-Age 11-
It was a shore leave day and the men and women of the crew out enjoying themselves at the port, the Captain was on board, relaxing, and the sun shone down on the beach.
And Melodia was running. The sweat beads on her face and forehead were indicators of the heat and the toll the run was taking on her. She'd been doing sprints up and down the beach for nearly and hour now and she was winded. The sharp whistle from her left caught her attention and she pushed harder.
"Don't let the thought of fatigue wear you down, young one. In those moments....those ones most of all...you need to push harder and keep the pace up. Or you'll be snared faster than you can imagine." Taurin was smiling as he spoke aloud, coaching her....training her...as he'd been for months now. Melodia grinned and dug her heels in trying to get her speed up in the deep sands.
As she finished her final turnaround and went to the goal with little air left she fell to her knees and gasped for air, a soft laugh coming through the winded lungs. "You did well, child. If you can sprint in the sands, then the wooden planks or stone walkways will become easy." Taurin was smiling as he approached and guided her with his hand to stand before her. She was breathing hard but she still had the smile on her face. "Aye...." She could say no more as she was out of breath.
His voice was always gruff but the words gentle, as the Miqo'te man looked her over. "Learn to control yourself.....you would be easily taken now. Remember....the goal is to not get caught. That is your number one priority. If you're caught....." Taurin paused waiting.
With a labored breath she nodded. "Aye.....if yer caught.....yer dead."
He smiled in pride at her. "Yes, child. If you're caught, you're dead. The law will see to it that one way or another you are broken. Whether in spirit or in the body. So we want to be sure not to get caught. Ever." He grinned, a fatherly and friendly one. "Now....get cleaned up. And go enjoy the rest of the day. We will continue tomorrow...but for now, have fun child."
She beamed happily and started to run toward the area where the showers were laughing, a sudden burst of energy at the thought of being free, even if for the day. He shouted after her with a smile. "And stay out of trouble!"
She heard him but ran, free to be a child, even if for just a day.
It was a shore leave day and the men and women of the crew out enjoying themselves at the port, the Captain was on board, relaxing, and the sun shone down on the beach.
And Melodia was running. The sweat beads on her face and forehead were indicators of the heat and the toll the run was taking on her. She'd been doing sprints up and down the beach for nearly and hour now and she was winded. The sharp whistle from her left caught her attention and she pushed harder.
"Don't let the thought of fatigue wear you down, young one. In those moments....those ones most of all...you need to push harder and keep the pace up. Or you'll be snared faster than you can imagine." Taurin was smiling as he spoke aloud, coaching her....training her...as he'd been for months now. Melodia grinned and dug her heels in trying to get her speed up in the deep sands.
As she finished her final turnaround and went to the goal with little air left she fell to her knees and gasped for air, a soft laugh coming through the winded lungs. "You did well, child. If you can sprint in the sands, then the wooden planks or stone walkways will become easy." Taurin was smiling as he approached and guided her with his hand to stand before her. She was breathing hard but she still had the smile on her face. "Aye...." She could say no more as she was out of breath.
His voice was always gruff but the words gentle, as the Miqo'te man looked her over. "Learn to control yourself.....you would be easily taken now. Remember....the goal is to not get caught. That is your number one priority. If you're caught....." Taurin paused waiting.
With a labored breath she nodded. "Aye.....if yer caught.....yer dead."
He smiled in pride at her. "Yes, child. If you're caught, you're dead. The law will see to it that one way or another you are broken. Whether in spirit or in the body. So we want to be sure not to get caught. Ever." He grinned, a fatherly and friendly one. "Now....get cleaned up. And go enjoy the rest of the day. We will continue tomorrow...but for now, have fun child."
She beamed happily and started to run toward the area where the showers were laughing, a sudden burst of energy at the thought of being free, even if for the day. He shouted after her with a smile. "And stay out of trouble!"
She heard him but ran, free to be a child, even if for just a day.
