Watch the Footage

Timeline Note: The night after the previous post

Jenny, why didn't you help us?

The nightmare felt different, somehow. The smell had changed. And there was all this fog. She tried to brush it away, tried to discern the shadowy shapes in front of her.

I died, Jenny. Where were you when I died?

She didn't want to move forward, but some dreadful force pushed her along. She broke through the veil of fog and saw -

Ben, broken and scarred, lying in a heap on the ground. Anji, bleeding and dying. Their blank stares were directed at her.

"I'm sorry!" she almost sobbed, "I wanted to help, but I couldn't, I'm sorry…"

"This a bad time?"

Jenny's eyes snapped open.

Anji stood over her, arms reached out to gently shake her awake. Curtains blew from the soft wind that filtered through the window, and moonlight shone bleakley into the room. “Sorry, you sounded like you were having a nightmare.”

Jenny stared blankly. "It's... I'm fine." Something clicked in her mind. "You're fine! How - ?"

“I-... Went for a walk.” Anji said, backing away from the bed. “I was outside, heard some screams, decided to make sure everything was alright. I can leave, if you like.”

"N-no, it's all right." Jenny's dream-addled mind was having trouble processing everything. "It... it is you, right? Not Nova? …Not that Nova wasn't - "

Anji chuckled, “I’m Nova too. It’s… complicated.” She sighed, sitting cross-legged on the floor. “I’ve got all my memories back now. How have you been, Jenny?”

She called me "Jenny". She never did that before. Jenny found it oddly comforting. "I've been… well enough," she said aloud. With a small smile, she added, "I've been worried about you a lot. You and Ben."

Anji nodded quietly, “I’m fine now, mostly. Just putting my life back together.” She flashed a quick smile at the scout as she added, “Ever so slowly.”

“Ben’s recovering as well. Though she’s more stubborn than I am, so it will obviously take a little longer.”

Jenny laughed softly. "I imagine so. I still wish I could do more for her, but... I guess some things just take time."

Anji smiled sadly, rubbing a knee with one of her thumbs. “She really does miss you. Even if she’d never admit it, she really does have better days when you’re around.”

“Maybe I should just join Severed Claws now, save her the trouble of tellin’ me.” Jenny was fully awake now, gazing out the window to the town outside.

“Nah, She-uh, she’d prefer not to lead, anyway. You signing up would just make her feel responsible for you and your safety.” She glanced around the room, “The next idiot that would try to enter here unannounced would probably be dead before their feet hit the floor.”

Jenny nodded. “And you? Still with those… ah, how’d you call ‘em… ‘criminals and thieves’?”

Anji fought a grin as she asked, “Are you speaking of Storm and Drive? Or are we still on Severed Claws?”

This startled another laugh out of Jenny. “S’pose it depends on who you ask these days.”

Anji’s eyes glittered as she answered, “For the moment I remain as guildleader of Storm and Drive, though Ben has also approached me about assuming leadership of Severed Claws.”

“She did?” For a moment, Jenny looked surprised. Then realization dawned. “Yeah. That makes sense.”

The mirth left Anji’s grin as she broke eye contact with Jenny, seemingly absorbed in the various wood swirls on the floor. “‘m not really sure what to do with that, for the record.” Turning to Jenny, vulnerability in her eyes, she said, “I’m not even sure if I make a good leader.”

Jenny blinked. “Course you do.” The statement came without needing to think. “The greatest part of leadership is bein’ willing to just do it. When people see that, they take notice. With Ben…” she hesitated. “Well, I don’t know much about her, and Kevin might tell me I’m wrong, but when you… well, when Nova…oh, this is confusing… anyway, when Kavros died, it might have been the first time in her life she felt completely out of control. Now she’s scared, she’s sorta lost, she doesn’t trust her own judgement… ‘s no wonder she doesn’t want to be a leader right now.”

Anji sighed, shoulders slumped. “I wasn’t really planning on accepting it unless everyone wanted me to. There are others with more right to the claim, and I don’t even know if people would like to see me with that much power.”

“Give her time,” Jenny said. “Let Kevin or someone handle the day-to-day. If she’s as stubborn as I think she is, she’ll get through this.”

Anji nodded, smile silently disagreeing. “You know her better than I do, Jenny. Thanks for the advice. I’ll bear it in mind.”

“‘S why I’m here,” replied Jenny, grinning lopsidedly. “Now, if it’s as late as I think it is, I should probably get some more sleep; forge has early hours right now. It’s good to see you again, Anji.”

“Sorry again about barging in, Jen.” Anji said, holding out her hand to shake Jenny’s. “If you ever need any help, just ask. I’ll do what I can.”

Jenny took it. “Thanks again. I’ll do the same.”

After Anji left, Jenny laid back on her mat, mulling over the conversation in her mind. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe Ben’s happier without leadin’. She wondered how Anji would react if she were really given command of both guilds. She wondered how Ben would react, given time.

Oh, well. Whatever happens, I hope I’m there to help.

Her thoughts eventually carried her off to sleep, and this time, she didn’t dream at all.

Mirae had dismounted after coming down to the second floor. The part of the forest she was walking through wasn’t nearly as dense as where she had found the cow, what must have been weeks ago, but she still wasn’t sure about riding through branches, particularly when so many started at head level. It might have been quicker to use the podium, she mused as she skirted around the base of a hill, but that was a familiar route. Nothing interesting there.

She ran a hand through her hair. One obligation discharged, with Likovya now well enough to run around, and two left. Finding Shriker might be easiest on the first floor, perhaps asking around among the city guard. She nodded to herself and stepped around a group of trees, so that the next set of hills came into view. Someone was sitting on the top of one, looking suspiciously like her second obligation.

“Hey! Marcus!” Mirae called, leaving Chet at the base of the hill and climbing up.

Marcus smiled as Mirae got closer to him. “Well look who it is. Been having a nice time? The hill is steep. Why don’t you sit a bit and rest?” He motioned to a spot beside him as he spoke. “I promise I don’t bite or anything.”

Mirae grinned in return and settled next to him. “Looks like you don’t even have your spear with you, even if you did try.”

Marcus looked at her confused. “Spear? I-I haven’t had that. I didn’t have it the last time we saw each other either. I realize that night was a bit hectic but still I thought you would have noticed.”

“I figured you might have left it somewhere for a night,” she said. “It never looked particularly easy to carry.”

Marcus grinned “Well no it wasn’t but I had been using it since before I left the army, I was pretty used to the wait. But yea it got broken during a fight, no big deal since I found myself a new weapon. Anyway what have you been up to lately?”

“I’ve been up on the next floor. Making curses, finding magic trees. What usually happens here. Ah,” Mirae said, pulling her bag out from under her cloak. “I brought food back.” She fished out a cloth bundle, giving him a lopsided smile. “Though I hear the war’s over.”

Marcus took the bundle. “Yea it seems that way. Sadly I was benched for the end there but it is nice to not have to wear a cloak with the hood up wherever I’m going. Honestly I was starting to feel like an assassin or some other criminal.”

Mirae laughed. “You’re not quite quiet enough to be an assassin, I think. How’s the rest of Storm and Drive? Last I checked, the temple was empty.”

Marcus thought for a moment and began counting off fingers as he spoke. “Well lets see. Zi and Tamar are alright, so is Hector but I’m not sure if he counts as a member or not. Anji is finally flesh and blood again. Julius is missing and the new guy is an ass. Oh and I’m recovered from my last insane plan.”

Mirae looked over at him. “...I see I’m a bit behind on news. Seeing as the last time I saw her, Anji had always been flesh and blood. And dare I ask how many insane plans you managed to fit in?” She smiled.

“Well yea Anji was a statue for a while and the answer is a few but everything pales in comparison to the one I pulled to get a cure for Anji.” Cathching her expression he summed up with: “Its a bit of a long story.”

She shook her head. “Be glad you’re recovered,” she said dryly. “I do think I have something to return to you, though.” Mirae pulled out a wooden pendant and tossed it over to him.

Marcus caught it and smiled. "Odd, I don't remember giving this to you. But what the hell? I'll pass it along anyway."

“Not that specifically, perhaps. But thanks.” Mirae leaned back against the hill, staring up at the sky. Or the floor above. “Think you’ll be moving up sometime?”

"Aww, you missed me." He replied with a grin before letting himself fall back and stare at the sky along with Mirae. "But yea I'll be heading up soon I've resolved most of my conflicts that kept me on this floor. Although I might have to find a hospitable floor to live on, since I hear six is an ocean and I know for a fact that twenty is a wasteland."

“You do have a story to tell. Though I expect the more I hear, the more I’ll want to just go see for myself.”

Marcus glanced sideways at her. "Depends how much you like mutants and the undead." He replied mildly.

Her face lit up. “Now those I haven’t seen before.” She turned to look at Marcus. “I think I can hold off exploring long enough to hear about those.”

"All right" he replied, pushing himself up and offering her a hand. "How about I tell you over dinner?"

She jumped to her feet. “Sounds good.” She began scrambling down the side of the hill towards her horse.

Marcus followed her down, laughing the whole way. He only stopped long enough to whistle for Binky.

Mirae pulled herself up onto Chet when she saw the other horse coming and turned to wait for Marcus.

Marcus mounted up and turned to look at the mage. "Well? Where's that eagerness of yours?" He asked before immediately taking off at a gallop.

Mirae grinned and spurred her own horse forward, making sure to steer clear of the trees.

Timelime note: Immediately after that last post with Anji and Jenny

Anji swung down from the eaves of the rooftop, fingers clinging tightly to the edges of the bricks as she descended from the upper city to the streets below. It had taken her longer than intended to get back, having stopped to relieve some thieves of their loot, and returning both to the guard. She shook her shoulders loose again, minor bruises threatening to make her stiff. Turning the last corner, she glanced guiltily up at the second floor, split lip wincing at the turning sunrise.

A person standing in her way forced Anji to stop short, looking up to find herself face-to-face with Kevin. Rubbing a hand behind her neck casually, Anji’s wince became a grimace as she said, “Hey, Kevin. Nice day, isn’t it? Cor, it’s so lovely, why don’t I go inside or something, it’s too beautiful out here this morning. Heh…” Anji straightened her shoulders, and glanced back up at Kevin’s face, “So… What brings you out here on such a fine, lovely, non-combative morning?”

The man propped balled fists against his hips and glared. “Where in God’s name have you been?”

Anji resisted a smile at his mothering, and answered, “Out. Yourself?”

His glare deepened. “And you didn’t think to mention it?”

Anji thought for a moment, “No. I didn’t. You were busy and I needed some air. Crows, it’s like you’ve never even met me or something.” She started to try to move around him, heading up towards the guildhouse.

He turned, keeping pace with her easily. “By God, Nova, you could have said as much at the time,” he growled. “Do you think I was too busy to hear you’re safe?”

Anji sped up, and raised an eyebrow, “Safe? I wasn’t going outside to have tea with my girlfriends. I went out there to do something which is more than I can say would happen if I. Listened. To you!”

Kevin put a hand on her arm, stopping her in her tracks. “Do you know what I have been doing tonight?” he asked in a low voice.

Anji’s hand sought her face, gently rubbing the strain out of it, “No Kevin. I don’t. I assume it has to do with heart-to-heart talks with your fiance, but hey, I could be wrong.”

His laugh came out harsh and unfamiliar. “Once I noticed you were gone from your room, Anjali, I spent my time scouring the building for you, and, subsequently, wandering the darkest parts of town in hopes of not finding your cold body.”

Anji glanced up at him sharply, “Gee, your faith in my abilities is overwhelming.”

Gently for all his anger, Kevin reached out and swept her into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way home. He walked in silence for a time, pausing at the door before he opened it. He sighed in frustration, and Anji could see tears glistening on his face in the moonlight. “Never do that to me again.”

Anji’s eyebrows narrowed, and she quietly reached up a hand to push the tears away. “I’m sorry.” she mumbled, turning her head to glare sadly at the floor. “I didn’t think you’d really care that much. I’ll… I’ll--” She stopped, grimacing as she looked everywhere but at her protector. “I’m really sorry.”

Kevin said nothing, his face an unreadable mask as he carried her upstairs and laid her softly on her bed, before retreating to the armchair in the other room. Anji sat up, walking outside to the door and hesitating, hand inches above the rough wood. Shaking her head, she turned reluctantly, silent war raging as she retreated back into Kevin’s old room.

Anji trudged over to Rachel’s house, the early morning sun searing her skin as she yawned, sleepiness pulling her eyelids reluctantly closed. A jolt shook her awake as she slammed headfirst into door. Groaning, Anji rubbed her nose, shaking her head to clear the stars out as the door opened.

Marcus looked outside and saw Anji rubbing her face and briefly glanced at the door. “Hell of a way to knock boss.” he teased.

Anji glared up at him, purple bruises clashing with her red hair, “Hell of a way to answer the door. What, aren’t you still
paranoid or something?”

“Nah, to break down the door someone would have to hit it with something substantially bigger.” He replied smiling. “But forgive me, for that was a low blow.”

Anji growled, “What do I even pay you for?”

Marcus stared at her and blinked once. “You pay me?”

Anji grinned, “Maybe.” Looking up at the taller man, she asked, “What do you know about people in comas?”

“Nothing, I left before we got to that point in my training and it was never exactly a common issue. Which of our friends is hurt now?”

“Zi.” Anji winced. “I was hoping she’d- Do you think you could just come take a look? Please? I’m worried about her.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow. “You have to ask? Of course I’ll come.”

“Thank you.” Anji motioned for him to follow, and began walking back to Severed Claws. “Say, you have anything for bruises? I keep getting them.”

Marcus let out a groan. “Look I realize you were a statue for a while and you may have lost it in the struggle but have you already ran through that whole jar of salve I gave you?”

Anji winced, and glanced back guiltily, “Sorry.”

“Why did I save you? You’re gonna be the death of me.” he said before wrapping an arm around her shoulders and giving a brief hug.

Anji smiled, giving a one-armed hug back as the guildhouse came into sight, “Oh, Kevin’s going to be around. Please don’t bite his head off if he decides to come out of his room.”

Marcus gave her a loose salute. “Aye, Aye captain.”

Kevin stood against the door next-door to the one where Anji was headed, slouched in a deceptively relaxed posture with his arms crossed against his chest.

Anji led him up the stairs, glancing over at him before pushing Marcus inside. “Uh, Hi Kevin. Marcus, you can go ahead and check on Zi, I need to speak to Kevin, if you don’t mind.”

Marcus was still standing just inside the doorway but nodded. “I have to get closer to examine her but might the tiny floating monster moving around the room have something to do with it?”

“The tiny monster is named Numen.” Anji explained as the little beastie flickered in and out of vision, voice thick with irritation. “It’s a… It’s like a magic backpack. Harmless for someone with Zi’s skill. Now, do you mind?” Anji reached out for the door handle, pulling it shut as she said, “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Anji turned back to Kevin, “You okay?”

He nodded tersely, glancing toward the other room.

“Marcus is fine. He wouldn’t do anything, I swear.” Flecks of silver shone angrily in her eyes.

“To you, maybe,” Kevin agreed noncommittally.

“Yes, to me; and to every damn person I ask him to be nice to.” Anji remarked. “He’s here helping me take a look at Zi for the love of Wolf.”

Calming, she mumbled tiredly, “I’ll be with him the entire time, Kevin. You can go chill with Ben. She’ll be safe as long as I’m here.”

Kevin frowned, and glanced toward the other room again. “All the same, I’d prefer he not know she’s here.”

“He doesn’t and he won’t.” Anji said, reaching for the door handle, “Though, to his credit, if he knew Ben was hurting he would drop everything to help her.”

“Thank you,” he said. “Still doesn’t mean she believes it, or wants it, though, so…” He trailed off. “I trust you.” He smiled crookedly. “I’ll be the bad guy. He can think I don’t trust him with you, if he needs to.”

Anji looked up at him for a moment, shyness creeping into her eyes as she began to speak. Stopping herself, she walked into Zi’s room. “So, Doc. What’s wrong?”

“Dammit Anji I’m a field medic not a royal physician.” Marcus had moved closer and was examining Zi. “What was she doing when she passed out and moved into this state?”

“She.. She was getting me my memories back.” Anji explained. “It wasn’t an easy procedure, and it required an enormous amount of power. There was some sort of.. thing. It was trying to kill us. She closed the portal and… Here we are.”

“Okay then….” Marcus ran a hand through his hair in bewilderment. “Look magical stuff isn’t exactly my area of expertise
Anj, From what your telling me she either simply magically overexerted herself and should wake up on her own...or the monster is still affecting her somehow. How long has she been like this?”

“A week, no change.”

“Okay then it still could be magical overexertion. We had a few of those that lasted a week in the army, like the time a unit of ice mages decided a snowstorm was a good idea. However knowing our luck it probably isn’t that but really when you get right down to it I’m just not the person to ask.”

Anji nodded, “Thanks anyway, Marcus. I owe you one.”

He nodded. “Several actually but who's counting? Anyway I think talking to Lori may be our best option here, with that library she has to know something about this.”

Anji began laughing, “With the way things currently are, Lori would probably want to experiment, and I’m not going to let her mess with my sister like that.”

Marcus nodded. “Fair enough assessment.” He paused for a moment. “You know its a shame Ben isn’t here. We seemed to have gotten off on the wrong foot without ever meeting, I’d love a chance to set the record straight, not that I have a problem with people hating me but usually they at least have a chance to meet me first.”

Anji grinned, “I dunno where she is, she likes to take off every now and again, you know. If I see her, I’ll let her know you want to meet her though. I think you two would get along just fine.”

Marcus shrugged. “I kind of doubt it. From what I hear she’s big on manners and honor, qualities I’m pretty sure I lack.”

Anji laughed, “Don’t believe everything you hear, Marcus.” She became more serious as she said, “I’ll let you get home now. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.”

“Yea, no problem. In the meantime I have to go look for a new place to stay, maybe I’ll just go exploring the new floors for the guild until we’re all actually recovered. See if I can’t find a trace of Julius, you know normal stuff.”

Anji nodded, stepping out into the hallway, “Sounds good. Just… Don’t die or anything, that would be messy.”

“Ah guildmaster.” Marcus said pressing his hand to his chest. “Truly your words inspire me. ‘Don’t die that would be messy.’ I shall carry these brilliant words of wisdom to all villains and monsters in the unexplored floors.”

Anji growled, and punched the taller man in the arm. “I hope you choke on a berry.”

“You say that but you would miss me if I were gone.” he turned to leave, “Anyway I should get going less time bantering means more time exploring, after all I’m winning. No one else has been to twenty, can’t fall behind now because that would be embarrassing.”

Anji laughed once more, “Say… About that bruising salve…” She pointed at her black eye, “Think you got something?”

Marcus rolled his eyes. “Oh go talk to Elric, you street rat. I’m serious about this exploring thing, it has good side benefits.”

“Fine, fine.” Anji shrugged. “Stay in touch, Big Guy. I want to know if you’re okay or not, you hear?”

He smiled in response. “Oh you worry too much, you’ll know if I need help. The swearing will be so profane you won’t even have to hear it to know I’m in danger. Oh before I forget...” Marcus took out a wooden pendant carved in the shape of the guild symbol and held it out to Anji. “Mirae sends her regards.”

Timelime note: the following night

Anji hesitated outside Ben's room once more, hand hovering over the door handle. Wincing, she shook her head sadly and turned to leave.

Before she could go, the door was wrenched open. Kevin let his sword fall back into its hidden sheath when he saw her there, and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry,” he said. “Light sleeper.” His eyes wandered over to the figure on the bed, sleeping fingers spasming irregularly and grasping at the air, before he ushered Anji in.

“I- I don’t want to interrupt, really. This can wait until sometime less… awkward.” Anji said, turning to leave.

“You’re not interrupting anything,” he murmured. “If you can stand the interruptions when her dreams get worse, then please, I can use the company.”

Anji gulped, then nodded slightly. Finding a chair, she spent a few minutes opening and closing her mouth, forming words that never came. Sighing softly, she blurted, “Who are you?”

He grinned, and reached out to tousle her hair a little. “I’m the same Kevin I’ve been all this time. Haven’t changed since I met you.” He paused. “Or was that not what you were asking?”

Anji frowned slightly. “I mean, I know you’re you. But… Where did you come from? Did you know your mom and dad? Why did you come to this castle?” She paused for another few moments, teasing the carpet with her foot. “I know it’s a little stupid, but… I’ve been moping and whining for weeks now about myself… I wanted to know about you, is all.”

“It’s not stupid,” he disagreed. “I… I come from a kingdom called Orono. I was an only child, which probably means I spent more time with my parents than most might.”

“Orono is a pretty name for a country.” Anji grinned. “What’s it like there?”

“It’s nice.” His voice had a note of pride to it, as though he were responsible for the land he bragged about. “Very mountainous in the east… the views are unparallelled. I’m more familiar with the cities, of course… and the sea, on the south, with its ups and downs. The beauty and the devastation. Trade, and also regular raiders making things a good deal less calm than our neighbours.”

Anji nodded and asked politely, green eyes glancing up to meet his shyly. “What did you do in Orono? Why’d you come here?”

Kevin coughed, embarrassed. “Like every man over a certain age there, I’ve been a soldier… But mostly I did whatever my father needed me to do.” His eyes roved distractedly around the room, not looking at his friend’s face. “My father is the King.”

Anji smirked for a minute, eyes boring into the back of Kevin’s head. The man refused to meet her gaze, instead letting his eyes roam around the room, looking at every object in sight. After several moments, the mirth left Anji’s smile, and she asked, “Seriously?”

“Well, it’s what he claims,” he answered absently, “and since Mother is the Queen, I’m not inclined to doubt him on it.” He still wouldn’t meet her eyes.

Anji grew more serious, mouth set in a serious line. “You don’t act like a lot of the nobility I’ve had the misfortune to meet.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. The words came automatically, though they were sincere. He looked at her, then, searching her face for he didn’t know what. “I’ve long ago decided that I’d rather aim to be noble than nobility. There’s more substance to it.”

“So--” Anji glanced away, bruise purpling as she winced-- “Why are you following me of all people? I mean, you’re a Prince, you could… should be leading your own guild.”

Kevin swallowed down his distaste, attempting to answer with a neutral voice. “Should nothing. You’re a leader worth following.”

Anji raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

After a moment, he forced himself to meet her eyes. “I’m not here to look for… subjects or something, Anjali. I’m not interested in being a leader here. Just in doing what’s right.”

Anji glared at him for another moment and then broke eye contact, "I'm glad you like Storm... We're lucky to have you."

Kevin shrugged and said nothing.

Anji stood, sad grin playing on her features as she turned to leave, "Thanks for answering my questions, your majesty."

Kevin stood, angry and hurt. “Stop it.”

Anji halted by the door, hand on the handle. "Stop what?" She paused, face twisting into a grimace as she mimicked, "Show respect to your betters, scum."

Kevin visibly cringed at her words. Ben let out a strangled cry, head jerking erratically from side to side. Kevin went to her, applying the wetted cloth to her neck and forehead, as he responded to Anji, pain in his voice. “Please, Anjali. Please stop with the titles, the… this wall you’re building between us. I’m not like that. God, I thought you’d have seen by now I’m not like that. I’m your friend, Anjali. I work for you.”

Tears shone in Anji's eyes as she nodded, once, fingers drifting unconsciously to a knotted scar that ran down the side of her arm. "I'm sorry, Kevin." She stepped forward, wincing as she sat back down into the chair, "I'm- I'm here. I'm listening."

Ben’s sleep quieted, and Kevin drifted back to where Anji sat. “Thank you,” he said, softly.

Anji shrugged, hands shaking. "You're my friend, I need to get over myself at some point." She looked him in the eye, adding, "I'm sorry for not trusting you."

He shook his head. “You have every right.”

"Any other secrets bothering you?" Anji grinned. "You can ask me a question. Fair is fair."

Kevin sighed, a reluctant smile playing on his lips. “You can tell me what you’re comfortable telling, Anjali. It’s not my job to push you.”

"Ah, come on. You even have a free pass!"

He smiled thinly. “And yet I don’t have anything to ask.”

"You are terrible at this game." Anji smirked, eyes dancing.

Kevin sat back. “All right, then, fearless leader. Tell me what I should ask.”

"Now you're cheating." Anji giggled.

His eyes twinkled. “Maybe that’s my question.”

Anji stopped talking, rubbing an arm self-consciously while smiling at Kevin.Www He thought he saw her cheeks tinge pink before she looked away, staring out the window, deep in thought.

“I don’t have to ask you anything,” he said again. “I…” he bit his lip, torn between honesty and fear of upsetting her. “I know a bit.”

Anji grimaced and sought out his eyes, her own fearful. “I’m not like that anymore.” she said, voice wavering.

“I know you, Anjali,” Kevin said, gently.

“I feel sorry for that.” Anji laughed bitterly.

He met her eyes, his face open and surprised. “I’m not.”

Anji bloomed deep scarlet, hiding her face behind her knees. “Uhuh.. I’m sure you are.” Her voice was sarcastic, but hope seemed to crack through it anyway.

“I know you, Anjali,” he repeated. “I see you. You’re a good person. I’m… It’s an honour to be your friend.”

Anji peeked out from behind her knees, “I’m just… me. No honour to be had.” She grinned, “That’s the benefit of being a thief, anyway.”

He grinned back at her. “Then in the spirit of my friend the thief, I’ll steal the honour anyhow.”

Anji curled up in the armchair, suddenly feeling very small. She hid her face in her knees, refusing to speak for several minutes. Kevin relaxed into the armchair, sleep tugging at him persistently.

“Thanks... For staying my friend.” A small voice wavered from the chair next to Kevin.

He looked up at her, expression soft. Before he could respond, a small, scared sound arose from the bed. “Don’t-- don’t--” Ben interrupted herself with a short scream, as she thrashed about wildly.

Kevin knelt by her side, gentle hands holding her back from hurting herself in her sleep, trying to soothe or at least calm.

He felt a hand tap his shoulder. Turning, he saw a hand holding a dampened washrag towards him.

“Thank you.” He accepted the cloth gratefully, fingers brushing against hers briefly as he took it from her to lay on Ben’s neck.

Anji said nothing, and returned to the chair quietly, curling up into a ball. She stared at Ben and Kevin, trying to blend in with the upholstery. Several more minutes passed, and Ben’s cries softened into quiet sighs. “Does Ben know?”

He sighed softly, eyes still on the struggling woman. “When I first met Ben… My mother had separated me from the woman I thought I loved, and given me strict orders to marry for the benefit of Orono, and soon. So I found Ben, and… we’re friends.” He sounded defensive. “Neither of us has the freedom to marry for love, and… we understand each other. Work well together. We’re luckier than many.”

Anji grimaced. Her eyebrows knitted together, and she seemed to come to some sort of a resolution. She spoke softly, enunciating every word, face solemn. “I’m sorry if my past actions disappointed you. I value you and Ben. Right now you’re the closest things to friends that I have. I’m not perfect, I don’t think that I want to be either. But, I am myself, finally.”

Kevin stood stock still for a moment; then he crossed back to the chair where Anji sat, and gathered her up in his arms the way he often had weeks before. “I’m glad of that,” he told her. “I like being your friend, Anjali Torvan.”

Anji relaxed for a moment, then hugged Kevin tightly. Taking a deep breath, she pushed away to meet Kevin’s eyes.

The man looked worn. Deep purple bags pooled underneath bloodshot eyes. Stubble had given way to the first wisps of a new beard, and his arms shook slightly under the weight of the small scout. Small worry lines were beginning to form around his forehead, and his shoulders bent underneath the weights placed on them.

“Kevin. I want you to do a favor for me. Can I get you to do that?” Anji smiled softly, trying to appear warm and encouraging.

“Anything you want,” he answered.

“I want you to get cleaned up, then I want you to get to your room, and get some real sleep.” Anji said softly, not breaking eye contact with the larger man.

He glanced over to where Ben slept peacefully, for now. “I can’t do that,” he said, his voice breaking.

“It’ll be fine.” Anji called his attention back. “I’ll be here. I can help take care of Ben. You need rest too.”

He opened his mouth to say I can’t ask that of you, but stopped himself in time. She wasn’t a scared little girl for him to take care of. He watched her for a moment… she needed this as much as he did. And this was Nova. He trusted her with Ben. Slowly, carefully, he set her back down on the chair. “Thank you, Anjali. I’ll… I’ll come if you need me.”

-------------

Anji settled into the armchair once more, after sending Kevin on his way and locking the somewhat flimsy door. She had quietly rearranged the space as much as she could, facing the chair to the door and window, as well as putting it as close to Ben as she had dared. She sat quietly for several minutes; the only noises in the quiet room were the sounds of Ben sleeping, and the soft oily sound of the cloth on one of Anji’s favourite knives.

After about an hour of peace, Anji felt sleep trying to weigh her limbs down. Shaking her head in one quick motion, she stood quietly, and padded outside to the balcony, breathing in the scent of the city. The trees were beginning to turn colour, and a slight chill teased the air.

The night was split by Ben’s soft whimper. “Please,” she cried, voice thick with terror and tears, as she unconsciously curled her healing body into a protective ball. Anji moved quickly and silently to the battered knight, whispering words of encouragement along with a cool cloth to ease the fever that burned through her.

“Hey, it’s all right. No worries. He’s not here.” Anji searched her brain for any encouragement that she could think of, “You beat him Ben… He can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

Ben’s hazel eyes stared ahead, glassy and unseeing. “You won’t touch her,” she muttered, and shuddered violently. “You won’t.”

“That’s right, Ben. He didn’t. You stopped him.” Anji said, sliding down the side of the bed, playing with the cloth. “He won’t hurt anyone now, and it’s all thanks to you, Ben.”

Anji sat with Ben until the nightmare subsided, whispering soft encouragements to Ben until her voice grew hoarse from the effort. By the time Ben had fallen into a more restful sleep, grey light shone through the open balcony doors. Stretching, Anji walked over to the doors, closing them silently from the fresh day in order to let Ben rest.

Finally released from the grip of her dreams, Ben woke, lifting her head and shoulders in a deliberate motion before blinking her eyes open. Dragging the covers aside, she swung her feet over the edge of the bed. She stood, putting her weight on the right foot, and carefully set her left foot down beside it, before sighing, and sitting back down, knowing that she shouldn’t push herself, frustrated that she couldn’t do more. Only then did she notice that she wasn’t alone in the room. “Oh! Anjali. I’m sorry. Did Kevin take your bed? I could move…” She eyed the path to the armchair, standing a little unsteadily. She wanted to walk it. She could, provided she didn’t pass out again first.

“Uh, I don’t think you should be doing that.” Anji said queasily, moving quickly to steady Ben, “I sort of locked Kevin out until he got a decent night’s sleep. I hope that’s okay.”

Ben nodded absently. “He should rest more.” A thought struck her, and redness began creeping up her neck. “How long have you been here?”

“Not that long. I just sat in here to help make Kevin feel better about leaving you.” Anji said calmly, easing Ben back down towards the bed. “If you’d rather me leave, I can.”

Ben flushed darkly, memories of pain and fear, fresh from that night’s sleep rather than from weeks before, ringing in her head. “Please forgive me if I said anything to upset you in my sleep. You know how strange dreams can be, I’m sure.”

“Eh, don’t worry about it.” Anji said, settling next to Ben, holding a glass of water like an offering. “It doesn’t bother me. I still have nightmares at times.”

Ben accepted the water and swigged it down. “You hold yourself together remarkably well.”

“It wasn’t easy.” Anji said softly. “I had this… friend. A long time ago. His name was Charlie. Charlie had the nightmares sometimes too.” Anji grinned softly. “He used to never sleep, go do crazy things just for the laughs. Once, I asked him about the nightmares, and he told me that they were a warning of what he’s capable of, and that he'd never let anyone else scare him like that again."

Ben thought of her own Charlie who had been tormented by memories. And Charlie had had Jennifer, who loved him, by his side, to pull him through the worst of it. She pushed the thoughts of guilt, for feeling pain about something less than what he had suffered, from her mind. She tried and failed to laugh. “If those dreams are what I’m capable of, I wouldn’t put much faith in my abilities.”

"One of my recurring nightmares is being stuck in a cage." Anji said seriously, green eyes staring at Ben's. "Where I'm from, kids like me aren't human. If I ever got caught..." Anji stopped herself, panting hard.

Ben’s hands twitched, weak fingers trying to form themselves into fists. “That’s sick,” she said, angry. She looked away. “And that’s something real. Something to be afraid of.”

"There are cages in every shape, Ben." Anji said, smiling reassuringly. "Just because the prison isn't made out of bars means nothing.

"I'm here for you, if you need to talk or anything." She smiled. "I've got some brains too, you know."

Ben shivered lightly. “I’m not-- That isn’t me.” She said it stubbornly, as though she simply had to convince the world to see things her way. “I’m not a, a victim, somebody who needs to be… rescued. I can’t… It’s not me.” It was easier, she knew, to futilely assert her wishful thinking than to consider Anjali’s words, to think about the cage that her own mind had built around her.

"You're only a victim if you let your demons own you." Anji said softly. "Ben, I'm not innocent. I'm not naive. I used to be someone's demon. I could be a monster, or I can try to make my demon become my angel."

Ben sat quietly, fidgeting with the glass in her hand before she put it down. She laid her head back on the bed, feeling suddenly very tired. Staring up at nothing in particular on the ceiling, she asked, in a quiet voice that cracked raw, “Why?

“Why are you helping me? Why did you… protect me?”

"Once, a long time ago, I was responsible for the torture and death of my family." The words fell like stones.

"I wasn't strong enough to do the right thing, and they paid the price." Anji trembled slightly, voice hoarse from the strain. She refused to meet Ben's eyes.

"I am never letting another friend fall because I couldn't be bothered to help them up." Anji felt her shoulders slump slightly, and she stared silently at the floor for several minutes.

“I should thank you.” Ben breathed the words like a verbal sigh. She grimaced. “It’s harder than I thought.”

Anji glanced over at Ben, head tilted quizzically.

She shook her head slowly. “Needing help.” She folded and unfolded the fingers of her left hand, getting some feel into the unused bones, before reaching out with them to take the other girl’s hand. “Thank you. For everything.”

“I’m not doing anything Kevin wouldn’t do.” Anji said, collecting herself.

“Yeah, but Kevin has an excuse. Got to protect his investments and all that,” she mumbled. “Whereas you’re being…” She was going to say “kind,” but at the last second changed it to “...you.”

Anji grinned half-heartedly. Taking a deep breath, she stood, crossing the room in a few quick strides and opened the balcony doors once more to let the fresh air in. “You need me to get you anything? I can smell food, and I know I'm pretty damn starving.”

Anji left Ben’s room, ducking away into the room adjacent of it, to check on her little sister.

Zi lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Hearing the creak of the door, she glanced at the redhead before returning to her vacant contemplation of the featureless ceiling.

“You okay?” Anji whispered, eyes narrowed in worry.

"I.. yes. No. How are you, Jie?"

“Peachy.” Anji grinned, settling into a chair across from her, eyes glittering in the light. “Now, you’ve finally woken up. Took you long enough.”

"How long was I out?" asked Zi quietly.

“Centuries, decades, years.” Anji teased, happy smile on her face that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’s not really important right now, Mei. You had me worried.”

"How long?" Zi asked again, insistent on finding out. "It is important.."

“About two weeks, Mei.” Anji said, eyes glinting silver, “Two weeks with no change.”

"Ah.. thank you, Jie, for taking care of me," she spoke, though her voice was listless and distant, as if Zi were listening to some other voice Anji could not hear.

Anji grasped her sister’s hand, anchoring her to reality, “Mei, I have a question for you.”

"Hm?"

“You uh…” Anji paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts, “Are you and Tamar… walking out?”

"I'm.. ah.." A faint blush spread across her face, extending even to her collarbones. "I'm not doing any walking now, am I?"

“Mei…” Anji’s tone grew serious, and then relaxed, “I suppose you’ll be wanting to stay with him then?”

"Actually.. not for now. Soon. I need to.. need to gather myself. I.. yeah." She ended lamely, unable to phrase her words coherently.

Anji nodded, “Want a place of your own, then?”

"Shut up!" Zi shrieked abruptly, then stared at Anji with a mortified expression. "Jie, n-no, I'm sorry, so sorry, not you, I didn't mean you. I-I'd love to have a place of my own."

Anji sat back in the chair, expression pained, “If you need to stay near me, I can go with you.”

"Yeah, yes please, Jie, definitely. I wasn't shouting at you, Jie, not you.." she pleaded.

“Why don’t you get some sleep, Ziya… I’ll go look for some apartment, all right?” Anji broke contact with her sister, eyes pained as she left the room. Slipping down onto the wooden floor outside the room, she sat quietly, trying to control her breathing, wiping away the tears that sprung to her eyes.

“Hey.” Kevin smiled at his friend. “What’s on your mind?”

Anji looked up at him sadly, “It’s… Fine. I’ll be okay.” She slapped away the rest of the tears, “Just uh, ate a pepper.”

Kevin looked at her, blue eyes open and direct. “I’m here for you, Anji,” he said, sitting down across from her. “It’s okay to talk about your sister with me. You don’t need to make yourself excuses.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with her and I don’t know how to help her and,” She took a deep breath, “And I’m moving out.”

Kevin frowned. “You don’t have to do that, Anjali. You have a home here. I can help you help Eliziya. Your friend Marcus has pledged to help. We can help her as well here as anywhere. And I can help you, too.”

Anji squared her shoulders, voice thin as ice. “Zi is… I don’t think anyone’s safe around her, not right now. I can take care of her, always have.”

“Not if you’re not safe around her,” he contradicted, voice suddenly hard. “I can’t allow you to put yourself in danger without cause, Anjali. Someone else can take care of your sister as well somewhere safe. A mage, who will be protected from her power. Or… someone. I’d do it for you.”

“No.” Anji stood, “You will not.”

“Let me help you, Anjali,” he insisted. “I’m not sending you into danger alone.”

“Oh, so now she’s dangerous, is she?”

“You’re the one who said that,” he said quietly, slumping against the wall in response to the venom in her tone. “I don’t want to see you hurt, Anjali. That’s all I’m trying to tell you.”

“So… Zi is dangerous, and I’m incompetent. Really giving good points there, Kev.”

Kevin looked up at her balefully. “Those aren’t the words I’m saying, and you know it. You told me that she isn’t safe to be around, Anjali. I wouldn’t willingly hurt you, or let you be hurt.”

Anji laughed bitterly, “Oh yes. Willingly hurting me. I’m certain you’ve never done that before.”

Kevin cringed, and slumped against the wall behind him. “Have I?” he asked. “Have I hurt you in any way? Anji, please, I would never knowingly--”

“Lead me on? Let me think one thing, bouncing back and forth between two completely different situations? Hurt me by being my friend, and then reminding me that you’re only there out of some… sense of pity that I don’t even need?” Anji was shouting now, hands balled into shaking fists.

Kevin’s face was white, and clearly wounded. As he struggled to find the words to reply, a low moan filtered through the door.

Anger went out of Anji for a moment, as she slumped against the wall, shoulders bent with weariness. Before Kevin could react, Anji stood, and ran into the room, calling out softly for her sister, “Mei? Are you okay?”

In the darkness, Anji could only just make out the rough silhouette of her sister tossing and turning on the bed. “Zi, I’m here.. It’s alright…”

Kevin followed her in, pulling a cloth from beside the washstand in a now-practiced motion and drenching it in cold water. He crossed the room to where Anji stood over her sister, passing the cloth over Eliziya’s fevered brow. “Get. Out.” Anji growled, teeth flashing in the gloom as she strode towards Kevin, all but shoving him out of the door. “I don’t need you here. I don’t want you here, and so help me I will shut you in the door if you don’t leave.”

He cast one pained look at her over his shoulder as he walked out, leaving the cloth gently on Zi’s forehead. Outside the room, he slouched against the wall, body tense for all his crumpled posture.

Anji returned to Zi, eyes pained as she apologized. “I’m sorry Zi… I’ll go.. I’ll go get you a better place to stay, okay? It’s… not really fair to make you deal with that.”

Zi opened her eyes and looked at Anji helplessly. "I don't..."

“You don’t what, honey?” Anji asked, tears pooling under her irises.

"Don't cry.. enough.. weeping already.. with us.." Zi's eyes mirrored Anji's in their shimmering wetness.

Anji smirked, eyes still shimmering as she asked, “Will you be okay here until I can go get a new place?”

"Jie.. should I say let it in? Papa.." asked Zi, apropos of nothing, clearly delirious.

“Oh, little one.” Anji stroked her hair softly, “You choose what you feel is right.”

Standing, Anji began walking toward the door, “I’ll only be gone as long as it takes me to find you a new place, okay? I’ll be back, I promise.” Without waiting for a reply, she stepped out of room, and into the hallway.

Kevin straightened as she emerged, his expression one of pained consternation. “I ne--”

“You need to get out of my way.” Anji blazed past him, ducking into Ben’s room briefly to retrieve a satchel, empty and worn. Glancing over guiltily at Ben’s sleeping form, she quietly left, shutting the door behind her. Turning, she found Kevin standing in her way, fidgeting anxiously with his hands as his eyes followed her.

Anji stared at him, inviting him to get out of the way by way of motioning with her free hand. “Anjali, I…” He broke off, frustrated, obviously struggling with bigger emotions. “Let me carry that for you,” he offered, trying to keep his tone even and pleasant.

Anji laughed, harsh and angry, “I don’t need you, Kevin.” Her eyes narrowed, and she ordered, “Get out of my way.”

He flinched, and took a step back, as she ran past, tears striking him and the wall.

Immediately following:

“Anjali, listen to me!” He didn’t run, but walked quickly to catch up with her, his long, swift strides carrying him toward the redhead.

Anji kept walking, red hair hanging in a limp ponytail. Kevin gathered speed, and put a hand on her shoulder, just firmly enough to stop her in her tracks before he pulled back. “Please.”

Anji glared at him, crossing her arms as she stood there, alone and terrible. She said nothing, could not say anything. She lifted a trembling hand as a sarcastic invitation for Kevin to speak.

He put a hand over his face for a moment, then forced himself to bring it down and meet her eyes. “I don’t know what I can do to stop hurting you,” he said, his voice pained, “but I wanted to least try. To explain.”

“Then bloody well get on with it, Kevin.” Anji snapped, drawing up to her full height. “What is so damn important?”

He cast his eyes about as though looking for some rescue, but found none. He could feel his body threatening to fall back into a more formal attitude that would only push her away more, and fought the instinct, standing in front of her awkwardly as he spoke. “I’ve told you that I’m an only child. I have no brothers or sisters, my father before me had no brothers or sisters. Orono is a smaller land than many, with enough vultures picking at its weak points that it can’t afford…”

He cleared his throat; he was drifting from his point. “My parents will have no other children. I am their only heir, and if I don’t return home to take the throne, my home will tear itself apart. If I do not form powerful alliances binding stronger states like Lamada to our aid, then we won’t need civil war to end us; the raiders will tear us to pieces at the first chance they get. And I was born to this responsibility. It may have been thrust upon me, it may not be fair, but it is reality. It is my duty.

“I love you, Nova. But if I turned my back on all of Orono to be with you, I would not deserve you. And as I cannot be there for both my country and for you, I do not deserve you. I can’t…” He allowed the tears to fall, bearing no shame for them.

“I can’t lead you on, pretend that something might come of this. It was wrong of me to think that I wasn’t hurting you by selfishly wanting you near me all this time; I see that now. If you would be happier with me out of your sight, I will remove myself. If you tell me how to make this right, I will. I love you, Anjali, and every time I push you away, every time I hurt you with my goddamned obligations… it’s wrong. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t know how to fix this.”

Anji trembled, resisting convulsions that threatened to send her into tears. Her red hair trembled limply on her shoulder; she hadn’t bothered to cut it since meeting Kevin. Each word felt like a slap, searing into her heart and leaving her empty.

Anji said nothing for several moments, tears leaking down her face quietly as she stood, back straight, staring the man in the eye. “It’s not fair? You want to talk about fairness?” She whispered, voice straining to remain level and calm, yet failing as iron began to shine through the softness. “You listen to me, Kevin. And you hear me well. I love you too, gods be damned.”

“I wish you didn’t,” he whispered, though the light in his eyes told the lie of the words.

“I am your friend too, damnit. It’s my choice to continue being your friend, not yours. You really think all of this is your damn fault?” Anji glowered at him.

“Do whatever the hell you want to do, Kevin.” Anji gestured up to the ceiling of the next floor, solemn and unyielding. “But… Damn it all Kevin…” Anji gasped for air beyond the sobs that sought their way out. “I don’t care what you choose. But… Crows in the nest… choose for yourself.”

He wanted to drink the sight of her in, to hug her, to hold her, but he closed his eyes, willing his mind to think clearly. “And what about Julius Valerian?” he asked, the words parting his lips unwillingly.

Anji growled quietly, eyes narrowing in anger. She started to speak, but was interrupted by Kevin’s words.

“If you and he had never parted ways… if you and I had never met… you would be happy now.” He opened his eyes, gazing at her openly. “Wouldn’t you?”

A sting lanced across Kevin’s jaw as Anji twisted, her anger kindling to a blaze as she stood in front of the man, daring him to say another word. He did not.

“Julius Valerian and I are a team. That’s all we ever could be. He was… is… my friend. But he made his decision to leave me alone and afraid in a library filled with people that I didn’t know, and who didn’t care about me.”

Kevin crossed the distance between them as if drawn by an inexorable magnetic force, taking her arms in his. “And if I stayed,” he whispered, voice choked, “by your side, what would that do to you? Would my presence be a comfort, or just a cruel reminder of what it isn’t? Would I cut new scars every time I pulled away?”

Anji rested her head on Kevin’s chest for several long beats, drawing the strength she craved, tears squeezing out of her eyes, smelling the perfume of his clothing, tinted by the smell of the coming rain.

He held her, as though his arms never wanted to do anything else, his breath coming slow and heavy. He murmured his words into her hair as he leaned his head on hers. “I don’t want to leave you, Nova, but I’d sooner leave than have to hurt you again.”

Anji sobbed once, and turned to face Kevin. She studied his face, memorizing every detail as she pulled her hands up to his neck, pulling him down every so slightly as she stood on tiptoe, reaching up to him. They hovered there for a moment, motionless except for the tension that pulled between them like a silent war.

Leaning up as far as she could reach, Anji held Kevin to her. The kiss was light as the clouds that covered the sky, barely tinting the radiant blue with its heavenly softness. She held him there for a moment, two, and backed away, a blush spreading a fierce tattoo over her scarred face.

He stepped forward, and bent his head to meet hers as he kissed her back. This kiss was stronger, rawer, but still sweet.

Kevin broke away first, and turned his head so that he would not face her. “Forgive me,” he whispered, his voice rough. “I was… out of line.”

Kevin felt a hand turning his head back towards Anji. The sky kissed the trees as their eyes met. Anji smiled at him warmly and said, “So?”

He sighed deeply, happy just to see her face, sad to say what he knew had to come next. “I can’t be yours, Anji. Not like that. Not like this.” No matter how much I want to. “But I will stand by you, stay with you, for as long as you want me near.”

“Always.” she replied, happiness slowly draining out of her, replaced by a sadness that left her limp. Quietly, she turned away from him, walking down the deserted street alone as the rain began to fall.

Several days after the above post

-

Inconclusive, little girl, inconclusive. Just as I told you.

“I told you, I’ll find a way,” Zi promised angrily as she slammed the cover of the book shut, “and I’ll get you out of my head.”

Hah! You are persistent, I’ll give you that. But you must recognise the futility-

“T-there is always a way!”

Not against one such as I, the familiar voice gloated. I am a thing of past, present and future-

“Stop using my father’s voice,” flashed Zi’s tone like a brittle dagger.

Your interruptions begin to vex me, child, it hissed in a vicious harmonic more emotion than words, but Zi sensed its paradoxical glee at experiencing the sensation of agitation. You know as well as I do that to communicate with something as you in ways you comprehend, I must take on a form from your memory.

“Don’t use my father’s voice!” she cried out.

There was a pause, then a slight sensation of shifting in the beast’s bulk that existed only in her mind.

Come now, daughter, it began reasonably, my dearest-

“No, no, no, shut up, shut up!” Zi balled her fists, but there was nothing physical for her to focus her wrath on.

In a way, and it shocked her to hear a tinge of sadness in its voice, I am your father, all that you remember of him.

“Pilferer of souls! Identity thief! You-”

Lived through all of your memories. Perhaps, the voice shifted to the more feminine intonations of Zi’s own voice, perhaps in a way I am you.

“You.. what are you?” Eliziya whispered fearfully.

“I am not a demon, as you conceive. I am born of the ether. Magic. I am transient and eternal. I am that which is not.”

“Wordplay!” The accusation died halfway, as she realised that the last had been spoken by the demon aloud. “You..”

Let that be a reminder of who holds the upper hand here. If the thing had eyes, they would be narrowing. I can flood your body at any moment, destroy that frail, pathetic mind of yours and possess your body.

“Possess-”

I can and I will take over your body, and I will bring ruin to you and yours. There is nothing that I cannot do to make you suffer, and nothing I will not stop at.

“This is crazy,” whispered Zi, cradling her head as she sank to the floor under the weight of its malevolent pressure.

Quite so, my dear, the thing agreed in a pleasant way, just as her father had conversed with her. Now, you will-

“You’re not making sense.”

What? She could feel its stumbling, and then pleasure, caught wrong-footed by her stubborn declaration.

“If you can do all that, why bother commanding me? Why not just t-take over?” Zi stood up slowly, and began pacing back and forth in her little apartment. “You could take over.. But you won’t. Why?”

Who are you to question me? roared the beast, and Zi could picture the spittle flying from its non-mouth as it thundered. You’re just a-

“I’m just your gateway,” said Zi, marvelling at her own words, even as she said them. That was it then. “You can’t- you can’t speak in any voice apart from th-those in my recollections because you don’t have any experiences. You’ve never seen outside the ether. You-”

Presumptuous little gnat! How dare you be so right? The windstorm of its rage whirled into a dervish dance of laughter from one moment to another. Hateful girl! Only darkness in my land of light on light! I loathe you as I love you as I envy as I despise, as I stand and float and rise and fall ever-thankful and forever an ingrate towards the abysmal purity of your putrid existence!

She couldn’t completely comprehend the beast, Zi knew, it being so undeniably other, woven from a different fabric altogether, but this was something she could vaguely grasp. It desired the sensations of the physical world, a desire she had sparked off when she’d escaped. Never before had anything escaped its claws, and a deep curiosity had led it to inspect her memories.

For two whole weeks, Eliziya had lain catatonic, unmoving, unseeing, unconscious. For two whole weeks, the thing had perused her mind, flipping through its pages and for the first time, consumed without destroying.

“You want to experience. That’s why you want me, isn’t it?” Eliziya ventured. “But if you were to possess me, you wouldn’t be able to experience.. there’d be the basic sensations, but you wouldn’t be able to live as I did.”

Hah! It sneered at her. Good try, little one. But that’s not it. The answer lies in your own memories! Think about it, if I, with such power as you have never thought possible entered your precious fragile body-

“Then my body will be destroyed.” Zi finished. “Then.. there’s some compassion in you yet,” she mulled.

Yes! And no! Neither and both. Why should I care? Why should I not care? I am your father. I am your mother. I am you, your sister, your lover, your enemy, your destroyer, your torturer. How can I live in this world if I don’t have my gateway? You wretched snivelling creature! How you weep at everything!

“I’m not crying now,” objected Eliziya, hurt pride revealing itself.

Yes.. Yes. Maybe you are changing. Nothing is static in the realm of the ether. The unchanging nature of your world is strange to me, intriguing and painful.

“Then..” she attempted to gather her thoughts, ignoring the creature’s whimsical words. “You won’t destroy me.”

I’ll do more than destroy you, for destruction in itself is but an act of clearing the way for creation!

“But you’re not going to leave,” Zi continued. “You aren’t, are you?”

You wouldn’t want me to leave either, little thing. Its voice finally held a degree of intense seriousness.

“What, why? I want you to get out of my head! Stop using papa’s voice, damn you!”

Language, Zianya! Zi froze. Nobody knew that name. Only papa had ever called her that. Then it continued, If I were to leave, ah, such a vulnerable little mind, such a fragile little thing you are, and you don’t even realise it. Do you think that if I were to leave, nothing else would come and take my place? There are others out there, others who have not my conscience! It cackled wildly, as if imagining such a scenario. Oh yes, they without my gentle heart would not wait a single pulse of your heartbeat to devour you, soul and all.

“That’s my conscience, not yours,” Eliziya objected mildly.

Irrelevant! What’s yours is now mine.

“Then.. if what you’re saying is true..”

I never lie!

“No need to shout, geez.” Zi’s mouth twisted unhappily. “You can neither go nor leave. Nor do you want to.”

I’m sure, its voice took a sly note, we can come to an arrangement.

“What arrangement?” Zi asked warily. This was not the first time the thing had hinted at an ‘arrangement’, and despite their conversation, she could not shake off the original conviction that the thing was a demon of sorts. Nobody bargained with demons and came out of it well.

I’ll not possess you. I’ll even share my help with you. My vast wisdom you may draw on. In exchange, you’ll give me several moments of your body.. yes, perhaps a few brief instances when you embrace your heart-love, a few seconds of sensation when you stand in the wind..

“Never when I’m with Tamar!”

Ah.. I had to try.

“It’s a poor sort of bargain,” Eliziya complained. “I don’t get much, do I? You just mean to babble in my ear, possess me temporarily on occasion, while all I get is… what do I even get?”

Power… It hissed.

“Oh, don’t tempt me down that path! You’ve seen what will happen!”

Perhaps just fragments of power. Nothing that will damage you.

“That’s negligible then! I don’t get anything of worth, while you get whatever you want.”

Think of it as.. protection. Protection from the dangers of the ether, ghosted its breath across her face.

“Blackmail.” Zi glared, but there was hardly anything that could be done. The thing could do what it wanted. The fact that it seemed willing to cooperate ought to have made her thankful, but not a single facet of her situation pleased her.

Perhaps.. you cannot relive your memories, but perhaps you long for your past. You long for your parents.

“They’re dead.” She replied flatly.

I can be your parents.

“No.”

I could.

Yes. It could. The beast could. Zi tried not to think of the possibilities. Throughout the dialogue, it had been using her father’s voice and.. Perhaps.

Very good, Zianya, came the smug reply, and Zi realised that she’d said ‘Perhaps’ aloud.

Antonius wandered into the town cautiously. His pace alternated between quietly slow, mot of the time, and fearfully fast, whenever he thought someone was approaching, that is. The city, whose name he didn’t know yet, was seemingly drowned in chaos, and that was twice bad for Antonius, because he was a newcomer and an old man. He wished his youth back all the times he almost got murdered by “Anti-Guild Factionists”, or whoever they were. He considered himself lucky whenever he managed to talk them out of aggressing him. Antonius was thinking if carving a fake talisman for himself would work well as a way to make said factionists dismiss him when he bumped into someone.

Antonius’ blood froze in his veins when he noticed what had happened, and tried to step away from whomever that person was before he revealed himself either as a factionist or not, but failed. He then realized he was laying on the ground.

“Oh sorry.” Said an youthful voice, who then extended his hand to help Antonius stand up.

“It’s not your fault.” He replied, as he accepted the hand. “I didn’t pay attention to how fast I was walking. My apologies.” Putting back his glasses where they belonged, he noticed the blur he was talking to was actually a girl.

She giggled at his remark. “You aren’t the only one to blame. I also was running home. Or, well, where I and my family have been staying.”

“That’s understandable. This city is in mayhem.” He started dusting himself with his hands.

“Was.” She corrected him, a grin forming on her face.

“Sorry?”

“It’s over. Well, since yesterday, it seems the Anti-Guild leaders are dead. Their soldiers started to disband in groups.”

“Oh my…” Antonius took the revelation by surprise. He had been walking around the parts of the city which he judged as safer in search of anything that could help him in his task of returning home. He hasn’t been having much success because either he was too busy trying to hide, or the people who could help him were, not to speak about the large amount of information he didn’t have about the town. Realizing he could use a much better plan of action right now, Antonius asked her “My lady, would there happen to be a library in this town?”

~~~~

Lori ruffled through her desk in a huff, annoyed that her papers were disorganized. Growling, she mumbled, “If you put everything in stacks how am I supposed to see what’s underneath them?” She walked out of her office and down the hall, intent on finding whomever rearranged her desk.

Antonius was glad he found the library. The staff was cordial to answer whenever he asked them where he could find the books he wanted. Right now, he was carrying a significant pile of books for a man of his age.

Lori walked into the man, whirling to face him angrily, “What do you think you’re doing with those books, sir?”

The old scholar gazed confusedly at the woman. “I’m… Taking these so I can study them? Did I wander into the rare books section by accident?”

“Well, I thought that you would at least have the decency not to stack them like that!” Lori took a few of the books off the top of the pile, cradling them gently, “Who do you even think you are, sir, to behave in such a manner?”

“I’m Antonius Aurelius Plinny.” Then. he shrug off the confusion out of himself by blinking a few times. “Though I’m carrying they like this because I thought it’d be more practical to get all the books I think I’d need before sitting down. And by the way, who would you be, lady?”

“Loremaster Lori.” came the snappish reply. “You have business with my books?”

“Yes. I’d like to study these.” Thinking about it for a second, he figured out it wouldn’t do any harm to inform the woman of his plans. He didn’t have any reason to distrust what she just said, and there mustn’t be any worse way she could meddle with his studies. “To find a way out of this castle.”

“Oh everyone’s doing that!” she exclaimed dramatically. “Why not do something more interesting? Like the history of frogs, or how to make an upside down wombat speak Malay.”

Antonius returned to his state of confusion. Certainly this woman was more insane than she looked like. “Just… Look, Miss Lori, I don’t think the history of frogs is interesting and I don’t see how a wombat could speak Malay, if any language at all. Now, if you excuse me, could you give me back my books so I can study?”

“Yes, yes.” Lori said, handing him back the books indifferently. “Now, are you in a guild yet? Or have you decided that you want to try and have a spirit walk with your guide?”

“I haven’t been in this castle long enough to join any guild at all.” Antonius replied ignoring the latter part of her question.

“Oh good. You can be a Loreknight then.” Lori nodded her head, smiling widely. “Speak to Stefan about your uniform and duties.”

Surprise took over the old man. For a few moments he didn’t know how to answer that without stuttering, but he was quick to catch on the meaning of her words. “You know what, if I join your guild, will you let me study in peace?”

“I don’t know.” Lori replied, distraction distancing her. “I suppose so, since I’ll be a bit bus-OH you can help me with my accuracy experiments!”

A wide grin played on her horsey features, “You can be the target!”

“I don’t think I am in the right state of health to be anyone’s target. Do you... Have anything else other than that?” Antonius said, without believing he was actually agreeing to that madness in any way at all.

“Oh, fine.” Lori pouted, “I suppose you could help research better defense spells for the mages, and then pursue your own interests in your spare time.” Turning to walk away, she added, “But do keep in mind that I’m always seeking new test subjects!”

“I’ll certainly tell that to any crazy person who wishes to join your guild.” He was about to resume what he was doing before he came to meet Lori when he noticed a little detail. “My books! You took a few of them with you! Come back here!”

~~~~

Finally, after finding all the books he wanted, Antonius was ready to settle down and start his studies. It had taken him ninety minutes to do so, though as he had decided to talk with this so called Stefan to settle his entrance at the guild by receiving a new set of clothes (which, admittedly, were very handy given the state of the ones he managed to bring to the castle), he managed to get him to look for the books with you, and even got a little cart to carry all of these around. Now all he had to do was to sit down, and study… Weren’t for the fact a known face was doing pretty much the same thing already. “Fern, is that you?”

Fern’s head slammed upward to stare at the entirely unexpected figure in front of him. His mouth moved silently for a second, before he buried his face in one of his hands. “Spirits, you joined this place too?”

“Apparently… Yes.“ Antonius replied, still expressing disbelief at his own words. Complete silence took over both men, and it stood as such for a few moments, until the old man broke it, trying to hide the remorse in his voice. “I suppose…I owe you apologies.”

Fern sighed, and stood up to stand about as level as he could with Antonius. “As do I. I still think you are much too reckless and foolhardy, but….you have earned the experience to be that way. I was angry, and let my emotions get away from me, somewhat.”

He smiled, and let that be his answer. “And yet you joined the guild of this psycho.” “No, I joined for the books. The guildmaster being…eccentric is…an unfortunate necessity. None of the other guilds offer this…” he gestured at the books around him “... wealth of knowledge. And I would rather not try to start my own. This is more than comfortable enough for me.”

Antonius stared amusedly. “We don’t think so differently after all. I did well choosing you to be my appr-assistant.” He corrected himself as quickly as he could. “But I think we have more pressing matters, don’t we?”

Fern shrugged, and waved to his books. “Currently, my pressing matter is determining any correlation between rat infestations and a type of wine barrel that utilizes coldstones to keep it’s contents cool.”

“Ahhh… So I see someone arranged some work for you to accomplish before studying how to get out of this place. I thought you were supposed to be my assistant.” He walked over to the other side of the table, dragging his cart alongside him. ”Do you want some help, so we can start our own research as soon as possible?”

Fern gave the older man a flat stare. “Three days, without sleeping. After that I had to promise not to do any more research for a week so I could sleep. I am looking into it. The material on the subject is basically non-existent. I look at that in my free time, which is time not spent doing guild-assigned tasks. Which is what I am currently doing, and I have under control.” He sat back down in front of his books. “Besides, I see that you have your own books to look through.”

“I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t looking into the subject. Actually, that’s pretty much what I expected of you. If you don’t wish help, that’s sure.” Antonius sat down and started taking some books from the cart and putting the on the table. “But I hope we have the same amount of free time so we can research together. I don’t want to lose an assistant as valuable as you. Besides, not all information about arcane transportation and long-distance teleportation are in their own books.” The last sentence came out almost as a whisper, left for the wind to hear. Fern turned a page in his current book and scratched a note onto one of several loose sheets of paper he had, ignoring Antonius’ statement.

Noticing that Fern wasn’t paying attention, Antonius decided to not bother him with such matters until he came looking for him. In the meantime he’d make himself busy, having found a new occupation here of all places. And now, onto the breeding habits of incorporeal beings.