Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 6, 2021 12:10:13 GMT -5
Sol gently wiped away his tears. "So don't. We still have time. Breakfast first, then you need to pack. We'll think about goodbyes when reach that bridge."
☆~☆~☆ ( Cute scene it is then. 😁 )
They flew all day, with a two hour break at lunchtime for a midday meal, and to exercise the dogs a bit. Seth spent most of the ride answering all Aidan's questions about the geography they were flying over. His curiosity was endless, though Seth had to wonder if he was using it to cover up his sadness over leaving the Dorrehs.
An hour before sunset, Stel spotted a good spot to land for the night. They were flying over a vast forest region, but it ended at a large meadow ahead. On the other side of the meadow was a small settlement, but if they camped right at the edge of the woods they should be far enough away to avoid detection.
Stel set down carefully. Seth unstrapped Hero and slid to the ground. He put the puppy down, watching briefly as he wandered off to relieve himself, then climbed back up to help Aidan and grab the saddle bag. He hadn't packed much in the dragon's saddlebags, just the essentials, things they might want during the long flight. In order to reduce weight, Seth had packed most of their things in his pockets.
Once Aidan was on the ground, Seth moved over to Corrik to help Anya with Star.
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*Nightwhisper
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"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 6, 2021 12:32:33 GMT -5
Parker knew he was right, but he also knew that the longer he put it off, the harder it was going to be. His hold on Sol only tightened as he tried, honest to goodness tried, to ignore his feelings. Sol made it look easy.
~•~•~
The flight itself was a pleasant one. The weather was fair, and the going easy. Truth be told, it was good to be going somewhere again, as if they had things to do and not just killing time. It helped distract Anya a bit from the circumstances of their departure, if only for a while.
At the last few hours of evening, they came to stop at their camp for the night. Anya went ahead and removed the straps from her legs and those on Star, though she made sure to keep a firm grip on her collar so she wouldn't try and jump on her own. Only when Seth joined her did she hand her down to him before following suit.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 6, 2021 16:33:06 GMT -5
Breakfast was a somber affair. Parker hardly ate anything, and Sol only ate because his body was conditioned to always accept food. One never knew when they might be eating their last meal for a while. At least, that had been Sol's experience.
After the quiet breakfast, the two met up with Mason and Quill, and they took Parker back to the ship to help him pack, and to get in their own goodbyes, while Sol handled some business in town.
☆~☆~☆ "I know." Seth bit off the "I'm sorry" that formed on his tongue. Apologies were a bit moot at this point. "Would you like to set up the tent, or collect the firewood?" Doing something, on the other hand, would be a good distraction.
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 6, 2021 17:05:35 GMT -5
Parker hated that all he did was push his food around on his plate, but he just couldn't bring himself to eat more than a few bites. It made him cringe to think he was wasting the food, which only made his appetite worse. Yet he tried to eat, if only to keep the awkwardness to a minimum for Sol, who was eating.
Eventually, they split ways. Parker made the trip back to to the Comet with Mason and Quill, trying hard to act normal. If crying in front of Sol was hard, he certainly didn't want to do it in front of his friends. It was difficult, but somehow he managed as they made it to the ship's deck. It was strange to be here with it so empty without Sol. His footsteps echoed far too loudly on the deck as he went below to the crew's sleeping quarters. While he did share Sol's room, there were still items he kept in his own little chest he was first given to use. It wasn't much, bit he wanted to get them first before heading to the captain's quarters.
~•~•~
"I can set up the tent," Anya offered. Anything to keep her busy, and she felt like gathering the firewood would allow her mind to wander too much. So she picked the harder of the two options.
~•~•~
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 10, 2021 20:42:37 GMT -5
Parker appreciated their attempts to keep things normal, and he he matched their efforts as best as he could. Yet after going to get his belongings from Sol's room, taking in the details of a room he had become intimately familiar with one last time, he just couldn't do it. Walking back onto the deck of the ship, he set his bags down and he turned to face his closest friends. "Mason, Quill, I..." he started, feeling his words choke him again. He took a second, took a deep breath, and tried again. "Thank you guys, for everything."
~*~*~
It wasn't difficult to set up the tent. Well, not once she got it started. The canvas was always a bit unruly when unrolled, but as the process of setting it up got started, it became easier. So after 20 minutes, and that was he taking her time and almost getting lost in thought, she had it ready for the night. When she was done, she then moved to help Aidan, or at least see if he needed help. She didn't want to take the job away from the boy, feeling like he would want to help in some ways as well, so she stood by, picking up rocks out of his reach and handing them to him. But eventually that too was completed and the two were left to wait on Seth. Maria had packed their meals for the night, so Anya took the time to get it out. It was nothing fancy, just something they could easily heat over a fire and eat with their traveling utensils. Her mother had wanted to pack them more, but they would have had no way to keep all of the food from spoiling. Besides, Anya figured they would stay close to towns if they could, get some meals or even ingredients from there and hunt when necessary.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 11, 2021 7:21:09 GMT -5
"You don't need to thank us, Parker." Quill turned to face him while Mason started shifting Parker’s belongings into the rowboat. "It's just... how we do around here," Quill finished. He smiled, and pulled Parker into a big hug. "We're gonna miss you, lubber."
☆~☆~☆ The only help Aidan really needed was direction for the proper sized rocks. Many he grabbed were too big, and a few were too small. He didn't begrudge Anya's assistance; he welcomed the opportunity to learn.
Seth returned shortly after with an armful of sticks and twigs. Even Hero did his part, and came brandishing a stick too big for him. He came galloping over to whack Anya and Aidan with it before moving on to show it off to Star. Seth rolled his eyes affection at his pup's goofy antics and crouched down at start building the fire.
Minutes later it was lit, and Seth let Anya do the cooking, because he knew she was looking for distraction. While she did that, Seth took Aidan a few feet away and had him work on some of his exercises. He lit a few glow balls to help him see.
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*Nightwhisper
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"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 11, 2021 15:48:41 GMT -5
Parker had told himself he wasn't going to cry, yet as he matched the emotion of the hug, it was hard to stick to that decision. The man took a few steadying breaths before attempting to say more. "I'm going to miss you too," he muttered, stepping back and looking to Mason. "Both of you. It's going to be hard not to have either of you around, teasing me 24/7."
~*~*~
Sitting by the fire, waiting for the food to cook and watching the boys exercise, it was easy to believe that they were simply on some kind of camping trip or vacation. Not the reality of having been run out of town simply because of something they couldn't have controlled. Anya sighed and poked the fire with a stick, stoking the flames a little bit.
You know, I could go back and actually prove to them just how much of a menace I could be. Prove that they don't know the definition of it, Corrik offered.
Anya shook her head. No, and that would only be proving them right. Besides, if you showed them a lesson, that would be putting our family at risk too. I don't want to give them any more trouble.
You haven't given them any trouble to begin with.
Doesn't feel like that.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 12, 2021 21:00:27 GMT -5
Sol shook his head and beckoned him to follow. He walked off the dock and wandered off to one side. In the opposite direction, three horses stood waiting. While Sol led Parker to a secluded place a few feet away, Mason and Quill helped the stranger load Parker’s things onto one of the horses.
Sol stopped when they were far enough away for a bit of privacy. "I have something for you," he said. "Well, two somethings, though this one I've technically already given you."
He pulled Victory's feather out of his pocket and held it out to him. "It may take her a few days, but eventually she'll start showing up when you least expect her. Don't be surprised if she doesn't come to you right away. And when she does, don't let any of your brothers get too close, unless you want her to bite him."
☆~☆~☆ ( And Seth ain't cooperating tonight, so I'll get his reply up tomorrow. 😝 )
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 13, 2021 5:59:34 GMT -5
Parker nodded. Up until now, he hadn't really had much to do with the bird. Sure he tried to make friends with her the times she came to see Sol, but he had never pushed his luck. He didn't fancy being attacked. So he truly didn't think he would see much of Victory. However, if she did find hum, could he possibly use her as a way to stay in touch with Sol? It was a slim chance, but one that made him hopeful nonetheless. "Thank you," he said, trying to figure out where he should put the feather for safe keeping.
~•~•~
(Yeah, didn't you say Aidan was feeling a bit sad to be leaving too? XD)
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 13, 2021 20:31:25 GMT -5
Sol nodded. He looked over to where the others were finishing their task. Soon, the man Sol had hired to guide Parker home would be wanting to leave. There wasn't much time left. He turned back to Parker. "After the island, you asked me what two things you changed my mind about. I told you one, but not the other." He took a deep breath. "I changed my mind about asking you to stay. Not because I don't want you to — I do. But you have a family waiting for you, Parker, and abandoning them isn't something you're capable of. Even if part of you wishes otherwise. You need to go home. You need to know. And I need to let you."
He looked down, one hand sliding into his coat pocket. "However," he continued, lifting his gaze to Parker once more. "If you ever wish to return, or visit, this will ensure you can always find me." He pulled his hand from his pocket and offered Parker what he now held: a dog collar studded with black diamonds.
☆~☆~☆ ( Oh yeah. xD I think he's been mostly cheered by the training and the food. xD )
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*Nightwhisper
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"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 13, 2021 20:51:42 GMT -5
Parker's eyes lifted to watch Sol's face as he continued. It took a moment for him to realize what he meant. Sol had wanted him to stay. Sol was going to tell him yo stay, but he had done done something to change his mind. Parker tried fo thinknabout what they could have been, what he could have possibly done differently, but deep down he knew the truth of his words. He wouldn't have been able to continue living on the ship without properly saying goodbye to his family at least. And since Sol was letting him go, there was no real reason that would make him have to return to the ship.
He could've kicked himself, cursed himself up one side and down the other, for letting his heart get so carried away. Could've broke down crying again. However, the sight of the collar distracted him just enough to keep that from happening. Once more, he took the item, clearly more confused by this gift than the feather. "And how will I be able to find you with this?" He asked.
~•~•~
(So he's exempt. Good for Seth. XD)
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*Nightwhisper
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 14, 2021 20:58:53 GMT -5
Parker wished he wasn't like this. That he knew what to say, or how to act that would make it easier on both of them.yet every thought was betraying him, leaving him to fend for himself. And then his guide was telling them that they had to be leaving. The panic rose so fiercely that he couldn't stop it. The young man cursed and desperately embraced Sol for one last time, face buried in his shoulder. He was on the verge of sobs, but he was holding them at bay, barely. "N-no, Sol, I c-can't," he said, voice muffled by the captain's coat. "I can't do this. P-please tell me to stay."
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 14, 2021 21:31:18 GMT -5
Parker’s desperate embrace startled him, but he didn't hesitate to hug him back just as fiercely. He had to swallow before he could speak. "You can." He forced himself to step back and cupped Parker’s face. "May you have fair winds and following seas," he said quietly. It was a sailors farewell, but he felt it still fit.
With great reluctance, he took several steps back, putting a much needed distance between them. "Apollo," he said. He crouched down as the dog came to sit in front of him and gently took hold of his muzzle. Man and dog held each other's stare for a long minute. Then Sol nodded. "Take care of him," he said so only Apollo could hear. When he let out a quiet huff of acknowledgement, Sol stood and gave him one last command: "Free."
Apollo sat where he was for a moment more, still staring up at Sol. Then he stood and backed up a few steps before finally turning away to sit beside Parker.
Sol looked from his dog to his lover and gave a faint, roguish smile. "Until we meet again," he told them.
And then he turned and walked away.
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Heterosexual
✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_blue.png)
"You never have to prove yourself to anyone who doesn't accept you for who you are."
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Post by ✧☽ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴏᴇʀ ☾✧ on Sept 14, 2021 22:19:05 GMT -5
( Yes, well. Parker expresses his grief one way, Sol does it a different way. xD )
The guide watched the captain go for only a moment before clearing his throat and gesturing for Parker to follow. "Come along, lad. Time to go home." He led the way to the horses, pointed out which one was to be Parker’s — a leggy and docile bay gelding — and quickly mounted his own buckskin mare. He took the lead rope fir the pack horse, checked that Parker was mounted, and set off on the first leg of their long journey home.
///
Sol, for his part, kept up the calm exterior all the way down the dock, throughout the short boat ride to his ship, and during his short walk across the deck to his quarters. As soon as the door closed behind him, he shrugged out of his coat, tossing it onto the couch, and started unbuckling his weapons belt while walking behind the bar. He dropped the belt on the bar, grabbed a tumbler and a bottle of bourbon, and disappeared into his office for the remainder of the day.
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