Memory Bonds

"There's, there's something I haven't mentioned," Rasha said.

Cooper looked up from where he was sitting on a rock, the sounds of the ocean waves lulling him.

Moon was already translating for Fleck.

They were waiting by the pink ocean for Wesles' ship. There was, thankfully, one he could get from right here on Iva, so they wouldn't be waiting days before they could start following Harmoni.

They'd bumped into Evin on the way to the ocean. Seemed the headmaster had been telling the truth about what he was up to. He was covered in less slime than usual. There was less slime than not slime. Cooper had actually been able to see clothes. Turned out, Evin had been wearing a suit with coattails, but red instead of the usual black. Or at least, it used to be red. Age and slime had done a number on it.

He had followed them to the ocean. Cooper wasn't sure if that was because he lived in the area, or because he was going to help rescue Harmoni. Before today, Cooper certainly wouldn't believe he was doing that latter, not without an ulterior motive at least. But something was clearly going on with him.

But back to Harmoni. They'd all been content to just wait, peering over the ocean. They were probably all tired, not just him. But here was Rasha, standing up straight and looking at them. She swallowed thickly.

"It's not just that Harmoni was kidnapped." She shifted her weight. "She went with them. And-and they were looking for her. They knew her."

"So what?! You think Harmoni's a villain?!" Fleck asked, leaping up as Moon translated.

He looked far too close to an attack stance for Cooper's comfort.

"He wants to know if you think Harmoni's evil," he translated for Rasha.

"I don't like that word," Rasha said.

Evin frowned, brow furrowed.

"I have a hard time believing anything bad about Harmoni," Cooper assured Fleck, putting up a placating hand.

Harmoni was kind and sweet almost to a fault, at least on Xentron.

"I-I guess I get that," Rasha said. "I don't know why I brought this up at all. I'm still going to rescue her. I just. . ." She tapped her horn a couple times, gripping it where it had been injured before Tolith healed her. But it seemed to calm her down. "It's just scary. Maybe more scary, than if they'd just kidnapped her. I don't know what to expect but . . . that context feels like it changes things. And it seems like something we should all know."

~~~

"Why don't you like evil?"

"Huh?"

"You said you didn't like the word evil," Evin pointed out. "Why not?"

Rasha shrugged. "It makes you think of one dimensional villains on TV. Or like, you can't be evil and a person at the same time. Or it makes a lot of people think like that. But no one's really like that. And I don't think it helps you to assume they are."

It was quiet for a moment.

"Even potions guy?" Evin asked.

Rasha flinched. "Well, I ne'er saw more than the one dimensional part. But, but I suppose it must exist, yeah?" She asked the question through clenched teeth.

Cooper. . .had not idea what they were talking about.

~~~

Fleck lay on his belly, but wriggled impatiently, causing a squiggle in the sand.

"How much longer?" he asked.

He saw Cooper speaking, probably relaying the question. Then Wesles spoke. Then Moon translated.

"About half an hour."

She was efficient. She didn't even wait for Wesles to finish speaking before starting her translation. And she didn't even seemed annoyed about constantly needed to this. But Fleck still HATED it.

Back on Xentron, communication with the riders was easy. He had his own rider, and most rider species had dragons. Communication was pretty instantaneous. When he was with Harmoni, it was still OK. He couldn't directly communicate with rider species, but at least he instantly knew what they were saying, and instantly knew Harmoni was translating accurately, if he tried to speak to them.

Now? Without her? He really wished he'd taken lessons on Standard, like some dragons did. They didn't speak it. A dragon's vocal cords weren't designed for Standard. But he'd at least be able to understand them.

Now he had to sit isolated from a bunch of people right beside him, who'd he'd have to rely on. Now he had to play the waiting game to rescue Harmoni, and have her beside him again.

'You know, my name is probably Wren,' Harmoni thought.

She hadn't been paying much attention to what was going on on Fleck's end. It was disorienting when they were far away from each other, and there'd been enough going on around her. But now she was just sitting in a ship with a bunch of people she was terrified to be around, and she could pick up on the repeated use of that name.

'You don't know that!' Fleck snapped back mentally.

'Fleck. . .'

She didn't think more. Not in clear words. She didn't need to. He knew the feelings going through her head.

~~~

The ship finally arrived.

Cooper had to admit, he was a little shocked. They didn't have royalty on Xentron, but they had people who were very, very well off. Didn't mean he was used to this experience.

Wesles had just called a ship from outside, and it just, arrived at the ocean. It was a small ship for all of them to cram into, but it was made for passengers, unlike the one Cooper had arrived in, that was mostly bringing things. There was a table and seats. The seats were cushioned, and more comfortable than most chairs he'd sat on, if he was honest. There were beds along the wall, and what looked like a chest that had food in it. And that said nothing of the bathroom, which was much larger and cleaner than you'd expect in most transports.

Smelled better too.

There was a pilot sitting at the front, asking Wesles if he was ready. If they needed anything before they left.

It didn't show on his face, but Cooper tried not to be bitter.

Cooper, Rasha, Wesles, and Evin could all take a seat around the table. Fleck and Moon lay on the floor instead, under the table. Moon was beside Cooper, head and neck poking out so she could lift her head up and be part of the conversation. But Fleck just disappeared completely.

'Is he alright?'

'Given the circumstances? No. Absolutely not. But he's only telling me so much.'

They didn't get to speak more, because on that concerning note, the ship took off. None of them interacted much as it left the planet, because the take off was so rocky.

"It depends on ship size, unfortunately," Wesles said, once they leveled out. He drew in some ragged breaths. "Smallerones tend tobe worse on the comingandgoing."

"Ugh," Rasha said, head against the table.

Cooper thought it was more helpful to tilt his head up, but hey, what did he know?

He stared at the ceiling and swallowed. He could hear the others' ragged breathing or groans as they recovered. He could feel Moon's discomfort too, but apparently being a flying creature made turbulence easier on her.

They were all quieting down. No one was talking. Everyone was barely moving.

Fleck, despite everything, might be going to sleep. She hoped so. It might be best for him.

Cooper bounced his knee. He couldn't blame everyone for the silence or stillness. This was stressful. Harmoni was in danger right now. And even when they got there, what were they going to do?

He didn't know what to say. He wouldn't be able to sleep yet, and he while he could eat, he knew the others might not be able to.

But this was going to be a long ship ride. Over twenty-four hours until Morivon? He was pretty sure? So sitting like this for the entire time was out.

Well, if he needed something to pass the time, and wasn't ready for the serious things yet, there was always the old standby.

"Once there was a worker man, who sailed the seven seas

He wrangled in the fish each day,

And counted all the bees."

"Excuse me, what?" Evin asked.

Cooper looked down, away from the ceiling. All three of them were staring at him. Right. Most people probably didn't know about that song. And it had come out of nowhere from their perspective.

For a second, he just wanted to disappear into his cloak. It was thick and comfy for the cold weather.

But most people didn't mind when he explained. And that would be better than disappearing on his new friends.

There was an aggressive emphasis on friends and explaining. He could sense Moon coming out from under the table, as she tried to give him emotional strength.

"It's an improv song," Cooper said, trying not to sigh. "In theory, you have the first three lines, but someone has to come up with the rhyme on the spot. It's fun when you have the energy, and can take your mind off things," he added quickly, trying to justify why he was singing now, of all time. "But I can stop if you like. . ."

Rasha shook her head.

"Got anotherverse?" Wesles asked. "I'd like somefun."

Well, if they said so. . .

They did. 'Told you so.'

Cooper started singing. He couldn't help sitting up straighter as he went, his eyes taking on a little shine. It had been a while since he'd played this game.

"Once there was a worker man, who worked the village square

He set up sales each new day,"

"And cut off people's hair?" It was Evin of all people who filled in the rhyme.

Cooper was so surprised, it fell on Moon to smile and nod in encouragement.

'Hey now, I'm not that shocked,' Cooper thought.

He might have been thrown for a loop, but he kept it together enough to start another verse.

"Once there was a worker man, who worked a circus tent

He set up all the shows each day,"

"So he could pay the rent!" Rasha finished with a shark-toothed grin.

And Cooper couldn't help but smile back. This was silly. This was fun. He was glad they'd done it. And they weren't done yet. He knew some more verses.

Then, Fleck came out from under the table.

"What are you doing?" he shouted, stomping his front feet. "Wren's in danger! The cult could kill her right now! And you're just-just have fun?!"

'Oh dear,' Moon thought. She'd come out from under the table. She hadn't noticed he was waking up.

Yes, Cooper had tried to keep his voice down when he started, wanting Fleck to be able to sleep. Unfortunately he'd sort of forgotten about that as they went along. Or maybe he'd started too loud.

He and Moon where the only ones who could understand Fleck's specific words, but the others could probably get the idea. Wesles looked at Fleck first with surprise, then confusion. Evin looked down his nose like Fleck was a minor annoyance. Rasha looked like she felt bad, hand curled in front of her mouth.

"I hate you all!" Fleck declared.

He spun around, tail lashing, and stormed into the bathroom, using his tail to slam the door behind him.

Rasha started to move, but Cooper but a hand on her shoulder. "Wait," he suggested. "You should give him a second to cool off. And, uh, I should talk to him."

It had been his idea that he could explain. And, there was something else he could tell Fleck, to help with that.

Moon swiveled her head to him. 'Are you sure?'

He'd be telling Harmoni as well. And she knew he didn't like talking about this with anyone.

Cooper nodded. 'I know what I'm doing,' he thought, even if that wasn't totally true. 'And I'll need you with me. To translate.'