Drifter's Way
Chapter 8: Coming to a Decision
By Drifter Song
Just as Vivian had said, once Star started moving the woman didn't stop, not until dusk began to fall. The Martian sun sank slowly beyond the horizon, mice of all ages returned home slowly, to dine with loved ones, tuck wee ones into bed, or simply relax after a long day's work. Dressed in a tank of pale lavender and dark grey pants, Star sat down in inside one of the few tents that have been set up in the bazaar; a restaurant known as The Flyer's Wing.
"What would the Lady like today?" Came the throaty male voice behind her.
Turning her head Star saw, Arsnik, the owner of, The Flyer's Wing, and smiled at unusual looking male, his fur was a marbled coloration of deep red and rust. Eyes of gold shimmered with constant amusement as feathers brushed his shoulders, wound into his hair behind his ears. The feathers were bright myriad colors that matched his attire of a bright tunic of blue, bordered with silver and a pair of black pants.
"A hot bath and a cool meal," Star replied as she slumped down, one arm stretched out across the table top, the other folded neatly before her, her head fell to rest within its crook.
"Ah, I see," Arsnik replied with a light chuckle, "The first request I'm afraid we are quite sold out of, as for something cool to eat, any particular idea in mind?"
Star managed a light laugh as she lifted her head slightly to gaze at the older male mouse. "Surprise me," came her tired reply.
"As you wish," Arsnik responded and turned from the woman, starting across the room as he spoke again. "I think that I have just the idea of what would hit the spot, I'll be right back."
Star sighed as her head drooped back to its resting place against her arms, pale green eyes slid closed, it had been a long day and the city was still far from being settled. Her thoughts drifted to the construction, feeling as if things were running behind schedule, as her mind wandered slowly to sleep.
Arsnik returned after several minutes with a tray laden with a fresh salad of mixed Martian greens and fruit, unlike many that have been see upon Mars' surface for several years, a large pitcher of crystalline water and a glass.
"Here you are Star," Arsnik said softly as he set the tray down before her, causing the woman to rouse a bit.
"Thank you," Star replied gratefully before her mouth nearly dropped open as she stared at her plate, many of the items in the salad were some of her favorite fruits that she hasn't had in a very long time. "Wh....where did you get all of this?"
"That my dear is a secret, known only to myself and my closest staff members," Arsnik replied with a mischievous grin.
Star looked up at Arsnik and frowned, a look of mock anger that couldn't last at the seemingly innocent look she was being given. Instead she just laughed before starting to eat.
"Have you seen Vivian?" Star asked between mouthfuls.
"Vivian?" Arsnik questioned a dark brow lofted at the obsidian-furred woman. "Which one my dear?"
"Thor's sister," Star replied with a light laugh, "Sorry Arsnik, I thought that you might remember her, since she is the only one that I know resides here in the Way."
"Ah yes, Thor's little sister," Arsnik murmured, "No I haven't seen her today, I did she her much larger sibling though..."
Arsnik's words trailed off at the sight of the small grey furred and fiery haired woman entered through the curtain separating the main room of the restaurant from the darkening world outside.
"Welcome, my lady," Arsnik said as he stood up. "We were just speaking of you. What would you like this evening?"
Vivian made her way over to the table and sat down in one of the large cushions there, a contented sigh escaping her dark muzzle in relief to be off her feet as she leaned back in the chair.
"Hello Arsnik, I'll have what ever Star is having," Vivian replied, with a waves of her hand, not seeing what the black furred woman was eating. It was going to come as a nice surprise. "Evening Star."
"As you wish," Arsnik said with a light chuckle as he got up.
"Good eve, Viv," Star said as she turned her gaze to the woman next to her, "How did things go today?"
"Better then expected," Vivian replied, then launched into an explanation of what she knew had been accomplished. "The new expanse of wall is up, surrounding the open land that we needed. I saw a few people leaving the hospital building today, meaning that Ashleaya got the tanks working. I stopped by earlier with a few instructions for her, but unfortunately I couldn't stay and help. My equipment was being set up in the new biomed building. Which we still have to knock out a wall and add a hallway between the hospital and biomed."
Arsnik returned with another salad and a glass, he sat it down before Vivian before sitting down opposite of the two women.
"Sounds as if things are going well," Arsnik said as he watched Vivian sit up and blink at her plate, eyebrows lofted at the marble furred man across from her.
"Thanks..." was all Viv managed to say as she stared at her plate before poking at a few of the fruits to check and see if they were real or if she were only dreaming. Then she dug right in.
Star nodded to Viv and turned back to her meal, all the while she started a conversation with the owner of The Flyer's Wing, and Vivian to catch up on idle chit-chat and gossip while she had ate, tucked safely away from the now quite world of the city just beyond the curtain.
Vinnie arrived back at the scoreboard sometime long after the clock struck twelve, tired and dirty he shuffled as quietly as he could through the living room after stowing his bike away. He was half expecting someone to be sitting up waiting for him, most likely Throttle. A slight sigh of relief passed his muzzle when no lights flicked on as he tried to pad across the room in the dark and tried not to mutter too hard when he cracked his shin against something. Bleary eyed he dropped face first onto the couch, not wanting to enter his room in fear of waking Throttle and Modo, last thing he wanted was a lecture at this time in the morning. He didn't bother to remove his boots, he slept as he lay, face half mashed into the couch.
Throttle rose at dawn the next morning, sleep being interrupted by unanswered questions and unsettling dreams. He stretched as he got up, and dressed quietly in the pale light that filtered into the room. Picking up his boots he headed for the living room only to lift a furred brow at the sight of Vinnie disheveled and half draped off the couch, snoring heavily. Throttle shook his head and walked past the white furred man and headed for his ride. There he sat down on a low stool and put on his boots, reaching over he patted his motorcycle lovingly upon one of the front struts.
"What am I doing?" Throttle muttered to himself as he stood up and straddled his ride.
"I need a little air," he murmured in response to himself. He sat there for a moment before he kick started the machine and was out of the scoreboard as quickly and quietly as he could.
Usually Silver woke at the first light of dawn, but not this day. The exertion from the fight and the torn wound cause the Martian male to sleep on through the pale crimson dawn and into the late morning.
Charley on the other hand woke much earlier then usual, her night just as Throttle's was plagued with questions and unsettling dreams. Stretching her stiff back as she stood up she, started to bustle around the garage as quietly as possible, in an attempt to take her mind off her unsettled thoughts as well as make some sort of progress with setting up all the parts that were needed to finish the work on Silver's motorcycle.
After several hours of cleaning and being covered in grime, Charley decided to take a shower but first she needed a clean set of cloths, which were in the room that Silver occupied. As the debate within her mind of wanting a hot shower and not disturbing Silver battled for a brief moment, the urge to be clean was too strong to deny, she walked over to the room and quietly opened the door.
An ear twitched, yet Silver did not appear to stir except to roll over onto his good side, facing the wall. He drew in a heavy sigh as his pale eyes slid open a crack, listening. He did not want to rise just yet, though he did not want to cause much more of an inconvenience than he felt he had already, concerning the fight that he got into with Vinnie the night before.
Charley paused at the deep drawing of breath as she started to tiptoe across the room. When it appeared that Silver's breathing returned to that normal state of sleep she continued on to the dresser, oblivious that she was being watched by the tall Martian mouse. Sliding the dresser open as quietly as she could and started to pull out a fresh shirt and pair of pants. "This should do it," she murmured quietly to herself before throwing a quick glance over her shoulder.
Throttle drove through the city, stopping in park, he dismounted his ride and began to wander through the lush, well tended public area. His heavy booted footsteps muffled softly on one of the many chipped paths. He traveled through the small woods that resided there, his long tail swaying behind him as he made his way to a lookout point over the lake. He sat down in the lush grass, one leg bent at the knee while the other was folded neatly next to him. Throttle rested one arm upon his bent knee, his other hand found a place to rest behind him in the soft grass. The rising sun painted a myriad picture of colors against the water and sky, shifting forms that were soothing to see given the state of this Martian's troubled mind.
Charley was just turning to leave the room when the sound of shifting fabric and a soft groan escaped from the bed where Silver lay. The blanket and sheet fell from Silver's form as he sat up slowly, gritting his teeth; a mask of pain etched upon is usually smooth Martian features.
The soft padding of booted feet brought Charley to stand next to the bed, dropping the cloths she took out of the dresser on the chair next to the bed. Gently she placed her hands on Silver's shoulders and pushed firmly, but gently, trying to get the man to lay back down.
"You shouldn't be trying to sit up just yet," Charley chided quitely. "But, I'm glad to see that you are finally awake."
"I should get up..." Silver started to say before a sharp hiss of pain slipped past his velvety soft muzzle and he leaned back a bit to ease the strain on his wounded side.
"No you shouldn't," Charley said in a firm and gentle voice. "You should rest, I'll see if I have any painkillers for you before taking a shower. Looks like you could use them."
Silver's face relaxed as he drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. He looked up at Charley for a moment before he adverted his gaze, starting at a non-descript mass of wrinkled blankets before he began to speak again.
"I have been awake for a short time," he paused, the pink petal of his tongue rolled along the lip of his muzzle moistening the fur line. His voice laced with embarrassment, and... a hint of guilt or shame? "I should have said something upon you entering the room. I have already caused enough hardship for you M'lady, I did not want to cause any more. I understand if start to think ill of me, a stranger watching you within the confines of your bed chamber, while you search for clothing." He bowed his head, silver locks falling in liquid strands, creating a molten curtain hiding his face from view. Silver's words barely an audible whisper, "I'm sorry M'lady."
All Charley could do for a moment was stare at Silver in wonder, struck silent by his blunt honesty, mouth slightly agape as she tried to will words to pour forth from her lips, but nothing came. She drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, collecting herself. She found this Martian amazing, ever time she thought she was starting to come to understand some little aspect about him, something new was handed to her and dashed away that tiny bit she was trying to hold on to so dearly.
"Silver," Charley spoke softly, once she rediscovered her voice, "You don't have to apologize."
She sat down on the bed, next to the tall Martian man; slowly she dropped her hands from his shoulders, resting one hand in her lap and the other on the bed next to her. A look of concern slid slowly across her features. One would think Charley would be angry that she was being watched without knowing, but for some reason she wasn't. She was concerned, concerned about a man she knew very little about yet comfortable in his presence, almost captivated at times. Sitting next to him she was all of a sudden aware of his exotic scent.
"No, M'lady I do," Silver started, not yet turning his pale gaze to meet that of Charley's vibrant green. His voice soft and laced with hard to place emotions "For what I have done is a shamed and selfish act. I was more concerned that I would have become more of an inconvenience if I had moved to sit up then I was your privacy within your own bedchamber. Please forgive me."
Behind that veil of liquid strands, pale blue orbs slid closed as Silver bowed his head a slight bit more. Guilt plagued his heart and mind, seeming to cut into his very soul. He was not one to stoop to actions that were condoned to be no better then that of a peeping tom and that was how he felt at the moment.
"Silver," Charley said as she cocked her head. "Look at me."
She watched the tall black mouse as he shifted his gaze slightly, pale eyes sliding back open to look through his curtain of hair. Charley knew he turned to look at her, but not fully. She drew in a deep breath and let it out softly, almost as a sigh before she reached over and cupped Silver's chin in one hand, turning his face so that he would look her in the eye.
Silver started a bit at Charley's touch, yet he didn't resist much as she turned his pale gaze towards her own vibrant green. With her free hand, Charley brushed back a few strands of molten locks, freeing his gaze, so that she could look at him directly, to emphasize her the point she was going to make..
"Listen," Charley said patiently, "There is no need for you to apologize."
"M'lady..." Silver started, as he pulled back from Charley's touch gently, but before he could open his mouth to say more Charley interrupted.
"Look," Charley cut in, placing one hand on her hip as she gestured with the other, she still spoke in that patient tone. "You're tired and you're wounded, who could blame you for not wanting to get up. So what is there that you truly have to apologize for?"
Silver blinked in astonishment, his jaw dropping open slightly as words that he had been ready to say slipped free of his mind and he released the breath he didn't realize he had been holding. After a few moments of silence he bowed his head slightly as he shook his head, a slight chuckle passed his lips before he looked back up at the woman sitting on the edge of the bed. A quite smile resting easily across his velvety muzzle. He was quite amazed by Charley's logic, though it eased the guilt and embarrassment he felt, it was still there to a degree, but there was no reason to press the issue any further. He had been forgiven in a sense, though she had not said it out right.
"I don't think that I have an answer for you, Miss Charlene," Silver replied after another moments pause as he studied Charley before he added partially in good humor and partially in truth. "And I can see that, for me this will eternally be a loosing battle."
Charley just smiled and patted Silver on the shoulder before she stood up. "See that wasn't so bad now was it and believe me if I felt that I needed an apology you would have known. Now I'll be right back."
Charley left the room, the sound of her booted feet clacking across the hard floor outside of the room slowly dimmed as she made her way to the bathroom and started to rummage through the medicine cabinet. Finding what she was looking for she returned to the bedroom after filling a glass full of water.
"The guys have told me that these work wonders," Charley said as she shook the small box in her hands, causing it to rattle slightly. "Take a couple of these and relax, I'll make some breakfast after I get out of the shower."
She set the box of pain relievers on the table next to the bed, along with the glass of water before grabbing her change of cloths from the chair. She turned and headed out of the room, pausing in the doorway she looked over her shoulder. She smiled as she jokingly said, "I'll be back to check on you shortly, don't try and sneak off while I'm gone."
Charley left the room, swinging the door closed behind her, not realizing it did not latch shut, leaving it open a tiny crack, her foot falls faded slowly and soon Silver heard the sound of the bathroom door shutting and the shower turning on. Again he shook his head, chuckling softly as he did so as he carefully leaned over to pick up the box that Charley left upon the table.
"What have I gotten myself into," he muttered to himself as his gaze turned back to the door once again and the faint sound of water running, falling with a gentle hiss from the shower head.
His gaze then turned back to the small pale blue and white box with the words Ex-anayol written across the front in dark blue. Flipping the box over, Silver read the back looking for the prescribed amount to take before opening up the package and removing to small robin egg blue pills and washing them down with water. Laying back down he placed one arm behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling, eyes slowly closing in a lazy fashion as his mind began to wander. First going to thoughts of home and how his clan was doing with the settling of the city. I wonder what Star is doing right now, he wondered, before his thought slowly turned back to Charley.
The Martian sky was just starting to redden with the rising sun, as dawn broke over the sleepy nomadic city as it started to wake. Martian mice of all ages entered the streets to start work, some heading to the bazaar to open shop while others went to finish construction of the last few buildings needed it.
Star rose with the dawn, rubbing her pale green eyes wearily and yawned. There was still plenty of work that needed to be done. She was to meet Vivian and Ashaylea this morning at the Biomed building to discuss where would be the most advantageous place to knock out a wall, so that there would be a connecting hallway to the Hospital.
She shifted, her feet coming to rest upon the cool wooden floor and she had to resist the urge to pull them away from the cold surface and crawl back into bed. Star stood up and stretched, yawning again with her movements. Dressing quickly she went downstairs and grabbed a quick bite to eat something easy to carry, as she walked out the door and across the city.
The rumble of a motorcycle came to a halt in front of the Last Chance Garage, went without notice, but the loud knock on the door seem to filter into the light haze of sleep that Silver never realized he had fallen into. Cracking his eyes open he still heard the sound of the shower, meaning he couldn't have been asleep long.
Again the knock sounded at the door.
Silver shifted, wincing in pain thought the painkillers were starting to take effect so it was a dull ache, instead of a stabbing pain. Slowly he sat up and forced himself to his feet, hand pressed to his right side as if to hold the pain at bay as he swayed slightly. Once he felt steady on his feet he padded softly out of the room.
Outside Throttle shifted slightly, an ear twitched as he placed one hand to his chin. His other hand resting at his side as his long tail swayed lazily behind him.
"Maybe Charley's out," he muttered to himself, as he rubbed the soft fur with his thumb. "Or she's not up yet. I'll give it one last try."
Just as he reached out his hand to give one last knock on the door before leaving, it opened. Throttle blinked and started to speak, "Sorry Charl..."
The blond mouse's words just trailed off, startled his gaze not falling on Charley, but the slightly disheveled and weary form of Silver standing in the open portal, left hand resting against his wound, his right on the door handle. The white bandages wrapped about his chest and abdomen stood out in sharp contrast to his obsidian fur. Throttle cleared his throat, as he worked to shake of the shock, as his gaze met Silver's.
"Is Charley here?" Throttle asked, his voice neutral.
Silver nodded, slowly in response after a few moments and took a step back into the garage, holding the door open before speaking. "She is in the shower."
Almost as if on cue Silver heard the shower turn off, his gaze turning towards the back of the garage, long hair swaying with his movements, as Throttle entered. The tall black Martian's ear gave a twitch as he turned back to face blond man once again, seeing that he was safely through the door Silver closed the portal.
"Looks like Charley's been busy," Throttle commented, more to break the awkward silence then anything else. He still wasn't sure if he was doing the right thing concerning the tall black mouse beside him.
Stifling a yawn with one hand, Silver could only nod as he looked around the room. Actually he hadn't even noticed till Throttle had mentioned it. Boxes littered the floor of the main work bay; some open and half-unpacked, others piled off to the side for later. Packing material trailed from box to box as parts had been moved. A clipboard and pen resting preciously on the edge of another pile of boxes had several items checked off its list.
"Apparently so," Silver replied, softly in a seemingly impressed tone, which he was. There were a lot of boxes and parts that have been moved and he hadn't heard a thing.
Again an awkward silence sprung up between the two men as Silver made his way over to the recliner Charley has been using as a bed. The tall black Martian sank down into the chair slowly, grimaced slightly in pain as he did so, as he fought to stifle another yawn.
"I should know better to believe packages that say non-drowsy," Silver muttered aloud as he placed his head in one hand, propped up on the arm of the chair and yawned again.
An ear twitches and Throttle chuckled softly, a slight smile spreading across his muzzle as he looked at Silver. His boots thumped against the floor as he walked towards the black mouse grabbing a chair on his way over.
"That's the only bad thing about Earth-an pain relievers, no matter which one I take they makes me drowsy, though they usually work well," Throttle said as he plunked the chair down across from Silver and sat down. Straddling the chair, Throttle folded his arms across the back as he looked at the man across from him.
"That I can agree with," Silver replied in a sleepy tone. "The numbing effect is wonderful. It hasn't dulled the pain completely, but at least it is a bit more tolerable."
Throttle appeared as if he was going to say something in return when both men's ears twitched at the sound of the bathroom door opening. A pair of deep crimson and a pair of pale blue orbs turned to look at the back of the work bay. Soon the soft sound of bare feet padding across the floor became audible to both men as Charley walked towards the work bay, toweling her head dry at the same time.
"Hey babe," Throttle said, with a light gesture of one hand nearly scaring the woman out of her wits, with a slight yelp of startlement that caused the blond Martian to chuckle, before asking, "Feel better?"
"Wha..." was all Charley could muster to say through her haze of startlement, as she stared at Throttle. "What are you doing here?"
This seemed a bit unexpected, usually Charley had all the guys at the shop at once, unless one of them had work to be done on their motorcycle. Slowly her mind worked through its state of shock and she turned her green gaze from Throttle to Silver.
"I will leave you two to talk," Silver said softly as he bit back another yawn and shook his head. "I think I need to lay back down," was murmured almost as an afterthought.
"You shouldn't even be up!" Charley scolded lightly as Silver looked up at her. His face mildly haggard looking from both mental and physical exhaustion as well as the pain left to linger despite the medication.
"Who else was to get the door?" Silver asked, as he slowly started to push himself to his feet.
Throttle just watched the exchange of words between mechanic and the mouse, smiling inward a bit despite himself. He rose to his feet as well, moving the chair to clear a better path for wounded man.
Before Charley could respond, Silver swayed unsteadily on his feet as he stood. Without thinking Throttle closed the gap between Silver and himself, catching the man as he started to loose his balance. The blond man heard the sharp intake of breath as Silver grit his teeth against the straining stitches. Silver stood there for a few moments, leaning upon Throttle's strong arm, eyes closed against the pain and haze that now swam before his vision. He drew in a few deep breaths, releasing them slowly, regaining his composure.
"Thank you," Silver said as he half turned his gaze towards Throttle's own, "I will be fine, now."
Silver then shifted his weight from Throttle's arm moving to take another step towards the back room. After a few paces he stopped, nearly swaying on is feet again as he shook his head.
"Here, let me help," Throttle said, once again instinctually moving to support the unsteady Martian man, as Charley move to catch Silver under his other arm.
"Why don't we both help," Charley said, as Silver opened his mouth to protest, only to click it shut as Charley spoke, all the while the woman draped Silver's right arm around her shoulder. Throttle doing the same on the wounded man's left.
Silver just sighed, before he looked back and forth between Charley and Throttle, before his gaze fell back to the mechanic.
"Looks like I do not have much choice," Silver responded, "apparently Earth- an medication is not something that I should take..."
It was as if his body was in agreement for Silver felt his right knee start to give and he shifted his weight the best he could, even though he was supported by two people he was still a bit conscious of his own bulk.
"Time to go," Charley said as she felt the shifting of Silver's weight, "Or we might just have to carry him into the back," she added leaning back to take a peek at Throttle with a smile on her face, a look she was thankful to hide from Silver.
The look on black Martian's face must have been priceless for Throttle started to chuckle as the pair lead Silver to the back room, where the black Martian crawled thankfully back into bed and was asleep before Charley and Throttle left the room.
April 23, 2004
Copyright Drifter Song 2000-2004, all rights reserved
Chapter 8: Coming to a Decision
By Drifter Song
Just as Vivian had said, once Star started moving the woman didn't stop, not until dusk began to fall. The Martian sun sank slowly beyond the horizon, mice of all ages returned home slowly, to dine with loved ones, tuck wee ones into bed, or simply relax after a long day's work. Dressed in a tank of pale lavender and dark grey pants, Star sat down in inside one of the few tents that have been set up in the bazaar; a restaurant known as The Flyer's Wing.
"What would the Lady like today?" Came the throaty male voice behind her.
Turning her head Star saw, Arsnik, the owner of, The Flyer's Wing, and smiled at unusual looking male, his fur was a marbled coloration of deep red and rust. Eyes of gold shimmered with constant amusement as feathers brushed his shoulders, wound into his hair behind his ears. The feathers were bright myriad colors that matched his attire of a bright tunic of blue, bordered with silver and a pair of black pants.
"A hot bath and a cool meal," Star replied as she slumped down, one arm stretched out across the table top, the other folded neatly before her, her head fell to rest within its crook.
"Ah, I see," Arsnik replied with a light chuckle, "The first request I'm afraid we are quite sold out of, as for something cool to eat, any particular idea in mind?"
Star managed a light laugh as she lifted her head slightly to gaze at the older male mouse. "Surprise me," came her tired reply.
"As you wish," Arsnik responded and turned from the woman, starting across the room as he spoke again. "I think that I have just the idea of what would hit the spot, I'll be right back."
Star sighed as her head drooped back to its resting place against her arms, pale green eyes slid closed, it had been a long day and the city was still far from being settled. Her thoughts drifted to the construction, feeling as if things were running behind schedule, as her mind wandered slowly to sleep.
Arsnik returned after several minutes with a tray laden with a fresh salad of mixed Martian greens and fruit, unlike many that have been see upon Mars' surface for several years, a large pitcher of crystalline water and a glass.
"Here you are Star," Arsnik said softly as he set the tray down before her, causing the woman to rouse a bit.
"Thank you," Star replied gratefully before her mouth nearly dropped open as she stared at her plate, many of the items in the salad were some of her favorite fruits that she hasn't had in a very long time. "Wh....where did you get all of this?"
"That my dear is a secret, known only to myself and my closest staff members," Arsnik replied with a mischievous grin.
Star looked up at Arsnik and frowned, a look of mock anger that couldn't last at the seemingly innocent look she was being given. Instead she just laughed before starting to eat.
"Have you seen Vivian?" Star asked between mouthfuls.
"Vivian?" Arsnik questioned a dark brow lofted at the obsidian-furred woman. "Which one my dear?"
"Thor's sister," Star replied with a light laugh, "Sorry Arsnik, I thought that you might remember her, since she is the only one that I know resides here in the Way."
"Ah yes, Thor's little sister," Arsnik murmured, "No I haven't seen her today, I did she her much larger sibling though..."
Arsnik's words trailed off at the sight of the small grey furred and fiery haired woman entered through the curtain separating the main room of the restaurant from the darkening world outside.
"Welcome, my lady," Arsnik said as he stood up. "We were just speaking of you. What would you like this evening?"
Vivian made her way over to the table and sat down in one of the large cushions there, a contented sigh escaping her dark muzzle in relief to be off her feet as she leaned back in the chair.
"Hello Arsnik, I'll have what ever Star is having," Vivian replied, with a waves of her hand, not seeing what the black furred woman was eating. It was going to come as a nice surprise. "Evening Star."
"As you wish," Arsnik said with a light chuckle as he got up.
"Good eve, Viv," Star said as she turned her gaze to the woman next to her, "How did things go today?"
"Better then expected," Vivian replied, then launched into an explanation of what she knew had been accomplished. "The new expanse of wall is up, surrounding the open land that we needed. I saw a few people leaving the hospital building today, meaning that Ashleaya got the tanks working. I stopped by earlier with a few instructions for her, but unfortunately I couldn't stay and help. My equipment was being set up in the new biomed building. Which we still have to knock out a wall and add a hallway between the hospital and biomed."
Arsnik returned with another salad and a glass, he sat it down before Vivian before sitting down opposite of the two women.
"Sounds as if things are going well," Arsnik said as he watched Vivian sit up and blink at her plate, eyebrows lofted at the marble furred man across from her.
"Thanks..." was all Viv managed to say as she stared at her plate before poking at a few of the fruits to check and see if they were real or if she were only dreaming. Then she dug right in.
Star nodded to Viv and turned back to her meal, all the while she started a conversation with the owner of The Flyer's Wing, and Vivian to catch up on idle chit-chat and gossip while she had ate, tucked safely away from the now quite world of the city just beyond the curtain.
Vinnie arrived back at the scoreboard sometime long after the clock struck twelve, tired and dirty he shuffled as quietly as he could through the living room after stowing his bike away. He was half expecting someone to be sitting up waiting for him, most likely Throttle. A slight sigh of relief passed his muzzle when no lights flicked on as he tried to pad across the room in the dark and tried not to mutter too hard when he cracked his shin against something. Bleary eyed he dropped face first onto the couch, not wanting to enter his room in fear of waking Throttle and Modo, last thing he wanted was a lecture at this time in the morning. He didn't bother to remove his boots, he slept as he lay, face half mashed into the couch.
Throttle rose at dawn the next morning, sleep being interrupted by unanswered questions and unsettling dreams. He stretched as he got up, and dressed quietly in the pale light that filtered into the room. Picking up his boots he headed for the living room only to lift a furred brow at the sight of Vinnie disheveled and half draped off the couch, snoring heavily. Throttle shook his head and walked past the white furred man and headed for his ride. There he sat down on a low stool and put on his boots, reaching over he patted his motorcycle lovingly upon one of the front struts.
"What am I doing?" Throttle muttered to himself as he stood up and straddled his ride.
"I need a little air," he murmured in response to himself. He sat there for a moment before he kick started the machine and was out of the scoreboard as quickly and quietly as he could.
Usually Silver woke at the first light of dawn, but not this day. The exertion from the fight and the torn wound cause the Martian male to sleep on through the pale crimson dawn and into the late morning.
Charley on the other hand woke much earlier then usual, her night just as Throttle's was plagued with questions and unsettling dreams. Stretching her stiff back as she stood up she, started to bustle around the garage as quietly as possible, in an attempt to take her mind off her unsettled thoughts as well as make some sort of progress with setting up all the parts that were needed to finish the work on Silver's motorcycle.
After several hours of cleaning and being covered in grime, Charley decided to take a shower but first she needed a clean set of cloths, which were in the room that Silver occupied. As the debate within her mind of wanting a hot shower and not disturbing Silver battled for a brief moment, the urge to be clean was too strong to deny, she walked over to the room and quietly opened the door.
An ear twitched, yet Silver did not appear to stir except to roll over onto his good side, facing the wall. He drew in a heavy sigh as his pale eyes slid open a crack, listening. He did not want to rise just yet, though he did not want to cause much more of an inconvenience than he felt he had already, concerning the fight that he got into with Vinnie the night before.
Charley paused at the deep drawing of breath as she started to tiptoe across the room. When it appeared that Silver's breathing returned to that normal state of sleep she continued on to the dresser, oblivious that she was being watched by the tall Martian mouse. Sliding the dresser open as quietly as she could and started to pull out a fresh shirt and pair of pants. "This should do it," she murmured quietly to herself before throwing a quick glance over her shoulder.
Throttle drove through the city, stopping in park, he dismounted his ride and began to wander through the lush, well tended public area. His heavy booted footsteps muffled softly on one of the many chipped paths. He traveled through the small woods that resided there, his long tail swaying behind him as he made his way to a lookout point over the lake. He sat down in the lush grass, one leg bent at the knee while the other was folded neatly next to him. Throttle rested one arm upon his bent knee, his other hand found a place to rest behind him in the soft grass. The rising sun painted a myriad picture of colors against the water and sky, shifting forms that were soothing to see given the state of this Martian's troubled mind.
Charley was just turning to leave the room when the sound of shifting fabric and a soft groan escaped from the bed where Silver lay. The blanket and sheet fell from Silver's form as he sat up slowly, gritting his teeth; a mask of pain etched upon is usually smooth Martian features.
The soft padding of booted feet brought Charley to stand next to the bed, dropping the cloths she took out of the dresser on the chair next to the bed. Gently she placed her hands on Silver's shoulders and pushed firmly, but gently, trying to get the man to lay back down.
"You shouldn't be trying to sit up just yet," Charley chided quitely. "But, I'm glad to see that you are finally awake."
"I should get up..." Silver started to say before a sharp hiss of pain slipped past his velvety soft muzzle and he leaned back a bit to ease the strain on his wounded side.
"No you shouldn't," Charley said in a firm and gentle voice. "You should rest, I'll see if I have any painkillers for you before taking a shower. Looks like you could use them."
Silver's face relaxed as he drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. He looked up at Charley for a moment before he adverted his gaze, starting at a non-descript mass of wrinkled blankets before he began to speak again.
"I have been awake for a short time," he paused, the pink petal of his tongue rolled along the lip of his muzzle moistening the fur line. His voice laced with embarrassment, and... a hint of guilt or shame? "I should have said something upon you entering the room. I have already caused enough hardship for you M'lady, I did not want to cause any more. I understand if start to think ill of me, a stranger watching you within the confines of your bed chamber, while you search for clothing." He bowed his head, silver locks falling in liquid strands, creating a molten curtain hiding his face from view. Silver's words barely an audible whisper, "I'm sorry M'lady."
All Charley could do for a moment was stare at Silver in wonder, struck silent by his blunt honesty, mouth slightly agape as she tried to will words to pour forth from her lips, but nothing came. She drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, collecting herself. She found this Martian amazing, ever time she thought she was starting to come to understand some little aspect about him, something new was handed to her and dashed away that tiny bit she was trying to hold on to so dearly.
"Silver," Charley spoke softly, once she rediscovered her voice, "You don't have to apologize."
She sat down on the bed, next to the tall Martian man; slowly she dropped her hands from his shoulders, resting one hand in her lap and the other on the bed next to her. A look of concern slid slowly across her features. One would think Charley would be angry that she was being watched without knowing, but for some reason she wasn't. She was concerned, concerned about a man she knew very little about yet comfortable in his presence, almost captivated at times. Sitting next to him she was all of a sudden aware of his exotic scent.
"No, M'lady I do," Silver started, not yet turning his pale gaze to meet that of Charley's vibrant green. His voice soft and laced with hard to place emotions "For what I have done is a shamed and selfish act. I was more concerned that I would have become more of an inconvenience if I had moved to sit up then I was your privacy within your own bedchamber. Please forgive me."
Behind that veil of liquid strands, pale blue orbs slid closed as Silver bowed his head a slight bit more. Guilt plagued his heart and mind, seeming to cut into his very soul. He was not one to stoop to actions that were condoned to be no better then that of a peeping tom and that was how he felt at the moment.
"Silver," Charley said as she cocked her head. "Look at me."
She watched the tall black mouse as he shifted his gaze slightly, pale eyes sliding back open to look through his curtain of hair. Charley knew he turned to look at her, but not fully. She drew in a deep breath and let it out softly, almost as a sigh before she reached over and cupped Silver's chin in one hand, turning his face so that he would look her in the eye.
Silver started a bit at Charley's touch, yet he didn't resist much as she turned his pale gaze towards her own vibrant green. With her free hand, Charley brushed back a few strands of molten locks, freeing his gaze, so that she could look at him directly, to emphasize her the point she was going to make..
"Listen," Charley said patiently, "There is no need for you to apologize."
"M'lady..." Silver started, as he pulled back from Charley's touch gently, but before he could open his mouth to say more Charley interrupted.
"Look," Charley cut in, placing one hand on her hip as she gestured with the other, she still spoke in that patient tone. "You're tired and you're wounded, who could blame you for not wanting to get up. So what is there that you truly have to apologize for?"
Silver blinked in astonishment, his jaw dropping open slightly as words that he had been ready to say slipped free of his mind and he released the breath he didn't realize he had been holding. After a few moments of silence he bowed his head slightly as he shook his head, a slight chuckle passed his lips before he looked back up at the woman sitting on the edge of the bed. A quite smile resting easily across his velvety muzzle. He was quite amazed by Charley's logic, though it eased the guilt and embarrassment he felt, it was still there to a degree, but there was no reason to press the issue any further. He had been forgiven in a sense, though she had not said it out right.
"I don't think that I have an answer for you, Miss Charlene," Silver replied after another moments pause as he studied Charley before he added partially in good humor and partially in truth. "And I can see that, for me this will eternally be a loosing battle."
Charley just smiled and patted Silver on the shoulder before she stood up. "See that wasn't so bad now was it and believe me if I felt that I needed an apology you would have known. Now I'll be right back."
Charley left the room, the sound of her booted feet clacking across the hard floor outside of the room slowly dimmed as she made her way to the bathroom and started to rummage through the medicine cabinet. Finding what she was looking for she returned to the bedroom after filling a glass full of water.
"The guys have told me that these work wonders," Charley said as she shook the small box in her hands, causing it to rattle slightly. "Take a couple of these and relax, I'll make some breakfast after I get out of the shower."
She set the box of pain relievers on the table next to the bed, along with the glass of water before grabbing her change of cloths from the chair. She turned and headed out of the room, pausing in the doorway she looked over her shoulder. She smiled as she jokingly said, "I'll be back to check on you shortly, don't try and sneak off while I'm gone."
Charley left the room, swinging the door closed behind her, not realizing it did not latch shut, leaving it open a tiny crack, her foot falls faded slowly and soon Silver heard the sound of the bathroom door shutting and the shower turning on. Again he shook his head, chuckling softly as he did so as he carefully leaned over to pick up the box that Charley left upon the table.
"What have I gotten myself into," he muttered to himself as his gaze turned back to the door once again and the faint sound of water running, falling with a gentle hiss from the shower head.
His gaze then turned back to the small pale blue and white box with the words Ex-anayol written across the front in dark blue. Flipping the box over, Silver read the back looking for the prescribed amount to take before opening up the package and removing to small robin egg blue pills and washing them down with water. Laying back down he placed one arm behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling, eyes slowly closing in a lazy fashion as his mind began to wander. First going to thoughts of home and how his clan was doing with the settling of the city. I wonder what Star is doing right now, he wondered, before his thought slowly turned back to Charley.
The Martian sky was just starting to redden with the rising sun, as dawn broke over the sleepy nomadic city as it started to wake. Martian mice of all ages entered the streets to start work, some heading to the bazaar to open shop while others went to finish construction of the last few buildings needed it.
Star rose with the dawn, rubbing her pale green eyes wearily and yawned. There was still plenty of work that needed to be done. She was to meet Vivian and Ashaylea this morning at the Biomed building to discuss where would be the most advantageous place to knock out a wall, so that there would be a connecting hallway to the Hospital.
She shifted, her feet coming to rest upon the cool wooden floor and she had to resist the urge to pull them away from the cold surface and crawl back into bed. Star stood up and stretched, yawning again with her movements. Dressing quickly she went downstairs and grabbed a quick bite to eat something easy to carry, as she walked out the door and across the city.
The rumble of a motorcycle came to a halt in front of the Last Chance Garage, went without notice, but the loud knock on the door seem to filter into the light haze of sleep that Silver never realized he had fallen into. Cracking his eyes open he still heard the sound of the shower, meaning he couldn't have been asleep long.
Again the knock sounded at the door.
Silver shifted, wincing in pain thought the painkillers were starting to take effect so it was a dull ache, instead of a stabbing pain. Slowly he sat up and forced himself to his feet, hand pressed to his right side as if to hold the pain at bay as he swayed slightly. Once he felt steady on his feet he padded softly out of the room.
Outside Throttle shifted slightly, an ear twitched as he placed one hand to his chin. His other hand resting at his side as his long tail swayed lazily behind him.
"Maybe Charley's out," he muttered to himself, as he rubbed the soft fur with his thumb. "Or she's not up yet. I'll give it one last try."
Just as he reached out his hand to give one last knock on the door before leaving, it opened. Throttle blinked and started to speak, "Sorry Charl..."
The blond mouse's words just trailed off, startled his gaze not falling on Charley, but the slightly disheveled and weary form of Silver standing in the open portal, left hand resting against his wound, his right on the door handle. The white bandages wrapped about his chest and abdomen stood out in sharp contrast to his obsidian fur. Throttle cleared his throat, as he worked to shake of the shock, as his gaze met Silver's.
"Is Charley here?" Throttle asked, his voice neutral.
Silver nodded, slowly in response after a few moments and took a step back into the garage, holding the door open before speaking. "She is in the shower."
Almost as if on cue Silver heard the shower turn off, his gaze turning towards the back of the garage, long hair swaying with his movements, as Throttle entered. The tall black Martian's ear gave a twitch as he turned back to face blond man once again, seeing that he was safely through the door Silver closed the portal.
"Looks like Charley's been busy," Throttle commented, more to break the awkward silence then anything else. He still wasn't sure if he was doing the right thing concerning the tall black mouse beside him.
Stifling a yawn with one hand, Silver could only nod as he looked around the room. Actually he hadn't even noticed till Throttle had mentioned it. Boxes littered the floor of the main work bay; some open and half-unpacked, others piled off to the side for later. Packing material trailed from box to box as parts had been moved. A clipboard and pen resting preciously on the edge of another pile of boxes had several items checked off its list.
"Apparently so," Silver replied, softly in a seemingly impressed tone, which he was. There were a lot of boxes and parts that have been moved and he hadn't heard a thing.
Again an awkward silence sprung up between the two men as Silver made his way over to the recliner Charley has been using as a bed. The tall black Martian sank down into the chair slowly, grimaced slightly in pain as he did so, as he fought to stifle another yawn.
"I should know better to believe packages that say non-drowsy," Silver muttered aloud as he placed his head in one hand, propped up on the arm of the chair and yawned again.
An ear twitches and Throttle chuckled softly, a slight smile spreading across his muzzle as he looked at Silver. His boots thumped against the floor as he walked towards the black mouse grabbing a chair on his way over.
"That's the only bad thing about Earth-an pain relievers, no matter which one I take they makes me drowsy, though they usually work well," Throttle said as he plunked the chair down across from Silver and sat down. Straddling the chair, Throttle folded his arms across the back as he looked at the man across from him.
"That I can agree with," Silver replied in a sleepy tone. "The numbing effect is wonderful. It hasn't dulled the pain completely, but at least it is a bit more tolerable."
Throttle appeared as if he was going to say something in return when both men's ears twitched at the sound of the bathroom door opening. A pair of deep crimson and a pair of pale blue orbs turned to look at the back of the work bay. Soon the soft sound of bare feet padding across the floor became audible to both men as Charley walked towards the work bay, toweling her head dry at the same time.
"Hey babe," Throttle said, with a light gesture of one hand nearly scaring the woman out of her wits, with a slight yelp of startlement that caused the blond Martian to chuckle, before asking, "Feel better?"
"Wha..." was all Charley could muster to say through her haze of startlement, as she stared at Throttle. "What are you doing here?"
This seemed a bit unexpected, usually Charley had all the guys at the shop at once, unless one of them had work to be done on their motorcycle. Slowly her mind worked through its state of shock and she turned her green gaze from Throttle to Silver.
"I will leave you two to talk," Silver said softly as he bit back another yawn and shook his head. "I think I need to lay back down," was murmured almost as an afterthought.
"You shouldn't even be up!" Charley scolded lightly as Silver looked up at her. His face mildly haggard looking from both mental and physical exhaustion as well as the pain left to linger despite the medication.
"Who else was to get the door?" Silver asked, as he slowly started to push himself to his feet.
Throttle just watched the exchange of words between mechanic and the mouse, smiling inward a bit despite himself. He rose to his feet as well, moving the chair to clear a better path for wounded man.
Before Charley could respond, Silver swayed unsteadily on his feet as he stood. Without thinking Throttle closed the gap between Silver and himself, catching the man as he started to loose his balance. The blond man heard the sharp intake of breath as Silver grit his teeth against the straining stitches. Silver stood there for a few moments, leaning upon Throttle's strong arm, eyes closed against the pain and haze that now swam before his vision. He drew in a few deep breaths, releasing them slowly, regaining his composure.
"Thank you," Silver said as he half turned his gaze towards Throttle's own, "I will be fine, now."
Silver then shifted his weight from Throttle's arm moving to take another step towards the back room. After a few paces he stopped, nearly swaying on is feet again as he shook his head.
"Here, let me help," Throttle said, once again instinctually moving to support the unsteady Martian man, as Charley move to catch Silver under his other arm.
"Why don't we both help," Charley said, as Silver opened his mouth to protest, only to click it shut as Charley spoke, all the while the woman draped Silver's right arm around her shoulder. Throttle doing the same on the wounded man's left.
Silver just sighed, before he looked back and forth between Charley and Throttle, before his gaze fell back to the mechanic.
"Looks like I do not have much choice," Silver responded, "apparently Earth- an medication is not something that I should take..."
It was as if his body was in agreement for Silver felt his right knee start to give and he shifted his weight the best he could, even though he was supported by two people he was still a bit conscious of his own bulk.
"Time to go," Charley said as she felt the shifting of Silver's weight, "Or we might just have to carry him into the back," she added leaning back to take a peek at Throttle with a smile on her face, a look she was thankful to hide from Silver.
The look on black Martian's face must have been priceless for Throttle started to chuckle as the pair lead Silver to the back room, where the black Martian crawled thankfully back into bed and was asleep before Charley and Throttle left the room.
April 23, 2004
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