Upper Deck, The Laurel, Open Water...
Nearly one week had passed ever since the seafaring voyage had begun and it was looking to have been quite an impressive journey as it were. Sir Alfred had been astonished to note how well his young son had been fairing while they were at the mercy of the ever-fickle waters of the deep.
If he had not known any better he would have taken him for the progeny of a true sailor as he needed little to no adjustment when it came to being far from shore. For young Alain seemed ever the curious lad eager to learn and be taught at once. He'd been even more willing to deal with the constant jeering and insults the crew of commoners happened to heap upon him whenever they believed their words were not in earshot. They took him for a nave of course. He'd been the picture of wealth and privilege being born into the ranks of a prominent family of noble status.
The crewmen had not taken too kindly to one such as him lounging about the ship while they each toiled beneath the radiant beams of the seemingly unrelenting sun, keeping the vessel clean and functional for their continued voyage.
Alain spent most of his time either watching the laboring men toil or observing the very depths of the enormous blue jewel that tossed them about to and fro as the massive frothy white waves beat rather mercilessly against the hard oak wooden hill.
The creaking of the boards echoed in his ears, threatening each time the vessel glided across choppy waters to break off and plunge into the endless ocean.
The scent of salt water filled the nostrils of the poised young man who had taken to standing in the less crowded portion of the deck with his hands behind his back and his eyes scanning the horizon. He hadn't spoken much to anyone as he seemed to be in a world of his own.
He had not been alone for long, as his father came walking up to him taking in the sight of the endless sea that stretched as far as the eye could see. They were in for quite the journey being only one week into the six that would get them to the port that opened the door to endless possibilities when it came to stepping foot upon the infinite lands of the new world.
"Enjoying the view?" asked Sir Alfred in an amused tone. He knew all too well that they could only see the blue of the ocean while traveling so far from land.
Alain shook his head not at all amused nor angered by his father's latest attempt at a jest.
Alfred seemed to delight in just spending a few quiet moments with his son, even if he didn't get the humor. He had never been more proud to be a father than in those few moments despite the notorious perils of the sea, he was indeed pleased that he had someone to carry on his legacy even if he had not been blood-related.
Alain seemed at peace while watching the waves on the horizon. Of course, he'd been thinking of his return to England and his beloved Noreen. She'd been the most amazing aspect of this journey with him finally being brave enough to want her love and thus able to face any element or calamity head-on.
Alfred seemed to have settled his nerves a bit as well as they continued to take in the sights and sounds around them.
"How goes your dealings with the fair Lass that caught your fancy?" he asked breaking the companionable silence between them.
Alain was briefly caught off guard, but his father seemed to smile and allow him time to recover. He had not spoken much about his affiliation with Noreen nor the fact that he'd slept with her but his father seemed privy to information aside from her name and looks as he put his hand on his son's shoulder once again.
"It's going well," replied Alain collecting himself and testing the waters so to speak about what his father had been privy to about his newfound relationship.
"That's good to hear," replied Sir Alfred with a knowing smile. "I don't suppose I am too late to give you a firm talking to about the wiles of women and the responsibility of a proper suitor not to indulge too often as to think them only a valuable source for pleasure as opposed to true companionship?"
Alain didn't know what to say to that as he'd been doing more than his fair share of indulging when it came to the fare Noreen McCray, but he allowed his father to give him the "talk" as it were just the same.
"No," he replied evenly. "You are not too late father."
Sir Alfred nodded in appreciation for his son's efforts in allowing this rather difficult exchange. Alain himself was always eager to hear his father's take on anything regarding the ways of the world and the subject of women and the indulgence thereof were not off the table in terms of discussion.
"As much as I would like it to be otherwise, I am well aware that you are given indulgence due to your age and the very nature of it." continued Alfred meeting his younger son's gaze. "Let me remind you that it is your responsibility to see to the delicate sensibilities of your chosen lady and not just indulge her for your lust's sake, your mother would not be pleased should she find out that you are getting to be as difficult to manage as your elder brother when it comes to a lady's sensibilities."
"I assure you, father, I am not Casimir," replied Alain confidently.
This gave his father a bit of relief and further confidence in him.
"Well if that is the case, I shall like to meet your lass should she permit it," said Alfred with his smile returned. "And I know your mother would as well."
Alain returned his father's smile with one of confidence.
"I shall like her to meet you as well, Father," he replied. "Perhaps you will see for yourself why she intrigues me so."
"She must be a special class indeed to have earned your fancy," replied Sir Alfred before leaving his son to his private thoughts and heading back toward their shared quarters.
It would seem that he had his fill of the open sea air for the time being.
Alain once more looked out over the horizon seeing nothing aside from the blue waves and various marine life of the vast and mighty sea. He thought of Noreen and her formidable will and thought that she had been sort of like the sea, beautiful and dangerous with a refusal to be denied.
He longed to see her when his journey had come to an end and after much thought turned his attention toward venturing back to his quarters with the idea of writing a bit more in his journal while the notoriously fickle sea had been calm.