Phia, Menzai, and Bastion split off from the group to make their way to the tavern with a quiet Tommy riding atop the warforged shoulders. Even with the sun still low in the sky the town was very active, but even then it did not stop the stares. The townsfolk hushed their conversation and shared glances as the four of them passed. The young boy riding the giant warforged drew more attention than any single one of them would.
Phia kept close to Menzai’s side as they walked, her arms folded around herself. Her amber gaze stayed alert, shifting over the faces they passed… The malicious grins, the curious eyes, the whispers that halted too abruptly whenever she looked their way. It all made the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Beneath the morning hustle and bustle, it was easier to feel it: this port had too many teeth.
Bastion slowed half a step when the whispers sharpened around them, his head turning just enough to mark which faces lingered too long.
When he noticed Tommy’s hands tightening against him, Bastion adjusted his gait without comment, making sure he wasn’t bouncing the poor lad around.
Menzai walked with a quiet, steady pace, matching Phia’s rhythm as he went. Glancing down at her from time to time, brows knitted and furrowed with concern, sensing the vile teeth whose hungers were nothing like the dangerous beast of the jungle. At least, to Phia, who had managed to avoid or feel such reprehensible eyes. With a gentle, and snowy glide of his left arm using the sleeve of his haori to cover and hide her from view as he hugged her softly with an adoring touch at his side.” Fret not, Sweet Phia, your brother will not let anyone near.” He whispered comfortingly with an assuring squeeze. Detesting seeing her so down, the wolf turned his gaze towards Bastion and Tommy.
A peculiar, small uplifting twitch at the unexpected heartwarming sight.” Sweet Phia, Curious thing that marble Sir Tommy carries?. Hm, curious, the two of them altogether.” He mused to his half-elven sister, hoping to help distract her from the prying eyes.
Phia leaned into Menzai’s embrace, nuzzling her face into the soft fabric of his haori. “I hope he treasures that marble.” She whispered back with earnest hope.
Her attention then drifted upward to Tommy, and the unease in her expression shifted to one of concern. “Tommy…” she began gently, tilting her head up at him. “You must have been traveling on the flying wood beast with us… Were you all by yourself?” The thought seemed to trouble her. After a brief pause, her gaze flicked toward Bastion as well. “Where were you going?” she asked Tommy first, then added more softly, “And you too, Bastion… where were you going before all of this?”
The question reached Bastion later than it should have. His answer, in some ways, was as simple as could be, though in others it carried more complexities than his warforged mind comprehended. He did not respond right away as the others began talking.
Tommy watched the rest of the group walk away as Bastion carried him back towards the tavern. He still clutched the marble, not daring to take his hands off his metal steed. All eyes seemed to trend his direction as he looked down across the sea of townsfolk. The situation seemed so surreal to him, it had been a long time since he was this exposed to the general public. In Stormreach that was for good reason, being spotted was no longer an option. Phia’s voice broke his train of thought, which was more welcome than he would let on.
“Flying… wood… beast?” Cocking his head confused.
He let his arm slip away, feeling somewhat better at ease. He appreciated their presence if he struggled to voice it aloud. Phia had always been capable of talking to others without hesitation if she felt they were a good person. Her sharp, unique senses impressed him every day. His fluffy-snow-white ears perked, catching Tommy's head-tilted response.
A sharp, clawed forefinger rose swiftly, causing a monetary pause with an aimed yet polite interjection.” Pardon, sir Tommy.” Then, a continued pace so as not to hold the group.” Yes, flying wood beast, for those of us of the Oruna tribe, such mechanical devices and wondrous mechanisms are only things read in books. They feel..mythical and unfathomably magical. They can almost appear, perhaps feel like living beasts in their own way. Fascinatingly curious creations…” Catching that he may have overspoken and coughed rebukedly against his sleeved hand.” Ahem, er, yes. Forgive me. I do hope that was adequate. We left off with your potential destinations, correct?” The wolf inquired about letting the original inquiry resume.
“Oh, the flying ship. Yea, but just me.” His voice rose an octave, understanding Phia’s phrasing.
Finally, Bastion took his turn to speak, choosing to answer Phia’s initial question first.
“And I was on the ship because it was finally time to come back to the place where I was created.” The construct replied simply, and without elaboration, he turned to Tommy to address the little fella’s words. “I also came alone. It was the first time in my existence that I have been.” He looked down to the floor, optics dimming and eyes narrowing slightly as the thought brought with it a profound feeling of melancholy he had not anticipated. However, he did not hesitate to continue. “Have you been alone for long, small friend?”
“I.. It’s been… Um.” Tommy ponders the question for a moment, struggling to answer. “Bastion… Do you know what date it is?” Tommy leaned forward, trying to look at Bastion's face without risking falling off his ride.
Bastion considered Tommy’s question, realizing that he could not find an answer within his internal processes. Instead, he turned to Phia for the answer.
“I’m sorry to fail your request, young one, but I do not have that information. Phia, do you by chance know what day it is currently?”
Phia peered at him, confusion stirring in her amber gaze. She tilted her head as if the question had been very strange. “The day…?” she echoed, then she stared up at the sky as if it had all the answers.
“It is a day beneath the Watch of the Thunder Veils.” She simply answered as if that should have been obvious. “The sky will become loud, the air wet, and the leaves will drink.” Then she suddenly wrinkled her nose. “I hope the storm waters do not follow us onto the ship.”
Menzai listened to the conversation, a bit saddened at the way Bastion had a melancholy look to him; the loneliness was felt, and his creator, a curious person, he may hope to meet. The warforged had a unique expressiveness despite lacking the ability to emote. Canine ears flicked at Tommy’s mention of the date, mirroring in Phia and Bastion confusion with a slight head tilt. As sweet Phia answered, he had turned his attention skyward, studying the cloud patterns and sniffing at the air. A concerning sign of storms loomed on the horizon.
Tommy turned to Phia expecting a response that let him count the months since his exodus began, however her words left him with more questions than he had before.
The wolf gave a simple nod.” The thunder veil carries a foreboding wind, indeed, sweet Phia. I pray the storm waters do not chase us too relentlessly, with unknown dangers lurking ahead for us.” Menzai added casually, as if what Phia said was the most normal thing.
Tommy sat staring down at Menzai and Phia, their response yielding no usable information.
”... What?” Tommy asks with a perplexed stare.
”It’s Lharvion 25th 1000 YK.” Arya’s voice interrupted the scene. She stood behind them, panting slightly. Stella had flown after her instead of hanging onto the tiefling through the crowd and now she landed on her shoulder.
”Can I come join you…?” Arya inquired sheepishly, and glanced around. ”I… I feel safer with you.”
Bastion reached towards her with an open hand, welcoming her to join them.
“Hi Arya,” Phia greeted with a smile. “I feel safer with you as well.”
Arya smiled at Phia shyly and wrapped an arm around her shoulders gently. Should she feel the need to move, Arya allowed it.
The starry tiefling’s sudden panting interruption gave Menzai pause in his strides as he paused, turning partially to see the hooded, winded Arya. He blinked, at a loss for what she said.” Lharvion..25th?” He muttered softly.
Yet, it was her asking to join that surprised him most. As they were for the baths and did not think it appropriate to ask the sheepishly shy tiefling, nor doubted she would be comfortable. Though it melted his heart that she felt safe with them.” Not at all, Lady Arya, you are welcome with us, always. ” An assuring light bow while seeing Stella land upon Arya’s shoulder.” And the lovely Miss Stella as well.” He added, not wishing to forget the wondrous bird companion.” You seem tired. Perhaps you would enjoy some water when we arrive at the tavern?” Menzai suggested, knowing the whole ordeal had been strenuously stressful for the pair.
Arya smiled bashfully and nodded. ”Thank you so much Menzai.” She looked up at Stella and brushed her hand against her wings. ”I think she’ll enjoy this,” Arya mused. ”Water would be fantastic. Thank you, but I can pay for it.”
Menzai’s eyes widened slightly, fighting the awestruck urge at the sight of Arya’s bashful, blushing starry face. Her tinted cheeks were like a bright sun betwixt the stars. He could see how sweet Phia saw her as a goddess of the stars. Unable to stop the soft smile tickling the corners of his lips as he gave a light nod.” Of course, happy to help.” The wolf studied the pair, relieved to see them at ease, and hoped to keep things enjoyable for them and the group.
Tommy’s heart jumped as Arya spoke from behind them, he had been so preoccupied with Phia and Menzai that she had snuck up on him. Thankfully she used the same calendar and told him what he needed to know to give Bastion a real answer. He finally took a hand off Bastion to glance at the marble still clutched in his hand before finding a pocket to stow it. He stammered to himself counting on his hand the months since he lost his home. He starts counting backwards, for a moment he hesitates to count Nymm but continues after a moment.
”Lharvivon... Nymm, Dravago, Eyre, Theren… Four, it’s been four months.” Tommy's hand returns to holding Bastion's head.
”I stole a ticket, took an empty room, and hid until the ship started to crash.” Tommy looked down at Bastion, almost expecting a lecture after openly admitting to taking a ticket without paying.
“Four months is far too long for you to have been alone.” Bastion lamented. “I am truly sorry that such was your fortune, Tommy.” The warforged reached his other hand up to offer a comforting pat upon Tommy’s arm. “But such misfortune is over. You are with us, now.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” Phia said softly with a sympathetic frown. Her steps slowed as they reached the front of the Kraken’s Wake, and she gestured toward the building. “Here is the tavern.” she announced, as if it were not already very obvious.
Turning on her heels, she looked up at Tommy with concern. “Are you hungry? Or would you rather bathe or rest first?”
Then she added, “I have plenty of soap you may use… And I used to scrub the cubs’ little heads if you need some help.”
Arya frowned when the boy announced he had been alone for four months. She cringed. That was far too long to be alone, which her companions replied to out loud. Arya sympathetically glanced at him and tightened her hands around her hood, and allowed silence in order for Tommy to reply. She let out a deep sigh for now, content with her choice and the long-needed bath and food.
Tommy stared at the tavern entrance, Bastion could fit through but not enough that he wanted to risk him doing it while sitting on his shoulder. Releasing Bastion's head he scooted over to climb down the large metal man's arm. Bastion responded quickly, kneeling to let him down without a word.
Once his feet touched down he walked over to Phia taking her hand, he figured this was not a place for a child to be observed unattended. As for her question, he felt Menzai had made it clear bathing was not a suggestion. Besides, he did not want to have to rush getting warm food.
”Bath.” He responded bluntly, his off hand wrapping around his chest.
The robed wolf looked to Tommy with a sympathetic expression, finding the prospect of being alone for 4 months horribly unfortunate. Yet, to see him unharmed and well showed ingenuity and signs of survival expertise.” It is fortunate and impressive that you managed to get by in all that time, but fret not, Sir Tommy. With us, you may not need to venture alone any longer.” Menzai assured in a comforting tone.
Turning his eye to sweet Phia with a light smile, the way she doted like a worried mother, the cubs often adored having her scrub and wash them.” There are no softer hands to trust than sweet Phia’s. You are in good hands.” A nod as he looked to the tavern and gave a pondering scratch of his chin.” Hm, allow me to handle the bath request and orders, if that is fine? Any particular food requests?” He looked at each member of the group curiously. Pausing at Bastion, he tilted his head, pondering and hopeful that the tavern might have oil in stock.
Tommy had felt his face warm, knowing his cheeks gave himself away. Their doting was welcomed, but being compared to a stray cub was more than he liked. He had started to pout at the notion despite not knowing if that's what she meant or not.
”Something warm, and not old.” Tommy pushed out the words through puffy cheeks.
A few minutes later…
Menzai walked with a slow, steady pace, almost as if purposefully delaying his arrival. The orders and acquiring the bath permission had him trailing behind; the rest had gone on ahead to the bathhouse. His right clawed fingers pinched at his nose. The orders had been simple enough: getting Phia her meat dishes with juice, with no greens (blah), Arya some salad, and various side toppings of fruits and water. Tommy’s request had been peculiar, but he could tell he was in a bit of a bad mood.
For him, he thought of some good cozy soup, perhaps dumplings. Easy on a tired stomach and warming for those down and upset, with some juice.
A pause in handling money for those who preferred paying for themselves, though openly offered to pay as both a thank you and an apology for any awkwardness, his insistence to bathe, and simply wanted to. The bathhouse took double the usual price, but the bartender’s crude remark about hogging the bathhouse with such a group.
A disapproving shake of the head, detesting being seen like any of the vile denizens of this island. A heavy sigh as he lifted his head to the glint of bronze and came to a stop beside the warforged. Lifting his head while raising his right hand, the sleeve falling, revealing a bottle of basic engine oil.” For you, sir Bastion. My thanks for keeping watch, and know that your stoutly protective and calming presence is most appreciated, though I wish they had a more premium oil.” A gentle tap, tap pat of his free hand against his smooth metallic arm. As Menzai reached for the doorknob, he paused with a raised finger.” Ah, and Sir Bastion, if any of those wandering eyes attempts to bother or intrude, do feel free to do what needs be to scare the peepers off.” A snarling glare aimed down the hallway, sensing the wicked lurkers, a silent howling warning directed at them.
Then, with a calming turn of the head and a nervous inhale hesitantly stepped inside.
The air was thick with warm steam, heavy enough to cling to skin and hair within moments of entry. Water trickled from pipes and spouts constantly, filling the room with the soft sound of running water and occasional hollow drip into the various wooden tubs. The air carried the clean aroma of soap and wet wood while runes pulsed along the walls to keep the bathing room comfortable.
The door creaked open as Phia hurried in, Tommy in tow, and their hands clasped.
A small woven basket was tucked against her hip with little soaps wrapped in leaves and scraps of cloth. She had a look of enthusiastic determination on her face.
“Come, come. “ She stopped near one of the tubs and set her basket down. Then, she began unraveling the soaps from the leaves and showcasing them to Tommy.
“I have fruity soap.” She informed him and lifted a lump of pink and orange. “I have soap that smells like flowers.” She picked up a cream-colored bar with tiny petals pressed into it. “And then this is my pretty soap.” The last one was a lavender colored soap with dried lavender.
Phia smiled at him, giddy as if she had just shown him precious treasures. “What shall you choose, Tommy?”
Tommy stood quiet as Phia unloaded her collection, listening to her list out each of them with delight. Each option was no more enticing than the last to him, alas she would not be satisfied unless he chose. He could at least do that with the kindness she has shown him.
”That… that one's fine Phia.” He pointed at the floral soap. Tommy held his arm aloft stiff as a board as his anxiety towards what's about to happen took hold. He moved to a bench to sit trying to keep himself together.
Phia looked at the floral soap, then back at Tommy. Her smile softened when she noticed how stiffly he held himself.“Flower soap is good,” she said with a firm nod.“Gentle.”
Then, she turned toward the tub and began preparing it. She dipped her fingers into the water, testing the warmth, then added a little more from the spout. From her basket, she then pinched a few dried herbs and petals between her fingers, crumbling them into the water. The floral scent bloomed through the steam. She stirred the water with her fingertips, then set the flower soap on the edge of the tub within reach.
Only then did she glance back at him. “You can start to get ready,” she told him softly. She leaned over the tub, sniffed, then added one last petal with a satisfied hum.“There. Now it smells like flowers instead of feet.”
Phia prepared the tub with such kindness and grace, Tommy lamented that it has been some time since this kind of compassion was shown to him. Comparing her to Evita was a night and day difference, this wasn't an act she was putting on as far as he could tell.
Tommy set down the rolled up cloak that hid his sword.
Like a calm wind on a warm day, or a gentle stream flowing around a stone. A compassion that came earnest and free, Phia wanted to help. But would there be a cost?
Next his pouches and harness came off to sit beside him.
Even the others here looked at him with bright eyes that wanted to see him shine as well. Their own questions and reservations took a back seat while more pressing needs were met. Would they even ask for anything in return?
He removed his vest and began unbuttoning his shirt.
A rush of dread, would it change things? He felt his hairs stand and his skin cool, would they think less of him? A lump in the throat and he felt the tears welling under his eyes, would they demand the story?
He froze, each button on the shirt a seal to a forbidden tome, each a step towards an irrefutable truth. A monument to crimes he never wanted to commit.
With the steam wafting around him he sat, a statue of ice with shaky breath and trembling hands, his eyes glued to the floor. Resolve shattered under the weight of what would come next.
Phia glanced over, noticing that he had suddenly froze right where he was. “Would you like help, Tommy?” she offered.
It wouldn’t stop, the shaking… it came from everywhere. His hands trembled in his lap, his leg bounced urging him to flee, his breath came out rapid and forced. She offered help but the only thing she could do now was force his hand.
He was not ready to face that demon, it clung to him, a reminder that now and then he was always going to be the product of a lie. The chains, the cracking of whip and bone, the sobs and screams. The last day he ever wanted to remember, the last day they were still there.
Bittersweet, cold, and terrifying.
”Help.” The words came small, short, almost without sound. He dared not look up, he felt it, the look in his eyes screamed at the world.
But even then he did not want it directed to them, this was not their fault.
As Phia’s hands took his sleeves lifting the shirt from his arms his lips spoke a whole truth he desperately wanted to scream.
”It wasn't my fault.”
Phia’s hands stilled, the shirt raised up off his back still.
For a moment, the sound of the running water and rushing steam seemed louder than everything else. Her pupils slowly shrank and her breath caught in her chest as her eyes traced the marks across his back despite herself. Her grip on the fabric of his shirt tightened ever so slightly… Then her eyes began to sting with tears.
“Oh, Tommy…” She breathed finally, her expression crumbling.
She then moved slower as she finished removing his shirt, as if she were trying to prevent startling an injured animal that might bolt at any moment. “I know.” She whispered finally. “ It was not your fault.”
Once his arms left the sleeves they snapped back to wrap around himself, a desperate yet futile attempt to hold him together. It stung, Tommy could not tell if it was the open air or their eyes that produced the sensation, like salt being pressed into an open wound.
He hunched forward letting his head hang, his nose ran, his breath came in desperate gasps, and his eyes bled clear. A waterfall from months of suffering, spilling onto the floor.
Then she moved to kneel in front of him, and said softer. “You are safe with me. I will never hurt you.” She explained to him. “And I will protect you from those who would.”
Menzai walked his way from the towel cabinet, carrying multiple towels with a slow pace and a slight anxiousness to his steps. He moved with a cautious gaze, ears perked, wanting to avoid any accidental peeks; finding the bathing situation awkward enough as is.
The sound of splashing water and rustling clothes caught his flicking ear’s attention. As he went to inspect, he soon heard sweet Phia’s voice, low and soothing, more so than usual, as if she was tending to a timid cub. Concern etched his brow, recalling how anxious and hesitant Tommy had been at the prospect of bathing. As he stepped up to the divider, the wolf peered around; eyes widened in shock and horror, glimpsing Tommy’s heavily scarred back. He stepped back sharply with his back to the divider; a trembling hand clutched at the front of his haori, fighting back tears threatening to well up. To bear witness to such a painful and cruel sight left Menzai feeling immensely guilty and remorseful. And had he known, he would have never pushed Tommy into such a vulnerable situation. His ears flattened, hating himself for pressuring him, furious at whoever would dare harm such a sweet little one; as if survival alone hadn’t been cruel enough.
His trembling hand tightened against the haori, its snowy silky presence giving him a stabling comfort as his own scars ached beneath, but he was a hunter, a predator; battle scars for oruna wolves were unavoidable. But Tommy? What reason could one have to mark him so despicably? Menzai glanced over his shoulder, thankful sweet Phia was there with him; her motherly, gentle touch was just the thing to soothe the nervous, marred little one. Feeling that his presence would only serve to frighten him more, the wolf gently tapped against the divider.” Forgive the interruption; I wish to let you know I shall be leaving some extra towels out here in case they are needed.” He spoke softly, a slight crack in his stoic tone as faint rustling of him placing towels down.” Please be at ease and know I shall be keeping watch…and si-” Menzai attempted to give an apology to Tommy, but the words caught in his throat; guilt made him doubt he had any right to speak to him.” And..sweet Phia, do give Sir Tommy the best care.” Was all he could muster.
With a shaky breath, the robed wolf stepped away, curious to have noticed Arya wasn’t with them. Had she seen Tommy’s scarred frame as well? An unpleasant enough sight for him that he could only wonder how much it may have hurt her as well. Needing to make sure she was ok, Menzai quietly made his way through the bathhouse towards the only other source of running water, his head kept downward to avoid any accidental peeks; he felt ashamed as is, the last thing he wanted was to be viewed as a creep on top of it.
Arya had been watching quietly from the side. She wasn’t sure if she should assist Phia or not, but it seemed like she had it under control. The idea of Menzai guarding her both comforted and terrified her. What if he wasn’t who she thought he might be? What if he was like one of them? She bit her lip and froze on the spot indecisively.
As she stood there, however, she noticed Tommy’s back. Her chest tightened and a lump formed in her throat and her vision blurred from tears. His sudden breakdown caused Arya’s heart to sink. What had happened to him? While Menzai set the towels down, she noticed a crack in his stoic demeanor. Stella ruffled her feathers and watched intently, and she knew her eagle was capable of at least understanding the gravity of Tommy’s emotions. She crossed over to Phia and Tommy carefully and slowly, ensuring none of her movements were too sudden.
”Tommy,” Arya spoke gently, and avoided eye contact with him. ”Please know that you are safe and protected here. We will never hurt you.” She blinked away her tears. ”We are going to get through this and if you need Menzai or I, we will be nearby. We are here for you, Tommy. Take your time.” Sympathy and empathy for him rose inside of her. They could relate. She swallowed hard and smiled softly down at Phia. It pained her to know someone else had suffered–suffered in a way that seemed all too familiar.
”You are extraordinary.” She patted his head and then she left to go take her own bath. She did her best to remain impassive.
He had caught it just before it happened, his hand jerked in desperation trying to reach out to Arya. Yet he stopped it, between the gasping and sniffling he did not yet understand why he suddenly yearned for the star skinned woman to remain.
He raised his head to meet Phia’s gaze, finally taking note of her amber eyes. The same eyes as another he once held dear. It was not her face he saw, it was his. Gideon, the foundation holding him together, the only one he knew was still out there, the reason he chose to board that airship. The last one that called him “extraordinary.”
His skin warmed, the breaths came easier, the shaking settled. He was not okay, but for the moment he was grounded. At least he now knew why Arya had caused the reaction.
He moved to stand, knees still unwilling to hold his weight with confidence. Before she could respond in kind he rested his head between her shoulder and neck, his hands remained wrapped around himself. Even if he could not bring himself to hug her, he wanted her to know he at least had some faith in her. Once he made contact he could tell he was still shaking more than he thought.
Though he had yet to dam the tears.
Phia gently laid her head on his in turn. She didn't wrap her arms around him or try to pull him closer. She simply stayed there, letting him lean against her for as long as he wished. She only broke away once Tommy did. At that point, she reached up with slow movements and brushed the tears from his cheeks
“Let me know when you are ready.”
Tommy still sniffled trying to keep his snot from running down her shoulder, the tears slowed but still ran. Her hands wiped his red cheeks with care, slow and deliberate to comfort a weary soul.
He was too shaken to take off his boots standing up, returning to the bench he finally started to release the stands holding them to his feet. He kicked them under the bench unconcerned with the sight of them lazily laying under him.
When Tommy reached for his waistband he paused, looking up at Phia with a sudden look of embarrassment.
”Can… can you turn around?” Tommy’s gaze returned to the floor trying to obscure the bright red blush he now wore.
Phia’s gaze softened then she gave a hasty nod, as if this was an important request to honor. Without asking why, she spun around until her back was to him and fixated on a random hole in the ceiling.
Tommy remembered the two hours prince Ravic had given the group was ticking away, in a fit of rushed panic he removed his trousers and under coverings before climbing into the tub. He did not want to waste any more time than he already had. The warm water was a familiar sensation, like being embraced by an old friend. He turned in the tub so only his head and two small hands gripping the edge were visible to her.
”I’m in Phia!” He called louder than he had intended. He wondered if his voice was going from all the strain.
“You are in.” Phia echoed and hesitantly turned back around to face him. His little head looked so cute peeking out of the water that she had to bite her lip and smother a giggle rising in her throat.
“Can I wash your hair?” She asked, already skipping to stand behind him.
Tommy gazed up at Phia standing over him, hearing her ask for permission to wash his hair. Although her tone suggested she wanted the honor rather than his permission. He affirmed her request with a big nod and a quick ”mhm!” before sinking his head down below the water. Only to come back up just enough for his eyes to peer out and blow bubbles in the water through his nose.
Phia made a little excited noise and pulled the bench behind her closer with her foot. Then, she took a seat and began lathering her hands up with the floral soap. Carefully, she began to disperse the soap into his hair with gentle movements on his scalp. “The cubs back in the Oruna Tribe used to love it when I told them stories.” She informed him. “ Here’s a good one.”
She cleared her throat. “ There was once a little duck named…” Phia drew off for a moment, her eyes rolling toward the ceiling as if that might draw out a name she could use. “ …Ducky.”
“He was very small with tiny little legs, so small that the reeds around him looked like trees and the stones were like big mountains!” Phia threw her arms upward as if to present the size of these ‘mountains.’ “Then one day, a great storm came and the poor little duck was swept away from his nest! Swoosh!”
“And when the sun finally emerged from the clouds, he could not find his family. The only thing Ducky could find were his own little footprints in the mud. So then he waddled forward..” His hair was sufficiently lathered now. “ He found a river and asked the river if he had seen his family, but the river only carried him forward. Then he asked the moon and the moon only brightened the way so he wouldn’t be scared in the dark. He asked the frogs, the dragonflies and even a stinky rude fish.”
“Everywhere he went he was lonely… But more than that, he was also very brave. He kept going forward even when his little ducky feet hurt. He kept swimming even when the water was cold. He kept quacking… Even when no one answered.”
She cupped her hands together and began scooping warm water on to his hair to rinse it. “ Then one day he found a pond full of strange creatures. A turtle who was very slow but would follow him wherever he went. A bird with pretty feathers who could tell him where the best berries grew. A frog who would sing too loudly and fill the moments that were too quiet. And so he decided to stay with them.”
She did another rinse and her voice softened as she told him, “They were not the family he lost.... “ Phia brushed his hair back gently so it wouldn’t fall in his face. After that, she rose to her feet. “But when the little duck slept, they stayed near him. When Ducky was hungry, they shared food. And after a while, Ducky didn’t feel so lonely anymore. And he lived happily ever after.”
Tommy listened to her intensely as she spoke, his eyes sparkled listening to the story of the little duck. The little ducky getting a new family gave him a warm feeling as she finished rinsing the soap from his hair. It sat around him feeling much lighter despite being soaking wet.
Phia swung her head around to meet his eyes, her hair practically falling down into the tub water as she smiled at him. “You can use the soap to wash yourself and I’ll be right here if you need me, yes?”
”Mhm.” Tommy nodded his head peering over the edge of the tub as she walked away to take her own bath. Now that he had sat in the tub for a while the grime and sweat came off very easily. He hummed in satisfaction thinking about the little duck having a good life with his new family.
”Are you having fun?” A familiar voice called out. Tommy turned in panic trying to locate the source of the voice, but nothing was there. None of the others reacted to the voice, Tommy tried to shrug it off as his imagination.
The nagging sensation returned, what was he forgetting?
After a few moments he returned to washing himself, he forgot about the duck and continued scrubbing off months of jungle filth.
The four of them sat in separate tubs each tending to themselves. Menzai and Arya had been talking to each other from across the room. Phia had been hum singing to herself as she took her time with her assortment of soaps. Tommy had finished his bath before the others, quietly he redressed before any of them got out. He just finished putting on his gear and pouches as Menzai and Arya reappeared, fully dried and dressed. Phia took longer, having had to use some of her time on Tommy. Besides it sounded like she was having a good time so none of the others said anything as they left the bath to reunite with Bastion.
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