Disclaimer: See previous chapter
Chap. 8
The next day, Ky had awoken early from his slumber. Rising up from bed, he made his way to the nearby bathroom to wash up and then left to put his uniform back on. He would soon be leaving the pirate ship, just as he said he would. However, he would not depart until tonight. He had planned on leaving the night before, but his conversation with the captain the night before changed that.
"So you're leaving."
"Yes. It's time."
"Well, I understand that much." Johnny replied. "But perhaps you could hold off until tomorrow."
Blinking in question, Ky turned to look at Johnny. Instead of looking back, however, Johnny simply lifted his face to the sky. "Well, you wouldn't be able to give the proper farewell to everyone if you just left now, would you?" And the same would be for those who would want to say goodbye to you as well, don't you think?"
"I...suppose..." Ky stammered.
"Besides, I haven't given you the full Mayship treatment. At the least, you could get a proper dinner before you go."
Ky found himself shaking his head. This was completely unexpected. He would have thought that Johnny would have hurried to see him off (maybe not hurried, but perhaps eager). But instead, he's asking him to stay, for a little longer. But Johnny was right about one thing. It would be better to say goodbye tomorrow than now.
"I... I don't know what to say. You and your crew have already done so much for me."
Johnny gave him a careless shrug. "Well, let's just say I'm feeling generous."
Leaving the room, Ky still wondered about the reasons why Johnny wanted him to stay a bit longer. It wasn't that he didn't believe what the pirate captain. But he knew better than to take him at face value alone. He didn't know why, but he just felt as though there was an ulterior motive behind his request. Mentally, Ky shook his head. What was done was done. If there was more to what Johnny said, he would find out about it soon enough.
In the meantime...
Blinking, Ky realized that he had wandered further than he had thought. He had planned on heading to the outer deck (he had become quite fond of it), but had strayed into a large area instead. Judging from the tables and chairs, he guessed that it was the dining hall. He began to turn around and head back when he caught sound of light humming...
In the nearby kitchen, Dizzy was happily humming to herself as she washed the dishes. Normally, May or one of the others would be helping her, but many of the crew were occupied, although May said she would be by to help later. It was odd, for most people didn't think kindly to doing chores, but Dizzy felt differently and gladly took to her assignments. Even so, there were quite a few left to clean, but she didn't mind and continued to hum, with her tail swaying lightly to her own music.
At least until an arm came into view from her side...
Pausing, Dizzy turned and blinked in semi-shock when she saw Ky grab a nearby towel and begin to dry the dishes she had been washing. She watched him at first, surprised by his presence. She had planned on visiting him later on after she was done here. Even though Ky was better, they still met together to talk. So it was quite a twist that he would come to visit her.
It was nice...
Ky, meanwhile, continued to work on drying the dishes. It was the only option he seemed to be able to come up with after he had followed the source of the humming and found it to be Dizzy. Since the door was behind her, she didn't see him enter, so she didn't see him watching her from behind, entranced by her appearance. The uniform she wore left little to the imagination and he figured that was Johnny's doing. Aside from May and the cook, all of the women on the ship wore such clothing. It wasn't something he took note of at first, since he was recovering, but when his condition improved, he (blushingly) noticed this.
But on Dizzy, it was just cute...
Perhaps too cute, as he had been staring at her a moment longer that he thought was appropriate. He was pretty sure that his face was flushed when he realized that he was practically ogling her and upon diverting his eyes, he saw a dry towel as well as a rack of dishes still dripping wet. A more helpful thought presented itself and soon enough, he had moved over beside her and began going to work.
"Ky...?"
The officer turned to her with a smile. "I thought I'd help. It's the least I can do."
In the moment that their eyes met, the two of them froze. Her heart was beating faster than normal, but she didn't really notice this as she gazed at the crystalline blue of Ky's eyes. They were bright and striking, just like the lightning element that he wielded. But there was kindness and tenderness there too and... perhaps. She didn't really know how to describe it, but it filled her with warmth.
-"Oh my... Dizzy... Are you...in love with him?"-
Ky's mind was traveling along the same train of thought as Dizzy's. The young man had always been fascinated by her vermillion eyes, but to see such gentle emotion in them was almost too much, especially when she was close. It was as if he was entranced by her gaze and he couldn't resist it, even if he wanted to. It was as he had told Johnny before and more. They were the most human eyes he had ever seen.
They were also the most beautiful...
Both their faces burned red and the two quickly turned from each other and focused on the task at hand. Yet, that didn't wipe away the soft smiles that matched on their faces as they continued their work. After a minute, Dizzy began humming again, smiling wistfully as she did. Ky took a moment to sneak a glance, enjoying the expression of contentment on her face. But it wasn't until his eyes drifted down to her lips did he quickly look away, blushing once again as he saw where his thoughts were going.
While Ky was tormented by his thoughts, Dizzy tilted her head to look over at him. His face seemed to be flushed, but as for the reason why, she didn't know. Some time ago, she would have assumed that he was uncomfortable in her presence. In fact, he seemed to be more at ease around her than anyone else on board. The reminder of how he relaxed and smiled under her touch when he was ill came back to mind. It was strange for that to happen.
But also very flattering...
Unbeknownst to the pair, a smaller figure had entered the kitchen from behind, watched them, and quickly departed. She moved silently, placing her hands over her mouth to keep the giggles from coming out.
"Well, this is where we go our separate ways, eh officer?" Johnny said, standing beside the young man.
"It would appear so, captain."
Night had descended upon the skies once again. Ky and Johnny stood side-by-side in a lower level of the Mayship, where the dropships were held. Earlier the night, Ky joined the crew for dinner where he was the center of attention. The young officer felt a little overwhelmed by the (female) attention, but he took it in stride (as much as he could anyway). But one particular moment stuck in his mind and that was a moment after the food was served.
"Ky?"
"...Oh, yes?"
Sitting down beside him, Dizzy gave him a questioning gaze. "What were you doing?"
Ky returned the gaze, wondering she meant until he realized it when he thought back to his previous action before the meal. "I was praying."
"Praying?"
Ky smiled, seeing the curious gaze that came into Dizzy's eyes. "It's when you make a request to God and give thanks."
The young gear tilted her head in thought for a moment and then inquired further. "And what were you giving thanks for?"
"Many things." he replied, his gaze drifting away. "For being alive, for the captain for finding me when I was hurt, this crew for taking care of me, and..." His gaze returned to her and softened.
"...For meeting with you again..."
"So this is goodbye, huh?"
Turning his head, Ky faced a few of the crew that had came to bid him farewell. In the forefront were May, June and of course, Dizzy. Her eyes locked with his briefly and then lowered. Not noticing this, May approached Ky first and hugged him. Ky was surprised by this, but returned the gesture. May giggled as she parted from him.
"Maybe you can visit us one day."
Ky smiled at the girl and gave her a short nod. "Maybe."
June moved up next and hugged him as well. Ky wasn't as surprised as he was with May and easily returned it. June soon pulled away and her cheeks were a bit flushed as she smiled at him.
"Take care of yourself."
Again, Ky nodded and his gaze again fell upon Dizzy, whose head was still lowered. She just couldn't bring herself to look up at Ky; not to say goodbye. She had grown fond to his presence, delighted in talking with him about the world that he saw, and equally pleased when Ky took an interest in her tales. She would miss him; that much was clear. Still, she knew this had to happen.
Forcing a smile (a first for her), Dizzy strode toward Ky, her vermillion gaze settling with his crystalline eyes. Her heart raced as she approached, but she didn't stop until she was standing directly in front of him. His gaze seemed to be a mix of questioning and adoring, with the latter causing her cheeks to flush a little. Her smile became genuine as she spoke to him in a half-whisper.
"I will miss you, Ky."
Before he could respond, Dizzy leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on his cheek. She lingered for a bit before breaking off and turning about, completely stunning the young man and leaving his face lightly flushed. The crewmates around them all exchanged smiles and grins, with a few giggles to add into the mix. Johnny let out a cough to catch Ky's attention and quiet his crew a bit.
"Time to go."
Numbly, Ky nodded to the pirate captain and followed him into the dropship. By the time, Ky regained his senses, the smaller vessel had separated from the main ship. However, Ky found himself looking back at the Mayship as they began to fly away from it, a part of him hoping to catch a final glimpse of the winged young woman.
Not realizing that aboard the Mayship, Dizzy was searching for a glimpse of him...