-1Chapter Eleven:
Watching From The Shadows.
Two weeks passed since Jamie-Lu was in the hospital. As he had promised he was training so hard. He moved from teacher to teacher for an hour every day, starting with Aerrow. They stood across from each other on the soft matted floor of the gymnasium. Aerrow felt the cool air conditioned air brush lightly against his bare chest. His loose fitting pants made it easier to move. Across from him quite a distance was Jamie-Lu. He was bare chest as well wearing the same pants. His long bangs were tied back from his eyes by a bandana.
The breathing exercises were helpful. It made it easier to focus. Jamie-Lu breathed in deeply and then out. He had difficulty grasping the hand to hand combat, being a non violent sort it wasn't in his nature. Aerrow flexed his muscles and pushed his hands out in front of him. Jamie-Lu followed his lead. Aerrow was able to recognize why Jamie-Lu was having difficulties with Sky Fu. Jamie-Lu would forever hold back not wanting to hurt Aerrow. It was something he was just going to have to overcome.
Piper stood by the door looking through the glass. Since he had returned to Condor she had watched Jamie-Lu and followed him. No matter what she did she couldn't clear him from her mind. Every time she would sit down to work. Her mind would go back to him. It wasn't just the power, but his incredible kindness that caught her by surprise. When she wasn't training she would follow him from teacher to teacher hidden in the shadows. Her orange eyes traced his form as he met Aerrow in the center of the mat. Aerrow offered up a quick and light combo of punches. Like a graceful dance Jamie-Lu responded by blocking each and every one of the attacks.
"Good, good, now attack me." Aerrow said throwing another punch.
Jamie-Lu responded with a three punch combo which Aerrow just batted away as he responded. "No no Jamie, you have to let me have it. Don't pull your punches, I can take whatever you can dish out at this stage."
Jamie-Lu nodded and threw two kicks followed by a punch, they were hard and well timed. Aerrow smiled as he had a little bit harder of a time blocking them. Suddenly he groaned and felt Jamie-Lu sink a punch into his ribs. Aerrow took a step back in enough time to feel something tear into his other side. It felt like a cat scratched him. Three trickles of blood dripped as he gripped his side and held up his hand to yield.
Piper gasped loudly and covered her mouth as she ducked away from the window in the door. Starling looked at her and raised and eyebrow as she walked through the door.
Jamie-Lu knelt down next to Aerrow placing his hand on the three scratches. "Oh my god, I'm so…so sorry. Forgive me!"
"No, that was good Jamie. You completely took me by surprise. The punch-kick combo was good. Although we're going to have to do one of two things." Aerrow flopped down on his side so that the wound was up.
Starling raced over to Aerrow to look at the wound before she walked over and got the first aid kit from the wall before returning to Aerrow's side to look a the wound. Her green eyes glinted in the bright lights of the gymnasium as she looked up at Jamie-Lu's face which was riddled with guilt.
"What are we going to do Aerrow?" Jamie-Lu panted out quietly.
"We can either get you some form of shoes to wear, or clip your toenails." Aerrow chuckled before he winced at the feeling of the antibacterial oil hit the three wounds.
Starling giggled gently as she rubbed the oil into his wounds. Jamie-Lu did his best to not smile. Aerrow looked over at Starling and winced again as he breathed in through his teeth.
"Wow, that really stings, how deep are they?" Aerrow asked as he lightly hit the mat a few times with and open palm.
"Oh stop it you big baby, they're not that deep. I'll be done in a few moments." Starling giggled softly as she continued to work the ointment in.
Aerrow looked back up at Jamie-Lu and smiled. "Good one champ, this round is yours, you're excused. Go see if Junko needs any help in the kitchen."
"Yes sir." Jamie-Lu bowed before he smiled widely and started walking to the door.
Piper jolted a bit and darted away slipping behind a locker full of cleaning supplies. Jamie-Lu whistled a soft tune as he walked by pulling on his black tank top. Piper counted to ten before she followed him making sure that she stayed out of sight. Jamie-Lu walked into the kitchen and was greeted with a big bear hug. His arms pinned to his side so he could defend himself. He groaned out before he was set back down hard.
"Good morning to you too Junko." Jamie-Lu grunted as he sniffed the air, the smell of pastries and bananas filled the room.
Radarr squeaked out and stood up juggling three eggs for Jamie-Lu. "Cool Radarr, maybe sometime you can train me how to do that. I bet you know a lot of neat things."
Radarr nodded firmly as he leaned all the way back making a bridge with his body before rocking himself up on to his hands and walked that way towards Jamie-Lu. Jamie-Lu and Junko clapped loudly. Radarr quickly leaned over and did a few more flips before he landed and bowed down low.
"That was awesome Radarr." Junko said flipping a large pancake.
"Do you need any help Junko?" Jamie-Lu asked bumping knuckles with Radarr.
"Yeah, if you want to make the eggs and finish the boar sausages that would be great thanks." Junko said laying the pancake down on top of a small stack he was building.
Piper watched from the door way a smile drifting to her lips. Jamie-Lu gingerly cracked the eggs into a bowl. He was so gentle with everything he did, even when it came to beating the eggs he whisked them lightly. Junko turned and saw Piper standing in the door. Before he could say anything she quickly put her finger over her lips. Junko nodded slowly and smiled at her giving her a wink.
Jamie-Lu poured the eggs into skillet with the sizzling butter and started sautéing them making sure to stir them so they wouldn't stick. Junko nodded and put his hands on his hips, before quickly flipping the next pancake. Radarr worked to cut some oranges in half. Starling and Aerrow walked through the door, both of them looking at Piper as the past, her cheeks flushed red. Piper smacked her forehead before followed them into the kitchen. Finn slowly walked into the room, his guitar was slung over his shoulder and his hair was tied back with a bandana.
"Mornin' everyone. I hope I didn't rock you out too hard this morning." Finn jested as he sat down on the chair between Piper and Starling.
"Nope can't say you did, I was too busy getting my butt kicked by Jamie-Lu." Aerrow admitted as Jamie-Lu scooped a pile of eggs onto his plate.
"Whoa that's trippy. You got beat by Jam?" Finn asked genuinely shocked.
"Yes it was quite impressive." Starling adding as she giggled holding her plate out for Jamie-Lu as he put some eggs on her plate.
"It really wasn't that impressive I got lucky. Otherwise Aerrow would have mopped the floor with my face." Jamie-Lu chuckled as he put a scoop of eggs on Piper's plate.
Junko distributed the pancakes one for everyone, while Radarr handed out a half of an orange to everyone. Before he plopped himself down in a chair. Stork came walking in smelling the air as a smile traced across his lips. It had been the smell of the banana pancakes that had brought him from the bridge. Junko slipped into a chair as he looked at the food. Jamie-Lu came over with sausage links for everyone placing the whole plate in the center of the long table. Piper perked up as she lightly patted the empty chair next to her. Jamie-Lu moved over to sit next to her. There was a little bald strip above his eyebrow from where he hit his head, he was a little self conscious about it and used his headband to cover it up. He picked his fork up in his still bandaged hand.
The meal was carried out in a quiet and orderly fashion. There were a few side conversations, but nothing big until Finn looked up from his plate pushing it aside.
"So who ya training with next Jam?" Finn asked as he finished his orange.
"Well I've not prepared anything to be honest. I don't really have a whole lot I can teach him anymore." Junko responded as he finished his pancake.
"Aw come on big guy there is plenty you can teach him." Finn chimed in as he looked at Jamie-Lu.
Stork cleared his throat as he pulled a book from his pocket laying it down on the table. "Your training from me involves reading this book from cover to cover. Make sure you study it too I will be having a test. Failure spells certain D-O-O-M."
The book wasn't that large, but the ominous black cover worried him a bit. "The Black Gorge Survival Guide?" Jamie-Lu whispered quietly.
"Yes, the test has a thousand questions on it. You can miss roughly zero, if you miss any you have to read the book again and retake the test, until you get all of the questions right." Stork pushed his plate away and got up from the table disappearing through the door.
"I don't think he likes me very much?" Jamie-Lu said picking up the book before placing it in his lap.
"Don't worry dude, he doesn't like a lot of people." Finn laughed as he stood up from the table.
"Well I guess I'll start studying after I'm done with Piper, Finn, and Starling's lessons." Jamie-Lu looked over at Starling.
"Well kiddo if you take my class next we're going to have to stop off at a Terra with a large water mass. I'm going to teach you how to swim." Starling took a small bite of her pancake.
"I don't know if I like this. I don't think Blizzarians were meant to swim." Jamie-Lu finished his eggs.
Starling giggled and nodded. "But you're not the average blizzarian are you? Anyway it does matter, if you're going to fly then you have to be able to swim. If your ride gets destroyed and you parachute into the water, you're going to want to be able to swim right?"
"The funny thing about flying is. Well I have a confession to make. I'm afraid of heights, if you haven't noticed I don't ever really go close to the windows unless I have to. And it took a lot of pleading and begging from Suzy to even get me on the Condor." Jamie-Lu wrung his hands in front of him.
"Acrophobic huh? That's alright we'll help you with that." Piper added as she lightly gripped his shoulders.
"Its nothing to be embarrassed about, not everyone was made for the skies. But you will be soon I promise you." Aerrow said pushing himself away from the table.
Starling reached over and touched Piper's shoulder beckoning her towards Jamie-Lu giving her a sly smile before she got up from the table. Piper blushed softly and rubbed the back of her neck before getting up and stretched looking over at Jamie-Lu.
"Well I guess you'll go to Finn's lesson next, than mine, and finally Starling. I think we could head to Terra Tropica and be there by the time he's done with mine and Finn's lessons." Piper explained as she started gathering up the dishes.
"That sound awesome to me. When you're done eating dude, come to my room." Finn said as he stretched and walked out into the hall.
"Wow, he certainly knows what he wants doesn't he?" Jamie-Lu took another bite of his food.
"Well if he doesn't I know who does." Junko chuckled as he shoveled the last bit of his food into his mouth.
"What?" Jamie-Lu cocked his head his ears laying down a bit.
Piper lightly bumped into Jamie-Lu as she shot Junko a grimace. "Oh sorry Jamie. Here let me get that plate so I can wash it."
Starling winked at Aerrow and giggled at her reaction to Junko's comment. Jamie-Lu watched as she pulled the half full plate away. His mouth slipped open as she tried to stop her, but she was already away from the table as he looked down at the table where his plate was.
"Well I guess I'm done eating." Jamie-Lu looked up at Radarr who was carrying the rest of his pancake over to him. "Aw thanks Radarr."
Radarr climbed up on Jamie-Lu's head and played with his bandana as Jamie-Lu continued to eat. Starling lightly rested her hand on Jamie-Lu's shoulder giving him a smile as she started towards the door. Aerrow nodded and cocked his head for Radarr to join him. Radarr shook his head and then sighed hugging Jamie-Lu's head before heading off. Aerrow walked out of the room. A moment later Junko got up and gave Jamie-Lu a wave before leaving.
Piper turned and noticed that her and Jamie-Lu were alone again in the kitchen. A smile came to his lips as he finished eating Radarr's pancake. Piper's orange eyes darted around nervously as she walked back over to the table gathering a few more plates. Jamie-Lu cleared his throat and stood up from the table starting to collect some dishes.
"Um you should really get to your next lesson." Piper said softly as she spilt a cup of water.
"Alright, if your sure." Jamie-Lu put the plates back down and slowly walked towards the door his head hung.
He passed through the door and walked by Starling on his way to Finn's room as he rounded the corner Starling stepped back into the kitchen. Piper was quietly cursing herself as she put her hands on her hips.
"That wasn't the most smoothest move I've ever seen." Starlings soothing accent came out as she walked around the table to rest her hand on Piper's back.
"What are you talking about?" Piper looked at her out of the corner of her eye.
"Come on Piper do you think we're blind? You like him don't you?" Starling stepped around to look into her eyes.
"No, don't be foolish. I mean sure I like him as a friend, but that's it." Piper pulled away starting to pick up the plates again.
"Maybe your right, after how you acted when you were alone with him. He seemed pretty hurt when he left." Starling said in a matter of fact way.
"…Really?" Piper put the plates down and looked at Starling.
"Not that you would care. I mean I've only caught you several times over the last few days spying on him while he's training." Starling put her hand on her hip shook her head.
"Is it really that obvious?" Piper bit her bottom lip.
"Yes it is! I'm sure that even he sees it, because I think he feels the same way. You have to fix this, you hurt his feeling. Even if you don't end up with him, you still should be his friend." Starling sighed out softly and walked away.
"What should I do?" Piper moved up to grab Starling's shoulder.
Starling turned her head and looked at her from over her shoulder. "Simple, just meet him at Finn's room. Instead of a normal lesson. Take him to the main deck. Show him that there is nothing to be afraid of. It'll work out. Just spend time with him."
Piper nodded slowly as she looked around the room at all the dishes. "There's no way I'll be able wash all of these dishes before he gets out of Finn's lesson."
"Don't worry about. Junko and I've got it. Right Junko?" Starling looked over to the door as Junko stepped out from around the corner into the room.
"Yup, go ahead Piper and wait for him." Junko started stacking the dishes for the trip to the sinks.
"Thank you so very much." Piper sighed out as she lightly rubbed Starling's cheek before moving around the table to plant a kiss on Junko's cheek.
Junko blushed a bit as he chuckled. "Go get him Piper."
Piper walked out of the room and headed over to Finn room. Finn was always bad about leaving his door open which made it easier for Piper to sneak in and find a place to squat down so she could hear what they were talking about. Jamie-Lu strummed lightly along the strings of Finn's guitar testing his fingers with all the cords. Finn walked around the room listening to the timing and the tempo.
"Alright bud, sounds like you remember everything I've taught you." Finn turned on his heels and walked back over to Jamie-Lu.
"Hey Finn, not to question you or anything, but how is learning the guitar going to help me combat the bad guys?" Jamie-Lu asked running his fingers along the string making a soft low tone.
"Well dude, if you're going to battle the evil doers and so on and so forth. Your gonna have to clear your mind man. Rock and Roll is the only way to truly let it go. After you can give me a three minute death metal riff then I'll teach marksmanship, but not until I get the riff." Finn flipped his hands around wildly before adding a little air guitar into his conversation.
"Death metal riff, are you kidding me? That's going to take me years." Jamie-Lu grinded his fingers along the strings making a low wail sound.
"Oh alright party pooper, just sing a song then. Play the guitar and sing a song." Finn smiled as he lay out on his bed.
"I dunno last time I sang a song I almost destroyed the Condor." Jamie-Lu said softly as he started picking along the strings adding a soft tone that sounded more like a rhythm for a bard tale.
"Don't worry about it man, I'll be able to stop you if you get out of hand." Finn winked at him as he lay back on the bed.
Jamie-Lu swallowed hard as he started playing the strings a little quicker. He parted his lips and softly whispered a few words, shaking his head slowly as he missed rhyming some words. Finn turned and looked at him.
"Alright dude, just calm down and clear your head. Think of something important to you and focus on it. That's were the music comes from man." Finn said softly and evenly with the music.
Jamie-Lu continued to play, his fingers hurt a bit from pressing in on the strings. He cleared his throat and closed his eyes. The words were soft and shaky at first, but he gave himself into the music. Each word planted perfectly with the strings. Finn slowly stood up from the bed, his blue eyes moved along the room stopping on Piper giving her a nod and a smile as he looked back at Jamie-Lu.
A soft whine from the strings started a short guitar rift. Piper covered her mouth as she felt something rush through her. The familiar feeling of his sonic aura embracing her. Finn's eyes went wide as he felt it too. It resonated through the room. Slowly Jamie-Lu lifted off the ground floating weightlessly. Piper started breathing heavily as everything that had happened before was happening now. Piper lurched forward placing her hand gently against Jamie-Lu's cheek. His fingers scratched the strings as the aura dissipated and he fell to the floor on his backside.
Piper knelt down and ran her fingers along his forehead pulling the bandana free from his brow. Jamie-Lu slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. The swirling torrent of oranges and lavenders, Piper softly ran her fingers through his hair her orange eyes tracing over his.
"Piper, what are you doing here? You didn't hear me sing did you? I'm sorry." Jamie-Lu rambled out as she shook her head smiling warmly.
"I came to watch you. Of course I heard you sing, it was beautiful. Please don't be sorry." Piper continued to run her fingers through his hair.
"Dude you rock in the softest way possible. That was incredible, did it clear your mind and free your thoughts?" Finn jumped up and down cheering.
"You know…it did. I felt free for a moment." Jamie-Lu whispered softly as the orange glow started to dim giving way to his teal colored eyes.
"That was incredible. You had a little more control over your…gift. What important thing were you thinking of?" Piper asked as she gripped his hand helping him to his feet.
Jamie-Lu's ears lay down against his head as he looked at her. "Ask me again sometime."
"You sure like your secrets Jamie-Lu." Piper said softly, blushing as she pulled her hand away, realizing she was still holding his hand.
"Yeah." Jamie-Lu chuckled gently as he looked over at Finn, before handing the guitar over to him.
"Good job today buddy. Tomorrow we'll try it again same time same place." Finn slipped the guitar over his shoulder and lightly played along the strings.
Jamie-Lu lightly rubbed his backside as if it hurt a little from falling on the floor. Piper followed closely behind him as they walked into the hallway. Jamie-Lu periodically looked over at her before looking back to the floor. Piper slipped her arms around one of his arms pulling him along.
"Piper, what are you doing? Your room is back that way?" Jamie-Lu followed closely.
"I know it is. There's a new lesson I want to teach you. Do you trust me?" Piper said pulling Jamie-Lu into a small lift.
"Of course I do." Jamie-Lu blushed brightly as Piper pressed herself tightly to him her finger hitting the up button.
The lift moved up as a small hatch opened. The bright blue sky came into view forcing Jamie-Lu to squint a little. A heavy cool breeze filled the small lift chamber tossing his hair around. The lift dropped them off on the outside of the ship, there was cool breeze all around him. The smell of fresh air rushed through him. A tremble came to him as he gripped Piper tightly. She rested her hand lightly against his chest as she looked up at him.
"Its alright Jamie-Lu. I'm not going to let anything to happen to you. You said you trusted me." Piper slowly stepped away taking his hand.
Piper could feel his fingers trembling as he slowly followed her along the cold metal of the deck. Piper stepped up to the edge, she looked over down at the clouds below, a smile coming to her lips as she pulled him close to her. Jamie-Lu tried to pull away, but she held tightly to his hand. Her arms folded across the small of his back, he could feel the edge with his feet as he closed his eyes. A shiver running through him like wave. Piper continued to rub the small of his back.
"Its alright Jamie. I won't let you fall. I got you. Just open your eyes and look. It's beautiful." Piper whispered softly in his ear as he leaned away a little.
His teal eyes slowly opened as he looked deeply into hers, his bottom lip quivered as he glanced over the side, pulling away before gripping her tightly. Piper slowly pulled away, keeping her hand at his belly as she moved around to stand behind him wrapping her arms around him. Jamie-Lu could feel her rubbing her face lightly at his back. Jamie-Lu took a deep breath opening his eyes again as he looked down at the ocean of cloud below. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to slow his breathing.
"You're right Piper, its beautiful." Jamie-Lu panted out as he wrapped his fingers around her forearms squeezing them.
Piper nodded and whispered into his ear. "I told you, you could trust me to keep you safe. I failed once, I won't fail again."
Jamie-Lu closed his eyes and smiled brightly. "I never doubted you for a moment."
Jamie-Lu turned in her arms giving her a long gentle hug. Piper nestled her head against his cheek nuzzling softly to his warm fur. Stork smiled widely as he leaned away from the periscope. Junko and Finn leaned close with prying eye. Starling leaned on the table running a few fingers along Radarr's head. Aerrow cleared his throat and looked at Stork.
"What?" Stork asked as if he were frustrated, but the smile gave it all away.
"Well did they…you know?" Starling giggled as she looked down at Radarr who imitating a kissing sound.
"No, just a hug. But I'm sure words were exchanged of some meaning. I'm sure he won't be able to finish the assignment I gave him." Stork leaned back in his chair huffing a bit.
"Well it's a beautiful thing regardless. Hurry us onward to Terra Tropica. I'm sure we all deserve a little R&R under the beautiful sun." Aerrow said leaning against the window looking down at Jamie-Lu and Piper still holding each other.