Song in the Sky

Chapter 13: Studious Needs

Author's Note: Everyone's too busy reading my other stuff to see this, this is now the hipster story lul

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The connected events of yesterday's raid on the over-taken town had racked Song's brain well through the afternoon and into the night.

Though she enjoyed a good nap, some relaxation time with Silva, a hearty dinner cooked by her own hands, and a loving sleep, Song could not fall asleep at the end of the day. By Twilight, she gently snuck out of Silva's grasp and headed to the workshop. Borrowing a few of Silva's desk papers, she began to draw out her notes on what had happened.

"Repeated takeovers. So far, I've had 2 instances where commercial or productive islands were overtaken by goons, spearheaded by one large goon. My latest, the second mission revealed that they seem to be working for an even bigger goon. But why? Money? Extortion is easier than complete takeovers and controls. The taxes are money-making but they still let food out." 

Song paused to tap her chin with the end of her writing utensil.

"The takeovers are definitely connected, which means another will probably happen soon. But I need to figure out what location would be next. So far it has been a mining foundry for alloy metal, and a farming island. Would something production-based be next?" Song wrote, adding to the page.

She leaned back in her chair, holding her elbow while her writing hand tapped her chin.

"A farm, and a foundry. Food, weapons. Maybe he's building an army...? But what's worth taking over..." 

She continued to write in the make-shift journal.

"Perhaps by controlling rationed resources, they siphon them off of the islands to fuel an army of some sort. Maybe to take over a bigger island? Or a bigger army? Not sure. If another takeover happens, will note." 

As Song wrote away in the lantern-lit dark workshop, Silva gently awoke to find her lover had gotten up. Assuming she went to the washroom, Silva waited for her lover to return. When she didn't, Silva got curious and stood up. Heading out quietly to avoid waking her sisters up she noticed a light coming from the workshop. It was faint but she entered anyway.

"What's she doing this late...?" Silva thought to herself, watching as Song wrote away in the paper. Not wanting to scare her, she did faint knocks at the workshop door to get Song's attention. Song jumped slightly in surprise, but turned and smiled lightly at the messy-haired Silva.

"Ah, hey. Sorry I'm not in bed. The missions we've had about the takeovers have been leaving me with questions and I had to write my thoughts down before I forgot them." Song stood up, setting her writing utensil down. Silva stepped into the workshop and right into a hug on Song.

"It's fine, I was just a bit worried when I woke up and you weren't in bed. Other than writing your thoughts down, are you feeling okay?" She placed her hand on Song's forehead as if checking for a cold. Song's hand gently grasped her wrist and placed it on her own cheek instead. Song rubbed herself gently on her grasp.

"I'm healthy, just curious. My mind's been racked over this since I got home."

Silva was a bit concerned over Song's stress over this, but also impressed to see Song so dilligently working to solve a string of criminal activity.

"My little detective. If you're done, I'd really like to have you back in the warm bed." A soft smile was placed over Silva's face, inviting Song. She was so beautiful, Song felt weak to the invite.

"I wrote what I knew. I guess I'll accept your offer. Let's keep quiet though, don't wanna wake up Cuco and Cami." She put one finger against her lips, which Silva playfully mimicked. The two gently held hands and guided each other clumsily through the dark of the house after putting out the lantern. They returned back to the bedroom, where the heat of their embrace had worn off and it was chilly again.