I stirred my coffee as the steam came out of the pot. Rain pattered on the roof of the ship. It was around five in the morning, and everyone else was asleep in the temple. Nya woke up early, and I offered coffee. I should've left last night, but Nya said she wanted to keep working on Rex the next day. She offered me the guest room. I would've gone home, but her smile when she works on machinery made me go against my instincts. Overlord, she makes me soft. Then, she said it would rain and it's too dangerous for me to leave. I walked out of the kitchen, two mugs in hand, to the living room. A folded blanket lay on the couch. I let out a sigh and placed the mugs on the table. Where's Nya now?
I looked outside and a blue blob appeared on the Bounty. Of course. It's raining. I sank into the mud as I walked to the Bounty. She was sitting on the edge of the Bounty, her forehead against the railing and fingers curled tight around it. I sat next to her and looked at her to urge her to talk. Her eyes were shut and body stiff. Her hair was darker and stuck to her face. Her clothes were damp.
The water where I was sitting vanished. She turned her head towards me and looked at me to start the conversation.
"Usually you're running around in the rain."
"The energy. I'm trying to control it for when it's needed."
I stayed silent waiting for her to continue.
"The stronger my powers the less likely we get hurt."
"This is about Cole."
"This is about everything."
The rain got harder, and the floorboard around me got wet. She went back to her initial position. I didn't move. Her arms spasmed. She can't contain the power. It's too much.
"It wasn't your fault. Their disappearance wasn't your fault."
Her knuckles went white as she breathed in and out.
"I stayed behind. I could've helped."
"You were helping. You helped by staying behind."
She turned towards me again, hands tighter around the rail.
"And Cole?" she challenged me.
"It was a mistake. You couldn't have known."
"It was a fatal mistake. I could've changed the lever ahead of time. I could've been careful and paid attention. I didn't, and Cole fell. Next time one of us fucks up, someone's going to end up dead."
Her head turned back towards the floor violently. She slammed her hands against the railing and tightened her grip on the railing again. My fingers curled around her upper arm instantly.
"Nya," I begged, whispering, "You can't hold it all in. Please release some energy."
She stayed tense in the same position. Her face scrunched up in pain. She started to breathe in and out again.
"Nya, please. A hurt teammate is worse than a great one. Don't hurt yourself."
The color in Nya's hands returned as the rain started to calm down. She let out a breath. I let go of her upper arm and sighed. I gave her a sad smile. She relaxed and light rain fell on us. My clothes and hair lost all mositure in them. Her hair got lighter too. She raised her head and looked at the sky. I followed her actions and joined her.
"It's beautiful."
She stayed silent, and I turned to her.
"Nya. Nya look at me."
She turned towards me, and I placed my hand on hers.
"You are not the reason for anyone's death. You are amazing and helped with so many victories. Shit Nya, you drowned the preeminent after three weeks of training."
She laid her head on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her. We sat there and watched the pastel sky until we couldn't. Until it rained again.
