“Hey dad? I wanna have a costume like you!” Patton asked as he watched Roman sorting through his outfits for shows in his wardrobe.
“Oh? Which one?” Roman replied, quirking a brow.
“Like the prince one!” The child clarified. “I want to be a prince just like you!”
Roman lifted Patton into the air and held him against his hip. “Why of course! Every prince must have their own costume, especially such a superb prince as yourself!” Patton giggled and hugged his dad. “All we need is some material, a sewing machine and measurements!”
One shopping trip and a day later…
“I immediately regret this decision.” Roman muttered as he sat in the centre of the sitting room, a sewing machine to his right and in front of him sheets of paper were laid out with a rough pattern sketched onto them. Patton had run off to grab the tape measure from the study upstairs and had been gone for some time.
“Patton?” Roman called upstairs, “you alright?”
A distant “yeah” could be heard, and then the thundering of feet going down the stairs. “Don’t run on the stairs Pat!” Roman called out and the feet slowed.
The child rounded the corner and skidded on the wooden floor with his socks, only managing to stay upright by flailing his arms around wildly like a windmill. Roman could only stare.
“Got the tape measure dad!” Patton smiled. Roman was looking at him and trying not to smile.
“Is… Is that my shirt?” the man asked, hiding him grin behind his hand. Patton had obviously raided his wardrobe and pulled out one of his t-shirts. It happened to be the one that was white and had a prince costume design printed onto it that a friend had gotten him as a joke and… Patton was now wearing that extremely baggy shirt.
“Yeah!” Patton put his hands on his hips and smiled triumphantly.
“And why might you be wearing my shirt Patty-cake?” Roman asked.
“Cuz! Gotta’ get into the mood!” he then came and sat to the left of Roman.
Roman ruffled the child’s hair. “Alright. Just for today Little Prince.” Said prince gave out a cheer and looked gleefully up at his father.
“Now, let’s get started on your own costume Prince Patton.”
And thus the next few days were spent measuring, cutting out material and sewing it all together. The end result being a costume Patton could call his own and the two of them could so forth wear their costumes as a duo, as father and son, Prince and Prince.
Authors note: So it took me months to finally finish typing up and editing this and i think it turned out pretty good! I always see Patton being the father so i thought i'd mix it up and have Roman being Patton's dad which was quite fun! I hope you guys love this fluff fest with like that mild injury. I really enjoyed writing it and I hope it comes across as good as well :D
Summary: Roman and his son Patton spend a relaxing day at home, spending time together and enjoying being in each other's company
Pairing(s): Platonic/familial Royality
Warnings: food mention, breif injury (not talked about in detail though just mentioned)
As he crept around the back of the sofa, Patton made sure to keep a close eye on his father. He was small enough to be able to hide behind the large seat without being seen, but tall enough to have to crawl, for if he stood, his head would peep over the top and his plan would be ruined.
Just as the 7 year old managed to move directly behind his target, the man stood and took off to the kitchen. Change of plan. Making sure he was distracted, Patton attempted to ninja roll across the carpeted floor to get from the sofa to the wall that was joined to the kitchen.
It ended up being more of a log roll and scramble over, but Patton was proud of it. He placed his circular framed glasses back on his face and edged as quietly as he could down the hallway to the door and peered around the corner to see his dad standing in front of the kettle, waiting for it to ding.
It didn’t look as if he had been spotted yet, so his master plan was still in action. He tiptoed on the blue checker pattered lino floor of the kitchen, crouching ever so slightly as he thought it would make him stealthier. It was what everyone did in the cartoons at least!
He inched forward, holding his breath as he crept, a mischievous grin on his face. He continued and got closer to his tall father who still had his back turned. Closer and closer until-
“Surprise attack!” The child suddenly yelled and dived for the left leg and latched onto it, wrapping his whole body around it.
Roman, having heard his son’s antics from since they were in the sitting room till now, feigned surprise and gasped. “Ack! Where did you come from? I’m being attacked!” he yelled, looking down at his son, who wore dungarees, that were cut off just before the knee and had patched sewn on from different shows and cartoons he liked (such as a Totoro, a Steven Universe gem, a cat, a heart with glasses and a few other patches as well), with a pastel blue shirt, and was currently clinging onto his leg, beaming wickedly up at him. “Have mercy upon my leg!”
The boy giggled, “Your leg’s mine now!”
Roman put a hand to his forehead dramatically, “Alas! What ever shall I do! I have a small person stuck to my leg! How shall I ever be able to survive!”
Paton pouted, “I’m a prince, not just a… person!” then his face brightened up again and he laughed, “You’re trapped now!”
“Oh no!” Roman put his hands on his hips and smiled back at the young boy. “Guess I’ll just have to find some other way to get to the teabags!” his smile grew wider and he took a step with his right leg towards the teabag tin which was on the other side of the room. Then, with what he made look like all his strength, he hoisted his left leg with the extra weight and took another step, carrying Patton with it. Instantly, the room was filled with childlike screeches and laughter. Sounds that were like bells to Roman’s ears.
“Hnng,” he lifted Patton again and more high-pitched shouts rang. “No little Princes can defeat the mighty Roman!” he then moved his arms to show off what little muscle he had there.
The morning summer sunlight shining through the large window in front of the sink to the left of the pair cast a warm glow over the two. It reflected off Patton’s glasses and made his freckles stand out, his brownish-red hair catching the sun and lightening to almost a caramel colour. He was simply the most adorable child Roman had ever had (and the only child) as the boy giggled uncontrollably from where he held tight to Roman’s leg. He gazed down at his son and could feel his heart swell with love for his child.
After a few more steps, each one making Patton cling tighter, they made it to the tin. “Ha ha! Made it! I told you I was unstoppable,” Roman said triumphantly, taking out a bag, making a mental note to put teabags on the shopping list for later.
Patton’s eyes glinted mischievously, “now you gotta go back again.”
A sigh, “you are correct young Patton. How do you suppose I get back there then, hmm?”
“Tricky! Dark blue squares have sharks! Watch out for them,” Patton stated, still smiling.
“Sharks?” Roman exclaimed, “oh dear, this shall be a treacherous journey indeed! Hold on tight!”
And with that they were off again, Roman deciding to choose a long winded path to get back to the kettle. Halfway on their way back, it dinged to signal it had finished. Admittedly, he did almost fall into a pit of sharks on a few steps, but managed to keep balance easily, so he wasn’t attacked.
It didn’t take long to return to the counter with the teabag, so when they arrived, the water was still boiling hot. Roman dumped the teabag into his red mug which had a yellow crown on the side and looked down at his leg. “Would you like a drink Patty-cake?” He asked.
Patton hummed in thought for a moment. “Apple juice!” Roman raised an eyebrow. “Please!”
Roman obliged and went over to the fridge and took out the carton of apple juice. “And which cup shall you want today?”
“Totoro please!” said cup was retrieved from the cupboard above them; where all the other mugs were held. It was a glass cup with all the characters from the film ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ around the sides. He filled it up with apple juice then returned to making his own tea. After thoroughly mixing the teabag in the hot water and squeezing it out against the side of the mug, he took both the glass and the mug over to the table in the middle of the room.
“If you want your juice you’re gonna have to let go of my leg Pat,” Roman chuckled.
“Fiiine,” Patton detached himself reluctantly and climbed onto the chair across from his dad, who had gone to put milk in his tea and returned to the table again, stirring slowly and putting a curly-whirly straw in Patton’s glass.
The two sat in silence for a good few minutes, listening to the birds chirping outside and enjoying the warmth that the sunshine brought. A squirrel raced across the grass outside and up a tree.
“Cookies!” Patton exclaimed, making his father jump ever so slightly.
“Cookies?” He asked.
“Yeah!” Patton replied enthusiastically.
“What about them Patty?” Roman queried.
“Can we make them?” the boy said, excitedly jumping up and standing.
Roman raised an eyebrow as he warmed his hands on the outside of the mug. “Now?” Patton nodded vigorously, his glasses almost falling off in the process. “Alright then.”
Roman stood up and collected the old recipe book from its place atop a shelf on the wall. It was a tad worn down and torn in various places but that was only due to how often it had been picked up and used. He set it down on the table and with Patton standing next to him, flicked through the pages till he found the cat bookmark that marked the page which held the recipe for the cookies.
They split off to gather the ingredients, bringing them back to the large table and setting them down. Roman clapped once after they’d gotten everything and then together they started creating the mixture, measuring the ingredients with weighing scales that probably should have been replaced a while ago, and adding too many chocolate chips than was needed, but it wasn’t as if anyone else was going to find out anyways.
Then a baking tray was buttered and circles of the cookie mixture were placed onto it. Oven turned on, cookies placed in and timer set. Now all that was left was to wait.
And wait.
Aaaaaand wait.
Patton was growing bored by the second sitting in front of the oven, watching the cookies expand and rise slowly.
Roman, noticing his growing boredom spoke up. “Patton, would you be a gentleman and pick out a film for us to watch after these have finished baking?”
Patton paused, “but what if I don’t wanna be a gentleman…”
Roman just smiled, “then you don’t have to be, now run along you little piece of royalty and choose that film!”
The child beamed and dashed out the room racing to the DVD box and spending a few minutes deciding, then racing back to the kitchen with said DVD in hand.
“Got one!” He announced as he rushed back into the kitchen. “Can we watch Toto-”
His sentence was cut off as he tripped over his own feet and face planted into the floor. He had let go of the DVD and his glasses had come off but other than that, he thought he was ok. He got onto hands and knees, finding his glasses and putting them back onto his face. Standing back up he picked up the film and went over to his dad, who had just risen to see if Patton was ok.
As if nothing had happened, Patton smiled widely and repeated himself. “Can we watch Totoro?”
“For sure! What a brilliant choice of films! Are you ok though? It seemed as though you had a pretty nasty fall there Patty-cake,” Roman knelt down so he was level with the child to check whether he was ok or not.
“I’m ok!” Patton smiled, “though my knees do hurt a bit…”
Roman checked them and found a small graze on each. “Hmm, would you like to sit on the table while I assess the possible damage?” Patton nodded and Roman hoisted him up under his arms and sat him on the table with his legs hanging off the edge, which began to gently kick back and forth almost instantly.
He kneeled down again to have a closer look. “Hmm, doesn’t look too bad, looks like we won’t be removing any legs any time soon.” He smiled. “Although we may need to use a plaster,” he then stood up and went to the medicine cabinet. “Which one would you like?” he asked, pulling out a few tins, all of which had different animals on them.
“Cat please,” Roman nodded and brought over the pastel pink tin, putting the other ones back.
“I’m going to need to clean this first though, hold on, it won’t take long.” And then he started gently dabbing at the grazed knees, muttering encouragements as he could see Patton wincing. “You’re so brave, you know that pat?” he said as he put the biggest plaster he had over the scrapes, covering both kneecaps in a pastel pink plaster which had a white cartoon cat face in the middle of. “Want me to kiss it better?” Patton nodded. Roman did so, making as extra as he could, making Patton giggle. “May all your wounds heal again and become twice as strong!”
They were interrupted by the timer beeping at them, alerting them to the cookies being done. Patton hopped off the table to watch as Roman grabbed the pair of oven gloves and took the tray of cookies out, putting them onto a cooling rack to cool down. “Remember to wait till they’re cool to eat them, ok Pat?” Roman reminded him and he nodded.
“Yeah I know,” Patton replied with a smile.
Roman went back over to the table to pick up his mug, and then leaned against a counter, sipping the warm drink, enjoying the moment. Patton pushed himself forwards after a couple of minutes and went over to his dad. “You doing ok there padre?” Roman asked as he felt a weight on his feet and arms wrapping around both of his legs. He looked down to see Patton smiling up at him. He chuckled softly. “And now what might you be doing Pat-Pat?” Roman wrapped his arms around the child ever so gently.
“Standing on your feet,” Patton answered, smiling wider, if that was even possible.
“It seems so. Why might you be doing so, young one?” Roman replied.
“Cuz I felt like it,” Patton said. Roman hummed in thought, then started rocking from side to side like a penguin would, both pairs of feet being lifted one after the other, Patton’s feet so much smaller than Roman’s own. Bouts of cheerful glee rang like bells and the magic of a child’s laugh filled the room, Roman’s own deep laugh joining in as well. They swayed for a few minutes, ending up going in large circles in the space, turning all over the place, till they got dizzy and had to stop, but the laughter carried on nevertheless.
Then Patton lifted his arms and his dad reached under his armpits and effortlessly lifted him in to the air, much like how a character in a recent Ghibli film they’d watched was. Patton was then spun round again and dropped into his father’s safe arms, being held close, the two hugging one another tightly. There was a warm atmosphere, between the sun and their love for one another.
“You’re gonna grow up to be someone great one day, I know you will.” Roman said, eyes closed as he pressed his son’s head to his neck, holding him tighter, but not too tight, in a comforting loving way. “The road may become rough, but I know you’ll be the best you that you can be.” The two smiled, eyes blocking out the rest of the world as they were closed and they existed only in the embrace they shared. Nothing would be able to break the close bond the two shared, as father with son.
And so the rest of the day was spent watching films, in the company of each other, relaxing in the summer warmth and the glow the sun gave through the windows. Many cookies were eaten and by the 4th film, they were growing quite tired, both laying on the sofa, Patton’s head in his father’s lap.
“Hey dad?” he spoke up quietly.
Roman paused in running his hand lovingly through the child’s hair. “Yeah kiddo?” He replied
“I love you,” Patton turned to smile at Roman, rolling over to hug him round the waist. Roman leaned over and hugged Patton back.
“I love you too, Patton.” He replied, and then they continued watching the film.
Even if Patton grew older and became less dependent on Roman, their bond would never change. They would both continue loving each other, even if one day Patton might get married, he would always love his dad, the man who was there for him through thick and thin.
But for now there was the quiet moments and joys of youthful childhood, moments filled with tea, apple juice and cookies.
Authors note: Heyyyyyy guysss! So, i know it’s been an absolute age since i wrote chapter one and i appologise for the hiatus, but! I managed to write chapter 2! It was originally going to be a really long chapter but i decided to split it in two otherwise it would have taken an age to be posted, so yeah! Hope you like it, let me know what you think and again any advice is welcome as i am not by any standards a pirate expert :)
Summary: Captain Roman, leader of the crew and ship ‘The Dreamers’, has a long standing rivarly with the captain and crew of ‘The Deceivers’. As much as they may be a thrown together crew of misfits and the castaways, The Dreamers are the closest bunch out on the sea and are prepared to fight anyone for one another. But when Roman spots the cabin boy of the Deceiver’s crew, he feels compelled to rescue the boy. However when they do, things start to get interesting, secrets are put into the open and some are not who they say they are.
Pairing(s): None as of yet
Warnings: deceit insults people, a vague fight (?) its not too intense just ships clashing
D and D: @sleepyssnail @thisqueerisonfire @i-can-explain-really @crofters-jam @vir-gull @jynxlovesluck @realspookygiraffe @missmad12 @dragonangel-funandfire
Previous
Cannon-balls flew from readied places within the ships, people were heard yelling to one other from their respective sides. The two ships approached each other at a faster pace, speeding headfirst forwards with only a slight angle – neither of them wanted to collide head on with the other’s ship as it would certainly mean too much damage and probably death.
In barely any time at all, the two ships sides clashed, the right hand side of Roman’s ship and the left of Deceit’s scraped together, causing some of the wooden boards on the outsides to splinter and become damaged.
“That doesn’t sound good,” Logan muttered apprehensively under his breath as he looked between where the two ships were joined, then back to Roman who had fire in his eyes and was glaring at the other captain.
The two made no move to actually slice one another with their swords – that would come another day, but their stares alone could kill a person. Cannons continued to fire, wounding both ships and creating holes. Roman’s crew would never aim to sink a ship, damage it above water yes, but hitting the hull of a ship was a no-no. They weren’t wanting to kill the enemy after all. Unfortunately the opponent had different ideals and clearly aimed for the fatal parts, though not managing to make a hit so far that was low enough to cause some serious damage.
“You know you’re not going to win this one Deceit,” Captain Roman shouted, brandishing his sword at the other much like an Olympic fencer would, whatever that was. “Just give up and leave us be!”
Deceit scowled. “You really think this is fighting for the sake of fighting? You are the most foolish and idiotic captain I have ever had the,” he paused, “delight of meeting. Really, you don’t deserve that ship and you know it.” The two men behind him loomed menacingly, creating a tense and menacingly atmosphere from their ship. Then again their whole ship gave off a creepy vibe, so it was no wonder that the men would do the same, all baring scars and looked ready to fight anyone who even dared cross their path.
Roman was silent at Deceits words, thinking them over. “Leave him alone Deceit,” Patton yelled across to him.
“Oh and you’re one to talk. Why are you even on his crew? You couldn’t even kill a fish if you wanted to. You’re useless,” Logan was about to interject when Deceit turned to him, “Oh and you, ‘the great Logan’, can’t even see without needing to rely on something else, pathetic.”
The two fell silent and Roman looked and felt like he was ready to throw Deceit into the fiery pits of hell, snap his neck and-
“Captain! Damage near the cannons! There’s a leak!!” One of the Dreamer’s crew shouted from the deck.
“WhAT?!” Roman yelled, “Try and patch it up as best as you can and quickly!” Deceit smirked.
Panic ensued as the crew tried to get materials together to be able to fill the hole before the whole thing went down. All while more cannon balls were still being fired at them.
“Cap’n!” A gruff voice was heard from the Deceiver’s ship.
“What?” Deceit answered sharply, annoyance clear in his voice.
“Ther’s an ‘ole, we’re leakin’.” Both captains looked shocked, Roman turning to Patton who looked a tad sheepish, but was glad for an excuse to be able to get out of the feud. Deceit looked outright livid.
“Well fix it then! You idiots can’t do anything without my help!” Deceit roared.
“Roman, if we leave now we can make it to an island I know of nearby that has the supplies we need to fix our ship and restock,” Logan whispered to Roman who nodded at him. Then Roman nodded to Joan who was at the wheel and their ship started to turn away, the wind carrying them away from the danger. The other captain’s head whipped around when he saw the ship sailing away
“Don’t think you can run away forever Roman, we will get you one day!” Deceit shouted after their ship, but his voice was barely heard as the 2 ships got further and further apart from one another.
However, just as Roman was turning away from the ship, something caught his eye. Or well, someone.
It was one of the crew on the Deceiver’s ship, who, from a distance, looked to be a younger boy, maybe 18 or even younger from what he could see. He held what looked to be a mop, or could have just been a stick, and stood watching Roman and said Captain’s ship leave. This raised quite a few questions for the captain, what on earth would a guy who looked to be that young be on that ship anyways? Was he there because it was forced upon him? A prisoner maybe?
Either way, Roman couldn’t dwell too much on it, he would talk to the others later, but for now his priority was to stop off somewhere and repair the damages caused and stock up on some supplies too. He would go back for that boy though, once his crew was up and running again he would go back for him.
Is it as dark outside as i feel?
The curtains haven’t been drawn for days,
it’s the feeling that comes and goes,
but for me it’s seemed to stick,
stick like tar or treacle.
It fills me with dread,
motivation lost and no light ahead,
I just want to go to bed.
But the piles of paper on my desk taunt me,
they call to me, tainting my rest.
Due in a week, due in three days, due tomorrow,
the dates creep up behind me,
my mind lost and confused,
alarm bells ringing, something about deadlines,
but it is ignored.
Tuned out by the mess and hell that is in my head.
Thoughts swarming like ravens to a graveyard,
everything too much and also nothing,
confusing isn’t it?
I know how to rid myself of it,
but it won’t let me.
Its back,
that gut wrenching dark feeling.
It has me, and it’s not letting go,
not any time soon.
Starting off with an unintentional pun! woop woop! right so i had an idea for a pirate au and uh yeah, have these ideas before i write a fic for it :) i will post the crew lists and their flags in a bit but i thought i’d post this first :)
(ill put the tags at the end under the cut)
- Two main Pirate gangs
- The Dreamers and The Deceivers
- Roman is Captain of The Dreamers
- Deceit is Captain of The Deceivers
- The two crews cross paths quite a lot miraculously and this causes quite a bit of quarrelling
- Roman sails for fun and to have a good time with his crew, whereas Deceit sticks more to traditional pirating and stealing treasure
- The difference of their sailing motives is what causes them to clash so much
- The two crews have clashed many a time before and are well known amongst the sea pirates of the ocean due to the fact of them clashing so much, and also because of their sailing ethics
- Roman’s crew are honestly the most cheerful bunch you would see on the ocean
- Deceit’s crew hate him and hate each other and have the most on board fights
- Everyone wonders how Roman’s crew is always so cheerful, but when asked all Roman says is that they all have fun, which causes some discord between gangs
- Deceit hates Roman and his crew because they’re so cheerful and because they’re not following what ‘traditional’ pirates would have done
- Roman sticks to The Pirate Code very vaguely but leaves out the ones which mention punishments and doesn’t enforce it too harshly, he just wants everyone to have fun and feel safe/accepted
- Deceit follows The Pirate Code like it’s law. He sometimes follows it too harshly and hands out punishments too quickly or for things which wouldn’t have usually needed it
- This has been the reason why so many of Deceit’s crew have been thrown overboard and the reason why a lot of the remaining crew who he still has don’t like him
- But no-one’s got the guts enough to correct him for fear of being thrown overboard them self
- So basically Deceit treats his crew like utter rubbish and none of them like him but they stick with him cuz it means that whenever they come across another boat, there will most likely be a fight to the death, with The Deceivers coming out as the winners usually
- Virgil is Deceit’s cabin boy
- He comes from a wealthy on shore family whom is known for the making of some good pirate sailing ships, who sent him out with The Deceivers to try and get him to 'know the waves a bit better' (a terrible decision really)
- Patton is Roman’s first mate and Logan is Roman’s Sailing Master
- Roman’s crew is made up of people who were rejected from other pirate gangs who Roman found and adopted into his because everyone should be able to sail the 7 seas and have fun
Authors note: So i did some more creative writing based on prompts of photos and i got the idea for this detective au when i found had a certain photo for it, so i made this! Whoever the detective is is up to you and so is who is murdered ^-^ i doubt ill be writing any more of this au but i have a few ideas as to what it might be about so if anyone’s curious i could try and answer any questions you might have :)
Summary: An opening to a possible murder mystery of The Murder Of Mr Sanders
The loud crunching of my boots as I walked bounced off the closed walls of the alley. It was a dingy place, certainly not the cleanest; the stuttering streetlamp illuminating the grime as I approached, flickering as if someone was trying to send a message in Morse code. To my left I passed a door, covered with paint in all sorts of colours, work done by a couple of delinquent teens I would suppose. To my right was a window, fenced and grated off to keep it safe from any attacks that might come forth. Knowing the recent levels of crime in the area, it was probably just as well.
Footsteps were imprinted into the powdered ice that covered the ground, making light reflect in the dark alley. They looked panicked and uneven, one foot sure of its placing and the other occasionally dragging behind, making a trail almost like a large snail would. My own boot prints followed behind me, causing a second set of tracks to appear. As I approached a left turn in the corridor of groaning brick walls, a gust of cold winter air bellowed through the walls of the alleyway behind me, the force of which managed to grasp my hat and blow it so it lay strewn upon the ground.
Bending over to pick up the brown fedora, my back aching, something caught my eye. A diluted red substance stained the snow near my hat. Curious. I crouched down, quickly pulling out my glasses which had been tucked into a pocket of my thick coat to keep safe. At closer inspection, I realised it was something that id recognise anywhere. A piece of evidence that I could use to back up my case. A hint to add to the mystery of the incident. And a clue that would lead me to the culprit to the murder of Mr Sanders. For there, soiling the snow with its colour and sticking out like a sore thumb; was blood.
Authors note: So uh, this is the first chapter of this new au im starting ('meta, another one? are you really gonna do this to yourself?' you might ask. the answer is yes, i am fully prepared and im going to regret this but here we go anyways). i hope this chapter was okay, its more of a start off and introduction but there is some action at the end. let me know what yall think :) i'd be happy to hear your opinions ^-^
Summary: Captain Roman, leader of the crew and ship ‘The Dreamers’, has a long standing rivarly with the captain and crew of ‘The Deceivers’. As much as they may be a thrown together crew of misfits and the castaways, The Dreamers are the closest bunch out on the sea and are prepared to fight anyone for one another. But when Roman spots the cabin boy of the Deceiver’s crew, he feels compelled to rescue the boy. However when they do, things start to get interesting, secrets are put into the open and some are not who they say they are.
Pairing(s): none as of yet
Warnings: Deceit at the end of this chapter, mentions of past injuries, beginings of a battle/fight at the end of the chapter, pirates
“Aye aye Cap’n!” someone from the deck shouted back.
“Raise the sails!”
“Aye aye Cap’n!” another person shouted back.
“Alright me-harties, yer gonna make sure this ‘ere ship is in tip top condition y’hear me?”
“Aye aye Cap’n!” multiple crewmates shouted back.
“Shiver me tim-”
“ENOUGH!” a different crewmate shouted from the stern of the ship – no not just a crewmate, the sailing master. “That is NOT how pirates actually talk Roman, and you know it.”
“Ugghh you’re such a buzzkill!” Roman groaned.
“I’m simply stating facts, and the fact is, pirates don’t speak like that anymore.” Logan – the sailing master - adjusted his monocle.
“Yeah? Well I think that I should be allowed to speak like a pirate if I am one!” Roman shot back.
“No-one can understand what you’re trying to say. “Roman raised an eyebrow, walking down the steps from the bow of the ship to the main deck where Logan stood with his hands on his hips.
“Um, excuse me, but people can understand me fine.” The captain made an exaggerated hand gesture, and then called out to one of his crew who was currently climbing – or attempting to climb – the main mast. “Isn’t that right Pat?”
“Aye aye Cap’n!” the addressed pirate said with a salute, nearly letting go of the wooden pole but managing to hold back on in time to not fall off and crash into the deck.
Roman turned back to Logan with an ‘I-told-you-so’ expression. “See?”
“That still doesn’t mean anything. And Patton get down from there this instant.” He yelled the second half after seeing Patton half way up the pole, much to his horror. He swiftly walked over to the bottom of the mast.
“I’ll be fine!” the first mate called back, putting on a pirate accent, smiling.
“Stop that accent right now, and get down. You could fall and injure your leg. And that’s not even how you climb up there in the first place!” Logan shouted, some of the other crew members were looking over to see what was going on and then smiling at the antics of the 2 before returning back to what they were doing (though some continued to watch anyway).
“Aw Lo, I’m glad you care, but I don’t think I can injure this leg anymore!” he joked, sticking out one of his legs – or what would have been a leg – out.
“Patton you know that’s not what I meant.” Logan stood underneath Patton, discretely ready to catch him if he were to fall.
“You’ve got me ‘pegged’ Logan!” He giggled at his pun, whereas the other just groaned and put his head in his hand, then yelled again for the other man to get down.
With a sigh, Patton started to climb back down until he had both feet (or foot?) safely back on the deck.
“You never let me do anything fun!” he complained.
“It’s more a matter of your safety than fun.” Logan grumbled as he walked away.
It was early enough in the morning that the sun was only just peaking over the horizon, but late enough that most of the crew were up, except for a few who did later shifts… and Remy.
But Remy was, well…
Remy was Remy.
The ship was alive with the sound of the crew going about their daily tasks – each with their own job to be doing. The occasional seagull landed on deck and someone chased it off quickly before it got to their food reserves (or else it would mean trouble).
The last time one of those damned birds had gotten into the reserves, they had no fresh fruit or fish for a week – before they were able to stop off somewhere and restock to make up for the losses.
All of the crew had a mutual hatred for canned tuna after that week, after having to eat nothing but it for pretty much every meal for 7 days.
After Roman had put Remy in charge of the food, there hadn’t been another attack on their supplies since, and no-one knew why, but they sure as hell weren’t complaining.
Once Patton had been sorted out that morning, the event causing quite a bit of attention, Logan went to stand with Joan – the pilot – at the front of the ship, double checking their route plan and making sure they were headed in the right direction.
Roman was busy strutting around the ship in his knee-high red leather boots while people worked – helping out wherever he could and at the same time giving orders as well.
Once the sun had hit a quarter of the wat up the horizon – around 10am according to Logan’s pocket watch – a familiar crewman stumbled out from the crew’s quarters and held an arm up, shielding his eyes from the sun.
“Look who decided to join us!” Roman remarked with a chuckle.
“Why is it so bright? OH CRAP I FORGOT ME SHADES BRB GURL!” the man shouted and then promptly ran back the way he came. After a few minutes he emerged again, sunglasses on his face and holding a cup filled with what one would only assume was coffee, based on the smell. How he got the drink no one knew.
Logan walked over and greeted Remy. “Salutations. I keep telling you to not wear those- things. They’ll just fall odd and you’ll get upset when they do.”
“It’s fiiiine Log, don’t be so uptight about it gurl, loosen up a bit!” Remy replied.
“Hm. Yes. Maybe.” Logan said flatly, clearly not getting with what Remy was saying. “Still, at least put some sting on the end as a ‘just in case’ or whatever you say.” He stated.
“What, and have it look all old and ancient like your on-eyed glass piece thing? No thanks! Boring!” Logan looked at Remy with slight distaste.
“It’s called a monocle thank you very much. Now get back to work.” He then strode off back to a cabin to look at a map.
“Whatever you say boss!” Remy saluted and walked off.
“Hey!” Roman yelled from the other end of the ship, and made an offended noise. “That’s my job bossing people around!”
The day went by like any other usual day on the Dream Chaser would. Work until the sun hits the top of the sky – noon – eat lunch, work till sunset, eat, sit ‘round a lamp in the centre of either the crew’s quarters or one of the sheltered decks and tell stories and sing songs, sleep. Then when the sun rises again, repeat. It was a good rhythm they all had going and it worked for them all too.
Patton didn’t attempt to climb up to the crow’s nest again that day and Logan – well he was Logan and just helped Joan with mapping, and kept everyone Remy out of trouble.
The only exception to the norm that day was when there was a shout from the crow’s nest.
“Captain!” Derionna, the barrel man (barrel woman?) yelled and Roman dashed to the foot of the mast.
“Yes? What is it?” he shouted up.
“Ship ahoy!” she yelled back. “On the port side!”
And indeed when Roman turned to the left – there was a ship. But not just any ship, no. it was one of their old and longstanding friends, or should I say enemies.
“Oh for the love of- what are they doing here?!” Roman exclaimed, crew members turning to see the ship which had been spotted in the distance – growing closer by the minute.
“What is it Cap’n?!” Patton asked after rushing up to be by his side, Logan doing the same after telling Joan to continue with steering the ship.
“It’s a good friend of ours, padre. Come to say hello have they?” Roman ran up and promptly took control of the steering wheel from Joan, who went to help on deck. “Well, we’ll just have to see if they want to play nice this time.”
He spun the wheel which caused the ship to veer to the left suddenly and catch the wind – accelerating the boat forward. The other ship seemed to have the same idea as they too went forward to ‘meet’ the Dream Chaser.
“All hands on deck!” He shouted and people scattered to their positions. He then gave Joan back control of the wheel ad je ran and jumped to the bow of the ship, staring out at the dark wood of the other ship approaching.
He could see the outline of someone standing at the front of the other boat and he felt like he knew who it was – even if based off the yellow colour of the design on the ship’s flag.
“Maybe… maybe this time they won’t mean harm…?” Patton suggested hopefully.
“Maybe-” Roman’s sentence was cut off as a cannon was sounded from the other ship and a ball of metal came hurtling towards their ship at an almighty speed – only just narrowly missing their ship.
Patton gulped. “Well I guess that answers that then-” another cannonball was shot at them.
“Well that’s just rude. Gunner to your places! Patton go check to see if the cannons are ready and let me know when they are. We need to be as ready for any attack as we possibly can. Logan you go help out too!” The two men saluted and then ran off to help. Roman put a hand on his sword’s handle, ready to unsheathe it at any moment and stood in a ready position, poised for any possible hand-to-hand combat that may occur.
The 2 ships grew closer by the second and the Dreamer’s drew rushed about readying their defences for the combat they knew may come.
For a good number of minutes the crews on both ships rushed around, the opposing captain and Roman both standing at the front of their respective ships.
“Ah, so we meet again my friend.” The Dreamer’s captain spoke once the other ship came close enough to be within shouting range.
“So it seems.” The other man replied, hate dripping from his words. “What are you still doing in these waters Roman?”
“I have as much right to be in this ocean as you do.” From this distance it would be hard to miss the yellow covering the edges of the other pirate’s clothing. “Clear off Deceit, you know we don’t like fights. So just get out of here.”
Deceit scoffed, the 2 men standing behind him – whom Roman recognised to be Deceit’s first mate and another crewmate he vaguely recognised, one on either side, chuckled along too. At that moment Patton ran up behind Roman, wooden leg making a thumping noise as he went.
“The cannons are ready on your word Captain.” He reported quickly and urgently, eyeing Deceit wearily.
“Alright, thank you Patton.” Roman nodded and Patton saluted, Logan only just joining and standing next to Patton, both behind Roman.
“I see your arm has healed from our last…” he paused, inspecting his gloves, “…duel.” Roman winced at the memory, before scowling.
“I’d hardly call that a duel.” Logan muttered under his breath, but caught Deceit’s attention.
“Still taking orders from that one-eye betrayer huh?” Deceit smirked.
“His name is Logan, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak of my friends in such a manner than you very much.” He said firmly.
“Have it your way.” Deceit shrugged.” But when he turns on you too, I’ll have nothing to say except ‘I told you so’.” He smiled menacingly and so did the men behind him.
“Still have liars for crew mates then I see?” Roman jeered back at the other captain.
“Roman don’t-” Patton’s hand on his arm was shrugged off and his warning went unnoticed.
Deceit only glared, drawing his sword. “Is that a challenge to a fight?” he asked.
Roman drew his sword as well. “There’s nothing I’d like more.”
The two men glared at each other with their swords drawn from their sheaths.
“Ready,”
They spoke at the same time.
“Roman I don’t think-” but Patton’s voice was cut off as both of them shouted in unison.
Authors note: So i’ve had this idea of a 'Kiki's Delivery Service' au for a while and as im such a huge Studio Ghibli nerd i thought i’d make it anyways. It’s had a while in the making but i finally managed to finish it and i hope you like it as much as i do :)
Summary: When a witch or wizard turns 13, on the night of a full moon they must leave home for a year in order to train in which ever skill they choose to persue. Roman is no different. At 13, he must go away with his black cat, Virgil, to train a year away from home as is customary to do so with his family’s and village’s traditions.
“-we’ve been receiving so many calls from people, asking about this marvellous airship called ‘The spirit of freedom’ which may or may not be passing over our area soon. I’ll let you know more as soon as we have more information available to us. But first, here’s the weather forecast; skies are clearing up, thanks to a high pressure front, moving in from the mountains. Mild winds will be blowing in from the west, pushing the clouds out by this evening. There will be a beautiful full moon lighting up the night sky, so if you’ve been planning something special, tonight might just be the night to do it. Tomorrow also looks good with more clear skies and sun-”
Roman switched off the portable radio with a ‘click’ and sat up from the lush grass he had been laying in previously, cloud gazing.
He stood up and brushed the grass which had gotten stuck to the back of his trousers off, bending backwards till his back cracked.
“Virgil! Wake up!” He said excitedly to the black fur ball who had curled up and was asleep, basking in the summer sun.
“Hmm?” The cat replied sleepily, only half awake.
The young boy then started to walk through the flowers of the meadow and back towards his house’s – making sure his black cat, Virgil, was following behind him. He could be a little sarcastic sometimes, well sometimes was an understatement, but Roman still loved him anyways.
“C’mon Virgil, let’s go tell mum and dad!” Roman shouted back to his cat as he started to race down the dirt path that lead home.
“Yeah, yeah, sure, just slow down already!” the dark fur ball shouted back. “Not all of us have long-ass legs like you!”
“Oh hush, let’s just go!” the young boy kept on running.
“Good afternoon, young Roman! Where are you off to today?” one of his neighbours called to him as they passed on their bike.
“Good afternoon, Mr Hamada! Just off home for now.” Roman slowed down ever so slightly and greeted him.
“Rightio, don’t let me be in your way now!” then he started to cycle on again.
“Have a good day sir!” Roman called and then continued running home, thoroughly tiring his cat out in the process.
“Slow down!” Virgil whined as he tried to keep up with the fast pace, but Roman paid no attention to his complaining, he was well used to it at this point in his life.
Soon enough, he could see the driveway of his house, the plants in the front garden coming into his view. He then picked up the pace only slightly, dodging and swerving in between all the pots and leaves. Once he got to his house, he went straight into their conservatory where his mum was busy making a potion for another one of his neighbours – an old lady he knew as Ms Flora.
She was a nice old lady, a neighbour he had known for as long as he could remember and she was also a regular customer of his mother.
“Hey mum-! Oh hi there Ms Flora,” Roman greeted the old lady when he saw she was there. “Hey mum, it’s gonna be a clear night tonight! And guess what?!” he continued, “The radio had said there is going to be a full moon too!” He finished a little too quickly, but that just showed his enthusiasm over it
“Did you go and borrow your father’s radio again without asking?” His mum scolded, raising an eyebrow as she concentrated on the potion she was making.
“Oh don’t worry, he doesn’t mind about that.” He waved off the concern and returned back to the topic he was talking about. “Please excuse me Ms Flora. Mum it’s going to be the perfect midnight to leave home! I can’t think of another night id want to, and it might not be like this again!” He half begged.
Roman’s mother was surprised, and momentarily paused in her potion making, but then continued as there was a timeframe she had to meet with the ingredients. Roman didn’t really understand why, but then again potions always seemed to bore him to no end.
“You mean tonight? Next month is what you told me!” She said, voicing her surprise as she mixed ingredients together.
“Yeaahhhhh, but the next full might well be on a cloudy night! And I want to leave on the perfect midnight! It is a special occasion after all!” The boy tried to reason, it made sense to him after all.
“Huh? But Roman-” said Roman had already to rush up to his room to start packing his back to be able to leave. “Wait!” She yelled after him, but little did she know her potion was beginning to bubble over and burn, and soon enough it exploded. Once the smoke cleared from around her, she could see that the glass tube had cracks down the side, and that the potion she was making had been ruined. She sighing, she started to go through and remake the potion again.
There was a chuckle from her guest who sat at a table in the room which had all sorts of different plants around it. “My oh my, what’s this all about hmm?” she laughed light-heartedly.
“It’s one of our oldest traditions, when a witch or wizard turns 13, they must leave home for a year in order to begin their training to become a witch or wizard.” She explained while making the new potion.
“Your little boy is 13 already? Goodness me how time flies.” Ms Flora smiled.
Roman’s mother agreed, “He seems so young to be leaving home now…”
Ms Flora sat back in her chair. “Well, I remember the very day you came to this town. A little girl flew down from the sky on a broomstick. And I was certain she was much too young to have such an important job as the President Witch.” They both chuckled.
Once she’d finished making the potion, Roman’s mum went and sat down across from Ms Flora with the potion.
“Yes, but at least I could actually fly, Roman barely knows how to do that! And every time I’ve tried to teach him how to make potions he gets too bored or I just never even have enough time to even teach him.” She said, worry hinted in her voice.
The old lady considered this for a moment and then spoke again. “Young people these days are all the same. They all want to do something different to what others want them to do. But I do hope at least that you get to teach him the potion that cures my Rheumatism.”
They both laughed at that and Roman’s mother was left with a tad less worry than she had before.
---------------
“Hurry up!” Roman rushed around his room, grabbing clothes out of draws, throwing them onto his bed and then shoving them in to his trusty red bag. “We had always said that we could leave on the perfect night, didn’t we?” He said to his cat as he sorted through a draw of socks.
“Nuh uh. Our plan was to stick around for another month and play it safe. I like that plan.” Virgil deadpanned and hopped aside to avoid his tail being trodden on by Roman as he ran around.
“And then if we put it off for a month and I find some wonderful boyfriend then what will we do?” Roman pulled shirts out of his chest of draws and without folding them very neatly, put in them into his bag, pushing them down to make them a little smaller.
“Uh oh…” Virgil said worriedly.
“Come on Virgil!” Roman then decided that unless he folded things then everything wouldn’t fit so he emptied the bag and then started rolling all his clothed up – a trick he learnt from his father to make clothes smaller.
“I’m going to put my paws together and pray you’re not serious about this princey.” The black cat had to dodge a shirt which was thrown his way, the boy deciding it wasn’t worth taking. Virgil didn’t blame him, neon orange wasn’t really Roman’s colour.
“Of course I am!” Roman replied a bit crossly and paused in his packing to look at his cat. “You very well know that ever since this prince has turned 13 I have been excited to make this trip.”
He swiftly finished off packing by taking his savings tin down from his bookcase and shoving it into the middle of his bag, so that it wouldn’t easily be lost. But then he remembered the prince outfit hanging up in his wardrobe and then folded that neatly, packing that too, he couldn’t leave it behind after all.
“There.” He said once he was happy with how things fitted. It was then that he heard a car pull into the driveway. “Dad!” He exclaimed and then ran over to the window, which, when he looked out, showed it was indeed his father who had pulled in.
Roman’s father looked very much like Roman, and Roman looked pretty much like his dad did when he was younger, except for the fact Roman had freckles, brown hair like his mother and he didn’t wear glasses.
“Dad! Guess what?!” He yelled out of the window. “I’ve decided that I’m going to leave tonight!”
His father was surprised to hear this, much like his mother, and paused in undoing the rope which was attached over the top of his car, keeping all sorts of different things in place.
“You’re going away tonight?!” he shouted up to Roman.
“Yeah! There’s gonna be a full moon tonight!” Roman called back.
“Well yeah, I guess so, but what happened to the camping trip we were supposed to take this weekend?” Roman’s dad managed to get the rope free from the top of the car. Pots, pans and other camping supplies were held atop the car. He sounded rather down about the fact that they may well not be able to go on the trip together as a family.
“Sorry dad!” Roman apologised and then went from the window back to his bag to check he had packed everything he needed.
“Oh, uh, Roman, wait-!” Being a tad distracted with talking to Roman, he didn’t notice the rope that was on the floor in front of him, so when he went to run inside, he tripped on said rope and then caused a lot of the equipment to come crashing off of the top of the car. He hesitated, looking back and forth between the house and the car trying to figure out what to what to do, but decided it would be best to at least sort out some of the things from the top of the car before he went inside.
---------------
Roman’s mother had finished up working on her potions and had gone up to Roman’s room. She had gone up to make sure all of Roman’s robes fit him correctly and to make sure the hem lines were right and fit right. His outfit was simple, a black shirt and trousers that matched. She had originally wanted Roman to wear what wizard’s usually wore, an outfit which was just one piece and was like a dress, but wasn’t a dress. Roman had protested against it and she ended up giving up on fighting him over it and they settled for a shirt and trousers. It wasn’t what she would have preferred but at least Roman was somewhat happy with it and it was traditional colours.
“Very handsome.” She remarked as she sewed up a hem on his right trouser leg.
Roman looked into the full length mirror they were in front of and frowned. “White would look better on me, or even my prince suit!”
“Listen, wizards and witches have worn this colour for a very long time Roman, you know that.” His mother reminded him.
“Oh but mum,” Roman continued, “I look really… dull.”
His mother finished and then stood up, putting her hands comfortingly on his shoulders as she grinned into the mirror. “It’s not really important what colour or style your clothes are dear, what matters is the heart inside.”
The boy smiled at this, “well I’m going to be the very best wizard that I can be mum! And I know that having a good heart is very important. But I do wish I could wear something different…”
His mother ignored the second half of his statement and replied, “Just follow your heart and keep smiling.”
Roman smiled at her in the mirror and agreed. “Yeah.”
“And be sure to write home as soon as you are settled.” She said as she packed up her sewing kit and proceeded downstairs from his room.
“Okay,” he called after her. When Roman saw his dad coming up the stairs he gasped and ran over to him. “Dad! Oh can I take the radio please?” he then proceeded to shout downstairs. “Mum, didn’t you say I could take the radio?” He looked over the banisters and saw his mother give him a nod as a yes. “Yay!”
His father chuckled. “Oh alright, it’s yours already!”
“Thank you!” Roman thanked him and smiled widely.
His father sat on his bed, he’d just come upstairs from calling all their family and friends to inform them of the date change of Roman’s leaving, they wanted people to be there for when he left after all.
“Well now,” he looked at Roman’s outfit. “You certainly look very grown up, Mr Wizard Prince.”
“Well I’m glad about that! One can’t be a prince if you don’t look grown up enough!” Roman beamed. “Hey dad, would you be able to lift me up high like you used to do when I was little?” he asked, holding his arms out.
“Well…” with a little struggle, Roman’s dad managed to pick him up and hold him up above him, spinning around a few times causing Roman to giggle, before dropping him back down, catching him and hugging him close while still carrying the boy.
“How come you never told me you were growing up so fast?” he murmured to Roman quietly. He then let Roman go from the hug but still held him. “You know, if this don’t work out, you can always come back home?”
Roman looked a tad taken back and smiled. “And come back a failure? No way!” he then made a face and stuck his tongue out, making both of them laugh.
“Will you write to us, if you have the time?” his dad asked him.
“Mhm,” Roman made a sound of agreement and then snuggled closer to his father. “I love you dad.”
They stayed like that for a little while longer before they had to double check Roman had got everything packed and then get ready for that evening. It was going to be a big event after all.
---------------
As the weather report had said, it was indeed a clear night, not a cloud was in sight and the full moon was up high in the sky. There were various groups of Roman’s friends, his parent’s friends, family members and neighbours gathered around outside of their house, ready to wave Roman a goodbye when he leaves.
Roman himself was joking around, or as some would say, having banter, with a group of his friends from the village.
“Ooh, so are you going to find a city by the ocean?” One friend asked him.
“Or maybe even a town?” Another added.
“Well, at least that’s what I’m hoping to do anyways!” Roman grinned, and his friends agreed on ‘how cool that would be’.
“Man I’m so jealous, you’re gonna have so much fun!” one of his friends remarked.
“I’m not going just for a good time though,” Roman stood up straight and held a finger up. “In order to become a good wizard, I have to train a whole year away from home.” He told them.
“Yeah, be sure to tell that to the boys,” his friend elbowed him in the ribs and the group all laughed. It was a well-known fact in the village that Roman had an attraction to boys, and they were all very accepting of it, those who weren’t were shunned however. It wasn’t really that big of a deal to anyone there, they just saw him for who Roman was and nothing else.
Their joking was cut short when Roman’s mother called him over, saying that it was time.
“Kay!” Roman waved to his friends, the broom he made earlier that day clutched in his grip as he ran over to his mother, who was also holding her broom.
“That’s going to be the broom you’re leaving on Roman?” she questioned, looking at his broom uncertainly.
“Yup! I made it all by myself this morning actually!” Roman said proudly, holding it out so she could see his handy work. His mother had other ideas however.
“Honey, that broom is too small to be truly safe, I’d much rather you took my broom instead, I know it better,” she insisted, not backing down.
“But mum that one’s so old! It’s pretty much ancient!” he protested.
“And that’s why it’s good!” his mum explained. “You can rely on it time after time and in any kind of weather too. Roman, do this for me please?”
“But I put so much effort into making this one,” He said, downcast. He then turned to Virgil, hoping for the cat to back him up. “Right Virgil?”
The cat paused from licking his paws from where he was seated on Roman’s shoulder. “Your broom is nice, but let’s take your mother’s.” He said flatly.
“Well you’re no help.” He pouted and glared at the black cat.
Ms Flora spoke up from where she was seated, “Now Roman, wouldn’t you be able to make yourself another fine broom once you’ve found a place and settled down?”
Roman sighed. “Yeah I guess so.”
Soon enough, it was time for Roman to leave. He went around and said goodbye to each of the guests there and hugged his friend’s goodbye.
“Be careful,” his mother told him as he hugged her.
“You be strong okay?” his father asked when Roman hugged him.
“I will!” Roman said to them as he made his way out into the middle of the clearing and then mounted his mother’s broomstick.
Flying took a lot of concentration for taking off and landing, so Roman had to focus. In not much time, the dust beneath him had spread around him and he levitated. This caused many cheers from the people around him, making him smile and become a little more confident.
“Oh dear,” Virgil muttered from where he was clinging on to Roman’s shoulder. “You know I hate flying,” but no one heard him say the second part as it was lost in the cheers.
The broom levitated off the ground for a few seconds before slowly falling back to the floor, much to Roman’s dislike. So, Roman did the only logical thing and gave the handle a good whack before he touched down again, which caused to broom to fly off rather suddenly upwards and then forward, making the crowd gasp. Roman hit a tree on his way out, making the little bells which were hung up there ring as he bounced back from that tree. Virgil, however, was screaming at Roman and could be heard well.
“VEER RIGHT! Go left go left go left-” Virgil yelled at him.
“Okay!” Roman yelled back and they hit another tree, making a sound of surprise, making more bells sound.
“Aim your broomstick…” Roman’s mother held her hands together and wished for Roman to be safe.
After a few seconds of nothing happening, Roman’s voice could be heard again.
“Farewell all of you! I’ll miss you!” He shouted and everyone sighed in relief.
“He’s okay,” one of Roman’s friends said thankfully.
“May our little prince be well and have a safe trip,” Roman’s dad said as he listened to the bells which kept sounding, the only sounds left from Roman’s exit. One of his neighbours said he would miss the sound of the bells.
And just like that, Roman flew off, away from home, under the stars in the clear night above him and the light of the moon guiding his way. But that was only the beginning of his trip, for there was a long time ahead of him, but for now he was happy and flying up high in the sky, excited for what adventures might come in the future.
