Post by hawksandfeathers on Feb 11, 2013 2:14:39 GMT 10
Title: Not So Alone
Rating: G
Prompt: Tris/Cole
Summary: Even on a big, wide ship, Tris isn't so alone.
Word Count: 1409
Notes: I tried to make Cole snarky, but that part wasn't working out... He is a bit of an outsider, though. I hope you don't mind, Rachy! Enjoy!
The first few weeks as a guest on Duke Vedris's Navy ship, Jollity, had proved to be light entertainment. There were only masks to look at, and perfume to smell. Mages oppressed Tris at every turn, and the pastries plagued her with their tantalizing crispiness. She glared at them, willing herself to turn away. The only thing that kept her from bursting lightning every hour was books. But those days and long nights helped Tris realize that books were not a replacement for human company, no matter how much of a better alternative they seemed.
One night after dinner, as Tris tried unsuccessfully to conceal a stain on her dress, a man walked up to her and asked her for the next two dances. He approached her with a rather pained expression on her face, as though Tris was going to shout at him.
"So…" he asked almost inaudibly, "Do you want to dance?"
At first Tris just stared. And then before she could stop herself, she retorted, "I don't dance."
And all the men conveniently heard her.
That had been her first mistake. Her second was, in her eyes, to be her permanent downfall: her temper. One of Niko's friends, an extremely knowledgeable man who couldn't see past his own nose, had insulted her during dinner. Although it was unintentional, that was no excuse to let a slight like that by for Tris. She began to lecture him passionately, ignoring Niko's pleading, and then resigned, stares.
"How dare you imply that I cheated? I have a hard enough time getting through my present studies, let alone getting through what I'd be doing had I deceived my way up the next rank of magic."
"As prickly as they say," the man replied without a ruffle in his feathers.
At this, Tris's hair started crackling. To Niko's relief, she said nothing more, and retreated to the library.
Many women stayed away from her after that. In her hearing, they called her "vulgar", "strange", and "uppity". Tris was forced to let those small annoyances pass, trying to seem as if none of it mattered.
Understanding that, in fact, she would experience a lack of human company on the trip, she set to work on scrying, learning with Niko. When a kindhearted woman who jeopardized her social status to talk to Tris actually came up to her, she answered with cheerful welcome. (She often called her own social circle "the circle of one".)
Sitting in the ship's library, Tris gazed out the window, hoping against hope that Niko, or someone, would come. And truly, as though she was dreaming, someone did come. But it was a young man. How could she deal with more frosty stares, and the lowering of estimation in their impressionable minds? Surreptitiously watching him out of the corner of her eye, she saw him pick out a book and sit down - no, he was walking towards her.
"Hello," he said in a gentle, inviting voice. His hair was very short and he stood ramrod straight, feet perfectly together.
"Are you…from the Navy?" Tris asked timidly.
"How did you know?" he exclaimed. And then he laughed. It was a full, happy laugh. "Of course you know."
"Of course?" Her eyes narrowed subtly behind her glasses.
"You just would." He smiled. "You actually observe things."
"And you know this because… you observe too?" Tris half-asked.
"Must be. Dad always taught me to study people. The more I see of them, the more I appreciate quiet women." He laughed again. "I never chortle like this, truthfully." He shrugged in all seriousness. "I guess it's just you."
Tris blushed. "I'm Trisana - Tris, Chandler," she said, her face brightening.
"And I'm Cole."
"Sit down," Tris offered shyly, indicating a spot on the faded blue couch. "It gets lonely."
He bowed slightly, with a mocking air that made Tris smile. "Do you read, Tris?" he asked, showing her the book he was holding. "It's - "
"Short Stories from the Observer's Tower," Tris interrupted in unison with Cole. She turned red. "I guess you like it, too."
"My favourite childhood book. It helped me through tough times at home. It inspired me to sail." His eyes turned clear and beaming. "I love being on the water. I'm the type of man that can't live without it."
"Really? Because," Tris said, trying to avoid his very blue eyes, "I get seasick."
"Well, that's no problem. There's a common cure I know. It works on everyone. I'll take you for a ride sometime, on my own little ship." He searched his companion's worried, grey eyes. "All you need is some lemon-ginger tea."
"Okay," Tris said softly, turning the pages of the book and thinking about how, when she got old, this man would make her lemon-ginger tea and sit her by the fire.
"Tris," Cole called, approaching her after breakfast the next morning. "The ship's ready for sailing." He glanced at Niko, who raised one eyebrow inquiringly. "If you permit so, sir," Cole added hastily, his eyes watching Tris's and not caring for a response.
"Permit what, soldier?" Niko asked, trying not to let his mouth curve upwards.
"Oh, um - permit me to take Tris for a ride on my boat."
"Of course," Niko said suavely, turning to his former student.
She was staring warmly at Cole. "Thanks, Niko," she muttered, before taking Cole's outstretched hand. In her other hand, almost covered by a fussy purple sleeve, was a piece of salvaged toast.
He led her to the deck, where a modest vessel was waiting to be lowered into the water below. "This is it," he told her, helping her in. "It's a rescue boat, of sorts, but I've had it since I was little." On its side in messy paint, was written Starship. Tris smiled. "It's … heartfelt," she said, looking around at its bright red interior. He climbed in beside her and laughed: Tris was peering up at his confident face expectantly. "Now how are we going to be let down?"
He pointed to his clean blue uniform and smiled broadly. "I've got Navy friends. We're really not supposed to do this, you know."
A tall, clean-shaven man came out the deck's entrance. "All set, Lord Cole?"
"All set," Cole told him, trying not to grimace. "Thanks for your help, Andy."
"Anything for my buddy. And, of course, his partner." Andy inclined his head to Tris. "Now, to business."
A rope was tied to a catch in the ship. The other end was secured to the deck's railing. "Don't worry," Andy said. "This won't hurt a bit." He hauled the ship over to the side and beckoned to another man standing by the door. Running over, the soldier tackled one side of the ship, and Andy the opposite. Together, they lifted the ship up with nary a grunt and poised to drop. "Get ready, lovebirds," Andy yelled, and they let go.
Cole and Tris hung on, the rope unravelling in the air as they descended. When the ship landed atop the water, they both breathed out in the same moment. Cole nodded up at Andy, who cut the rope with his dagger. They were free.
"He said 'Lord Cole'," Tris said once Cole could row calmly. "Are you a noble?"
Cole looked down, long eyelashes casting shadows on his face. "I'm not ashamed," he said quietly. "I'm just not sure how you'll take it." He sighed. "I'm Duke Vedris's son. He told me a lot about you. He - he holds you in high esteem. Now I know what he meant for myself." His eyes, in harmony with the sea, focused to Tris's. "Are you shocked?"
Tris had to admit, he took her by surprise, but for a moment she didn't say anything. "It honestly doesn't matter," she said, after silently listening to the paddle's lapping on the waves. "It doesn't change who you are, and it doesn't change who I am."
Cole's shoulders seemed to relax, and he absently exhaled in awe and relief. "I knew you'd say that."
And they grinned at each other.
Later, Cole would tell her stories of sailing in the icelands under a red star; of them bundled in furs, and no compass to be seen.