I Am The Sea || Choi San

promise

Later that night, long after most of Hongjoong's men have retreated back to the rooms they've been offered upon arrival, Seonghwa finds Theo sitting on a blanket with San, talking with Maya and Penelope. He's carrying a brown leather bag over his shoulders.

He inclines his head to San and the two Sisters, and the three of them excuse themselves, giving Seonghwa the opportunity to sit down besides Theo.
"How are you feeling?" He asks.
Theo smiles, the sensation of her newfound powers still tingling beneath her skin.
"I'm okay," she says, "Though it's all so surreal, still. Part of me can't believe this is happening."
"I can," Seonghwa inclines his head, leaning back on his hands, "I had a feeling about you. I also thought you could use this."

He opens the leather bag and pulls forth a ringlet made from sea glass and seashells.
"I went to your room to get you a change of clothes for the night," Seonghwa explains with a shy smile, "And it just kind of-... jumped out at me."
He feels the edges of the sea glass beneath his fingertips with a smile.
"For for a Queen," he murmurs before gently placing the crown on top of Theo's head. "We should have known, really."
"I'm not a queen," Theo protests with warm cheeks, "It's not like I'm ruling over a kingdom or something."
"No, you're ruling over all the seven seas," Seonghwa taps Theo's nose, "That's better than just a kingdom. You're much more than a queen."

Theo swats Seonghwa's hand away with a bashful grin.
"Stop it. I don't want it to be like that. I just want to be me." Theo glances around the garden until her eyes land on San, standing by Wooyoung and Yeosang. "I don't want anything to change. I just want to be a pirate on a boat, maybe learn how to fight against bad guys."
Seonghwa chuckles and loops his arm around Theo's.
"Your wish is my command," he grins, "but maybe don't mention the 'boat' to the captain. The Inception is a mighty ship, not a boat. There's a difference and he's a proud man."

Theo giggles and leans her head against Seonghwa's shoulder.
She's not lying. She does not want anything to change.
But there's a low vibrating in the space between her ribs, a simmering sensation behind her lungs, that makes Theo wonder.
Wonder if change is inevitable, out of Theo's control. Wonder if the changes will come regardless of Theo's desperate wishes.

"Excuse me," a voice says beside Theo, "I was wondering if I could have a minute of your time."
It's the bookshop keeper. Her auburn red hair is loose around her soft shoulder and her round face is gentle.
Seonghwa gets to his knees and bows into her direction with a kind smile, before tapping Theo's nose once more and taking a leave.
Theo also gets to her feet, as the Sister reaches out for her arm and loops their arms together.
"I realize we haven't officially been introduced," she says, "My name is Ariadne. I am the Keeper of the Red Sea. I have been watching over you."

Theo looks at Ariadne. Like all those weeks ago, she's reminded of Lucia with painful force.
Theo blinks to keep her tears from spilling, but Ariadne softly pets her hand and smiles.
"I think you might have more questions about all this," the Sister continues, "And I want you to know as much as possible before you leave the island."
"Why haven't you told me back then who I am?"
Ariadne smiles. "The Pearl has to find her way home. It is part of your trials to find your way here on your own."

Theo is quiet for a moment. Too many questions are swirling around in her head.
"How was I chosen?" Theo looks down at her hands. "Who was the Pearl before me?"
"Every Pearl chooses her descendant by herself," Ariadne explains, "The Pearl before you was a woman called Xiu. She was extraordinary, a truly regal and strong woman. A fighter, to the day she died. As Pearls do, she spent most of her life on sea, traveling with her guardians across the world. When her end came near, she met a woman in Ryumond who was with child."

Ryumond. The place Theodora has spent all her summers. The place she called home all twenty years of her life.
"From the day they met, Xiu knew that unborn child would be the next Pearl. Pearls like you and Xiu, and all the women before you, yearn for water. For the sea, the waves. Pearls are stronger the closer they are to the sea." Ariadne continues, "The woman had a kind husband, who loved the sea side. The two of them were a loving couple, funny and gentle, loved to dance with the town's people. Xiu knew the woman and her husband would let the girl grow up by the ocean, let her play in the water all year long."