Funny, how fast they got into troubles again. It wasn't new, not at all but each time Yasuo wondered how they managed to achieve this. Right now, it was indeed troubles but in another way than the usual.
While the crew was busy paying food and supplies at some far off station, someone came to them. Asking for help.
From the start he knew that whole thing would turn bad, as soon as it involved them. But there was a request for help, specially for him. A strange lady, weird clothing and aura. He had travelled a lot yet he wasn't very familiar with that kind of clothing. Classy, in a way. From upper class or something like that.
But what took him long to understand was that she couldn't speak. Instead, she seemed to manipulate a small ball of ora to form letters, sentences. Someone able to shape ora. That was impressive.
So they learned her name was Sona, as she did her thing and explained her reasons for being here. Because yes, someone like her stood out a lot in this dusty city in the middle of nowhere.
She had been looking for Yasuo.
Why me ? First reaction of course. Not like he wasn't searched by imperial forces for a crime. For someone running away to the point of stealing a ship, weird to forget about it. Whatever.
In fact, it was deeper and worse than he could imagine. She heard of him by Yone. His brother. Sona told how the Empire – well, one of its Ordinal in particular – was looking for her. Because of a story about cults, stuff like that. Yasuo didn't understand it. They succeeded though and she only managed to escape with the help of a brave man who died in the process. Yone. Whose murder was assigned on Yasuo.
Now he knew why he was accused but it didn't lessen the pain in any way. Even after these years the desire for vengeance was still strong, burning flame that would disappear only once he found the truth. Against all odds he had a new piece of information. A name. Kayn. Murderer and also Sona's captor.
Some people would say their destinies were tied now, in a way Yasuo couldn't realize yet. But it did gave him a reason to get her in the ship as protection. The other two had of course their words to say – Jinx complained a lot at the beginning – but in the end they agreed to help. All it took was to convince Jinx it would be dangerous, maybe even risk their lives. Enough to get her overmotivated. Sometimes it scared Yasuo to be able to guess how she would react, knowing how chaotic her temper was.
Also, it wouldn't be nice to abandon a lady of the sort in such a place.
Time that followed was rather odd but they got back to the routine. The first days there was a lot of talk – if we may qualify Sona's participation as such – about the Empire and how far they were at the moment. To tell the whole story too. Because that was so complicated.
For Yasuo, to hear she knew Yone was enough to trust her and help as much as he could. Even better because it would give him an occasion to avenge his brother. A lot of emotions happened these days.
Odd also because they had a new person living in the ship, with them. Yes, they had to find a room for Sona and that was the toughest thing of the week. Jinx could have let her her own room, not trusting her other crewmates but it was too difficult for her to chose what to move into her workshop. At last they converted another storrage to make it nice enough.
What had been really entertaining was when Yi resumed his visits, just to run into their new guest by accident. On his part, he wasn't surprised for he saw the latest events but it nearly gave Sona the scare of her life. Excuses, to see a sort of god or whatever materializing in the corridor leading to their 'conversation spot'. Profuse apologies on either sides, enough noise to get Yasuo's attention and bring him to this confused scene. Then she went on her way and Yi resumed their habit.
« I see you have a new guest. Sona, am I wrong ? »
« Yup, indeed. Poor girl came to us asking for help. The damned empire is chasing her for knowledge or whatever. They seem to think she's valuable. »
Sitting at their usual place, quiet time shared like they used to before. Yasuo still felt it, that emptiness in his chest when looking at the latter despite hoping it would go away. The habit remained, for he couldn't stop this link in any case. Longing, for someone staying so close yet there had been not more attempt at contact. A pity.
At least they had their conversations.
« Yes, I heard her story. And the part about your brother. »
Again a flash of pain, right through the heart. He would never heal completely.
« I…I didn't know you had a brother and even less that such a sad thing would befall you two. My apologies. » The tone was soft, the same one used in private if he could call it that way. When the others weren't here.
Yasuo brushed that away with a small waving : « Nah, it's not your fault. Yone was a good person, I'm sure you would have enjoy talking with him rather. »
« Rather than you ? »
Emotion strained is voice a little so he nodded instead. Not that tearing pain but rather the slow melancholia from the loss of family.
« Don't think like that. You're a good person too, no matter your choices and point of view over it. This is how I consider you anyway. Also, we would never find out what you suggest, it's already past. »
« Well, no doubt he did better things than me. Even died helping someone else. The comparison is difficult here but I'm sure you're just gonna kick me if I keep going. »
« Maybe not to that level of violence but I would consider. …Yasuo, do you blame yourself for his death ? »
That shit hurt, more than before. Had never phrased it this way but the concept wasn't unknown to him. Now that it was said. Looked away on reflex, a new wave of sadness. Maybe.
Despite trying not to, he saw Yi shifting closer, at the limit of contact.
« You don't have to answer, if that's too painful. I understand this mustn't be easy to bear, even less when it's about family. »
« I don't know. Yes, maybe. Who knows ? I guess things would have been different if I had tried behaving at least instead of pushing him away. I don't know, I don't know… » It burst out a little louder than he intended but he managed to get this out. So long since he thought about Yone for such time.
Yi stayed silent for an instant before speaking again : « Again, we can't know how events would have followed in another path. You have regrets but it's important not to focus too much on the past. You can't bring him back but you can honor his memory. So this bring us to Sona. Do your best to protect her and you will finish what your brother started. »
This rang in his mind, awaited words that he didn't know he needed. It was true, he still could do something right. Again, Yi left him speechless for his rationality. How it helped, even so slightly. There was still some comfort to be found in the most unexpected places.
One day, intrigued by Yi not being there after waiting, he found him in another place of the ship. A certainly interesting conversation in the kitchen, between him, Sona and Jinx, the three of them at the table.
Fine, he wasn't expecting that one.
« Hey…Didn't see you come so I guessed you were busy. » Always strange to notice that change of tone when adressed to Yi. He tried not to keep that but failed when not thinking.
« Ah, my apologies. I was curious about Sona so we went to talk a little. I planned to join you in any case. »
« Don't worry, captain. We're not keeping your boyfriend for too long. » Jinx never missed an occasion to mock or just tease, before laughing.
« Fuck off. » And an intimidating gesture along with a glare, though it wouldn't be so effective.
Sona stayed quiet of course, peaceful presence in the room while the others started swearing. It was Yi who interrupted the sort-of fight, standing up.
« Please, don't use such vocabulary. Yasuo, let's move somewhere else. » This put an end both to their previous conversation and this start of fight, indeed shutting them up.
« Okay, okay. » Ready to get back from where he came, this time with Yi.
Before they left, he adressed them a goobye. « To a later occasion. It was a pleasure. »
Silence filled the corridor as they walked by, Yasuo somehow still flustered by that traitorious assumption Jinx made. Damn her.
But once again, it was without counting Yi's quiet question.
« Boyfriend ? »
NO ! He picked that up !
« That's not true ! She didn't mean it, t'was just a joke ! Don't…forget about it please. » Ending with a sigh. That was too much bullshit for this day.
He received a strange gaze in return but Yi said nothing more till they arrived to their spot. It wasn't even mentionned for the rest of the day as Yasuo tried to avoid this topic the best he could.
How stressing, couldn't he have a break sometimes ? This was too much to think about. A new guest, someone to protect and potentially the whole imperial army coming after them for this. Why everything happened so much ?
If it wasn't overwhelming enough, soon they would have some unpleasant visit. From a certain Ordinal, ready to get back what he considered his.