From a Distant Shore[M]{DamoniquexLycoris}

[Damonique]

They sat there together for a goodly amount of time while the men continued working and cooking off to the side, not truly 'speaking' owing to the limited nature of their method of communication, but now and again Laeron would point to something and say the word for it, waiting until Layla did the same, or explaining the meaning of certain phrases with gestures.

Some concepts were simple, like 'me' and 'you' when referring to oneself or the one your were speaking to, 'that' indicating an object, and the words for things like 'ship', 'stone', and 'cloak' that she grasped them almost effortlessly, further lending credence to the Prince's suspicion that she had known their language in some time before being stranded, and had only forgotten much of it, and whenever she got something right he would give her a smile or an affectionate pat on the head.

It was very easy to mistake Layla for a child much younger than her true years under such circumstances. She was nearly a foot shorter than the tall, long-limbed prince, looking even smaller wrapped in his billowy cloak, and her manner of speech and shy, demure demeanor reminded him very much of his youngest sister, Alicent, who was only eight. Now and again the way she pronounced something would make him laugh. He couldn't remember the last time he laughed so often since the first storm had washed over the fleet. It was....nice.

Eventually, one of the men called over to them to announce that the pork was finished being cooked and seasoned, and Laer led Layla back towards the fire, it's heat a welcome addition. While the days here were more than warm enough, once the sun went down and the wind off the water picked up, it got quite chilly, and Layla was still engulfed by his long cloak.

The men said a handful of prayers to whichever of the many gods they honored, and owing to his status, gave the prince the first and largest haunch of meat off the spitted boar, a basket of fruit and berries, and a cup drawn from the second-to-last cask of sweet red wine that had been found in the holds of the Proudrunnder, the remnants of his uncles private stock. Layla was given similar, and Laeron beaconed for her to try the meat and wine, taking a bite and swig himself to and nodding with approval to show it was safe.

[Lycoris]

While they sat together, Layla enjoyed their time together. Even though their communication was very limited, they made it work. Laeron would help her teaching her new words having her repeat them back to him. The words he taught her were familiar, but her memories of the language were long forgotten. Perhaps overtime her memory of it will come, at least she hoped so. Hearing his laugh made Layla feel good inside knowing that she was making him happy, even if she wasn't exactly sure what she was doing that he found so amusing, but seeing him smile and be happy made her feel happier in response.

Her innocence made Layla seem almost like a child. With her lack of knowledge of suggestive topics as well as other things, she did seem like a child. It didn't help that she grew up most of her life with very little social interaction with others that would have helped her mature a bit more. She did have some traits such as being independent and self sufficient living on her own for so long, so she wasn't that far behind. It would only be a matter of time before she would catch up.

As the men called to them, Layla was a little disappointed that their time alone from the others was over for the time being, but she assumed that this wouldn't be the last time. The two of them seemed to have been bonding nicely ever since they have met. Following him back, Layla did feel nice being close to the fire along with Laeron's cloak. It was very nice way to wear instead of just wearing her tattered, ragged dress. She frequently became cold throughout the night while just wearing her dress.

As everyone was given food, Layla looked at the pork intrigued by it not remembering if she had ever had it before coming to the island. Glancing to Laeron, she smiled a bit as he gestured to her that it was safe to try just as she had done with the berries. Taking a small bite of the pork, her face lit up after realizing how good it had tasted. She eagerly began eating more as meat was much more filling than the usual fruits and berries she had been used to eating. She sipped on the wine as she had never had alcohol before so the taste was something very foreign to her that she would need to adapt to.

"Food good!" She said happily to him as she was very appreciative that they would be willing to share everything they had found on the island.

[Damonique]

Layla's outburst of excitement at the simplest of pleasures caused the gathered crewmen no end of mirth, her very presence seemed to lighten the mood considerably as they all ate and drank their fill together, and some started taking turns playing the 'pointing game' with her, giving her words like 'fire', 'tent', 'wine', many types of food and several of their names. Many of the men were more than passing intrigued in the girl for other reasons as well, but just as many had daughters, nieces, and cousins back home she fondly reminded them of.

When their meal was done with enough set aside for a light breakfast before the days labors tomorrow, many of the men wandered off to find their bunks on the ships or places in the barracks tents to rest, while the rest gathered closer to the fire in a circle, refilling their cups and swapping stories and jests, even the prince himself contributing a few anecdotes, about his uncle and the time they spent at foreign courts. They were the few good memories this adventure had had despite later tragedy. Laer was sure Layla couldn't recognize but one word in tend without context, but she laughed when they laughed and seemed more than contented with the warmth of the fire and food in her belly to mind them talking around her.

Half-hand Jan still had the woodharp he had brought with them from home, and the tough, sea-hardened sailor began to pluck it the strings with his remaining fingers, making music so light and beautiful that it stood at odds with the rough appearance of the man playing it, and Laeron watched intently to see how Layla would respond to something that was surely so unfamiliar.

[Lycoris]

Sitting around the fire with everyone seemed like a good way for Layla meeting everyone. A lot of them seemed kind and happy that she was here. They had fun helping her learning more words as well as teaching her all their names. The atmosphere was very light as any negative feelings were now gone after the success of gathering food for a big feast to feed everyone.

After the meal, some people went off leaving a smaller group to circle by the fire. Layla sat with Laeron around the fire as the rest told some stories. Even though she could barely understand what they were all saying, she was still interested seeing how they put a lot emotion in how they told the story. She laughed along with the rest as she was starting to feel more comfortable around the others as she would only feel better overtime.

Watching the one man curiously, she tilted her head as she eyed the man now holding a small wood object with strings. Listening to the sound, she was fascinated that such an object could produce such a pretty sound. As he played, the girl listened happily as the music. Her eyes never left him as he continued playing while she enjoyed the sound.

[Damonique]

"Best act fast, my prince. You may have some competition there." One of the men-at-arms commented with a chuckle, watching Layla watch Jan's harping with a look of utter delight, and the prince flushed a bright red, thankfully obscured by the warm light of the fire playing over his features. It wasn't so much the content of the statement, but just the suggestion that his own intentions towards the girl were any less than noble.

It wasn't that she was anything if not attractive, far from it. Layla was all soft curves, sun-kissed skin, and deep-blue eyes as frightful and innocent as a doe. It was those eyes that defied any wicked thoughts, made him want to protect her from the cruelties of a world she hardly understood. And it was more than that. When Layla had stepped into his life, Laeron had been at his lowest point....collapsed, crying, helpless. And then she had appeared, out of nowhere, and placed her trust in him...presenting a glimmer of hope against all that had befallen them. That was a debt Laer was unsure he could ever repay...but he would try.

Those were, of course, private thoughts that he could not give voice. Those of Laer, the young man who didn't truly see himself as a ruler or leader, but just a green boy out to experience the world, raised on tales of chivalry and the example of better men. The man he resolved to be on his return, the King-to-Be, Son of King Lorien, could not harbor such lusts for another, simpler reason. For all her charms and trappings of fate, Layla was no foreign princess or lady of the court, no fitting consort to ask his royal hand. It was harsh, but true...but also a bit sad.

Laeron listened for a while more, and then suddenly stood, stretching his back and letting out a long yawn, which the men took as a signal that merriment was at it's end. Jan ceased his playing and went off to find his bunk with a handful of other common men, while Ser Davit and two men-at-arms remained to compose his tail and guard for the night, sleeping in shifts.

[Lycoris]

As the music continued, Layla was filled with delight listening to the pretty harp. The atmosphere was very calm, everyone seemed to be having a good time as Layla could tell by the look on their faces as they all sat around listening and talking with one another laughing. Despite their joyous mood, Layla would never fully understand what an hardship they had gone through throughout their journey arriving here. She would never understand the full impact this island had on them as the island seemed to be a blessing given to them by some unknown power.

The poor girl would not be prepared for what was to come in the near future. She was so naive and unaware of the world she would experience. Given her gender and status, she would not be prepared for how society will treat her once she arrived. Layla has never experienced such difficulties so it would definitely be an eye opening experience coming ahead.

Despite her being naive, Layla was filled with innocence which was very intriguing to see. This causes her to see things in a different way which could be interesting for those around her. It allows her to view things without prior judgments thus her being pure at heart.

As the music abruptly ended, Layla looked around as the men starting leaving going off to wherever they were going to sleep for the night, she wasn't exactly sure what that place was. She stood up kind of feeling awkward out of place as she just stood there looking around for a bit waiting for some kind of sign. She was unsure whether Laeron had something in mind for where she was to sleep, or if she was just expected to go off to where she normally does.