Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 141: Even If We Can't Find Heaven

Chapter 141: Even If We Can't Find Heaven

"Alright ladie, that'll do." Silver detached Jim from his pipe. "That's one puff too many. Ye know what they say. Rotten lungs, rotten heart."

Jim held smoke between his cheeks. He opened his mouth and exhaled. "You're smoking."

"I'm a cyborg."

"So?"

"So my lungs are tin cans and my throat's a bloomin' exhaust pipe." Silver blew through his nose. "And yer too young for black teeth. 'Specially with such a fine lass to impress."

Jim let the argument fall. He hadn't really needed a smoke – he'd ditched the teenage habit after meeting Ariel (and before Wendy caught him). At that time, smoking had been a stress reliever – a dumb, numbing, repetitious activity. Jim would have tried fishing instead (another dumb, numbing, repetitious activity) but Sinbad had been a fisherman... that memory was not exactly stress relieving.

But now, smoking was just a 'guy thing.' Jim had honestly missed Silver. Smoking together was a way to reconnect. And why not? In terms of best friends, Silver was runner up. Wendy was obviously first, but after her wedding and the pending realm separation, Jim would lose her.

Jim  was feeling a little alone. So Silver's companionship was heaven-sent. With Silver, Jim felt a touch closer to invincible and a step farther from miserable.

He also loved that Silver appreciated Ariel's... attributes.

"Ariel is dynamite. She's got like twelve piercings in one ear." Jim pulled his earlobe, only to remember his earring was missing. He'd donated it to Wendy's dreamcatcher. Way back when.

Jim resumed the conversation with a shrug. "Ariel wouldn't mind if I smoked."

"She a girl?"

"Cha."

"She minds."

"Ha. Yeah." Jim nudged. "Yeah I know."

Silver nudged back. "She's a mighty fine lass."

"You have no idea."

"Pretty too."

Jim leaned back, hands behind his head. "She lights every room."

"Aye." Silver reclined aside Jim. "She does at that. Redheads, a breed of their own. Spitfires the lot of them."

"Yeah." Jim smiled. Then he frowned, distracted by sudden crackle-pop. He and Silver had retreated to Pirate's Point, and The Princess (moored directly below) was shooting fireworks. 

Naturally, Jim was irritated. The fireworks cluttered the sky, interrupting his stargazing. Moreover, if The Princess was down there, then Sinbad...

Jim glanced at his house. Sarah's window was lit and Jim could only imagine what his parents were doing (although he tried not to). But he did wonder how long Sinbad would stay. Would it be indefinite, or would Sinbad break his mother's heart? Again.

"Whatever." Jim murmured, carefully so Silver wouldn't hear. Concentrating on the stars, he switched subjects. "So what have you been doing up there? I spent forever trying to find you."

Silver frowned, like he'd rather backtrack to the 'whatever' comment. Jim wore his emotions and Silver could read them. Clearly, Jim was troubled by x, y, and z, and internalizing everything. However, Silver decided not to press. At least not yet. He was a sailor – he knew when to ride the waves.