Chapter 3: Learning a little bit everything

All was quiet in the night sky.
Even though the antigravity shell was activated, Drosselmeyer's ship still rocked with the wind.

All of his crew were asleep, except for Drosselmeyer and another man whose bare feet would echo throughout the walls making it seem almost impossible to keep quiet.

This man was Drosselmeyer's second in command. He was a man no older than 19. His long dark scraggly hair would have fallen in his face had he not tied most of it back. His fairly chiseled face could have fooled anyone into thinking he was a "good guy". However, noticing the scares and other injuries he was just so proud to show off, it was clear this young man had been thought a lot serving by Drosselmeyer's side.

He came up behind the captain, who at the moment was watching their new recruit.

"He awake?" The young man said stiffly.
"No." Drosselmeyer says flatly, "Sleeps with his eyes open."

The young man shivered just looking at the shadowed figures blood red eyes.
"You sure we can trust this guy?" The man asked his captain, "I mean, he just says he carries locked away power and we're just going to trust him?"

Drosselmeyer stroked his beard, "Envy, have ya' ever heard of a people who could breathe in shadows?"

Envy spat to the side, "Sounds like one of 'em gypsy legends, sir."
Drosselmeyer laughed, "We ani't that much different from gypsies Envy. And if this guy plans on sticking around, ya' better start believin' in them."

The sun barely began to rise when Mytho and Rue's ship had arrived at Port. Funny thing, is that even at the beginning hours of the morning Port was still busy.

Mytho sighed while they pulled into the ship yard, "So much for trying a different approach. Now not only do we have to take care of gypsies, but now were on pirate duty."

Rue joined him at the arm, "We'll just have to make the most of it."
Mytho kissed her head. She was right, this could be an opportunity to make Gold Crown stronger. For now, they just had to wait…

Fakir walked up behind the two, "Sir, we are at shore."
"Thank you Fakir. And I hope you remember what I told you."
"Yes sir."

Mytho and Rue disappeared in the crowd. Fakir merely stood and breathed in to fumes from the landing and departing ships. The air always tasted so disgusting, but it was the only air Fakir really trusted. Emestress and Earthland had their perks, but there was always something off about their way of life.

He scanned the crowd for threats as Mytho and Rue continued their way through until they were out of his line of sight.

And just at that moment, who better to come into his view than the certain gypsy he needed to talk to.
However, he saw someone gripping her hand for dear life.

It was a boy not much younger than Fakir with short curly blonde hair and bright green eyes.
However, he held onto Ahiru, refusing to let anything happen to her.

Ahiru's eyes met Fakir's. Her face brightened which made Fakir's heart skip.
Ahiru quickly used her incredible flexibility and was able to slip right out of Jaden's grasp without his notice.

She ran up to meet him.
"I was worried I wouldn't see you today."
Fakir looked back at the boy she escaped from, "So who's that? Your boyfriend or something?"

She looked disturbed having heard this, "Jaden?! No, he's my brother."
Fakir raised an eyebrow. "You don't look related."
"Well…" Ahiru began to shift uncomfortably, "He's not really my brother. I was abandoned as a child. When I was three years old out in the city, I found him. He didn't have a family ether, because he also had an unnatural ability. We stuck together all this time. Protecting each other, surviving together, living… we did everything together for almost a year. By then, mama Edel found us and took us in as gypsies. We stood the trials, were given our stones, and made a living within that troupe." She fingered the gem that was centered at her hand, "But the funny thing about this gem, it was almost like a way into the family. But it always felt kind of off… as if cutting off more than usual…"

Fakir looked at Ahiru as if seeing her for the first time. He knew the life of a gypsy was hard but this… was just… unbearable. To think someone so young and hopeful could have to succumb to such a horrible past.
"Ahiru… I-I had no idea…" He whispered.
She brushed back a loose strand of hair and smiled, "But its okay now. I have a family and a home and…" she took his hand, "and I have you. What more could I need?"
He smiled at her, "I guess that's true. Speaking of which, I need your help with something."

Ahiru gazed at him curiously, "What? A soldier in need of a gypsy's help? What is this world coming to?!" She said sarcastically.
"Very funny," He responded, "Listen. Councilman Mytho said I need to learn more about Port and meet more people here in order to expand my knowledge. And since you know everything there is to know about Port… would you be willing to show me around?"

Ahiru gave him a mischievous smile, "You really want to know about Port?"
"Yes, I do."
Her smile softened as she took his hand, "Then we have a long day ahead of us!"

The day mostly consisted of avoiding Jaden, Ahiru pointing out different people and introducing certain ones to him, and even looking at certain merchandise.
Oh, and Ahiru pulling Fakir all over the place.

"This is the last booth for today. But you still have a lot to learn." Ahiru said very much like a mother would.
Fakir couldn't help but smile, "Yes ma'am."

This booth was off to the back and rather plain looking. Behind the counter was a man possibly in his early 40's. He looked like a rather gentle kind of man and everything around him was rather… primitive.
In front of him was a collection of what looked like rocks.
So… why did Ahiru what to show Fakir this?

"Karon!" She said running up to the booth.
The man smiled at her, "Well hello there Ahiru. Glad to see you're still around. But I thought I saw Jaden asking about you. Haven't caused any trouble now, have we?"

Ahiru only smiled, "Do you really think I could cause any trouble?"
Karon laughed, "I guess not." He looked up to see Fakir, "And who are you sir?"

Ahiru grabbed Fakir's arm and pulled him closer to the counter, "This is Fakir. He's a very good friend of mine."

"You befriended a soldier huh? Why am I not surprised."
"So what do you make a trade for?" Fakir asked unsure of what else to say.

"These are rare and unique minerals. It's more popular with gypsies though. That's where most of my business lies. However, I do make a few weapons for the Navy. Take your pistol for example."

Fakir pulled out the gun and looked at it quizzically then back to the man who supposedly made it.
"Who do you think crafted the barrel of that?" Karon continued, "Took severally days but that's what makes it last."

Fakir placed the pistol back into its holster and looked back at Ahiru, "You brought me to meet a raw materials merchant?"
She nodded, "He's one of the only few who will actually let me approach their booth." She looked back at Karon, "By the way, has anyone bought the pearl?"
"Pearl?" Fakir asked.

"No," Karon said reaching for a box underneath the counter.
He pulled out a small metal box, and after setting off the lock, opened it to reveal a large pure white pearl. Ahiru's eyes went wide with wonder. It was clear that Ahiru was using all of her will power not to take the stone from its resting place and run off with it.

"One day I'll earn enough to trade it from you." She said wistfully.
Fakir sighed heavily, completely unaware that the others were looking at him.

"Fakir," the gypsy girl asked, "Are you okay?"
Fakir quickly landed back to reality upon hearing her voice, "Hmm? Oh, yes. I'm fine."

Ahiru gave him an of-course-you're-not-fine look.
Fakir looked down, "Pearls just remind me of someone I lost…"

"What do you mean?"
"I lost my mother in a fire a few years back. She used to talk a lot about pearls when I was younger. It used to make me feel happy to hear what she had to say. Now almost anything that has to do with her is just… unsettling."

Ahiru placed her hand on Fakir's arm, "I'm so sorry…But you know, there's an old gypsy tale that says pearls are a symbol from Heaven. So maybe… that's just her way of saying where she is right now to you."

Fakir's heart began to beat a little faster, and unknowing to either one of them, the gem around Ahiru's hand began to glow.

"Ahiru," Karon said breaking the silence, "Not to interrupt but, may I see that gem of yours?"
The moment Ahiru moved her hand away from Fakir, the gem had stopped glowing. Karon looked at it carefully. He examined every angle that he could from it. There was nothing out of the ordinary, so why was it glowing earlier?

…Oh well. Not much can be done about something you know nothing about.

"Is something wrong?" You could hear the worry growing in Ahiru's voice.
"No dear. Not at all." He said with a smile and returned the girl's hand, "Now is there anything else you need?"

"No, thank you Mr. Karon."
"Alright, take care now. And it was nice meeting you, Fakir."

The two walked away in silence unaware of what to do now that the day was almost over.
After a while Fakir spoke.

"Thank you… for what you said back there."

She looked at him and smiled, "It was nothing, really. But I'm sure it's what you needed to know."
"It was…"

The silenced passed over them again.
"So… we have to do this again, right?" Fakir asked.
"Of course, there's still A LOT of Port that you still need to see!"
"Then I'll see you again?"

"Of course!"
And with that, Ahiru left to go find Jaden.

A/N: Well there we go. That's another chapter.
So how was this one? Okay? Too filler-ish?

Don't worry, I'll get to action/adventure soon. It just takes a while.
Anyways, Thank you to:
The Girl of Many Names
BattyCrash
Kriro-tone
and dbzgtfan2004 for your wonderful reviews! I cannot tell you how happy I am that you like this story so far! :)

Also thanks to:
The Girl of Many Names
Kriro-tone
maskedvigilanteprincess864
and dbzgtfan2004 for following!

Until next time! I will see you soon!