Knowing no one dangerous was here, I allowed them in. "Come in." The door slowly slid open, and I saw Angel poke her head through the crack, slowly letting her whole body in and closing the door. Her presence was calming, her brown hair and green eyes were a sight to see, no wonder many people in our gang liked her. Deadeye especially was always taken by her beauty. On top of that, she was kind, gentle. Sometimes she could be rather brash, but only when she is angry, attempting to protect those she cares about.
She walked beside me and finally spoke," Captain," Her voice was melodious, sweet, just like her. I turned my head to look at her. " With all due respect sir, can we really trust Draco? He was the reason lieutenants Megaera, Cross, and Deadeye were captured, wasn't he?" she continued, a slight tinge of anger rising. I noticed her emotions were slowly rising. I turned my whole body to face her, looking up at her with full confidence.
" Draco swore himself to me, he made what I can only assume would be a blood bond. Don't worry, I will deal with him myself if I need to. And no. He was not the reason they were captured, the marines were. Don't worry, we will get them back." I looked at her with determination and I could see her anger being quelled. My mind suddenly wandered to my captured men. My heart ached. I was powerless in that situation. I probably could have beaten everyone in that room, including that highborn. However, I knew that there would be a great many casualties in that fight. They may have killed my men on the spot. The mere thought of it swelled me with rage.
"S-Sir?" Angel looked at me questioningly, she knew something was wrong, but she probably couldn't tell what. " Don't worry, Angel. Don't worry about him. " I said, quelling her curious it and my rage. I patted the bed to let her sit. She did, slightly hesitant. " I loved that you kept this place neat. I was about to come and find you guys actually, and express my gratitude."
"We...We did what we could sir...we were wondering if you would ever come back so we decided to do some spring cleaning." She looked down as she said, her voice trembling and nervous, possibly because she was speaking to the leader of her gang. I didn't pay her much attention, especially not to her body language.
"Well...I might be coming here a lot more now. My plan is being set into motion and I might get real hurt a lot," I said as I looked around. Angel looked at me suddenly, disturbed by my comment. I looked at her and saw the concern in her eyes.
" Then... take me with you, sir! I mean...um...us! We have been training diligently under Dok, I think we are ready!" Angel remarked, very concerned for my well-being. I let out a light chuckle, grateful for having such considerate squadmates. I looked ahead at the dresser in front of the bed.
" I'll think about it, Angel. I would hate if you guys got hurt. Also... you can drop the titles and formalities when we are alone. I want our squad to be united, for that, we need to be like friends. When we are alone or in small groups, you may call me Hunter." I added on. Angel was shocked, then it followed up with immense embarrassment as her cheeks flushed. After a minute of silence which I always considered blissful, Angel noticed I was staring at the dresser.
" We didn't clean that because it looked important, and we didn't know what to do."
"That's fine..." My voice dropped to my heart as I walked over to the dresser.
The things on the dresser looked incredibly random. In 4 corners, creating a box, there were four objects. On the top left, a ring. On the top right, a chain. The bottom right, a hairpin. And the bottom left a locket. In the center, my black and blue revolver sat. the etching on the top of the dresser completed the box, connecting each object with curved lines that looked like waves. I could feel a mysterious attraction to the locket, it called my name. My left hand was slowly reaching for it.
"If I may ask, cap, what is this stuff. We thought it was important so we didn't want to touch it. But...what is it?" Angel's voice seemed to have snapped me back to reality, I quickly retracted my hand and turned to her. My eyes almost loosed a tear. Angel noticed, staring at me with a mix of curiosity and induced sadness.
"It is...part of the reason we are fighting.. part of the reason that I am fighting...so that no one would have to die this way. Ever. Again." I said, grief and anger overtaking my voice towards the end. I glanced back at the items on the dresser. My heart was being engulfed by pain, the pain of remembering.
"I'm sorry cap. They must have been someone special to you ." Angel said, patting me on the back. I regained composure and chuckled a little.
" I told you. You can do away with formalities Angel." I replied with my usual composed and carefree tone. However, deep down, I was still in pain. Angel stepped forward to look at the objects with me. "They...they are beautiful." She was in awe. Her reaction. Her amazement. Everything I would give to see the same thing in her again.
"They are. And so was the person that they belonged to." I added on. My mouth was now at my heart, I was not thinking. I examined the objects closer for the first time in a while.
The ring. It was small, too small for my hands. But it fit right for her. The ring was gold and black, to colours intertwining, with a brilliant jade gem embedded in it. Around the ring were other gems that shone a brilliant yellow. The chain. It was thin, it was simple. but it still shined like the sun, bathing in golden brilliance. The hairpin. On it was a symbol of the sun. Rare in Nox as we usually worship the moon, but she was different. The locket. I suddenly felt the attraction again, my hand raised, reaching for this precious item.
"Captain? Captain!?" Angel's voice once again reawakened me as I returned to reality. I cleared my throat, recomposing myself. "Sorry about that, return to the others, I will get my repairs done and call a meeting tomorrow, good night Angel," I said and promptly left the room. What I did not realise was Angel looking at me with eyes that were deeply apologetic. Empathy for my sadness.