XV. Electic brushed a stray strand of hair from his face as the wind blew strongly at him, almost threatening to blow him off Hell Vortex's deck. The gargantuan airship was crossing the territory of Al de Baran towards Geffen. Beyond him lay what seemed to be an endless expanse of green spotted with blue lakes that mirrored the clear sky.
The High Wizard had just told him and Hesper that they should go on standby should they get more reliable leads that could guide them to Laeveteinn's door, and Hesper took that as permission to go tarry around Rune Midgard with the Hell Vortex.
That man just doesn't take this all seriously, Electic thought as he watched a flock of birds fly in an almost perfect V-formation near the aircraft. I'd think he thinks this is all just for fun, but....
Patting his almost flat side-pocket, Electic remembered why he was emptied of his allowance in the first place: he secretly slipped his money pouch inside the window of a shack--which seemed to house a family of at least ten.
Well I don't think it's fun, but....
He sighed, shielding his eyes as the clouds uncovered the sun, its immensely bright rays almost blinding him. The arc wand nestled in his left arm brought him an odd comfort despite his slight misgivings about his occupation.
I don't think it's right either. If it weren't for my father....
"Ah there you are, kiddo. I thought I'd find you here," Hesper said, emerging from the metal sliding door. He stretched his strong limbs, yawning as he did so.
"So where are we going next, Hesper?" Electic asked, his gaze trailing the swiftly shifting view of the river below him.
"I was tempted to make a stop at the machine city," Hesper murmured as he settled down by Electic's feet, back leaning against the safety rails. "Maybe upgrade Hell Vortex for a bit--"
"But we can't do that now, we'll be seen," Electic cut in with his high-pitched voice. "Besides, Al de Baran's too...happy...." His voice trailed off.
"What do you mean, 'too happy'?"
Electic shook his head. "Nothing."
"I don't know what you're onto kid, but if you're going to get all moody and gloomy right now, it just makes sense. You're your father's son after all. Heh." Hesper laughed ruefully, as if he had said a bad joke that was actually funny. "Though sometimes I don't know how you can be his son," he muttered under his breath.
Electic turned sharply at him. "I'm not my father, Hesper!" he said, paling. "I'm not someone who--hey!"
The boy was cut off from his retort when Hesper roughly tore the arc wand from his hands.
"Stop talking like that or I'll break your staff myself," he said, tone grave. "Being in the Black Circle requires total commitment." He narrowed his eyes. "Not that I care about what you damn think, I just don't want a cowardly little runt hanging around me when I'm doing my business. Got it?" So saying, he thrust the staff back into the stunned boy's hands and turned away.
Pale and furious, the young boy clenched his fists, seething silently.
