Astral Flow

Chapter 39

"-so anyways that's how I found this gun at the bottom of a mine!" Teach proudly said, holding up what looked like a heavily modified flintlock pistol.

Ryder had finally found the pirate in what seemed to be a lounge of sorts, plenty of chairs and a sofa were the main lounging spots, then there was a surprisingly big fireplace that looked like it could easily heat up the whole room.

Teach seemed to be recounting his exploits to any who would listen, which at the moment was Melia, Laurence and Oto.

It was a surprising scene to say the least, but it did give Ryder the slightest bit of hope that things would get better, especially if Teach was already integrating into the group as well as he did.

It didn't take long for Teach to notice him, stopping mid story as he did so.

"Lord Ryder!" he happily called out, placing the flintlock pistol down before waving him over. "Came to hear one of my stories, did you?"

"Not right now, sorry." Ryder politely replies, what Shade had said before still lingering in his mind. "Though I did want to talk with you alone for a bit, if you don't mind that is."

Everyone seems a little surprised by this, Oto and Melia seem a bit suspicious of this, yet no one objects.

Laurence, upon hearing that, simply nods and stands up.

"Well, I thank you for the delightful stories, but I believe that is our cue to leave." he calmly states while looking at both Oto and Melia.

Neither one wants to leave but, with no choice in the matter, they stand up and follow Laurence out of the room.

"Take a seat, I imagine we'll be here for a bit." Teach casually remarks while putting his flintlock pistol away now. "After all, seems like you've got some questions you want answered."

With a heavy sigh and confused mind, Ryder takes a seat on a free chair across from Teach. "That obvious huh?"

Teach nods solemnly. "Aye, that it is. You've got the look of a Delver in your eyes after all."

"A Delver? What's that?" Ryder asks, though that same fog in his mind from before begins to stir around, as if he'd known but just forgotten what it was.

"Delvers are researchers who explore the deepest depths of our world, finding answers to things we don't know." the pirate begins, almost seeming to recount his own memories with these types of people. "You usually can tell them by a certain look in their eyes... no matter how well they're put together, or how deeply they explore themselves, they're still lost." he points at Ryder now. "I can see it in your eyes, you're more whole than you were before but you're still lost, lost in this dream of never ending twists and turns."

His words hit dead on, stunning Ryder and leaving him at a loss for words as he gazed at Teach.

Upon collecting himself all he can say is. "You're more perceptive than I would've thought."

"I need to be, can't be the best damn pirate in all of the world if I'm not perceptive!" Teach jokes with a carefree smile on his face. "Now then, what's troubling you?"

Ryder finds himself hesitating for a moment, rethinking this entire thing.

Would it really be okay to push forward with this, to ask about Alice's family behind her back?

He'd connected with her, sure, but that moment is still hazy.

Not all the details are clear... and he needed to know what awaited him going down this path.