Own nothing of Riot or League of Legends, I only own my OC, if I owned anything of Riot I will probably bring another game of Mechs vs Minions.
To understand who we are.
Prologue.- The therapist and the shapeshifter speak of purpose and success. Sho´ma and Co-´om Se-Henna.
In the road that took to the Ionian capital, an odd pair was walking. One wearing a coat of brown color that kept him warm, he carried a bag with one hand, and his left hand held a cane that helped him walk through the limp of the fake leg he had. Long and messy hair hid his face that wore a pair of glasses.
The other was a girl of many colors, her hair seemed feathered as it fell to her shoulders in a rain of blue and purple by the end. She wore a robe that hid her body from view but by the back of it a tail was visible.
"So, what is success?" He found himself sighing as he felt the girl was playing with his hair behind his back. She would often do that, ask something she heard before and try to braid his hair. He didn't mind answering her questions.
"Think of it as a poisonous tree… you go through its branches so you can get things… but the higher you go, you may end up being unable to get down, and you can get so high, you never will get to go down to take what you worked so hard in the first place." He heard her soft humming and could feel a ribbon getting into place. He would be unbraiding his hair later.
"So… why try to be so successful instead of being happy?" It was his turn to hum.
"People confuse those concepts. Being successful is not the same as being happy, and at times happiness can bring success or even be considered success, but success alone isn't happiness." He heard the girl hum before he felt a hug behind him.
"I think I like happiness more than success… I don't need success to have you with me! You are already here!" He heard her giggles and found himself turning to ruffle her hair.
Neeko was smiling widely at him. She offered her giggles as she pointed to his face.
"You are still too pretty to be a boy, Cid." He sighed and poked her cheek.
"Release me you reckless shape shifter." The comment came out without malice; it was their small game. Neeko released Cid who kept walking, the girl walking next to him.
"What do you prefer Cid. Success or happiness?" He chuckled.
"Happiness of course." She nodded.
"Because happiness can be a success, but success can't be happiness right?" He nodded as they walked the road.
"You are getting it." She smiled. She liked to hear him say that, she enjoyed his praise. Ever since they met months ago on the sea, they had just become inseparable.
And even though the man who called himself a doctor of the mind wouldn't admit it, he had come to be dependent of the shapeshifter humor and innocence. She didn't mind his sarcastic nature or his blunt comments.
And the shapeshifter who had lost a home had become happy ever since they met in the sea. She had lost two homes. Her ancestral home, and a friend she had made. For a moment she wondered if her destiny was to be alone. Then he appeared and didn't leave her side since then. He offered her to travel with him…
It was in a boat that was going towards Ionia that a man saw a girl. Normally such a girl wouldn't catch his attention, he really wasn't one to look at girls too much either. But the fact the girl he was seeing was the same he saw enter inside the ship to sleep… well, that caught his attention.
He approached the girl with a slight nod of his head.
"We got a nice night don't we?" The girl looked at him with surprise before smiling and nodding.
"So… silent and beautiful? Or is it the silence one makes to hide a secret?" The girl looked at him with curiosity before smiling widely at him.
"Maybe…." The voice he heard was all the proof he needed. He smiled at her.
"You know the trick in impersonating someone, is doing their voice too." The girl smile deflated slightly before puffing her cheeks.
"Her voice was too weird." He chuckled.
"That's having an accent. Considering she came from Demacia is normal." The girl looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"And you are telling me this because?" He shrugged.
"Just because. I like chatting. And so late at night is hard to have a good conversation." The girl smiled again before offering her hand at him. The image of her clothes and body faded, revealing a girl with purple hair wearing a traveling robe.
"Neeko." He nodded shaking her hand.
"Cid." She smiled at their contact and pointed to his hair.
"Cid. Are you a boy or a girl?" Ah, a question he was used to getting.
"Boy." She giggled.
"Too pretty to be a boy." She stretched her hand touching his hair. After that Neeko changed again looking like him this time.
"Oh, your Sho´ma is… comfortable. Is Neeko handsome?" She spoke making him shrug.
"Don't know Neeko. You seem to be to pretty to be called handsome." He felt surreal at seeing his reflection puffing its cheeks before the image faded and Neeko came back crossing her arms.
"You don't need to be rude." He nodded.
"I am often told I could be more kind. But I have found being blunt is easier. Plus my work demands me to be truthful with people." She looked curiously at him.
"What are you?" He sighed.
"A doctor of the mind." She nodded, her eyes shining.
"So you fix minds? That is cool." He smiled.
"Cool is the fact you can shape shift into anyone with everything they have around them." The praise made the girl seemingly stand straighter as she crossed her arms.
"Neeko is strong. She knows it." Cid chuckled at her way of speaking.
"I can see that. So where are you going Neeko?" The question seemed to deflate her. An idea came to his mind. Something foolish, and that he wouldn't normally offer anyone.
"I am going to the capital of Ionia. After that I will be visiting other cities… do you want to go with me?" The girl eyes shined before she nodded.
That sealed the deal. Their trip in the boat had a few deviations before reaching Ionia. But they did. During the trip, Neeko got used at his sarcastic nature, and he got used at her playful attitude. He wasn't one for close contact with people, but Neeko was all about touching people. He was one to stay put, she couldn't stay still for three seconds. Such things had forced Cid to adapt and find ways to make sure Neeko didn't run off or get lost.
He had seen her powers, and he was sure she could defend herself, but he also knew the girl could get lost easily.
During the last month, she had come to ask him many questions, ideas and concepts she wanted to know more about. Needless to say, the journey had become quite interesting for both of them.
Cid found himself thinking much more, and for once his messy hair wasn't as messy, so he thanked Neeko for that. What he didn't thank her for was the times he would wake up with her coiled over him.
Cid understood Neeko was more empathically tuned than others. She could read emotions and feel them in ways he didn't. He had become rather cold to certain actions. But Neeko brought out sensations which he would have preferred to go without in his life.
He wondered in his thoughts if he would be as bad as always if it wasn't for her presence. She was changing him.
He didn't know it. But his own presence with Neeko changed her. She was starting to understand concepts that seemed foreign, acts and people suddenly made more sense in their actions. She was understanding what went through the thoughts of people. Together with her ability to get people naturally, now she knew what they were thinking and feeling with little effort.
Both were growing thanks to the other being there.
"Cid? Why are we going to the capital?" They had been going at this for two months. And she had just asked.
"Really? You are curious about it just now?" Neeko shrugged, an answer she had taken from his book of answers.
"We are going to see a girl, this is my most important work as I was requested by Lady Karma." Neeko nodded. She didn't know who Lady Karma was. But she didn't like the idea.
"You are not going to leave Neeko for another girl right?" Cid found himself laughing at this. Neeko puffed her cheeks and he understood his slip.
"Wait… you are serious?" Neeko nodded, a small sad expression in her face.
"Humans find girls all the time, they go and leave with them. You even told me once how men go with younger girls, abandoning their partners…" The ruffling of her hair surprised Neeko breaking her sadness.
"That is different, those people were trying to get something they didn't have and wouldn't get either in their escapades. I am not going to leave you alone partner." Neeko smiled before hugging him.
"Neeko. Release me you reckless shape shifter." He spoke with tiredness as he couldn't walk with her hugging him tightly.
"No." Cid looked at her.
"What do you mean no?" She smiled mischievously.
"You told Neeko before Cid. No means no." Cid rolled his eyes at the girl answer. Of course, she had to take those words like that.
"Okay… we are about an hour of the road from the capital. What do you say you release me, and then…" He sighed. He was going to regret it.
"We can play something." Neeko immediately released him, dragging him through the road.
"Neeko take you there!" Neeko ran, dragging him as he tried and failed to keep her pace.
"Neeko! Lacking a leg here remember?!" With little effort, the girl took him and carried him in her arms.
"This isn't what I meant!" He screamed alarmed.
She laughed as she made her way in the road.
Cid and Neeko arrived in the capital of Ionia. She had released Cid when they reached the entrance. They were walking slowly towards the Placidium as Neeko rambled of what they could play.
"We could play hide n seek! Oh, maybe we can play that game of yours with the horses and the towers, or what about cards? I like the drawings. Maybe we could play arm wrestling again." He would deny her the last one. Ever since she found out that she had a talent for that in the inn of the road, she had taken a pleasure in beating people with her unimpressive physique that hid a bunch of strength.
"We could play the game of silence." Neeko looked at him with a grin.
"Neeko not falling for that one again." It was worth trying.
"I see… oh, look. That's the Placidium." Cid pointed at the place that looked like a huge temple combined with a palace. As they walked a pair of guards looked at them.
"What brings you here?" Neeko didn't lose time before shape shifting in one of the guards.
"What brings you here!" She made an emphasis in the, you, startling the guards. Cid sighed before taking a letter with the seal of Lady Karma in it.
"Lady Karma requested my services. The girl who looks like you is Neeko, my partner." She shapeshifted back before speaking.
"Only partner! He isn't looking for another partner." She hugged him tightly confusing the guards.
"This… this is normal… mind telling Karma we are here?" One of the guards nodded and left before the other pointed a place past the gate.
"You can wait for her in the garden of meditation." He nodded thanking the guard, as he walked inside Neeko looked at the guard, making a gesture with her hands saying she was looking at him before pointing at herself.
"Only partner!" She rushed for Cid who went to the garden.
The garden was simple. It looked to be full of plants and small insects roaming in peace, Neeko got entertained with a butterfly who was going in circles.
"Neeko is going to get you…" She spoke without malice. She liked taking butterflies in her hands before releasing them again. She had a soft tact.
As he was enjoying sitting in a bench of the garden he heard the creak of wood and noticed a woman finely dressed sat next to him.
"This bench isn't occupied is it?" She smiled softy. The woman with dark skin and short brown hair had an aura of peace that surprised Cid. He shrugged at her before pointing to Neeko.
"So long as you don't have intentions of a relationship, or stealing me away, she won't mind you sitting next to me." The woman looked at the being who was following a butterfly.
"A Vastayan… a quite rare one too. A shape shifter?" Cid nodded and made a wave with his hand as if saying more or less how right she was.
"She is Neeko, and she is Oovi-kat, not a Vastaya, she is a Vastayashai´rei… according to her, the difference is they are more colorful, and I am inclined to believe it... She is my partner on the road." The woman smiled.
"You speak of her with fondness." He found himself letting out a sigh.
"She ends up growing on you after a while. She hugs tighter than she lets on though, so think it twice if she offers you a hug. Handshakes are safe though. Just make sure to explain to her she needs to let go of your hand. If you do things properly she would release you… or should." This made the woman chuckle slightly.
"I believe your words only confirm my previous statement." She smiled softly as she looked at him and then at Neeko.
"Maybe, maybe I am just good at reading people Lady Karma." This made the woman blink before smiling again.
"I see… what gave it off?" Cid just chuckled.
"How many people have an aura? I heard the rumors of your powers, it feels quite weird being in their presence." She nodded.
"I have been told my presence can be like that… well then, do you feel like seeing her?" Cid nodded before looking at Neeko. Karma motioned for him the way they would be taking.
"Neeko. I will be going to see the girl I told you about." Neeko looked at him with a smile before walking towards him, standing in her legs and linking her arm with his.
"Let us go then!" Cid rolled his eyes and stared at Karma as if saying. This is what I meant.
Karma smiled softly seeing the pair walking in front of her. She found them adorable and funny, especially with how they didn't know where the girl was, but Neeko was intent in showing him the road.
"I am sure is around here." He heard the man sigh.
"Oh, I am sure she is around here. But the question is if you know where she is." She hummed.
"I am sure we will find out." He chuckled.
"Why not ask the woman behind us? You know? The one who hired me to begin with?" Neeko looked at her for a moment before looking to the front again.
"Too pretty, can't risk that she tries to steal you." Cid sighed
Karma found herself smiling at that. So that was what he meant before.
In the end, Neeko relented for Karma to guide them, but made it clear that she shouldn't try to steal Cid away. She nodded saying she would be sure to respect the agreement. She brought them to a room underground, Cid recognized for what it was.
"A dungeon… the girl is a prisoner?" Karma nodded slowly.
"Is… much more complicated than that." Cid nodded and followed her. Neeko shuddered holding his arm tighter.
"Neeko doesn't like it here…. Too dark… and weird…" Cid nodded with her.
"I don't like it either…" As they walked Karma sighed.
"We have her here…. Because she asked for it herself. She didn't like the accommodations we had for her…" She pointed to a door in the end of the hallway.
"This is where she is… be careful… even without a weapon she can fight and be quite dangerous." Cid understood but before he could speak Neeko walked in front of him and looked at his eyes.
"Don't worry Cid! Neeko keep you safe!" She smiled brightly and Cid found himself reassured by her words. Even if he doubted the girl inside would attack him, it was really comforting to know Neeko was keeping him safe.
"Thanks, partner… well, let us go." As he opened the door he was met with a girl illuminated only by the light of a candle. Cid expected many things. But not to see a familiar face.
"Riven… is that you?" The girl on the floor looked and saw him with curiosity and fear. As a wild beast who was suddenly called by its name.
"How do you know her name?" Karma asked curious of this. Cid spoke quickly.
"She….She was the poster boy for Noxus… I saw some posters before… I heard she abandoned the army…" Cid was surprised. He saw the infamous posters once. And never forgot the girl in them.
"I… I heard you died…" He was surprised of seeing a legend. Especially living.
"I wanted to… they won't let me." She spoke with anger looking at Karma.
She nodded.
"I deemed that the death sentence for her crimes in the war against Ionia was too much. I deemed a better punishment for her to live and repair the damage she had brought. She tried to take her own life…" Cid and Neeko looked surprised. Neeko kneeled approaching Riven slowly, her undying curiosity making her crawl.
"Why? Living is great, Cid knows it, Neeko knows it… may Neeko touch your hand?" Neeko didn't wait for an answer and just touched Riven who was scared of seeing the process of Neeko becoming her.
Riven was scared of seeing herself in front of her. But she was more scared of the soft smile her double had.
Neeko spoke softly in the body of Riven.
"Neeko knows your Sho´ma… and if Neeko knows your Sho´ma. She knows you." The transformation faded, revealing the same girl of before. She walked outside holding Cid hand dragging him out. Karma and Riven were still stunned at what happened.
Karma walked outside of the cell leaving Riven alone, who was still contemplating what she saw.
Herself. With a smile…
"Co-´om Se-Henna, Cid…" Cid looked at Neeko with a serious expression. She only called him that when things were serious. Her words meaning, we smile forever. A title for important friends.
"She has gone through a lot… her Sho´ma is not bad… she needs help." She looked at him with her shining orbs holding both of his hands in hers.
"Help her... words are tricky. I speak with emotions and colors. But you know words. Help her." She smiled softly at him knowing of his talents to perfection. He nodded. holding her hands back.
"I will do my best. Co-´om Se-Henna." She smiled and brought him into a hug, this one softer than the others from before as she left to go back to the garden.
As this happened Karma arrived having seen the whole scene.
"I didn't know you two were a couple." He smiled chuckling at her words.
"We are friends. That title is one given to friends who are important to you." Karma nodded.
"And Sho´ma?" Cid let his hand come towards his head as if thinking.
"Sho´ma is… think of it as… the real form of the spirit. Neeko can feel and see it when she transforms. That's how she can transform, because she can access that…" He looked in the direction of the dark hallway.
"Neeko saw who Riven is. What she has gone through. And she saw the most important thing for me to know." He held his cane tighter.
"And what is that?" He started walking not looking at Karma.
"That she wants help. She wants to live." Karma was surprised of those words as he walked away again.
Neeko was in the garden playing with the butterflies when she saw Karma walking at her.
"Peaceful lady. How are you feeling?" She looked at her with a smile holding a butterfly.
"I am… worried… do you truly believe she wants help? We offered it to her and she denies it." Neeko nodded.
"She wants help, she is scared." As she spoke she played with the butterfly in her hand.
"How do you know this?" Neeko smiled.
"Did you know the air is part of me? So are the flowers and the rocks… Neeko is everywhere." She smiled enigmatically.
"Cid understands. Cid is like Neeko. He gets Sho´ma even if he has no way to touch it or truly see it. That's why he is my Co-´om Se-Henna…" She smiled offering Karma a butterfly that didn't fly away of her hands.
"Trust us. I know Riven wants help. And I know Cid can help her…" Karma was confused at the terms of Neeko, but she nodded hoping she was right in trusting the so-called Vastayashai´rei who was obviously happy when speaking of her friend.
Cid opened the door of the cell of Riven. In the cell, Cid spoke.
"I will help you. And I am not moving away of this cell until you get out first." He placed his cane at his side as he sat in front of her. Riven was confused at the declaration.
"Why? You know who I am." Cid nodded.
"A woman who gave it her all for a goal. Noxus is a military nation. But it raises incredible talent. You becoming the poster boy means you were the best. That required effort." Riven frowned at him.
"Then you know what I did…" He nodded.
"Killed people. Guess what Riven, soldiers do that." She stood up frowning looking at him with a building up rage.
"That's right! I killed people! I should be left to die!" Cid looked at her frowning expression with serious and cold eyes.
"Then you are running away? Is this what all of this is about? You came to Ionia to apologize, and then you got scared? You wanted to die?" Cid stood up wobbly without his cane, making front to Riven who was taller than him.
"Riven. You are not like that. You are not the sort to choose the easy road… why are you afraid?" Cid saw her frown disappear to show a despairing face.
"Why am I alive? Why do I get to live when everyone else died…." Survivor guilt. He had seen similar cases before.
"Then your answer to that is dying? Spit in their faces?" Riven frown came back and she didn't hold any punches this time as she made him fall to the floor. Cid let out a grunt as he gasped for air.
"What do you know?!" She walked forward when she stepped on his leg and noticed it.
It was fake…
Cid got back some air as he spoke.
"Like it? Is a prosthetic. I lost my leg playing I was a soldier." Riven looked at him and immediately went to remove his leg. The act surprised Cid as she just grabbed it and removed it. She brought it close to her.
"This… this… you are crippled…" She knew people who were born without extremities, often had it the worst in the Noxian regime.
"I prefer to be called Cid. Not a cripple. Now, mind returning me that leg?" He was surprised when she just gave it back.
"Thanks… Riven. Why are you so scared of living?" Riven eyes opened at the question, she was a mess of emotions.
Cid wasn't sure if it was the time he spends with Neeko. But he could dare say he could feel the emotions.
"I…." Riven closed her eyes in frustration.
Cid sighed as he got his leg back in place.
"You don't know what to do anymore." Her eyes opened in surprise as she looked at his downed figure.
"Is not surprising. No one knows what to do. I am guessing you even less. All you had was the army, then suddenly you don't even have that." He stood up with the help of his cane.
"I never had anything… then I had a purpose... and now I don't even have that…" Cid sighed as he placed a hand in her shoulder startling her.
"Then what if I gave you a purpose?" Riven eyes opened up.
"How?" She asked trembling.
"I will give you a purpose. It will be a temporary one though… you will have to find your own purpose when that one expires." Riven looked down, but then her eyes seemed to shine with a burning flame as she looked at his eyes through the glasses.
"Any purpose is good for a broken sword." Cid smiled. This was the real Riven. The one Neeko saw when she transformed. The strong Riven.
"I want you to travel with me and Neeko… we are making a trip around… and we could use someone with a good back ground as a fighter to come with us." Riven eyes shone with fire but she was still surprised.
"You know I was a murderer…" Cid reassured her with the grip of his hand in her shoulder.
"You were a soldier. The woman in front of me now is someone who looks for redemption. Why not take a journey with us? Who knows, maybe you will find an answer." Riven looked at him with eyes more alive than before but still, he saw doubt in them.
She took to sit in the bed of the cell and looked at him.
"Give me time… this is too much…" Cid nodded and walked outside as he spoke.
"I will stay here for a few days, Neeko wants to observe the city and I am interested in the incoming festival. We will wait." Riven nodded.
As he walked outside of the cell and the empty dark hallway he heard a soft whisper carried by the silence.
"Thank you…"
Cid smiled as he left the dark halls.
Once outside he was met with a pouncing Vastayashai´rei. Neeko pounced over him like a tiger against prey. She coiled her tail around his legs avoiding him of running away.
"Co-´om Se-Henna!" She kept herself looking straight at his eyes. Her smile showing she was happy. Elated even.
"Co-´om Se-Henna…" She let go when he spoke and helped him stand up.
Karma was confused at the whole scene. The way Cid spoke of Neeko to her confused her. Were they not a couple? Were they something even closer? A weird relationship was going between the doctor of the mind and the shape shifter.
"Did Riven accept our help?" Cid chuckled.
"She will think about it." Neeko face shone brightly as she hugged him tightly.
"Neeko knew you could do it!" She hugged him tightly, as Karma approached Neeko twirled keeping Cid away.
"Away peaceful lady! Cid is mine!" She smiled softly at the pair and made a small vow.
"Thank you… for helping Riven." Cid scratched the back of his head nervously.
"About that…. How willing are you to let Riven go?" Karma raised a brow at this and Cid laughed nervously as Neeko looked sheepishly too.
The pair had a good connection knowing what the other often did. Karma was the only one out of the loop.
"I may… have offered Riven an invitation to travel with me and Neeko." Karma looked at him with a stern look. But before he could apologize she started laughing.
"I would be happy to let her go. She is not well received in Ionia. And I would feel much better knowing she is alive… I believe the war of the past has already taken too many lives. I would be happy if one can keep going." Karma smiled softly at them.
Neeko quickly hugged Cid again.
"We got a new partner! Do you believe Riven will be my friend too? Even better! Do you think she likes cheese bread?!" Cid sighed at Neeko before speaking.
"Release me you reckless shape shifter, would you?" He smiled softly at her and she just hugged him tighter.
Karma who was seeing the whole scene felt a rare tug in her chest. Was she jealous of the pair? Was the interaction between Cid and Neeko making her feel jealous?
This confused her greatly.
The odd pair excused themselves to explore the capital, Neeko wanted to see if she could find something to eat, better if it was bread. Cid considered it had been a big mistake to share that one with her. Then again, it gave him a moment of peace.
"Cid look!" Neeko pointed to a man with a sword who seemed to give a show.
"I will show you about the Wuju style… Wukong." A monkey with staff came walking. Neeko saw him and smirked.
"Vastayan. A monkey… they are fast, agile and strong. But they tend to be dumb." Cid noticed how the one called Wukong seemed to look in their direction. But before he could speak the man with the sword and the weird helmet spoke.
"I will show you the speed of the Wuju. Wukong if you would." Wukong nodded throwing a bamboo rod in the air. It flew high, and the crowd was amazed when the man seemingly faded from view for a moment before reappearing holding the bamboo rod cut in seven pieces.
"As you can see. Wuju style is all about speed." He smiled as the people clapped. As the people clapped the monkey Vastaya approached them.
"Hey lady, who do you call dumb?" Cid sighed. But then he noticed Wukong wasn't referring to Neeko but him.
"Yes, you! The lady with glasses!" Neeko started giggling at this. She pointed to Cid as she spoke to Wukong.
"Isn't she a pretty lady?" Wukong got distracted before scratching his head.
"Eh? I guess… but that doesn't give her the right to call me dumb!" He looked angry as Neeko laughed loudly.
"She is actually a man. His name is Cid. I am Neeko." Wukong looked surprised before laughing.
"Haha! What kind of man looks so girly?" He laughed until he got hit in the head by a sword scabbard.
"The kind of man who you shouldn't laugh of. My apologies, Kong can be quite impulsive at times." The man bowed slightly.
"I am Yi. But people have come to call me Master Yi. My student name is Kong." Cid nodded and pointed at Neeko.
"She is Neeko, and well, I am just Cid." Neeko nodded excitedly.
"We are friends!" She hugged him tightly making Yi chuckle seeing the pair.
"I can see that. Is good to see you two keeping such a bond." Wukong looked at the pair.
"Are you married or something?" Yi looked at him.
"Kong. Privacy. Remember? We spoke about it last time when you saw Akali and Shen." The last name made Wukong shudder.
"Ugh… creepy ninja. He doesn't do anything even when you hit him." Yi smiled at his nervous student.
"If I recall, he did hit you back." Wukong scratched his head.
"I think I forgot." Yi chuckled.
"He did knock you out." This made both Cid and Neeko laugh as Wukong looked indignant.
"Master! Privacy!" Yi smirked.
"Oh, so you do know what it means." This made Wukong look sheepishly at being caught off guard. Cid noticed the pair were obviously good friends.
"What you did was impressive," Cid spoke about Yi speed. Neeko nodding.
"Neeko lost you for a moment! You were like woosh woosh wam!" She made the motions of the sword as she made sounds making Yi smile.
"Wuju is all about speed. So is quite weird for someone who is not a practitioner to see me move. Even Kong has a hard time." Wukong nodded.
"That's why he is the master… and what brought the two of you here. Is obvious you are not from here." Yi looked disapprovingly at Wukong about privacy when Neeko spoke.
"We came to help! The peaceful lady called us!" Yi was in thought of the name. Wukong got it.
"Oh, Karma. Yeah, she is quite peaceful alright, so long as you don't try anything funny…" He grumbled crossing his arms earning their attention.
"Did you do something at her?" Yi smiled nodding.
"He thought it would be funny to make some… unusual noises as she was meditating. Karma decided to return the joke by burning his tail." Wukong grabbed his tail softly.
"She didn't need to be so rough…" Yi patted him in the back.
"There, you know she didn't do any lasting harm." Neeko smiled whispering at Cid.
"Dumb I tell you." Cid found himself smiling at Neeko keeping up her analysis of Wukong.
As this went on Wukong scratched his head looking at Neeko.
"I haven't seen a Vastaya like you before… what are you exactly?" Neeko giggled before transforming in Wukong.
"I am a monkey!" Wukong jumped back at the sudden double, he started circling Neeko as she imitated his movements to perfection, Yi watched at this with amazement.
"Incredible… I can see no difference in them… only their voices is the giveaway" Cid nodded.
"Sho´ma is quite amazing right?" Cid let out the term out as if it was as simple as speaking of the climate.
Meanwhile, Wukong decided to try to use his staff to stand taller, Neeko imitating him. Then he had an idea.
"Ah! Bet you can't do this faker!" Wukong let out a clone and was surprised when his double smiled.
"Oh I can!" Then an extra double of Neeko came out in the shape of Wukong. Now there were four Wukong standing looking at each other.
"What?!" The double of Wukong went away in a poof of smoke at the same time Neeko double disappeared like an illusion. She started laughing before going back to her own form.
"That was fun! But your Sho´ma isn't as nice as the one of Co-´om Se-Henna." She smiled pointing at Cid. Wukong was scratching his head at the term.
"Co om se what?" She giggled.
"Co-´om Se-Henna. Try it again." As she was trying to repeat the phrase for him to understand Cid and Yi were watching them chat.
"Is quite nice isn't? They just chat with no animosity. Even though they are from different tribes…" Yi looked at them with a sense of peace that Cid understood.
"Would be nice if we could do the same right?" Yi nodded sighing, and for a moment, Cid saw him grip his sword tighter. He understood there was a story there. It wasn't a nice story…
Meanwhile, Neeko was showing Wukong some other transformations of hers. He watched in amazement as Yi tried to understand how she could do it. Cid spoke, answering the unasked question.
"Vastayashai´rei. Oovi-kat. Neeko is the last one." This made Yi body show surprise at that.
"The last one…" Cid nodded. His face with a smile.
"She is stronger than you believe… she is truly happy and looks for more…she says she is the whole tribe. Neeko pain at being the last one is nonexistent compared to her wish to keep learning and exploring the world."
"Neeko last Oovi-kat. Neeko is whole tribe now!" She smiled as they walked.
"Isn't that… lonely?" He felt saddened for her.
"Not anymore! Neeko has you Co-´om Se-Henna!" She smiled widely as she expressed the term.
"Co-´om Se-Henna?" He scratched his head as she nodded.
"Means, we smile forever! Friends." For the first time since they met, he started the hug.
"Co-´om Se-Henna then." She giggled holding him tightly.
"I see… I am surprised the two of you not being a couple by the way you act." He shrugged at this.
"We are friends. Friends do a ton of stuff couples do." Yi nodded.
"I believe so… say, would you two like to come with us to grab something to eat? We were going to see Akali and Shen." Wukong voice broke through his speech.
"And Kennen! The lighting furball owes me a rematch!" Yi palm went over his face, he then proceeded to remove his helmet showing his face. Cid was surprised seeing the man wasn't so old and in fact didn't look older than twenty five...
"Seriously Kong…" He sighed as he let the helmet grab from his clothes.
"Let us go shall we?" Cid nodded, as he started walking behind Yi, Neeko quickly followed linking her arm with his. She got close to him and whispered.
"Old man is young man…." Cid nodded.
"Surprising right?" Neeko nodded excitedly.
In the cell under the Placidium, Riven was in thought. She was still seeing the face of her smiling double, and she also kept hearing the words of the man.
Cid and Neeko.
The weird man and his weirder companion…
She remembered them both vividly. As if, they were in her cell still looking at her. Moreover, curiously. For the first time in a long time. She felt she had something to look up. Something new, and it scared her. But it also brought a sense of excitement.
She wouldn't die in this cell…
She would forge her blade again. She would forge herself. The broken sword would be complete again…
Cid smiled as he ate in the company of Neeko. Both were eating a dish of noodles courtesy of Akali who was cutting a fish. The girl was smiling seeing them eat.
"What do you think?" She smiled at them seeing them eat happily.
"I like it. Thank you Akali." Neeko nodded with the words of Cid.
"They remind me of the cheese bread! They are wonderful." She kept digging in the food. Yi and Wukong were eating a vegetable dish. Wukong was trying to bring out a banana to eat before Yi swatted at his hand.
"Is bad manners to bring food to a restaurant, so stop that Kong." Wukong kept trying only for his hand to be swatted by the hand of Yi at an incredible speed.
Cid found himself debating whether to laugh or be impressed. So he chose the first one. Neeko looked at them for a moment before letting her dish empty and speaking.
"Fast, strong, agile… and incredibly dumb." She then proceeded to take food from the dish of Cid.
Akali was about to say something when she noticed how Cid pushed his dish slightly towards Neeko, giving her easier access to take the food that she thought was taking stealthy. Akali found herself with a smile as she cleaned her knife. Cid was giving her his food. He knew she was hungry.
Seeing the adorable gesture she made a smaller dish, a quick one too. Steamed meat inside a bit of flour. Making for a bread filled with hot food. She put two buns of meat in a plate before offering it to Cid, coughing slightly to catch his attention.
"Take them. This are courtesy of the house." She smiled at him, he took the dish and thanked her. As she smiled she felt a stare in her way and notice Neeko was looking at her.
"Neeko was too hungry to notice before… but you are gorgeous!" She pointed an accusing finger at her while noodles were hanging from the chopstick in her other hand.
"Don't go around stealing my Co-´om Se-Henna." Akali looked at her with a smile and decided to be mischievous for a moment.
"Oh… don't tell me you are a couple? Because I might find it hard to resist the charms of your friend. I like my men softer." She said teasingly in a sultry tone that surprised Cid and Yi. Wukong was surprised as well, but his hunger won against his surprise allowing to finally bite the banana he had been failing to bring to the table.
Neeko looked surprised before she smiled.
"Neeko and Cid no couple. Co-´om Se-Henna. Much more important." Cid smiled at this and looked at Akali.
"Is a way of saying, friends." Akali nodded and then focused back on Neeko who was then holding the free hand of Cid.
"I see… seriously what the two of you are then? You do seem like a couple." Both smiled before speaking the same word.
"Co-´om Se-Henna." Akali sighed in defeat understanding they were not failing for her flirty act.
"So, Neeko right?" Neeko nodded.
"What do you plan to do after this whole travel of yours end?" She smiled looking at Akali.
"Travel never ends! We will look for friends and keep traveling." Akali found herself surprised at the optimistic nature of the girl.
"You need to stop traveling at some point though; surely you have thought on making a home somewhere." Neeko laughed.
"Akali so silly. Neeko home is in here!" She pointed at her chest. She then proceeded to bring Cid in a side hug.
"Neeko home is here too! Home is everywhere." She smiled as Cid just ate one of the meat buns, highly used at the antics of his traveling partner.
Akali wasn't used at the optimistic spirit of the Vastayashai´rei. Still, she had to admit it was contagious.
"Really? Then I might take on traveling myself later." Neeko eyes shone brightly.
"You can travel with us! More merrier right?" Cid nodded.
"The more the merrier. That is how the saying goes." Neeko nodded.
"Neeko said that." Cid ruffled her hair making her giggle. He knew she had a hard time with words at times. But she did her best.
"Yes, you did… also, why are you alone here? Yi mentioned Shen and Kennen." Akali nodded.
"They are currently on a mission… is confidential so I can't say much to people who are not part of the Placidium." Neeko and Cid nodded at the same time.
Still, Cid knew what the mission was.
"The golden demon right?" Yi, Wukong, and Akali tensed up looking at him.
"How?" Akali had ended up pointing a knife at the throat of Cid. He was holding the hand of Neeko as she was charging her left hand in magic.
"Neeko. Relax." Neeko looked at Akali with her eyes in a feral state. She wouldn't tolerate any harm coming to him. As he felt her holding his hand tightly, he spoke.
"We heard rumors as we made our way that the golden demon was causing mayhem." Akali removed the knife and took it away.
"I am sorry for… that. Is a rather heavy theme you must understand… those involved will never be the same." He nodded. He knew well his road with rumors and books. Many spoke of the golden demon savage workings.
Art he called them.
"Shen is… trying to catch him. His father caught the man once in the company of him and… Zed." Cid noticed how the name Zed seemed to be important to Akali, and how it brought her discomfort.
Cid decided he would keep that bit of information.
"I hope they catch him." Akali nodded.
"We all do…" She still remembered when Shen forbid her of going alone to try to look for him. Their order was a small one. Zed had ninjas everywhere, and not kind ones…
She let out a sigh before focusing on cooking again. She only wished Shen trusted more in them.
Cid didn't know it. But he was eating in a room full of legends. Master Yi, the last master of the Wuju style. Wukong, the apprentice and proud warrior who was learning the Wuju. Akali, one of the deadliest ninjas.
He didn't know any of that. To him, they were simple people who lived in Ionia and seemingly worked for the Placidium.
As the day was ending, Cid and Neeko were walking towards an inn Karma suggested they could rest when they denied the wish to sleep in the Placidium.
"Too much luxury." Had been their words.
As they made their way, walking, Neeko spoke.
"Cid. There is much pain in Ionia." It wasn't a question. When she didn't say her name often, it meant a conversation was going to be serious.
"There is." Neeko nodded.
"Think we could help?" He held her hand.
"Depends. Who do you want to help?" Neeko returned the grip of her hand and looked at the sky.
"Can we help Riven first?" He nodded looking too at the sky. They kept walking slowly, Neeko helping Cid walk as he supported himself with the cane.
"I believe Riven will heal with time. Plus your humor will help her." She smiled.
"Riven could help us helping Shen who doesn't want help but Akali does want someone to help him." He found himself chuckling at her words.
"Maybe. However, we don't know where the golden demon is. Unless we find him, we can't go around helping Shen." Neeko smirked.
"We do know. We only have to follow the bad Sho´ma in the air." Cid sighed.
"Are you sure you are not a sort of hound?" Neeko looked at him before taking her tongue out.
"Oovi-kat. Not a hound or a monkey." She smiled when she felt the hand of Cid ruffling her hair. It was a sensation she could never get tired of feeling.
"Vastayashai´rei. Not a simple Vastaya. You are more colorful." He spoke saying her usual words when people compared her to other Vastaya.
"Neeko sees you are getting it." She walked closer to him as they kept seeing the night sky.
"You don't want to sleep in the inn do you?" She denied softly.
"I want to see the stars all night again." Cid nodded.
"Me too…" Both walked back to the Placidium, an idea in their minds.
"Think Karma will mind us sleeping in the meditation garden?" Neeko smirked.
"Peaceful lady doesn't need to know it. She won't mind what she doesn't know." Cid chuckled. He knew those eyes perfectly.
Passing the guards had been easy. And it had been even easier to just drop in the garden and look at the sky.
"That star is pretty. Neeko likes it." Cid saw it shining.
"Do you want to be a star Neeko?" She denied with a soft wave of her head as they were lying in the grass.
"No. Stars too far away. Everything Neeko wants is close to her already." She smiled softly seeing the night sky. The moon shining brightly over their heads.
"What about you Co-´om Se-Henna. Do you want to be a star?" He sighed softly seeing the peaceful night sky.
He would love if the whole world was like the night sky. Peaceful, coexisting in a perfect harmony of elements. Nothing bad going on, but the simple marvelous of the night sky covering it all. Making every trouble seem smaller.
"No. I don't think so." Neeko moved in the grass focusing on him.
"Oh? Why is that?" She said teasingly. She already knew the answer. But she wanted to hear him say it.
"Oh, you know. I like the grass, and that is only here." She poked his cheek softly. Pressuring him in saying it.
"Do I have to say it Neeko?" She nodded softly a small smile in her face.
He sighed, looking at the night sky instead of her. Speaking words, he wasn't used in saying. Words he never believes he would ever speak in his life, traveling, work, many things had happened. However, the best change in his routine was the girl who brought luck with her.
"I believe I don't want to be a star… because all I want is already in my hands." Neeko felt his hand softly holding hers making her smile.
She returned to look the night sky as they held hands. She could feel him falling asleep.
"Good night, Co-´om Se-Henna." She spoke softly watching the sky.
"Good night, Co-´om Se-Henna." He spoke slowly as he closed his eyes seeing the night sky.
Neeko kept watching the night sky and saw a shooting star.
"Oh. A shooting star." She looked at her partner.
"Didn't you say I could make a wish to them?" She looked at it and spoke.
"Oh! Look Neeko a shooting star." He spoke happily as Neeko was curious.
"What is so good on them?" He smiled pointing at it.
"You can make a wish. And it may become true." She giggled.
"Oh! Neeko likes that! Neeko wants cheese bread!" He chuckled.
"That is not a proper wish Neeko." He ruffled her hair.
"Is the wish Neeko has." She smiled seeing it and making her wish.
Neeko looked at the night sky.
"I once asked for cheese bread. But if you let Neeko change her wish… she would like to keep her Co-´om Se-Henna always with her…" She smiled softly at the sky.
It was an honest wish. A wish from her heart that wanted nothing more but to keep her friend.
The last Oovi-kat stretched as she let out a yawn and proceeded to coil around over Cid protectively.
People often thought they were a couple. They made all sort of comments. Some she understood. Others she didn't. However, she didn't care of any of them. The only comments she cared for were of the person she bestowed the title of Co-´om Se-Henna.
We smile forever. She didn't get why people had a hard time understanding such a phrase.
A friend is someone who makes you smile forever, and you make it smile forever too.
We smile forever next to the other. Co-´om Se-Henna
Was that so hard to understand?
She idly wondered as she let sleep take her. Tomorrow would be another day of learning.
CUT!
So this had been in my head for a while and I thought, hey, why not? Seems like a fun idea. I hope you like it. I will be seeing you another time in the next chapter.
Chapter 1.- The therapist and the shapeshifter speak of uncertainty and music.