Arrival
The sea is restless, a steely slate pricked with frothy white caps. Despite stark winds the sky is clear, crisp air filling the lungs of a teenage girl as she watches the horizon and uncertainty hangs in her eyes. Tia feels mirrored by the tumultuous sea, leaning against the railing at the bow of the ship and brooding more the further they sail. When letting out a sigh one might mistake she had grown weary of being at sea, hair thrashing past stormy eyes. Instead, Tia counted each day, tallying how far they sail from the life she knew. |
A man approaches her with a bright greeting prepared. Slate hair streaked by grey and the worn lines of his face express his middle age and he appears very average and unassuming. Tia severs his amiable attempt with a barbarous glare, pressing her lips into a uncompromising frown. The expression comes easily to her, far more dour than one might expect from such a gracile girl. Tia maintains this only briefly before dismissing him entirely, turning back to the sea. |
Still punishing you? a lilting voice welcomes Allen back as he retreats |
I doubt she plans to speak to me again! Allen jests with a wry smile, his response comically dramatic |
She will, in time Mina reassures him as laughter slips from her lips, a knowing expression settling into place |
As the ship cuts into a large wave, briney mist is splattered by the wind and washes over Tia. Mina catches the hint of a smile play on her daughter's lips despite her sour performance. Tia sneaks in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh scent, and her eyes close as another bout of mist and wind whip about her. |
I think, despite the changes Mina insists, turning back to her husband This will be good for her! |
She gives Allen's hand a squeeze before striding to Tia's side. Tia is silent, her eyes flitting to Mina only briefly. Tia has always struggled to remain cross with her mother for very long. Mina had a way of soothing those around her and could be surprisingly disarming. Tia believes it is her lissome beauty and adroit elegance, the girl possessing the utmost admiration for her mother. With almost idyllic beauty, Mina's porcelain complexion is pierced only by her cerulean eyes. |
While Tia inherited Mina's dainty features, framed by billowing snow-white hair and cut by eyes swirling with indigo and violet clouds, Tia feels these are awkward and gawky on her by comparison. She is also far more petite than her long-limbed mother but has never treated herself as delicately as she appears. Tia had tried to match her mother's feminine mannerisms for some time but never succeeded. She is far more wild, brash and straightforward than Mina and possesses a contrary, almost forlorn quality unusual for her age. Tia sighs as Mina glides to the railing, musing about their unfortunate differences.
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It's a beautiful day, isn't it? Mina questions, watching her daughter's face tighten with another frown |
Our home was beautiful. Tia gripes stubbornly |
I think you may be surprised Mina replies breathily Accia is diverse and cultural. Every day is going to bring you something new! |
Mina brushes matted alabaster locks out of her daughter's face but Tia swats her mother's fingers away, attempting to gather the brine-caked hair herself. |
You were so bored and frustrated, lonely even. Always sneaking off... Mina chuckles but Tia keeps her gaze planted firmly forward Coming home painted with mud—your father horrified you ruined the silks! |
Tia peeks at Mina's horrified expression and finds herself snickering at the memory. But her joy falls away quickly, fading like a shadow cast by a passing cloud. |
I just... Tia begins, her breath carrying aggravation I don't understand how we could leave now. At the worst possible time! I keep thinking about him. her voice begins to quiver I-I don't even know if he got out! He could've- h-he could be... |
Tia trails off, staring in the direction of her old home, her lungs expanded with a held breath as she struggles to acknowledge the worst possibility. |
Your secret friend? Mina questions carefully |
Neither Mina or Allen had met the mysterious figure but they avoided prying, happy she had finally acquired a companion. Tia's nod is barely perceptible but tears spill down her face. |
I'll never even know if he's okay...! Tia croaks. Mina slides an arm around her and Tia leans into the gesture despite her obstinance. |
I know, snowdrop Mina croons, rubbing Tia's shoulder, and a frown overtakes her face as she continues We all wish we could've stayed but with the state of things... She looses a sharp sigh A diplomat has no place in war. Your father has to return to his country—our country. |
"Our country" Tia mocks, growing disdainful as she shrugs off Mina's grip You barely talk about it most of my life and now, suddenly, it's "our country"? |
Your father didn't think we'd ever return to Accia... Mina reassures her |
She seems intent to keep speaking until her expression drops, her eyes drifting past Tia. Tia turns and sees for herself. The outline of land pierces the horizon in one long streak. Mina releases a drawn out sigh before meeting Tia's gaze, her lips pressed together. |
Anata! (Darling!) Mina calls without turning to look |
Tia's father pops his head up from behind a mess of crates and barrels. |
Dad! Tia exclaims, accusatory |
Mina gives them a fluttering laugh and gestures to the growing coastland. Allen steps forward, clapping a hand on each of their shoulders and staring out. Tia observes his mixed reaction, his home on the horizon after decades. It falls into a grimace in the end. |
Well... Allen breathes, bracing himself with a chest full of air We'd best get ready! |
 The ship slides along the coast and Tia watches as they sail parallel to sheer cliffs, depriving the land of sandy beaches for miles. Gulls dive into the sea, the jagged heights marked with their nests, and the ship maintains a cautious distance as the waves crash violently into this natural barrier. This continues on for some time until the coast finally breaks open. Atop the cliff's end is a stony, sun-bleached fort populated by soldiers in gleaming armor. It flies a flag unfamiliar to Tia—the flag of her homeland. Another fort on a mirrored cliff forms a pincer at the mouth of a vast bay. The two cliffs drop back until meeting sandy shores and a maze of docks, bridges and islands lay inside. The largest and closest island is cluttered by a sprawling city, taking up every available inch with different layers of architecture from various eras. The bay continues behind it, embracing a few smaller islands before the true coast hugs the water. Two massive bridges stretch between the first island and the mainland, north and south. The boat slows to a halt between the two forts.
Shadows flutter overhead and, at first, Tia believes gulls to be passing overhead until the shadows expand, rapidly swallowing up sunlight. Tia loses all breath as she turns her attention upward, backing away from the railing with faltering steps. People glide overhead, leathery wings the length of their bodies supporting them. They linger briefly before swooping onto the boat. Two men land in the ropes of the main mast while one woman steps onto the tip of the bow, her wingbeats causing Tia stumble further back. The woman searches their faces as she steps down and the captain is quick to rush forward, brushing past Tia to greet her while Tia continues to gawk, dumbfounded. The captain produces a handful of parchments and the soldier shuffles through them quickly. Tia glances to the men above, scanning the boat with their hands lingering on the hilts of their weapons. Their armor is strange to Tia, very unlike the ornate plates she was accustomed to. They eye Tia and her mother in their Yaxiyan silks with suspicious unfamiliarity. Allen, the only one of them in Eluzian clothing, steps just behind Tia and places a hand on her shoulder which she hadn't realized was gripped with tension. |
Ah! The woman exclaims, her eyes snagging on Allen We were expecting you much sooner! She waves one of the men waiting above and he swoops down immediately See that they are ready for his arrival! |
He salutes to her, a fist to his chest, and leaps off the railing to fly into town |
We'll escort you ourselves! the woman proclaims |
The captain calls out orders and the ship comes to life again. Tia squints at her father, confused but suspicious. |
Well, I might've told you more if we were speaking But I guess now it'll be a surprise! |
What- Tia begins but he holds up a hand to her |
You wont have to wait long! Allen assures her playfully before stepping to the bow I'll be right back |
Allen gives Tia another smile before approaching the winged woman. She gives him a small bow again and they begin to converse, her wings shrinking until they fade entirely. |
Mom? Tia calls and looks around |
Mina remains in the background, keeping to herself. She stares at the soldier remaining above, her eyes fixed just past him, dazed |
Ka-san?
(Mom?) Tia calls again. Mina startles before looking to Tia as she continues Do you know what dad's up to this time? |
Up to...? |
Daijoubu ka?
(Are you okay?) Tia questions, a bit concerned, but Mina musters a smile |
Hai, daijoubu. I'm fine...
(Yes, I'm okay.) Mina breathes, seeming dizzy I... I think I'll go get our things together! Mina splutters uncharacteristically before disappearing into the cabin |
Tia! Allen calls her over Come take a look at this! |
Tia follows after her father and he directs her attention into the water below. |
Deep down, far below the boat, an underwater city wavers below the surface. Tia squints, the wind-tossed water obscuring a clear view, but can make out the outlines of stone buildings assembled along the sandy floor and colorful aquatic plants hugging flagstone streets. She is even able to spot the silhouettes of people moving along and pointing up at their boat. Tia nearly leans over the railing at the sight of them and Allen has to pull her back.
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How...? Tia questions breathily, garnering barking laughter from Allen. |
The winged woman seems befuddled and maybe even suspicious of her awe. |
The people of the archipelago are very reserved with their magic. Allen offers a quick explanation to the woman before turning back to his daughter. You'll find Accians to be the polar opposite! |
Tia finds herself ogling the underwater inhabitants again. She had read stories about underwater cities and was aware of the kaithur which makes it possible -she has her own after all- but seeing the shadows of people actually hover below the surface in person was another experience entirely. As her father said, the people of Nippon consider their magic forms to be private—particularly among the elite. It was poor etiquette to show your form in public, vulgar even. Those of high rank or wealth rarely ever expose themselves in that way to anyone outside their own family. Tia couldn't help but marvel watching this underwater world flourish below her and feels a tinge of jealousy. They had a whole world of their own to experience! She wonders just how different their lives must be. Tia notices her father watching her with a grin and forces a frown. |
Noooo Allen teases in a drawn out tone broken up by laughter I caught that smile, you are enjoying yourself! Tia grumbles and retreats to the cabin to help her mother pack up but not before Allen gets in another laugh. He looks to the soldier and sighs before throwing up his hands Teenagers! |
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