Newly written story in this chapter.
Chapter 10:
-That evening-
"A floating zoid-like fortress, unbelievable. What do you think Miss Fiona?" Thomas faced the blond ancient zoidian with skepticism carved on his face.
"I don't have any memory of this at all, but it would interest me to find out more about it. How about you Dr. D?" Fiona turned to the old scientist pacing by a huge monitor detailing the skies, vast and blue.
"I'd do anything to see this for real. It is a truly remarkable find and I only used to think that this was myth." Dr. D stated with awe.
Van raised a brow about the old man's statement. "What do you mean by that?"
"By what?" asked the scientist.
"When you said you thought it was only a myth." Van answered.
Dr. D began to ponder. "Hmm. Let's see. When I was young, my grandfather told me stories about a flying zoid and it never, ever once touched the ground for many, many years. I'm not sure how long but he said a clan of people have stayed there for decades as if they lived in that flying zoid. Now what was it called again..." he began to think back hard for a minute until he remembered. "Oh yes! He said it was called, Horai."
"Horai?" repeated Irvine.
"And people actually live there?" asked Thomas curiously.
"That is correct." said Dr. D.
"And how is it that your grandfather know about this when an ancient zoidian have no clue about it?" Lars inquired.
"I don't know. It didn't interest me that much back then." Dr. D replied. "Plus, Fiona here, I believe, still has memories that she hasn't recalled yet."
Fiona smiled. "But I'll try my best, Doctor. I'll tell Reese about Horai and perhaps she might be of help to us."
"Oh yeah, she has psychic abilities" said Wesley.
"She can manipulate anyone's thoughts." said Van.
Wesley seemed to look a little flighty. "That is just amazing."
"More like creepy." Moonbay mumbled. "Good thing she is on our side now."
-Raven's room-
The Blue Zoidian gently tucked the blanket over Raven who was still sound asleep. She noticed that the doctor had applied a bandage on both his scarred hands.
He looks so vulnerable. She thought.
Raven groaned softly, shifting to his side which showed his bruised cheek. It wasn't fair that he was often haunted by his memories. It torments him even when he is asleep sometimes. Reese sat down next to him, contemplating. She brushed the stray hair on his face, seeing how peaceful he looks right now.
The door slightly opened.
"Reese, dinner is ready." Said Fiona quietly. "How is he?"
"He seems well. Just needs more rest." Reese replied. Then she stood up and left the room silently.
The next morning, Reese made her way back to Raven's room holding a tray with a plate of hot soup and a mug of warm coffee, only to see him up as she opened the door. "Well, you look better. I brought breakfast."
Raven smiled. "You didn't have to, but thanks."
"How are you feeling." Said Reese, placing the tray on a table as Raven grabbed the mug.
"Fine." He replied.
"Good." The Zoidian said with a grin. "Does your bruise still hurt?"
"It's just a bruise. I'll survive. Don't worry too much about it." Said Raven calmly. He propped a pillow on the headboard, deciding he wanted to take his breakfast comfortably on his bed. "How about you, how are you?"
"Oh, you know…" She muttered coyly, then started to look concern. "Everyone was worried about you since yesterday."
Raven scoffed. "Oh really?"
"Really." Reese repeated.
Raven took a glance at Reese, and then placed the half empty mug on the side table, motioning her to come closer to him.
"What is it?" Reese asked as she paced closer. She saw Raven move a few inches on the bed to give some space, prompting her to get on the bed and lie next to him. His arm flung over to her shoulders as she rested her head on his chest.
"About yesterday, I had no idea you could also do that. I completely blacked out without suffocating unlike the last time." Said Raven.
Reese chuckled. "Sorry about that."
"Best sleep I've ever had for a while." He murmured, stroking Reese's locks.
"I've always thought you hated me tampering your mind." Said Reese.
Raven shrugged. "It…just feels weird in the head. I'll get the hang of it."
"Really?" said Reese telepathically, making Raven turn his gaze on her before replying in his mind.
"Really." He leaned close for a kiss, which was abruptly interrupted with the door suddenly opening.
"Oh. Sorry." Lars cleared his throat. "Came by to check on Raven. Had no idea you two were busy here."
Reese got up. "It's no problem, um, sir."
"Just call me Lars." The man grinned. "So Raven, how are you doing?"
The maverick stroked his hair back and sat up. "I'm ok I guess."
"Great." He then let himself in . "I was thinking you might back out from this mission because of what happened lately."
There was a sullen look on Raven's face, almost uncertain. "I don't want to slow you guys down."
Showing his weak side yesterday made him feel reluctant to leave his room. He hardly cares what the others might be thinking about him, but that was the problem. The thought of becoming the center of ridicule made it worse.
"We could really use your help." Said Lars. "But in the meantime, I guess I'll postpone the mission for just a couple of days so you can take a break from all this. You know, to clear your head."
"I'll think about it." Raven replied silently.
"Well, okay." Lars shrugged. "See you later, kiddo." Then he left the room.
The blue Zoidian stared at Raven who was still looking a bit sullen and gazing on the floor. She sat next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder, arms clinging gently to his. "What's wrong?" She asked softly.
It took a moment for Raven to respond. "Do you think they hate me?"
"Huh?" muttered Reese in a curious manner. That's a strange thing to ask. "No, I don't think so. They're actually more concerned about you to be honest."
There was a short pause.
Raven glanced at his bandaged hand. Prozen's words flashing back in his mind when they confronted to get Shadow back. His head throbbed just by remembering it. "Am I a loser?"
Reese lifted her head. "Raven, don't think like that about yourself. The only loser there was is Prozen and Hiltz. You're not. All these bad things that happened, none of it was your fault."
Raven exhaled. "It doesn't make up for all the bases and Zoids I've destroyed though. That was all me."
"I'm guilty of many things myself too you know." Reese let out a soft laugh. "I guess that makes us two losers in a pod."
Hearing that seemed to lighten Raven up a bit clasping his fingers on Reese's hand. "Nah, you're amazing."
The Zoidian blushed. "Never thought I'd hear something so sweet from you. I like it."
"Well, I like you." Raven said looking at his lovers emerald eyes.
Reese stared back at him. "I like you more." She murmured leaning for a kiss.
"RAVEN!"
The door burst open.
The couple parted their lips completely startled.
"Well, well, would you look at that." Irvine stated with a sly grin. "Told you we should just wait for him to come out."
"Looks like this was bad timing." Van said sheepishly.
Raven acted as if it didn't bother him. "Why are you here?"
"Well," Van cleared his throat. "We've got some free time in our hands so we all agreed we should head to the beach."
"No." Raven said boredly.
The black organoid who laid on the carpet let out a delighted purr.
"Don't tell me you actually want to go?" said Raven at the organoid.
"I kind of want to go too." Reese shyly murmured. "The beach is nice."
"Yeah! See Raven? Everyone wants to come along." Said Van excitedly. "We're already packing so you guys should too. We'll be off in an hour."
Raven rolled his eyes with an annoyed look after Van and Irvine had left.
"Better get my stuff ready." Reese said with a snigger as she stood up.
"Do you even have a bathing suit?" Raven said with a raised brow.
"Will you be surprised if I said I do?" said Reese.
Raven paused.
"I'm kidding. I don't. I'm just going to use regular clothes, it's not like I want people to see me half naked." She laughed. "So, you coming or not?"
Raven stood up and stretched out his arms. "Ah. I guess I'll come."
It didn't take long for everyone to prepare.
Raven wore a plain white shirt and pants while he carried a bag over his shoulder as he waited for Reese to come out of her room. She held a similar looking bag, a white shirt and shorts.
"Oh, so you guys are gonna wear matching shirts. That's cute." Moonbay teased with a grin.
Raven grunted.
"Lighten up, Ray, I'm only kidding." Moonbay lightly patted Raven's back who still seemed annoyed.
"Okay, is everybody ready? Our transportation is here." Van hollered from a distance.
"Coming!" Moonbay hollered back excitedly.
Outside, they found Irvine and Thomas loading up food at the back of the vehicle while Fiona and Wesley climbed inside.
"Glad you could join us!" Van said gleefully at Raven who only let out a grunt. " By the way, you two can take the front, the back is almost full."
"Kay." Raven mumbled as he opened the door at the front, only to be surprised at the sudden flash on his face and the one driving. "L-Lars?" Agh! I should have known this was all his idea.
"What's up kiddo. Hop in." Lars said with a broad smile, holding a camera with one hand and then put it away.
"What a surprise." Reese said sarcastically as she got in first, knowing how uncomfortable Raven is already. "Come on Raven."
The maverick climbed in with a reluctant look on his face and closed the door.
"It's gonna be a 3 hour long drive, everybody here?" said Lars in a loud tone.
"Yup." Van answered.
The engine started and the vehicle sped out. The three organoids followed as they hovered in the sky.
It has been two hours on the road, The rest of the gang ended up dozing off. Reese's head fell on Raven's shoulder as he watched her sleep.
"Sweet thing, isn't she?" Lars said softly. I still find it hard to believe he would actually take interest with being in a relationship. Time sure flies really fast.
He didn't expect a reply from the young man, only to be bewildered when he got a reply back.
"She is." Raven said, then he stared back at the road with a stoic look.
At the back, Fiona opened the side window letting in a breeze of fresh air in the vehicle. "We're getting close." She said joyfully.
"Oh? How do you know?" asked Lars.
"I can already smell the sea." Smiled Fiona.
"Oh really?" Lars turned his head for a second at the back with a curious look. "You Ancient Zoidians never fail to amaze me."
They continued along the road. The rest had woken up from their nap. Moonbay had started humming to herself while gazing out the window with Fiona while Van and the others guys had been sharing funny stories that only they can relate to.
Minutes flew by they finally arrived at a straight road with a lot of palm trees on the sidewalk.
"I recognize this place." Raven mumbled to himself.
"You've been here before?" asked Lars.
"It's kind of a blur since I was still a kid back then but I do recognize this trail of palm trees." Muttered Raven.
The blue Zoidian sensed how Raven seems to lighten up. This place must have been a part of his good memories. She thought to herself.
The vehicle parked near the entrance, people coming in and out of the gate.
They stayed in a cottage facing the calm sea. Reese grew excited just watching the scenery. Moments later, they all have changed to their swimwear attire. Although Raven just changed his pants to a pair of black shorts and Reese…well she didn't even chang her clothes at all.
"Wait." Moonbay called out as she approached Reese, wearing a yellow one-piece swimwear with an orange shoal tied on her waist. "You didn't bring any swimsuit?"
The blue Zoidian took a glance at her own outfit. "Can't I just go wearing this?"
Moonbay chortled. "Heavens no. We passed by a store on our way here, Fiona and I will help you pick a swimsuit."
"That's not necessary I-" Reese said but was suddenly cut off by Moonbay.
"Raven can come with us." Said Moonbay.
"Why?" Raven muttered reluctantly.
Moonbay grinned slyly.
It took almost half an hour for them to choose at the small clothes store which was also a souvenir shop.
Reese had come out thrice already from the dressing room wearing three different swimsuits only to be rejected by Raven. First was a green two piece swimset, then a floral midrise swimwear and then a yellow one piece swimwear.
Moon bay started to grow tired at Raven. "Can't you let Reese choose, she's the one who is going to wear them not you!"
"Aren't you guys worried about sunburns? It's pretty hot out." Said Raven. He started picking a long sleeved teal printed rashguard from the shelves and then handed it to Reese. "This looks better on you."
"I'll put it on then." Said Reese as she grabbed the rashguard and changed real quick.
Moonbay stared boredly at Raven. "You just don't like her showing some skin, do you?"
Raven shrugged. "I'd really be more worried about sunburns."
Moonbay scoffed while Fiona on the other hand smiled with an amused look.
A few minutes later, Reese came out, the rashguard fit her perfectly & paired with a black beach short. Raven smiled at her with content. "Great. Let's pay up and get going."
The pair stood side by side at the cashier and brought out their wallet at the same time.
"I'll pay-" They both said in unison.
They both took out some cash and placed it on the counter at the same time, making the cashier look a bit puzzled.
"Sorry, please take mine." Said Reese.
Raven quickly swiped his hand over at Reese's payment and moved his own for the cashier to get. The blue Zoidian stared at Raven who slowly lifted her hand, placing her money on top of her palm. "And here's your change." He joked.
Reese burst out laughing as she returned the bills back in her wallet. "Goodness, you're acting so silly right now."
Gosh, these two are making me so jealous.! Moonbay thought to herself but in a delighted way. They're definitely not the same people they once were.
"I'm happy to see you two are starting to have fun." Fiona beamed a smile. Going here was a great idea. Raven seems to be doing a whole lot better despite what happened yesterday.
They hurried back at the cottage where they found Wesley and Lars grilling some fish and squid while Van, Thomas and Irvine are by the sea.
"Lunch is going to take a while, you guys go take a swim if you want." Said Lars as he fanned the smoke from the grill.
"You girls look great!" Wesley complimented, his gaze turning bored as he turned at Raven. "How's it hanging?"
Raven simply shrugged.
Wesley clapped his hands. "Great. Let's go swim."
The three girls headed out first while Raven followed behind only to stop when Lars called.
"Hey,"
Raven took a quick glance at him.
"You go have fun."
"I'll try." He muttered and then left.
Fiona and Moonbay along with Wesley joined Van and the others frolicking in the water while Reese sat near the shore, her legs dipped in the water.
"Are you just going to sit and stare?" said Raven standing next to her.
Reese inhaled. "I just want to take my time and relax here for a bit."
"Sounds fun." Said Raven, sitting in the water just a feet away from the Zoidian. "I think I remember now. I came here once with my parents. I remember that small island way over there. My father would take me and my mom for a boat ride and we had the whole place just for ourselves."
"That sounds nice." A soft smile grew on the Zoidian's face. "Good to know you still have some good memories with them."
"Yeah…" He mumbled, rubbing the faint bruise on his cheek.
"Does it still hurt?" Reese asked.
"It doesn't." He replied, going further and deeper to the water, stopping when it reached over his torso. "Do you swim?"
Reese slightly looked reluctant. "Kind of…a little…I guess."
In a distance, the group had been eyeing the pair for quite a while.
"I seriously never thought of those two getting together." Said Moonbay.
"I never even thought in my life that we'd go on a holiday with them, I mean come on, those two tried to kill us before." Thomas exasperated.
"That just means time has changed for the better." Said Fiona. "We get to understand them more and more each day. They've already shown so far that they're capable of living peaceful lives."
Van smiled. "I agree, there's so much more about those two. I feel like bringing them in was a good idea."
"Seriously?" Thomas exasperated again and then let out a grunt.
"Oh, get over it Thomas, just look at them. They're starting to have a good time." Said Moonbay, watching the dark haired young man gasping for air as he abruptly resurfaced from the water. His companion looking like she purposely pushed him down the water.
"Are you trying to kill me?!" They heard Raven yell.
"Yes I am now go back there and drown!" Reese yelled looking irritated.
The group assumed Raven must have said something wrong to make the Zoidian mad.
"They're a little strange sometimes but I guess that's what makes them interesting." Moonbay chuckled as they watched Raven disappear underwater again with Reese forcefully shoving him down.
A second later, she was also pulled down in a sudden, reemerging in the surface after a moment gasping for air. They could hear Raven cackling, his hair all wet and flat.
"Ugh. Lucky guy." Wesley grunted. "Can't we put him in jail when we get back to base?"
"Don't think about ruining the moment, Wes." Moonbay grumbled with a sneer.
Minutes later, Lars called them out to let them know that food was ready.
"Hey, you two, come on! Time to eat!" Van waved at the couple who were taking their time conversing privately and followed along.
They grabbed their towels to dry themselves off.
"Hey, Ray, maybe you should take your shirt off. It's dripping all over." Said Lars as he set a tray of drinks on the table.
Raven had just finished drying off his hair and did what he was told. He pulled the wet shirt over his head, showing his toned athletic upper body and a faint scar on his right chest.
"What's that on your chest?" asked Lars. "Did I do that to you?"
"Uh, no," Raven replied. "I guess it was from an accident years ago."
Lars began to ponder out of curiosity as he poured himself a drink. "What accident?"
"Well, let's see…" Raven's rubbed his nape, struggling to recall. "I don't know if I remember exactly how it happened."
"You were suffering from some sort of catatonia that time, I doubt you would completely remember." Reese chimed in. "You were wandering in the desert then a group of thugs ganged up on you."
There were baffled looks gazing at the blue zoidian.
"How do you know 'bout that?" asked Raven.
"We saw what happened that time since we were keeping an eye on you." Reese answered.
"By we you mean with Hiltz?" said Van.
Reese nodded her head then glanced at Raven. "Those idiots where trying to rob you even when it was obvious you didn't have anything worth for them to take. One of them had a knife, but due to your state that time you hardly even cared your life was in danger. They tried to finish you off but then Shadow came along and saved the day."
"Oh…" Raven mumbled quietly, staring at his drink.
Then Reese continued. "But what makes me wonder is that despite your helpless state that time, you actually fought back, it was as if your body was moving by instinct while your mind was kind of detached…which of course led to that scar on your chest."
"Now that you've mentioned it, Raven didn't seem like himself back then." Said Van in a serious tone. "It's been over 2 years since that time."
"Hold on, do you mean to say Raven has been a walking vegetable for that long?" Wesley exasperated. "It's a miracle how he survived like that on his own."
There was a moment of exchange of questions with them, some intrigued while some were concerned. Although, all those thoughts about 2 years of his life came rushing and filling in Raven's head and felt like it was about to burst. And a flash of the unpleasant memory of his Geno Saurer destroyed by the Bade Liger and the explosion made it even worse. His left hand buried on his face as his elbow leaned on his knee for support, he dropped the cup from the other hand, spilling on the floor.
"H-hey," Moonbay stammered, gazing at Raven.
Oh no, what have I done, I shouldn't have said anything. "Raven," There was a worried look in Reese's face. She held the young man's hand that rested on the side. "…say something. This is my fault I'm so sorry. "
"What's wrong with him?" Fiona asked anxiously.
"I-I don't know." Reese replied nervously, feeling Raven's hand trembling.
"Give him some air fellas." Uttered Lars, looking just as concerned as the rest. "Raven, can you hear me?"
"I'm okay…I'm okay." Raven replied quietly, his voice breaking. "Just…too much…my head hurts…"
"Maybe you need to lie down for a while." Said Irvine.
"Hang in there, bud." Van muttered, helping his former rival get as comfortable as possible.
The young maverick groaned as he fell unconscious, head resting on a pile of blankets.
They exchanged glances for a second, still pondering and asking the same questions with each other.
"He seems to have calmed down now. I noticed him trembling again a while ago." Said Lars, staring at Raven. "Did you put him to sleep, Reese?"
"I didn't." The Blue Zoidian answered. "What I said must have brought back memories that his mind couldn't handle. I honestly thought he already got over it."
"Don't blame yourself Reese. None of us were expecting this might happen. He was already a complicated guy to begin with." Lars stated in a comforting tone.
"His hands are bleeding." Moonbay said, staring at Raven who was clenching his fist again so hard it opened his wound and his expression almost seem like someone who was having a bad dream. "I think he could use your help right now."
The Zoidian touched Raven by the temple. "I knew it." She murmured in disdain.
"Huh, what is it?" asked Thomas.
Reese let out a sigh. "It's still that same memory that haunted him for a long time. I'm starting to believe that it is more than just his hatred and anger for his loss with Van, this…this is intense fear that has completely embedded in his mind. I don't understand, why does it keep on coming back?"
Van almost looked regretful. "I had no idea that he was affected by that incident to this extent."
"But I've been suppressing that particular memory, why did it suddenly come back in his mind?" Reese pondered anxiously. "I'm going to try and suppress it again as much as possible. I just hope this never happens again."
It only took a quick moment and they finally noticed Ravens expression looking calm in his sleep, his hand loosed its grip which allowed Reese to clean up the wound with ease.
Van could clearly see the scars on Raven's hand. "That looks really bad."
"Looks like your best solution to make him stop doing that is to cut off his fingers." Wesley joked , laughing awkwardly.
"Okay, you do it." Said Irvine with a grin.
"It was a joke, but I might." Wesley said, pursing his lips.
Lars watched the Zoidian applying the bandage on the maverick's hand. No wonder why Raven is so attached to her. I can't think of another who could do what she can for him. It must be a grace from the heavens that they found each other. "I can take over from here. You guys head out if you wanna go for a stroll."
"But-" Reese spoke but she was cut off.
"It's alright, I can watch over him. He'll be fine." Said Lars calmly.
The gang complied and left the cottage, Reese followed after giving one last look at Raven who was in a deep slumber.
Night came, headlights flicked on to light up the area. The gang had set up a small bonfire near the shore.
Raven began to stir from his sleep and rubbed his eyes, noticing how dark it was. He heard Shadow's soft growl who was watching over him.
"Shadow…" Raven mumbled groggily. Then he shot upright in a sudden. He was now wearing his black shirt that one of his companions must have put on him. "How long was I out?"
"About 5 hours." The black organoid replied.
"5 hours?! Oh man." He got up on his feet, not noticing the blanket that kept him warm fell on the floor, and then he darted outside.
He then took notice of the bonfire nearby, everyone had changed to their casual clothes and Lars' voice calling out to him.
"Oh hey there, you're finally up sleeping beauty. Had any good dreams?" quipped Lars.
Raven looked slightly embarrassed at the thought of he had held up everyone's time at the beach because he was unconscious for hours.
"Guess what, we're spending the night here." Van said gleefully. "Come on, we just started eating dinner."
Raven followed Van to join the group who were in a circle. He sat right next to Reese who looked very eager seeing him come around. She handed him a plate of salad with some sliced fruit on the side. "I made it just the way you like it."
"Oh, how generous of you. I'm so grateful." Raven stated with a hint of sarcasm.
"Oh shut up." Reese giggled with an annoyed punch on Raven's arm.
The maverick didn't flinch though he let out a smirk.
Van and the others huddled together for a short reminding talk. "Alright, remember what we talked about. No one ever mentions anything weird."
The rest complied with a nod.
"Hey Ray," Wesley started. "Do you drink?"
"No." Raven replied in a bland tone. "And don't call me that."
"Come on, just one, everyone is having it." Said Wesley as he poured a little bit of whiskey on a glass and handed it over to Raven who reluctantly accepted it. "Cheers everybody."
Everyone in the group raised their glass and uttered, "Cheers!" in unison and drank altogether except for Raven who just stared at them and tried to at least take a little sip but threw the rest behind him after the liquor touched his lips.
Irvine took notice of what he did. "What is it, can't handle a little bit of whiskey?"
Raven averted his gaze boredly. "I just don't like the taste."
"We have a picky one here I see." Wesley smirked. Pouring another shot on everyone's glass again. "It's not that bad, look at Reese do you see her whining?"
The blue Zoidian beamed a smile on Raven then turned to Wesley. "This is nothing, I can handle more than any of you guys can. "
"Ohhhh sounds like a challenge." Wesley uttered with a grin.
"Raven, you were able to drink when we went to the club, what's up with you now?" asked Moonbay.
Raven awkwardly thought up an excuse. The incident that happened back then with those flashy women bothered his mind at the moment. "I-uh- this one just tastes different. Tastes kind of stronger."
"Just give it one quick gulp." Said Lars, pouring himself another shot. "I guess if there's anything we could do better than you it'd be drinking." He let out a laugh.
For some reason, being around the group made him feel slightly pressured at the thought that he was the only one making excuses about not being able to take a stupid shot of strong liquor. They'd probably think I'm being such a wimp.
"I can just take that if you don't want to. It's no big deal." Said Reese calmly.
"I-It's okay. I'll take it." In one quick gesture, Raven drank up the content in his glass, wincing a bit at the strong liquor.
"Woohoo atta boy! Welcome to the club!" Moonbay exclaimed. "Have another one!"
A reluctant look grew on Raven's face but he obliged anyway.
Hours flew by, the liquor has already started to take effect on them. Fiona had fallen asleep right next to Moonbay who was obviously still not done drinking. Wesley and Thomas had started telling jokes their faces flushing red while everybody laughed with Raven just letting out an occasional smirk.
The maverick stared at Reese whenever she laughed. She laughed the loudest. He gently grabbed the bottle from her hand when she attempted to pour her twelfth shot. The blue Zoidian already looked too tipsy. "Ra…Raven, sweetie…give it back."
Even with Raven's slightly intoxicated state, he was still able to think straight more than anyone else and refused to return the bottle, trying to keep it out of Reese's reach. "You've had way too much already. You're too drunk to have any more."
The Zoidian got to her knees and stubbornly still kept trying to reach the bottle. "Drink till I drop dead is my code of honor. Don't stop me."
"You're not making any sense. No more of this, okay?" Raven grumbled, extending the bottle even further until his partner stumbled face down on his lap. He heard her letting out a giggle.
"Oh, you're so sweet." She murmured, finding herself comfortable as she rested herself onto Raven's lap. "And so warm…why is everything spinning?"
"You're too drunk." Raven muttered, staring down to Reese. "Go to sleep."
The blue Zoidian sniggered. "Not unless you give me a good night kiss."
"Don't be silly." The maverick murmured to her.
Mustering a bit of strength, Reese leaned back up near Raven's face. Her cheeks flushing red, eyes half opened and disoriented. Then she pressed both Raven's cheeks with her hands.
"Reese…"
"Nichalo, why do you look so serious?"
Raven raised an eyebrow.
Van, who had overheard what the Zoidian said, turned his attention at the couple.
"Say something would you? It has been so long…so, so long."
"Who's Nichalo?" Raven lightly held both Reese's wrists with an inquisitive look.
The Zoidian groggily closed her eyes and weakly fell on Raven's chest. "Don't forget…your promise…"
The dark haired young man put his arms around his partner and cradled her like a child. She was already sound asleep.
It took Van a moment to make up the words he wanted to say. Hearing Nichalo's name just made him want to talk about it. "Hasn't she ever mentioned someone named Nichalo to you?"
"You seem like you know something." Said Raven. "Who is he?"
"Well, let me try putting this in a way that would sound believable." Van continued, the ones next to him stopped with their jeering for a moment. Fiona who was half awake, slightly opened her eyes. "When I fell in the ravine, there was a young boy named Nichalo who rescued me. Strangely he was in a cave with his Helkat. This might sound ridiculous to you but it turns out he was Reese's childhood friend. He was the one who found her."
An astonished look grew on Raven's face. "Well, where is he."
Van paused for a moment. "Well, that's the strange part. He died trying to protect Reese when they were still young. He was killed by a soldier."
"Whoa." Muttered Wesley, looking mildly intoxicated. "Van, I didn't know you can talk to the dead."
"Don't get anything wrong, I can't really see or talk to dead people but this was an exception." Said Van. "I still think about it sometimes, dead people can't just come back to life let alone save me."
"Ugh. Van, you sound drunk." Thomas exclaimed.
"What, are you scared of ghosts? " Wesley teased.
"N-No." Thomas crossed his arms with a frown on his face. "I mean, that really is ridiculous!"
"Well, it wouldn't that be all too ridiculous if there's an Ancient Zoidian involved." Lars chimed in. "Who knows what extent of trauma had given to her that a spirit of a dead boy materialized to make contact to the living."
"Poor girl." Moonbay mumbled quietly, staring at the sleeping Zoidian. "It's never easy seeing your only friend get killed."
Fiona wiped a tear that had fallen on her eye before getting up.
"Oh, did we wake you up?" asked Moonbay.
"Not at all." Fiona answered. "I just overheard your conversation. About Nichalo."
"Yeah, seems she has been through a lot. Makes sense why she targeted the military." Van stated.
"And Karl." Thomas added.
"I honestly wouldn't know what I would do if I experienced the same thing." Fiona muttered sullenly, everyone stared at her. "She was so scared, and hurting inside."
"No…" Reese murmured in her sleep, making everyone turn their attention to her. "Way too much salt…don't…"
A pleasant grin drew on the maverick's face as he stared at the slumbering girl in his arms. "Looks like she's dreaming."
"That's cute. Weird, but cute." Lars gleefully stated. "I'm gonna go check on our rooms. We should hit the sack soon."
"Wait," Van stood up. "I guess we should come along. I'm pretty tired too."
"Well, okay. You guys go grab our stuff so we can head to our room." Lars said. "Here's the keys for the ladies."
Moonbay took the key with a keychain of the room number.
In a moment as everyone got on their feet, Reese moaned and let out a sleepy yawn as she sat up. "Oh wow, I fell asleep."
Raven laughed softly. "Come on, we're about to head in the bedroom. You'll sleep better there."
The Zoidian yawned again. "Okay. Did something happen while I was out?"
Raven hesitated a bit. "We just talked."
"That's nice." She planted a quick kiss on Raven's cheek, surprising him, and then got on her feet as well staggering to get her things in the cottage.
Lars had rented two separate rooms for the guys and the ladies. They've already had their things properly placed in their rooms and were getting ready for bed. Raven, who had been supporting Reese because she was still a little wobbly were last to reach corner outside the room.
"Okay, you're staying with Fiona and Moonbay next door."
Reese meekly shook her head and leaned close to Raven, she flung her arms over his neck which he smiled at the gesture.
"Still looking a little drunk are we?" Raven murmured with an amused tone. "God, you're so cute like this."
"Me? Drunk? No way." The Zoidian prompted to press her lips to his, something that he couldn't get himself to avoid despite not wanting anyone to see. One of her hands slid down to his chest and onto his waist, proceeding to go lower.
Raven gently caught her hand in an attempt to stop her from what she was about to do next. "We can't do that now, hon."
"Why not? No one is watching."
"I promise we'll do it at home just not now."
Reese continued to tickle his neck with soft kisses.
Seeing she wasn't listening to him, he held her chin to kiss her lips harder this time, hoping it would satisfy her but instead did the opposite. The Zoidian's hand eagerly tried to pull down her lover's short which he abruptly tried to stop again.
"Reese, no- no listen to me."
"I think you two can use some privacy in another room." Lars interrupted, standing by the half opened door. "I can go rent at the reception for another vacant one if you like."
Raven awkwardly pushed Reese, his face going red from feeling embarrassed. "Ha-ha, no, err, she's about to go sleep. Isn't that right?" He laughed nervously. He turned to lead the Zoidian girl to the other room that he noticed just suddenly shut, making things awkward for him even more. They were watching?
The maverick cleared his throat, trying as much as possible to look calm. "Let's get you to bed."
He opened the door to the girls room where he saw Moonbay and Fiona seemingly minding their own business. "Um…"
"Oh hey," Moonbay grinned. "Reese looks like she needs a little help getting tucked to bed. She can take the other bed, Fiona and I can sleep in the other."
"O-Okay." Raven held Reese by the hand and brought her to the bed stationed near the window and helped the Zoidian lay down. "Get some sleep."
Just as when he was about to leave, he felt his hand grabbed by the sleepy blue Zoidian. "What is it?"
"Seems like she isn't going to let you out, Raven." Fiona mused. "Perhaps you should spend the night next to her."
"That's a bad idea." Raven said anxiously. This is so embarrassing…
"She looks pretty tired to me. Look, she's already asleep." Said Moonbay. "Plus the boy's room is probably cramped now so you should just sleep on that bed with her. She's your girlfriend after all."
Raven flushed at what he heard but didn't say anything to deny it.
Moonbay had turned off the night lamp on their spot and tucked herself under the sheets next to Fiona. "Good night."
"Right." Raven mumbled.
He unclasped his hands from the Zoidian, turned to close the door and returned to lay down on the bed beside his unconscious girlfriend before retiring for the night.