Archive of Our Own ^beta

𓂃 𓂃 𓈒𓏸‪‪ 𓇼 𓂃 𓂃

    Behind those curtains was a world Cantarella wasn’t allowed to uncover. She had no track of time, only of how many pages were left to finish one book of many. Even knowing there was no other soul in that room, the girl couldn’t let herself slack. It felt like the walls were monitoring her motions.

    She wondered what other kids would do. Were they also locked in their rooms? Did they feel alone? She moved her pencil to the corner of her book, drawing a starfish, the same one she wore in her hair. The sound of the waves was so distant, yet enough to make her yearn. Every time she asked her parents for a beach walk, she’d hear the same things. Study, study.

“I want to go to the sea…”

“You must study, Cantarella. One day, you will lead this family. You will wear a glorious crown. We are doing this for your future.”

Even if it doesn’t make me happy?

    She shook her head and turned her attention back to the book. No questioning, no doubting. It hurt her to imagine her selfishness could bring disgrace to her family.

“If I study harder, then mother and father will take me to the-”

     A soft laugh interrupted her thoughts. Her eyes lifted towards the dark curtains that hid the warmth and light of the sun. Cantarella knew better but to look outside, to leave her book, but that pure and joyful laugh was louder than the voices in her head telling her to stay in that chair.

    She gripped the curtains and after checking behind her, she slowly peaked thought it. The light hit straight into her eyes making her close the curtains again. She felt nervous and looked behind again.

No one.

    After a deep breath, she separated the curtains again and let the light invade her once dark room. The sky was painted orange and pink as the sun settled. The wind gently kissed her face when she opened the door and stepped out onto the balcony, searching for the one laughing.

“I am Tern, the captain of all the seas of Rinascita!” The boy pointed his wooden sword at the ocean, not far from where he stood. “I will uncover every of its secrets and then defeat the Fisalias!” When he turned, his eyes met Cantarella’s “I was caught!” Tern shouted.

“H-hey, shh!” Cantarella whispered, looking at her door again, her nerves growing.

“A Fisalia..." He spoke curiously. "Are you really a Fisalia? We should play together! You can try to capture me!"

    Cantarella’s eyes wandered around the scenery. A boy, right under her balcony, playing with seashells and other objects she couldn’t identify. And this boy was asking her to join him in a kid's play.

“Oh, are you afraid to jump? Don’t worry, I will catch you!” His smile was so bright.

“I can’t play.” She shook her head. “I have to study.”

“Not even for a bit?” Tern tilted his head, moving closer to the balcony with his arms extended, prepared to catch the girl.

“No! If mother and father find me, they will be upset.”

“They don’t have to find out.” He giggled.

    Cantarella questioned how someone could be so carefree. She wondered if every child carried that type of joy in them. Even though she was alone in the room, the weight in her shoulder never wavers. Was she not even allowed to breathe?

I want to smile like him. I want to play too. But I can’t.

“What is your name? I am Tern!”

“It’s… Cantarella…” She looked behind again, heart heavy. “I’m going back!”

“Wait!” Tern tried to stop the girl from leaving, but she closed the door and drew the curtains closed, hiding the warmth of his smile from her, despite the pain it caused her.

Though, the little boy didn’t give up.

    The next day, Tern returned to the same house, under the same balcony. It was already dark, and he wondered if the girl was awake or if she was alone at that moment.

“Cantarella...” He whispered, recalling how sad her voice sounded. Determined, he grabbed a small rock and threw it at the balcony door.

     The noise caused the girl to jump from her bed, curious and scared. Tern did cross her mind as the responsible, but she believed that he wouldn’t return considering the way she walked off the day before. Nevertheless, once more she defied the restraints and her parents’ voices, echoing in her mind. She stepped out and looked around.

“Ella!” Tern said, moving out from the place he was hiding.

“Ella?” The girl tilted her head, confused.

Tern nodded with a sweet smile. “I thought it sounded cute. Let’s play for a while!”

“I already told you I can’t…” She whispered with sad demeanor.

“I have shiny treasures, you know?”

“Do you?” Cantarella leaned a little over the railing, curious.

“Mhm! And then we can play by the sea!” He stepped closer to the balcony. “If you jump, I won’t let you fall. And…. Everyone is sleeping now, isn’t it? They won’t find out.”

    His eyes conveyed confidence and gentleness, something she never felt in her home. She turned, staring at the closed door. He was right. The house was silent and if she sneaked off, it would be a secret of theirs.

“Why did you come back?”

“Because I want to be friends!”

Friends…

For once she dared to disobey. For her happiness.

“You will catch me, right?”

    Tern smile widened. “I will!” He extended his arms while the girl climbed over the balcony railings. It wasn’t a high jump, but Tern could see the fear in her eyes. When she let go, he moved forward and grabbed her, carefully and successfully.

“You did it!” He dropped her to her feet. Cantarella giggled out of nervousness, not believing herself.

“I did…” She smiled and kept her hand on his as they walked towards the shores.

    Tern kept telling her the stories of his little adventures, stealing gasps from the girl from time to time.

“Do your parents get upset at you?” She asked while Tern dug up his so-called treasures.

“No.” he chuckled. “Dad sometimes takes me on adventures too!”

So, not every parent is so strict like mine?

They sat on the sand enjoying the sound of the waves while Cantarella studied the seashells and rocks the boy showed her.

“They said Fisalias are bad, but you don’t look like it.” He smiled. “You looked sad in that house.”

“Mother and father don’t let me play. Just study.” She sighed, embracing her knees.

“If you want, we can run away!”

“What?!” Cantarella looked at him, shocked.

“Yeah! I want to have a ship and a crew, so I can sail to these seas. I want you to come with me, Ella.” He extended his hand to her.

“But, if I do, mother and father-”

“You don’t have to think about them! We will be far by the sea. They could never find us.” He chuckled. “And we will gather all these pretty treasures! Will you come with me?”

    Cantarella’s eyes shone. No matter what the future would bring, in that instant, she was merely a child, who was never allowed to dream, but then. Her hand reached his and a small smile formed on her lips.

“Yes!”

     Tern chuckled and celebrated, pulling the girl towards the sea. “Since you are the first member of my crew, you are the first mate!”

“What does that mean?” She looked down at the water at her feet.

“Means, if captain Tern isn’t around, Ella is the captain!” He pointed at her and twirled her around.

“Really?! Can I be the captain too?” She asked, excited.

“Yes! We will have the best crew and sail the sea!”

    Gently, he splashed water on her, getting a sweet laugh from her. Cantarella tried to do the same, but Tern ran, yet that didn’t stop her from following him until she managed to grab a handful of seawater and splash him back.

      The days in her life seemed much lighter with Tern visiting her, telling her stories and taking her to beach walks at night. And all she could dream of at night was to one day sail the seas with him, for eternity.  

𓂃 𓂃 𓈒𓏸‪‪ 𓇼 𓂃 𓂃