But why would that be the case? Risha wondered. Did something happen yesterday?
As she washed her face, Risha wracked her brain, trying to remember the events of the evening before. Yesterday, Doctor Hieronymus had hosted the farewell-party for his guests and the theater troupe.
Everyone had been there. Well, everyone except one person; that disagreeable ocelot had not been present, though Risha vaguely recalled that one other member of the troupe had headed of to their ship with a plate of food, no doubt meant for the jerk. Anyway, the party had been splendid. Their host had really gone all out and as a result, everyone present had had a great time. At least, as far as Risha could recall.
Moments later, Risha now fully dressed, left the guest room and went downstairs. The demon was still there, though its drumming had grown less persistent. As she traversed the stairs, the smell of coffee filled the lynx-girl's nose, causing it to twitch in anticipation.
Coffee! Sweet nectar of gods! At this point, she would have killed for a mug. Scratch that, just a few drops would suffice.
Guided by her nose, Risha entered the dining room and found it empty. No doubt the others had already finished their morning meal. She went into the kitchen and immediately helped herself to what was left of the morning coffee. Sitting down at the table, she brought the cup to her lips, blew on the coffee's surface and swallowed a mouthful. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of the divine black liquid surging through her system. Another mouthful and the demon was silenced. Forever.
Feeling a lot better, Risha thought that she should try to eat something. In the kitchen, she found some leftovers from yesterday's party, which she took with her and began to consume. She ate slowly at first, still unsure if she would be able to keep the meal down, but with every bite her appetite gradually came back, until finally, she ate with relish.
Having emptied the plate of its content, Risha decided that she should go and see what the others were doing on this, their last day on the Island. She headed out to the veranda, where Merees was busy teaching Leorin how to play Xecho. Both of them were deeply engaged in the game, staring intently at the board.
Let's see, Merees thought to herself. If I move my knight over there, it should allow me to take out Leorin's tower, but than I'll leave my wizard unattended...
The Dragoness' deep concentration was abruptly broken by two arms wrapping themselves around her. Surprised, the Princess turned her head slightly, to see who it was.
"Good Morning, Sweet-Scales" Risha said, as she lovingly nuzzled Merees' neck.
"Oh, its you" Merees said, distractedly. "Good Morning."
Having expected a bit more than that from her girl-friend, who had now turned her focus back on the board; Risha found herself a tad disappointed. Very well, if she wasn't in the mood, so be it.
With a sigh, Risha removed her arms from around Merees' chest and walked over to Leorin.
"How's my favorite little brother today?" She asked and feeling affectionate, she reached out to playfully tussle the fur on the cat-boy's head.
To Risha's surprise, Leorin turned and glared angrily at her.
"Don't touch me" he hissed, his ears flat on his head.
With those words, Leo stood up, almost knocking his chair over and, before his sister had time to react, stormed off into the garden. For a moment, Risha remained frozen on the spot, completely taken aback by her brother's reaction.
What's gotten into him? She wondered, shaking her head in disbelief. With a shrug, she glanced at Leorin's side of the board.
"Hey, Mer?"
Merees, who had been playing with one of the pieces, put it down.
"Yes?"
"Did Leo get annoyed because he was about to lose or something? I swear, he can be such a baby sometimes."
She shook her head at her brother's childishness, but stopped when she noticed the stern look on Merees' face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, her head tilted to one side, left eyebrow raised.
"Let me ask you something", said Merees. "How much of the party do you remember?"
Risha shrugged.
"Not much, but I did wake up with an awful headache." She smiled nervously. "I guess I didn't go easy on the liquor, huh?"
"That's putting it mildly. Sit down, please. I think we should talk."
Risha swallowed, Merees did not look angry, nor had she raised her voice. Still, there was something in her tone which made Risha feel as though a pit had just appeared in her stomach. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she sat down and listened as Merees recounted everything that had happened last evening.
*****
Leorin sat on the beach, staring out at the ocean. A tiny crab scuttled by, stopping near one of its kitten's toes and studying it, trying to determine whether to pinch it or not. A stone which landed close to it, made it think differently and it disappeared as quickly as its tiny legs could carry it, angrily snapping the air with its claws. At first, Leorin considered throwing another stone at the crab, but thought better of it. Instead, he turned his gaze back toward the ocean, his mind drifting back to home and to his parents, especially his mother. How he wished she was here now, instead of his stupid sister. Who needed her anyway, or girls in general for that matter?
"Risha, you jerk" Leorin sniffled. A fresh tear appeared in the corner of his eye and made its way down his cheek only to be stuck dangling in his whiskers. He brushed it away, but no sooner had he done that, before a new one appeared to take the place of its fallen brethren. Soon, the tears were streaming freely down both sides of Leorin's face, while his small body shook with anger.
Suddenly, Leorin's ears picked up the sound of two distinct pair of footsteps approaching. Then, he heard a voice above his head:
"Leo, your sister has something she wants to say to you."
Leorin did not turn around.
"What?" He muttered in a surly tone.
"I'm sorry."
The words caught Leorin's attention. Slowly, he turned his head slightly and was face to face with Risha and Merees. The former was standing up, but the latter had dropped to her knees, her eyes were red and puffy, proof of the tears that she had shed not long before.
This sight caught Leorin with surprise. During the short time he had been alive, he had seen his sister look at him in different ways. Sometimes, her look had described affection, other times frustration, but the emotion that was no stamped over Risha's features, was one that Leorin had never seen before. At least, not in relation to himself:
Shame.
Staring at this image of remorse in front of him, Leorin felt all the frustration and anger he had carried with him melt away, like the final remnants of winter in springtime. Before he knew it, he had thrown his arms around Risha, his tears running down her neck and the collar of her shirt.
******
Finally, the moment had come for Risha, Leorin and Merees to leave the sanctuary of the island and journey out into the World. Everyone had gathered aboard the ship, where words of farewell took place.
"You will always be welcome here" Hieronymus said, as he took Risha's paw in his own and shook it.
"Thank you for everything, Doctor" she said. "You too, Amelia."
The otter-girl, released Leorin from the hug she had caught him in and looked up.
"Come back soon" she said.
"You're absolutely certain you want to stay?" Merees asked Luke. She was wearing her cloak, which was now repaired. She and the siblings had picked it up from the tailor and while they were there, Merees had also brought new clothes for the three of them.
Luke shook his head.
"No thank you, I've had quite enough of sea-faring. I wish to stay here and learn from the Doc. Besides" he added, his paw brushing against Amelia's. "There's another reason why I wish to remain."
And so, having said all that needed to be said, Doctor Hieornymus, his adopted niece and Luke, all disembarked as the ship set sail.
Risha, Merees and Leorin stood in the prow watching and waving, until finally, the island and the friends they had made there had vanished from sight.
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