@Chita @alliascompany @ProjectMyst @Reign
Rip and Grant hopped down first, followed by Freya, Akitsu and Sparkle.
Grant listened to Khaus, and then said "I'll stay behind. Rip's better suited to talk to the dragons." He walked off to stretch his legs and get some fresh air.
Akitsu grinned "Duh! I wanna see more dragons." She picked up one of Khaus's scales.
Freya yawned "I'll stay behind. Get some rest."
Sparkle waited for Dry to decide what to do.
Rip picked up a scale and looked at it intently. "This is neat. I'll definitely go." He then looked for Grant "Hold on, I gotta go talk to Grant. Don't leave without me!" He said and ran off to find the heir of Pendragon.
Rip and Grant's Talk
Rip walked up to Grant, his head lowered and a serious expression.
Grant bit his lip Here we go...he's gonna deck me. Just like he promised in Zone 3 he thought as he braced for the hit.
Rip stopped just short, and unzipped the captains jacket. He took it off and handed it up to Grant, silently looking away as he did.
Grant took it, puzzled "What's this?" Rip kept looking away, as if ashamed to face Grant. Grant asked again "Seriously, Rip...what? Are you giving the--"
"Yeah! I am, alright?!" Rip shouted as he looked up at Grant finally. His eyes dripped with tears. "I--I'm not suited to it. I've no business being responsible for the lives of the Watcher's crew."
Grant still puzzled, started to speak again "But, I can help you, train you, after all, I'm sure that's what Eo wanted--" "Shut up. Just, shut up!" Rip cut him off. "You were always his first choice. You're calm, collected, smart..."
Grant felt tears spring to his eyes, remembering Eo spending time with him on the ship. Going over maneuvers and tactics. "Rip...if you're absolutely--"
Rip nodded, his face drenched with tears, rolling down "All I'm good for is hitting things. You said so yourself...and Sere--she's..." Rip choked up even more "Gone! The wish I made with the tournament win...undone! During Black Heart's world, my leadership only got me captured, ko'ed, and beaten."
Grant went silent as Rip sank down to his knees, smacking the ground with his fists once, sobbing uncontrollably now. "I...know what one thing I can do, Grant." Said Rip as he regained control of himself slowly. "Get stronger, and be there for you all when you need me. I can do that. So I'm gonna."
Grant kneeled next to Rip and put a hand on his shoulder. "It takes a big man, to do what you just did." He smiled and tousled Rip's hair "You are strong. You will be a great asset to everyone in the coming days. Like you said earlier...chaos can be good. You showed it to be true when we were all surrounded."
Grant stood up, and put the jacket on. He looked back as he walked away. "Collect your wits, we all do count on your strength, you know."
Rip sat there vacantly for a moment. Silent, as he looked up at the sky. "I will. Become stronger and stronger, so I can be a reliable friend." He said, and stood up with fresh determination.