Chapter 2: Reuniting and Separating
It has been a year since Josh Nyctea last saw his home, the Great Tree of Ga'Hoole, a year since graduating the Guardian Training Academy, at the top of his class with a 98.8% top mark in his finals. It has been a year since he last saw his parents, they only last visited when Sina was born and not really since, because of the Pure One Threat and all the happenings. It has been about a while since he has seen his friends, Shard and Bryony being somewhere near Rosewood in Tyto Forest and Parzival, last he checked, he's probably in Silverveil with his wife, Jeanette. –They got married in Ambala during their world tour after graduation and last Josh heard, they have a daughter, Lilli.
As for Josh himself, he has been busy, not in his role as Secretary General of Ga'Hoole, but with his family. Josh married Lydea Schana, childhood friend who turned out to be the Queen of the Northern Kingdoms because of hereditary right. It was a year and three months ago that the Pure Ones were defeated and destroyed, pretty much forcing them out of this kingdom, Lydea becoming their queen, being the daughter of deceased monarchs Arin and Nynia Schana.
In the north, the summer is still nearing its end going to get colder soon, not that it isn't cold already, given that it is the tundra and snow is common. Lydea doesn't get much time to herself, as the monarchy has been rebuilding over the past year and a bit, the kingdom itself is turning out alright, especially here, nearby the Northern Forest and the mountains. It is said that Josh's parents lived near here, their families, the Nyctea and the Lynai, having homes probably somewhere here.
Sina is almost two years old now, and she is bright indeed. She is talkative, as girls tend to be, since they work on their vocab before anything else. Though she is only young and babbles on just nothing more than just baby talk with a few English words known in her right now small vocabulary. Of course, it can be found amusing teaching her new words and making her say certain words like 'mama' and 'papa' or something such as that. Her motor skills seem to be more of what Lydea thinks about, as now those things have settled down a bit, she takes about an hour or too out of her day to be with her currently only daughter. –Not that they aren't concerned about having more kids, but they will wait a little longer, since their owlet is only going on two.
Lydea is playing tag, and with Sina being little, has not often to grips with the 'you're it' part, mostly giving her mother a confused look, much to her amusement. Of course, the cape does not help either, Lydea having placed an outfit on her baby including a cape for the breeze outside. Blue, being the gemstone of the Northern Tundra, being that their eyes are a dark blue in shade.
"Sina, like this. Ready, like this." Lydea says, communicating to the owlet, tapping her gently on the shoulder
The Doors open, "His majesty, Josh Nyctea, Prince and Secretary General of Ga'Hoole."
Lydea turns around as Josh walks out of the palace into the courtyard with a scroll under his wing. Sina is a little distracted as she then looks to her doll that she left lying on the ground and takes interest into that. Short attention span… She's young, what do you expect?
"What's up?" Lydea asks, walking over to Sina and fixing her cape, "What's with the scroll?"
"It's an invite." Josh replies
"To Queen Lydea Schana and Prince Josh Nyctea
You are both cortically invited to the coronation and wedding of Lord Ezylryb Cress and Princess Autumn Rose Kin. First darkness, March 1st –The first night of autumn."
"Aww, the wedding…" Lydea says before a fit of giggles, "Josh, we are attending, are we?"
"Of course, honey." Josh nods, "Besides, Sina can go and see her grandparents then. Mum always says that she wants to spend more time with Sina, she says that all the time in her letters."
Josh then goes to write the RSVP and to his parents that he is coming, as they will be attending the wedding of long-time friends and teachers of them during their Guardian Training Academy years. Moreover, because of Autumn Ezylryb and Strix Struma rescuing her during the Northern Coup all those years ago, she is alive now and queen of this kingdom, which was once in despair due to the Pure Ones. Lydea often writes letters to keep in touch, and she knew the wedding was coming up, but she was waiting for the invite to come to know what it will be.
In Rosewood, it has been a year since GTA sweethearts Shard and Bryony Arin moved back to Bryony's homeland of Tyto Forest, for the sake to be with Bryony's aunt, Senator Sienne Daube.
Bryony has been trying to take her revenge; it was three years ago that Ramaxon Pettit overthrew and beat her half to death in the process. Only after the Rosewood Siege was truly over. She resided in Ga'Hoole those two years afterward, attending the Guardian Training Academy. Now, a year on since graduation, though Ramaxon has gone into hiding since the events of that September night, wherein the two fights were fought in Rosewood as well as in Ga'Hoole the duty has been given up. The UKO gave her clearance, after months of searching without prevail, to track down Ramaxon Pettit, who still surprisingly commands the resistance, and do what she wishes with him (that being killing him in cold-blooded revenge).
Members of the Rosewood Resistance support Bryony in bringing Ramaxon to justice. Weather that be through his death or in front of the UKO Senate for his crimes against the Owl Kingdoms, the citizens of the Forest Kingdom of Tyto, the members of Rosewood Community, and the Tyto Resistance, and then just all the other things he has done, including murder, war crimes, and for high treason against the Tyto monarchy.
"This is probably a defining moment…" Bryony utters, "One step closer to getting that bastard… Shard! Shard, come quickly!"
"What?" Shard answers from the other room, "Did we find a conformant or someone working under duress for him?"
"No, dear… We could be close to finding that bastard Ramaxon!" Bryony yells
A knock comes to the door and Shard is about to get it, but Bryony comes out of the other room in a sort of hurried march, as she figures that it could be her aunt now, but upon opening the door, it is actually a messenger.
"Madame Commander Bryony, Deputy Commander Shard, a message came for you both, from the Great Tree." The messenger says, handing over a scroll
Bryony closes the door and then opens it, and starts to read, Shard comes over, wondering for what has been sent over, be it a mission for these elite warrior owls or just the Queen asking if they have happened to hear from her son, Josh. Shard has been childhood friends with Josh since pre-school and do write to each other, even visit often. –If anything, they are like brothers. But, as it turns out, it is an invite to Ezylryb and Autumn's royal wedding.
"Now isn't that sweet, a wedding." Bryony says, "Ezylryb is getting married to Princess Autumn."
"The wedding's on the first." Shard says, still reading over her shoulder, "I suppose we could hold off the find for a couple nights."
"Oh, but what will I wear?" She says, retreating to the bedroom, "I never knew I had a girly side until I had come to Ga'Hoole. Rosewood, we never really obsess over our beauty because… well, what do you think. Being the only force of military in the kingdom, it gets rather busy… -What do you think, something olive green?"
"I suppose…" He answers, "Bry, does it look like I know anything about fashion?"
It is true that Rosewood girls usually have no time to obsess over their beauty. Since the monarchy was overthrown by the Pure Ones years ago, the resistance is the only form of military left and the only voice of authority in the kingdom comes from the UKO Senator, Bryony's aunt, Sienne. The south of the kingdom is unaware of what happens to the north, Sienne not worrying them, proving why Soren never knew about Rosewood until maybe 10 months ago.
If anything, Shard would be happy to see Josh again, that is if he does attend. Knowing Josh Nyctea, he usually isn't the type who often doesn't attend galas freely. But counting that they are close as family to him, Josh should be attending, and if anything, there is the thing where his daughter will at some stage needs to go to Ga'Hoole, since her grandparents are the monarchs.
"Well, I'll write my aunt and give her the haps that is going on. What with Ramaxon find and everything." Bryony says, after throwing a cape aside
"And while you do that, don't throw everything around…" Shard says, looking to the mess that she has just made
When you're travelling in a gap year sort of thing, you don't really notice how time is flown so fast. It's been a year since Parzival went his separate ways from the Moon Group, his friends going to opposite sides of the kingdoms as the couples they are. Since graduation, it was proven that he really did need to grow up from the antics of the final year. They say that boys get a little loco during their GTA Senior Year, and Parz… He did go a little gangster…
But from moving on from that, he married his GTA sweetheart and then travelled a bit, that was before hearing news from Ga'Hoole about their proposition, since he got a surprising 89.9% on his finals, they decided to allow him to be a deputy commander of the mainland base. If anything, taking up residence in Silverveil with his wife and their little one, a daughter named Lilli.
"Hey, bub." Jeanette calls
"What?" Parzival answers, while focused on some paperwork and letters
"You know, I've been thinking…" She says
He sighs with agitation, "Again? Sometimes I think you should really stop thinking of the worst…"
"What would happen if we broke up? Who would have custody of the baby?" She asks
"Now, like I said, you should stop thinking the worst… And if anything, that's as unlikely as Moon Group getting back together." Parzival answers, rolling his eyes in distain, "You know… Since Shard and Bry, Josh, and Lyd… You know, unlikely."
"Well… Look at the letter with the fancy seal on it, then. You say unlikely…" Jeanette says
"You know it's just a joke, I mean… It's not like that it would change anything if the example would come true…" He nervously stutters, after finding the letter with the fancy seal
"I know, but will we go?" She asks
"What is it? Too early to be a GTA reunion…" He mutters, opening the letter and then starting to read, "Oh, Ezylryb and Autumn are getting married… I knew it was something."
"Will you answer my question?" She asks again, "Besides, it'll be some time where I don't have to watch the baby."
Parzival gets out a letter, "I suppose…"
The least of anyone's problem is who'll be babysitter during the wedding. It's less than a week away now… and if anything, since owls from two kingdoms will be present, one woman is at the helm of it all. Much to the dismay of Boron, because getting a word in can be difficult, and for a small thing, she's very strong with her words. If anything, this invite system she didn't approve of, as they should have been sent out maybe even ages ago, but who can count on your assistant to do anything when they're royal guards?
She heard that tonight her baby boy is returning to the tree, only for maybe the wedding and a few nights after that, but she is excited none of the less. She stands ready at her lookout, last time she was awaiting her husband's return those years ago, but… She now awaits the return of her son and his family, not much of a reunion, being that the only reason they had come is the wedding.
"He is nineteen, Barran." Boron reasons
"Nineteen or even older than I, he is still my baby." Barran replies before hearing the word of what is going on "Oh, he's here! He's here! He's here!"
The other part of this royal family, whom live in their original homelands in the tundra and two born there, have finally arrived. Josh lands and within three seconds, his mother squashes him in a hug… and if anything, it seems tighter than he last remembers.
"Mum… I'm nineteen not four…" Josh complains
"Oh it has been so long, my little one… You look so much like your father, my son." Barran says, before moving on to her daughter in law, "Look so beautiful, dear Lydea. My how the times have been so generous to you."
"You look well yourself, Barran." Lydea smiles
Barran then comes to her granddaughter and holds her in a not as tight hug, "Oh Sina, my little granddaughter it is so good to see you. You have gotten so big and what I hear is that you can already say some words. So very smart, like your daddy is, yes."
"Dear me, Sina'll have to get used to that now won't she." Boron remarks, feeling somewhat embarrassed of his wife
"She will, she will." Josh agrees
"Oh, and here is the best part, Josh. I have a surprise for you and Lydea." Barran announces still holding onto her granddaughter
"And what is that, mum?" Josh asks
The Queen of the Great Tree then hands Sina back to her mother before looking to the branches above her as she calls "Moon Master represent!"
"Honour and fortitude!" Three voices answer
Out of their camouflage hiding places, two Barn Owls and a Spotted Owl appear and Josh and Lydea are surprised at the sight. They come down from the branches above and the Snowy Owl couple couldn't be more surprised. Moon Group has been reunited! Shard and Josh do the handshake that they invented when they were owlets and the two girls of the group, their wives Lydea and Bryony, exchange formalities before an informal hug.
"My Glaux, I haven't seen you lot in several moons. Going back as far as when my little girl was born." Josh exclaims, still surprised, "How have you lot been? Oh my Glaux… I'm just so surprised."
"It has been well, I assure you of that." Shard answers, "Anytime now justice will be served. We're coming closer to finding that right bastard Ramaxon Pettit."
"I'm sure that you and Bryony will." Josh replies, before moving onto Parzival and giving him a hug, "And how has life been treating you, bro? I hear you dropped your infamous gangsta act."
"Yeah, I did. They say that we get a little loony during our final, and afterwards… Massive hit of 'Oh my Glaux, why did I do that?' hits ya." Parzival promptly answers, bearing an embarrassed grin looking back on the antics of the Senior Year, "Jeanette and I are married and have a little one, like you do, Josh. And since being in Silverveil, I'm working to be a senator, like Bry's aunt Sienne."
"I'm sure that with the leadership that you show, it'll be within reach." Lydea comments
"And how are you, Queen Lydea?" Parzival asks
"Very well, myself." Lydea answers
Josh then takes a few steps and his memory flashes back to that night where the crowds were cheering and he swore the Guardian Oath with his friends… They were the newbies who were already legends in their own right. The original version of The Band, and they were the ones who haphazardly went to the North to fight and help Lydea in her crowning battle. It has been a long while, One Year and like four months since it all happened. He then remembers how they were that night and as he looks behind him to see how much things have changed… Josh smiles as they were the glory nights.
"Remember… Remember the night where we were made Guardians. It has been a year and a bit since then. A year and a bit since Lydea was able to take her crown and became Queen." Josh says, addressing his friends and family that stand nearby him, "It has been so long since that night and though we all did go our separate ways, Me and Lydea in the North, Shard and Bry in Tyto and Parz perusing adventures in these kingdoms with girlfriend at the time."
"And we have returned not for a reunion, but for a greater purpose." Lydea adds, "To celebrate our beloved teachers in the new chapters of their lives. Especially Governess Autumn… we all wish the best for her after the life she endured with Glaux and freedom on her side, she may have the life that she wants, starting with marrying whom she chooses."
Speak of the devil, the bride to be, Autumn Rose, approaches and she simply cannot believe what she sees. She wouldn't think that they'd all be here, but as sure as her eyes are brown, it has happened.
"Upper Moon Master!" Autumn happily exclaims
They all wrap the small Spotted Owl in a group hug, and she couldn't be happier to see the Moon Group back together. They are like The Band; sharing their same traits that make them work together well in this grouping formed during those months when corruption was occurring right in front of them.
"How is the lucky lady fairing? Only a few nights before the big day." Lydea sincerely asks
"I am as happy as I never have been before." Autumn answers, "My how you kids grown… You have changed so much from mere owlets to adults now haven't you? Dear Queen Lydea, noble and her beauty a symbol of the noble bloodline in which she descends. My, my, Bryony, you look more like your aunt Sienne, and those scars have disappeared in the time I haven't seen you."
The girls graciously giggle, "Thank you, Miss Autumn."
"Now look at you three, you look so very mature now than when I saw you last as mere owlets." Autumn comments, "Now Josh you look so much like your father it is uncanny."
"Yeah, Boron Jr." Shard jokes, receiving a fair laugh
"Hey! Jokes are my thing." Josh promptly exclaims
As wedding fever sweeps the tree, not just for those who have come from the bride's homeland of the Forest Kingdom of Ambala who is supporters of their prestigious and otherwise rebuilding honour lost royal family. The place where the tyrannical brat eldest child of noble and just monarchs once enforced traditionalism within the Kin Royal family. There are some who hope to marry like the foreign royal in which inhabits the tree and is a prestigious Search and Rescue ryb and chaw leader. It is a time where most are actually happy and are getting married close to the big day. But with one owlet in the GTA who considers that someday she will marry and have owlets, she feels a little less loved…
Otulissa is awaiting Soren and she is getting infuriated. He promised that he would take her out on a date this morning and yet he hasn't shown up. She waits for ages before having enough, sometimes she can have a time where she can have a rare anger outburst, and now… with all that is happening with their relationship seeming to have hit the rocks hard, enough is now enough. She heads over to Soren's hollow, where she finds him.
"Oh, honey. What a supri-" Soren says
"Cram it with the whole surprise thing!" Otulissa rudely snaps, interrupting, "You said that you were going to take me on a date and, like the last few times, you don't show."
"Oh, that was this morning?" He says the memory hitting him like a hit to the face, "Oh Glaux, I am sorry Otulissa… What with the wedding coming up and I came back late and being the…"
"Shut up!" She snaps interrupting again before turning her head away in silence, "Shut up…"
"Otulissa, honey…" He says, trying to take her wing in which she sharply refuses
"I want… I want to have a talk with you." She says, her emotions turning from anger to what is now depressing sadness
"What about?" Soren asks
"I think we should break up." Otulissa answers, getting it off her chest
Soren stares in shocked silence… She wants to break up? How can this be when they have been in love since maybe like a year ago when they had mere crushes? How can it end like this when they are just going through a rough patch, like all relationships do? The silence of the moment just continues unable to comprehend the fact that it may be all over like that.
"Soren, I love you… Very much but... I am getting fed up over all of this, this this fighting that is going… How we are always just so busy to pay each other mind. I'm fed up over being stood up. Moon Master Class is time consuming by far and I want to graduate so I can be a Guardian and… yeah." Otulissa painfully explains, starting to tear up
"But… But it isn't my fault." Soren manages to out
She places a wing on his face, "I know… But… it isn't working out. We have grown so distant over these times and… You, Soren, are an amazing guy and any girl would be lucky to be with you and… I'm sorry but I have to go! I can't… I can't take it anymore, no, no, I can't, I can't."
Otulissa flies away, sobbing loudly which can be heard by anyone. After her sobs cannot be heard anymore, Soren is truly alone outside and he backs into the wall and slides down it, unable to stand anymore as he loses feeling with his legs. The door opens and Soren's parents are on the other side, they heard everything that transpired between the two are they are equally as upset for their son as their son now that she has ended it.
"Teenage girls are quite fascinating creatures indeed…" Noctus mutters
"I can't believe… I can't believe it is over… After… After a year." Soren barely ousts, still a little shaken
"Maybe she wasn't the right girl." His father says
Soren gets up and storms past his concerned parents, barely making a whisper as he makes his way to his room and slams the door. Marella looks to her husband with concern, as like Soren, she just cannot believe this has happened. She thought they were perfect for each other, someday to marry and have owlets, but she guesses that that it won't happen now that they're though.
"So much drama… Right before a royal wedding." Noctus mutters
Autumn is taking a music practice with the musicians in the hall. Their performance as an ensemble counts as a school assessment, for those who are in the GTA. The Bride to be being named the Ambassador to the Arts some time ago, she can be a little picky on what goes on sometimes, that is when she isn't encouraging creativity. They are mid-song when the doors to the hall open and one of the guards directs Autumn's attention towards it. Otulissa in tears stands there and Autumn then stops the music.
"Why don't we take a well-deserved break? I'll be back in five." Autumn says to the musicians
The small spotted owl heads o where Otulissa is and closes the door.
"Is there something the matter, Otulissa?" Autumn asks
"Soren… Soren and I broke up." Otulissa whimpers before bursting into tears,
Autumn wraps the girl in a hug, "Oh dear that is terrible now is it? Well… Sometimes relationships don't work out, lass. They take work, patience and understanding."
"But I love him, Miss Autumn, but… I just got so sick of how distant we are and… how he keeps forgetting dates and everything." Otulissa cries
Autumn sympathetically smiles, "Otulissa, you are a young, smart, beautiful and brave owl who is going to become a Guardian at the end of this year and if anything, if I hear correct from your mentor, you are strong and… Lass, now isn't the time to be crying."
"But all I can do is cry!" Otulissa exclaims
"It is the heartache that is causing it." Autumn replies, nodding her head, "Now I know a way to remedy it… Otulissa, can you sing?"
"Why?" The teenager asks
"Trust me." Autumn replies
Autumn opens the hall door ushers Otulissa in and she directs everyone to be in their place Otulissa stands centre stage and she feels slightly nervous, as she doesn't know what she has just gotten herself into. She then hands the musicians sheet music.
"Singing helps… Believe me on this one. During when I was going through that time where I was married to that traitor… I'd sing to feel better. It does help. And I'm sure you know this song." Autumn simply says, "One, two, and three."
The song starts to play and Otulissa knows the song well, but she didn't think that she would end up singing. Autumn gives a confident and encouraging smile, and if she says that it will make her feel better. (Otulissa Sings 'You're Not Sorry' by Taylor Swift. What is with me and using songs by Taylor, eh?)
"All this time I was wasting,
Hoping you would come around
I've been giving out chances every time
And all you do is let me down
And it's taken me this long
Baby but I figured you out
And you're thinking we'll be fine again,
But not this time around
You don't have to call
anymore
I won't pick up the phone
This is the last straw
Don't wanna hurt anymore
And you can tell me that you're sorry
But I don't believe you baby
Like I did before
You're not sorry, no no oh
Looking so innocent,
I might believe you if I didn't know
Could've loved you all my life
If you hadn't left me waiting in the cold
And you got your share of secrets
And I'm tired of being last to know
And now you're asking me to listen
Cause it's worked each time before
But you don't have to call anymore
I won't pick up the phone
This is the last straw
Don't wanna hurt anymore
And you can tell me that you're sorry
But I don't believe you baby
Like I did before
You're not sorry, no no, oh
You're not sorry no no oh"
Soren opens the side door, he snuck out as he is looking for Otulissa just to tell her something, but as he looks in, she is mid-song and she turns her head with tears in her eyes as she sings the final parts.
"You had me crying for you honey
And it never would've gone away, no
You used to shine so bright
But I watched all of it fade
So you don't have to call anymore
I won't pick up the phone
This is the last straw
There's nothing left to beg for
And you can tell me that you're sorry
But I don't believe you baby
Like I did before
You're not sorry, no no oh
You're not sorry, no no oh"
Soren disappears and closes the door, unable to watch anymore and heads off. Otulissa stands on the stage with her head hung and Autumn comes up to her, looking a little worried.
"Do you feel any better, Otulissa?" Autumn asks
"A bit, miss… A bit." Otulissa answers
"I always sing when I am upset. Believe me, get the emotions out since bottling them up isn't good." Autumn says, before he has a thought, 'Why don't you join me and the girls for a girl's night. We're having it before the wedding. Nothing much, just dinner, maybe dancing and really we'll end up doing each other's nails and makeup and all sorts of things. We'll gossip and even talk trash about our exes. I do hope you can come."
"Well… I suppose I need some time with the girls. You know, since I've broken up with Soren and stuff…" Otulissa ponders, "I suppose I should come, besides, it's not every day that I'll be going to a Princess of Ambala's bachelorette party now is it?"
"Besides, I say it's always sisters before misters." Autumn smiles before a cheery giggle
Otulissa hugs the small spotted owl ryb in thanks, "Thank you so much for the help, Miss Autumn."
"You're welcome, dear. Always happy to be of help." Autumn replies, "Now you take care of yourself lass. I don't want to hear from Strix or your class rybs, the monarchs, that you've just lost it and started bludging. It's Senior Year, lass. No time for mistakes."
"I will, I've been waiting for this year for too long." Otulissa replies, "See you, Miss Autumn."
"Au revoir, Miss Perrin." Autumn says, before turning back to the musicians, "Alright, back to practice. And a one, two, three."