by Jake Taylor
IXH
“Cullis,” Freya said, naming the coastal town that was now in view.
Isabella blinked, looking over at her. “It’s a port town named Cullis?”
“Cute, huh?” Freya smirked, leaning on the ship’s rail. “Th’ town’s not as bad as its name.”
“Never been,” Haruka admitted from her spot beside Isabella. “Tourist, right?”
“Yep. Lotsa shops and such. We’re adjacent to Imperial lands now; this town’s here t’ capitalize on people headin’ out for vacations. It tries t’be a tourist place. You can decide if they succeed.”
Haruka smirked. “Guessing not.”
Isabella smiled at her. “Hey, don’t judge a book by its cover, even if the cover has a really bad name on it.” As much as Bella had discovered she loved sailing, she was looking forward to getting some time on solid land again. Freya said they were stopping here for supplies, but they’d be spending a day there, as her crew needed time on land as well. Tomorrow they would continue their journey south, but today they would take advantage of this opportunity. This was, after all, the first full day she and Haruka were together, so enjoying it was a priority. Now I just have to hope that nothing goes wrong like it usually does. Wait, no, I didn’t just think that!
Haruka watched her looking around rapidly and raised an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”
Bella looked back to her, blinking and then laughing nervously. “Ahaha, no, nothing, nothing’s wrong!” She gave a sheepish smile. “Truth be told I’m hoping we can go a day without anything bad happening, and now I’m worried I just jinxed us by thinking that. And now again by saying it aloud.”
Haruka chuckled. “You think a god’s listening? Forgot he was gonna curse you, then you reminded him?”
“Maybe,” she replied. “I mean, it sounds stupid when you say it that way.”
“Okay,” Haruka said as she leaned one elbow on the railing, looking at her. “Say it in a way that doesn’t sound stupid.”
“Well I…” Isabella paused. “Basically, it’s like…” She huffed and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t have to do what you say, you know.”
The monk grinned. “No, you don’t. Or can’t.”
“No, I can, I just… refuse to.”
“Refuse to?”
“On principle,” Bella said with a nod.
“What principle is that?”
“You know what? Just stop asking questions, I don’t have to answer them.”
“Counts as a win for me, then.”
“Does not!”
“Does too.”
“Does not!”
“Does too.”
“Does not!”
“It doesn’t.”
“Yes, it does!”
“Fine, it does,” Haruka said with a shrug.
“That’s right.” Isabella paused, looking over as the monk grinned widely. “Waaaaaiiit a minute…” As Haruka laughed, Bella turned around, yelling at Freya, who had gone up into the rigging. “Captain Black, Ruki’s being mean to me!”
“Am not.”
“Are too!”
Freya landed in front of them, straightening and folding her arms. “Don’t make me turn this ship around, girls.”
Haruka grinned at her. “We’ll behave.”
Isabella stuck her tongue out at the monk. “At least I will.”
Freya shook her head. “I’m gonna ‘ave to send you t’ your rooms, ain’t I?”
Isabella clasped her hands behind her back and smiled. “If you sent us to just one room, together, I think we could work it out.”
Haruka snickered and Freya rolled her eyes. “I don’t need ta hear th’ details. Look, we’re pullin’ in.” She pointed as the ship pulled along the extended pier. “Get off my ship.”
“Now you’re being mean,” Bella said with a smile as she skipped towards the lowering plank.
Freya shook her head, looking at Haruka. “She’s gonna drive you mad.”
Haruka shrugged as she started to follow Isabella. “There are worse ways to go.”
As soon as their feet hit the pier Isabella waved to the others, grabbed Haruka’s hand and took off. Haruka’s eyes widened as she was suddenly yanked along behind her excited girlfriend into the town proper. She didn’t even have time to worry about how the people here would stare at her mask or whether someone was waiting for them here or anything like that, and perhaps that was best; with the limited time they had, they couldn’t focus on running and surviving all the time.
The town of Cullis was about what one would expect from a place that named itself ‘Port Cullis’; it was very touristy, with lots of shops selling useless but kitschy trinkets or souvenirs. Most of the restaurants seemed to follow some theme to an almost stereotypical level. Isabella found the whole place charming, especially the ‘main attraction’ that many signs spoke of, which appeared to be the fact that an old, large home on the edge of the town was heavily haunted. Bella stopped before one of the signs, tilting her head. “Do you think it’s an actual haunting, or are there just people in sheets and silly costumes waiting to jump out?”
Haruka looked around. “With this town… Could be either.”
“You said you’ve never been here before, right?” Bella looked at her. “Haven’t you travelled this way a lot?”
“Yes, but on business,” Haruka replied. “Never taken a vacation, so I never had reason to stop here.”
“So everything’s new? Good! I don’t want to be exactly like the lame friend coming to visit and wanting to go to all the tourist locations you’ve seen a million times.”
“You’re kinda like that person anyway.”
“Yes, but not exactly like them,” Bella said with a smile. “Anyway, we are totally going to that haunted house, but you can’t do that during the day, that’s stupid.”
“Yes, that’s what’s stupid.”
“Shush.” Isabella turned around, looking over the town. “What time is it? Noon? Let’s grab a light lunch somewhere first. Somewhere fun.”
“Fun or lame? This town has them mixed up.”
“I don’t think you know what fun is,” Isabella said with a grin, tugging her along. “Sometimes lame is fun. You just have to be in the right mindset.”
“What mindset is that?”
“Childish.”
“Childish, huh?” Haruka suddenly stopped.
Isabella blinked, looking back at her. “What’s up?” she asked, noticing Haruka hadn’t tensed or anything. Haruka just smiled and pointed, and Isabella followed her gesture to see a building that was painted pink and white to look like a cake, which was obviously a bakery judging by the items in the windows. Isabella stared at it. “Wow, that’s, um… Wow.”
Haruka grinned. “In the right mindset?”
“You want to eat lunch in a bakery? Are we going to eat cake for lunch?”
“Yes.”
“Well that’s… That’s just brilliant,” Isabella exclaimed as she headed directly for the building with Haruka.
Inside they discovered that the outside of the building’s look made a bit more sense; the woman inside was dressed in perhaps the frilliest white outfit either of them had ever seen, but judging by the beaming smile she had, it was only fitting. “Hello, hello!” she called out as they entered. The bakery was actually almost completely full of people, with only two empty tables.
Haruka would never have even walked into a place like this on her own, but Bella’s widening smile was reason enough to do so. The blue-haired woman hopped over to the counter, matching the proprietor’s energy. “Hi, hi!” she responded with a grin. She looked around at the place that was absolutely full of all kinds of cakes, pastries, breads and other baked goods. She looked back at Haruka with wide eyes. “One of each?”
“If you want to spend the rest of the day sick as a dog, sure.”
“Hmm… You’re probably right,” Isabella said, looking back to the woman behind the counter. “Okay, one slice of cara
mel cake. And one of that strawberry one. Aaaand chocolate.”
The woman laughed. “Is that all? What about your friend?”
Isabella looked back at Haruka as the monk looked thoughtful. “Just one… Um… Apple iced.”
“Right!”
They sat down after Bella paid, and Haruka watched in amusement as she stacked her three slices atop each other, picked the combination up like a sandwich, and took a bite from all three at once. “You’re a professional,” she said with a chuckle.
Isabella grinned, licking icing from her finger. “I’ve had experience. Eating dessert is a skill like any other.”
“Uh-huh.” Haruka ate hers normally, finding herself truly enjoying the laid-back feel of the day. They had little to worry about; if the Black Sun actually attacked them, they had an entire crew of pirates that would help them fight, most of whom were spread out throughout the town if the two she spotted walking by outside were any indication. Isabella was certainly enjoying herself as well, if the fact that she was almost done already meant anything.
Haruka stared at her empty plate and Isabella blinked. “What?”
“That was, what, thirty seconds?”
“Don’t be jealous of my skills.”
“Calling it a ‘skill’ is being generous.”
“I learned to eat fast before a food fight started.”
Haruka smirked. “Started by your parents?”
“Who else?” Isabella stood, putting her hands on her hips. “How are you not done yet?” She picked up the third of cake that remained on Haruka’s plate, basically shoving it into the monk’s mouth. Haruka glared at her and Bella beamed. “Now you’re done, let’s go!”
Haruka swallowed it and followed her out. “Annoying.”
“I know.” As soon as they were outside Isabella pushed her against a wall and kissed her for several long moments before pulling back with a smile. “Better?”
Haruka sighed. “Unfair… But… I won’t complain.”
Isabella grabbed her hand, pulling her along again. “You better not. Hey, that Apple one is good.”
After that Haruka found herself visiting shop after shop. Isabella didn’t even seem to be looking for anything specific, she just wanted to look, and the monk had to admit it was fun, although she was certain that was only because it was with Bella. She kept an eye out for an appropriate gift though, as it would probably be nice to get her a present, but she had no experience with that so she didn’t know what to look for. After a couple hours of visiting all kinds of shops they decided to stop in a tavern for a couple drinks before continuing.
Inside Isabella smiled, spinning around. “I love places like this. There’s always a feeling of people from all over the world coming together to share stories.”
“You gonna start story time?”
“Hmm… No, I think I’ll pass,” Bella said. “I-“
“The Golden Butcher! I don’t believe it…”
Isabella paled, looking over at a haggard man as he stood from his seat. “What… What did you call me?”
“You heard me… I’ll never forget that face,” he said as he stalked over. Haruka watched him carefully but he didn’t even give her a glance, his eyes remaining on Bella. “Isabella of Two Faces. What are you doing here? Was one country not enough for you?!”
They were beginning to draw attention from the rest of the patrons, but neither of them seemed to notice. Isabella’s voice was small and full of dread as she said, “You know me…?”
“Know you? Know you?!” He clenched his teeth and fists at the same time, his glare exuding hatred. “You killed my family and you don’t even have the decency to remember?”
Isabella looked down, her face full of sorrow and regret but her voice weak. “I killed a lot of people… I’m sorry, I… I don’t know how I can repay you for such a thing…”
“Sorry?!” The man, understandably, couldn’t accept that apology; he stepped forward and his fist made contact with her jaw, knocking her back into the wall.
Haruka growled and stepped forward, lifting her own hand. “Haruka, stop!” The monk froze and stepped back, looking to Bella. The blue-haired knight stepped away from the wall and the man hit her again. Haruka shook with anger but Isabella just dropped her arms to her sides, looking down and making no move to defend herself or fight back. In his anger the man took advantage of this and continued beating her while she made no move to respond. After a few seconds Haruka caught the man’s wrist as he pulled it back for yet another punch, yanking him away despite Isabella’s lack of resistance.
As she let him go Isabella lowered herself to her hands and knees and bowed her head to him as tears hit the floor beneath her. “I’m sorry,” she repeated in a soft voice, “Forgive me.” The man himself was crying now, but his anger was far stronger; before him was the monster that had slaughtered his family and nearly everyone he knew. The last time he had seen her she’d been covered in their blood, feeling nothing. As she bowed before him he stepped forward and gave her a vicious kick, knocking her back and at least bloodying her nose.
Haruka, however, was not willing to sit by, and a second after the kick connected her fist hit his chest, sending him flying into a table that he splintered on impact. Isabella stood up, wiping away the blood. “I’m sorry,” she repeated again, leaving the tavern. Haruka paused a moment to give a look to the man as he sat up; hopefully he would take it as a warning not to go after her. Haruka then left as well and caught up to Bella back near the docks. As she approached her Isabella gave a shaky sigh, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. “I was stupid.”
Haruka’s expression softened as she stopped. Isabella looked back at her. “I had hoped… It was stupid of me, I know, but… A part of me had always hoped I could be forgiven for what I’ve done, as much as I don’t deserve it.” Her gaze fell to the ground. “But there’s no forgiveness for me, Haru… And nothing I can do to earn it.” Her fingers curled into tight fists. “I’m… stuck…” She looked up at the sky. “Trapped by my past and refused an escape.” Bella shook her head, more tears falling as she sniffed. “And you know the really stupid part?” she said as she looked back at Haruka and gave a humorless smile. “Even now I’m still just a coward. I just want someone to forgive me so I can escape my guilt, and pain. I don’t deserve to escape, but I still want to.”
Haruka was silent; what could she say? Instead of speaking she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the other woman. Bella buried her face in Haruka’s chest, her fingers weakly gripping the material of her green coat. “If it wasn’t for you, Ruki… If you didn’t care, I’d… I’d just take the only escape left to me. That’s how much of a coward I am.”
Haruka ran her fingers through her hair. “Don’t talk like that. He wasn’t angry at you, he was angry at who you used to be.”
“I can’t just forget what I did, and neither can they.” Isabella stepped back, looking away. “I don’t really feel like visiting any shops or anything… I feel like being alone. I think I’ll just go back to the ship and take a nap.”
“…Alright.” Haruka let her go, watching her leave. This hadn’t turned out as she’d hoped.
IXH
Isabella awoke to the feeling of fingertips brushing her cheek; she opened her eyes to see Haruka’s face close to hers, and the monk was smiling. “Get up; you need to get dressed.”
The knight blinked a few times, sitting up. “What? Haruka, I really don’t…” She stopped, staring for a few seconds. “Are you… wearing a dress?”
Haruka straightened, setting a hand on her hip. She was indeed wearing a dark green, sleeveless dress with a high neck and a slit down the side to reveal a leg; it was a very different look, and it surprised Bella how natural she looked in it. “You look surprised,” Haruka said with an amused look. “That’s what I was going for. Now come on, get dressed,” she said, pointing past the knight before leaving the room.
Isabella was confused, that much was certain; even more so w
hen she stood from the bed and found another dress apparently meant for her. She considered trying to follow Haruka and tell her she didn’t feel like leaving this room, but she was so curious she had to find out where this was going. Apparently Haruka had an eye for sizes, as the garment fit perfectly; it was dark blue (not the same shade as her hair, but complementary) with short sleeves and a curved neckline, and long enough to reach the floor. It wasn’t one she’d have picked herself, but she found that she liked that.
However, she wasn’t about to sit here and admire it. Her curiosity drove her forward as she stepped from the room minutes later to find Haruka there waiting. The monk’s smile as she looked at her made her blush, and Haruka nodded. “I knew you’d look that good.”
“Thanks,” Bella said in a small voice, utterly bewildered. “Ruki, what’s going on?”
Haruka grinned, grabbing her hand. “Something simple, but we need it.” She led her out onto the deck and towards the pier. It was evening judging by the dark sky; the sun had long since set, leaving the stars once more visible as they were still blessed with clear weather.
As they passed Freya the pirate leaned back against the ship’s railing and folded her arms, grinning as she looked them over. “Guess she was right. You two ‘ave fun; remember, if there’s trouble, give a yell. If I miss it I’ll be mad.”
Isabella looked to her hopefully for answers but Haruka just continued pulling her along, waving to the captain. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t fight without you.” They entered the town, which was a lot livelier than it had been earlier that day. Apparently the tourist life of Cullis was bigger at night, as people milled about everywhere; some of the same shops they’d visited earlier that day were now full of people. However, Haruka bypassed the shops completely, continuing down a road they hadn’t taken before.