Silent Introductions

Writers: AL, Kaysea
Date Posted: 5th December 2008

Characters: Relea, Nico
Description: Nico finally introduces himself to Relea and learns something about her.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 13, day 11 of Turn 4
Notes: Riverboat Sungazer

Relea

There she was, leaning over the rail and staring down into the water, watching it churn beneath the boat. If Leaton was about, he was nowhere to be seen. It looked as if she were alone, without his influence or commands to drive her where to go and to tell her what to do. Her dress was finer than most, making her look the daughter of a well to do holder though those who knew them would have wondered how in the world they could have afforded such a clothing. It was a pale green with lavender flowers dancing over the skirt that, in turn, danced around her ankles. She had a pale green hat with lavender flowers to match which somehow stayed upon her head despite the wind tugging at it. Her blonde hair was once more pulled back into a braid, stopping mid back. What wasn't shadowed by the hat sparkled like gold in the sunlight.

"I wish I were a harper," Nico said, nearing her, "I would love to be able to paint your portrait right now."

There was no reply. In fact, there was no reaction. The woman simply stayed right where she was, gaze focused upon the waters that held no reflection like the ones at the dock. The boat was muddling it far too much for that.

He waited for a response, "Sorry, I meant no offense..." he started, moving forward, "You just look so beautiful standing there."

That time, there was a response. When he drew closer, she saw him out of the corner of her eye and she straightened, then turned to him. She smiled at Nico, though her expression seemed to be questioning.

"I'm sorry... I thought you had heard me." he said, realising she hadn't been aware of his presence until that moment. "My name is...Nico, I'm one of the crewmembers." he said, by way of explanation.

There was a short pause which was followed by a slight widening of her smile and a bob of her head in greeting.

"You're Relea?" he asked, thinking her the shyest girl he had ever come across. Even shyer than Eliste had been, but then she had had good cause not to want to have anything to do with anyone, when she had first boarded the boat. "Your brother told me your name when he booked your passage aboard the Sungazer." he said, explaining further.

The girl's eyebrows raised and she nodded slowly, her smile remaining true. She turned a bit more so that she was facing him dead on and it was then that he could see a stylus of sorts hanging from her belt alongside a small bag.

"You don't talk mu-" he finally registered the stylus and what it usually meant. "Oh, shards." he shook his head. "Forgive me?"

The smile brightened and turned into a laugh, the sound strange, almost strangled. Her blue eyes sparkled and her eyes crinkled in merriment as she waved her hand in a dismissive manner.

"You are beautifil." the words were out of his mouth before he was conscious of thinking them. He flushed, grateful that she couldn't hear what he had said.

The girl's eyes widened and she flushed, then hesitantly made some sort of signal with her hands, placing her fingertips upon her chin, then letting them arch outward toward him.

He shook his head, a bemused smile on his face, "I'm...I'm sorry, I don't understand." he said, shaking his head softly.

The girl took up her stylus and reached into the small pouch, taking out a bit of chalk. Upon it, she wrote something and when she showed it to him, it simply said "Thank you."

"You can understand what I say?" he asked. slowly emphasizing each word.

The girl nodded and placed two fingers upon her lips. She then pointed to Nico and nodded again with a small smile.

"So this..." he repeated her first action with his hand, touching the end of his chin with his fingertips before arching them out in front of him, "means, thank you?" he asked.

The girl nodded, her smile brightening. She repeated the action, then nodded again.

"And how do you say hello?" he asked, genuinely wanting to learn from her. Her eyes still held him mesmerized, he kept her attention, his eyes barely leaving hers, except to see what she would 'sign' to him next.

Relea reached up and placed the side of her hand against her forehead, palm down. She then moved it outward away from her and down a bit. She was surprised that he had taken an interest. Most people were too daunted by the task of communicating to ask how she did so.

He watched her closely, a smile on his face as his eyes followed her actions and he repeated it quickly. "And friend? How do you say friend?" he would remember as many as he could, and the next time they met he would at least be able to say hello to her in a way that few others would.

Relea locked her two index fingers together, then released one another to change positions, then back again in one quick fluid motion.

It was done so quick, he didn't quite catch what she had done. "Like this?" he asked, his fingers tangling.

She laughed again, the strange choking sound and shook her head. She moved forward to gently guide his hands more slowly than what she had done, but the same movements.

"Ohhh." he nodded positively, "I get it..." He quickly caught on to what she had done, and repeated the actions again himself. "How was that?" he asked, looking back up to her, a wide smile on his face.

Relea nodded, her smile a ray of sunshine. She repeated the action, then pointed to Nico.

"Thank you." he said, performing the action at the same time. "I'd like to be your friend."

The girl smiled and nodded. She seemed about to try and communicate something else to him when a shadow fell across their path. "May I help you?" Leaton glanced over at his sister, a scowl upon his face.

"Oh, I was just introducing myself to Relea." Nico said, ignoring the scowl and smiling welcomingly to the man.

"Yes, well, it's about time she was shown to her quarters." Leaton stepped closer to her and clasped her arm rather possessively. "Good day to you."

"Oh..." Nico was flummoxed, he didn't like the possessive way her brother was manhandling her, but he was a passenger and unless he was outright cruel to the girl, there was nothing he could do. "Okay, good day to you both." Nico said, meeting Relea's gaze.

Leaton turned, guiding Relea with him. Her eyes met his and she smiled before she allowed her brother to lead her down and around the corner out of sight.

Nico watched as they turned the corner and disappeared from view, but her eyes remained in his mind - the startling blue that had haunted his dreams, were with him now.

Last updated on the December 7th 2008

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Silent Introductions