Chapter 88: A Heartfelt Reunion! (Part 3!)


    Having landed about an hour ago, Vega and her friends were lounging around a gambling parlor. Florato and Sorbet, in a surprise upset, had decided going on a drinking binge would be a nice change of pace?


    How did this go, you might ask?


    Uh… well…


    “GOD THAT TASTES LIKE POISON! GAH!” Immediately spitting out the spicy awfulness in her mouth, Florato hunched over and began to retch.


    “Me thinks poison tastes like rainbow…wow…” Having already finished her five jar (yes, an actual jar) of booze, Sorbet was fucking smashed. Her face had turned from orange to a pinkish red, and now she barely able to keep her own head up.


    Kaliba, also in a surprise upset, was playing poker with some of the locals. And he was somehow winning. There was a big crowd around, betting on how long the bird would keep going, earning cheers for every player knocked out.


    Granted, the crow had no clue how to play, but all he did was keeping on going all in and having lucky cards


    “You suck-suck.” The bird croaked at the old man who just lost.


    “Ehh screw you. Bird doesn’t even have a good poker face.” The old man grumbled as he waddled away. I mean, you’d feel bad if you lost to a bird at anything. But at gambling? You did that to yourself.


    “Let’s dance. I know you got some secret to your strategy, but what is it?” A seasoned gambler leaned forward on the table, as all the other players shook their heads in shame.


    Krimm wasn’t one for drinking. Not because she didn’t like it, but because she rather enjoy a little me time. Though she didn’t get much because everyone kept asking her for an autograph for some reason.


    As for Vega… she was sitting alone at the bar. Everyone there was either sitting at the tables or watching Kaliba, but she chose to stay there for a more secluded feeling. The book was there, staring at her and face down. On its back was a simple introduction which read…


    For all that wish to be free. For all that wish to discover what has been hidden. For all that are ghosts.


    Tapping her finger on the book, Vega rested her head on the bar table. A small cup dropped in front of her and the sound of pouring liquid followed.


    Vega sat up and saw an ancient lady holding a strange type of rum. Her hair was a white wool held in a red bandana, and her face was a wrinkled red. For some reason, the scarecrow felt confused.


    “...are ya going to ask me something?”


    “Not unless you want to be asked ma’am.” The lady finished pouring the rum and pushed it to Vega.


    “...it''s not too often that someone doesn’t question-question me.” Vega spoke montonely and her eyes eventually went back to the book.


    “When you’ve existed for as long as I’ve had, things don’t surprise you anymore.” The lady crossed her arms and continued about her duties. How unphased the lady was by Vega’s existence made her even more at ease. She stared at the cup of rum in front of her and picked it up.


    “...what should I say?” Swirling it around in her hand, Vega spoke to the rum.


    “The rum only gives you answers if you drink it.” The lady spoke from over her shoulder, now stacking some pots on top of each other.


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    “I don’t think-think that’s how it works.” Vega started to squint at the lady.


    “It works for most people. Why not you? Have you tried?” Waving her hand around, the lady answered sassily.


    Taking a look at the cup and back at the lady, Vega decided to give alcoholism a try.


    Opening her animated mouth, Vega let the rum fall into it. And without missing a beat, the alcohol only soaked into her fabric skin, making it look like she was drooling.


    “Well?” The lady went back to Vega, clasping her hands together in waiting. Looking over at her friends, the scarecrow wondered if she should even confide with a stranger. Her eyes lingered on each, with the thought that they were all strangers once, and now they were friends.


    Just because you don’t know the road’s name doesn’t mean it can’t lead you.


    “... mind if I ask-ask you a question?” Like a stone in water, Vega bobbed her head back to the lady and spoke in a timid voice.


    “Ask-ask away!” Throwing one of hands past Vega’s head, the old lady welcomed her and whatever she had to question. However, her joking voice of her speech impediment made Vega’s eyes droop halfway and a fake smile came on.


    “You’re funny. Anyway, have ya ever… had to say something to a person? And before-fore ya answer, I mean explain yourself to someone? Like, ya haven’t seen each other in a long time and ya really, really want to make them proud?” Holding out her left hand as if she were carrying Skaldi and the others, Vega addressed the imagined images who waited for something. Like an audience for a late musical act, wanting to be impressed and get what they waited for.


    “...no… I believe not child.” The lady’s cheery attitude disappeared, as she pushed herself up from the bar and looked off into some corner.


    “Darn. I could-could have used a second opinion-”


    “I wasn’t finished speaking. You wish to prove yourself to them? That you have changed? That you’re better?” Returning with a determined voice, the old lady pointed her hand at Vega’s face, going closer with each beat of her words.


    “...in a way yes.” Moving the lady’s hand out of her face, Vega rolled her eyes made a confused frown.


    “Then start!” Lifting her hands up, the lady answered like it was so simple.


    “...start where?” Vega hunched forward, tapping her fingers into the wooden bar before collapsing her hand into a fist.


    “At the beginning of course! That’s how most stories start. Tell them what has happened. What is new, what is same, what is unchanged!” The old lady began to walk around, pointing out various pots and cups, holding out ones that were muted and old and others colorful and new.


    “I-I don’t know…” Swirling her finger into the bar, Vega started at the circle she was making, all uneven and unsure.


    “You’re right! You don’t know. But that is okay. I have lived here for decades, and do I know what tomorrow holds? No. But I know what I can control. Do you know what you can control?” The old lady whispered close, lifting Vega’s head up. With a slight nod, the lady beckoned for Vega’s answer.


    “...yes…”


    “That take hold and control. Huh, I  sound like a wiseman now. Heh.” Instantly turning around, the old lady went back to sorting all the pots and cups. Laughing a little at her demeanor, Vega stared at the lady before back to her friends.


    “Say, maybe we should try wood alcohol. Maybe it might work for…” As she went over to the bar, the lady noticed that Vega had disappeared. Swiveling her head around, she didn’t even see her shadow leave.


    But there was glint in her eye and she looked down to the light, and saw ten gold coins along with a tuff of hay.


    The team, now waiting by a small dockyard, stared out at the horizon. Tiny waves splashed against the sparkling sand, as the sun slowly set. Tapping her foot into the ground, Vega’s metaphorical heart was in her chest.


    With Sorbet and Florato having erased the foul memory of the drinks that they consumed, the two of them were now chewing on a bunch of tea leaves to clean the awful stench from their mouths. And as for Kaliba, the bird carried a couple of the coins he earned in a little rope.


    “...start from the beginning…start from the beginning. Take control of what I can, and accept it.”


    “Easy-easy.” Kaliba croaked out.


    “Easy-easy for ya. Me? I have no idea what I’m going to say.” Vega began to hop up and down, as if she was practicing for a run.


    “What did you say?” A still drunk and red faced Sorbet wandered over to Vega’s side.


    “What I’m going to say-say?” Vega squinted at her.


    “I didn’t say anything.” Sorbet slurred her speech, having to lean on Vega to not fall.


    “Sorbet. Go over there. And keep chewing leaves.” Commanding with a quick jab, Krimm told her off. When the ice cream lady walked away, Krimm returned to her important task, of signing all sorts of shit.


    In fact, there was a small crowd around handing her shirts, paddles, and headbands. There were a couple who had her sign her bodies, both to her humor and disgust.


    “I love you Killer!” One young fan yelled as soon as Krimm signed her forehead.


    “My names Krimm, but what the fuck ever.”