Azur Lane Long Island Novels & Stories

With one look, I knew what he wanted to wear. With one glance from me, he knew to tilt his head up for me to tie his tie, or raise his hand for me to fasten his cufflinks. Outside the floor‑to‑ceiling windows, Long Island trees cast shifting shadows. Wind blew through the leaves, throwing pale green light onto the white marble floor. In the mirror, he wore a charcoal Brioni suit. I wore a peach silk slip dress. At that moment, peaceful and gentle, we really did look like newlyweds.

Late that afternoon, the private limousine finally pulled onto the sweeping, secured gravel driveway of their secluded coastal property on the North Shore of Long Island. The sun was beginning its slow descent over the Atlantic horizon, painting the vast sky in brilliant streaks of deep violet, burnt orange, and soft magenta. The crisp, salty ocean breeze swept across the open, elevated limestone cliffs, rustling through the tall wild grass where the foundations of their future home were currently being mapped out by structural survey stakes.

We arrive at the Old Road Diner shortly after parking. It's located alongside a tree-lined road, next to a gas station, and serves as a popular stop for travelers along the Palawan coastline. I used to come here frequently to find Azura studying in the corner booth by the jukebox. Typically, we would end up having dinner here and chatting until the diner closed. Azura didn't express it, but I could tell she disliked being at home; it felt too empty with just the two of us in those echoing hallways.

Maybe, just maybe, this island could be her salvation, a place where she could finally find peace and happiness for good. ******* It was almost dark by the time the black SUV pulled up to a small villa perched atop a hill overlooking the spectacular Azure Bay. The driver, Marcus took Delia’s luggage inside as she thanked him. The ferry had arrived at Cruise Bay, which was on the other side of the island and it took them about 45 minutes through the winding roads to get to her new residence. Delia was so tired that she had accidentally fallen asleep on Ethan’s shoulder during the car ride and woke up slightly embarrassed to Ethan gently shaking her awake.

“I’ll have the Boathouse burger, medium rare, with hand-cut potato fries and a Blue Moon beer with an extra slice of orange.” The server scribbled on her pad and then looked at Jaylon. “I’ll have the same,” he replied. “What do you mean, out on the island?” Becca asked as the waitress walked away. “Long Island.” He shrugged. “You know, the Hamptons and the farthest point east in New York State? My pack is out on Montauk Point.” She pointed to herself. “Pineland Leap. Sentinels of the New Jersey Devil out in the Pine Barrens.”

Azura happily asked. "An island, where there is a sea for you to watch the sunset, a grass for you to see the stars at night." Vincent will remember every word Azura said. He will also take her to places she wants to go but has never been. He will be with her for a lifetime.

I asked Eve. Absolutely. They may be off by a tiny amount – phone GPS is a little wonky – but they should be accurate to within 100 yards. “She’s sure,” I told Armin. “Then… I guess we’re here,” Armin said. The limo stopped, and all of us got out. We were standing in an industrial neighborhood in New Jersey on the shore of the Hudson river. The limo was pointed directly at a demolished pier – basically just a concrete ramp that jutted out over the water.

​Three Months Later. The Vance Estate, Long Island, New York. ​The zenith of midsummer poured blinding rays of gold across the Long Island coastline. Off the edge of the estate bluffs, the Atlantic was a sheet of rippling sapphire, its deep tide crashing against the black rock shelf below with a steady, ancient thrum. Warm wind blew through the cliffside gardens, thick with the scent of pine needle and saltwater.

She was a tall Asian girl on my left, and we exchanged brief smiles, but nothing more. The other three women wore the new white tennis shoes issued to them by the staff of the show. We all wore sturdy jeans and long-sleeved T-shirts with “The Island” logo, along with light windbreakers. Mine was currently tied around my waist, and most of the others either carried them or had stuffed them in their backpacks.

The friends say goodbye to Kaylah and Archer, who are returning to New York where duty calls. Andre, Rick and Michelle take Kenjal on an island tour while Loraine and Aziel head back to their villa. As Aziel drives the Bugatti into the garage, he feels the sweet cool breeze from the sea entering the car through the windows. “Shall we take a walk on the beach, Angel? We might even meet at a camp party, which is usually very pleasant,” he suggests.