Leyland Adventures Chapter Thirteen: Part Twenty-One

"You're going out again for the final shard? Tysashi, don't you think it's time for a break?" Marissa asked. Her genuine concern prevented her from finishing the morning meal.

"Yeah, Aquiline said I needed to meet up with her today. Thanks for worrying about me, but I'm alright."

Aradressa just couldn't sit comfortably with Tysashi's false statements, thus sharing a memory. "Tysashi, you got home around twelve and collapsed on the bed."

"Oh, I was helping some people out. I got a snack while I was out to restore some energy, though it only made me more exhausted."

"Tysashi, I know you're trying to obtain all the gemstones as quickly as possible, but this strain on your well-being cannot continue. Regarding what Aquiline said, you'll be relaxing today. It's abundantly evident you both want to reconnect; I think it's quite adorable."

As if a fire roared inside her cheeks, Aradressa's face warmed up. Marissa noticed the rosy light emitting from her daughter's cheeks, seeing this as a perfect opportunity to continue on the subject.

"Oh Aradressa, don't be so sheepish. I felt the same towards your father. He was truly a knight without the armor, a resilient powerhouse. Such feelings eventually evolved into the agreement to have you. I wish he was here to see how his beautiful daughter has grown. He'd be overjoyed to know his tremendous strength didn't get lost in the gene pool."

Aradressa promptly concealed her cherry-red face, wishing her mother would put the matter to rest.

"Oh my, there I go blathering about him. Mommy's sorry, Aradressa. If it makes you feel better, you can excuse yourself from the table."

Without hesitation, she did just that. Walking away from the table with her hands still blocking her face.

"She'll extinguish herself soon. As I said, you won't be visiting Aquiline today."

"But Aquiline told me to-"

Marissa stopped him right away, proceeding to counter him with her own sentence. "That's an order, Tysashi. Not a request."

Despite the innocent look she gave, her tone said otherwise. He wouldn't dare to defy her orders, thus accepting her judgment.

"Y- yes, ma'am." A bit of uneasiness was sprinkled into his voice as he swallowed his disrespect.

Aradressa reappeared with a clear face, walking in as if humiliation didn't strike earlier.

"Welcome back, dear. Now then, I ask that you both use this day as distraction from your mandatory activities. I hope you'll have the exhilaration as a collection of children on a field day. Do I make my desires clear?"

They both agreed to her expectations, granting them freedom from the table. Just then, an idea chimed in the young princess's head.

"Tysashi, I know an extraordinary spa above the skies we could go to. I believe it'd be appropriate to visit to soothe ourselves."

"Oh yeah, I'd love that! I'll get my stuff prepared."

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With their swimsuits equipped on their bodies and supplies in hand, the trip to the spa could begin.

"So Aradressa, how do we get there?"

"We have to travel to Palm Tree Beach and talk to a certain character. So let us be on our way."

He gladly nodded, walking near her.

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Now at the iconic area of sand and sea, Aradressa led the way to the one who would deliver them to their destination. Surprisingly, Lily wasn't present as they passed her shop. Tysashi even commented on their absence; it didn't sit right with Aradressa either. However, she did feel chipper knowing Lily wouldn't barge into their day.

Tysashi's attention was captured by the high-spirited cheers of the current supply of fairies present. Some played volleyball while others took to the gleaming water. The wonderful sight of merriment built up a jolly feeling inside him, strengthened by the fact he'd spend the day with Aradressa.

Eventually, a man resting in a wooden nautical chaise colored sky-blue laid in their view. Upon closer inspection, his all-white attire signaled to Aradressa he was the one. His chest inflated and deflated in a rhythmic pattern, sleeping like a relaxed child.

"Oh, he's asleep. Are we allowed to wake him?"

"Yes, we are." Aradressa approached the man, putting light pressure on his chest.

"Wave! Wave!" She shouted, shifting his body.

"Hmm, that feels good, little baby." He uttered softly.

A bit disturbed, she hoisted him up. "Wave, it's me!" She upgraded the intensity, eventually bringing Wave to consciousness.

"Hmm? P- princess?" He yawned, rubbing his eyes.

"Hello, Wave. We need you to perform your technique."

"Eh, my what? Oh, wait. Ok, I remember now. Yeah yeah, that thing. If they ask for a ticket, tell them to let our princess and champion through free of charge."

Wave took a deep inhale, blowing a bubble from his mouth that gradually grew. Tysashi felt a quick shock of surprise rush through his nerves as Wave continued. Now at the recommended size, the durable bubble could support both of them.

"Alright, just stick yourselves on the bubble, and it'll take you there. Please hurry it up, I wanna get back to sleep."

"Thank you, Wave. Tysashi, are you rea-?"

Aradressa spotted how Tysashi viewed Wave's technique, questionable.

"Tysashi, this is his only method of creating bubbles. If it truly disinterests you, you may hold my hand during the ascent." She offered, holding her hand out.

He stared at the bubble, Aradressa, and Wave before making his ultimate decision.

"Hey man, if it makes you feel more comfortable, it's not spit. Just pure, sticky water. You won't fall off, even if you did, Aradressa should be able to save you."

"Yeah, sorry. I'm just...not used to a style of transportation like this."

"It's fine, my man. But this is my only way of getting you there."

Taking a moment to cool himself, Tysashi defeated his discomfort and held on to the bubble. Aradressa followed his actions, smiling towards him for overcoming his hesitancy. Prepared to return to his peaceful nap, Wave sent the bubble upwards, putting his hand in a repetitive swaying motion.

As their view of the beach became limited, the anticipation of the spa allowed them to ignore the lethal heights. Soon enough, they arrived.

Eight similarly sized islands stood stationary in the air, each with a large body of water surrounding a great field of vibrant grass and healthy trees. Fairies filled the sky, catering to customers and keeping watch. A white, towering building laid in the center of the islands. Rectangular in design, the building contained two floors installed with clear windows. The air, pristine and warm, as steam swam around. The area was truly breath-taking, just the presence stole the air from his lungs.

"This is Blue Yonder Spa, ran by Water-Types."

"Wow, it's...gorgeous to look at. Do we sign in at the building over there?" His finger pointed towards the middle island.

"Yes, though we'll have to fly there. Please have confidence in your ability to hold me firmly."

With their hands joined together, Aradressa delivered him to the center. Looking upwards, the establishment seemed much larger than what was originally seen. Walking in the door, the duo made their way to the front desk. The diverse shades of yellow in the flooring and walls, complemented with the ambient music playing from the speakers, could place a smile on even the gloomiest of faces.

The woman working the front desk had her eyes glued on the arrival of the princess and Tysashi, setting herself in a more professional position.

"Princess! Tysashi! Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to the Blue Yonder Spa, a majestic place maintained only by Water-Types. You may call me Teala. I assume you two are here for an island?"

"Yes, do you have any available?"

"I'm sorry, but we don't. But if you want, we can take you both to the indoor hot tub."

"Is this ok with you, Tysashi?" She inquired, directly herself towards him.

"Absolutely." He smiled.

"Great! And don't you worry about the ticket, we'd be more than pleased to satisfy our lovely princess and the champion himself. Now if you'll follow me, we can begin your day of treasured memories!"

As she excused herself from the desk, her remarkable appearance became all the more clear. Pure, white skin with a full head of lapis-colored hair tied in a ponytail. Her outfit, much like her personality, all white.

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Teala brought them to a room where steam decorated the air. A wide, rectangular pool sat in the center of the room. Glossy wood made up the floor and walls all with the perfect amount of lighting.

"I'll leave you two to soak for a bit."

As she left, their bodies invited themselves to the decently warn water. An audible sigh was freed from both their mouths. It didn't take long for their bodies to automatically sink beneath the water and refuse to move. Only the soft sound of the moving water could be heard echoing off the walls.

"This is incredible, Aradressa. My body feels brand new."

"Yes, my body has completely unrestrained itself to fully enjoy this peaceful moment."

"Yeah. So, about the Aquiline situation."

"Hm? Oh yes, please inform me if you're comfortable with doing so."

"So, I told her about the drowning incident, to which caught her off-guard. I yelled at her when I discovered that her aquarium had caused her to forget. I absolutely regret it. I just didn't want to die before I could get home. She felt terrible, and I comforted her, trying to diffuse the situation. She mentioned she could lose her position, and I didn't want that. In the end, we agreed to pass it to the side, and she gave me her Blessing. Now I can breathe underwater indefinitely, stand on water, swim faster, and probably some other amazing abilities."

"Hmm, I see. Well, I believe it was appropriate for you to act in such a way. Not only as a result of her selfishness, but her failure to provide. Your ability to stand tall while confronting powerful figures proves to me you won't allow similar behaviors to be tolerated. Tysashi, I have gained far more respect for you than I already owned."

A strange sensation rumbled in his body. Her words sent positive messages to his brain, causing some warming heat to build up inside him.

"T- thank you, Princess Aradressa. Your words really do have great value to me."

"Oh please, just refer to my position. You're my friend, not a servant."

"Oh, right. Sorry, Aradressa."

"Much better."

Teala suddenly came in, quizzing them about their moods. They responded positively, putting a smile on her face.

"That's perfect. Feel free to ring me if either of you need anything."

After her departure, the room instantly turned silent. With no words flying around, a majority of this time was spent in comfortable silence. Although the silence was broken by occasional conversation, it didn't tamper with the experience. Just each other's presence could make any simple activity just as memorable as a special activity.

After a prolonged soak, Tysashi's stomach roared with famishment. Aradressa caught the sound and could even relate to it. No doubt they were both in need for a meal. The desire to eat was stronger than the desire to remain in the water. With their supplies collected, they notified Teala.

She wished to see them soon, sending her goodbyes as two other fairies took them back to the beach.