Goodbye

Writers: Vanessa T Sommerfeld
Date Posted: 12th December 2007

Characters: Supaka, Selka, Kessel
Description: Supaka and Selka say goodbye to Kessel
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 7, day 13 of Turn 4

Supaka walked behind Kessel and watched Selka as he carried her. She made a mental note to memorize the image. The two people who made her world embraced forever in her mind. She blinked and choked on her own sorrow. It wasn't fair. When she met Kessel, she was full of adventure. They had fallen in love and her only concern was to be with him. They were lucky beyond belief when he was First Mate and she was assigned permanently to his ship. When he was promoted to Captain, she felt like the Lady of her own tiny Hold. But Selka. Selka brought on a whole new set of rules. When she was a baby, Supaka was just sleep deprived and running on the endorphins that Selka produced in her. Once she started walking, the entire crew went on constant alert as to where she was and _what_ she was into. It was hectic and frightening, with opportunities for mortal peril on every deck. But it was home. She had the entire crew to help entertain Selka when she and Kessel needed time alone. Now. Now, Kessel remained on the True Runner, while she and Selka lived a separate life on land. Now, she was alone with no one to help. She was alone without Kessel. Kessel, who gave her strength and had a way of making Selka behave without making her cry. She wondered if they had made a mistake. Selka needed a proper education, but how did that balance on the scales with the separation from her father?
How did it balance with her mother's separation from her husband? She knew she was a better person for being with Kessel. The question was, did she retain those qualities when he wasn't around? She wasn't sure. She always felt a little unsettled when they were apart. When he was near, she felt strong, confident, and able to tackle anything that came her way. Absent from him.she was less sure of herself.

They reached the shore and the boats were waiting. Supaka had almost hoped that they would have to wait just a short while to have more time. More time.

"Well, this is it." Kessel looked at Supaka with regret on his face. When she couldn't say anything, he looked at Selka. "OK, Little Fish, Da's gonna go back on his boat now."

"Da, don't go." She cried. "I don't want you to go!"

"I know, sweet child. But remember what we talked about." He raised his eyebrows. "I need you to be a good girl and listen to Mama. Will you do that for me?"

"Yes." The girl rubbed her eyes and sniffed.

"Do that for me, then." He kept eye contact with her despite her movements.
"Hmm?"

"OK, Da." She put her head on his shoulder.

Supaka moved closer to place her body against his, the three of them embracing. They stood like that for a long moment.

"Captain. When you are ready, sir," the crewman reluctantly interrupted the silence.

Kessel broke contact and Supaka suppressed a sob. "Be a good girl, Selka.
You know Da loves you as big as the ocean." She nodded. He hugged the girl tightly and kissed the top of her head. "Kiss?" The girl lifted her head and gave her father a kiss. He kissed her several more times and held her cheek to his for a moment. His eyes found his wife's and held them sorrowfully. He bent and placed the child carefully on her feet.

Reaching for Supaka, he blinked tears from his eyes. Hers had begun to flow already. She was unable to speak for fear her composure would completely fail her. "Oh. My love," he spoke against her hair as he held her. "How I love you.
How I'll miss you." His voice cracked as he said it. He stroked her hair and put his hand under it to hold her neck. He pulled her away enough to look into her eyes. "You are my soul."

She finally found her voice. "Kessel. I love you. Please be safe. Come back to us soon." She searched his eyes. "You have my heart." She kissed him briefly. They had already shared their last intimate moments before leaving their bed this morning. She wiped at the tears that were not showing signs of ceasing. She knew from experience that they continue long after his departure. She bent over to pick up Selka who was quietly observing the exchange between them. Supaka wondered if she was trying to make sure that they were still in love.that her world was still intact.

Kessel took one last look at them, attempted a smile, and turned to the small rowboat that was waiting to take him to the True Runner. He seated himself so that he could watch his family as the distance between them grew. He knew that they would remain on the beach until they could no longer see him. Supaka behaved as predicted, seating herself in the sand while she watched her husband move further and further away from her.

Last updated on the December 16th 2007

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