by Jeremy Gordon (gordon8_26@yahoo.com)
Note: Wow...part 10 is here! This will elaborate a bit more on William's background, which is being shown in "Brother Alone" (a fic by me, explaining William's past). To everyone, be patient; the Chris pairing will be revealed in due time. If anyone has any non-romantic suggestions on what to do with the story, feel free to tell me in review. Criticism is welcomed; just not blatantly ignorant criticism (no "omg ur story sux wtf it should be a chris/landis u r a stupid fgt", okay?) As usual, all feedback is welcomed. Usual disclaimers apply. Read and review.
"Right, so you and Flik have known each other for what...eighteen years is it?"
Viktor leaned forward in his chair to ruffle his hair with a dirty hand, then leaned back and propped himself up on a table. "Shit, that's as long as I've known him. So, what gives? How do you two know each other?" Viktor hocked and spit a loogie into the corner of the hotel bar, as William stared at the warrior's uncouth manners with a look of 'god help me' on his face. Flik smiled a bit at his reaction, remembering what he had told William the night before on not being too enthralled with Viktor. Flik cleared his throat, and began to talk.
"I went with William to the Silverberg estate eighteen years ago, with Odessa...I met him then. Remember when I was gone for a week? I was in Kalekka, 'meeting the parents', so to speak. Anyways, me and William stayed in touch over the years, when we could. It wasn't easy, considering how often me and you were on the road, but we managed. William got set up in Vinay del Zexay a month ago, and I went to see him." Flik explained, as Viktor rubbed his chin stubble with his hand, staring attentively.
"Makes sense, s'pose. You! Will!" Viktor shouted hoarsely, startling the man slightly. "How're you related to the Silverbergs?"
"I was brother to Mathiu and Odessa, and nephew to Leon. I'm cousins with Caesar and Albert, d'you know them?" William said, raising his blue eyes in brief hope.
"No...Hugo and Chris might, though." Flik responded, rubbing his hands together.
"Who?" William asked, slightly crestfallen at Flik's unrecognition of his cousins.
"Two companions of ours. A Karayan and a Zexen. We're here with Tir also, and two others past that." Flik explained, as William nodded in approval.
"A Karayan and a Zexen? Rather odd pairing there." William noted, evoking a laugh from Viktor.
"Kid thinks like me, eh?" Viktor laughed, slapping William in the back with a broad hand, sending the man stumbling out of his chair. Flik just stared at Viktor, laughed, and helped William up from his position on the floor. William brushed his disheveled hair to the side, and yawned.
"Well, I s'pose we'd better retire for the night. Meet me back here in the morning, okay? Bring the others." William stated, rubbing his weary eyes. Flik nodded, and stood up, as Viktor followed in suit. The three said their goodbyes, and parted for their respective beds.
"I wonder where Viktor is..." Hugo said, his head perched on the windowsill, as he stared at the night sky. "He's been gone an hour. You think something happened to him?" Tir and Riou only stared at Hugo, and broke out in laughter.
"Just...no." Tir said, laughing a bit. "He'll be fine. In all the years I've known Viktor, he's never been one to get beat up by a mugger at night."
"Yeah." Riou said, backing up Tir. From behind Riou, the door opened, as Chris walked in, her armor off in favor for a nightgown. Tir's jaw dropped, as Riou and Hugo continued talking.
Man, she's really beautiful... Tir noted mentally, his eyes tracing the Zexen woman's body from head to toe. Noticing Chris looking at him with a confused glance, Tir quickly coughed and averted his glance away.
"Chris, what are you here for?" Hugo asked, as Chris turned to the Karayan and answered him.
"I was just wondering...where did Pesmerga go?" Chris asked, as Riou sighed and shook his head.
"Pesmerga doesn't sleep. Probably on account of the whole helldemon thing. He usually disappears around nightfall, but he'll turn up tomorrow." Riou explained, as he fluffed the pillow behind him. "Don't fret, okay?" Chris' eyes narrowed, visibly annoyed by Riou implying that she was a complainer.
"Of course not. Good night, everyone." Chris glared at Riou, as she spun around and exited the room.
"G'night." The three said simultaneously, and fell back onto their beds at the same time, pulling the covers over themselves, each dreaming of a place other than combat.
The next morning, Chris entered the trio's room, to find them all soundly sleeping. Grinning a bit, she exited the room, closing the doors silently behind her. Walking to the study of the mansion, she saw a familiar figure standing in the middle of the room. Chris sighed, and started conversation.
"So. You're back."
"Yeah, I am."
"Why?"
"Heard a relative of mine was in town."
"...?"
"Never mind. Who're you with?"
"Tir, Riou, Hugo, and Viktor. We're meeting Flik later today. Pesmerga is also lurking around somewhere."
"Just like old times."
"....Right. Besides that, what else do you have to do here? That can't be it."
"I came to pay respects to your father. I heard he died recently."
"He did."
"I'm sorry. I first met Wyatt some thirty years ago, when he was on the run."
"And...?"
"I just had to say goodbye to an old friend."
"Indeed."
"Well, that's it. I'm going back to Kalekka. Come visit sometime."
"Hah! Like I'll ever get a break."
"True...anyways, give my regards to William."
"...William?"
"Goodbye, Chris."
The man walked past Chris outside the door, leaving the silver-haired woman wondering who he was talking about. Sighing in exasperation, Chris went into the hallway to wake up Tir, Riou, and Hugo.
Nooooo....I'm running out of ideas....this chapter was so short because of that exactly....I have ideas, but I don't know how to transition them. -_- I'm too tired to answer reviews for chapter 9. R/R