Disclaimer: I don't own Suikoden or any other related trademarks... If I did, I sure as hell wouldn't be writing fanfics, and I would have made an extension on the third game. -nods-
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This was easily one of the hottest days so far this year in Caleria. Looking out into the distance, Ace could see the heat waves radiating from the hot sand. Lifting a gloved hand to his face, he wiped the line of sweat from his brow. "How the hell do I always get stuck with paying the bills, every time we get back here?" he muttered to himself, a worn piece of parchment clenched tightly in his fist. The slip was a long list of bills that he and the rest of the 12th unit had accumulated along their recent mission into the grasslands, consisting mainly of inn bills, weapon mending, and medicines for the not so rare, wild beast attack.
And he, Ace, had just paid for it all while the rest of his unit sat in the local tavern and drank like fish... especially Joker. Muttering curses about how 'unfair' his life was, he reached out his hand and rested it on the warm metal handle to the pub, before wrenching the heavy wooden door open. Breathing a sigh of relieve as he escaped the heat, and was welcomed by the strong scent of alcohol, he narrowed his eyes as he searched for his, most likely, 'drunken' friends. Quickly spotting them in a nearby corner he started to head towards them, but stopped almost instantly as he realized who was with them... "Urgh... not again..." He cursed.
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Geddoe's dark eye had remained lowered to his food and drink the whole time Duke had rambled on. It was the same thing every time he and his team came back to base... Duke just never seemed to get over the fact that he, Geddoe, had beaten him in that duel not so long ago... His gaze only seemed to move when he got sight of Ace letting light into the dark bar as he swung open the tavern door. He exchanged a glance with him, slowly nodding his head to tell him to stay out of this... The last thing he needed was Ace joining in, and telling off the ever so boastful Duke, and the rest of Duke's unit, the 14th unit.
Finally looking up at Duke, and acknowledging his presence, Geddoe let out a breathe of impatience. "Duke, might we continue this conversation later? My team needs rest." he said simply, but in truth it was just Geddoes' way of telling him off, and Duke knew it.
Huffing angrily, Duke leaned back away from the 12th units table, letting his eyes wander over to a bickering Elaine and Queen, who seemed to be glaring daggers at each other, and a drunken Jacques, attempting to feed a fellow team mate a bone.
"Alright Geddoe, your ragtag team seems like they need a good night's rest at the inn anyway." he spat, picking up his mug and downing the last of its contents, before wiping off his mouth. "Come on." he smirked arrogantly to his unit, setting his now empty mug in front of the one-eyed man, before walking towards the exit, the rest of his team in tow.
Brushing roughly past Ace as he neared the door, he turned to face him. "You'll be looking for a new captain soon enough, Ace... tell that one-eyed mink I challenge him to another fight!" he seethed.
Grinning from ear to ear, Ace let out a laugh. "Ha, why bother scarface? the results will only be the same as last time." He grinned.
Eyes widening with fury, Duke let out a growl. "Don't start with me Ace, I'm not in the mood!" He hissed, his very words laced with venom, as he turned and exited the bar, the rest of his team going with him... all expect a very busty blond.
"Why Elaine, I always knew you had a thing for me." Ace jeered, brushing the hair from his eyes as he put on his best smile.
"Don't even bother Ace, I'm not going out with you." Elaine stated simply, a flirty smirk resting on her pale face.
"Well then... deny the sexy Ace then... but tell Duke that Geddoe accepts his challenge." Ace grinned.
Elaine gave him a look that said she would, before walking out the bar herself.
Smile fading slightly, Ace walked over to join the others, taking the seat that had been left untouched beside the captain.
"Flirting with that witch again I see." Queen grumbled, looking away from Aila, who was on her 13th soda, and as wide-eyed as a DoReMi elf.
"She totally digs me." Ace smirked confidently, winking an eye at Jacques. "Oh, before I forget captain... Ol' scarface wants another fight with you, and I said you accepted." Ace uttered, picking up an abandoned mug and taking a long drink.
Geddoe closed his eye for a moment, opening it when he had decided on chose words. "I thought he might... but why did you accept for me Ace?" He asked calmly.
Laughing briskly, Ace smiled. "Well, because you'd win of course, and you gotta show that toad whose boss!" He laughed.
"Yeah, Ace is right Geddoe! Duke is always strutting around, claiming that the last time you fought it was rigged, and that he would've won... you gotta put him is his place!" Joker offered, raising his mug as he spoke.
Geddoe sighed again, leaning back onto his seat. "It's not a matter of wining and losing... it's a matter of time... and I simply have no time to be fighting with Duke. We do have other priorities you remember."
"We can't be worrying about the fire bringer and the true fire rune forever Geddoe! Think of it as a vacation then." Queen offered, shrugging her shoulders as she leaned back as well.
"Vacation?" Alia asked finally looking up from her soda rampage.
"..." (( Jacques of course. ))
Geddoe couldn't help but smile to himself at the persistence of his team... "Well... Fine then... but no more then three days." He sighed, admitting defeat.
"Alright! watch out ladies, here I come!" Ace announced, running another gloved hand through his shaggy brown hair.
"Ace, were you even listening?" Joker asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Of course, ya old geezer! The captain said vacation!"
"..." (( Jacques yet again. ))
"Oh gods, this is going to be a long three days..." Alia sighed.
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A/N: Well, there you have it... the first chapter... Is it short? I don't really know... this story never touched paper like my other ones... it just kinda started out of boredom while waiting for my art to load. Please comment, this is only my second fanfic ever. '