A Frozen Leo's Return
Chapter. 8
"What is this?? Meta, get up, you look ridiculous!"
"Now hold on, Arthur, go in my room and get the camera. I think the two will share a good laugh when they see it."
Several voices in the background stirred the warrior from his sleep. Eyes still closed, the warrior pushed himself up from his bed only to be greeted with several large pillows toppling over him.
"Oh, darn it....it fell...." He heard Bate murmur in disappointment.
Wait, his Teacher was back?"
"It would've been a great photo to embarrass him with." Arthur spoke soon after. "Oh, well, I guess this will have to do."
Embarrass? What in sweet Nova was he talking about. And why where they in his room to begin with? Finally opening his eyes, the warrior looked around only to find out he wasn't in his room, but the living room instead. He quickly focused his attention to Arthur snickering while holding a camera in front of his face before snapping it. He hissed and closed his eyes when the flash hit him.
"Arthur, what are you doing?!!" He barked, trying to get the camera away from his face.
"Hey, someone's gotta take a picture of baby Meta playing in his widdle pillow fort. Awww, how cute." He pinched his cheeks, playfully sticking out his tongue.
Pillow fort.....?
Oh, right.
The warrior glanced at his side and saw Kes was still fast asleep. With the house to themselves, Meta had a fun idea of recreating the pillow fort they made as kids. Kes happily agreed and used all the sofa and pillows around the house so they can both be able to fit. He didn't expect everyone to return the following morning, however.
Wait, did that mean......
Looking past Arthur, Meta spotted someone in the kitchen talking to Bate. They greatly resembled Kes, so the warrior turned to his side and nudged the figure.
"Hey, Kes, everyone returned, c'mon, get up." He spoke a bit louder. Luckily for him, she woke up not even a minute later and slightly pushed herself up from the fallen pillow fort.
"Hm? What was that, Meta?" She softly asked, rubbing her eyes. "I didn't quite catch.....what you....were......" She stopped and blinked a few times when something blue caught her attention. Quickly pushing the cushions away, she shook her head when she thought she was imagining it. Surly it couldn't be what she had thought. Looking back up, however, the figure was still there, and the Leo dashed to the other when she realized who it was.
"D-Dad! You're okay, and....and you're here!!" She cried, hugging the other for dear life. "I'm so glad. I knew it! I knew they'd be able to help."
"They worked endlessly helping everyone in our village. We are forever grateful of their selfless act." He said, smiling up at his daughter. He then turned to Bate and nodded in appreciation. "Thank you for not only taking in and protecting my daughter when she needed it the most, but risking your lives by traveling all the way to our village to aid us. Such an act can not go unrewarded."
He stood up and bowed before him and the others. " We are forever at your debt for the countless lives you and your comrades have saved. Please, if you ever need our assistance, we will not hesitate to fight by your side. If there is anything we can do in return, all you have to do is ask."
Bate gave a small hum of thought. While he most likely won't ask them to fight or risk their lives for them, he had another idea on hand once he saw Meta perk up after hearing that.
"There is one request I ask for." He said, taking a seat and motioned the other to do the same. "I understand when we first met many years ago, we were not permitted to enter your village again. And while we did a few weeks back due to emergency circumstances, I'm sure you and your people are aware we pose no threat."
The Leo didn't speak, but agreed to his statement.
"That being said, I believe my student has the right request to ask for." He spoke, looking to his youngest. "I'm sure he'll put it to much better use, and I do hope you'll give it much consideration."
He stretched his wing and gently gave his student a helpful push since he wasn't moving. Meta shook his thoughts and shyly looked at Bate who returned his uncertainty with a confident smile. He had a feeling his mentor already knew what he was going to ask, and he couldn't thank his teacher enough for giving him this opportunity. Finally stepping up, he looked at the Leo before him, and then at Kes who was quietly standing next to her father.
"It's, ah....nice to see you again." He timidly spoke, still anxious about his daunting request. "If you don't remember me, I'm the one who entered your village 6 years ago with my teacher. My name is Meta." He spoke, introducing himself for good measure. "While my family and friends were away tending to your village, I stayed behind to watch over Kes. Even though we haven't seen each other in years, we've instantly recognized one another during our encounter several days back. Once she recovered, we spent our time catching up where we left off. It's been some of the best days of my life getting to know her again, and I...really don't want to have to say goodbye like before."
Closing his eyes, he was afraid of the worst. Would he really accept his offer? Surly this one good deed won't negate decades of tradition, but.... this was his only chance to find out. "I don't know how much have changed in her village, but I have only one request to ask. Please....I ask your permission for Kes to be able to visit our town whenever she pleases. She's my friend. I lost her before, I almost lost her a few days back, and now- I don't ever want to lose her again. Will...you honor my request?" He bowed once he was finished and anxiously waited.
The room was silent. Meta didn't speak, and kept his head lowered as he feared the outcome. He flinched when something was placed on his shoulder, and the young Puff glanced up when her father asked him to rise.
"My daughter has never forgot your town of Kalmari. Many years passed, but I would still hear her talk on about the outsiders she befriended as a child. Our ways of secrecy and seclusion are sacred. We lived by them for generations, and breaking them is unheard of. But Kes, she got a taste of what the outside world can hold. Once our village was attacked, she put her trust in you and your friends to help. We were uncertain, but she left regardless. Many of us are too stubborn to admit it, but it weren't for that faith and trust she had in you, we'd all be dead. I've separated you before in the past, but I will not make the same mistake again."
Standing up, he gently placed a hand on Kes. Looking down in shame for his harsh treatment and views, he hoped what he'd say will remedy all the pain he bestowed on her over the years.
"Kesuk, please forgive me for isolating you from your friends. I know it was your dream one day to visit Kalmari again. It took almost the lives of our entire village and you nearly dying to make us realize they mean us no harm. They have done more than enough to earn my trust, and you have as well. My dear Kesuk, I will honor his request. You may leave our home anytime you'd like. I know you will be well protected here."
Too happy to even speak a word, the Leo hugged her father. It only lasted a moment however as she pulled away and hugged Meta. Not prepared for the sudden contact, the warrior lost his balance and quickly clung on to his mentors wings for support. Unlike Meta, Bate was prepared and raised his wing to lift his student.
"Now hold on, Arthur, go in my room and get the camera. I think the two will share a good laugh when they see it."
Several voices in the background stirred the warrior from his sleep. Eyes still closed, the warrior pushed himself up from his bed only to be greeted with several large pillows toppling over him.
"Oh, darn it....it fell...." He heard Bate murmur in disappointment.
Wait, his Teacher was back?"
"It would've been a great photo to embarrass him with." Arthur spoke soon after. "Oh, well, I guess this will have to do."
Embarrass? What in sweet Nova was he talking about. And why where they in his room to begin with? Finally opening his eyes, the warrior looked around only to find out he wasn't in his room, but the living room instead. He quickly focused his attention to Arthur snickering while holding a camera in front of his face before snapping it. He hissed and closed his eyes when the flash hit him.
"Arthur, what are you doing?!!" He barked, trying to get the camera away from his face.
"Hey, someone's gotta take a picture of baby Meta playing in his widdle pillow fort. Awww, how cute." He pinched his cheeks, playfully sticking out his tongue.
Pillow fort.....?
Oh, right.
The warrior glanced at his side and saw Kes was still fast asleep. With the house to themselves, Meta had a fun idea of recreating the pillow fort they made as kids. Kes happily agreed and used all the sofa and pillows around the house so they can both be able to fit. He didn't expect everyone to return the following morning, however.
Wait, did that mean......
Looking past Arthur, Meta spotted someone in the kitchen talking to Bate. They greatly resembled Kes, so the warrior turned to his side and nudged the figure.
"Hey, Kes, everyone returned, c'mon, get up." He spoke a bit louder. Luckily for him, she woke up not even a minute later and slightly pushed herself up from the fallen pillow fort.
"Hm? What was that, Meta?" She softly asked, rubbing her eyes. "I didn't quite catch.....what you....were......" She stopped and blinked a few times when something blue caught her attention. Quickly pushing the cushions away, she shook her head when she thought she was imagining it. Surly it couldn't be what she had thought. Looking back up, however, the figure was still there, and the Leo dashed to the other when she realized who it was.
"D-Dad! You're okay, and....and you're here!!" She cried, hugging the other for dear life. "I'm so glad. I knew it! I knew they'd be able to help."
"They worked endlessly helping everyone in our village. We are forever grateful of their selfless act." He said, smiling up at his daughter. He then turned to Bate and nodded in appreciation. "Thank you for not only taking in and protecting my daughter when she needed it the most, but risking your lives by traveling all the way to our village to aid us. Such an act can not go unrewarded."
He stood up and bowed before him and the others. " We are forever at your debt for the countless lives you and your comrades have saved. Please, if you ever need our assistance, we will not hesitate to fight by your side. If there is anything we can do in return, all you have to do is ask."
Bate gave a small hum of thought. While he most likely won't ask them to fight or risk their lives for them, he had another idea on hand once he saw Meta perk up after hearing that.
"There is one request I ask for." He said, taking a seat and motioned the other to do the same. "I understand when we first met many years ago, we were not permitted to enter your village again. And while we did a few weeks back due to emergency circumstances, I'm sure you and your people are aware we pose no threat."
The Leo didn't speak, but agreed to his statement.
"That being said, I believe my student has the right request to ask for." He spoke, looking to his youngest. "I'm sure he'll put it to much better use, and I do hope you'll give it much consideration."
He stretched his wing and gently gave his student a helpful push since he wasn't moving. Meta shook his thoughts and shyly looked at Bate who returned his uncertainty with a confident smile. He had a feeling his mentor already knew what he was going to ask, and he couldn't thank his teacher enough for giving him this opportunity. Finally stepping up, he looked at the Leo before him, and then at Kes who was quietly standing next to her father.
"It's, ah....nice to see you again." He timidly spoke, still anxious about his daunting request. "If you don't remember me, I'm the one who entered your village 6 years ago with my teacher. My name is Meta." He spoke, introducing himself for good measure. "While my family and friends were away tending to your village, I stayed behind to watch over Kes. Even though we haven't seen each other in years, we've instantly recognized one another during our encounter several days back. Once she recovered, we spent our time catching up where we left off. It's been some of the best days of my life getting to know her again, and I...really don't want to have to say goodbye like before."
Closing his eyes, he was afraid of the worst. Would he really accept his offer? Surly this one good deed won't negate decades of tradition, but.... this was his only chance to find out. "I don't know how much have changed in her village, but I have only one request to ask. Please....I ask your permission for Kes to be able to visit our town whenever she pleases. She's my friend. I lost her before, I almost lost her a few days back, and now- I don't ever want to lose her again. Will...you honor my request?" He bowed once he was finished and anxiously waited.
The room was silent. Meta didn't speak, and kept his head lowered as he feared the outcome. He flinched when something was placed on his shoulder, and the young Puff glanced up when her father asked him to rise.
"My daughter has never forgot your town of Kalmari. Many years passed, but I would still hear her talk on about the outsiders she befriended as a child. Our ways of secrecy and seclusion are sacred. We lived by them for generations, and breaking them is unheard of. But Kes, she got a taste of what the outside world can hold. Once our village was attacked, she put her trust in you and your friends to help. We were uncertain, but she left regardless. Many of us are too stubborn to admit it, but it weren't for that faith and trust she had in you, we'd all be dead. I've separated you before in the past, but I will not make the same mistake again."
Standing up, he gently placed a hand on Kes. Looking down in shame for his harsh treatment and views, he hoped what he'd say will remedy all the pain he bestowed on her over the years.
"Kesuk, please forgive me for isolating you from your friends. I know it was your dream one day to visit Kalmari again. It took almost the lives of our entire village and you nearly dying to make us realize they mean us no harm. They have done more than enough to earn my trust, and you have as well. My dear Kesuk, I will honor his request. You may leave our home anytime you'd like. I know you will be well protected here."
Too happy to even speak a word, the Leo hugged her father. It only lasted a moment however as she pulled away and hugged Meta. Not prepared for the sudden contact, the warrior lost his balance and quickly clung on to his mentors wings for support. Unlike Meta, Bate was prepared and raised his wing to lift his student.
<< Chapter 7 | End >>
Artist Comment:
Date:
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Date:
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Species © Nintendo/ HAL Laboratory
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem
