Chapter 11: Young Captain's Secrets
"So that's the story, Baxus".
"He asked you that question? Hmm, Zehu, what do you think?" Baxus turned to his friend, who had been listening to Violet's story together with him.
"I guess he's testing her. You know him, right? He values willpower the most".
"What am I supposed to answer? I don't want to be treated as a slave or a 'Gaian Worm' anymore!"
"Then you must prove you're worthy of it," Zehu shrugged.
"How? I don't even know what that existential question might mean! I've never thought about it in such details before".
"Wait," Baxus brightened, "Did he tell you anything about using others' help?"
"No, I guess not..."
"Then it's decided – I'll let you meet some entities who might help you find a hint".
"You don't mean them?!" Zehu widened eyes.
"Who, 'them'?"
Baxus didn't spend much time to explain it to Violet – he just grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the chamber while Zehu followed them. They descended in depths of the ship, walked through a maze of corridors, and reached a certain wooden room. He knocked, then entered right away and yelled:
"Anyone home? I need your help, guys!"
"Baxus, we've told you a hundred times that barging into people's rooms is a bad habit!"
"I did knock!"
"Lame excuses!"
Another door built within the said room opened wide, to reveal two entities whom Baxus talked about: a fair young lady of long orange hair and shimmering golden eyes – the one to have spoken; and quite an extraordinary man – wise beyond his years, yet young like the woman, no more than thirty-year-old. His hair was pitch-black as well as his eyes, and he held multiple weapons – laser-swords and guns – about him.
The woman had now put arms to her waist and scoldingly eyed both Baxus and Zehu. Once spotted Violet, her frown gave place to a surprised look:
"Hmm? Who's that?"
"This is Violet Hawthorne, a human – my cousin from mother's side. We met her while still on Sinbad's ship, and Sinbad gifted her to Captain for the Root Cherishing Day".
"Gave to Aru, as a gift?!"
The woman's eyes expressed the utmost fury. Violet noticed their spark much resembled the one of Sinbad's.
So it's not just her aspect or aura that overwhelms me... She is too much like him.
The man's nerves strained on his temples as he clenched his fists:
"That filthy_"
"Watch your mouth, Roderigo, he is still my cousin! But I do agree, what he did is atrocious".
"Cousin?! What do you_"
"Violet, meet Captain's parents: a Daluma-Herminoid hybrid, Maluma Arruroe (she happens to be the very daughter of the Daluma writer Yuuh Arruroe); and her husband, Roderigo Alvarez – one of the very first to be abducted from Earth and sold into slavery. A pure human, just like you," Baxus smiled.
"Captain Sinbad and Lady Maluma are cousins. However, as Lady Maluma is a hybrid with a Daluma, she's not considered a pure Herminoid, so Sinbad is counted as the last of his species," Zehu added.
"Come on, just call me Malu! I am your auntie, aren't I, Prince Zehu? Not by blood but who cares – you boys were practically raised under my wing".
While the four were laughing, Violet still found it too hard to believe that she could actually behold a Daluma-Herminoid and a human together right before her, and what's more – they were husband and wife.
"Sinbad's cousin and... a human?"
"I guess it's a lot for your friend to take in, eh?" Roderigo stretched his hand out: "Violet, was it? It is a pleasure to meet you".
For how many years had she not seen a hand-shake as a means of a greeting? So many memories... She timidly shook the man's hand, without a word. Instead, tiny tears began to stream down her cheeks.
"Aww," Maluma rubbed her head, emitting the same warm energy as Captain Sinbad had. However, hers was a lot milder, warmer, and more pleasant. "You're such a cutie! Don't worry about what my cousin did to you. He and the likes of him have always been that way... You're in good hands now, that's for sure".
"You bet! All those Herminoids were scum_"
"Watch your mouth!" Maluma punched Roderigo on arm. "Only I am allowed to badmouth my people!"
"Fine, fine, have it your way... You're the boss here".
"That's right!"
Watching the two lovingly litigate, and her friends Zehu and Baxus laugh wholeheartedly, Violet couldn't help but chuckle too:
Now it is clear where Captain Arubah has gotten his badmouthing from...
***
Violet and the boys were soon invited for a drink by the elderly couple. They began to discuss their matters in a serene atmosphere.
"So what you live for, hmm?" Maluma placed a hand to her chin once heard the whole story from the youngsters. "Quite a heavy question, that one, especially for you humans..."
"So what do you suggest I should answer?"
"Wo, wo, not so fast," Roderigo chuckled. "Aru asked what you live for, didn't he? So it is you who must decide".
"But, I have no idea!"
"Okay, calm down. Think of it step by step. You said you've lived most of your life as a slave, after being abducted from the Earth. What was it you most desired back in those hard times?"
"Freedom?"
"Exactly, but what does that word mean to you? Like," he tossed off some Golden Beer, "to me, freedom meant not only getting rid of the chains or masters that bound me. It meant being free to choose my style of life for myself. I considered myself finally free when I decided to serve my queen here not because I was obliged to, but because I so wanted. Hence, before, I lived to obtain freedom of choice, and now I live for my beloved Malu and our young Aru".
"Aww, you're so sweet, Roro!" Maluma caressed him on the head as if he were a child. The nickname she had given him long ago by doubling the first syllable of his name 'Roderigo' was a perfect example of her Herminese heritage, since it was a custom of the Herminoids to create nicknames in such a manner.
"What does freedom mean to me? I've never really thought about it that way... Whenever I hear the word 'freedom', not just my, but the whole Earth's freedom and peace come in mind. Like, instantly the images of my joyful family and flowering Aidan fields pop up".
"So the freedom of all of your people? That's quite gentle and kind," Maluma smiled. "That means you're a considerate person. Not quite a frequent characteristic for humans, I'll admit. It's good you have that".
"Thank you... After watching Captain Sinbad I never thought I'd meet a Herminoid who's actually kind and benevolent towards us lower species. I'm so glad to have met you, Lady Maluma!"
"Come on, it's just Malu! You're a friend of ours now, aren't you?"
"A... friend?"
"Damn right! I'm truly happy I've got to meet another human, after so many years," Roderigo grinned. "Now that I've met you, I'll give you something very special for the next Root Cherishing Day".
"Oh, that's so sweet of you! I guess exchanging gifts with one's same species is the best idea..."
"What do you mean? It is all about exchanging gifts between the same species".
"Well, Uncle Roderigo, regardless of our warnings, Violet just went off and broke that rule by giving Captain Sinbad some gifts because she had pity on him for being lonely".
Baxus chuckled, fully aware by Violet's reddened cheeks that he had embarrassed her quite well. Roderigo and Maluma grew astounded.
"I know, I acted stupid and naïve, but I could not suppress that feeling. I guess in the end I am but a dumb human_" Violet felt divine warmth embrace her as Maluma pressed her to her breast. "H... Huh?"
"Dumb human? You're a treasure, child – that rare human who might not appear even in a thousand years, a human so elevated that so selflessly thinks for others' well-being! Such a caring person, like the one who stole my heart..."
"That is how Malu and I got close," Roderigo cut in. "I too, even though she was a superior species and my mistress, gave her a gift for the Root Cherishing Day, considering she was lonely".
"What? You were like me?"
"Roderigo gifted me the precious heirloom of his Hispanish family – a black coat".
"Yeah, I figured it should be something from the heart since I couldn't really do much for a goddess species. Hence, I knelt before her and offered her my black coat".
"I would've gotten pissed off if it were only that, Roro! It was because of the words you added that I melted: "If you ever feel lonely, wrap yourself in this coat, and it shall give you the warmth of mine, my father, his father, and all those fathers before. We, humans, preserve our bonds even after we die, so be sure that even when I pass, my lady, you still will not be alone – I'll stand beside you when no one does". You think after those words coming from the heart of a cute fifteen-year-old boy I could stand a chance?"
"Haha, I charmed you quite divinely, didn't I?"
"Wait, that coat you're talking about... Is it perchance the one that Captain's often wearing?"
"Yes. We gifted it to him at his fifteen years," Maluma smiled. "That way, the family warmth of ours shall always remain with him wherever the life takes him!"
Such a precious item and he handed it to me after our very first encounter? That coat was truly unusually warm. So he intended to not just warm me from cold but... loneliness too?
***
The next morning, Violet walked straight up on the deck – the time to give her answer to the captain had come. She greeted Baxus and Zehu who were giving instructions to the crew and accessed the captain's door.
She knocked once, then again... Nobody answered.
"C... Captain?"
She timidly pushed the door and peeped in. The cabin was dark and empty. A crimson glitter caught her eyes – some scarlet light shone from a barely-open wooden door deep within.
What is he hiding there? No, I should not. I might get in trouble... Okay, just a little peep.
She sneaked in, tiptoed to the opposite side of the room, and ventured right into the little chamber where the crimson glitter was coming from.
Just as she stepped in, some blue electronic lights turned on and illuminated the area. It was full of crimson crystals and diamonds, and scarlet crystal skulls and limbs hoarded in various chests, while the walls were overwhelmed with electronic boards and simple paper posters, all with photos of the same black-haired young child with a hideous grin and bloodied hands, with letters in various languages: "Blood Diamond, Dead or Alive". The bounty numbers greatly varied, but all of them were above a billion crimson gerdins – an amount one could freely buy a mansion and a gigantesque spaceship with, on some Radenese planets.
W... What is this place? And, what are those atrocities?!
Her heart began to shiver as she beheld skulls with their mouths open, legs in a special pose as if running, and hands in a stance of yelling for help, all of them crystallized in blood-red colour, to remain forever frozen and lifeless.
"Goodness, this is horrible..."
She stepped back to quickly dart out of this horrendous Bluebeard chamber when a sturdy hand clutched her arm from the behind:
"So Sinbad was right – you indeed are a sneaky bean".
Shudders ran down Violet's spine at this stiff and cold voice. She turned around to meet the Young Captain's glittering black eyes. She trembled like a tiny bird caught in a mighty eagle's clutches.
"I... I can explain_"
She tried to free her arm from his grip, but the clutch just tightened, making her wince.
"Your time is up. Depending on how you answer to my question of yesterday, I'll decide whether to punish you or not. Deal?"
"I..."
"Well, let's hear it".
Unable to withstand his piercing look, Violet cast her eyes to the floor and wiped the tears that poured down her cheeks.
"I... I live for... my..."
"Okay, calm yourself. Let me read the answer from your mind".
Arubah raised her chin and glanced through her tearful eyes as if indeed reading out her whole memories and thoughts. A faint smile covered his face:
"So, you live to free the Earth and your people from their current misery, and see to it that peace falls on your planet again? Alright, no need to cry... Good thinking though, to actually ask for a hint to my parents".
"I_"
His finger touched her mouth, giving her a sign to hush.
"Don't worry. I never said you weren't allowed to do that".
He let her arm go, and instead, embraced her tightly, pressing her to his chest.
"Now, now, don't cry... I'll overlook this current behaviour of yours, but next time, if you ever feel curious about something, you can just ask instead of sneaking around. Promise?"
"I'm sorry, Captain! I promise I'll never defy you again..."
"Apology accepted".
The captain's palm began caressing her on hair, sending warm energy to her. She slowly embraced him like a little child seeking protection at mighty adult's hands. He forgave her so easily... He was nothing like Sinbad. It was as if he could actually understand her pain and suffering. Come to think of it, those Blood Diamond posters of a young child, and these mysterious scars on his whole body – he had indeed suffered a lot in his life, hadn't he? Yet he had remained so mild and warm-hearted... But those crystallized atrocities in chests? No, this man definitely held some deep, frightening mysteries about him which she had yet to unfold.
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