13.A true challenge

Dear diary,
 
My back still hurts but I'll get by. I will get to why that is after going over what is more important. Yesterday morning, after my little walk with Eve in Iziper, I decided to talk with Talion and apologize to him for my behavior until now regarding Eve and their relationship. I offered my help to him, if he ever would have the need to talk with someone, about anything... I don't know how Eve will feel about this, but I will talk with her as well. But not now, I don't know...
 
Today's session of what's going on in our brains and let's try and understand each other better was about likes and dislikes. The best of them. We started as usual, around the room, this time beginning with Verfy. Everybody eventually said very nice things, mostly about how their favorite like is the bond we are forging right now. I decided to talk about my love for culture in general, and everything that goes with it: music, art, dancing, everything. It gives life its colors and flavor. I noticed Talion fading away at some point, which caught my attention. Eve said something about meaning, as in she likes to believe everything may have a higher purpose and meaning than we couldn't perceive. That gives her hope and makes her happy. It really made me soft and a bit sad, because I instantly thought about how she might perceive her relationship with Talion. Anyway, I decided not to focus on thoughts what will only bring me suffering. After all it would only stop me from actually doing something useful or good. Eve dislikes mediocrity the most. She said that nothing should be done half-heartedly and that bland stuff annoy her. I think I agree with her. I saw Eve upset today, maybe she was troubled by our walk, the other night. I kinda felt guilty in a way... I will talk with her when we get a moment of peace and quiet, alone maybe. The Black Sylph said she dislikes silence the most... :( I felt that.
 
After our little together session Verfy pulled me to the side and asked me if I was alright. Looks like my face gives out more than I would like sometimes. Haha. She saw Eve sad and asked me if I could maybe talk with her or help her since, you know, we've spent some more time together. I told her I was sad because of the state of how things are and stuff and that I will fix everything and she shouldn't be concerned about us. Anyway I appreciated her taking the time to ask. Nixie then asked me if I wanted to see some of her paintings. I didn't know Nixie paints! Her paintings were very beautiful and I was really happy she decided to show them to me. It made me realise she trusts me, on a deeper level, if I may say.
 
Talion asked my help because she wanted to talk with the Black Sylph. After we ate breakfast and saw the girls unusually interested in our cook, me and Talion headed towards their room. Eve was there reading with the Black Sylph next to her. I introduced Talion and his intents as innocently as possible and gave Talion the word. Eve decided to leave us the room. I saw her almost sprinting out shortly after passing us. That was...saddening... I knew the Sylph wouldn't be comfortable alone with Talion so I stayed close to her. Talion began talking and apologising for his mistakes and how he feels about the situation. As their conversation began to inch closer to his old party she started to write faster and faster. The Black Sylph wrote to him that he never listens, and whatever Talion said probably didn't help because she left the room and disappeared. Shortly after, she reappeared next to the bed, on the floor, making a heart-breaking sound as if she wanted to say something really bad. I quickly rushed Talion to bring the others to help calm down and help the Black Sylph. She then asked Talion for a hug, and my heart melted. I still don't know what exactly went inside her heart, but one thing I know for sure. She loved being around Damaschini and Lyiaria. We had a group hug, a very close but careful group hug. Eve, almost crying, asked us to stop this, seeing another piece of the Black Sylph falling of. It was a reminder for all of us how serious everything is and that we should take care of us, not only for our sake, but for the Black Sylph's.
 
After this moment I saw the girls talking quietly in a corner, so I decided to go back to writing my song. I was very focused on finishing it as it was bothering me quite a lot. Heron then gathered us and told us about how it would be better if he was the leader of our group. I know. It was pretty random. I am sure nobody was ready or even willing to answer that question at this point, so we decided to postpone it for the next morning after we all give it some thought. I went into my room after that.
 
After scratching my head a thousand times trying to write that song, Nixie interrupted me because there was a contest going on on deck, organised by her. A hand to hand tournament. I was, also, selected to participate in this contest, of which the great prize would be the best food and ale we have on board. I wasn't particularly interested in the prize, although it would be nice to win, but I had no choice nonetheless. I was placed in a group with people similar in strength with me. The first group was the muscle boys, and Verfy. I rooted for her even tho Heron was one of her opponents. Both have managed to get to the finals eventually, after some interesting fights. Unfortunately for me and Verfy, Heron won as he was much too strong for her. The second group was made of more normal sized people. The winner was Gerki. And then came our group. I fought my way to the finals along with Talion. I am starting to think Nixie really wanted to see us fight. Hehe. As the fight began I baited Talion into attacking me, but he was just standing still there. Anyway it didn't work, so I had to make the first move. After I got some good blows on him after making him dizzy with a well placed punch we ended up rambling on the floor. As I was on top of him striking at his stomach he suddenly and very violently pushed me away, propelling me into the main mast. It was a very hard blow for me, but there was no way Talion could have done that on his own like that. I tried to keep my composure as everybody around us was puzzled. Eve ran towards me to see if I was okay. I wasn't okay, but I couldn't tell them that, it would have created more chaos. They brought me downstairs and we talked about what happened. Talion said that he didn't want to do that, and that it was an unconscious move. He apologised for it at least, but I wished it didn't happen at all. I decided to take matters in my own hands, and help Talion regain his control back. It was clear to me that there was friction between us and that, evil forces (so we don't mention their names), were using that against him. So I decided to move into his room, so we would spend more time together. We decided the winner of our contest with a game of rock paper scissors, a very ancient game of deciding male supremacy among a group of friends. Talion won...
 
The grand winner between the three that made it to the end would be decided upon a riddle-drinking game. Everybody that knew a riddle pitched in, and the last one standing would be crowned the winner. I had some good ones, but I was more focused on trying to guess them. I tried to make some small conversation with Eve on this topic, but she was rather distant. I am sure my approach was cold as well, because my mind was troubled. I then had to sing for everybody, as the party was starting and people needed music. Heron, the winner made a good gesture and gave away his prize food to the others. After the party died down I went to go find Eve. She was hanging in her favorite spot between the nets an ropes, but this time a lot more tangled up. As she tried to untangle herself she fell into the pitch black water. I couldn't see her anywhere but I jumped face first to find her. I couldn't see anything, only a small flash of light coming from the bottom of the sea, which I found very unnerving. I asked Heron to come help me get Eve back onto the ship when I finally found her. The water was very cold so I quickly rushed Eve to her room and gave her some clothes and an extra blanket. She wanted to sleep so we left her alone. I have to say I got very worried for her. I knew how she felt about that water.
 
Nothing really happened after that. Everybody went to sleep, as mostly were drunk. The next day started slow. Everybody was sluggish from yesterday. I saw Verfy training with Xebec on deck when I woke up. They seem close. I spent most of my day working on my song and discussing rations and supplies with Xebec based on our recent progress and how much we still had to go. That gavan map proved very useful. I usually come in his quarters anyway to work on the map. We are exploring mostly new territories after all. The day ended fast. I didn't really talk with anyone, not even Eve. I know, dear diary. I will do something. I managed to finish my song, and I was relieved by that, but it was already late in the night. I will talk to her tomorrow. Wish me luck, dear diary.
 
May the Almighty watch over us.