Disclaimer: I don't own starocean
Kiran: OMG dude, omg. Can't believe Karin is going to do that.
Shut up, you're spoiling it for the reader.
Kiran: IF there ARE ANY readers in the first place, right?
... shut up, no, skip that, you know what? why not i just fry you right here and now?
Kiran: are we having a bbq?
... (why do i even bother?)
Awakened by a strange beeping sound, Fayt got up from the bed. His hair was in a mess. He turned to the check on the other person in the same bed as him. She was still sound asleep, looking as peaceful as ever. Brushing away her hair, he took a minute to admire her features. Smooth, soft skin, long, smooth and soft hair. Her young and beautiful face.
Bending over, he kissed her on the lips and got out of the bed. The room was dark but Fayt still managed to make things out. He got changed into fresh clothes, which was a black shirt with matching pants, and sat down in the chair by the computer. Kanai's face appeared on the screen.
"You rang?"
"Was i inturrupting anything?"
Kanai asked, eyebrow raised.
"Not at all. What is it?"
"Well, we're done with the repairs and are now awaiting your orders."
"Set a course for the Genosis system. We are to join the battle against the Yzaks there. Give me a report when i get onto the bridge."
"Understood."
The screen went blank and the room was once again plunged into darkness. Turning back to Maria, who still slept soundly on the bed. Fayt sat on the bed, cupping her cheek with one hand, and stroking her hair with the other. Slowly, Maria opened her eyes.
"Good morning."
Fayt smiled.
"Mor..."
Maria mumbled.
"Want to go get breakfeast?"
"Sure..."
Maria smiled sleepily. Fayt bend over and kissed her lightly.
"Hurry up and get changed."
Fayt told her, getting up from the bed and turning on the light. The room became brighter and it nearly blinded Fayt, if it weren't for Kanai. As for Maria, she was squinting her eyes as she got out of bed. Fayt passed her a white sleeveless with matching mini skirt that Sophia lent Maria.
"I can't believe you fell asleep with your old clothes on."
Fayt commented.
"Well, it isn't like i have anything else to wear."
Maria replied, walking into the seperate room that was the toilet. As Maria was changing, Fayt sat down on the couch and took out a small communicator. This device was another gift from Jino. It allowed him to check the entire ship for damages, foreign objects and the crew members. It was an extremely useful object, but can sometimes result in blowing its own circuits.
Fayt looked through a quick report made by the communicator. So far so good, but Kanai was better at finding bugs than any computer, so he would leave the detailed report to her. Maria stepped out of toilet and tried to get Fayt's attention. Maria's clothing did catch Fayt's eyes alright. The shirt was smaller than expected and it revealed more chest than needed. It also revealed a middriff.
The skirt was better though, covering up to mid thigh. Maria had always worn stockings and this one was no different, covering above her knees. But something had to be done about the top. Fayt hurriedly passed her a small jacket that Sophia told him that if ever Maria would look kind of big for the outfit, she should wear the jacket.
"What's this for?"
"For your own good."
Fayt said quickly. Maria grumbled something, but still slipped on the jacket. Zipping it up, Maria looked much better now, but the middriff was still showing. Deciding that nothing could be done, Fayt left it at that and left the room with Maria following behind. As Fayt suspected, some of the guys in the crew were eyeing Maria as they walked along to the cafeteria, though Maria herself was unaware of the attention that she was attracting to herself.
After a long hassling walk for Fayt to the cafeteria, Fayt was relieved to see that the cafeteria was nearly empty. Yuin was still sitting by herself in one corner. Walking up to the buffet that was set according to the different meals, Fayt walked up to the section labelled breakfeast. Since the ship was always in space, time has no meaning and different people have different timing set.
There were different chefs in charge of the different sections of the buffet and they change their menu every twenty four hours between ten different meal plans. The head chef was incharge of hearing out any complaints, making sure the other chefs do their work properly, supervise and also, he can personally cook for the captain of the ship, Fayt.
Fayt did like the head chef's cooking, but during the battle above Vanguard III, the head chef was injured, though the reason why he was injured, was a mystery to Fayt. The breakfeast buffet was simple, two types of eggs, scrambled and hardboiled, bacon, sausages, waffles, pancakes and other ordinary breakfeast food. The only thing which looked totally bizzare are the bunch of balls of meat.
Fayt sweared that the last time he tried it, one of them actually ran away. Staying away from those running away balls, Fayt stuck to scrambled eggs, bacon and waffles. He brought another serving back to the table for Maria as well, and the two sat there, eating in silence. Maria poked at her eggs with her spoon, watching Fayt slowly eat his food.
"Fayt, can i ask you something?"
Maria suddenly spoke up.
"Sure, ask away."
Fayt stopped eating and focused on Maria. Maria, aware of Fayt's focus, turned slightly red
"Well... i was just wondering... how-.. how do you feel about..."
"About?"
"Well... being together."
"Us? I told you before, didn't? We will stick together forever, no matter what happens, till the end of time. I promise that."
"I know... but i'm not talking about that."
"Then what is it?"
Fayt looked confused about the question that Maria wanted to put forth. Why was she having such a hard time asking?
"Well... forget it."
Maria suddenly said, getting up and leaving the room. Fayt sat there, dumbfounded by what had just happened. When his mind went back to his normal state, Fayt got up as well and hurried off to find Maria. Just stepping out of the cafeteria, Fayt immediately bumped into Karin.
"Fayt?"
"Karin! Did you see Maria?"
"No, why? Did you guys have a fight?"
"Something like that. Say, do you have time?"
"Sure, need something?"
"Yeah, some answers."
"Well, that depends on what the question is."
"Good, follow me."
Fayt did not hesitate as he pulled Karin by the hand back to the viewing lounge. The lounge was empty as usual and it was what Fayt needed.
"Karin, i've got to ask you something about Maria."
"Well, what is it?"
Karin crossed her arms.
"Well, she asked me a weird question just now."
"What may that be?"
"She asked what i thought of us being together. I thought i told her that we would be together forever, yet she says that it was different. How different can it be?"
"Hmm..."
Karin closed her eyes as she thought about it.
"Different huh? I think i know what she's trying to get at."
"Really? What is it?"
Fayt asked.
"Hmm... are you really that thick headed, Fayt? Sigh, why are all men the same?"
Karin shook her head.
"Same? What do you mean by that?"
"It's so obvious what Maria is trying to ask."
"Well, it isn't to me!"
"Men... you never do learn. Fine, i'll tell you. What Maria is really trying to ask is-"
Before Karin could continue, the ship shook violently, sending Fayt and Karin both losing their balance, and Fayt landed on top of Karin, but not only that. Their lips met as well. Still dazed by the shock of both the ship and that their lips met, They stayed stuck together for quite some time. So much so that Fayt and Karin did not notice that someone was watching from the doorway.
Someone who had arrived to witness the scene that appeared before her at this moment, not before. Fayt tried to get off and looked up, only catch a glimpse of Maria, tears rolling down her cheeks, running away from the lounge.
"Maria!"
Fayt got up from on top of Karin and was about to run after her, when Karin stopped him.
"She saw us. I'm not sure if she heard us, but she did not like what she saw."
"What she saw? But there was nothing!"
Fayt thought about that 'kiss' with Karin and slightly turned red. They were just friends, nothing more. Maybe Karin was acting like his confidant, but nothing more.
"To us, maybe, but what she saw said another. Right now, she is very emotional, you have to thread carefully, understand?"
"I know that already."
"No you don't."
Karin shook her head.
"And the thing that Maria wanted to ask you. You need to know what it is as well before you confront her. Without it, all is lost."
AN: OMG! I DID! i can't believe i actually set this up. Just imagine Maria's outfit to be her third alternate one. Not really good with descirption so don't blame me. For Fayt's er... his second one... with a cool black sleevless cloak. I forgot to mention that. He wears his second outfit from the time they were in space onwards.