(A/N: This chapter has been proofread by Grammarly . com (non premium) )
Chapter 4
Fina stood at the helm of her "boat", the course was set straight on Sailor's Island. It had been a while since she used it, so its power reserves were full. At this speed, they would make the trip in just a few short hours, this supply-trip she and Esteban had been sent on.
During the morning, it was found out that their storage of sacrulen-crystals was going surprisingly diminished. They had to acquire more. It was then that Aika got the idea to make a far trip. Crystals could be bought everywhere, and certainly much closer, but it might be a good idea to probe the terrain. Sailor's Island was a real hub of information. If anything on them was posted, that's where to find it out. That way they killed two loopers with one hit.
Fina was the only one, to a slight degree, who could control her shuttle, so she was self-assigned. And with everybody else busy with the soon-to-be-named Rhea, Esteban had been selected to accompany her. Before the sun had arisen, they had blasted off.
Having company was always nice, though she wouldn't mind if Vyse and Aika would come along. It wasn't that she didn't like Esteban, but today he seemed even more withdrawn and closed than usual. He stood by the rail, with his eyes either at the horizon or his feet. Definitely not at Fina. She had made a small try on making conversation but she had only got one-word sentences at best. Maybe if she kept quiet, things would go smoother.
It would be a long journey, of that she was certain.
xXx
Having arrived at the bustling Sailor's Island, their first stop was the Sailor's Guild. The wanted-board went under their scrutinization, but none of their names was written on it.
"How unusual, for a change," Fina said. "I remember before when…"
"I can contain my laughter, thank you," Esteban said sharply.
Fina turned and saw Esteban frown deeply.
"I know everybody thinks I'm guilty of all this. You don't have to rub it in."
Without waiting for Fina, he turned on the spot and headed for the door. Fina hurried after him.
"No, wait. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way!"
Esteban just kept on walking, not sparing her even a glance.
"… I know that," he said silently.
"I'm sorry I said it. I didn't mean to…"
"Never mind that now. We got stuff to do."
'Never mind'. That wasn't the easiest thing to do. She had unwillingly hurt him in some way, enough for him to lash out. And he didn't even want to accept her apology. Even though she shouldn't, she felt guilty.
When they reached the store, it was quite apparent that there was some sort of sale-out going on. A long line of people, which was unfortunately the queue, started somewhere in the store and stretched out on the street.
"I think we've found the right place," Esteban said. "Unfortunately."
"Well, we do have the whole day for this," Fina said. "We'll just have to wait."
There was nothing else to do, but placing themselves in the queue, occasionally taking yet another step forward, always being the last ones. There seemed to be no one new to join in. Hopefully, it didn't mean that the store would close up just yet.
"Almost there," said Esteban.
Fina looked up and saw that they now stood in between the door posts. Behind the counter stood a dark-haired woman, dressed in a green dress and a bandannaish head-cloth. She made a relaxed impression, always having a small word out for every customer. It must sure take a lot to hold up a good mood in this environment, at least that's how Fina saw it. The smell and fume from all sorts of crystals, sulphur and liniment slowly reached in her head, a small dizziness aroused. She suddenly felt a nudge on her elbow.
"Are you okay?" Esteban asked.
"Of course," Fina replied, a little too quickly.
"You seem a little gone."
"Just a little dizzy. Maybe I'll just wait outside."
"Do so."
Fina turned around, walked out and took it to the side, disappearing from Esteban's perceptive field. She had seemed a bit pale there, actually. Sure, all the fumes from all sorts of substances could've knocked out anyone who remained there for too long. A cheap way of getting high. For himself, he wondered if there was anything else but just medicine and crystals that were for sale. Addictive pain-killing, pot, drugs. He frowned slightly. Esteban had been in the mercenary business for quite a long time. It was still easy to presume the worst since he only dealt with bad people.
Maybe it would be a good idea to refresh these skills. Even if he could cash out his rightful part from the treasure, it would not last forever.
"Thanks for the visit, come again. Hello, dear, what can I get you?"
Esteban looked up from his thoughts. He'd been so gone that he hadn't mind the queue. Now he stood practically in the middle of the shop. He walked up to the counter.
"Sacrulen and curia crystals, please," he said straightly. "Sixty should do."
"With pleasure," she replied as she reached for a cloth bag and started to fill it with crystals. "Bunkering up, are you?"
Esteban shrugged. Normal people might have something to reply with, he sure didn't.
"By the way," said the cashier. "That girl who were with you just before, was that your girlfriend?"
For a brief moment, he was unsure that he had heard her right.
"What?"
"Oh, don't be shy to admit it. I know a cute couple when I see one, and I was looking at one just recently. Did she have to leave?"
"Yes, but only because of the fumes… I mean…"
"Oh, dear. Then I'll have to vent the place, and you will have to cheer her up. Maybe this'll do," she said as she searched underneath the counter. "Ah, found it." She stood up with a small bouquet of red flowers in her hands. "Maybe a cute bouquet for the lady? Girls like these, you know."
Esteban knew that the edge of normal people's ability to dream up stupidity had not yet been discovered, but this was beyond what any sane person could comprehend.
"All I want is the crystals, nothing else."
"Oh, here she comes. Welcome!"
Esteban twirled around quickly, only to stare at the quite closed door. And then, he wondered why he had been so surprised. The bad company seemed to infect.
"A bit scared, were you?" said the cashier a bit teasingly, and handed over the bag. "I'm sorry to say that we're currently out of curia, but come back later."
Fina and Esteban had been given a big enough sum of money from their treasure chamber. It was enough to pay for the whole list. He put the coins on the shrapnel plate and received his bag.
"Thanks for the visit, come again."
"We'll see." His tone of voice stated it was more like 'hardly'.
After she had blown Esteban a small kiss, he left. He felt that his mood had gone down even more. What kind of idiot did she take him for? That sort of nonsense was nothing but plain rubbish, nothing to care about. Of course, that was nothing he could say out loud, as he knew it would only serve to get called names and be declared idiot. All because people were too stupid to think outside their usual boundaries, unwilling to accept that they could actually be wrong, as they often were.
He stepped out of the store, took a deep breath of the fresh air outside, and then looked around for Fina. Then he saw that the blonde Rogue had stood just next to the door.
"Did you get the crystals?" she asked.
"Yes, but they were out of curia for the moment. We'll fix that later." He noticed that he still sounded a little angry. Fina did too.
"Are you alright?" she asked, a bit concerned.
"Sure. It was just those fumes, or whatever it was. Are you any better?"
"Oh, yes. It was just a little… Can I see the bag?"
"Is it that bad?" he said as he handed over the package.
"No, it's not that," Fina said as she started to open the bag. "But Aika always says one should look it through, to see if you got something more than you paid for."
"And if that's so; run away with it?"
"That's what she says…" She stopped abruptly.
She looked down in the bag with eyes widened and lips turned into a surprised "oh". Before Esteban had time to ask Fina whether or not she hadn't even seen sacres-crystals before, Fina withdraw her hand from the bag, holding something Esteban could never have guessed.
The flower bouquet!
"Oh, look," she said. "Who did you buy these for?"
He hadn't bought this! It was not his idea! How in the hell had… Damn that… cashier. She must've sneaked this in the bag. Now how would he explain this?
"Well, she thought you might like them, even if…"
He got stuck on his words, wondering how to say it, without looking like some kind of a dork.
Unfortunately, Fina filled in the rest.
"Really? Why… thank you. They are so pretty."
It didn't take a genius to realise Fina had got it completely dead wrong. He had been thrown straight into the arms of the executioner, and unwittingly paid money for it!
"So… what are we going to do while we wait?"
Esteban had several ideas. For instance, telling Fina that those stupid flowers were a damn mistake, that he was a victim for an idiotic romantic scheme cooked up by some damn crackbrain! And she'd be damned if she got any assumptions!
But then he saw how Fina held the bouquet in a tender grip. Even Esteban could tell Fina was really happy for them. Telling the truth would ruin it… and she hadn't done anything bad to him.
"I thought maybe we could go and have lunch," he said, finally. "Do you know any place?"
"Yes. 'Polly's place' is quite nice," Fina said. "The owner used to be in our crew once."
Just let her think it was like that. He could afford it. But if she'd frenzy too much about it all, he'd tell her the real story behind it, and make extra mention that he had no intention of wasting money on her.
With that settled, they started to walk towards the tavern. Fina held the flowers in both hands, looked relaxed enough. Esteban was not. It just felt so silly and contrived. It was just some flowers, nothing to get excited over. Still, he knew enough that anyone who might have watched them would assume they were a stupid little couple out for a date.
Just a lunch, nothing else. It's not like you're some Adonis anyway, he thought for himself.
Yes, that's all there was to it. Maybe the last farewell-meal, if he decided to sign off.
"There it is," Fina said.
Esteban looked up from his thinking. They had walked all the way back towards the harbour gate. To the right stood a building he knew all too well.
"Seems so," Esteban said, lacking anything else to say.
He reached out for the door and held it open for Fina. She glid in, and he followed. Inside the tavern, the air lay heavy with aromas of spices, barbequed steaks, roasted koketas and a touch of salted fish. It could make any stomach, no matter how recently fed, decide a little more couldn't hurt. The familiar restaurant was around filled to the half with all sorts of people.
Then Polly herself walked up to them. She looked just like they remembered her, albeit a bit rounder around the belly.
"Hello there, Fina," she said. "Long time no see."
"Too long," Fina replied, glad to see their old chef again. "How are you all?"
"Can't complain. Anne held the place up well when I was gone. And now... Long time since I saw you too."
Fina turned her head and saw that Esteban had sort of moved behind her. As if he tried to slip away from Polly's sight.
"It has," he said shortly.
"Well, I'll not hold you up any longer. Seat for two?"
Polly gestured them to a nice table away in the corner. As Fina started to go, Polly stretched out her hand and grabbed Esteban's shoulder.
"Go ahead you, Fina," she said. "I'm just gonna exchange some words with your friend."
The Silvite nodded, a bit puzzled, and took a seat, putting the roses on the chair beside her.
Esteban was still seized by his former employer. He wrung loose directly. She looked at him fixedly.
"Look," he began. "I didn't mean to..."
"I know what you're getting at, and it's all done and gone for," she said. "I just want you to know that you are out with a very special girl. You better treat her right."
"Yes, I know that!"
He regretted saying those words directly, knowing what people assumed they implied, but Polly's sternness melted away. She nodded approvingly.
"Good. Now, don't keep the lady waiting."
The little drama thankfully hadn't attracted any attention. It had been done swift and smooth. He walked to the table and sat down.
"What did she want?" Fina asked.
"Nothing special," Esteban answered. "She just hoped that the food would taste."
It didn't seem Fina had bought that weak excuse of a lie, but she didn't raise any questions about it, even if she had wanted to. Polly appeared with two menus. She and Fina exchanged some words, about how Vyse and the rest were doing, and that Anne soon would be a big sister. Esteban had his eyes on the menu.
"I'd like the skysardis," Fina said.
"I'll have the same," Esteban ordered. Practical and easy. "Can we have separate tabs?"
That was the right thing to do. Esteban knew that on occasions such as this, he was supposed to take the bill. Well, by now it should be clear that it wasn't such an occasion. By the way, he wasn't exactly minted.
But judging from Polly's piercing eyes, it was a bad decision.
"We charge per table here," she said. "If you want your own tab, I suggest you try the floor."
"That's alright," Fina said quickly. "We got enough money to cover all expenses. Don't worry."
"Okay," Esteban said, feeling his ears heating.
Having got the order, Polly went back to the kitchen. The young Rogues were by themselves. Esteban wished she would hurry.
"Have you met her before?" Fina asked.
"Sort of," Esteban said, casually. "Not too exciting."
Fina nodded. For once, Esteban realised both that awkward silence would be next and that he wouldn't like it. He didn't want to talk about this really, but if the alternative was...
"It was during my mercenary days," Esteban said. Fina looked up at him, curiously. "My mission was to spy on a person who used to frequent this place. I tried to get a job here as a waiter, but they only had a place behind the counter, since the earlier cook had gone away."
"I see," Fina said. "How did the mission go?"
"I didn't even learn how to cook."
"You're not that bad," Fina smiled. "Or, more precisely, you're not bad at all. I've always liked your omelettes."
He knew that she had only the kindest intentions, so he did his best to not show his annoyance. As if that was anything special! Sure, he wasn't too shabby behind the stove, he knew that. He just didn't like to brag about himself, as if he even could!
"I'm still not anywhere near you."
"Thank you. Actually, I learned a lot from Polly."
"You mean when she was your chef? How did you manage to get her onboard?"
Fina went on to tell the full story, even the perilous sail through the Dark Rift and how they had saved Robinson.
"Was he stuck there for twenty years?"
"Hard to believe, isn't it?"
That awkward silence Esteban had dreaded never showed up. Time flew by, and before they knew it, Anne stood by their table with two plates of steaming food.
After that was eaten, Polly surprised them both with a special-made dessert; chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream and cacao sprinkles.
"It's on the house. From one Rogue to another. And if you want to know, there's a fair going on at the far side."
"Oh, that sounds fun," Fina said, smiling happily. "How about we pay a visit? We got enough time for that."
"Sure."
Esteban himself had no real longings to drift around market stalls. But if Fina wanted to, he had no trouble sacrificing himself for her enjoyment. Especially not now. Never had he talked this much with Fina, or with anyone else. It seemed he had missed out a lot.
After paying their tab, they left for the fair.
As they walked the street, Fina thought back on the last events. It was really nice that a fair had opened up, but best of all... It had only been small-talk, but it had been pleasant and not at all forced. This day started to show real potential.
Unfortunately, now Esteban had got all quiet again and began threw glances over his shoulder every second. He didn't look worried, but not relaxed either.
"What are you looking for?" she asked.
"An old acquaintance, a bad one."
"Oh. Was it from... those days?"
"Not really. I had just deserted from Valua. If things had taken a different turn, he could've been my captain."
As he said that, he shuddered, his lips quirked and slowly shook his head, as if unconsciously.
"What sort of person was he?"
"He chartered goods, often from here. I had just signed up, and I thought all was good. But then he tells me they sail directly to Valua."
"What? Did he want to turn you in?"
"He didn't know that, and still don't. As soon as he didn't look, I left the ship with some money. I'm glad we didn't meet again."
"You stole them?"
"I had no choice. Okay, I know it wasn't a good thing. But I only took as much I needed to get my own ship flying again."
Being an Air Pirate as she may, stealing was wrong. But he didn't seem boastful about it. The fact he had told her showed that he trusted her. That was something worth clinging on to. She could save the morals until they were really needed.
"Well, you couldn't have gone to Valua," she smiled. "I understand that."
Esteban nodded.
"And then we might've never met," Fina continued.
"That would've been bad."
Fina glanced down at her flowers. They were just as pretty as they were unexpected. Fina was relatively new to this world, and there were still things she didn't grasp entirely. She knew, though, that there was more use for roses than just decoration.
Still, Esteban had lived all by himself, not getting any contact with others, perhaps he didn't know. Maybe he had just seen them as they were; beautiful flowers, and everybody knew Fina liked flowers. A bit blunt, but kind.
Then Fina noticed that Esteban was watching her looking at the flowers. As their eyes met, he quickly turned his gaze forward along the road. Trying to ease the mood, Fina said the first thing that was on her mind:
"Thanks again for the roses. They're really beautiful."
"That's nothing. I just... thought you were gonna like them."
Now they had almost reached the lighthouse. A big market had been set up by the square. Colourful stalls stood everywhere. Everything from sweets to clothes was for sale. The two Blue Rogues went from one stall to another, admiring all handicrafts for sale. But mostly it was Fina who did the latter. Esteban did, however, manage to look interested. Or at least not bored.
Fina then found some good-looking necklaces. She just had to go through them all, so Esteban went on ahead. She had brought some of her own money with her; a nice memento from this trip wouldn't be bad.
"Only the best," said the seller. "If you want, I can change the lace, if you want something fancier."
Fina nodded for herself, while her eyes took in all the pieces. All the motifs were really beautiful, hard to settle for just one. She looked up from the necklaces to see where Esteban had gone. It seemed like he was bargaining at a stall selling bracelets. She turned back and continued her look through. Finally, she decided that she wanted the shiny flutterfly-necklace most. After some minutes of bargaining, she had it around her neck.
After a quick stop by a stall selling syrupy apples, she decided to go look for Esteban. But as she turned around, he was already standing there.
"Did you get anything?" he asked.
"Yes," she nodded. "This necklace and these." She passed over one of the apples to him. "Courtesy of our treasure chamber."
"Do Vyse know that?"
"Vyse is at Crescent Isle," Fina said. "We are on a fair at Sailor's Island."
"You know, you almost sound like Aika."
"Oh," Fina said. With a puzzled face, she said: "Is this the part when I'm supposed to say: 'couldn't resist'?"
Esteban looked at her, confusedly. Then, his cheeks began to shudder, until he couldn't restrain a smile. Miracles and wonders didn't have to be bigger than that.
Feeling done with the fair, they decided to go and check up on the crystals. As they walked past the stall Esteban had been occupied by, the seller waived with a bracelet and shouted out to him.
"Hey, aren't you gonna get it? I'll lower my price just for you."
"I'm not buying it!" he replied. To Fina he said: "Peddlers. They catch you looking at something and they never let go." He kept on walking, not stopping.
"So you were not interested in buying it?" Fina wondered.
"Don't even have the money for it," Esteban said. "Let's get moving."
Without waiting for Fina he increased his pace with some footsteps, Fina had to almost run to catch up with him, though he did look over his shoulder to not lose sight of her.
They spent their walk by small talk and chewing on the apples. Speaking of the Dark Rift again, and still being intrigued with his first visit to Yafutoma, Esteban had asked Fina about their arrival in the eastern land. She was very happy to fill him in about their past adventures.
But when they arrived at the store, they were greeted with bad news.
"I'm terribly sorry," the shopkeeper said. "But I won't get any new crystals until the next convoy from Emerald Isle arrives."
"And when will that be?" Fina asked.
"Tomorrow. But they usually are very early."
xXx
Back at Crescent Isle, the work with the ship had gone smoothly. Fina and Esteban would have to hurry home if they didn't want to miss the maiden voyage, Vyse thought.
Now, he stood together with Nicole at the lookout point.
"It'll be interesting to hear what they've found out," Nicole said. "If any bounties been put out, that's the place."
"Sure enough," Vyse said. "But what I'd really like to do is get a closer look in Nasrad itself."
"Yeah, good luck finding someone crazy enough to go there. And don't look at me."
"I know what you mean. The best thing would be to send someone who hasn't been there anytime. Someone who wouldn't be afflicted with us."
Nicole squinted. Vyse knew who'd be the perfect candidate, but he decided to let Nicole have a go at it, or even come up with someone better.
"That should be Tairon, would it?"
"Yes. We have more than enough diamonds left so that we can make some bracelets or something. Everyone will think he's a regular Yafutoman trader."
"Good idea. We'll just remodel the Dove, just to be sure, and it's Yafutoman to start with, and he's set for undercover. But there is just one thing."
The last words just screamed 'back to the drawing board'.
"Do you know someone in Nasrad who you can trust? I mean, if the whole city's decided to put the lid on to all this, maybe there's no one who wants to tell the full story, especially to an outsider, whose king is chummy with Vyse the Legend. And remember, no bounties yet."
"Good thing you brought it up," Vyse said. "But I think I got what you mean. Or at least; Aika and Fina do. Back when I was marooned, they lived in Nasrad and worked at a restaurant. We were back there some time ago, and the owner seems okay enough."
"And does he know Tairon?"
Vyse frowned. It had sounded like such a good idea. Maybe they would have to do with just a look at the general mood of the city and the wanted board. He sure wasn't willing to send Aika and Fina to a kingdom that may actually have turned into their number one enemy.
"Well, I guess he'll pick up something. Just a quick look would be worth a lot."
"It's settled then," Nicole said. "I'll go and have a word with Kirala."
Some parting words later, Nicole set off. Vyse remained.
It was not a new sensation. Being hunted, wanted and on the run was one of the backsides of being an Air Pirate. But that only applied for Black Pirates, and yes Blue Rogues too, but that was before, back when Valua had flexed its military muscles daily. Could people really believe that he, Vyse, had willingly tried to assault Nasr?
All depending on what the people got to hear afterwards. It must've been a fail-safe, of that Vyse was certain. Criminal leaders harbouring info about their rivals so that they would remain untouchable was nothing new. Had Esteban known that? Probably not. If so, he would never have let them pull it off.
Whatever the case was, he looked forward to hearing about the situation in Nasrad. Perhaps it would provide them with some answers.
The door to the hot spring was opened up, and Aika came out. Nothing strange, she had taken many baths since it was completed. What really was strange was the fact that she didn't have her braids on. Her hair hung down on her back, probably to dry. She looked up at the lookout, spotted Vyse and made her way up the path.
"New hairstyle?" Vyse asked.
"Only temporary, so don't get used to it," Aika replied shortly. "Seriously, you gotta try the spring sometime. It's wonderful."
"If I ever get time."
"You'll take time." Aika slipped up behind Vyse and laid her hands on his shoulders. "You feel quite tense, you know," she said and began massaging.
One step at the time, Vyse sat down on the ground, Aika followed suit, whilst keeping up her work. It was easier for her to do it, and easier for him to relax. He sighed and closed his eyes as he felt her hands disperse the tension. She was really right about that. What good would he be if he fell asleep on his post?
Actually, it wasn't only he who was tense. This whole day, Aika had been a bit more... maybe not absent-minded, but less lively. She didn't say it, but Vyse knew Aika enough that she had something big on her mind.
"I wonder how they're doing," Aika said, without losing tact.
"They'll be fine," Vyse mumbled. Throwing a quick glance to left, he saw that they were relatively alone. "It's strange, though. I checked the storage for not so long ago, and it was quite filled. Strange."
Vyse felt her hands stop for a quick moment, but not for long. She kept up the pace, moving down under his shoulders.
"Yeah, it's strange how you got so curious."
"Don't forget snoopy and ferreting. All according to your diary."
"What!?"
"Aha, so you do think so?"
"Har-de-har. Very funny. Try it one more time, and I'll try how hard your cranium is against my boomerang. Okay, I've stashed them in my room, but they'll remain there since you got enough manners to stay out."
"Why?"
"Oh, come on. Because I've raised you well enough, that's why."
"Okay, why did you put them away?"
Aika stopped the massage and let her hands silently rest on his shoulder. She drummed slightly with her fingers, as if considering an answer.
"For his sake," she said. "I didn't have the time to wait for an opportunity, so I made one myself yesterday night. He has to spend time with someone else, not only me. End of story, finito, presto, no da capo."
"Really," Vyse shook his head. "It goes without saying, but you're quite bold sometimes."
"Hey, who are you to call me bold, mr-I've-been-to-the-Grand-Fortress-and-back-and-then-back-again-to…"
"You were there too so don't complain."
"Alright, alright, I got itty bitty carried away. So, what are ya gonna do? Give me more swabbing? Fine. For his sake, I'll do anything. He needs this experience, you understand?"
"I've known you for a long time," Vyse said. "You've always had weird ideas, and I've seen you do quite a lot of antics. But this… was among the best you've done."
His redheaded friend shuffled closer and hugged him from behind. Vyse smiled and stretched out his right hand and fondled her on her head, her hair still a bit damp from the steam and hot water. It felt so weird to not feel the touch of her braids. Was it really Aika who sat behind him?
"And it's at times like these I think I like you more than fruit," Aika said.
Yes, it was definitely Aika. Not only was she the only one in the whole world who would say so, it was also among the nicest compliments she could ever give.
"Comparing me with fruits?" he said, as he laid his hand upon hers. "Thanks a lot. No, really, I mean it."
They turned and sat with their backs against the fence, looking out at the sunset together like they always had done. The sky was lit red, as the moon prepared its ascend. It was a beautiful sight, even more so when you had a good friend to share it with. Life felt good.
'Haven't I raised you long enough'? Who had raised who, really? Yes, the three of them were definitely a small family. But did anyone of them hold the parent role? Maybe they all did. Fina had from the start been a shy diminutive Silvite, now she was a well-adapted Blue Rogue, all thanks to Vyse and Aika. As for Aika herself, she was a steadfast cliff, except for when she was a fruit-crazy nagging little kid… of sorts. As for Esteban…
Vyse felt his bad conscience knock on his mental door. If only he had seen what was starting to happen with him. He could never let him down, as much as he could let down Aika or Fina. Whatever could he do to help him out?
"When things get calmer around here," Vyse began, "we'll sail to Comienzo, just the four of us. We're gonna have the whole day for ourselves."
"Sounds great," Aika nodded.
"We'll not lose him, I swear."
xXx
Esteban sat on his bed, all alone in the little room at the inn. They had decided to spend the night here and travel back tomorrow. He threw a glance at the other bed, on which Fina had put her bags and bouquet, and yet again felt the feeling of an anvil in his stomach. The slight nervosity made his heart beat in slow heavy hits.
As soon as they arrived at the inn, he had asked directly if they had any free rooms. He had really meant rooms, as in several and separate. Unfortunately, they only had one left.
If Fina was uncomfortable with the situation at hand, she hadn't said it, and neither had Esteban of course. Still, the thought of sharing room with a girl felt odd.
How normal can I ever get? he thought briskly.
Well, the real hardships would come later, no matter what Esteban did, so it made no sense worrying about them now. For now, he just longed for Fina's company.
He heard three knocks on the door, and then it was opened. Fina entered with a small cloth bag in her hands. She had been out to get a late snack for them both, while Esteban watched the room. Behind Fina, Cupil floated. He circled around the room, as if familiarise with his new temporary home.
"Sorry about the delay," Fina said, as she sat down on her bed. "I was not the only one out."
"That's okay," Esteban answered. "So, what'll it be?"
"Freshly from the oven," she said as she unpacked the cloth bag. She handed over a steaming hot little package. "Toast. Cheese and ham."
"Sounds tasty," he said as he started to wrap off the paper.
"Wait! Before you do that…"
"Drinks?"
"No, not that. Well, yes we did get a canteen of mineral water, Polly is so kind. But what I meant was." Fina looked away, her little smile told she had something amusing on her mind. She reached with her hand into the seemingly empty bag. "I'd like you to close your eyes for a moment."
Esteban couldn't have been more surprised. He was just about to ask Fina what she meant but then decided to shut up and go along. With a final questioning gaze towards her, he shut eyes.
He could've expected something like this from out flipped Aika, but not diminutive Fina. Whatever was she planning now? Right now he only heard the sound of paper rustling.
Then he felt she sat down next to him. A sudden thought arose in his head, and he quenched his eyes harder. No, she couldn't possibly… Well, from what he knew this day had come as close to a wimpy love-dovey date as it could, but could she be so bold as to... And then he felt a soft hand around his arm, smooth fingertips brushing against his skin, and heard the sound of Cupil beeping.
"Open up," Fina said.
Esteban did so, looking around, slightly disoriented. He turned his head towards Fina, and then saw something in the corner of his eyes, down at his wrist. He looked down and saw a good looking green bracelet. It was around one decimetre long, made out of leather and it had many intricate carvings and figures. It still smelt freshly-made, just like it did at the fair.
"For me?"
Fina just nodded at the obsolete and fairly silly question. She smiled happily and content.
"I happened to see that you were looking at it."
"Actually yes. If I just hadn't forgot my money. I'll pay you back after we're done…"
"No, no," Fina said hurriedly. "You don't have to do that. After the flowers and all… I just thought it'd fit you."
"Thanks," Esteban said. "It looks really good."
Sure, it was just a bracelet, let be a very nice one, yet still only a simple piece of leather that had been fancy decorated. But simple as it was, it had been infused with Fina's kindness, and that made it so much greater. She had bought it to make him happy, and that she had succeeded with.
It suddenly hit Esteban that Fina sat pretty close to him. It would just be a moment's doing to stretch out his arms and…
… be slapped silly.
Maybe not that much. But as long as he wasn't totally one-hundred percent sure that it was okay with her, he did best to restrain from that. And why had he even had the thought!?
"Now can we get to eat?" he asked.
They did so, passing the canteen between each other. Polly had once again done a good work. Fina had directly raised the suggestion that they tried to do some of this when they got back home. Esteban liked the idea.
"Did you check the store?" Esteban asked, drying away some leftover crumbles.
"It was closed," Fina said. "We'll get there as early as possible, so we get this done for. I mean, we shouldn't worry the others."
"No. But we'll get back home quickly, right? I mean, that ship of yours is just… It's amazing something like this exists."
Fina nodded, her eyes got lost in the eternity, or at least against the wall. Cupil then seemed to notice that something had changed with Fina, and he floated down to reside on her shoulder.
"True," she said. "In the old world, there were many such things. Ships, devices, all you can think of. But it's all gone now, along with the Silver Shrine."
Esteban listened, fascinated. Fina had told him before about the Silver Shrine, what kind of place it was, and strangest of all, where it had been located; right where the moons themselves resided. At first, he hadn't believed her, but Vyse and Aika said it was the truth, and that they had been there too. But it still sounded weird.
"How was it to live in such a place, really?" Esteban asked.
"It's hard to describe," Fina said. "At least it was more comfortable and still rather than here, but I didn't know that by then. I have many good memories from there, but it was a lonely place." She sighed. "My only friend, Ramirez, had to leave for Arcadia itself. Then I was all by myself, except for the elders. And Cupil of course."
At the mention of his name, Cupil levitated up to Fina's face. She grabbed him softly and held him close. He chirped, and Fina smiled in return. It was clear to see that she was very fond of her silvery companion.
"Ramirez. Was it he who was Galcian's protégé?"
"Yes, he was," Fina said, surprised. "Did you really… meet him?"
"Not him. I only heard very vague rumours about Galcian's vice-captain. That he wasn't of this world. I didn't care about that, back then that is."
Fina nodded, thoughtfully. Esteban could see that something they talked about ripped up something from Fina's mind, something that wasn't good. To get away from that, and to lead her into nicer thoughts, he said:
"And then you came down too?"
"Yes," Fina said, smiling a little. "It was a rough day indeed. I was both pursued by the armada and shot at. But that aside, it was a great day, since I met Vyse and Aika."
"It was… a big change, wasn't it?"
"Oh yes. The biggest one anyone's been through. This new world was so different from the one I've lived my whole life at. I honestly don't know how I would've coped if it wasn't for them."
Esteban could've said the same thing. If it wasn't for that random encounter or that old pirate treasure, they wouldn't even meet. He'd still be a mercenary, and he wouldn't have even known what he had missed. Fina and her friends had been Esteban's way out into the light.
"Do you ever long back, maybe?" Esteban asked, carefully.
"Perhaps. I wish it still existed, or at least that the elders survived. It's not easy seeing your home be destroyed."
Their eyes locked, and they both realised they were thinking the same thing.
"Do you… feel the same?" Fina asked.
"I'm not sure," Esteban said slowly. "I never thought of it as a home. And when I heard about what had happened, I thought it was just lies. All I ever wanted was to get out of there anyway. It was a place where I had lived, nothing more."
It wasn't the city Esteban felt sad about. It had been the very definition of injustice. A representation of all he despised. The Capital of evil. To hell with it for all he cared. Unfortunately, it had been heavily populated at the time when the rain came.
"Even if the Great Silver Shrine remained, I like it better here," Fina said. "Everything doesn't turn out as we wish, we all just have to push forward. Technology can never replace human warmth. It feels more accomplishing to do things by my own hands. And a holo-game was only as fun as the one you're playing it with, anyway."
"Holo-game?" Esteban asked. "What does that mean?"
Just as Esteban said that, Fina got a weird glimpse in her eye, her lips twitched, Quickly, she threw up her hand in front of her mouth but it was no use. The giggle flew out like a waterfall, which then turned into a laugh.
"Sorry," she gasped through her laughter. "Sorry, it's… it's just…"
Another pearl of laughter hindered the Silvite's attempt of explanation, as she sat with the head leant in her hand. Cupil beeped in a confused way, probably just as amazed as Esteban. Whatever holo-game was, it probably was humorous. He'd never seen her laugh like that.
"Alright then," she said, stroking herself over her forehead. "I wasn't laughing at you. It's just that during my first travels with Vyse and Aika, there were so many things I didn't know about. Things that is everyday for everybody, but totally alien to me. And when you said that, it just… I never thought anyone would ask me about… it was just so reversed."
"Okay," Esteban said, pretending to understand. "What things didn't you know then?"
"Almost everything. Among the worst… It was when we were sailing for the temple of Pyrynn in Nasr. Aika was talking about all the treasures we might get and asked me what I'd buy for my share. But I didn't know what buy or money meant."
"What!?"
"That's what they thought too. But how should I have known?"
Esteban shook his head in bewilderment but still smiled. Who needed money anyway? But this was not the right time to bring up a deep discussion. For now, he just laughed at the scene Fina had pictured up and at how surprised Aika must've been.
Fina shared in his amusement, but for different reasons. This morning, she had been so worried about this day. But now, what a huge turn it all had taken. They had laughed together, had fun together and shared their past with each other. It hadn't felt sad to talk about the Silver Shrine like it used to, sometimes. It just felt good to tell Esteban about it, making him get to know her better. More than anything, he had really tried to reach out to her. That was all that mattered.
They talked a bit more until their eyelids began to feel heavy and the beds silently called out for them. Fina took her bag and went into the bathroom to change into nightwear. As she slipped into her white nightdress, she caught a glimpse of her face in the small mirror. She still looked very happy with fresh dimples.
Fina went out, and saw that the room lay in darkness. Esteban had snuffed out all the three candles. Now, from the looks of it, he had just changed into pyjamas, she recognised as the one they had bought in Comienzo for so long ago, back when there was just the four of them. He'd just finished buttoning the shirt as he looked over his shoulder and spot her. Thank the moons she hadn't been faster.
"There was a screen over there," she said and pointed. "If you missed it."
"Was it? Well, remind me to not leave my eyes at home next time."
The habit of speech, but it was nice to hear him say 'next time'. She wouldn't mind another trip like this. That time they might go all four.
Fina slid in between the soft coverings. She could vaguely see Esteban's silhouette as he crept down in his bed.
"Goodnight, Esteban," she said. A little lower she said: "I've had a wonderful day."
"Me too. Today, I mean."
"That's what I meant."
"Goodnight."
She curled up until she found a really comfortable position to sleep in. The coverings lay softly around her, and she felt it like a warm blanket lay wrapped around her heart. Today had been a happy day. Cupil then silently dropped down on her pillow.
"Goodnight to you too," she whispered.
Cupil cooed quietly and touched against Fina's nose. Fina stretched out her hand and patted him.
Away in his bed, Esteban thought over this remarkable day. Usually, when he got to bed he wanted to just fall asleep as quick as possibly. Even though he didn't use to sleep very good, at least for a couple of hours he was relieved of stress and worry before it was time to awake and once again make his cameo in normal people's world. But now, he just wanted to relax and enjoy his new discovery about himself.
Never before had he felt so at ease together with someone else but Aika. Not that she was the only one who liked him, perhaps, but she was the only one who understood him and who he could talk to. Now he had to add another one to his list, and then some more. Once again he had broken through his inner cell and discovered new land in his uncharted inner world.
But no. Sad, but Esteban realised that he couldn't take any credit for this. It was that damn flower bouquet that done it. If it hadn't been, the day would've gone on with awkward silence and forced phrases, until Fina would've fed up, and why not? It was all because of that love-sick shopkeeper they had…
Suddenly, a new insight came to him. It hit him with such a force that he almost sat up and he had to stifle a gasp. Yes, the whole day had been a mistake and unexpected randomise. But he had still made it! Esteban had more or less been thrown out in a perilous unexplored wild ocean. Yet he had managed to navigate past the stone reefs, out sailed Black Pirates and evaded approaching storms. He had managed to sail it in shore, made sure that they had got a nice day together. All that with no preparations at all!
For anyone else, it would've been completely normal. But for Esteban, it was as if he had done a less grand achievement. He realised that…
"I'm not worthless," he said to himself.
Then his mind caught up with his by hubris soiled senses, and he remembered that he wasn't the only one in the room. Quickly he looked over at Fina's bed.
"Fina?" he whispered, but her figure remained still.
With a sigh of relief, he sunk back down against the soft pillow, deciding to think a little quieter.
It would feel good to be back home at Crescent Isle again. They wouldn't just get new crystals, but also a better friend. Aika had done so much for him, and what had Esteban done for her? Not a bit. One thing he could do was to make himself more useful. Just like Vyse said; they all needed to work with each other. Thinking back on how he had behaved; he was surprised no one had yet thrown him off the isle.
So would he just have to give up on Fina? If he had just started earlier, just like Aika had meant, it would've been fine.
But what had Aika said before? She liked them all but she had some favorites. That it was Vyse and Fina he could understand. No one could be friends with everybody, and certainly not Esteban, but if he could work together with them all, it would be enough. Maybe it was that Vyse had tried to tell him.
Fina had said that everything didn't turn out as you would like it. That was all too true. Yes, he longed back to the first few days. No, they wouldn't return. But no matter, things could maybe be a little better, but most definitely much worse. At least none of them were criminals, murderers and smugglers. They were Blue Rogues, he must prefer their company.
Just for once, he was sure it would be all okay.