Disclaimer- I do not own Skies of Arcadia or any characters in this story other than Maiev, Morgan, and their crews. I do however own a few grind records.
Skies of Arcadia: The Ruins of Tal'Kalen
Chapter Five: Thoughts Before the Storm
The cavern was still softly glowing red, but everyone's internal clocks had told them it was night time and they'd all settled into their respective ships to rest for the next day. Very few of the sailors were able to sleep well though. Many had great trouble falling asleep in this foreign place, and some didn't sleep at all. But those that did sleep, what did they dream about? And those that couldn't, what kept them awake?
Maiev was the only one who didn't even bother trying to sleep. She knew that the chances of her falling asleep after the night's news was well into the negative figures. She'd spent the whole night standing out on the deck and staring out into the soft red haze. Her mind was seemingly on a track meet, and she couldn't the events of the past few days to stop cycling through her head. As great or terrible these memories were, she was getting tired of replaying them. She could handle only so much monotony.
Except of course when she replayed the words in her head that Domingo had said. He was much more perceptive than he looked, she hadn't even lent the thought that she was his sister before he brought it to her attention. It all made so much sense. They were fairly alike in personality, had similar facial features, each had a piece to an incomplete story, and there was just that feeling. A feeling that couldn't be doubted by anything the worldwide.
Halfway through the night Angela had come out onto the deck and stood with her. Angela was in her blood red nightdress, and had her blond hair tied up in a ponytail. They stood in silence for a few minutes before Maiev finally spoke up. "Couldn't sleep?"
Angela shook her head. "Nah, I'm a little built up for tomorrow." Maiev nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I'm not even going to try to sleep. There's no point in it, I know I'll never be able to. Not after the past few days. Not before what's about to happen."
Angela nodded again. "It is amazing though, finally meeting your long lost brother in this place. The most unlikely place you ever could find him. Small world, ain't it?"
Maiev giggled softly. "In a way I suppose. It just teaches you to always keep your eyes open, else you might walk right past the turn in the road."
"If I'm not mistaken, Cap'n, but wasn't it you who would've walked straight down the road if not for Domingo?"
Maiev giggled again. "You got me. I suppose I would have."
Angela giggled too. "I'm going to try and settle back in. It felt nice to get out of bed for awhile."
Maiev nodded. "Ok. Sleep well, Angela." She waved back to Angela as she headed back into the ship. Maiev sighed. She still had a few hours to think to herself before taking the dive into the city.
Angela wasn't the only one on Maiev's crew who couldn't fall asleep. Jasmine and Christina had been up for hours playing cards, trying to cure their insomnia. It wasn't long before they realized it wasn't going to work, but they continued playing anyways. As usual, the two had been deadlocked in their games. They were the best poker players on board, and were capable of beating anyone else on the crew with ease.
Usaki had stayed in the galley all night cooking food for anyone who came down. She had spent most of the night listening to the triplets bicker between each other over bowls of a traditional Yafutoman stew. She had even joined in on their conversation every once in awhile, trying to push down the flutter flies in her stomach. But the feeling of nervousness, much like with everyone else in the crew, simply wouldn't leave. Usaki remained her silent, steely self most of the night, thinking about what was to come.
Apoc, as usual, kept to himself all night long, locked up in his room. He didn't really care about tomorrow. He would do whatever he had to do, and get the hell out of there alive.
Tyrande spent all night talking to Jade in her room. Neither felt especially sure about the day to come. They talked about what kind of monsters they would have to fight, or what treasure they might find. They also discussed the whole situation with Domingo and Maiev in thorough detail. Everyone had been overjoyed for Maiev, but the feeling wasn't able to stand long as anxiety crept in. As the night wore on, they'd started passing a bottle of loqua around, and were soon drunk enough to wear down their anxiety. Jade was soon passed out, getting her only sleep of the night. Tyrande had hung on for most of the night, but eventually fell asleep, using the wooden table they'd been seated at as a pillow.
All night Tyrande was pounded with dreams of her troubled past. How she'd been on her own most of her life until she'd met Maiev. They'd become very fast friends, and were probably closer than anyone else on the crew. Her dreams eventually tapered out into blackness, and Tyrande slept well for the rest of the night.
Domingo had only slept briefly. He was too preoccupied with the thoughts of Maiev and his bottle of loqua to be bothered with too much sleep. He sat inside of his cabin all night, leaning back on a wooden chair, his feet propped up on an antique desk. He had lit another cigar and tried his best to make it last. He was down to just two cigars; he would need one of them for their inevitable victory celebration. That meant he had to go the length with just one. Why the hell hadn't he packed more before starting out? Oh, that's right. Gordo's cigar prices were simply ludicrous. That's why.
Domingo opened a drawer in the desk and pulled out a small world map. He looked at the map closely, puffing away at his cigar as did so. He studied the area around Nasr the most intently, and circled approximately were the cyclone had been on the map. If nothing else, when they got of here, he was going to make sure that he got the reward for finding it, whether he did first or not.
Domingo sighed as he looked across the map, trying to decide where he would head to after this excursion. The Lands of Ice maybe? No, too damned cold. Esparanza? It was a possibility. There were surely some interesting sights to behold in that area, and he would be able to see how the rebuilding was coming along. Fine then, Esparanza it is, he thought to himself. Anywhere but here would work just fine.
Gilder was the only one awake on his ship. His crewmen had all fallen straight to sleep. When Gilder saw this, he had chuckled happily. "That's why I let them join my crew. Nothing shakes them. Nothing is too big for these guys. That or they just couldn't care less."
Willy was, to make a long story short, passed out. He had always enjoyed loqua, and when Gilder had gotten up to go to the bathroom, Willie had tipped over the bottle and had a mighty drink. Gilder could do nothing but laugh at this as well.
He had opened up another bottle and sat at the bridge, contemplating the possible events of the oncoming day. Would he find a great treasure? Perhaps, but the girls would steal it all away before he even got a shot at it. Would he find a colony of beautiful women? No. That was wishful thinking. Would he get killed? No. He was too stubborn to die. He wasn't through living the good life. Would everyone get killed and would he have to find a way out of this place by himself? No, they were even more stubborn when it came to dying than he was.
Gilder sighed and tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. He could've used something more to take off his edge, because the loqua was only working so much. He could use a woman. Two of them. Hell, three would be even better. But he decided to not even try his luck with any of them down here. He was too much of a gentleman enough for that.
Gilder's eyelids started drooping about the same time Angela and had talked to Maiev. Before he dozed off, he muttered, "Well, at least Clara will never find me down here," before he fell out of his chair and onto the floor, sleeping peacefully for the rest of the night.
Morgan's lookout Sega was never a very calm person. He'd been called jumpy, edgy, and even on the rare occasion, psychotic. These traits showed as he sat on the ship's deck, staring out into the red. Sometimes he would have a sudden spasm or twitch or jerk, and he would crank his neck and listen as closely as possible whenever he heard a sound. He would also rub his hands together until they started to feel hot, even burned, out of unease. He wasn't crazy, he just got really nervous sometimes. He was more nervous than anyone else in the cavern. He knew what was about to go down, and he didn't like one bit of it.
He began grinding his teeth, creating a stir as his mind went over the consequences for their actions down here. So much could go so wrong in such a fast time. He slapped himself across the cheek and lowly whispered to himself, "Stop it. You don't have to think like this. You just have to go with the flow, and take life how it comes. Or death," He slapped himself again for muttering the last part. "But of course, death won't come because you're too strong and you trust your captain. Yes, yes of course." Sega started to calm down and just laid back on the deck. He stared up at the swirling black vortex above before curling into a fetal position and falling asleep.
Wildro the fat sailor had no trouble falling asleep. Azinzas looked at him, a sneer of anger creeping into his face. "Damn idiot. He knows not of what danger awaits us."
Fellow gunner Trey and builder Arlo sat with Azinzas looking at Wildro with equal disgust. "The whiny bloke is just nappin' away. I bet you he thinks he isn't going to have to do any work tomorrow. I bet you that's what the bastard thinks," Trey said, a slight slur to his voice. He took a drink of loqua and passed the bottle to Azinzas.
"You're probably right about that though. Morgan isn't going to make him get his fat ass out and search the city like we'll have to. Son of a bitch. I say we toss him overboard when we get out of here," Arlo said and spat on the floor. He was a man of medium build with a shaved head and a goatee. Azinzas and Trey nodded, throwing in an 'Aye Aye" as agreement.
Azinzas suddenly smiled, a look of evil spreading across his lips. He chuckled to himself and walked over to the hammock that Wildro was wrapped up in. He looked to Trey and Arlo before taking his fist and swatting the end of the hammock with a brute force, sending the hammock spinning and dumping Wildro onto the floor. Wildro hit consciousness face first, greeted by the screams of laughter from the three sitting across from him. Wildro put a hand up to his nose and wiped a streak of blood from it. He looked angrily at the three. "Yeah, laugh it up you fiends. Just wait, I'll get all of you back one of these days," Wildro grunted through clenched teeth.
"Ah shut up you bloody lubber," Trey said raucously.
Arlo laughed and shouted, "Yeah. You'll never amount to a sailor you fat slob. Get the hell out of here!" Wildro walked out in a huff, the lingering traces of laughter still in his head.
Birbry and Yoshi sat across from each other in the galley, neither saying a word. They were from opposite cultures from the opposite sides of the world. They'd never really shared any of the same interests or ideas, and as a result never really spoke to each other. The only thing they did share was a love for the other cultures food. Yoshi was contentedly munching on dried Alupa meat while Birbry drank fully from a cup of tea, eating romuhai fish. If nothing else bonded sailors the world over, it was food and loqua.
Morgan, Gix, and Lupe were all seated in Morgan's cabin, discussing the day's events. "I dunno about all of this, Cap'n. I think it might've been a huge mistake ever even lending a thought to coming down here. I just don't have a good feeling about, it's all in my gut. And a sailor should always trust his gut instinct."
"I'll say it's your gut, Lupe," Gix quipped. Lupe looked at him crossly.
"Calm down, the both of you. I'll have no more of this senseless fighting. Save your strength for tomorrow. You'll need every last ounce of it. You'll need all of your courage too," Morgan said with an air of superiority.
Lupe nodded. He had a Maramban look about him, and a girth that usually only came with the royalty. He was still wearing his flight goggles over his eyes. Gix spoke with a voice hoarse from yelling and drinking. "Aye Cap'n. Me an' Lupe are up to it, and I know you are, but the rest I'm not so sure about. Trey and Arlo are renegades. Azinzas is impossible to read. Yoshi never talks. Wildro has a yellow spine and large ego. Birbry has a little too much pride. And Sega. Well, I don't think I have to say much about Sega."
Morgan sighed, running a hand through his blond hair. "Yes, but I hold a deep trust in my men. They, like you, will all be able to do as ordered, and do it just fine. With the exception of Wildro, that fat, balding, slime who is considered a sailor only by himself. I don't even know why I took him on," he said, a tone of regret in his voice.
Lupe nodded. "I suggest that when we get out of here, we toss him into Deep Sky."
Morgan smiled. "I'll surely consider that notion. But it will all depend on if he can get the job done."
Gix and Lupe nodded. "Now go on. Off to sleep with the both of you, and get the other men to bed too if they aren't already passed out. I want everyone good and ready," Morgan said. Gix and Lupe got up and left without a word. Morgan plopped down on his bed and sighed. Lupe may be right this time, he thought grimly.
Vyse looked over at the half empty bottle of loqua and yawned. He couldn't bring himself to drink any more of it. He needed something to quell his anxiety, but he also wanted to keep his mind sharp. Vyse stretched his arms out above his head and yawned again. Maybe it was time to turn in. He doubted he'd be able to sleep, but he had to at least try. This anxiety he was feeling wasn't quite at Hydra or Soltis level, but it was close. He didn't have one good feeling about the whole trip. He was about to kick off his boots when he heard a knock at his cabin door. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Fina. Can I come in?"
"Yeah, of course. The door's open."
Aika sighed as she pulled the braids out of her hair, looking into her mirror. She'd gotten one shortly after Soltis, it was the first mirror she'd ever owned. Aika straightened her hair out. Her mind was a ferocious whirlwind of thoughts. She thought about the battle against the Black Pirates in the morning, and then having the engines cut out and crash landing here. She took the glove off of her right hand and softly swept her fingers across the bruise on her face where she'd hit the deck the hardest. She cringed a bit as her fingers were drawn over it.
She thought backwards to Soltis. She thought about how nervous she had been going into there. But that was infinitely worse than the current situation. Why was she so nervous now? Was there something she knew was going to happen, but just wasn't sure about it? Who knows. It was perfectly normal to be at least a little scared or nervous going into any tight situation. Just as long as you didn't mess up bad enough to get yourself or an ally injured.
Then she thought of Vyse. She'd finally got out her peace before they'd crashed. She hadn't gotten another chance to talk to him about it though. Maybe now was it. Maybe that would ease her mind a bit.
She slid off her leather dress and let it drop to the floor. She quickly changed into her nightclothes, the pink tank top and shorts as before, and walked out of her cabin. As soon as she stepped out she ran right into Kirala. They knocked heads and Aika fell back into the doorway, and Kirala tripped backwards over Pow and landed on the floor. They sat dazed for a moment before they both burst out laughing. Pow barked happily along with them. "I'm so sorry, I didn't even see you," Aika said with a giggle.
Kirala smiled. "It's alright. I wasn't really paying attention. Who knows, you might have just knocked some inspiration into me." Aika gave her a questioning look. Kirala smiled again. "I've been racking my brain for hours on how to go about repairing these engines. It's not going to be an easy task, no way. Plus it's hard trying to think when you've got this little scamp bothering me whenever he can't get to you or Vyse," Kirala said while she started to scratch Pow behind the ears.
Aika nodded. "Yes, he has grown quite attached to you." Kirala nodded and continued scratching the husky's ears. "Actually Kirala, I was just looking for you..."
Kirala nodded and got up. She reached a hand out and helped Aika up. They both walked into Aika's room, Pow dancing at Kirala's heels. She closed the door behind her, leaving just a small crack open. Kirala stood by the door as Aika took a seat on her bed, Pow jumping up with her. "So what's on your mind? Besides the obvious," Kirala questioned.
Aika bit her bottom lip, looking for the words. She cleared her throat and began speaking. "Well...ah...um...before we dropped, it was just me and Vyse on the bridge. Well...you know how I feel about him...I love him with all my heart..." Kirala nodded, eyes keeping their intent lock upon Aika. "Well, before we fell, I grabbed a hold of him and I told him just how I felt about him..." Kirala nodded again. Aika started petting Pow's head. "And I don't know if it was too fast or if he didn't hear it or if he just hasn't wanted to bring it up yet or just got hit too hard and forgot about it...but I haven't talked to him about it since. We've all been wrapped up in this mess...but I have to know..."
Kirala sat down beside Aika. Aika's eyes were slowly tearing up. This was the first time Kirala had ever seen Aika like this. The truth was, not many people ever got to see Aika like this. Kirala lifted up a hand and cleared the tears away from Aika's eyes. She then pulled Aika's head to her shoulder and held her, Aika's slow run of tears dampening her vest. "It's alright, let it out. Let it all out. I know how it is...it's ok..." They stayed in this way for a few minutes, neither of them noticing as Fina crept by and walked into Vyse's cabin.
Aika eventually lifted her head away and brought her hand up to her face, trying to wipe away all of her tears. She coughed lightly. "I'm sorry, Kirala. I've never really been like this before, it's just all so confusing..."
Kirala nodded. "Believe me, I've been through it before too. I know how it all works. You just have to keep a clear head and stay strong."
Aika nodded as she started to absentmindedly pet Pow, who sat there with a sad look on his face, as if he knew all to well what was going on.
Kirala smiled. "Cheer up, Aika. You never know what he thinks until you've gone straight to him. And I wouldn't waste too much time going about it."
Aika lifted her head up and dried away the last of her tears. She gave a sniffle and then a slight smile. "You're right. I have to go talk to him, and now. This can't wait much longer." Kirala nodded. "Thank you, Kirala. This means a lot to me. Thanks for being a friend."
Kirala giggled. "You know that I'm here. I've always got an open ear for you. Now, stop wasting time. Clean your tears away and go see him." Aika nodded and got up, heading towards the barrel of water in her room. Luckily it hadn't spilled when the ship crashed. Kirala stood up and headed for the door. She looked back over her shoulder before walking out. "Hey, good luck," she said softly and walked out, Pow following her closely. Aika nodded and sighed, washing her face off, letting the cool water soothe her skin and clear her mind. Once she felt she had regained her composure, she went to Vyse's cabin.
When she reached the door, she stopped, listening to the voice inside. She knew she shouldn't, but she decided to eavesdrop on the conversation. It was Vyse and Fina.
"Yeah, of course. The door's open."
Fina opened the door and stepped inside, shutting it behind her. Vyse smiled and looked up at her. "Hey," he said softly.
"Hey," Fina said with an equal softness. "May I sit down?" Vyse nodded and Fina sat down across from him in his desk chair. She looked over to Vyse, who was sitting on the edge of his bed.
"So what's on your mind? Something you need to talk about?"
"Actually...yes..."
"Shoot."
Fina sighed, searching for the right words. "Vyse...I ask of you, please don't get angry with me. Please promise me this."
Vyse had a questioning look on his face. "Well, yeah sure. I promise I won't get angry."
Fina smiled, looking partially relieved. "Ok then." She got up and sat next to Vyse, grabbing his hands and holding them. Vyse gave another questioning look but said nothing. Inwardly he knew what was about to come though.
"I really don't know if this is the right time for this or not, but I have to say it. I can't keep this inside of me anymore, Vyse." At this point Aika had started eavesdropping. She clenched her hands into fists as tight as possible, keeping a cool head about everything.
"But...promise you won't get angry?" Vyse nodded again. "Well..." Fina squeezed Vyse's hands a little tighter as she struggled for confidence. She looked straight into Vyse's eyes, emerald and hazel clashing. "Vyse I have become attached to you. And not just a friend, but in a romantic way. I have held these feelings for months now, and I had to tell you. I felt as if I was going to burst if I didn't tell you. And I'm very sorry that I had to come out with it at this inopportune time...Vyse you're not mad are you?" Fina kept staring into Vyse's eyes, her own starting to brim with tears.
Vyse smiled warmly. "Of course not, Fina. This isn't your fault. And I'm glad you told me," Vyse said as Fina wrapped her arms around him in a hug.
Aika slowly sunk down to the floor, fists unclenching. She sat upon the floor outside of Vyse's cabin and pulled her knees as close to her as she could. Tears slowly slid down her cheeks as she sat, feeling an empty, hollow rejection inside. But why? She knew this would happen. It was inevitable. She just didn't think it would hit her this hard. Maybe they were meant for each other. Maybe I was just the wild card. Aika's chest convulsed with silent sobs. She got up and ran to her cabin so they wouldn't be able to hear her.
"Fina, it's just, well..." Fina peered up at Vyse, a few more stray tears rolling down her cheeks. Vyse sighed, trying to word it as delicately as possible. Fina bit her lip, waiting. "I feel the same way about you. As a friend, and in the romantic sense. It's just...Aika brought to my attention yesterday that she felt that same way as you do. And the problem is...I feel the same about her as well. I also haven't gotten to talk to her about any of this...moons what a mess I'm responsible for..."
Fina put a finger to Vyse's lips to stop him. "It is ok. I understand fully. You two have known each for so long, it would be expected...maybe we should go get Aika and talk about this?"
Vyse shook his head. "No. Not now. This isn't the right time or place, and we surely don't have enough time right now to discuss this. After we get out of here, together, we can talk."
Fina nodded. "I understand." Fina leaned towards Vyse and gave a small kiss on the cheek. "Good night Vyse," she said softly and walked to the door.
"Good night, Fina."
Before she left, Fina turned back over her shoulder and smiled at Vyse. "Thanks." Then she left. Vyse sighed deeply and fell back into his bed. Why do all the best things in life have to come from the hardest? he thought before falling asleep.
Fina stopped as she went past Aika's cabin. She thought she could hear sobbing coming from the room. Fina merely shook her head. I must be hearing things. I am not thinking clearly right now. I've never seen Aika cry before, I don't even know if she's capable of it. Despite her urges, Fina kept walking and dismissed the thought that anything could be wrong. Fina changed into her nightgown and laid upon her bed. Could she have heard our conversation? Could that drive her to this state? No...she couldn't have heard. But if she had... Fina got no further as she passed out from exhaustion.
Aika had sat upon her bead, knees hugged to her chest, and sobbed for quite awhile. Nothing she had experienced had ever felt like this before. After a while she stopped and sighed. She pulled the strap of her tank top back into place, it had fallen down during her sobbing. Maybe she was just the wild card. Maybe Fina and Vyse were made for each other. Aika sighed again and laid back, waiting for sleep to embrace her. She knew what she had to do. She had made her decision, and she'd be damned if anyone was going to prevent it from happening.
Kirala sighed as she looked at the engines one last time. "These things will take forever to fix. But you'll help me, won't you Pow?" she asked the purple husky. Pow looked up and gave a happy bark. Kirala smiled. "Let's get to bed. We'll be up all day tomorrow." Pow barked his agreement, and they headed for Kirala's cabin.
Not everyone slept. Not everyone was confident. Not everyone was happy. But they were all determined to make it out alive.
Author's Notes: Well, I hope everyone that's reading is liking it so far. The action will pick up again in the next chapter. Speaking of which, the next few chapters may take a little longer to get out as I'm heading back to school on Thursday. Also, thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, especially Desert Lynx for her continued support.
You guys keep reading 'em, and I'll keep writing 'em.