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31_days2006-10-04 11:58 pm
swollenfoot.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2006-10-04 11:58 pm
[October 4] [original] travails alee
[October 4] [original] travails alee
Title: travails alee
Day/Theme: October 4 / wherever this may find you
Series: original (pre-Halcyon’s Mandate)
Character/Pairing: Andromache
Rating: G
Word Count: 400
A plain girl sat at the secluded beach, cheerfully mending fishing nets. Like a barnacle, she had attached herself to the rocky, windy spot. Employing various activities, it was where she let the hours pass, content with the serene movements around her that replaced the sporadic bursts of activity in the bakery. Already, a healthy tan bestowed on her the glow of the freshly baked buns she helped prepare each morning.
Beside her was a much younger boy, a ten year-old who had been a mere babe when she had been ten years old. Though she had missed most of his years growing up, her cousin had taken to her the moment she set foot on the quaint sea-side village and was usually her constant companion in those lazy summer days.
“Andromache,” he said, straightening the minute details of his toy boat. “Tell me about the land beyond yonder sea. What sort of creature broods at the edge of this blue immensity?”
The boy Lathe was the fourth son of the island’s governor. His speech pattern suffered from certain peculiarities that never failed to make her smile, for his precociousness—as well, the extent of his vocabulary!— reminded her of a someone, his ghost from a long time ago.
“Andromache!” The voice became more persistent. “Should this vessel be set, should it be bound by enchantments of the immutable to endure the tempest of the ocean, would it reach the castle at the end of the world?”
She smiled secretively. “Perhaps.”
“Then tell me of the creature slated to welcome my beloved plaything! Who do you run from?”
“What makes you think I am running from someone?”
“Do not dillydally. I asked first.”
“Well, he doesn’t exactly brood,” she said after a moment’s reflection. “He’s too clear-sighted for that. Much too reasonable and efficient.”
The boy frowned thoughtfully. “And his choice of action?”
“He would trace it straight back to us.”
“You shall be recaptured then, by this powerful creature.” Lathe bit his lower lip, his suddenly withdrawn eyes matching the blue in hers. “That must not come to pass.”
She laughed and touched a hand to his cheek. “Ah, cousin, the problem is that I haven’t entirely escaped his clutches. And anyway, he doesn’t really care.”
Lathe gazed at her oddly for a few moments. Wordlessly, he approached the lapping water and relinquished the boat to the travails of sea.
-23:49
Title: travails alee
Day/Theme: October 4 / wherever this may find you
Series: original (pre-Halcyon’s Mandate)
Character/Pairing: Andromache
Rating: G
Word Count: 400
A plain girl sat at the secluded beach, cheerfully mending fishing nets. Like a barnacle, she had attached herself to the rocky, windy spot. Employing various activities, it was where she let the hours pass, content with the serene movements around her that replaced the sporadic bursts of activity in the bakery. Already, a healthy tan bestowed on her the glow of the freshly baked buns she helped prepare each morning.
Beside her was a much younger boy, a ten year-old who had been a mere babe when she had been ten years old. Though she had missed most of his years growing up, her cousin had taken to her the moment she set foot on the quaint sea-side village and was usually her constant companion in those lazy summer days.
“Andromache,” he said, straightening the minute details of his toy boat. “Tell me about the land beyond yonder sea. What sort of creature broods at the edge of this blue immensity?”
The boy Lathe was the fourth son of the island’s governor. His speech pattern suffered from certain peculiarities that never failed to make her smile, for his precociousness—as well, the extent of his vocabulary!— reminded her of a someone, his ghost from a long time ago.
“Andromache!” The voice became more persistent. “Should this vessel be set, should it be bound by enchantments of the immutable to endure the tempest of the ocean, would it reach the castle at the end of the world?”
She smiled secretively. “Perhaps.”
“Then tell me of the creature slated to welcome my beloved plaything! Who do you run from?”
“What makes you think I am running from someone?”
“Do not dillydally. I asked first.”
“Well, he doesn’t exactly brood,” she said after a moment’s reflection. “He’s too clear-sighted for that. Much too reasonable and efficient.”
The boy frowned thoughtfully. “And his choice of action?”
“He would trace it straight back to us.”
“You shall be recaptured then, by this powerful creature.” Lathe bit his lower lip, his suddenly withdrawn eyes matching the blue in hers. “That must not come to pass.”
She laughed and touched a hand to his cheek. “Ah, cousin, the problem is that I haven’t entirely escaped his clutches. And anyway, he doesn’t really care.”
Lathe gazed at her oddly for a few moments. Wordlessly, he approached the lapping water and relinquished the boat to the travails of sea.
-23:49