Egil sat on the ground of their room, staring up at the ceiling as he thought. Alvis had made his way up to Prison Island, following after the group apparently, and led them back here. Sat Egil down and ran a hand through his hair, telling him to wait here…
And so he waited, allowing Oka to sit in his lap while Vanea stared out the window silently. He pat Oka's head, head swimming as he thought of Arglas's dead body. Even when he turned away from it, he could see it in his mind's eye…
"Egil should talk to Oka." The Nopon spoke up, frowning up at Egil. "It's no good for Egil to let things stew in mind."
"I suppose you're right. I just… wonder how the others are doing." He sighed, closing his eyes.
Linada had gone with Melia to help High Entian doctors with Kallian, and Alvis had promised to return as soon as he could. The other three were left, unable to do much but wait and hope for the best… And only Oka seemed to be able to keep spirits up.
"Egil should trust Linada. Very smart doctor, will help Bird Prince!" She nodded. "Alvis a bit strange, but… Oka think Alvis care about and trust Egil, so Egil should care about and trust him, too."
"Is that so…?" Egil hummed. "I'm not sure about what you said about Alvis… but you're right. Linada is capable, and if anyone can ensure Kallian at least makes it out of this alright, it's her." Even with their lack of knowledge on Bionis anatomy and health, she would be quick to learn.
"See, Egil look on bright side now!" Oka smiled up at him. "Oka knew he could do it! Even if usually glass half-empty sort."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Egil huffed a bit and Oka just laughed. "It doesn't seem that funny to me!"
"Egil very funny… Can see why Alvis call him amusing!" Oka laughed again. "That's all!"
"Is that so?" He huffed. "Well it looks like I'll be having a talk with him later, then."
"Oh no... Oka may have messed up a bit…" She wrung her wings together. "But Egil seem less sad, so that okay! Oka happy to see Egil not sad again."
Egil blinked a few times. "Is… that so…? Then…" He looked towards Vanea's back. "How about we try and cheer up Vanea, too, me and you?"
Oka's eyes sparkled. "Oh yes! Oka would love to!"
He stood up, holding the Nopon. "Then let's do that."
One moment Tyrea had been told Prince Kallian would speak with the Emperor about who she was and what to do with her, the next she was learning the Emperor was dead and the prince injured.
She stared forward, ignoring the pacing of Lorithia. The head of the Ministry of Research should raise some eyebrows, being in charge of talking to a prisoner of the royal family… but Tyrea didn't question it. This wench had her nails dug into more than any normal Minister would have. She was a sneaky one, Lorithia.
"Really, look at you." She clicked her tongue. "I would have thought you were more careful than that."
"I was not expecting Mechonis life, nor a Nopon." She frowned. "And the Seer you told me would be of no consequence was of consequence."
"Oh dear, really?" Lorithia gave her a faux-frown. "My apologies, then."
"You witch-"
"Am I interrupting something?" The voice of Seer Alvis made Tyrea recoil. "I needed to speak to the assassin, but if you two are busy, I can come back another time."
"Seer Alvis…" Lorithia made her way to him, hips swaying to no effect Tyrea could see on the Seer. "Is it important?"
"Quite." He looked unamused as she leaned against him. "I would like to get back to our Machina guests soon, and wouldn't want to leave them again."
"Then I'll let you talk and wait outside." Lorithia made for the door. "Let me know when you're done, hm?"
With her gone, Seer Alvis stared Tyrea down, hand on his hip. She felt her skin crawl as he looked her over and paced around the room, never taking his eyes off of her. If she could slap him right now, she would.
"Tell me, Tyrea. What do you think the current state of Alcamoth means for you?"
"Nothing pleasant, I am sure." Tyrea frowned. "It would be easiest for those left to remove me from the picture while the royal family is in shambles."
"Indeed. It is not as if you are the First Consort, someone worth keeping around for them…" Seer Alvis came to a stop, looking at her. "In all likelihood, they'll kill you while the Prince and Princess are preoccupied with his injuries."
She knew that, and it left a pit in her stomach. She would be unable to fulfill the last promise Yumea had given her. Unable to fulfill her final duty. She would die a disappointment, never passing through Yumea's head again…
And that scared her.
"I know that, why do you tell me?"
"I'm here to offer you a way out. If I were to watch over you, away from Alcamoth, they may turn a blind eye and allow you to live."
She frowned. "And you offer this to me why?"
"Those Machina… Where their leader goes, I plan to go. I suppose I can't help but chase after him…" His voice sounded almost fond for a moment, though it quickly faded as he spoke again. "We could use more skilled fighters and, well, you seem like one to me."
"I suppose I am…" She shifted against her bindings. "So you're saying my choices are death or going along with your little group, hm?"
He nodded. "Indeed. I will not push your either way, though I doubt death is on your mind right now."
She looked at the ground, frowning. She really didn't feel this was a real choice… With what had happened, with what duties remained, she only had one choice. "I will go with you."
Her life was not one of choices, she had known that for years. It was simply becoming more clear now, as she was forced to agree to such an inane deal. She would simply have to abandon them, at some point, when she could find the chance.
She would run, fulfill her duty when it was time, and then? Then she could die. There wouldn't be anything left for her, then.
She looked at the Seer as he undid her bindings and held his hand out to her. With a huff, she took it and pulled herself to her feet. Let the fool believe he had the higher ground for now, then! It would not last long.
"I suggest you keep him in bed for a few weeks." Linada glanced towards Kallian's bed with a sigh. "His injuries aren't too severe, but they could reopen if he isn't careful."
If she had been able to use more ether, there wouldn't be that risk… But the Telethia gene made that all too dangerous, and she had to use more traditional means. He would heal, it would just take longer, is all.
"I understand." Melia nodded. "He may argue, but I will do my best. I do not want him injuring himself again…"
"No!" They turned at Kallian's voice, watching him struggle to sit up. "I can't remain in bed when my father's murderer is out there with that accursed sword."
"Accursed…" Linada's eyes widened. "You mean the Monado."
"Yes." He nodded, flinching a bit as Melia made it to his side to help him up. "He made us take him to Prison Island, had that giant, Zanza, unshackle the power of the Monado… And then he killed Zanza, killed my father."
"Kallian…" Melia sucked in a breath. "Did he try to kill you as well?"
"I barely fought him off…" He looked away. "He seemed to realize something and ran away, instead of finishing me off when I was too weak to fight back anymore… And not long after, you all appeared."
Linada had a bad feeling about all of this. The Monado had been taken, and the one wielding it had come here? Killed Zanza after unshackling the Monado (whatever that meant)? It seemed to her like Zanza had found a new vessel.
The tragedy of their people could be at risk of playing out again any moment, and she knew Egil wouldn't have it. Their journey across the Bionis was far from over.
"I will not let him run free." Kallian's voice pulled her back into the situation at hand once again. "I will find him, and I will stop him."
"Well, I suppose I can't stop you, not when I plan on doing the same." Linada sighed, looking to Melia. "Please entrust your brother to me, Princess Melia. I can at least make sure he doesn't overdo it while he's on the hunt."
Melia's eyes widened, but she nodded, sure. "Please, Doctor Linada, ensure my brother comes home safely. And that… that our father doesn't go unavenged."
"I will do what I can."
Linada pushed Kallian back down into his bed at that point, shooing the others from the room and leading Melia out herself. Revenge, huh? Not exactly something she was interested in, and something that worried her a bit looking at Egil, but… She could try to play counsellor for Kallian along the way, instead of worrying about it at this moment.
For now, she sent Melia off to bed with a chiding tone. No reason for her to exhaust herself past the point of being able to do her duties. Both siblings on bedrest would be a disaster, Linada was sure!
With that done, she sighed and cracked her neck. Time to see how her little rag-tag group was doing...
