On to Spain, On to Italy

[Alaya Seawitch]

Hours on end trying hard to keep the ship afloat we dragging on with no end. It was as if no one could rest even for a second, and it was true if you tried to rest then you would be knocked off your feet by a wave. There was so much damage just by the wind and the harsh waves that Alaya hoped that nothing else would happen. The ship couldn't take much more of it.

She heard the wood crack just in time to get out of the way of the mast as it fell. Just as it fell taking out part of the rail another wave hit knocking her down. She stood and tried to walk over to the rail to check on the damage to see that her lifeline was caught. She shook her head and cut the line. She looked out at the sea taking a deep breath. The storm needed to end.

Alaya looked over at the damage knowing that another large wave would be even worse. Holding her breath Alaya closed her eyes as concentrated on the sea. One of the things her people could do was control water and calm the sea if needed. She did inherit that ability even though it was not as good as the others and wouldn't be until she gained her tail. She could feel her heart meat match the flow of the waves, harsh and strong. Calming her heart beat she was able to calm the sea just a bit but it would be enough. The storm would be over soon and the worst was just about over.

[Titus Cortez]

Titus stared at the broken beam, half-deaf to everything around him for a few moments. He could feel the rock and tilt of the ship. Feel it sway and bow with the water. He could hear his own heart beating in his ears. He could feel the blood flowing through his veins. Everything slowed. For a moment, he wondered if this was what it felt like, just before a person dies. For a moment, he wondered if he was going to die.

But then it started to subside. He regained his footing, and began to help the other men try to turn the mast lengthwise to replace the gap in the rail. But it wouldn't budge, so they left it lie and ran off to other urgent things, leaving Titus alone again. He stared blankly, stupidly really, one hand with knuckles white around his sword at his belt, the other clinging to the quarter deck railing for support. He really didn't belong here.

[Alaya Seawitch]

She felt slightly lightheaded as she was interrupted from her trance by the shouting of the crew. She looked up to see that the dark sky was clearing slowly but the storm was over. She whispered thanks to the sea and wind for ending their attack earlier than planed. She took a deep breath as she walked over the aftermath of the storm. Her eyes landed on Titus. She was relieved that he survived.

There was one of the crew members making sure no one fell overboard during the storm. Those injured were sent bellow deck to be treated later when the damage was asset. She walked over to Titus without realizing how tiered she really was. She would go help those injured soon but first she needed to see how Titus was.

[Titus Cortez]

The relentless wind at last perished into what might now be considered a breeze, and the bubbling waves ended their clamor. He glanced up at Alaya as she came nearer, or Aaron, as he was now forced to call her. "I think I'll ride home from Spain." he said absentmindedly, though he doubted if he could. He might have to cross the ocean again to get home. Titus sighed and his face turned green, his body turned to the water and he gripped the railing. But he got a hold of himself and forced his stomach to settle. "You fared well, Alay... -Aaron." he mumbled. "Meet me in the crowsnest tonight."

[Alaya Seawitch]

There was a hint of concern on her face when she noticed how unstable Titus looked. Alaya nodded, "Tonight then" She was about to head off to help with the injured but she stopped for a moment. "By the way nice job with the storm for a land lover" She teased. She knew that the mood was tense on the ship and it would do everyone some good to lighten up a little. She was just thankful that the sea calmed down when it did, otherwise the damage would have been worse and the ship might not have made it.

[Titus Cortez]

He nodded, smiling a little when she called him a land lover. He heard her footsteps walking away from him as he looked down at the water again. But he couldn't hold it any longer, and lurched over the railing.

The day passed by in its humid time, in its humid heat, to its own humid pleasure. There were no more sightings of Titus above deck in those putrid hours. He prepared the dinner, as was his job, and spent the rest of the day alone and as far away from water as possible.

When night finally fell, he ate his meal and finally stepped out into the freshness of the dark. It was hard to believe that this sea was one and the same with the ocean of the afternoon. Stars were flung and scattered about the sky, the moon was curled on its single wire, and the waves were as sweet as the rolling hills of the farm back home. What a transformation.

Titus climbed the smaller mast (the main and larger of the two of course was to be repaired in Spain), into the crowsnest, and waited patiently.

[Alaya Seawitch]

The day dragged on as the crew did what they could to fix the ruined parts of the ship. They would have to wait for Spain to do any real repairs which meant there wasn't going to be much time for a break. She spent most of her time bellow deck tending to those who couldn't walk well or who were sick.

Night finally came a Alaya was quick to claim the night watch. No one would bother her and she would be aloud to sleep during the hottest part of the day tomorrow. She walked along the deck looking at the mess the sea created in such a short time. Taking in a deep breath she walked over to the mast.

She reached the crows nest with ease to see Titus already there. Seeker took is position as Alaya walked over to Titus with a soft smile.

[Titus Cortez]

"Hey, pretty girl." he greeted her, and smiled back as he moved to the side to allow her to come in. He reached into his pocket and offered the bird some bread, which he had saved from dinner. Then he sat down, as he always did in the crowsnest, and patted the space next to him for Alaya to do the same. "How would it be if I didn't return with this ship from Spain and Italy?" he asked.

[Alaya Seawitch]

She sat in silence for a moment thinking over his question. "Well in the end it is your choice. Personally I don't know how I would feel about it but as for everything else there wouldn't be anything wrong with it" She said in a whisper. She didn't want him to leave but if that was what he wanted then she wouldn't stop him.

[Titus Cortez]

Titus remained silent for a bit before he spoke again. "The sea isn't for me." he began. "I'm not myself when I'm out here. Understand me, Alaya, I am not a fearful man. And I don't like the feeling of being scared on these waters. I can't fight the ocean with a sword. I can't think straight in a storm. I don't even know what to do. I'm bored to death all the day, and the horizon never changes." He kicked the mast quietly with the toe of his boot. "But there is one very important reason why I even got on this ship in the first place."

[Alaya Seawitch]

Alaya looked over at him with a soft smile. She kissed him passionately. Her face flushed slighted when her lips touched his. She pulled away and looked him in the eye. "I understand and I wouldn't want to do anything that doesn't make you happy. You do what is best for you" She said with nothing but kindness in her voice.

[Titus Cortez]

He smiled beneath her kiss, and wrapped his arms around her. All his troubles seemed to leave him, and when she pulled away he reached for her hand. "But that's just the thing." he said, almost laughing. "You're best for me. And if I left then there'd be no more you." He broke eye contact with her briefly, and then restored it. "I haven't made any decisions yet, but I really want to know what you think."

[Alaya Seawitch]

She blushed when he spoke and held his hand tighter. She did not want him to leave but if he did there was nothing she could do. Well maybe there was but could she really do that? In her heart she knew that no matter how much she loved Titus she could not leave the sea. It was a curse truly for any Siren who fell for a human. "I can not tell you that if you leave i would not care, but I also do not want you to stay if you are not going to be happy" She said before resting her head on his chest.

[Titus Cortez]

"That's a very diplomatic answer." he said, forcing a smile. It wasn't the answer he was looking for. He wanted an answer with no 'but's'. Just something simple and straight forward. But she already gave it, so he was silent for a while, thinking it over in his head. It was as if his heart was being torn in two. He wanted so badly to get off this ship and never set foot on it again, no, he didn't even want to look at it. But on this ship there was his girl. And he cared for her. No, he loved her.

His mind wandered back to this morning, had it really only been this morning that he had still been trying to win her heart? When she had kissed him first? It seemed as if years had passed. The corners of his lips pulled into a small smile, as if he was thinking of something, and he just grazed his lips over her forehead as he tugged the bandanna from her hair. It wasn't really a kiss. It was gentler. And softer. And sweeter.

"What would it mean to you if I stayed on board?"

[Alaya Seawitch]

Her heart seemed to hum when he kissed her. She waited in silence for a bit enjoying the night air and the sound of the sea. How could she answer his question. She had mixed feelings about it. She wanted him there but not if he was not happy to be there. "You should stay on the land" She finally said. It was the first strait forward answer she gave that night. "I do not want you here not if you can not stand that ship. And I know you can't stand it here" She looked away from. It would hurt but she did not want him to feel like he did not belong.