Chapter 3: Rabona, the Holy City

The journey was time consuming and Chloey swore that her own mind was her worst enemy. She had no idea why but the closer that she got to Rabona the more she thought of Galk. I really shouldn't be thinking of him like that when I barely know anything about him! The Silent thought, as another round of blushes crossed her face. She would be happy when they were back in Alphonse, that was for sure.

Cassandra was quiet most of the trip, saying little or nothing as she tried to figure out what Chloey was sensing. She wanted to be sure that she was sensing the right things and that her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. Chloey tried to calm, for the young ones since she was the next oldest warrior after Rafaela. Cassandra wasn't sure weather she liked Rafaela or not, as the warrior had a habit of referring to everyone as dolls, and telling herself not to. It was scary and strange, though Chloey had no problems with it. Most of the others however did, as well as Rafaela herself. She often said if there was a pill to shut "Luciela" up, she'd gladly take it. Most of the young warriors gave the older stoic warrior plenty of space, not wanting to get her irritated especially since Chloey had proved that even the most quiet had a breaking point, and they were best to stay clear of that.

The arrival to Rabona was an easy one. Getting in to Rabona…was a whole different story, despite the effort that Father Vincent was putting in to relax the ban. Chloey and the others wore cloaks and hid their faces. Chloey would have cursed as they came through the gates, being pulled aside by two very familiar men. She could feel the blush on her face and knew that she would be bright red, or close to it. Did the first humans she had to see be Cid and Galk? Chloey's heart went in her mouth and she trembled a bit. It seemed that despite her best efforts, she couldn't hide the fact that she was hopelessly attracted to Galk. If she knew what strange twist of fate that made her blush to see that man she would hack it to pieces and never look back.

"It's alright, you can take your hoods off now,"

Said Cid. The half yoma took their hoods off. Chloey looked down embarrassed by the fact that Galk looked more attractive since she'd left Rabona two years ago. She didn't want to show that fact, as she would never hear the end of it! Especially from Helen who would give her a hard time, once she'd had a drink or two.

Chloey's eyes met Rafaela's then Miria's, Chloey looked at the two humans and asked quietly,

"What was the message for? We weren't sure as to the reason for it, since Rabona should be in a state of peace."

"There's a slight problem."

Galk replied,

"Things in the west have been unsettled, but that's not why you're all here."

Chloey sighed, something told her that it was going to be a long day. She forced her eyes away for Galk, thinking that that might help her concentrate on the matters at hand. He must have seen her blush, but he didn't draw attention to it thankfully.

As they walked, the half yoma listened as Galk's steady voice filled them in with what had happened over the last two years. Raki grinned and teased Cid unmercifully, until Clare smacked his arm playfully. The two were grinning like fiends, which led Cid to ask what was making them so happy. Raki grinned,

"Oh well, something special."

Cid tilted his head,

"Like?"

He asked,

"Us to know and you to find out."

Teased Raki, this time Clare just rested her head an his shoulder,

"We're here."

Said Galk calmly,

"About time,"

Helen muttered,

"I'm starving!"

Everyone laughed at Helen and Cid winked at her. Chloey blushed because that wink was far too suggestive for her liking. Which led to almost everyone laughing again as they went inside. Chloey sighed, but couldn't rid herself of the offending blush.

The room that the entered was both large and filled with humans. Galatea was calmly talking to Father Vincent, while Clarice was scolding a rather badly behaving Miata. As long as she lived, Chloey would never understand that pair. She noticed that a young boy had a nasty bruise on his face and Clarice's scolding no made sense to Chloey.

"Don't do that ever again Miata, no matter how bad he teases you!"

"Actually I think that is a good lesson, it'll teach him not to insult girls."

Chloey grinned,

"However there are better ways of doing it Miata. Best bet is to lightly hit him, then he can't complain."

"CHLOEY!"

Cried Claire. The Silent smiled,

"I know what I'm saying, you young man had best leave her alone, unless you want another shinny like that one."

She told the young boy who promptly ran to his mother, crying.

"There's always one of them."

Chloey sighed.

"What makes you say that?"

Galk asked,

"Just an old warrior's musings."

She countered, blushing again. Chloey made her way over to Father Vincent, leaving Galk looking at her back. She managed to pull her face into a gentle expression and regarded Galatea with a critical eye,

"Ah, thank goodness you have arrived safely."

Father Vincent smiled,

"We were beginning to wonder how you were fairing in Alphonse."

"Quite well thankyou."

Chloey replied,

"Good to hear."

Miria had made her way over with Rafaela,

"I see that everyone is here."

"Of course Father,"

Miria smiled,

"Chloey is one of the best guides that I have ever travelled with."

"I can say that I taught her some of the regions but as the "Eyes" I'm sure she's travelled end to end."

Rafaela sighed,

"Just look at the state of that dress what it needs is some ribbons and…SHUT UP LUCIELA!"

She snapped,

"May I be spared from her! I seriously hope that there is a pill that takes care of her."

She bowed her head,

"Please do forgive me, it seems that my sister's mind likes to make itself known from time to time. I just can't stand it!"

With that she left to get a drink saying "might just shut you up". Chloey sighed,

"Two years and Luciela's mind still lives…I'm surprised that Rafaela deals with it at all."

Miria said slowly.

"Wait…what are you saying Miria?"

Galatea asked her.

"Luciela is still very much a part of Rafaela especially since two years ago."

Chloey replied,

"I couldn't find her mind however, which means that eventually her mind will die, or at least that's what I've told Rafaela. Truth be told, I don't know what will happen. It might just be that Rafaela has to take a pill for this to stop. I don't know."

Galatea sneered,

"So even the best "Eyes" has her limits. Glad to know that."

"GALATEA!"

Miria gasped in shock, it wasn't normal that Claire cried out but when she did…the results were not to be expected.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? Chloey's doing the best that she can, and you're acting like a jealous cow!"

Claire cried,

"Happy now, because I doubt that you can tell what will happen next!"

With that Claire was spot on with the money. Chloey sighed and for the first time in a long time she spoke, more words then she normally did, but it was enough to grab everyone's attention,

"Petty fighting isn't what should be going on, we haven't all been together for two years, so let's just do our best to get along. I personally was hoping that a majority of you could act like warriors and not like little girls, Galatea get over it. So what that I can see yoki to a wider range than you, it doesn't matter because you and I were brought up on different battle fields, and I doubt that you've seen as many comrades as I have lose their lives or awaken. Rafaela is perhaps the only other person that surpasses me in this area.

That said I was most likely younger than you to become a warrior. I doubt that any of you were seven years old, then a single digit by the time she was ten. The only warrior here that I know of is Miata, but she is a different case to me, for a completely different purpose. So you can get off your high horse and shut up. If you don't have anything nice, don't say it at all."

Silence followed her words. This was the first time that Chloey had spoken out and most of the warriors knew what she was talking about. Helen looked to the ground knowing that she was one of the culprits. Some, like Nina looked away and Galatea's mouth dropped to the ground. She heard that Chloey was called "The Silent" for a reason and had heard the men of the Organization say on more than one occasion that it was for the best that the small warrior was gone, though Orsay she'd heard was greatly put out by the whole thing. From what Galatea had heard about Chloey, she was a valuable asset to the Organization, her perception was the highest of all sensors and she was one of the most difficult to pick up, her yoki suppressed most of the time.

Chloey sat on the chair provided and held her head down, making it clear that she wasn't in the mood to talk. Cassandra came next to her and sat by her side. It was very strange that the young girl had taken to Chloey so strongly. It reminded her of Rosemary, who was very attached to Chloey, especially after Rockwell Hill. If she'd have stayed in the Organization, she was sure that Rosemary would have sent her black card to her. By that stage however, Chloey had had enough.

Renée looked around and noticed that her comrades, namely Audrey and Rachel, were having a few. Rachel was grinning like a fiend, and she was clearly drunk. Helen slammed into the pair, leaving Audrey to squeal in protest,

"You guys drinking?"

Helen grinned,

"Fuck yes!"

Cried Rachel,

"Ray, stop it, there's children here!"

Audrey reprimanded,

"YESH IT'S GOOD BOOZE TOO!"

Helen cheered.

"Ha, ha, ha, gimme another round!"

Rachel yelled. Audrey hit her face with an open palm.

"Wow, I didn't think that Rachel could get so drunk."

Rafutella blinked,

"Hey Renée, did you know that Rachel's really drunk?"

"So's Helen."

Renée replied,

"Actually, I think that they're both as drunk as each other."

The three cringed as Helen and Rachel fell over, laughing so hard that they couldn't get back up again.

"Drinking much?"

Chloey asked, the three jumped, realising that Chloey had expertly snuck upon them and they didn't even sense her coming.

"Oh, dear, you two are going to have a horrible time tomorrow, you know that don't you?"

She asked them.

"Woo, yeah! I'm drink till I bust!"

Helen sung,

"She'sa drink till she drops!"

Rachel added,

"And I'ma get more!"

She laughed stumbling forwards,

"This's good fucking booze ya!"

Chloey sighed and shook her head,

"They'll have a ripper of a hangover if they keep this up."

Audrey looked guilty,

"Why?"

"Think of it this way, ask a human that's gotten as drunk as this and they'll tell you the exact same thing."

The others blinked,

"Well, let's just say I only got this drunk once and once only, the hangover I had…wasn't worth it I can tell you though Meg and Claire told me that I was quite funny. Apparently I didn't stop giggling like a little girl."

Renée blinked,

"You got drunk!"

She gasped,

"Only once."

Chloey smiled. The others looked at her with new eyes, surprised by that fact