[center][h1][u]Marlowe Vallis[/u][/h1][hr]• Windward Island, Docks. Southern Seas • [/center]

[indent] Marlowe watched as the men continued to load up materials to the ship. He kept low, moving between abandoned stalls and empty netting, doing his best to keep out of sight knowing that if any of the islanders saw him, he would never leave the island. Talu could carry four men in one arm, or at least, Marlowe [i]believed[/i] the Chief could. You didn’t become Chief by simply being a good diplomat, Talu had been a distinguished fighter in his youth.

Marlowe turned to Marea, his face grim. “Okay. We’ve got one shot at this.” He watched as the men stopped working for a moment, just to talk. “Marea, I understand if you don’t want to go.” He turned back to the blue haired girl, his face surprisingly serious for the first time in a while. “This island is your home. Talu’s your father. If you want to stay, I understand. He’s proud of you.” He’d known Talu all his life, and he never remembered Talu [i]ever[/i] being proud, or supportive of him. When his mother was still alive, he’d visited almost every day. He’d talked to her for hours, always checking up on her. But Marlowe never remembered a time Talu talked to him as a child, or played with him, or even [i]smiled.[/i] Why did Talu hate him?

[i]He knew why.[/i] Those cursed to live without the sun or moon brought tragedy. Marlowe knew no one who was born during the eclipse but him. Instead of being special; he was…[i]different.[/i] And that curse spread not just to him, but to those he loved. His father died at sea. His mother died of sickness. Talu probably kept him at arms length to protect the island and himself.

A younger, blonde man came from the boat. He sported the same thick coats than many divers wore, and seemed geared up for the mission already. He carried himself with some modicum of authority, and Marlowe wondered if he was also an experienced diver. He walked over to the men guarding the docks. “Excuse me, I need some help loading a few things from Mr. Reballo. Please come with me.” He led them off, leaving the ramp to the boat unguarded.

“This is it…” Marlowe muttered.[/indent]