"You guys already made it," Derrin said as he walked inside, followed closely by Vizim.
"It wasn't that hard to miss," Zara replied.
It had been weeks since the last time Red had been here. It was strange. He had changed so much, and his life had changed so much. Yet, here they were, in a restaurant that hadn't changed at all.
It was still tiny and cramped. Still cozy and warm. Everything that had made him remember the place from their first time out made him enjoy it this time.
Vizim and Derrin joined them where they were already seated. They chatted amiably until the woman from before entered to take their orders. They all turned to Derrin and told him to order. Red had eaten here once and still didn't know what any of the stuff on the menu was.
"What the hell is a Curton Cheese?" Red narrowed his eyes as he quickly glanced through the rest of the menu.
"It's some sort of breaded cheese thing that's very popular in Montrel," Zara explained.
"You've been there before?" Vizim asked.
"A few times, other than completing the heart there." She glanced at Derrin. "They do have some pretty good food though."
Derrin nodded as if he had expected as much. "Your food here is so plain. You just eat fish."
"That sort of thing happens when you don't have the land to spare."
"So, how did it go with Finn?" Red asked.
Derrin sighed, "As well as can be expected, I guess. He intends for me to remain in Valencia for some time yet. It seems that my actions on Rim have garnered some interest. At least, I won't be thrown in a cell now that he understands I'm an actual soldier."
"That wouldn't have happened," Zara cut in. "For one thing, I wouldn't have let him. Also, the Captain will make use of anyone he thinks can be useful for his cause."
"You mean your dad?" Vizim asked.
"I was going to ask that, actually. Doesn't that make you a princess?"
Zara glanced between them briefly. "Didn't you say that Finn wasn't a king when we first met? That would sort of eliminate any chance of me being a princess."
Red shrugged, "I guess, but at this point who knows."
There was a creaking, and Red turned to find the woman approaching with plates of food. Most of it was unrecognizable. He could have made a guess, and it would have been embarrassingly wrong. The only thing he saw and recognized was the croissants.
"Ah, perfect timing," Red grinned as the woman turned away. "I have been looking forward to having more of these crescents."
Derrin blanched visibly.
"What are those?" Vizim asked.
"Crescents," Red replied as he handed him one from the pile.
"No… That's not…" Derrin began.
Zara reached out and grabbed one off the plate. "These are one thing I remember trying in Montrel. They are strikingly good at making breaded things. I definitely couldn't come here without having some crescents."
If it was possible for Derrin to turn further white, he did.
"Those are croissants… not crescents…" he trailed off when he noticed everyone staring at him.
Red bit his lip as he tried not to laugh. Across from him, Vizim had his head in his hands so Derrin couldn't see him. Zara had a faint smirk on her face as she continued to eat as if nothing had happened.
"I see what this is. You guys are screwing with me," Derrin pinched the bridge of his nose.
At that, they all laughed.
"How did this even happen?" Derrin asked.
Red shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps everyone just instinctively knew that it made more sense as a name."
"Yes, I'm sure," Derrin said flatly.
"What are you going to end up doing now?" Red turned to Zara. "I mean after Rim."
Zara sighed, "That is still unconfirmed as of yet. I probably shouldn't tell you anyway, but I will for old times' sake. Chances are, I will be put in charge of finding that blasted Pirate King. They apparently have a home right here in Valencia called Avelon. Where that is… I haven't the slightest idea, and neither does anyone else. I'm hoping to get some information out of the pirates, but who knows."
"What about you guys? You're both heading out to school in a month. What are you going to do before then?"
Red had to think about that for a moment. He really didn't have anything to do. He had finished his engineering project. That was the big thing he did with all of his time. Without that… he didn't even need a job. He was bloody rich.
"I guess I need to find the families of Cairen's crew," Vizim said. "Perhaps I can help give them some measure of closure."
Derrin nodded. "And perhaps you can get some closure yourself. What about you, Red?"
"Honestly, I don't know what the hell I'm going to do. Did you guys hear? I'm rich now. I've got more money than I know what to do with. Speaking of which, Vizim, I think I owe you some of that money as well."
"What?" Vizim asked in surprise. "Me? You already did so much for me by helping me get into the academy. I couldn't ask you for anything else."
"That's why you're not asking. You're receiving. Besides, you deserve it. You were instrumental in the completion of Aegis… and the creation of the name," He finished reluctantly.
Vizim narrowed his eyes. "So you stole my name, did you? At least you don't go with Red's Bubble Blip."
"What?" Both Derrin and Zara nearly choked on their food.
Red scowled. "Yes, I was going to call in Red's Bubble Blip originally. Don't fault me. It is still a great name. Vizim just convinced me that I need to find a better place for it."
Silence fell across the table.
"He's kidding, right?" Zara turned to Vizim.
"No, he's dead serious."
"Great seas help," Derrin muttered as he seemed to go into some prayer.
Both Zara and Vizim started laughing. Red couldn't help himself and joined in a moment later.
For the first time since leaving home, Red thought he finally knew where he belonged. Not out there in the wilderness fighting for his life. Not trapped in a workshop trying to make a design to change a world. But here, with people who cared for him, and people he cared for in turn.