Completed The Cold Truth

[Ricky Maze]

The Cold Truth
Spring 69th 514 AV, 19th Bell
Location: Maiden’s Cape

Picture the setting sun in its beautiful display as the skies of the bay were painted with wonderful shades of orange and teal, the clouds that decorated the sky magnificent as they were outlined by the radiance of Synna’s descent below the horizon itself. That sky… was beautiful. Yet how come nobody ever noticed it before? Nobody ever really pays attention to the things that make this world beautiful anymore, nothing ever seems to be important to notice when life demanded so much attention from everyone. Yet now… now Ricky knew well that such things were easily taken for granted. Why? Why did he have to learn what he learned today? Puzzled with an immense amount of devastating emotional pain he questioned what he knew, what it was that led him to be in the condition he was now. He wasn’t harmed or injured thank the Gods, not today at least since danger was something he practically faced off and on every other day. Whether it was pirates or self destructive mages, you could always believe Ricky there to save the day!

Yet even with the humor there wasn’t a chuckle, nothing to lighten the mood he was in upon his discovery. What happened exactly? He learned the truth. He’d confronted the ghost of his past and figured out her reasons for showing up, and once he’d learned the truth she’d finally left him to be… but now that it was over was it really worth it? He would celebrate for sure but the problem being, the thing he learned after confronting her proved to big…. To immense to ignore now that it’d been brought to his attention.

10th Bell (9 Bells Earlier)
Location: Old Quarter Building Complex

Ricky smiled as he felt Telion stretch within his embrace, a smile formulated on his face as he pretended he was still asleep. Her relaxed sigh tempted him to bring her in closer and nest his face against her neck, yet he felt too lazy to move at the moment as he remained still in the soft cuddle they were still in. "Oh… Time to get up." She mentioned after a yawn. That was enough to motivate Ricky, to stir just enough to where he trapped her within a more snug embrace as he declined the notion. Telion chuckled with an argument to follow, but a more persuasively playful argument compared to other couples… well it wasn’t exactly an argument but still, she put in the effort to get up and ready for the day. "Oh but what about breakfast! We need to eat something and Martin’s no doubt gonna be hungry when he wakes too!" She giggled as Ricky still declined with “no’s” in nuh-uhs and the like, but of course she found ways to get around him that worked best in their own way. "I’ll give you a kiss first and then make you breakfast."

He opened his deep blue eyes to see her adorable dreamy face in front of his, her lips in a purse as though she were pleading him. Oi can play dat game t’. He thought with a smirk. "Tw’ kisses?" He bargained playfully and chuckled when he saw the reaction Telion had, a smile cracked her lips as she tried to keep from giggling.

"Two kisses then." She agreed. Ricky went with saying "Great." as he leaned up to prop himself over Telion somewhat, she avoided the first one he tried to plant on her playfully of course as the two continued to mess around with one another. Where she would tease him he would do the same to her, his lips gently nipped on her neck as he used his beard as an advantage to tickle her. Yelps and giggles followed as Telion tried to struggle; finally she caved in and planted the first kiss on him, which only lasted a moment to where the two looked each other in the eyes afterwards. They were happy together. Their days together filled with nothing but love and life, both good and bad considering the things Ricky’s had to put up with as of late. Yet the past days of the season were nothing but proof that even in a world that tested faith, theirs remained stronger and kept them together up to this day. It wouldn’t be long now, just another season to go and then it’d be their anniversary. A day they would be sure to celebrate and enjoy with one another.

They smiled affectionately as Ricky went in for the second kiss, this one much slower and longer compared to the first playful one they shared. It certainly led into a continuous state that made Ricky nearly forget the rest of the world existed, that is until they heard their son start crying in the next room. There was a sigh but it wasn’t a sigh if displeasure, quite the opposite in fact, it was a sigh of content at the reminder that called to them. The little wonderful that cried for his parents now that he’d awakened. Though it didn’t sound all too wonderful in the real world, to them hearing Martin was something they always looked forward to each day. Crying or not.

"Guess ye better go den." He finally murmured with a chuckle, Telion did as well with one last quick kiss placed on his cheek.

"Guess I better," She reiterated with a finger twirl in his chest hair, "I’ll be back with Martin. In the mean time make sure you cover up." She suggested as she shifted to where she could get up off the mattress, Ricky’s face turned a little red with a huge grin as he knew what she meant.

Damn! She noticed it den. He noted as he laid on his back, a glance down to the “knot” underneath the sheets afterwards. He couldn’t help it! She was beautiful, attractive enough to arouse him repeatedly if given the chance. Of course that was a sort of business he didn’t dwell upon, as he was already satisfied with how active their current relationship was… Gah! Why am Oi t’inkin’ bout sex now?! Gotta git me ‘ead straight. He reminded himself. He had to think on something else, get his mind distracted… what to think about. What to think about. Hmm… He looked over to the cat Fenvur that rested on the windowsill; tail curled left and right almost as if it had a will of its own, all while Fenvur simply lay there comfortably. Fenvur ain’t gonna ‘elp.

He sighed and took to thinking about breakfast. Of course his mind thought about Telion and wandered from there, but then he returned his thoughts to what they should eat. He was hungry after all. If he were hungry what would he want?... Hmm…

[Ricky Maze]

The thought on what he might want led him to feel more or less hungry mood now, rather than the earlier mood he found himself in before Telion had left to tend to their son. It was a good thing too since she'd be bringing Martin back into their room, which all the more excited Ricky to see his son as the ticks started to pass by. Finally the sounds of mother and child as they laughed out of pure joy came and they weren't too far from the doorway, and as they were no doubt on their way to come in Ricky quickly jumped out of bed so he could put on some clothes for the day. First was the trousers as they were slipped on with ease, although the belt took what felt like a chime to fasten, and then finally the shirt which proved no challenge to slip on. As Ricky rolled the fabric down to cover the skin of his torso he heard the two's voices as they entered, and turned to face the doorway when so he could greet them.

Yet it wasn't Telion's face he saw... Natalie had appeared instead and she was the one holding Martin, eyes focused on the child as though Martin were actually her own birthed baby. De petch?! He gasped between a clenched jaw with only half a smile compared to before, Natalie of course then looked to Ricky as she'd entered the room with his child. "And look who it is!" She cooed to Martin as the baby's face brightened even more to see his father. "Yes! Yes it's Ricky! It's your father!" She cheered as she glanced between Ricky and Martin, though she suddenly found herself more focused on Ricky with an innocently concerned look. "Ricky?" She questioned for a moment, and once Ricky had blinked he no longer saw Natalie there but instead the woman who proved to be his wife.

"You okay?" She asked him with a bit of a worried expression, Ricky blinked hard a second time to make sure what he saw wouldn't happen again. Still Telion thank Priskil. He rubbed his forehead with a grin as he tried to cover up the sudden change in appearance in front of her, not that he looked threatened by any means but seeing Natalie wildly threw him off.

"Yea! Sorry, just 'ad a bit o' a headache come on all o' a sudden." He partially lied with a sighed exhale through his nose, still in a bit of a shock but more or less almost back to his senses as he felt a slight pressure build in upper reaches of his skull. "Come 'ere," He smiled once more with arms opened out to welcome his wife and son in his embrace, when they were wrapped in Ricky's arms he planted a firm kiss on the side of Telion's face before he looked down to their son. "Lookie 'ere! Look at who just got up!" He cooed to the child as Martin's mouth widened with a smile, a few pants heard as though he would've laughed. Baby chuckles more or less, still all the same cute ones when the parents talked and played with their child.

"Are you sure you're alright dear?" Telion checked as she still bounced the baby to keep him entertained.

"Aye, Oi'll be fine love." He assured her with a small grin, Telion took a moment before she seemed convinced but in turn smiled back to him. "Now, hand over Martin so ye can start on breakfast." He teased her once again with a chuckle, her jaw dropped with a gasp as the corner of her lips widened. She looked to Martin as though she debated surrendering the child to him, but went with it anyway seeing as how the parents were still the hungry ones here.

"Very well," She agreed and handed Martin to his father, "If he shykes then you're changing the diaper though." She finished as her ultimatum as she went over to the cupboard to work on breakfast, Ricky stood there with a defeated but amused expression on his face. He then shrugged as he rearranged Martin to where he could look down to the boy's face, mainly the same beautiful eyes that were passed on from his mother.

"Ye wouldn't do dat t' Pa now would ya? Torture yer old man wit' a dirty diaper now?" The boy only looked up to his dad with curious eyes, but then formed a smile as though he knew what his father was talking about. "Yea, Oi t'ought as much." Ricky sighed with a chuckle to follow, and then kissed his son once more on the forehead as he took a seat in the armchair they had.

[Ricky Maze]

12th Bell (7 Bells Earlier)
Location: The Wave Guard HQ, Training Grounds

After his day had officially started with the breakfast Telion made and the care given to Martin, Ricky had to leave for his everyday duty as the Wave Guard he was with farewells given to the wife and child that would wait for him at home. This had occured a couple of bells ago as he'd already went onto the field to start his usual training procedures, which included the few recruits that attended to be ordered to run around the building a few times. Well... not so much as run but more or less get a number of laps around the Head Quarters altogether, mainly to help build up their leg muscles so they would be proficient swimmers when the time for that came. Yet he was still troubled by what he'd seen earlier, and more or less expected a second occurrence to come from Natalie. He wasn't too far off.

Though he'd expected her to pull the unexpected appearance of a recruit, like she did with Telion earlier, Natalie instead just assumed a regular approach up to his side as though she owned the place. He didn't pay much mind to her in terms of observation though, as he was already aware he would be the only one to notice her. It was as she stated time and time before, only he could see him and nobody else. So in another's perspective, as Ricky thought about it, to look at her would be to look at thin air. That alone would stir interest in attention, at least in a public place where eyes would watch. Ricky didn't want that of course. What're ya doin' 'ere. Ain't no place f'r ye to show up.

"I'm here for you box head, like I said before." She reiterated with a giggle as she folded an arm behind her back to grapple the other arm. Out of his peripheral vision he noticed a change in the curviture of her lips, a smile that once looked amused was instead rather content... as though she were glad to say those words.

Yea well, Oi don't need ya 'ere. Like Oi stated 'afore Oi've got a family now, so t'ere ain't no sense in ya stickin' roun'. He repeated just as he did time and time again, still she giggled at his words as though they were just silly notions not to be taken lightly. Yet the gravity of his seriousness was never really taken to heart with Natalie it seems, as was the way their relationship worked until everything did get serious with her back then. "Sergeant Maze," Ricky nearly jumped out of his own skin as he didn't expect another guardsman to address him, "You've a visitor up front, your wife Telion I believe." Ricky raised an eyebrow to the guard, curious as to why exactly his wife would visit him. Sure she would off and on come by to drop things off for him but she never really requested to actually see him, this made him wonder if there was something wrong or something might've happened.

"T'anks mate." He nodded appreciatively to the man as he strode on toward the building, he made sure to check with another sergeant to temporarily take over the training while he checked to see why Telion visited him. Once he'd arrived in the front area of the ground floor he found her comfortable in one of the waiting chairs, with Martin being bounced in her lap while they both waited for their father to arrive. Once Ricky did of course, the two of them looked happy to see them and in turn he did them, warm smiles greeted one another as the child eagerly reached for his father. "Goodness now, wanted 'is pa badly did he?" He mused as he picked the child up from Telion's lap, Telion herself then rose with a giggle as she greeted Ricky with a hug.

"Yeah he was actually crying a lot earlier, took a bit to calm him down but when I suggested we come see you he stopped." She explained with sincere eyes up to Ricky. "You sure you're okay Ricky? You seemed... lost earlier, like you saw someone else. And have you had any more of those nosebleeds today?" She started to prod in concern, Ricky of course gave her a humble smile to assure her that he was quite fine.

"Oi'm fine love, no nosebleeds 'ave 'appened an' Oi only 'ad a 'eadache earlier. Dat's it, Oi promise." He wasn't entirely lying to her... Natalie had pretty much been nothing but a headache to him so in truth he was being honest, that and he actually did feel a short headache for a while but nothing more. Telion sighed with a bit of relief as Martin watched his father, hands grasped at the fisherman's face as he tried to feel Ricky's facial hair and lips. It brought a smile from the parents as Ricky playfully nipped at Martin's hands and fingers, which in turn made the child laugh while he played around. "Not like Martin t' cry after Oi 'ead t' work t'ough, Oi wonder what's gotten int' 'im."

"I already know," She pointed out, "He's worried about you. We both worry about you." She held him a bit more dearly in the snug she had around him, and Ricky's face went from a look of wonder to one of heartwarming content. They worried? Of course they would. He worked hard after all and with the way things have been going down in Zeltiva, it was only natural that Telion would worry for her husband... but Martin worry about his father? That was something that made Ricky realize just how important he is to the two of them, how complete he truly is to have them in his life now that he was both a parent and guard. Then of course the moment would've gone sour, had he not been the only one to see her... Natalie.

[Ricky Maze]

"Aww, that is so cute. We both worry about you!" She copied sarcastically while she sat in the chair Telion was in only moments ago. "I swear she just asks for me to punch her in the face." Her remark almost brought a scoff from Ricky which failed to be contained, coming out as a choke on his own breath instead as Martin seemed to think it funny his dad had such a reaction.

"What was that?" Telion’s eyebrows rose in curiosity as she questioned him, Ricky chuckled with a quick smile as he covered up once more.

"Not’in. Ye tw’ just choke me up so much, only cause Oi love yew both t’ no end." He added with a short kiss planted on Telion, her expression then returned to the normal happy smile she held upon him doing so, and then Natalie rose from her seat with an eye roll to the ceiling. Might as well go away, cause Oi’m just gonna keep ignorin ya at t’is point. He warned her, although he more or less reminded himself to pretend he didn’t see her. It usually worked on and off despite the few times she remained, even when he seemed to push her out like a bad thought.

"Do that again and I swear I will punch her." She playfully threatened with a slight attitude, and when Ricky heard that attitude in her tone he then realized something. Yew couldn’t do it even if ya tried! Yer not really ‘ere remember, just a ghost in me mind ‘r somet’in o’ a sort. She played coy and dropped her jaw like she was impressed, a smile returned to her face once more afterwards. "Wow! I’m so glad you recognize me all of a sudden! How ‘bout that huh?!" She continued to be sarcastic towards him but even that seemed to wear down, as she realized where he was going with all this.

So leave t’en, or stick roun’ an’ watch. He reflected as he looked from Martin back down to Telion. "Did Oi ever mention ‘ow much Oi love yew?" He asked with a grin on his face as he looked into her eyes, Telion of course giggled and nodded as they were leaning in close.

"Plenty, but… I still like to be reminded." She remarked back which brought a chuckle from the two, Natalie’s smile was all gone now and only regret seemed to fill her blank expression.

"No, Rick, NOT cool now!" She tried to intervene but it was too late, her attempts to stop him were flawed as she couldn’t break through the wall he built before her. He mentally blocked her out with nothing but the thought of Telion on his mind, and in turn when they kissed once more it was slower and lasted several ticks compared to the first one. "Stop it! Ew! Ew! You’re totally grossing me out now!" Somewhere deep down Ricky couldn’t help but smile deviously, likely because it was his turn to get payback for all the trouble Natalie caused him. The kiss broke finally and the couple fell into a stare for a chime, a blush on Telion’s face as she then remembered where they were. "Ew," Natalie’s face now held irritated disgust with them, "give me a few chimes while I prepare to projectile vomit ALL YOU’RE YOUR WHORE!"

"You should um…" She bit her lip a bit nervously as Ricky continued to gaze into her eyes with a grin, with a low "Yea?" to prod her further in finishing the sentence. "Probably get back to work. You’re fellow ‘mates’ probably need you." She finished with another giggle, as Ricky looked over his shoulder back towards the direction that would take him to the training grounds.

"Yea," He sighed before he looked back to her, "Ye’re probably roi." He cracked a short inner laugh. "Guess Oi’ll see ya when Oi get ‘ome t’en." He added as he finally surrendered Martin over, the baby looked a little reluctant to go at first, but nevertheless he finally went back into his mother’s arms with wide curious eyes back up to his father. Natalie remained standing in the same spot ridiculed by what she’d watched, silently praying that they would finally be done soon.

"See you at home." She returned with a wide grin on her face, and in turn gave Ricky one final goodbye kiss.

"Stop that!" Natalie became fed up with the PDA and partially came between the two of them, her eyes up to Ricky as he continued to look only at Telion. Sure enough the mother twirled around and walked on towards the entrance, and Ricky couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly as he noticed the slight bounce in her step. Once they were out the door he finally looked down to Natalie with an eyebrow raised, along with a pleased smirk, while she rolled her eyes and stood back a few feet with arms crossed once more. "You done now?"

’re yew? Oi can do more o’ dat later on if Oi need t’. He thoughtfully remarked in his head to her. Natalie of course pretended like she was gagging and then returned to having an attitude with him.

"Seriously Rick? Grow up would you!"

De quicker ye leave me be de better f’r ya, sooner ‘r later ye’ll ‘ave enough an’ give up sometime. He finished with a serious look on his face, he was quite far from finished with her… but alas he hadn’t the time to pick a bone with her. He had work to do, and so Ricky just up and left her there. Walked on back to the training grounds while she remained standing there, her face troubled as she looked deeply in thought about something there.

[Ricky Maze]

15th Bell (4 Bells Earlier)
Location: The Fish Market

He’d gotten off in time for the effort to buy dinner for his family while Telion prepped the hearth at home for cooking, and so Rick took to visit the Fish Market for a night that would surely be packed with some salmon, seaweed, clams, and other items that would add to the menu of tonight’s supper. He loved it when Telion made her wrapped salmon because the salty taste was actually absorbed into the seaweed more than anything, and of course Kelp in general just added that hearty zest every Zeltivan fisherman loved in their fish when it was cooked. Yet even after Ricky had obtained the essentials needed for supper something still continued to trouble him, his head had actually started to ache more with dull throbs somewhere within. It wasn’t the same as when he felt like he’d been in a brawl, of course he’d had his share of those as well, but the sensation was still rather difficult to grasp at as he would rub his temples to try and massage the pain away.

These headaches were more like tension pains, hurtful places in areas like the forefront of his cap along the forehead. What’s worse was that he finally developed another nosebleed, one that just didn’t seem to stop as he carried the backpack of food over his shoulder. "Damn allergies! What de petch is up?!" He muttered in annoyance as he continued to wipe his nostrils with the backhand area behind the thumb, yet still the blood still trickled down as he tried to sniffle and put a stop to it. No good, so he sorted through his sinuses and hacked up a large amount of spit to dispose of, a large blob of red freshly hit the water of the ocean as he spat over the pier. That was when it hit him. His nose was clear, as there wasn’t no mucus or anything of the sort. In fact it’d been clear since the bleeding started, still proved to be clean now save for what blood trickled down to his lip. "Son o' a bitch, just quit would ye?" He remarked without realizing that she had come back to face him once more, this time with a somber look on her face as Natalie approached Ricky from the crowd.

"Life or death?" She brought up to surprise him, he only glared to her for a moment after jumping though. Ricky then proceeded to try and ignore her as he kept wiping the blood on the back of his hand, which by now was covered in a smear of red. "It’s getting worse you know, I can’t simply play around anymore and wait for you to choose."

What de petch does t’at even mean?! He mentally shouted in annoyance, ready for her to be gone once more.

"Life or death Ricky. You made me choose and I chose life, for you. But what did you choose?" He rolled his eyes at the cryptic puzzle she’d spoken and moved to go past her until she’d said those words, those words that always held such strong meaning but yet came at the wrong time. "I loved you Ricky! You know that, so why is it you turn away from me now?"

Y’know what… aight. Oi’ll play den. He turned around to face her once more, his face red with anger. First off, Oi chose life. Why? Because at de time Oi loved yew, but now it’s a different story. Now Oi’m married, with a son no less, and yer dead anyway so why should yew care?!

"Because you chose death Ricky! I wanted to live with you and you… you chose to send me away, only because you thought my parents knew what they were talking about!" She started to break down now, tears in her eyes as she cried out to him in desperation. "I wanted to live! I wanted to stay with you but you chose otherwise!"

Are ye done? Because ‘onestly t’is just looks like one o’ our old arguments again, and Oi’m rat’er keen t’ not go t’rough one o’ t’ose again. He started off with a scoff and once again turned to head back home, determined to not stop now that he’d had the last word with Natalie.

"Life or death Ricky it’s a choice you have to make! You have to choose! You have to!" She cried out loud enough for the whole market to hear and fell on her knees, Ricky didn’t bother to look back as he continued onward to return back home in the Old Quarter. There he would arrive to find his beloved waiting for him at home, while Martin played around with a wooden spoon from the cupboard as he rested on the pillows of their bed. His return home was made with a smile and hearty affections to his family as he kept hidden the unnecessary drama that sort of unfolded in the market, and in turn he helped Telion set up to make supper while the chimes were counting by. Yet still something started to trouble him, the words Natalie said when she approached him. He figured she was acting up bitterly since she was more or less reflecting upon his decision back then, the choice to send her off when he thought it would give her a fighting chance to live.

That choice obviously didn’t make a different though. For years he’d kept hidden the parchment with Natalie being sketched, and in turn he also kept the bracelet she’d made hidden away in his belongings. He’d taken them with him when he started his journey out into the world, in an effort to see if he could find his mother if she were alive. Upon the return home those two things were but of the few personal belongings he had left, and in turn he always kept them in the pocket of his travel sack he’d used earlier. Or rather, he forgot they were there until now. No thanks to the reminder that’d bugged him on and off earlier in the day. Yet still… “Life or death” was something she repeated off and on. He couldn’t help but wonder further, what the meaning behind it truly was compared to the argument he evaded in the Fish Market.

[Ricky Maze]

17th Bell (2 Bells Earlier)

"You know you’ve been awfully quiet, and for someone who was hungry you haven’t ate much of your salmon." Telion picked on Ricky as they both sat at the small dinner table in the middle of their room; Ricky of course had mostly been in thought as he poked the food on his plate around with his fork. Once Telion brought it up though he suddenly realized that she’d been keen to watch him ever since they finished supper and sat down, and knew at this point there was no way he could try cover up his behavior now that she’d started to bring it up.

"Yea Oi just…" He sighed as he spoke and trailed into a heavy thought. "Lately it feels like me ‘ead’s gonna pop sometimes, an’ den o’ course me nose bled again t’day. A lot more t’an usual come t’ t’ink ‘bout it." He reasoned in hopes it would excuse his behavior, he then looked to Telion as she took a rag and scooted a little closer to him suddenly.

"Sort of like now?" She mused as she dapped a corner under his nose, it wasn’t until he felt the cloth brush under his nose he noticed, the wet warmth that proceeded to trickle down his nostrils once more. Twice in one day? That was something new. "Either you’re not used to the new year weather, or you’re suffering from something other than allergies."

"Yet when we took Martin t’ see a doctor at t’e University t’ey said it could’a very well been allergies." He reiterated from earlier within the season.

"True… but then again they didn’t give you a whole checkup now did they?" She gave him a look and then he sighed once more, he hated to be in the Infirmary for one and in truth he did avoid getting a checkup all on his own… but he didn’t care at the time, Martin was suffering from allergies so Ricky figured his was the same thing more or less.

"Oi’m fine love, Oi doubt it’s anyt’in t be worried ‘bout." He shrugged it off and tried to avoid the subject altogether.

"Cut the crap Rick," Telion leaned back in her chair with arms crossed, "Something’s wrong with you. I know it, Martin knows it. Why can’t you see that?" He looked to the plate of food next, his mind wandered back to the words Natalie then said. “Life or Death” was a choice… “I’m here for you” as though he needed her… Or… Did he? He knew the answer already yet she still remained… "Rick?" He looked to Telion once more, her face full of worry now. "What is going on?" She repeated once more, he couldn’t help but feel guilty now. He hated to hide things from her, yet he couldn’t tell her yet. How could you tell the woman you loved that your deceased past girlfriend came back to haunt you?

No… he had to tell her but first he needed answers. "Please tell me, I’m right here. For you." She pressed further as he remained silent, that is until the words she’d said finally sunk in.

"Oi’m ‘ere… f’r yew." He repeated in a whisper as he started to realize what Natalie meant.

"What?" She tried to get him to repeat once more, curiosity and concern provident in her expression. Ricky of course finally figured it out though, his fork dropped on his plate as he looked to Telion. To her it might’ve looked as though something important might’ve hit him, something he might’ve just remembered all of a sudden. But for Ricky… he finally knew just what Natalie meant.

"Shyke! Tel, Oi’ve got somewhere Oi need t’ be. Oi promise Oi’ll explain e’ryt’in when Oi get back, f’r now t’ough just wait ‘ere an’ Oi’ll come back!" He explained as he shot up from the chair, she held a look of awe on her face as she tried to grasp at what he was trying to do. She called his name a couple of times in an effort to stop him and figure out what he was doing, where he was going all of a sudden when they were in the middle of talking. He only told her he would be back though, as he now had to run into Natalie once more. This time intentionally. It would his way of confronting her, and in turn getting the meaning of truth out of her, since she’d been so cryptic about her words earlier.

[Ricky Maze]

18th Bell (1 Bell Earlier)
Location: The Fish Market

He’d retraced his steps that day. They were the very thing that would help him figure out where to find Natalie. He went from the building complex to the Wave Guard HQ, and then from there to the Fish Market. Each stop allowed him to dwell on deeper thought about the encounters with Natalie, up until the one in the Fish Market. He was out of breath now; his rush had exerted much energy and stamina. But he was close now, close to finally understanding just what exactly she meant. Life or death… I’m here for you…. They meant something, something Ricky should’ve connected earlier but failed to do so. Only because he allowed his bitter aggravation with seeing Natalie cloud his judgment. Now was a different story though, now he had to figure out where he would run into her. Confront her.

Sure enough he could see a figure in the distance standing at the rail of the pier, the figure of a lonely woman who had dark hair as Synna settled below the horizon. It was her. Yet upon Ricky’s return she’d only strayed off, further down past the Cerulean Pier itself, and in turn led Ricky onward as they were bound for Maiden’s Cape next.

19th Bell (The Current Bell)
Location: The Maiden's Cape

Once he arrived there he had to take a chime to catch his breath, eyes to the ground as he repeated what she’d stated earlier.

"Life o’ death. Yew said Oi ‘ad t’ choose one now…" He pointed out as he stood straight once more, sharp eyes down on the brunette as she remained next to the statue of the Black Lady.

"Took you long enough." She murmured somberly.

"When ya said ye came back f’r me, ye meant-"

"I came back for you. As in I’m here for you Rick, not because you need me." She jumped in to clarify the meaning. Shock started to settle in as Ricky grappled at the hair on his head, the words finally clear in their meaning now that it’d sunk in.

"Ye came back f’r me ‘cause Oi’m dyin’ now, is t’at it?" He further clarified in anger, Natalie only looked at him pitifully until he snapped at her. "Is t’at it?!" He barked aggressively, a jump came out of her as she nodded to confirm is suspicion. Ricky brought his hands up to his head once more as he tried to contain his temper then, disbelief present in the face of the reality that was set before him. Death. He was in shock but that wasn’t enough to describe the awe and pain he felt, the hurt he faced in knowing that he was once again in the face of death. This time by a different approach. "Just what ‘re ya?! Why’re yew ‘ere when y’ knew it was pointless t’ come back?"

"I came back because I wanted to be with you! I wanted to give you a chance, a choice! You still have a choice Ricky! Life or death, it’s all the same!"

"De petch it is bitch! Ye say t’at now but Oi know good an’ well t’ere’s a difference! Oi choose death den Oi leave behind what Oi love f’r yew, Oi choose life den Oi die anyway wi’ what lil’ time Oi’ve got left!" He shouted bitterly as he connected the dots, Natalie soon had tears well up in her eyes. "Yew wanted me t’ die so Oi would be wit’ yew in de end! Yew ‘oped Oi opted f’r death! Ye selfish petchin’ bitch!" He would’ve pushed her then and there were she real, but even when she tried to approach him with hopes for a second appeal he couldn’t resist, thus shoved her away even if he were shoving thin air. "Stay back!" He demanded with a finger pointed to her. "Stay de petch back and de petch away fr’m me, Oi made me choice! Oi chose life, Oi choose life!"

"Do you even know what you’re saying Rick?! You’ve no idea what it’s like! No idea how lonely it feels! I waited because I didn’t want you to feel alone! I didn’t want you to go through the same thing I did!" She cried desperately now but he’d heard enough, he was angry and scared, practically devastated to have figured out what he’d just learned.

"Bull petchin’ shyke Natalie ye waited because ye wanted ME! Instead o’ movin’ on ye clung t’ de past when it was already past! Oi moved on! Oi let go! Yew on de other ‘and didn’t!" He pointed out towards the horizon then, his deep blue eyes sharply focused on her as he said the next words. "Go on Natalie! Go on an’ f’rget Oi ever existed! F’rget Oi was ever in yer life! Move on! Laviku only knows Oi wouldn’t give a damn."

"I love you Ricky! Don’t you understand that!" She pleaded as she grasped his hand and clutched it close to her heart, he looked down into her eyes coldly though as he ended their conversation.

"We’re done. Oi don’t care ‘bout yew anymore, move on an’ f’rget ‘bout our past. T’ere’s nothin’ left f’r yew ‘ere." He turned away from her with bitter eyes to the ground, her expression one of grief and torment as she fell to her knees once more. As she did so she’d took to sobbing aloud but they became echoes, echoes that faded out as she too seemed to dissipate into thin air. There was nothing left then. Nothing but the sound of the sea and the feel of the breeze on Ricky’s face, yet he remained still in his posture. Paralyzed by both fear and shock as his mind continued to process what exactly happened. His head developed a stronger headache now compared to earlier, one that felt like his skull was nearly about to split apart. His blood pressure definitely rose in this confrontation but that wasn’t the only cause, something else was the cause of it as he now knew that Natalie, the nosebleeds, they were connected to it somehow…

[Ricky Maze]

So… there it was. The setting sun in its beautiful display as the skies of the bay were painted with wonderful shades of orange and teal, the clouds that decorated the sky magnificent as they were outlined by the radiance of Synna’s descent below the horizon itself. That sky…. Still so beautiful…. Ricky learned the truth. He’d confronted the ghost of his past and figured out her reasons for showing up, and once he’d learned the truth she’d finally left him to be… but now that it was over was it really worth it? He would celebrate for sure but the problem being, the thing he learned after confronting her proved to big…. To immense to ignore now that it’d been brought to his attention.

Death.

He was dying. He made his choice yet that in turn led to him facing the reality, and now he hadn’t the slightest clue where to start in his fight for survival. Healer? Could this condition be healed? He didn’t know. He didn’t know anything anymore, this morning he woke up fine and happy and then it all went to shyke. And now… now he had to tell his wife. But how would he do that? How would he explain to her everything he’d been through, when he’d hid it for so long? He hated to keep it secret, but there just… wasn’t an answer to give, no story to tell since he hadn’t a solid grasp on everything. Oi… He fell into tears then, knelt to his knees and wept away in regret. Why? Did he do something wrong? Did Dira herself take a liking towards him; decide that his time should finally come? All his life he wanted nothing more than to be a simple ordinary fisherman, who would one day grow old like his father… settle down with a big family, and eventually die when he came of the age.

This soon though, and when he only just had his first child no less. There was still so much to see, so much to be there for with Martin. To give all that up would… no. He couldn’t dwell on that. He had to fight. He had to live; it’s what he chose to do. He had to find some way to fight this, fight fate itself if that’s what it took. He recollected his composure and found a second will to stand on his feet once more, determined to figure this out even if it were something beyond him. The clock was ticking then, and he didn’t have very long until it ran out. How comforting. He’d been in enough life and death situations beforehand, why should he treat this one any different from the rest. He found it in himself to scoff at the odds, to hell with whatever chances he had with this. He was a fighter, a survivor and that would keep him alive.

He finally went onward and walked back down the cobblestone path, to start the return walk back home as he tried to find the words he would say to Telion. He had to say something, he couldn’t just leave it with… Gods! What were you suppose to say to the one you loved, especially when you just found out that you’re probably dying now. Why did it become so hard? Everything. Life alone just couldn’t be difficult so the rest of it had to join in, and now it felt as though his whole happy world was going to shyke.

20th Bell
Location: Ricky’s Room

Upon entering she’d already put Martin to bed and put out the hearth, even laid there waiting for Ricky to return. He knew this act well enough. She’d thought he’d be out late so she settled everything and tucked in early, but in truth waited in secret for him to return home. It was his favorite thing he loved about her, or at least one out of the many things. He somehow found it in him to genuinely smile though only a little, a deep appreciation for what he would’ve taken for granted had he not discovered the cold truth today. He didn’t make a sound, but instead faced the music in his own silence. He sat at the edge of the bed and removed his shoes, then his shirt, then finally loosened the belt to unfasten his pants.

Once the clothes were in a pile next to the bed he leaned over on the mattress and looked into the basket of the adorable sleeping baby that rested within, tears nearly welled in his eyes as he thought about how precious the time spent with the child was. How precious his time would become. Finally Ricky fully laid in the bed and made himself comfortable, though he had his back turned towards Telion as she did him. He wanted to snuggle up to her, embrace her closely like he would always do… when she would pretend to awaken and see that he returned home from wherever he went. Tonight though… he couldn’t. It hurt him so bad. Deep down his heart truly ached as he didn’t… why couldn’t he do it? Why couldn’t he do the same he always did?

"You came back." She finally whispered without turning over, Ricky looked about here and there as he remained on his side. Eyes finally overflowed with tears as he withheld the inner screams he wanted to release.

"O’ course," He murmured back as he tried to keep his breathing normal, "Oi promised didn’t Oi?" His chest wanted to heave, to act as it normally would when one would break down.

"And?" Telion questioned as she waited to hopefully hear an explanation towards his behavior earlier.

"Oi…" He choked and struggled to find the right words… yet there was nothing. He could only remain there and let his eyes continue to flow with tears. He could hear the blankets crumple as Telion finally seemed to shift her position, likely to look at him with concern as she would normally do.

"You… can tell me anything Rick. I love you and all the same, would like to know what’s troublin’ you." She pressed as she scooted closer to him, her soft cheek rested on the side of his head as she brought her hands up to comfort him. The way she stroked his hair… Gods… These were moments. Moments that no one should ever take for granted. Deep down it hurt him so much because he wasn’t ready to ruin it, he didn’t want to share the truth because he knew what would happen. She would be afraid. It was only logical to think so…. Because he was afraid too.

"Oi know…. Oi just…. ‘aven’t found de words yet." He admitted miserably. It was his shame and regret, and yet even when it seemed so Telion did something, another something that Ricky loved about her so God damn much.

"Well," She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek before continuing, "You know I’m here, and I’ll always be here. You don’t have to tell me now, but at least try when you do find those words." She pleaded calmly as she then held onto him closely, it was something that made him wish he wasn’t in this position. Something that made him wish he didn’t have to die. Right now Telion was being that smart beautiful woman he fell in love with, and in turn he couldn’t help but turn over to hold her close as they both remained in each other’s arms for the rest of the night…

[Neologism]

Grade Awarded!

Skills

Skill	Points
Intelligence	+1 xp

Lores

➢Natalie: Only You Can See Her
➢ Telion: Likes To Be Reminded She Is Loved
➢ Mental: Blocking Out Natalie
➢ Natalie: Hates It When You Show Affection For Telion
➢ Life or Death: You Chose Life
➢ You're Dying

Comments

Wow, Ricky ... That was really an impressive read. After a while, I forgot I was grading and had to go back and re-grade. xD Since I am a JrST, I need to get my grades approved before I can post them. I apologize for any late grades. If you find any problems or are concerned about anything, please let me know and we can work it out.

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