Chapter 38

Returning back to the motel, in the nick of time, rain came and fortunately the pizza was preserved in a dry box. They set up the table, cleaning the surrounding place and making sure it had the necessities. A table at the center that separated the two beds that was on the left and right of the room. Everything was neat and clean, which can be attributed to Searcher Red's disciplined lifestyle. At the back of the room was a kitchen quarters or rather just a table with a sink and power plug. Beside the kitchen quarter was a door that would lead to the bathroom. A small yet packed clean bathroom that had seen better days. Regardless; it accommodated their needs which was to shower and excrete. A bathtub shower set, a toilet bowl and a sink to fill the requirements.

"So here's the place where you and Searcher Red stayed." Maya said. "This whole place is quite comfortable."

"Yep." Axton put the pizza and drinks on the table. "You're guy Red is really- how should I say it…"

"Over the top?" Maya finished the question.

"Well in a good way." Axton shrugged and took a few things on top of the table such as used food packets and pens. "Sure, I like to do stuff but that guy made sure everything squeaky clean. That guy got his shit together I tell you that. I mean he cooks good stuff out small things I never thought would be good. That Skag recipe never tasted anything better in Pandora."

"Yeah he's a good cook." Maya agreed.

"Could'ya prep some hot water, soda sometimes makes my throat dry." Axton pointed to the water heater.

"Sure." She said and went to the kettle. "Searcher Red is rough on the edges but always makes sure everything's okay. He's very sweet if you really know him."

"So you called him Searcher because he has some connection with your Siren thing?" Axton raised one brow.

"Yeah, I tell you about it later." Maya opened the lid of the kettle and checked the inside. She then filled it up and put it on its base then turned on the plug. "So what do you guys do together before this?"

"Hmm.." Axton recollects his memory. "Mostly just checking on me, seeing if there any bad signs to my health. Nothing big or serious."

"Is everything okay?" Maya walked to the table and sat opposite to Axton. "Do you have any problems?"

"Red said that I need to make sure to take care of my health and what not." Axton explained. "Other than that, Red just spend time by himself and tinkering around the motel and all. Very serious guy but knows when to play if he needs to."

"So are you okay?"

"I am." Axton nodded. "There's nothing to worry about. Fighting Alesia on the sideline was so hard on my mental side. I don't understand Siren stuffs but Red said everything will be okay. I just need to be more careful."

"Thank goodness…" Maya released a breath. "I thought it was so bad. That's good news."

"You know what's better news?" Axton stood up straight. "The fucking pizza we bought!"

Axton changed the mood instantly from serious to cheery in a matter of seconds. As soon as the pizza box was opened, the smell of freshly cooked pizza filled the whole room. The Commando and The Siren smelled the pizza and no one could say it was poorly made. The mere smell made their stomach churned. The gulped the sir saliva in; the stomach knows what it wants.

"Ladies first." Axton offered

"Thanks." Maya happily accepted.

The pizza in six pieces; beautifully and flawlessly done. Maya took one piece and pinched the corner with two fingers. She pulled the pizza and strings of cheese were stretched. Refusing to be separated but eventually it did. Maya could not help herself but awe and smile.

"That's so cool!" Maya exclaimed.

"Wait till you taste it." Axton wasted no time and took one piece. Similar to Maya's pizza, the cheese was stretched to the absolute limit."

Maya smelled the pizza again then took a bite. She had to pull her head away to break off the cheese. She chewed her food and the pizza was unlike any other. As of now, this was the best pizza that she ever had. The smile on her face could not be filled with more bliss.

With the presence of rain, it filled the quiet ambiance and also lowered the temperature to cooler degrees. Raindrops calmed the mood. The pizza finished quicker than expected, they chatted while they ate so time was non-existent. The only thing that was in the pizza box was only crumbs. With the large soda drink to be finished, they both left the table and sat at Red's bed of what would be Maya's sleeping place.

Axton already took off his jacket and just wore his light green T-shirt. Out of Axton's suggestion, they both share a single blanket together while they chit chat. Maya obviously didn't say yes yet also didn't say no. So being the cheeky man he was, Axton quickly put the blanket on top of their shoulders and sat closely at each other. Maya could only blush but she was liking the approach, never thought that being in love would be so sweet to the heart. Leg straight with no sox, their back leaned on the wall while having their beverages on one hand. The moment of the two just talking was a pleasant time to be alive.

Maya hoped that it would stay as such forever.

The conversation was diverse, from small things to deeper topics. From Maya's favourite colour to one of Axton's numerous scandals back in the day. They were friends before but Maya had never thought they could have such chemistry together. For some reason there was no tension or pressure between each other. No extra effort needed, they were just talking and sipping their sodas bit by bit.

Axton was a fellow, asking many things about her journey becoming and learning the true Siren way. What is going on in the cave? What is the training that Maya often told him? Maya was kind enough to tell him in a clear and simple way. She was a straightforward communicator but when it comes to Axton, there was an attempt to speak like normal friends would talk. And Axton was a keen listener, giving full attention.

From her life back to Pandora to the current teacher that she was currently learning which was Host Akari. She talked about The Searcher, Sirenos and Hewina, The Old Siren Society, Majoris and Minoris, The Three Fundamentals and many others. Exposing all the secrets as she trusts Axton to keep it. Just like Maya asking questions to Searcher Red; Axton too asks many questions. Well not as much as she was back in the early times.

"Holy shit!" Axton looked at her with excitement. "So it's more than just tentacle aliens. So basically you enter the cave and you're in another place? Like you see Eridians in real life?"

"No, the Eridians don't exist anymore. Is like an empty city with more Siren design. It's more Siren-ish?" Maya couldn't make the words. "It's called Tretho by the way."

"Tretho huh? Cool name." Axton tried to imagine the look of the place. "Does it have that ancient look?"

"More like nature with some earthy soil look."

"Well you lost on me on that Maya." Axton giggled by himself. "You must be happy finally getting what you want."

"Yeah…" Maya laughed awkwardly. "I am… happy about it."

Then it was all quiet. No continuation. Just pure silence. Axton gave an unconvinced look as Maya sipped her beverage while looking at the cup.

"Uhmm Maya." Axton nudged Maya with his shoulder. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." Maya nodded.

"I don't think you are."

Maya opened her mouth and tried to speak. She thought for a moment then faced Axton. "No, I'm not fine."

"Tell me about it then." Axton gave a smile.

"I don't know Ax, I feel off lately. Ever since I'm doing this training, there's something that I just can't say. Something's off. So different I don't know what it is about. Do you get what I'm trying to say? What you do you think?"

"Well you change a lot Maya. There should be something off since you already are different. I think it supposed to be like that."

Maya started to chew the straw. "I just don't know. There's something bothering… me."

Axton looked at her for a moment and observed. There was something that she wanted to say to him but it seemed that she was also the one that refused to tell. She doesn't want to force her but her insistence was bothering him the most. Axton felt that he was supposed to help her by just saying what she actually meant. Put down the walls that she usually built around with people. Maybe it's time that Axton was honest to her about what he thinks about her.

"Can I say something Maya?" Axton said.

"Yeah sure." Maya nodded and looked.

"You change a lot, most of them in a good way. You talk more, laugh more, not the usual angry Maya. But one thing I got to say, you look like you're lost."

The words sinked deep, she looked at her friend with nothing to say. Simply said yet profound.

"Look don't get me wrong, you're the best that I've seen by the way you talk and look. But damn, I think you're kinda shook." Axton added. "Remember back when we met the first time, on the Hyperion train. You were so serious, focused and determined. Now you're loose too much that you can't even talk."

"How do you know?"

"I tried to flirt with you but you rejected me."

"Pfftt…." Maya held her laugh. "Yeah I was like that back then."

"Are you happy Maya?"

"Yes I am." Maya smiled.

"Are you really happy?" Axton asked again.

The smile faded; she continued to chew the straw. "No, I'm not happy." She mumbled.

Axton leaned closer towards her and spoke sweetly like sugar. "What's on your mind?"

"I don't know. Host Akari pointed out many times but the thing is, I don't know and I'm not so sure about it. I was already like this in the beginning. Just like you said."

"Hey Maya."

"Yes?"

Axton held her hand and laced his fingers together with hers. "We got all night."