Chapter 90: Making Friends In Unusual Circumstances

Lia PoV

I took a nice shower after we warp jumped. It sure was nice to get myself cleaned up. Boargy had yet to return. I wondered if he could track me down in this universe. He told me he could, so I had to believe in my piggy friend.

Smiling, I got myself dressed, putting on some black shorts and a plain white blouse. The clothes the Titanos, well at least those from Titania, wore was a lot different than what my people used to wear prior to the takeover.

Feeling refreshed after my shower, I decided to explore the rest of the spaceship. As I stepped out of my cabin, the sleek, metallic corridors greeted me. The technology and design of the ship were impressive, a stark contrast to the simpler lifestyle I was used to before Titanos's arrival.

I wandered down the hallway, taking in the various control panels and displays. Everything seemed so advanced, almost like something out of a story. I couldn't help but think about how much had changed since the invasion.

Turning a corner, I nearly collided with someone. "Oh, sorry!" I exclaimed, stepping back quickly.

It was Arare, and he looked like he had just come out of the shower himself. His hair was still damp, and his shirt was open, revealing a glimpse of his toned chest. I felt my cheeks heat up as I tried to maintain my composure.

"Hey, Lia," Arare said with a grin. "Exploring the ship?"

I nodded, trying to keep my eyes focused on his face. "Yeah, just getting familiar with everything. It's so different from what I'm used to."

He chuckled, running a hand through his wet blond hair. "Tell me about it. All this tech stuff is way over my head. But it's kind of exciting too, don't you think?"

I managed a small smile, my blush still lingering. "Yeah, it is. There's so much to learn and see."

Arare's gaze softened, and he took a step closer. "You know, it's nice to have someone else here who feels the same way. Makes it a little less overwhelming. Well, guess Day is more like me, given you know some stuff."

I felt a flutter in my chest as I met his eyes. "Yeah, it does make things easier. If you or Day need me to answer anything, just ask."

He smiled warmly, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade into the background. The ship, the mission to capture or kill Yusan—all of it felt distant. It was just us, two Soleanese finding comfort in each other's presence.

Arare glanced down the corridor. "Want to keep exploring together? Maybe we'll find something interesting."

I nodded eagerly. "Sure, that sounds great."

We walked side by side, continuing our exploration of the ship. As we moved through the various sections, Arare shared stories and jokes, making me laugh and easing the tension I felt. His casual demeanor made him seem more approachable, and I found myself relaxing in his company. It was hard to believe we had just met and were fighting each until just recently.

We eventually reached a large observation window, offering a breathtaking view of the universe outside. The stars seemed to stretch on forever, a reminder of the vastness of the cosmos and the adventure we were on.

"Wow," I whispered, pressing my hand against the glass. "It's beautiful."

Arare stood beside me, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, it is. Makes you realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things."

I looked at him, feeling a sense of connection. "But even small things can make a big difference, right?"

He turned to me, his eyes shining with determination. "Absolutely. And we're going to make a difference to this universe by taking down Yusan."

I smiled, feeling a surge of confidence. "Yeah, we will."

My cheeks warmed up as I found myself staring at the reflection of his exposed chest and abs.

"That said, could you please button up your shirt already?" I asked, feeling self-conscious. 

Arare's eyes widened in realization, and he looked down at his unbuttoned shirt. A mischievous grin spread across his face. "Oh, this? Sorry about that. Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'm still getting used to these weird clothes."

He began buttoning up his shirt, but rather slowly, his eyes meeting mine with a playful glint. "Better?"

I felt my cheeks burn even more. "Yes, much better. Thank you."

Arare finished buttoning up and gave a little mock bow. "Anything for a lady," he said with a wink.

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't help but smile. "You're impossible, you know that?"

He laughed, a warm, genuine sound that seemed to fill the corridor. "That's what they tell me."

We continued our exploration, the atmosphere between us now lighter and more relaxed. Arare's playful nature was infectious, and I found myself enjoying his company more than I had expected.

As we wandered through the ship, we stumbled upon the mess hall. The room was empty, but the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air.

"Want to grab a drink?" I suggested, heading towards the beverage station.

"Sure," he replied, following me. "I could use something to keep me awake."

I poured us each a cup of coffee, and we sat down at one of the tables. The mess hall was quiet, a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of our mission.

Arare stared at the black liquid. "What is that stuff? It feels kinda funny. Is it like tea?"

I laughed awkwardly. Commander Yusan really didn't integrate Edesia into Titanos culture. It made me curious if it was because he saw them as beneath him. I doubted he respected the Edesian way of of life. He rarely spoke about his views on their culture, but whenever he did, he would call them primitive.

I chuckled softly at Arare's confusion. "It's called coffee. It's a drink that the Titanos brought to our world. According to Commander Ryland, it comes from one of the few planets in his universe with a stable climate. It helps to wake you up and keep you alert."

Arare lifted the cup cautiously, sniffing the rich aroma before taking a tentative sip. His eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, that's strong. But not bad."

I smiled, taking a sip of my own coffee. "Yeah, it takes some getting used to, but it really helps when you need an energy boost."

Arare nodded appreciatively, taking another sip. "I can see why they like it. It's got a kick to it."

We sat there for a while, enjoying our coffee and the quiet ambiance of the mess hall. It was a moment of calm amidst the chaos of our mission, and I found myself feeling grateful for the chance to relax and connect with Arare.

"So," Arare said, breaking the comfortable silence, "tell me more about your world before the takeover. What was it like?"

I thought for a moment, reminiscing about the days before Titanos's arrival. "Pararis was a war-torn land, constantly ravaged by battles and conflict. Life was tough, and we had to rely on our skills and community to survive. Our technology was nowhere near as advanced as what the Titanos have, but we made do with what we had. Despite the hardships, there was a certain resilience in our people, a determination to keep going."

Arare listened intently, his expression thoughtful. "That sounds intense. I can see why you'd miss it though—there's something about home, no matter how tough it is."

I nodded, feeling a pang of nostalgia. "Yeah, I do miss it. But, you know, not everything about the Titanos is bad. I've learned a lot from them, and there are things like coffee that have made life a bit easier."

Arare smiled. "Well, I'm glad we got to learn about coffee, at least. And I'm glad we met, even if it was under... unusual circumstances."

I laughed softly. "Yeah, it's funny how things work out sometimes."

The conversation flowed easily, and I found myself opening up to Arare about my hopes and fears for the future. He shared his own thoughts and stories, and it felt like we were building a genuine connection, one that transcended the differences in our backgrounds.

"So," Arare said, taking a sip of his coffee, "tell me more about Boargy. How did you two meet?"

I smiled, thinking about my special piggy friend. "Boargy and I met not long after the invasion. I found him injured and nursed him back to health. Granted, I later learned he can heal rapidly. We've been inseparable ever since. He's not just any pig, though. He has these incredible abilities, like warping, rapid regeneration, changing his size, and understanding multiple languages."

Arare's eyes widened in amazement. "That's incredible. No wonder you're so attached to him. He's pretty brave too, fighting my big bro and me the way he did."

"Yeah," I said, feeling a pang of longing for Boargy's return. "He's like family to me."

Arare reached across the table and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry. Boargy will find his way back to you. He sounds like a smart pig."

I nodded, feeling comforted by his words. "Thanks, Arare. I really appreciate that."

"Thanks for the coffee and the chat, Lia," Arare said, his smile warm and sincere. "It was really nice."

"Thank you, Arare," I replied, feeling a sense of gratitude and camaraderie. "It was great to spend time with you. Let's do this again sometime."

He nodded eagerly. "Definitely! And if you ever need someone to talk to or explore with, you know where to find me!"

With a final smile, we parted ways, each heading off to our respective cabins to rest. I was lucky to find friends in unexpected places.