Salem swabbed the decks... for four hours strait, only to start over from the front to the back over again. The rest of the members of AVALANCHE were about the ship, doing their daily activities. Cloud polished the blades of his swords and lengthy daggers. Cid, kept his hands busy by making a various types of random gadgets and gizmos. Yuffie walked about the ship, grabbing and napping random things that caught her attention. Shelke, was napping. Tifa, as usual, put herself to good work, cleaning the dishes so Salem would have less to do at the end of the day. And Stella, was at the controls of the SilverArrow. His arms were getting sore. Ryaz said nothing as he polished the floor behind Salem with a rag and floor polish. "I told you, kid. You didn't have to help me." Ryaz gave a modest smile. "It's the least I can do, Mr-" Salem turned with a correcting frown. "I mean... Salem..." Salem smirked a bit, as he turned back to mopping. "Your making me feel old, kid." Ryaz stopped his task for a moment and turned to Salem. "Um... If you don't mind me asking; how old are you?" "TOO old! Haha!" Cid cried out from his project. Salem chuckled a bit. "I lost count after thirty..." "But... Why? I mean... Do you a materia or something? You look very young..." Salem took a deep breath. "It's complicated, kid..." "Let's just say that Salem has his demons..." Stella said walking through the newly, undried polish that Ryaz had just laid. "That's that third time she has done that." Ryaz said hopelessly to himself. "Stop, Stella. The kid has polished the floor three times already!" Salem said slamming the broom stick to the floor, making it break in half. "Well!" Stella started, "He can do it again! And as for you! You can swab the deck with a crooked back!"
Salem lowered his head a bit in frustration. "Look..." He said as calmly as he could manage, but Stella would never left him get away with it, of course. "Look at what Salem?! Look at the dirty floor?! I see it!" "Damn it, Stella!!" He screamed out, holding himself from gripping his gun. "If you have a problem with me; DEAL with ME! Leave everyone else OUT of it!" Cloud stood to his feet, hiding his smiles. "You guys are funny to watch..." "Cloud..." Tifa said warning." Salem continued. "There is no damn reason to treat this kid ANY worse than me, chica.... Leave him alone..." Stella shot a cocking smirk at him as she took a step forward, looking up into his eyes... Cids' watched intently. "Uh oh..." Stella's violet eyes narrowed at his dark crimson orbs... "And If I don't..." The room grew deathly quiet, waiting for Salem's reaction. Salem gave a smirk. "You should know by now, woman; you don't scare me..." "I know..." She began, the smirk still curved on her lips, leaning into his ear. "But I know... You won't be able to resist me much longer, Cowboy." Salem chuckled a bit and whispered back. "You'd be surprised, chica." Stella nodded a bit as she turned to walk away. "You may continue..." "We aren't working anymore, Stell. We're done..." Stella turned with a angered expression, pointing her finger. "You will be done when I SAY you are done, Valentine! I don't run a soup kitchen, this is a ship! EVERYONE has a job!" "Like who?! Dear gods! PLEASE, tell me what Cid is doing?! What about Cloud?!" Stella Snapped back. "Tifa-!" "TIFA is helping ME out, so I don't have that much to do!" Salem turned a bit to Ryaz and then back to Stella. "Don't you think we should be PREparing to save my brother?!" "Look, cowboy. I am just as ready to save him as the next guy, but what I say, GOES." "Your JUST pissed off that I'm not falling for your CRAP anymore!" Salem blurted. The room grew silent again for almost a minute, the two staring one another down, sending hate rays through their skulls. Everyone watched them for a minute before Shelke through the back hall from her cabin to the JOHN, "You guys fight like your married..." the door shut as Cloud chuckled under his breath. Ryaz stood to his feet and made his way to the hallway. "Where are you going?!" Stella demanded. "To get my things ready..." "For what, kid?" Salem questioned. "I realize that I'm only in the way of you guys. I'll get my stuff together and where ever you stop will be where I get off." Salem shook his head. "Kid-" "It's okay, Mr-.... Salem... I'll find a way around." He made his way to the room and shut the door. "Salem gave a dead stare at Stella. "You see..." "See what?! What is there to see? He wants to leave!" Salem shook his head."Go in there and tell him he can stay?!" "And if I don't?!" Salem thought for a moment. The kid had no place to go... and there was chance he could make it back to Fayte alive. He gave a sigh as he looked at his steel toed boots. "Alright," He whispered lifting his gaze to her. "If you let the kid stay on board, we'll..." The room silent for the next part, the anticipation burning on Cids face. Salem turned away from the crowd and grew even more silent. "We'll... Talk..." Stella smirked, "That's what I wanna hear, Cowboy..." She said before strolling off, whistling a happy tune... Once the woman stepped into the room with the boy, Cid gave a chuckle as he continued his work, "You just made a deal with the devil, son... Bless your damned soul..."