LOFTER-网易轻博

                    He came from a faraway land, across many seas.

               There was never any guarantee that we would see each other again.

              But I still believed that no matter how great the ocean that divided us, we were bound by our love.

             The only thing that needed stand between us was physical distance.

 

"H-Hah! I wonder if he is here yet!" Pauline ran to the duck.

"Hello, my little nijntje. What has you so out of breath?"

"Errrr, don’t scare me like that! And where did you pick up a word like nijintje? I never took you for someone so pretentious!"

"Haha... I am sorry." the young merchant put on a gentle smile at his girl. "You just look so much like a rabbit there, the way you were tossing your head back and forth, looking around for me."

"Oh you... Nijntje is something you call a child. I am not a little girl anymore."

"I am sorry, really. Don’t be so mad, Pauline."

"I am not mad at all. It’s been a year and a half! We finally get to see each other again!"

"That we do." the merchant extended his hand to her. Pauline embraced him back. 

"Did you have any trouble out at sea? Did you fall ill, or get caught in a storm, or run into any kind of danger at all?"

"No, there was no trouble. Everything went fine, without incident. The sea god was watching over us, I supposed."

"Thanks goodness. I was so worried. Anyway... You kept your promise. You came back for me."

"And you kept yours and waited for me."

"Of course I did. I trust you, and I don’t mind waiting."

"Even so, eighteen months must have been a long time for you."

"It was."

"It felt long to me as well. Everyday I would picture your face, recall the sound of your voice. But over time, I began to lose surety. It absolutely terrified me. Is that what you actually look like? Is this truly the sound of your voice?"

"You mean you almost forgot?"

"Not at all, Pauline. I was afraid of that, in my profound love for you, my mind had created its own image. That perhaps my adoration had grown so strong that it had turned you into a transcendent beauty like Cleopatra herself."

"W-Wait. You must have made some unseemly friends!" Pauline immediately blushed. "You were never this much of a sweet-talker! I bey you are disappointed, though. Look at me, a homely woman you could find anywhere."

"Haha. For some reason, I find myself in a teasing mood. Please have mercy, or I am liable to lose your affection. What I am trying to say... is that being here with the real you, putting my hands in yours, listening to you speak, and seeing you be, well, you, Pauline...is so much more wondrous than anything I imagined. And right now, I am feeling that stronger than ever."

"You seem to have found yourself a way with words. I imagine you had plenty of time to practice on other women. Goodness, you fiend."

"Fiend? That’s not terribly convincing with your cheeks the color of wine."

"There are n-not! Goodness!"

"H-Hey now, don’t throw a fit..."

But he was right. He was the only one who coul dput her in such high spirits with a few words.

"Fine." Pauline smiled at her lover. "Since you’re finally back, how about we take a walk around the town? You have taken care of all your work for the time being, right? So can you spare some time for me?"

"Absolutely. As much time allows, I will spend it with you. AS MUCH AS TIME ALLOWS."

 

There was still no trace of him.

It have been a week, and Pauline found nothing. Considering her time limit, that needed to change fast.

But...

"Excuse me, have you seen this man?" Pauline was very patient, asking this question to everyone she met in the village. "This is a draw of what he looks like."

"Sorry, never seen him."

"Even the smallest piece of information helps. If you have heard about anyone who might have see him..."

"I said I haven’t seen him, so I don’t know what to tell you! I am a busy woman, would you mind moving aside?"

cAh... Sorry."

She was told that her lover lost his life out on work. But she did not believe it. They had not show her a body, so their information had to be in error. She knew she had to be the one to find him, to prove he was still alive. She had to follow his track.

She have heard word that remnants of his ship drifted ashore near this village. So if he was alive, he much be somewhere nearby. She was certain of it, but she had not been able to find any information of the sort. The villagers were not being very cooperative, they were all just as reserved as the day she arrived. Rather, she got the feeling that they wanted to stay as far away from trouble as they could. No matter what she asked, she couldn’t get a straight answer from anyone.

"Everyone is still closed off... because of the war, I guess. Though I don’t have time for people to be glum."

When she went to the beach, she saw the boy again. 

"It is that boy, he is at the shore again. Always alone."

The boy sensed her, turned his head.

"God have mercy, you again? What are you doing here?"

And he is always so callous.

"I came to get sentimental and watch the sun set."

"So original."

"What does it matter if I visit the seashore? The ocean doesn’t belong to anyone. If I am such a bother, then you are free to leave like last time."

"You sure are cheeky for an outsider. I know the rest of the village isn’t being all that cooperative."

"Nope..."

"That is what the place is like now, closed off. It is not kind to outsider. You really going to be able to keep up the search with the entire town stonewalling you?"

"Yes. I will. I won’t give up, for any reason. I have to find him, to bring him home with me."

"Lady, your..."

"My name isn’t lady. It is Pauline."

"Then, Pauline. Is the person you are looking for still alive?"

"....He is. He has to be."

"Is that so? Well, have fun with that. I doubt you are going to get any help, though." then the boy left the beach.

"Don’t lose heart. If you lose faith this easily, you will never find him. He is alive, isn’t he.....? He is alive. I have faith. I believe."

Then there were footsteps. Pauline saw the boy came to her with something on his hand.

"Oh, I thought you left."

"Take it. You are ruining the scenery pacing around on the beach."

"Is this ... an orange? They grow pretty large here, huh?"

"Yeah, the oranges around these part are pretty good. People used to come out here just to but them."

"Are you went to get one just for me?"

"I just want to get rid of you. One you have finished that, get lose, all right?"

"Thanks, I appreciate it! You are not so bad at all!"

"Like I said, it is not me being nice or anything."

"Oh, there you go again! Yeah, yeah. I have got you aaaaal figured out, little man. You are actually a very sweet boy! And you were really trying to cheer me up, weren’t you?"

"........Javi."

"What?"

"My name. It’s not little man. It is javi."

"All right, then. Javier it is."

"No, not Javier, just Javi."

Pauline didn’t see what the big deal is, but okay.

"Say, Javi, I really think we should be friends. Come on, let’s be friends. Don’t say you don’t need any. You cam make me your friend No.1 ! we will have lots of fun."

"You just want to use me in your search. Because you can’t get the villagers to talk on your own."

"No, I mean it, really..."

"You are wasting your time. I am just as much trouble for them as you. Using me isn’t going to get you anywhere."

"Trouble? What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing you need to know, lady... Bye, and stay away from the shore."

"H-Hold on a second! Listen to me, Javi. I have no intention whatsoever of using you. I enjoy talking to you, and I think it’d be fun if I could do it more. That’s why I want to be friends. I can find you here at the beach, right? I will be back, Javi! You won’t change my mind! I will make you my friend!"

"What’s the hell, lady? Did you hear a word I said? I don’t need any damn friends! And stay away from the beach!"

"Nnnnnnnope. You will be my friend!"

"Aren’t happening!!!"

"W-Wait, Javi! See you again! I am not kidding, I will come back!"

She had actually, at first, beenthinking that it would be easier to get information if she could make friends with someone in the village. But the orange Javi gave her when she was sad and lonely and hurting was so amazing delicious and fresh. More than any orange she had ever had before. It was almost as though Javi’s kindness was seeping directly into her mouth. She was sure they will be able to get along. She wanted to be his friend.

Time was the only thing moving forward in her search. Somedays, she would ask her mom’s friend, Orlando, to accompany her on trips outside the village. But no matter where she went, she just heard the same thing. The view of the ocean always kept her from getting too dejected. It’s an unimaginable huge chasm that kept them apart, but at the same time, there is something beautiful about the way the sea encompassed the entire world. The emerald expanse... The sea simultaneously robbed her of him and soothed her heart with its stunning brilliance. Perhaps she felt awe and admiration for it. Because she was born along the seaside.

 

"Humm. He is not here today? Javi, are you here? That’s odd. I can always find him there. Hey ,Javi, where did you go? A-Aaaaaaaaaaaah!"

"Hahahaha! I can’t believe you fell for that!"

A pitfall.

"That’s not very nice..."Pauline got up with difficulty. "Why would you do that to me?"

"Humm. Because you won’t stop following me around. You have any idea how annoying that is?"

"That doesn’t mean you need to do something so cruel..."

"Humph. Maybe now you will learn your lesson and stay away from the beach."

"....Jerk. Nnh.. W-Waaaaah...."

"H-Hey... You seriously crying? Hey.. Don’t cry..."

Then Pauline made a face.

"Juuuust kidding! I am not crying!"

"Wha-C’mon! You were faking? You tricked me?"

"You played the first mean prank, Javi! You really scared me here!"

"I kept telling you to saty away. It’s your fault for constantly refusing to listen. I am surprised that you have not gotten bored yet. You must have a lot of time on your hands."

"I most certainly do not have a lot of time! My deadline for how long I can be here is quickly approaching! But I will just get depressed if I spend all that time searching. If I can have some fun with you, Javi, I will have more energy!"

"Fun? So you still haven’t found him? You don’t even know if the gut is alive or dead, just.... Forget it. I am out of here."

"Hey, hold on a sec! Ow!"

"Come on... You are not going to fool me again."

"No, I am not joking around, I really... It looks like I twisted my ankle... But I will be just fine. Don’t worry about me."

"...Wait here."

"Huh?"

"Come on, let me see your foot."

"All right..."

"Tch. Ankle is swollen. At least learn to land properly."

"What? You are going to blame me? When you are the one who dug the hole?"

"No one ever gotten hurt in a trap that basic. At least, none of friends ever did."

"Wait, I thought you didn’t have friends, Javi?"

"Oh, shut your damn mouth! I am going to bandage your ankle!"

"Oh, I see. You went to get a bandage for me. Thanks."

"It was my fault... anyway. Right. Swap it out for a real bandage when you can. I am sure your acquaintance have some."

"Really? It looks just fine to me."

"The filthy thing isn’t suitable for someone like you, lady."

"Pauline!"

"Quit that!"

"Well, then, what do you mean not suitable?"

"Do I need to explain everything? You are from a pretty well-off country, aren’t you, Pauline? Compared to that, this is a poor village. We even don’t have clean bandage to spare. Just gross scraps of cloth like this. It is not something you should wear."

"You think so? But you give it to me. I won’t be changing it anytime soon. Tell me, Javi. Do you not like this village?"

"The only thing this place has going for it, is the ocean."

"The ocean?"

"It is the one thing that doesn’t change, no matter what. It is always beautiful."

"I see. You like the ocean too, Javi."

"I just don’t have anything else to like."

"Oh, there you go again... I’ve got an idea! Javi, Javi!"

"What now?"

"A rowboat! I want to take a ride in a rowboat! Would anyone get mad if we borrowed the one tied up over there for a little bit?"

"I doubt anyone would care if it’s just for a little... Can you row, though, lady?"

"You will do the rowing, Javi!"

"Huh, why me?"

"What’s the big deal? The water is mostly calm today. I think a little walk on the sea would be lovely."

"Can you call that a walk?"

"Sure you can. Come on! Let’s go. Give a hand!"

"God, you are one cheeky outsider."

 

"The breeze feels different on the water than it does on the beach, wouldn’t you say?"

"You think so? All the same to me."

"No, it’s definitely different! The smell of salt is stronger, and there is more moisture in the air. It is kind of someone gently caressing your cheek."

"I am not getting any of that. You are way too perceptive, lady."

"Am I? Close your eyes, and feel the breeze. I bey you will get what I am saying! Go on, close your eyes!"

"No, I am not going to."

"Whaaaat? Why not?"

"I just don’t want to do what you tell me."

"Oh, no need to be petty."

"The sea... is not always so kind. The hand that’s gently caressing your cheek can in the blink of an eye, become the wrinkled hand of a witch that destroys everything it touches. The ocean is a scary thing. It is nothing we humans have any chance of standing up against."

"You are right. And I know it, very very well." then for the first time, Pauline began to tell Javi her story. 

"The man I am searching for, was in a shipwreck. I was told it killed him, but I refuse to believe he would leave me behind like that. Sometimes, the wrinkly witch might have mercy."

"I am not sure about that."

"I trust in the sea’s gentleness. I don’t think it’s all scary. The soft breeze, these calm waves. They saved him. I am sure of it. He loved the ocean too, you know. He was always looking far into the distance out across the ocean. His head held high, a stern, unwavering look in his eyes."

"I am assuming he is your.... lover?"

"Yes. He is very dear to me, and I love him deeply."

"Oh, I see."

"He was really fond of the sea by my hometown."

"You live in a decent town, huh?"

"Yes, it’s wonderful! It’s peaceful, and everyone is so nice! There is not a single bad person living there! Oh, I know, Javi! You should come to visit my hometown sometime!"

"Visit your home?"

"Yeah! The ocean there is really pretty too! The color is a little deeper than it is here. It is like so many jewels sparkling in the light! I am sure you will love it! I’d love for you to come and visit! We can go see all sorts of things. There is this shop that sells ham sandwiches!"

"I don’t have the money for a trip."

"Maybe not now, but you could in the future. Or, if you are interested at all... I could ask Orlando... to bring you back with us. If you don’t want to stay here, that is."

"Along with the guy you are looking for?"

"Yeah! I am sure he would be happy to have you along. Give it some thought. You would enjoy, I am sure."

"You sound like a child... Nothing. I doubt I could even get the permission to leave."

"Permission? All right. Are your parents pretty strict?"

"No. They are dead. Both my mom and dad. They were murdered. So I am staying with an acquaintance. They try to work me like a horse though, so I sneak out here when I get the chance."

"Was it... in the war?"

"The war? What are you talking about, lady?"

"Huh? Wasn’t this country involved in a war not too long before?"

"There was a war, yes. But no soldiers ever reached this village."

"Then... why would they be killed?"

"It was the beast."

"The beast?"

"Yes, the beast. He showed up one day and destroyed everything. The peace, my family, my friends. Merchants and travelers visiting the village. Everyone and everything. He slaughtered everything, and then he disappeared. That man, that beast, destroyed everything! He is a murderous beast! The whole village is terrified of him! They go through their days like lifeless dolls, enveloped in his stormcloud of terror!"

"A murderous beast...." 

So the grim air handing in the village was not because of the war? It was because a beast had been killing people?

"Hey, Javi... You said there were merchants and travelers visiting this country? Can you describe them for me?"

"They were all sorts. Like one who stopped by on the road to somewhere else... and an international trader on his way to purchase goods..."

".....!"