Enjoy! Ophelia stood mid tower, arms crossed, shifting her weight to one leg. She tapped her foot, heart pounding. Almost two weeks, she thought. It has been almost two weeks since he broke apart my fire team. She shifted as her thoughts and feelings raced. She looked down, biting her lip slightly, and stopped tapping her foot. Ila was right, you need to be a little more controlled with your emotions, she would say. But, that didn’t change the way she felt. Betrayed, forgotten, unappreciated, angry, excitement and anxiety all converged in a cloud over her head. There it is, she thought. His rent-a-ship. A kindling in her chest sparked to life as she saw the ship fly into the hangar, Raven’s right behind it. Teeth clenched, Ophelia marched to the hangar. She shook her head silently as the ship docked and Alexander hopped out. The kindling had become a burning fire. Her cheeks were red hot and her eyes reflected Medusa’s glare. She marched down the stairs onto the platform. Amanda looked up from her work only briefly before chuckling and stepping out of the way. In a split second the fire became a raging inferno and Ophelia clenched her fist. “Hey ass!” She shouted right behind Alexander. He turned and was met with a fiery blow to the face. His helmet twisted off and flew into a far corner of the hangar. He hit the ground, bounced, and rolled eventually stopping when he hit a work bench. Loose tools and a box fell onto him. Ophelia paraded to Alexander as he was attempting to get up. She took him by the arm spun him around flung him back towards his ship. He skidded into the landing gear. Raven had gotten out of her ship and stood back silently as Ophelia charged again looking for another hit. Raven reached out and attempted to say something but couldn’t. Still dazed, Alexander felt himself get lifted into the air once more. He braced himself as he hit the metal floor. Ophelia flipped him to his back and picked him up by the collar of his armor. “That was for leaving,” Ophelia’s voice shook and as the inferno smoldered to cinders, her eyes watered. Alexander blinked away the dizziness and looked down at Ophelia as her face came to focus. She pulled him close as her hand began to shake. She took a deep breath and leaned in locking her lips with his. It lasted only a moment and as she pulled away she smiled. “And that is so you’ll promise to not do it again…” Raven stood stunned. Her heart skipped a beat and her cheeks burned. Luka materialized sensing the sudden change. She scanned her statuesque guardian. Heartrate abnormal, spike in adrenalin, temperature rising, shallow breaths. “Raven,” Luka started. And she was gone. Silently, she stepped back and away leaving the hangar and her ship. Torn, she couldn’t decide if her room or the bar was more appropriate. Choosing the latter, she took a seat and removed her helmet. Placing it next to her, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Doug,” she said quietly. “You can’t fault him you know that right?” He said instinctually. He poured water over ice and slid the glass down the bar top. “What?” Raven asked confused. “If you like ‘em you gotta tell ‘em. And you darlin’ don’t say much of anythin’. Honestly don’t have to, but drink up.” “Thanks,” Raven’s voice trailed as she picked up the glass. “Raven,” Luka started again. “Are you alright?” “No!” she spat. “Darlin,’” Doug interrupted. “I don’t appreciate rudeness in my bar. Listen to your ghost.” “I don’t know any more!” Raven clenched her teeth. She finished the water and held the empty glass of ice to her forehead. “I just…” she stopped. “I’m sorry Luka.” “That’s better,” Doug said. Luka noticed a sharp decrease in temperature and heartrate. Raven set her glass down sighing as she did. You’re better on your own anyway, she thought to herself. *** The breeze brushed across Raven’s sky blue skin. She closed her eyes and leaned into it slightly. Thousands of feet above the city, she stood on over the cliff, an antenna from the tower her perch. Serenity, balance, and Zen surrounded her but eluded capture. The inky black abyss behind her eye lids felt lonely and cold as her thoughts raced across her mind. As her senses adapted and heightened to the intentional, temporary, blindness. When she opened her eyes the culmination of the heightened senses chilled her body. Her mind slowed as the sun set painted the horizon orange, red and yellow. “What would you do,” Raven started to ask herself as she bounced up and down lightly on the antenna. “What would you do if you could fly?” “Are you alright?” Luka asked materializing. “I will be,” Raven responded. She smiled and took in the gentle breeze once more, her black hair swaying slightly. “What are you thinking about?” “I wish I could fly.” “One day,” Luka said softly. “And I will be there to help you along the way.” “I know you will.” The sun set deeper over the far mountains. The air grew crisp as twilight began to approach. “Are you sad?” “Not anymore.” “That’s good.” Luka’s voice became more hopeful. “It’s my fault for not saying anything.” “Oh…” “No not like that. I admit, he has grown on me, and I do really like him now. But… I don’t know.” “Can I help in any way hon?” “I just feels like Venus all over again. But, I’m not killing another dragon to get peace of mind about what Ophelia kissing Alexander.” “Then why not talk with him?” Twilight set in and the stars began to twinkle. “It’s the warning I get in the back of my mind. Something holding me back telling me I’d be betraying Ophelia. I couldn’t do that.” “Would it be worth it simply for peace of mind? She surely understands that.” “I don’t…” Raven felt a small bump as Luka flew into her. “Be selfish! For once, take something and do something just for you. For only you.” “Luka…” “I love you, hon, and you deserve to be happy. If that means with him, say so. What happens after that happens.” *** Ophelia let Alexander go, and smiled again as she took a breath. Her heart fluttered and her ears burned. Alexander stood silently, the hint of lilies across his lips. “That was unexpected,” Amanda pitched in. “Oh shit!” Ophelia said startled. “I’m so sorry about your bench!” “Don’t worry about it, worry about your new statue.” Ophelia looked back, Alexander was petrified. “ATTENTION!” Zavala announced over the tower intercom. “Ophelia, report to the Vanguard immediately.” *** Lord Saladin stood next to Zavala, a grim shadow over both. Ophelia and Alexander approached the Hall of Guardians entering a thick silence. “I need your help,” Saladin said as he looked down to the bio-mechanical arm in front of Zavala.