Chapter 47 – A Conversation by the Lake
The group finally reached the edge of a stunning crystal-clear lake, its surface smooth as glass and surrounded by thick, vibrant vegetation that rustled softly in the evening breeze. The fading daylight gave way to twilight, and they decided this was the perfect spot to set up camp for the night. Razan surveyed the area, taking in the serene beauty, the moon's reflection already beginning to shimmer and dance on the calm water.
"Well, it's a beautiful place, for sure."
He then glanced over at Hank, who was carefully examining Sean's injury, kneeling beside him with a focused expression.
"So, is he in one piece?"
Hank looked up at Sean and replied:
"Well, he dislocated his foot."
Razan shrugged casually.
"Well, there's nothing to be done. Then let's sacrifice him soon so he doesn't keep suffering."
Sean shot back immediately.
"Very funny. Instead of picking on me, how about helping with something?"
Razan crossed his arms.
"I'm not in the mood to take care of a sick guy."
Loona raised an eyebrow: Well, then if we have a kid one day, does that mean you won't take care of him?"
Razan pointed straight at Sean.
"Are you seriously comparing our future kid to this ugly thing here?"
Loona smirked: Well, you're right.
Sean threw his hands up.
"You know I'm listening, right?"
Charlie piped up.
"Well, it's not right to talk like that."
Sean nodded gratefully.
"Thanks for the consideration, finally."
Charlie continued without missing a beat.
"Even if that's true, we have to think about his feelings."
Sean stared at them.
"Seriously? That's it? You're going to treat me like this?"
Everyone turned to look at him, paused for a second, and then burst into laughter. The day's built-up tension dissolved into light, easy chuckles around the newly lit campfire, the flames crackling and casting warm glows on their faces.
After a while of joking around and trading more teasing remarks, Hank looked at Sean seriously.
"Well, we'll have to put your leg back in place."
Sean sighed.
"Well, let's go. What other choice do I have?"
Razan offered with a grin.
"Well, if you don't want to feel any pain, I can knock you out with a piece of wood like in cartoons so you don't feel it while we fix your leg."
Sean rolled his eyes.
"If I let you do that, I won't feel anything else in this life because I'll die."
Razan held up his hands innocently.
"I was just trying to help."
Loona grabbed his arm and pulled him to her side.
"Well, stop getting in the way and let them handle the kid's situation."
Hank turned to Alexander.
"Well, I'll need some help here."
Alexander stepped forward and positioned himself.
"Well, go ahead."
Hank looked at Sean.
"Ready?"
Sean braced himself.
"Ready."
Alexander counted:
"One…"
He yanked the leg back into place with a quick, firm pull.
Hank asked:
"But what about two and three?"
Sean winced.
"And where's the rest of the count?"
Alexander grinned.
"Well, if you want to hear it then: 1, 2, 3. Satisfied? See, it wasn't that bad. You barely felt anything."
Sean groaned.
"It wasn't good at all. Got anything for the pain?"
Hank glanced around.
"Nothing here."
Loona tossed something to Hank: Here, take this strong painkiller."
Hank caught it.
"Thanks, but you didn't need to."
Razan said:
Well, I've never been sick.
Loona added: Me neither.
Charlie thought for a moment.
Sick? I don't know, but I think I've never been either.
Kailani stared at them.
"Well, I refuse to believe we're the same species."
Razan nodded.
"You're right about that. I'm a powerful dragon."
Kailani smiled teasingly.
"Then why doesn't the lord dragon here transform and get us off the island?"
The others laughed along.
Razan explained:
"Well, first it would make the adventure weak and boring and, second, a dragon never lets anyone but the one he loves ride him."
Kailani teased:
"Well, is that like a worldwide dragon condition?"
She asked jokingly, not taking it seriously.
At that moment she said:
"Well, I'm going to get some water."
Gabato stood up quickly.
"Wait for me, daughter. I'm coming with you."
They walked closer to the lake's spring, the cool night air brushing against them.
Kailani bent down to fill a container with water.
Gabato said softly:
"The boy Sean seems a bit grumpy, but he seems like a good kid."
Kailani replied:
"Nothing will ever happen between us. If we get off the island, he'll go back to the United States, move on with his life, go to college. I'll stay here in Palau."
Gabato encouraged her.
"You can go to college if you want, daughter."
Kailani said:
"And who'll help you with work? And we don't even have that money to pay."
Gabato insisted:
"Don't say that. To go to college you can go to college. I'll figure it all out. I promise you."
Kailani smiled warmly.
"Thanks, dad."
They then returned to the campfire side and sat by the trees, rejoining the group as the flames flickered higher.
At that moment Alexander said:
"Well, you guys are very serious."
He then picked up the ukulele and said:
"So, who knows how to play?"
Hank said, looking at it:
"Well, I know how to play and sing, but I'm not going to sing for a bunch of bearded men about stars in front of a campfire. Not my style."
Alexander asked:
"You know how to sing?"
Hank admitted:
"A little."
Alexander urged:
"Then sing. Music is a great calmer."
Hank refused:
"No, sorry, but no."
Razan volunteered:
"All right, I'll sing."
Hank, Alexander, and Sean looked at him in disbelief.
Sean said:
"You sing? Well, dude, no offense, but you don't exactly look like the singing type."
Razan said, settling on a log by the lake, the campfire light reflecting on the calm waters, and pulling Loona into his arms tenderly:
"Well, I sing. And I'm not going to sing alone either, right, Loona?"
He then looked at Loona with a deep, loving gaze.
Loona looked at him, her heart beating a little faster, and said:
"Me? No. Why don't you sing with Charlie? I bet she'd love it."
Razan said:
"Well, because if I sing this song with her, the chance of you killing me when I start singing with her is very high."
Loona said: Don't be exaggerated. But what's the song?"
Razan then whispered in Loona's ear the words that made her blush deeply, her eyes welling up with emotion. She stayed silent, staring at him for a while, the fire crackling in the background highlighting the blush on her cheeks, and said softly:
"You're right. If you sing that with her, I'll kill you the moment you open your mouth."
Razan said with a tired but affectionate smile:
"Then that's why I have to sing with you. So do you accept?"
Loona, feeling her heart beat stronger, settled better in his arms and whispered:
"All right. Let's go."
Alexander said, excited:
"Magnificent! Then you can start, everyone."
Razan then started singing, activating his song power very weakly—just enough to add a subtle magical warmth to the air, making the lake feel more serene and the group feel a quiet peace without it seeming unnatural. He looked into Loona's eyes, his voice steady and sincere.
Razan:
I found a love for me
Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
Loona: Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
Razan:
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine
Together:
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it
Darling, you look perfect tonight
Razan:
Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
Loona: We are still kids but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Together:
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
When I saw you in that dress
Looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this
Darling, you look perfect tonight
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight
The group sat in comfortable silence for a moment after the song ended, the notes lingering in the night air.