Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lottie sat beside Micha'el on the bed. He was still sweating, and his cheeks were damp and pale as a ghost. But at least now he was breathing calmly and asleep, eyes closed and resting. She turned to face Tsuna when she explained the situation as briefly as she could for now. Lottie nodded first. "I believe you" she said, eyes glazed but not tearful. "I believe Micha'el. He just... never brought it up. Yeah, go ahead. I won't go anywhere. And if you see that... Prince..." Lottie looked away and back towards Micha'el. She put a hand on his. "Tell him he's not wanted. Not now. And not ever."


"I asked young Statem to to grab a meal for you all" a voice said from behind Tsuna. Captain Fenmaw appeared at her side and leaned against the edge of the ship to take in the view with her. "Can't be going w'out supper. And he appeared anxious." Fenmaw glanced slightly towards her, "now I won't go pryin', it's none of my business. But I do believe a hearty meal does wonders for the mind and soul. We Therians can get hungry, all that transforming at will 'n all."

Alaric followed Tsuna's gaze. She was peering out into the night sky, examining the stars the were scattered across the endless expanse. He pondered her question for a long moment, recalling the constellations he knew and the various important stars for navigating the seas. Alaric mumbled. "Well - the only important star out tonight is the North star over there" he pointed northwards, where a bright, large star shun in the distance. "O'er there would be the Crownless King" he gestured off to the side, where a cluster of stars couldn't be identified from one or the other. "Though its too early in the year for that star... it's faded, barely shining through beneath a crown of askew stars. It first appeared when our ancient King Zurrakis sacrificed his throne in Southmarch to save our ancestors." He continued to look around. "That there be the Felthane, the emerald flame and o'er yonder is the Hermit Lantern. See - above that wounded star." He gestured east towards a silver star, it shimmered slightly. "Apparently the prophets in Zakernand watch that thing all the time. Us, mind you, think of it as the East Star." The space beneath it looked as though a star had once existed, but burst and was pierced by something arching downwards towards the Earth. All that was left was a twilit aura in the cosmos beneath the Hermit Lantern. Huffing nonchalantly as he resigned and shook his head softly. "That be all I think, Miss Tsuna. Is your friend from Zakernand? Though I have to say he looks more like one of those angel-folk. Not that I ever spoken to one. Though any friend is good to have, and to see you have a friend is good to see."

The wise old man smiled under his salt and pepper beard. He nodded slowly, as if confirming what Tsuna had asked him. "Once, a long time ago." Alaric was still staring out into the sea, watching the waves pass beneath the ship. He recalled in his mind the memories of days long gone. "I gave your parents safe passage to Magic Earth. That was after they had already spent time on this very ship. Otherearth was our oyster. Eventually - you were their pearl. I honestly didn't expect to see you again, not after giving you and your father safe passage to Magic Earth. But - that tail of yours was unmistakable. Never before had there been a Therian like you. I was the one that told your father about Hope Academy. Tell me, Tsuna. How is Ash? He hasn't dropped by for some years now. Last I 'eard he was heading back to Otherearth for something inportant."

"Oh..." Alaric's shoulder sank. He watched the waves splashing against the side of the boat, foaming and turning into white before vanishing again entirely. "Two years?" he softly asked, turning his head to look at Tsuna. As she began to ramble and cry he felt himself move before he could think. He pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her, leaning down to bring his tall stature down a little. "Don't be asking silly questions like that, lass" Alaric's rough voice came from above her shoulder. "Your father loved you more than anything else. He would have had his reasons, not ever secret is out of hate or spite. Sometimes it is fear - or love. T' protect those that are close to us." Alaric remained still, squeezing her gentle to reassure her, and allowing her to choose when to let go. He allowed this moment to take a moment of solace himself. He had just lost a friend... two years ago without ever knowing. Though he supposed he had suspected that something happened. He just never allowed the thought to be real. Tsuna, now, was all he had left of his two dearest friends.

"I can tell you about them, Ash and Seraph. But first - you need supper. And rest."