Chapter 2: A new day at Port

Mama Edel awoke from her vision she kept seeing. It was not clear what was happening, all she kept seeing was Ahiru at Port crying for help. But her visions were usually like this. A little unclear, a few flashes here and there, maybe sound if she was lucky. But still, this was something Edel could not shake off.

The people of this troupe where her children, and the thought of anything happening to them struck fear into her heart. If this vision was right, she couldn't send Ahiru alone at Port anymore. She sighed upon realizing how stubborn Ahiru could be sometimes. This would be something she would not be happy with. Ahiru was 18 now, in other words a young woman. But there were moments she still behaved like a teenage girl, one that was hopeful, angry, over dramatic, and (of course) stubborn. She had to think of a way to convince Ahiru to go to Port with someone until this vision haunted her no more.

And with the Celestial Festival coming up, it was important to her that her whole family was present for that day.
Could it be that this vision be because of… no it couldn't, that was stopped of almost 15 years ago.
Edel fingered her red jewel that hanged from her head.
'These red gems are what define us as gypsies,' she thought, 'but simple people don't realize how much of a toll it takes on us.'

Then another thought crossed her mind.
Perhaps sending Jaden with Ahiru would make her feel safer.
She would have to tell them in the morning because right now, sleep (and possibly the vision) were calling back to her.

Ahiru walked back to Port with an annoyed face, and it was mostly because of who was walking with her.
Yes, Mama Edel finally came to that point to give Ahiru a chaperone. She could tolerate anyone, but right now, she was still pretty mad at how Jaden babied her the other day, and now Mama basically asked him to treat her like one for a while.

"Are you just going to keep pouting or are we going to talk about this?" Jaden asked trying to keep his cloak on.
Ahiru took a deep breath, "Well maybe I would if you stop carrying that cloak around. You're going to pass out from all the heat, and I don't plan on carrying you back to camp."

Jaden shrugged and slipped off the cloak.
"So… now we can talk?"
"I'm not happy with you treating me like a child!" Ahiru snapped, "You're the same age as ME! So stop acting like my father when I talk to people you don't like."

"I'm only like that because I want to protect you. I mean… we've known each other since… always. You know I want what's best for you."
Ahiru sighed, "I know you do. I just wish you wouldn't treat me like a child. You can be so over possessive sometimes."

"Right… I'll work on it, okay?" He gave a look that read 'please forgive me!'
She shook her head, "Okay. Let's go then." She tugged at his sleeve making move quicker with her steps.

The Port was more crowded than usual. No really, it was as if the whole place was jammed with new people. The crowd was so thick you couldn't push your way through. Oh no, you had ram your way through. And it wasn't before long that Jaden and Ahiru got separated.
Ahiru kept getting pushed and knocked all over the place, until eventually someone overpowered her and knocked her to the ground.

"Need a hand?" A familiar voice said.
Ahiru looked up to find Fakir.

She smiled and took his hand while he pulled her up.
"Why are there so many people today?" She asked, dusting off her skirt.
"Take a closer look at their jewelry."

Ahiru carefully scanned the crowd for something they all had in common. And then she spotted it… the red gem stone.
"They're gypsies!"
"You would be correct. Dictator Bradly made a big fuss of their presence in his land, so he ordered all the gypsies to be sent here. Thereby making life even more difficult for the people already living here while Bradly continues to build what he calls 'the perfect society'." Fakir spoke of Dictator Bradly with such distain. Besides being a good soldier, Fakir was also well rounded in politics being that he was councilman Mytho's favorite.

"So… he really only sees this place as a way to dump all his unwanted valuables." Ahiru hung her head, "Just another great reason to be a gypsy." Those words were said with such bitterness it was almost heart breaking.

He put his hand on her shoulder, "Hey, just because some guy who has his face plastered all over a bunch of walls and sits in some big chair, it shouldn't define your life."
Ahiru pushed his hand away, "I didn't choose this life Fakir. It was pushed onto me."
This time he put both hands on her shoulders, "I know that, but listen. There are those who actually do care about you. Take councilman Mytho for example. He actually cares what happens to everyone else."
"Because he's a councilman. He's supposed to!"
"Well… then take me for example. I didn't have to know you, I could have completely ignored you when we first met."

Ahiru raised her head up and looked at him, "Then… why didn't you?"
Fakir swallowed for a second, "Well… you kind of had this presence about you… something in how you behaved. There was just something that had… light to it. It was different from what I've known."

Her lips curled into a smile.
"There's that smile." He said rubbing her head, "And you better keep it if you're sticking around."
"What are you talking about?"
"I have to escort councilman Mytho and his wife councilwoman Rue to Emestress for another council meeting."
Ahiru's eyes went wide, "You… you mean… the two most powerful people in Gold Crown are going to be here?!"

Fakir silenced her quickly, "We don't want anyone to know." He whispered, "This meeting is very important."
"Why?" She whispered back.
"It's about the sky pirates. They attacked another cargo ship not too long ago. And word has it, they have a new member with a suppressed power."
"Re-really…?"
Fakir nodded, "But you didn't hear that from me."

"Hear what?" She said playfully while he smiled and pointed at her. "But wait…" She continued.
He gave her one those looks.

"What… what if they don't like me?"
"The council? Pssh, I'm sure they'll like you. I mean I like you…as a friend." He said quickly.

Ahiru, being completely clueless, did not catch that last part because she was immediately paralyzed by seeing Mytho and Rue approaching. Granted they were wearing cloaks, but let's be honest… they stick out more than Jaden does in his stupid cloak. They quickly cut and turned through the crowd and reached Fakir before anyone even noticed.

"Alright Fakir, we're ready- Wait." Mytho said noticing Ahiru stiff with fear, "You're not one of the new gypsies brought from Emestress, right?"
Ahiru completely lost all sense of thought at that moment. How do you speak again…?
Finally, Ahiru mustered up enough brain power to shake her head 'no'.

"Ah, I see. And you are not from Earthland?"
She shook her head again.
By this point Mytho's eyes lit up, "You're a native from Gold Crown! That's great!" He said taking her hand and shaking it.

Ahiru thought she was going to die!
What?
How?
Why?

She tried to open her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Fakir put his hand on her shoulder again, "I'm sorry Mytho, Ahiru is just kind of shy sometimes…"

"Your name is Ahiru?" Rue asked with a smile.
"Y…yes" She finally got out.
"That's a lovely name."
"Th… thank you…"
"I promise will find a way to make this life easier, Ahiru. It's just hard to convince my older brothers to see the good you and those like you can do." Mytho's grip got tighter.
"Older brothers…?"
"Yes, Bradly and Makarov are my older brothers. Who knows, maybe someday I can find a way for you to meet them." He let go of her hand and looked to Fakir, "I think it's time we go."

"Yes sir."
Mytho and Rue walked past them. Fakir quickly looked down Ahiru and whispered in her ear, "I'll see you later, okay?"
She nodded as he ran off.

Ahiru quickly immersed herself back into the crowd, and as luck would have it, she ran into Jaden.
"There you are!" He said letting relief wash over him, "What happened?" He said pulling her into a hug.
"Um… just got lost in the crowd is all. Can you believe there's so many gypsies in this one place?"
"I know. What do you think it all means?"

Ahiru kept quiet. If she told him what the reason was, he would suspect she was with Fakir. And she was NOT in the mood to hear him try to lecture her again!
"I don't know. Maybe they're here for the Celestial festival?"

He shrugged and took her writs, "I think we better tell Mama Edel."
Ahiru nodded in agreement.

The roar of the engine is heard throughout the ship. It's amazing how much metal echoes off of itself.
Down past the engine room, Fakir is speaking to Mytho and Rue privately.

"Fakir we would like to speak to you about your status as Sargent."
Fakir swallowed, Mytho sounded a little more on edge than usual.
"Very well sir."

Rue intertied her fingers and rested her chin on them, "You see Fakir, you're one of the best men we have. You have excellent fighting technique, great stealth, and a well-educated mind. However, we feel you lack in resources and connections. The more wide spread you are, then more will be offered to you. Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am."

"We would like for you to expand your knowledge of the people at port." Mytho continued, "Do you know anyone who could possibly help you with that?"

Fakir's thoughts quickly went to a certain red headed gypsy.
"Uh… yes sir, I do."
"Excellent! Then we should expect you to work with this person as soon as possible!" Mytho now seemed more at ease.
At least that was until the thought of his destination was upon him.
"Fakir, you are dismissed."
Fakir saluted his superiors and left the room. Mytho began massaging his temple when Rue took his hand.
"What's wrong Mytho?"
"I have a feeling Drosselmeyer and his sky pirates are going to end up being our responsibility."
"Well then. We'll be the country that can actually take down a bunch of hoodlems on a stolen air ship." She said using her thumb to rub his hand, "It's not like they forced us to do something that horrible before…" Rue trailed off, trying to suppress the memories.
"I know." He said placing his hand on top of her's.

A/N: Well, I am super glad to know that people really like this idea so far!
Comments? Suggestions? Just want to say hi?

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