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 Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:45 pm
Pleasure to, uh, Meet You, Sir?
Step. Shuffle. Step. Shuffle.
Devakanya couldn’t see the man coming, but she could hear him from a mile away. Blue ears swiveled and flicked. She tried to tuck a strange of magenta hair back behind her ear and didn’t notice as it fell beside her cheek again. Her guardian was coming. She was told he was her ‘new’ guardian, actually, but Devakanya just couldn’t believe it. Zack couldn’t actually be gone. He wouldn’t actually just leave her like that, would he? Take Osha away? Go away and leave her with some stranger?
Well, they said he was sick. Very sick, actually, with very little hope of recovering. It seemed he had been ill for a long period of time and didn’t care to tell anyone. Maybe he didn’t want treatment. Maybe he didn’t believe in it. Maybe he was in denial. No one would ever know the truth. The only person Zack ever really confided in had long since disappeared and neither Devakanya nor Osha really knew what to think anymore. Zack was different. He thought different, acted different, looked different, even smelled different. He was sad. Terribly, terribly sad. And now he was gone. For good.
…she wasn’t even allowed to see him anymore.
And she was getting him, instead. Who was he, anyways?
As if on que, the former pirate waltzed, rather, hobbled through the door and fixed his cold gaze upon the young unicorn. He made a noise very similar to a scoff and leaned against the wall. Devakanya could feel herself shrink as he scrutinized her. This was not going to go well. She could feel it already. He wasn’t Zack, so inevitably, this was not going to go well. She had committed herself to this belief, as hard as she was going to be making this on herself. Since she couldn’t ask, she was just going to have to wait until the stranger introduced himself. And he really did take his sweet time doing so.
“M’Captain Alexander Vega,” he said when he finally felt obliged to do so. “You’re Devakanya.” He pointed a bandaged hand at her and she shrunk back. He pushed black hair from his face and scowled. “Don’ go doin’ tha’, girl. Better have manners, y’ear?” he growled, stepping closer. He wasn’t sure how he got into this, either, but he was getting a very similar feeling as Devakanya. Except for the Zack part. His was somewhere along the lines of how-did-I-get-stuck-with-a-mute-unicorn? It wasn’t a common feeling and he was pretty sure he really didn’t like it.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Devakanya said nothing. This was not unexpected. But Alexander Vega found this was rather unacceptable. He was a captain, a respectable captain, and he expected people to answer when he spoke to them.
“I said, what is wrong with you.”
“…” Devakanya curtsied. What else was there to do?
Alex growled and closed the distance between himself and the child. Clearly, this one needed to learn a little respect. As far as he knew, her former guardian was quite the character, but a nice fellow nonetheless. A nice, ill fellow who sort of let things slip the last few months. Ah, yes. Respect was something that she definitely needed.
“We’re leaving. You’ll be staying with me. At my house. And I expect you will follow my rules and respect my word, miss. I run a tight ship.” His pirate accent dropped, he eyed the girl. First impressions were everything. “Have I made myself clear?” he rumbled.
If Devakanya could speak, her answer would have been something along the lines of ‘crystal’ and she probably would have called him ‘sir’. A man such as him could never be called ‘dad’. Never.
Yes, everything had changed. And Devakanya knew this was only the beginning.
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Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:41 am
I've Tried Everything To Get Away
-Reserved for Katrina/Alex-
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Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:44 am
Over and Over
A lot had happened recently. It wasn’t easy, but Devakanya was slowly getting used to Alex. She could call him Alex mentally, even though she had a feeling he’d rather be called ‘sir’ or ‘captain’ or something. While he had initially scared the living daylights out of the unicorn, it came to her attention that he really wasn’t as bad as he made himself out to be. (He did make fantastic first impressions, hmm?) Because, as it were, Alex was a creature of habit. This made him all the easier to predict, and thus, get along with.
Alex woke up early. Devakanya didn’t have a problem with this, she never really slept past eight, anyways. Alex always had coffee in the morning. Also not a problem, after the first few disasters with the coffee machine. Now the unicorn was an expert. She had even managed to master his espresso machine. Alex always read the newspaper in the morning. Easy. Devakanya just went down to the post one day and had them help her fill out a subscription. It was very hard to say no to a pretty unicorn, you see. And now, everyone Alex had his choice of papers laying on the front step.
Alex went on a daily walk. This was the hardest thing to deal with. He always walked the beach, and the sand was harder for him to deal with. (Because of his limp, you see.) Sometimes the walk would make his mood very, very foul and other days it would settle him into peace. Devi still couldn’t figure out what dictated which mood, but she always accompanied him. Sometimes he’d talk, and she’d listen. Sometimes he’d say nothing, and she’d just keep him company. They would always visit the Devil’s Advocate, though. Sometimes, Devi would swear the captain was mourning her.
And then they’d return, and that’s when variety would kick in. Alex would let Devakanya do whatever she pleased, really, since she didn’t seem to ask for much. Or do much. She never went out to play. She usually stayed inside, reading a book or practicing playing the harp. Alex had a feeling she did not particularly like the harp, but he never asked. And that was the problem between them. For all their solutions to their mundane problems, the one thing they couldn’t fix was the language barrier.
It was okay, though, Devi thought. It was rare anyone ever understood her at all, so the girl really stopped trying.
Of course, she didn’t know Captain Alexander Vega very well. Captain Alexander Vega stopped for nothing.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:25 pm
Chris and Devi
Arpeggios - PRP with Chris
To be filled when I am less sleepy. D :
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:27 pm
Prince for a Princess
At the Beach - PRP with Taki
Will also be filled when I am not dying of sleepy. D :
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 4:28 pm
The Mythicals
Devakanya meets a singing girl in the park and gets a private concert! Wouldn't it be nice, to sing like that?
Singing, speaking, silence - PRP with Casia
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 4:30 pm
Of Sea Critters and Seaman
Alex takes Devi shopping (...what? How can he -not- spoil the unicorn?) and runs into a woman with her...kelpie? DEAR GOD, DOESN'T SHE KNOW WHAT THOSE THINGS DO?
(Devakanya is embarrassed to be related to this crazy man.)
Mark It Up!
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 4:32 pm
Family Trials
Alex and Katrina leave their charges to get to know each other better. As they go out to dinner, Devakanya makes cookies for Melchy...and lapses into awkward silence.
Her life story is awkward silence.
Just Smile and Nod - PRP with Melcy
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:27 am
So I See You Are Emotional
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU’VE NEVER HAD THE GIRL TESTED BEFORE.”
Both Devakanya and Alexander stared as the doctor standing before them all but erupted. “I, uh-”
“How long has she been in your care?” the brunette demanded.
Alexander frowned and shifted his weight off his bad leg. “Uh? A while,” he replied, voice gruff as he continued to frown at the young woman attempting to berate him. “A year ‘er so. Ma’ye. A year’s pushin’ it. I’d appreciate it if y’didn’ raise yer voice like tha’, miss.”
Devakanya pressed her ears to her skull and nodded. She had never been a fan of loud noises and this screeching was no exception. A small blue hand crept forward and wrapped around one of the Captain’s hands. He furrowed his brow and cast the unicorn a questioning look, but he didn’t say anything further on the matter. He turned his attention back to the raging medic and scowled. “I dun’ have t’ be here, yanno. There ain’ nuthin’ wrong with her.”
“Precisely my point!” the doctor exclaimed, tapping her clipboard. “There’s nothing wrong with the girl physically, so clearly, she’s been emotionally scared.”
“…’motionally scared?” Captain Vega gave Deviancy a dubious look.
The girl shrugged and cast her eyes down, straightening out her dress.
“…well. She was abandon’d, but, uh, they tol’ me she ain’ ne’er talked. E’en a’fore th’ other guy go’ admit’d.”
“Admitted? So was he crazy? Perhaps he abused her. You really ought to have a professional lo-”
“Look, lady. He ain’ crazy. Far as I know, th’ b*****d ‘ad cancer an’ was gonna die. So tha’ makes it hard to raise a brat. There ain’ nothin’ wrong wi’ m’girl n’ you can leave all yer goddamn accusations to yourself, you crazy shi’.” Ignoring the scandalized look the professional was giving him, the ex-pirate helped his charge of the examination table. “Le’s go, Devi.”
Devakanya nodded, giving the woman a confused look as Alexander all but dragged her out the door. Why would she ever say such mean things about Zachary? He never did anything wrong. She did like him quite a lot. She missed him a lot, too, but she was really starting to like Alex. Even if he did say weird stuff sometimes.
They walked in silence, as per usual, until they had almost reached the Captain’s house. Alex let go of the unicorn’s hand to fish out his key and paused, giving her a long, hard look. “Devi. Di’ you wanna learn, ah…wha’ tha’ lady said? Sign language?” God, that sounded painful.
Devakanya nodded without hesitation.
Alexander sighed and nodded. “Alri’. We’ll see if we can’t find ye somethin’.”
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:05 am
Positions Reversed
“…I ha’e this.” Alex flopped against the table, note cards scattering from his hands. “Damn ‘arder than learnin’ ‘talian.”
Devakanya smiled and leaned over to pat Alex’s hand. He had not, by any means, been a quick learner. Devi could go to school for the deaf, which was interesting, since she could hear, but that’s how they taught sign language, after all. The captain, on the other hand, was at the mercy of his little blue unicorn. Fortunately, she was a very patient creature and did not mind repeating the same word over and over. After all, the point of this entire endeavor was so she could communicate more easily, and doing such would require other people to understand this new language.
“’s so hard!” he muttered. The cool wood felt good against his face, he mused, reached over to pick up one of Devi’s handmade flashcards. Sighing at the word, Alex attempted to sign ‘cat’ for the twelfth time that evening.
The unicorn beamed and clapped her hands, nodding her head eagerly as her student finally made the correct sign. That was the pleasant thing about having a child teach him, the ex-pirate thought with a soft sigh, she was not shy about lavishing him with praise. Which, honestly, was probably the only reason he could stand sitting here at this godawful table for hours upon end.
“Can we be done now? Tha’s th’ fifth wor’ I go’ tonigh’ an’ my leg is sore.” It wasn’t. But his brain certainly was, Alex thought wryly. Not that he was about to admit it.
Devakanya didn’t seem to mind, though. Nodding cheerfully, she signed something that Alex assumed was ‘good job, you’re pretty awesome’ and gathered up her note cards, and began to arrange them in alphabetical order.
Reaching for his cane, Alex rose to his feet as he muttered, “You’re pretty awesome too, ya lil’ princess.” He ignored the confused look his unicorn shot him and hobbled across the kitchen. “C’mon. Le’s go ge’ some ice cream. Ah think we deserve it. I do, a’ th’ very leas’.”
Devakanya beamed and her eyes sparkled and the captain could not help but wonder what she would sound like if she could laugh. And for the first time since he met her, he realized how very sad it was, that should couldn’t utter a single noise. Shaking such depressing thoughts from his head, he ushered her out the door and limped down the front steps.
At the very least, he decided, at least she was rolling with the punches.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:28 am
Easy Bake
“…when you learn t’ cook, anyways?” Alex shifted quietly, peering over at the little chef at his side. The unicorn said nothing, shrugging as she reached across the cutting board for the bowl of butter. “Hey, didn’ I tell you not to do tha’? Wha’ if I slip an’ cut you by accident ‘er somethin’, then wha’, hmm?” He nudged Devakanya with his elbow.
The blue unicorn glanced up, dark magenta eyes twinkling as she took a sidestep. Oh, sure, he’d told her plenty of times before, but she knew the ex-captain wouldn’t hurt her. He was very careful in the kitchen; she’d watched him many times. How else would she learn, without being a careful observer? To learn an art, one must first master the basics. Given, the unicorn had mastered cookies some time ago, but for whatever reason, Alex seemed to be stuck on them.
Captain, she signed, buttering him up. Can we try ____ next?
Alex blinked and set down his knife. “…whu?”
Devakanya paused, setting down her mixing bowl to sign again. She was careful to sign slowly this time, so Alex might catch each word.
The captain scowled. “Naw an igit, Devi. I read it. I jus’ dunno tha’ werd. Number five. Whatchu askin’ fer?”
Devakanya sighed. There was nothing quite like trying to teach an old dog new trick. Looking around the kitchen, she turned to the pantry and began to shuffle through trays until she found the muffin tin. Smiling, she held it out to Alex.
“…you wanna make muffins? Tha’s-”
Devakanya cut him off with wild signing, insisting on one word in particular.
“Cake?”
Nod.
“…in a muffin? Muffincake?”
…honestly. Men. Devakanya gave Alex a blank stare and pointed to the tray emphatically.
“…cake in a tin? Small cake? Minicake? Oh! You wanna make cupcakes?”
About time! Devakanya rocked on the balls off her feet and nodded again, rewarding Alex with a bright smile. If she was lucky, he might-
“We’ll go n’ get cake stuff after this is all done. S’rainin’ out. Good day for baking.”
The unicorn beamed, setting her muffin tin aside to put her cookies in the oven. Sign language was probably the best thing that had ever happened to her. Ever. It was hard to enlighten Alex to the change, but honestly, Devi was fairly certain she did not need to. The grouchy old pirate was different. Not by much, he still limped, still swore a blue streak, still complained about everything he possibly could but…but…she might just be imagining it, but the old man seemed to smile more.
Maybe he was impossible to teach.
But the smiles just kinda made it worth it.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:59 am
The Truth Will Be Revealed
“What do you think about going back to the sea, Dev?”
The unicorn glanced up, narrowing her magenta eyes as she set her cookie dough down. She tipped her head sideways, brushing her bangs away from her face, and waited very patiently for her guardian to face her before she began signing. (Honestly, Alex was so slow when it came to conversation.)
Back? she asked, her expression unreadable. I have never been to the ocean.
Alex paused, chewing this over for a moment before he nodded. “Fine, smartass,” he replied, a hint of a growl somewhere deep in his voice. “Wha’ d’ ye thin’ about’ going out t’ th’ sea? An’ ye have, we go t’ th’ beach sometimes.”
Never long, Devakanya replied quickly. And that is not what you meant. I know that is not what you meant.
Alex scowled, glancing out towards the window before dragging his gaze back to his charge reluctantly. “You’re avoidin’ th’ question,” he said accusingly.
Devakanya snorted softly, lifting her head a bit higher. We can’t go back to the sea. You will die. The unicorn watched the former captain flinch, and she knew she had Alex right where she wanted. You know better, she accused, not with tone, but with a very meaningful look as she signed the short sentence. The mark, Captain. I know what it means. I looked-
Alex was already limping across the kitchen, face crunched in anger. A moment later, he was all but on top of the unicorn, an ugly scowl curling across his lips. “Wha’ ri’ do you thin’ you have?” he hissed, dark eyes searching her young face, “Pryin’ inta a man’s business li’ tha’?”
Devakanya recoiled. Perhaps her voice had given her courage, but when confronted, the youth quickly found all her smart remarks and witty phrases just out of reach. S-sorry, she signed, delicate fingers shaking as she turned away, ears pinned against her head.
“Look a’ me, young la’y.” Alex waited until his charge faced him before pulling the bandage off his hand. “This is Davy Jones mark. I sol’ my soul. An’ ye mus’ promise me tha’ you won’ tell a single soul, naw e’en on yer dyin’ breath, tha’ tha’ is why I dun sail anymore. Are we clear?”
Silence.
“I said, are we clear?”
Devakanya blinked rapidly, nodding her head yes, yes! They were clear.
Alex sighed, leaning back as he bandaged his hand back up, hiding the rot and death from his innocent little charge again. Reaching over, he pat her head gently. “I jes’…miss th’ sea sometimes, Dev. I’s a callin’, an’ s’awfully ‘ard t’ ignore…”
Devakanya glanced up, watching her guardian’s face morph from anger, to wistful, to something much deeper, much darker.
…why did you sell your soul?
Alex paused; he’d never told anyone the reason he sold his soul to the demon of the sea. He’d let the secret die along with…along with their…
“Si’ down, Dev. S’a long, long story…”
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