“What the hell are you doing Cookie!” Clef shouted. “You know this was my route for today!”

“Aw, did I steal your route?” Cookie mockingly cooed at Clef. “Or maybe it’s because you dropped a package when leaving the warehouse.”

“What? We didn’t drop a package.” Ryuu said.

“You’re correct in saying that, you dropped several.” Cookie said. “Which is why I took the liberty of picking them up and delivering them for you.”

“What?” Clef ran over to the cart and saw one of the straps had been cut. “What the hell, you cut the binds on the cart!”

“Did I? I would never do that.” Cookie said. “Besides, you have no proof of it.”

Silica walked out of the restaurant to see what all the commotion was about. She looked at Cookie, moving her gaze over to Ryuu and Clef by the cart.

“Hey, what’s going on out here?” Silica asked.

“Nothing, Miss Flak.” Cookie said, handing over the package. “Just delivering your order.”

“Oh, thank you!” Silica said as she signed off for the package.

“No, thank you for choosing us as your mail carriers!” Cookie said as she started to cart away, tossing something into the air.

“Are you two okay?” Silica said as she walked over to the duo.

“We’re fine… just a little workplace competition.” Clef said.

“That looked like a little more than competition.” Silica said. “But, there will always be people who try and put you down.”

Silica stands up and walks to the diner’s entrance, shouting towards the kitchen.

“Hey, Greasy!” Silica shouted.

“Yeah, boss!” An older Geckomander poked his head out.

“Can you keep an eye on the restaurant for me? There’s something I need to do real quick.” Silica said.

“Yeah, I can do that!” Greasy said as he walked out of the kitchen.

“Come, sit with me.” Silica said as she helped Clef up, something landing on her head as they walked in. The three sat down in a booth at the diner, Greasy bringing by water for them.

“So…” Ryuu said.

“That looked like more than workplace competition… as you put it.” Silica said. “Tell me Clef, what’s wrong?”

“Well, Cookie is so mean to me for no reason.” Clef said. “And she’s only being mean to me, no one else.”

“She’s probably just insecure about herself.” Silica said. “A lot of bullies are insecure like that.”

“She doesn’t seem insecure.” Ryuu said. “She was acting rather cocky about the packages earlier.”

“That’s fair, maybe she’s jealous.” Silica said.

“Jealous of what?” Clef asked.

“I’ve heard that you’re rather close to Celeste, your boss.” Silica said. “Right?”

“Yeah? Celeste says that I’m like a niece or a daughter to her.” Clef said.

“That might be it.” Ryuu said. “But then again, it’s not important.”

“Huh? Why?” Clef asked.

“She’s just trying to get a rise out of you.” Silica said. “And it’s working.”

“You’re right… I just have to stop reacting to her.” Clef said.

“Coming from someone who was a part of the corporate world at one point in her life.” Silica said. “Workplace bullying is horrifically common, maybe just talk to Celeste about Cookie.”

“You worked in an office before?” Ryuu asked.

“Yeah, it wasn’t my cup of tea so I left, but that was years ago.” Silica said. “Why?”

“Nothing, you’re the last person I expected to be working a job like that.” Ryuu said. “You always seemed like a free spirit.”

“It was a job that let me live comfortably… met my wife working there too.” Silica said. “But enough about me, you know what you’re gonna do when Cookie taunts you again?”

“I’m not gonna let her words hurt me.” Clef said.

“Cookie is gonna get her comeuppance one of these days.” Ryuu said. “I just know it.”

“Thank you, Silica.” Clef said. “I know it seems like an obvious solution, but I guess I just never thought about it.”

“Don’t mention it, gotta look out for my favorite customers.” Silica laughed. “I want you guys to keep coming back here of course. Ryuu himself is basically putting my nephew through college, he buys so much here.”

“Funny!” Ryuu said as he laughed.

“I’m serious…” Silica said.

“Oh…” Ryuu said.

“Anyway, I should get back to work.” Silica said. “You two should probably also get back to work, you got packages to deliver.”

“Oh! Shoot!” Clef said as she grabbed Ryuu’s arm, the two ran back out to the cart. Silica watched them drive off.

Ryuu and Clef continued to deliver packages to shops all around the Exceed, some of which provided gifts to the two in the form of free products, mostly food. The two had eventually stopped for lunch, deciding to eat the food they have been gifted, boxed lunches.

“Do your customers usually give gifts?” Ryuu asked. “People on my home planet kinda looked down on couriers.”

“You’d be surprised…” Clef said as she took a bite of some food. “We make sure everyone gets the stuff they need, they’re more than grateful for it.”

“Yeah, you should treat people with respect.” Ryuu said. “Even if they do the jobs that no one else wants.”

“Well said, Ryuu!” Clef said.

“Clef… I thought about what you said earlier.” Ryuu said.

“What do you mean?” Clef asked.

“About us being close…” Ryuu said.

“You… you did?” Clef coughed. “What did you think about?”

“Well, compared to everyone else in the crew… I feel closer to you.” Ryuu said. “We’re practically the same age, we’ve both lived long enough to realize that life kinda sucks… but lived too little to realize what we want to do.”

“You don’t know what you want to do?” Clef asked. “You always talk about finding Rothmore’s Treasures.”

“Well… yeah…” Ryuu said. “But that’s way too far into the future.”

“Then what exactly do you mean?” Clef asked.

“I’m talking about now… I’m still trying to find my place on this ship.” Ryuu said. “Kidd has the construction crew, you’re a courier, Flora works with security, Doc is with the scientists, and Scuttles is a student.”

“Go on.” Clef said.

“What do I have?” Ryuu said. “I don’t do anything when we’re docked here.”

“Ryuu, you’re our captain!” Clef said as she started to lean in. “That’s all we need you to do… that’s what makes you special to us.”

“Thanks, Clef…” Ryuu said as he looked up. “I’m glad I have you to confide in.”

“You’re… welcome…” Clef got closer.

“What are you doing?” Ryuu asked.

“Nothing!” Clef shot back.

“You’re kinda weird…” Ryuu said. “The good kinda weird, though.”

“Who isn’t weird at this age?” Clef asked as she chuckled. “Well, we should probably finish up our lunch and get back to work!”

“Yeah, I’m starved!” Ryuu said as he continued eating. “Good talk though.”

“Good talk…” Clef said. “And if it means anything… I think you’ll eventually find your calling here.”

“Thanks… means a lot!” Ryuu said.

The two had continued eating their food and talked, eventually finishing. They got back into the cart to finish the deliveries for that day, driving the cart back to the warehouse and stepping out.

“You did pretty well today, Ryuu.” Clef said. “Barely any shenanigans or goofs.”

“Thanks, Clef!” Ryuu said as Celeste met the two by the cart.

“I take it you’re done with deliveries?” Celeste asked.

“Yup! Cookie delivered a couple that got left behind in the warehouse though.” Clef said.

“Oh, that’s no big deal.” Celeste said. “So long as everything got sent out.”

“Thanks… she made it seem like you were gonna make a big deal out of it.” Clef said.

“Just ignore Cookie…” Celeste said, looking at the top of Clef’s head. She spotted a small pink glob. “Hey, is there something in your hair?”

“Huh?” Clef touched the top of her head when the pink glob stretched with her hand. “Gum! There’s gum in my hair!”

“I thought I saw something land near you.” Ryuu said.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Clef asked.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that it landed on your head.” Ryuu said.

“How did it end up on my head?” Clef asked.

“Wait… I think I saw someone throw something into the air… Cookie!” Ryuu said.

“Dammit!” Clef said. “I can’t make it out to a hairdresser tonight.”

“Let me try something… do we have any scissors?” Ryuu asked.

“Why?” Clef asked. “What are you gonna do?”

“Maybe I can fix it…” Ryuu said. “I always had to cut my own hair as a kid.”

“Well… what do I have to lose?” Clef said as she took out some scissors, handing them to Ryuu. “I’ll have a hat ready for if it comes out bad.”

“If it comes out bad, I’ll lend you my hat.” Ryuu said.

“Really? You never let anyone else wear your hat.” Clef said.

“Just think of it as an apology.” Ryuu said as he began to work on Clef’s feathers.

Ryuu had to be careful, he hadn’t done this to anyone that was himself before. He was careful with making sure he didn’t accidentally cut Clef. He wasn’t having much trouble with the cutting though, as feathers and hair weren’t that different… right?

“Presto chango!” Ryuu said as he tossed the clump of feathers and gum into a nearby trash bin. 

“You better toss that into something that’s not a trash bin.” Celeste said. “It can be a health hazard.”

“Right… sorry ma’am.” Ryuu said. “Either way… how do you like it Clef?”

“Let’s see…” Clef pressed a button on her comm watch, which bought up a little holograph mirror. “Oh my god… it almost looks like it wasn’t gummed up!”

“Glad you like it!” Ryuu said. “I thought I lopped off a bunch of feathers earlier.”

“What!?” Clef shouted.

“Kidding!” Ryuu said.

“Well… this is nova, Ryuu!” Clef said, enthusiastically. “Say, I think you might have something going on here.”

“What do you mean?” Ryuu asked.

“You know… I can talk to Cutter John.” Celeste said.

“John said he was looking for another barber.” Clef said. “He’s the guy who usually does my feathers.”

“Really?” Ryuu asked. “You guys would do that for me?”

“Of course… while I wasn’t entirely sure of this whole training thing earlier.” Celeste held out her hand. ‘Let me see your ID card.”

“Thanks, Miss Celeste…” Ryuu handed over his ID card, which got stamped with the Logistics Corps emblem, which had a globe symbol on it.

“That’s two stamps down… only four more to go.” Celeste said. “Security, Science, Training and Quest.”

“Yeah… It feels so close, but it’s so far.” Ryuu said.

“Well well well…” Cookie said. “You seem to be in a rather… sticky… wait, why are you so happy?”

“Oh… what do I have to be grumpy about?” Clef asked. “My day is going swell.”

“What? What about the…” Cookie stopped speaking.

“Cookie, please come to my office.” Celeste said. “There’s something that we need to discuss.”

“But I didn’t do anything!” Cookie said.

“Then you won’t have a problem coming with me.” Celeste said.

“Yes ma’am…” Cookie said as she started to follow Celeste.

“Toodaloo!” Clef shouted. “Come on, Ryuu… let’s go talk to John.”

Back in the commercial sector, an older man was observing Clef’s feathers. This was the man people called Cutter John, a former Quester, and hairdresser aboard the Exceed.

“You did this all with a pair of crappy paper cutters?” John asked.

“Yup!” Ryuu said. “I know it’s not a good idea… but I figured I should try anyway.” 

“It’s impressive…” John said as he lifted a couple of feathers. “Where did you receive your training?”

“My best teacher was the mirror… I practically taught myself.” Ryuu said.

“Pretty good, isn’t he?” Clef asked.

“I’ll say! It’s rare to find someone who practices on their own hair.” John said. “You must lack shame…”

“I guess…” Ryuu said.

“So, will you take him under your wing?” Clef asked.

“I can help with training him for a little while before bringing him into the fold.” John said. “That’s not an issue with you is it, Ryuu?”

“Not at all, sir!” Ryuu said.

“Then it’s a done deal… we can start when your training is officially over.” John said. “Congrats kid!”

“Nova!” Ryuu said as he turned to Clef. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Don’t mention it!” Clef said. “I figured that you needed a win after everything that’s happened lately. If you keep working hard like this, then we’ll be able to go back out into the fold. We have to look out for each other, it's our Starbounder’s Code, remember?”

“I remember it…” Ryuu said. “Let’s head out then!” 

“Yeah… let’s head out…” Clef said.

CHAPTER END!

Next Chapter - Clef of the Avenix