Korrin thought before taking a slow sigh, to get the feeling of those times off his mind. ”It doesn’t matter. Just enjoy the view of this Horizon Korrin.” and for most of that day, he did just that.

Holding Lemnia in her arms and leaning with her hip against the railing, Cretas gazed out at the ocean as a group of seagulls soared over the water a few hundred feet away.

"Pretty, huh love?"

Lemnia made a "Mmhmm" sound which prompted Cretas to tickle her thigh. Lemnia giggled in delight and tried to swat her mother's tickling fingers away to no avail. The pair giggled together for a few seconds before Cretas finally stopped and the two bumped noses.

"Hopefully you like water, my love. We'll be seeing it for a long time."

"Mmm. How long?"

"Well. I'm not sure, really. I'm expecting a few months."

"Oh."

"Don't worry though, love. We'll get there together. I promise."

Lemnia giggled and rested her head against her mother's shoulder. Cretas responded by gently bouncing her a few times before resting her cheek against the top of Lemnia's head as she turned to look at the crew. It was then she noticed a young man with a bucket of water about to walk past to go clean up after an unfortunate crewman had sullied the deck.

"Hi there. I don't think we've met." She said as he walked past them.

“You’re welcome!” Collen heard the young man shout after him. The thought of thanking him hadn’t even crossed his mind. On the ship he had been used to everyone doing their part without any thanks from anyone. Just like he didn’t expect any acknowledgement of doing his cleaning duty.

Collen had barely paid attention to the mother and daughter until he was stopped by Cretas’ words. He looked up, eyeing her a bit. “So this is the important woman everyone talks about” he thought as his attention turned to Lemnia. Remembering their encounter from earlier, he swallowed.

“I-I’m sorry from the earlier ma’am. It was an accident. I promise it won’t happen again.” He said to Cretas quickly. He was certain that just like everyone else, she would also blame it on him. Collen mentally prepared himself for a beating or being shouted at.

"Hm?" Cretas mumbled as she looked to Lemnia.

"I fell down the stairs and fell on him." Lemnia chirped.

"Oh! Why didn't you say something earlier, love?"

"Momma has enough to worry about. And the crew helped me up."

"Ah, well that's good. But don't hide things like that from me again, okay, love?"

"Kay!"

Cretas looked to Collen.

"If something's not your fault, you shouldn't feel the need to apologize for it young man." She said with a smile and Lemnia gave him a shy wave.

The boy listened the conversation between the mother and daughter. There was a slight surprise on his face as he found out Cretas didn't actually knew about it yet. The surprise changed into quick worry as he was certain it would make her even angrier.

However the reaction he expected didn't happen, Collen was confused. He rubbed his neck slightly as Cretas talked to him. "Yes, ma'am." the boy gave his usual short reply as he didn't know what else to say. He replied to Lemnia's wave to a little awkward nod.

"I need to work now." he stated and picked up his bucket and mop again hurrying off. He didn't want to be accused for slacking off in the middle of work but also didn't want to seem too rude to the important person. With a sigh, he sinked the mop into the water and started cleaning the deck.

That evening, most of the crew all gathered below deck to rest after a long day's activities. The two lonely men on deck were the helmsman at the wheel, and the crewman in the crow's nest keeping an eye out for distant dangers on the high seas.

Suddenly, the doors leading below deck were smashed open with the light barreling out as Cretas, lantern in hand, walked out to the middle of the deck and set the lantern down. She walked back to the doors leading below, and...

"Come on out, all you big boy scalleywaggles or or whatever you call yourselves! Time's wasting!!"

The crew tried to fight back, but the first man to speak up in a more than rude attempt to silence her received a hard kick to a very sensitive area and collapsed at her feet. He was subsequently dragged up the steps and tossed unceremoniously by the lantern. Cretas appeared again at the doorway looking at everyone with a calm smile.

"Anyone else?"

In less than 3 seconds the entire crew was on their feet and shuffling out the doors as Cretas stood aside and let them all out. And then, as Collen approached from the back of the pack, Cretas reached out and hoisted him up over into a reverse one-armed hug.

"Hey kiddo. I didn't get your name the last time I saw you. Care to share?" She asked while using her free hand to try tickling his ribs.

Collen burst into laughter as her fingernails gently scraped against his ticklish lower ribs and the sides of his neck. "C-Collen! St-stop! I can't-" He gasped and laughed in equal measure as Cretas giggles along with him.

She then turned him towards herself and kneeled down to brush him off.

"Aw, look at all this," she said as she examined his clothing. "Looks like you need some new clothes. So tell ya what? When we reach the new world, I'll make you a new outfit myself! How about it?" She asked with a smile and a wink.

"Uh, sure ma'am."

"Perfect!" She said as she gave both his shoulders a soft pat. "Come on. Let's get on deck." She said as she kept one hand on his upper back and helped walk him up the stairs and out onto the deck.

With everyone present, she closed the doors behind herself and Collen and ushered him into the crowd as she found Lemnia, picked her up, pushed her way through to the middle, picked up the lantern, and turned in a circle to see everyone.

"Okay, everyone! Since we're all gonna be on this ship together for quite a while I think it's time we got to know each other!"

A crewman itched his nose. "Is this gonna be like one o' dem name circles or sumfin?"

"Something like that, yeah. I don't know everyone. And neither does my daughter, Lemnia. Say "hi" everyone!" She said as she held Lemnia up by her armpits for a second before bringing her back to rest against her chest.

The crew was silent and looked at each other in confusion.

"... My boots are a bit antsy, gentlemen." She said as she tapped the toes of her right foot, which she'd used to kick the first crewman in happy land earlier, against the deck.

A few beads of sweat gathered.

"Uh, hi there missy." Said one crewman.

"Good. Come on everyone! Don't be shy!"

The crew all, though not really in unison, said "hi" to Lemnia as she shyly waved back.

"Great! Say hi, love."

"H-hi." Lemnia squeaked before burying her face in her mother's shoulder.

The action got a couple "Awws" from a few crewmen while everyone else gave sideways glances to each other.

"She's a little shy. But she'll get used to you all. Don't worry!"

"Dun recall nobody sayin' dey be worryin'." Said one crewman.

Cretas turned to face him with a calm smile and walked right up to him.

"Pardon? I didn't hear you."

"Uh... Dun think nobody be worryin' 'bout her bein' shy er nuffin."

"Mmm... Okay. What's your name?"

"Anthony."

"Anthony. Nice to meet you," she said as she held out her hand to shake his.

After shaking hands, she walked back to the middle of the gathering.

"Who'd like to introduce themselves next?" She asked pleasantly.

Korrin’s attempt to finding some measure of peace and slumber later in the evening was interrupted by Cretas. Looks like there was more to the day as under pain of...pain, Korrin journeyed to where most of the crew were gathered. It seemed Miss Cretas wanted to get to know the crew better. So he decided to listen in on it for a time as he watched the introduction given for Lemnia.

Chuckling at the cute scene he heard the question of who would wish to introduce themselves next. He weighed the options to going next and saying his greetings to a large crowd of people. Deciding it would be better to say his hello’s quick so that they’d move down to others, therefore he made his option. ”I’ll do it Ms. Cretas. Hello everyone, Korrin Arzan, Hunter and Fighter at your service. I hope we all have a fantastic journey together and hopefully get some good stories to tell everyone at home about.” he said in greeting. ”As a hunter, I have one question to ask, does the sea have any good fish to catch?”

He heard tales of large fish whenever he stopped near port towns in his travels, and wondered if they were true or not, so he thought to ask as part of his introduction.

The young boy was not paying much attention after Cretas had dragged him on the deck as he was lost in his memories. He was slightly ashamed that he had been laughing from the tickling but he also couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed like that. With the crew being all male, Collen had gotten used to having a tougher shell around them.

His thoughts drifted back to his home and his mother. How long had it been since he had seen her last? Must have been at least six months by now, maybe even more. Time had lost its meaning to him over the sea. He tried to remember how it felt to be embraced by his mother but even that was hard. Before he had joined Lohran’s crew, his days were mostly spent with his father. They left with his fishing boat before sunrise and stayed all day in the sea, while his mother stayed home with his younger brother. When they returned home Collen was usually too tired to do anything else than eat dinner and go to sleep before a day just like others repeated itself.

He was woken up from his memories as one of the crewmates nudged him with his shoulder. “Boy, your name.”

Collen looked up, seeing few people watching him as he clearly hadn't paid attention. “Uh… Collen.” he said quietly and quickly looked back down.