February 2025 Talent Showcase

"We should play hooky." Hildreth said as he sat on the floor of the training room.
  Jeff stopped in mid-punch and looked at him. "What?"
  "You heard me. You and I should go play hooky." A concerned expression came over Hildreth's face. "You do know how to play hooky, right? Or, wait. Do you even know what that word means?"
  "I know what it means." He punched the training dummy. "It means we'll get into trouble with Master Initskay."
  "Ehh, maybe. But maybe not. Either way, we should just go out and do it. Go out on the town and get Bitter Beeter Bob's Biter's hamburgers with extra-long French fries. You know you want it, Jeff Farsigh. You want a whole thing of extra-long French fries just for you. Listen. You can hear it calling to you." He waggled his fingers. "Bali Hai may call you----Oops. Wrong call."
  Jeff laughed. "You're such a dweeb. I hope you know that."
  "Oh, I do! So, what do you say? Shall we run off and follow that gloriously salty and oily voice to perdition?"
  "Well, that sounds ominous."
  "Nah, it sounds awesome! So?"
  Jeff lowered his fists and gave Hildreth a considering look. "Okay. But you have to spar with me."
  "Deal."
  "And win."
  "Deal."
  "And no cheating."
  Hildreth gasped and went into full offended maiden pose. "I am shocked. Simply shocked that you would deface my flowery reputation in such a manner!"
  Jeff laughed. "I'm pretty sure that 'deface' is not the right word."
  "Eh, It's close enough."
  "Not really."
  "Anyway! What happens if I lose?"
  Jeff took a moment to seemingly think about it. "We stay here and practice our throwing techniques."
  "Oof! Nothing like adding to my motivation to win."
  Jeff grinned. "Well, that was the idea. Come on to the center of the room with me."
  Hildreth got up and followed the older boy. As soon as they reached the middle of the room, they bowed to each other. "I am so gonna win." Hildreth said.
  Jeff grinned. "And I'll enjoy practicing my throws on you."
  "We'll see."
  "Yes, we will."
  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
  LATER.......
  Hildreth bit into his Bob's Yer Uncle hamburger. "Mm. Victory tastes just like hamburger meat, pickles, onions, cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, mayo, and lettuce tucked inside a butter-topped bun."
  Jeff picked up a ridiculously long French fry off his plate. "I'll beat you next time, Hildreth. Just you wait." He bit into his fry. "Mmmm. These are really good."
  "Stupidly good."
  "Mm-hmm."
  Hildreth ate another mouthful of hamburger before smiling at his friend. "I'm looking forward to our next sparring match."
  "So am I."

Liselle hung from the Ariadne's railing, half-collapsed but keeping her cheek on the worn wood so that she could quickly lean over it if she needed to. She stared vacantly out at the sparkling, aquamarine water, nursing the long-borne ache in her chest and a throbbing in her head that was only worsened by the creaking of the ship and the snapping of her sails. Ancestors bless, I hate the ocean... So much of James had faded from her memory over the years - his voice, his scent, his expressions, the way he held his pen, the flash of his smile - but two things seemed permanently ingrained: the sun gleaming copper on his dark, red hair and the way his sparkling, aquamarine eyes perfectly matched the sea.
  "I brought you some tea, milady," Captain Tallis's soft, gravelly voice purred behind her, warm syrup over tumbled stones. "Ginger, peppermint, and fennel. With a bit of honey, just as you like."
  She turned her head enough to smile weakly up at him, her malachite-and-gold eyes meeting the azure-and-grey of his, almost like looking through them and into a stormy sky, though, thankfully, the one behind him was bright and clear. "Thank you, Andreas. I am sorry to be such trouble..."
  He returned the smile and leaned his elbows on the railing, content to hold onto her tea for as long as she needed him to. "Think nothing of it, Lady Moray. It isn't your fault. I'm just glad that you're able to make it up here for the sun and fresh air."
  Her gaze trailed from his eyes to follow the curve of his smile, then slid down his silvery braid until it rested on the steaming teacup. "You've been so kind to me..."
  "You deserve kindness," he breathed, just a little sadly, as she straightened to accept the tea. It's a shame that your fiancé is not a man known to give it...
  As though following his thoughts, she asked a quiet, "Have you seen him today? Kristoffer?"
  He shook his head, daring to rest a hand on her shoulder. "Not since midday yesterday."
  "Ever since we left, he's been..." Struggling to find an appropriate way to describe the change she's sensed in him since they boarded the ship, she trailed off and took a sip of her tea. "This is very good. Thank you."
  Andreas brushed the backs of his fingers down her arm, blue eyes intense in the sun. "You could go back. We're not that far. It would take less time to return you to your home than it would to take you the rest of the way to McRaidry."
  She shivered under his touch, eyes fluttering briefly closed before she shook her head. "I gave my word."
  "Is your word worth your happiness?" Carefully watching her expression for any sign that he's overstepped, he grazed his fingertips back up her arm and over her neck until he could tip her chin up ever so slightly. "I cannot help but worry that a life of neglect awaits you, Liselle. That he's won you and now you're no more than another prize for his mantle."
  Lise tensed and shook her head free, only able to take half a step before she backed into the railing. "You forget yourself, Captain."
  "So I do," he said simply, withdrawing his hand and retreating to give her a bit more space before he bowed respectfully. His summer storm gaze was electric when it met hers and he offered a last, gentle, "But if you change your mind - for either offer - I am here, milady. This ship is employed by Their Majesties, not by His Lordship. I am not beholden to him, should that be among your concerns."
  She hesitated, but nodded before turning away to focus on her drink, pink touching her cheeks. "I will... keep that in mind. Good morning, Ca- Andreas."
  A faint, hopeful smile touched his lips as he bowed again. "Good morning, my Lady.”