Journey to South Nova
Chapter. 3: Bate vs. Ramset
After a few hours of flying, Nonsurat looked back at the four and noticed Falspar fluttering his wings faster than the rest. He nudged Bate to get his attention since he didn’t want his comrade to tire himself out and risk injuring his wings.
“Teacher Bate, I…think Falspar’s tired.”
Bate took alarm and quickly spun around. Meta looked up, and started giggling when he saw his Teacher flying backwards. “Hey, can you teach us how to fly like that?”
Bate didn’t respond and focused on all of their flying patterns. Indeed, Falspar looked like he was struggling to keep up. He let out a sigh and went towards him.
“Falspar,”
“Y-yes?” He said, even though he knew what he was going to say.
“Didn’t I tell you to inform me if you were tired?”
“I…know. I just wanted to get a bit farther before saying it, though.”
Bate just shook his head and instructed them to land. When all were safely on the ground, Bate walked over and grabbed Falspar’s wings. None talked at he inspected to see if he strained them. When all looked well, he let go and scolded the little Puff.
“Why didn’t you tell me you needed a break?”
The little Puff started to tense up from his harsh tone, and all of his comrades started to back away from him. “I…uh…..just…..no one else seemed tired and-”
“And what?” His voice started to rise, “It doesn’t matter if anyone else isn’t tired. If you end up hurting yourself, we all have to head back to Kalmari because you were afraid you’d be slowing everyone down.”
He then pointed his cane straight at the group.
“And the same goes for all of you. If I have to look back and personally ask you again, I’m not going to be so lenient. Take this as a warning.”
“Y-yes, Teacher Bate,”
“Alright.” He huffed and sat down to rest. “Take a break, and in 15 minutes we'll head out."
All five nodded and took off their backpacks. They sat not too far from the elder and glared at Falspar.
“Nice going, Falspar,” Arthur mumbled.
“He doesn’t trust us now.” Meta started getting teary eyed.
Falspar lowered his wings in embarrassment, “I…I’m sorry,” He looked over at the elder and flinched, “I just didn’t want to bother him…..”
“Why?” Nonsurat asked, “He told us he doesn’t care if we take breaks."
“I…know.”
Falspar keeps it to himself to prevent offending his comrades, but he was actually pretty scared of being around Bate. He’s nothing like Ramset- the complete opposite, to be precise. He honestly couldn't figure out how someone as chipper and happy as Meta can be around someone….so quiet and grumpy. The thought of actually talking and interrupting the elder was far worse than struggling in the sky to keep up.
“I…was just scared.” He softly replied,
“Scared?” Meta questioned, “Of what?"
Falspar just shrugged and turned away from them. “It’s...nothing, can we just rest? I’m tired..."
All four looked at one another with concern. Dragato, the one who knew more about Falspar than anyone, spoke up to say what he couldn’t.
“Just because he’s not Teacher Ramset, doesn’t mean Teacher Bate doesn’t care about you.”
Falspar didn’t speak.
“He’s….not like Teacher Ramset.” Meta spoke and figured having someone friendly and boisterous like Ramset compared to someone distant and quiet like Bate was a huge difference. “He’s quieter, and doesn't express things like Teacher Ramset, but he does care, y’know."
“He just has a serious way of showing it,” Arthur added, “He wouldn’t be yelling and scolding you if he didn’t care.”
“That’s just how Teacher Bate is.” Nonsurat said since he’s been around Bate quite a few times. Not as much as Meta, but enough to know he’s just as protective as Gordon and Ramset. “Maybe…talk to him?”
They saw Falspar curl up and back away. “He’s mad right now. Maybe later.”
“Better sooner than later,” Arthur shoved him with his wing. “Meta, Nonsurat and I live with him, and he scolds Meta tons of times.
“H-hey!”
“The worst is already out of the way." Arthur reassured, “Trust me, okay?”
Falspar timidly looked up at the elder, and then back at his friends. He cautiously got up and slowly gave a nod. “A-alright….”
—--
“T-teacher Bate…?"
Falspar quietly inched over to the old warrior. He froze in fear when Bate glanced over at him. He didn’t speak a word, and Falspar started to get nervous.
“I….I’m really sorry.” He quietly apologized, “I didn’t mean to get you mad. I didn’t want to interrupt you, and…..”
He closed his eyes and tried not to cry when he said it, “I…was scared to ask you. I was afraid you’d get annoyed or yell at me…."
The little warrior stood and waited. Eventually, Bate placed a hand over his head to calm him, and Falspar looked up in surprise.
It reminded him of Ramset.
He saw Bate slightly lift up his mask. He didn’t seems as scary as before, and the little Puff eased up a bit.
“I’m not mad….” He finally spoke, “That’s just my way of being concerned. Ramset has his way, and I have mine.”
“O-oh…”
Bate motioned Falspar to sit. He doesn’t deny that he and Ramset are total opposites. He could understand why Falspar may be weary around someone like him, and he doesn’t blame him for that. His expressions and mannerisms is nothing close to that of the Sasuke. He’s more serious while Ramset is happier and easier to approach. It’s….just not in his nature to adopt his bubbly personality. He didn’t particularly mind Falspar being cautious around him….but being terrified to talk to, or even be next to him?
The elder lowered his wings at the thought of it.
“I….know I’m not like Ramset. I’m nothing like him, and I’m definitely not going to try to be like him. You and I don’t have to see eye to eye…but I hope you know I do care for you as much as him."
Falspar perked up a little, “Really?”
The elder let out a chuckle, “Really. You five are important to me, and if anything would happen to you,”
“You…..wouldn’t be able to ever forgive yourself?” Falspar finished,
Bate looked at him in bewilderment, and Falspar slightly smiled at him.
“Teacher Ramset told be the same thing before we left. I guess you really are like him....just not as fun.”
“I'll…take that as a compliment.” He said and stood up. He slightly shook his wings to remove any grass or leaves stuck to them before facing Falspar. “Are you ready to head out?”
Falspar gave a nod and dashed back to the group to grab his backpack. “Yes! We’re all ready,” He beamed.
The six, who were now well rested, continued to travel to the edge of West Nova. A few more hours passed and, as instructed, the group asked the elder to take breaks when they were tired. Bate was fairly happy that they’ve become somewhat come accustomed to his rules and basically being around him without feeling the need to be cautious. They traveled on, and on, until finally,
Finally….
They reached the end. Once the five hit the ground, they all collapsed and closed their eyes.
“I’m so tiredddddd!” Meta whined.
“And we still have another day left,” Dragato mumbled as he rested his tired wings on the grass.
“Teacher Bate…” Arthur looked over and saw he was perfectly okay. “How are you able to travel to South Nova in a few hours? This took a whole day!!”
“Well, I am your flight instructor for a reason,” Bate mused and walked over to the group, “I’ve traveled the lands of Nova at an extremely young age. I’ve grown accustomed to long distant flying."
Bate’s eyes slightly changed to a bright yellow when he recalled his childhood days, “When I’d travel to Central for work, I would always time myself and try to beat my previous record for fun. It strengthen my wings, and improved my endurance and speed greatly.”
The five listened in awe.
“Would we be able to do that when we’re older?” Meta asked,
“One day,” He smiled, “With much practice."
Meta cheered and sat up, ignoring his aching body, “I’m going to be just like Teacher when I grow up!”
“How can you be like him, if I’m clearly better than you,” Arthur sneered, “I’m more like Teacher Bate, if anything.”
“Nuh-uh!!!” He shouted,
“Hush….” Bate patted Meta’s head before the argument escalated even more. “Reserve your energy for tomorrow instead of fighting with Arthur.”
Bate set his bag down and scouted the area to deem if it was a safe place to rest. “Everything seems good,” He said to himself and turned back to the five, “Okay, get ready for-“
Bate quickly stopped, and noticed that all of them fell asleep. Still with their backpacks strapped on, the five were curled up; wings tiredly spread on the grass from the long, grueling journey.
“It must’ve been too much for them,” Bate slightly smiled and walked over to help them. After gingerly taking all of their backpacks off, Bate pulled out a large, plush sleeping bag from his own and gently placed them in it.
Bate watched over the group throughout the night until he slowly started to nod off as well. He curled up next to the sleeping bag and placed one of his wings over it.
“We’re almost there.” He softly said before falling asleep.
“Tomorrow we’ll be in South Nova."
“Teacher Bate, I…think Falspar’s tired.”
Bate took alarm and quickly spun around. Meta looked up, and started giggling when he saw his Teacher flying backwards. “Hey, can you teach us how to fly like that?”
Bate didn’t respond and focused on all of their flying patterns. Indeed, Falspar looked like he was struggling to keep up. He let out a sigh and went towards him.
“Falspar,”
“Y-yes?” He said, even though he knew what he was going to say.
“Didn’t I tell you to inform me if you were tired?”
“I…know. I just wanted to get a bit farther before saying it, though.”
Bate just shook his head and instructed them to land. When all were safely on the ground, Bate walked over and grabbed Falspar’s wings. None talked at he inspected to see if he strained them. When all looked well, he let go and scolded the little Puff.
“Why didn’t you tell me you needed a break?”
The little Puff started to tense up from his harsh tone, and all of his comrades started to back away from him. “I…uh…..just…..no one else seemed tired and-”
“And what?” His voice started to rise, “It doesn’t matter if anyone else isn’t tired. If you end up hurting yourself, we all have to head back to Kalmari because you were afraid you’d be slowing everyone down.”
He then pointed his cane straight at the group.
“And the same goes for all of you. If I have to look back and personally ask you again, I’m not going to be so lenient. Take this as a warning.”
“Y-yes, Teacher Bate,”
“Alright.” He huffed and sat down to rest. “Take a break, and in 15 minutes we'll head out."
All five nodded and took off their backpacks. They sat not too far from the elder and glared at Falspar.
“Nice going, Falspar,” Arthur mumbled.
“He doesn’t trust us now.” Meta started getting teary eyed.
Falspar lowered his wings in embarrassment, “I…I’m sorry,” He looked over at the elder and flinched, “I just didn’t want to bother him…..”
“Why?” Nonsurat asked, “He told us he doesn’t care if we take breaks."
“I…know.”
Falspar keeps it to himself to prevent offending his comrades, but he was actually pretty scared of being around Bate. He’s nothing like Ramset- the complete opposite, to be precise. He honestly couldn't figure out how someone as chipper and happy as Meta can be around someone….so quiet and grumpy. The thought of actually talking and interrupting the elder was far worse than struggling in the sky to keep up.
“I…was just scared.” He softly replied,
“Scared?” Meta questioned, “Of what?"
Falspar just shrugged and turned away from them. “It’s...nothing, can we just rest? I’m tired..."
All four looked at one another with concern. Dragato, the one who knew more about Falspar than anyone, spoke up to say what he couldn’t.
“Just because he’s not Teacher Ramset, doesn’t mean Teacher Bate doesn’t care about you.”
Falspar didn’t speak.
“He’s….not like Teacher Ramset.” Meta spoke and figured having someone friendly and boisterous like Ramset compared to someone distant and quiet like Bate was a huge difference. “He’s quieter, and doesn't express things like Teacher Ramset, but he does care, y’know."
“He just has a serious way of showing it,” Arthur added, “He wouldn’t be yelling and scolding you if he didn’t care.”
“That’s just how Teacher Bate is.” Nonsurat said since he’s been around Bate quite a few times. Not as much as Meta, but enough to know he’s just as protective as Gordon and Ramset. “Maybe…talk to him?”
They saw Falspar curl up and back away. “He’s mad right now. Maybe later.”
“Better sooner than later,” Arthur shoved him with his wing. “Meta, Nonsurat and I live with him, and he scolds Meta tons of times.
“H-hey!”
“The worst is already out of the way." Arthur reassured, “Trust me, okay?”
Falspar timidly looked up at the elder, and then back at his friends. He cautiously got up and slowly gave a nod. “A-alright….”
—--
“T-teacher Bate…?"
Falspar quietly inched over to the old warrior. He froze in fear when Bate glanced over at him. He didn’t speak a word, and Falspar started to get nervous.
“I….I’m really sorry.” He quietly apologized, “I didn’t mean to get you mad. I didn’t want to interrupt you, and…..”
He closed his eyes and tried not to cry when he said it, “I…was scared to ask you. I was afraid you’d get annoyed or yell at me…."
The little warrior stood and waited. Eventually, Bate placed a hand over his head to calm him, and Falspar looked up in surprise.
It reminded him of Ramset.
He saw Bate slightly lift up his mask. He didn’t seems as scary as before, and the little Puff eased up a bit.
“I’m not mad….” He finally spoke, “That’s just my way of being concerned. Ramset has his way, and I have mine.”
“O-oh…”
Bate motioned Falspar to sit. He doesn’t deny that he and Ramset are total opposites. He could understand why Falspar may be weary around someone like him, and he doesn’t blame him for that. His expressions and mannerisms is nothing close to that of the Sasuke. He’s more serious while Ramset is happier and easier to approach. It’s….just not in his nature to adopt his bubbly personality. He didn’t particularly mind Falspar being cautious around him….but being terrified to talk to, or even be next to him?
The elder lowered his wings at the thought of it.
“I….know I’m not like Ramset. I’m nothing like him, and I’m definitely not going to try to be like him. You and I don’t have to see eye to eye…but I hope you know I do care for you as much as him."
Falspar perked up a little, “Really?”
The elder let out a chuckle, “Really. You five are important to me, and if anything would happen to you,”
“You…..wouldn’t be able to ever forgive yourself?” Falspar finished,
Bate looked at him in bewilderment, and Falspar slightly smiled at him.
“Teacher Ramset told be the same thing before we left. I guess you really are like him....just not as fun.”
“I'll…take that as a compliment.” He said and stood up. He slightly shook his wings to remove any grass or leaves stuck to them before facing Falspar. “Are you ready to head out?”
Falspar gave a nod and dashed back to the group to grab his backpack. “Yes! We’re all ready,” He beamed.
The six, who were now well rested, continued to travel to the edge of West Nova. A few more hours passed and, as instructed, the group asked the elder to take breaks when they were tired. Bate was fairly happy that they’ve become somewhat come accustomed to his rules and basically being around him without feeling the need to be cautious. They traveled on, and on, until finally,
Finally….
They reached the end. Once the five hit the ground, they all collapsed and closed their eyes.
“I’m so tiredddddd!” Meta whined.
“And we still have another day left,” Dragato mumbled as he rested his tired wings on the grass.
“Teacher Bate…” Arthur looked over and saw he was perfectly okay. “How are you able to travel to South Nova in a few hours? This took a whole day!!”
“Well, I am your flight instructor for a reason,” Bate mused and walked over to the group, “I’ve traveled the lands of Nova at an extremely young age. I’ve grown accustomed to long distant flying."
Bate’s eyes slightly changed to a bright yellow when he recalled his childhood days, “When I’d travel to Central for work, I would always time myself and try to beat my previous record for fun. It strengthen my wings, and improved my endurance and speed greatly.”
The five listened in awe.
“Would we be able to do that when we’re older?” Meta asked,
“One day,” He smiled, “With much practice."
Meta cheered and sat up, ignoring his aching body, “I’m going to be just like Teacher when I grow up!”
“How can you be like him, if I’m clearly better than you,” Arthur sneered, “I’m more like Teacher Bate, if anything.”
“Nuh-uh!!!” He shouted,
“Hush….” Bate patted Meta’s head before the argument escalated even more. “Reserve your energy for tomorrow instead of fighting with Arthur.”
Bate set his bag down and scouted the area to deem if it was a safe place to rest. “Everything seems good,” He said to himself and turned back to the five, “Okay, get ready for-“
Bate quickly stopped, and noticed that all of them fell asleep. Still with their backpacks strapped on, the five were curled up; wings tiredly spread on the grass from the long, grueling journey.
“It must’ve been too much for them,” Bate slightly smiled and walked over to help them. After gingerly taking all of their backpacks off, Bate pulled out a large, plush sleeping bag from his own and gently placed them in it.
Bate watched over the group throughout the night until he slowly started to nod off as well. He curled up next to the sleeping bag and placed one of his wings over it.
“We’re almost there.” He softly said before falling asleep.
“Tomorrow we’ll be in South Nova."
<< Chapter 2 | Chapter 4 >>
Artist Comment:
Date: November 16, 2016
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Date: November 16, 2016
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Species © Nintendo/ HAL Laboratory
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem
Interpreted characters created from said species © Rhylem
