10/10: Blank

You know what’s the greatest feeling in the world? The wind blowing in your hair as you zip around about the tiny streets, the smell of rubber grinding on the stones, and the vibrating rumbling that surges throughout your body ... it’s just so easy to forget everything but the blurring of houses, shops, and canals whizzing by when you’re on a motorcycle.

I feel something tightening around my waist as I rev the engine and round a tight corner. Is it just adrenaline kicking in? Who knows, I feel too great to even process it. For a brief moment, I see someone shouting at me, but I don’t really hear them as I pass by, so hard to say. But, it’s not like I’m hitting anyone or anything, so it’s fine.

I glance over at the gas tank gauge, it’s dimming in its glow, so I’m guessing I’m gonna have to head back and get Az to refill it--maybe Ery. Oh yeah, even though Ery is riding with me on this thing, I just realized I hadn’t checked up to see how he’s doing too. I glance over my shoulder and--oh. Um, I think Ery looks terrified? Wait, he’s saying something...

″...ushiyo--LUSHIYO!”

“GAH!” I shout back at him, startled, “Ery, wha-”

″LUSHIYO STOP!”

“Wait, but-”

“STOP MOVING, IT’S TOO FAST!”

“Uh, Ery, that sounds like a-”

″LUTZOKH LUCIO MONTAGESSON!”

Immediately, I find a spot near the docks and floor the handle brakes. The moment I park the bike and prop the kick stand, Ery stumbles off; his legs are trembling as he holds onto me before giving me a hard shove.

“How could you ignore me like that?!” his voice is raised and he looks like he’s on the verge of crying, “I was screaming at you to slow down, begging you! But you kept going -- could you truly not hear me?”

“I’m...” I croak, shakily hugging him, “I’m sorry, Ery, it was just a big oopsie--I just ... I was so excited and you said, ‘okay,’ to ride with me and the feeling of going fast just ... I really blanked out.”

Ery trembles a bit as he muffles the rest of his frightened sobs into my chest, ”...Please, try to remember I’m here, too.”

“No, I...” I slowly reach out my hand and pet his hair, “It was just a bad oopsie, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again, I promise.”

We’re standing there in silence for what feels like forever before Ery manages to speak again, ”...Okay. I would not mind another ride, but please do not go so fast.”

I nod, kissing him on the forehead, “You got it, Ery.”

We hop back on and I cruise through all the spots of Vesuvia before we’re back at the Magic Shop again. Not as thrilling as going fast, but it still felt nice to see everything and feel Ery feeling content with me. Once I refill it, I’m definitely riding this bad boy again soon.