Chapter XVII

“That sure went downhill…” I could feel myself sigh sulkily as I rested my legs against the wall, lying down in the bunk bed. I shook my head again and shrugged. “Can’t be helped now, though,” for sure, it couldn’t, “but at least we’re alive,” I admitted with relief, enjoying the tranquility of the small prison cell.

That whole thing went… went bad, to put it plain and simple. Real talk though; this was the best possible outcome, even with the whole stabbing business with Damien. Ugly stuff, for sure, but it kept Sebastian, him and me alive and kicking. I wasn’t ready to kick the bucket. Hell no. Best possible outcome, for sure; it would have to do, simple as that. I got the picture that things would be a lot tougher from here on onward, and if there was this much discontent, it was only bound to grow out and spread.

“Unless…,” I looked up at the polished azure shine of the metal cell, distracted for a moment by its glossy finish; “unless we can take the plunge and… grab the whole bull by the horns.” I grinned satisfied, setting myself at ease. I’d have to talk it over with the guys, and figure it out from there.

Tap, tap.

There was a defiant knock on the metal gate.

“Come in?” I responded, uncertain. Like, what, could I tell them to piss off and not let them into my jail cell? The gate open and a hand reached in to grip the frame. I noticed the familiar tribal tattoos on the back of the palm. ‘Oh no…,’ I panicked as I traced back to the kick that almost broke my hand in the cargo ship.

“I knew you were trouble the moment I laid eyes on you,” the voice sneered aggressively with a strangely melodic undertone even before she fully emerged into the room. As she finally entered, she struck a pose and flipped her hair… for effect. Gotta’ give it to her though, that strange hue of gray-blue with the strokes of purple was to die for. Hah, I amuse myself. Now, where was I? Oh, right.

“What’s your frigging issue, woman?” I fired back, exasperated. No, seriously. What was it? Asswipe.

“My issue?” she shrieked furiously. “MY ISSUE? ” she cried even louder now. I felt as if I had just accidentally summoned a lake troll. Swear to the heavens I could feel the room rumble. Totally not related to the fact we were inside a space ship.

‘Oh dear…’ rolling my eyes, I turned towards the wall, lying down again in the bed.

“Oh, you despicable little…” she was steaming by now, just like a pressure cooker. “Do you even know who I am?!” she taunted me.

“Should I be concerned?” I yawned, getting comfortable. “Last I read on the entertainment section of Today’s Milky Way, the bimbo movie roles were casted and filled. As a matter of fact,” I taunted her back, “don’t you have some of that rehearsal to attend to?” I slowed down, as if talking to a little child.

She stomped violently on the floor, clearly not flattered by my condescending tone. “That’s it!” she growled as she hurled herself forward, leaping towards me like a wild animal.

“SOIBSAA!” somebody shouted behind her. I took a short peek behind. It was that same woman from before, the one that stopped Soibsaa back in the other vessel. Thinking about it, this was the second time this kind of thing happened. What was her name again…?

“What the hell, Seri?!” she turned around, vivid.

Seri frowned severely, displeased. “As much as I adore you, Soibsaa, I’m your superior and this is the second time you disobey a direct order,” she reprimanded her mercilessly, “and I can’t let this slide. I’m sorry,” she added in a lower voice, almost remorseful. Soibsaa fell silent. It was rather touching in a way. It became clear to me how close they were; still, Seri was forced by her position to be professional, especially in front of their prisone—guests.

“I’m sorry,” I automatically interjected. “I’m the one to blame. Soibsaa came to check on me and I went a bit overboard out of spite from everything that happened earlier.” What was I doing? Really, what the hell, Ignis? I shook my head as I sat up.

There was a moment of silence in which Seri reflected on the situation and considered what to do. As I looked up, I noticed that Soibsaa had totally forgotten about me and was idly fidgeting with her ponytail as she anxiously looked towards Seri for an answer. Her friendship was really evident, even to me.

“In that case, I’ll overlook it.” A wave of relief washed over Soibsaa’s strong features as she smiled, feeling at ease. “However!” Seri resumed, “if there’s a single reiteration of this event, I’ll find myself forced to discipline you, severely,” she made sure to put enough emphasis for the both of us, as she scanned our reactions strictly. And then… she broke out of character with a long sigh. She shook her head; her unbelievable long hair waved underneath. Dear lord. How long did it reach? Her ankles? Almost, yeah. Damn, son. Lotsa’ chocolate goodness to give and share in that hair. I swear, Willy Wonka could make an outpost franchise out of all that goodness. Pretty color, for real.

“Listen,” she began in a tone much different from before, as if confiding in both of us. I straightened up and listened. “I don’t like playing the villain. But a lot has happened today,” she turned her maple eyes towards me and gazed my way for a second. I fidgeted nervously and she shook her head. “I know what happened today wasn’t your fault,” she resumed, as she played with a strand from her brown mane. “It’s common knowledge that aboard the frigate there’s a nonconformist group that think themselves rebels, and might as well be now with this last little stunt. These assholes insist on instigating general agitation onboard, ultimately trying to hinder and, if possible, bring to a halt the current mission that this entire vessel was assigned.” She paused, weighing her next words as she looked at me. “At this pace, this little campaign could end up successfully getting you all killed next time around; and us, stripped from our ranks.”

Soibsaa listened in complete silence, her expression somber and conflicted. Seri carried on again, brushing her hair casually. “So you both need to understand, and understand good. I’ll repeat it once more. Prisoners, not enemies.” She paused for a moment, rolling a lock over her index finger absentmindedly. “At this rate, you might just be more than that. You might become our strongest asset. Our most crucial allies. So, please.” She paused, her palm over her cheek as she leaned her face against it. “Try to get along, or at least try to not kill each other,” she sounded aggravated. “Do it for me, both of you. Promise me.”

We both looked at each other with some doubt, but we skeptically nodded. That was a pretty cool outcome. “Good,” she nodded relieved. “Watch out for each other as much as possible. I know it is a lot to ask, but you’d do us and the Captain a huge favor,” she pleaded in a cherry-top tone. God, she was pretty. Both of them were. I couldn’t say no to that for the life of me. “I’ll speak in your behalf,” she directed herself at me, “and Soibsaa will back me up,” to which Soibsaa groaned with slight frustration.

“Come now,” Seri narrowed her eyes and glanced Soibsaa’s way, “you’re going to tell me that this Earthling could take the heat and blame himself for your mistake, but you won’t give him a hand in return?” Soibsaa grumbled, uncomfortable with the comparison. Oooooooooowneeeeed. I chuckled, amused. Too good, too good. “You think I’d believe for a second that you didn’t come here just to resume your little quarrel from earlier? I’m not senile yet, and I know you really well,” Seri chuckled as she pressed her index, still wrapped with her brown strands, over her rosy lips. Double ooooooooooowneeed.

“Fine! Fine! I’ll do it,” she shook her head and stormed out of the room, her curious ponytail trailing behind her. I could hear her stomps half way down the hallway.

Seri gave out a short giggle that reminded me of the soft whirring noise that a phone dial made. I grinned in return and she nodded, grateful. “See you, then,” she murmured in a confidential tone before bending forward to fling a kiss my way with the tip of her fingers and make her way out, leaving behind that peculiar giggling lingering in the cell.

I sat there and blinked for a couple of seconds before bursting in a fit of laughter.

Too good.

Too good.