RCC - Stories and Stuff!

And The Dark Began to Fall (RCC New Years Fic)

Anyways; happy new year, marry christmast or happy whatever you celebrate.

Written by: Lacuna

A warm light covered the small town beside the ocean as snow fell silently as the wind breezed trough the streets. The new year was soon and the town was in it's most peaceful time of the year, unlike the stormy waters it neighbored. Everyone but six were inside their houses, hiding from the cold and enjoying the warmth of their fireplaces. Those six were on the carrack anchored a mile away from shore, getting ready for the long journey ahead of them.

Riana stood at the side of the ship, looking back at their town. She was covered by a thick red cloak to protect herself from the harsh weather. She was thinking about the decision she made when she felt a tug. She turned her head to see Human.

"Isn't it cold?" They asked, shaking off the snow covering their shoulders. "You wouldn't want to get sick right at the beginning of the voyage."

"Not enough to make any of us sick." Riana smiled, completely turning towards Human. She looked around the ship, seeing what her friends were up to: She could see the shadow of Ducky sitting inside the cabin, she assumed Galaxy was also with her. She could also faintly hear Lacuna and Rachel talking at the bow of the ship. "How long do you think we'll be at sea?" The wind caressed Riana's hair as she asked her question.

Human thought for a while, whistling a short tune. "I don't know. I'd love to be back soon but I have the feeling we'll be away for a long time." This time she stared at the snow covered town. "We're leaving everything behind. This better be worth it at the end."

Riana let out a little laugh "I want to believe that if it wouldn't be worth it one of us would be smart enough to say before we started."

"True," Human said, covering their head with their hood. "I'll be going inside, will you come?"

"I guess I'll." Riana followed Human towards the cabin where it was actually warm.

It was silent inside, both Ducky and Galaxy chewing some bread they had brought. A small lantern lit the wooden place, it's small flame also radiating heat.

Galaxy raised her head from her food "Are Rachel and Lacu still out?"

"Yeah," Riana answered. "They were still talking."

"They should have a great plan ready by tomorrow then." Ducky added. "How long has it been since they started?"

Riana though for a moment. "I don't know to be honest." She was too busy gazing back to town to notice how much time had passed. "It was not before sunset."

Lacuna was sat down on the deck looking at the stars. "The calm before the storm..." She raised her hand in front of her face, trying to warm them with her breath. "The crew is the calmest the day before it starts, always goes down from here."

"I've always loved the feeling." Rachel stood next to Lacuna. "It makes me feel more connected to my surroundings even if it's for one night. I've never looked back the the town's light from afar with this much longing, never felt closer to my friends like this." She sighed, a hand combing her hair away from her face. "Only challenged by days ending a voyage like this; the celebration, the relief..."

"Will you tell them the real reason of all this?"

Rachel turned her head towards her friend. "Riana already knows, I'm surprised she still agreed to come. She doesn't seem very in this to be fair. As for the others..." her words turned into a mumble, staying silent for a while. "We'll see. According to how they respond to the things we might come across." She reached out to Lacuna, helping her stand back up.

Riana turned to the door to see Lacuna and her sister entering. They looked calm, actually calm unlike everyone else in the room who seemed calm at first sight but were all anxious in one way or another.

"What's our game plan?" Ducky asked in a joking tone. She was putting down her mattress for the night.

Lacuna was rubbing her hands together and looking at the small, dimming flame of the lantern in Rachel's hands. "Something you might guess. I'll tell the details in the morning but it's basically sail till we reach our destination hoping nothing bad happens that could make us stall."

Ducky smiled and laid down. "Good." She turned towards the wooden walls, hiding her face from the light. "Good night."

Galaxy stood up and took two steps towards Lacuna, handing her a bottle of water. "So there is a possibility of things going wrong?"

"As much as anything has that possibility." She took a big sip from the water, placing it down. "You especially don't know with the sea."

The sky was open the next day, snow still falling faintly. People were busy getting the small details ready when Rachel approached Riana.

"You can still decide to stay. I'm not forcing you to come with me." She whispered. "Also the ship's not that big, it can be operated by down to two people if you'll be worrying about that."

Riana turned to look in Rachel's eye. "I'll come." She said nothing else but Rachel understood everything. How even though she didn't agree with her she would support her. How leaving everything behind was worth everyone on this ship.

"That's your choice." She said silently, a small smile on her face and turned around walking towards the sails. "Is everything ready?" She shouted.

Human raised her hand, waving. "Yes, everything's ready Rachel."

"Great." Rachel turned towards the bow of the ship. "Galaxy, Ducky. Start to raise the anchor. I'll raise the sails." She turned around and looked up towards Lacuna who was on the captain's deck. "You take the ship's wheel Lacu. Riana, you go up to captain's deck and help her."

Riana rushed up to captain's deck as everyone got on their jobs. The sails opened, the anchor raised; she looked back to their town one last time. The town got smaller and smaller as the ship picked up speed and all that Riana can think of was how she was leaving home. And as the wind and snow hit her face, all she could hope was that nothing would go wrong.