Blatherings: Sorry for the wait... my pointed little head needed a rest... but all my synapsis seem to be firing again now, so onward we go...





Otherworld Year Three: Chapter 4



"There's a blow coming in." Gabe said, looking up at the gathering clouds above, then back over his shoulder at Auron.

Auron turned, walking backwards for a moment, the quickening wind bringing his robe to life around him. The sky was a mass of dark, steely clouds, as the approaching storm roiled inland from the sea.

"It comes apace." Auron said, turning back around and nodding at Gabe.

"Let's put her in high gear then." Gabe said, then looked down at Remie, walking beside Sahna. "Come on sprout, hitch a ride on the Gabe-mobile." He smiled, reaching down and scooping the boy up, cradling him in one massive arm, as he lengthened out his strides.

Sahna hurried to keep up at Gabe's side, as Auron brought up the rear... Sahna's duffel bag slung across his back.

They had made the turn from the main road onto the breezeway to Gabe's shop, when the skies opened above them... hard sheets of cold rain beginning to beat down against the buildings and the tarmac, the water surrounding the breezeway tossed with white-caps.

By the time they reached the entryway of the shop, they were all soaked, and Sahna frowned, as she saw Remie shiver against Gabe's chest.

"What are the sleeping arrangements? I need to get Remie out of these wet clothes."

Gabe scratched his head for a moment, then said... "If it's okay with you Auron, they can stay at your place, and you can bunk with me."

Auron nodded in agreement, droplets of rainwater falling from the wet spikes of snowy hair fanned out across his brow.

************

It was the first time Sahna had been in Auron's apartment, and she was taken aback by its austerity. With the exception of Auron's sword mounted above the bed, and his earthenware jug on the table beside it, the room was devoid of any personal effects or expression.

"My goodness Auron, you live like a monk." Sahna observed, as she rotated her head around the room, then looked over at him... her head cocked slightly in amusement.

His response surprised her. He shook his head cryptically, as he released a short burst of laughter... an edge to its deep tenor that did not denote amusement, as much as it did a sense of irony.

She looked at him quizzically, waiting for an explanation of some sort, but none came. Instead, he walked to the control panel for the room and turned up the lights, then hit several other pads on the touch-screen, their purpose becoming apparent, as she heard the soft hiss of forced heat beginning to waft into the room.

"Please, make yourselves at home." Auron offered, dropping the duffel bag in the chair next to the bed. He unbuckled his belt and draped it across the chair back, then reached up and began to peel his soaked robe off.

"Just make a pile by the door, I'll take all our wet clothes over to the dryer at Gabe's in a bit." Sahna said, then turned to look at Remie.

He was standing silent and unmoving at the window wall... staring out at the incoming storm. Sahna was really getting worried now. He had not spoken a single word since last night, and she was afraid that he might have suffered a mental trauma too severe to recover from.

She had an idea of something that might help, and intended to talk to Auron about it at the first opportunity.

"Unless there is something you require of me, I will go now to assist Gabe in opening the shop." Auron said, dropping his sodden robe to the floor, then raking his hands back through the wet tangles of his dark hair, the front layers immediately springing back upright, despite his attempt to flatten them back.

"We'll be fine, thanks. You go ahead." Sahna replied, trying to sound confident and failing.

"You are sure?" Auron responded, dipping his head forward slightly to make eye contact with her over his glasses.

"Mmm hmm." Sahna nodded, as she smiled and waved her hand at him in a shooing gesture.

He gave her a small smile, then looked across the room at Remie, his placid expression remaining unchanged, but his eye softening as he gazed for a moment upon the boy's still figure. Then he nodded and turned... the door tracking shut behind him as he left.

************

"Are they okay?" Gabe asked, his eyes roving to the door of the apartment above, as Auron came down the stairs and walked to the front counter.

"No. But they will be... in time."

"Damn, I hope you're right." Gabe said, in a pained voice.

Auron was aware of the profound effect all this was having on the man, but was at a loss for the right words to comfort him.

Braska had been adept at this sort of thing... always knowing instinctively what to say to put others at ease. He, on the other hand, was too straightforward to be of much use in situations such as these. He often lacked the subtlety required. He had always found actions easier than words.

"Let's get to work. The sooner we complete the day's tasks, the more time we will have to deal with this."

"Right." Gabe nodded, reaching under the counter to pull out the waiting stack of work orders, then added... "The storm should keep the walk-ins to a minimum anyway."

"More than likely." Auron replied, leaning his forearms on the counter and turning his head to the side, trying to decipher Gabe's scribbled instructions on the orders.

************

Their work done and the shop closed-up for the day, Auron had returned to the apartment to bathe and change into clean clothes.

Sahna and Remie had left the apartment earlier, and had gone to Gabe's, as Sahna had decided to cook supper there... the amenities of his quarters more suitable for such things.

Sighing softly, he walked to the bathroom and started the tub filling, as he absently stripped off his clothes... letting them fall in disarray on the tiled floor at his feet. His head was throbbing, and his body ached with fatigue. He had been up for well over twenty-four hours now, and he thought longingly for a moment about the bed in the next room... imagining how good it would feel to sink into its soft warmth.

Both Gabe and Sahna had tried to talk him into quitting work early, and getting some sleep... but he had stubbornly refused. Just why, he was not certain. Except that perhaps old habits were indeed, hard to break.

And he supposed, he could have easily made his excuses in not joining them for supper. But as their friend, he did not see that as an option. They had been unwavering in their care for him, when he had needed it most, and he was not about to fail in returning a small measure of that devotion.

Stepping into the tub, and sinking down, he leaned his head back against the tiled surround, and propped his feet up on either side of the faucet... groaning with pleasure, as the hot water caressed his tired muscles.

Closing his eye, and allowing his body to float completely lax in the soothing warmth, he turned his thoughts to other things that required his attention... reminding himself to check his messages before he left, to make sure everything was alright with Tidus and Breese. She had been having trouble controlling the boy of late, and at her request, he had tried to talk some sense into the young Blitzer's thick head.

His attempts at offering advise and guidance, however, were usually met with scorn and contempt from the boy. Increasingly, he had found the only way to get through to him, was to adopt the same merciless attitude he had previously reserved for his father before him. If that's what it took, so be it, he thought... a sardonic smile touching the corners of his mouth.

************

Sahna and Remie were huddled together on the couch, watching Gabe start a fire in the large dark-stone fireplace, when Auron joined them.

His normal attire was draped over his arm, his sunglasses dangling from his hand, as he leaned over a chair next to the door, and deposited them there. He was now clad in a pair of loose-fitting black leather pants, and a simple, open-collared white shirt... the sleeves rolled up his forearms.

The stark contrast of his clothes perfectly matched the day and night of his hair, and Sahna contemplated for the umpteenth time, at the striking figure he posed. Although he didn't try to draw attention to himself, his presence never failed to command it... his rugged looks and quiet power were an undeniable force.

Sahna glanced over at Gabe then, and felt a flush rising in her face, as she realized he had been watching her admire Auron. She offered him a coy smile, and batted her eyelashes at him in an exaggerated motion, as he shook his head with a grin, then returned his attention back to the fire.

Auron sank into one of the chairs opposite the couch, and brought his hand up, slowly running it down his tired face, then stopping to lightly scratch at the darkened stubble of his chin.

"Something sure smells good." He rumbled, dropping his hand to his lap, and looking over at Sahna, one eyebrow arched in a silent question.

"Comfort food... hot, and plenty of it." Sahna smiled at him. "Come on sweetie, help me set the table." She said then, looking down at Remie. He turned his head from the fire to look at her, his bruised face a blank, then silently rose from the couch and walked to the large, open dining room adjacent to the sitting area.

Sahna, following behind him, was unable to hide the look of deep concern on her face, as she and Gabe exchanged a worried glance.

************

After the wonderfully filling meal was finished, and Remie had been temporarily deposited on Gabe's bed, the three adults returned to the sitting area to relax by the fire.

Sahna had accepted the glass of wine Gabe offered, and she sipped it gratefully... savoring the dry tartness of it. Gabe and Auron were both drinking that nasty-smelling-amber-colored-stuff, just exactly what it was, she did not know.

Figuring the time was right to bring up her idea, she looked over at Auron and cleared her throat, as he calmly returned her gaze... waiting for her to speak.

"The problem is, that Remie's self-esteem and self-confidence are gone. He needs to get them back, and I think you can help him do that." Sahna explained, then gulped down a large portion of her glass.

"What is it you ask of me?" Auron replied, not unkindly... but intending to cut to the heart of things.

"I'm asking you to train him. To teach him how to protect himself. Where it goes from there, is up to him."

Auron leaned forward, his piercing eye scanning her face as he spoke, his tone deep and solemn... "The path you speak of is not an easy one. You must both be certain before committing to this."

"It is what he wants for himself. I am sure of it." Sahna replied, doing her best to meet Auron's penetrating stare.

"Then it shall be so." Auron replied simply, leaning back and sampling his drink.

"Well, I for one, think it's a damn fine idea. In case anyone cares." Gabe muttered, irritated at being left out.

"Don't be such an ass, of course we care." Sahna snapped at him.

"Is she always like this after a glass of wine?" Auron asked Gabe, chuckling low in his throat.

Gabe burst out laughing, as Sahna scowled at Auron... setting her empty glass down and putting her hands on her hips.

"And just what do you mean by that?"

"My apologies maam." Auron replied, still chuckling.

"I'll maam you." Sahna retorted, then laughed wickedly.

"Come on dragon-lady, I'd best escort you back to the apartment... before you kick both our butts." Gabe grinned.

************

Gabe lowered Remie's sleeping form to the bed, then turned and walked back outside the doorway, where Sahna waited.

She was looking at him with a strange expression, and he scratched the back of his head... wondering what she was thinking at that moment.

"Is something wrong?"

"Yes. Something's been wrong for a long time... and thanks to that glass of wine, I intend to fix it. Right now."

Then Sahna reached up and grabbed the front of Gabe's shirt, pulling his head down, as she brought her lips to his... kissing him hard and full.

Gabe's eyes widened in shock, then fluttered closed, as he lost himself in the feel of her soft mouth against his. Then he wrapped his arms around her back and leaned into her, his lips pressing hungrily against hers, as the world melted away around them.

************

When Gabe returned, he found Auron asleep on the couch... one leg trailing across the floor, his hand perched on his stomach, still grasping his drink.

Gabe gently pulled the glass from his hand, then hoisted his leg up off the floor to join the other one, as Auron mumbled and brought his arm up to cross it over his forehead. Setting the glass on the counter, Gabe walked to the hall closet and pulled a blanket out, then returned and slung it across Auron's soundly sleeping form. Gabe yawned and stretched, turning to walk down the hall to his bedroom.

Laying his head against the pillow, his mind was drawn like a magnet to the memory of Sahna's kiss, and he fell asleep with a large, dreamy grin plastered across his face.

***********

Auron was already awake and standing in front of the fireplace, a bright blaze of logs burning at his back, his hand wrapped around a mug of tea, when Gabe came down the hall the next morning.

"Good morning." Gabe grinned cheerfully, as he walked to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. He didn't know how Auron could stand that tea he drank, he thought to himself, as he dumped a generous amount of beans into the machine, and switched it on.

Then Gabe stepped to the refrigerator and extracted a large jug of orange juice, humming happily to himself, as he twisted off the cap and brought the jug to his lips... chugging down half its contents, then exhaling a loud ahhh sound.

He turned to look at Auron, intending to offer him the jug, then stopped... noting the amused smirk on his face.

"What?"

"I gather from your demeanor, that you finally found your courage."

"Huh? Oh, that. Well, actually... I didn't find it. Sahna did." Gabe said, as a giant grin spread across his face.

"Not surprising." Auron replied, chuckling.

"Yeah, she's something, isn't she?" Gabe said, still grinning like a fool.

"That she is."

Gabe scratched his chin for a few moments, thinking, then stated... "You know what? I declare a holiday... screw work. We all have better things to do. I'm going to take Sahna out on the city, she needs the break, and that'll give you some time alone with Remie. Whadasay Auron?"

"You're the boss."

************

Sahna had been reluctant to leave her son, and it had taken both men to convince her otherwise. But she had finally agreed, and now Auron and Remie were alone... standing at the front door of the shop, having seen Gabe and Sahna on their way.

Auron was unsure for a moment, as to the best way to approach this, then simply decided to be out with it.

"Come with me." Auron instructed, walking to the center of the training floor, and turning, then lowering himself to sit cross-legged on the mat.

Remie followed and stood before him... a look of uncertainty flickering across his face.

"Sit." Auron said, moving his hand in a downward motion.

Remie did so, mimicking Auron's position, then looked up at him expectantly... his curiosity winning out over his nervousness.

"Your mother has asked me to start you down the path of a warrior, and I have agreed to do so. But I would hear from your own lips, that this is what you desire."

Remie met Auron's intense gaze in silence, and Auron thought that the boy had either failed to understand his meaning, or had truly lost the power of speech.

Then Remie finally spoke, a tone of fierce determination in his voice... "I want to learn. I want you to teach me."

"Do not take this journey lightly, and do not embark upon it for the wrong reasons. There is no place for bitterness and hate in the way of a warrior... it robs one of power, and withers the soul." Auron said, a brief look of pain crossing his chiseled features.

"I think I understand... I... just want to be strong." Remie implored, his earnest face dropping to study his hands.

Auron reached out and cupped Remie's chin in one calloused hand... gently lifting his face to meet his gaze.

"All true strength comes from here, and here." Auron said, as he pointed to Remie's head, and then his heart. "Physical power is meaningless without critical thought, or honorable intention. In their absence, you are nothing more than a thug."

"Just like those men that beat me up." Remie said, a dark note of disdain in his voice.

Auron nodded, pleased that the boy understood.

"You must be willing to do exactly as I say, without question."

"I will. I promise." Remie intoned, nodding his head solemnly.

"Then let us begin."