“My own memory of prefall faith, and the information gathered from the religious scholars I have known, tells me that, at one time, there was a belief that man was cast from paradise at the fault of his own selfishness. Man was made to suffer because he was not satisfied with the eden God had made for him, drawn to the temptation of greed. I have this ingrained in my old mind, a feeling of shame carried over from my life before. I was faithful in the time before. I worshiped a God that punished mankind for their foolish want for more. And it was to be no different in this life. I would be punished for my heedlessness.”

“All the same, I doubt I shall ever find comfort here. If comfort is left for me anywhere in the wastes, it will never show its face here. I find myself pushed from place to place, by the animated dead or by the glow or by the noise or by the unpleasantness of the living. The only solace is found between the trades, when all is still and quiet, when one can rest and be left alone. I find the malcontentment of the solitude is bearable, whilst the pain of excitement and din and commotion is torment.”

January, 8 Years Past The Founding Of The Wastewide Trade Union.

The spirits inhabiting the settlement recognised as Gatorland have grand amounts of unease amongst them and horrific disdain for one another. I am longing again for the familiarity of the reposed unliving. Vale Iron city had become a haunted place, but there were still others like myself to reach out to. A certain esprit de corps, lost here in this corner of the wastes. However, I have come to work, not to fraternize, and so I will pay no mind to the feeling of roaming abandoned streets and tenantless homes. The specters who occupy this town do not seem upset by my presence, and so I will grant them a simulacrum of the same endearment. I feel a loss for the stillness. All the same, my proximity to the living has granted me a meter by which to count out the passage of time. I shall have to grow used to it.

I have assumed my role again as a bookkeeper, this time accounting for the money and management of a quaint establishment, titled by the founders as The Whiskey Hotel. Their proprietor is an unusual man, whose sense of piety has been seduced by the ideals of the United States of America. A disquieting familiarity falls over me when I walk amongst the atmosphere set by the American flag. Collections of books there recount the state of the world as I once knew it, to say nothing of what came after. I am overcome with disquietude, and yet at the same time perhaps I am drawn to the familiarity of that which I knew before my heart’s palpitations could no longer be a signal of my emotion.

I have made inquiries with the local agronomists and hope to chart out the economic state regarding the commodities that will be needed for the Whiskey Hotel to produce profitable vendibles. My inquiries regarding their inventory and costs of assembly were met with lamentations of ignorance. My presence was received as being much more fortuitous than my debut in Gatorland.

Coming home had been harder than she expected. Reaching the docks and stepping onto the boat that had held her since birth didn’t bring any comfort or warmth, just dread over what news she and Broseidon carried. Holly Molly was quick to hug the crew, excited to see the rest of the Starchaser children on board. It wouldn’t take long for them to meet up with the fleets again, and Roxy was sure the young jones would be trying her hand at underwater exploration if she had her way; possibly Rio as well. The Joneses back at the fleet would be thrilled to have more hands for their work.

Brenda gave hugs, and from one glance at the Springers, the oldest Starchaser knew her friends already had suspicions that something was wrong, but it wasn't pushed. They needed to get on their way. To reunite with the fleet, meet up with the rest of the Waverunners, and see what aid they could lend to try and build their families back up again.

It was after dinner, when the youngest was in bed, that the stories were finally told. First Roxy, how she tried to save Mason only to get stabbed in the heart. She glossed over what happened in the Grave Mind, reassured everyone she was fine, Ulysses had checked her out after all. She could see Brenda's hands clenching and unclenching at air, her eye twitching and frown deepening. It was all going into the angry pocket, and Roxy feared when it would be let out.

Bro went next, explaining the toy box, the obvious trap of going into the mess hall, going in anyway (Roxy quietly mentioned how it was her fault, tears already brimming at her eyes). They explained the family meeting, glossing over his session with Barry (words that still stung and rang in her ears), until finally all the cards were on the table. Roxy wanted hooch. She wanted sleep. Most of all she wished her brother would look at her from across the table. The mood was heavy when Brenda excused herself, heading above deck. Broseidon followed shortly after. She almost chuckled at the awkward glance around the room Rio gave before quietly excusing herself above deck as well. Galen calmly stood and picked up dishes, heading to the sink. Looking to Spero she could almost feel the searching he was doing, studying her face before he too stood up from the table.

The oldest put her head down, the cool wood a pleasant sensation against her cheeks, tear soaked and wind burnt cheeks from the long trade weekend. She was so tired, so worn. The sound of the boat’s creaks and the waves didn’t soothe her soul, a realization that scared her.

The sound of a needle on a record stirred her from her thoughts. Like cold water down the spine, like rough wood and splinters against skin, a scream in the night….She fell from her seat screaming as loud as she could.

“It's nine o'clock on a Saturday The regular crowd shuffles in-”

Her mother didn’t own that record. That song shouldn’t have followed her her. But here it was, back to torture her again. “Make it stop!” The Storm Chaser screamed, pushing back until she had found a corner, hands over her ears, sobbing as if the pain the sound caused was as physical as it was emotional. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if it wasn’t.

“There's an old man sitting next to me Makin' love to his tonic and gin-”

The record was quickly stopped, she heard the needle leaving the old vinyl, but the words echoed in her head. The salt from her tears burned, she could her Bro storming down the stairs probably looking for a fight, and Brenda’s boots behind him. She didn’t want to open her eyes, too lost in fear to explain. Someone’s hand touched her arm and from the sensation of warmth and calm that it brought, she knew it had to be Galen.

“-she was like this in the toy box, but we couldn’t get out and she seemed fine afterwards” Rio, that was Rio talking. Slowly she sat up rubbing away the salt with her Wave Mother scarf, trying to remember what breathing was once again.

“Roxy what’s going on?” Brenda knelt next to her, a hand on her cheek and that concerned look she must have mastered dealing with the kids for so long.

“..I heard the song again...The Piano Man song...the one i heard in the grave mind.” The rover had to push to make her voice heard over the wave and the deafening static in her ears.

“I didn’t play that song Roxy...I played Janis.” Little Birds voice replied and she nodded.

“I know...I know.”

“It’s in your head then Roxy...we’re getting you checked by a doctor”  Bro’s voice left no room for argument even as she shook her head.

“Ulysses said i was fine so I’m fine” the older rolled his eyes taking a seat at the table.

“Well apparently Boss isn’t a good doctor then because obviously something is wrong with you” she felt Brenda pull her into a hug, Roxy didn’t bother resisting, too tired to care.

“You’re safe now Rox, You’re with Family and we’re gonna fix this...like Ohana or somthin’’” the older stroked her braids, that soothing touch calming her some. Roxy heard Brenda saying something to Bro about ‘get hooch and fix her’ and his grumbles in reply as he got up. They moved to the table. Drinks were poured. It was quiet till she finally spoke.

“...I coulda stayed” Roxy whispered, “ I coulda stayed with Ma and Pops and Knucks...even Ulysses too….coulda been one happy family….Ohana…”

“Roxy!-” she held her hand up in request for Brenda to wait. She knew the words would hurt, The Truth would hurt, But it needed said.

“Seriously? Three pages?!” She said incredulously, the papers in her hand crumpling under the strength of the tinkers grip “He’s breakin’ up with you, just makin’ a big deal of coming back to do so” while her voice remained calm, Roxy could hear the edge of anger in the olders’ voice. Brenda was not happy, and she could understand why.

“Why does everyone seem to think this is a break a up letter, it’s not a freakin’ break up letter-” she clutched at her Wave Mother scarf trying her best to find words to defend the man who stole her heart.

“Yes it is” Sparta chirped from her perch on the kitchen table seeming rather content nibbling on her apple. “It’s totes a break up letter.”  Of course, the former TV was happily enjoying the drama going on in front of her. Roxy sighed shaking her head, Brenda already speaking again before the Rover could dispute them both.

“No. it’s a he’s going to string Roxy along as long as he can letter- Dump his sorry ass as soon as he gets here” a frustrated sigh. The papers were tossed on the workbench. Roxy glanced over to the newest member of their crew, who had taken up refuge on the couch.  The younger was quick to put her hands up in surrender

“I don’t even know this guy...Though if your crew doesn't like him this much I would agree on listening to them” Nox shook her head, possibly wondering how she had gotten sucked into all of this drama.

“Give him a chance-” again she was cut off. She was fighting a already lost battle and she knew it. Why was she even trying when the answer was so clear?

“WE HAVE” Brenda paused taking a breath to collect herself. “We have Roxy, several times now. That boy is too busy trying to play hero and chase skirts to take care of you. He’s bad news. Keg haul him and call it a day.”

After arriving at the small island the Birds of Snow called home, the Star Chaser kids (Including Breda because everyone knew the Baywalker was just another Star Chaser at this point) got drafted into the kitchen by Fileaf. It was warm, full of laughter and love as the kitchen always was when Momma Fileaf was in it, but the tensions between Roxy and Spero from the last trade meet were still there.

Nothing overly obvious, just little jabs here and there from the younger, quiet comments that he knew would hurt because in all reality he was still hurt himself.  His sister never shot back, just a cringe here and there and trying her best to ignore his words. It didn’t take much for the mother to see something was wrong with her little flock.

“Alright.” Fileaf set down her knife looking between the two children with a small frown “what in the world is going on with you two?!” there was a pause, Brenda sighed from her perch on a stool near by peeling potatoes. Finally, someone else was in charge of these hooligans and perhaps the older Rover could talk some sense into them.

“It’s Roxy’s fault. She made stupid choices again” Spero muttered setting back to work rather forcefully kneading dough.

“What did Logan do now?” that caused a small laugh out the boys but Fileaf felt a pinch of guilt at the slaped expression on Roxy’s face.

“Not much he can do when we can’t find him…” came the girls quiet reply. The room went silent again for a few beats before Spero spoke up.

“Roxy walked into the gravemind, to keep some girl ‘safe’” the words were spoken with anger but Fileaf could hear the hurt and fear contained in them.

“Snitch!” Roxy hissed in reply glaring at her brother, but not getting much further as the words sunk in for their cousin.

“Roxanne Mercy Storm Rider you did WHAT?” Somehow….Somehow hearing her full name out of Fileaf didn’t hurt. Well, not in the way it did when Chara once tried that. With Chara it had left a bad taste in her mouth and rage in her blood.

Out of Fileaf, you would have though Melody had never left.

“Annnnddd ima leave” she heard Galen utter quietly before vanishing, Brenda stood heading to the door herself

“..i’m...gonna make sure he stays safe, come on Spero.” begrudgingly the youngest of the crew followed their protector, not without giving his sister a glare along the way.

Once more, as the door shut, the kitchen fell into a heavy silence. The stove fires crackled, the clock on the wall ticked, outside Roxy knew people were setting up for the feast, but all she could hear was the loud rushing noise in her ears, the sounds of waves crashing when you fell under.

Finally, Fileaf sighed stealing the stool Brenda was occupied before.

“What in the world were you thinking?” The words were heavy on the youngers heart. They weren’t laced with anger or venom. No, the disappointment and worry they carried hurt even more.

“I...I was trying to keep the girl I was looking over safe.” was her reply, already knowing it wasn’t a good excuse.

“Keeping your neighbors safe is important Roxanne, but who would keep your brothers safe if you didn’t come back? You once told me you made a promise to your mother to keep them safe, how would you do that in the Gravemind?” her chest felt tight, tears burning at her eyes as she nodded.

“Iknow, I know..I just...got caught up in the moment. Got reckless. It was stupid.” Fileaf’s hugs were always warm full of love and the scent of something good to eat. She didn’t even realize she was hugging the older back until she was a sobbing mess “I’msorry,pleasedon’tbemad”

“I’m not mad sweetheart, I’m worried. You were lucky it let you leave….Please be more careful and think before you act. Your thoughts were noble but remember family comes first.” there was a familiar touch as she felt the older gently stroking her braids. Something so ingrained it soothed the fear away. “I don’t know what I would do without you and the boys. You’re all such good kids, it’s why i worry so much”

“I’ll be more careful. I promise” The Storm Chaser sniffled pulling away to wipe away her tears. Fileafs smile was warm and full of love and home. It made her want to live up to every expectation the Bird of Snow had for her.