12/15/16

Actually had to hop back into the Zaruboggan chapter hours after submitting it to fix one little thing. Orleron is Arsenican's "child" not Trachlo. I was confuzzled. So glad I took time in game to talk to Arsenican for no reason.

The first thing i did for this story was list every single chapter, that said Celica and Rock were one of the Xenos I forgot, I recalled them some time into writing as I did the next chapter as well.

Celica and Rock

Following her meeting with the Zaruboggan, Jaynix took off into Primordia for her first slew of BLADE missions. She came back home to a pretty stunned line of fellow BLADEs.

Kruse thought he accomplished a lot in the recent weeks but in one day, Jaynix set a record of clearing missions. So many BLADEs asked "How did you do it?" "Can I train with you?" "Can we team up for the next mission?"

Kruse and Elma stood aside as so many BLADEs fawned over the newest addition, Jaynix herself was the liveliest she'd ever been in the midst of that chaotic scramble and that's saying something giving how energetic she always is.

The next day, Jaynix was set to finish meeting the rest of the Xenoforms in NLA, unfortunately for her the message from Elma told her to meet back in the Industrial District again.

So now, Jaynix was sitting on a bench, heart pounding in her chest as she took in deep breath after deep breath, letting them out slowly.

"Remain calm."

She continued whispering to herself, unaware of Elma who stood in front of her.

"Jaynix?"

Freezing, the woman looked up.

"Are you alright?"

Stunned expression disappearing, Jaynix gave Elma her biggest smile "Of course I am! Why do you ask?"

Elma gave her a look before shaking her head "No reason."

Standing, Jaynix crossed her arms "So! Who are we meeting today, boss?"

Elma gestured to a young girl standing right next to her.

"Hello."

"Hey! Um. Elma. I thought I was meeting Xenos."

Elma crossed her arms as the young girl pointed to her ears.

Jaynix nodded her head slowly "Oh. Hey! Name's Jaynix!"

"Celica."

"Celica. That's a pretty name, you're very cute."

Celica smiled, a small blush forming "Thank you."

Jaynix chuckled "Heh. Don't worry about it!"

"Have a nice chat, there is someone else I have to get. Be back soon."

Jaynix nodded to her, watching as Elma left before turning her attention back to Celica.

"Y'know, you seem more capable then most of the Xenos I met yesterday, they were all noncombatants as far as I'm aware."

"Ah, yes. There are many more peaceful types in this city. I joined BLADE to pay back the kindness this city and everyone in it has shown to us. I learned to fight to earn my living here and help others as I was once given aid."

Jaynix nodded "Honorable. I'm sure BLADE is glad to have you aboard!"

"And I am glad to be a part of it. I suppose since you are meeting Xenos for the first time I should tell you about what I am and where I'm from."

"If you don't mind sharing that information, I'm all ears!"

There was a short silence before Jaynix shook her head, before she could apologize, Celica began laughing.

"Ah, I understand the joke."

Jaynix chuckled "That was more a mistake on my part but…glad you have a sense of humor."

Celica smiled "Most of the people I spend my time around enjoy telling fun jokes to one another. It took a bit to understand the wording and meanings of the jokes but they are entertaining."

Jaynix nodded "As a joke should be."

"I suppose I should begin now. I come from a distant planet known as Qlu and I am known as a Qlurian."

Jaynix crossed her arms "I've heard that name in the barracks once or twice…Kruse can never stop talking about Xeno histories and stuff. Asshole wouldn't stop going on about the Zaruboggan last night."

Celica laughed "Yes. Kruse is very interested in Xenoform life and history. Striving to learn so much. We spoke of Earth and Qlu several times and there are a great many similarities between the two of them. Right down to our pets. Qlu was also home to cats that were remarkably close to what the humans of Earth know as cats. Strange how the universe is, no?"

Jaynix brought a hand to her chin "That is strange but as they say the universe is infinite and full of possibilities. I think I'd like to see Qlu, this vaguely Earthlike planet that isn't Earth. Hell, if I'm being honest I'd like to see the homes of all the Xenos here on Mira. I can only imagine what that's like."

Celica tilted her head "Even Bedun?"

Jaynix shrugged "Maybe? I tuned out Kruse after a while. I wanted to punch his lights out but I'll save that for next time."

Celica's eyes widened "Oh my. Perhaps I should stop talking."

Jaynix shook her head "Nah, it's just friendly ribbing between Kruse and me. I'd rather listen to you for an hour than him honestly, you have a wonderful voice."

Celica smiled "Thank you…my, you are just full of compliments."

Jaynix nodded "Well, I like to speak my mind. More often than not its either to blatantly compliment someone or savagely insult them, it's how I roll."

The pair shared a small laugh before Jaynix asked "So, what was that about Bedun?"

"Ah, yes. Well from what I heard of the Zaruboggan and their homeworld. Bedun is entirely covered in the voltant they so crave. It's how they live and devoltanize so comfortably."

Jaynix tilted her head causing Celica to laugh "Well. As Kruse explains it, pollution, toxicity and waste is what the Zaruboggan refer to as voltant and Bedun is covered in mountains of it, every inch of land and sea has been permeated by it."

Jaynix's eyes widened "Shit. And they love that?"

Celica nodded "It is how they live."

"Damn…and you say your world is pretty close to Earth?"

"Yes. From what I spoke of with Kruse, though in comparison to Earth, Qlu has far more forests and they are far denser than any found on Earth. In that way, perhaps it is more like the Orpheans' homeworld. It is a very peaceful place…or at the very least, it was."

Jaynix crossed her arms. "The Ganglion?"

Celica nodded "They attacked my village…and possibly many other places all over Qlu. Rock saved me from the devastation and we've been on the run from Samaar ever since. Every day was harder than the last until Elma, Kruse and Lin saved us from them…I don't think I can ever express the depths of my gratitude."

Jaynix tilted her head "Rock? Samaar? Should I know what that is?"

Before Celica could speak, the pair felt the ground shake. Jaynix looked past Celica and was beyond surprised to see a massive Xeno walking towards them.

"Rock!"

"Hey Celica! Elma came by and told me to take a small break to meet someone new."

Celica smiled "Ah, I see. Well Rock, this is Jaynix, a friend of Elma's."

Rock looked to Jaynix "Hello! My name's Rock but you probably got that."

Jaynix nodded "Um…what are you?"

Rock looked at himself "Ah…yeah…I'm big. Sorry."

Jaynix shook her head "Don't worry about it. I'll get used to it but…damn. The diversity in NLA never ceases to amaze."

Rock smiled "Yeah, there are lots of different types of people. You're meeting Xenos right?"

Jaynix nodded as Rock continued "I'm a Gaur. At least that's what the Ganglion designated us."

"What they designated you?"

Jaynix looked over to Celica "The Ganglion created the Gaur, including Rock to be their living weapons. And while they are fearsome, Rock is the exception, he is a kind soul and would never harm anyone."

Rock nodded "I'd rather use my strength to help finish construction on New LA. It's what I've done day in and day out since Director General Chausson gave me my job."

"Well thanks for that! This place'll get finished in no time with you here."

Rock rubbed the back of his head "Thanks. I really should get back to work…it was nice meeting you, Jaynix."

"You too Rock."

Smiling the large Xeno turned and headed back to the construction site.

Jaynix looked to Celica "Did I embarrass him?"

Celica giggled "A little."

"I'd never expect someone that looks like that to be so soft-spoken…"

Celica smiled "No one ever does."

"I just have so many questions about the two of you…about everyone in NLA actually."

Celica bowed "If you ever wish to speak with us, if I'm not out on a mission, I'll be here."

Jaynix nodded "Alright then, thank you."

"Don't mention it. I've enjoyed our talk, Jaynix."

Jaynix held her hand out, Celica shaking it "May we meet again and perhaps take on a mission or two together."

"Sounds good!"

Turning, Jaynix began leaving the Industrial District, Elma falling into step next to her.

"I like those two."

Elma smiled "I do as well. I'm glad we found them when we did."

"Weren't you guys out there looking for someone else or something?"

Elma nodded "We believed that we were on the trail of the two Ganglion commanders who attacked New LA, Ryyz and Dagahn. Finding them and dealing with them at the time would've helped but rescuing Rock and Celica from the Marnuck was an even greater outcome, at least I like to believe so."

Jaynix looked to Elma "Are you gonna introduce me to the Ganglion Xenos as well?"

Elma shook her head "I'd rather not. The odds of a Marnuck or a Milsaadi wanting to just…talk? I doubt that'll ever happen. Though you can read up on the information we gathered on them should you have the time."

"I'll look into it…at the same time I could always bump into one out in the field, right?"

"I suppose you could. Be wary, they are lifeforms capable of thought so fighting them is not the same as the Indigens around Mira."

Jaynix scoffed "C'mon Elma. I served in the Coalition! With General Kumon! I know a thing or two about not underestimating my enemies."

"Of course, I didn't mean to imply-"

"I know you didn't! Just ribbing. Don't take everything too seriously Elma, alright?"

Elma smiled "Very well. If I may, I saw the reports on the missions you took on yesterday. It's clear you are in a league unlike most of the BLADEs here. Finding you in Noctilum is proving to be a greater boon that I ever could've imagined."

Jaynix rubbed the back of her head "Shit…thanks, Elma. That…that means a lot."

"You're welcome."

Jaynix watched Elma, wanting to say something else. Shaking her head, she looked ahead "Sappiness aside time to find me another Xeno to make friends with! ONWARD!"

Elma chuckled as she watched Jaynix skip off "Best of luck."