Alex Cabot (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sirenstoryteller) wrote2014-08-08 01:31 am
sirenstoryteller) wrote2014-08-08 01:31 am
Backdated for Will
Honestly, Alex didn't know how this had all happened. In all his travels to many countries and cultures around the world, never had a misunderstanding like this occurred. And now he would have to suffer the consequences. He only hoped Cam had gotten back to Borneo safely with their research and could find help. The sooner the better or he would soon be in even deeper trouble, of the matrimonial kind.
At the moment, he was sitting patiently in a ridiculous native outfit that consisted of a long loin cloth of colorful woven material and decorations of woven reeds, stone/bone beads and brightly colored flowers. His chest was bare except for a thick collar necklace that matched the ornaments on his wrist and ankles. Flowers and beads had been woven into his curly hair, much to the delight of the young men who had been tasked to prepare him for his wedding. He was sitting patiently with his teeth gritted as a man tattooed a band around his upper arm of stylistic waves, sea turtles and whale tails. The mark of the man betrothed to the future leader of the Sirena. To distract himself from the pain, he thought back on how he'd gotten into this mess in the first place.
--
While visiting with a siren clan in Borneo, just from Borneo as the sirens were private and claimed no citizenship of any of the three countries making up the island, Alex and Cam learned about a small, traditional clan of sirens living on a small island in the Philippines. They were supposedly direct descendants of the Sirena, the water deities who supposedly all humans in Indonesia were descended from. The matriarch of the Borneo clan warned against them seeking out the island, citing that the clan still followed many ancient traditional customs, including kidnapping travelers and drowning sailors that got near their island. She especially warned Alex in particular but neither he nor Cam could figure out why.
Finally, they said goodbye to the Borneo clan and decided that it would be a waste to come all the way out here and not attempt to make contact with the Sirena. Looking back, Alex wish they had heeded the matriarch's warning, but instead they used Alex's money to hire a boat and supplies to look for the uncharted island. Following local myths and reports of mysterious drownings, they were able to find the island. The Sirena were guarded but once Alex revealed his true form to them, they allowed the two researchers to come ashore. The second mistake Alex had made was not listening to Cam, who had pointed out how interested the Sirena were in him in particular. Alex had taken it as him being a full siren, while Cam was only half, and put it out of his mind.
They were welcomed by the tribe after that and were more then open to share their traditions with the researchers. Alex didn't know why they Borneo matriarch had felt the need to warn them off. At least, he didn't until a week into their stay when they were eating dinner in the main meeting house. The daughter of the matriarch, Dyesebel, offered Alex a desert, a sweet cake served in a carved coconut. Cam told him afterwards that the entire tribe had gone silent and watched him take a bite, then cheered once he'd swallowed. Confused, Alex turned to Dyesebel, who had taken his hand in hers to ask what was going on. Instead, he was urged by the matriarch to give his newly betrothed a kiss. Needless to say, that did not go over well.
Once everything had settled down, Dyesebel and her parents took Alex and Cam into a private hut to explain. Due to keeping their clan secluded on this island, their powers had decreased over the generations. When an engkanto, a tall, powerful siren with blue eyes, fair complexion and golden hair, had come to their island, they had taken it as a sign from the gods that their tribe would be able to return to their full glory. Alex had to admit, he fit the description pretty well but insisted he couldn't stay, he had work and family to return to. But the Sirena took offense and threatened Cam's life if Alex didn't stay and marry Dyesebel. Seeing no other option, Alex agreed, but did not allow any wedding preparation to begin until Cam and their research was safely away from the island. He remembered watching the boat disappear over the horizon with a grim finality.
--
Now, only a few short days later, Alex was preparing for his wedding day. At sundown, he would wed the future matriarch of the Sirena, unless help arrived. Considering it was midday now, Alex didn't hold out much hope. Excitement was buzzing through the tribe and he wished he could feel some of it, even if it was false. The marriage of the future matriarch and the engkanto was going to be the thing of myths and legends.
After spending his whole life studying myths, Alex wasn't so keen to become one.
At the moment, he was sitting patiently in a ridiculous native outfit that consisted of a long loin cloth of colorful woven material and decorations of woven reeds, stone/bone beads and brightly colored flowers. His chest was bare except for a thick collar necklace that matched the ornaments on his wrist and ankles. Flowers and beads had been woven into his curly hair, much to the delight of the young men who had been tasked to prepare him for his wedding. He was sitting patiently with his teeth gritted as a man tattooed a band around his upper arm of stylistic waves, sea turtles and whale tails. The mark of the man betrothed to the future leader of the Sirena. To distract himself from the pain, he thought back on how he'd gotten into this mess in the first place.
--
While visiting with a siren clan in Borneo, just from Borneo as the sirens were private and claimed no citizenship of any of the three countries making up the island, Alex and Cam learned about a small, traditional clan of sirens living on a small island in the Philippines. They were supposedly direct descendants of the Sirena, the water deities who supposedly all humans in Indonesia were descended from. The matriarch of the Borneo clan warned against them seeking out the island, citing that the clan still followed many ancient traditional customs, including kidnapping travelers and drowning sailors that got near their island. She especially warned Alex in particular but neither he nor Cam could figure out why.
Finally, they said goodbye to the Borneo clan and decided that it would be a waste to come all the way out here and not attempt to make contact with the Sirena. Looking back, Alex wish they had heeded the matriarch's warning, but instead they used Alex's money to hire a boat and supplies to look for the uncharted island. Following local myths and reports of mysterious drownings, they were able to find the island. The Sirena were guarded but once Alex revealed his true form to them, they allowed the two researchers to come ashore. The second mistake Alex had made was not listening to Cam, who had pointed out how interested the Sirena were in him in particular. Alex had taken it as him being a full siren, while Cam was only half, and put it out of his mind.
They were welcomed by the tribe after that and were more then open to share their traditions with the researchers. Alex didn't know why they Borneo matriarch had felt the need to warn them off. At least, he didn't until a week into their stay when they were eating dinner in the main meeting house. The daughter of the matriarch, Dyesebel, offered Alex a desert, a sweet cake served in a carved coconut. Cam told him afterwards that the entire tribe had gone silent and watched him take a bite, then cheered once he'd swallowed. Confused, Alex turned to Dyesebel, who had taken his hand in hers to ask what was going on. Instead, he was urged by the matriarch to give his newly betrothed a kiss. Needless to say, that did not go over well.
Once everything had settled down, Dyesebel and her parents took Alex and Cam into a private hut to explain. Due to keeping their clan secluded on this island, their powers had decreased over the generations. When an engkanto, a tall, powerful siren with blue eyes, fair complexion and golden hair, had come to their island, they had taken it as a sign from the gods that their tribe would be able to return to their full glory. Alex had to admit, he fit the description pretty well but insisted he couldn't stay, he had work and family to return to. But the Sirena took offense and threatened Cam's life if Alex didn't stay and marry Dyesebel. Seeing no other option, Alex agreed, but did not allow any wedding preparation to begin until Cam and their research was safely away from the island. He remembered watching the boat disappear over the horizon with a grim finality.
--
Now, only a few short days later, Alex was preparing for his wedding day. At sundown, he would wed the future matriarch of the Sirena, unless help arrived. Considering it was midday now, Alex didn't hold out much hope. Excitement was buzzing through the tribe and he wished he could feel some of it, even if it was false. The marriage of the future matriarch and the engkanto was going to be the thing of myths and legends.
After spending his whole life studying myths, Alex wasn't so keen to become one.
no subject
“I think that with Ed, they resigned to the fact that it was all going down hill.” Will teased. Ed was the youngest and therefore prime for teasing from four older brothers, it was his job as youngest to endure it until he could get his own back on them all. Which had been known to happen after all. “Father really did pick the wrong son to go into politics, you’re much better at it all then I am.”
William was destined for great things, or so his father told him if he accepted a little more responsibility. Will was smart after all, he just had a tendency towards laziness although that had shifted these last few years since Henry’s demise.
“Of course I don’t, you can tell me all the things that have been going on. And you can of course persuade your friend that she wants to see me again,” Will said, thinking of Corry. They were still on good terms, Very good terms but it always paid to have someone else in his corner.
no subject
Will was destined for great things, Alex had always believed that. Henry had accepted his destiny head on, Will just needed some nudging and support. Maybe that's why he and Alex were so close, Alex didn't mind being that influence right behind him.
"Oh I see. You pretend to listen to my stories so I will talk you up to Corrine." He nudged his brother playfully. "I had heard she was back home as well. It seems to be the season for homecomings."