Acceptance
By EpitomeOfMisery
Chapter VII: Deals and Plans
The warm rays of sunlight filtered in through the window the next morning. Through the slight gap between the curtains a streak of light cast across the room like a laser.
Crimson eyes fluttered open, instantly alert, as was his natural instinct. He gave the two beds to his right a quick glance before fixing his gaze upon the last bed, watching the Russian as he slept.
Slipping out from under the covers, the phoenix made his way across the room, quickly dressing and preparing for the day ahead.
"Morning, Kai."
The slate haired youth turned to the bed furthest right, watching as the Neko-jin pulled himself out of bed.
Kai didn't reply to the Chinese's greeting, but surprisingly someone else returned the welcome.
"Morning, Ray."
Kai turned, surprised. Garland had somehow got himself out of bed and slipped past him and through to the kitchen. The BEGA captain was not yet dressed, only wearing a loose t-shirt and trousers as he poured coffee.
The mask of indifference soon covered the surprised expression once again as the Russian moved toward Tala's bed, giving the older Blitzkrieg boy a shake, quickly waking him.
Tala rubbed his eyes, casting a quick look at Garland before pulling on his clothes for the day.
After Kai's suggestion, Ray, Tala and the Hiwatari himself headed down to the training centre.
Thankfully for Tala, Garland stayed behind reading up on his family history.
The European sat in silence, flicking through the pages of the book he had learnt so much from. The tanned faced turned to a frown as the ringing of the phone interrupted the peaceful silence.
"Hello," he spoke into the receiver.
"We have a call for Garland Siebolt," A friendly member of the BBA staff said.
"Speaking."
"We'll transfer the call to you. One moment." The friendly assistant informed.
The tall blader stood waiting, twirling the phone cord between his fingers.
The ringing noise on the line stopped and there was a click before the smooth voice of the caller addressed him.
"Ah, my dear captain. So nice to speak to you again."
"DRIGER! GATLING CLAW MAXIMUM!"
"DRANZER! BLAZING GIG TEMPUS ATTACK!"
The two blades collided in the middle of the dish, rebounding off one another in mid-air and landing at opposite sides of the beystadium.
Kai swung out his right arm in a silent command. The blue blade obeyed, swerving round to the right and hitting Driger from behind.
Ray ordered Driger to attack again and the blades ground against each other furiously.
Kai cast his eyes to the side, momentarily looking away from the battle. His gaze instead fixed upon the other Russian in the room. Tala sat on the bench to the side, looking somewhat distracted as he fiddled with the new Wolborg blade, staring at it unseeingly.
Tala. The thought crossed his mind with a hint of worry and sadness. Though they did not often act close, they had a strong bond deep down. Despite the cold, callous appearance he showed toward his former captain, he cared. And now, knowing what he knew, he was angry. Angry that someone would hurt Tala. His teammate. No, his friend.
Garland would pay dearly. He would make sure of that.
Personally.
For a moment he couldn't find the words to speak. He was shocked. He had thought that he would never hear from the man again, wasn't he locked up? Garland didn't think it was fully right. To him, the man had seemed an excellent teacher. If it wasn't for him, he would be an unknown.
"H-Hello, sir."
"My dear Garland, so glad you have remembered how to speak to your elders. So my boy, how is the BBA?"
He twisted the phone cord between his fingers, musing over what to say. "Well… it's okay, I guess, on the Beyblading part. But the other members…" he trailed off.
"They do not except my team?"
The youngest Siebolt contemplated whether to point out that they were not really his team anymore, but decided against it. "The others are getting on okay, they've made quite a few friends."
"And you?"
"Err… well, personally… I preferred the BEGA league."
"I am glad to see there is another great mind that can still see the brilliance of the BEGA association. So tell me, Garland, what do you detest about the pitiful BBA? The other members do not except you?"
"Yes." He said before he could stop himself. "Well, everyone keeps looking at me like I'm some murderer or something and-"
"Well it is obvious who is at fault."
"I think so too." Blue eyes narrowed hatefully.
"The boy thinks he has won. My dear Tala, it is such a shame for something that was once so adequate to turn so pitiful."
"So you agree? It's all Tala's fault?"
"Of course. You have done nothing. You need now only to think of revenge. And I can help you with that."
"I'll do whatever you say, Boris."
"Do you think he's okay? I mean, Kai's there's, but that twisted freaks there too."
"Kai will be on guard. Garland won't do anything if he's being watched, Bryan."
"I don't see why we can't just go do to him what he's done to Tala."
"We'll just have to trust Kai."
"How can we though? What if it all goes wrong and Tala ends up back in a coma, how would you feel then, Spencer?"
"Kai won't let that happen."
"Kai's not perfect, as much as he thinks he is, he could slip up." Bryan argued.
"We'll just have to see, won't we?" Spencer replied.
Casting a quick glance at the door, he nodded to himself, satisfied that no one was coming, he sat on the bed covers, the light from the window shining down on him.
He had to admit, Boris was a genius. The plan was perfect, the ultimate revenge. It was simple, really. If he couldn't stop everyone hating him because of Tala, he would just have to make everyone hate Tala instead.
Lifting the pillow, he slid the large, smooth object under, replacing the bedding exactly how it had been.
Now it was only a game of waiting.
