The day after they had set out from Port Colwald, it was a little less cold because they were sailing away from a cold climate and towards a warmer one. In the Great Grasslands, it was usually around seventy degrees Fahrenheit all year round; so for a day or two of travel, they'd be in that temperature until they got to the mountains, where it would likely be cold as hell.
    Genesis felt less freezing and decided to go above deck, because it was nicer than below, wearing his brown rawhide jacket to keep warm. The sky above was blue with a rare white cloud in sight; it was nice out, even though it was windy. He sat on the stairs leading up to the helm, a book spread across his knees and a blanket over his shoulders as he stared down at it, reading intently.
    He was so entranced by the book, in fact, that he didn't notice the angelic figure sit beside him.
    "...If I may ask-"
    Genesis yelped and jumped so high he almost threw himself over the edge of the ship, snapping his book shut. "Jesus Fella, don't do that!"
    Beside him, Felladere blinked. "Apologies. I presumed my presence was known."
    "No, not really..." Genesis sighed, pushing his glasses further up on his nose as he patted Fells's bare shoulder. "It's okay, buddy, you didn't mean it. What were you gonna ask me?"
    "I was going to inquire as to who Edward is and why the narrator is so enthralled by him."
    Genesis's eyes widened. "You were reading my book over my shoulder?!"
    "Yes. I found the text... Interesting." Fells said slowly. "The narrator certainly has a way with words. Edward must be a wonderful character although all the vampires I have met are horridly clueless and quite unpleasant to have dinner with."
    Genesis's face reddened with embarrassment as a nearby couple of sailors howled with laughter at what they had heard.
    Fells looked at them with slight confusion. "What is funny?"
    Genesis sighed. "The book I'm reading is... Famous for not being good, but I like it. I just wish people would let other people read the things  they like even thought the popular opinion is that it isn't good..."
   Fells blinked, thinking. He stood up. "Would you like me to erase their memories?"
     "No, no!" Genesis said, pulling him back down quickly. "It's okay, I don't mind that much. I mean it won't stop me reading it, I really like these books even though they aren't too popular..."
    "Perhaps I should read these books. Then we could discuss them and you would not feel as alone."
    Genesis looked up and smiled. "Really, you'd do that?"
    Fells looked away. "Since I was released from my statue, I have found myself with little to do to occupy myself."
    Genesis smiled and handed him his book. "There. You can read it if you really want to."
    Fells nodded, examining the cover, which showed a picture of hands cupping an apple and read, 'Twilight'. "Are you sure you would not like to finish before letting me read it?"
    "Nah." Genesis said. "I've read it like six times. Good shit."
    Fells appeared confused. "Good shit?"
    Genesis snorted. "Don't even bother."
    "...The last time I was in the mortal realm, books were unpopular. Most people could not read. Now everyone has an opinion about this book. The norm has greatly changed."
    Genesis looked at him. "What year were you last here? Before you were the statue, I mean."
    Fells hummed. "678-1." He said.
    Genesis tilted his head.
    Fells looked at him. "What is it?"
    "That's not how we tell years."
    "Oh, has that changed too? I am very far behind indeed..."
    Genesis smiled sympathetically. "Here, lemme help you." He pulled off his bag and sorted through it. He eventually pulled out a box with a toothbrush and toothpaste inside. "We use these now to keep our teeth clean, so they don't hurt or fall out or look nasty as heck."
    Felladere nodded studiously. "I remember the poor hygiene of humanity in my time. It was less than enjoyable. What is this called?"
    "A toothbrush."
    "Appropriate title."
    "Right? And here, this is a common type of clothing people wear nowadays called a teeshirt."
    Genesis handed Fells a folded, rather old-looking white shirt, with only the word '#NYC' in bold black letters. Fells tilted his head. "This is similar to a surcoat."
    "Yeah, but it's more convenient." Genesis said. "Maybe you should try wearing one."
    "I have no reason to." Felladere replied. "I do not get cold, and it would get in the way of my wings."
    "You don't get cold?"
    "No."
    "You lucky little shit." Genesis took the shirt back, putting it in his bag with his toothbrush. "And this, is my Lecteur."
    He gave Felladere a small box, maybe four inches long and two wide.
    "What is this used for?" Felladere queried in confusion.
    "You use it to listen to music." Genesis said, plugging a pair of headphones into a small hole on the top and placed them on Fells's head although it was an awkward fit due to the Valkyrie's horns. Genesis flipped through the various songs on the Lecteur for a moment, making sure the volume wasn't too high before he put on a song.
    Fells straightened up in surprise at the sound of the strange new music, his eyes opening a little wider.
    "Oh yeah I'll tell you something I think you'll understand. When I say that something, I wanna hold your hand."
    Fells's brow furrowed. "What is this?"
    "It's a song by the Beatles, best band ever in my opinion." Genesis said. "It's called I Wanna Hold Your Hand."
    Fells hesitated. "The Beatles... Interesting..." He took off the headphones, giving them back to Genesis. "I have heard that song before."
    Genesis blinked. "You what? I thought you were in that angel statue thing for centuries."
    "I was."
    "But this song came out like fifty years ago."
    "I figured as much..." Felladere hesitated. "Perhaps I am mistaken."
    "Yeah, maybe..." Genesis moved on, putting the Lecteur in his bag before pulling out a bigger toothbrush. "This is a hairbrush! Wanna try?"
    Fells blinked. "O... Okay..." He reached back and pulled the string pulling up his hair, causing it to fall down. The light brown, rather unkempt strands went about down to the base of his neck. Genesis moved behind him and put a hand on the back of his shoulder before he started moving the brush down through his hair. Fells stiffened a little, but relaxed after a moment.
   Genesis smirked softly. "Dude, you'll gonna look like a frickin' princess."
    There was the sound of someone clearing their throat and the brush halted abruptly. Genesis and Fells looked towards the sound and saw Jade herself standing at the bottom of the stairs, smirking a little in amusement with her arms crossed.
    Genesis slowly pulled the brush away. "Look, it's just - it's just bro time." He said.
    Jade snorted, walking past them up the stairs. "Alright, don't let me interrupt. I'm sure Fells will be a wonderful princess. If you want to put ribbons in his hair, I think I might have some in my bag. Genesis scowled, sticking his tongue out after her.
    Fells made an interested sound. "What is a br-"
    Genesis cut the confused Valkyrie off by smacking his arm.

That night after dinner in the mess hall below the ship, all was calm. Most of the crew members had left the place leaving the three Sky Army members alone at a table.
    Jade had a map unrolled and was pointing around at it, spreading ideas of where they should go next on their route to the Chu Monastery. "If we go immediately to the mountains, we should get there faster."
    "But how fast can we make it there?" Genesis asked.
    "Well I talked to the captain. We're arriving in Grimsdale tomorrow night. So we can get an inn and we should be able to get to the mountain by the night after that and then the night after that we'll get to the Monastery."
    "Then it'll take time for the remedy to be made and then we have to take another four days to get home and in that time, Sky will never make it." Genesis said.
    Jade stared down at the map in silence for a moment. "...He's strong."
    "Not strong enough for this. We need more time."
    "Well this is all the time we have!" Jade sighed, covering her eyes with her hand. They were quiet a moment as they all stared down at the map. "Gen...Did you ever think, when we kept putting in for more exciting missions... Did you ever think it would be like this...?" Jade asked Genesis finally, her voice quieter.
   "...No." Genesis replied, equally solemn.
    Felladere stared between the two, emotionless as ever, but still somehow seeming sympathetic.
    After awhile, Jade stood up. "I'll go transmit the report to the base... You two should rest."
    She left, leaving Genesis and Fells alone. "Lemme guess," Gen said, turning to Fells. "You don't sleep, do you."
    "Your assumption is correct. I have no reason to rest. You, however, should go." Fells replied.
    "Oh I intend to, sleep is my favorite part of every day." Genesis smiled sadly. "You stay with Jade, okay? She could use a guardian angel, more than she'll admit."
   Felladere stared a moment before nodding. "I understand." Genesis nodded to him and the Valkyrie left, leaving him alone at the table. He took a drink of rum as he stared down at the map and he choked on the strong alcohol, pushing it away. He shuddered, then focused on the map again, hoping maybe he could come up with a faster route to the Chu Monastery.