[Sweetsong] Breathing Space.

[Vega]

Breathing Space

"That's real good, Ipi," Vega said, looking down at the piece of writing Joy had done. "Let me have a look, properly, alright?"

Vega slowly, carefully read the words that

Joy

had written, a story about a child who went on an adventure with her father. It was always a slow and difficult process, for Vega, reading anything. She had not been able to read, after all, until she was an adult - Arlo had taught her - and the letters just refused to stay still.

"Mama?" Joy said and Vega lifted her gaze.

They were sitting together, inside their family tent in the living area. Joy had one of those looks on her face which told Vega that she was very serious. "What is it, Ipi?" Vega asked. Joy frowned and thought about her words. There was something on her mind, Vega knew. She also knew that Joy would say it when she was ready. Vega didn't push, didn't ask; it wouldn't do any good and Vega had learned, somewhere along the line, that the best way to be a mother was to be what her daughter needed her to be. Even when that meant being entirely unlike herself.

What always amazed Vega was just how easy it was. Not because it was easy but because the children needed it. She didn't have to think about being patient, waiting to see what the questions were; she instinctively knew what it was they needed from her - but it was more than that, knowing what it was that they needed meant that Vega simply slipped into the role. Being a mother was all-encompassing and she loved every minute. Even the hard ones.

"I'm sorry, Mama," Joy said, and Vega's eyebrow shot up. "Schnizzle my snoot, Ipi, I didn't expect that. What are you sorry for?"

Joy thought about it for a moment and then spoke in a rush. "I asked you to read the story an' I know that you don't like reading, and I'm sorry."

Vega knew that fundamentally that wasn't what Joy was speaking about - that it was a mechanism. Yet it was a vehicle for Joy to speak and so Vega was happy to allow it to continue. "Well, that's not right, Ipi. I love readin' things what you've written." Vega's eyes were entirely on her daughter. "I find it frustratin' that I'm slow, but I love readin' your words."

Joy frowned. "It's Conlan's birth-trial tomorrow, Mama. What are we doing for it?" It seemed to be a bit of a segue, but Vega was seeing a pattern.

"Well, Papa has some ideas, I think. Is there somethin' that you want to do?"

"The story's for him," Joy said and Vega smiled. "Mama, I don't want you to leave," she suddenly blurted out and Vega breathed in. There it was. "Do you promise you'll never leave me?"

Vega shook her head. "I can't promise that, Ipi. But I can promise you what Papa can promise you," Joy looked at her and frowned, but she didn't ask. "I can promise you that I will never want to be apart from you, an' if it's in my power to be, then I'll be here with you."

[Arlo Creede]

24th Vhalar, 723

Arlo had been back for some time. Back from...wherever he'd been for so long that he really ought to be able to remember, so far as the who, where, what and why. Ordinarily there was nothing at all wrong with his memory, or his ability to remember even the most minute of details. It played into the art of storytelling after all, being able to access and select snippets of memory, sensations and various other whatnots, sometimes with titles or place names changed in the interest of weaving a good tale, and then slapping them all together in an entertaining way.

And yet none of it had really come back to him. Not how or why he'd gone, or much of anything at all between then and the moment that he fully came into himself again. Just fleeting images in dreams and so on, and that was just about all there was. He'd come to accept that at this point, he might never fully remember. If he could, then all the better to avoid it happening again. Not all things could be controlled that way, and so he'd been left to slide back into Vega's and his family's lives, and work at not feeling a bit awkward as he occasionally floundered about.

So many children, when at the moment he'd been swept away, it wasn't the case. Of course he loved them all just as any father would. Each and every one of them. They were his children just as they were Vega's. Still, it was a bit overwhelming at times when they were all in one place, all at the very same moment. So when he strolled into the tent after having been out for a hike in the woods with his father, his mortal father that was, it was only Vega and Joy that he found there inside.

He hadn't so much heard what they were saying, but nonetheless as he paused in the opening of the tent, he grinned at the sight of them sitting side by side, foreheads close together as if they were simply girls telling secrets. "And what are you two ladies conspiring about?" he teased, and winked at Vega while strolling inside. "Can just anyone join in or should I start over, go back out and knock first?"

[Vega]

Breathing Space

When Arlo's voice spoke from the doorway, Vega looked up and her smile spoke volumes.

So, too, did Joy's. Joy saw who it was and she stood and ran over to hug Arlo. "You can always come in!" she said. Her smile was much more ready than it had been, but there was a question or concern in her gaze between the two of them. However, for reasons which suited her, she took Arlo's hand and led him to sit down next to Vega. Vega raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything - she was happy to sit with him, of course, but it was a rare sight to see Arlo being led anywhere by anyone. Fatherhood, she supposed, had a strange impact.

"Where are you both going?" Joy asked and Vega gave a slight smile.

"What do you mean, Ipi?" Vega asked. She didn't deny that they might be going somewhere - because they might. But she was intrigued as to how Joy knew. "What have you been lookin' at that makes you think that?"

"Mama has maps an' things and they've been written on by the Pirate King."

"Dianav,?" Vega said, deliberately using his proper name, "He's done some translatin' of the maps we found on the ship we salvaged from the attack. You know he's not a pirate, don't you, Ipa, an' that he an' his people, they came here to save us."

Joy considered it and then nodded. "But we didn't need saving," she said thoughtfully. "Because we all worked together and we were all safe in Chest while you and Sir Chip and Jasper fought them off." Vega nodded. "Well, that's mostly righ'. They were pretty much beaten the minute they got here, because we've got strong defences, see. They underestimated us, an' that's a bad thing to do." Joy nodded and grinned. "I heard Uncle Huw say that you kicked their hides," she said. Vega rolled her eyes. "Did you hear that? Well, Uncle Huw is always sayin' daft stuff. Remember when he told you that your hair had turned green?" Joy nodded and wrinkled her nose.

"I don't know what we're goin' to do about these maps, Ipi. That's somethin' for your Da an' I to discuss. But we won't go anywhere without tellin' you, an' we won't go anywhere unless we're sure you're safe here. An' if there's ever anythin' wrong, we can come back in the click of our heels anyhow," Vega pointed to her feet which were currently not wearing anything, and clicked her heels together.

It seemed that this satisfied Joy and she sat, leaning against Arlo as Vega turned her attention to him. "She's right. Those maps what we got from the Slaver's ship? Dianav has translated 'em for us." She gestured to where DIanav's ship was moored and she grinned at her husband "It isn't entirely clear all of it, an' we need to try an' understan' what this code is that he's usin' - or maybe there's more than one code. But it's supply lines an' stuff like that an' I'm figurin' that whoever organised them folks what attacked, they migh' be here." Looking at Arlo she gave a grin, her expression one which he knew of old. She was itching to get out and find out.

"What say we go see him, in his tent, an' see what he's got to say? "

Joy looked up "I'll go get him, if you like?" Vega nodded. "That'd be righ' helpful, Ipi. Would you?"

Nodding, Joy turned and ran out of the tent, allowing Vega and Arlo a few moments to discuss. "What cha thinkin'? I'm reckonin' there's things to find out, an' if we can find out who's behind those attacks, that would be a good thing." They had time to chat before they heard the sound of Joy chattering to him as they approached.

The former Pirate King, a grizzled figure known by the shadows of his past exploits, entered the presence of Vega and Arlo, nodding his head to them both and speaking his greeting before laying out a collection of weathered maps on the table. "This is all I've got. Butcher amassed a fortune for a reason, and we've got only half the maps to get us started."

Despite his retired status, the once-scourge of the Scalvarisian Seas exuded a rough charisma, still harbouring an undeniable love for the sea. Restlessness seemed to emanate from him, as if the very ground beneath his feet irked his skin, and the allure of the open water tugged at him relentlessly. Though he attempted to conceal it, excitement flickered in his eyes. Venturing back to the sea, following another's lead—something he hadn't done since youth. Then again, perhaps the tides were leaving him behind?

As the trio considered the maps before them, the Pirate King couldn't suppress a wry grin. "Butcher's riches are scattered across the Scalvoris Seas. The man was no common cutthroat; he hid his spoils well. These maps give us a start, but don't think it'll be an easy voyage." Nostalgia and anticipation danced in the old pirate's eyes as he shared the tales of Butcher's treasure. Vega, for her part, looked at Arlo and she raised an eyebrow. "It's been a while since we've been on the seas for any length of time. Whatcha think?"

maps info here
Tracker (with the prompt for the Pirate King's words).

[Arlo Creede]

Becoming a father might cause any number of changes in a man to occur. But being a father to girls in particular caused the most perplexing changes of all. Arlo simply opted not to question it, or Joy's reasons for leading him across the floor to seat him there beside Vega. Child or no, a woman's reasons for doing and thinking were as inscrutable to him, be she young girl or fully grown. He had his suspicions though. He'd been gone quite a while, and Vega left on her own with the children. It would be understandable for any of them to worry about one leaving home without the other again.

"Are we going somewhere?" he asked, when Joy asked the same of her mother. He smiled, happy to be seated between the two of them and he took Vega's hand in his own, while his opposite arm rested round Joy's small shoulders. "Maps, and pirates. I see," he said then. "I do like maps, that's for sure. And some pirates, but only the good ones." Clarity for clarity sake, after all, considering that the fairly recent attacks hadn't been brought on by any do gooders of the sea. "Dianav does sound like a very good man," he added, glancing at Joy when Vega corrected her about the man's current status.

"She's right. If ever we decide to go anywhere, you and your siblings will be the first to know, and we'll always do our best to come back just as quick as we can." While she ran off to fetch the former pirate back, Arlo considered things a bit. "Better to find out who's behind it I guess, than remain ignorant of it, giving them the chance to strike again." They weren't alone long, and when the former pirate king stepped in, it struck Arlo that if there was ever the perfect picture of a hard life set on the sea, this man was it. But one who'd probably loved it as well. The sea probably called to him, much like the deepest forest paths or rarely traveled dusty roads did to Arlo.

Of course he really did have a fondness for maps of all kinds, so he curiously looked over them while Dianav filled them in on the details. When Vega asked, he smiled and nodded. "Well I do love a good treasure map, you know," he teased. "And a challenge. It's been a while since we've done any sailing. I say we do it so I can brush up on my navigation skills again. Will you be accompanying us?" he asked the man curiously.

[Vega]

Breathing Space

Vega wasn't sure that one could say that Dianav was a good man, entirely. Certainly not throughout his life, but he was certainly someone who might be a good man now. Probably.

"Aye," Vega said, once Joy had run out and Arlo talked about the possibilities of following these maps. "Might also lead us somewhere quite different. I've always fancied some buried treasure, I gotta say." She met his gaze and considered that some time together, travelling on the high seas, would be very good for them. Back to basics, for them, was flinging around on the water and living the way they liked to live.

Dianav came in then and they spoke. "Yes, I'll be there," he said, nodding slightly. "If you want. Though, my men are here, and I don't want my crew to be abandoned." Vega nodded her understanding. "It's still early days isn't it? If you wanna stay, we can stay in touch." He considered it quietly.

He leaned forward and he made a few points of navigation for them. Things like, "There's rapids and whirlpools here, " he pointed at one place, "an' there's rumours that this area has a creature that lives deep underwater an' attacks at night." It was useful and interesting and Vega felt a swirl of excitement. Looking at Arlo, she considered the practicalities.

"I reckon, we can get goin' in a few trials, maybe a ten-trial at the latest." She wondered what he thought and she looked between the two men. "We need to make sure that Sweetsong is safe, an' I don't want to go too far in takin' people away from here. What if jus' the two of us an' a basic crew went, Arlo?" They were more than capable after all and Vega pointed out what she was sure they both knew. "Anythin' else is jus' goin' to slow us down, after all." It was true.

Glancing at the tent flap, Vega gave a brief sigh. "Remember when decidin' to go do somethin' meant that was that, an' we didn'thave to plan?" She sounded wistful, but she wouldn't change her life. "An' come to that, we wouldn't need to arrange child care or make sure that the settlement is looked after or nothin'. Those were the trials, eh?". But, that being said, they were where they were and so, she pulled over a piece of parchment and solemnly handed it to Arlo.

"You write better than me," it was true, he did. "Time we made a list, Creede."

maps info here
Tracker (with the prompt for the Pirate King's words).

[Vega]

Breathing Space

Except, of course, when it came down to it, - when it was time to go, he wasn't there.

"You sure about this?" Vega said to

Huw

and

Fi

. Fi gave her a lopsided grin and Huw rewarded her question with an impassive and obviously unimpressed glance.

"We're sure" Hugh said and Vega nodded. "Righteo. Not askin' again."

They were on The Wanderlust Vega and Arlo's ship. There were memories here, many of them not easy ones, but Vega didn't regret any of them.

"Jus' in case we need to know, " Vega said, "I'm packing for bear. So, I've got all my usual magic stuff. I'm not takin' the Flag o' Flibb'erty, though, because that's Sweetsongs' but everythin' else, I'm takin'. I've signed us out an' I reckon that we'll be a ten-trial, two o'them at the most. Noodle is goin' to stay behind in Sweetsong, so's I can communicate with him an' that means that I know what's goin' on."

Huw nodded. "Where are we going?" It seemed a pertinent question. She'd been rather reluctant to explain. Vega grinned.

"Here," she said, pointing to an area on one of the maps. "It's north of here so we're goin' to be cold. But looks, see?" Huw looked and a smiled. "A star?" Vega nodded. "All the signs suggest that there's somethin' there, so that's where we're startin'.

And, that was what they did. They packed lots of provisions and made sure that they were well-equipped and then they made their way to the small star in the north.

[Vega]

Rewards Requested

Notes/Warnings: Abandoned thread but I made it work. Part of this

Thread: [Sweetsong] Breathing Space.
City/Area: Sweetwine Woods

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!	Message from: Fate
	Done!

[Fate]

Your Review

Vega

Hello Vega. I have missed reading Vega’s stuff. Vega’s interaction with Joy was wonderful. I could sense Vega struggle as she read, but could feel her love and concern for her family. It is a pity the thread was abandoned. I was surprised it was a treasure hunt thread, and looking forward to seeing what she finds. Thank you for the Read. Fate.

• Renown: 5
• XP: 15
• Knowledges:
  • Caregiving: Being a parent means being almost impossibly patient
  • Navigation: Using old maps develops a broader understanding of navigating by map

Arlo Creede

Hello Arlo. I am sad that this thread didn’t finish. I hope you come back. I was enjoying reading as he continued to get used to his new life. Thank you for the Read. Fate

• XP: 15

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this review - drop me a PM.