met-a-noia

Chapter 6

Tarian stepped out of her car, Ronaldo by her side as she felt the blissful wind slap her face. The cool ocean breeze of Sussex cliffs located in "Seven Sisters", Sussex. Tarian looked over the cliff, her eyes brightened a bit, a surge of relief coursing through Ronaldo's body.

Tarian lifted her arms up, breathing out a relieved sigh closing her eyes and smiled, humming as she said, "Seven Sisters, Sussex. Auntie loved this place, she always said that if anything were to happen she wanted to move here, in a beautiful cabin by the beach".

Ronaldo looked at her and smiled, "Is that why you built her one?". Tarian opened her eyes, looking him in the face, her eyes revealing no emotion as she looked back over the cliffside and said with a small chuckle, "I dont know why I should even be surprised, you have known me better than my own family". Ronaldo nodded and said, "I noticed when you were always 6 hours late, when you would come back home at exactly 1:07am covered in wood chips and grease. I also noticed when one of our cars went missing every 5-7 days 6 hours before 1:07am".

Tarian shrugged, a small grin crossing her lips as she looked up at him and asked, "Why didnt you rat me out? You could've easily done so and gotten away with it. And knowing my uncle that wouldve given you a promotion". Ronaldo scoffed and said, "Because I couldnt do that to you, once I realized where it was you were going it wouldve been unfair. You were doing something incredibly noble for your aunt, even when you recieved the information that she had developed Alzheimer's. Anyone else would've taken that week to cope with that information but you jumped head first into the fray. I've respected you since the very first day I was assigned to you as your guard, after the death of your parents and... Christa. Anyone else wouldve stepped down, just like your uncle, but you didnt. You have something most young people dont have: resilience. I can see myself in you, so even if I could've told your uncle about your whereabouts and get that promotion.. I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night".

Tarian studied him and smiled for the first time in the entire day after that fight with her uncle and said, " Ronaldo, you are a man of wonders. I, for one, can say that you are more like family to me Ronny, always have been and always will be. For me, YOU are more of a Father than my father ever was.. atleast after Ezra's death...", Tarian closed her eyes for a moment, rubbing her palm against her eye before opening them once again and looking over the cliffside again. Ronaldo could see the cloudy film of grief, hidden anger, and something else.. something different completely: fear.

Tarian scoffed suddenly, running a hand through her silky brown hair as she said in a low voice, " I'll tell you what I know about death, Ron, since its everything I've ever known since I was 7 years old.  Death dances silently in everyone's shadow, and she doesn't give a damn. Doesnt give a damn about who she takes whether they're angels or demons. She dances in their shadows, consuming their very soul with her ruthless touch. Its a sick thing, leaving broken kids behind left and right. I was forced to take this position, as Queen, under the consequences of Death's selfishness. I lost.. the first woman I've ever loved and a child.. that day. Ive lost almost everything to Death".

Ronaldo put a hand on her shoulder and said gently, "There is beauty in the courage of the fragile fighter. Those that persevere, despite all they've been through, those who still believe there is good in the world, as dark things we often find we need that light the most. And its funny, as bloody barmy as this world is, with the monsters and the lunatics running around, it's still a better place with you in it. Since you've become Queen the statistics for crime has decreased from 98.9% to 78.6%. That means the UK's crime percentage has significantly decreased since your rise to power. Your mother's reign had lowered crime rates but nothing like yours: her statistics were 110% to 98.8%... but since you've taken up her role people have respected you, and your drive for the people. You've accomplished something that hasn't been seen in history like ever. You've provided the unemployed with jobs, lowered taxes for people who struggle to pay for them, made college more affordable for folks living in lower-income homes, and have kept up a strong tie with your people. You're an amazing young woman, a strong queen, and a warrior in every aspect of the word".

Tarian's eyes were brighter than hes ever seen before, and for the first time in forever she pulled him into a hug. Ronaldo tensed, blinking down at her before he realized what had happened and smiled brightly, melting in the embrace, patting her back as she hugged him tightly. "Thank you Ronny, I needed this", Tarian whispered as she tightened her embrace on him, Ronaldo hummed and said, "Of course kiddo".

As fast as the embrace happened, it ended as the two pulled back. Tarian patted his back and said, "Lets get to it then Ronny boy, we've got one auntie to visit eh?". Ronaldo chuckled wrapping his arm around the younger woman and said, "Indeed". Tarian hummed and stuffed her hands in her pockets as the two made their way down the cliffside to a cabin that rested on the shore of the beach.

Tarian admired her own work proudly. Ronaldo looked at it in awe and turned to her asking, "You made this by yourself? With the help of no one else? How?". Tarian grinned and said nonchalantly, "Hard work and dedication mate, now lets see if shes here.. she could be a church". Ronaldo nodded and accompanied Tarian as she sprinted up the stairs of the patio, knocking on the door only for the door to open as soon as her knuckle hit it.

Her eyes widened as she turned to Ronaldo, and opened her hand out to him. Ronaldo nodded and placed his spare gun in her hand. Tarian cocked it, and nodded towards the inside of the house a nonverbal sign to say: "Lets investigate". Ronaldo and Tarian rushed in, guns blazing their guards up as they searched each room. They went to search outside only to see Tarian's aunt Cynthia sitting outside by the pool with none other than... Amira herself.

"Amira??"

Amira turned her head at the familiar voice before she exclaimed in surprise;

"Tarian?!"

To be continued...

Words To Know:

Barmy:

mad; crazy.