"Oh, good. I was afraid you weren't going to show up," Delphine said, smiling at Alex, then at Dio and Lucciola, "Oh! Dio, my dearest brother, I've missed you so!" She leaned down and wrapped her arms around Dio's shoulders. "Why ever did you leave me, Dio…?" Dio stared at her but didn't answer, and Lucciola was silent.
"That's enough," Alex said, "Give me Yuris."
"Yes, yes," Delphine sighed, waving her hand and turned around, "Right this way, please." She led him down the same place and opened the same door. Yuris stared up at them with wide eyes, though the rest of her face was expressionless. She said nothing for a while, then said slowly as she bowed her head in respect,
"Maestro… Captain Rowe…" Delphine smiled and pulled her to her feet.
"See? Isn't she just the smartest, sweetest girl you've ever met?" she said, hugging her lightly, "She recognizes you already." The corners of Alex's lips tightened in distaste, and he hurriedly turned around and said,
"Come with me, Yuris." Yuris looked to Delphine and she nodded, then Yuris scampered after Alex.
Dio was waiting for them at the end of the hallway.
"Please let me go back to the Silvana," he said quickly, bluntly. Delphine raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, but Dio…" she protested, putting her hands on his shoulders, "Your birthday is next week, and wouldn't you like to celebrate it with us?" Dio shuddered and replied,
"No… I'd rather not, but thank you." Delphine stared pleadingly at him and he repeated,
"No." Her gaze hardened a bit and she said,
"Well, now. That doesn't matter. You've been brought back to me, Dio, and I'll never, ever let you go again…" She hugged him close to her and smiled at Alex.
"Well, if that's all, then you should be on your way now, shouldn't you?" she said softly to him. He strode away wordlessly, and Yuris followed just as silently.
He jumped into the front of his vanship and she paused, as if unsure of what to do. He gestured towards the back seat and she climbed in silently. The trip passed in silence, and still he said nothing to her as they landed in the hangar and slowly he got out. He helped Yuris out of the vanship, and was met by curious stares from the mechanics. He ignored them.
Godwyn seemed to be daring enough to walk up to them. He nodded to Alex with a muttered "Captain," then he held out his hand to Yuris, "Well, hello, there, miss. I'm Godwyn, head of these here mechanics, pleased to meet your acquaintance." She stared at his hand, then slowly held out hers, brushed the palm of his hand with her fingertips, and pulled her hand away before he could shake it. He stared, bewildered, as Yuris looked to Alex, who was looking away.
"Erm…" he began, then trailed off with a sigh and muttered as he stalked off, "All the passengers we ever get are weirdos, jeez… Even the pretty ones…"
"Especially the pretty ones!" Kostabi whined, and Godwyn nodded, sighing.
It was at that moment that Sophia came walking in.
"Captain!" she exclaimed, "Where did…?" She trailed off upon seeing Yuris. "Captain, who is--?" She was cut off, however, as he strode silently past her. Yuris faltered for a moment, then ran up to him, following him doggedly. Sophia gave short, sudden gasp as Yuris went by her, and she started to say, "Yuris--!" Yuris glanced quickly at her, then looked away just as hurriedly.
They both vanished, leaving Sophia shocked and confused.
Alex led Yuris into his quarters, and he sat down on his sofa with a sigh. He motioned for Yuris to sit beside him. She seemed to hesitate, then sat down lightly beside him. For a moment they sat in silence, then Yuris spoke hesitantly.
"The Maestro told me that… That my main goal is always to please the one of highest rank. If I'm no longer under her control… Does that make you of highest rank…?" Alex stared at her for a moment, unsure of how to reply.
"Yes," he said finally, "I am the captain of this ship… The one with the highest rank. But…" He paused. "But you don't have to do everything anyone tells you to… If you don't want to you don't have to." She stared at him for a long moment, then said quietly,
"Why are you doing this for me…?" Alex seemed startled for a moment, then replied,
"Because… Because it's better for you to be away from Delphine. Knowing her, she probably mistreated you…" He stopped at the look she gave him.
"And… And you're doing this all… For someone you don't know?" Alex's look became pained for a moment, then he sighed and said slowly,
"But I do know you. You… You're the daughter of the Prime Minister, and it is my duty – and my honor – to protect you… Someone born of a higher rank than I." She stared at him again, then looked away silently.
Her voice was so hollow whenever she spoke. It made him feel guilty. But she was back, and even if she didn't remember him, she would eventually… Eventually something would spark her memory… Eventually…
Hopefully.