Niya
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Post by Niya on Aug 12, 2011 22:39:24 GMT -5
"I don't know. I've never had the chance. But I feel like... I can. I just... don't know how yet."
Suddenly, Doeteain was climbing onto the banister. Niya's eyes widened almost comically at the stunt of exquisite bravery...and, somewhat, stupidity.
"H-hey!" he protested. He didn't want Doe to fall. A few hours ago, Doe couldn't even walk, couldn't run. And now here he was, balancing on the banister of the Crow's Nest, several feet above the deck of the ship. If he fell, he'd break several bones at least. Possibly die.
And yet, he looked so happy, the wind blowing his dark hair about his face, eyes closed and a smile on his face. Niya didn't want to bother him. Sure, he knew it was dangerous, but if something happened...well, he sincerely hoped nothing would happen. Because he didn't know if he'd be able to catch Doe before he fell and Doe himself had just said that he didn't know how to fly yet.
So, instead of telling him to get down immediately, Niya sighed and put his hands in the pockets of his breeches, a smile finding its way onto his face. "Be careful," he told Doeteain.
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Post by Doeteain Ean Evariic on Aug 12, 2011 23:10:24 GMT -5
"Be careful," Niya said behind him.
"Careful?" Doeteain asked, shooting a curious look over his shoulder. What was there to be careful of? They were already floating in a wooden contraption in the middle of the ocean. If there was anything that Doe would want to worry over, that would be it. Being up here, he was farther from the water, which was good any way he looked at it. On top of that, it was like Niya had said; it felt like they were flying.
A gust of wind smacked into him, and he realized that falling was what Niya meant he should be careful not to do, which was kind of funny, since he'd considered doing that very thing intentionally just moments before. Still, he supposed that the wind was getting stronger, and his toes were starting to go numb. If it turned out he really was awful at flying, a fall could end tragically. Sighing, Doe slipped off the banister and back into the nest.
Still, his eyes lingered back over the edge. What would it be like, he wondered, to jump? For a normal person-- a human? That was probably the closest any of them on this ship would ever come to flying. The thought made him nearly shudder. To not even have the hope of flying... Doe didn't know what else he would dream about. Did they dream about flight, too, even if it was impossible?
"Have you ever... thought about jumping? It seems like, maybe-- maybe it would be nice. Fun. Well, at least-- at least until you hit the ground... I mean, I-- I've spent my whole life what I can remember waiting to be able to fly. What do the rest of you-- I mean, surely, humans-- you-- have dreams... What's there to hope for except flying?"
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Niya
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Posts: 37
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Post by Niya on Aug 12, 2011 23:21:49 GMT -5
"Have you ever... thought about jumping? It seems like, maybe-- maybe it would be nice. Fun. Well, at least-- at least until you hit the ground... I mean, I-- I've spent my whole life what I can remember waiting to be able to fly. What do the rest of you-- I mean, surely, humans-- you-- have dreams... What's there to hope for except flying?"
Niya tried to think of what Doe was getting at. "I'm not suicidal," he said, "I don't want to die. So no, jumping never really occurred to me.I don't have a pair of wings. If I jumped, it'd kill me., whether it was fun for a few seconds or not."
He chewed on his lip. What about the other half of Doe's question? What else was there to hope for? What did Niya hope for? He really didn't know. He felt like he was working towards something, like he had a hope, but he couldn't quite grasp it yet. He could only think of what was immediately happening. He didn't dwell much on too much hope. Except...
"I hope for a better tomorrow," Niya said, "A better life. I hope for peace, and especially happiness. I hope to find someone, settle down, live life. Be rich."
He grinned for a moment before letting the seriousness settle back on his face. "But yeah, mostly, I hope for happiness. It's all I really want in the world. And right now, being here, on this ship, with you and Mae and the crew...I'm pretty damn happy. So I just hope for more happiness. That's all."
He moved over to the banister of the crow's nest and leaned on it a bit. "And really, I think we have that in common. Just, for you, the embodiment of happiness is flying. You equate the two. Humans can't fly. But we can still be happy, and I think we're more alike than most people think, humans and...what're you called? The Evariic? Yeah. We're the same, you and I."
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Post by Doeteain Ean Evariic on Aug 12, 2011 23:48:48 GMT -5
"I'm not suicidal. I don't want to die. So no, jumping never really occurred to me. I don't have a pair of wings. If I jumped, it'd kill me, whether it was fun for a few seconds or not."
Doe sighed and shrugged to himself. Obviously Niya wouldn't be able to understand his desire, his need, to fly. He didn't really, even. He only knew that one day, he'd learn, and that would undoubtedly be the best moment in his life. And now that he was leaving Ciimre, travelling away from the ruthless king, maybe one day, he'd have that moment. Just not today; he didn't want to risk snapping his wing or being blown into the water. Of all the things he could ever want to do, drowning wasn't one of them.
The water always was the king's favourite way to... Doe shook his head. He wouldn't think about that. He refused to. Instead, he hushed the memories and focused on Niya's voice.
"I hope for a better tomorrow," he said. Doe would have agreed, except he didn't know what better there was to hope for. In one night, he'd left his bondage at Ciimre, met a gentle human he would already trust with his life, and run away with a band of pirates. If flying was out of the question, Doeteain couldn't think of anything better. "A better life. I hope for peace, and especially happiness. I hope to find someone, settle down, live life. Be rich. But yeah, mostly, I hope for happiness. It's all I really want in the world. And right now, being here, on this ship, with you and Mae and the crew...I'm pretty damn happy. So I just hope for more happiness. That's all. And really, I think we have that in common. Just, for you, the embodiment of happiness is flying. You equate the two. Humans can't fly. But we can still be happy, and I think we're more alike than most people think, humans and...what're you called? The Evariic? Yeah. We're the same, you and I."
Doeteain hummed lightly, following Niya's example and leaning on the banister next to him, overlooking the ship beneath them. He didn't see Niya's desire to "settle down." What life could be lived that way? Doe felt like he'd been settled down enough for one lifetime. He wanted to spend the rest of the time he had with no chains, literal and metaphorical alike.
"You know what happiness really is for me?" Doe asked softly. "This is. Freedom. I've never been free before, and... I like it. I like-- I like not being chained up, and I like knowing whether it's night or day, and I like not worrying about choking because of a collar that's too tight. I'm not-- I'm not owned anymore; that's the first reason I think I've ever had to be happy. And when I learn to fly... then, I'll be really free."
Suddenly, Doe smiled. "You should try it. Standing up there, I mean. It's... miraculous. You'll never feel anything else like it."
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Niya
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Post by Niya on Aug 13, 2011 0:07:13 GMT -5
"You know what happiness really is for me?This is. Freedom. I've never been free before, and... I like it. I like-- I like not being chained up, and I like knowing whether it's night or day, and I like not worrying about choking because of a collar that's too tight. I'm not-- I'm not owned anymore; that's the first reason I think I've ever had to be happy. And when I learn to fly... then, I'll be really free."
Niya nodded; he supposed he could understand that. If he'd been chained up most of his life, he'd want to be free, too. He didn't know what it was like to be chained up, tortured...or if he did, he'd forgotten it along with everything else he once knew.
Companionable silence fell over the two for a long moment, but it was broken by Doe, who was smiling softly as he said, "You should try it. Standing up there, I mean. It's... miraculous. You'll never feel anything else like it."
Niya snorted. "Yeah, because I'll plummet to my death and won't have the occasion to feel anything at all."
But still, why shouldn't he try it? Doe had liked it. And he'd been chained up and hadn't used his legs in forever. Niya went into battle all the time, knowing he might not return. How was this any different?
He bit his lip, then, quickly, before he could lose his nerve, he climbed onto the banister in much the same way as Doe had earlier. The Crow's Nest rocked under his feet and he cursed, quickly trying to regain his balance. There wasn't a whole hell of a lot of things to latch onto, so if he fell, well...there wasn't much hope for him.
As he looked around, his heart slammed in his chest, feeling like it was going to explode out of him. His stomach found its way into his throat. Adrenaline began pumping through his veins.
For one brief instant, Niya was pretty sure he was going to be sick. But the moment passed and he tried on a smile. Slowly, he lifted his arms, letting the wind rip at his shirt and hair, trying not to panic at how bloody far the ground looked from there.
Doe was right; there really wasn't anything like it.
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Post by Doeteain Ean Evariic on Aug 13, 2011 0:30:46 GMT -5
"Yeah, because I'll plummet to my death and won't have the occasion to feel anything at all."
Doeteain was going to express his disbelief that Niya was more uncoordinated than he was, but suddenly, Niya climbed onto the banister. He was clearly not sure about that, though. He wobbled for a second, and Doeteain was prepared to leap from the Crow's Nest at a second's notice and learn to fly the hard way. After Niya had saved his life in such an extraordinary way, Doeteain was fully willing to return the favour any way he could. And really, a part of him much preferred death to being back in Ciimre.
"You look like you're going to be ill," Doeteain remarked. Slowly, he reached up and wrapped his fingers back around Niya's hand. This was how humans went about comforting each other, right? Physical contact. And although Doe was quickly learning that he didn't think he liked this physical contact thing, holding Niya's hand was okay.
He wanted to make Niya feel better, like Niya had made him feel better about the water. What had Niya said then...?
"Don't worry," Doe said, trying to sound convincing. "I wouldn't let you fall." Slowly, he climbed onto the banister, never letting go of Niya's hand. His insides felt light again, almost like they were going to take off without him. That would certainly be an interesting sight... Offering himself only a scornful thought, Doe forced his head back to Niya. "There. Now, if you fall, I jump."
Normally, placing his life in another's hands would never have crossed his mind. But there was something in Doe that instinctively trusted Niya. And right now, he trusted that Niya wouldn't fall. If he did start to lose his balance, he'd probably do the smart thing, and overcompensate backwards, ending up in the Crow's Nest with maybe an extra bruise or two but all his bones relatively unharmed.
At least, Doe hoped so. Otherwise the crew would be scraping a couple of bodies off the deck come morning.
It didn't scare him, though. Heights were one of the very, very few things that never had frightened Doe. He was pleased to note that at least one thing hadn't changed in the past dozen years.
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Niya
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Posts: 37
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Post by Niya on Aug 13, 2011 13:37:54 GMT -5
"You look like you're going to be ill," Doe remarked and Niya shot him a glance. Really, what did he expect? Niya wasn't the most acrobatic human being in existence. There was a very real fear of him falling to his death. Plus, his stomach kept on doing flips. It's not like he had any control over that.
Suddenly, Doe was gripping his hand tightly. Niya wasn't sure whether that helped his balance any or not, but he did appreciate the sentiment behind it. Doe was trying to comfort him, and it was actually really sweet.
"Don't worry," Doe said, climbing onto the banister next to him, "I wouldn't let you fall."
Niya gave him another glance, this one more like questioning how exactly Doe was going to stop him from falling down when he was about as scrawny as can be and light as a leaf. He didn't seem like he had enough upper arm strength to haul him back over. Not to mention, now that they were both up there, it was more likely that they'd both plummet to their deaths. As if confirming that, Doe said, "There. Now, if you fall, I jump."
"Well, that's comforting," Niya said, "At least now I won't die alone."
Still, despite the rather bleak words, he grinned broadly at Doeteain. "Still, it is a pretty fantastic experience...the wind blowing around me like this. And even with the fear of falling, it kind of just makes it more exciting."
Really, he could get used to it, this feeling. At least, as long as Doe was there. He at least had wings. And that was a comfort. Maybe the wings would know what to do instinctively, and then if either of them fell, they'd burst out and he'd fly and then Niya wouldn't have to worry. Plus, then they'd really be flying.
Oh well. Wishful thinking, he supposed. But Niya was good at that; he was a professional in wishful thinking. And as long as he could count on Doe being by his side, he didn't think he had to fear falling.
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Post by Doeteain Ean Evariic on Aug 13, 2011 15:01:38 GMT -5
"Well, that's comforting, at least now I won't die alone. Still, it is a pretty fantastic experience...the wind blowing around me like this. And even with the fear of falling, it kind of just makes it more exciting."
Doeteain still thought that falling might be rather pleasant, but maybe heights were for everyone else like water was for him. None of them had seemed to be minded by the fact that they were floating around on a body of water that could easily up and decide to swallow them whole with little warning. Of course, they were pirates; perhaps they weren't the best reference for normality. However, from what Doe had gathered, they were all still human, which had to count for something, he was sure.
"I told you," Doeteain finally said softly, smiling at the wind that whipped his hair about his face. He couldn't wait until he wasn't doing things that just felt like flying, but really flying. Soon.
He felt a yawn coming on, and he had to admit that despite how alive he felt up here, his eyes were beginning to droop. Reluctantly, he stepped down, letting go of Niya's hand, and sat down. It didn't take long for him to get comfortable, leaning against the sturdy wood. It wasn't even a full minute before he'd fallen completely asleep. He'd never been more comfortable than he was there, nestled in the Crow's Nest. It was warm (or at least warmer than his dungeon cell had been), and he was almost flying, and Niya was barely a metre away.
It was a wonder he'd stayed awake as long as he had, all considered.
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Niya
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Post by Niya on Aug 13, 2011 15:38:43 GMT -5
"I told you," Doe said in a soft murmur. A moment later, a yawn split his face and he climbed off the banister. Niya quickly hurried to do the same, not wanting to be up there much longer. As he got situated, though, Doe seemed to find his own little comfortable spot.
A moment later, Doe was fast asleep and Niya was alone with his thoughts. He sighed, staring out at sea.
Amazing, how peaceful the sea looked. Doeteain might have found the sea scary, but Niya had always found it rather nice. Much like how Doe saw being in the sky. And yet, just like being up high, the sea had dangers. Storms happened all the time, tossing the ship this way and that, throwing men overboard. But in moments like this, the sea looked nice. Calm. Friendly. Welcoming. Expansive, infinite.
Sighing, Niya folded his arms against the chill of the wind, waiting for the next person to arrive and take a shift. It seemed to take an eternity, but finally, his relief arrived. Niya quickly moved over to nudge the sleeping Doe.
"Doe, c'mon. Wake up. Let's go to the beds downstairs, yeah?"
When Doe finally came round, Niya lead them down to the sleeping quarters and situated Doe in one of the comfortable little hammocks they had down there. Amazingly enough, it was right next to Niya's.
"See you in the morning, yeah?" he said to Doe with a yawn, and then, he turned over and fell asleep himself.
As usual, the nightmares began almost immediately. To this day, he wasn't sure whether they were incredibly vivid nightmares, or his lost memories. The faces were always shadowed, the pain always felt real enough. It could honestly go either way. Niya always tried to escape them. Tried to make them less of a big deal, and for the most part, he was successful.
But during the nightmares, he was entirely at their mercy and completely trapped in the psychological prison--he only hoped Doe didn't have to deal with too many nightmares of his own ordeal, because, honestly, they were the worst part of any trauma because there was literally no way of escaping them forever.
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Post by Doeteain Ean Evariic on Aug 13, 2011 16:38:15 GMT -5
Doeteain didn't really remember the journey from the crow's nest to the sleeping quarters; the majority of his conscious was still asleep. So, it didn't take much for him to begin to drift back off to sleep.
An hour later, he began to feel uncomfortable. He tried to shift, sleepily, but he seemed to be tied into place. His brow furrowed, and sleepily, he tried to edge himself back into the cold corner of his cell, but he couldn't find his bearings. But he needed to get to the corner, because the king was coming. He could hear his boots...
The large, clammy hand wrapped around his throat, squeezing. Fighting to breathe, Doeteain clawed at it, but it was useless as always. Suddenly, he was being submerged in water. The fluid invaded his nose and mouth, burning, creeping into his lungs...
Doe woke abruptly, coughing, to find himself in an unfamiliar room, held in the air by an unfamiliar contraption. Flailing, he tried to climb out of the strange device... only to upturn it and smack straight into the hardwood floor.
Whimpering, Doe pushed himself to his hands and knees. Where was he...? His eyes scanned the dark room until they landed on a familiar body. Niya. That was right-- Niya had rescued him. Doeteain stood, his legs shaky, and slowly walked over to him. Doe didn't have much experience with emotions or feelings, but he knew the expression Niya wore well; he was in pain.
Doe lifted his hand to brush away Niya's hair, his fingers lingering on the boy's cheek. He didn't want Niya to be in pain, but what could he do? He was just as afraid of his dreams as Niya was. Sighing, he dropped his hand. Hopefully he'd learn how to repay Niya one day.
Tonight, he just lowered himself to the floor and curled up next to Niya, trying to find the peace to sleep again.
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Post by Maelyn on Aug 14, 2011 12:55:01 GMT -5
It was dawn. The orange sun was rising over the horizon, illuminating the coastline. This may as well have marked their halfway point, for the journey was still ahead of them. After all, not all kingdoms were seaside. Vysvada was one of Maelyn's few allies, especially considering elven kingdoms. Of course, Vysvada also had a noble family who didn't despise outsiders, although the same could not be said of the kingdom as a whole. Nonetheless, Maelyn had forged a friendly relationship with one of the noble sons, Condir, and she knew that he at least would welcome them. If not for the sake of their friendship, for the fact that they now had a pretty Evariic boy amongst their ranks.
As they pulled close, Maelyn dropped the anchor as the first mate shouted out directions. While he was commanding the crew that was awake, she slipped into the sleeping quarters.
"Up, sleeping beauty!" she shouted, upturning one of the hammocks and sending a burly man sprawling to the floor. The older crew members began to stir, hopping out of their makeshift beds, and a boy on the floor rubbed his eyes, looking dazed. "Come on, I don't have time to wait. Vysvada's a long walk from shore, and we will arrive before night falls. It's up to you whether you fancy a stroll or a sprint."
Having said her piece, Maelyn turned and began walking out, but then she paused at the doorway.
"And would someone please clothe the new kid?" she said, her tone erasing any idea that may have formed that the sentence was a request. Many of the elves at Vysvada would recognize the mark of an Evariic on sight, and she had a feeling the boy didn't want that sort of attention.
Maelyn didn't wait for many of the crew to be ready to go before she hopped in a rowboat, accompanied by Eric and a woman with broad palms and broader shoulders. The two chatted amiably the whole way to shore, but Maelyn was silent. It had been a few years since she'd come to Vysvada, and she had to hope that she hadn't made an enemy of them without knowing.
At last, they pulled to shore, and Maelyn climbed out, leaving Eric to drag the boat away from the waters. She tapped her fingers on her arm impatiently, waiting for the others. By the time one more rowboat had reached them, she'd had enough waiting.
"They'll catch up," she muttered, turning on her heel and marching off into the forest ahead.
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Niya
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Post by Niya on Aug 14, 2011 13:25:28 GMT -5
The nightmares, as always, had lasted all night long, Niya completely unable to force himself to wake up to save his life. There had been a very brief moment, though, when he'd felt something soft against his cheek and the nightmares were chased away for a short period.
He'd only just found his way into a deeper sleep, however, when Maelyn came down into the sleeping quarters, overturning several people in their hammocks to wake them up. Niya had shot awake and stumbled out of bed, nearly stepping on Doe in the process. When had he gotten down there?
He rubbed at his eyes, Doe doing the same, as Mae came over to address them. "Come on, I don't have time to wait. Vysvada's a long walk from shore, and we will arrive before night falls. It's up to you whether you fancy a stroll or a sprint."
"Yes Cap'N," Niya murmured sleepily with a yawn, which he tried to cover up with his hand.
"And would someone please clothe the new kid?"
Niya nodded. He could do that. He quickly moved over to his chest as she swept out of the room and up onto the deck. He grabbed the least ridiculous clothes he'd found and made sure to grab a cloak as well, so that Doe wouldn't be cold. "Here," he told the other with a soft smile. "Put those on. We have to hurry. Mae waits for no-one, and I don't think you fancy a sprint?"
As Doe got dressed, Niya ran a hand through his messy blonde hair. Vysvada, huh? He couldn't remember the last time he'd been there. Had he been there? He didn't know. Still, he wanted to make a good impression. He grabbed a few more articles of clothing and a cloak for himself as well, and then, once both of them were dressed, he lead Doe up on deck and into one of the little rowboats.
They arrived on shore just as Mae gave up waiting and started walking. Niya quickly dragged the boat onto the land, ignoring the sharp protest of his aching shoulder, and then helped Doe out of the boat. He jogged to catch up to Mae so that they wouldn't be left behind, careful not to let Doe get too far behind.
"Have you ever met an elf, Doe?" Niya asked as they walked, making small-talk.
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Post by Doeteain Ean Evariic on Aug 14, 2011 14:10:14 GMT -5
Doeteain was barely awake when Niya began handing him clothes. He was still struggling to come to terms with the events of the past twenty-four hours, and the best way his brain could think to handle that seemed to be crashing for a few hours more until it all made sense. Unfortunately, it was becoming clear that wasn't much of an option.
"Here," Niya said, smiling softly. "Put those on. We have to hurry. Mae waits for no-one, and I don't think you fancy a sprint?"
Shaking his head, Doe began pulling on the various items of clothing he'd been handed. They were a little baggy, but they were comfortable, and he rather liked the cloak. Still, once he and Niya had stepped outside into the sun, he began to feel uncomfortably warm, although it was only dawn. He really didn't think he'd last very long with this coat on.
As they climbed into a boat, Doeteain felt his heart find a home back in his throat somewhere, and he fisted the cloak while he tried to swallow the lump. He hated this so much.
Luckily, Niya didn't even make him trudge through the shallow water, and he helped him out of the boat even once it was pulled onto the shore. Doe shot him a grateful smile, but it didn't last long; they had to jog to catch up to the captain, and that took most of the energy Doe had.
"Have you ever met an elf, Doe?"
Doeteain shook his head. He'd seen one from afar, once, before the prince had fallen ill. The man had been beautiful; Doe remembered being scolded by one of the maids for staring. He wondered if they were all beautiful.
"Is that where we're going?" Doe asked. "To see elves?"
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