I Am The Sea || Choi San

errands

The next day, the Inception docks at the harbor of Capo Rodas. Theo, after being awoken by Wooyoung ripping her door open and shaking her so hard she nearly fell out of her bed, now sits atop her usual wooden barrel with a piece of bread and cheese in her hands.
Wooyoung sits in front of her on the floor, cutting an apple into small slices that he hands to Theo and San, who sits next to him.
Seonghwa hands Theo a cup of water before he sits down on a barrel next to her, as Hongjoong stands from his seat.

"Alright, mates, let's get to it. We have a long day ahead of us, so let's go over everything we need." He points at Jongho. "Jongho, you'll go with Theo and San to get the books, herbs, and whatever she needs. Make sure you're back on the ship by 3 o'clock. We'll depart no later than four."
He turns to Seonghwa.
"Seonghwa, you'll go with Yunho. Take some of the workers with you if you need help carrying everything. Make sure to get some of that Capo Rodas Rum everyone loves so much, and a bottle of wine for me, please. Anyone any wishes?"

"I want sausages," Wooyoung announces and Seonghwa pulls forth a piece of parchment. Theo watches as Seonghwa scribbles down everyone's wishes with his tongue between his teeth, his eyebrows pulled together tightly.
His hand moves slowly over the paper, the inking quill scratching the surface.
When Theo bends over to sneak a look at the writing, a smile creeps onto her lips.
Instead of words, Seonghwa had scribbled down sketches of his mates' wishes.
Small, black and white pictures of sausages, apples, bananas, and fish. He drew three small wobbly circles that, Theo can only guess, are supposed to indicate potatoes.

Seonghwa catches Theo's eyes on his paper and blushes fiercely and raises his shoulders to his ears. Theo gifts him a smile and turns her attention back towards Hongjoong, who hands out little pouches of money, the coins jiggling inside.
"Theo, you guys should get going sooner than later, you'll train with Yunho when you get back."
Theo blows raspberry as Wooyoung cackles on the floor.
"Can't we sit today out?" Theo purses her lips and scrunches her nose. "We trained every single day, can't we enjoy today and just spend some time in the city? I've never been anywhere near this part of the coast, and I never get to see anything of it."

Hingjoong pulls up an eyebrow.
"Must I remind you of the stakes of our journey? You know very well what we're after. The sooner we get there, the sooner you will get the chance to go dilly-dallying through the cities on any coast you want."
"But you haven't even told us what exactly the plan is after today, how-..."
"I am the captain, Theo," there is a new edge in Hongjoong's voice, not harsh or cold, but noticeable. "Trust me on this, the quicker we find the Pearl, the better. Now hurry up and get going, the day is getting away from us."
Theo only nods, averting her eyes. Perhaps she went too far. Hongjoong isn't a man to be questioned, especially when he has the command over more than thirty people.
So Theo hurries to finish her food and then collect her own list of errands from her cabin.

Capo Rodas is bigger than Ryumond by far, with houses made from white stone and light wood. Theo would love to spend a day here amongst the people, many of which seem to have not a care in the world, judging by the wide grins they carry. The streets are full of handlers, dozens of stands and shops calling to the strangers passing by, offering their finest goods for the small prize of five silvers or ten coppers.
"What exactly do you need?"
Jongho walks with his hands clasped around the strip of his leather bag, holding tightly onto it like he is just waiting for someone to try and grasp for it.

Theo reads off the list, "We'll have to get books first, or scrolls on medicine and healing. And then we'll have to find some basic herbs, dried is best I suppose. And if we have time, I'd also like to see if we can get some salves, and a sewing kit."
"A sewing kit?"
"For any wounds that need stitching. Lucky for you lot, I was raised a lady. And a lady just has to be an expert at stitching, sewing, knitting, and whatever other art form involves needles and a string."
Theo sighs and moves her hands around exasperated, but San stifles a laugh as the three of them make their way down the streets.