So it seems I'm on a writing spree, enjoy it while it lasts!
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The following morning, the four of them made their way into Tallinn. Akira wasn't sure how to handle either Bria or his impending reunion with his ex wife, Mesa. Serafina found herself holding back a giggle at the distressed man's face.
They walked through the town's main market and shopping districts. Friendly people greeted them while children happily played in the streets. No evil has Tallinn's shores in hundreds of years.
"...what a lovely place." Serafina said while looking around.
"...I fell in love with this place when I was a boy. It was hard for me to leave it." Akira said with a sigh.
"Then why did you leave it?" Bria said with a hard tone.
"I didn't belong here; never did. I was a troublesome orphan with no family and only my first name to call my own. I was taken in by a metal worker named, Marco Vasalini who was in need of an apprentice."
"You never did tell me why you left." Drakul said, repeating Bria's question.
"...I don't really know why, but I just didn't belong here. I felt like if I stayed, I would one day destroy this place. Besides; staying in one place was never my strong point. Why do you think we live on a floating city?" he said with a bitter laugh.
Bria watched him as he took the lead. She found herself wishing she could make his sorrows disappear. She shook her head to break the thought. No. she needed to find a new man; one that didn't lie or keep important secrets like having ex wives.
They arrived at a large, well-kept airship hanger called "Bluebell Air". Akira gulped and glanced over at Bria. Well if he ever wanted this to work out with her, this meeting was bound to happen. He banged on the shop door.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" A pretty voice yelled out just as the door swung open. "Welcome to Blue...bell..." The pretty woman never finished her words.
"ahhh Hello Mesa...it's been a long time." Suddenly he was slapped.
"Akira Vesalini; why the bloody hell are you here?"
"Ouch..." he rubbed his check and stretched out his jaw. "I need your help Mesa. I know I'm the last person who should come to you, but you're the only one I can go to. It's my baby's core."
"....I see....and who is this?" Mesa looked over at B.ria.
Oh crap...I have to think...say the wrong thing and I'm screwed by either of them...and not in the good way. Akira thought. "This is...This is Bria my...wife." He gulped. Bria turned to him in surprise.
"Wife? You actually married again?" Mesa said bitterly.
"Yes...Yes I did. Mesa...you and I both know the two of us weren't a good match and we were way too young."
"And your Bria is?"
"Yes." For the first time since he had met Bria, he realized she was a good match for him. She was fun, obnoxious, sexy, intolerable, and never once did she try to change him personally.
"I...see."
"Mesa please, I'll pay you whatever you wish." Drakul was about to object but was silenced by a stern look from Sera.
"Oh for heaven's sake Aki, I won't charge you!" she huffed. "Bring the ship here and I'll fix it." She looked over at Bria. "Do not make the same mistakes I did." With that she closed the door on them.
"Well...that went well." Drakul said with a laugh.
"Oh shut up." Akira growled. With that he started back towards the airship. Bria ran after him.
Sera looked at Drakul, and took a deep breath. "Um...Drakul...would you...would you like to have dinner with me...tonight?" She asked shyly.
"Hmmm?" he looked down at her, startled.
"Well?"
"Alright...but I don't really like eating at taverns."
"That's ok! I'll...I'll make a picnic! We can find a place by the shore." She said eagerly.
"Just remember "sister", as long as that cursed mark is on your neck, I can't touch you, so please don't make it too hard." He said honestly. He liked the idea of having her all to himself tonight. He just prayed he wouldn't lose his mind from wanting her in the process.
She nodded and took hold of his arm, startling him. "Alright then! Let's go get you those awful cigarettes you like so much." He burst out laughing.
Much farther ahead of them, Bria was still chasing after Akira.
"Damn you, Aki! Wait for me." She called after him.
"What?!" he turned and faced her.
"Why did you tell your ex we were married?" she asked .
"...Because as soon as Drakul and I get this job done, You will be. Now stop asking stupid questions." He said.
"Huh? Wait, weren't you going to even ask me?"
"Like hell. You're the one that got me all tied up in this, you're going to take responsibility.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh just shut up and come on!" He took her hand rather forcefully and walked back to the ship with her by his side. Bria actually found herself blushing.
"This isn't the end of this talk you know..."