The next morning Saiyi was up early as she used to be back in her home town. She woke in time to see the sun rise above the horizon from high up atop the island's tower. She had seen a few sunrises in her time on Hagoa, yet never tired of the sight. She had come to enjoy the sun during the time she had been training. This day in particular seemed as if it was going to be a rather pleasant one. Perhaps, she thought, that may be her mood influencing her outlook. She was exceptionally cheerful this morning as her day alone with Wep lay ahead. She did not know what to expect as he still remained rather professional. Saiyi suspected however that his armour was starting to chip. Through every chink in his armour, she could see a kind gesture, a smile, or best of all Wep using her name. Never did she think something so simple could give her so much joy. Forgoing her normal practicality, she decided to wear a light dress and open shoes. She felt like she may be trying too hard. Regardless she stuck with the decision hoping that the informal dress would coax Wep out of his own formality some more. The last thing she did once she had prepared for the day was to tuck her amulet away. She wanted to make it clear that today she was just a girl spending a day with a boy.
"Here we go. I hope I'm not being a moron." She put on a fake smile in the mirror, trying to relax herself.
Not long after there was a knock at the door. It was Wep. She had to stop herself from sprinting to answer it. To Saiyi's relief he too had dressed somewhat casually. His feet remained entombed in his practical brown boots. He could obviously tell that the change in his appearance was of interest to her.
"I find it easier to blend in ground side like this. I am glad to see you had the same thought, mam."
"Do you know what a 'puzzle' is Wep?" She used her people's word for puzzle.
"Yes mam."
"Just checking." She said a bit disappointed at how the day was starting.
They made their way down to the tower entrance. Many of the tower staff knew them and greeted them appropriately. As they wondered away from the tower the greetings thinned and soon stopped. The islanders remained friendly throughout even with the anonymity their distance from the tower afforded them.
As they walked their conversation was casual, but veered shy of being completely friendly. Wep had returned to calling her 'mam' or 'miss'. Perhaps, she thought, he had changed his mind about the arrangement all together. The sun was shining down warm and strong by time they had reached the café. The island was massive beyond what Saiyi could have imagined. Somehow it was so much more apparent from above that from beneath. The long shadows the morning sun cast reminded her of home and the conversation quickly turned to home.
"Where did you sprout Wep." Saiyi's Sahgiw had improved, but her vocabulary was still far from complete.
"I am from Thay miss. I had never really left until I was sent here. I was a personal assistant to The Seer. I was made to serve."
"I don't know if true. You must have greater wants?"
"I had never really considered it to be honest. Perhaps. I've always had a great fascination with the ancient cities."
"It will be so then. As soon as I can, we will take a travel to some ancient cities. Just us two." Saiyi leaned in with the last words. Again, Wep seemed to be completely oblivious.
"My lord has put me under your charge. If it pleases you mam, I will gladly accompany you."
Saiyi frowned. Saiyi scowled. Saiyi glared. Wep started to look uncomfortable.
"What?" she finally asked.
"I'm sorry miss?"
Saiyi reverted to Shadow Speak, clearly unhappy.
"Call me miss again Wep of Thay. I swear I will see if I can throw you over the island's edge from here."
"I'm sorry if I offended you somehow. Would you please let me know what I can do to-"
"Yesterday you were Saiyi this and accompany me that. Today it's like I'm speaking to a robot."
"Oh, that."
"Oh that. Yes Wep. Did I piss you off?"
"Not at all. Never."
"Then what." Saiyi was clearly in distress. Her eyes were welling up. Then to her surprise she was being held.
Wep spoke slowly. He used her home language to the best of his ability. He had also been practicing.
"Saiyi. I thought about it. I was sent to be an aid. Being so forward is not professional." He sat back in his seat.
"You are a Goddess. I am but a servant. If I get in trouble, there are… troubles."
"Consequinces?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"I dare anyone to act against my wishes. Kez is my father's best friend as Shiwa has become one of mine. I am also, as you said, a Goddess. Who on this land would dare defy me?"
Wep was agasp. He had spent much of his time with the woman before him. She had never acted like one of the Chosen. Now he could see that she would wear the mantle naturally. A sense of pride welled in him. A smirk crept into the corner of his mouth.
"Well when you put it that way Mi…" Saiyi gave Wep a wide eyed look. "Saiyi. I must admit I have grown very fond of our time together."
"You have?"
"It's true. I look forward to our lessons together."
"So what now?"
"Well, can we see how it goes? If nobody objects, I would like to get to know you. Not just the Goddess, but the person."
"I would like that."
The rest of their time at the café was not just pleasant but delightful. Once Wep dropped the formality the spark returned. They had expensive foods, indeed some of the finest Saiyi tasted on the island yet. As usual Saiyi had the island's fresh water. Nothing else was quite as good, not even the sweet drinks Wep preferred. After the café they spent time roaming around the island. They talked and joked for hours, becoming more and more comfortable. Wep even called her 'Sah' once or twice which made the ember in her stomach flare. Around mid afternoon they decided to make their way back to the tower. The gargantuan structure casting its shadow over a large swathe of the island below. Once again the deep shadows reminded her of home. This had her wondering how her father and friends were doing. Instead of temper her mood, it actually bolstered her resolve to take flying head on so that she might visit soon. Saiyi was still admiring the tower when she became aware of a whining in the background. She scanned the surroundings for the source of the noise, which she could not spot. Wep however saw what she was looking for.
"Up there. They must be in trouble."
It was a rather expensive looking aircar. Smoke bellowed from it and it was falling fast. Its path had it coming right toward a housed area. Saiyi without thinking leapt, quite literally, into action. Her godly strength carrying her over the houses as she sped toward the falling vehicle. Wep could do little but stand amazed. He diverted his eyes at once. She had still been wearing a dress and likely forgot before she took off. He took off running in her general direction.
Bound after bound Saiyi got closer and closer to the descending transport. She did not doubt that the occupants would not survive such and impact, not to mention the houses beneath it. She was quite impressed with her agility, yet did not have time to dwell on it. In moments she had crossed a large distance, landing hard with a skid. She had come to a stop where she suspected the vehicle would impact. With little time to act she closed her eyes. The young Goddess felt for the aircar with her mind. Aided by the sound she found it quickly. She opened her eyes with laser focus and reached out a hand. She felt the heavy transport aircar and strained against the momentum of the speeding metal. The aircar started to slow and then stopped mid-air. Subtlety had not been part of her training and she could not lower the aircar gently. Instead, she lowered it by dropping it a metre or so at a time, until finally it rested on the ground. She jogged over to inspect the scene. The driver all but fell out of the vehicle. He was a roundish man with sparse hair and a great black moustache. He was wide eyed and clearly shaken. Saiyi assisted him. To her surprise he felt as if he weighed no more than a cup of tea.
"Are you damaged?" The driver gave a her a strange look.
"Yeah. I'll live. That was an odd one. I was fairly sure I was going to bite it back there. Damndest thing."
"Oh I'm sure you would have ended sir. Guess it's your lucky day."
"Little lady, all my days are lucky days." The man smiled a big self satisfied grin.
"What's your name stranger?" She put out a hand.
"My friends call me kit. So does my mother." He chortled and took her hand.
In the excitement and acrobatics Saiyi's amulet had fallen out into plain sight. When Kit spied the mark of the Chosen, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. He bent to one knee.
"Chosen one. I beg your pardon. That explains my sudden luck." He felt a bit embarrassed he had not figured it out earlier. He realised that her language sounded strange. As if she had learned it recently.
"No need to knee please. My name is Saiyi. It's nice to meet you, Kit."
The man stood looking embarrassed.
"Will you be ok?"
"Quite so my lady, Saiyi. How can I ever thank you?" He was buttering her up. He would very much not have enjoyed her checking his vehicle's contents.
"No need. I was happy to help."
"Well my lady. Sorry, Saiyi. I am in your debt. If you should ever need anything…" He produced a card with his name on it. There was a code also, which she did not understand. She accepted the card gratefully.
They greeted and parted, Kit for one happy that the Chosen had decided he needed no further assistance. As she turned to leave Wep arrived moving as fast as he could. He ran up to her and embraced her tightly. Her ember erupted into a fire she would not soon, if ever, be able to extinguish.
"That was incredible Saiyi." He was gasping for air
"Did you see me?" Saiyi did a whoop thrusting her fist in the air.
"I did. I was in shock."
"Oh I know." Saiyi said smugly as she brushed her hair back. The commotion had drawn a crowd, eager to see the new Chosen on the island, confirming the rumours. Saiyi at once felt all the eyes on her. She decided that was a good time to make her exit. She took Wep's hand as if it was the most natural thing to do as she continued toward the island tower. Wep chuckled and followed his Goddess happily.
In the early evening they arrived at her door. Saiyi leaned against the wall, content with the day.
"What a day" Saiyi admitted
"Indeed. I had fun. Thank you ma… Saiyi. Sorry, old habits."
"It was a great day. Thank you Wep."
"Could we do it again sometime perhaps."
"I would be disappointed if we didn't."
She pecked his check.
"See you tomorrow Wep."
Feeling a spark inside his own stomach this time he could only reply with. "Good night, Goddess."
Wep left with some trepidation. He was surprised to find himself thinking about her the whole way home. His respect and fondness of her having grown well beyond anything professional.