Chapter 3: Font Type
By the time Lightning returned to Snow's house, it had already been decided that we would depart straight from there. No one seemed to care that I was completely out of the loop. Anyone's only concern was whether Serah would be fine by herself. She, steadfast as ever, reminded Snow that she wasn't technically alone. If an emergency arose, Dajh could easily run next door to get Gadot.
So, we found ourselves shuffled and chauffeured across town and into Rygdea's personal transport. He'd parked the hideously utilitarian vehicle by the train station. Welded patches covered the turd. If this was something the man trusted for his own use, what kind of monstrosities were the rest of the military using? I tried to ignore the airbrushed woman's silhouette near the bay doors. It had been used to mask a rusted, pitted swath of metal. Instead of looking sexy, it felt like I was entering a diseased brothel.
Thankfully the inside of the ship was up to my standards. The seats were clean and the computer monitors lit up properly. I followed Lightning in, but she sat in the seat adjacent to Rygdea. This forced me to sit in the second row with Snow. Somehow, Sahz had found himself alone in the last row. He didn't mind and casually pulled reading material out of one of his many pockets.
"I didn't get a chance to ask earlier, but what were you and Sis doing at her house all that time?" Snow said in his horribly loud whisper.
"Picking up her things," I said, scrolling through the screen in front of me.
"Nope. Not what I was asking. I meant what was the thing she was showing you? Both of you jumped straight out of your skin when I came in the room." He leaned in and spoke in a proper whisper this time.
"Just a thunder spell. That's all."
"If you don't tell me, I can always just ask her."
"Leave it, Snow. She was showing me a thunder spell. That's it. That's all. There's nothing more. I've had enough of everyone antagonizing me about the extent of her and my friendship." I accidently tapped a button too firmly and set off warning beeps.
Lightning snapped around at the noise, but Snow waved her off. Resting his arm on his console, he relaxed and peered at me. Once I'd given up and powered down my monitor, he finally spoke.
"I am a veritable font of advice. You can always talk to me. I know you're closest to Lightning. But sometimes, she might be too close to the source to be of any help. Am I right?"
"No." I closed my eyes and leaned back in to my chair. "And I'm astonished you even know what a 'font' is."
"I admit, I had to look it up after we visited the Font of Namva." He patted at my knee. "See, I'm honest. I won't lie to you."
"I never said there was a problem."
"Your fried computer tells a different story."
The only other time I'd been on board the Lindblum, I hadn't been able to admire its scope. The ship was easily large enough to house the entire population of New Bhodum. As it was, the place was manned by a skeleton crew. Most of the Guardian Corps, like Lightning and her unit, were stationed on land. Their time was better served protecting the populace from monsters and clearing debris from ruins.
While New Bhodum had been built fresh, the Capital had been an expansion of some ancient city. It was located at a higher elevation than the surrounding land. Like the outcroppings of the Steppe, Titan's volcanic reach had spread farther across Pulse than anyone had expected. The plateau of the Capital had been composed of various rocks and tuff. The original inhabitants had carved into and enhanced natural caves and pits of the rock face.
Just like Paddra, the city served as vantage point for the entire canyon. But, the buildings were too compact for the people of Coccoon's needs. We used the pit-houses for storage, and extended our modern settlement to the land above.
It was common knowledge at this point that the Lindblum was currently a hub for small exploration units. Just as we had docked, a team arrived in their own ship. From the way they excitedly dragged Rygdea away, they'd found a promising location for a new settlement.
"Guess that means it's my job to show you around," Sazh said, stretching his arms before lifting his suitcase.
"We've actually all been here before," Snow said, grabbing both his and Lightning's luggage.
"Sure, but I doubt you know where all the facilities are. For example, Soldier girl here won't be staying with us. We bunk in the guest rooms this way," he said, pointing down a hallway. "But she's military, and a woman. So she's that-a-way." He pointed in the opposite direction down a seemingly identical hallway.
The rest of the day flew by as Sazh directed us all over the ship. We had lunch in the dining hall, took showers, and then Snow and I agreed to pester Lightning. While he and I shared a room and Sazh bunked up with a fellow contractor, she was given private quarters. Positive that Rygdea was giving her preferential treatment, I sulked on her bed.
"Hope, it's already late. We've missed dinner and who knows what time Rygdea is going to want us tomorrow," Snow said, leaping beside me onto the bed. "Damn. Does this thing have feathers? You know Hope and I are basically on cots, right? Changed my mind. We're spending the night here." Snow said, fluffing a pillow and snuggling into it.
"Get your ass out of my bed," Lightning said, glaring at us from her desk. "I don't know specifics either, but I have a load of paperwork to finish." She powered down her computer. "So go, before someone comes in. While I couldn't care less about you staying here, the other women next door would definitely take issue. Especially with the way you snore, Snow."
"And sleep talk," I added, thinking of my inability to rest last night.
"Fine. Way to gang up on me." Snow slunk off the bed. "We'll see you in the morning, Sis."