Chapter 3: 3 - Rico
3 - Rico
My head was going ten thousand miles an hour as we headed up the stairs to go to the living quarters.
"How are we gonna beat Fatso?" I thought, "Our bullets are useless against him if he can just stop them in their tracks."
As we turned the corner to the living corners I started to calm down a little bit. The calming warm atmosphere of the living room always helps me to calm down when I'm feeling anxious. There's just something about the stained bean bag chairs to the various foods ground into the beige carpet that make me feel relaxed, at peace if you will.
"You may continue with what you were going to tell us." Ray asked Cornelius.
"Well first off," Cornelius explained, "About this Fatso you guys keep talking about, his real full name is actually Lord Earl Desmond. He's a tyrant that has been taking over cities in this area, making profit off of the city's resources and harbours. I'm positive he has Grustenburg targeted next."
���You're telling me that this guy has the power and authority to take over entire cities, and we're supposed to somehow defeat him?"
"Well, there are some things that you lot should know about Lord Earl, some interesting points that should make it easier to defeat him."
My stomach was swirling like a freshly flushed toilet, how were we supposed to defeat a guy that can take over entire cities with his bare hands? We were street rats, not super heroes. Armed with nothing but guns, and our wit. As Ray and Corra discussed matters with Cornelius, my eyes started to get heavy. Maybe staying up all night drinking and then getting up at five am wasn't the best thing for me. My eyes slowly closed and darkness enveloped me like a warm blanket.
My eyes fluttered open and I found myself in my old room. I was instantly hit with nostalgia when I saw pink peeling walls and my old creaky wooden bed. I had made so many memories in this room, whether it was shooting the walls with my old pellet gun or playing thieves and guard with my friend George. I loved this room so much, but I knew what I had to do. I trudged downstairs, the steps creaking with every step. My heart was pounding and my throat was dry. If I hated this place so much, why was I going in? What was I thinking?
As soon as I stepped into the room, I was hit with nausea and my stomach twisted into a knot, I felt like I was going to explode as I saw the baby blue walls, now splattered with blood. It was all as real as the day it had happened, I was just a little boy-around the age of seven-playing with George. We were having an amazing time, running around and playing. I remember my father had just gotten home from work so we ran down the stairs to see him.
My father was a very kind and understanding man. He always understood my problems as I was always very energetic. Anyways, we ran down the stairs and went to say hello, when I noticed that another man was standing next to him. His cheery smile and handsome face was almost too perfect as he stood there, smiling down at me.
"Hello young man," he said, his cheekbones stretching even higher, "The name's Griffis Satannes. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Rico," father said, "Mr. Satannes is just here to do some paperwork with me. Go up to your room with George so you won't disturb us, alright?"
I headed up to my room, the man puzzled me but I didn't think much of it then. Once we were back in my room I had asked George about the man but all he said was, "He's probably just another businessman that wants to do some grown up stuff Rico."
After a good hour, I couldn't handle it anymore. What were they up to? Who was that man? My head was spinning and I felt like I had drunk ten coffees as I started to head out the door.
"Rico?" George muttered, "Where are you going?"
"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom." I lied, "Gotta pee."
I trudged down the stairs, my talons clicking against the stairs. As I started to head towards the kitchen I noticed something, it was quiet, too quiet. My heart was pounding like a drum as I stood against the wall next to the kitchen. Finally, after a solid five minutes of waiting, I turned into the room where father and the man had been talking earlier before George and I had gone up the stairs. I ran into the room head first, and what I saw was, nothing. They were gone. Maybe they've moved to another room, I told myself. But I knew it wasn't true. I ran through all the different rooms in my home, each empty, without a trace of father or the strange man. I ran outside in tears, my feathers getting wet and soggy. As I knelt on the grass, George walked up to me, his eyes full of hatred.
"Rico? Wake up." Ray was shaking me awake.
"Hmm? Yeah?" I murmured.
"Did you listen to anything we were just talking about?"
"Uhhhhh, Yeah?" I said, still a little groggy.
"Great," Cornelius exclaimed, "I assume you won't need more than a week to prepare?"
"Five days is all we'll need."
"Splendid, your two teammates will be here by dawn tomorrow then."
Teammates? Why had I said that I was listening?
Cornelius said his goodbyes and then he was gone, finally.
"So," I said, "About what we were talking about-"
"I know that you have a lot of questions Rico," Corra droned, the colour from her scarlet jacket and jeans seemed to have it's colour drained while she talked, "But we have work to do."
Corra's the other member of our crew. She's cold, heartless, and to top it all off, older than me. She's also what you would call a mixed breed, a breed of both human and creatara resulting in the subject gaining both human and animal features. Mixed breeds are very hard to come by and are often sought after by collectors and slave traders, to top it all off Corra is a cross of human and Fennec fox, making her exceptionally rarer than other mixed breeds. Luckily for Corra, she's gained very little creatara like assets—ears and a tail—which she usually keeps hidden at all times when going outside. Unlike Ray and myself, Corra possesses a morte. She has the ability to corrode anything she touches, which is why she wears gloves at all times. She never leaves without 'em.
"Speaking of," Ray's rough voice snapped me out of my daydreaming, "Let's split up and each handle one thing. I'll take weapons and ammunition, Corra, you take supplies, and then I guess Rico will buy rations. Remember, Cornelius gave us some extra cash so you guys won't have to worry about spending too much."
I just kinda sat there nodding my head like an idiot. I needed to tell them that I had no idea what was happening but now wasn't the time, obviously. After Ray had finished rambling on about jobs or something, we headed over to the center of town and parted ways. Ray went over to the gunsmith to get us some new weapons while Corra headed over to various stores to get us supplies.
"Rico, don't forget the rope." Ray had said.
"Is it so I can hang myself to end this boring conversation?" I had chimed in but barely got to finish the sentence before Corra shot me her signature death glare.
As for me, my job was the most exciting and dangerous of all. Going to the general store to get food. Exhilarating, am I right? So, I set off to go and get food for the trip, when something caught my eye while walking through one of the eastern docks to get to the general store, a girl.
She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. Her blond silky hair shone in the noon sun, and her blue jacket overtop of her fluorescent pink dress accented her sky blue eyes. But the thing that caught my eye the most, was her back. She had wings that seemed to sprout from her shoulder blades that reached just past her head. This girl was like me. Plus, they were much bigger than mine. Kinda hit me hard in the self esteem, now that I think about it.
But besides that, I instinctively ran to go talk to her. Now, despite the fact that I talk a big game about pickin' up chicks left and right, I'm kinda awkward around girls. So I tried to play it cool when talking to her… Which usually never goes the way I hope.
After mentally preparing myself for the next ten seconds, I strutted up to the girl, trying to look as cool as possible.
"Excuse me miss," As the girl whirled around to see who just called out to her, I noticed a slight expression of extreme nervousness and anxiety trickle onto her face, "I apologize for bothering you but your wings really seemed to grab my attention."
The girl smiled as I approached, but reared back anxiously shaking her head from side to side at the mention of her gorgeous wings as if they were appalling, "W-What about them?"
"Well, it's not everyday you see someone with wings, I'll be a mixed breed."
The strange girl had seemed to calm down but as soon as I mentioned her being a mixed breed she started to panic and begin to leave, "Oh, I uh… I have to go. I-It was nice talking to you!"
"Yeah, you t-too!" But she was already gone like a vision, there for a minute, then gone the next.
In disappointment I sat along the harbour thinking about what an absolute failure I was with talking with girls. Ray had Corra, I think. No, scratch that. But still, I felt so alone in this world. Even my so-called friends only saw me as an annoyance. Just another guy who's gonna drag them down and stop them from getting the only thing important to them done apparently, their job.
"Oh well." I thought, "I guess I should just get this chore done so that I can get home and sleep. If they don't immediately start yelling at me, that is."
I continued down the harbour, the general store in my sights. The sounds and smells of the harbour always distracted me. Whether it's the salty smell of the sea, or the sound of vendors taking or kids playing, there was something about the harbour that seemed so fun and distracting for me. But eventually, after many detours, I finally made it to the general store. As I walked into the store, I heard the familiar ring of the bell that sounded whenever a door was opened. Matt, the store owner, greeted me.
"Hey, Rico! What's new?" He said.
"Nothing much, just pickin' up a few supplies for another mission."
Matt was always really kind to me. Since I'm the one who always gets stuck with grocery duty, I always get the pleasure of seeing him every week. Matt, while smelling of old tobacco and having the worst breath possible, is still a great guy. Sometimes I feel like he's the only guy that really gets me. Matt has been here since I first arrived when I was around ten years old. Late at night, he would slip me a loaf of bread, or fresh fish if I helped him out with the shop. He's the reason that I believe that there's still some good in those humans.
"Hey, Matt," I said, "Have you ever seen this girl who has, uh… these wings?"
"Why do you ask?" He said sceptically, his dark brown eyebrows raising, "Do you, like someone?"
"Wh-what?" I blurted, "N-no! Of course not! Don't be ridiculous! You're not serious, right?"
"Well, I've never seen anyone like that Rico. Why don't you ask Ray or Corra?"
That's not what I wanted to hear at all
"Oh, alright, it's just-"
"Listen Rico, I get that you feel as if they don't get you
or something, but I think you should at least try talking with them."
"It won't matter," Tears started to form in my eyes, "The thing is, Ray doesn't see us as friends, just the next teammate that he can be easily replaced. Here one day, then gone the second we aren't of value."
"But what about Corra? She seems, interesting?"
"Corra doesn't view me like Ray, but she's so blunt and cold that I don't think that she'd really understand."
Matt gave a hearty laugh, his hands clasping the sides of his flannel jacket, "Rico! You really should loosen up a little! Talk to Corra, I'm sure she'll know!"
"Alright, fine. I'll talk to her about it, but don't blame me if things go sour, got it?"
"Got it! Now, what can I do for you? Other than relationship advice of course."
"Oh right... I think I needed rations so..."
"You don't know what you're doing, do you Rico?"
"Of course I do! I don't know what you're talking about!" I said nervously.
"Well, in that case, I assume you just want some bread, salted jerky, the works?"
"Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking!"
Matt's the best. He always understood me whenever I was confused or not paying attention. After around five minutes he handed me two baskets full of bread and meat.
As I began to head out the door, Matt turned towards me, "Hey Rico?"
"Yeah?"
"Stay positive, alright?"
"Alright Matt."
After a long thought filled walk through the harbour (Mostly about the strange girl), I had finally made it home. As I walked through the door, I was hit with my favourite smell, stale tobacco. Ray and Corra were sitting on the chairs talking with Cornelius while munching on what looked like, chips? I had to get down there fast, chips are my favourite! As I sat down and immediately started eating, Cornelius asked me a question.
"So Rico, what do you think of the plan?"
"Oh yeah, that's right. T-the plan." I choked.
Just as I was about to confess, the doors flew open and someone walked inside. It was a lacertia, or a humanoid type lizard. He had green skin, with bright yellow eyes that pierced right through me. A sword was strapped to his back and he was wearing a black cloak over a dark green vest.
"Hello," He said coldly, "The name's Julian. It looks like we'll be working together so I may as well let myself in." I watched as he immediately asserted himself by lounging on our nice furniture, his muddy boots soiling our new carpeting.
Great. A lacertia.
"This is Julian," Cornelius said, "He will be working with you for the duration of the mission."
Corra asked, "I don't mean to assume, but why don't you have a gun?"
"What do you mean Corra?" I replied, "You use those knives don't you?
"Well yes, but I always keep a revolver on me." She eyed Julian, "Anyone who doesn't carry a firearm at least for backup has some serious issues, if you ask me."
Julian hissed, "Unlike you simpletons, I don't have to rely on hi-tech long ranged weapons." He unsheathed his sword, the silver blade was shaped and coiled like a snake with an emerald green gem in the centre of the hilt, "These babies have saved me from more than any firearm could."
Ray butted in, "Let's put our differences aside gentlemen," His dark fur looked like it was waving in the dimly lit room, "We need this job finished, so let's try to cooperate if we want to get back alive and get our cut of the pay."
"Very well." Julian droned.
All of a sudden, the door flew open and in walked another figure, the scent of fresh flowers and spices immediately hitting my senses. Feathers flew everywhere as the figure's wings stretched out in the open space of the room.
"Hi!" She said, her sky blue eyes shone in the dim candlelight like stars in a dark midnight sky, "The name's Alice!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone