Tala could tell her father was angry.

Well.

Angry wasn't really the right word. He didn't really get angry- at least, not in the traditional sense. Not anymore. Her theory? He'd long since exhausted that emotion, particularly in the wake of her mother's death. Disappointment was a closer match, but still not quite right.

It was strange. She hardly remembered the black-haired woman that had birthed her, yet her life- and death- still impacted them in such profound ways.

Tala shook her head. That was beside the point. Even if her father was angry, she could hardly blame him. She'd crashed a spaceship and nearly gotten herself killed- not to mention Vanu, as well.

They were seated in a plain white room aboard an ICC command ship, normally used for interrogations.

Her father had yet to say a word- no doubt waiting for her to start the conversation.

"I'm sorry."

He arched an eyebrow at that- the one cut in two by a pale white scar. "What exactly are you sorry for?"

She chewed her lip. This was a test, of some sort. Her father was more than happy to leave her to her own devices, so long as she took the necessary precautions. The fact that she hadn't, in this case, was what he was upset about.

"I'm sorry I didn't think ahead." In hindsight, it was obvious that the planet's atmosphere would affect the engine- which, of course, only made it all the more embarrassing that she hadn't thought of it. True, none of the reports she'd read about the planet made mention of it, but that was no excuse.

Her father nodded once. "Good."

Tala blinked. "That's it?"

He tilted his head. "Do you want a severe punishment?"

"No, but..."

Her father sighed. It was a tired, world-weary sound; one she imagined would come from someone much older than he. "I think losing the Suni is punishment enough." He grimaced. "And it's not entirely your fault, either. I scoured the network. There's not a single mention of the problem you ran into today. For all I know, you were the first to enter Torrent's atmosphere in a ship of that size."

She winced at the mention of her beloved ship. "Is there no chance of salvaging?"

He snorted. "Not in the slightest. It'll have broken up by now. And if what you told me is true, I'm not sure there'd be much point."

Tala took no offense at that statement. It was a rather unbelievable tale, after all; not just being saved by a single boy her age, but that he'd ripped the Suni apart with his bare hands. And yet she'd witnessed it firsthand.

Such was the power of Augmented.

"You should be thankful. This city's leader has gone out of his way to smooth things over for you. They'll release you after asking just a few questions."

"Is that where you were? Meeting with the city's leader?"

Her father nodded.

"Why are we here, dad?"

"Officially? To keep the peace and prevent Torrent from being taken over by hostile forces."

"And unofficially?"

"You know I can't tell you that."

She sighed. "Worth a try."

Her father's gaze hardened. "The Augmented that saved you. Did he do anything strange? I was told he had an odd disposition."

"... Not exactly."

"Not exactly?"

"Vanu tried to pull his gun."

"... I imagine that didn't turn out too well."

"It didn't. He... Threatened to kill Vanu." Tala shivered, remembering the ice-cold certainty the boy had spoken with. It was difficult to reconcile his age with the brutality of his words. "I think he would have. But... I told him Vanu was disoriented. He seemed to accept that reasoning."

He leaned back in his chair, running one hand through his black-and-white hair as he did so. "It seems you were lucky, all things considered."

She nodded once. It was the truth, plain and simple.

"You'll be headed off-planet as soon as I can arrange transport for you."

"But-"

"No buts." Her father's voice was sharp. "It's too dangerous for you to be here. Even if the people we've met so far have been understanding, there's no reason to believe that would continue. If you still had a ship, that would be one thing, but with the Suni destroyed, you have no quick way off-planet if things go south."

Tala felt her shoulders sag, but knew she had no room to argue. The Suni was gone because of her recklessness, and in some ways, that stung more than her brush with death. "Alright."

"That doesn't mean you'll be leaving right away," he continued, more gently than before. "Entering and leaving this planet is strictly regulated. I don't want to imagine what you did to get clearance. I want you off-planet before six months pass. Is that clear?"

"Alright."

"Tala."

She looked up at the sound of her name. "Yes?"

"This... this is supposed to be it. After this, I'm done. I'll... I'll make time for us. It'll be just the two of us. I promise."

Tala smiled. She knew her father loathed these talks. He was the type to show his feelings through his actions rather than words. His absence was proof of that, in some contrarian way; he did what he did in order to provide for her. As a child, she'd loathed it, but she'd come to understand it with time.

"And... You can take a ship of your choice."

She looked up, unable to keep the exuberance from her voice. "Really?!"

He chuckled softly. "Yes, really. A pilot needs a ship. You can take any you want. Except for the Simo, of course."

Tala huffed. "I wouldn't want to take the Simo anyways." That was true- no matter how much she admired it, the Simo was her father's craft through and through. Taking it away from him would be like cutting off his arm.

"And," her father continued, reaching for something out of view. "I hope you didn't think I forgot your birthday."

"Of course I didn't."

"I'm glad to hear that." He placed a white box on the table, nudging it over to her. It was plain, adorned with only a single red ribbon. "Here."

Taking it in one hand, Tala pulled the ribbon loose. It seemed out of place; older and more worn than the box, and thicker, as if created for another purpose altogether. Opening it revealed a shimmering silver bracelet. It was a simple thing, little more than a thin metal band. She recognized it immediately. It was the bracelet her father wore every day. One of the few remaining keepsakes from her mother.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"I can't take this from you." She replaced the box's top, intending to return it to her father- only to find herself stopped by his strong, worn hands.

"Yes, you can." His voice was gentle but firm. "I always meant to pass this down to you. I've had it for long enough. It's time you had a piece of her to carry with you."

"And what about you?" Tala asked, her voice trembling.

"You're the only piece of her that I need."

"... Wouldn't that mean it makes more sense for you to keep this?"

Her father audibly sighed. "Please don't ruin this moment." He out, taking one of her hands in both of his own. His skin was coarse and rough, worn by time and hardship alike, and his grip steady.

"What if I lose it? Or... Or break it?"

"Do you think the chance of my doing so is any less?"

It was rather hard to argue with that.

"And," he continued, picking up the bracelet with one hand, "it's Thalian silver. Strong enough to withstand re-entry. Although that's no reason to be careless with it." He gently pulled her fingers straight, sliding the metal band up to her wrist. The corner of his lips curved into a slight smile. "It fits perfectly. Take good care of it."

Tala nodded mutely, unsure what to make of this gift. Lacking memories of her mother was easier, in some ways, but hard in many others. It was difficult to miss something that you never truly had, yet simply being around others her age had made her aware of that absence.

That was an odd feeling.

Her father leaned back, arms crossed, that slight smile still on his face. It vanished just a moment later. "You'll be staying on this ship for a week." His tone left no room for argument. Not that she would have argued anyways. Fault or not, she'd nearly gotten herself killed- and likely jeopardized her father's mission in the process.

"Report to the medbay. I know the Tideguard did a preliminary check, but I want to be sure they didn't miss anything." His tone softened again. "It's a shame about the Suni, but you made the right choice. Landing away from the city."

There was a hint of pride in his voice; barely present, but enough to make Tala smile.

"I have matters to attend to. We'll talk later." And then he was gone, the sliding door shutting soundlessly behind him.

Tala sagged back in her seat, covering her face with her hands as she stared up at the gleaming white walls. This was the first moment to herself she'd had since the crash. Everything that followed was a frenetic rush; being separated from the Vanu, ushered away by the Tideguard, being subject to their blatant hostility- and then the embarrassment of having to face her father.

She pushed that thought to the side with a sigh as she stood. It was over and done with. There was no point in dwelling on it- she was sore, sure, but she'd been absurdly lucky, all things considered.

I need to go find Vanu. Her soldier-turned-bodyguard had been whisked away by the Tideguard, but she had no doubt he was somewhere on the ICC ship. Her father would leave no one behind.

She stepped out the door-

"Boo."

-- only to jump as his voice sounded right next to her ear.

"Got you." Vanu said, smiling wryly.

Tala laughed and threw her arms around him. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Of course I am. Some water and a little crash landing isn't going to do me in." His voice turned serious. "Although that Augmented might have done me in if you hadn't intervened. Thank you."

"You don't hold it against him, do you?"

Vanu extricated himself from her embrace, shaking his head. "Not at all. If anything, I'm thankful. It's like you said: I was disoriented. Although," he added after a brief pause, "I admit I'm still not too sure what to make of him."

She smiled wryly. "That makes two of us." A large portion of her journey to the ICC ship had been spent mulling over their encounter with the navy-haired Augmented. "I wonder if we'll see him again."

"Part of me hops so. I'd like to thank him."

"... And the other part?"

"The rest of me dreads the headache I'm I'd get from interacting with him."

Tala laughed. "I know what you mean." She turned to the right. "Come on."

"Where to?"

"The medbay. Dad wants me to get checked. Did you already stop by?"

"No." She heard the sound of his footsteps behind her. "But the Tideguard already inspected me."

There was something in his voice that she couldn't quite place. "Did they... Mistreat you?"

"No." His tone tightened. "They don't seem to keen about our presence here, though. It may be best for you to remain out of sight until we're given leave."

"Not a chance. We're going to be here some time. I'll go crazy if I have to stay cooped up here all the time." Tala ran one hand over the ship's smooth walls as she strode towards the medbay, her mother's bracelet glinting in the sterile white light that poured from above.

Anyone else her age would have been starry-eyed, but she'd been born on a ship just like this one. Practically grown up in it.

"And what exactly are you going to do? There's not exactly much to see on this planet."

"You don't think those floating cities of theirs are interesting?"

"I think I would rather not rely on machines to keep me from drowning in my sleep."

"There's never been a case of a sinking city. I doubt they're going to start now. And supposedly they all power themselves by harvesting the ambient Coral. Don't you think that's incredible?"

"... Whether or not I think it's incredible has nothing to do with whether it's safe or not."

"We survived a crash landing today. I doubt anything else we do here will be quiet as dangerous as that."

He seemed not to have a response for that one.

They walked in silence for a few minutes more before rounding the corner to the medbay. Its door slid open as Tala came to a stop in front of it.

"... Wait for me?"

Vanu smiled knowingly. "Of course."

Tala took a deep breath and stepped in, grimacing as the scent of antiseptic and medicine washed over her. That scent always stirred mixed feelings- it permeated the few memories of her mother that still remained.

The medbay doctor- a middled-aged man with sandy hair- looked up as she stepped in. "Tala Stren, correct? Your father told me to expect you."

She nodded.

"Then, if you would, please."

At his instructions, she took seated herself, wincing as the hard metal nodes dug into her back. The tiny current was uncomfortable for a fraction of a second, and then no more.

"You crashed into the ocean here, correct?"

"Yes."

His brow furrowed as he scanned the holo-terminal's information. "Nothing seems terribly out of place, considering. Your cardiovascular and respiratory systems are somewhat strained, however- which is to be expected, considering the nature of your accident. Are you feeling any sharp pains?"

"No. I'm just sore... Everywhere."

The doctor laughed at that. "It seems the Coral did its job, then. I'm not sure if you've seen what the results of crashes looked like pre-Coral." He closed the terminal. "Modern drugs can do quite a few things, but unless you'd like me to replace your bones and organs, there's not much I can do for you."

Tala laughed, then coughed as her chest ached in response. "I think I'll just deal with it."

"Good choice. I can offer you some pain medication, but aside from that, my only real recommendation is that you spend a week resting and check in again afterwards."

She shook her head. "I'm fine." She preferred to avoid taking medicine whenever possible. And, truthfully, she deserved to suffer for a little while- it would serve well as a reminder to avoid being so reckless in the future.

"Then you're free to leave."

Vanu was leaned up against the wall opposite the door, arms crossed; he looked up as she exited the medbay. "How was it?"

"Fine. Body's just a little strained- and sore."

"Glad to hear it."

"What about you?"

He grimaced. "A little bit worse for wear. Not too surprising- the crash knocked me unconscious, and my lungs were filled with water for a little while. Still, I got lucky."

Tala felt a twinge of guilt. "I'm sorry." It was her fault that he'd been put in harm's way. If it hadn't been for that lone Tidal...

She shivered. That was an unpleasant thought.

Vanu pushed himself off the wall, reaching out to pull her into a brief hug. "Hey, I knew the risks." His breath was warm against her skin. "If I was really worried, I would have kept you back, no matter what."

Tala pulled away. "Was my father upset?"

He smiled wryly in that wolfish way of his, returning to his position leaning against the wall. "I assume so. He's hard to read. But I think he understands that once you put your mind to something, there's no keeping you from it."

Tala smiled in response, hearing the truth in his words. She was stubborn- something that caused no small amount of grief to her father. It was a difficult balance, allowing her the freedom befitting someone her age, and keeping her out of the universe's many dangers.

It was one of the many reasons she loved her fathers, despite his frequent absence.

"Will there be any lasting damage?"

"The Tideguard said not. And I imagine they're rather well-versed in that sort of thing."

She snorted at the sardonic response, but was unable to keep the relief from her voice. "Seems like you'll be fine. I'm glad to hear that." If he'd been crippled because of her...

Vanu laughed. "I'll be fine. I just need to rest for a little while." He paused. "Which, if I'm not mistaken, is what you should be doing right now."

"True enough." Even those two words stirred the latent pain that stretched across her entire body. "The doctor recommended a week of bedrest."

"Are you going to listen to him, for once, or do I need to tie you to your bed?"

Tala laughed dramatically, turning away to hide the pain the expression caused. "I intend to listen to him, for once. I'm sore, tired, and just... Want some time to think." Funny how a near-death experience left one with the need for quiet.

"I'm glad to hear it. Your father has assigned a bunk for us. Shall we be on our way?"

She nodded, reaching out to run her hands across the walls as she followed Vanu. Her eyes, of course, found the bracelet on her wrist. Its smooth metal was cool against her skin; a stark contrast to the few warm embraces that she remembered. The dismay in her father's eyes when parting with it had been clear, but she knew whatever desires he had came second to that of being a good father.

His existence itself was contrary, in that way. He stayed far away in order to provide for her; to protect her. And no matter the cost to himself, he wanted her to be happy.

Even though all she wanted was for him to be happy.

Tala sighed, letting her arm drop back to her side. She'd thought about this, agonized over it too many times to count. I thought I was done with this. Shaking her head, she followed close behind Vanu, her every step echoing through the ship's walls.