Pretty Fin- Raging Seas

by Smokey Moment

  Chloe leaned in for a kiss. Lark was tall. Muscular. She held onto his arms and closed her eyes. Lark kissed her slowly, taking his time. Kissing was new to him. He had kissed Guida several times under the Madaka night skies. He knew a little something about it and how it made one feel. Chloe’s lips were soft. Wet. They sparkled a light pink hue that he found alluring. Chloe kiss him passionately. Her kisses became more intense. Lark tried to match her intensity, as he pulled her closer to him.

  “Lark!” she whispered, her mouth opening slightly over his. His kisses were passionate. She could feel his body heat. Part of her felt ashamed for aggressively pursuing him. She was a lady. She didn’t do such things. But she was sure she felt something that night. Saw something in his eyes. It was a tender moment. It felt right. And she wanted him.

  Lark stepped back, his eyes filled with a longing. He had to leave. He needed to check on his people. Chloe wasn’t sure why the moment was so tense. Why he looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. All she knew was he was a man she wanted to know. She saw herself loving him. She imagined herself being intimate with him. But it seemed their timing was off. Something was amidst. And whatever it was, it was important enough to separate them for the time being.

  Chloe opened her car door. She buckled her seat belt and sat for a moment before pulling off. Lark watched the car until it disappeared from view. He dropped his head. If only there was more time to spend with her. He’d just met her. But he had no time to explore the strange desires that were drawing them to one another. Lark sighed then walked back to Fin’s house. He took off Lance’s jogging pants and shirt and wrapped his legs in his bindings and exited the patio door. He walked slowly to the end of the dock and jumped into the ocean, headed for Madaka.

  Life Interrupted

  F

  in unpacked her things as she glanced out at the ocean. She was overwhelmed with thoughts as she reflected on her life. Soon feelings of peace and tranquility, came over her. It was nice to be home. Fin couldn’t stay in the moment for too long. The sound of her rambunctious girls filled the almost empty home. Their furniture was on its way.

  The house was in a disarray when they first arrived. Fin had her girls as Lance carried in a box and immediately looked around. Clothing in a corner along with empty potato chip bags and juice cartons were strewn about. It seemed someone had been squatting. Whoever it was would probably return. Lance was prepared. He had purchased a hand gun this time. He couldn’t take the chance. He was infuriated. Lance thought it was gutsy. He hurriedly picked the items up before Fin walked in. She was in the kitchen fixing a snack for Isla and Nimah.

  He recognized the clothing and the other items he’d left behind. The boxes and other non-essentials that he planned on getting rid of. Lance kept the intruder incident to himself, grabbing the pile and throwing it in garbage bags. He grabbed a pick cover and walked through the hall. “Don’t throw my comforter away,” Fin said, as Lance walked by her with Isla’s pink and white polka dot quilt in his hands. “It was on the floor. Its dirty,” he said. “That’s okay. I will wash it,” she said, looking perplexed as she continued unpacking her box. Lance was too late. She had already seen it laid out on the floor. She wondered how it got there. She didn’t remember leaving anything like that behind. She figured it was an oversight. Pushed in the corner by the movers when they left.

  The girls were having a field day running rampant through the halls. Fin looked on as she continued pulling her personal items from a box. She glanced over at a box with the word’s polish written on it and decided to keep the box sealed and tucked neatly in her master closet. Polish was still an obsession. It seemed she had every color known to man. She had lost count after purchasing nearly three hundred different shades.

  The house phone chimed. The ring tone was part of a new phone system installed by Lance, courtesy of his buddy Wolfe Larsen. It was a new venture the men were working on. They were set to revolutionize a way of communicating. Wolfe had given it to them and personally installed the new intercom type phone that could be answered by saying key words. “Hello,” Fin said loudly activating the hands-free new way to talk. Fin loved it. She could carry on with what she was doing, while talking.

  “Hey baby,” Lance said. Fin lit up. “Hi honey. You on your way? The guys will be here soon with the furniture,” she said. “Yes. I’ll beat them there. I’m coming down Pacific Avenue. Will be there shortly,” Lance said. Fin walked to the door and opened it, in anticipation of his arrival. She looked out, then walked away. She could see her girls on the patio. Isla was in charge. She was responsible for keeping Nimah from going to the dock. They still needed Fin to be present. They were used to the water in the pool. Not the ocean.

  The sound of the screen door opening was a welcoming sound. Lance was home. He could help her unpack then they could prepare food for dinner. Fin was still learning to cook. Soon she wouldn’t need Lance. But for now, she did, and she loved cooking side by side with him.

  “I’m in the kitchen honey,” she said loudly. She continued looking out at her girls. They were completely relaxed on the outdoor lounge chair. The girls shared a large pillow as the laid in opposite directions. Fin heard footsteps. She smiled as he approached. “Come… Look! They love it here. They are so relaxed,” she said, as she heard him enter the kitchen. Fin turned around. She dropped the kitchen towel she held in her hand. Her eyes widened. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. It was Lark standing before her. Wet and fatigued.

  “Lark!” she said, her mouth agape. She stood frozen, stunned at the sight before her. Lark walked in further. His eyes low. His body going limp. Fin was in disbelief. He was weak and his steps were unsteady. Lark looked exhausted as he struggled to keep himself up. Fin ran to him and he collapsed in her arms.

  “Lark!” she shouted. Soon the sound of footsteps entering could be heard. “Lance! Is that you? Help me,” she shouted. Lance ran into the kitchen. He stood over them. Shock took over. He was locked into a paralyzing fear as he tried to make sense of what his eyes were seeing.

  “Who is this?” Lance said, as he tried to help Lark to his feet. “This is Lark. The king of Mojarro. I told you about him,” she said. Lance helped get Lark to the living room. He recalled the stories about him. He glanced at Lark again then suddenly recognized his face. It was the man whose head peeked out of the water as he carried Fin back into their home. The man responsible for getting his Fin home safely.

  Lark was a strapping and handsome man. Built like someone who lived their days inside of gyms. He was physically cut to perfection. His legs and arms were lean. Muscular. He hadn’t an ounce of fat on his body. A solid man. His weight not matching how lean he appeared. Lance needed to employ all his strength to help him to the only chair in the house.

  “Fin!” Lark said, his voice weak from exhaustion. He reached and touched her face then collapsed again. Lance clenched his jaw. The touch was a little too intimate for him to handle. Fin knew her closeness to Lark was uncomfortable for her doting and overprotective husband. But there was no time to hold his hand. Lark was in trouble or else he wouldn’t be there.

  “Get a glass of water. Add a little salt to it,” Fin said. Lance ran back into the kitchen and poured a tall glass of water then grabbed the salt shaker and added salt. “Here,” he said, as he handed the glass to Fin. She placed it up to Larks lips, encouraging him to take a sip. “Come on Lark. Drink!” she said. Lance stood straight. He was slightly jealous of the attention his wife was paying to their unannounced house guest. It was Lark. The man he believed loved his wife. Maybe more than he did. They had history. Fin was unusually comfortable with him. And it caused his mind to race with inappropriate thoughts. It wasn’t the time. But he could think of nothing but the two of them in an embrace. Or worse.

  Lance paced back and forth watching as his wife cared for Lark. The attention was too much. He pictured them having more than a close bond. Something else was there. He was sure of it. Soon wild ima
ges entered his thoughts. He pictured Lark mounting her. His mind ran wildly, as thoughts of what sex between nermeins would be like. If whether he stood up against love between two nermeins. Fin was insatiable at times, making love to him many times through the night. The thought crossed his mind that maybe he didn’t satisfy her. Maybe nermein men were better.

  Lance continued to pace. Fin looked up at him. She sighed then turned her attention back to Lark. Lance would need to relax.

  But he couldn’t. He couldn’t help but wonder if this were her lover. And if so, was their connection be more intense. Were their spirits intertwined. And was this a man capable of producing a thousand orgasms with his wife.

  Lance was obsessively fixated over the images in his mind, wishing they would go away. He was feeling a way only a man in his position would understand. Fin glanced up at him and gave a reassuring smile. She could see he was uncomfortable.

  “Everything is alright,” Fin said, attempting to relax her husband. She was nervous enough for the both of them. One of them had to keep their cool. “Can you check on the girls?” she asked. Lance walked into the kitchen. He was still in a slight daze. His worst fears had come true and the furniture hadn’t even arrived. He could see Isla and Nimah comfortably sitting on the outdoor sofa. They were quietly enamored with the latest installment of Little Mermaids. The theater sized outdoor screen was a hit with his babies. The cartoon had their undivided attention. He could see they were also enjoying berries Fin had fixed for them. The girls couldn’t be happier.

  “They’re fine,” Lance said, as he pinched his nose in frustration. “Why is he here?” he asked. Fin sighed. His bluntness was to be expected. A man he didn’t know was in his home. Lark was supposed to be running a city. She was wondering the same thing.

  “I don’t know. But he is weak. He needs rest. Where can he lie down?” Fin asked. Lance put his hand on his hips and shook his head slowly. And Fin’s disappointment with his behavior was written all over her face. Lance looked intensely at her.

  “I guess in the spare room once the furniture arrives. Let him rest there for now,” Lance reluctantly said, as he grabbed his phone. It seemed ironic. The man in the water was now the man in his home. And it seemed that man now needed his help. Fin ran and grabbed a sheet and placed it over Lark. Lance called the movers and inquired as to their whereabouts. The movers told him they were still ten minutes away. Lance hung up and told Fin that they were close. He wasn’t sure how he felt about housing the stranger. But the man was like family to Fin, and so it was to go without saying that they would accommodate him. Lance could only hope it was temporary. He didn’t want to be responsible for him. And he didn’t have room in his home or his life, for a more permanent house guest.

  Fin walked the long hall to the spare room where Lark was resting. He had not awakened since the day he arrived. It had been several days and Fin was getting worried about him. It was early morning. Lance had already left for work. The home was quiet. Isla and Nimah lay fast asleep. Fin had an hour at most before the girls would be up and running.

  The massive windows overlooking the water was a calming view. Fin walked slowly, looking at the beautiful sky as the sun peeked over the horizon. She opened the door to Lark’s room. “Oh wow! You up already,” she said as Nimah turned quickly towards her and smiled. “Hi mommy,” Isla greeted. “Good morning my loves!” she said, as she chuckled at the loving sight. The baby had pushed a chair next to the bed and had made herself comfortable watching Lark as he slept. Isla stood next to her with her head on the bed.

  “He’s still sleeping,” Isla pouted. The girls were fascinated by the stranger. The man their mother affectionately referred to as their uncle. Fin held her robe together as she entered, in case he woke up. She was careful to conceal the thin gown underneath. After all, Lark loved her once. Perhaps even still. And she was not trying to tempt him.

  “He’s okay baby. He just needs rest. He will wake up soon,” Fin said. Nimah seemed the most anxious to meet the stranger. She had been in the room as much as Fin, peeking around corners and watching, as Fin cared for him. Fin was pouring salt water in his mouth and wiping his body with wet rags. Nermeins required water. She hoped he was getting better. He was much too heavy to carry to the tub so Fin was doing the best she could to keep him wet.

  Both Nimah and Isla were ready to meet him. The only outside people the girls interacted with were the teachers and children at Isla’s pre-school. Kids at her school often spoke of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers and Isla felt alienated from such talks. A recent family day at the school was disappointing. The other children brought extended family members while she had no one but Fin and Nimah. She felt sad that day. And Nimah seemed to feel her pain. Fin tried to explain their family dynamic to her girls. That they had a very limited number of family. They seemed to understand. But now there was someone there in the flesh. A real-life family member. And they were anxious to say hello.

  “What’s wrong with him? He’s been sleepy a long time mommy,” Isla said. Fin walked up and touched her curly hair. “I know. It’s because he’s had a rough time. Remember when you were a baby and you found me on the dock. You told daddy to put me in warm water. Do you remember how tired I was? How long mommy slept? He will be fine, just like I was,” she replied. Isla reached over and touched Lark’s face gently. “You will be okay. We’re going to put you in warm water,” she said, as she turned and left out. Nimah climbed down and followed her big sister.

  Fin was proud of her babies. They had a heart of gold. She hoped Isla was right. He hadn’t moved in the days since his arrival. She prayed to the gods for his recovery. The magical men and women in her dreams. The ethereal images of nermeins whose likeness was as hers. Please make him okay, she said, as she slowly closed the door. He had to be. Madaka was dependent on him.

  T

  he city of Panga was bustling with nermeins moving about. Arfusei walked through the dense crowd, headed to the trading grounds to look through the items available for trade. He carried with him a pocket full of rough diamonds of varying sizes and colors.

  Diamonds were coveted in all the cities of Madaka except Mojarro. The fact that he had a pocket full would mean he had contact with someone from Mojarro. Arfusei knew to use just a few to get what he and his wife needed and leave. The diamonds were his best bet. It was all he would trade. He had green and red emeralds, another highly sought-after jewel.

  The stones guaranteed he would get whatever his heart desired. But Arfusei was still living discreetly. He was a wanted man and he wasn’t sure if the pangian citizens could be trusted. Even money couldn’t guarantee their loyalty, with the looming threat of a takeover at in the forefront of everyone’s mind.

  It was possible that Eulachon soldiers had infiltrated the city and made promises to some of Panga’s residents. An act that would be punishable by King Nephrus’ courts. And with the present state of things he would enforce them quickly and harshly. Anyone caught living as a spy for another city would be forced into exile or executed. But even with the threat of death, there was no way to tell if someone would take the chance. Especially when they could reap the benefit or do what they thought would save their family.

  “I need unshaped metal and wood,” he said, to a vendor standing in front of his makeshift stand. The man narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t see Arfusei clearly. The hood draped over his head almost covered his face completely. He had adapted to the clothing of Panga. It was different from the clothing worn in Mojarro. Where Arfusei was from, less was more. The Mojarroians enjoy more freedom from bulky fabrics that felt weighty. It was one of many changes he found himself making to blend into the city.

  “Unshapen metal? That would cost a fortune. I only have iron in the shape of small round spheres. You will have to melt them. Unshaped metal would be worth a rare stone. Or fabrics, maybe edible delicacies’ depending on who you traded with. I only take stone. Or perhaps a laborer’s hand to help repair my home.
Which do you have to trade? What skills do you possess?” the bearded man in a loose fitted, knee-length chiton asked.

  Arfusei’s knew his strange request made him stand out. He looked around. The conversation was a private one. Talks of stones and other rarities would cause others to be inquisitive. Pangians were a middle-class society. No one purchased unshaped metal. They hadn’t the resources or the valued items to trade for it. Only the few elite of their society would ask for such an item and it was rare. Unshapen metal had to be taken to an extreme heat source to be worked. It was a hassle. Panga had no volcanic lava mounds. Only Eulachon and Piratchu had them.

  “I have a stone. A diamond from Mojarro,” Arfusei said, as he pulled the diamond from his pocket. The man looked wide eyed at the sizeable stone. He wanted it. But he had no raw metal to trade for it. “Listen! I have no raw metal here. But I know where I can get some. How much do you need?” the man asked.

  “Enough to fashion a few pots and pans. And maybe nails for a project,” he said. Arfusei was being untruthful. He wanted to make swords for protection. He didn’t trust that his presence there had not been given away. He was worth a hefty bounty. The only comfort was the fact that not many citizens knew what he looked like. But Arfusei worried.

  He heard the whispers. Word was traveling around about a wanted man living in the city of Panga. He needed swords in case word had reached beyond the shores of the Trojian Sea. It was hard to say whether he was worrying needlessly. Pangians kept to themselves. They were a private and peaceful society. But wealth or the possibility of access to more traded goods would be tempting. Showing the stone was risky.