I'll always have you in my sights.
Boats. They held a fond memory for Alyssa. She remembered the first time she ever experienced one. Only a few years ago, she and a young man from a foreign place sailed to the desert nation of Fallien. His smile and quick wit helped put her at ease during rough waters. When the sails were full and the seas were calm, he shared tidbits of his personal experience. Back then, so much was new to Alyssa that every word off the tip of his tongue hooked her. She wanted to know more. She wanted answers to so many simple questions.
Now, she sat in silence stowed away with inanimate, yet always shifting objects. The slosh of gained water did not calm her during the rough seas. Full sails and calm depths yielded nothing new. Her company of crates, barrels, and sacks kept to themselves: dull, boring. Muted and rehearsed words from the crew above barely escaped past the dripping planks. Yet as she sat patiently waiting, Alyssa's mind remained hooked on him. She wanted to know more and this time, the questions were not as simple.
Equally, the answers would not be so easily waned.
Two words - a question - continued to repeat in her mind like a maddening chant. Two words that hungered for an insatiable amount to slake them:
"Why, Tobias?"
Quote:
Tenative Solo. Open by invite only.
Several weeks prior, shortly after the events of Pode.
"Yeah, he was convinced it was the ambrosia of the gods. They're probably serving pizza during mass, now!" Vincent shouted, surrounded by the friends and family of the Tarot. Laughter erupted among them.
"I'm sure the Jya will appreciate that," Alyssa managed through a soft giggle.
She looked to Vince and the others at the table, all with warm smiles, full plates, and ample drink. They all bounced back so well after the events of that day. Even Bertha had been rebuilt and stood idly above them as their silent guardian. So much happened during the Red Crusade that by all means should have the mood somber and quiet. If it weren't for the shenanigans and antics of their new Emperor, Vincent Cain, the Tarot Hierarchy's morale would still be suffering.
"Hey, you gunna eat that?" Vincent asked with a nudge, pointing at the untouched slice of pizza on her plate.
"No, no." Alyssa waved her hands, then slid it toward him. "I'm more than full."
"Sweet!" he declared and with no time for a second thought, he swept up the slice and jammed it into his mouth. Vincent's zeal managed to get a smattering of sauce on his nose. Alyssa couldn't help but laugh and shook her head.
These days, the Tarot kept high spirits and focused on repairing their facilities instead of mourning losses and harboring rage. The current gathering marked a celebration for finishing their mess hall. All the once rusted and grime caked stoves now sparkled with clean polish. The dents were removed, and a collaborated effort between Alyssa and Rayleigh worked out all the runic and mechanical kinks. With some contributions from John and the curious little creature, Hawl, all the furniture was replaced with beautiful Raiaeran Redwood - purified of its poisons, of course. So many others pitched in, rekindled the magelights, replaced the onyx floor, masoned the old, crumbled walls...
Alyssa felt proud of them. Their strength showed as a whole. They were family.
"Empress! Emperor! Judgment! Anyone!" shouted a voice from the hallway. A panicked redhead with messy hair staggered to a stop in the doorway. In her bloody hand she clutched a letter.
And thus, all good things must come to an end.