Hello readers. I don't have much to say here but bear with me hmm?
For all you who are wondering I did not forget about Serge and Kidd! It may have seemed like it but I didn't! If all goes right this chapter will revolve around those two!
Ok, then…
Disclaimer – I don't own Chrono Cross. Unless…*runs off to take over Squaresoft*
*Insert Text here* - Memories
Insert Text here - Voices
(Insert text here) –Thought
~*~ Here ~*~ - Dream
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Chapter 9 – On the Roof of Viper Manor…~~~
The sun was midway up the sky; showering the archipelago in its endless warmth. Outside Viper Manor the wind blew the gentle scent of the El Nidan summer directly into Serge who sat perched upon the Manor's roof. But the sun, the wind, the manor were all oblivious to him as he sat indulged in the small book, labeled as his father's.
Hardly through even a fourth of the book, Serge found himself deeply enthralled with the detail on his father's life before he had settled in Arni. There were numerous references to wondrous adventures, daring battles, powerful monsters and far off journeys. It also held Wazuki's feelings towards leaving his loved ones behind on these expeditions, including on home he'd felt for Serge's mother, Marge who he'd know since they were young.
Apparently Wazuki had had deep feelings for Marge since forever and seemed to have no problem expressing it within the depths of his journal. Those very expressions of affection written upon the old pages made Serge think of his own feelings for a certain blonde-haired thief. The young warrior allowed himself to sigh as he closed the book and placed it down beside him before placing his arms as supports behind him and leaning back to look up at the sky.
Instead of seeing the sky however, his eyes meet deep sapphire ones cause him to jerk in surprise. His arms slipped from beneath him and he ended up flat on his back in a light daze. The owner of the eyes laughed full heartedly. "Sorry mate didn't mean ta scare ya."
Serge sat up with a light smile before turning to look at Kidd who stood looking down at him. "Hey Kidd."
"Hey Mate," She sat down as she spoke. "What in blazes are ya doing all the way up here?"
He took a moment before answering to turn his head slightly, staring up at the near cloudless sky. "Just thinking I guess."
"'bout what mate?"
"Things…"
Kidd gave him a look "Things? What tha hell am I supposta think when ya say things! Mind bein' a bit more specific?"
Serge shook his head lightly, allowing another small smile to break across his face. "Mostly about what Locke said earlier." He lied. "And a about my parents." His lie must have been convincing for she didn't question him.
"Why?"
"What he said about the dimensions mer-"
"No mate," She said while waving her hand lightly to stop him. "I meant why 'bout yer parents?" Serge fell quiet for a long moment. Kidd began to think he wasn't going to say anything at all and opened her mouth to dismiss the subject but Serge's voice stopped her.
"I guess…I guess I'm kind of scared." He said, a silent sorrow in his voice. "My father's gone, and I left before seeing if my mother was aliv- alright. I don't know if I could stand to see my mother dead…"
"I know how ya feel mate. When tha orphanage burnt down thought I couldn't handle it either, but I made it, an you can too mate." She gave him a hearty slap on the back. "Besides, Ya'll always have me right?"
Serge's sorrow-filled look brightened slightly at this thought. He turned and looked up at her with a smile and nodded slightly. "Yeah…"
She gave him her trademark grin as she stood. "Together ever and always right mate?" Neither knew how much the other was warmed by that simple sentence.
He returned her grin before standing up. "Yeah, Ever and always."
"Good! Now whaddaya say we get some grub?"
He nodded lightly and Kidd began to walk away. Instead of following Serge called out to her. "Hey Kidd?" As she turned he continued. "Thanks…"
"Anytime mate." Her bright face turned to one of curiosity as she looked behind him at something. "Hey Serge, did ya ferget something?"
Following her gaze, Serge turned around in just enough time to watch his father's journal flip over the edge. Without a second for rational though Serge lunged after it and caught it in his hands. Looking down, the young man began to fathom just how idiotic this maneuver was for the ground looked no closer then 50 ft which he doubted he could land safely even with his feet facing the ground. He was suddenly jolted from these thoughts as he felt himself slip over the edge, allowing him a small cry in surprise as he began to fall.
Jolted again, he found his fall had stopped as someone held tightly to his leg while cursing loudly.
"There you are I-WHAT IN HADES!?!"
Not knowing what the hell was going Serge felt two more pairs of hands grabs him legs and haul him back onto the roof with enough force to send them all backward into a toppled pile. Seconds later Serge felt worried arms wrap around him, holding him tightly. This hardly lasted a long while for almost as soon as it had happened he felt the arms leave and a sharp whap upside the head.
"What tha hell were ya thinking mate! Scared the bloody hell outta me!"
He then heard Glenn's voice. "Serge are you insane!"
"Psycho Serge, I'll have to remember that." Eyeing the source of the last voice he saw Locke giving him a small smirk.
It took the four a moment or so to untangle themselves and stand straight. During this time no one said anything for one reason or another. Only when they were up right did someone speak.
"Could ya tell us why ya launched yerself off the edge of an extremely high building fer mate?"
"I well…this book," He held the book up for all to see. "It was my father's Journal, pretty much the only thing I have left of him."
He saw Glenn looking at him quietly "Still, there's no reason to jump of a building for it. If it was wrecked I'm sure Belthazar could have restored it."
Serge rubbed the back of his neck lightly "…Yeah…well…"
Locke's voice cut off any further argument on the subject. "Look I don't mean to abruptly change the subject or anything but Serge is alive, no ones hurt so I'm veering off the topic to talk of one I think a bit more important." The others turned and looked at him but weren't given a chance to say anything. "The survivors from Termina are pretty shaken up, so is everyone else."
Glenn caught the direction of the sentence and continued "So Viper, Riddel and Dario conjured up an idea to put everyone's mind at ease, giving it stays peaceful long enough to do so."
"Well then, what is it Mate?" Kidd inquired impatiently.
"They propose we hold some sort of festivity such as a large party/ball or something similar to divert attention if only for that one night."
"That's all well an' good mate, but while we're sittin' on our arses whateva caused those monsters ta blow up Termina could cause them ta attack any other Town in El Nido or outside of it!"
Glenn looked at her in understanding "I understand what you mean Kidd. General Viper has already sent messengers to warn all of El Nido and several to the main land. The message should reach everyone providing Porre doesn't interfere."
"I still don't like it." She grumbled angrily. "Don't feel right sittin' on me arse when somethin's goin' on."
"Neither do I." Serge agreed, his deep cerulean eyes portraying this more than the tone in his voice.
"Yeah, none of us do." Locke's voice was almost dead neutral "But we can't go anywhere due to lack of information. I'll visit Dragon Rider Central and talk to Chronos. As for you, just stay put."
"Who died and made you boss?!"
"No one." Locke replied to the angered Kidd, as his voice returned to its normal tone, "But if you look at your options you'll sees there's nothing else to do."
"Could kick yer bloody arse!"
Locke didn't reply and just began to walk away. Feeling awkward in the silence that followed Glenn nodded to Serge and Kidd and retreated from the roof.
Looking over at his companion, Serge could see she was supremely pissed off, if not at her fellow Dragon Rider then at the entire situation. Walking over to her he placed his gloved hand upon her shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Don't let it get to you, ok?"
Swinging her head around to face him with a piercing gaze, if looks could kill he'd be dead. "Listen Mate, if I wanted ta sit around and lolly-gag all damn day I woulda gone ta Disneyland!" Serge gave her an extremely confused look.
"Disneyland???"
Kidd waved her hand dismissively "Some place in anotha time, sorry ta mention it mate."
Serge decided pushing on the subject would only bring about mass confusion and didn't bother. He reverted back to the previous topic. "I understand what you mean Kidd, but Locke's right. There's nothing we can do if we don't know where to go."
She gave him one of the most unimpressed looks possible.
"Hey, That doesn't mean we couldn't check out some places for the sake of checking does it?"
This caused her unimpressed look to shift to a grin. "I like yer line of thinkin' Mate."
Serge smirked slightly. "What do you say we get some of that food you were talking about earlier and talk about what's next?"
"Sounds right good ta me Mate." She started off, leaving Serge behind to watch her, his smirk fading to a fond smile directed towards her. Shaking his head slightly he wondered how she could be so angry one minute and so carefree the next. He found himself admiring this trait among many others as he watched her quietly with an caring glint in his eyes.
Turning around Kidd saw he hadn't moved and gave him a mock scowl. "Yer gonna starve me mate!" Walking over to him she gently grabbed his hand and began to haul him along. "Common now!" Serge felt himself jerked forward and laughed before giving her hand a swift jolt sending them both off balance to fall back to the roof. Soon after the young man found himself on his rear with a surprised Kidd sprawled across his lap, glaring up at him with fake anger. "Oi! And ta think I saved yer arse from fallin' off this ol' place!" The tone of her voice, the look she was giving him and the sheer awkwardness of the entire situation cause Serge to laugh which received him a punch in the shoulder.
"Ow!" He said between loud laughs "W-what was that for!"
"Fer being a jerk!" She replied jokingly before holding a hand out to him. " Now come on before I kick yer arse!"
Quelling his laughter to small chuckles, Serge took her hand and through combined efforts of himself and Kidd stood up. They stood that way a moment; eyes locked with one another both pairs of bluish orbs flickering with unspoken affection for the person, which stood before them.
Simultaneously they looked away from each other and released hands. "Uhh, should we get going?"
"Good idea mate." With those words from Kidd the two removed themselves from the roof in a gentle silence, content with the others presence despite the previous awkwardness.
* ~ * ~ *
Two piercing yellow eyes watched from a secluded area atop a watchtower at Viper manor. It peered out at the retreating forms of both a blue-haired young man and a young blonde woman hop from the roof of the manor onto a balcony through the open door. Spreading its wings the doggish-like owner of the piercing eyes gave them an experimental flap. After all it had no need to stay here, not since gathering the information it was sent to receive.
Jumping from the tower it dove towards the ground before beating it's wings against the wind and soaring high into the late morning sky. It desired sleep, but concluded the information acquired from staying awake for the time it had proved worth it and would later bring him a handsome reward when his master heard of it.
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That concludes chapter 9. Possibly confusing. I'm sorry if it is.
Read/Review and I'll see ya in chapter 10