Chapter 7 Missing
The next day Auda ran off the ship, staying nearby. Tomaj was in the distance questioning people. Auda looked over. He shook his head. She sighed. Where could they have gone? It was no use in going out when you didn't know where they could be. It was best to stay in one place. "Vaan, Penelo, Kytes, Filo, Llyud, where could you all have gone to?" She sat on the steps of the loading dock. She was worried, and she knew Tomaj was too.
Cu Sith went to Tomaj, "No luck, the Yarhi doesn't know either Master Tomaj. I'm sorry."
Auda got up and went to her room slamming the door behind her. She sighed deeply, not knowing what do. She let out a scream in frustration. Tomaj walked in, "Auda."
"Where are they?" She was pacing, "I don't know what to do."
"You need to calm down. This stress isn't good for the baby."
"This stress isn't even good for me." Auda shook her head. "They have to be somewhere right? So where are they?"
"I don't know." Tomaj shook his head. "If I did, we wouldn't be this stressed out."
"The Yahri doesn't even know where they are…" Auda fell on her bed. "Ugh… This is one sick joke…"
"Well I'm not laughing. We will look again in the morning. It's best if we get sleep. Night Auda."
"Night."
Auda and Tomaj stepped out of the airship, Fran and Balthier were outside waiting. "Fran, Balthier." Auda spoke.
"Ah, there you are Auda," Balthier turned to her. "Fran says you aren't fit to fight. Are you well?"
"Eh, comes and goes." She shrugged. "Have you seen everyone since the mountains shook? They haven't returned yet, and everyone's worried…"
"Do not worry," Fran spoke. "They are alive and well."
"Where are they?" Tomaj asked.
"I not know. Wait for them."
"I'm too exhausted to go anywhere." Tomaj walked on board.
"The Strayl is down." Balthier spoke.
"Again?" Auda teased. "You sure it's a good ship?"
"If that's a joke, I'm not laughing."
Fran looked at her. "You haven't eaten today. Come."
Tomaj watched when the trio walked to the café. Auda was more relaxed with the couple. She was right, Tomaj wouldn't stand a chance with Fran. He looked at Auda, as she was actually eating and keeping the first few bites down. Though half way through the meal she took off running, he walked to her. "Why do you try when you can't keep it down?"
"How else can I eat?" Auda asked smartly before another round.
Balthier and Fran were close by. Tomaj stepped back.
Fran walked to her. "This is why you do not eat lately?"
"I can't keep food down…" Auda found mouthwash, and started to clean her mouth out.
"Come, I know a way. You can still drink yes?"
Auda nodded her head.
"You are pregnant aren't you?" Balthier spoke. Auda blinked at him. He shrugged, "How are you keeping this a secret from everyone else?"
"You know Vaan…" Auda laughed off.
"Does Basch know?"
"I didn't even know until I was on board this stupid airship. The original plan was to get Vaan off this thing and head home, but as soon as we got on bored, the airship took off. Me and any of us being here wasn't even planned… ugh…"
Balthier shook his head, "You never changed."
Auda looked at the sky saloon, the missing party was laying on the floor, sleeping away. She twitched, "They were asleep this whole time?"
"They're bodies are here, spirits are not." Fran explained.
Auda nodded her head.
Balthier looked at Auda, "Come," He and Fran went to the bridge.
Auda followed, "What?"
Balthier shook his head, "You will have to tell them soon. How long are you?"
Auda thought for a seconded, "Six and a half weeks I think. Somewhere along there… I don't know when I'll start showing… But I wish Basch to know first."
"For sure if this was a usual situation, however this is not."
Auda rolled her eyes. "Me telling them isn't going to change anything. I know they are worried, but they have enough of their plate than dealing with me. They trust Tomaj to act like my guardian… Now why don't you tell me what happened down in the caves?"
Vaan and everyone ran into the bridge, Auda turned glad to see them safe and sound. Balthier turned as well, "Good of you to join us."
Vaan walked over to the 'leading man' and punched Balthier. Balthier took it and fell back onto the controls behind him. Penelo ran forward. Fran stepped in, and shook her head. "I've just about had it with you!" Vaan yelled out.
"Vaan, calm down!" Penelo called out.
Vaan ignored her. "You knew all this would happen when you took the treasure, didn't you? Well, if you were gonna share the treasure, you could've at least let us in on the rest! Who do you think you are, making us think you'd turned against us?"
Balthier shook his head. He got up shrugging. Even then he kept his cool. "Some leading man you're turning out to be."
Vaan stepped back. "Since when am I the leading man?"
"You would be, if you would act it." Fran spoke.
Penelo ran to Vaan. "Why don't we get everything out in the open- to clear the air? No more secrets."
Fran walked up, and shook her head. "I think not."
Before anyone could ask why, Tomaj and Nono ran into the bridge. Both were panicked, "We're under attack!" Tomaj yelled. Vaan and Penelo turned around. "The Galbana's surrounded!"
Nono jumped, "Kupo!"
Tomaj pointed. "Everyone to your stations! Auda…"
"You want me out of the way?" Auda asked.
"No, you will be in the sky saloon, waiting for anyone who is wounded."
Auda nodded her head. Finally she could be useful. She ran off.
Auda didn't have many wounded, when the shaking had stopped. She looked out the window. She spotted ships. "Queen Ashe…" She spoke. "Tomaj!" She ran. "Look!"
"I got it." Tomaj ran off. Auda went to the settle bay waiting.
