Chapter 9
The house was silent, as people were sleeping…everyone was calm, and the T.V. was at a low volume. Robin was asleep on the couch, as she snored a bit. Samus tiptoed in, going outside to see Ryu. He smoked a cigarette, drinking some wine. He laughed a bit to himself as he smoked his cigarette. He had on a silk robe, that was opened part of the way. Samus came outside, she looked innocent in a dress, a calico dress, while she held her milk.
"Hey, Samus". "Baby girl, I'm so happy you're home". Ryu said, gently with some suave to his voice. "Come give me a kiss, baby girl". "Daddy's excited you're home". Ryu chuckled as he said this.
"Ok". Samus said, as she came to Ryu. Ryu chuckled, kissing Samus's cheek with softness. "How was your night out with Joco?". "Did you have fun?". Ryu asked, gently with kindness.
"We did". Samus said. "I had some noodles, and he had Gyudon, but everything was good". "We enjoyed it". "It was at the Ayakashi stand over by where the supermarket is".
"Mm, I love the Ayakashi stand". Ryu said, gently. "They have some nice Udon, and Peking, it is a great place for luxury". "That's pretty odd considering it's a little food stand with tiny booths". He chuckled as he said this.
"Well, Robin and I decided to have some fun this evening…we opened a bottle of wine, and had some chocolate…we decided to pop some bubble wrap, it was lovely the time we spent". "We were so in love, it was tenacious". "We love our private time a lot". "That led to….a lovely bubble bath, and some candles". Ryu said, suavely, with movement to a luscious voice, and a wink "mm, we do it right…we had some fun….some eccentric, prolific fun". Ryu then did a silly accent. As if he was Mr. Peanut, or a sophisticated cartoon character.
"Ok…nice". Samus said, as she and Ryu shared a laugh. "But in any aspect, how are you, sweetie?". Ryu asked, gently as he returned to normalcy. "I'm doing well..I'm having a better night, I'm just…tired, that's all". Samus said. "I've been tired for a while".
"Mm, well you can always sleep in our room with us". "The sofa bed is yours, and I might put some milk, and cookies by it, in case you get hungry". Ryu said, gently with kindness. He sipped his wine, as he swirled his wine in the glass a bit. It was like watching a fun, chateau, luscious Iyami, (Osomatsu Kun fame, 1965) with princess Zelda, wearing a silk robe, or a bow tie, and drinking Murlough Etre. Iyami, the luxurious peddler, swirling his wine, doing a weird, cartoony accent. He thinks he's so smart.
"Want some milk and cookies?". "I have some in the kitchen…and I have some sorbet we can split". Ryu said, kindly with gentleness. "I guess I can have sorbet". "Joco and I kind of had Tiramisu that we sort of split". Samus said. "It was good…he shared some of his, and it had a lot of good things in it…for Oat Ice cream".
"I love Tiramisu". Ryu said, with a gentle, dreamy hum to his voice. "Tiramisu, and sorbet". "Sorbet is nice with a lil whipped cream". "I've tried that, with some creme de mint, it tastes very nice". "Robin and I had some sorbet with creme la creme this evening". "It tasted sensational". "I like sorbet with a lil whipped cream, and cherie on it". "It's a nice meal to have on a luxurious evening". "We needed a bit of luxury, in between the baby, and the housework". "But we got it all done early, Sasuke went to sleep, and we had a nice night in". "Didn't cost us a thing".
"That's nice". Samus said. "I kind of used to have luxurious evenings when I was younger, but it was kind of…I don't know…odd".
"We used to have banquets, and I used to go to officials' houses, and have cake, or pie, we'd do black tie events". "It was ok…I guess".
Ryu chuckled, as he smoked his cigarette. "You were in the big leagues, huh?". "You did a lot of things for the Federation…that's nice, but every once in a while, you have to treat yourself". Ryu said, kindly. "I used to treat Robin to dinner, and a bottle of wine…but we never could afford anything extravagant like cruises, or mansions". "We just had fun with what we had". "We were ok with it". Ryu chuckled a bit as he said this. "Sometimes, a little luxury is necessary".
"That's nice". Samus said. She and Ryu shared a chuckle. "Hmm, your lips look a lil red". "Did someone have their first kiss this evening?". Ryu asked, kindly with gentleness as he smirked a bit. "I did have my first kiss…Joco and I kissed a couple times, actually, before, and after dinner". Samus said. "That's lovely, sweet pea". "You and Joco are officially it, huh?". "One hot item". Ryu said, kindly with suaveness, and panache, as he smirked, winking. "Yes…one hot item…in your own way of stating it". Samus said, as she and Ryu chuckled again. "But it was nice…Joco had this kind of…look in his eyes….I guess it was the kind someone gets when they're deeply in love with someone". "When I say they're in love…like they're so in love, they just turn into a weird, gooey version of themselves". Samus said, as Ryu chuckled.
"Your choice description is exquisite". Ryu said, kindly and with panache as he swirled the wine in his glass. He and Samus laughed again. "But it's nice that you and he are in love". Ryu said, kindly. "You and he, deserve so much…and I wish the best for you both". "I know he loves you a lot, and he wants the best for you". "I've seen him get that look in his eye when he's in love". "He's someone with a lot of skill, and strength…he can protect you very well".
"I'm sure". Samus said, as she drank her milk. "Let's have some sorbet, sweet pea". Ryu said, kindly with gentleness. Samus nodded. Ryu came outside with two sundae dishes of sorbet, one strawberry, one lemon, as he brought them outside. "Here we go, one for my lambie pie, one for her cuddly bear". Ryu said, gently. They ate their sorbet. "So, right, as I was saying, Joco does have that look about him that just tells someone how much he's in love with them". "He's been in love with you, for as long as he can remember". "He loves seeing you, he loves talking with you, he's just so in love with you…because you and he have had similar experiences". Ryu said, kindly with softness. "He lost his birth parents when he was young, he's had a rough, brute childhood, he's been through so much…just as you have…and when he's spent time, and talked to you…he's found someone that truly understands him, and his experiences". "He is gifted, just like you are, and he knows he's found a mind that thinks alike to his". "I know sometimes, when we find someone similar to us, it doesn't balance out, as magically, but we still find someone, and we know that there is love there…there is a mutual interest, and there is hope". "Even if we go astray at some point".
"You and Joco were meant for each other…and I believe, that when the time comes, you will spend a nice deal of time, being with him, and experiencing all sorts of ups and downs in your relationship". "Remember that, you are the decision maker, still". "You still have your independence, even though you're in a relationship". "You can still say no to whatever comes up". Ryu said, gently with kindness. "Marriage is its own line of boring adulthood, and you'll get there, but for now, enjoy the youth, and fun, the magic of dating". "Enjoy being young while you're still here at this life point". "Being young is the best".
"And you both are still holding hands and kissing…nothing more". Ryu emphasized, gently with prompt firmness. "Yes sir, I know". Samus said, as she and Ryu found themselves caught in a moment of seriousness. They ate their sorbet, as Samus enjoyed the rich, tart, sweet, acidic, sour taste. It was like eating, and enjoying a piece of summer.
"This is really good". Samus said. "It is really good…I love sorbet for the most part". "I eat that after pizza, or steak, or even a ham, salami, and cheddar cheese sandwich". Ryu said, gently as he and Samus laughed. "But it is good, and I'm glad you're enjoying it". Ryu said, kindly. Samus lifted her spoon, getting in another bite. "How did you and Robin meet?". Samus asked.
"We met at the hospital where she worked". Ryu said, kindly. "I was the director of maintenance, for the computers, and hospital beds, as well as different materials besides technology that they used in the pediatric wing". "We met, dated for a while, several years, then got married when we found the time to". "We haven't been out of the country for our honeymoon, but we did go to Nagasaki for a few days". "It is beautiful over there". "Nice beaches, warm breeze, ramen shops, and a nice resort". "It was the perfect place".
"You were here when Robin was pregnant, weren't you?". Ryu said, kindly. "She was pregnant with Sasuke, you went to the baby shower, and helped us get the nursery ready". "Perhaps…?".
"I do remember that, yes". Samus said. "I remember being in charge of everyone's invitations to the baby shower". "Then, I remember when she had her baby, going to the hospital, and seeing him". "That truly was an amazing sight….a wonderful, inspired sight….kind of like when I raised the baby metroid when it hatched and was born".
"Hmm?". Ryu inquired as he backtracked on what Samus had just said. "Oh, well….when I was on a mission…on planet Delza, in the Andromeda Galaxy, there was a bunch of Metroids that had been hatched, and were wandering around….they are parasites, but they have gone extinct at this point". "They were a result of an experiment conducted by the space pirate Elitist scientists".
"I found a hatchling, raised it as my own, and named it…but after a short period….it died after being attacked". "I guess that was pretty valuable to me at the time because it reminded me of the maternal warmth my mom gave to me before she passed away". "I don't know…it was just…kind of….sad when the baby metroid died because….it reminded me a lot of when my parents died". Samus said, sniffling.
"You've had it tough when you were away….away from us, on other planets, fighting for the Federation, bounty hunting, taking orders from people who never gave you warmth or comfort". "You had a hard life, huh….?". Ryu said, softly with gentleness as his silk rustled.
"I did…and I guess I've been told that I've been raised by the Chozo….a bird race that didn't even care about me….that didn't even love me". Samus said. "Before Zebes was destroyed, when I went back to see the leader of the Chozo, I asked if they kind of…noticed that I was gone….and the leader kind of ignored me, and brushed me off". "When I asked if he loved me, or even cared about me, he told me to get out of his sight, and threatened me". "He told me to get off of his planet, or I would be killed". "He was a cold guardian, that wanted nothing to do with me, even though he was the one that raised me, and brought me up after my planet was destroyed". "I grew to hate him, but at the same time, I still had that attachment to him because he was the one that raised me". "It was like I was the child waiting for her parent to come back".
"I don't know….I've been through a lot…and even though the Chozo never kissed, or hugged me, even though they performed sick experiments on me, I still considered them my guardians". "I don't understand why….but it just was what it was". Samus said. "I don't know why I even forgave them after they hurt me….sometimes, I don't know why I even forgave them at all". Samus sniffled as she said this. "I know it was the wise thing to do….and I'm happy I did it…but I guess…I kind of still am angry at them". "They hurt me…and I'm not a normal person because of them". "I don't know….it just makes me mad, that's all". Samus sniffled, blinking back tears.
"It might be hard to look past, but it's easy to talk about it". Ryu said, gently with softness. "You're so brave for talking to me about this….you're such a strong person…are you sure you're ok with it?". Ryu's voice softened. "No, I'm ok". Samus said. "I guess…I guess I kind of…am angry…I forgave Ridley, I forgave the Chozo, I've forgiven everyone…but…it is hard for me". "Nothing is easy anymore…and even though I've tried, I still think about it from time to time…and I can't believe what happened". "I don't know….it just hurts me, that's all". "I guess…it was kind of hard". Samus sniffled.
"I understand, sweetie". Ryu said, softly with gentleness. "How do you feel about taking your medicine….your cannabis, and your melatonin?". "Do you feel ok with it, or do you feel uneasy?".
"I like my medicine because it helps with my PTSD". Samus said. "I haven't had a nightmare in a while, and I like taking melatonin, because it helps me sleep through the night". "I'm ok…but I sometimes wake up, and wander around because I can't get back to sleep".
"I sleep through the night, now". Samus said. "That's lovely". Ryu said, softly with kindness. "Do you feel tired during the day….or anxious….how does the medicine usually make you feel?".
"It makes me feel tired, but I like being relaxed, and tired". Samus said. "It helps me in school so I don't cry, or have nightmares during the day…it helps me get through a school day, it also helps me when I feel kind of depressed". "I'm not depressed anymore, but every once in a while, I'll have an intrusive thought".
"What are your thoughts when they're intrusive?". Ryu whispered, gently with kindness. "I guess…when I have an intrusive thought….it's usually me thinking about the Chozo, or the Federation…I think about Ridley, and the space pirates". "I think about my mom and dad…I think about….the monsters dying, there's a lot I think about". Samus said. "Does it make you upset, or fearful?". Ryu whispered, gently. "Kind of…it used to". Samus said. "Sometimes, when we have thoughts like that, we tend to feel upset, or saddened…we feel scared". "I feel scared sometimes, too". "But sometimes, medicines like Cannabis, and melatonin, something natural, helps us see past the trauma, and the upsetting thoughts, and see clarity". Ryu said, softly in a gentle whisper. The rasp to his voice came through. Smoker's rasp. "I like taking medicine like that, for anxiety". "I used to get anxious, too, before I had Sasuke". Ryu whispered, gently.
"Robin would sometimes get anxious, and scared when she held Sasuke for the first couple of days". Ryu whispered, gently. The sound of his cigarette tapping ash out, and singing was heard. Mmm, reader, there's nothing like the whisper of an altruistic man, and the sound of his cigarette burning, while he taps ash. Mmm, there are moments when smokers can be the kindest people.
"Robin got anxious, and sad when she held Sasuke to her, when he was first born". "And at first, I didn't know it…but one of Robin's friends told us that every new mother has those feelings when she first has a baby". Ryu whispered, gently, as he tapped ash from his cigarette. "It's called Postpartum depression, and sometimes, new mothers have their babies, and feel different because their hormones change". "Their bodies are different, their minds are different…having a baby takes a lot out of them". "Robin has to take medicine now to help her when she feels sad, and anxious as well".
"Robin feels anxious like I do?". Samus asked, with a small fragility and innocence to her voice. "She does, and sometimes, she gets so bad, that she has to lie down for a while". "But she's better, and she takes her medicine every day". Ryu whispered, gently. He smoked a bit of his cigarette. "Do you feel anxious sometimes….or do you feel like you're in danger?". Ryu whispered, gently. "I used to, but I don't anymore because of me taking my medicine". Samus said. "But I used to have nightmares during the day".
"How did you feel when you had a nightmare… or a flashback?". Ryu whispered, kindly. "When I used to have flashbacks, I'd scream really loudly, I'd start crying, I just…I got anxious to the point where I couldn't even stand up". "I kind of….I remember rocking back and forth on my hands, just like how I used to when I was 3, and I lost my parents". Samus said, with fragile innocence, and vulnerability to her voice. "I remember you would rock back and forth when you were sad, or scared". "I remember seeing you in your room once, you perhaps didn't know I was looking, and you rocked back and forth on your hands after a nightmare". "You did that to self stimulate after losing mommy and daddy". Ryu whispered, gently.
"Sometimes, when babies are traumatized, and they aren't hugged, kissed, or held, they rock themselves to sleep". "When I first saw you again, you were so traumatized, you were rocking yourself to sleep". Ryu whispered, gently. The silk of his robe rustled a bit, as some of his chest hair was revealed. "I felt so bad for you, I wanted to come in, pick you up, hold you, and kiss your head…tell you it was ok". "I want to protect you, for as long as I get to do that".
"You're my baby girl…you're my best friend…and I feel so bad that you went through so much trauma after your planet was destroyed". "I feel bad for you to this day…and I want to help you, in any way I can". "That's why I adopted you….because you're my amazing, strong, wonderful cousin who can do anything…even though she experienced trauma". "I love you more than anyone….you and Robin share the spot of people I love most". "I will always love you". Ryu whispered, kindly. Ryu sniffled a bit, as he smoked his cigarette. "Are you ok?". Samus asked.
"A bit…I just feel sad for you because you had a rough childhood, and a hard life". "Cuddly bear is sad, that's all". Ryu whispered, gently. "You don't have to feel bad for me…I'm ok". Samus said. "I kind of….I don't let it bother me, anymore".
"I understand, and I'm ok, too". "But it's hard for me not to feel bad when you have experienced so much". "I want to help you, and be there for you in a way that they weren't". Ryu whispered, gently. "You deserve so much…I want to make it ok for you". "In any way possible".
"Ok". Samus said, as she glanced up at Ryu, while she drank her milk. "I love you, sweet pea". "I want you to be ok, in every way possible". "Because you mean so much to me". Ryu whispered, gently. "Thank you". Samus said. "You ok, lambie pie?". Ryu whispered, kindly as he finished his cigarette, blowing out the last puff of gray smoke. "I'm ok…I'm fine". Samus said. "Everything is kind of ok".
"Why kind of?". Ryu whispered, gently. "I don't know….because…because…I don't know". Samus said. "Perhaps because talking about your past was hard?". Ryu whispered, gently. "It was…in a way". Samus said. "I understand". Ryu whispered, in kindness.
"It's always hard to talk about things that bother us….and it's even harder to come to terms with what we know to be true". Ryu whispered, gently. "But everything is ok, now". "Remember that it is gone now, and it won't come back…ever again". "You'll be ok, Samus". Ryu smiled a kind smile as he ate the last bit of his sorbet. "How do you know it won't come back?". Samus asked, innocently as she looked up at Ryu. "Because I know our past….I know how much you've learned, and how much you've gained from learning". "You're so smart, and you're so indelible". "I believe you can do anything…and I will always be beside you, making certain that you're ok". "You will be ok…because you are a learner". "You've gained so much". Ryu said, softly with gentleness. Samus nodded. Ryu gave Samus a kiss on both of her cheeks, gently. "I will always love you, darling". "For as long as you're beside me". Ryu whispered, kindly. "My best friend….my lambie pie". He and Samus smiled. "Thank you". Samus said. Samus glanced around as she felt love, kindness, and altruism come to call. It was something she liked.
That's what the era focused on, was altruism. Samus felt it, in every aspect of every day. She was so thankful she was a part of it. In truth, she felt respected due to it. She felt like she could give respect, in every way it was earned. She truly had learned a lot.
"Let's go inside now, and get ready for bed". Ryu said, gently with soft kindness. "It's time to get ready, so we should head in". Ryu smiled a soft, gushy, kind smile as he collected the things that were outside at the time.
"Ok". Samus agreed as she walked inside with Ryu. Ryu took out some medicine as he helped Samus swallow her cannabis oil. "Here's some more milk, sweetie pea". Ryu said, softly with gentleness. "Thank you". Samus said, as she drank some almond milk. "Want to sleep in our room with us, sweet pea?". "Robin's on the couch, so you and I can talk and cuddle". Ryu whispered, gently. "Sure". Samus said, as she followed Ryu. Ryu helped Samus dress into her pajamas, as he kissed both of her cheeks. "Ready for bed, sweet pea?". Ryu asked, gently with softness. "I am ready". Samus said. Ryu smiled a gentle smile, as he led Samus into the other room, his, and Robin's room, as Samus curled up. "Goodnight, baby girl". "I love you so much". Ryu whispered, gently with softness as he kissed Samus's cheeks, massaging her stomach one last time. Samus felt the gentle touch, felt the softness as she closed her eyes, allowing for sleep to march on through. The tickles, the nuzzles, the love was in a good solidarity as she slept. It was something she herself, could rely on.
Samus slept, feeling that tomorrow was a better, newer day. Days after it, would be just as compelling. Goodnight.