Welcome to Gaia! ::

Destiny closed her eyes, remembering all the good times in the woods. Without opening them, she began to speak in a soft voice, full of intensity.

" It was wonderful. My house was high above the ground. The view was amazing. You could see for miles and miles all around. In our valley, there was only a few hundred of us, so we were spread out. Three or four times a week, I would ride out on my horse, Windrunner- well, she was more a friend than pet- with Starsilver, my hawk, flying high above, and we would just ride. When you gallop fast enough, its feels as though you were flying. When I would camp, Starsilver would bring me rabbits, and we would share them. It was a very peaceful way to live.
This life went on for an age, then when my parents died, I left our valley, and found the ocean. Sometimes, when I'm on deck, it reminds me of riding my horse-with the sun on my face, and the wind in my hair. "

As she talked, faint pictures formed in the air, almost as if made from smoke, showing what Destiny was speaking about. They hung in the air, suspended until she finished, then faded away.

Destiny smiled softly-she could still hear the shrill cry of Silverstar, see Windrunner's beautful coat glistening in the sunlight.. It had been so long since she had thought about home.

" Yes, they are still waiting for me. Someday, if I can ever get up the nerve to go back to the family house, they will be there. If not, I'm sure that their children will be there for a very long, long time.
Can you keep a secret with your very life ?"

Destiny looked at Aeoess very hard- her hazel eyes seeming to pierce her very soul-and waited for an answer.

Destiny's eye softened at the reply. Nodding to herself, she reached back and undid the bit of leather holding her hair back, so it fell loose about her shoulders. With a self-consious movent, she tucked the hair behind her ears. Therein lay the shock.. her ears were sharply pointed.

" You see, I am an elf. We've been in hiding for a very long time. I .. was a sylvan elf until my parents died in a war, then I became an elf of the sea, a sailor. I've always been content to keep to a lowly postition where I wouldn't atract too much attention. I wouldn't want to be discovered and put into a freak show or anything. Please don't tell anyone.. "

Destiny smiled at Aeoess. It was good to have a friend that didn't think that she was a freak for being different. She was thankful that she could talk about her home and past without fearing it getting out.

I would like that very much. I'm sure you would find it very restful. It would do wonders for you. If you would like, I'm sure that we could find you a horse, maybe Windrunner's sister, Sunray. I know they would love to meet you. " She paused for a moment, then grinned. " Would you like to see what I picked up the last time I was in London? Wait here!" She hobbled to her sea chest, and rumaged around in it, and found the printing plates. Wobbeling back, she set the cloth-wrapped plates on the table. Slowly she unwrapped the cloth, and there sat the printing plates for the British 1, 5, and 10 pound notes. She grinned conspiratoriliy at Aeoess.

I um.. picked these up.. so to speak.. when I was last on the Isle of Britian. You could say that I also had sticky fingers at one point. That's why I"m not too anxious to be caught by the British. I suppose I could sell them and make a fortune, but I already have several. When you've been around as long as I have, you tend to pick up several dubious skills that can come in handy."

Destiny nodded and smiled back. It was turning out to be a pleasantly surprising conversation-and she was really enjoying it. It was nice to be able to talk about some of the more frowned upon skills that she had taken up from time to time.

When we come near to the American west coast, I wonder if the Captain would let us take a month or so of vacation, and I would take you to my little valley- and show you my home. I hope you wouldn't mind coming with me. I would send a message to expect you and I, so they don't shoot you on sight. sweatdrop That wouldn't be very nice.. especially for a guest. I hope you would like to.

Destiny reached into her shirt, and pulled out a pendant worked with saphire, ebony, and silver. She held it out to Aeoess, for her to take.
( see bunk thread with crest symbol) This is the sign of my house. If you ever see it anywhere, you'll know that there you will find a friend. Just tell them that "you know your destiny and you range across the world." That's a code, and they will aid you. Don't use this lightly, but if you ever really need help- just use this pendant to find it. We're all over the place-my family I mean. Ihave several younger siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, all in various trades around the world. I know people in almost every port..

Destiny heaved a sigh. Old painful memories welled up within her mind.
Memories of a lost love, a promise broken, friends gained and lost, most painful to remember- but all worth remembering.

" Well the first few times I told people that I was elvish, I was met with fear, because my ears were pointed, people thought I was evil. In the Middle Ages, we-the elves- helped fight wars, and save kingdoms, but we were still scorned. People thought that because we were imortal we were of the underworld. It's not that we cannot die from an accident, or wound, just that we don't die of old age.
Long live comes with its own burdens. You see friends come and go-generations worth. Some fear you, some are friendly through several generation- one never knows. That's why I keep what I am hidden. Though I will probably outlive both the crew and the vessel, barring any injury. "

Destiny got up to refil the teapot. The tea had grown cold while they sat and chatted, and she wanted one more hot cup before she took some up to the officers still on deck.

** OOC-writer's block!**

Destiny was touched by Aeoess's offer. Tears misted her vision- it had been a long time since she had a friend who cared what happened to her.

She reached up gently, and felt Aeoess's ears. Though they were torn, they still had the feel of elven blood to them- that was something she could sense. I believe you are of elven blood-sensing other elves is one of my talents. If you care to, I could help you find out about your history, maybe you have other family somewhere. When we reach a port, I'll be more than happy to get in touch with my family and see what they can find out.

Just then, the teapot whistled- reminding her that she needed to take some tea up to the officers on deck. She packed the biscuits back into the tins, layering them between towels, so as not to crumble them up too much. The tea she poured into large thermoses, and began gathering mugs and placing them into her satchels.

After she was all done preparing, she asked Aeoess to grab the second satchel full of biscuits, tea thermoses and mugs, and help her pass them out to the officers on deck.