All previous notes apply.

Chapter notes: Well, I have my girl to thank for convincing me to take another look at this and do some considerable rewriting. It's hard to take your medicine, sometimes, but I appreciate the wake up call.

-o-

Chapter One

"Misdirected"

Evenings on Crescent Isle were typically a blast. With the threat of Valua trying to conquer the world no longer heavy on the shoulders of fresh-faced kids who'd never before been far from their home, the new state of the world was light, airy, and there was never a doubt about tomorrow. As they began to lose their fear, there was always talk about the future and there was always a reason to celebrate.

Naturally, and with a brand new bottle of alcohol in their possession, the trio was holed up in their headquarters, ready to clink glasses. The golden medallion that Fina had unfettered from the shady contact in Nasrad sat on the cartographic table, positioned squarely atop the compass setting marked in the middle of the map. All over the world were dishes of steaming food; the numbers growing as the island's residents slowly filled the candle-lit room. Polly and Urala stayed busy in the dining quarters until the crew, save for a few well-known loaners and a few children, were all packed in the gorgeous office.

Lawrence elected to brood down below the island with the clatter of Hans and Brabham adjusting and tuning the ship keeping his thoughts company. Similarly, Belle and Khazim were tuning the guns, while Lilly and Nara were attempted to sneak into the party to get a shot of booze and a look at Vyse. Usually, the sharp eyes of Domingo caught them before they made it past the gates of the elevator. He typically spent time looking at the maps, even during the festivities, documenting Vyse's discoveries to the minutest detail and he rarely took a break from his duties; except, of course, to stop underage girls in their tracks.

Meanwhile, the full cast of pirates had assembled in the room by now, the spread ready for picking. As drinks were passed around, glasses, goblets and chalices filled with liquids ranging from emerald green to crimson red to even midnight hues of black; beverages both heavy with foam, tingling with sparkling carbonation and all with the bite of ethanol; as the bottles passes around the room, Vyse raised his hand high.

"Blue Rogues, it has been an honor to be your captain," he said as the chatter died down. "Ever since the fall of the old Valuan Empire, it's as if our community has been growing in both size and spirit. Our village, once a pile of ash, has been rebuilt into the stunning display of teamwork and unity." He grinned, nodding around the room to visiting members and loyal crewmembers alike, faces both aged and youthful smiling back at him.

"Every day, I see faces come and go. But I know that no matter how far away my crew may be, no matter where across the face of Arcadia, we're still together in heart." He turned to Ilchymis and Ryu Kan, who typically did not visit their parties. With Osman restocking her shop, however, their communal area was a bit of a mess – not to mention that she had a knack for complaining loudly when things were out of place. "It's especially good to know how all that's been achieved could never have come about without every one of you." Aika and Fina, who stood to his right, just quietly giggled. After all, it was the same speech every time. And as such, they were able to mouth along with Vyse's signature ending.

"And so," he continued, seeing the eager hunger and thirst on the faces of his crew, "I'd like to thank you all. Let's drink." He sucked back his half-filled goblet in one gulp, as a resounding cheer erupted from the crew.

"Horray!"

And as it did with every celebration, the party quickly broke into a fluttering of conversation, with Aika, Fina and Vyse at the very center, an excited exchange about past and present building between them. And as was practically customary, Aika took the opportunity to critique her captain's words.

"Honestly, Vyse, you might be inspiring but you really need some new material," Aika teased, poking him in the chest. He took a seat, kicking his feet up next to a bowl of turnips that currently occupied Yafutoma. He chuckled, pouring himself some water from a tall, sweating pitcher. He wiped his hand on his pant leg, leaving a wet palm print.

"Give me a break, Aika. Let's call it tradition."

"I don't know, Vyse," Fina said with a smile, "maybe you need an abridged version." Aika sat down next to him with a snicker, reaching for a handful of golden-fried potato slices – which Polly cutely termed "crisps" – from a bowl that took up the entire Valuan continent. "I'm just kidding, of course. Vyse, you know we love your speech." He smiled and she grinned back, hiding her face behind her chalice.

"Of course we do, Vyse," Aika said softly. "Besides, sometimes you say 'Let's get really drunk.'"

"Hey, I only say that on birthdays."

Aika looked at the calendar. She would be 18 in four months.

"Besides," Vyse continued, sipping at his water. "Tonight is pretty special. We have a map to decipher and Fina gets to tell us about her adventures in Nasrad." Fina nearly choked, swallowing a heavy gulp. Vyse smirked at her as he got up, reaching across the Dark Rift for a plate of sirloin. He forked a cut and brought it to his mouth, taking large bites from the succulent meat. Aika tried to steal a chomp but he was too quick, pulling his fork far to his left. She muttered something darkly before reaching for her own.

"I really don't have much to tell," Fina said quietly.

"Oh come on!" Aika cried. "Every time we even start to tease you, you clam up." She rubbed her chin, wiping specks of potato from her face. "You're hiding something."

"I am not," she said adamantly. "Besides, Aika, I should ask you about what you said to Gilder." The redhead stopped, mid-bite, looking to Vyse with a guilty shrug. Relieved to be excused from the spotlight, Fina just sank back in her chair.

"What?" Aika asked casually.

"I saw him on the stairs just as I was leaving. You were blushing," Fina giggled.

"We just said hello. What are you tryin' to say?" She looked between her companions, battling between a knowing grin and an inquisitive one. Rather than feed the fire, she decided on a different approach. "Vyse," she suddenly whined, "Fina's piiiickin' on me!" The three of them shared another laugh as the girls exchanged playful words about what one might do if caught alone with the captain of the Claudia. Vyse tried to defend him, but he knew that they were, for the most part, very right. It didn't take long before he grew a little ill.

"Okay, gals, that's enough." Fina covertly winked at Aika, who simply smiled and shook her head. "The less I have to imagine Gilder naked, the better."

"Yeah, otherwise Clara might have to gut you for trying to steal her man." Vyse gave Aika's shoulder a mischievous little shove, causing her to stumble to the side. "Hey! Geeze, Vyse, I think someone has a crush!"

"Okay, that's enough outta you!" Vyse grinned, seizing her steak. She gasped, trying to take it back, but he quickly devoured the meat and with a satisfied sigh, returned to her an empty fork. Quietly, the redhead sulked.

"Jerk. . ."

Meanwhile, Fina had stood and began walking over to the end of the table. The two other pirates looked up, watching at she made tracks away from them. "Fina?" Aika called, standing up. "Where're you goin'?" She grabbed a talano fruit (indigenous to the island and rather delicious) from a platter that was just around Ixa'taka, looking over her shoulder to stick out her tongue.

"I'll be back, guy, don't worry. I just need some air."

Aika huffed as footsteps came toward them. "Man, she's turning into such a pirate." Vyse shrugged, hailing Ilchymis as he came upon them.

"I do wanna talk about the trade, though," Vyse said as the chemist pulled up a chair, as well as a plate of green and blue haibus leaves picked fresh from his private garden. He set his vittles down just over the Land of Ice, reaching for the pitcher of water next to the medallion.

"Indeed, Vyse, that is quite a hunk of metal you picked up," he said, pouring himself a fresh glass. He drew a pouch of powder from his sleeve and sprinkled a pinch into the liquid. Before their eyes, clear became an opaque blue. Vyse was about to inquire, by Aika slapped him hard on the shoulder.

"So, Vyse! What exactly did you trade? I know you told us to salvage some used magic boxes, but I can't imagine that anyone would want those in exchange to a map, even if it is to nowhere. I mean, even by itself, the things gotta be worth, like, at least a thousand." She snapped her ungloved fingers. "We could finally buy some new shells for the Moon Cannon. We're running low on ammunition since that last scuffle with that . . . that thing down near the Artic." She shivered, the spidery, spindly, floating object making her skin crawl. Man, that thing was creepy.

"Yeah, we really need to stop fighting those. They're thinner than my dad's patience. Anyway, you had a question." Aika nodded.

"The trade, yeah."

"Well," Vyse began, placing his drink of the very edge of the world. "Remember when we stopped by Sailor's Island about a week ago, looking for some fresh short-range cannons? Well, I wanted to talk to the Guild Master to see if there was any news about uncharted discoveries, and I saw this." Fishing around in his sleeve, he produced a tattered parchment and handed it to his friend. "It was posted right next to the desk." Aika grabbed it and unfurled the paper, clearing her throat.

"Barter: Looking for Vorlik Blade and magical boxes," Aika read, her brow furrowing. "Have for trade a ne'er-before-seen map to unspeakable riches." Aika slowly glanced it over a second time, dropping it back in his lap. "Are you serious?"

"I asked the Guild Master and he said it was put up by some young woman. He didn't get a good look at her, but he had reservations about her – namely, that she didn't look like an upstanding citizen, if you catch what I mean."

"Yeah, but, Vyse, they named it. They know you have the Vorlik blade."

Vyse shrugged. "Well, it's not like it's a huge secret."

Aika scoffed, taking a draught from his goblet. "This is screaming 'underworld,' Vyse. That posting was clearly meant for you. And I saw you practicing your swordplay on the Del. You didn't give them the blade."

Vyse grinned. "That's very true."

Aika frowned as she sat once more, curling her knees up to her chest. "This seems reckless, even for you."

"Oh, relax! Look, don't think I didn't plan it out, because I sorta did. One," he said, holding up a finger. "To try and get my blade means they either have something worth a trade and they know who I am or they don't and they're being duped. Giving them a fake blade ensures that either they're stupid enough to take a mockery and we capture a great find, or they're lying and the map is useless. Right now, I'm betting on stupidity." He raised a second finger.

"Two. If I had gone, I'd risk running into a trap and I didn't want to have a sword swiped from me by pickpockets. For all I knew, the posting was just to rouse me out of my normal trade routes. After all, we don't visit Nasrad that much anymore, and with the restoration, it'd been too risky to get lost. Sending Fina would practically guarantee that no one would get the drop on her, especially since not many recognize her, anymore. This way, she makes it to the legitimate trade and can discern for herself if it's the real deal.

"Finally, I figured that both of you could take out a girl if you had to. But as we see, whoever it was took the sword, we have the map, and we're sitting safely on Crescent Isle." The redhead took a few silent breaths before she gave up trying to counter his logic.

"Well, you're right. No matter how flimsy that was, we do have a map."

"Honestly Aika," he said, elbowing her, "we're risk takers!"

"I guess . . . and, hey, even if they do come after us, we can take 'em, right?"

"That's the spirit, partner."

"So," Ilchymis finally interjected, "have you tried to decipher it, yet?"

Vyse shook his head, standing up to retrieve the medallion. He turned it over in his hand a few times, giving it an examination beyond the check for magical seals. He'd already done that with his goggle (a neat little trick he'd had Ilchymis add to its normal magnification). It was about three inches in diameter, and nearly half an inch tall. The edges had long since rounded away, and dark brown cracks and fissures rode in all manner of patterns along the underside. On the top sat a raised circle, with a thin, broken and chipped circumference creating a jagged loop on the very edge. In the middle sat a silver arrow, surrounded by strange, barely legible markings. On the side were three equidistantly placed holes, suggesting a trick that was yet to be found. Vyse tried sticking one of Urala's chopsticks in there before Aika slapped the utensil out of his hand.

"Hey!"

"Dope, what if you break it?" He ignored her, turning the medallion right-side up, looking at the map that spread out before him. He looked between the two, smiling as he set the piece down on the table, next to a shallow dish of pickles.

"Of course. The arrow is a bearing."

"Of course? What do you mean, 'of course'?" Aika asked as he rotated the medallion to point north. So far, nothing had happened. "Yeah, 'of course.' Vyse, for someone who's solved the puzzles of Rixis, Moonstone Mountain and Daccat's Island, this is disappointing. Look at those hoses – there's got to be a way to activate it, right? Maybe we need a spell?"

"Nah, I already checked for magic. This thing is purely mechanical."

Soon, they'd begun to draw the rest of the crew. As Vyse and Aika bantered back and forth about where to put the medallion, suggestions began to arise from the gallery that surrounded them.

"Put it on Crescent Isle!" Kirala yelled, reaching for some more rice wine.

"Yeah, Vyse, if this deal was for you, then maybe they know about our home."

"Oh, stop being so paranoid. Besides, we'd have seen someone trying to take a bearing from the island." He moved it over just to prove his point, having to displace a basket of fresh wheat bread.

"What about Shrine Island?" Robinson asked. "Everyone knows where that is. Or even Sailor's Island!" Vyse tried both, matching the compass bearing each time. The food on the table shifted twice more.

"Nothing special. I don't think we're approaching this right."

"Yafutoma!"

"No, Valua!"

"What? Try—"

"Guys!" Vyse shouted, as a deafening din grew from practically no where. "Just settle down, okay? I'm not going to put this thing all over the map just for kicks. There's got to be a key on here that tells us where it goes."

Irritation growing and patience sinking with his newfound project, Vyse plucked the golden object from the tableau and inspected it again, trying to ignore that Aika had a cruel grin on her face. He gave it one more magical reading, just to be sure, but could not detect a lock or activation spell.

His lens went black for a moment, causing him to reel back in surprise as he could no longer see. He blinked, but the split-second darkness was already gone. In fact, most of the crew had also lost interest and had returned to mingling, preferring not to invest in the broken bauble. He was about to mention the strangeness to his partner when she decided to poke him in the nose, instead.

"Looks like you lose, Vyse."

"Lay off, Aika. . . at least I didn't give up the Vorlik blade for it."

"Yeah, that's true. I gotta wonder what exactly they were trying to play you for with this piece of scrap." Vyse shrugged, putting the piece back down on the compass marking. Curious, Ilchymis picked it up, feeling it carefully.

"Do you mind if I try, Vyse?" he asked. The captain turned, shrugging.

"Oh, no, go ahead." The chemist nodded and set to work, his fingers gliding over the surface of the medallion as he settled into thought. Vyse watched him for a moment, a little dumbfounded by the care he was taking, before Aika grabbed him by the arm. "What?" he asked, surprised.

"Have you seen Fina?"

"Uh. . ."

"I guess not," Aika replied, rubbing her head. "Where did she disappear to?"

"She probably just went outside for some air. You know she gets a little moody when we tease her, and you know she's a lightweight." Smirking at him, eyes sparkling with awareness, she nodded.

"You're slurring, Vyse."

"No I'm not," he over-enunciated, trying to make it clear that he was still in charge of his facilities. "I've only had one drink. Besides, it's a party."

As the two chatted, Ryu Kan was suddenly upon them, giving the pair a smile. His aged face hid the glimmer of youthful knowledge that was telling him more and more about his captain and his cohorts, and as Vyse and Aika playfully exchanged jabs about each others liquor tolerance, he bad them a good evening.

"Are you going back down to the mainland?" Vyse asked, giving the elder a pat on the back.

"Yes, I've had my fill for tonight. Mind walking me to the door, boy?" Vyse nodded absently and followed Ryu Kan, water in hand. While she was not named, Aika saw no harm in tagging along – even when the door shut behind the two, leaving the redhead to try and block out the party so that she could listen.

"I overheard you talking about the Vorlik blade, Vyse," he began, staring out at the red moon that hung in the distance over Nasr. "And I started thinking." Vyse rubbed his eye – maybe Aika was right.

"Thinking about what?"

"Well, if I'm not mistaken, you found two chunks of Velorium, did you not?" Vyse nodded. "I'm old, but my heart still beats young, boy. After crafting for you the finest blade I'd ever created, I said I could make no other thing as close to perfection." With a soft smile, he looked to Vyse. "I'm willing to try again."

"Really? But the Vorlik has served me like no other sword. I'd really rather not part with it." The elder chuckled, walking toward the incline. He pulled a lever set in the stone, causing the elevator to activate. A hum and a steady clanking noise filled the air, making him shout a little.

"I know. I could never create another blade so fine. However, blades are not where I am limited. If you give me that second Velorium, I'd like to try to craft a new weapon. Something this world has not yet seen."

A thought came upon Vyse.

"Hey, that's a good idea. Perhaps Fina could use a weapon other than Cupil."

Ryu Kan smiled, his elevator having arrived, noises having ceased. "Perhaps." He waved, disappearing as the hum returned and suddenly dropped in pitch, the clank of metal supports returning as he descended toward the basecamp. Vyse turned, tipping his head back, imbibing the last drops of liquid before he opened the door left ajar (that he'd sworn he'd shut), and sank back into the waiting party.

At the flagpole, Fina sat, perched on the fence with the sound of still waters being unsettled by the occasional sleepless fish penetrating the otherwise silent night. She thought she heard the elevator, but didn't turn to investigate, instead staring off into the night sky. She could see three moons from where she chose to pondered, red, silver and yellow present in the sky. The shadows were soft and the edges were undefined, creating optical illusions of depth and space across the ground and across the clouds in the sky.

A second glance out to the abyss caused her a moment of concern. A small shadow emerged from below the island and sped across the low flying clouds. Fina followed as it seemed to get smaller, disappearing as it raced away into the distance. She closed her eyes, trying to listen, but whatever she had seen was gone, or was in fact never there. She blinked a couple times, thoughts instead turning to the party.

She hadn't really left to get some air, although the fresh breeze helped to cool her skin. She was a little dizzy, but she could still think straight. Fina just wanted a moment to collect her wandering feelings – the trade and Nasrad had been reticent to leave her mind alone. While she didn't do anything nearly of the caliber that Aika constantly suggested, it was something that made her wonder about herself. Blushing again, she cupped her face in her hands, sighing.

She looked behind her, seeing Ryu Kan walking into the darkness of the hillside, probably returning to his shop. Fina shook her head, trying to clear through a faint haze as Cupil, who for all this time had stayed quietly wrapped around her wrist, peeked up from his slumber. Nuzzling her hand, he made a few noises, at which she laughed merrily.

"Cupid, you're right." She put her hand behind it and pulled the little creature into a hug. "I don't know why I'm acting so strangely. I really should just tell them. Want to go back to the party?" Cupil chirped, causing Fina to laugh once more. She hopped off the fence and strode crookedly across the complex with her companion closely floating nearby as she made way for the headquarters, feeling a little bolder as an empty chalice sat on its side in the dewy grass.

The door to the room squeaked as Ilchymis suddenly shouted, drawing Vyse's attention. He gave up on trying to get a now-silent Aika to crack a smile and turned to the chemist as Fina, undetected, came to his side. Aika looked up as the room quieted down, having for the last four minutes been trapped in personal considerations that left her, at best, unresponsive.

"I've figured it out," the scientist proudly said, reaching for a bowl of chocolate pudding.

"Figured what out, sugar, that it's dessert time?" Polly asked, earning a round of chortles from the sailors by her sides. Ilchymis, grinning, overturned the medallion.

"Not quite, but I did figure out how our little map works." Vyse was about to inquire when the man in white dipped the medallion arrow-side down in the creamy treat.

"Hey!" he shouted, reaching for the gold. "Come on, Ichs, what game are you playing at?" Ignoring him, but giving him a courteous smile, Ilchymis set to work moving plates and bowls from his path, looking back and forth between the cartography and the now-flavored medallion. Vyse just watched, intrigued, as the chemist explained with lucid sobriety.

"I'm afraid that the arrow head on the top isn't quite what you thought it was, Vyse. Rather, it's these cracks on the back which should grab your interest." He held it above Pirate Isle, about an inch from the true glass table-top, slowly moving it over the map's surface and rotating the piece by a few degrees as he went. Soon, the medallion was hovering over Shrine Island, before Ilchymis shook his head, carrying it over to Nasr. Vyse was growing impatient, but before he could interrupt, the scientist exclaimed.

"Aha! Of, course. See, these 'cracks' are quite deceiving. Rather, they etched into medallion and stained, made to look like wear. In actuality, it's—"

"They're topographical. . ." Aika breathed, leaning in closely as Ilchymis finally set the medallion down over the very northwestern edge of Nasrad, where the coastal marks on the enlarged map bled into the medal, aligning perfectly. Vyse watched with his mouth agape as the chemist lifted the golden piece, a dark brown, sticky arrow left in its place on the surface.

"There's your bearing, captain." The arrow pointed upward, the uneven tip shakily piercing the North Dannel Strait. Vyse just began to chuckle, looking to Ilchymis with a wide grin. Soon, the excitement began to spread as animated talk erupted all through-out the headquarters. Fina watched the medallion carefully as Ilchymis wiped it clean with a napkin.

"Unbelievable," the Blue Rogues captain breathed. "Well!" He clasped his hands together, eyes roaming around the room. "My pirate crew, I believe we have ourselves an adventure at hand." A quick cheer came up as Vyse tried to bring them back to order. As their leader continued his rally, Fina backed away from the table and cried out when she bumped into Aika's chair. She practically fell into her friend's lap, but caught herself before she made a proper landing.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Aika." The redhead didn't reply, seemingly stuck in thought. Fina persisted, motioning to the table. "Isn't this thrilling? We might even set sail tomorrow!" Aika glanced up, almost surprised to see Fina there. She still didn't reply, however, mouth moving wordlessly. As the Silvite tipped her head in inquiry, Aika finally found her voice.

"Oh, um, right. Hey, I'm going to head down. I feel like turning in." She held up an empty glass. "Too much to drink, I think." Fina was about to protest, but as she too was feeling the mind-numbing effects of being soused, she couldn't quite think up a reason for her to stay.

"Um, okay," she said, watching Aika walk a rather steady line to the door. She disappeared without so much as looking back. Fina fell into the chair, still warm, looking around the room as slowly as she could manage. No matter how little she turned her head, though, the room spun as if it had a will of its own. Fina was starting to get a headache, and all of a sudden, the candles were burning very brightly.

Vyse's hand fell on her shoulder, startling her a bit. He looked down, all smiles, and said, "Fina! You're back. Did you see what Ichs did?"

"Oh, yes, it's rather exciting," she slurred, swallowing a bit as his hand tightened a little. "What did I miss?"

"Not a lot," he answered, taking a moment to scratch the underside of his chin. "Are you doing alright? You look like you've had too much. . ." Vyse knelt by her chair so that their eyes could be level. "Fina?" The girl just giggled, falling into him with her arms thrown around his neck.

Sighing in that way that carried both the exasperation of a parent but also the amusement of a friend, Vyse simply set her back in the chair, unwrapping her arms from around his neck. He could plainly smell the inebriation on her breath and watched as she began to take off her boots while she complained about the heat.

Of course, he didn't let her get passed the first hook on the buckle before he picked her up and escorted her out and onto the balcony, calling back to Ilchymis to follow. "What am I gonna do with you, Fina?" He looked back to the partiers, grinning faintly as they began to wind themselves down. Luckily, when the chemist was on hand, he has the foresight to bring some of his patent potions, those that did just the trick for the ill-effects of their merriment. Once outside, he handed Fina's shaky arm over, sharing a concerned glance with the other man.

"Get her to bed, okay, Ichs?"

"Of course, Vyse. Are you going to be able to quell the party?"

Vyse waved a hand at him. "Yeah, we'll be fine, don't worry. I'm going to make it last call and send them off to bed." He turned to Fina, who was starting to hiccup. Vyse tried to bite back a laugh, but the overt cartoonish cuteness of seeing Fina plastered was too much to bear. "And you listing to Ilchymis and get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay, Vyse," she tried to say, getting lost on the way to the 'v'. He chuckled again, sending the two off, returning to the clamor of the celebration. Once the elevator returned he watched the pair descend from his place at the door, quietly bidding Fina one more good night.

He glanced back to the interior for a moment, observing his crew slowly sinking into the chairs and against walls. Practically everyone who'd ever served under his flag was in this room, striking up strange debates and sometimes breaking into gut-shaking laughter. Vyse gave his strange collection a smile before he realized, finally, that someone was missing.

-o-

Aika awoke with bright sunlight filtering in though the sparking glass of her window, covering her eyes as morning intruded and commanded her to rise. She groggily sat up from her bed, her comforter falling from her shoulder and a tangle of hair falling in front of her face. She stretched her arms above her head before she resigned to the call of her pillow, falling back with a low 'flumph'. She curled her hands up behind her, stuffing them beneath her pillow as she stared up at the ceiling. The sunlight that had roused her was now splashed across her bare skin, warming her face, chest and stomach. She slowly relaxed her squinting eyes, grateful as a shadow from a cloud blocked the cascade from blinding her further.

She was motionless for a while, thoughtfully tracing the patterns in the wooden beams above her with her wandering brown eyes. A dark stain caught her attention, probably evidence of a fire that had made its mark in the rings of the trees used to rebuild their quarters. She took a moment to sweep some tickling hair from her neck, looking down at her body that was exposed by the shifted cover. Aika put her palm on her stomach, running small circles over her fair skin with the tip of her finger. Cautiously, her hand began to rise, before a thump in the cabin next door derailed her train of thought.

Aika sighed, turning her head to the side to look at the picture of Vyse that sat on her bureau. The heat in her cheeks was fading, her heart still racing a little from being startled. Quietly, she thought about last night and the events that followed her down to the cabin. Not five minutes after she'd stripped down and slipped under the comforter, she heard dual footsteps leading past her room and toward Fina's. She remembered the quirky fear that had seized her at first: had Vyse and Fina had too much to drink? Would she have to hear that which was clearly the result of being too tipsy? Of course, with an embarrassed shake of the head, she determined, rightly, that Vyse (or someone) was leading Fina home, because as soon as her imagination began putting her friends into compromising positions, the second set of footsteps was retreating away from her quarters. She heard Fina say "good night" and the cabin door shut. Aika remembered trying to calm her racing heart, holding her hands up to her head as she had berated herself for being so silly as to think what she had thought.

Then again, she did overhear Vyse talking to Ryu Kan, and the suggestion that he'd have a weapon made for Fina and not for her kind of put her in a foul mood. Inexplicably, she decided for at least an hour or so that Vyse had chosen – as if a choice was there to be made.

"Yeah right," Aika muttered to herself as she turned over to her right side, curling up and staring at the wall. "I know better than that. I mean, I already have a weapon. It's perfectly reasonable to suggest that Fina use something other than Cupil." She sighed, closing her eyes.

"And now I feel like a jerk," she said aloud, turning onto her back once more. She opened her eyes and glanced down at her body again, frowning a little as she reached up to poke herself in the breast. "Stop it," she suddenly muttered, forcing her hand back down to her side. She sat up and reached to the floor for the wears she had on yesterday, swinging her slender legs over the edge of the mattress. She slipped on her black shorts and her arm bands before worming her way into her worn yellow dress. She belted up and strapped on her boots, reaching for the glove she'd tossed on the nightstand. Aika threw it onto the bed next to her as she plucked a brush from the now-open drawer. She quickly worked her hair into a straight cascade, loosely braiding her locks into pigtails. She strapped on her goggles, gloved her hand and stood up, her back cracking in three places. She breathed in a refreshing lungful of air and, just before she went for the door, blew a clandestine kiss to the photo of her oldest friend.

At just about the same time, Vyse's sleepy eyes fluttered open, the squeak of a door caught in his sensitive hearing. He sat up and ran a hand though his messy hair, glancing at his arm to find that he'd fallen asleep in his clothes once more. His memory slightly foggy, but for the most part intact, he was relieved to find that he'd woken up without a pounding migraine. He'd, luckily, not had as much to drink as Aika had suggested. Almost immediately, he tossed his comforter aside and was standing, remembering plainly that he'd not seen her leave the party last night. He quickly put his Skyseer goggle on his head, walking over to the door for the boots that had somehow made it across the room.

"I hope she's alright," he murmured, as if expecting an answer, tightening the buckle that was loose around his waist. After strapping up his boots, he opened the door, crying out as Aika attempted to knock on his face.

"Watch it!" he shouted, dodging the fist as she stumbled into the room. Vyse pushed the door shut as he helped her regain her balance, sitting her down on the bed. "You okay?" Aika nodded and looked away as he crossed his arms, watching her. He looked thoughtful, but held his tongue as the chirps of native birds took over their shared silence.

"Aika," he said suddenly, pausing as she spoke his name. They couldn't suppress the smiles that came over both their faces, but Vyse motioned for her to go on. "Um, you first."

"I wanted to apologize, you know? I wasn't all that much fun last night."

Vyse's smile broadened into a grin as he stuffed his hands into hidden pockets. "Ahem, that's, uh, quite fine. I don't exactly remember. . ." Aika gave him a suspicious glance but she was already feeling the urge to tease him bubbling up in her throat. "Besides, I should apologize if I made you uncomfortable."

"Oh," she breathed, "Vyse, you didn't! You can't shake me."

Laughing, Vyse nodded. "Good, I didn't count on it. Wanna get breakfast?"

Aika stood and stepped toward him hesitantly. His brow furrowed in question as she placed her hand on his chest, patting his heart with her bare hand. As he drifted past, she stealthily kissed his cheek and gave him a wink. He looked back at her, frozen with curiosity. "Sure do, captain. Thanks for the clean slate." She opened the door, leaving him alone in the room, his hand rubbing the skin her delicate lips had momentarily touched.

"Man, why does she keep doing that to me?" he muttered, stretching his back as he straightened his coat. Ever since that night, before they had consigned themselves to the destruction of Galcian; the night where he'd both wrapped a comforting arm around Fina and felt the soft pressure of Aika's kiss upon his cheek; since that moonlit night, his redheaded companion figured she had carte blanch to confound his senses whenever she pleased. Often she did it with an almost sinister laugh and was sometimes just something that happened in the course of celebration, but every now and then he could swear he detected the glimmer of something else hidden in the split-second action.

Aika peeked her head back in, whistling to grab Vyse's attention. He turned, met with a smile, and followed her out into the warm sunlight. The smell of hot food was heavy in the air, Polly already rapidly preparing the day's menu. Just as the cedar door clicked shut, a latch across the deck opened, Fina's timid head poking out from her brightly lit room.

Just about ten minutes before, Fina was in subtle agony, her head pounding like a fierce wind trapped in fluttering sails. The pain bounced around her skull, causing her to toss under her comforter as the sounds of the outside world began to penetrate her restless slumber. She flung the quilt from her shoulders, revealing ruffled clothing draped loosely around her body. Her skirt had fallen down and was barely hugging her hips. Her sleeves had come undone and pooled around her wrists, leaving her forearms bare. Her blue top was pulled tight across her chest, accentuating curved skin. Her bandana was about her neck, her gorgeous hair loose and draped about her face. Fina rolled to the side one final time, eyes flying open as she plummeted to the floor. She landed sharply on the floor with a 'thump', having to bite back a cry of pain.

She rubbed her thigh, soothing away the ache in her backside as she wearily crawled to her feet, catching her skirt just before it fell to her ankles. She grabbed her belt from the headboard and quickly tightened her wears, groaning as the throbbing moved around her cranium. She blew a stray lock of hair from her cheek and very quietly performing curia on herself, her aching pains dissolving almost immediately. She sighed in relief, finally able to think with a clear head, but also overcome with severe embarrassment that she could let herself get trapped in the grip of liquor. It was rare, sure, but what it happened, it happened.

"Honesty, what are those two doing to me?" she asked impishly, untying her bandana from her neck and using it to tame her soft, blonde drapes. She gave a quick glance to Cupil, who was sleeping peacefully in the nearby chair, and pulled her sleeves up. Slipping into her footwear, she stood there in her room for a few moments before collapsing back onto the bed. She thought hard about the night that was still chasing her memory, scenes missing from her Technicolor recollection. She could plainly remember excusing herself to visit the flagpole where, at least for now, Vyse's design hung true. However, much that followed was lost to a haze, with only the vague suggestion of faces dancing in the mist. Vyse became Aika became Ilchymis became the unknown; a short cast of familiars preceding a longer collection of shadowy figures.

And the boat. . . She was almost certain about that. There was no doubt about the wooden vessel cutting through the miasma of the sky below the Island. She bit her lip, trying to push the image away, instead trying to figure out how she returned to her cabin. She certainly didn't recall walking and was almost certain that Vyse or Aika had to escort. She covered her mouth as a hotness crept up her neck. Knowing they'd seen her in such a state was a little humiliating.

No matter, she figured, rising her to feet once more. With a small sigh she walked toward the door, putting her hands on her stomach to try and soothe the hunger that was slowly building within. She opened the door slowly, peeking out to find Aika and Vyse emerging from his quarters. She smiled, excited to see them, and left her bedroom to accompany them to breakfast.

Enclosed in the warm tavern, Vyse and his companions settled down for one of Polly's stellar meals. Seated at the table nearest to the door, the three were taken into a strangely unique silence. Eyes wandered back and forth across the bench, meeting and unlocking, cast down and closed. Robinson watched them inquisitively, setting his bottle down and quietly thanking Polly for his meal when she came by. The two observed the trio with identical thoughts swimming in their experienced minds:

They'd finally done it.

Of course, despite the wisdom that comes with age (and with marriage), the chef and sailor had mistakenly pegged the uncommon silence as a result of a night of drunken mayhem, whereas it instead had to do, in part, with the lack thereof. Sort of. Vyse was still thinking about Aika's habit of catching his cheek off-guard, and was in another capacity concerned about Fina's slight overdrinking.

Aika's mind was annoyingly persistent in the idea of her two friends getting close without her, and even though she'd already confirmed that they had spent the night in their respective beds, she was in a small was unable to completely snuff the fear. Just the same, Fina had finally realized that Vyse and Aika had both emerged from one room. She finally broke the silence with a long yawn, her eyes tearing up a little as they screwed tight.

"Fina, you look like you had a rough night," Aika murmured with a grin.

Glancing at her with a faintly rosy glow hiding her face, the Silvite managed an innocent smile. Vyse gave the redhead a bit of a discerning glare and tugged on one of her braids. "Lay off, Aika." She yelped, rubbing her head and, with an equally dark glare, punched Vyse in the arm.

"It's okay, Vyse," Fina said. "She's right. If it weren't for you and Ilchymis, I might not have made it to my room." She laughed quietly. "Gosh, I'm so embarrassed."

"Wait, Ilchymis?" Aika questioned.

"Yeah," Vyse continued, "I had him take care of her while I wrapped up the party. What about you?" he asked. "When did you disappear?"

Before she could respond, three plates of food were set down before them. "Okay guys," Polly announced, "why don't ya take a break and dig in?"

"Sounds good to me," Aika replied, stuffing her face with egg as soon as her breakfast touched down. "Thanks, Pol'."

"You bet, sugar." She smiled and returned to the kitchen.

Suddenly, as Vyse was chewing on a pancake, he shot up in his seat. "That's right!" he said. "I forgot that I was going to meet Ryu Kan. I gotta run, girls. Meet me up in the office in about an hour, okay?" Blindsided, the pair just nodded as he swiveled around and rocked onto his feet, speeding out the door. The spring-loaded hinges slowly pulling it closed after he was gone. Blinking for a moment, Aika just shrugged and reached over to take his plate of food.

"What do you think that was about?" Fina asked.

"Oh, apparently Ryu Kan wants to make another weapon with the second piece of Velorium we picked up." She took a gulp of water, wiping at her mouth with the back of her glove. "Man, that is good pancake."

"A new weapon?" the Silvite inquired, taking small bites of her breakfast.

"Yeah. Didn't say what, though." Aika quickly pulled up her napkin and planted it on the table, already finished with her meal. Her hunger was deceptive; her appetite escaped as soon as she'd shoveled just half a plate of nourishment past her pallet. She sighed, looking out the window to watch the clouds drift by.

"Aika?" The girl in question turned her eyes to the side to look up at Fina. "Um, what were you and Vyse doing this morning?" She sat up, an odd grin sneaking onto her face.

"Doing?" she asked.

"You came out of his room . . ." For all her suspicions, Aika now felt like an utter tool. She couldn't help but laugh in that empathetic way, her previous concerns about her friends leaving her behind lost in knowing that Fina felt the same.

"Fina," she said softly, "nothing like that happened. We were just talking!" She snapped her fingers, pushing their plates to the side and putting her hands on the table. "That's right, I nearly forgot. I wasn't very nice to you, either. I'm sorry."

Fina placed her palm atop Aika's gloved fingers, smiling faintly. "To tell you the truth, I don't really remember. But, while we're at it, I'm sorry for . . . you know."

"Fina!" Aika shouted, aghast, disquieting the girl. "Never apologize for drinking. What kind of pirate are you?" Rolling her eyes with exasperation, she chucked her napkin across the table and into Aika's face.

"You!" she said, curtly, standing up. Aika plucked the cloth from her face, expecting to be met with a frown, but saw a wicked grin waiting for her. Fina began backing for the door and, at that moment, Aika knew the game was on. "We've got about half an hour before we're to meet Vyse," she said with nonchalance, hand on the door's handle.

Aika stood, watching her carefully, sidling around to the other side of a table. "You know what'll happen," she sang, wagging her finger with a toothy smile. With a shrill giggle, Fina suddenly fled the room, the door cracking on the hinges as she burst out into the camp. Aika left after her, harmonious laughter ringing throughout the village. Polly collected their plates, watching the two girls chase each other around the camp, engaged in a game of "tag." She chuckled while her husband came to her side to help with the dishes, as Aika nearly tackled her friend to the ground.

"I don't know about them, hon," she finally said. "But if they haven't done it, they're bound to." Robinson replied with a snicker, hand wrapped around Polly's plump hip.

"Yeah, but do you think Vyse will get the chance to join 'em?"

"Cute, darlin'." He grinned at her as they dumped the dinnerware into a basin of suds, hands meeting under the warm water. She leaned in to kiss his temple, a wet, slippery finger from her sparking hand riding up his arm. "Why don't you go lock the door? Urala's off for the day and I don't think we'll be serving any more people until lunch." Nodding, Robinson walked to the entrance and shut off the tavern from the outside world, where the click of a latch separated lovers from those yet to be.

To be Continued