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Dakkar runs. Neither Ahlaam nor Kal nor Margaret could convince him to stay. He’s had enough of his father’s scorn, so to the seas he must go. A familiar ship pulls up to Paradise Harbor. He’s watched it come and go over the years, always wondering about the Searchers on board. Now, he would be one of them.
He moves fast, his legs wasting no time, and he makes it to the ship just as it docks. Dakkar reads the words carved into the side of the hull. The Bonaventure. He flags down the first sailor he can find.
“Excuse me, but might I ask about joining this wonderful vessel’s crew?” The sailor he stopped stares at him with a confused look. They move their index finger from their ear to their mouth, finishing the gesture off with a shrug. Dakkar racks his brain for where he’s seen this before…but nothing in his nautical studies have mentioned this.
“Ahoy, there!” A voice calls out to him, “You need some help over there, Indigo?”
The sailor Dakkar had flagged down nods, and the voice finds a body as it travels down the ramp and onto the dock. He’s quite the handsome sailor, eyes alight with the Radiance and hair wind-blown.
“Why, hello! What seems to be the issue?”
“Oh, I was just asking about joining the crew, but I’m guessing I asked the wrong person?” Dakkar says, gesturing over to Indigo and then the new sailor. The new sailor nods, and lets out a small chuckle.
“Actually, you did ask the right person, Indigo here’s our clerk. They manage every person on deck and ensures everyone gets a fair share,” He explains, “Though, they are deaf, hence why they probably looked confused when you talked to them.”
Dakkar smacks his forehead, “Sign language! That’s what they were doing!” Thanks the Gates Ahlaam and Margaret had convinced him to study it, or else this would get very convoluted. Dakkar signs, “Sorry, my mind went blank for a moment.”
Indigo grins and signs back, “That’s okay. We all have our bad days,”
“Could I join the crew?” Dakkar asks, and Indigo gives him a thumbs up.
“Well, seems like I don’t even have to help you!” The sailor laughs, “I’m Cyrus by the way. And you are…?”
He thinks for a moment. He can’t go by his old name, there’s too much tied to it. But what should he call himself instead? Ah, he knows. “Nemo. My name is Nemo,” Nemo says, repeating the sentence in sign language for Indigo’s sake. Both sailors give him a nod, though they share a knowing glance before Cyrus wraps an arm around him, guiding him onto the deck of the Bonaventure.
“Welcome aboard, Nemo!” He beams, “This here is the Bonaventure, the best ship you’ll ever sail,”
Indigo taps Nemo’s shoulder, “He only says that because he’s the captain.” Nemo chuckles softly. So, Cyrus is the captain of the Bonaventure, good to know. Nemo is lead to the captain’s quarters, where a darker skinned woman with a halo of curls sits, dutifully sharpening a cutlass. Nemo swallows, a little intimidated by the sight. The woman glances up, and smiles wide at Cyrus, before her eyes shift to Nemo, and her expressions turns skeptical.
“Cyrus, what in the world are you doing with the prince?” She asks, gesturing to Nemo. Cyrus chuckles as Nemo’s palms grow sweaty. Gates damnit, they know.
“Well, he—“ Cyrus pauses, turning to Nemo, “Actually I never asked how you wanted to be referred to,”
“What?” Nemo stares at him in confusion. Cyrus shakes his head with a soft smile.
“Everyone is welcome on the Bonaventure, no matter their identity. So, Nemo, what do you want us to refer to you as?” Cyrus asks again, hands on Nemo’s shoulders. Glancing over at Indigo, Nemo’s decision is set in stone.
“Would it be alright for all of you to refer to me with ‘they’? Same as Indigo?” Nemo smiles softly. Cyrus returns it, turning back to the woman.
“Well, honey, Nemo here wants to join our crew. Mind if they do?”
The woman hums as she puts away her cutlass. She rises to her feet and…Gates she’s tall. Easily towering over Nemo and Indigo, and Cyrus is quite a few inches shorter than her. She leans in, assessing them with scrutiny.
“You swear to do what’s in the best interest for this ship and crew?”
“Y-yes ma’am,” They say. The woman smiles, stranding up straight once more.
“Great. Welcome aboard the Bonaventure, Nemo. I’m Mary Katharine, first mate and wife of Cyrus here,” She announces, and Nemo quickly shakes her hand. This is all happening so fast, yet they couldn’t be more sure that this is where they were meant to be. Indigo catches Nemo’s attention with a wide grin.
“How about some sailing training?” They sign eagerly. Nemo matches their grin with one of their own.
“Bring it on,” They both say and sign. Mary Katharine lets out a ‘whoop’ and punches the air as they all laugh and Nemo is lead back out onto the deck.
~
It had been months since Nemo joined the crew of the Bonaventure, and their life has only improved since. Indigo and them have basically become siblings at this point, and they’ve befriended Cyrus and Mary Katharine. Now, they stand on the deck of the ship that’s become their new home, watching the waves rippled and fade as the Bonaventure rests in New York Harbor. Cyrus and Mary Katharine are picking something up, so the crew is free to wander the harbor, but Nemo remains on board. Someone has to watch the ship, and besides, they don’t have much love for big cities.
“Nemo! Nemo get down here!” That’s Cyrus’ voice…what is he calling them down for? Curious, Nemo wanders down to the ramp and onto the dock, where they’re suddenly assaulted from both sides by small hands.
“What in the—?” They glance down to see two pairs of sparkling green eyes staring up at them, one pair behind a set of golden spectacles. Nemo recognizes those eyes instantly, these kids have to be Mary Katharine’s and Cyrus’! “Well, hello there you two,”
“Samuel, Rose!” Cyrus rushes up to them, panting, “Gates you two are fast…”
“Who’s this, dad?” Samuel asks immediately, pointing up at Nemo, the other hand still hanging onto his shirt. The other child, Rose, is doing the same.
“That’s Nemo, they’re a part of our crew,” Cyrus explains, looking at all three of them fondly. Nemo ignores the heat in their cheeks. The children marvel at them again, and that’s when Mary Katharine catches up. She’s not as easily winded as Cyrus, but there is a slight sheen to her brow.
“Introducing the kids, Cy?”
“Yup. Samuel and Rose already love them,” He chuckles, putting his hands on his hips. The children are still staring at Nemo, who simply shrugs.
“Well, on the ship you three, we’re going on an adventure!” Mary Katharine shouts, corralling them back onto the boat. Rose grumbles, but Samuel is all smiles as he eagerly darts around the deck, inspecting every part of it. Rose sticks with Nemo, who, alongside Cyrus, gives her a tour of the captain’s quarter while Mary Katharine ensures Samuel doesn’t fall in the water.
The two kids (who Nemo discovers are twins) are incredibly curious, asking questions nonstop about the ship, and a lot of of those questions are directed at Nemo. Where they’re from, why they’re on the ship, and what’s with the strange name? They do their best to answer all of them, though they leave the last one unanswered to the kid’s disappointment. They’re quite entertaining company, really, so it only makes sense that Nemo finds themself resting in their quarters, the Stratford twins managing to squeeze themselves onto Nemo’s cot. They’re asleep now, curled up on either side of them. Samuel’s glasses are askew, and Rose is clutching onto a small notebook she’s been writing in up until she passed out.
“Hey, Nemo how are—“ Cyrus waltzes in, but Nemo quickly shushes him, gesturing to the twins. Cyrus covers his mouth and nods, tiptoeing toward their cot. “How are they?” He whispers as he draws near, a fond smile on his face. Nemo, again, ignores the heat that floods their creaks.
“They’re good,” They whisper back, “Fell asleep soon after we laid down,”
“Great,” Cyrus’ smile grows wider, “Do you mind if they stay with you for tonight?”
“No, I don’t,” Nemo smiles as well, “I’ll take good care of them, captain.”
Cyrus chuckles, “Alright. Mary Katharine and I will be sailing late into the night, so don’t be afraid to fall asleep yourself,”
“Aye, understood,” Nemo nods. Cyrus leans in to kiss Samuel and Rose on the forehead, and then he kisses Nemo on the forehead too.
“Goodnight, Nemo,” Cyrus says, then quietly scurries off to his duties, leaving Nemo dumbfounded and blushing. Well, they certainly aren’t going to get any sleep tonight. Might as well read Margaret’s latest letter to pass the time. Nemo produces it from their pocket (with a little creative wiggling to not disturb the twins), and opens it carefully.
Dear brother,
Every time I look out at the sea, I am reminded that you are no longer by my side here at Starhold. I do not blame you for your choice, but I do still miss you. I hope you’re faring well aboard the Bonaventure, Cyrus and Mary Katharine seem like wonderful companions. Though, are you sure they aren’t more to you? The way you describe them in your letters does suggest such a thing. I feel the same way with Sia, as you probably could tell before you left.
I do hope that you come to visit someday, even if it’s just for a day. It would be wonderful to see you again, and to share another night under the stars with you. But I’m still so proud of you, brother. Never forget that, and write back as soon as you can, I want to hear all about your adventures.
Your sister,
Margaret
Nemo smiles softly as they close the letter, thinking. Maybe it would do them some good to visit Margaret back in Paradise…they could do it without seeing father. They miss their sister just as much as she misses them. Something to consider for the future, but for now, they’re content going on another adventure. They’ll tell Margaret about it later, but first: rest. Nemo closes their eyes, their breath evening as sleep begins to take over. Tomorrow will bring new adventure, and they have new friends to share it with. The sea would forever be their home, as it was always meant to be.