Chapter 14:
Warrior
The suns’ rays invade the translucent walls that barrier elaborate buildings tilting toward the clouds. Winged humans’ are airborne in the sky, flying amongst birds, chatting in the skies while their bodies are still in the air, wings an array of colors, flapping against the wind. Margret enters through the glassy city’s paved pathway, the sparkling stone returning the suns’ rays to the sky. Colm clutches Margret’s hand tighter as her nerves intertwine with his soul; she refrains from catching his glance, trying to hold her composure of confidence. A hallow pit knocks against her stomach, causing her to constantly swallow against the dryness of her throat. As Colm and Margret approach the entrance way of a large building a couple of the humans nod and smile toward her and Colm, their faces friendly and genuine as they return to their conversations and daily business.
“Do the winged humans of your world have a reference to their kind?” Margret probes against Colm’s mind as she tires of referring them to the ‘humans with wings’.
“Archangels.” He fills her head.
Margret scoffs at the revelation. “Of course. Only the most obvious.” Her heads leans toward Colm with a sly smirk as his eyebrow rises toward her with inquiry. Instead of words she decides to fill her head with Earth’s interpretation of archangels and their relevance. As Colm gathers the visions he simply announces out loud while allowing her to enter the building first. “Where do you think those images came from? After you.” He offers while placing his hand on the small of her back gently guiding her forward.
“Just a little cliché.” She shrugs, “And perhaps disappointing. I was prepared for a new vocabulary word, but we continue to be more intertwined than I anticipate.”
He pulls her into his arms for a brief moment, locking her eyes into his. “Try enlightening.” Colm’s breathe presses against her lips, her body becomes tense and her heart beats heavy against her chest, the pit in her stomach disappearing for that moment. As her neck bends to his will he releases her subtly with a smug grin against his face, turning his attention toward Natika who is suddenly visible, following behind Serafim and Harahel. Natika quickly races ahead of the men to wrap her arms around Colm. Margret’s eyes roll under her eyelids and her thoughts pound against Colm’s ears, flowing to him before she can grab control “Is she always going to hug you like she hasn’t seen you for eternity?”
Colm quickly releases Natika, uncomfortably scratching his head and avoiding Margret’s eyes. Natika doesn’t notice his awkwardness and immediately grabs for Margret next, pulling her in and holding her busty breast against her. She pulls away grasping Margret’s hands, “Are you ready for this?”
“Yea, of course.” Margret sputters with confidence as her face slightly pouts annoyed by Natika’s vibrancy.
Serafim embraces Colm with a strong pat on the back and then interrupts Natika when softly kissing Margret’s hand. Harahel nods following suit.
“Margret, Natika will mentor you while Harahel mentors Colm. Follow, please.” Serafim announces as he leads toward a corridor. Natika winks at Margret and scurries toward Harahel’s side latching on his arm.
“Is she always so clingy to men?” Margret wonders. Colm’s hand tightly squeezes her as the thought drifts from her mind and she realizes the judgement trailed loud enough for Colm to hear. His eyes widen as his face flushes a little, embarrassed of her jealousy of the beautiful woman. Margret scoffs, “Don’t give me that look. I’m only human.”
Colm leans over and whispers in her ear, “I will not enable negative attitude, Love, you are after all as much Cepaen as Earthling.”
Margret grins wiry from his firm scolding, finding his dominate behavior endearing. “Punish me please.” She jokes.
His neck flops with pursed lips as he tries to gather her meaning and then his eyes widen toward her when her derogatory images page his speculation. She smiles proudly to herself, raising her head in the air with confidence, marking her imaginary point on the winners circle.
Colm’s face transform to a ripe cherry as he contains from an embarrassed burst. Margret’s tooth buries into her lip as her face brightens. Colm opens his mouth to speak but Serafim interrupts turning toward everyone.
“Through here.” He leads, allowing the group to enter the doorway before him. The open doorway is not protected nor guarded. Margret walked through the entrance, her head lifting toward the spiraling rotunda, visible with stars. Sterling Swords, with handles appearing of acrylic, each hanging in their personal wall niche lit with color pastel illuminating upon it. Some bows with arrows lined an adjacent wall following the pattern.
“This is one of our few weaponry areas.” Serafim introduces.
Margret’s feed slide against the translucent floor as she admires the design.
“Above your head is an active gateway that is able to direct us to other Realms.” Serafim points toward the ceiling.
“What if others were to come here? They would have direct access to your weaponry?” Margret wonders.
“The system is only available from our end.” Harahel chimes in walking showing off a technical panel hidden behind a wall, for architectural reasons rather than to keep it safe. “Of course our planet is accessible outside this room.”
Margret turns toward Colm, prepared to witness Natika drooping over his arm but she stood slightly to side of him observing Serafim and Harahel. She gave Margret a brief grin as they made eye contact making Margret feeling slightly uncomfortable with her directness. Colm was studying things as much as she was making it apparent that it is also his first time touring weaponry area.
“You will be trained on both weapons.” Serafim addresses Colm and Margret.
Margret teases, “You do know Earth has weapons called guns? Missiles. Nuclear Bombs that can wipe out a city… You have swords and bow and arrows. Only swords and bow arrows?”
Serafim approaches her and Margret notices the others in the room gaze upon her with unspoken surprise. “You should choose your weapon Margret.”
“I was just being facetious.” She softly whispers.
“Choose a sword off the wall that fancies you. Please Margret.” Serafim instructs.
“What if I’m actually better at bow and arrow?” She smirks, “Shouldn’t I have a fair opportunity to equally test them?”
Colm passes Margret and grabs a bow and arrow, as he does the light in the wall niche quickly fades. “I’m prepared to begin.” He announces. “Harahel is there anything further needed for discussion at this point?”
“Only you will need to ready by suiting in the wardrobe housing.” Harahel informs.
Margret quickly strides toward the wall and without hesitation she eagerly pulls a sword away from the wall niche, the light upon it disappearing as she grabs it. The handle material in appearances is a thick acrylic but feels as smooth glass between her palms. A crystal with specks of gold is embedded in the handle slightly under the guard, following a thing crystal line entering through the rain guard leading all the way to the point. The sword was lightweight, as if she were eight picking up a stick out of her backyard. “Ready to fight Colm?” she plays pointing the sword in his direction.
Serafim calmly pushes on her first lowering her hands the ground. She turns to him and he shakes his head as a parent would warn their child. “Not for play.” He sets the first rule.
“Sorry, I am only teasing.” Margret softly explains.
“Margret I will lead you to the female wardrobe housing to suit up. If you don’t mind I prefer to hold the sword until we enter the arena.” Natika suggest holding out her palm toward its handle.
Margret slightly pouts, surveying the room before surrendering the weapon. “You guys do know it’s only a sword? It wasn’t a week ago I wounded, shot, with a gun.” She places the sword in Natika hand and continues, “I cannot envision me waitressing at the local sports bar, one of Dark Leake’s goons arriving with multiple systematic pistols and I pull out a sword. Where am I going to hide it?”
“Is she always so cynical?” Natika calls to Colm across the room.
Colm chuckles, “You three have no idea the awakenings when an Amalgam is your soulmate.”
Natika smirks toward Colm as Margret protest, “You two do know I am standing right here?”
Natika shifts the small crystal and the sword suddenly retracts, pulling, twisting and bending itself until it is nothing more than a shape of small ring. Natika gently takes Margret’s hand, her mouth wide opened with surprise, and Natika places the ring upon her finger. “Should fit perfectly.”
Margret grasps Natika’s hand suddenly admiring the ring upon her finger. “That is a sword?”
Natika releases a sighing laugh, “Don’t be ridiculous. That is a ring.” She holds up her other hand that fashions a much similar crystal to the one on Margret’s finger. “This is a sword.” Natika winks at her, pulling on her hand to follow her. She stops at Colm, “I will call to you if she gets out of hand.” Natika teases.
“Be positive, Love.” Colm grins with encouragement.
Margret’s heart pounds on her chest but she decides to roll her eyes at Colm, trying to disguise her passion. He leaves her with a toothy grin as she follows Natika out of the room.
********
Margret exits from the wardrobe housing in a short white skirt and silver fitted tank. Boots cover her calves muscles kissing her knees, her hair are pulled into a high pony tail that wisp against her neck. She approaches Natika who watches her wide eyed, dressed much the same. “You are amazing.” Natika announces.
“I look ridiculous. Either a very confused tennis player or stripper. Not sure which.” Margret tries to adjust the skirt lower against her thighs.
“I am not familiar with either of those Earth those comparisons, but they must be fabulous if you resemble them at this moment.” Natika decides.
Margret burst into laughter at her conclusion and while doing so she sizes Natika up. “Definitely to pull the look off like you do. I think your clothes are so excited you are wearing them they may actually be dancing on your body right now.”
She blushes, “Nonsense it is the wind. You are as beautiful as I and our light magnifies one another. Come let us get started.”
Natika slides the crystal on her ring and quickly folds and bends opening into a sword fitted perfect in the palm of her hand. “You do the same.” She instructs.
Margret fumbles with the crystal for a moment and the ring upon her finger swiftly molds itself into a sword. Margret’s eyes widen as if it is the first time witnessing the transformation. She grasps the sword tighter in her palm, pressing her fingers tightly against the handle.
“As it is has now taken shape to sword I would like you to firmly place your thumb over the stone pressing.” Natika explains.
“Like this?” Margret ask unsure but following the directions precisely.
“Exactly.” Natika confirms as crystal glows, trailing from the rain guard to the point.
“Whoa! What just happened?” Margret’s eyes wide with wonder.
“You have just imprinted your sword. The sword will only function under your command.” Natika informs her. “Now place your left hand on the forte, which is here.” She shows Margret pointing to the part. “As you do, place your thumb on the crystal swiping upward, releasing your hand from the forte and…” Natika does this and a faint white glow surrounds her. “This is your shield. I would tell you to walk toward it but you will receive a brief shock if you were to try to penetrate it.”
Margret stares at Natika speechless, “Is there anything else I should know this sword is capable of?”
Natika nods with a wide grin upon her face and rapidly releases the shield, swinging the handle into her wrist and taking aim a bright laser shoots from the ridge of the sword toward a target about three hundred feet from them, demolishing it. Margret almost drops her sword with shock apparent on her face, feeling the blood in her head drain to her feet, faint for a moment.
“Are you okay?” Natika suddenly transform her sword to the ring on her finger, rushing to Margret and sitting her down. “I’ll get you water.”
Margret grabs Natika’s arm stopping her, “No. I’m okay.”
“Let me get Colm. Perhaps you are sick? He can help.” Natika’s face turns to worry and she strokes Margret’s face pushing the hair from her forehead. Margret gently removes Natika’s hand away from her face and laces it on Natika’s knee with a short firm pat. “Really, I’m okay. The whole idea of having a weapon that could destroy a person with one hit was just a tad shocking for a brief a moment. Is there anything else I should know my personal kill sword can do?”
Natika shakes her head able to find little words. “That is about it. Other than summing it.”
“Summing it?” Margret raises her eyebrows.
“Yes if it were away from you, you’d be able to summon it with your mind. At least that is what is true for us; I suppose we will see if it will also suffice Colm and yourself.” Natika analyzes the situation.
“Because we aren’t Archangels?” Margret tries to resolve the situation.
“Precisely. Is there any other questions before we start?” Natika’s eyes blink against her thick, log eye lashes, her lips pursed against her finger anxiously awaiting Margret’s next thought.
“Yes, I have one last question.” Margret decides. Natika nods with her brow raised to her forehead as Margret continues, “How does a peaceful planet design weapons capable of demolishing their enemy?”
Natika tilts her head, “Valid question.” She agrees, “The sword is capable of only a wound, I did want to impress you with its capabilities.” Natika bashfully admits, “A peaceful planet, not an ignorant one.”
“You are like the Canada of planets.” Margret smirks.
Natika’s head tilts and her lights tighten as she tries to grasp the joke. “Never mind.” Margret tells her, “It’s an Earth thing.”
Natika stand tall yielding her sword to her side. “I’ll teach you the fundamentals of your weapon. According to Zulima, you have been doing physical training on your planet, however I will introduce you to techniques we use…” she pauses for a brief a moment as she thinks.
“What is it?” Margret eagerly snaps.
“It never occurred to me I’d be training someone without the ability of flight.” Natika lets the thought simmer for a moment.
“It never occurred to you guys that Colm and I didn’t have wings?” Margret rolls her eyes factiously.
Natika ignores her sarcasm, “I’ll talk to the counsel and figure what we are able to improvise.” She says loudly as if she is talking to herself. Her eyes drift toward Margret, “Shall we leap to the heart of things?”
Margret stands tall with her sword in hand taking a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do it.”
*****
Bruinen’s feet smack against the saucer as he finishes loading miscellaneous supplies for their journey. There is a gateway through the depths of their ocean that leads directly to an ocean on a planet they refer to as PL2800, two planets beyond Earth’s dwarf planet Pluto. Nawfar will rise their ship from PL2800’s waters, a planet that has not been found to be inhibited by human’s life, but many microscopic organisms have been found; fish without eyes, corals and other sea creatures that the Acquavodians haven’t found on their planet. Once they enter Earth’s galaxy, it will then only be hours before they arrive in Earth’s atmosphere.
“Everything is prepared.” Nawfar enters. “Marlin and Tsunami are on their way, along with Kae.”
Bruinen searches her eyes, “You do agree with the decision to bring Tsunami on board. Doubt does not probe your mind?”
“I agree.” She assures him, “She is a strong asset and with proper guidance will become one of our strongest.” She pauses as her eyes shifts to the exterior of the craft and she walks toward the the doorway, “And here they are.”
“Marlin! Tsunami!” she calls to them.
“Nawfar. Bruinen.” Marlin nods as he approaches them.
Tsunami waves her hand toward them with a smile that smothers her face. She clutches her navy satchel, thrown around her shoulder, her eyes admiring the transportation she is about to experience. In the distance, behind them, is another figure. He is running and quickly catching up. Bruinen props his body against the door and folds his arms as they board. “Morning.” He smiles and Nawfar also returns the gesture to him. Tsunami turns to the man who enters the ship behind them. “Kae.” He smiles toward Marlin and Tsunami.
“A pleasure.” Tsunami smiles.
“Like wise.” Marlin adds.
Kae follows them through corridor as Bruinen seals the door shut. “Kae is one of our most talented researches at EFWR.”
“In addition I’ll be sampling Earth’s salt water and seeing how it may vary from that on our planet.” Kae adds as they enter the flight deck.
The flight deck is roomy and much like a grand living room, with the exception of the high tech control panels and seat belts fashioned to the reclining chairs. There are cabins outside the flight deck along with a kitchen. The Earth’s journey will take less than eighteen hours to complete and duration of it will be spent underwater.
Bruinen observes as the crew finds their seats, Tsunami finding a seat next Kae, probing him with ongoing questions of his research. Nawfar is already pushing buttons against the launch panels as she calls Bruinen to her side. He hastily makes his way toward the control pane,l taking the seat by her side. Nawfar would be in control of the craft and he would assist her. She had strong abilities within the ocean and the waters, giving things a predictably safe outcome during their journey. When there are moments of dangers arising within the waters she has a gift to bring things to an easy calm. Complications can arise quickly. Creatures of the deep can be aggressive. Nawfar has steered their crew out of some complicated situations.
“Ready for submergence. Everything in order?” Nawfar turns toward Bruinen awaiting clearance. Her delicate fingers against the control and her tired, wide eyes gazing at him.
Bruinen feels the comfort of the chair against his back as his body pushes against it. He is unaware of his exhaustion until his body settles in. He had not rested much since the first trip to Earth and he saw Nawfar’s eyes read the same. She had gone to visit Kae and touch base with the EFWR, while he had prepared Marlin. In only a few short days they were back to making another journey to Earth, where they would be busy with more meetings and strategic operations, most now concerning Queen Sultana and her vampire army. It would be a question on one planet, who will side with light or dark. It was unnerving and left Bruinen with wakeful nights, preparing for the outcomes that would effect his people and their planet.
Bruinen nods toward Nawfar as he straps his belt on. “Fire her up.” He forces a grin.
“Everyone strap up, we are submerging.” Nawfar warns as she clicks a couple buttons on the dash and the craft begins to hover slightly above it’s perched position.
The hanger roars open, clear blue water surrounding it. Nawfar steers the craft to the end of the hanger and it now hovers above the depths of the ocean. Waves tap the bottom of the ship as it slowly lowers, parallel to the waters. Nawfar nods toward Bruinen and taps a large silver button, pushing out propellers and plunging the large ship into the water. It continues to pick up speed as it drills it’s way through the liquids, sinking deeper toward the seafloor. The engines whirl, pushing the water through the ship’s propellers, the speed giving an empty view of darkness. The crews backs are pressed against their seats until the ship begins to slowly wind down. “Reaching maximum depth parallel to AGG.” Nawfar announces.
Kae leans over toward Tsunami, “Acquavodo Galaxy Gateway.” He whispers.
She smirks and with a low voice, “Yes, I know that.”
“Hitting 102K at depth. Blind. Hitting lights.” Nawfar hits a switch which brightens the entire ocean floor surrounding them. The silent ocean outside the windows is brought to life, an enormous fish passes the window, appearing to look in the craft with its eyeball the size of three.
Nawfar subtly speeds the craft to a steady level. “Safe to unbuckle and inhabitant the ship.” She turns toward Bruinen, “All pressure units are perfect. We’ll arrive to AGG in a matter of seven hours.”
“Perfect. Should be a smooth ride. I’m going to walk about the craft with crew. Inform me when you need a break.” Bruinen suggest.
“Will do.” She faintly grins.
Nawfar unfastens his seat belt and stands up feeling the grasp of his wrist between Nawfar fingers. “Please, try to rest.”
Bruinen watches as the three converse leaving the through the entrance way. Bruinen tilts his head toward his petite significant, who genuinely reeks concern on her face. “I will find rest when I find peace.” He squeezes her hand with forced reassurance and softly releases her, allowing her hand to slide on her lap.
He decides to find his way outside the flight deck, before a conversation proceeds. He feels unsure and tense about his people and their safety, Nawfar will be able to suspect too much of his concern. He makes his way down the hall, his eyes heavy against his skull, quickly shaking it off when he spots Marlin heading to a cabin.
Marlin pauses before his hand reaches the door and he immediately takes advantage of the opportunity, “You could have told me of your opinions on Tsunami.”
Bruinen pauses, caught off guard by Marlin’s open confrontation, but decides to shrug it off. “Would you have agreed?”
Marlin doesn’t hesitate, “Of course not but I would have come around. I always do. We always do.”
“I knew Nawfar could persuade your opinion at a quicker pace than I would have been able.” Bruinen admits.
“I’m going to work out.” Marlin changes the subject. “Joining?” Marlin offers entering the gym.
“Not at this time. I’m going to take a break, I want to release Nawfar from her position soon. She is exhausted, as I. I will be more comforted in the idea that she receives rest, before we enter Earth’s galaxy.”
“Right then.” Marlin enters the room letting the door swing behind him. Bruinen is about to continue down the hall but Marlin pops his head out from the door. “Have her see me when she breaks.” He then disappears behind the door once again.
Nawfar and Marlin have a sexual past that perhaps is present. Marlin’s significant is often with her sexual partners more than Marlin, leaving him little emotional stability. Marlin is not Tsunami’s biological father and he is not sure of Tsunami's Acquavodian blood line. Marlin appears unfazed by his partner’s over indulgence, sexual appetite, which surprises Bruinen, for they are one of the few that breaks the mold in the Acquavodian customs.
He leaves the thoughts as he heads in the library toward the book shelf. He prefers a novel of adventure and entertainment during quiet times at home, but under the circumstances he feels obligated to educate himself even more, on Earth’s historical outlook. He smirks as he thinks to himself ‘Earth’s history IS Entertainment in its’ own way.‘
Their books are paperless, each one computed into a sleek slate, categorized with bold digital lettering against the side. His finger slides against the slim hardware as he reads the words against them.
“You are the smartest Acquavodian known,” Tsunami’s voice slightly echoes in the room, “Except, for the fact that you manage to catch a break, and retreat to the one place your mind will get no rest.”
He turns his head toward her as she walks through the doorway and bounces herself into a chair. “I thought you were with Kae?” Bruinen acknowledges turning himself back toward the wall and making a selection.
“Kae is interesting but also exhausting.” She grins. “What are you going to read?”
He hands her a book “For you.”
She reads the digital lettering on the side raising an eyebrow, “Earth’s Discoveries.”
He nods toward her, taking himself back to the shelf. Tsunami watches him for a moment as he continues to scan the shelf, deciding to activate the translucent slate. The title appears boldly, using her finger, slightly elevated over the slate, she scans through the book, the words and pictures flipping across as her finger slides side to side. “Lots of pictures. Isn’t that nice?” She facetiously grins toward him. “I will assume that was not an insult toward my intelligence or age.”
“It has much information on their discoveries of Atlantis. It could be valuable information during your quest.” Bruinen doesn’t take his focus away from the books on the shelf as his finger continues to slide over them.
“I see. And you?” She now ignores the book on her lap.
“Appears I might have finally read everything in our library. I’m searching for one I perhaps could embed further into memory, for purposes of our journey.” He tugs at a slate from the shelf, “The Dessert War.” He announces. “Earthlings wars are brutal. I have found many of their tactics divided. Earth is the most divided planet I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.”
“How does a planet become divided?” She wonders.
“Earth is not the only divided planet; however, the magnitude of the division is most interesting to us, unison planets. Earth is divided into areas they call continents, which they then break into countries and lastly even dividing their land into smaller masses called states, each having their own anarchy.” He informs her. “They have cities such as ours, within the states, however even those are appointed another type anarchy that governs it. I simply thought it was the only way they could provide themselves with solid structure, and then I had done more extensive research and found this is not the case.”
“Then what is it? Or do I need to read about it?” She smirks.
Bruinen is not entertained by her simple humor and continues, “Planets of unison thrive, due to the fact that we have much light in our souls. We know of evil but we are unable to aid it within us. It simply is not in our structure. We know that planets divided are inhibit evil.” He paces across the room pausing at a slate, bringing it to life, beaming a diagrammed picture of the Earth planet. “Earth however, is over populated with people, and upon those people are souls of light and dark.”
“Hmmm...” Tsunami ponders on the idea, “I don’t understand how that would work.”
“It explains their constant state of war amongst each other. For they are not only with light and dark but they are of gray, those easily persuaded toward either of the two for eternity. The struggle leaves the planet in a constant imbalance.”
“Guess I will be able to witness it firsthand in a matter of hours. So! Where are we going on this planet? Which one of those cities is our destination?” she points toward the screen as he maximizes the areas.
“They call this one Russia.” He points, “Their city is called Moscow. All of the allied nations will be meeting here for our first location. Next we will meet in this country they call China. The city there is called Bejing. Then we will be off again to a country they call England. The city is called London. After the meeting in London it will be determined if we arrive back to our planet or will need to inhabit Earth for a longer period of time. If we stay on Earth we will then return the city called Washington DC in a country they call The United States of America.”
As he empties the slate and places it back to the shelf his eyes meet Tsunami’s. She has her elbow rest on the chair, fist perching her chin, body leaning into the chair as she gazes at him in intently. He pauses for a moment wondering if she is only staring at him or was actually listening, when she doesn’t engage in the conclusion of his itinerary, he dryly ask, “Questions?”
“I think your eyes might actually be bluer than mine.” She finally says. “I have noticed everyone on our planet tends to have a darker blue rather than a bright blue. Mine are very blue, but yours may be more so.”
Bruinen pauses for second, confused by her wandering mind. “That is irrelevant to this conversation. Were you listening to what I was saying?”
“Very much so.” She serves.
“What did I say?” he challenges.
“We are visiting Moscow, Beijing and London. All cities of Russia, China and England. Then we most likely hang around until crazy vampire lady attacks the planet. Then you call in the rest of our warriors while Kae and I head towards Cadiz, Spain where the lost city should be located under the water’s depths. Coincidentally, it is believed to be submerged by a Tsunami.” She smiles. “Irony.”
Bruinen’s lips are tight as he nods impressed by her information, “Impressive.”
“Yup. I have a photographic memory. Already read the parts of Atlantis in this book while you scanned the bookshelf for your read. Anything else in this book I should have a look at?” She smirks playfully.
“Any information you take on Earth will prove beneficial for your expeditions there.” Bruinen responds very matter of fact. “Your talents are more than impressive, and your skills beyond your years, but over confidence could find you trouble.”
“I disagree.” Her words are flat against her tongue as they flow out of her pouting lips. She crosses her leg, resting it on her knee, bouncing it against the air, her feet fitted in neoprene boots that glove her calves. “Being overly confident can only find me trouble, if I become irrational or illogical to a threatening situation. The extreme confidence I have is what drives me to success beyond my years; However, I don’t roll over ignorant to the dangers that could implode.”
Bruinen studies her for a moment. Her playful childlike behavior screams teenage passage, while her quick wit and thought process, proves her soul to be years beyond her documented age. Her long lashes widen her eyes; her beauty is subtle but evident, bringing a natural glow upon her freckled cheeks. Bruinen takes the seat from across her and leans in toward her, resting his palms against each other, his eyes staring down at them for a moment while he gathers his thoughts, trying to find words. He lifts his head to her and her eye brows raise waiting patiently for him to speak.
“Tsunami, I applaud your passion and charisma. You believe in yourself and your gifts. That gives you the confidence to exceed and excel. Your father is Acquavodo’s most valued warrior; his skill levels, wit, strength and power have protected our planet from one of the worse attacks it has witnessed. He is highly respected.” He pauses for a moment grabbing more thoughts.
“Yes, I know all this.” Tsunami relaxes into her chair waiting for him to continue.
“Then understand this.” He leans in closer, “I have to bring you home in one piece.”
“I’m not afraid of anything happening to me and you don’t need to be worried either.” Tsunami hands him the slate off her lap. “Here, take this. I’m going to find something to bide my…”
Bruinen interrupts her, “I am afraid for you, Tsunami. Once we land on Earth, you are not to leave my sight until instructed to do so. I want you by my side at all-time, unless I know where you are or what you are doing.”
“You’re joking, right?” She snaps at him rolling her eyes.
“Not at all.” He confirms.
“Well, this conversation has gone off course.” She pouts, “Tell you what, I’ll follow your rules only because you are the Sovereign, and my father has taught me to respect my elders, but I’m not sure there is much you can teach me that I don’t already know; and you will have to let me out of your sight, when it comes time for me to retrieve the stone from Atlantis.” Her hands smack against the chair as she stands up. “Is there reading material I should take with me?”
He ignores her sarcasm, standing up and walking to the bookshelf he slides a slate from the silver shelf, handing it to her. Tsunami swipes it from his hands and reads the binder, “Really? I would ask if you’re joking, but I am discovering quickly that you hold little sense of humor.”
“Read it from front to back and then you can return it to the library, read a follow up in the same Earth genre.” He smirks.
Tsunami struts toward the door, “Would you like to escort me to my next destination? To see that I arrive safely?”
“Earth.” He reminds her.
“Yes, I remember, just wanted to make sure you felt I could navigate the inside of a ship.” His hands grab the door as she is about to walk out and she turns toward him, “I know I am young, but I’m not foolish.”
Bruinen strides across the room toward her until he stands face to face with her. Her eyes almost meet his; she has height, for a female of their planet. Her eyes slightly shift but gain control, keeping strong eye contact. “I think you are everything opposite of foolish. That is one of the many reason why you are here. You are not ignorant but you have much wisdom to continue to gain.”
“Really? This is why you have me reading ‘How to Deal with Difficult People?’” She shakes her head, “I’ll return soon for a follow up. Let you know how it goes, okay?”
He smirks as her body flings around, her hair brushing against his face as she storms out. Bruinen chuckles to himself for a brief moment. Suddenly Marlin appears at the door. “Nawfar needs you immediately. We’ve run into some trouble.”
