They made their way across the sands to Starters Town. It was a large town, at least much bigger than you would expect in such a desert. There were large buildings and hotels lined up on the streets. A few spots of green here and there throughout the town and even a big casino that Elie was the first to notice. They passed down the streets in the cart until they reached a nice looking hotel. Elie begged to see the beach, but Sieg claimed that rest was more important to him after a long ride with an annoying Griff being his usual annoying self.
They went into the hotel and rented three bedrooms, each room having double beds. They decided that the best way to divide was Let, Sieg, and Musica in one room, then Griff, Ruby and Viola in the second room, and Haru, Plue and Elie in the third. Several of the company weren't happy with the arrangements, but they were forced to bear with it. They each broke off in their groups and went to their rooms. Elie skipped along up the red carpeted staircase to the second floor with Plue swinging in her arms. Viola dragged Griff along with a strangling grip as he begged and pleaded when Elie mentioned that she felt like taking a long hot shower. Her and Ruby followed behind Elie and Haru up the stairs.
Then Musica came up behind Haru and teased him about having a room with Elie. Haru defended himself by saying Plue would be there the entire time and that he would never hurt Elie. Musica laughed at him, after all, all Haru had to do was lock Plue in the bathroom and he could do whatever he wanted. Haru was scarred.
Then after a moment Haru declared that Elie should sleep with Viola, but when Griff cried out with joy they moved Griff and Ruby in with Haru.
Elie was thrilled when her, Viola and Plue made it to their room. The rushed in and claimed the first shower. She was so thrilled at the shiny porcelain bathroom that Viola had to pull Plue out of her arms to keep him from being strangled to death. Elie disappeared into the bathroom and Viola sat down on the bed, staring out the large window with Plue on her lap.
"Well, here we are. At least we didn't get stuck with that stupid blue blob of a perverted freak!" she stopped when Plue shook, noticing that he had gone red.
"I'm sorry, Plue!" she exclaimed, hugging him. Then she looked out the window at the deep blue sky.
"A sky as blue as that can only mean bad luck." She said softly. "Pain is the only thing waiting for us in the end."
"Plue!" disagreed Plue, but Viola just patted him on the head.
Elie came out of the bathroom about ten minutes later. Her hair was still wet and was dripping about her. Plue jumped out of Viola's arms and rushed to Elie, who laughed and happily picked him up in her arms.
"Ah, showers are so refreshing. That felt good, Plue, you should've been there." Said Elie sweetly.
Viola walked past her into the bathroom, but Elie caught the door before Viola could close it.
"I'm going for a walk down at the beach, so when you're done you should come down and join me." She smiled.
Viola put her hand to her head, "Sure, if you don't mind someone as stupid as me."
She closed the door before Elie could say anything else. Elie paused a moment, then shrugged and left the room. She whistled down the hall to Musica's room and convinced him to join her. Musica agreed, but only because the tension in his room was driving him nuts. So together they went and got Haru, Ruby and Griff. Then they left the hotel and made their way down the street in the direction of the sound of waves. They passed between two large building and came to the beach. It was a long stretch of sand with a blue as dark as the sky reaching out across it. Elie gave a cry of joy and ran across the sand into the water where she was knee deep. Haru laughed at her joy and insanity as she splashed cold ocean water on a shaking Plue. Elie cried out to them and Ruby was soon waddling out to her, ringing his bell happily. Musica shook his head then patted Haru on the shoulder.
"I'm going further down the beach to look for shells." He explained as he walked past Haru.
Haru smiled, "We'll be right behind you. I'm sure Elie would love to find shells."
Haru ran out to her and Musica walked he could hear Elie crying out with joy. They were soon behind him, scanning the ground for any shells that caught their eyes. Musica looked ahead as Griff, with his eye for detail found several pretty shells, which he gave to Elie. Elie giggled and begged Haru to pause so she could take off her shoes. Haru complied and soon Elie was running circles around them in her bare feet with her shoes in her hands.
Musica thought about what people were probably thinking when they saw them. They probably thought they were a nutty little group. Or hopefully they just thought Elie was the nutcase. They didn't know the half of it. A pier came into view and on it sat a girl with short black hair and reminded him of Elie. Musica paused for a moment wondering why she seemed familiar to him. Elie suddenly ran into Musica and fell over laughing.
Ruby rushed over and helped her up, "Elie-san, are you okay?"
Haru laughed at her almost falling over and Musica pretended not to know them. Elie placed her hand on Musica's shoulder and apologized, then settled down. She picked up Plue, who had been struggling to keep up with them, and began humming softly. Musica turned back towards the pier and decided to move a little closer. As he came nearer he noticed that she was definitely someone he know. Then, as he took a step onto the pier he realized who she was. Could it really be her?
"Melodia?" he asked softly.
The girl turned around and Musica knew he had been right.
"Musica?" a smile spread across her face. "Musica, it's really you!"
She leaped at him and hugged him with her arms tightly wrapped around his neck. Musica was startled at her embrace, remembering that their last meeting had not gone so well. Was Melodia still mad at him because of the way he had taken off? Melodia backed away and looked up at him.
Musica blushed, "What are you doing here?"
Melodia's smile faded, "I went looking for you after you took off. I felt like I scared you off, because I was too harsh, and I felt like I had hurt you. So I went looking for you and when I went to the station, and well…You're a very hard man to find! You know that! I searched everywhere for you and I was scared that I wouldn't find you! How could you just disappear like that again!"
Musica went scarlet red, "Well don't go blaming me, you said some pretty hurtful things. Besides, I had a duty to help my friends, and a promise to withhold!"
Melodia looked hurt and she glared past Musica, directly at Elie. "You're right, I guess you were busy."
Musica frowned, "See."
"You pervert!" cried Melodia, "She's probably ten years younger than you! You're sickening!"
Elie gaped in confusion as Melodia pushed past Musica and glared at her. What did she do? Musica went even redder and Haru went dead pale. Suddenly, Griff fell to the ground laughing his head off. Musica and Elie? Why Musica probably couldn't get a decent girl if he tried! Musica took a step after Melodia, but she was quickly gone from the beach back into the town.
Musica sighed and stormed past through the beach back into the town. He made his way past the hotel, not bothering to go inside. Sieg and Let were the last people he wanted to see right now. Musica stormed down the streets until he found a small but comfortable looking bar then went inside. After sitting down at a table and ordering a drink, he closed his eyes and thought to himself. That had been a surprise and Musica felt deeply embarrassed how Melodia had treated him and especially Elie. She had no right to say those things.
"I'm sorry." Said a familiar voice beside him.
Musica opened his eyes to find Melodia sitting beside him. So she had followed him there just to apologize. Musica turned away from her, sighing deeply.
"I just assumed that…" Melodia stopped, unable to continue.
"What do you care?" demanded Musica. "I was nothing to you remember? You moved on, so what do care if I like her or not?"
Melodia frowned, "You don't really-
Musica laughed, "Of course not, she's Haru's girl. Besides, she's way to hyper for me, and a horrible kisser."
Melodia smiled, "Good, or else I would have had to torture you."
Musica raised an eyebrow, "And how would you do that?"
"By telling your friends all of your childhood secrets." Stated Melodia, teasingly.
Musica shook his head and stood up. He began heading towards the door when he stopped and looked back at Melodia.
"It's nice to see you again, Melodia, good bye."
Musica left the bar, leaving Melodia behind. He decided it was time to get back to the hotel and began walking. Suddenly he heard the door of the bar swing open and feet running towards him. Musica turned around and saw Melodia running towards him. She stopped in front of him, breathing heavily.
"So that's it? I came all this way and you're leaving me again?" cried Melodia.
Musica stepped back, "I never left you…"
"You sound so sure of yourself! You just disappeared after all that time I waited for you!" snapped Melodia with tears in her eyes.
Musica looked away from her, not being able to face her. Maybe he had left her, but it was either her or Haru, and Haru needed him more. Melodia was strong and Musica thought that she would have gotten over him and moved on. Musica sighed and decided that it was best to stop arguing with her.
"Fine, you can come with me as long as you don't harass my friend or me."
Melodia smiled, "Thank you!"
She jumped at him and hugged him. Musica blushed and shoved her away.
"And no more stuff like that! I don't need anymore weird people around me so try to contain yourself." Demanded Musica.
Melodia stopped and put on a serious face, "Very well then, lead the way sir so I can meet the rest of your friends."
Musica sighed and led the way back to the hotel.
