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Caelus stared at the water. Belobog had been all ice and cold, but the Luofu was technologically altered to have great weather. It still amazed him that there was an entire sea on the ship. The water had quickly re-covered the ruins they’d traversed. When he focused, he could barely make out a faint glow on the seafloor: dragon eggs. The group was letting the General rest while they awaited the arrival of Himeko. Welt would need help sealing the Stellaron, he’d refused to leave the matter to the master diviner. Not, he said, because he doubted the woman’s capabilities. But it was simply something he wanted to see through himself. It was, after all, the role of the Astral Express. Footsteps behind him drew his gaze up. Dan Heng hesitated and Caelus gestured for the other man to sit. The stone beneath him was cold and hard, but he’d been too tired to care.
“So,” Caelus returned his gaze outward as he began. “have you repaid your debt- or rather your past self’s debt- to the Luofu?” Dan Heng settled and nodded slowly.
“Yes.” Silence descended over the two. Caelus knew he should talk. Dan Heng was his friend and they’d gone through a great deal together. Two Stellaron crisis (three if one were to count the space station. Although considering that Stellaron now lay within himself, Caelus wasn’t sure if the mission counted) were more than some folks saw their entire lives. He must have made a sound because Dan Heng looked towards him. “What’s on your mind friend?”
“You,” he sighed before realizing what he said. His head snapped up and swung around. Dan Heng was blinking at him, a little stunned. The man’s face was tinged red. “I- I- I mean. Just… this whole situation.” He gestured vaguely at his friend’s new appearance. “I’m not sure what to make of it.” Dan Heng’s shoulders slumped.
“I want you to know that I am Dan Heng. I have never lied about my identity. When the Vidyadhara undergo rebirth, we are new. It is within our rights to take a different name. I shouldn’t have had to suffer for the actions of Dan Feng, but I did for the sake of peace.” It occurred to Caelus then that, perhaps, his friend had gotten the wrong idea. Frowning, he shook his head and waved a hand.
“I’m not.. I wasn’t imagining you as a criminal or anything. And I wasn’t upset by you keeping your past from us. Everyone is allowed their secrets after all,” Dan Heng’s grateful expression turned to one of puzzlement, but before he could ask anything more Caelus continued. “I was thinking about myself in relation. I don’t have any memories. For that matter, neither does March.” At the mention of the pink haired girl, both men swung their heads around to look at her. She was chatting with Welt, a tired but satisfied look on her face. “What if we- I mean I had done something as well? And I wouldn’t even know what it was.” Silence returned as Dan Heng absorbed these thoughts.
“I couldn’t say,” he spoke slowly. “But regardless of a past unknown, go forward without regret. That way if anyone does come knocking, you’ll be able to face them. That’s how I managed to force myself onto the Luofu. I remembered you.” Caelus’ heart thumped in his chest and Dan Heng’s red face darkened a tad more. “And- and March and Mr. Yang. I knew you, my friends, might need me.” Kafka’s words came to Caelus’ mind once more. “‘When you have a chance to make a choice, make one you know you won't regret’.” “And that I’d never forgive myself for the rest of my life if I didn’t make sure you were alright. Besides, take it from me: dwelling on the past does no one any good.” Caelus nodded.
“Do you think you could be friends with the General again?” In sync once more, they turned to look where the man was leaning against a tall pillar. His eyes were closed, but there was a gentle smile on his face. Even though Jing Yuan had given the group permission to address him by name, Caelus still felt odd calling him in such a way. Dan Heng’s lips pressed together.
“He’s a good man,” he said at last. “I wouldn’t mind being friends once more, but I simply don’t know if that’s possible. There’s a lot of.. history buried between us. That being said, I wish him well. And I know he feels the same for me.” Caelus felt a mixture of relief and sadness. Now that it was assumed Dan Heng would be allowed to return to the Luofu, he’d been worried the other man would do just that. From the way he spoke though, it sounded like Dan Heng would remain with the Astral Express.
But Caelus also remembered something the General had said once in passing while they were sipping tea and Caelus was learning the basics of Xianzhou starchess. ‘“My past enemies are either dead or captured, and my past friends are scattered to the winds. Now that I think about it, I am indeed an old man…’.” He thought Jing Yuan to be a very lonely man at the time, but he wasn’t given the chance to reflect on it for much longer because he lost yet another piece. For the sake of the General, Caelus had hoped the friendship between him and Dan Heng could be reforged. Still, he knew it was not his place to comment.
Instead, his attention was drawn to another thing about his friend’s new appearance. Dan Heng noticed the stare and reached up to touch his horns self consciously.
“Do you find them weird?” Caelus shook his head vigorously.
“Not in the slightest. But will you be keeping your new appearance? You’ve atoned for Dan Feng’s actions, you should be allowed to travel freely as yourself.” Dan Heng made a negative motion with his hand.
“No. I’d attract too much attention if I walked around with horns and long ears. Maybe not among the alliance, but elsewhere? Not for the best.” Caelus nodded in understanding. He’d been of the same line of thought. But a part of him was slightly disappointed. The blue of Dan Heng’s eyes was striking and Caelus knew he could spend hours staring into them in awe. Not that he would, of course. Because that would not be a productive way to spend his day. And it wasn’t as if his other eyes weren’t beautiful either. Maybe it’s for the best that he'll go back to suppressing it . He must’ve continued to stare because Dan Heng shifted slightly.
“Would you.. like to touch them?” Caelus’ eyes widened.
“Are you sure?” Dan Heng nodded. Carefully, Caelus reached out a hand to run his fingers over the appendage. When he first saw them, they made him think of glass. The blue was spotless and almost see through closer to the tips. Where gold colored the horn, it was smooth. As if someone had taken sandpaper to it. Surprisingly, it was cold to the touch. Without really thinking, Caelus gave it a little tug.
“Ah,” Dan Heng turned red and Caelus immediately let go.
“Sorry,” his own face flushed slightly. “Did that hurt?” Dan Heng shook his head.
“No. I just wasn’t prepared for it is all…” From the way he spoke, it sounded as if there was more to it. Caelus was about to ask, but a clap of delight drew their attention behind them. March was running to greet a new boat. Himeko had arrived. Dan Heng and Caelus rose to meet their navigator. The air between them was far more relaxed and Caelus was grateful they’d gotten the chance to talk.