chapter 3
Luna stares at the contraption in front of her because to call it a vehicle would be an overstatement. The paint or what is left of the paint on the car is chipped revealing rust on the hood of the car and rust just about everywhere on the car. Wedge opens the trunk and Luna swears she can hear a long winding screech as the hinges get stuck. Wedge of course spits on the hinge rubs some grease on it and makes the trunk close for now. Luna gently opens the car door and would have clutched her satchel tighter against her. The door dangles from the hinge of the car ready to fall off.
“Oracle just get in,” says Aranea from the driver’s seat. Luna takes a big gulp and sits down gently on the worn-out car seat feeling the springs poke against her bottom. She looks down and sees a wood panel hammered into the bottom of the car. She points about to ask when Aranea answers.
“There’s a hole. I wouldn’t rest my feet on it,” she says as Biggs snaps the car door into place and shuts the door on Luna’s side.
“Right and this will get us to the ferry at least? Should I ask how far away that is?”
Aranea snorts hearing the two men get in the backseat, “do you really want to know?” She laughs seeing Luna’s face drop. “Don’t worry blue eyes we’ll be there in an hour or less.”
Luna pouts and turns her head to look outside the window of the car if she can call it that. It’ll at least distract her from the fact she can’t set her legs on the floor otherwise she might step through the floor and lose her legs. She scrunches her nose at the thought and lifts her legs up and sits on the side of the car seat and settles down. She feels someone’s gaze on her and looks over at Aranea.
“Shouldn’t you keep your eyes on the road,” she asks as Aranea turns her head back towards the dirt road.
“Sorry I was making sure you weren’t going to fly out of the car,” she laughs. “Why are you sitting like that anyway,” she asks. “That floorboard won’t go out…well maybe it won’t,” she laughs.
Luna returns to looking out the window ignoring Aranea. If she starts to fight with this woman now at the beginning of her journey it’ll just make everything that much worse. She just needs to stay calm and stare at the numerous trees surrounding the area and the large boulders they are passing by quickly.
Wedge snorts from the backseat. “Boss is in trouble.”
“Shut it,” hisses Aranea. “Does the radio work in this car?”
Biggs smirks, “I believe the last time I asked for it fixed you said it wasn’t worth the hassle as long as the car moves from point A to B.”
Aranea let’s out a sigh trying to keep the growl from forming in her throat. “Just keep an eye out. We don’t need any trouble getting to the ferry.”
Wedge fidgets with his fingers about to speak when Biggs gives him a shake of his head. Unfortunately, Wedge doesn’t get the signal. “Boss I think the only trouble we have is this car. I haven’t seen anything suspicious yet.”
Aranea groans, “thank you Wedge for that information.”
“I think she might mean the check point up ahead,” answers Luna rubbing her head. “I didn’t know we had check points out this far from the city.”
Aranea curses, “we don’t,” she says as the car stops in the line. “I need a scarf, anything to cover her head,” she growls out as Luna looks at her confused.
“I thought you said no one would recognize me?”
“Normally no but when they have photos of you in their hand to compare your likeness, we might get busted,” she says as Wedge leans over the seat and places a shirt over Luna’s head.
“Are you serious,” Aranea hisses as she drives up slowly to the check point. “Hat anything!” She says as she slows the car down and stops it in front of the check point. She scans the scene and sits up further in her seat trying to block Luna from view as the other two in the back try to hide her. She looks at the familiar mechanical suit and mentally curses in her head. It’s an MT, they don’t need facial recognition they can just scan the area and figure it out. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens.
The MT raises a gun and issues a gargled response more than likely calling in recruits to surround the car.
“Boss,” states Wedge getting his weapon ready. Biggs looks in the rearview mirror and sees the grin on Aranea’s face.
“Shit Oracle hold on tight,” he manages to get out before Aranea has her foot pushed all the way to the floor crashing through the check point.
Luna holds onto the back of the seat and looks behind them, “you just made them angry. They’ll speed up to this car in no time.”
“Yeah well at least it’ll only be us not the car behind us who gets caught in the crossfire,” she says as bullets begin to spray across the car. “Never did like bystanders in the way,” she says pushing the pedal as far as it can go.
The car speeds up slightly compared to the MTs chasing after them. Suddenly the car sputters and stops out of nowhere as more bullets rain down on the vehicle.
“Damnit,” Aranea curses trying to start the car up with no success. “Alright look princess stands back and let us handle this,” she says to an empty car seat. “Where did she go?!”
Biggs and Wedge shrug their shoulders as they exit the car and hide behind the side of it as more bullets fly across. Aranea grumbles to herself and yanks the back-car door open removing it from its hinge before grabbing her pole arm a Stoss Spear. She’s getting ready to throw it at an MT when she sees Luna annihilating a group of MTs with her trident with ease. She’s struck with a strong emotion for a moment before remembering the MTs are not just attacking Luna but their group as a whole.
She quickly looks away from Luna and begins to attack the MTs closing in on the three of them. She throws her pole up in the air along with herself before crashing down on the unsuspecting MT. Her spear slices through the metal body with ease as she looks for her next target.
Wedge and Biggs work as a team Biggs swinging his sword through the mass of MTs while Wedge shoots from a distance. In just a short amount of time the MTs have them surrounded. Biggs call out a command and Wedge slides into action shooting from all angles at the MTs. Bits of metal fall apart as the MTs begin to get diced to pieces. Once the last MT has met it’s match the two look towards the distance where Aranea appears.
Aranea leans on her pole arm looking at Luna pull the trident from the corpse of a twitching MT. “Ok since when do oracles fight?” She asks as Luna yanks the trident out with a final tug and walks past Aranea.
“Hey princess…oracle…Lunafreya,” yells at Aranea earning Luna’s attention. Luna turns around and raises an eyebrow at Aranea. “Lunafreya-”
“Luna is fine.”
“Right Luna,” says Aranea. “So where did you learn that? Aren’t oracles supposed to be against violence and all that stuff?”
Luna smiles making the trident disappear in a ray of golden light as she steps closer to Aranea. “We are healers and sometimes what we need to heal takes more than a simple wave of the hand and prayer to the Astrals.”
Aranea laughs, “Luna that…uh you fight good,” she says patting her on the shoulder. “Maybe next time we run into them I can sit back and let you handle them.”
“Excuse you,” Luna huffs walking by Aranea’s side. “I will do no such thing. I expect equal fighting…”
Biggs sighs as the two women head over to the bullet ridden car. “That Luna is going to be a problem for the boss.”
Wedge reattaches his pistols to his holster. “How so? Luna’s nice and she did fight well just a second ago. I think they’ll get along great.”
“That’s the problem. They get along even if Aranea is trying not too,” he sighs heading towards the two woman who are scavenging the remains from the car.
“Right so not a lot survived the attack,” Aranea grumbles. “Some camping supply, money, and your trusty satchel? Seriously is there a spell over that?”
Luna grins taking the satchel with her book. “Wouldn’t you like to know.” She frowns seeing the damage and looks at Aranea. “So how far to the ferry from here?”
“Well we wasted what about half an hour getting here by car it would have taken us another half an hour by car if traffic is nice meaning another 15 minutes by car with no traffic so I guess we got about a two hour walk if we don’t run into MTs or daemons along the way.”
“Two hours? That doesn’t seem too bad I suppose considering everything that has happened?”
Aranea grins, “just means you have to help carry supplies. If we hurry, we might make it to the ferry port before the sun disappears. You don’t want to be in these woods then,” she states loading Luna with a backpack filled with camping gear before setting herself up with gear as well.
“Alright we got enough ammo for another attack and basics until we reach the port let’s head out,” Aranea says leading the way.
Wedge groans, “I hate traveling by foot.”
Biggs knocks the back of his head. “Hush and follow your orders.” He leans down towards his ear, “the sooner we get this done the sooner we get paid and out of here.”
Wedge sighs, “yeah still hate traveling by foot,” he grins as Biggs tsshes moving further in front of him.
Aranea sniffs the air and smiles. “I smell the salt from here. We’re almost there and making good time,” she says looking behind her as Biggs and Wedge stay on her trail with ease. Meanwhile Luna is struggling to keep up with the group. “Biggs Wedge take the lead we’ll meet you up there in a minute.”
Biggs nods his head and takes the command with ease leading Wedge along down the pathway. The road to the port should be appearing soon.
Aranea backtracks and slows by Luna. “So, I guess you are not used to walking?”
Luna huffs not able to even get out a comment and ignores Aranea. Aranea groans rolling her eyes, “come on Luna I can’t help if I don’t know why you are slowing down.”
Luna stops walking and tries to catch her breath. “My back…my back is aching, and my arm won’t stop hurting.”
Aranea raises and eyebrow and looks at Luna’s arm. Nothing seems to be abnormal at first. Both arms look the same however the one that was wounded earlier and healed quickly by a potion is swollen and red.
“You ever use healing potions before?”
“Rarely,” Luna says panting. “Oracle can heal herself if need be,” she screams out the last word as Aranea presses on the swollen arm. “What was that for?!”
“The potion didn’t heal your arm right…I mean it did but it’s still tender. Usually one potion and instant heal but with your arm you might need another.”
“I don’t need a potion. I am fine. Once we have reached our destination-” A sound of glass breaking is heard as a potion leaks over her injured arm. Almost instantly the swelling goes down and the redness disappears. There is no more pain in her arm.
“The correct response is you’re welcome.”
“If you would have let me finished instead of wasting a potion, I could have healed myself later,” she snips glaring at Aranea.
“Oh, you mean how you tried that healing on Biggs and grew weak right afterwards?”
“How did you-”
“I was watching you,” she sighs. “I’m not all quick quips and brawn. I do have some hidden skills that can be used.”
Luna looks away, “thank you…next time don’t waste your potion on me.”
Aranea sighs, “it’s not a waste if it helps you. I mean potions are supposed to be used when needed right and you needed it so it’s fine. We can buy more later or once we get to the port, but we need to be in the best health we can be before getting there right. I don’t know about you but fighting with a half-healed arm is terrible.”
Luna smiles chuckling, “speaking from experience?”
Aranea shuts her mouth before half laughing, “well you’re half right…broken leg no potion in sight and fighting an iron giant.” Her eyes dim before she refocuses, “but anyway you’re feeling better, so we have to hurry and catch up to Biggs and Wedge. I don’t trust them getting a good deal for that ferry to Cleigne,” she says forcing a smile.
Luna raises an eyebrow, “right a good deal is important…thank you for earlier.”
Aranea grabs her chest, “oh do my ears deceive me I received thanks?”
Luna chuckles covering her mouth. “Really am I that terrible?”
Aranea looks into her eyes and smiles, “you’re actually pretty awesome.” She clears her throat and changes the subject quickly what they can find at the port besides just a ferry to Clegine. She even switches topics in the middle of a sentence as she encourages Luna to keep up and follow her. Luna just smiles at the interaction as she follows Aranea to the port called Pizatala.
As luck would have it, they are just in time for the last ferry however it will be another hour before the ferry arrives back at the port to depart across the Sauther Sea to Cleigne. The port Pizatala is a small fishing port out in the rural Tenebrae area. Small shops line the rocky beach by the ocean. Cafes, clothing, and souvenirs shops are only a few of the shops repeated by the port.
Aranea sighs, “well looks like we got an hour to kill before the ferry comes back.” She looks over at Luna and chuckles. “My clothes might fit you, but they don’t suit you.”
Luna sets the pack down on the ground hands on hips. “Yes, well pants are constricting.”
“Oh kinky,” Aranea teases earning a deeper flush across Luna’s cheeks.
“That is not what I meant,” she takes a deep breath and place a hand against her head. “Why is it only you can cause my headache. I mean really is that anything to say to just anyone you meet,” she rants. “Do you do this often to other women or maybe it’s just me because I somehow am not, am not tough enough by your standards or not what you were expecting,” she crosses her arms over her chest flustered.
Aranea smirks, “you weren’t what I was expecting of an oracle at all. I’d take it as a compliment,” she says walking backwards. “Now do you want some new threads you can move in or wanna stay in my clothes like a late-night lover,” she winks.
Luna looks at her arms still crossed before huffing. She gathers the pack off the ground and walks right past Aranea. “I would appreciate an outfit to my standards thank you,” she snips.
Aranea grins following behind Luna before catching up to her pace easily. “Right so what exactly is your style besides flimsy dresses?”
Luna grabs Aranea’s wrist suddenly, “I am hot and tired. I am fleeing for my life can we stop with this teasing before I spear you with my trident. I can find Insomnia on my own without your annoying help so if you wish to receive your pardons and citizenship, I suggest controlling your mouth are we clear,” she asks looking into Aranea’s eyes furrowing her brows.
Aranea pulls her wrist away rubbing it, “crystal.” She watches as Luna enters one of the shops and follows. “You got quite a grip there.”
Luna raises an eyebrow at her before glancing down at one of the items on the rack. “I’m sorry but you don’t seem to listen to me.”
Aranea shrugs, “I listen I just act like I don’t. Easier to get information if I act annoying.”
“Acting,” asks Luna innocently as she places one of the garments back on the rack.
“Oh, and who’s teasing who now,” she grins.
“I’m not teasing.” She says pulling out one of the dresses from the rack sighing. “I just assumed that was your normal temperament. I apologize,” she says watching Aranea rub her wrist. “Did I really hurt you? My grip isn’t that strong.”
“Hmm no just a little shocked. Didn’t know,” she leans down on the rack whispering, “oracles knew how to fight. Good surprise,” she says a little louder standing up straight.
Luna raises an eyebrow at that and smiles picking one of the dresses out of the rack. “Thanks.”
Luna looks at Aranea and points at the dressing room. “I’ll be out in a second.”
“Uh are you sure you want that dress? It seems flimsy,” asks Aranea as Luna chuckles disappearing in the dressing room.
After the initial first dressing room change Aranea is ready to leave and can’t wait until that ferry arrives so they can leave already. She swears Luna is showing off on purpose. No one person her age can be that innocent in how she struts out of the dressing room asking if the outfit looks ok. Really Astrals give her strength she is not prepared to see Luna in a light gray dress coming to her knees. The sleeves of the dress are short but cover Luna’s shoulders just enough that no freckles can be displayed. The cleavage alone droops just enough to give the image of small breasts hiding beneath. Overall, the dress is not scandalous at all everything that needs to be covered and decent is covered it’s just the way Luna holds herself in the dress that is driving Aranea wild.
“Uh I’m going to wait outside until you are done,” she says gruffly.
“But I’m almost finished.”
“Right so I’ll be outside by the pier so you can finish up. Need to check up on Biggs and Wedge. Make sure we are set to go when the ferry comes,” she lies as Luna shrugs and goes back into the dressing room.
Once Aranea has her chance she slips out of the store and walks down towards the pier where Biggs had promised to keep a look out for suspicious people. She spots him easily enough and leans against the railing.
Biggs takes one look at her and chuckles, “less than 24 hours boss new record,” he chuckles.
Aranea glares at him, “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“You think our new companion is-”
“It’s just the heat,” she interrupts. “And I was not expecting an oracle to know how to fight. Did you see her when she kabobbed those MTs?”
Biggs sighs as Aranea continues. “She did it with grace and dignity. How can you kill with grace Biggs? How?”
Biggs smirks, “well why don’t you ask her yourself?” He says earning the jump reaction he was expecting. Aranea looks over her shoulder expecting Luna but seeing no one. Biggs pats Aranea on the back, “better keep your enthusiasm under control boss. This is only a job not a good idea to shit where you eat.”
“I get it,” she says rubbing her head. “It’s just the heat and the shock of an oracle fighting. It’ll go away once we’re on the ship. We’ll see how well she can handle sailing on the open sea.”
Biggs snorts, “right we’ll see how long you last on the ship with her boss.”
Aranea let’s out a muffled growl, “hey no sassing your boss. I told you it’s the heat,” he says spotting Luna walk towards them. Biggs gives Aranea a look and chuckles.
“Just the heat she says.”