Home at Last?

Home at Last?

(Chapter 33)

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[<<]

Three takes the blade out and puts it down the counter gently. "Clack," it sounds. "Hey Anika, do you know who this is f—"

Anika reaches to swipe it away and Arthur hugs her but her head can turn almost 180 degrees, in addition to her trying to turn around. She sees Anika try to hide something behind her back.

"Kurai."

"Don't test me Arthur! What are you people hiding from me?!"

He knows what a hysterical woman can do. He tries to compress her but she just drags him along. Anika tries to get away but trips as she's not looking where she's going. Arthur's lungs give in unfortunately and he passes out, giving her the chance to pounce on Anika. Anika tries but she can't resist for long. She rolls her over and makes eye contact with her brother's blade. It's heart shattering. Her heart thumps hard and she drops to the ground, as red as a strawberry.

Should've just minded her business.

[>]

[Guild: Anika]

Anika's sitting on a drawer in the bay, watching over Kurai. Arthur's there too, right next to Angelica. He tries to get up but Anika orders him to lay back down.

"I'm not an invalid."

"It really looked that way when a banged-up female dragged you across the floor."

"You're making it sound so awful. There were so many people who could've helped. At least I did something."

"…But it didn't work…She had the right to know that her twin brother's dead, yes…but not like this," she says resting her hairline in between her thumb and index finger. "I wanted her to get a little better."

"Now you have her tied down to her bed."

"…Do you think Jane could've survived?"

"I'm not an oracle. Have any details about what happened?"

"Haven't gotten the chance to talk to her yet. All I know is that they were ambushed. You should've seen her when she got here; she was probably buried alive."

"…Let's not talk about that. Is Saturnine back?"

"…Yes…Jupiter almost hurt me."

"What?!"

"Should've been expecting that."

"I'm gonna put those bastards in their place—!"

"Calm down. Apprehending them will only make things worse. I'll just tell them off. I think it's time I draw the line"

"Are you sure you can take care of Jupiter?"

"He's not my worry. Jupiter will definitely try to hurt me, so I'll just be on guard. I can't begin to imagine how Pluto will react."

"…He'll probably give you a poison rose *gg*"

"*gg* He's been a gentleman throughout so I don't want to you-know."

"That's the wrong choice. It's better to tell them off before they make any advances."

"The fear of losing a Platinum Priority Raid Unit was crippling me. The Diamond Ranks are all out. If they leave while you're down, all burden will be Raze's to bear. It IS possible for him to handle stuff but I've been pushing him a little too much lately. I know he only bothers because he pities me."

"Don't say that."

"It's the truth. That's the only reason he's stayed all these months. He'll leave eventually, and the Guild will probably fall apart."

[The Twins]

It's already noon. The carriage rides down the slope at the right of the Rice Plantation and goes all the way round. They pull up right in front of the chief's. Jedi hops out with no delay.

"Afternoon Sir."

"Afternoon young one. What brings you back?"

"Medicine."

"What type of medicine? *gasp* Don't tell me—"

"Yes. Could you please come check on her. She's in the back."

They move around briskly. "Oh my! This is the worst I've seen so far. Hurry up!" Jedi carries her and they head towards the herbalist's hut. He's the one they go to when things are too drastic for the chief to handle. There are a few people in there and one just seems to have died. Paz's practically at the same stage by the looks of things.

"Is she dead?"

The herbalist says nothing; just closes her eyes. He taps a free mat, probably meaning they should lay her down, then rubs his hands together. The chief prompts Jedidiah to rinse his hands in the solution to the side. He begins to administer treatment. They step out for a second.

"Could you please brief me?"

"I hope you haven't talked to her?"

"A little—" he covers his mouth immediately to prevent the chief from feeling uncomfortable. "Am I infected?"

"It can be transmitted orally and breed in the salivary glands. You should start treatment as soon as possible so you don't become symptomatic."

"And what about Paz?"

"She needs prayers. Difficulty breathing should've set in by now."

"…When will I be cleared to see her?"

"Not until sun down. If you have any business to attend to, you should take care of it now."

"Thank you Sir. I'll be back soon."

[Boundless]

The golden sun hovers in the sky above, but the forest's a bit shady of course. Valentina seems to have fallen asleep again. Elmus scoots up next to her.

"{She asleep Amitha?}"

"{I can't tell. She seemed to be sleeping before too.}"

"{I'm gonna give it another try. Excuse?}"

"{Saw a bug go down her collar.}"

"Kay." He puts his nose to her neck to take a whiff but just as he's about starting, her right hand finds its way to his face this time.

"Get. away from me. you pervert."

"Pervert?! Saw a bug slip down your collar, but since you're obviously—awake?" He moves his face back a little bit and her arm drops back down.

"{…I don't think she's awake yet.}"

"…Tina?"

"…*moan*" Her face begins to quiver. Her grace falls into depression and starts to twist and turn. "No…no—no—no…dad."

"{Hear that Amitha?}"

"{Yeah. She must've been a daddy's girl.}"

"{I wonder what happened. Why'd she move all the way to Banlieue?}"

"{Something tragic must've happened back home.}"

"{But she's always so robust. I couldn't even begin to imagine such a thing.}"

"{Well that's the way things are—}"

Valentina sits up and turns around against the tree, so she has under her chin, straight down to her upper thorax pressed against it, with her hind sticking out. She remains that way for a moment, then helps herself up to her feet. She holds it with her forehead still pressed against it.

"You sure she's not awake, because that's how I look when I'm about to vent?"

"How should I know?"

"Well maybe I should sit her—(down)?"

"HRAAAH!" She punches the tree, splintering most of the bark, but the repercussions are loud.

"AAAAAH!" she screams as she wriggles her hand trying to dampen the pain, hopping in agony. That was her injured hand that punched the tree. It's left her in the type of pain that takes your breath away, and she turns red, holding her hand down in between her knees.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! OW!"

"Tina—"

"What the heck did you do?!?" she turns on him.

"Me?! It was all you. You were the one who started *mimics moaning*, then you started 'no dad' and went berserk on the tree! Stop for a second and ask yourself whether I could do that to poor Mother Nature before you swing that arm on me!" he exclaims cowering.

"…Ow!" She gets misty-eyed, turns around and walks away, still holding the base of her thumb.

"Tina…Tina!"

"{She's probably about to cry. Go after her.}"

He goes after her. She hears his footsteps approaching from behind and moves further away.

"Cut it out Tina."

"Leave me alone!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that while I'm conscious."

She spins around to smack him down but she restrains herself because the tears are already flowing and she doesn't want him to catch a glimpse of her crying. She quickly guards her face and spins around, whimpering.

"Stay back!"

"Fine. I get it. I'm not gonna look at you but let me see it at least—"

"It's not the thumb!!! It's not my thumb. *whimper* Do you really think a little bit of torn ligaments could make me cry?!"

"…It's…your father."

"Congratulations for figuring that out!"

"You really can't help it?"

"Hell no. The mere thought of him is enough to render me unable to suppress my tears."

"Hey…I think I can relate to that."

"No you can't! You couldn't ever imagine how it feels! Not until your mother's gone!"

"I'm pretty sure that's a relation…Tina." He gently puts his hand on her shoulder.

"Didn't you hear stay away?"

"…Everybody cries Tina."

"Well not me! I never ever cried before! I'm broken. Valentina de la Bravo is broken! I really don't like this feeling. It's not supposed to be this way.*whimper*"

"I think a human that doesn't cry is rather the broken one. I say you're still going sturdy 'cause if I lost my mom, I'd probably have a series of heart attacks and turn homicidal. I admire you for that."

"…"

He gets down and tugs on her arm. "Hop on?"

"What're you doing?"

"Whenever I cry, mama does this. It's always worked."

"I'm not a baby just because I'm crying."

"I wasn't a baby when Lil' Laura died either. We have to hurry back before dark 'cause we couldn't handle another horde of Spectres. You also don't want me to see your crying face so…"

Valentina hops onto his back, just like the first day they met. He almost hands Amitha to her, but on second thought, he'll just hold her to be safe.

"{Nice one Elmus.}"

"{You were telling me what to say.}"

"{You totally ignored me.}"

"{Really? I guess it's from talking to YOU all the time.}"

[Solomon]

Remember the giant holes he dug in the ground? He's currently spearing all of the logs into them. The holes are all slightly smaller than the logs so they stick in not only firmly, but leave no space between each other. He's been hearing a buzzing in his ear for a while now. Something pricks his toe and he hops back. It's Nepherimet.

"What do you think you're doing human?"

"I've been calling out to you for a while. Could you not hear me?"

He gets down low and stares her in the eyes. "I did what you asked. Why are you back?"

"To thank you for doing what I asked."

"And you let a whole day pass over it?"

"You would've probably threatened me if I had come yesterday."

"And what makes you think I won't do so today?"

"Because a day has passed over it."

He gets back to work. "…You think you're clever?"

"I AM a female…I'm saying thank you the proper way. This is the part where you ask what do you offer, as tradition demands."

"I don't engage in trivial culture."

"Well I brought you another cow."

"'No, thank you.'"

"But you ate the other one."

"A day has passed over it."

"Could you stop moving around and look at me!?"

He turns to her. "…What?"

"Are you sure you can see me?"

"Of course I can. How else would I be working?"

"Thought your daytime sight was also awful…Look at my face, at my eyes."

He stoops down low and looks her in the eyes. Her visage is that of an Egyptian: mascara, dark eye line and all. She's very pretty now that he's viewing her in the light. "…What?"

"Don't you know what sincere eyes look like?"

"…Some people are exceptional at lying."

"Are you always this skeptical? Can't you see I'm trying hard to be warm?"

"And can't you see I don't like humans?"

"Fine. If you don't want me around, accept our gratitude and I'll be on my way."

"…" He sits down on the ground. "Take the first bite or else I won't touch it."

"Please don't do this. You have no idea how much restraint I had to exercise to bring it to you whole. Sit me up on the wall first." He puts her up on the wall and gobbles it all up. "So…How was it?"

"…It was tasty, just like the last one…I have to get back to work now so if you'll excuse me—" He tries to get her down but she runs away from and evades his grasp.

"? What are you doing?"

"I like the view better from up here."

"But you said you were on your way."

"Yes I was—on my way up."

"What?!"

"There are people who are also exceptional at having their way through words *gg*."

"Don't be a pest."

"Pest? If you're talking about humans, here one comes," she says looking over her shoulder. The Bigfoot peers over the wall and there Jedi comes. He flips the wall, "THUMP."

"Woah! Woah-woah-woah. Don't ever startle me like that again."

"Didn't expect you to be back so soon."

"…You building walls?"

"What does it look like?"

"Well I can't afford to stay for long because I might have something contagious. I heard you saved the village and that was great. However, if you touched any of those things, you might need medical care. That said, I've brought the goodies over."

"Where?"

"Driver's unloading it at the border of the woods. There are also banana tree suckers that you can nurture. Best of luck with your construction!"

"Farewell." Jedidiah starts on his way. "You should be following him."

"Like you said, should. I don't have anything doing today so I might as well just loaf off over here."

"Then don't distract me…" He scratches his head. "Banana suckers…I never planned for ornaments."

[Boundless]

Tina's been silent for a while now as she rides on his back. Elmus was too busy talking to Amitha to notice earlier. The sun's practically set and it's getting really dark in there.

"Tina?"

"…It's getting really dark. You should hurry it up."

"Sounds like someone's feeling better. It's either you cry for a relatively minute time, or piggyback therapy works for everyone."

"*gg* I'm Valentina de la Bravo; even the most agonizing sorrow can only best me for so long…There the gates are. You can go ahead and put me down."

"Had enough?"

"I wouldn't like to get you in trouble with your girlfriend because of your chivalry."

"How many times do I have to tell you that she's not my girlfriend?"

"Till you believe it."

[Guild]

Elmus and Valentina thrust the door open and strut in, but there's absolutely no one there, not even a cricket. Alice isn't in the bar, nor is Erin in the Armory, and even the reception's empty.

"What the? Where the hell IS everybody?"

"Our grand entrance is ruined. Didn't you say the place was supposed to be full?"

"It is. ANIKA!!!"

"Don't go round yelling like one of the uncouth. We're not desperate for recognition."

"We still have to check in."

"…Elmus! Is it really you?"

"Don't you recognize the hair?" he non-answers as they approach the counter.

"You really survived! We were so worried about you! Thank you Valentina!"

"What the heck is that supposed to mean?"

"Whatever it means. We annihilated a horde of Spectres, a group of Lancentaurus', and a Mal-Hecate." She drops the Mana-Crystals on the counter.

"Don't forget the Zombies."

"Sorry. I probably wasn't awake when that happened."

"Sorry to cut this short, but I'm sure you're tired. The Guild will be closed till Monday morning. You should hurry up and change out of your armor so you can hurry back home and get some rest. Thank you for your efforts."

"Wait a second. Arthur?"

"He's perfectly fine, but he's already receded to his residence with the rest of his Unit."

"Alright."

"Good night!" both of them call out to her as she leaves.

"Sleep tight!"

They move to the left, the Armory, i.e. where Erin and Rex are stationed. It's where all the armor is kept when you're home, and your clothes are kept when you're out on Raids. The changing booths are right there. After getting changed, they head out, and addle along until they get to the point where they have to split.

"I guess this is where we part ways for today."

"And I'm sure Ms. Laura's expecting me. Please tell her that I'll come and see her as soon as possible."

"Alright." He hugs her. "Also do well to tell your mom I said hi."

"Kay. Night—Tight—Bite."

[Paz]

She's awake. Jedidiah steps into the hut. One of the infected just recovered, and is discharged. His sister comes for him, and they depart.

"Hello."

"*grunt*" He indicates that he should wash his hands.

"About that; I think I'm gonna need treatment as—" He doesn't even let him finish. He passes him a gourd of the herbal solution.

"Gurgle long before swallowing."

"Okay. Anything else?"

"Silent as possible. Heightened sensitivity."

"Alright."

The herbalist moves onto one of the other people in the large hut. Jedi gurgles a bit of it, then gets down next to the half-naked Paz. There's a dark shade beneath her eyes and her darkened veins are throbbing gently. She can't open her eyes because they've become super sensitive to light, but she heard his voice, and has been making an effort to wriggle her hand as her chapped lips sound a faint "Jedi." He grasps her hand.

"Paz."

"Jedi…Please don't leave me."

"I won't. I'm here to stay."

He lays back-down beside her and starts to hum in the lowest volume possible. He does this without seizing.

[Guillelmus]

He's beat and practically drags himself along to his doorstep. "BANG! BANG! BANG!" he drums on the door. He just wants to get inside so he can throw himself on the couch. He's about to bang again when mom opens the door.

"Finally."

"My baby." She kisses him on the forehead.

"Sorry mom, but I'm really tired."

"Someone's here," she whispers, giving him the eyes. She looks worried.

"Hunh? How does he even know I'm back?" He begins to push the door open.

"I don't think you've made mention of him but he claims to be your friend."

"*gasp*"

"Welcome back." It's Blood-Eye. There he is sitting comfortably in the couch, holding his sheathed blade.

-------End of Chapter 33-------

Chapter 34 Teaser

Blood-Eye's in Elmus' house. The only thing that I can assure you of is he's gonna be pissed.

To be continued…