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 Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:18 pm
The morning mist hung heavily over the ocean this particular day. All anyone on the crew could see where the vague outline of buildings as they were docked thankfully in a southern Belrea port with the mountains on the inland horizon acting as looming giants beyond the city streets. It was eerie, that much was certain, and even Chrys didn’t know quite how to feel as she leaned over the railings of the Misty Maiden and tried to find any sign of life along the docks. “I hate this.” She murmured, a sigh leaving her lips as she looked out over the city. Her statement though was a mixture of things, not necessarily focused on the fog but more so on the emptiness the quiet city reminded her of within her own life. She had never been prepared to become a mother, but she tried to be good to the little ones before time decided to slip past and turn them into young adults. Now things were even more complicated and while one child locked himself away in his studies as a cartographer, the other one had gone to explore the world on their own like Chrysanthe had done once long ago. Perhaps it is just ironic that they would pick a similar path. Was this how her own family felt when she left as she had? Maybe it was her fault then. She had brought this karma to their family without warning Ephrym of her own past and how she had run away from home, Chrysanthe not willing to face the guilt that her very presence brought as the child of an affair.
[Chrysanthe 1]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:18 pm
As the captain of a fairly successful merchant vessel Ephrym found himself constantly tied up with negotiations, inventory and running his crew. It was work that kept him busy and even more so lately now that his children were grown up and gaining their own experiences. The thought made him frown though because as much as he wasn’t prepared to be a father when Chrys was pregnant all those years ago, the man did adore his children and felt the loss of one strongly. It wasn’t as if Endellion was never returning, there simply had been an incident which infuriated him to no ends to recall and then his child had decided to venture out on their own to figure out the world. While Ephrym was alright with them gaining experience, the ship they had chosen was not one that many were fond of and so he had sent out some notices to find any news of that crew. It had already been several months since Endellion left them, Ephrym still chasing any news over the seas while also finding his hands tied when they had to go to Kahi to continue with planned expeditions and trades, and now that they were finally back on Belrean soil he hoped to make the most of the time here to find out whatever he could. Most of his worry was over Chrysanthe, the sniper seemingly more shocked over their child’s decision than any had expected. She had not been cold towards their children, but she was often fond of allowing them their own independence and Ephrym was surprised to see how her mood had dropped so much over the past few months. It didn’t even surprise him to wake up to a cold bed, his partner already going out to the upper decks, and after taking a moment to rub a hand down his face in distress the hybrid had grabbed a shawl to carry with him as he left the captain’s quarters to investigate. And there she was, leaning over the railing as if looking into the morning mist to bring back their child. Dammit. Ephrym’s frustrated expression softened as he felt sorry for her, the captain simply draping the shawl over Chrysanthe’s shoulders and standing quietly next to her instead of talking.
[Ephrym 1]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:18 pm
Ah. Chrysanthe blinked as she felt a sudden warmth around her shoulders. She hadn’t even realized how cold she had been while waiting out here on the upper decks. “Thanks.” She murmured quietly without looking towards Ephrym. She should have known he would have found her out here, even as busy as he was the man still always kept an eye out for her. If only they had learned to keep an eye on their family before this. The thought made her scoff. Too late now. “Is the port closed? It seems a bit too quiet.”
[Chrysanthe 2]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:18 pm
The scoff made his emerald gaze narrow, Ephrym crossing his arms as he looked over the city to check out what Chrysanthe was seeing. “It’s not.” He reassured her after a moment. “It’s just too early in the morning and there’s festivities later. We came in time for the harvest season.” It was a perfect time to trade when they could take their Kahi goods and swap them out for Belrean crops to take overseas for Matori and Oban rarities like pearls and silks. The cycle would continue in a similar way with Ephrym tucking more and more coins into his pocket for the ship and crew each trip. Sometimes they would take guests with them along their voyage and while some lingered for longer than expected on the ship, others would take their trip and leave them with coins for their passage before departing. “Imani is going with Emiyn to handle trades for the day, they wanted to push us out to explore the market. Do you feel up to that?”
[Ephrym 2]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:18 pm
“I suppose.” Chrysanthe gave a slight shrug even as she kept the shawl tightly around her shoulders. “Are you sure you have time for that? I know things are busy right now.” Between trying to find news and running the ship and trades…well, it was a lot. At least she had learned how to help balance ledgers and inventory over the years since it wasn’t as if she could only sit around and wait to shoot at any potential threats. Not that she hadn’t raised her crossbow over the years either, sometimes though it would be peaceful for weeks instead of them fighting and dodging pirates daily. Though now she kind of wished for that. If she could find a certain vessel then she wouldn’t hesitate to go over to fight. There would be no shots run across the bow for that ship, they deserved no such courtesy before being attacked.
[Chrysanthe 3]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:18 pm
“I made time.” Ephrym reassured Chrysanthe with a small smile. “We can’t just mope around on deck and hide in our papers all day, right? It’ll be good for Imani to get out of the cabin too.” Their son was even worse than Chrys at times, the young cartographer just diving into studies and sometimes not talking to others for days. It was even more worrisome than Ronan’s explosive personality with the first mate’s children also adapting to the loss of their comrade over the past few months. At least Mako had expressed more interest in merchant tactics, something that helped to balance out his brother’s more physical focuses.
[Ephrym 3]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
Chrysanthe surveyed the docks one more time before finally turning towards Ephrym. Her short hair was a bit of a mess, the seawinds tossing and curling the strands where they weren’t tucked back in short braids this time, and there were shadows under her eyes but she was still standing tall despite the obvious weariness. Even if she was inches shorter than him with a more petite frame there was an edge there that promised pain if anyone tried to take any advantage of her. At least that was how she tried to continue portraying herself despite the restless nights and exhaustion that haunted her as of late. It was hard not to rely on him, Chrysanthe tossing and turning at night until Ephrym held onto her and she finally caught a bit of sleep right before dawn, and even now she couldn’t help twisting the threaded edges of the shawl with her fingers for comfort. “How can I say no when you made time for me?” She replied quietly. “I just hope there’s actually a festival waiting for us once this fog clears.”
[Chrysanthe 4]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
Worry crossed his features but Ephrym stayed still as Chrysanthe looked at him. If he reached out for her now then there could be a chance that both of them would collapse on the deck or she would chase him away, neither scenario something that the captain wanted his crew to see. “There will be.” He promised before gesturing towards the ramp that others had left down while they were docked in a secured port. Ephrym was certain a few of the crew had probably visited some tavern last night and stumbled in completely wasted while they were able to take advantage of being docked for a few days. It was something he would chastise them for later, but at least a couple of his sailors were actually in the crow’s nest to keep an eye on things. They were the ones that Ephrym gave a small wave towards, the hybrid tipping his plumed hat in their direction as he guided Chrysanthe along.
[Ephrym 4]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
“You look a lot more presentable than me.” Commented Chrysanthe as she nodded towards waking members of the crew, some of them obviously hung over as they tried to start on their morning routines of cleaning the ship and preparing to move cargo. “Though I could be worse.” She added, shaking her head as one Geian sailor nearly stumbled over his own feet and over the railing. If he tumbled? Well, then that would be a good wake up call for him that the others would tease him for later. “Is Jaques always trying to test fate?” She asked Ephrym as they started down the ramp, the sniper looking behind her one more time before the wobbling Geian disappeared behind some crates.
[Chrysanthe 5]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
“I was hoping to stop by the tailor in town, to maybe freshen up our closets and we can visit the connected salon there.” It was a place he had taken to over the years, Ephrym giving the local seamstress and her tailor husband plenty of business as he got his family’s attire there whenever they were in Belrea. The salon next to it was run by their daughter, the girl helping fix up ladies in the latest fashion with makeup and hair. It was a perfect idea for those who came in for a dress and wanted to look their best while parading it about the city. “Grab some pastries from a cafe that I like, get fancied up and then explore the festival. Sounds like a good day to me.” He was trying, Ephrym wanting to present a relaxed attitude and enjoy a day despite the tensions that lingered over their family as they worried about their child. But what could worrying themselves to death do for Endellion? They would just have to keep looking and stay strong for whenever their child returned. They would return one day, Ephrym had faith in it though he hoped the experience would not completely damage their child and strengthen them instead.
[Ephrym 5]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
Chrysanthe stopped walking, the hybrid turning to look at Ephrym as soon as her boots touched the worn wooden boards of the docks. “This was not something that they simply pushed you to do, is it?” She questioned, thinking about how planned out the whole day was. “Ephrym…” He was so busy and stressed as well! Was this really a good idea to spend time just dallying about when they had so much on their plates? And if it was only for her sake then she would be even more irritated. Chrysanthe hated getting pampered, and despite being as stressed and worn as she was the woman still had her pride and hated bothering others.
[Chrysanthe 6]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
Ephrym held up a hand, cutting off Chrysanthe’s protests. “It’s for me too.” He reassured her with a smile. “I needed some fresh air and I like having your company. How could I not want the loveliest woman in my life to walk around a city with me for a day?” He tilted his head, looking her up and down as he tried to push past his own concerns and focus on something good for once. “It saves us from both being nagged by the others as well. Emiyn was going to toss me into the ocean with a wind if I kept pacing yesterday, he’s had enough of my fluttering around for a lifetime. I don’t even want to think about what Yokka would do if her husband is already fed up with me, and he’s the patient one.”
[Ephrym 6]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
The golden hybrid chewed on her bottom lip as she listened to Ephrym. That man and his damned golden tongue. “Fine.” She started forward again, her boots loudly tapping against the ground as she walked alongside of Ephrym who rushed to catch up to her so that he could guide the way. “But this better be for you as well. I’m doing just fine and can manage on my own, you know.” She had to at least put the protest out there even though they both knew that no one was dealing with the changes well, more so once they found out a bit more from others who had seen a hybrid that fit their child’s description on one of the worst ships possible. Finding that cursed ship though? Nearly impossible.
[Chrysanthe 7]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
“Mmmhmm. You’re supporting me today.” Replied Ephrym, his gaze flickering with a hint of amusement as he pushed forward and started leading them again. “And this is the cafe.” The wooden boards of the dock had changed during their walk into stone pavement, the pattern of bricks swirling through the city and guiding them to a little two story store nestled up on a corner that smelled of fresh bread and coffee. It was painted in brighter colors, the warmth of the amber bricks and the painted windows giving a welcoming vibe as the pair walked up to the door that chimed as they opened it. Inside there was a long counter with a glass display full of freshly baked pastries and there was a small wooden board with written specials and drinks that they could order for the day. Other than that there were scattered chairs and tables that had decorated covers with autumn leaves and painted gourds on them. “What do you think? Cozy, right?”
[Ephrym 7]
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Posted: Sat Oct 05, 2024 3:19 pm
“It feels familiar.” Chrysanthe took in the decor and tilted her head thoughtfully. It was cozy and there was a warmth to the place that filled her chest with a feeling that she swore she had felt once before. Even the scents of the freshly baked bread made her think of her time at the bakery all those years ago, the very thought making her gaze wet as she looked around. “I suppose we should order.” She cleared her throat and blinked quickly to clear her gaze before going up towards the counter. “Two coffees, mine with extra milk and sugar, and croissants, chocolate and plain?” A chocolate one for her and a plain one for Ephrym since he didn’t have quite the same sweet tooth that Chrys had.
“Chocolate with some powdered sugar added? You still eatin’ those and stayin’ that tiny?” A warm voice surprised Chrysanthe and the hybrid found herself nearly jumping as she turned around. “Ah, yep. Ya look the same as you did nearly a decade ago.”
“Ty-Tyri?!” Chrysanthe’s voice wobbled as she looked at the Geian who had taken her in so long ago and taught her to bake. They had met a couple of times during the first few years when Chrysanthe could take the chance to visit once the babies were older, but sailing around the world made it harder to go inland as often so it had been quite a while since she had actually seen her beyond some letters here and there. “What are you doing here?”
“Workin’ obviously. Thought I would relocate to the southern area to settle here after selling the other bakery.” Tyri smirked before opening her arms for Chrysanthe to rush into. “The more important question is why didn’t you hug me right away?”
“Sorry! I’ll fix that right now.” Chrysanthe let out a laugh as she wrapped her arms around the larger woman and was nearly lifted off the floor by her. “It’s so good to see you!”
“It is, right? That charismatic b*****d over there happened upon the shop last time, right before he was leavin’ and wanted to send some letters.” Tyri squeezed Chrysanthe tightly one more time before gesturing towards the table. “The shop is going to be quiet for a bit, not many customers until the city actually wakes up but I wanted to open early for ya. Take a seat and I’ll bring out plenty of food and drink.”
“Thank you.” Chrysanthe took a step before turning back again. “Do you want help?”
“Nah, I’ve got it. You sit there with your boo and I’ll join in a few.”
“Alright.” Chrysanthe knew better than to argue with Tyri. When she wanted to be hospitable to visitors then she would do her best and would rather chase them out than make them lift a hand to help. So she simply glanced over at Ephrym, raised a brow and sat down so that he could join her at the table. “You really did this, didn’t you?”
[Chrysanthe 8]
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