Hey! Good to be back for another chapter. This one's actually really cool, and I'm glad I'm finally getting to it; on my list of chapters, it's been one of the ones I circled as my most excited to write.
To begin with, I'm glad people thought the ending of the last chapter was awkward, because that's how it should be. The occurrences within it weren't meant to just be glazed over; as you'll see, the choice comes back to haunt them, slightly.
Anyway, here is the chapter!
Chapter 4: Friendly Advice
"You're, um, hair looks very nice," Kati commented politely, sipping on his tea after he spoke. "I've… never seen it down." Himi shrugged, and took a sip from her own cup.
"It was my idea and my choice. My father would no doubt be very displeased if he saw me like this," She replied, placing her tea on a coaster and glancing around the tea-shop with an irk-ridden glare clouding her usually vibrant face.
It wasn't that she disliked her dates with Kati; he was very pleasant to talk to, and could get her to laugh and smile easily enough. She had known him for a long time, and knew him to be a fine young man with outstanding morals and whatnot. Dating him wasn't even all that bad (if that's what it was to be considered as), although she only viewed him as a friend.
No, it was the infernal gossip that surrounded them like flies attacking a lantern. "Oooh, she just smiled!" "Awww, they're such a cute couple, why doesn't she just say yes already?" "Lucky Himi! I wish Kati was trying to be MINE!" It drove her insane, that each of these lunch trips, or tea-dates, or simple walks through town always turned into her being some kind of spectacle for the rest of the city.
"Just ignore them… we could leave, if you'd like," Kati supplied, but she shook her head with a sigh. It would happen everywhere they went, and she actually wanted tea quite badly. It helped soothe her mind.
"I think it's going to happen, Kati," Himi said slowly, raising her eyes to meet his. Before he could ask what she meant, she whispered, "I think I'm going to have to choose you. I'm sorry, but you seem to be the only logical choice for my husband. Even if my father does delay the decision, I have no one else to choose. I know every other young man on this island. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Kati said with a shrug, touching her hand from across the table. "It could be a lot worse; we're friends, so we'll have a good relationship, even if it's generally not romantic. You know I will treat you honorably, that I will—"
"Would you let me be free?" Himi interrupted, her tone stern. She frowned, and cleared her throat. "My apologies, today is a day I have long dreaded."
"It's fine," Kati said with a nervous wave of his hand, and Himi smiled. He was such a gentle and honest soul, it made the thought of being bound with him somewhat pleasing. "And I want you to be able to be yourself… but, your father… he'll probably try to play a hand in your life."
"And will you let him?" Himi asked stoically, doing her best to not show that this question had been simmering in her mind for months on end.
"W-Well, he is the king, and your father, and—"
"And you will be my husband, and I will expect you to treat me with respect, and not listen to my father's wishes," She said firmly, interrupting him once again. "I am tired of being controlled. When I am queen, I will share power equal to yours, period. And I will not have my marriage be ruled by my father, even if he is the one to force it together." She paused to take a sip of tea. "…Are you afraid of me, Kati?"
"Oh… well…" Kati gulped, and sighed. "To be honest, you have a lot of Susa in you. A lot of Kushinada too, but you are very fierce. So, I guess I am. I'm more afraid of making you unhappy, though, Himi. Even if it's not love, I want you to enjoy your life, and I'm afraid I'm not right for that."
"What of your love life, Kati?" Himi whispered, tracing the lines in the table with her fingernails. "I have one who I know I can never be with, but you are young as well; surely a girl in the village has caught your attention?"
She could not help but giggle at the resulting blushing of her date. "I-I've been committed to you, Himi. I've really had no time to—"
"Is it Shari?" Himi asked, cutting to the chase. The look of petrified horror on Kati's face made it clear that she was correct.
"H-How did you know?" He asked lowly, not wanting anyone to overhear. Age differences in relationships where the woman was older were often frowned upon, and he no doubt feared this.
"Oh, it's pretty obvious… you're always the most chipper when she comes with me to see me off, as she did today," Himi replied teasingly, causing her date to gulp. "And then you two made eyes at each other, and I swear she blew you a kiss as she walked away."
"You saw that too!" Kati whispered serenely, before coughing and muttering, "I mean, Himi, you know I'm committed to you. I don't want to make this any harder for you. Perhaps I… do have feelings for Shari, but I doubt it could work out, and I would feel terrible abandoning you on such short notice."
"I'd feel worse letting you be with someone you don't love when a girl you care for is right in front of you," Himi replied ardently, taking the last sip of her tea and bluntly placing the cup on the table. Kati coughed, but remained silent.
"Listen… Kati, it's not that I don't like you, but I need someone different as a husband," Himi said slowly. "I need someone who will lead with me, not lead behind or in front of me. I want my husband to view me as an equal, and treat me as one."
"Oh, Himi I would never think myself better than you, or anything like that, I…" He trailed off as she raised a finger to silence him.
"Did you see that?" She exclaimed, throwing her arms out, causing the table to shake and grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. "I just raised a finger, and you halted! It's not that I fear you controlling me, it's that I fear me controlling you!"
"T-That's preposterous!" Kati shouted back in return. "I am the proud son of one of our military's finest soldiers, and I will follow in his footsteps!"
"Kati, please, you have to be honest with yourself," Himi replied, standing up and moving around the table to sit down next to him. "You know who you are, and I know who you are; you are a sweet boy, who has no interest in fighting, or matters of the state."
"…It is my duty to do both, so I will," He replied defiantly, crossing his arms and looking away.
"No, it is not your duty, it is mine," Himi replied steadfast, patting him on the shoulder. "I was born into this, and I accept that role and the responsibilities that comes with it. You do not wish to; we have similar problems, as both of our fathers seem to continually influence are decisions. However, I believe there is a slight difference; your father would actually listen if you just told him that marrying me and joining the military wasn't for you."
"He has trained me since I was young, Himi," Kati replied dejectedly. "I can't just give up on his teachings and abandon what he has imagined for me. I would be a terrible son in doing so."
"Did you even ever tell him about your love for pottery, and wanting to open up a pottery shop?" Himi asked pointedly, and Kati shrugged and shook his head. "Well, there you go! You have to be honest with him! And you have been a great son, Kati, always doing what your father asks and trying your hardest to please him and uphold his honor!"
"…I suppose I could bring it up. But isn't it a bit too late?" Kati asked, glancing at Himi. "I mean… you have to choose today, and I think this date in the minds of everyone else in the city was when I was supposed to ask you and you were supposed to say yes to our marriage. I'd still feel bad about leaving you having to grasp at finding another candidate."
"You don't have to worry about that," Himi said with a smile. "For I am going to refuse my father; I will only choose a husband when I find one who satisfies me. Period."
Kati's eyes widened, and he stared down at the table. "You are truly brave, young Miko," He said in a somewhat awed whisper. "Lord Susa is most… determined that your decision is given today."
"If I am going to rule my people, I need to not be willing to sacrifice my own happiness to satisfy others," Himi replied swiftly. "How can the city trust me to rule and make important decisions if I can't make them regarding my own life? Have you ever heard a story of a ruler who led well when they were forced into a marriage they did not want? I have not. My father has no right to talk to me about doing crazy things for the sake of love; he slayed our God for my mother's sake."
"Himi… I can't help admire how brave you are," Kati began with a cough. "But might you consider… I mean… Lord Susa is awfully scary."
"I am done being blindly led by my father. I am eighteen, and a woman. If he believes he shall keep ruling my life, he is a fool. I will stand up to him today," Himi replied with a firm nod, although she was not quite as confident in her own mind. If only Kushinada was here; her mother was the only person who could truly convince her father of much of anything.
"So… who exactly is this man you do wish to be with?" Kati asked cautiously, and Himi froze. Speaking about Eoleo wasn't exactly… well… she had never really told anyone. She had mention to Kushinada that her ideal man was a little odd, but never really gone into detail, and her mother had respected her wishes to speak lightly on the subject.
Himi dropped her voice to a whisper, and said, "Do you know of the Champan Pirate, Eoleo?"
"…EOL—!" Kati shouted before Himi's hand shut his mouth.
"SHH! Fool! Do you wish to set the town ablaze with rumors! Speak in a whisper!" Himi whispered harshly, her heart beating like a war drum.
"O-Of course I know of him," Kati said under his breath, his eyes wide. "You… him… isn't he like, 30?"
"35! That's part of the problem!" Himi said fanatically. "Not to mention that I haven't seen him for nearly four years! And, well…"
"He's a pirate?" Kati supplied, and she nodded dejectedly. "Yeah, if I know anything about Lord Susa, that's not going to go well at all. Does Eoleo know that today you have to choose a husband?"
"I mentioned it in passing, but who knows if he remembered it… I'm not sure if he knows it's my birthday today as well," Himi divulged, and Kati raised an eyebrow.
"Sounds like a great guy…" He muttered, and she sent him a glare and punched his shoulder. "Ow! I'm just saying, he's a pirate! He could be a shady character."
"He most certainly is not a shady character!" Himi growled, picturing Eoleo's brilliant smile in her head as she did so. "I got to know him well on our quest, and I still talk to him regularly via letter. Besides, he was only a pirate because he needed to feed and support his home! Would you do the same?" Kate gave a slight nod, in a clear attempt to be understanding despite his obvious distaste. "And he's never forgotten my birthday before… it's not like him."
"Maybe he's been busy, or his letter got lost?" Kati suggested, taking another sip of his tea. "Or, maybe he's coming to surprise you?" Himi's eyebrows rose as she considered that possibility. It would make sense, as she honestly didn't think he would just forget about her birthday. Also there was the ship that had randomly come into shore… but she was probably getting ahead of herself. He most likely, as hard as it was to admit, had forgotten about it. About her.
"I hope so," She sighed, and Kati, sensing her sadness gave her a light hug.
"Hey! No need for that," He said cheerily, pushing her chin up with his hand and beaming into her eyes. "I'm sure it will work out; if you like him that much, he must be a great guy. I wonder, though; how did you, uh, develop feelings for him?"
"Oh… it's a funny story, actually," Himi said with a giggle. "I was so naïve about the entire thing… it started, I think, after one night where I fell — accidentally fell asleep in his bed."
"YOU WHAT!" Kati shouted as she began to search her memories. After hushing him once more, she began to retell the tale.
Eoleo woke up groggily, stretching lightly as he willed himself to open his eyes. No matter how sober he was, he had never been able to simply get out of bed, and in this case he was definitely NOT completely sober. He enjoyed lying for a good five to ten minutes and simply breathe in the salt air (provided he was on the sea, as was usually the case) and think.
He had already begun this process when a feeling in his mind suggested that something was off, minus his hangover. After a moment, he realized there was a tiny weight on his side. He twisted his neck to check, and noticed what looked like a girl lying next to him. At least, he assumed it was a girl from the black hair streaking down her back.
"…Guess I got some action last night," He said with a yawn, his memory still hazy. But, after a moment, he frowned; that didn't make sense, they were still on sea and hadn't touched shore. He couldn't have met a girl and brought her on board… so that meant… oh Mars, he had slept with one of the girls on the boat!
Eoleo gulped as his head quickly began to piece things together. The fact that he had fooled around with ANY of the girls was awkward, as he knew that none were of age, but — Eoleo's thoughts froze as he realized that only one girl on board had black hair, and that said girl was Himi.
This was really, really, bad! He couldn't remember anything… how on Weyard had this happened? He sat still, a virtual panic attack running through his entire body. Maybe… maybe this isn't what it looked like. Eoleo tried to calm himself down, breathing slowly as he searched his mind for any memories. As he did so, the pirate noticed something gold hanging from his neck.
Eoleo grasped the charm in his mind, and paused for a second before everything that had happened the night before flowed back into his mind. He let out a deep breath, realizing that nothing along the lines that he had been thinking had occurred. She had just wanted to sleep in his bed, and he had been too tired to say no. Still… this certainly wasn't, well, right.
"Hmmm?" Came Himi's voice, followed by a tiny yawn. Eoleo couldn't help but smile at how cute it sounded, and soon enough found himself yawning as well. Being a much larger and louder person, the low rumble he produced was more than enough to push Himi from a nearly sleeping state to a much more awakened one.
"Oh, Eoleo! Good morning!" She piped happily, clamping around his chest in a hug. He returned it gingerly and with an awkward smile.
"Er… Himi? Why am I under the covers? Didn't we…" He trailed off, and she coughed.
"Oh… well, you were cold, so I thought… I mean, it's not bad, right? It's fine, we were just…" Himi trailed off as well, realizing now that she was awake rather than as tired as she had been last night that the position they were in was very compromising. And, with a frown, she noted it must be even more so for him than her.
"H-Hey, it was just innocent, I mean…" Eoleo began, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head as he shifted up onto the bed. She didn't meet his eyes as he continued, "We're just friends. We just shouldn't let it happen again."
"R-Right. I'm sorry about this, I was just tired, and… I'll go," Himi said timidly, swinging her legs off the bed, and wanting to get away from Eoleo as fast as possible. She had prided herself for so long on thinking things through, and then this? Of course it was inappropriate for her to sleep next to such an older man, even if it was only… for amiable reasons.
She felt so embarrassed, having put Eoleo, someone who had never taken advantage of her size and had always helped her though her problems in the few months she had known him, in such an awkward situation.
"A-Alright, I'll talk to you later," Eoleo stuttered, conflicting emotions welling inside him. She said nothing as she opened and closed his door, and he sighed. He should have just said no; stupid, stupid, stupid! And now she was either mad at him or embarrassed. It had felt so natural, though. Not like there had been anything romantic to it, but… it had just felt… right.
It's not like she wasn't pretty… it's just that she was fourteen. And it's not like he didn't like her… it's just that she was fourteen. And it's not like he didn't sleep well (it was one of the better nights of rest he'd had in a long while)… it's just that she was fourteen. Hell, maybe if she was older, he would throw his arms around, pull her in close, and—
"Oh Gods damn me," Eoleo whispered to himself, staring at the wall in utter disbelief. "I think I have a thing for a fourteen year old girl."
Himi sighed as she exited Eoleo's room, her black hair waving undone as she walked. She liked wearing it down, but it kind of got in the way… maybe if she cut it short, it would be nicer. She would have to ask Karis or Sveta to help put it back; how it had gotten undone was beyond her. Perhaps she had pulled her "decorative hair ornaments" off after finishing the charm in elation, or in the middle of the night while sleeping.
"…Hey Himi, what were you doing in Eoleo's room? You look nice with your hair down, by the way." Came Karis's voice, breaking her from her thoughts. Himi paused for a moment, and then gulped. She would have to tread carefully.
"Oh, thank you," She replied, trying to keep her composure. "I was just asking Eoleo if he wanted breakfast." She tried to continue walking, but Karis's voice stopped her once more.
"Ah, alright… um, if you don't mind me asking, where did you sleep last night? I don't think you ever came into our room."
"Oh, you're correct, I, er, slept on the couch in the main cabin," Himi supplied.
"Ah… when did you wake up, then?" Karis asked, and Himi mentally swore. Karis may not have picked up her father's inherent Mind Read, but it sure seemed as if she could see directly through lies.
"…About an hour," She said hesitantly.
"Odd. I was in there two hours ago, and—" Karis frowned as she finally caught Himi, who sighed and shook her head.
"I… I lied. I slept in Eoleo's room last night. BUT NOTHING HAPPENED!" Himi added quickly as Karis's eyes widened and the air around her sparked with purple electricity. "Please, it was really my fault, and—"
"Himi, you go get into a new set of clothes and get ready for the day. I'M going to go have a talk with Eoleo," Karis said lethally, turning towards the pirate's door while ignoring Himi's protests and then kicking it.
"Oh my," Himi whispered, fearful for the Mars Adept. She winced as much shouting occurred, followed by the door slamming. "…Good luck, Eol," She said as she began to walk towards her room.
"EOLEO!" Screamed Karis, flinging the door shut behind her, nearly ripping the hinges.
"Muwavah?" Eoleo sprouted gibberish, grabbing his chest in surprise.
"Exactly why was Himi sleeping in your room last night?" Karis shouted, and Eoleo swallowed slowly. The air around her was now crackling, and wind blew through the room, lifting up his covers and strays papers.
"Karis; I can explain… just please, calm down, it's not what it looks like," Eoelo said slowly and calmly, praying that she would indeed take his advice.
"It sure as hell better not be what it looks like, she's fourteen Eoleo!" Karis growled. After a few more tense seconds of glaring and the air around her filling with more and more static electricity, she sighed and the miniature storm ceased. "Well, go ahead; explain."
"Yesterday Himi made me a charm," Eoleo began hurriedly, holding out said charm. "It was late when she finished it, and she wanted to deliver it; so, she found me asleep, and rather than leave it and go, fell asleep on my bed. I woke up a bit later, she officially gave it to me, and then she wanted to stay because she was tired and already comfortable.
"…And I said yes. It wasn't a good idea, and I should have said no, but she was so adorable when she asked… you know that look she gives you when she really wants something…?" Eoleo trailed off as Karis's incredulous glare dug into him. "Er, maybe not. Anyway… nothing like… you know, that happened. I would never!"
"You're telling the truth," Karis replied after a few moments of tense silence. "I'm still pissed; she's a fourteen year old girl, and you're an adult. She of course thought it was completely innocent, and you… probably did too, but something like that just can't happen. I mean, I wanted you two to bond, but THIS is too far." Eoleo nodded solemnly, looking down shamefully.
"I'm really sorry, it's a mess… it won't happen again," He said sullenly, and Karis sighed.
"Good. And… you… you don't think she has feelings for you, do you?" Karis asked, causing him to raise an eyebrow. "You know… like… she doesn't see you in a romantic light?"
"Hahaha! I doubt it!" Eoleo shouted with mirth, the thought making him laugh. Himi, fall for him? It was hilarious!
Karis frowned darkly, and muttered, "It's not that odd, you know…" earning a raised eyebrow from Eoleo. "Oh…" She coughed with a blush on her face. "I may have had a crush on an older man when I was younger."
"…Uh. Okay," Eoleo said, not really sure how to respond. "What was he like?"
"…Fiery, but in a controlled way. I snapped out of it pretty quickly. I had other reasons… but… never mind, I have no idea why I brought this up," Karis replied, slapping her head lightly. "It just fit into the conversation, and… don't tell anyone!" Eoleo raised his hand in compliance, and she sighed. "…You don't have feelings for her, right?"
"O-Oh, me?" Eoleo coughed, looking around the room. "Come now, Karis! I'm well versed with the ladies (Karis glared as he said this), and I have no interest in such a young lass! It's wrong to begin with, and… well… yeah."
"If you were trying to convince me, it didn't work," Karis muttered, worriedly. "You two seem awfully close… just remember there's a line you shouldn't cross, alright?"
"You have my word nothing more will come of this," Eoleo replied, and Karis frowned. The fact that it was a pirate's word withstanding, she also just wasn't sure that Eoleo was correct about that. "Could you… er… talk to her about it?" Eoleo asked, and she nodded.
"Sure," She said, turning toward the door. "You know…" She whispered, as she grasped the handle. "It's not that you two can't be close, it's just… no funny business, right?"
"Exactly," Eoleo replied, annoyed that any funny business had occurred in the first place.
"Alright, I'll go speak with her… see you later Eoleo," Karis replied, opening and shutting the door behind her. She sighed as she began to walk to her room; why had she run her mouth? Her crush on Garet had been completely ridiculous to begin with. It was really just her wanting to be with a more mature Tyrell.
Thankfully, she had gotten over it, and… sadly was still crushing on a completely immature buffoon who, no matter how hard she tried, she could not help but find hilarious and charming. She smiled as she opened the door, and viewed Himi sitting on her bed.
Himi had spent the last few minutes deeply contemplating her relationship with Eoleo. Obviously, he was around thirty, and she was only fourteen, so up until today, she had never even considered… just the nature of her having feelings of that nature for him were preposterous. But, she couldn't deny that she held feelings for him that she had never felt for anyone else.
Whenever he smiled at her, she felt her heart leap a little in her chest, and nothing made her grin wider than when he rubbed her head. She also loved how fiery and passionate he was… in a life filled with order and stoicism, such a breath of life and rashness was oh so refreshing. Eoleo was like no one else she had ever met in that regard; yes, he was audacious at times, but it always seemed to be calculated.
She also couldn't deny that he was kind of handsome, if in a gruff way. She giggled at that thought, just as she realized Karis had walked into the room.
"Oh! Karis… how was your… talk with Eoleo?" Himi asked cautiously, but was relieved to see a smile on Karis's face.
"Oh, don't worry; everything's fine," The older girl replied with a calming wave of her hand. "I was wondering if you'd like to… talk at all, though?"
"A-Actually, I would," Himi said, racking her brains on how to ask Karis about her feelings without making it clear that she was discussing Eoleo. "It's about a boy."
"Well, that went to hell…" Eoleo said with a sigh, lifting himself from his bed and beginning to change into new clothing. "Do I… do I really?" He murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. Eoleo had to admit, he had never really felt the feelings he had for Himi before.
While at first thought that made sense, as she was young and it was possible he felt some kind of pseudo-fatherly feelings toward her, he had been involved in many such relationships with the children of Champa, looking out for them and teaching them how to become sailors… or in some cases pirates, and had never felt this way for any of them.
With Himi, it was different. He had grown to accept that any relationship he had with a woman would involve said woman constantly bemoaning his worse qualities. Himi, though, seemed to actually like most of his traits, and when she criticized him it was less judgmental and more caring. It was an odd feeling, having someone truly… caring for him. Most people got turned off by his large exterior or the fact that he was a notorious pirate. Any girl he had ever been with had been purely pleasure-based or failed attempts at a stable relationship.
She was fourteen though, which was the problem, and an unavoidable one. It's not like the age difference would get much better over time, either. And hell, he was probably getting ahead of himself; all of this was conjecture, and while he was certainly fond of Himi, perhaps the incident with the bed had led him to over-react.
"Ugh," He muttered as he made his way toward the door. He needed to sort this out, and he knew who to go to. If there was anyone on the ship to ask about any kind of trouble, it was Matthew. That kid had a good head on his shoulders, and Eoleo certainly needed some advice at this point.
As such, he made his way around the ship, searching for the young Venus Adept. He eventually found him sitting in the main cabin, speaking with Kraden, no doubt about the Umbra Gear and what the Apollo Lens may be like.
"Er… I can see you're busy, but—" Eoleo began, before being interrupted by the sage.
"Ah, no need, Eoleo!" Kraden responded with a smile. "Matthew and I are done, and he is free from your conversation, unless you wish to speak with me?" Eoleo smiled, and shook his head, and Kraden laughed. "I figured as much. Well, I shall be in, where else, my study." Matthew stared as the old man walked away, a thin smile on his face; it seemed, like father like son, he had taken quite the liking to the old sage.
"So… what is it Eoleo?" Matthew asked solemnly, and Eoleo smiled nervously, the actuality about what he was going to do finally hitting him.
"I need relationship advice," The pirate stated bluntly, causing Matthew to raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"Er… I'm not sure I'm the best qualified to—"
"Better than Rief, unless I wanted Anatomy, Tyrell, DEFINITELY Amiti, and asking Kraden about this subject would just be awkward," Eoleo replied quickly, causing Matthew to wince. "Besides… I am lending you my ship after all."
Matthew gave his a surprised look, replying, "Wow, this must be important… this is the first time you actually brought up the debt we owe you with the ship. I guess… if you want it to be me it's fine. Let's talk in your room, alright?" Eoleo nodded, and they slowly made their way back to the pirate's cabin.
"Ah," Karis replied, the conversation heading in the direction she had been planning on taking it in the first place. "If you don't mind me asking, who?"
"…It's complicated," Himi whispered, quickly trying to piece together what she wanted to say, and how to keep it from seeming like she had feelings for Eoleo. "Obviously, it's someone on the ship… I'd rather not say names. But, obviously, they're also older than me, as all of you are. He's very… rash, and slightly obnoxious sometimes. My issues are the age difference and the fact that he… might have feelings for another girl." The latter was a slight lie, as she had no idea if it was true, but she had to keep Karis somewhat in the dark.
Karis frowned… she could be talking about Eoleo, but rather than ask more leading questions, she was just going to get to the heart of the matter. "Is it Eoleo?"
Himi hesitated, then shook her head. "No," She lied, preparing for Karis to question the validity of her statement. "I see him more like a father figure… you know?"To Himi's surprise, Karis seemed to buy it, and bit her lip.
"I'm sorry Himi, I legitimately thought it was him," The older girl said, her head racing. What if Himi had feelings for Tyrell? The other Mars Adept fit her description to a fault, and she could certainly understand the concept of being attracted to him… considering she was herself. "So… um… do you think it might work out? And do you know what girl he likes?" Karis asked with a slight blush, and Himi tilted her head.
Why was Karis acting so odd? The truth came to Himi suddenly, and she cursed. Of course, Karis thought she was talking about Tyrell! "I-It's not who you're thinking of," Himi replied hastily. Karis gave her a relieved but still confused look, and the Venus Adept sighed. "Fine… I lied, it was Eoleo. I just… you know, it's a completely awkward situation."
Karis breathed out a sigh of relief, before coughing and composing herself. "Oh, okay. I understand why you might be… hesitant. That is definitely awkward."
"Karis, I just wanted to let you know that… I didn't really think I had feelings for him or anything like that until, you know, today," Himi said quietly, blushing heavily. "When I slept in his bed… it wasn't like that. I was just tired, and he was comfy. I wasn't… you know…"
"Oh, of course Himi!" Karis responded, realizing what her friend meant and rubbing her shoulder. "I know you were just being innocent about the whole thing."
"Yes. I'm glad you understand that." Himi said, but then sighed once more. "But… what do I do?" Himi asked with a frown.
"Well, obviously dating him or anything like that is out of the question," Karis replied, and Himi nodded.
"I just… I'm not ever sure that's exactly how I feel about him," Himi said in return, playing with her pigtail as she spoke. "Until today, he was just Eoleo, and how I felt for him didn't really matter, or I didn't think of it in these terms. It's so much more complicated now, the idea that I could have an attraction toward a man so much older than me." Himi turned to Karis and gave her a pleading look. "Karis, what does attraction towards a man feel like? Like, how does Tyrell make you feel?"
Karis did her best to ignore Himi's blunt statement of her feelings for Tyrell, and said soothingly, "Well… it's a feeling I don't get with anyone else. I mean, everyone you meet makes you feel different, but this is more pronounced. You always want to be around them, and want to make them happy. Sometimes you even care about their happiness more than your own. You do things for them you wouldn't do for anyone else, and you… you just know."
Himi smiled; Karis's face had taken a dreamy look to it as she had described the feeling of love. "It's so sweet, you and Tyrell," Himi teased lightly, drawing another blush on Karis's face.
"N-No, come on Himi, he doesn't even know I feel that way…" Karis whispered.
"That may be so, but he feels that way for you," Himi said with a smile, causing Karis's eyes to widen. "He told me so when he helped me make the charm."
"…Oh. Well, good," Karis whispered, clearly enthralled and thrilled by this new information but also trying to refrain from showing her satisfaction too much. "But, we're talking about you now. So, do you think you do feel that way for Eoleo?"
Himi nodded, and sighed. "Which I would not mind, if it wasn't for the age difference. I certainly have feelings for him, but… what do I do? I know I can't act on them, but what if I make things awkward accidentally?"
Karis shrugged, her gaze still somewhat hazy. "I mean… I'd just try to forget about it. You two seem to be fine as is, and I know Eoleo is going to be more cautious so that awkward situations like that don't pop up. He promised me he would, so you should just pretend that nothing has changed."
"Okay," Himi replied, imagining that would be easier said than done, but holding her tongue. "Um… so, you talked to him about me? Do, you think that he… returns my feelings?" In a way, she hoped he didn't; though, she supposed either way he would feel awkward about discovering she had feelings for him.
"Uh…" Kars replied slowly, thinking back to Eoleo's hesitancy to give a straight answer. "I'm not sure, to be frank." It was an honest answer, even though she believed the true answer to be yes. "Either way, just… just try to resist them. You're too young."
"I know," Himi said firmly. "I think you and Tyrell should still try to work something out, though." Karis's groan drew a smile to Himi's lips, and took her mind off Eoleo and the night before… at least, a little bit.
"So, I've developed feelings for a girl," Eoleo began earnestly; he was confident he could get advice out of Matthew without divulging exactly who he was speaking of. "On the ship."
"Oh… alright…" Matthew responded wearily.
"I can tell from the look on your face that you're still not sure why I wanted to talk to you about it specifically," Eoleo said with a grin, and Matthew sighed.
"Yeah, you could say that. I'm not great with… girls, honestly," He said with a sigh. "Anyway, who?"
"I'd rather not say," Eoleo replied straightly, before clearing his throat. "My issue is that there's a big of an age difference, and I don't quite know how to stop anything from happening. I'd like to assume she doesn't have any feelings for me, but I can't be sure. She… is pretty shy, so I'm unsure as to whether or not she'd bring it up, but I'd like to find a way to not let it get to that point. She has enough on her plate already, if you get my drift. There are a few other reasons, but, you know…"
Matthew couldn't help but mentally piece together what Eoleo was saying, and the result that he came to made his brain go into a flurry of activity. Could he be talking about Sveta? All of those descriptions fit the beastgirl… he wondered though, what he meant by other reasons. Unless… Eoleo meant that he had feelings for Sveta himself.
Which was the truth, but conversely Eoleo and Sveta having feelings for each other made a lot of sense. They could have bonded while he was in Morgal's captivity. What if he was getting in the way of them?
"Eoleo," Matthew began tensely. "Listen… I don't think the age is that big of a deal, and it's something you both could work out. I didn't realize… that you two were so close." Eoleo raised an eyebrow; it seemed like Matthew had pieced together he was talking about Himi, but he was surprised the Venus Adept was advising him to try to go for a relationship. "Whatever you do, don't hesitate for my sake. I should have seen your feelings, and to be honest I feel like I'm butting in a little…"
"Er, Matt?" Eoleo asked, and Matthew nodded. "…Since when do you have feelings for Himi?" There was a stiff ten seconds of silence where Matthew's mind slowly took in the statement, his mouth growing wider as he realized what had just happened.
"Oh, crap. I thought you meant—"
"Sveta," Eoleo interrupted, nodding. "Completely understandable, I should have seen that coming. Too many parallels. Anyway, what the hell do I do?"
"Well… why has this become an issue?" Matthew asked. "I mean, you two seem fine around each other, not too awkward…"
"She ended up sleeping in my bed last night." Eoleo said flatly. "Nothing romantic happened," Eoleo continued as Matthew opened his mouth to as what else had occurred. "But Karis found out about it, and Himi no doubt now feels awkward about it in retrospect, and I don't know what to do."
"…You sure you have feelings for her?" Matthew asked, and Eoleo chuckled.
"I've been with enough women to detect when I have feelings for a girl, Matthew," The pirate responded with a sigh. "But, for obvious reasons, this instance just feels awkward, and can't work out."
"Well, not now," Matthew replied. "But even though she seems so young now, it's only about four years till she's eighteen… that's not long."
"Four years I don't know I'm going to have," Eoleo replied bluntly, casting his eyes towards the direction of the Grave Eclipse. "I'm not making any future plans, let's put it that way. I'd advise you to do the same… and possibly make what time you could have with Sveta count, if you get my meaning."
"…I'll try," Matthew said nervously, having hoped this subject would not be touched upon. "I suggest you don't… you know… try to avoid her or anything like that. While there may be some obvious tension at first, it's clear you both care about each other. Even if there can't be a relationship, you two should still be friends, and there's nothing wrong with being… closer friends than usual."
The young man paused and bit his lip. "I'm starting to understand where you're coming from. How far can you go without it being more than a deep friendship? And is that wrong? I mean, if you two pretty much did everything but… anything romantic, it wouldn't be that bad, would it?"
"I just don't want to make a sweet friendship with a young and innocent girl into a gigantic mess," Eoleo replied with a groan.
"I trust that you can do that," Matthew replied with a steadying smile, holding out his hand. Eoleo grasped it, squeezing tightly.
"Thanks for that; I could use some trust." The Champan stood up, and stretched. "Well, I think I'll go find the little lady and start damage control as it were. Maybe eat breakfast with her or just… do something normal."
"Sounds good," Matthew replied, rising as well. "I'll… uh… I'll probably go see how Sveta's doing."
"That a boy!" Eoleo cheered, slapping Matthew on the ass and making the young Adept wish he had said nothing at all. They turned their separate ways, Matthew walking toward the stairs as he was fairly sure that Sveta was above deck (…having asked her to meet him there earlier), while Eoleo turned toward the hallway leading towards the girls' room.
"Hey, Sveta… mind if I talk to you for a sec?" Matthew asked as he approached the young beastgirl, who was staring out into the sea.
"Not at all; I suspected we would speak to each other when you asked me to join you up here," She replied with a mischievous smile.
Matthew gulped. He was already making a fool out of himself, and he hadn't even gotten to the embarrassing part. "Er… I… You see…" He sputtered, scratching his head as he lost a grip on all remnants of the English language. There was a reason he had kept quiet about his feelings for her, and while Eoleo was right in that he needed to display them, that fact didn't make doing so any easier.
"…Not particularly," She replied slightly worriedly. He was acting very strangely after all.
"You know the old saying actions speak louder than words?" He forced out, and she nodded. Without thinking, he pulled her head into his hands and quickly kissed her on the lips. "W-Well?" He panted after he jumped back, leaving Sveta's eyes wide and her hand touching her own cheek.
"…" Sveta's lips smacked into his, and Matthew felt her arms tightly embrace him as well. He sighed inwardly as he returned the motion; he was really thankful that worked. Sweet Venus he had always been awful with words, but he could get on fine with action.
"Oh, Himi!" Eoleo said as the young girl emerged from her room. She glanced at him and smiled, albeit a little awkwardly.
"Hello, Eoleo… I wanted to apologi—"
"Aw, no need!" Eoleo interrupted, rubbing her head. "Let's just put it behind us. I was wondering if you have gotten breakfast yet?"
"…Alright," Himi replied with some relief in her voice. "No, I have not, and I would like to. Karis, would you like to join us?"
The Jupiter Adept, who had been in the room, walked out, and glanced between the two, a smile on her face. "No, I already ate. You two will be fine without me?" She gave a knowing glance to both of the Adepts. Himi averted her eyes, but Eoleo showed no change, besides the tiniest of blushes on his tan cheeks.
"Just peachy; well, we shall see you later!" Eoleo replied with a quick nod, patting Himi on the head once more and beginning to walk down the hallway. Himi turned to do so as well, before stopping, and giving Karis a wink while giggling and pointing down the end of the hall. As Himi began to move away, Karis turned to see Tyrell walking toward her.
"Hey, Karis… you look really pretty today," The Mars Adept said with a brash grin, causing her to blush. She wasn't sure if she should hit him or thank him, judging by his tone. As she prepared to do the prior, she remember Himi's words, and frowned.
"Well you look incredibly handsome," She replied boldly, crossing her arms as if to dare him to defy the statement. It was true, after all; the Mars Adept looked quite dashing today. Not like he didn't most days (those being the days that he showered… not a fan of water, that one, understandably).
"I try," He replied, the smile still across his face. "But I think you look nicer."
"O-Oh please, for the love of…" Karis muttered under her breath, her pale cheeks flushed.
"I'm going to get breakfast, if you want to come," Tyrell said, clearly happy that he had gotten her to blush and sutter.
"…You haven't eaten already?" She asked, amazed that he had made in this late in the morning with no food.
"Oh, hell naw! This is second breakfast!" Tyrell replied with gusto, and Karis couldn't help but giggle.
"Well… sure, I'm not hungry, but I guess I could… watch?" She said, jogging up so she was next to him. She looked into his eyes and smiled.
"C-Cool," Tyrell replied with a slight stutter; it was hard to play it cool when she made his body feel so damn hot.
"…You've got a little something on your face," Karis lied, smiling flirtatiously. "A little egg… here…" She leaned forward, pecking him on his cheek.
"O-Oh, gee, thanks," Tyrell said, mentally berating himself for using the word "gee". "Is it gone?"
"Almost," She said with a smile, pecking him once more, her lips lingering a bit longer this time.
"…Now?" Tyrell whispered, hoping the answer was no.
"Yep! It's gone!" Karis said cheerily, before leaning in and kissing him on the cheek a third time.
"And that was for…?" Tyrell asked with a still nervous but amused grin. She blushed as she rubbed her arm before punching him lightly in the shoulder.
"You know what that was for," She replied happily, lacing her fingers in his hand.
"Fair enough," Tyrell replied as they began to walk, his entire so tingly he felt like he was on fire. When they reached the door to the galley, he halted, and turned to her. "Hey… Karis, you've got something on your lips," He whispered, leaning into her.
She leaned closer too, closing her eyes as she whispered, "Liar." Sparks flew, and Tyrell seemed to find that, at least for one day, second breakfast would not be required and be replaced with something much more filling.
"PIRATES!" Came a shot from outside the shop, causing Himi to whip her head around. She had been just about to describe the breakfast she had eaten with Eoleo. Kati so far had been a good listener, and surprisingly un-judgmental of both her feelings for Eoleo and the pirate himself.
"…It couldn't be…" She whispered, and Kati smiled.
"Hey, maybe I was right after all!" The young man said, and Himi frowned. The chances were slim, so slim she…
"IT'S EOLEO! THE SCOURGE OF THE EASTERN SEA! HE'S AT THE PALACE!" Came another shout from the same man, and Himi immediately shot up off the ground.
"Kati, please excuse me, but I must—"
"Completely understandable," Kati replied with a grin. "The story was interesting too. Uh… you might want to get there before Susa—"
"I know," She said shortly, dashing out of the shop without another word. While she still was forced to wear ridiculous ceremonial garbs, at least she had been allowed to tailor them herself; as such, she had made them perfect for quick athletic movement.
Even with that, though, she prayed that she would get to the palace before anything terrible occurred. She raced through the street, images of the past and the future flashing through her mind, the Third Eye dimly humming all the while on her forehead. This was turning into quite an interesting birthday.
Done. Done. Done. Done. I've detected the issue with the schedule; the issue is that I've started making all the chapters twice as long as they should be. I don't even know how this one is so long; it doesn't seem that long to me. But sure enough, it's huge.
Since (for obvious reasons), Eoleo and Himi don't get much romance until later on, a few other ships got to shine briefly here. I don't do enough Spark, and Spirit is always ridiculously adorable to write.
I have a ton of issues with this chapter, from the dialogue to the pacing to the everything, but I can't delay it any longer and I've gone through it twice. It's time for the posting.
I like Kati; he's an interesting character next to Himi, as she is so much more firm and direct than he is. Do Eoleo and Himi's conflicts make sense in this chapter? I worried about that. I also worried that said other ships felt too tacked on, even though I tried to work hard to avoid that.
It bears repeating that the flashback isn't Himi retelling the story, but a legitimate window into the past; they all coincide with the character's thinking back to a specific moment within these windows, but they branch out beyond these characters. If that makes any sense.
The next chapter should be some good ole' fashioned two guys yelling at each other. MY FAVORITE! Also, in terms of my badly wrecked update schedule, here's what to expect; Thursday MTJATE (6,000 words or under, I'm going to have to split it), A Gentler Steam on Friday or Saturday (6,000 words or under), and LoV on Sunday (4,000 words or around there). It's going to kill me to hit that schedule, but it needs to be done, so I'm going to do it.
Uh, yeah. So, next update for this in about a week, I guess :P . Thanks for reading!