Salty Dog

     

I met a trawler captain out of Port Angeles a friend of mine in Seattle had directed me to.  He was surprised when I took out the old leather journal I’d…acquired…and asked if he knew how to get to a place called Elysion.  He just favored me with a rusty laugh; then told me my book had gotten me this far, but I wouldn’t find it on any map or chart.

 

“You won't find Elysion, you have to follow the gulls out past where the whales sing.” He rasped.

With his laugh still ringing in my ears I asked if he’d take me in exchange for my services as a cook for him and his crew.  He appeared skeptical of my softness, but next morning had us steaming out into the Straights of Juan de Fuca.  I can’t say I fit in, but the chow I prepared was eaten without complaint.  On day 3 we passed into a fog bank so dense it turned the sun into a disc of flat tin and muted the gulls’ cries into drifty siren melodies.  My crewmates seemed nervous, the rough but good natured teasing they’d treated me with all along falling suddenly flat.  Our captain though appeared unfazed, gliding his ship through the black waters as sure of his way as the North Star.  Time became a mere suggestion, but on day 4 or possibly day 5 the fog lifted and I caught sight of the lighthouse.  We pulled up to a rickety wood dock alongside other fishing boats where the captain indicated I should get off.  I asked if this was Elysion as I looked around at the rough wood and stone buildings.  He simply laughed once again before turning back to his trawler.  Beyond that grating sound I could hear the gulls cry once more, and just make out the mournful song of whales.  Of course, I thought to myself, where else would you find a place of dreams.

CREDITS:

Clothes: Boyberry’s Coco Cay polo available in 5 classic two-toned designs and free tailored shorts – available in-world at the London City main store http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/London%20City/…/207/24, or on the Marketplace at https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/boyberry-Coco…/14973059

Shot on location at the Elysion sim