Hi! C'est moi, and I'm not dead! I haven't forgotten about the story at all; I just didn't wanna turn in some crap that didn't make any sense, know what I mean? But this part is longer than the other two combined, so I hope this somewhat makes up for the tardiness, and I hope that you think it was worth the wait.
I also wanna address a question that was asked about the story – not really a question, more of a statement – about this particular portrayal of Aisha's family. Well, we pretty much know a little bit about the pasts of the other heroes of Outlaw Star (Gene's father – and presumably mother – are dead, so are Jim's, probably, Suzuka's family was killed by that pirate, and we all know what Melfina ends up being), but we really don't know much about Aisha, other than the fact that she was Ambassador Plenipotentiary (what exactly is that anyway?) to the Ctarl-Ctarl empire. So that can leave a lot of possibilities as to how she was raised. I'm gonna get into a really long and boring tangent here, so my short answer is that I'm basically a drama queen.
So with out further adieu, here is part three of "Reminiscing About You" – Can This Day Get Any Worse?
(Before you start, kalla sa kum and kalum so kum is fake-ass made up Ctarl-Ctarl speak for "good afternoon" in the formal sense.)
During the late afternoon, Aisha was finally allowed to leave the gray stone monolith that served as her institution for learning after yet another suspension due to her inattentiveness. Outside, the Red Ruby patiently sat on the cusp on the northern horizon, waiting for all the children to get home safely before it could slink into the oblivion. The warm winds and chirping chara-charas (a type of insect) made the transition to the summer season pleasant. But for the eleven-year-old, the beautiful atmosphere meant nothing to her as long as Nani was missing.
Barely containing her anger, she slammed the entranceway shut, then kicked her school bag and watched them hop down 64 steps to the base. When it finally lost momentum, she looked down on it as well as its spilled contents. Her personal copy of the Ctarl-Ctarl virtues, practically untouched from the day she received it, lay there like a heavy rock. There was also her military history textbook, whose contents actually interested her. And then there was her record of behavioral progress, which she actually considered leaving there, for she did not want to face her parents, especially without Nani there…
While most of her classes were computerized and she recorded her notes in her pocket computer, Aisha often brought a small notebook anyway, mostly so that she could doodle when the class got tedious. When it made its impact on the bottom of the steps, the book opened and its pages mindlessly flapped in the calm and gentle wind. When it slowed down, the sheets settled down, and an unfinished sketch of Nani was displayed. By the time Aisha reached for the notebook after collecting her other belongings, the sight of her caretaker's calm features mixed her burning rage with an endless sense of sadness. It wasn't so much that Nani was gone, but that her disobedience was the cause of it. And due to the fickleness of her mother, those servants who displeased her in some way were not merely discharged from the household. They were terminated permanently.
During her parents' childhood – the old regime – the servants were considered dispensable (as they could always be replaced), so killing them was a common thing. But as times and technology made the Ctarl-Ctarl intergalactic empire one to be feared throughout space, some of the older, more barbaric traditions were scrapped, for what good would come from destroying those who made up the backbone? The nobles' circles throughout the Empire lived by their own rules, however, since next to the government, they had the most power, and next to the growing business class, they had the most money. However, this tradition was currently out of vogue within their group, and Aisha often wondered why Lyxiana still continued this.
Aisha still held onto her notebook as her eyes held on to hot burning tears when a tall shadow cast above her.
"Kalla sa kum, Aisha."
Aisha's head shot up in surprise. She quickly wiped her tears and saluted, allowing her eyes meeting his.
"Kalum so kum, Officer Dendrus!"
This imposing yet shy Ctarl-Ctarl was the main reason for her interest in the military. He was a member of the famed Pylarine unit who single-handedly took down a Kei pirate base, which tried to set up a trading site for illegal weapons. While Lieutenant Daedlus the commanding officer took most of the credit, 19-year-old Dendrus Feran did not seem to mind. In fact, he was glad his supervisor had the adoring throngs, for he had yet to discover a naked female in his bedroom.
"You don't look so happy, Aisha. Is everything okay?"
"Um, yeah," said Aisha in response, cursing herself for not hiding her emotions well. "It's just that…"
"You were suspended again, weren't you?"
"WELL, IF YOU HAD TO SIT THROUGH THESE STUPID CLASSES LIKE I DO, YOU'D BE BORED OUT YOUR DAMN MIND TOO!!"
"Aisha – " he started, but knew that until her fuse ran out, it was simply no use to interrupt.
"I mean, why do I HAVE to learn all about this STUPID CRAP when it has NOTHING to do with ANYTHING?!! And PLUS, the teachers HATE me, ESPECIALLY that human one who doesn't know (expletive deleted) from (expletive deleted)!! When I learn how to transform properly, I swear to Skuld (hey, somebody's gotta worship them – ed.), he will have to face THE POWER OF THE CTARL-CTARL!!!"
Dendrus tried again to get her attention, but no luck.
"I WILL (expletives deleted) RIP ALL OF THEM TO SHREDS, ALL OF THEM!!! I AM GONNA GET JUSTICE FOR NANI, I SWEAR I WILL! I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS…I don't care anymore…"
When she calmed down, Aisha explained the Nani situation to Dendrus, who listened attentively. Aisha then let out a cleansing sigh when she finished talking.
"I can certainly see why you're upset, but if you want to be involved with the military, you can't let your emotions get the best of you, otherwise you'll wear yourself out easily."
"I know, Dendrus, but it's the only way I know how to react!"
"You are going to have to learn how to control your anger, then," he calmly responded.
"Yeah, that's easy for you to say. You don't get mad at anything!"
"Now that is not true at all!" Dendrus' blueberry eyes searched for an example. "For instance, I get mad when Daedlus parades his latest girlfriend around like a trophy."
"I thought you didn't like girls, Officer." Aisha sounded so innocent, yet a hint of a devilish smile graced her small lips.
A giant sweatdrop formed on Dendrus' forehead, drenching him. After he dried two seconds later, he turned a bright shade of red.
"Um…that's not the point. The point is that he treats them like garbage, and yet they stick around, because he's famous, and they think that alone gives him the right."
"So why do you care if they're too stupid to leave him?"
"Because I know what it's like, Aisha, and so do you."
"But that's different! I make her do that!"
"No, it's because she can't control her temper either and your father is too scared to do anything about it!"
Aisha looked down on the ground; her eyes closed in shame. Dendrus sat next to her and put his arm around her.
"Aisha, you are the little sister that I never had."
"You have a baby sister, Dendrus."
"Then you are the one I wish my mother gave birth to. Look, if anything were to happen to you, I'd lose my mind. That's why I'd rather you stay with my family for a while."
"I can't leave my family," she responded, her voice cracking. "Plus, I have to know for sure if Nani is really…"
She really didn't want to cry, but she could not take it anymore. Dendrus tried to scoop her up into his strong arms, but Aisha stubbornly refused, and chose to weep softly in her lap. He tried to embrace her again; this time, it was a success. Aisha could not resist Dendrus' effect on her no matter how hard she tried. The combination of his strength and his soft voice made her feel so safe. But her family was her problem to deal with, and with that, she stiffened her posture as Dendrus finally let go of her.
"We should head out for the port; the ferry is almost here," she said as he helped her up.
"Is it almost dinner time already?" asked Dendrus. "Yes, we'd better get going. But before we do, I must give this to you. It'll make some sense once you read it."
He handed Aisha a small computer chip, apparently a message from someone. She placed the chip into its proper compartment, then turned her pocket computer on. As he started to go about his way, Dendrus yelled (a rarity in his case),
"Last one to the port has to clean my shoes for a month!"
Aisha gave him one of her trademark grins and they raced towards the port. When they got there, she squeezed the life out of him, then gave him a small peck on the cheek, which caused the strapping gentleman to blush again. The captain announced the last call for boarding, so Aisha hurried onto the boat and waved to Dendrus as it pulled out of the harbor.
"Bye, Dendrus! And tell Marcellus that I said hello!"
That last statement caused Dendrus' face to change into a deeper shade of red.
"Okay, Aisha, I certainly will."
"Wow, that made my day!" she squealed as the sea winds tickled her. "At least I'll have something to think about through dinner. I'd better behave tonight, or else I won't get anything to eat, cuz I'm STARVING!" She was interrupted by her compact computer, which beeped six times. "Great, I'm gonna have to rush again! And Caela is so frightened of everything; she doesn't know what she's doing half the time! *Sigh* I guess I'll have to manage. But wait, what's this?"
The chip that she installed automatically activated onto the screen. It read:
To: Lady Aisha Clanclan, Markos Island, The Pylarines
From: XXXXX
Re: I'm OK
Aisha,
It was not easy, but I got away from the guards. You needn't worry about me, for I am at a safe place now, but there is not much time. You might be a little confused now, but I will explain as soon as I can. No matter what happens, remember that I am always thinking about you, and that nothing can break our bond.
Love,
Nani
PS – Your room might be heavily guarded tonight, as they are still searching for me. Watch your back.
PPS – As soon as you finish reading this, DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS.
A few tears of happiness emerged from Aisha's eyes, ran down her cheeks to her chin, and dropped off onto her skirt.
He knew the whole time. Good old Dendrus.
She deleted the message and put her computer into her bag, as the ferry was approaching the dock of Markos Bay. She looked outwards for any sign of Caela or possibly her father (as her mother loved to spend hours in the bathroom brushing her long purple hair just enough to get that sheen). When she saw the blonde figure, she stood up and walked towards the entranceway of the boat.
Once the boat docked, Aisha rushed towards Caela, noticing that something about her appearance was not entirely right. When she got there, Caela's lifeless body dropped to the ground.
"Caela!" She tried shaking the servant, but it was no use. Somebody slit her throat.
And as the world turned black for Aisha Clanclan, she barely caught a glimpse of the culprit.
Don't you just love a tease?
*anvil falling on me*
I guess not. Ow, that hurt. Anyway, part four will be following sometime this week; I promise.
(Oh, and why is Caela dead? Because I think that Aisha likes to exaggerate about the abilities of the Ctarl-Ctarl race. But I may be wrong. Then again, I am still a drama queen; it runs in the family.)