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Aerrow

We all needed this break. Hell, even I was a little excited. I mean, this would be the first time I would go to Tropica for my own personal gain rather than for a mission. Though I can't entirely recalled going to Tropica for a mission, or seen anyone from Cyclonia there, that's hardly the point. None of us have been able to relax—and this place will be as good as any. Plus, whoever said I couldn't get to know the new teammate?

I still felt so bad, I felt that I needed to make it up to Kai… I wondered what would be best. What would take her mind off of watching a friend die? What would clear her mind of all the haunting images? I wanted to help, I honestly wanted to help.

However, all thoughts were cleared from my head when I saw Kai. Or rather, when I noticed her. Something was different… Was it her hair, or what she was wearing? Whatever was, Finn noticed too, and that sparked jealousy. I didn't like this feeling—it was a mixture of anger and hurt, neither of which felt all that great to begin with. I felt like I wanted to rip Finn's eyes out. I could tell the tension was mutual.

In order to stop an argument that could potentially be harmful, I had to leave the room. It was better that I got ready for the vacation, rather than sit there and spark trouble. I looked at myself in the mirror and questioned my sanity. Why now? What was it about Kai that changed in my eyes? It was so strange…

Once I was ready, however, I waited on the bridge for the rest. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the hanger door had been jarred open. Though as I got up to close it, I wondered if anyone had gotten out there. To be safe, as to not lock anyone outside, I stepped beyond the door, making sure it hadn't closed behind me.

Far out on the very edge of the landing strip sat Kai, her legs over the edge, her unorthodoxly long hair flying in the wind. She was entirely unsheltered from the wind, and travelling at the speeds we were, she was lucky to not be picked up and blown away. I laughed at the mental image that brought.

Carefully, I stepped out beyond the safety of the port and walked out onto the strip, balancing myself and planting my feet firmly with each step. Once I was safely behind her, I was careful not to startle her—I couldn't afford another accident, and I wouldn't be able to catch her in time if she fell.

"You're awfully noisy," she laughed, glancing over her shoulder, "for someone who is sneaking up behind me in such a loud environment." She gently rested her hand on the empty metal next to her—an invitation.

I took my next few steps carefully, making sure I didn't fall over the edge myself. "How long have you been out here?"

She hummed, barely audible above the wind. "About an hour, maybe… How long are we docking at Tropica?"

"A few days… I don't want to stay too long, but I know we need this… Kai, you need this."

She looked toward me, her bangs flying over her eyes.

"It was wrong of me to send you to the academy cold—no training, no experience, barely any time to even learn the ropes… My biggest fear was that you would be harmed. Unfortunately, you were. However, that wasn't the only fear I had. Without any true instruction from me, or any of us… corruption was my second fear. They're so tough… They brainwash those kids, I saw it firsthand. Kai, I know you told me not to bring it up anymore, but I really need to know what they taught you down there."

She looked away from me. "Aerrow," she sighed, smiling. "We're on vacation… Can't it wait?"

"Fine," I smiled back. "Then I guess I won't tell you what you said in your sleep."

She froze. Maybe she forgot? Good, this would be the perfect opportunity. I didn't want her to obsess over it—in fact, I wish I didn't have to bring up the Cyclonian academy. But I needed to tell her fact from fiction, I needed to clear the doubt. We were right, we were good, and they… were not. I just needed to erase any lies they had implanted, if any had stuck.

But not now… Kai wouldn't allow it. I accepted that.

"Tell me," she demanded.

I shook my head, gazing at the passing terras.

"Tell me, or I'll push you off!" She pressed her hand to my back. Her warm touch transferred through my jacket. Though I hadn't changed into my uniform this morning, I was in the habit. I knew the team wouldn't think twice about wearing their uniforms without prior knowledge—even Kai was nice enough to think about her uniform. But I knew, so I had worn my jeans, my tee shirt, and my brown leather jacket.

It was odd that I could feel her warmth through the jacket. Maybe it was psychosomatic? Either way, my heart rate picked up, anxious.

"Don't you dare!"

"Tell… me…" She tapped her index finger against my back, impatient.

"Kai, I honestly rather not," I told her. "We're friends," I looked at her. "I… don't want to jeopardize that."

"I was the one that said it, I think I have the right to know."

I sighed. "Kai, I don't know what you were dreaming, I have what you said entirely out of context. Yes, you have the right to know, but without the rest of the conversation it could be taken any way."

She kicked her feet in the air, slowly removing her hand from my back. "If I guess right… will you tell me?"

I nodded slowly.

"Was it about me?" When I shook my head, she continued. "Finn? My dad? My…. My mom?" She froze. "… You?"

I slowly glanced toward her.

"What the hell could I have said that would be so bad?"

I laughed. Honestly, the word love has been tossed around so much these days, it has lost much of its meaning. Plus, like I had said it had been entirely out of context. In her little dream realm, she could've been thanking me for something… Who knows…?

"You… had said you loved me," I smiled.

"Ha… ha ha…" She smiled, beginning to laugh at my stupidity. "Really? And that's bad…?"

"I told you, it's entirely—"

"I know, I know," she laughed. "Aerrow, like you said, it could've meant anything. The only thing about that dream that I remember is a large chocolate ice cream cake."

I was quick to let the conversation drop, not giving it a chance to become potentially awkward. Looking down, I had the perfect subject change. I reached over and covered her eyes.

"Aerrow—!"

"Guess where we are…."

Slowly, she pulled my hand from her eyes, looking below her. "Tropica…"