Thanksgiving & Legend Of The StarBlade
January 22nd, 2006 by Salem
Chapter 28 – The TidusBlade had been out to sea for twenty hours and moving at a hundred and seventy knots. The large watertight doors were opened and the towers were up so the on-board philosophers could do their research. Jarody had never seen anyone who could sleep longer than him, but the other Blade Masters were in bed for an entire day. The only other people who were up and about were Vivien with guards and Haiku. It was the morning of Thanksgiving and the crew of the TidusBlade was busy running the ship and making preparations for the great dinner and party in the main dining hall. The first sign of life on the Blade Master Living Quarters hall was Christina and Vivien’s door opening and Christina in a beautiful white flowing dress and white slippers stepping out followed by Vivien in a just as beautiful red low cut dress. Jarody comes walking out of his room in the usual blue jeans and a t-shirt with strange symbols on it saying in another language “Fuck the NAVY” on the front and “The NAVY will fuck you back” on the back. “What’s going on here?” asked Jarody. “Today’s Thanksgiving,” said Christina. Do you not have something dressy?” asked Christina. “I guess I can wear a clean t-shirt,” said Jarody. The twins’ door opens and Selene and Salem step out of their room with matching long black backless dresses with a low cut in the front almost reaching both their navels. Pawn was around Salem’s neck as usual but looked to be cleaned and brushed to the point of mixing with the dress in a way that he looked to be part of it other than the silver mask on his face. “Aaaaaaagh!!” yelled Jarody, “This is SO WRONG!! SO VERY WRONG!!”
“Are you finished,” asked Selene. “Yes I am,” said Jarody. “You have seen us in dresses before,” said Salem. “But this time, I’m getting stiff,” said Jarody. Emhril steps out of his room in his best dress robes and cloths with his hair brushed back. “And now the arousal is gone,” said Jarody. Haiku hops out of the room in a cute Thanksgiving dress and black children’s dress shoes. The HealthBlade also comes out of the room with a big red bow tied around it making it look like the most ridicules thing on eight legs. Zealot comes out of the room he shares with Jarody, also in dress robes and a powerful scent of cologne. “Did you break the bottle over your scaly head?” asked Jarody. Zealot put his arm out and Selene took it. Emhril took Haiku’s hand and left with her. “I have arrangements to meet up with Wayne,” said Salem as she left. “I guess I’ll have you two on my arms,” said Jarody to Christina and Vivien. “Not until you dress into something better than that alien world stuff you call clothes,” said Christina with Vivien agreeing with her. They both turned and left to the nearest lift. Jarody puts his hands over his heart and pretended to faint.
In the grand ballroom children were running around everywhere as fancy dressed adults talked and discussed things to come. Captain Koror was not there yet but many other bridge crewmen were. Salem and Lieutenant Wayne Harke met at the entrance of the ballroom. “Are you sure you want me to be your escort? There are far younger men onboard,” said Lieutenant Harke. “If you only knew my age,” said Salem. Ensign John walked up to Selene and said, “Father tells me that you are quite a storyteller.” “I been around long enough to know them all,” said Selene. “Can you tell the children the annual story of the StarBlade?” asked Ensign John. “Why, sure I will,” said Selene, “Salem! Want to help me tell the Legend of the StarBlade?” “You know I do,” said Salem. The twins found a corner to sit at where the children could sit around them and are not in the way of any adults. Ensign McCloud brings the story book with the pictures for the children to see while Selene tells them the story. Detective Lagan and Detective Pacer were in the ballroom as well and not having luggage with them, they were both still in their police detective suits. “What a terrible predicament,” said Detective Pacer. “Yes, there is no one here I know,” said Detective Lagan. David enters the ballroom in a TidusBlade dress uniform. “There he is. How does it feel to have your old room on the TidusBlade?” asked Zealot. “The bed was too small,” said David. Haiku joined the rest of the children to hear the story. “Are we all ready?” asked Salem. Pawn jumped from Salem’s neck and into Haiku’s arms. Haiku petted Pawn as the twins opened the book and held it so the children could see the pictures.
There was a ninth Blade that was created when Gin’s Blade exploded into the 8 sacred Blades. The ninth Blade was called the StarBlade. It was not a very big Blade at all, some would say it was the size of a cat, others have said it was no bigger then a dove. The StarBlade fell to Colloquy and landed in the ice. That was where it stayed for four thousand years. A race of tiny people called Pecks, who are half the size of your mother and father, found the StarBlade in the ice but were unable to free it. So they took the ice block the StarBlade was in to their village and put it in the center of town. For years that was where it stayed while the Pecks went about their business building things. The Pecks were so good with making things out of wood; every thing in their village was made of wood. Some people think even the Pecks were made of wood. One thing the Pecks were very good at doing was making toys. Toys that rolled, toys that spun, toys that could float, and even toys that could fly, all and any kind of toy in Colloquy were made and most invented in the Peck village. Only problem the pecks had was that they had no children to play with the toys. The pecks built a large house to put the toys hoping that someday children may come and play with them. Then half a world away, Jebus the direct descendent of the first man created by Gin, made his wish on the SaintBlade to give the Blades back to the world of Colloquy. It was then that the StarBlade was freed from the ice block. As gratitude for the kindness the Pecks showed for it, the StarBlade took all of the toys in the house into a void and took off into the night sky. The StarBlade traveled from Village to village delivering toys to every good little boy and girl, using its power to pass through walls, the StarBlade left small toys in the stockings drying at the fire and larger toys under the tables. There were so many toys that there were some left when the StarBlade returned to the village and placed back into the toy house, then went back to the center of the village and projected the image of the happy children finding the toys and playing with them. The Pecks were happy to see the happy faces as they played with the toys they worked hard to make but were a little disappointed that there were toys left. So the StarBlade promised the Pecks that if they made more toys, it would deliver then every year on this day. And it did and continued to deliver toys to only the children of Colloquy who were nice all year.
“Just as the StarBlade will do today. Have you been nice?” asked Salem to the large group of children. “Yes!” said the children. “I been nice, I been nice,” continued a few children in the group. “Time for the dinner!” yelled a man at one end of the room in a cook’s uniform. The group of children left the corner to find their parents and take their seat at the large tables in the room, thanking Salem and Selene for the story. Haiku handed an almost purring Pawn back to Salem before running to her father. “Regret not being able to have kids?” asked Salem as she put Pawn back around her neck. “You know we both would like to have kids,” said Selene. “Too bad there really is not a StarBlade to deliver toys to the kids,” said Salem. “We could try and find one,” said Selene. “And who would make the toys?” asked Salem. “The parents could still buy the toys but they can give them to the StarBlade to give their kids,” said Selene. “It is a nice dream to have,” said Salem as she scratched the back of Pawn’s neck.
The tables quickly fill with the Blade Masters being in the seats of honor close to the Captain’s seat and his family. The twins sat on the left of the Captain’s seat, Lydia Koror, James’ wife, sat opposite of the twins at the right side of her husband’s seat. Lydia was a beautiful woman of forty or so dressed in a very conservative green and blue dress and her hair was large and fluffy making her head look twice the size it actually was. The twins knew Lydia since she was one of the little faces in the group of children when they last told the StarBlade Story thirty years ago on the TidusBlade when Pike, James’ father, was captain. By the looks they were getting from Lydia now, the twins could tell she is not very fond of them. “James must have spent yesterday talking about us around her,” whispered Salem into Selene’s ear. Next to Lydia were their five children. The eldest son at twenty six Ensign John, their twenty four year old son Ensign Luke, David (twenty two) sat next to Luke, their eighteen year old daughter Trainee Carlotta, and finally the baby daughter at fifteen, Gazette. Kitchen staffers start to bring in the Thanksgiving Feast. The sweetest looking fruit to the most succulent looking meat was placed on the table. Emhril’s eyes widen like teacup saucers, “Never before have I seen such a feast!” Emhril reaches out to grab a Turken leg but Haiku hits her fathers hand with a spoon, “Not until the Captain says so, Daddy.” The kitchen staff leaves the room and the lights go down low.
A spotlight shines at the entrance when James steps through. “All rise and greet your Captain, James Tidus Koror!” announced Lieutenant Harke. James was in a very ornate uniform with huge epaulets on his shoulders and a long golden flowing cape behind him with a double row of buttons on the front of his uniform shirt. James takes his seat and the master chef with three assistants hold a large turkey surrounded with stuffing and one carving knife. The turkey is placed in front of the Captain and James is given the knife. The master chef and his assistants stand to the side as James stood up again. “I greet you all and welcome our most honored guests to this vast feast. We are very lucky this day, my youngest son has returned to us safe and in good company. We gather together, feast and exchange gifts in the name of Jebus in thanks for his sacrifice two thousand and six years ago tonight. Although we know generations of Korors leading to our ancient ancestor have captained the Blade we call home for over six thousand years, we still thank Jebus for opening up the eyes of the people of the entire Colloquy, allowing Blade Masters to come out of hiding and serve to better the lives of the people. So with the carving of this fine bird,” James takes the carving knife and begins to cut into the turkey, “may the Thanksgiving Feast begin!” “Never before have I been so hungry with so much food in front of me.” said Emhril. Vivien looks at every piece of food on the table then looks disappointed. “Vivien,” called Christina, “Somehow, I did not think they would have a villager for you to suck the life out of.” Vivien takes out her PDA and writes, “I am going to find Jarody,” then leaves the table. As soon as Vivien stood up, a male and female guard flanked her.
A rowboat with three passengers all covered in dark hooded robes leaves the rocky wall of the ocean cliff with rope ladder behind. The largest of the three sitting in the middle of the boat, rows with great strength as they travel quickly through the water. The small boat approaches a large ship flying a pirate flag. On the bow, holding onto the railing and in full uniform is General Carcass. The rowboat arrived at the left side of the huge sailing vessel and the passengers start to climb up the rope ladder one by one. A group of men help the first person onto the deck. General Carcass talks to the man, “My master, we were successful and have the man you wanted in the main cabin.” “Excellent,” said the Mysterious Master. The second passenger makes it onto the deck unaided then removes her hood. “Arian, you and General Carcass will get Captain Bergin to our secret dock so we may make our special additions to the Treason,” ordered the Mysterious Master. The Master headed and entered the main cabin of the ship to find the man who was freed from the Hellion prison. “Captain Crellis,” called the Mysterious Master, “you look no worse for wear.” “Master, why have I been broken out of the prison instead of you overthrowing Kind Abbot?” asked Captain Crellis. “I went through all the notes you made and the copies of the forbidden books you took from the Royal Library,” said the Master, “Not very easy when the print is backwards.” “I did all of the work for you. There’s no need to look it over again,” said Captain Crellis. “But you missed one vital bit of information. How do I combine all of the Blades into one?” asked the Master. “You are just supposed to be able to,” said Captain Crellis. “That isn’t enough, Crellis. I need more information before we get to that part of my plan,” said the Mysterious Master. “Then why are you going through with your plan if it’s not complete?” asked Captain Crellis. “You know I don’t have long, Crellis,” said the Mysterious Master. “Yes, old age is an enemy you can’t fight off,” said Captain Crellis. “I need you to go back and find the information I need,” said the Master. “I still say there is no need and secondly, that information isn’t there,” said Captain Crellis. “It has to be somewhere,” said the Master. “I know where I might find that information, but it’s impossible to access it if it’s really there,” said Captain Crellis. “Where!” demanded the Master.
Dinner was over and the table was being cleared out of the way for the dance to begin. While the room was made ready, James took the Blade Masters to his special collection room where he held all the Mirror Blades he had found. “As you can guess, I incorporated most of them into the operation of the ship but a large part of collection are in here,’ said James as he opened the door and let them into the room. Vivien had also returned and joined the group in the Mirror Blade room. “Did you find Jarody?” asked Zealot. Vivien shook her head, no. They all entered the room to see mirrors from the floor to the very top of the wall. In a large box were hundreds more of the ComBlades. “Did you find them or were they made?” asked Salem. “The ComBlades were actually found in an old cave but they were not in the condition you see them now. A HexBlade Master like yourselves added the finishing touches to each one of them up until his death five years ago,” said James. “An accident?” asked Selene. “No, he was just old,” said James. He picked up something covered in a cloth and unwrapped it to reveal five more unfinished ComBlades. “This is how they look when found in the cave,” said James as the twins take a close look at the nearly reflective pieces of metal with very lumpy sides and back. “Woah, I just noticed, you can’t see Vivien in any of these mirrors!” said Zealot. Vivien looked around at all the mirrors. “Why is her clothes invisible from the mirrors too?” asked Haiku. “All vampires have an aura that surrounds them not only covering their body but also the clothes they wear. It is that aura that hide them from mirrors,” said Selene. “But why?” asked Haiku. “There is a belief that if a vampire were to see their own reflection, it would kill them,” said Salem. “I wonder,” said Selene as she took out her ComBlade, “Call me using your ComBlade Vivien.” Vivien pulls out her ComBlade and pressed four, seven, zero. Selene’s ComBlade rang causing Selene to answer it. Vivien appeared in Selene’s ComBlade. “At least we can see you through the ComBlade, want to see Vivien?” asked Selene. Vivien’s eyes opened wide and she shook her head , “No,” in fright.
“Over here is the Blade I call the BabyBlade,” said James, “As far as I know, all this Blade does is show what you look like as a baby.” The group was having a fun time looking at themselves through the mirror. James moves to a display of three mirrors with two of them covered with cloth and says, “But over here!” “Aww, look at baby Zealot!!” said Christina. “A hum!” called James. The group turned to look at James. James turned to the three Mirrors behind him and says, “These are the most powerful three Mirror Blades I’ve collected. Now I’m afraid I can’t show you the mirror in this red cloth because!” “Because it is obviously sewn shut on the bottom?” interrupted Salem. “With good reason, anyone who looks into this one will see their worst nightmare and the shock will be enough to kill you,” said James, “This middle Mirror Blade will double the power of any other Blade it attaches to.” “But what are they called?” asked Salem. “I didn’t really name them but if they had to be, I guess this one would have to be the NightmareBlade and the middle one would be called the MultiplyBlade,” said James. “MultiplyBlade has already been used,” said Selene. “The PowerBlade?” asked James. “Already used by an Armor Blade,” said Salem. “Then how about you name it,” said James. “No, you found it, you name it,” said Salem. James stood there and thought for a short while, “And this next mirror is called the ReverseBlade.” James removed the black velvet cloth covering the large object to show a small mirror no bigger then the ComBlades in their pockets. “This Blade can reverse the power of any Blade it attaches to,” said James. “That is a very powerful Blade if it could do what you say,” said Selene. “You think so, Sis?” asked Salem. “Think about it, Salem. Attaching it to the EarthBlade will make it lighter then anything in Colloquy, or connected to Vivien’s Blade will negate its ability,” said Selene. “Do you two still think that Mirror Blades are still an accessory or are they their own type?” said James. “Mirrors are always an accessory, James,” said Salem. James was about to object. “We are convinced, James. The Mirror Blades do deserve their own type, but we have to go through the same process as the Armor Blades and the Companion Blades went through,” said Selene, “We have to meet with the elected heads of the Temple and convince them to call Mirror Blades a new type.” “But you and Salem founded the Temple. Do you not have any say so?” said James. “The elected Temple Leaders are in place so bias and favoritism will not take place when deciding things as you suggest,” said Selene. “And everything does not rest on our shoulders alone when it comes to the more difficult decisions,” said Salem.
The group returned to the grand ballroom where an acoustic band had set up on a stage and already was playing slow music with a bunch of dancers moving across the floor and children running all over the place. Haiku ran off to play with the other children as the Blade Masters mixed into the crowd. The lights went down low once again causing the twins to look at James and say at the same time, “Must they do this every time you enter the room?” “Not my doing,” said James. The spot light shown at the entrance, but not the entrance the Blade Masters and James just used. The light was on Jarody who was in strange but very clean cut garments. Music started to play but it was not the band playing it. It was a very strange song using instruments the twins had never heard before. James was very astonished when the ballroom floor started to light up under Jarody’s feet as he walked to the center of the room. Jarody blindly reached out and grabbed the hand of Vivien to pull her on to the floor and began to dance with her as the strange music played. He twirled her around and dipped her a few times before taking the floor on his own once again and taking off the white coat to show the bright blue shirt with white suspenders and the white tie he had on. Jarody threw his white coat for Vivien to catch and went into strange dance moves until the music stopped and Jarody froze in a move that had him pointing up at the ceiling. The lights returned back to their normal brightness and the colored lights in the floor disappeared as Jarody brought down his arm and walked to James and the twins. “It’s called Disco, hope you enjoyed it,” said Jarody as he passed then to sit at a table with Vivien, still holding his white coat, following behind him. “Ever been a loss for words?” said James. All the twins could say was, “Uh-ha.”
Lieutenant Harke, apparently unimpressed by what Jarody just did whispered into James’ ear. “Uh Oh, Kids!” called James, “Lieutenant Harke has just told me that the StarBlade had been spotted in the sky and will be coming here soon. Time for you all to get to bed, so the StarBlade can visit us and leave your presents!” The children started to leave the ballroom as security guards made sure they would arrive back at their rooms safe and sound. As soon as the kids, including Haiku, were gone. A few of the party goers and crewmen start to move decorated tables into the room and placing them next to the stage where the band was playing a festive Thanksgiving song. The parents of the children go into another room and come back out with gift boxes for their children to find and open tomorrow. “Oh no! I forgot to get Haiku a Thanksgiving gift,” said Emhril. “We did not,” said Salem, “Pawn, Haiku’s gift.” Pawn opened his ThievesBlade’s void and out came three wrapped boxes. “One of them is a mini version of our uniform for Haiku, the second one is a dress up doll,” said Salem. “And the last one is a gold whistle like mine so she can call Rook when ever she needs him,” said Selene. “Thank you, thank you very much for remembering,” said Emhril. “We know you were too busy trying to get use to traveling,” said Salem. “It happened to us before,” said Selene. “We forgot our own birthday,” said Salem. The tables were full as Emhril placed Haiku’s gifts under them. Christina, who also remembered, hung two Thanksgiving stockings filled with candy with Haiku’s and Carber’s name on them at a mantle of other children’s stockings. “You got her Blade a stocking?” asked David. “She would be upset that Carber did not get a gift,” said Christina. As soon as the gifts were in place, the band started up with more dance music and everyone paired up again. James took Lydia’s hand and started to dance with her. Selene had to drag Zealot onto the dance floor. “I fight, I do not dance,” objected Zealot. “To fight as you do, it requires great balance and control, you can to dance and you are dancing with me,” said Selene. Salem also had to drag Lieutenant Harke out onto the dance floor and get him to dance with her. Jarody got up and took Christina’s hand to dance with her. “What about Vivien?” asked Christina. “I already danced with her,” said Jarody. “Vivien could see that David looked down and so she grabbed David and pulled him on the floor to dance. Midnight came want went with a big cheer for the new year and the party broke at around two AM leaving the room empty and only the few crewmembers to clean up after.