Chapter Thirteen: The Letter
------------------------------------
Mama, she has taught me well
Told me when I's young
Son, your life's an open book
Don't close it 'fore it's done
The brightest flame burns quickest
That's what I heard her say
A son's heart's owed to mother
But I must find my way
Metallica - "Mama Said"
----------------------------------
Falco was sitting by his liquor cabinet, resting his eyes. He didn't have any intention of drinking anything from it, but being near it gave him peace of mind for some reason. It was one of those enigmatic things that can't be answered. The moon hung high in the sky, letting its bright white light enter the beach house from the all glass front. Numerous scars and bruises were now clearly visible on the avian's face, having given them time to form following the altercation.
Falco's eyes were pried open by the sound of something banging on the glass that interrupted the normal sounds of crashing waves. He turned his head to the left and saw Erika Hawksmund standing behind it, giving him a friendly wave. The red feathered bird had a gelled up fauxhawk that was fringed at the tip. On her person were some navy blue jeans that looked a little ratty, a red t-shirt covered by a green jacket. Her hazel colored eyes stared right into Falco's ocean blue.
"Hey Falco." She responded sweetly as he opened the door for her.
"Yo, thanks Erika, I'm glad you were able to come over here." He sighed. "I literally have nobody to talk to so I thought "What the hell, might as well try you."."
"Well thanks, it's been a bit of a drag since my little scouting mission on Zoness."
"Come on in…"
The two of them situated themselves in the kitchen, sitting down at the round wooden table situated in the corner. Falco got themselves a glass of water and set them down, making a loud "clank" echo through the room.
"Soooo, what's the problem?" She inquired while sipping her water.
"Well, one of our pilots got into some trouble and I kind of got into an argument with him. Fox told us off afterward." Erika didn't reply immediately, she expected more to come after it, but it never did.
"That's it?" He nodded back. "Umm, this seems like an open and closed situation. I assume you did something to cause this fight?" Falco didn't exactly answer back, but he did let a grunt escape his beak.
"Oh come on Falco. I think that this is one of those moments where you should man up and take some responsibility here." She placed a hand on his shoulder, causing the avian to stare over her way. "Do you really think you can just run away from your problems?"
"Maybe you're right Erika, I'll have to make amends with Wolf and the team some time soon. But for now, I think I'm gonna sleep it off." He felt kind of guilty for bringing her over on such short notice for a rather quick conversation. "Do you need a ride home?"
"Well, since I'm almost always actively moving from one place to another, I technically don't have anywhere to stay. I just got here today and haven't checked into any hotel yet so yeah…" Falco took her now empty glass and brought it over to the sink.
"Well I could save you the money and let you stay here. The couch in the living room folds out into a bed. I won't mind." Erika smiled at him and accepted the offer, which to her was a gesture that may or may not have suggested something more. This was not the reason Falco had in mind, but whatever the reason, she was happy since she would be free of the financial burden of staying in a crappy room.
"Thanks Falco…"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Near Corneria
The engines of the Great Fox III hummed along at a steady pace while most of the team slept in their quarters. However, two remained awake. In the lounge, Fox and Peppy were sitting by the television, looking at the blank screen. They hadn't spoken much since they were given their briefing for their recon mission on Fortuna. In fact, an odd silence had fallen over the team since Wolf and Falco parted.
Fox decided to break the silence. "Man, there's been so much shit happening, it's almost like the team is tearing itself apart." The hare began to twiddle his thumbs in thought.
"You know, when it was me, your father, and Pigma, I remembered so many times where Pigma and I would get into altercations and your father would be the peacemaker. Sometimes it would work , and sometimes it didn't. But in the end, we were all apart of the Star Fox team. Things like this will work out eventually." The talks about days past were becoming a common occurrence between the two of them, bringing forth great stories and the shedding of joyful tears.
"It's still hard to believe that it's been thirteen years since it all happened."
"To think you were a cocky eighteen year old," Peppy let out a great laugh that made him grab his side. "and now you're thirty one, and the leader of one of the finest groups of mercenaries I've ever seen. Things change so fast…" Fox himself was shocked as well with all the things he had done since his fathers passing. He had truly lived up to his fathers expectations.
"Peppy, you know that I never did open up that letter you gave me all those years back." Peppy looked up at Fox with curiosity. It was a letter from his father that was given to Peppy by James during his escape from Venom. It was passed on to Fox shortly after the news of his fathers passing. The two of them got up and went to the vulpine's quarters, where he opened up a safe located under his bed. Inside was a crinkled envelope that seemed to be thicker than usual, something else must have been inside.
"Open it…"
Fox slowly tore at the edge, making sure not to tear at whatever was inside. When it finally came open, he carefully dumped the contents out onto his bed. Out of the envelope came a pair of black shades that were once worn by his own father, and a letter that had seen better days. The sight of the shades alone brought the vulpine to tears. It had been so long since he had seen a single possession of his fathers, and this was the most iconic. He unfolded the paper and began to read the contents that were hastily scribbled inside.
My Son,
If you are reading this, I regret to inform you that it's probably too late for me. I was betrayed by my own teammate and have been taken prisoner by Andross. As much as I would like to go into detail about this, I don't have much time and I need to tell you some important things that you need to know.
Peppy has been my best friend for so many years, and I want you to treat him as if he was family. He will be the closest thing you will have. I want him to see you grow up into a great man who one day leads the greatest galactic militia in the entire Lylat System. If I can't live to see it happen, make sure he does. Your life is an open book Fox, don't close it before it's done.
You know that I have been a very busy man for quite some time, and I need you to know I have always tried my best to make sure you came first. Since Vixey's passing, it's been tough looking after you while trying to make a living as a merc. While I may not have said it to you enough through your childhood, I think now could be the last chance I get to say it. I love you son. A fathers love for his son never dies, no matter what the circumstances. Just remember one thing; never give up and trust your instincts. You'll make it through, that's what a McCloud knows what to do. I wish I could write more, but time is my enemy. Remember these words Fox…
Dad
Fox quietly folded the letter back up and put his head down, eyeing the shades that he contemplated on wearing.
"I won't father…" He sobbed while falling into Peppy's arms, much like he did those thirteen years ago.
"James taught you well Fox…" The hare mumbled while tightly gripping Fox. These were the moments that Fox missed, the moments that reminded him he still had someone who cared.