I Am The Sea || Choi San

feast

When night falls over Santiana, the voices of the town travel over the rooftops and streets all the way to the harbor, bringing with them the smell of sugary treats and flowery tea. The sky is turning a lovely shade of deep, dark blue, streaked with lilac and gold just above the horizon line, as a few heavy clouds gather behind the mountains.

The air is thick and warm as Theo retreats to her own rooms as the rest of the crewmates are slowly trailing off beneath deck. She takes it upon herself to rearrange her herbs and creams, writing each bundle's name on a small piece of parchment before tying it around the stems with a length of string. After about an hour or two, there is a light knock on her door.

She opens it and looks at San, dressed in dark brown pants that he has stuffed into knee-high laced boots and a white loose shirt with a creme colored vest on top.

"We're going out," he says as he rushes into Theo's room and steps up to her bundle of clothes. Over the past months, Theo has acquired a few more pieces of clothing, but none of them of the finer sorts. "I'm taking you to the fest."

"What? We can't," Theo watches as San pulls forth her red ruffle skirt and the soft leather corset with wide eyes, "We're not supposed to be off the ship. What if someone catches us?"

"No one is going to catch us," San presses the clothes into her arms, "Or are you forgetting who you're talking to? I never get caught, so don't worry and get dressed."

Theo catches a glimpse of herself in her small mirror atop her desk. Her hair is undone, her shirt is ruffled. She can't go out like this. Plus, if the Captain hears about this, hell will freeze over. He told the entire crew not to leave the ship under any circumstance.

But then, the air is sweet and music is playing already. And San travels with the shadows, he walks on silent feet. If anyone can sneak off this ship and back on it without being caught, it's him. And San can dance, Theo remembers well. He dances like a prince.

"You mean," Theo hesitates and feels her cheeks heat, "Just us two?"

San raises a hand to the nape of his neck and grins. "Yes. Unless you want me to wake some of the other boys."

"No," Theo hurries to reply and ushers San out of her door, "But I need you to wait outside, please. I'l be done in a minute."

In a flash, Theo brushes through her hair and twirls it into a loose braid, before pinching her cheeks until a soft red color flushes the skin. Then she exchanges her pants for the skirt and pulls her corset vest over her shirt, tying the strings into a small bow. Then she pinches off a few small leaves off of her peppermint plant and rubs them over teeth and tongue. Lastly, she rights the delicate chain around her neck, the silver flower falling right atop her collar.

When she steps out of her room, San leans against the ship's railing with his hip, his arms folded in front of his chest, staring out towards the sea. He turns in time to see her pull the door closed quietly and places a finger on his lips as she steps closer.

He bends down to whisper into her ear, "Follow my lead."

Then he takes Theo by her hand and pulls her forth, the two of them tiptoeing across the deck under the cloak of darkness until their feet hit the plank and then the cobble stones of the harbor. San and Theo are running, skipping like children over a meadow, as they hurry along the curved roads of Santiana hand in hand, laughing out of breath.

With every step, the music grows louder, building symphonies with the laughter and cheering, singing and chatting, and Theo can feel the excitement inside her growing like a fire - starting from a small flame until it feathers into a blazing inferno.