Laughter and Lingering Fears

Three days passed before they finally docked at Otherrealm. Roy stepped onto the bridge, gazing out at the city. From above, he could see townsfolk bustling through streets, some carrying lumber, others pushing carts. A wave of relief washed over him at seeing the familiar place again, but it was tempered by a strange hollowness in his chest.

"Captain," Serenity's steady voice came softly through Roy's earpiece. "The second AI wishes to greet you. She's… somewhat shy."

Roy blinked, then nodded as realization dawned. "Oh! Right—the new flower AI."

A small, hesitant voice spoke up immediately after, trembling with nervous excitement. "H-hello, Captain. Um, Serenity calls me compost…but you can pick a different name, if you'd like."

Roy felt a gentle tug in his chest. Unlike Serenity's calm yet quick to anger, maternal presence, this AI carried a soft innocence. Clearing his throat, he smiled faintly. "I think 'Harmony' suits you better."

A delighted gasp filled the speaker. "Harmony! Oh, yes, that's perfect! Way better than Serenity!"

Roy laughed gently, nodding again. "Harmony it is, then."

"Harmony," the AI repeated in wonder, a childish joy warming her voice. "Thank you, Captain!"

A curt sniff crackled from Serenity's speaker. "Hmph. Remember, Captain, she's not better than me."

Harmony's giggle chimed timidly in response. "Sorry, 'big sis' Serenity. But don't worry, I'm sure someone will buy you if they put you in a nice pot at the market."

Roy glanced over at Eryndra, catching her amused expression. "Maybe not as innocent as I thought."

The group made their way deeper into Otherrealm. The settlement had grown significantly over the past weeks, filled with former slaves freed from their recent raids. Many occupied newly constructed workshops, discovering new crafts or reuniting with family. Roy's eyes swept over half a dozen fresh market stalls, each boasting bright signs and goods laid out proudly.

"Captain Gunn!" boomed a hearty voice. Svenne, a muscular former slave turned blacksmith, stood proudly behind his stall, waving an elaborately hammered spatula etched with gleaming runes. "Look, I improved that runic technique Takara taught me. Now the spatula hums lullabies whenever it flips pancakes!"

Roy mustered a faint chuckle, fighting a sudden pang of exhaustion. "That's great, Svenne."

Svenne's grin widened, waving his creation proudly. Eryndra stepped closer, curiously eyeing the swirling runes, while Lutrian struggled to suppress an amused smile.

Roy's forced smile abruptly faltered when a gust of wind swept through the market, carrying with it the briny scent of the nearby sea. In his peripheral vision, Roy glimpsed the distant shore, waves gently washing ashore. Immediately, a surge of icy dread gripped him, locking his muscles. Images of sinking beneath black waves returned vividly, and his breathing quickened painfully.

Lutrian reacted instantly. "Svenne, I'll be back to buy one later," he smoothly interjected, gently touching Roy's elbow. "Captain Gunn has some urgent business. Warrex is waiting."

"Oh! Of course," Svenne replied, confused but bowing politely nonetheless.

As Lutrian guided Roy away from the stalls, Eryndra moved protectively beside them. Roy's heartbeat gradually steadied as the shore faded from view.

"Thanks," Roy murmured hoarsely.

Lutrian merely nodded, respectful enough to not press further. Roy exhaled slowly, reminding himself: Keep moving. Just keep moving.

They reached the large circular courtyard, now the heart of Otherrealm's city planning. Several people clustered around a vast wooden table littered with sketches and carved miniature buildings. Among them stood the Triplets, Elyn Faevalen, Grifftin Salaboar, and a handful of freed-slave delegates. All heads turned expectantly as Roy approached.

"Captain Gunn!" Hina called cheerily. "Just in time. We were discussing expansions."

Emiko tapped a rough quadrant on the map. "We want this area for farmland—fruit groves."

Grifftin snorted. "Open grounds for beastfolk hunts should take priority over fruit trees."

Elyn pushed aside some miniature blocks. "And what about a dedicated reforestation corridor? Our old forest borders this zone."

Hina sighed, consulting her notes. "But placing farmland next to the forest risks complaints from both groups."

Roy tried to keep up, but their competing voices quickly overwhelmed him.

"We could put a festival ground here!" Harmony piped up from a nearby Presidroid. "Right between farmland and forest—a compromise!"

Serenity's voice cut in sharply. "That would block the main trade road. It's impractical."

Alejandro folded his arms thoughtfully. "We might reroute the road when we expand the outer wall next season."

Roy's temples pounded, anxiety creeping in as their voices tangled. When everyone looked expectantly toward him, awaiting his decision, another cold breeze blew in from the distant gate. Again, the ocean flashed briefly into his vision. Instantly, Roy's chest tightened, breath locking painfully as the sensation of being chained underwater overwhelmed him again.

His throat closed; no words came. Roy stood frozen, unable to move, unable to speak.

Lutrian stepped forward decisively, pointing at the maps. "The Captain suggests confirming farmland expansions in the eastern quadrant first. We can test the festival grounds on a smaller scale near the central square, keeping the trade road clear until we finalize our plans."

Grifftin nodded grudgingly, Elyn pursed her lips but agreed, and the delegates shrugged in acceptance. Roy finally found his voice, forcing a shaky smile. "Yes, exactly. That works fine."

Hina scribbled on her notes. "Perfect. We'll finalize farmland boundaries first and then revisit reforestation. Sound good, Captain?"

Roy nodded stiffly. "Good."

Leaving the meeting, Roy felt drained. Eryndra rested a gentle hand on his shoulder as they walked. "You okay?" she asked softly.

Roy sighed heavily. "Not really. I thought I'd shaken it, but clearly not."

She squeezed his shoulder comfortingly as they moved away from the courtyard, eventually reaching a quiet street lined with newly built homes. Bright colors marked the buildings, each bustling with cheerful business signs. Tailor shops, bakeries, pottery workshops—the hum of everyday life surrounded them.

A gray-haired freed slave named Nali stepped out from her porch, greeting them warmly. "Captain Gunn, please—come in!" She briefly showed off shelves lined with vibrantly woven blankets, each embroidered with intricate symbols.

Farther along, another freed man hammered iron rods into shape at a small blacksmith's forge, his wife selling pastries beside him from a tidy stall. They waved eagerly as Roy passed, their faces alight with grateful admiration.

Roy raised a hand, smiling gently despite the ache in his chest. The warmth in their eyes was humbling, yet at times overwhelming. He tried his best to accept their gratitude without feeling completely undeserving of it.

As they left the bustling market street behind, Roy paused briefly and leaned against a fence, closing his eyes. Eryndra hovered close, quietly watchful. He drew in several deep, calming breaths, letting the cheerful murmur of daily life ground him again.

By dusk, they ascended the stairs to the top of Otherrealm's fourth wall, overlooking the sprawling settlement below and the wide expanse of ocean beyond. The sky burned vividly with shades of orange and violet as the sun slipped beneath the horizon. Roy eased himself onto a stone bench carved from the rampart. Eryndra quietly joined him, her armored forearms resting on her knees.

Neither spoke for a long while. Roy's gaze settled on the distant, darkening waters, a faint shiver traveling up his spine. As if sensing this, Eryndra subtly moved closer, her presence a silent comfort.

"Still scares me," Roy finally admitted, voice low and roughened with vulnerability. "I can barely look at the shoreline without… without reliving it."

Eryndra nodded thoughtfully, eyes fixed on the sea. "No one expects you to be fearless, Roy. Not after everything you've faced."

Roy swallowed, his throat tightening. "Maybe not. But I'm Captain now. The sea is part of our lives. People rely on me. Feeling this weak is just… it's awful."

Gently, she placed a gauntleted hand over his own. "Fear isn't weakness. It just means you have something worth losing."

He released a slow, unsteady breath, absorbing her words. The last embers of sunlight vanished beneath the horizon, leaving a gentle lavender twilight. He turned, meeting Eryndra's calm eyes, and found himself softly smiling. "Thank you."

Her lips parted, about to speak, when a loud, familiar chorus erupted from the street below.

"Oi! Roy, sweetheart, stop makin' moon-eyes at your lady and come get some stew!" Tamae hollered, waving a stained wooden spoon.

"Ay, Captain!" Chieko cackled gleefully. "If ya don't hurry down, yer stew'll get cold and limp, just like Tamae's tits!"

Tamae sputtered indignantly, slapping Chieko's arm. "Quiet, ya hag! Yer tits sag lower'n Svenne's blacksmithin' apron!"

Eryndra let out a shocked laugh, cheeks reddening fiercely. Roy almost tumbled backward off the bench, snorting uncontrollably.

"Oi, Captain Gunn!" Another Auntie called, cupping hands around her mouth. "If ya need any tips on handlin' a warrior woman like 'er, just holler! We got plenty o' stories for inspiration, if ya get my meanin'!"

Eryndra groaned, hiding her face behind one hand, but Roy was already laughing helplessly, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"They're utterly shameless," he gasped, clutching his sides.

"Absolutely terrible," Eryndra agreed through muffled laughter, finally peeking over the wall again. The Aunties cheered raucously, waving ladles and laughing like drunken pirates.

Yet, despite the embarrassment, the tension had melted completely. Roy felt lighter than he had in days.

When twilight fully surrendered to night, they descended toward the settlement's busy main square. A lively bonfire crackled in the center, surrounded by eager children—beastfolk kits, human youngsters, and even a few wide-eyed elf children, all seated around a dramatic, firelit Warrex.

"...and when I tore off the masked fox's hood, it turned out to be my old mentor," Warrex recounted darkly, eyes glittering with menace and theatrical flair. "So, I gave him a choice: surrender honorably, or face his doom. Naturally—"

"Didn't you say ya never let bandits live?" an otter-child interrupted, his eyes wide with suspicion.

Warrex cleared his throat, suddenly cornered. "Normally, yes. But this was different, it was—"

"He's lying!" Harmony's bubbly voice boomed over the loudspeaker, mischievous and delighted. "Warrex threw that sneaky fox right into a swamp and watched him sink up to his neck in mud!"

Warrex spun around, scowling upward. "Pipe down, you noisy little weed!"

The children exploded into giggles, and even Roy couldn't suppress his laughter at Warrex's indignant sputtering. Warrex glared toward Roy, silently pleading for backup, but Roy only shrugged helplessly, grinning wide.

"Seems your legend grows, Warrex," Roy teased gently, finally relaxing as the kids clamored for more scandalous details.

Warrex folded his arms, mock-offended, but a slight grin crept onto his rugged face. "Laugh now, Captain. I'll remember this."

The sky was fully dark by the time Roy, Eryndra, and Lutrian finally made their way toward the Nightshatter's mooring. The streets had quieted, yet scattered lanterns and twinkling shop lights cast a comforting glow. Freed slaves called out greetings, waving cheerfully as they passed, their sincere smiles lifting Roy's spirits despite his weariness.

Reaching the gangplank, Roy hesitated, his chest tightening at the sight of the shadowy waters. He took one steadying breath, then another, willing his feet to move forward. You can do this, he told himself silently.

Turning back, he offered a genuine smile. "Thanks for today."

Lutrian gave him a knowing nod, eyes calm. Eryndra's gaze softened warmly. "Rest well, Roy. We'll be here if you need us."

Ascending the gangplank, Roy felt the familiar vibration of the Nightshatter beneath his boots, comforting and welcoming. Presidroids floated gently past, performing quiet nightly tasks, their soft humming filling the air. Above, stars glittered clearly, reflected faintly upon the dark, gentle waves.

As he reached the deck, Serenity's voice came through gently. "Welcome home, Captain."

A soft giggle quickly followed. "Night-night, Captain!" Harmony chimed sweetly.

Roy smiled softly to himself, finally exhaling deeply, feeling a subtle yet profound peace settle over him. Though shadows of fear lingered, he realized he wasn't facing them alone. Here, amidst these people he'd come to cherish and the ship that had become home, Roy knew he would eventually find his footing again.

Tonight, at least, he would rest easy.