Leaving for the sea. ((Thanks to Alaia for her help in writing the story.))
Kyl tied up his pack and took a deep breath. He didn't have much, but
he hated to pack up. He looked toward the table and glanced at the leftover
bread pieces, reaching for one, and popping it in his mouth. The final moments
in the small cottage were coming to a close and they were soon returning to
sea, something that made Kyl impatient and rather annoyed
This was nothing new to Alaia anymore than it was to Cris though she
expected she'd done a lot more packing and uprooting than he had living out of
a tent for so long. Even now she never truly unpacked. Things did not come out
of bags and get put away when they were home unless they were things that were
meant for the house. It didn't matter how long they were there for either, it
was a long forged habit to always be ready to go. So packing consisted mostly
of the things they had gathered since leaving the ship and putting away
anything that didn't need to be out when people weren't living there. It was
quick work but meticulously done and by the time Kyl was looking for bread
Alaia was in the little library looking for extra books to take with her when
they left.
Kyl noticed Alaia and quickly stuffed the bread in his mouth, following
her to where her books were. "Whereshthecappen?" he muttered with his
mouth full of bread.
Alaia paused immediately, frozen in place on her toes with a book in
one hand and a finger on the spine of another. "I don't know actually. I
might have just walked by him, I was looking for things to take with us so I
haven't been paying much attention."
Swallowing his bread, Kyl sighed and dug his hands into his pockets.
"Why do we have to go so soon? I didn't even get to say bye to my
brother." He frowned and lowered his head.
"Trouble," she replied, pushing a book back onto the shelf.
"If you think you can catch him now go do it."
"You think I have time? I would have to find him."
She gave a shrug. "If not I can always come back and get
you."
Kyl smiled and nodded. "Alright. I'll be right back!" He
began to run out the door. "Don't forget me!" The door remained open
and Cris' voice could be heard yelling, "Where are you going?" He
walked through the door after flicking the remainder of his cigarette, and
closed it. "Where is he going?" He seemed nervous and worried.
Alaia looked over her shoulder at Cris with a soft sigh. "I
told him he could go say goodbye to his brother. If he's not back fast enough
I'll come back for him later. It will be fine."
He paced a bit in place. "He better hurry and find him then. We
need to get out of here."
She turned finally, pushing a hand through her hair as she
approached him. Her hands reached for his so she could still him and wrap
herself around his waist. "We're safe here," she said so softly.
"It won't be long."
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I'd just feel better
if we were out at sea," he whispered. “I don’t trust that witch.”
She wrapped around him so tightly and pressed into his chest.
"I know. We will be very soon. We can go now if you want. I can leave a
note for Kyl or catch him in the city before he heads back here."
"Are we ready?" He looked around and frowned. Caressing her
hair, he kissed her head and asked, "Are you ready to head back to sea? We
can go elsewhere if you two aren't up for it."
She just smiled up at him; despite his worry her eyes sparkled.
"I'm always ready. If you want to go, we should go."
Cris kissed her forehead and nodded. "Let's go then. We can wait
for Zig out there. If we need to wait a few more days, we can get the tent set
up." He placed a hand on her abdomen for a moment and sighed. "Yes,
let's go. Maybe we can find the Kid before he enters the city."
Alaia gave a small, concerned smile and laid her hand on top of his
before nodding. She reached up then to kiss the corner of his mouth before
picking up the small stack of books she'd set aside. "Ready." She
grinned.
He took one last look around and grabbed a few of the bags in one hand
and her hand in the other. As they walked out, he placed a large brimmed hat
over his head.
She managed to keep a bright smile on her face.
She was bouncy as they walked, bubbly even; she hummed and twirled herself
beneath his arm, whatever she could think of to try and draw a smile. But no
words came.
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