Chapter Text
It's earlier than usual even for her. The sun still sleeps as the moon starts its slow descent towards the other side of the word. Flickers from stars and the white glow of the moon light the decaying dock. The fog enveloping the land like a blanket to a sick child. She shifts, watching the waves enter and leave the beach. Sees how stones turn and toss only to be left again in the same place all over again. She feels muted and still. Her muscles rigid and her mind wandering, refusing to sleep.
Mariner gazes out towards the sea. The land below her rightfully belonging to her. Rightfully built up and maintained, all for it to be taken away by unfortunate squatters. It didn't matter to her anyway. At least not anymore. She would soon no longer need this place, just like how she no longer needed the feeling of company. Everything felt temporary and meaningless.
Her hands graze her hair, lifting up her cap, as she allows her head to receive the chill air briefly. Grease painted her fingertips, a sign that it was time for a much needed shower. She sat up straight and turned, determined to head back when something caught her eye. A large figure brakes the waves. A man's body washed to the shore.
It was nothing new to find a dead body. A week without something washing up was a rare one. But a man washing up completely naked? She ran to the rocks and dragged the man towards the aged dock. He was surprisingly light for a man with bulk. A pulse. Almost instinctively she pushed into his chest. Trying as she could remain calm, to not panic. She feels the tense body heave and struggle against her pressing. Water courses out of the man's mouth and then a few spats. He had made it back to the land of the living.
"Hell. Shit. Ugh that was worse than being burned."
The Mariner only glanced at him in a mixture of relief and confusion.
"Crap. I'm naked aren't I? And you can see me there...Great."
"Who are you exactly?" She asked. Her gaze was more focused on his face, rugged and sand blasted from the sea's waters. His dark eyes remained glossy and red trimmed from the salt water. Folded eyelids strained against the fluxing light. An unruly beard framed his face, bringing to focus his chapped lips. He was pale from his close encounter with death.
"Lady please. I first need to at least cover my lack of a gonad before I can answer some questions." He coughed up. The man attempted to lift himself up and instead found himself falling over. Instinctively, she held his arm to keep him steady.
"Heh, thanks. Noodle legs at the moment."
"Hey I can get you some spare clothes. Just promise me you won't leave."
"No other place really." He said.
She left and got back with a shirt and a set of pants. Her new found companion sat above some rocks gazing at the crashing tide. Night time was running out. Trough her panic she didn't realize how many scars this man had. Large gashes took up his back, right shoulder and chest. Various small ones touched his legs and arms. The man was a fighter. Built with muscle and bulk that defined his body. He wore a pair of silver ring earrings that gave a muted shine in the sky's early rays of light. The Mariner took off her gaze and handed him the clothes. He had gotten used to the night air. The feeling of something dry over his humid skin caused him to shiver. A prickly feeling left him without ease.
"Of course, I realize how dreading cold it is once clothes get on me." He mumbled.
"I'm sorry....I should have gotten a towel as well. We should head back to town. You are welcomed to rest at my place."
He gazed at her curiously. Wondering what was the catch. But the air was drying his skin and the potential of a warm place convinced him.
"Then let's go. No use occupying space when there's not even a sun to tan with." He answered sarcastically.
They both headed to town in silence. The man looked all over curiously. Houses in depilated condition, parts of the dock ridden with holes, it didn't look appealing for anyone to live here. He looked towards a peculiar set of lanterns catching the fog. It is eerily foggy around these parts. He contemplated as he caught up with the mariner.
The town was half asleep. Those who had the pleasure of being awake stared at their new arrival. A few whispers passed here and there earning a groan from the cold, nearly drowned man. He had gotten used to stare, but he realized that by avoiding their presence he attracted more unwanted attention.
The man noticed that no one really lived in a house except for the bar at the far end of the pier that acted as a hotel as well. Most people lived off of a lean-to or at most half a house. Even the doctor's place had no door and a shattered window where anyone was free to observe. He took a glance in to see the sleeping doctor on the couch and a patient groaning in pain while he slept on the only bed.
That looks like it hurts like a bitch.
He had finally reached the Mariner's place. Another half house but at least it had a ceiling and a room technically.
"Here, I have a spare sleeping bag you can use tonight on the floor. It isn't much but it's what's available." She said.
"You are awfully nice for just meeting a stranger."
"You wouldn't know the half of it." She sighed, remembering that all the dock once belonged to her.
"So now that you are all set up. I'll ask again. Who are you?"
"I am called R and I was on a boat to the north of here, promised of a new job that was secure and stable." He responded, settling the sleeping bag close to the make shift fireplace that was only a garbage can.
"Unfortunately the people who had recruited me changed their mind and decided to throw me overboard."
"Without clothes?" She said quizzingly.
"Right, for fish food."
R settled himself as comfortable as he could in the small bag, shifting a couple of times to generate warmth. The sight of the man shaking the bag like a cocoon made the mariner smile slightly.
"What are you doing?"
"Just trying to stay warm." She shook her head to contain her laughter and reached for something behind the desk. A bit dusty but still intact, she pulled out an old quilt, hole ridden but still usable.
"Here." She threw the old blanket unceremoniously towards the man on the floor. Covering up his head as well. Surprisingly he immediately stilled.
"Hey, Thanks! Goodnight." He said through the blanket. The Mariner was just about to say something, to clarify whether it was sarcasm or not when a sound barely above a whisper was heard. A snore.
Now she couldn't stop smiling. He had actually fallen asleep. She took her place inside her own bed and watched as the fire played shadows against the wrapped figure on the floor. The Mariner stared as R's figure rose and fell with each deep breath, subconsciously lulling her to sleep.