I Am The Sea || Choi San

tale

The next morning, Theo finds herself standing on the railing of the ship, balancing on one leg while holding a cup of water in each one of her hands and a book on her head. To her insane luck, the sea is calm and the ship is on a steady course onwards, making it less difficult for her to find a balance.
It is of no help, however, that Wooyoung stands across from her in the same exact position, holding it with ease. His body sways with the movement of the ship and he seems to dance from one leg to another, never spilling even a single drop of water.

"I don't understand why I need to do this," Theo groans as she changes her legs with the pace of a turtle.
Yunho, standing on deck with one hand over his lips, watches with eagle eyes. He narrows his eyes when Theo's toes are about to slip over the edge of the railing, but she catches herself.
"Balance is a pirate's best friend," he says, "Right after rum, whiskey, and the telescope. It's important you find your footing in every possible situation. It will make you a safer fighter. Stronger, too."
"And you'll be able to do things like this," Wooyoung adds before he places the cups and plate on the next best water barrel. Then he straightens his spine, nods determined, before bending backwards - so far, his hands touch the wooden railing behind him and he swings his legs up into a handstand, before his legs falls back softly and he rightens himself again.
All that, without even the slightest misstep. Then he jumps off the railing, leaning against it by the back of his arms.

Theo admits it is pretty impressing with what ease and security Wooyoung climbs and swings in the rigging, how he never seems to waver in his step as he dances along the ropes and sails high above the deck.
Still, the training has gotten tedious over the past few weeks, as Yunho has her repeat everything she learned over and over and over again, spending hours with the same unit.

When Yeosang walks by with one of his books opened in front of his face, Yunho grabs him by the back of his shirt and says, "You care to join us, freshling? You still walk and fight like a landie, even worse than our dear Theo over here."
Yeosang looks to Theo, scanning over her current task, before glancing to Yunho.
"I think Seonghwa is calling me," he murmurs, trying to unwind himself from Yunho's grib, but the taller one stays unmoving.
"I don't hear anything," Yunho nods to the utensils Wooyoung has given up, "Take Wooyoung's place and copy Theo. Count to fifty, then change legs."

Yeosang sighs and climbs onto the railing. Yeosang's balance is incredible, especially for someone who's only been living on a ship for a week, as he safely positions his right foot on the thin railing and lets his left foot hang over the open ocean, stretching his arms out to his sides.
Yunho nods.
"Alright, now touch the cups together cross-wise. Don't stop until I come back," he instructs and then he turns to leave for the kitchen, taking Wooyoung with him, who is asking wether or not Seonghwa will allow them to eat the left over rhubarb pie.

Theo debates if she should simply convince Yeosang to climb from the railing and skip this particular task, but so far, Yunho's training is showing great results. He clearly knows what he's doing, and his teachings are effective as Theo has grown stronger, faster, and more secure in handling her own sword, even though it still feels too hefty and heavy in her hands.
Yeosang and Theo exchange one long, defeated look, before reluctantly following zu Yunho's instructions.

After changing legs twice, Theo finally asks, "How have you been feeling lately?"
Yeosang smiles, the apples of his cheeks curving gently. He's been spending time in the sun, his skin has started to tan into a soft golden shade, and a few freckles have appeared on the bridge of his nose.
"I'm better than I ever was," he says, "Everyone is so good to me, Theo, you don't even know. A pirate's life may just be exactly what I was missing."
Theo chuckles.
"I am glad to hear that," she says before nodding to the book he was reading, currently on top of his head, "What were you reading?"