Zebedee awoke as the sun rose into the sky. He yawned like a giant cat and rubbed the fatigue from his eyes. He looked down at his precious Rider, who was still sound asleep. She occasionally twitched in her sleep as she dreamt. He chuckled softly and carefully reached out through the bond, gently prodding at her mind. Wildmask groaned and sat up as she opened her eyes. She winced as held her head. He grimaced as he felt a twinge of pain in his head. She was still feeling the effects no doubt. She looked up at him with squinted eyes. It took her some time for her eyes to adjust to the light before she gave a slight smile.
Sleep well? Zebedee asked with a raised eyebrow. Wildmask nodded and reached out to him through the bond. Her presence was so tiny, yet there was something similar to it. For a moment, it felt like dejavu. He missed the connection, the company the bond offered. The two of them were bonded until death separated them.
Yeah.. Can we get something to eat? I'm hungry. Wildmask asked as she leaned back against him. Ow.. my head. Wildmask rubbed her temples as she hissed softly in pain. Zebedee hinted at a smile. His fangs shone in the light of the sunrise. She felt a sense of reassurance coming from him, a calming sensation washed over her, comforted by his presence.
It's alright, little one. The headache will pass within the next few hours, I promise. As for your question, I think we both could use something to eat, but we'd have to head back into the city if you want something other than fish. Zebedee replied. His warm golden gaze met her emerald and sprightly gaze. She was so full of life, so young. It was his job to protect her now more than ever. She was his precious Rider, his daughter. He sensed a slight acknowledgement coming from her and used one set of his set of claws to lift his hat before gently grasping her with the other, being mindful to pay attention to changes through the bond just in case he squeezed too hard.
She was completely comfortable in his grasp. It wasn't too tight nor too loose. Zebedee carefully placed her under his hat before lowering his hat. He took a deep breath, knowing he'd have to be ready to answer any authorities if they were called and to answer to Zorran for his reaction the day before. He took one last look at the lake and the forests along the bank. There was much for Wildmask to learn about his previous Rider, but first, she needed training, and he knew exactly who to go to. However, she needed to settle and get used to the bond first, that could take a few weeks. He blinked and looked straight ahead before he began to make his way back to the city.
…
"Why didn't you tell us you chose her as your Rider, Zeb? Zorran would've understood. I wish he didn't press you like that. We all know how you are with your Rider. I wish I could've been there to deescalate the situation, as you've helped out of a few situations before.. I'm sorry he pushed you to your breaking point. Zorran is fine though. Lucky said he'd be fine in a few days. He just needs to rest. He actually wanted to speak to you, but I'll break the ice for you. He needs to be informed as to why you snapped so violently." Zak said as he gazed off in the distance as both him and Zebedee ate of their catch, a sargasso. It wasn't much between the two of them. Wildmask had just been fed minutes prior. Zebedee was silent, processing everything that had happened up to this point.
"It's not your fault, Zak. You know something like that won't get between us. We have to stick together, y'know? You're like a brother to me, Zak. I'd stand by you until the end. You know that, Zak. Don't worry about not being there. I should've calmed down and explained everything. It's just.. something deep, something primal took over. It was like I was not in control of what I was doing." Zebedee said as he took a bite of his half of the kill, following Zak's crimson gaze. Zak looked down at his half of the kill before he lifted his gaze to look at the Zed-Stack next to him.
"It's our instincts. It's a part of us and we must accept it, embrace it. It is how we use it that defines it. We can control it or let it run wild. We can wield it like a weapon. Everyone has some sort of instinct. Whether it be fight or flight or instincts like our own, everyone has some form of instinct. It's our choice to decide how we use it." Zak said. Zebedee knew it was true. It was how they used their abilities and instincts that mattered the most. On one hand, he used them to protect his Rider, but on the other, he could've killed Zorran as a result. There were always two sides, two perspectives. It was up to those with the proper knowledge to take a side in the situation, to judge, to understand.
"You're right, Zak, but I acted out of anger, not out of necessity. That wasn't me back there. I was.. someone else." Zebedee said before he finished his half of his kill. It wasn't much to the both, but it was enough to last them a little while. At least until they reached the Zero Docks. Zebedee picked up a familiar scent in the air mixed with the smell of the salt water of the ocean. "Mortimer is on the clock. He's probably taking care of Zorran while he rests. Hopefully, we can get a scrap of meat out of him."
"Let's hope. Zorran is going to be his main focus for the next few weeks. I'll talk to Zorran, you just hang back until I tell you it's alright to see him." Zak said and with that, Zak left him and Wildmask alone. Zebedee watched him as he left, hoping Zak would talk Zorran out of exiling him out of the fleet.
…
"What's this about him choosing a new Rider? Why didn't he tell me in the first place?" Zorran asked as he growled softly. He narrowed his eyes at Zak as Mortimer tended to Zorran's wounds. Mortimer was a student of Lucky's. Why he wanted to study and help the tugs, let alone the Zed-Stacks was unknown, a reason he only kept to himself. Mortimer was a fine gentleman with chiseled cheekbones. His eyes were a lively brown. He had a black handlebar mustache and black swept back hair. His skin was sunkissed from the time he had spent under the sun studying and caring for the tugs throughout the port. He had resorted to walking with a cane as of late. No doubt the aftermath of a recent attack that left him permanently crippled, but Mortimer never blamed the tug responsible. He wore a pitch black trench coat with brown leather straps stretching across to the gold buttons on the front, keeping the trench coat closed. At the bottom of the trench coat, two horizontal white lines stretched across the bottom of the trench coat. There was a twinkle in his eyes one could not define as mischief or a childlike happiness. Mortimer never looked up from his work, but listened intently to the conversation, humming softly to himself.
"You had him cornered Zorran. How would you react if you were cornered and someone was demanding you to give up your Rider? The one person you held so near and dear to you for so long? The one person you'd lay down your life for?" Zak said as if challenging him. Zorran's gaze softened as he relaxed. He wished to know that feeling, but the corrupted bond between him and Zero wasn't the same as a pure bond between tug and Rider. Zero wanted power, and Zorran had it.
"If I had the choice, I'd let them take my Rider from me, free me from the bond I was forced to make with him, but I experienced the ability to share a bond not formed by a lust for power, I'd fight tooth and claw to protect them. I should've known Zebdedee would react so violently. I know how he was with Shadowpelt. He's much more protective of his new Rider no doubt, considering all that happened with Shadowpelt. He probably won't let her out of his sight for some time. Is he in the city? Or is he still upriver. I can't blame him if he chooses not to return considering I was a threat to his Rider." Zorran replied. For a moment, he felt a twinge of envy. The tugs that were bonded to Riders were fortunate to experience a pure and loving bond. Whereas he was stuck with one formed out of a lust for power. He had no choice. He had to bond with his captain.
"He just returned this morning. I talked to him earlier today. He wants to come back." Zak said. His crimson gaze looked his leader up and down. Zorran was relaxed, and there was a bit of guilt behind those sharp eyes of his. Zorran gave him a look of surprise. Zak hinted at a smile. He knew Zebedee wouldn't abandon his fleet, his home. Zorran gestured with a claw for him to leave.
"Go on and tell him I'm ready to talk to him. I owe him and his Rider an apology." Zorran smiled warmly.
