Sagittarius And Gemini: 5A The Event
Part Two: Food and Freedom
A small circle of cosmos tore through the dimensional fabric in the middle of the parking lot. The ten-year-old native, with the body of an eighteen-year-old, poked his head out playfully taking a deep breath of his homeland's air before he told the others it was all clear.
Aphrodite, dressed in a smashing light blue blouse with silk pink pants jumped out as he eagerly awaited the others to come out. Even though he himself never been to the famous store, it was a place that was talked and bragged about whether it be from the groundskeeper from his old house or the maidens who cared for him before his arrival to Sanctuary. But everything, from the ocean blue facade to the gigantic sunny yellow letters, made him believe everything he heard about it was true. "Everyone, we are here! Welcome to IKEA!" he postured, raising his hands up.
And one by one, the other younger Gold Saints floated out of Another Dimension and touched down to the ground with delicate grace, each one wearing either their trainers without armor or more contemporary clothing to blend in with the scene.
"Woah…" Aiolia gasped as he turned his head back and forth. He was not yet ready for missions outside of Greece and it was his first time to view the massive building that made his own temple seem like a tool shed. He was overwhelmed with amazement and wished his brother was there to see it. Of course, that didn't mean he was alone. His head turned toward the tree as he felt a familiar cosmos. He grinned mischievously as Marin poked her head behind it and gave a quick wave to let him know she made it. The trip was meant to be a Gold-only occasion, but he just had to secretly invite her over. Besides, she was good with hiding and couldn't see the harm in something no one knew about.
On the other side of Another Dimension, Saga watched the others leap inside of it, making sure they followed his instructions to avoid diverting from the gravitational current that would ensure they reached Sweden and not any part of the European Union. Some like Shura, would reach in and were a bit disoriented by the weightlessness that came with crossing inside time and space, while others like Aldebaran leaping in as if he was performing a cannonball in a swimming pool.
It was true that the Golds could lightspeed to the spot, they needed a way to easily transport their purchases. For the Gemini, it was easier and three times more accurate to reopen a recent hole than it was to blindly open a fresh new one.
There was another reason to travel this way. While the Pope can still move at light speed for short distances, it was only due to a clever combination of utilizing his telekinesis to do so. But to travel across countries would be far too taxing and the needed breaks would just complicate what was to be, a simple and pleasant shopping experience.
Saga turned to Shion listening to his frail voice gently urging the young Aquarius into it.
Once Camus finally stepped forward, Shion slowly twisted his head, the skin around his neck was so loose that the layers just curved with the motion. "What is it, Saga?" the Pope quietly whispered.
The Greek shifted his blue eyes. "It's just always a bit jarring to hear your true voice, your Holiness." The Pope's helmet and mask were specifically designed to hide the identity of the second most important position in Sanctuary. It was so good that even when he and Aiolos were small children, Shion demonstrated its effectiveness by having the two boys take turns speaking with it on behind a wall, and Sanctuary's elite, who had been working for the Lemurian for decades, couldn't tell the difference despite their pre-pubestic high pitched voices.
The old Lemurian gently smiled with a bit of grace. Despite the large sunglasses that he must wear since it hid his dots and as well as it being easier on his ancient greying eyes. "I know the feeling. Although, sometimes it is quite nice to hear how I used to sound in my youth." With the mask, his voice was strong and mighty, and when he was in the grand Pope Main Chambers, it felt like every syllable could crack thunder. Without it, his words felt frail like the wind could blow each of them away.
But the Lemurian could tell that the question was a cover-up for something more pressing. "Is there something else?"
The Gemini could see the parking lot on the other side where nine youths, all about ten years old in the bodies of eighteen-year-olds, were chatting about meatballs and what they would see. "Are you sure you don't want either I or Aiolos to come with you? Many either haven't been exposed to or visited life beyond Sanctuary in a long time." Only Shura, Aldebaran, and himself had what could be considered the closest to a long contemporary life, and even then, he felt out of place anytime he stepped into a place with modern comforts.
Saga personally thought it was best the archer came since he was quite good being the mother hen with keeping everyone together and well-behaved, especially when it came to bringing the whole gaggle. However, if his Holiness needed him to escort the children, he will do his best to do so.
But Shion disagreed. "That village has been hit hard and if their water supply is tainted, life for those people may go from difficult to unlivable. I've met this man and even though you have everything set up, he is not a man that is easy to work with. If things don't go well at IKEA, it may cause some embarrassment, but the Zodiac will raise their chins and move on. But if this deal fails, many villagers will suffer. I would prefer it if both of you were there." Not only that, but his death will come in thirteen days time. It would be best for them to learn to deal with difficult people now since he won't be around to oversee such matters in a couple of weeks.
Besides, he was tired of being cooped up in his marble prison or having dozens of guards around in order to purchase a pastry for one of the children in the town. It will be nice to experience a small bit of freedom after two hundred years of dedication towards the Goddess. Shion watched Shaka serenely stroll inside the Another Dimension while Mu waited patiently, ready to escort his Master through. The old Lemurian pulled off his sunglasses for a moment and patted the back of his future killer, for, despite the alignment of the stars, he still cared about his hardworking Gemini who comes to the Chambers each day doing everything he could to show his worthiness as a Pope Candidate. "Good luck with the meeting, Saga. However it turns out, I know the two of you are doing your best, and I will still be proud of the two of you no matter what the outcome. May Athena be with you," he smiled.
Saga bowed his head. "Thank you, your Holiness. May she be with you as well. If you need me or Aiolos over there, don't hesitate to message us and one of us can assist you."
But the elder Lemurian shook his head. "Saga, I told you. I will be fine. I am not an ice cube in the sun. Trust me, I've been doing this for years, and like olive oil in the fire, I can take quite a bit of heat before I start to burn." Shion casually strutted over and took the hand of Mu who used his telekinesis to help guide his Master through the endless sea of stars.
O|================|O
The archer relaxed on the underwater stone bench, his wet muscular arms stretched out along the tiled edge with his shoulders and head laying on top of it.
A towel was tossed and covered his face.
"No peeking," a cheeky baritone voice chided him.
The archer's half-tired face cracked up into a smile as a large splash on the other side followed. Aiolos pulled the cloth off to see the Gemini sitting on the other side from him in his normal spot when they bathe together after a good sparring session for the past nine years. He shook his head, and in an equally playful manner, balled the drying cloth and threw it back at the smirking third guardian who promptly opened a small Another Dimension where it teleported right behind him next to the trainer set that Saga wore earlier. "So, how was it, Saga? Did everyone come that quickly?"
"Oh, yes," Saga casually nodded, as his eyes privately admired the wet archer. "Half an hour later, before you dropped off the cub with Milo, everyone else came, whether out of excitement or the others wanted to make sure they didn't depart too late." The Gemini shook his head in disbelief as the tips of his blue locks floated on top of the water's surface. The original plan was the two of them would clean up early so they could both see their friends off. But everyone started coming and were asking to leave despite the fact that the store wouldn't open for another hour. Not wanting to disappoint, the Old Man told him to go ahead and send them through. "Of all the splendors of the world, why is everyone this excited over a fancy furniture store?" He spoke before he submerged for a moment to rewet his long hair.
It took the archer by surprise as well. The last time Aiolia woke him up before dawn and dragged him out was for his first marching in the Eighty-Eight Knight Festival. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. "It's like an adventure. A chance to get out beyond the Twelve Houses for something different...it's a..." the archer snapped his fingers. "...help me...it happens at one of your type of schools-"
"-field trip?"
"Yes! Like that!"
Saga nodded. He believed it. When he was five years old, he and Kanon were excited at the trip their class took to an olive canning facility. Hell, the two of them begged their mother to loan them the Tele-cam in order to take selfies of themselves over there. "That does make sense, especially with Aphrodite promoting magical meatballs and making it feel as large as a castle." He raised a finger. "Oddly enough, the Old Man was more excited to leave than his own pupil."
Aiolos noticed the same thing back during the meeting. "You did say he was a bit more melancholic lately."
"I did. A week ago, I spotted him holding a long scarlet silk scarf, like the one that Crane Yuzuriha wore from the Lost Canvas book." Saga tilted his head, still wondering how much of the book was true. For some reason, he couldn't forget the small insignificant memory. "The way he held it was quite tender."
"I've seen him hold it too before too, and doing so without the mask. I wish I could ask him to tell us about it-"
Saga shook his head. "-not a good idea."
"I agree." Despite it being two hundred years ago, Shion has never talked about his own personal experience about the Holy War from two hundred years ago. But neither felt like pressuring him since it was common knowledge that only two Saints survived, and neither was a Lemurian female.
O|==============|O
"What time is it Shura?" asked Aldebaran.
The Capricorn turned downwards toward his wrist. "It's 9:57." He was excited too, but, "why is everyone asking me the time?"
"Because you had the good sense to actually bring a watch," retorted Camus. He, on the other hand, had the wisdom to keep his hidden in his pocket until the doors opened up to avoid everyone pestering him.
Shion smiled. He felt sorry for the Capricorn, but the amount of excitement among their group was so infectious that he swore that it had given him the equivalent of twenty years worth of youth in his weary bones. Even Shaka, who had no interest in material possessions, was pacing a little as if he was interested in the experience of simply walking through, curious at what made everyone so feverish. So rather than have the group ache and twist in silence, he might as well make good use of these minutes before all hell broke loose.
The Pope took his cane, and tapped it gently. Like a flock of birds, they all turn their heads in sync toward him. "I know all of you are very excited," which is an understatement since Mu dragged him out of his bed as the owls hooted in the night. "First, we will all eat together in the cafe. Afterward, we will break up into our groups to allow you to explore on your own before we all meet together to find a replacement for the wobble table." Shion grinned a bit more. "You've all grown up to be such fine young men and do not need me to oversee every action you take."
"Thank you, Your Holiness!" bowed Shura as the others joined him too in the compliment.
"Even me, Your Holiness?" asked Milo.
"*cough* -Any questions?" The Old Man asked, ignoring the Scorpio. He noticed that everyone was sharing a glance with each other. "Don't be afraid," he comforted his flock.
Aldebaran stepped forward. "Your Holiness, my servants had been hinting about how uncomfortable my couch and some of my furnishings were." He noticed it too, but only because of the heavyweight of his muscles and Cloth wearing down their sturdiness three times quicker.
The Brazillian's pulse quickened a bit as he knelt down, not as a bow, but because he had grown so tall and large that he could tell that if the Pope kept looking up, he would develop a crick in his neck. He and the others had a private conversation after the meeting about how nice it would be to grab a few other things for each of their Houses. When they asked Aphrodite about what else was there besides meeting tables and meatballs, the Pisces held their attention preaching magnificent words such as humble ottomans where one could both rest their weary feet after hours of beating their brains out of another while storing one's book inside of it. What appealed to him the most was the idea of a bed with a firm mattress that wasn't made from horsehair. "If we see other things we like, can we buy them too?"
The old Lemurian's face didn't shift, nor did it need to since he had been in an endless grin since enjoying the closest thing to true freedom. The Gold Saints were lectured endlessly by nobles, their caretakers, other soldiers, and even himself about avoiding luxury items and purchasing things that they already had did fall in the category. Perhaps in his first years, he would frown at such a thing and shake his head no. But the older he got, the more he realized that such archaic laws were rather pointless and unfortunately difficult to alter. He knew in his heart the purchase of a single couch or a bookshelf wasn't going to turn them into power-hungry warlords that the conservatives feared.
As Deathmask would say, why the hell not?
The Lemurian nodded. "Of course. If you find something to make your lives more pleasant, then by all means go for it. If you didn't carry enough here, just send a message through the cosmos and you can pay me back later."
By the Goddess, the energy in them was over the top! What was meant to be a small discussion to qualm his flock had done the opposite.
O|============|O
Aiolos and Saga finished up and each whipped their towels around their waists and hair before they headed toward a large room dedicated toward travel.
Both Saga and Aiolos raised their hands and produced a few light balls of yellow and white cosmos to illuminate the various outfits, each one suited for different needs. It used to be that one side was dedicated toward Saga and the other for Kanon.
But with the younger still missing and the constant sight of his clothing drawing more distress for the older Gemini, the two both agreed to carefully store Kanon's clothes in the shelving above to avoid the spoils of mold and dust and simply use the space for the archer's travel attire. It saved Aiolos a great amount of time since he didn't have to run past five Houses because he needed to trade out his boots for sandals, and it was one less reminder of the missing twin.
The two stared at what they had to work with.
"Well the foot soldier attire and any rank below is definitely out," spoke Aiolos as he took his hand and slid the hung uniforms over. "He owns businesses, should we wear something like that? I could own a tanner since I've been to enough of them to know what I'm talking about."
But Saga disagreed. "Based on what I've heard from his Holiness, this is a man who if he sees you as close to one's equal, he will try to step on your foot in order for you to kneel down and use you as a footstool for his own purposes."
"But the deal is already done. He agreed on the site," frowned the archer.
"He agreed verbally… through a messenger, but has yet to sign the paper. His pen is his sword, and we should be on guard because I predict he will take a few steps back from the said deal in order to keep his coin pouch heavier."
Aiolos bit his lip. "If he wants a couple of hundred, we have the funds as long as the source of the water is safe."
Saga shook his head. Aiolos was so soft when it came to business matters. Just because there is no death involved, doesn't mean one should lower their guard. "I disagree. Yes we have some leeway, but once we leave, he may try to bully the village out of providing extra for years to come." Saga brought his finger to his chin. "It's best to tame him now. Let us go with a nobleman attire for flaunting our false wealth and a royal bodyguard to emphasize our connections to Sanctuary." He heard a chuckle and turned. "What is it?"
"You handle this like a general ready to send forth your battalion." Aiolos smiled. "Don't take it the wrong way. I just like watching you take down these types of people." He shrugged. "Every time I've tried, they seem to get the best of me while you just make it seem so easy."
But Saga shrugged. Aiolos may have been soft, but at least he acknowledges it. In fact, he did see him trying to improve it as well. "It is probably because it's like a battle, the only difference is you're not trying to kill them or cause surrender, but finding mutual ground where both sides can pull back and call themselves the winner." Truthfully, he's told the archer many times how much he wished he knew how to guide troops and strategize as well as he could. It almost feels like that whatever he does, he ends up just throwing Saints forward and seeing what works. The truth was, if the Holy War came, he would be deathly afraid of leading it without the archer, even with his years of guidance over him.
A small idea came over the Gemini. "How would you like to try and handle this one?"
A surprised expression took over the archer's face. "Me?" He shook his head. "Look, I believe in sending out who is best qualified, and the one who is the best between the two of us is obviously you."
Saga laughed at the compliment. "Yes that's true but, you are always helping me with the military matters no matter how terrible I am with it and it's time I do the same for you. We can easily arrange all the war games we want in Sanctuary, but dealing with a person like this is much harder to preplan for. I'll guide you through it, and bail you out when needed." He reached over toward Aiolos' side of the closet and began to shift through the clothes. "Here, I know you like bright reds, but I think the warm blue would look good and hide that dark tan of yours."
Aiolos shrugged. He wasn't vain, but even he admitted that for once he wore his red headband a bit too much this week without shifting it. "Is it obvious?"
"Very."
For the archer, it was a catch-22. He liked wearing it, when he didn't feel like it, he had no choice. "I've been visiting the colosseum every day to watch my brother train."
Saga stepped forward and took a finger from one side of Aiolos' forehead to the other, tracing the white tan line of where his red headband was usually tied. "I can tell," he huskily whispered as he moved his hand and playfully slapped the archer's face. Perhaps the tan line was silly, and the look on his face was silly too, but it was so handsome. But then he sensed a warmth, partly out of desire, but also from the curse. He turned away before he raised his hand and could see the light glow of his red eyes reflecting from the wet slick surface of his hand. The curse liked to take his desires and twist them and puberty had proved to be a new tool in its arsenal. But Saga wasn't sure how Aiolos felt about having a relationship beyond friendship. That's the problem when one is friendly to everyone. It delivers mixed signals that even he wasn't sure how to interpret.
Luckily, it was far easier to fight the curse and push aside the hundreds of voices in his head much easier when the matter was about desire and not out of anger. After a couple of a seconds. Saga turned around, his eyes blue as the ocean that was once his view from his old house. "I'll play the bodyguard," Saga chortled as he plucked a helmet and stuck it directly on his own head, plucked a shiny spear but was keen to the focused eyes of his friend. "Oh what is it?"
Aiolos found himself staring a bit. Maybe it was the pose or the fact that the new soap that the Gemini wore was intoxicating. He then shook his head. It's strange. The two have hung out half-dressed or even not dressed. But as time went on, he felt different about it, but in a good way. "I don't think the royal bodyguard look suits you." The archer could see a seemingly insulted look. Beneath his brash nature, Saga was far more sensitive and while he seemed like a man with a will of steel, the truth was that deep down it was the opposite.
Saga's nature was a double edge sword. To avoid being hurt, it made him quite disciplined at everything he did. But at the same time, if something doesn't go well, outside of sparring and chess, Saga didn't take it well at all.
But he knew his friend well and knew how to bring him out of these moments. His hand reached over to Saga's side and while he wasn't the type that analyzed colors in a way to see what compliments and whatnot, he always thought the white with the red sash looked good. "Here. The village is small and well patrolled. I don't need a bodyguard and would rather we meet this man as we should, as equals." He spoke as he pulled out the nobleman set for the Gemini.
O|==============|O
The two women, one who had just started a couple of weeks ago, the other having worked at least twenty years. The older had seen many things in her long career, but never quite the group coming inside.
"They're huge! That hair! Are they body-builders...or models….or both?" spoke the younger lady as Aldebaran and Aphrodite came out first followed by the parade of the over-the-moon guardians.
"Could be." The older of the two watched Aiolia, Deathmask, and Shura had a bounce in their steps. "How strange, they look at least fifteen, but they act like my children in primary school." She watched as they began laughing and pointing and while she didn't understand a word they said, it was clear they were very interested in their menu.
The younger worker could see it too. Her eyes widened as Aldebaran stepped in, the girth of his bicep was as large as her waist. "They don't seem rowdy. Just really happy. I wonder why?"
The old woman shrugged. "It could be where they came from. Perhaps they've had sheltered lives? They all looked like they've been quarantined for years with limited access. Who knows, but if they are happy to come, then let us happily greet them." She looked up and waved her hand. "Welcome!" she spoke as she switched from Swedish to English.
Aphrodite breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh that's good. I was afraid I would have to translate for everyone here," the Pisces thought as he clasped his hands and turned his body toward his friends and Holiness. "Okay, who is first? Should we do Zodiac order or guess the number?"
"Let's play guess the number." Shion closed his eyes. "Alright everyone, think of a number between 0 and a hundred." He then used his telepathy and read their minds. "Alright, Mu and Aiolia, you two both got 88."
"How wonderful!" chimed Mu, as his feet began to float over the floor.
Shaka turned his head and opened his eyes in shock. "Mu!" The Buddhist hurried as he grasped the Lemurian shoulders and pushed him back down to the ground.
Mu flinched as he realized his error. Lemurian telekinesis was so powerful while they were young, many would float wistfully like a dandelion seed in the wind all the time. But as they grew older and heavier, such habits would cease, except when his excitement was at its peak.
Aiolia patted the Lemurian's back. "Come on, let's get some food!"
Mu followed the Leo and met the older of the two women. "Excuse me, before I trade my useless cheap metals for nourishment, I must ask. I have heard many wonderful things about these meatballs, but did the flesh come from creatures who have sworn to give up their protein as a means of entering Elysium, or are they atheists?"
The woman's mouth widened a bit, unsure of what to say for a moment. "Would you like to see our vegetarian menu?"
Aiolia sighed as Mu was having trouble interacting with people outside of Sanctuary. "Hi there!" he spoke in English to the younger worker.
"Welcome, you all look very excited to come here, is this your first time at IKEA?"
"Yes it is!" the Leo nodded.
The woman smiled back. "By the way, my supervisor and I were chatting and we were curious at how old all of you were?"
"I'm 10!"
The young woman was taken aback at this answer. To think, she was about ready to ask him for his number. "Well, you certainly fooled me."
"I hear that a lot. I think it is because I'll be turning eleven soon."
"I thought you were a bit older. Well what can I get you?"
"Two plates of meatballs please!"
"Ah, you must certainly be very hungry."
Mu turned his head. "Oh Aiolia, I wish I could speak as well as you to humans," he spoke through the cosmos.
"You're fine, Mu. It's not hard once you figure it out. Just act natural and you'll be fine." comforted the Leo.
The young woman typed the order up for the ten-year-old. "Would you like anything to drink?"
Aiolia nodded. "Beer please!"
Shion slapped his face. He should've brought Aiolos. "Shaka…" he grumbled.
The Buddhist nodded before he raised a hand and erased the two cafeteria women's memories before they could call security.
O|=================|O
The two oldest of the newest generation of Gold Saints sat next to each other in a comfortable booth by the window. A small vase with freshly cut flowers decorated their table.
"How's your eggs and toast?" asked Saga as he drank his coffee, taking care not to drip any of its fluids on his white robes.
Aiolos dipped his bread into the yolk and ate it. "Delicious." He spoke as he took another piece and offered it, only for the Gemini to decline. His eyes darted for a moment to get a drink of water when he noticed in his glass' reflection Saga taking his blue pills again. He still had no idea what they did, but he did notice that when Saga wasn't on a long mission and took them regularly, he did seem much calmer. He not so carefully placed his cup down allowing it to produce a large clang to indicate to his friend that he was turning around. Even though he wasn't sure what the medicine did, it was clearly not an illegal drug and if the Gemini was not comfortable talking about it, it was none of his business. "I wish I could have the calamari here. It smelled really delicious."
Saga could tell. They passed some fishermen and the archer's gaze was locked on to the tentacles as they rolled and twitched. "Well remember, you'll be doing the speaking, and you certainly don't want your breath to have an off-scent to it." He knew his friend's passion for seafood. While their servants and caretakers will prepare anything, the archer understands the difficulty that is required to transport it without it going bad and often refrains from requesting it. "We can have some afterward?"
"Sounds fantastic." Aiolos' head turned toward the door and the clock, before turning toward his paperwork. He felt a bit of unfamiliar nervousness. He always had an easy grace when it came to chatting with others. In fact, he found a small bit of pleasure in meeting new people. He noticed it was also a good way to help others recover at the hospital too. Saga, on the other hand, could politely sit in a group and not say anything at all, highlighting his hidden introverted nature. However, when it came to more official matters, Saga knew how to run the room and by the end of the night own it, while the archer would stand there and nod politely when he found something to agree upon.
It surprised Aiolos when Saga insisted on this, but if the Gemini was confident he could handle it, he should be too. "Shouldn't he be here by now?"
"He should," Saga spoke pursing his lips. "But, remember. We need his signature. We are meeting him at his favorite breakfast nook. He knows that we will be ecstatic when he arrives and will graciously accept whatever excuse he can whip out-"
"-but if we are late, he may just threaten to end the deal and shift it in his favor," Aiolos finished.
His friend learned quickly. "Exactly. It's no different than Milo never showing up at our meetings on time, yet he was one of the first at my House to leave for IKEA."
Aiolos gave a light chuckle. "I hope they are having a good time."
"I'm surprised you haven't checked upon him."
"I would, but I've been so fucking nervous about this deal."
"Watch your tongue. You don't want him to walk in and you sound like a foot soldier or some immature tourist." His eyes shifted and he gave a light tap next to the archer's hand.
Aiolos turned his head up as the door opened up with a gentle ring from the bells that were hung above it. He could tell by the embroidery along his cuffs that this must be the one they had to meet. His eyes shifted downwards as Saga gave a gentle squeeze of assurance, a gesture he would offer to his Gemini friend when Saga was having his moods. He met the Gemini's eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, secretly squeezed it back before the two stood up to greet the man.
O|================|O
"Mmm, I forgot how good these are," Shura quickly commented before he ate the gravy-covered swedish meatball, before getting another gulp of his diet soda.
Aphrodite nodded. "I've never tried them myself, but my mother prepared them just like this," he spoke as he drank his sparkling pear drink. "Aldebaran, don't leave the lingonberry jam there. Dip your meatball in it."
The Taurus turned downwards. He was quite satisfied with just eating it straight. "Dip meat in jelly?" He questioned.
"It's pretty good! I didn't think it would go well together," Aiolia swallowed his before he began to eat up the vegetables, his eyes shifting carefully toward the corner where Marin silently hid, quietly eating fish and waiting for when the group would split up so she could join him. "But they do. Try it!"
Aldebaran turned to the Leo. Aiolia was always so cheerful and polite, like a bright sunshine of hope. He's so happy that someone, so positive and full of life and joy, was among their ranks. He does and dips it in the fruit spread before biting it, feeling quite surprised afterward. "That is good."
At the other table, Mu stared at his food and carefully picked it up. "How strange they call it a veggie dog, but why did they do this?"
"Do what, Mu?" asked Shaka as his hands reached down and took a sip of his tea.
"Vegetables are bright, many with an unforgettable hue. They have a far tastier flavor and a myriad of shapes." The Lemurian pulled the link out from the bun. "Yet, all the color, shape, taste is torn and reassembled to craft it into something that is not as good as a vegetable or a link of meat. dull...an imitation. I am puzzled as to why humans speak of fresh and real food, yet are absolutely driven into crafting something that my people could best describe as a low-grade edible homunculus," Mu reasoned.
Deathmask stabbed his meatball, "Mu listen," he bit and swallowed his meat. "If you're asking why they did it because if it smells like a hot dog, looks like a hot dog, we look at it and think, holy shit, this is a hot dog, I can eat it just like before I was a vegetarian."
Milo agreed with what he said. "Part of what affects taste involves aligning the other senses. The veggie dog could have no flavor, but you trick the mind and then it just goes with it."
Camus nodded as he recalled the time Saga explained to him how his abilities worked. "Like an illusion."
The Lemurian nodded. "Ah, that does explain it." He shifted his head as his teacher carried a plate of meatballs. "Master, what are you doing? Are you sure about this?"
Shion looked down at it. "Well, they smelled nice and I too wanted to try something...different." He dipped one in and gave a pleasant grin. "Mmm, they do taste as magical as Aphrodite exclaimed."
"Thank you, your Holiness," Aphrodite slightly bowed without bringing too much attention.
The Pope turned back to his pupil. "Here, Mu. There are too many on here, would you like some?"
The younger Lemurian felt puzzled by his Master's strange behavior but felt there were far too many here to ask him, even by cosmos. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. It is good to try new things since an opportunity to eat like this won't come back."
O|==================|O
A fist slammed down, nearly causing the flower vase to tumble, while the liquid rocked and froth in the glasses. "Lies! This map is twenty years old. If this town had mining, the aquifer is probably pumped dry," he spat, pointing toward the date.
Aiolos took a deep breath. The meeting seemed like it started off so well. They talked about how wonderful the food was, a bit about the weather, and when the man spoke of planning a trip to go hunting for woodcock birds, both he and Saga felt the stars align. It was true he may not use a rifle, but he did have experience in markings and spots where they tended to nest. But when things shifted towards the business end as well as their true purpose, that was when things shifted a bit and he could see why Saga was quite wary of him before he even stepped foot inside the restaurant.
Still, Aiolos kept his calm. It took more than a bit of yelling to get him riled up. He knew. For some reason, teaching a five-year-old Gold Saint how to smash the atoms of a rock seemed to mean breaking everything they could touch. "The mining closed twenty-five years ago, so while the map is old, the aquifer does exist. Not only that but the wells..."
"-the sight of wells means nothing. We already know there are other sources of groundwater nearby," he punctuated as he raised his finger trying to shush him like a small child.
The gesture wasn't lost on Aiolos, as if his young face meant he wasn't qualified to discuss anything with him. The archer carefully focused his cosmos to the Gemini. "I know I am in charge, but he hasn't spoken to you since the talk of business."
Saga, who sat next to the archer could feel his frustration. Even though he didn't need to, he grabbed the pot and filled his cup with more coffee. He brought it to his mouth so that any lip movement from speaking through the cosmos to Aiolos could not be detected. "Well, despite you two sharing something in common, he still sees you as the weaker tongue between the two of us."
"But you haven't said anything?" Aiolos replied back through the cosmos.
"If I do, it is further proof to him that you are unqualified to discuss business. Besides, he knows that I was the one who worked on the maps and overlays. He knows that if I were to open my mouth, I shall decimate him in a second in this shameless argument over the lie that what I researched was false. Don't think my inaction is just me watching you squirm under his thumb. As I tell others, you are far smarter than others take you for. Remember, this is no different than battle except the conditions are that instead of killing the other, you must provide a means of giving and taking where you will prove the victor while he gains something out of this." Saga pulled the cup back, unable to chug anymore without looking suspicious.
Aiolos turned toward the man as he sat there patiently, his plump fingers gripping his fork and knife that he used to cut up his sausage. "Why do you want the other location? If I recall the price of the building to be much cheaper."
"It's cheaper because it is off the main path here," the man gestured his fork toward the archer's throat as if he was ready to plunge it right in. "What good would it be to have the difference in rent be fifty Euros when five hundred Euros worth of customers are missed each month?"
Aiolos' blue eyes briefly shifted toward Saga, before he paused thoughtfully about the concept of giving and taking. "Alright if you believe there is no source of water under the old location then you can have the location if you are willing to test the area."
"Well played, Lucas," the Gemini proudly complimented Aiolos through the cosmos.
"Test?" The man snapped. "Do you have any idea of how expensive such a task would be?"
"Honestly, I don't know," Aiolos communicated to Saga.
"I have no fucking clue either. Don't let him know that or else you'll provide more kindle for him to work with," the Gemini replied back through the cosmos.
The archer agreed. "It is, but I'll tell you what. If there is no aquifer, we will reimburse you…"
"Sweeten the deal a bit more, archer," Saga mentally spoke.
Aiolos waved his hand a bit. "Plus ten percent as a means of courtesy. However, if there is an aquifer, then the responsibility of the cost will fall upon you."
"Good," Saga complimented.
The man produced a face of pity. "It will take me years to pay something like that off if there is one."
"Don't relent. He can see your selflessness in your eyes and tone. It is all a facade," the Gemini advised.
And Aiolos did as such with a tone that was as neutral as could be. "Then get a loan."
There was a brief moment of silence.
It was a good sign and the Gemini placed his empty coffee cup near his face to hide his smile. "There...you have him. Now, you don't want to end like this. Offer an olive branch. We don't want him to scare him off."
Aiolos agreed, and he knew just how to do it. "I know the other location is off the main path, but think of who will be selling and purchasing there. Most foot soldiers hunt on the side since their patrol schedules are wild and long. They do it as a means of providing food on the table as well as an extra source of income when times are lean. They are also your biggest source of customers since they go through quite a bit of leather from storage to extra armor. Yes, the path is not a major road, but it connects to several barracks. Would you prefer many one-time customers or repeated business?"
Twenty minutes later…
Saga carried the two cold glasses of ouzo to the patio and sighed as the archer rested his head on the tabletop. "Well, that's a first. You look like you're having a hangover before any alcohol passes through your lips."
Aiolos smiled at the joke before he raised his sweaty head up. "I can't help it. I can't believe a two-hour meeting has drained my energy far more efficiently than sparring with you for half a day," he groaned. His nerves still tense, his shoulders continued to ache from leaning forward for too long, and his heart was still beating so hard that he felt like he ran around the world too many times.
Saga slid the drink over. "But you did it. See, I told you, you could," he comforted while sipping his own drink.
But the archer disagreed. "We did it." He spoke as he clicked his glass against the Gemini's. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Saga nodded. He had a feeling if he wasn't there, Aiolos, soft and generous, a keystone in the archer's heart and soul that he personally found beautiful, would've sadly allowed the man to run him over with his preference to compromise. He knew the Pope spoke of how he was nervous about it. True the archer was a brilliant fighter and a tactical genius, but the truth was that the position of Pope required spending a mere fraction of it fighting, while the rest of the time was dealing with men like that. "Yes, we did it. But you must admit, you did far better than you expected to, and learned a few things too."
That the archer couldn't have agreed more. "I did." When Saga spoke to him about paying him back about all the times he's given advice on how to fight, he was surprised at how insightful and how stressful such a discussion could be when there were actual stakes, unlike the vast majority of the small debates the two of them had with the Pope. "You just make it look so easy."
Saga sat down next to him, his tone shifting toward a more bitter tone. "Kanon and I were forced to attend several parties full of those types of people. They were boring as fuck since the two of us were typically forced to sit there, smile, and keep our mouths shut unless spoken to. Kanon chose to daydream during them, while I chose to listen and study the various conversations."
The Gemini paused. He could see the archer's gaze perk up, interested in hearing more of his past. However, he was in a good mood, and anytime he spoke of Dimitris, his father, it filled him nothing but contempt.
Fuck Dimitris.
This was a rare time and he won't waste moments of rare relaxation thinking of that dick.
While they still had meditation tomorrow, physical training was canceled and they were free to move around as Eurybarus and Alcyoneus throughout a village that rarely caught sight of Gold Saints since it was a very safe distance away from Sanctuary. Saga gazed at the archer's strong features. It was strange to see him not wearing his red headband for a change, but a silk hat to hide the tan line across his forehead. But it brought the Sagittarius' bright blue eyes of eternal hope, as well as his earnest smile. "Let's celebrate."
Aiolos raised his glass, "what do you call this?" he spoke as he took another drink.
But Saga waved his hand. "No, not just like this. We do this all the time." He had to drink. It seemed to keep the curse a bit more tame. Although sometimes he wondered if getting drunk made it worse. But how the heck was he going to give it up?
Saga watched the Sagittarius bend his head in different directions before he stood up and step behind him and rested his hands on his shoulders and applied some cosmos while massaging the tight tense muscles. It was a move that felt very natural. They beat each other up and tended to one another afterward.
But what came next, was different. He could feel Aiolos relax a bit, before tenderly reaching over and rested his hand over one of his own. Saga could feel it shake a little as if a bit nervous too. He took a deep breath. He could lean down and wrap his arms around the Sagittarius, but they were in public. Maybe nobody knew who they really are, but as the old saying with Saints went:
It was easier to smash one's fist into the other's face than to rest it upon their cheek.
"I mean, let's go somewhere nice for a change." The Gemini rolled his eyes at how his voice trembled so much that it felt like he was talking while a 7.0 Earthquake was rumbling beneath them. So he continued, his speech a bit more fast-paced and surprisingly dainty. "The others get their Swedish meatballs, why not us? We added a number of jobs and saved a water supply? So why not go somewhere nice?"
Normally, he would decline. He was raised fairly simple.
After all, Saga, hell anyone, found it amusing that when he visited his home, he and his brother only had two cups, two plates, two bowls, and a single metal pot for stews in total. But his face felt a bit warm, enjoying the tender moment.
Not only that, the way the Pope has been talking spending a bit more time Saga, the way he's been offering assurances and compliments to the Gemini. A gentle pat here and there telling him how proud he was. The only conclusion the two of them could come with was that it sounded like he was ready to pick Saga as his successor and he couldn't be happier. "That does sound nice."
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Coming April 20 (or sooner)
Sagittarius And Gemini: 5A The Event
Part Three: The Dollhouse Life
As Shion's group of younger Golds walk through IKEA, thanks to their mock displays of living rooms and bedrooms, old memories are shared of their past lives. Meanwhile, Saga and Aiolos spend the night at a hotel due to an odd request from the Gemini.
O|===================|O
Author's Notes: I hope everyone is staying safe. I thought about writing out both parts, but before the big betrayal, I want them to stay lite and simple. Besides, right now, times are a bit uncertain so another slice-of-life chapter isn't going to hurt anything. I haven't really tended to the other Golds as much, so if there is anyone you want a little more dedication to, just let me know and I can flesh theirs out a bit more.