Chapter 20: Ocean
“...and you say it's all gone, now?”
“Yeah. Collapsed right on top of us. It's a miracle we survived.”
“That's dangerous stuff, you know! You shouldn't go spelunking into old ruins if you have no experience or tools.”
“They're not old ruins! They're...they're a big part of history, you know.”
Still, Joey looked a bit shocked. He rested his forehead in his hand, slowly taking it all in, with Tina throwing him apologetic looks every now and then. Leon didn't care, more busy with sipping his hot chocolate; seems that he wasn't preoccupied with anything for the time being.
After a time, Joey rose his head, and looked at the little golden pebbles he's been brought. Unmistakable proof of everything that's gone down since these kids left and went to find some legend in the Yucatan, that apparently now was true.
Could his day get any weirder?
“And what about that Diaspro guy? Did he say anything?”
“We...kind of left without saying goodbye. We figured it would be a lot to explain.”
“They could get in trouble, you know. You were under these guys' responsibility, they
can be liable for your injuries.”
“Honestly, we're not after the money.”
Leon rubbed his neck a bit, unsure about it. It still hurt a bit to look around, even after he's pressed some ice to it. A lawsuit settlement would be nice.
“I doubt they'll manage to find the City. They haven't found it so far, why should we be worried?”
“Mh...be careful, though. Who knows what some people are ready to do for money.”
He looked aside, sipping his cup. Guess Joey's family had plenty of experience in that domain.
After a time of observing the tiled wall of Joey's kitchen, Killa returned to the children's side, dutifully watching over them. Night has fallen a couple hours ago, and after such a long day, the kids were definitely in need of rest. If Joey had accepted to help them out for kindness's sake, the “cut” they've brought him definitely helped along. Just look at how he was gazing at the little orichalcum nuggets, already calculating what he could do with it!
“Have you ever been to other countries, Joaquim?”, she asked after a time.
“Me? Never. I mean, I did do some odd jobs at the border, but that's about it.”
“The second City is in China. We've got a long way to go.”
“Was it not Tibet?”
“Eh, let's not get into politics.”
“Damn, that's a long way indeed. You kids speak Chinese?”
“Not a lick of it, sadly. We kind of thought we'd manage without human interaction.”
“That's a shot in the dark. I mean, where would you go tonight if you didn't meet me?”
Leon shrugged, but Tina thought it over.
[…]

Read the rest here
https://archiveofourown.org/works/23790 ... s/58650856 