The present
A soft wind blew from the west as the Outlaw Star landed on what was formerly known as the island Malstus. Normally, most human ships, much less outlaw ships, would not be allowed on Ctarl soil. However, due to Aisha's status as Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the State, they entered into the atmosphere with relatively little difficulty.
After Gilliam scanned the surface to make sure everything was fine, the ship's portal opened, and out came Gene Starwind and Melfina. While Gene, in his heart, knew that he had to mature in order to have a complete relationship with Mel, it took him a while before he actually learned how to act upon it. The minute the crew returned from the Leyline, Gene returned to his reliable old ways of drinking and womanizing, while Jim had to clean up after him. One restless night, as a drunken Gene stumbled towards the headquarters of Starwind and Hawking, Melfina stood outside, fully dressed with a suitcase in her hand.
She calmly told him that she thought he wanted to change. He replied, well yeah, but -
She abruptly stopped him, reminding him of the state he was in: drunken, and smelling like piss.
Then she told him that with all they've been through together, he continued to act selfishly and recklessly, and it was time that she moved on.
For the first time in his life since his father's death, Gene broke down in tears.
He begged Melfina not to leave him alone, because there was no one in the world who loved him like she did.
Melfina could not pretend to be hardened anymore. She kneeled down beside Gene and pulled him in for a hug. Then she explained that she felt like she was a little girl in a woman's body, and it was time she learned to adjust to living in the world.
Gene then reminded her of the danger she would put herself in. What about the MacDougall brothers, he asked?
She simply said she would deal with that if and when that time should come. After helping him up, she told him it was time she learned how to take care of herself. And it was time for him to do the same.
The only response Gene had for her was a tight, long hug.
Melfina knew this was the most difficult decision she had to make. She was going to miss everyone - and everything about them.
Despite herself, she joked that what she would miss most about Gene was the way he subtly rubbed himself on her, as he was doing now.
Gene's mouth dropped in shock and his face turned red. He then realized how much Melfina had grown and he didn't even notice.
A long kiss followed. Then he told her that he loved her, and that he hoped she would come back someday.
A sad smile formed on Melfina's face, as she said, "I know, despite the things you do, that you love me. And I love you too."
Then she walked away.
The next few years, were, to say the least, were depressing. Without Melfina's cheerfulness (and cooking skills), the morale of the Outlaw Star crew took a dive. Not only that, with each mission, the debt that was owed to Fred Luo kept on growing, and it seemed that there were only two options left:
1. Turn the business over to Fred for him to receive all profits.
2. Gene and/or Jim become Fred's bitches.
The second suggestion came from an annoyed Suzuka, who growled at Gene, "I should have lopped your head off in the first place," before jumping ship for good (though she visited them from time to time). Gene and Jim went for the first option. Which was one of the biggest mistakes of their lives.
While Fred still considered Gene to be simply gorgeous (even though his hair was chopped off), he found himself looking over Jim's physique more and more. Though he simply did not carry Gene's musculature, his thin frame was well-toned, almost to the point of fat being nonexistent. His hair was at a conventional length, so that one could be able to see the deepness of his cobalt-blue eyes without any difficulty. Despite Fred's leerings and come-ons, Jim had no need to heed them.
In the distance, there was someone else watching him.
For the past seven years, Aisha Clanclan was her own form of rage. A day in her life would not, could not pass by, unless she yelled at somebody. But all of that was to avoid the true feelings in her heart.
She had fallen in love with Jim.
She could not take it anymore. Why did there have to be a seven year age distance between them? Even when she first met him when he was 11 and she just turned 18, she knew there was a wisdom inside that belonged more to a man who knew the ways of the world than a growing child. On some aspects, she was correct. But then she realized that he still was a young child, and a human child at that. It would take some time for him to fully mature, and it was driving her crazy.
She was one of the many who noticed his physique. She was also one of the few who appreciated, though did not quite understand, his brainpower. And she liked to believe she was the only one who was touched by his kindness. She believed that it was him who allowed some sense of Ctarlity to come back into her life.
But for every answer that love provided her, there were many more questions left unanswered. As the days went on and her love went silently unrequited, the world around her continued to spin as she continued to yell at those who did not even understand why she was yelling.
It was Jim's sweet sixteen. As Gene was cheap, Fred decided to throw the party at his villa on Sentinel 5, which was seen by the eyes of only a select few. As Jim really was quite shy and did not have many friends, Fred decided to invite some of his own, causing Jim to scramble for a safe place to hide.
He ran out of the villa towards the pool area, empty because it was in repair. He stopped to catch his breath when he noticed a trail of dark liquid on the ground. As there was little light, he could barely make out what it was, though he had an idea of what it was. As he followed it into the maze of hedges, he hoped to be proved wrong.
The world as he knew it changed completely when he saw Aisha banging her head against a pole. She was trying to crack her head open, which was the only way a Ctarl-Ctarl could die.
A few days later, Aisha roused from her coma to find herself on a military cot. She was home – or as close to home as she could get. She was stationed in Yyow-Yyow Military Hospital on Sentinel 4. Surrounding her were Jim, holding her hand; Gene, who actually managed to be sober; Dendrus and Marcellus, who came all the way from the Pylarines; Fred, pretending to be concerned while all the while making advances towards Dendrus; Suzuka, sipping her herbal tea; and as a wonderful surprise, Melfina.
The nurse explained to them that the former Lady Ambassador would require at least a month in the hospital for full physical recovery. Mental recovery, however, would take a lot longer.
What do you mean, asked Jim in apprehension.
The nurse shrugged, and left.
The next month later, Aisha was allowed to convalesce at Dendrus' home. Jim's instincts told him there was something really wrong with his friend, so he thought it would be best if he stayed with her until she got better. He had a hard time pretending not to hear the whispers and stares at the hospital. When he asked Dendrus what was going on, the only response he got was that Aisha really cared about him, but she was going through a lot, and that she had to be the one to tell him.
"NANI!"
Jim rushed back to Aisha's room, cursing his feet for not being fast enough.
He rushed through the door to discover Aisha Clanclan, the most proud, stubborn, headstrong Ctarl he ever known, down on her knees as she yelled, screeched, screamed to the top of her lungs.
Jim rushed to her side and tried to grab hold of her, but she pushed him aside.
It took the strength of Jim, Dendrus, and Marcellus to calm her down and help her back into bed.
As the three were about to leave, a dry, hoarse voice that resembled Aisha's called for Jim.
She wanted him to stay with her tonight.
She wanted him to stay because she really wanted to talk to him.
Jim looked to the two Ctarl males, who looked at him with great compassion and understanding. They left the two of them alone.
And it all came out.
As Jim finally felt the silken touch he long denied himself because he thought he was too young, he confessed his love for Aisha, a love that had taken shape when he was around fourteen and grew stronger since. But he was worried that he would lose her, and he feared that he would cry himself to sleep every night like Gene did the night Melfina left.
He wanted to know what was wrong, before it was too late.
As Aisha's tears flowed down her cheeks onto her pillow, she told him everything.
She told him about a greedy fat bastard named Momluka and a greedy conniving bitch named Lyxiana who wanted to get rich, so they devised a plan.
She told him about a sweet little girl named Nahine who was sent to live with the fat bastard after their parents were killed in an accident, which she understood to be anything but.
She told him about the plan for Lyxiana to marry a wealthy Ctarl and having him "accidentally" die, leaving her the money and free to marry Momluka.
She told him about Nahine, who already worked like a slave, finding out the plan and running off to tell the victim: Misao Clanclan.
She told him about Misao seducing Nahine with his tale of loneliness despite his riches.
She told him about when Momluka catching Misao and Nahine in the act and Momluka's men cutting off Misao's...then Momluka himself forcing himself on Nahine.
She told him about the deal they made: if Misao and Nahine wanted to live, Misao would have to marry Lyxiana, while Nahine would become a servant in the Clanclan home.
She told him about the suffering Nahine went through when she found out she was pregnant.
She told him about Momluka's failed abortion attempt.
She told him about the thing that broke Nahine's heart: when foolish Misao ditched her for vain Lyxiana's looks.
She told him about the only joy Nahine felt in a long time was when the child was born.
She told him about the identity of the child.
Jim held her closer than ever as Aisha's body started to convulse. He simply told her to continue.
After calming down, she told him about how she was treated by her parents, and compared it to the firm love of Nahine.
She told him about the lies and deception and losses that occurred on Laka-laka-laka e'Soko.
She told him about the attempted forced marriage and subsequent deaths.
She told him about the DNA test, determining Misao to be her biological father, therefore being the rightful heir of his wealth as well as Momluka's.
She told him about how she remembered none of that mattering to her, as she lost almost everything she ever loved.
She told him about how hard it was for her to adjust: at the Feran's home, in military school, at work.
She told him about her life being a mess, and that some of it started to make sense when she met him.
She told him about never believing in love and trust and honesty and all of those things that made up humanity until she fell in love with one.
She then dozed off as Jim was left to take in and ponder all that he'd been told.
They decided from the beginning to take it slow and steady. When Melfina returned, Gene felt alive, like he never felt before. He wanted desperately to take her into his arms and never let her go. But he knew, that was the last thing she wanted right now. She only came to see Aisha.
So they talked it over, and decided to see what life would throw at them. Time would tell if they were meant to be.
Gene stared at Melfina, amazed at the fact that she could change and that she did. Her hair was cut short in the style of a bob, and she had three pierced holes on each ear. As per the occasion, she dressed in black: black choker, simple black v-neck sweater, black pants, white dress shoes. Her makeup was simple and tasteful, delicately accentuating her light brown eyes.
Her conservative outfit could not hide the thing that distinguished the present Melfina from the past: her confidence and self-assurance. When she left, she wondered how she would go about living without Gene watching her back, comforting her, irritating her...then she realized that one thing the Leyline experience taught her was to live her own life to the fullest. And that she did.
Gene and Melfina stood quietly, taking in the sights and smells Aisha experienced as a young child. As the last of the Red Ruby's fading light glimmered in the ocean waves, Gene took a deep breath and softly asked, "Isn't it beautiful, Mel?"
"Yes, it is, Gene," she returned, and that was the end of that. Not because she was irritated with him, but she wanted to experience this beauty in silence.
A few moments later, Jim walked out of the Outlaw Star and joined the other two.
"Will she be ready soon, Jim?" asked Melfina, a tinge of apprehension showing.
"Yeah, she just wanted a little time to herself."
They stood in silence once more, until they saw a huge crater to the east of them. It was where Momluka's palace once stood. Aisha had it demolished the second she inherited his properties.
It was Gene who broke the silence.
"Melfina, James, did you ever think that people in this world like Momluka exist?"
The only response they could muster was a shake of the head.
The Red Ruby completely set under the horizon, and the Three Moons appeared, as if out of thin air.
As did Aisha, her body covered in sheer black glaty, a special Ctarl material, worn specifically for mourning.
In her arms, she carried a worn bloody cloak and a ceramic urn, one of the few Earth materials fit to be graced by a Ctarl's touch.
Aisha's normally liquefied eyes were already red when she met up with her friends and lover.
Jim walked over and kissed her on the cheek. Aisha quickly licked him on his cheek in return.
The four of them walked towards the crater, arm in arm.
Thousands upon thousands sat within the crater, and countless ships docked the bay, whether it be sky or sea. As the Three Moons finally aligned, a ferocious wind blew from the north, sweeping away the bloodied cloak and the contents of the urn.
Once the winds stopped, the crowd kneeled down and prayed to Lako-Lako for his kindness and for releasing the pain of a child.
Aisha quietly thanked the moon god for releasing Nani's pain once and for all, and promised that for as long as she lived, she would never forget the love, the courage, and the dignity her mother shown throughout her life.
As a large wave collided with the cliffs east of her, Aisha started to hum a song taught to her long ago:
As long as the waves crash
To the cliffs from the shining sea
As long as the sun should rise and fall,
You and I will always be
I will always love you
No matter how far apart we are
Even if I stay on the earth
And you're at a distant star...
The End