The Unspeakables

Reunion of Friends

Sebastian found himself on the breezy docks of Southampton, the tang of salt on his face.

The cries of gulls echoing in his ears. His heart beat a frantic rhythm – a mix of giddiness, anxiety, and sheer excitement that made a slight tremor course through his hand. Questions raced through his mind: How would Ennea look after all these years? What would he say to her? Would they fall into a comfortable embrace as if no time had passed?

He waited at a spot with a panoramic view of the sea, the ocean breeze bringing a refreshing chill that tingled against his skin. His gaze was fixed on the distant horizon where dark, rolling waves churned under a sky of endless blue, a picturesque scene mirroring the tumult in his own heart. Just then, a familiar warmth enveloped him, an almost instinctive certainty: she was near.

Meanwhile, Ennea stood by the ship's railing, the wind stealing playful strands of hair from beneath her hat. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed at the approaching port, a sight that symbolized home, the familiar scent of rain on cobblestones.

Back at the port, Sebastian's eyes scanned the crowd eagerly, his heart a drumbeat beneath his ribs. Then, amidst the bustle, a figure emerged, radiating a quiet intensity that drew his gaze like a beacon. A woman moved with the grace of a dancer, yet there was a hint of something bolder in her stride. As she drew closer, the details came into focus. Her dress, a deep midnight black, hugged her form with tailored precision. Its fabric, sleek and shimmering, fell in a sweeping A-line, hinting at hidden depths. A wide belt cinched her waist, while a dark cape billowed in the breeze, casting her in an aura of untamed elegance. Atop her head, a wide-brimmed hat cast a playful shadow across her face, a touch of mystery amidst the sharp lines of her attire.

When she looked up, sunlight caught her eyes – a startling blue against her pale skin. Her hair, a cascade of light brown, framed her face with a wild beauty. This was Ennea, yet transformed. A decade had honed her presence, and sharpened her edges. The warmth he remembered remained, but now it was tempered with a confidence that left him breathless. A grin spread across his face as he hurried to greet her – not the Ennea he once knew, but a woman who ignited a new and thrilling sense of anticipation.

Sebastian's steps quickened. With each stride, his heart hammered a little faster against his chest. A cocktail of emotions bubbled within him – excitement, a flicker of nerves, and a joy he hadn't felt in years. Then he paused, just for a second, drinking in the sight of her.

Their eyes met. Time seemed to warp, the decade of separation melting away. His grin widened uncontrollably. He rushed forward, no words needed, flinging his arms open.

"Ennea!" The name burst from him, thick with relief and a touch of awe. "It's really you!"

She stepped into his embrace, her own laugh echoing his. "Sebastian," she breathed, her voice trembling slightly, "It has been too long."

They clung together, wordless, a silent acknowledgment of all that had been unsaid. His hands gently traced the delicate fabric of her dress. When they pulled back, Sebastian's eyes were full of questions, his gaze tracing her familiar yet distant lights look in her eyes.

"I..." he started, then trailed off. "You look... incredible." The word felt inadequate. Elegant, yes, but also... haunted? There was a weariness in her eyes he couldn't ignore.

Ennea laughed, the sound forced, "And you look exactly the same." She reached out, a gentle touch on his sleeve, mirroring an old habit. "I missed you, Sebastian."

Sebastian's smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. He gently grasped Ennea's hands, his voice tinged with worry. "Ennea, are you alright?" His eyes were drawn to a fresh scar just below her collarbone, its presence unsettling him. He held her gaze, searching for reassurance in her eyes. "I don't want to bring up the past, especially after so long," he said softly, "but please tell me you're okay."