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[The freighter out on the water keeps sending small boats of belongings. Crates, lamps, chests, until finally, finally after one great boxed monster comes the real cargo. The lady. The bride from across the sea.
He mutters to the men around him who remark that she does not look like a treasure. From this distance she doesn't look like much of anything with the bundle in her arms coming closer and closer to the shore. Finally, with the help of the crewsman she is brought to the wet sand.
Dimly, he realizes he has not seen a new face let alone a new woman in close to four or five years since he planted himself on this distant shore. Frank steps forward and offers his hand.]
Welcome.
He mutters to the men around him who remark that she does not look like a treasure. From this distance she doesn't look like much of anything with the bundle in her arms coming closer and closer to the shore. Finally, with the help of the crewsman she is brought to the wet sand.
Dimly, he realizes he has not seen a new face let alone a new woman in close to four or five years since he planted himself on this distant shore. Frank steps forward and offers his hand.]
Welcome.
[ Natasha was still dressed in black, having been in mourning for her previous husband for over a year now. He had been a good man. A kind man. She couldn't speak so he talked for both of them. It was almost as if he could read her mind and the love she felt for him ran deep into her bones. He gave her such a beautiful little girl. That and the memories, little trinkets she had tucked away in bags, were all that was left of him now. Her father didn't want her to remain a widow for all her life. She was too young, too beautiful. Even if she was mute.
So here she was, halfway across the world for a man she had never met, and the smell of salt water thick on the wind. She doesn't take the offered hand but watches Frank, her expression pinched against the wind. Her daughter, Anya, peeking out from the blanket that had been bundled around her. She squirms and Natasha carefully sets the small child on the beach. At four years old, she's braver than Natasha had ever been at that age. ]
Hello! Are you here to take us home?
[ She says brightly to the man, staring at the tattoos on his arms. ]
So here she was, halfway across the world for a man she had never met, and the smell of salt water thick on the wind. She doesn't take the offered hand but watches Frank, her expression pinched against the wind. Her daughter, Anya, peeking out from the blanket that had been bundled around her. She squirms and Natasha carefully sets the small child on the beach. At four years old, she's braver than Natasha had ever been at that age. ]
Hello! Are you here to take us home?
[ She says brightly to the man, staring at the tattoos on his arms. ]
[Aren't the dead always better and kinder than the living? That was a saying he remembered from his days at sea. The Navy hardened his heart and skin. Though there is something about the razor sharpness gaze of her green eyes that jabs him just so. The wind whips around them and the air is getting more damp with the growing hours.
His attention shifts to... a walking and talking china doll.]
That I am. Your father is not yet come. I'm sure that he caught the storm that sent you closer.
[Since...no one is going to take his hand, it comes upon his hip. That's not the only markings he has. On his arms, his neck, his face. The whole lot of them must look like savages.]
Come. It will be getting dark. My men have begun to take your things. The larger items will have to wait until morning.
His attention shifts to... a walking and talking china doll.]
That I am. Your father is not yet come. I'm sure that he caught the storm that sent you closer.
[Since...no one is going to take his hand, it comes upon his hip. That's not the only markings he has. On his arms, his neck, his face. The whole lot of them must look like savages.]
Come. It will be getting dark. My men have begun to take your things. The larger items will have to wait until morning.
[ Anya immediately corrects him: ]
He's not my father. My father died.
[ And she didn't like this man she had never met. Why was her mother marrying him? It made no sense to her. She grips the blanket closer to her as her expression grows sour but still staring at the markings on him, her eyes eventually drifting to the others. Their hair was long, skin dark. She had never seen such people before.
But at the latter statement, Natasha shakes her head, hands clasped in front of her. She was not leaving her piano. ]
He's not my father. My father died.
[ And she didn't like this man she had never met. Why was her mother marrying him? It made no sense to her. She grips the blanket closer to her as her expression grows sour but still staring at the markings on him, her eyes eventually drifting to the others. Their hair was long, skin dark. She had never seen such people before.
But at the latter statement, Natasha shakes her head, hands clasped in front of her. She was not leaving her piano. ]
Ah. My mistake. Well. The man that is to be your new father and your mother's husband... he is not here. I am.
[Francis. That was the name that they had given her. He was one of the largest property owners. It seems her new husband was still finding his footing. While the affairs of others were never any of his business, Frank wondered what it was that made this match worth the trip.
This was not the Old World. Or even the New World. The Americas had so many more people. This was...some forgotten corner of Eden. And with her child no less.
He presses his mouth together.]
...No? Surely you're tired and hungry. And there's no food here for either of you. We will return for everything.
[Francis. That was the name that they had given her. He was one of the largest property owners. It seems her new husband was still finding his footing. While the affairs of others were never any of his business, Frank wondered what it was that made this match worth the trip.
This was not the Old World. Or even the New World. The Americas had so many more people. This was...some forgotten corner of Eden. And with her child no less.
He presses his mouth together.]
...No? Surely you're tired and hungry. And there's no food here for either of you. We will return for everything.
He will never be my father!
[ She adds defiantly, looking like her real father when he decided to be stubborn about something. She almost wants to stamp her feet but the water is brushing at her boots. She turns to watch it recede and catches her mother signing to Frank, shaking her head again. She turns back to him and translates, ]
We cannot leave the piano.
[ She adds defiantly, looking like her real father when he decided to be stubborn about something. She almost wants to stamp her feet but the water is brushing at her boots. She turns to watch it recede and catches her mother signing to Frank, shaking her head again. She turns back to him and translates, ]
We cannot leave the piano.
[Well. That is, indeed, that. Frank tries not to grin so he casts a glance over his shoulder. A great portion of the party has put a dent in the luggage washed up on the beach. It would indeed take another day's work to get the rest if they take the same men. Without the piano alone.]
Cannot and will not are two things. I cannot leave you both here.
[It's not safe. And it's not right. Their safety was entrusted to him. He looks at the great crate embedded in the sand, the young girl and her mother again.]
You're not suggesting we stay here with it?
Cannot and will not are two things. I cannot leave you both here.
[It's not safe. And it's not right. Their safety was entrusted to him. He looks at the great crate embedded in the sand, the young girl and her mother again.]
You're not suggesting we stay here with it?
[ Natasha gives a nod and reaches her hand out to her daughter. Anya takes it and as they walk past Frank, towards the crate, ]
She won't go.
[ Not that she's all that scared about being on the beach at night. What an experience. She always loved the beach back home. But they usually went when it was warmer. ]
She won't go.
[ Not that she's all that scared about being on the beach at night. What an experience. She always loved the beach back home. But they usually went when it was warmer. ]
Ma'am.
[The commotion around them is thinning out, the porters are expecting them to follow. Frank makes a motion and tells them that they will be along.
By and by.
Though who is to say how long by and by will be?]
This is not a permanent arrangement. One night. No one shall disturb your piano. At first light it will be retrieved. You and your girl, you both look tired and could use a real rest.
[The commotion around them is thinning out, the porters are expecting them to follow. Frank makes a motion and tells them that they will be along.
By and by.
Though who is to say how long by and by will be?]
This is not a permanent arrangement. One night. No one shall disturb your piano. At first light it will be retrieved. You and your girl, you both look tired and could use a real rest.
[ She ignores Frank and inspects the crate thoroughly, running her gloved hand along the wood and letting go of Anya when she sees a crack in some of the wood, right where the keys are. She breaks it off and removes her gloves. She needs to feel the keys under her fingers. It's been so long.
The little girl turns to Frank and bounces slightly on her feet. ]
I'm not tired!
[ She then proves it by running around the crate and then off along the shore, squealing as she does so. Natasha taps on the keys and the sound is muffled by the crate but she still seems calmed by the sound all the same. ]
The little girl turns to Frank and bounces slightly on her feet. ]
I'm not tired!
[ She then proves it by running around the crate and then off along the shore, squealing as she does so. Natasha taps on the keys and the sound is muffled by the crate but she still seems calmed by the sound all the same. ]
[A child won't be reasoned with. Especially one so small. He folds his arms, surveying the way the water comes and goes. The tied is out. It will return. The piano will be its own island.]
I will stay with you both until you're ready to go. I don't recommend it especially after sunset. The water comes up far.
[The single chord resonates. It is so out of place with the crashing waves and gulls calling. It's a refined, majestic object as it is.]
I will stay with you both until you're ready to go. I don't recommend it especially after sunset. The water comes up far.
[The single chord resonates. It is so out of place with the crashing waves and gulls calling. It's a refined, majestic object as it is.]
[ Anya is already starting to collect seashells while her mother tests the rest of the cords. It looks like she's ignoring him again until she stops and takes a small pad of paper out and a pencil. She writes on it and walks over to him. She holds out the pad for him to read: ]
We will leave at dawn when they come back.
We will leave at dawn when they come back.
[This would not be the first or the last time he was ignored. Frank is ever faithful. And his patience has been tempered by unruly seas, sour men and misfortune. Still, he grinds his teeth. The bit of paper with the swirled lettering has him stare. First at the letters. Some of them he recognizes.
He looks beyond at her face.]
...I don't know how to read. I was told to come and fetch you. I was told to keep you safe. If you stay you will be wet, cold and possibly drowned. None of those things are what your husband asked for.
He looks beyond at her face.]
...I don't know how to read. I was told to come and fetch you. I was told to keep you safe. If you stay you will be wet, cold and possibly drowned. None of those things are what your husband asked for.
[ Her nostrils flare at that and she snatches the paper back. She's insulted by his ignorance but frustrated more so than that. She shoves the pad and pencil into her dress pocket and signs at him aggressively but making sure to cut across her throat and shake her head.
They will not leave. That is the end of it.
She then gestures for him to leave, as if dismissing him before turning back to her piano. ]
They will not leave. That is the end of it.
She then gestures for him to leave, as if dismissing him before turning back to her piano. ]
[Is she mad? Perhaps. There's no telling what it is that she's thinking. The way her eyes burn and her hands fly it is like watching the expanse of the sky swirl and thunder. The true meaning is trouble and difficulty.]
I'm staying. I gave my word. That's why I'm here. ...that's why you are here too.
[Frank doesn't budge a muscle from the spot he's chosen to fix himself upon. If the whole world were made of people like them, literally nothing would be done.]
I'm staying. I gave my word. That's why I'm here. ...that's why you are here too.
[Frank doesn't budge a muscle from the spot he's chosen to fix himself upon. If the whole world were made of people like them, literally nothing would be done.]
[There are more shells than people on this shore. And far more sand than both of them. And all the water ready to swallow up any of them. He sets his jaw and lightly shakes his head as he walks past the little one. The place where he had planted himself is much, much deeper. The waves have just begun to skirt closer.
At least the child is having a good time. She might be her mother's voice but she's not her mother's mind. How many months must she have been holed up on deck? It's one thing for a sailor, for a grown man or a passenger.]
I understand you want to stay. I understand this is an important piece. If we're to truly stay the night here, at least tell me you know it will not be an easy night.
[Staying is what is called for. So staying he shall. Though why it is her husband chose this span of time to finish business and not see his wife settled is beyond him. Careless. He steps beside the great cased instrument and inspects the boards and nails. Sealed and safe, that much is good.]
At least the child is having a good time. She might be her mother's voice but she's not her mother's mind. How many months must she have been holed up on deck? It's one thing for a sailor, for a grown man or a passenger.]
I understand you want to stay. I understand this is an important piece. If we're to truly stay the night here, at least tell me you know it will not be an easy night.
[Staying is what is called for. So staying he shall. Though why it is her husband chose this span of time to finish business and not see his wife settled is beyond him. Careless. He steps beside the great cased instrument and inspects the boards and nails. Sealed and safe, that much is good.]
[ Anya pouts at him as he walks away, having wanted to ask him if he would build a sand castle with her. Oh well, she goes off again, to where the dry sand meets the wet and dumps her shells down on the ground.
But at his words, Natasha stops her playing once again and looks at him. She gives a nod, she understands. She's always understood how difficult things can be. But her piano is worth the hardship for her. ]
But at his words, Natasha stops her playing once again and looks at him. She gives a nod, she understands. She's always understood how difficult things can be. But her piano is worth the hardship for her. ]
[So long as she stays close. He has one eye on the little bundle of skirts and the other near.]
There we have it then.
[An impasse. If she thought she'd be rid of him then she was sorely wrong. The notes cut the air and paint the afternoon with a kind of magic that this place has never seen. The small lapse to silence brings about how strange this all is. To Frank. To the lady.]
Besides the impossible is there anything you think I can do for you that would make you both more comfortable? I'm... at your disposal, in case you hadn't noticed.
There we have it then.
[An impasse. If she thought she'd be rid of him then she was sorely wrong. The notes cut the air and paint the afternoon with a kind of magic that this place has never seen. The small lapse to silence brings about how strange this all is. To Frank. To the lady.]
Besides the impossible is there anything you think I can do for you that would make you both more comfortable? I'm... at your disposal, in case you hadn't noticed.
[ She stares at him for a moment before hitting the keys harder, more aggressively as she glares at him. In time, he'll come to realize that the piano is more to her than a simple instrument and always has been.
Anya runs over to him and tugs on his trouser leg. She'll try this again. ]
Can you help me?
Anya runs over to him and tugs on his trouser leg. She'll try this again. ]
Can you help me?
[His brows lift and he's not sure if he should laugh or be affronted. Neither feeling solidifies. So instead he sighs.
The tugging gets his attention immediately.]
How's that now? What kind of help do you need?
[At least someone wants him here. Sort of.]
The tugging gets his attention immediately.]
How's that now? What kind of help do you need?
[At least someone wants him here. Sort of.]
[Really is a little thing. And to say no when there is nothing else to do would be a sin. Frank smiles and finds his heart aching for a little girl and boy who no longer exist.]
I'll see what I can do. God did not make me a carpenter or an architect. You're destined to be queen just the same. And a queen deserves a castle.
I'll see what I can do. God did not make me a carpenter or an architect. You're destined to be queen just the same. And a queen deserves a castle.
[ Natasha watches them out of the corner of her eye, suppressing the smile until they have both moved behind her. Her playing becomes more gentle as she sits down on a box they left behind and Anya already telling him what she wants to do and motioning for him to get down on the sand with her.
She misses her father so much and one of her memories consists of him getting down on the floor or ground to play with her.
Night does come in an hour's time and Natasha stops long enough to get a fire started, using what she learned from Clint. It's still hard for her sometimes, her heart aching at the memory of him. She hadn't wanted this new marriage. But how could she disgrace her family by refusing? She sits back on the crate and watches the fire, silent and lost in memories once again. ]
She misses her father so much and one of her memories consists of him getting down on the floor or ground to play with her.
Night does come in an hour's time and Natasha stops long enough to get a fire started, using what she learned from Clint. It's still hard for her sometimes, her heart aching at the memory of him. She hadn't wanted this new marriage. But how could she disgrace her family by refusing? She sits back on the crate and watches the fire, silent and lost in memories once again. ]
[Building up the structures and finding places for the shells takes up time. He crouches right there in the sand with the little girl. Quiet and patient, not what one would typically expect of a man of his size or with the markings on his body. Without a second thought, Frank removes his coat and vest. The vest offers it first to Anya. She's small enough to swim in it.]
Are you cold, Ma'am?
[He offers her his coat. The tide is lapping the legs of the piano, creeping closer to Natasha's seat.]
Are you cold, Ma'am?
[He offers her his coat. The tide is lapping the legs of the piano, creeping closer to Natasha's seat.]
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