The violet sky carried a distinct feel to this morning. It was a different type of beautiful. Maybe, charming? The clouds nearest to our ship were such a vivid white that quickly faded into a dusty black beyond the horizon.
There weren't many people on the top deck with me. Many goblins working on the post. A few demons on the upper deck, knees on the floor, pleading to their higher power. I tried to look through the railings to see if they were either witches, priests, or elementalists. I could see nothing with how they were positioned.
One of the hooded cloaks stood up and tapped another figured, who followed the first without communication. They walked down the stairs, and I moved closer to the railings, to not seem too keen on their prayers.
I concentrated my ears aways from me and heard their laughter and light steps in the wind. Feministic steps, walking by their toes rather than the heel.
I kept my eyes on the water as I noticed the abrupt changes. Crimson? Are we heading into the Red Sea already? Where the dead's blood never grows, nor washes away. The sea where many of our forebears died in the war.
"There's a rumor that a witch cursed this sea when her entire coven was slaughtered."
I turned around and smiled as the elf removed her cloak, "Healer Socro, how has everything been?"
"I didn't know that you would figure out who I am with a simple quote. You can just call me Keya."
"I may have been out of it on that beach, but I try hard to never forget a voice."
"I've been searching everywhere for you. What have you been up to?"
I lifted a half smile and chuckled, "I've been staying in my room most of the time. Is there a reason why you've been looking?"
"I wanted you to meet one of my friends. I don't think you'll be insulted."
I glanced at the other cloaked figure and could see a rough outline of horns. A demon. At least I was right about the prayer group. "I don't understand what you mean by that."
Keya followed my eyes, laughed, and motioned her friend sweetly, "this is my friend Vadaseri. I met her in her home country, but she is a great addition as a healer. She's my grandfather's other apprentice."
Her friend dropped her hood and I quickly saw her angry smile. "Hey Sapp. I do hope that's alright to say. I've heard so much about you. Like Keya said, that's my name, but you can call me Seri."
Her two horns shape her high cheekbones like a mountain sheep.
I shined my smile and niceness out of spite, "That's perfect. I really like your horns."
Her smile got angrier as she laughed through it, "thanks. I rarely get compliments like that."
Socro coughed to get both of our attentions. Seri quickly looked at her with a panic smile, "are you still not feeling well?"
I put a genuine smile on their relationship, but I was still annoyed. Grabbing the demoness arm, I continued our conversation, "I quite enjoy looking at horns since my daughter has an unique set as well."
Keya moved both hands of her hands to her mouth to hide her surprise, "a demon daughter?"
Unlike Keya, Seri felt a rush of resentment, "you do comprehend that pinpointing the difference between us is known to be both offensive and insulting."
I licked the front of my lips. "I can see what you mean by that." I rubbed my insecurity, "I do understand. I think the reason why I always look at horns is to see if I can find my daughter's family."
Keya repeated herself lick clockwork, "a demon daughter?"
I smiled, "adopted daughter."
They both spoke simultaneously, "I see."
Her friend's anger hasn't subsided, but she's keeping her mouth shut. Her eyes grew larger, and she had taken a step towards me.
Keya moved her hand in front of Seri, "we're not here to fight Keya. Sapphire is my new friend, and I wanted both of my friends to know about each other."
I squint my eyes at the two, "you use that term very loosely."
"Excuse me."
"Friend. You use that work loosely. We've met once and I'll say it was a memorable, positive encounter at that. But, I'm not one to say we are friends."
She moved her hand down and nodded. "You're right. I should have asked first." She hesitated for a minute and looked at the sky turn black, "it seems a storm is coming this way. You'll probably want to head inside."
"Thank you for that advice." I kicked my feet up and walked between the two healers. Seri moved closer to pierce her shoulder with me.
Before I could even get a foot away from them, Socro grabbed my sore shoulder, "besides that time on the beach, is there another time that we have met. I feel as if I've seen you before."
"Really? I've never been Darkdroll. My entire life has been in Iscesa."
"You went to academy, yes?"
"of course. I just graduated."
"you're younger than I expected. What did you place?"
"I'm average."
"Average? And on the officer's warship. That seem contradictory."
This is going a different direction than expected. I honestly expected a bond with this woman. I forced my shoulder away from her hand, "I see. You're right. I'm quite a hypocrite."
She moved her hand and her eyes, while she paused in sullen silence.
I moved my target, "it was very nice to meet you Vadaseri." I glanced at the sky, "I rather do not like stormy weather, so I'm gonna run off now."
Neither of them said anything so I walked back to get inside. I reached for the doorknob, as I heard Socro speak, "I know that you are young. I am young as well, not as young as you though. My grandfather is one of the great healers from the old world and he is a great teacher. I have always been wary to befriend, because I never knew if they wanted to be friends with me as I am or want the connection to my bloodline." She took a deep breath, "I've seen you before, besides that time at the beach. And I want to know where. Your eyes are peerless. It's not something you would forget."
I sprinted to the both of them and was a head shorter than the elf. I looked up to her as I eloquently pierced her ears, "Lady Socro. I'm sorry for not realizing your bloodline sooner."
Her friend grabbed my shoulder and pushed me away. I darted my eyes at her and lightly whistled. She started to rub her temples and breath harshly.
Socro waltz to her friend, "what's wrong. How are you feeling?"
"it's just a headache." A nicer response than I expected. It should feel like a hammer every time you take a breath.
"Healer Socro, it must be a bad habit that we have to bring up differences. You're quite insulting as well."
"What? But..I.." She stammered until I walked away.