Chapter 4 – Blank's Bad Day, Part One.
He woke up to the screams coming from down the hallway.
"Mum! Dad?" he called out. The room was in darkness aside from the milky rays of the moon, they transformed the cupboard and toy box into threatening shadowy creatures. A racing heartbeat pounded through his ears, and he tried to take the five deep breaths that his parents taught him to help. Things calmed for a while and he began to wonder if he wasn't just imagining the whole thing. He pulled the blanket up to his chin, still feeling disorientated. If he was wrapped tightly away then nothing bad could get him. He was a big boy now he had to show dad that nothing scared him. That's right! Nothing scares me. He shuffled back down into bed and turned over.
But just as the child began to drift off again there was another scream. This time, he knew it was his mother even though her voice sounded strange. His fingers crushed the material between them. He couldn't hear what she was saying, but his whole body tensed. What's going on? A glass smashed downstairs and this was followed by a great rumbling sound. Terrified he found himself frozen to the spot. More screams followed and another voice – deeper, male. The screams stopped. His head snapped toward the door, and with time his eyes adjusted to the dark he could make out the frame and handle. There was a glow coming from underneath the door. Sometimes dad left a candle on the landing, but this gave far more light than usual. It wasn't a golden light either. In fact it was more...red in colour.
He sat up sharply and swung his legs out of the bed. As he stood his feet were greeted by the icy cold floorboards but he didn't notice. He crept toward the source of the strange light, and knew in his gut that something was wrong. His hands reached out and they were met by heat.
Don't open it!
But the child was entranced and without thinking he threw it open. The last thing he saw was a ball of fiery hell...
The monkey tailed boy had slept very well and rubbed his eyes free from sleep. He was lying on the bottom part of a two tiered bed that squeaked a little when he moved. Above, he could hear someone mumbling and groaning loudly which prompted him to get up. Curiosity getting the better of the child he stood on tip toe to try and get a better look. The cause of the noise turned out to be none other than the red haired boy from the night before. Blank, wasn't it? He tried to recall as the dreamer began to thrash around wildly.
"I said don't!" Blank finally cried out, sweating profusely and trying to catch his breath. Stupid, stupid dream! Still feeling half asleep he beat his palm solidly against his forehead, until at last the familiar sights and smells of the clock tower eventually drifted into focus. He dropped back onto the pillows completely exhausted. "Damn it!" He blinked and then noticed a pair of curious blue eyes peeking over the side of his bunk. "What are you looking at?" he growled. "Get lost!" But the monkey tailed boy did not retreat and the thief was forced to get up himself to escape.
After jumping into a pair of black dungarees and a blue shirt he wandered downstairs and found Baku drinking coffee.
"Another nightmare, huh?"
"Don't even go there..."
The Tantalus leader shrugged his shoulders. "Fair enough, ah." He noticed the new recruit. "Morning little fella, did you sleep better than princess, 'ere?"
The child scratched the back of his head shyly and did not reply.
"Here," Blank said whilst pulling up a chair. "Sit down. You look kinda dumb just standing there." Surprisingly the child did as asked and Baku burst out laughing.
"I think he likes yer!"
"Drop dead, old man."
Suddenly two plates are laid on the table loaded with a fried egg and toast combo. "Mornin bro," Marcus greeted him, "You okay?"
Blank broke off some of his toast and started to dip it in the yolk. "I'm fine."
"Heard you shouting," his friend mentioned whilst pouring some more coffee. The look received in return was crystal clear – drop it. "Yer know where I am," Marcus said as he turned to leave.
"Sure," Blank replied with a half hearted smile. He looked across at his fellow diner and sighed. "What the 'eck are you tryin to do there? You're meant to eat it not kill it!"
The egg had been stabbed several times, making the mustard yellow heart bleed into pure white. The result was a sickening mess and both Baku and Blank were startled when he lifted the plate to his mouth and shovelled the whole lot in!
"That... Is disgusting." The older boy swallowed hard trying to keep his own breakfast down.
This kid really is a wild one! Baku thought as he took another sip of his coffee.
"That's the last of the eggs by the way!" Cinna's voice called from below. He was busy in the cellar again doing a stock take. "In fact we're running low on a lot of stuff!"
"Make a list!" Baku shouted back. "Blank and the new kid are on shopping duty this mornin!"
"We're what?!"
A small bag of gil chinked as it landed on the table. "Have a quick wash and get all the bits on the list, you got that?"
"But Boss, it'll be a hell of a lot quicker if I go by myself!" Blank sulked.
The man grinned. "What d'yer have to rush for? Take the boy to the dockyard and introduce the Prima Vista, I bet he ain't seen an airship before! Gwahahaha!" He stood up scrapping the chair away from the table. "Jus' make sure you don't lose 'im!"
"Why do I have to babysit? He's such a pain in the arse!"
Baku didn't appreciate the red head's tone. He really had woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. "Yer better watch that mouth o' yours-"
"We don't need 'im! We're fine as we are!"
"Sounds like the green eyed monster payin a visit," Baku muttered. "It don't suit yer well." Disappointed he walked away without saying another word.
I hate you! Blank glared after the giant, but felt a sting inside his heart. He didn't like it when the Boss sounded like that, almost sad. The monkey tailed boy still gazed up at him expectantly. Blank banged his head on the table in despair. Why do I have to be stuck with this loser?
A quick wash turned out to be something of trial. The child glanced at his new toothbrush and shook his head. No way that's going in my mouth!
"Don't be such a wuss!" Blank dragged the youngster by his ponytail to the mirror. There was a small tub next to the sink which contained a foamy mixture of bicarbonate of soda and salt. This he smeared onto the bristles and began to brush in circular motions. "Yer she," he said through a mouthful of foam. "Nofink tow it!"
I better do it before he hits me! He thought copying the older boy, although he wasn't a big fan of the taste. It seemed to take forever before the red head spat out the contents and gargled with more water. He tried to follow but ended up swallowing some of the foam, which made him cough and nearly gag.
"Geez, yer never brushed 'em before or summit?" he asked smacking him hard on the back. When he'd finally stopped choking Blank prised the reluctant mouth open to finish the job. But he was taken by surprise as the monkey tailed boy possessed a complete set of stainless, perfectly white teeth. He frowned. "That'll do for now. We better get going!"
They headed away from the clock tower towards the station to catch a cab. Taking a seat Blank and his companion stared out the window as parts of the city went streaming by. They arrived in the Industrial District without incident and headed straight towards Zebolt Dockyards. It was a beautiful day and as the sun reflected off the airships they shone like gold. There were a few Dockers about the place keeping an eye on things, but when they spotted Blank they gave a wave.
"You can't be here to see Prima Vista again?" one of them asked.
"Course!" He grinned back. "Although really am meant to introduce her to our newest member, that's 'im." His head nodded in the smaller boy's direction.
"There's no denying it, she is pretty special. I was beside myself when they said to melt her down for scrap!"
Blank could sympathise with the man. "No fear, she'll belong to Tantalus soon cos the Boss has the deposit and everythin!"
"Is that so? Well, she'll be goin to a loving new home then! That's great news! Anyway boys gotta run, but take yer time and enjoy the view!"
"Thanks!" He sped down the grated steps. "Yer comin or what?" he yelled back up.
The monkey tailed boy cocked his head in confusion. Coming to where? But before he had the chance to reflect any further Blank had bounded back up the steps and started pulling him by the shirt to the observation platform.
Prima Vista meaning 'First Sight' was an observatory ship owned by the Regent Army of Lindblum. On the bowsprit was a figure with angelic wings, long flowing hair and a mermaid's tail. Four gigantic propellers jutted out from the four towers located at the corners of the ship. At the stern the wood bulged as though fitting over a wide stomach. There were further propellers at the back along with the rudder used to steer the monster of a ship.
"She's a luxury liner, weighs 8235 tonnes and can hold at least 288 guests at one time." Blank reeled off his collection of facts at lightning speed. "But we're gonna turn her into a theatre ship with a stage on the poop deck, sets, costumes, lights – everything. It's gonna be awesome!"
The younger boy leaned over the side to get a better look, the sight simply breath taking. There's so many things I still don't understand... He sighed but turned to Blank and smiled. This response appeared to please the red head.
"You think that's cool? Just wait till we go travelling round the world! We'll get to see Alexandria, Burmecia, Clerya and Treno. Baku says there's even a whole other continent out there! But you have to go across the western sea to see it."
The children continued to watch as more airships came to dock. "In another year Trent's gonna start teaching me how to fly an airship. Kinda like a crash course for dummies - but still, I'm gonna keep it all up here." He tapped the side of his skull as he said this. "When I grow up I'll be the pilot for the Prima Vista, pretty impressive, huh?"
Maybe, if I knew what a pilot was... But the monkey tailed boy could only blink and say nothing.
"Geez, why am I tellin yer this anyway?" Blank huffed. "Like you know anything!"
It was time to go shopping and so after another trip on the air cab they stepped out into the Business District. The decor of choice for this part of town was blue and coral. There were cobble stones under foot and emerald green tiles on the sloping roofs. Blank took the time to stop and admire the water fountain found in the centre of the square. Around this was painted a sixteen pointed star, there were Roman numerals cast around the edges. The column in the centre was a pointed tower its current shadow cast on XII. The child put his hands into the cool water and made to take a sip but was stopped.
"It's pretty to look at," Blank agreed, "but I wouldn't be drinkin that. Not if yer don't wanna get sick!"
They finally reached the market which was teeming with customers during the lunch hour. Everyone was here from rich nobles with their fancy frocks and silk waistcoats to the more modest working classes. Young boys from the slums were hanging around too waiting on the kindness of strangers. Even though Lindblum was a metropolis, like every major city it still had its fair share of poverty to deal with. Regent Cid was trying his best to solve the problem and not make it worse however, that wasn't an easy task!
"Lemme see now: eggs, tomatoes, flour, bread, milk and pickles? Gross! Hope Cinna isn't makin that weird pasta thing again!" Blank looked up from the list only to find himself alone. Oh great, where's that brat gone off to?
A quick scan revealed a lad with blond hair standing near to the milk stand. He was already earning himself a few suspicious looks as he kept trying to pat the cow. When the creature eventually turned its back on him the monkey tailed boy proceeded to pick up bottles, sniff them and then place them back down again. By the time Blank got there the shop attendant's patience was beyond frayed.
"You buying anything?" he said sharply. "Your friend there is giving my Daisy a right funny turn!"
"Yeah... I'll have a pint of yer finest. Sorry bout that! He's er got something wrong up 'ere you know? Really sad case...Anyway, sorry again." He paid for the milk and as they walked away he slapped his charge right across the back of the head. "What yer doin? Wandering off, patting the cow! Yer supposed to stay near me!"
Oww! You didn't have to hit me so hard! The child growled with irritation.
After that however he made sure to stick to Blank like glue, and carried the large paper bag that was steadily growing heavy with groceries. They were just on their way to collect the flour when suddenly Blank cursed and pulled his confused companion in the opposite direction. They stooped low behind a cart selling scarves and blankets. They peeked through the spokes of the wheels as a shiny, black pair of immaculate shoes stepped into view.
"Well my friends, what shall we do today?" a young voice enquired. Devoid of all accent, pronounced to the letter this was a child from the high end of town.
A purple velvet dress swooped next to the shiny shoes. This was long and flowing with pleats neatly sown down to the ankle. "Oh Frederick, let's take a good look around and buy some sweets!"
"Sounds like a capital idea, Victoria!" yet another voice said. "What do you think, Brooks?"
"Must you sound so common, Sam? Do not give me a nick name! Anyone would think you have not been taught the pwhoper etiquette!"
This was 'The Snobs' as Blank affectionately called them - snobbish by name and snobbish by nature. He'd had run ins with them before - particularly Frederick, they didn't get along. He sighed, all he wanted was the flour and then they could go home. Unfortunately the bags of flour were right next door to the sweet shop. Of all the damn luck! He wondered if they should just wait it out until the group were gone, but he knew better. The Snobs took hours choosing their sweets, being picky over size and discussing whether sticky toffees were better than sweet caramels. It wasn't as if Blank had any idea what they were talking about as he rarely took the opportunity to waste money on such things.
He watched them walk away and enter the store across the street. Quickly he grabbed the new kid and strolled up to the merchant. "One medium bag, please," he said keeping one trained eye on the door.
"That'll be seven gil, son."
He wasn't expecting that. "You tryin to pull a fast one?"
"What d'yer mean by that?"
I don't have time for this! "It was five gil last weekend," Blank reasoned. "Why the sudden increase?"
"Don't take it personally, supply and demand is all! Now, you gonna hand over the gil?"
He placed some coins on the counter and raised an eyebrow. "I'll give ya six."
The grocer's lips curled at the edges. "Cocky little fella, ain't yer?" But he gave Blank the flour regardless.
At last with all the items safely collected they were ready to head back. The thief in training felt his shoulders sag with relief. He was looking forward to kicking back and planning the next raid with Marcus. Ruby could babysit the brat and hopefully Baku would finally get off his case. He could still get this day back on track all he had to do was...
"Why, fancy meeting you here!" A boy with slick jet black hair had just stepped outside the sweet shop.
He tried to smile back but it was more of a grimace. "Oh, hey Parcel, been a while."
"Very humorous but allow me, it's pronounced, Parsell."
Blank looked thoughtful. "P-A-R-C-E-L, right?" Frederick nodded sagely. "Nah, that's just Parcel, like a box you mail."
"My family name has been passed down for sixteen generations! I should know how to say it, you uncultured swine!"
Blank tried hard not to laugh. "Whatever, I'll be goin now."
"Not so fast!" Fred blocked his exit and stood over him, he was good two inches taller than the red head. "Whom is that behind you?"
He scowled. "Who this?" he asked pointing over his shoulder. "He's erm...He's new to the group doesn't really 'ave a name yet."
"He does not possess a name? How vulgar!" Victoria Sullivan sniffed as she stood beside Frederick. "Although I have heard that residents from the slums often do not name their children until they are two years old."
"Do they really?" Sam Cohen also appeared beside the two friends. "Why on earth would they do that?"
"Mother told me it's because babies from lowborn families often do not survive. The whole thing is most tragic, but then we cannot have the streets overrun with vermin."
Blank bristled. "Shut yer trap! Who the 'eck do yer think you are?"
"Do not speak to a lady in such a heated manner!" Fred warned. "Would you like me to teach him some manners, Victoria?"
"Oh that's quite all right. I wouldn't want to cause any trouble, and besides he's hardly worth our time." She turned back to inspect the small blond boy. "Good heavens!" she cried out suddenly. "What is that monstrosity?"
The monkey tailed boy instantly backed away. She's looking at me with those strange eyes, like the others from yesterday...
Blank shook his head with disbelief. "Lindblum has folks with feathers, claws and snouts and yer freaking out about a monkey tail?"
"That is fwightfwlly queer," Oliver Brooks commented as he began to circle the boy. "Is it weal?" He reached out and gave it a sharp tug. When the child yelped he laughed meanly. "Well, what do you expect? You should keep that ugly appendage to yourself and tuck it away!"
Don't come any closer! He thought, clutching the brown paper bag like a shield.
"Hey," the thief stood between them, "leave him alone."
"Or what?" Brooks said with a buck toothed grin.
"Or I'll punch those pearly whites of yours clean out!" Oliver didn't seem to appreciate that threat and covered his mouth hastily with a hand.
Frederick stepped forward. "I wouldn't be concerned with this vagabond, Ollie. He should look at himself in the mirror before making comments about others."
"Why don't yer come say that to my face, pretty boy?"
He stepped forward. "Those scars...How do you live with them day after day?"
"Shut the hell up, Parcel."
"Yes, the little scarred freak that gives children nightmares - the abomination of Lindblum!"
That was it, Blank threw the flour down and prepared to launch into the older boy. But he was met instead by cold steel prodding against his chest. Frederick had unsheathed a short sword and settled into a fighting stance.
"You know, I've always wanted to see just how sharp this blade is." He trailed it slowly down Blank's front and sneered. "It is a great shame that you could never appreciate the beauty of this fine weapon. How could you? What does a common thief know of such things?" He pressed the blade into Blank's shoulder making him wince.
The blond couldn't explain why but he didn't like seeing Blank in pain. Stop doing that! He growled but Frederick only laughed as he saw crimson blood blotting through the tatty blue shirt. I warned you!
Soon however his laugher turned into a loud screech. He looked down in horror to see the little monkey tailed boy biting his finger! There was a struggle as he tried to prise the child's mouth open to retrieve his precious digit. He was a grade eight pianist; there was no way he could afford to lose it! The noble began cursing and squealing like a piglet. "Release me, you demented fool!"
At last the child let go and spat out the skin he'd managed to take with him. Oliver fainted as Victoria and Sam were left speechless.
"You spawn of Satan! I'm going to chop off that tail of yours!" Frederick bawled already lunging towards him.
"Time to move!" Blank grasped his companion by the wrist and ran. He couldn't believe the lad had actually bitten Parcel! He had balls! That wouldn't save them from getting chased by the gang though. If he was caught the red head had no doubt that Frederick would make good on his promise. Already he could hear angry shouts from behind them.
In the market square chickens, potatoes and wicker baskets went flying! Blank pushed through the crowd trying to get away from their pursuers. If he was alone this wouldn't be a problem but he was still dragging the kid with him. In his right hand the supplies were getting pretty heavy too but it was worth more than his life to lose any of Baku's money. He jerked and swerved around the shoppers who were in worlds of their own, oblivious to the hunt that was going on. We need to get off the main street! He thought desperately.
Just as Blank was about to turn, the boy stumbled. He brought the pair crashing down landing heavily on the brown paper bag. The tomatoes! The eggs! He saw oranges rolling away, spilt milk and fish being trodden on. But that wasn't the worst of it – Frederick's pals had caught up with them. He couldn't think what was worse: the wrath of Baku for losing the food or a beating from The Snobs. His feet moved first and with one last effort he grabbed his bewildered charge and made for the nearest alleyway.
All was well as he went from left to right until it grew quieter. There were less people to get in the way as they tried to make a break for it. Without the heavy load and the monkey boy finally running in the same direction they had a real chance. His legs ached and a stitch stabbed in his left side but he didn't stop. Again another turn, then another and then-
"So, you thought you got away!" Frederick stood there in triumph. His golden eyes burned with a psychotic fire as they latched onto the enemy. The hilt of his sword was stained with red blood that dripped soundlessly onto the ground.
"How the hell did yer find us?"
"I knew you would sneak off down the side streets at some point like the rats you are. So, while my friends gave chase I waited. I followed you. I watched you turn and turn making a complete circle all the way back to me."
Blank frowned. "Ya know that bite looks pretty nasty - I'd get it checked if I were you!"
"Oh, I intend to, right after I take what is mine."
Author's note –
I hope the introduction of some OC characters hasn't spoiled the flow of the story. I tried to think of a kind of nemesis for Blank and the crew, but it was hard to think of a 'rival gang' for Tantalus. I was left to consider other possibilities and Frederick popped into my head!
The next part of the story revolves around Zidane finally getting his name...not without a bit of drama of course! ;)