In their hideout, the mood is far happier. Nima sits on the couch. With her is Traur who is in a formal uniform of a Federation Cadet. Nima is curious while she watches the big screen on the wall as it plays many happy things. The sight of a trenin flying past a waterfall. A pack of Drazgov's running across the open plains. The sight of them being so free she finds astounding.
What she watches change to something else that interests her. The sight of a Premderian male and female holding hands. The two sit together watching the sunset on the beaches. She watches as the woman rests her head on his shoulders while he holds her close. Nima watch as the two touch foreheads then press their lips together. Seeing their smiles before looking back to the sunset continues bringing her happiness. He gets down on both of his knees and takes hold of her hands.
"He is going to ask her," Traur says.
"Ask?"
"To become eternally bound as one."
"Please give me the greatest honor one could ever ask for. On this night when the crimson sun finally sets and the moon shines, please become my heart and soul. Become my everything. Let me devote myself to you and only you this night. Let them say the words to make our bond eternal," he says to the woman.
Traur goes to check on Joran, as Nima watches on as the woman gets down on both knees as well. She touches foreheads with the man. With a nod, she gives her answer. The two embrace in happiness. The scene change to the man and woman by a river dressed in nice clothing. They are on their knees in front of a Premderian Honor Guard.
Joran gets ready for the dance. Already he is dressed in fine black pants and nice black boots with gold buckles on the side. On his bed, Traur sits with a nice red silky shirt. He takes a black no sleeve shirt and put it on. Several times Joran takes a deep breath.
"Why are you so nervous?" Traur asks him.
"Aren't you."
"Please. If I wanted to, the girls will swarm all over me at this because I am irresistible in uniform."
"You mean resistible," Joran says with a laugh.
Traur leaps on the back of Joran and tries putting him in a headlock. Joran carries Traur out to the living area like nothing, smiling as did Traur who constantly try lock in a chokehold. Nima stands nervous for a moment with the commotion but seeing Joran laugh along with Traur makes her not worry.
While the two wrestle around the floor, Tilain and Melrina walk into the sight. Nima sees them and gives a nervous wave with a small smile. She looks at their hands and sees them gripped together, showing the bond they have. The two girls find Joran and Traur wrestling around the least surprising. Joran finally gets the best of him by putting Traur in a rear chokehold. Traur starts to sweat immensely.
"Had enough?" Joran says with a smile.
"Make it easy on yourself," Traur says while gurgling.
"Leave him alone, Joran," Tilain says with a laugh.
Joran does as asked of her. Traur coughs a few times before sitting and on his knees. He finds Joran's hand extended out to him. Traur takes hold of it by the wrist and lets Joran pull him up to his feet. The two foreheads before embracing like brothers laughing. Joran kisses him on the top of his head and rub his hair and give him another hug from behind lifting Traur.
Nima watches as the two smile and laugh. While she does so, Tilain comes over and takes a knee in front of her. She gets super close to Nima's face and it is weird to only her. They just watch while she looks at Nima top to bottom, front and back.
"You think what we discussed will work on her?" Tilain asks.
"Of course," Melrina says with enthusiasm and take Nima by the hand and drag her to one of their rooms. "Don't worry it won't be painful.
Joran sits there alone. He watches as the rest of his friends are in the other room. They hear Tilain and Melrina laughing. As Joran does, there is a beep on his wrist device. Mildral's logo comes up and accepts the audio transmission.
"Having fun there it looks like," Mildral jokes and Joran shakes his head smiling.
"At least I have the balls to go."
"I have an important business meeting."
"You know it is because several of those cadets are going to be there to kill you," Joran tells him and he hears Mildral laughing.
"They could try. Besides, that was all their idea to give her a flower so they brother can see it to get under their skin. As far as celebrating the beginning of being adults, it is quite boring. I have better things to do with my time like run my business," he replies as Joran's eyes roll.
"Sounds like he is scared," says Traur.
"I can get more girls than you, Golden Star," Mildral says in confidence.
"Paying for them doesn't count, Doc," Joran comments shaking his head.
"Sure it does," he says with confidence. "Just be careful when you are out there. The Federation activity log has been larger than usual lately. Some of it pertains to you and your father."
"I will just have to stay out of trouble then," Joran tells him smiling.
"Not this night you won't," Mildral tells him before ending the transmission abruptly.
It didn't matter. Tilain comes rushing out first covering her laugh. She is dressed in similar attire as Joran but wears a white silk shirt and a red leather coat that go down to her thighs. Melrina dresses in black leather pants and wears a red no sleeve top and a black leather vest. Her laugh she didn't hide. Nima is not so quick to do so. They each take a hold of her by the wrist.
His attention is drawn to the door as he sensed something. Nima wears a dress that is down to her knees and puffy below the waist but has lines of silver with small flowers that shine. It is a perfect match for the color of her hair and a small yellow belt. She also wears a golden. A piece of her hair is braided nicely and hang over the front.
Joran stands up from his seat very surprised. She is very nervous at first but then sees Joran. His jaw is slightly dropped and at a loss for words even when the two meet halfway. Their friends watch as they are both silent for a moment but find it something they can't take their eyes off of. Joran takes a moment but finally says something.
"You're beautiful."
"Beautiful...good?" She asks while looking at her hands not knowing.
"It is a very, very good thing," he says by touching foreheads with Nima getting her to smile.
All of them stand ready to go but did not use the main entrance. One of the tunnels that go East for over a mile is what they take. As they journey down the sounds of people above and drums. They come to a dead-end but the sounds of festivities are quite close. Tilain is quick to press on a specific rock that sticks out and the wall slide open.
The beach is lit up by torches all along the roads. There are large fires in the distance with the loud commotion of Premderians their age dancing and drinking. Nima keeps hold of Joran despite their happiness. Her worrying show when two Premderian's get in a brawl. Both of them are quite drunk. Nobody breaks it up until one falls to the ground. Both are bloody but each laugh the same and shake hands after, sharing a drink.
"If there aren't at least five fights, then this dance will be considered a disappointment," Joran tells her.
A guitar start thrashing, followed by drums. They look and find Melrina and Tilain playing their instruments along with a couple of other premderians. Everyone starts dancing to the sound of the music. The kids jump and down raising their fists in the air as the fires burn. The energy and the smiles make Nima happy. For Traur he is approached by Marsuna. She is nervous but asks him.
"Do you want to dance?"
"I'm...." he says stuttering several times and Joran smack him on the back and chest a couple of times until giving his answer. "Alright."
Traur is taken by his hand and Marsuna drags into the crowd where he's nervous but shows he is more than capable. Joran and look at one another before he extends his hand out. She takes hold of it willingly and starts dancing. The two did not dance like everyone. He wraps her arms around the back of his neck while he put his hands on her waist. They are both close enough that their foreheads touch.
Everything around them begins fading to dust, as their eyes are closed. The sound disappears. Next is the people. Even the planet of Premderia disappears as their minds let them imagine the stars and the crimson sun of their star system. To them it is perfect. Nothing else matters to them except for the moment. The connection they have is interrupted as their is yelling and the sound of a fight.
He finds Derisior with his three cadet friends from class beating on Traur. Marsuna try grabbing Derisior and push him away but he pushes her to the ground. Joran grabs each one and throws them into one another. None are so quick to fight Joran after the last time. They watch as he holds Traur up to his feet. Nima smells the stench of alcohol from him and shields herself from the scent in Joran's arm.
"You insulted me in front of my mate. You owe us
for the disrespect you have shown."
"I believe it is you who owes Nima an apology."
"Why would I apologize to that freak?"
"Must I remind your tiny brain?" Joran asks as he gently pushes Nima behind him while stepping forward. He makes sure he is loud and clear so others can listen. "Throwing rocks and mud at her when she was but lost and injured. Yet you attacked her forcing her to hide shouting the same word you just called her."
"She is beneath me, and the cadets that stand before you. As do you," he says while stepping forward and looking down on Joran.
"Why not find out?" Joran asks him still smiling and Derisior's friends step forward and Joran shake his head. "You are not the only one with friends here," he says and someone answers from the audience.
"Is that you making a commotion, Joran," says a boy with a drunken tone. "Where is he?"
One boys come through the crowd. Dusglar sipping on a flask, dressed in ragged brown leather pants a blue shirt, and a dirty brown jacket. His hair is just as big of a mess. He takes another sip of his flask while belching.
"Dusglar?" She asks Joran and he nods
"I am going to slit Mildral's throat in his sleep when I see him for tricking me in that bet. He will be sleeping with the spirits in the afterlife by my hand." Dusglar's attention then turns to Joran. "Causing trouble again?" He asks with a sinister smile.
"Just in my nature, Dusglar. Just in my nature," Joran tells him in confidence.
"Just don't die. Our business isn't finished," he tells him with a smile.
"You two hard heads are like your fathers," Tilain says shaking her head.
"What are you guys afraid of?" Derisior shouts at his friends.
"I am not fighting him. That is Dusglar."
"Who cares about a drunk?" Derisior says to him.
Dusglar did not take kindly to the insult. He walks up to Derisior and his friends step aside. None of Dusglar's stop him either. Dusglar gets nose to nose with him. He takes a big drink from his flask while Derisior takes a single step back.
"You don't have to back away from me, punk," he says taking another drink. "I am the Premderian who will beat you down in a brawl. Then after you wake up, you will find your whore all over me, and while I show her a good time, I will make you get me a drink and have you watch."
Everyone there starts laughing at the joke. Nima didn't quite understand and look to Joran but see him cover his small laugh. She still didn't understand what is so funny. Dusglar turns his back and takes another sip from his flask. Derisior strike him in the back of his head with a glass mug. Dusglar falls to the ground on one knee as he bleeds. Immediately Joran and the others step in helping their friend. Derisior's friends think about stepping forward but hesitate.
"What are you just standing there for? Get them!" He shouts but none of them do so despite having a numbers advantage. "Go!" He shouts and they didn't budge.
"Let's just keep it simple," Joran says to him and Nima didn't let go of his hand. "Don't worry, I won't get hurt," he says to her as they touch foreheads.
"Awww, look at the freaks!" Derisior says and his friends laugh along with a few others.
Joran removes his jacket and red silk coat and hands it to Nima. He touches foreheads once more and cracks his neck and knuckles by making fists several times. Derisior removes his coat and tosses it to Marsuna. He gets in a traditional guard stance and hops up and down on his feet. The crowd of prospects and those of the upper-class chant for Derisior.
As for Joran, he did represent those like him. He drowns out the noise while Derisior feeds off of it and smile in excitement. Joran stays focused and crosses his left arm in front of his right and turns his body to the side.
"Are you going to end it quickly or are you going to toy with him?" Tilain wonders in curiosity.
Joran steps forward and throws a kick striking Derisior in the chest knocking him into his friends. Everyone is surprised but Derisior shows his anger. He gets his fists back up and starts throwing hook punches that Joran blocks. He throws a head kick and Joran block that while throwing a leg kick that trip Derisior face forward.
Joran did not lighten up as he gets on his back and starts throwing several punches. Derisior gets up but Joran locks his arms tight around his waist. He slams Derisior down to the sand hard shocking many. Joran throws knees to the side of his body as Derisior gets back to his feet slowly stumbling.
Joran hit him with a knee in the clinch as he back away. Derisior's legs are wobbly and hunch down while leaning slightly back. Joran throws a right kick that sees his shin smash against Derisior's face. Everyone hears the impact and many find the sound disturbing. Derisior falls to the ground with his eyes open breathing fast.
"Perhaps both," Melrina says with a smile.
Immediately those that didn't know him to begin to cheer and applaud him. Nima finds it relieving. While the crowd praises him for his one-sided performance, Joran walks towards Derisior and all of his friends back away. He gets down on one knee and gets close to his ear so only he can hear him.
"Bother me or my friends again, you will not escape with life in your body," he whispers before standing up and walking away.
He stands back up and looks at Derisior's friends. None of them get close as Joran stares at him. When he turns his back they still stand where they are. Derisior reaches down into his boot and pulls out a knife. He charges at Joran ego doesn't notice. When Joran does turn he goes to react but another reacts quicker. Dusglar pushes Joran out of the way and strikes Derisior with a ferocious side kick on the jaw. Derisior crumbles to his side and is rendered unconscious.
"Thanks," Joran says and Dusglar laughs.
"Couldn't let you have all the fun." Dusglar continues laughing until addressing the crowd. "Now let us drink, and celebrate the new year properly."
Everyone shouts with enthusiasm while raising their mugs. Joran looks for only one person. When he sees Nima she is smiling. He goes to her smiling as well. Joran places his hand on the back of her head and she does the same. The two touch foreheads once again, and everything disappear, until it is just them. In their connection, they did not have to use their lips to talk.
"I am sorry for them causing trouble. They have no honor," he says to her and her mind only asks one question to Joran.
"Am...I...freak?"
"You are not a freak, Nima. They fear who you are..." The words are comforting but still her mind lingers on the topic. Joran figures out a way to correct it. "Did you know that our names mean something in Premderian?"
"Mean...something?"
"It is true. We all have a name that means something in Premderian. Mine means Seeker in our language. I don't know why my mother and father gave me the name at first. Over time, I have come to realize that I am always seeking something despite not knowing what it is. Your name is a special name of course."
"Special? Good?" She asks in a soft voice most kindly.
"Yes, it is very good. Very special... It means Fallen Angel in premderian."
"Angel?"
"Yes. They are quite beautiful, if not the most beautiful creatures in the galaxy. According to a Premderian at least."
The two continue smiling as their heads touch. The stars are beautiful to look at but they did not care. The crimson sun of Premderia rotating and shooting flares is beautiful but they did not care. All that matters is the connection they have with their mere touch. Joran takes hold of both her hands. She asks a question.
"Joran...protects...Nima?"
"Always."