Yours is an Empty Hope
((closed starter for seeker-of-order))
Mariku hung his arms over the railing, watching the ocean waters crashing against the side of the ship as they sliced through it. His gaze lifted slowly to the horizon, watching a pair of birds diving to catch their dinner.
Battling against the wind in his already messy hair, Mariku swore under his breath and turned to face the strong winds, squinting against it and following along the railing towards the bow.
He was still getting used to the silence, the absence of Malik. He had no where to hide now. He was just... himself, whoever that was. He had no Mind Palace to retreat to, no company... not that Malik was ever the best company, but Mariku didn’t realize how much he enjoyed having that someone else alongside him until he was gone. Go figure.
If he had been alienated before, it was nothing compared to now. He understood, to an extent, why Rishid and Isis would hate him more now. He had killed their brother.
He scowled to himself. He still was their brother--sort of...
His gaze flickered over to Isis up near the bow of the ship. She seemed more distant lately than ever. Mourning, probably. Mourning who? Malik? He was still here? Half of him, anyway.
They didn’t even look at him.
Mariku heaved a sigh and slid his hand over the railing, looking out at he ocean again with longing. The Rod nudge his back, still tucked in his belt as Malik had it. Mariku didn’t really care much, having it around. He didn’t imagine having a whole lot of use for it now, but he still liked holding on to it out of habit if nothing else.
His glance slipped back up to Isis. Would you bother? What, talk to her? Maybe. He never would have before but... the seclusion and silence he’d been subjected to these past few days were almost too much. Maybe he was desperate.
Would you call her “sister”? No, probably-- well... She wouldn’t like it. Probably not. And yet, and yet... he longed for a sister. For a brother. For a family. Even for Malik...
Biting his lip, Mariku dragged himself from the railing and made his way over to her. He paused, a good distance behind her, but he didn’t doubt she had noticed him coming. He opened his mouth and drew a breath but hadn’t planned anything to say. A moment passed with his mouth agape in hesitation.
Finally, he muttered, “Hullo...”








