Book One: Rain

Chapter Three - Chameleon Bay

Dajin Port, May 14, 302 AG

   It had been a five-mile trek from the academy to the port, each step growing more gruesome than the last. By the time they reached the port they were all to an extreme point of exhaustion.

   "Hey folks, just a quick announcement: it's eight o' clock and the S.S. Mary will arrive in Hong-Gao City at two o' clock in the morning. Suites will be available to all passengers for free as an anniversary of Project Naga. Good luck to all students on the ship and have a great ride."

   Marzie led the way to the dining hall where she offered to buy them dinner. "No, Marzie I got it. Save that money for the massive party we're gonna have when we reach Republic City." As tired as she was, she solely smiled and allowed him to buy dinner.

   They all stuffed their mouths in whatever it was the chef gave them until they could no more.  "Good food right, should I ask for some dessert? Wait... do you think they have those drinks where the lemon is on the edge of the glass and its kind of yellowish? I don't know what it's called but my sister gave me one once. It was delicious... guys?" He looked over to both his teammates asleep at the sound of his voice.

   Kenny stood up and left. He left them there sleeping on the table like a couple of idiots. He felt alone, so incredibly alone. Not even his teammates would take the time to speak with him. Not to mention that if he did speak, Evine would lash back with some snarky comment. Kenny exited the interior of the building and stood at the railing of the boat. He looked out into the Bay in awe. It was so incredibly disgusting, the pollution rotted it to the core. If he didn't know any better he could've mistaken it for an oil reserve.

   He wasn't bothered by his loneliness but rather felt it unnecessary. Why would he need to be lonely when there are two perfectly sane people he would be spending two months with right in the other room? He pondered this but came to no conclusion. He's always been a very free child but scared of the unknown.

    He looked up at the glaring moon. That, despite the repulsive bay and horrendous conditions of the world, continues to be a magnificent sight capable of sole goodness. Mesmerized, he walked along the railing in an attempt to follow the moon. But what he had done was most definitely not following the moon, he was copying its movements. At an intersection, with the clouds, Kenny looked down at the water and noticed it was circling in a small whirlpool. He looked behind, up, next to, and even bobbed his head over the railing to see if there was someone there. But either way, if there was someone there or not, he knew what he had done.

   Kenny walked back into the ship, it was quieter than when he first boarded. Peaceful. He sat down on a bar stool and ordered some sushi. He thought about little to nothing at all but that would change in the next instant to come, "Hello," a young woman greeted him.

   "Hi." Kenny looked at her, she looked like a fire bender. One in particular but he couldn't quite put his finger on it, he could not figure out where he had seen her before.

   "May I sit?" Kenny nodded. "Sushi huh?" She took one from the plate and took a bite, but Kenny didn't care. "Thanks. So what's your name?"

   "Kenny."

   "Not much of a talker are you? I'll change that about you quick." She smiled at him, and Kenny didn't exactly smile, but he did to her.

   Kenny looked at her in the eyes, "Why are you talking to me?"

   "Oh, no reason. You just looked lonely." She paused, "Not good at small talk are you?"