- FluffyBirdie | Team Squid | Sign up | Kalon/s present: Alania | 457 words
Prompt 1: How does your kalon feel about their cruise breaking down?
- Alania looked out at the vast and unending sea, unease making her shiver as the ground beneath her shifted and moved. She deeply regretted accepting this cruise offer, and seeing the empty, barren sea, stretching out to infinity before her, did little to improve her homesickness. She had been curious about the picture that was shown alongside the offer, presenting a view of the light blue sky contrasting against the deeper, gem-like blue of the ocean. Having lived her life in the greenery of the forest, she had wondered at that marvelous blue expanse, a shade she never saw before. It was akin to the blue of a clear sky mixed with the midnight black-blue of night, but...not quite. And apparently, it was made of water. How could so much water exist in one location? The rainwater in her home drained away quickly, seeping into the soil before the sun reached its peak. Creeks were sometimes unreliable sources of water, and the raging rivers were much too fast and dangerous. But here was a lifetime, lifetimes, supply of water, still and quiet, almost welcoming her to drink and bathe in its crystal-clear depths. How was not already used by civilisations of the past?
She learned quickly why. It wasn't drinkable at all. A fool she must have appeared, tentatively touching the cold, beautiful blue, scooping up a handful and examining her reflection the mirror-like surface, before drinking. And spitting out that poison. Salt was an uncommon substance in her jungle, and she was glad for it, never wanting to taste that mineral ever again. And now here she was, looking at a featureless horizon, standing on unstable ground. The ocean was novel for the first few minutes, but now the excitement had worn away, especially after learning this gorgeous water was undrinkable. If she fell from this boat, she was sure to die here; she had no idea where shore would be, or where they left from. Did the ship turn? Has it turned before? They were moving, but not, at the same time. Nothing changed in this landscape, save for the rare island that they passed by. She wished she was on those islands, wished she could examine those curious-looking trees, or try new fruits.
Like the gods had heard her desperate dream to be anywhere but here, the ship broke, and it was a cheerful Alania who ran onto the warm beach, drinking in the sight of greenery and trees, the brown of the dock, pale sands, colourful buildings. Anything besides that infinite blue. Maybe it was malicious of her to wish that the boat would never be fixed, but she was close to home again, and this trip was starting to look better.