Aftermath
Silver tried to stand up once again and finally did. He laughed softly and took off his vest that was stained with blood. His torso was all filled with wounds, some still bleeding. "I could use a warm shower and a bed."
…
Lhinx, now remembering her wet state, stepped back from many of the people and grabbed a potion from her pouch.
(I knew these would come in handy.) The Ronso thought as she drank one, feeling a little less tired.
She then remembered how uncomfortable being wet really was. If not for her linen wrapping under her clothing...
(Now I remember why I didn't want to play blitzball.) Lhinx thought.
The Ronso stepped towards the unoccupied back of the boat. After looking around, making sure no one could see, she got on all fours and shook the water off, much resembling a drenched dog after a rather unpleasant bath...
(Humans don't know how lucky they are.)
…
Serenity put her guns back into their holsters again, her eyes falling upon Silver's wounded body and bloodied clothes. "There should be something downstairs, Silver," she said to him. "You need more than a shower and a good night's rest. When you're done your shower, come back up. I'll treat those wounds properly."
Silver smiled at Serenity. "My pleasure, m'lady. But I'll be fine." He walked downstairs, almost rolling down as he managed to keep himself on feet with his claws on the walls. Then he remembered he forgot his gloves on the water. "Darn!"
Silver shook his head in frustration and continued downstairs and into the bathroom, a shower waiting for him. "How I need this."
…
As Lhinx smoothed out her fur, her mind couldn't help going toward the battle.
(What was that thing? In all of the fiend study books and charts, I've never seen anything like that...well except for that guardian of Bevelle...)
The realization hit her like one of the bomb fragments she now feared.
(Of course! That's what it is! But, it just looked like a sea serpent...not too much like the guardian from the chart...yet it could be a relative from a similar ancestor which adapted itself to sea life...and it just never came out up until now...yeah right...)
The Ronso sighed and snorted some of her white mane out of her face.
(I'm back at square one and my fur's a mess...how can it get any better then this?)
…
When Calix still didn't awaken, Zephyr sighed and left him there to rest. She returned upstairs, drenched and annoyed in appearance.
"Well, that was lovely," she said irritably. "How are you all?" the halfling asked as she strapped on her belt, not caring how drenched she was. Her belt was part of her; more specifically, the alchemist's gun clipped to its right side. She patted the compartments of the belt and, as she pulled it on, the pockets of her vest. "Anyone in need of items? Besides lightning gems," she noted, mostly to herself. She'd have to snatch some from the fiends they fought from now on.
…
Lhinx noticed Zephyr come out and hesitated a bit at first, but approached. "Is he okay?" Lhinx asked.
…
Serenity smiled lightly and waved as Silver went downstairs, and saw Zephyr coming up the stairs. She gave her a smile and a wave, too, before lying back down on the boat floor, exhausted. "You got a Potion on you?"
…
Zephyr smiled slightly and, as if to dispel Lhinx's fear, pulled the torn linen bandage - the white flag - from her pocket, wiping her forehead with it. This action, of course, was mostly so lookers-on wouldn't expect any deeper meaning. It was just a bandage, an item of convenience.
"He's still out, but he's breathing," she informed the Ronso as she tucked the bandage back into her pocket. "His name is Calix. I never got to introduce him to all of you . . . he's coming with us, at least as far as Kilika."
Zephyr looked to Serenity and nodded. "Always." Zephyr smirked and tossed her a pearled white liquid in a vial - definitely not a potion, but it smelled similar, with a stronger aroma and a slightly spicy bouquet.
"Drink up," she advised. "You'll feel much better."
…
Lhinx smirked. (So she did find it.) The Ronso thought. "That's good," Lhinx said, genuinely happy. "Just hope Kilika is peaceful."
…
Silver took off his remaining clothing and stepped into the shower, the blood and salty water being washed from his body.
Hurts like hell...
Your fault for wanting to play hero
Oh, so I should've abandoned that guy?
Why not?
I'm not like that...
He moaned softly in pain as the wounds were filled and washed with the clean, warm water. He had no fur around his body like pureblood Demons do, but still it was hard to wash the blood. He was finished in a little while and stepped out, only a towel around his waist for he left his clothes washing on the tub. He climbed upstairs, his golden skin turned red due to the water.
…
"I'm hoping the rest of the damn trip is peaceful, personally," Zephyr said to Lhinx under her breath. "I've had enough excitement to last me a couple of weeks, anyway." She sat down on deck next to the pile consisting of her gloves, glasses, shoes and socks. "I'm exhausted . . ."
…
"Calix…and he's only coming until Kilika? I hope I can speak with him before he leaves. Maybe he'll choose to stay longer." Serenity caught the vial Zephyr had thrown at her, and looked at it. It didn't look like a potion, but it smelled the same apart from its stronger aroma.
"Drink up. You'll feel better," Zephyr advised.
"Thanks a lot," Serenity said graciously, and started drinking the liquid.
…
Lhinx nodded in agreement to Zephyr.
The Ronso felt exhausted as well, not having fought underwater in so long, she knew she would have to train herself for such combat.
Lhinx's ear twitched in the direction of the door, hearing it open slightly, remembering Silver had gone down.
(I need to clean up too. The blood on my legs is probably gonna cake on soon. It'll be heck to clean off. Humans and that demon don't know how lucky they are...)
…
"Is it working?" Zephyr asked, watching intently. "It's a cocktail of X-Potion, Remedy, and, um . . ." She paused and rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, breaking eye contact. "It's my own recipe," she finished lamely. "A few, er, exotic ingredients. You know. I wouldn't want to spoil the fun."
She thought, bleakly, about the moron downstairs. It's a flute. A flute. Not worth risking your life for, no matter what sentimental value it holds. At the same time, she thanked whatever merciful gods were watching over her that none of her comrades had seen her giving him impromptu CPR . . .
Serenity looked at Zephyr and smiled warmly as she looked away while explaining what it was she was drinking. "Oh, no need to feel embarrassed, Zephyr, I feel completely rejuvenated! It works wonders. And a really unique blend, too. Tastes a whole lot better than a regular potion."
…
Lhinx noted a slight bit of embarrassment on the Guado-halfling's face, but the Ronso passed it off.
(I need to soak my legs when we get to Kilika. The blood will come off and the wounds should be scabbing over and gone soon.) The Ronso thought.
The Ronso yawned, her sharp, pearl white fangs and teeth showing.
…
Silver appeared on the deck, feeling refreshed by the sea wind. He walked up to his companions and looked upon the horizon, nothing yet but the big ocean in front of them. "We'll be getting to Kilika soon, I can't wait to see home" he said, smiling widely.
…
"Well, that's good," Zephyr replied to Serenity, an unwanted tint of pink creeping into her cheeks. Zephyr smiled slightly in spite of herself, then stretched out on the deck to take a nap in the sun. She dropped off in no time - she really was exhausted.
…
"Hope you put clothes on before then," Lhinx said to Silver, her monotone Ronso voice almost killing the humor of the statement. Almost.
…
Serenity giggled and looked over at Zephyr, who had stretched out on the deck and fallen asleep; surprised she was so modest. She then glanced over at Silver from her lying position on the floor. She saw him with nothing on but a towel and a small smile danced upon her lips, partly because of Lhinx's comment.
…
Lhinx looked at Serenity from the corner of her eye, smiling inwardly.
(I think I'll make my exit right now...)
"Going to see captain. Want damage report." Lhinx said, and strolled off, her tail swishing a bit, like a cat who had just played a fun trick.
…
"Don't worry, I'm not much into nudism." Silver laughed, looking then at Serenity who at the same time was looking at him and smiling, blushing a little. He went and picked up his scarf, wrapping it around his neck immediately.
…
Serenity waved at Lhinx, then giggled at Silver, turning her head so she wouldn't accidentally look up somewhere that she shouldn't. "What's the story behind that scarf, Silver?" Serenity asked, noticing him putting it on. She was interested in learning more about him, and felt that was a good starting place, and was the time to ask, now that most of the group was either asleep or somewhere else.
…
(It feels good to be able to joke with friends...) Lhinx thought as she left the two alone, laughing briefly at Silver's last comment, and hoping her exit had not been too suspicious and her intentions somewhat known or hinted upon to one or the other of the two.
…
"It takes us four years in the past," Silver started, smiling at her. "It all began when I was fourteen. I already was an amateur blitzer and a pretty good fighter. She came to Kilika, to give a concert at the temple. We talked for first time that night, and she asked me to take her to Zanarkand. She wanted to follow the same road your mother had, and when I told her I was born there then she asked me. Well, we went through lots of things, and finally reached Lady Yunalesca's Chamber about half-a-year later."
"We got pretty close in that journey, and when we were on our way back to Kilika we stopped on Luca. I was hired by the Ronso Fangs to play the cup with them. The only championship they've won thanks to a young Ronso named Kritek. Well, after we won the cup she found me at the locker rooms. There she gave me this scarf. A sign of victory she said." Silver sighed softly and went on. "I became a Blitzer for rent, but still had lots of time to spend with Tallulah. Then, two years ago... everything changed."
Silver shook his head and laughed softly. "You ever felt when things can't get better they suddenly get extremely wrong? That was what happened to us. It was at the Moonflow, on one of her concerts. I was with the Kilika Beasts then, and we had an exhibition match against the Luca Goers inside the lake, down to where that sunken city is. We lost. Then she had her concert... and... " He paused, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment and then looking back at Serenity with a smile. "... Let's just say she suddenly wanted to start a new life... by getting rid of the old one."
As Silver told his story, Serenity slowly began sitting up at the realization that Silver and Tallulah had actually been together, and were still close, with the way Tallulah acted and with how Silver still deeply treasured the scarf she had given. She looked at him when he had paused, closing his eyes before smiling at her. Serenity smiled back weakly, wondering how he could still smile at such painful thoughts. "I—I'm so sorry Silver. I…shouldn't have asked you about it…" I should have known it was a gift from her… Serenity closed her eyes as well and looked away from him. It pained her to hear the story as much as it did for Silver to tell it. "I think…Tallulah still cares very deeply for you. Maybe…it was all a misunderstanding..."
…
"This boat's been sailing for years now, and the only other major accident I can note ever happening on board was when Sin attacked near 20 years ago." The captain said to the towering Ronso female youth. "We've never ran into anything like that before, otherwise we'd just revert to airships. And who knows how long those'll last. I bet that thing coulda tore an airship right out of the sky."
(But an airship can easily maneuver aside. That Serpent would have to be miles long to get an airship at a very high altitude.)
"Creature dead. Should not give you trouble." The Ronso replied.
(Unless there's more...)
"We'll be approaching Kilika soon." The captain said with a relaxed face. "Go on deck and relax, it's a nice view. Or better yet, the upper deck. You'll have shade and some privacy. A lot of the passengers are still weary from the boat getting knocked aside."
The Ronso nodded and turned to leave.
"Oh, one more thing." The captain said. "You and your friends might wanna be careful. I heard New Yevon's crackin' down hard at the Kilika temple."
"Thanks. Will remember that." Lhinx said and left.
(Great...) The Ronso mused, exiting the door and watching the back of the boat and the water as they passed over it. (New Yevon's just who I wanna deal with...)
The Ronso looked up at the top deck.
(I can make that jump no problem...) The Ronso thought and squatted down a bit, then sprang upwards, landing near the edge of the second level. She felt the boat rock a bit from her landing.
(Oops...) the Ronso felt a tad embarrassed and stepped towards the other end of the second level. (He's right this is a nice view...wait, is that a boat from Luca? But it's so big.)
The Ronso watched a rather large tanker like vessel approach the island. Their boat was still a distance off, but the Ronso could tell the tanker was headed for Kilika. She looked a bit closer and saw the vague symbol of an eye. It was the New Yevon emblem.
…
Silver looked at her as she looked away. He smiled softly, placing one hand on her shoulder as he usually did when trying to comfort someone, careful not to cut her with his tiger claws. "Hey, it's ok. What Tallulah and I had was a long time ago. It's like playing blitzball: When the ball is take away from you, you can either go after it and lose your opportunity to score. Or you can trust one of your companions will get it back, pass it to you and you'll score a goal." He paused, laughing a little. "Sorry, metaphors not really my stuff."
Now you've ruined the perfect romantic moment...
How could it be romantic, I'm naked...
And covered with battle wounds, but still it is a romantic moment... and where the Hell is your girlfriend? On the same boat!
She is not my girlfriend anymore, that was a very long time ago...
She cares for you, and you for her...
So?
So you'll have to either toss that coin or keep on with the romantic moment...
You are a pain in the ass, you know that?
Yes I do, because I'm still you...
sigh...
When Silver's fight against himself was over he shook his head once more and smiled widely at Serenity, still trying to hide his fangs. "I got something for you," he said, walking to were his gunblade was laying, he took the revolver out and looked inside the empty hole in the blade. There he found one golden bullet, hanging from a golden chain. He placed it around Serenity's neck and smiled, returning then the revolver to its place.
"That bullet is special, whenever you are in trouble just hold it and I'll be with you in thirty minutes or less or I am free." He laughed softly. "Just kidding, I'll come running to help you, ok?" Silver pat her shoulder once more and tied the towel tighter around his waist, the tail not helping one bit about keeping it on it's place.
Oh, the magical bullet?
Shut up!
Ok...
…
(What could they want...) Lhinx wondered, watching the tanker pulling toward Kilika. (They can't just ram it...that would be just wrong...plus there's a temple there. Maybe what that captain said had more of a point then I thought...)
The Ronso looked around the first level from her high vantagepoint. Zephyr was asleep, Lucine and Tallulah were no where to be found. (I should find them...Aaah, they're probably alright. Just hope Tallulah doesn't find Silver and Serenity alone...there's definitely gonna be trouble if not now but later.)
Lhinx looked again at the New Yevon vessel pulling into Kilika. (Not just from matters of the heart no doubt.)
…
After the fight, Tallulah felt tired and retired downstairs. She was surprised to see Silver, stained in blood, walking downstairs and entering the bathroom. She got worried, could his wounds be worst than they look as most wounds were? Maybe, she decided to try healing him with her magic.
After a while she saw him again, walking out with nothing but a towel, and climbing upstairs. She stood up and followed, and once upstairs she found something she had feared all the time: Serenity and Silver, standing close to each other, talking. No that couldn't be real! Tallulah stood behind the door where she could see and hear them without been discovered. Silver was telling Serenity his story with Tallulah, and listening to it pained her a lot.
She never thought I would have hurt Silver so bad, since for Tallulah it was only another boyfriend. In fact he was his second one, and just had a good time with him but nothing more. She felt like scum, knowing how much Silver was hurt by her selfish decision back at the Moonflow. Just then she saw him give Serenity a golden bullet, and her rage against the girl rise to the top. How could he?! She wanted him back, and now he was flirting with some girl that looked just like his impossible love: Lady Yuna.
Jealous as she was, Tallulah walked downstairs again and sat near the chocobo's room with her staff and her bag near. She was getting Silver back, no girl would take him away from her.
…
Serenity kept her eyes closed as she turned her head towards his hand that he had placed on her shoulder. She wanted to know what it felt like to brush her cheek across his hand, but decided not to for a number of reasons. She giggled at what was supposed to be a metaphor by Silver, and shook her head, opening her eyes to look at him and smiled.
"I got something for you," Silver had said after a moment of silence. She tilted her head curiously and watched him get something from his gunblade. Her eyes widened in shock as he placed the necklace around her neck, and she looked down at it in awe.
"That bullet is special, whenever you are in trouble just hold it and I'll be with you in thirty minutes or less or I am free." Serenity giggled again and looked back up at him. He was chivalrous, sweet and funny, all of which greatly outweighing his stubbornness. "Just kidding," he continued after he laughed as well. "I'll come running to help you, ok?"
Serenity nodded, and looked into his eyes. "Thank you…so much Silver," Serenity said softly, and hugged him around the neck.
…
Lhinx smiled, watching the show from above.
(Aww...even if I am a Ronso, I'm still entitled to get a bit mushy at times since I'm a girl. Good job, Silver.) Lhinx thought.
The Ronso stepped form the side and watched as the island was coming considerably closer, as was the New Yevon tanker.
(Better be prepared for a fight I suppose.) The Ronso thought as she pulled out her lance and jumped down to the front deck near Zephyr, the landing rocking a boat a bit.
…
Silver smiled and hugged her back, his fists closed so he won't cut her. Smiling to himself he tightened the hug. When it was over he looked back into her beautiful eyes just like Yuna's and blinked. "Don't worry, we'll find your family and then we can all go and hear you sing at the Luca stadium just like your mother does, you could even sing along with her" he laughed softly and looked at the horizon where he saw Kilika was getting closer. "We're almost there. I'll get new gloves and we can go visit the Chamber again, hope I don't have to bite another fiend there." He suddenly blushed, remembering he never actually told how he killed the monster at Besaid... and didn't mean to since he did it in such a savage way.
…
Serenity smiled brightly at Silver. "Me, sing with my mother? I think I'd be booed off the stage in favor of the Lady Yuna and Miss Tallulah." Serenity laughed lightly and looked out to the horizon as well. "I hope Kilika Temple is in better shape than the one back home." Serenity didn't stare at the horizon for long, for she had looked back at Silver. "Bite? You bit the fiend and killed it?!" She asked him, thunderstruck.
…
Silver froze for a second and then showed a huge grin of someone that is embarrassed at the same time he scratched the back of his head. "Let's just say that he bit me so I had to bite him back." He laughed, nervous.
Ok, it's official, you are a Romantic-moments' spoiler!
I know, now can you shut up for once?
I'm always quiet, I'm your brain and I never seem to work.
Shut up!
Silver had the sudden long to change to topic once again. "And it's not true, fiends don't taste like chicken." Again he laughed and erased the grin from his face, replacing it with a soft smile. "Well, you have to sing someday with your mom at least for me." He got closer to her face and whispered in her ear. "Cause I'm sure you can beat Tallulah." With that he looked away, at the island, wanting to be home once more.