Lucia Adriaens
How dare she! Lucia fumed as Stasis strode out the door. She looked over at Kris, saw the tears glistening against her cheeks, felt her own tears starting.
How DARE she! Hadn't Kris been through enough already? Hadn't they all? Lucia moved across the room to wrap her arms tightly around her roommate, if only for a minute.
Enough. ENOUGH! Lucia released Kris and proceeded to gather up all of the sleeping stuff on the ground. Everything stuffed inside the sleeping bag.
"We'll see about her making the decisions for all of us..." she fumed, quite uncharacteristically, as she proceeded to drop the whole bundle out the window to the ground below. That done, she sighed and flopped back against the window. So much for a quiet evening. So much for sleep.
"Kris?"
"Hmm, Lucky?"
"Do you think we should give her some time to, ya'know, um...cool down?"
Change in the Weather
Moderator: Student Council
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
The water is as warm as summer grass as she dives in.
The pool is deserted; she is alone here. She's grateful for that in the place that can still think of these things. She doesn't want to be seen with tears on her face.
You can't make these decisions without us!
But she can, she does, every day she stands at the front line and she is the one to decide when, how. She did the right thing, the only thing. She has to have him safe, beyond anything else he has to be protected. She will protect. It is what she does, who she is.
His face burns in her mind as she pulls herself clumsily through the resistance. Half fear, half exultation, the raw look in his eyes. He is more important than breathing, more important than almost anything. She can't lose him, she just can't. He promised!
I won't look like some sort of whore!
She's crying with frustration, shoulders bunching with the strain. How could Kris say those things? In front of everybody, all those faces turning to look, to stare, all them of them whispering behind their hands. It'll be all over the school by tonight Jade Rooster's sleeping in Q5, did you hear? when it was nothing like that, would never be anything like that, no matter what they thought, what they gossiped, no matter how jealous they were.
She brought him there to be safe. Why couldn't Kris understand that? Where they could all watch the shadows, find the enemy, make the battle line where they chose and not where their enemies would have it be.
The betrayal is so strong that she chokes on it.
We are Q5.
She'd thought it was an absolute truth. Had said it like it was but it wasn't anymore, it just wasn't. Lish had died and taken it all away, all of it falling apart, like sand through her fingers. How could Kris even think that about her? Jade could get expelled, such a serious infraction of the rules and Kris should have known better than to say anything, should have trusted in her!
She kicks further under the water, feeling despair building like a thundercloud. It's all coming apart. Too many ears listening, none of them her friends, the rift in Q5 exposed like an ugly wound. Her angry hands touch concrete and she spins, thrusting away from the edge, pushing down to the bottom.
Jai will hear. The sick feeling under her heart explodes. Jai will hear it and wonder about Rooster and he won't understand, he doesn't understand about Jade, he's never understood and he'll ask me questions I can never seem to answer and he'll walk away and he'll never come back.
Everything locks up and almost at the surface she loses her balance, swallows water in a panicked, reflexive gulp.
She's drowning. Green shot light instead of darkness but there is water in her mouth, wrapping fingers around her throat and she's dying again, falling again. Afraid again.
Everything flashes to white. Ice seals her mouth, her eyes, encases her body in a last, futile rejection. A half a mile of fear, held in suspension like a mermaid. Dying.
Dead. Fooling herself to think that she had a chance at anything else.
But I don't want to be dead. The traitor thought has no force though, no reality at all. She hears the ice sighing, shifting around her, whispering to itself of cold satisfaction. They should have never taken me out of the river.
There is no more water to breathe, she's taken it all. Only stasis at the core again. Only the cold.
Jai, with his hands so full of warm life.
She'd cry if she could remember how.
Whump.
Something shakes, the ice screams softly.
Whump. Whump.
Something shatters between her shoulderblades. Pain is a sudden brand as ice buries itself in shards across her skin. She reacts without thinking, power flaring in her fists. The expansion destroys yet more of her prison.
"Mother! Can you hear me?"
She pulls her arms in, realizing that they can move, she can move. She lifts her head even as the ice rocks again in another rumbling quake.
She registers that her eyes are open, ice clinging to the lashes. Legs, green and brown. Stone armor.
"Barrier." Her voice doesn't even sound like hers. "What..?"
"Hang on, I've almost got you out." Crouched on the top of the ice, Barrier cocks another fist back and once again things break. "What did you think you were doing? Wrecking the pool"
"I..."
Barrier leans down then and grabs her by the forearms. The ice is crazy cracked and with a heave, she is free.
"Woah, steady!" Barrier wraps an arm around her waist as she sways. "I don't need you to dive back in again so soon."
Stasis looks around, blinking.
The pool is a sheet of glass from one side to the other. Only the gaping hole at her feet shows anything other than that accusing mirror.
She must have made some noise of protest because Barrier pulls her into a rough, one handed hug. "You okay? That ain't like you to lose control, Mother." The team captain looks around, her eyes thoughtful. "Good thing nobody else was in here. What a mess."
All those people who died, once upon a time. Kris' words, driving into her heart. The look that will be in Jai's eyes.
As easily as that she is crying again. No sound, just tears falling. Barrier doesn't seem to notice, her face turned away.
Stasis pulls away, out of the comforting brace and starts to walk across the ice without a word. The tears freeze on her cheeks, like diamonds.
She is Stasis. She has always been Stasis.
She will never be anything else.
She was a fool to believe even for a minute that it could be anything else.
The pool is deserted; she is alone here. She's grateful for that in the place that can still think of these things. She doesn't want to be seen with tears on her face.
You can't make these decisions without us!
But she can, she does, every day she stands at the front line and she is the one to decide when, how. She did the right thing, the only thing. She has to have him safe, beyond anything else he has to be protected. She will protect. It is what she does, who she is.
His face burns in her mind as she pulls herself clumsily through the resistance. Half fear, half exultation, the raw look in his eyes. He is more important than breathing, more important than almost anything. She can't lose him, she just can't. He promised!
I won't look like some sort of whore!
She's crying with frustration, shoulders bunching with the strain. How could Kris say those things? In front of everybody, all those faces turning to look, to stare, all them of them whispering behind their hands. It'll be all over the school by tonight Jade Rooster's sleeping in Q5, did you hear? when it was nothing like that, would never be anything like that, no matter what they thought, what they gossiped, no matter how jealous they were.
She brought him there to be safe. Why couldn't Kris understand that? Where they could all watch the shadows, find the enemy, make the battle line where they chose and not where their enemies would have it be.
The betrayal is so strong that she chokes on it.
We are Q5.
She'd thought it was an absolute truth. Had said it like it was but it wasn't anymore, it just wasn't. Lish had died and taken it all away, all of it falling apart, like sand through her fingers. How could Kris even think that about her? Jade could get expelled, such a serious infraction of the rules and Kris should have known better than to say anything, should have trusted in her!
She kicks further under the water, feeling despair building like a thundercloud. It's all coming apart. Too many ears listening, none of them her friends, the rift in Q5 exposed like an ugly wound. Her angry hands touch concrete and she spins, thrusting away from the edge, pushing down to the bottom.
Jai will hear. The sick feeling under her heart explodes. Jai will hear it and wonder about Rooster and he won't understand, he doesn't understand about Jade, he's never understood and he'll ask me questions I can never seem to answer and he'll walk away and he'll never come back.
Everything locks up and almost at the surface she loses her balance, swallows water in a panicked, reflexive gulp.
She's drowning. Green shot light instead of darkness but there is water in her mouth, wrapping fingers around her throat and she's dying again, falling again. Afraid again.
Everything flashes to white. Ice seals her mouth, her eyes, encases her body in a last, futile rejection. A half a mile of fear, held in suspension like a mermaid. Dying.
Dead. Fooling herself to think that she had a chance at anything else.
But I don't want to be dead. The traitor thought has no force though, no reality at all. She hears the ice sighing, shifting around her, whispering to itself of cold satisfaction. They should have never taken me out of the river.
There is no more water to breathe, she's taken it all. Only stasis at the core again. Only the cold.
Jai, with his hands so full of warm life.
She'd cry if she could remember how.
Whump.
Something shakes, the ice screams softly.
Whump. Whump.
Something shatters between her shoulderblades. Pain is a sudden brand as ice buries itself in shards across her skin. She reacts without thinking, power flaring in her fists. The expansion destroys yet more of her prison.
"Mother! Can you hear me?"
She pulls her arms in, realizing that they can move, she can move. She lifts her head even as the ice rocks again in another rumbling quake.
She registers that her eyes are open, ice clinging to the lashes. Legs, green and brown. Stone armor.
"Barrier." Her voice doesn't even sound like hers. "What..?"
"Hang on, I've almost got you out." Crouched on the top of the ice, Barrier cocks another fist back and once again things break. "What did you think you were doing? Wrecking the pool"
"I..."
Barrier leans down then and grabs her by the forearms. The ice is crazy cracked and with a heave, she is free.
"Woah, steady!" Barrier wraps an arm around her waist as she sways. "I don't need you to dive back in again so soon."
Stasis looks around, blinking.
The pool is a sheet of glass from one side to the other. Only the gaping hole at her feet shows anything other than that accusing mirror.
She must have made some noise of protest because Barrier pulls her into a rough, one handed hug. "You okay? That ain't like you to lose control, Mother." The team captain looks around, her eyes thoughtful. "Good thing nobody else was in here. What a mess."
All those people who died, once upon a time. Kris' words, driving into her heart. The look that will be in Jai's eyes.
As easily as that she is crying again. No sound, just tears falling. Barrier doesn't seem to notice, her face turned away.
Stasis pulls away, out of the comforting brace and starts to walk across the ice without a word. The tears freeze on her cheeks, like diamonds.
She is Stasis. She has always been Stasis.
She will never be anything else.
She was a fool to believe even for a minute that it could be anything else.
Last edited by Stasis Kiss on Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Lucia Adriaens
Kris stood in the bathroom of Quad #5, looking at the retreating black in her hair. Something just didn't feel right about having Lycia's hair color. She wished she could get rid of the dye, but it was pretty expensive, at iCON's salon to do that. She would just let it grow back in. As she looked, though, she stopped seeing her hair, and started to see herself, again. The world had gone to Hell, but there was a staircase to normalcy, and it was a long one to climb. She was going to make it, with her friends giving her support along the way. Softly she hummed, as she turned away from the mirror, and walked into the quad.
What seemed like only a moment later, Lucia rushed into the quad, jacket slung over one arm, gasping slightly as if she had been running. She glanced around the quad hurriedly, eyes lighting up as she locked on the the sight of her quadmate.
"Kris! There you are! I've been looking all over for you." She bit down on her lower lip slightly as she finally caught her breath.
"You...you're still coming with, right?"
"Of course I am! I wouldn't miss out on being there for you! Not even for Tony. He'd have to come along," she smiled. "It's a doctor's trip, right?"
Lucia smiled sadly. "Yup. Hopefully the last one. I'm starting to get a little depressed about the lack of answers."
Kris picked her jacket up, and straightened her tie. She wasn't about to go out leaving the uniform a shanbles. That was just rude. And, besides, she didn't need anymore stress than she had, already.
"So, is it to see if your arm is okay," Kris asked, curious. "And, while we're on that, when do you think those powers will return?"
Lucia's face paled. "My arm has been fine for quite some time. The injury was not so bad that the Sisters in the infirmary could not patch me up. All these people I've been seeing, almost every day for the last three weeks... its all about my powers...or lack of them..."
"Hmmm," Kris thought on that for a second. "Are you a mutant, Lucky?"
Lucia blinked, taken aback by the question. "I...I don't think so."
"Well, why are we seeing a doctor," she scratched her head. "Sounds like we need to see somebody from MAGI, or someone like that. Too bad the Legacy Chain has no offices in Paragon City, or I might even suggest them."
"I guess that everyone wants to make sure that it's nothing physical left over from my stay in Arachnos' custody. I've heard the rumors, I know what people are worried about...I don't blame them. Who knows what Recluse and his ilk are capable of, right? But after this, if there aren't any answers...then I'll look somewhere else for answers."
Kris looked on her friend with softened eyes. The two of them had been through so much, together. Even if they had been apart for a portion of that time. She wished she knew how to let Lucky know that she could, on some level, empathize with her.
"No matter what, Lucky. I'm here for you. Friends til the end, right?"
Lucia smiled. "Friends to the end."
The alarm clock on the far dresser caught her eye. "But we are going to need to leave now, if I'm going to be on time."
"Alright! Let's do this," Kris said assuredly. "So, have you seen this guy before?"
"No, haven't ever had a reason to...empath, you know...but I hear he's very smart about this kind of stuff..." Lucia babbled in in a upbeat tone as she and Kris headed out across the school grounds towards the train to Independance Port. "...took the school forever to arrange an appointment..."
Kris listened to her friend, very closely. She had to see what she could do to help. She thought that part of her problem was she hadn't given her mind enough to chew on, lately. Nodding, she understood what it was Lucia was saying to her. And, opening her mind to the girl, she knew how it would feel. She was glad there was another empath in the Quad. It meant she had someone who could relate to her experiences, on some level.
"You think maybe I could help you with some research on this end? I could use the mental workout. It may even help me return to what is normal for me. I just feel so uncertain, anymore. Even more so than before."
Lucia settled back on the bench in the train with a huff of air as the train pulled away from the station. She looked over at her quadmate...her friend, Kris. It was good to know that, even despite all of her friend's worries, Kris still cared about her problems.
"Another set of brains on this problem wouldn't hurt. Especially not if they are yours, oh Ms. Brains-of-the-Operation."
Kris laughed for the first time in what seemed was forever, even if it was just in the morning. She really needed this. And, she felt that Lucky did too. Smiling she nodded.
"Thank you, Lucky. This helps me a lot. From one empath to another, I know you'd do the same for me," she said gratefully. "I won't let you down. I promise."
"I can't help but think that there is something obvious that I'm overlooking...some piece that I am missing...maybe with your brains, I'll be able to figure out what it is..." Lucia looked over at Kris with a grin, happy to see her friend laughing again.
"In fact...I'm sure of it!"
"Me, too," Kris nodded. "Oh! Here's our stop!"
- - - - - - - - - -
An hour or so later, they were back on the train heading back to the school. The appointment had turned up nothing, but for once, Lucia was optimistic. If there was nothing physical with her, then it was not something outside of her control. The pieces were all there, she knew it. And with the help of MAGI...and Kris...she knew she'd put them back together again.
It was only a matter of time.
"Hey...Kris?"
"Yeah, Lucky?"
"How do you feel about making some popcorn and watching a movie tonight? A happy movie?"
Kris stood in the bathroom of Quad #5, looking at the retreating black in her hair. Something just didn't feel right about having Lycia's hair color. She wished she could get rid of the dye, but it was pretty expensive, at iCON's salon to do that. She would just let it grow back in. As she looked, though, she stopped seeing her hair, and started to see herself, again. The world had gone to Hell, but there was a staircase to normalcy, and it was a long one to climb. She was going to make it, with her friends giving her support along the way. Softly she hummed, as she turned away from the mirror, and walked into the quad.
What seemed like only a moment later, Lucia rushed into the quad, jacket slung over one arm, gasping slightly as if she had been running. She glanced around the quad hurriedly, eyes lighting up as she locked on the the sight of her quadmate.
"Kris! There you are! I've been looking all over for you." She bit down on her lower lip slightly as she finally caught her breath.
"You...you're still coming with, right?"
"Of course I am! I wouldn't miss out on being there for you! Not even for Tony. He'd have to come along," she smiled. "It's a doctor's trip, right?"
Lucia smiled sadly. "Yup. Hopefully the last one. I'm starting to get a little depressed about the lack of answers."
Kris picked her jacket up, and straightened her tie. She wasn't about to go out leaving the uniform a shanbles. That was just rude. And, besides, she didn't need anymore stress than she had, already.
"So, is it to see if your arm is okay," Kris asked, curious. "And, while we're on that, when do you think those powers will return?"
Lucia's face paled. "My arm has been fine for quite some time. The injury was not so bad that the Sisters in the infirmary could not patch me up. All these people I've been seeing, almost every day for the last three weeks... its all about my powers...or lack of them..."
"Hmmm," Kris thought on that for a second. "Are you a mutant, Lucky?"
Lucia blinked, taken aback by the question. "I...I don't think so."
"Well, why are we seeing a doctor," she scratched her head. "Sounds like we need to see somebody from MAGI, or someone like that. Too bad the Legacy Chain has no offices in Paragon City, or I might even suggest them."
"I guess that everyone wants to make sure that it's nothing physical left over from my stay in Arachnos' custody. I've heard the rumors, I know what people are worried about...I don't blame them. Who knows what Recluse and his ilk are capable of, right? But after this, if there aren't any answers...then I'll look somewhere else for answers."
Kris looked on her friend with softened eyes. The two of them had been through so much, together. Even if they had been apart for a portion of that time. She wished she knew how to let Lucky know that she could, on some level, empathize with her.
"No matter what, Lucky. I'm here for you. Friends til the end, right?"
Lucia smiled. "Friends to the end."
The alarm clock on the far dresser caught her eye. "But we are going to need to leave now, if I'm going to be on time."
"Alright! Let's do this," Kris said assuredly. "So, have you seen this guy before?"
"No, haven't ever had a reason to...empath, you know...but I hear he's very smart about this kind of stuff..." Lucia babbled in in a upbeat tone as she and Kris headed out across the school grounds towards the train to Independance Port. "...took the school forever to arrange an appointment..."
Kris listened to her friend, very closely. She had to see what she could do to help. She thought that part of her problem was she hadn't given her mind enough to chew on, lately. Nodding, she understood what it was Lucia was saying to her. And, opening her mind to the girl, she knew how it would feel. She was glad there was another empath in the Quad. It meant she had someone who could relate to her experiences, on some level.
"You think maybe I could help you with some research on this end? I could use the mental workout. It may even help me return to what is normal for me. I just feel so uncertain, anymore. Even more so than before."
Lucia settled back on the bench in the train with a huff of air as the train pulled away from the station. She looked over at her quadmate...her friend, Kris. It was good to know that, even despite all of her friend's worries, Kris still cared about her problems.
"Another set of brains on this problem wouldn't hurt. Especially not if they are yours, oh Ms. Brains-of-the-Operation."
Kris laughed for the first time in what seemed was forever, even if it was just in the morning. She really needed this. And, she felt that Lucky did too. Smiling she nodded.
"Thank you, Lucky. This helps me a lot. From one empath to another, I know you'd do the same for me," she said gratefully. "I won't let you down. I promise."
"I can't help but think that there is something obvious that I'm overlooking...some piece that I am missing...maybe with your brains, I'll be able to figure out what it is..." Lucia looked over at Kris with a grin, happy to see her friend laughing again.
"In fact...I'm sure of it!"
"Me, too," Kris nodded. "Oh! Here's our stop!"
- - - - - - - - - -
An hour or so later, they were back on the train heading back to the school. The appointment had turned up nothing, but for once, Lucia was optimistic. If there was nothing physical with her, then it was not something outside of her control. The pieces were all there, she knew it. And with the help of MAGI...and Kris...she knew she'd put them back together again.
It was only a matter of time.
"Hey...Kris?"
"Yeah, Lucky?"
"How do you feel about making some popcorn and watching a movie tonight? A happy movie?"
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Kris O'Sullivan
Kris stopped to catch her breath, after defeating a few Tsoo, just in time to see Stasis go zipping overhead for locations unknown. Stasis Kiss was always on the prowl, fighting the forces that seemingly never stopped in their attempt to take the city fully into their grasp. She had to admit that Stasis was still rather inspiring.
This hurts so much.
The thing was, thought Kris, that Stasis wasn't afraid of physical harm. She was afraid of what her emotions told her. Maybe because it made her realize she wasn't indestructible. That even she could fall, if she wasn't careful.
But, she's our family. Our sister.
Regardless, Kris had just as much been the cause of Stasis' departure from the quad as anyone else was. Maybe even more. She should have kept her mouth shut, and landed into Stasis, when she got back.
It's always on her demand. Not anyone else's.
What was the use?! It wasn't worth trying to break a heart all over again, just to get slammed into the dirt with pretty well wishings again. Kris did her part. She had talked to everyone she needed to talk to, and Stasis was the one hiding from all of this. It was just a matter of time 'til she moved her things out, now. Some might call it angst, but to Kris it just was. The world seemed to be transforming into a manic happy/sad place, and all she could do was cope, and try to find a "happy" median.
Turning, she spotted some Freakshow thugs, and made for them, whipping out her specialized rifle for dealing with them. There was room enough, in this city for her to do her thing, too. She just hoped Lucky's powers came back, soon. She was taking a beating out here!
Kris stopped to catch her breath, after defeating a few Tsoo, just in time to see Stasis go zipping overhead for locations unknown. Stasis Kiss was always on the prowl, fighting the forces that seemingly never stopped in their attempt to take the city fully into their grasp. She had to admit that Stasis was still rather inspiring.
This hurts so much.
The thing was, thought Kris, that Stasis wasn't afraid of physical harm. She was afraid of what her emotions told her. Maybe because it made her realize she wasn't indestructible. That even she could fall, if she wasn't careful.
But, she's our family. Our sister.
Regardless, Kris had just as much been the cause of Stasis' departure from the quad as anyone else was. Maybe even more. She should have kept her mouth shut, and landed into Stasis, when she got back.
It's always on her demand. Not anyone else's.
What was the use?! It wasn't worth trying to break a heart all over again, just to get slammed into the dirt with pretty well wishings again. Kris did her part. She had talked to everyone she needed to talk to, and Stasis was the one hiding from all of this. It was just a matter of time 'til she moved her things out, now. Some might call it angst, but to Kris it just was. The world seemed to be transforming into a manic happy/sad place, and all she could do was cope, and try to find a "happy" median.
Turning, she spotted some Freakshow thugs, and made for them, whipping out her specialized rifle for dealing with them. There was room enough, in this city for her to do her thing, too. She just hoped Lucky's powers came back, soon. She was taking a beating out here!
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Kris O'Sullivan
It seemed amazing to Kris, that everytime she returned to quad 5, her worries seemed to just drift away. Well, they didn't vanish, but, they certainly seemed less dire, in the room. Well, it was a welcome retreat, now. Her umpteenth day of being handed her butt by thugs was beginning to take its toll, and now all she wanted was to relax.
She came into the quad, and paid no attention to anything, aside from her bed, and promptly crashed on it, with her legs dangling over the side, her left foot just touching the floor. Kris stared at the ceiling, and let herself slowly relax. In her head, she could still see the violin she wanted. It was in a storefront that was now abandoned in Faultline. She wondered if the owner had died in that event, and nobody had ever gone to claime the merchandise. Either way, it was the most beautiful instrument, not on legs, that she had ever seen.
Turning onto her side, facing the wall, Kris dozed, clutching a yellow Crayola teddy bear to her. Images of happy events and things, filled her head, as she began to dream. What seemed like an instant later, she awoke to the sound of the door silently opening. Not moving or making a sound, other than her continued rythmic, deep breathing, she just lay there, with her eyes open.
It seemed amazing to Kris, that everytime she returned to quad 5, her worries seemed to just drift away. Well, they didn't vanish, but, they certainly seemed less dire, in the room. Well, it was a welcome retreat, now. Her umpteenth day of being handed her butt by thugs was beginning to take its toll, and now all she wanted was to relax.
She came into the quad, and paid no attention to anything, aside from her bed, and promptly crashed on it, with her legs dangling over the side, her left foot just touching the floor. Kris stared at the ceiling, and let herself slowly relax. In her head, she could still see the violin she wanted. It was in a storefront that was now abandoned in Faultline. She wondered if the owner had died in that event, and nobody had ever gone to claime the merchandise. Either way, it was the most beautiful instrument, not on legs, that she had ever seen.
Turning onto her side, facing the wall, Kris dozed, clutching a yellow Crayola teddy bear to her. Images of happy events and things, filled her head, as she began to dream. What seemed like an instant later, she awoke to the sound of the door silently opening. Not moving or making a sound, other than her continued rythmic, deep breathing, she just lay there, with her eyes open.
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
She's already knocked on the door before she realizes what she's done. She shuffles the box under her arm a little tighter and grimaces. Yeah. Well. I guess I am a stranger here now. Might as well make it official.
There is a muffled sound from inside which she takes for agreement. She opens the door before she can think better of it and walks in to find Lucia on her bed, homework spread everywhere. No Kris though which is a feeling of sinking relief in the pit of her stomach.
"Heyla, Lucky."
That seems to exhaust her conversational level. Ignoring the look of surprise on her quadmate's face, Stasis strides over to her silent bed and fumbles with the box. She can't leave these things in Barrier's room, it wouldn't be right somehow. She's sure as anything not leaving them in Faultline. And somehow she just can't imagine trying to explain how she got them to Jai.
"Uh. Hi, Stasis. Nice to.. uh, see you?"
She shoots a grin over at the other girl, wondering if the other feels as awkward as she does. Judging by the swallowed-a-hedgehog expression Lucky probably does.
"Ayuh. Just came by to drop off some stuff. Be out of here in a minute."
The teddy bear is very cute. The aviator glasses make him a very dashing bear and the miniature blue and white jacket is settled with authority on his little shoulders. She frowns as she lifts him out of his box, unconsciously caressing the deep fur with a thumb. She nods her head and wedges him into the space between the pillow and the wall. That will do for now.
She hesitates but then strips the decoder ring off her finger to tuck it into the bear's miniature pocket. She'd thought for sure she'd broken it against that last Rikti and the near heart attack had convinced her not to carry the silly thing around. How would she explain it to Behr, if she shattered it with whumping things too hard? Nope, it can stay here too.
She straightens and runs a hand through her hair. Nothing else here to do. She spins on one economical heel and tries not to look like she's running for the door. She hesitates with her hand on the knob though, reminding herself that she had more than one reason to come here. Her mouth is dry but she gets the words out.
"Lucky. You seen Kris anywhere?"
The other girl looks over at her friend's bed as if to magically conjure the redhead out of the air. "Not this afternoon. I think she said something about a tour of history plaques with some of the other guys. Did you.. want me to leave a message?"
"Oh. Uh." She turns her face away so Lucky can't see her expression. "Yeah. Tell her I'd like to talk to her, heyla? Mebbe I'll drop by later, see if she's back." She looks over her shoulder and does her best to smile. "My advice is don't mess with the bear. He looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth but it's all show."
There is a muffled sound from inside which she takes for agreement. She opens the door before she can think better of it and walks in to find Lucia on her bed, homework spread everywhere. No Kris though which is a feeling of sinking relief in the pit of her stomach.
"Heyla, Lucky."
That seems to exhaust her conversational level. Ignoring the look of surprise on her quadmate's face, Stasis strides over to her silent bed and fumbles with the box. She can't leave these things in Barrier's room, it wouldn't be right somehow. She's sure as anything not leaving them in Faultline. And somehow she just can't imagine trying to explain how she got them to Jai.
"Uh. Hi, Stasis. Nice to.. uh, see you?"
She shoots a grin over at the other girl, wondering if the other feels as awkward as she does. Judging by the swallowed-a-hedgehog expression Lucky probably does.
"Ayuh. Just came by to drop off some stuff. Be out of here in a minute."
The teddy bear is very cute. The aviator glasses make him a very dashing bear and the miniature blue and white jacket is settled with authority on his little shoulders. She frowns as she lifts him out of his box, unconsciously caressing the deep fur with a thumb. She nods her head and wedges him into the space between the pillow and the wall. That will do for now.
She hesitates but then strips the decoder ring off her finger to tuck it into the bear's miniature pocket. She'd thought for sure she'd broken it against that last Rikti and the near heart attack had convinced her not to carry the silly thing around. How would she explain it to Behr, if she shattered it with whumping things too hard? Nope, it can stay here too.
She straightens and runs a hand through her hair. Nothing else here to do. She spins on one economical heel and tries not to look like she's running for the door. She hesitates with her hand on the knob though, reminding herself that she had more than one reason to come here. Her mouth is dry but she gets the words out.
"Lucky. You seen Kris anywhere?"
The other girl looks over at her friend's bed as if to magically conjure the redhead out of the air. "Not this afternoon. I think she said something about a tour of history plaques with some of the other guys. Did you.. want me to leave a message?"
"Oh. Uh." She turns her face away so Lucky can't see her expression. "Yeah. Tell her I'd like to talk to her, heyla? Mebbe I'll drop by later, see if she's back." She looks over her shoulder and does her best to smile. "My advice is don't mess with the bear. He looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth but it's all show."
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Kris O'Sullivan
Kris heard the voice down the hall. It was Stasi. She was tired, and ready to just drop, but she knew why her friend was there. The thought of Stasis leaving the quad hurt really bad. She hadbeen so unfair to Stasis, even though the event that brought it on wasn't very just.But that didn't excuse what happened.
And, now, it looked like she got to watch Stasis leave the room for a final time, and not to build a new life after school, as she had romanticized. No. Instead, Stasis was leaving because Kris couldn't keep her trap shut at the right time. Slowing her pace, the girl considered turning around, and walking away. Instead, she froze. What was Stasis saying? She couldn't hear what the words were, just the sound. The sound of a voice she had grown attached to, and suddenly had ripped away. Twice.
What do I do? Whaere do I go? I'm not sure I can handle this! I need... You need to buck up, and be your own darned hero, Kristina.
Kris swallowed. Looking around, she noted all of the doors were closed. No spectators. Good. Just walk over. But, how?
Holy crap! I wish I was dead!
Kris heard the voice down the hall. It was Stasi. She was tired, and ready to just drop, but she knew why her friend was there. The thought of Stasis leaving the quad hurt really bad. She hadbeen so unfair to Stasis, even though the event that brought it on wasn't very just.But that didn't excuse what happened.
And, now, it looked like she got to watch Stasis leave the room for a final time, and not to build a new life after school, as she had romanticized. No. Instead, Stasis was leaving because Kris couldn't keep her trap shut at the right time. Slowing her pace, the girl considered turning around, and walking away. Instead, she froze. What was Stasis saying? She couldn't hear what the words were, just the sound. The sound of a voice she had grown attached to, and suddenly had ripped away. Twice.
What do I do? Whaere do I go? I'm not sure I can handle this! I need... You need to buck up, and be your own darned hero, Kristina.
Kris swallowed. Looking around, she noted all of the doors were closed. No spectators. Good. Just walk over. But, how?
Holy crap! I wish I was dead!
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
"Stasi," Lucky blurts out, leaning forward. "Why don't you wait here for Kris?"
No. First reaction. The walls press in on her. She can see the echo of the sword in the corner of her eye, even though the plaster is long since repaired. She doesn't want to have to talk to her... she can't even say friend anymore. She can't talk to Kris here, not with these walls to watch. She understands that suddenly, standing there with her hand on the warm metal.
"Neh." Jai's word, another type of armor. "I'll catch up with her later, you know it. It'll be.. it'll be alright." Deep breath. "Don't mess with the bear, okay? Feed him cookies if he gets cranky."
Makes her escape then with Lucky's concerned eyes on the backs of her shoulders, slides in a smooth rush out the door in a legacy of too many buildings, too many corners. Closes the door and puts her back to it. She feels suddenly like she's run a marathon.
She'll take Nemesis over this feeling. Rikti and their damned energy guns. Why does this always have to be so difficult? Why did Lish have to die and leave them alone?
Averts her face, forcing the thought away. No. Not going there again. Her problem is with Kris and the words both said and unsaid. Blaming it on Lycia is the coward's way out and she's not taking it.
She pushes off from the brace behind her, turns on her heel.
Only to find Kris looking at her from halfway down the hallway, arms crossed over her chest. Stasis can feel her heart freeze. Kris' hair seems darker, older. She's not sure about the expression at this distance but it probably mirrors the one she can feel tightening her face, wrapping a wire around her heart.
"Hey." Licks her lips, tries again as she takes a few steps closer. "Hey, Kris." She can't seem to get enough air. "I was.. uh, looking for you. Lucky said you were out." She waves a vague hand at the door behind her as if that means anything. "I had to drop off some stuff and I was kind of hoping to.. well, talk to you. While I was here." The other girl is still just looking at her. "Uh, you.. alright?"
She's babbling. Manages to lock her teeth over the rest before it gets worse and she has to run away. Stops her hesitant advance.
C'mon Kris, say something. Anything. Tell me I'm an idiot. Tell me that you hate me. Tell me to go away.
Tell me you forgive me.
No. First reaction. The walls press in on her. She can see the echo of the sword in the corner of her eye, even though the plaster is long since repaired. She doesn't want to have to talk to her... she can't even say friend anymore. She can't talk to Kris here, not with these walls to watch. She understands that suddenly, standing there with her hand on the warm metal.
"Neh." Jai's word, another type of armor. "I'll catch up with her later, you know it. It'll be.. it'll be alright." Deep breath. "Don't mess with the bear, okay? Feed him cookies if he gets cranky."
Makes her escape then with Lucky's concerned eyes on the backs of her shoulders, slides in a smooth rush out the door in a legacy of too many buildings, too many corners. Closes the door and puts her back to it. She feels suddenly like she's run a marathon.
She'll take Nemesis over this feeling. Rikti and their damned energy guns. Why does this always have to be so difficult? Why did Lish have to die and leave them alone?
Averts her face, forcing the thought away. No. Not going there again. Her problem is with Kris and the words both said and unsaid. Blaming it on Lycia is the coward's way out and she's not taking it.
She pushes off from the brace behind her, turns on her heel.
Only to find Kris looking at her from halfway down the hallway, arms crossed over her chest. Stasis can feel her heart freeze. Kris' hair seems darker, older. She's not sure about the expression at this distance but it probably mirrors the one she can feel tightening her face, wrapping a wire around her heart.
"Hey." Licks her lips, tries again as she takes a few steps closer. "Hey, Kris." She can't seem to get enough air. "I was.. uh, looking for you. Lucky said you were out." She waves a vague hand at the door behind her as if that means anything. "I had to drop off some stuff and I was kind of hoping to.. well, talk to you. While I was here." The other girl is still just looking at her. "Uh, you.. alright?"
She's babbling. Manages to lock her teeth over the rest before it gets worse and she has to run away. Stops her hesitant advance.
C'mon Kris, say something. Anything. Tell me I'm an idiot. Tell me that you hate me. Tell me to go away.
Tell me you forgive me.
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Kris O'Sullivan
Kris suddenly went to jelly inside. For what seemed an eternity, she looked at her friend, her former personal idol. After two blinks she cleared her throat.
"Hey," she said a bit fragilly. "We've missed you. Please come back. I promise- I promise not to ever do anything like that again."
Quiet tears stung at the redhead's eyes. It seemed so unfair that the person who had sacrificed so much to bring them back was not there, anymore. And now she had her chance. Kris would grovel, beg, be Stasis' personal slave, if she would just come back. She had to make her headstrong friend realize that the absence was killing them.
Sniffing, she walked to Stasis. The whole world had slowed down to a near stop. But she was determined to cross the gap. To make it right again. Kris killed Q5 in this hall, now was her time to resurrect it. And as slow as time seemed to move, she was standing in front of her old best friend. She would whisper, so that just the two of them could hear.
"Can we go someplace and talk? We need to badly," Kris whispered in a hopeful voice. "Please?"
So much she wanted to just throw her arms around Stasis and tell her how much she had been like an older sister to Kris. She hated this seperation. She just wanted it to be good, again. She wanted her sister back.
Kris suddenly went to jelly inside. For what seemed an eternity, she looked at her friend, her former personal idol. After two blinks she cleared her throat.
"Hey," she said a bit fragilly. "We've missed you. Please come back. I promise- I promise not to ever do anything like that again."
Quiet tears stung at the redhead's eyes. It seemed so unfair that the person who had sacrificed so much to bring them back was not there, anymore. And now she had her chance. Kris would grovel, beg, be Stasis' personal slave, if she would just come back. She had to make her headstrong friend realize that the absence was killing them.
Sniffing, she walked to Stasis. The whole world had slowed down to a near stop. But she was determined to cross the gap. To make it right again. Kris killed Q5 in this hall, now was her time to resurrect it. And as slow as time seemed to move, she was standing in front of her old best friend. She would whisper, so that just the two of them could hear.
"Can we go someplace and talk? We need to badly," Kris whispered in a hopeful voice. "Please?"
So much she wanted to just throw her arms around Stasis and tell her how much she had been like an older sister to Kris. She hated this seperation. She just wanted it to be good, again. She wanted her sister back.
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
She's never seen Kris look so defeated.
This close she can see the dark circles, the lines of exhaustion scratched into the other girl's face. Even her skin has a lucency it didn't before, as if things are stretching too thin. What has Kris been doing all this time? Patrolling until collapse?
Her heart turns over painfully at the thought. She doesn't know. She never asked. She never looked up even once from her own aggrieved, petty hurt.
You did this. This is all your fault. The familiar knife drives in. You don't deserve any of them.
The breath she takes trembles but thankfully doesn't mist. Still at least that much in control. There is so much hesitant expection in Kris' eyes that she almost can't bear to see it. As if the slighter girl is afraid to wish for too much, but needing to hope for something. Anything. Kris' fingers twist against each other, so obviously not reaching.
She does. Walks those few steps necessary and reaches out without thinking, feeling Jai's ghost hands on hers. A long lesson so carefully given until she understood; that touch can comfort, help, ease nightmares. It is easy for once as she offers it to another. Pulls Kris in the embrace, locking her arms around the shocked, trembling form.
Stasis tucks her chin against the dark flame of warm hair. She can smell flowers, dust. She'd forgotten how short her friend was.
"I'm here. I'm sorry." That above everything else, before anything else. "I didn't mean it, none of it." She isn't sure which of them is shaking, fine tremors of fear. "I was just angry," she whispers.
Not angry, no. Furious. Incandescent. For no reason.
No reason she is willing to name.
Kris hiccups then, half a laugh and clutches her fiercely. "It was my fault Stasi, I yelled at you. I said such terrible things and in front of everybody too." The words are near unintelligible, buried against her chest. "I just want you to come back, I do. Please. I'm sorry, I've been sorry and I didn't know how to tell you and I've.. we've missed you so much!"
Stasis shakes her head, not even sure what she is negating. "No. Oh no, Kris, you were right, you were. I was just so.. I should have have told you what was going on, instead of just... I didn't think." She never thinks. She just acts and she's never going to get it right. "You were were right to be mad at me. You did the right thing, you did." How can Kris not see this?
Caught up in the terrible feeling she hugs Kris until her armor creaks with the strain. The other girl makes a small sound of protest and Stasis belatedly pulls back to put her hands on the thin shoulders. Digs her fingers in slightly and shakes her friend gently. "Let's... let's go talk, okay? You and me, like before." There are tears in Kris' deep eyes. She widens her own against the distressing tendency of the hallway to fragment. "You can yell at me if you like. I won't mind, I promise."
She smiles as best she can then, raising a hand to brush futilely at the moisture on the upturned face. She's made so many people cry and she's never been worth it.
"I don't.. don't want to yell at you." Kris' voice is watery but defiant. Warm hands come up and tug hers down until they stand with fingers clasped. "I just... want to be your friend again. That's all."
Stasis swallows, hearing the hope laid bare like a layer of sunshine in a quiet room. She can only squeeze Kris' hands in answer. She nods in reply, shorting out on words for a second.
"Ayuh," she finally manages. "Okay. I can do that." A painful whisper but she gets it out, that's what counts.
Kris' answering smile is enough to light the world.
This close she can see the dark circles, the lines of exhaustion scratched into the other girl's face. Even her skin has a lucency it didn't before, as if things are stretching too thin. What has Kris been doing all this time? Patrolling until collapse?
Her heart turns over painfully at the thought. She doesn't know. She never asked. She never looked up even once from her own aggrieved, petty hurt.
You did this. This is all your fault. The familiar knife drives in. You don't deserve any of them.
The breath she takes trembles but thankfully doesn't mist. Still at least that much in control. There is so much hesitant expection in Kris' eyes that she almost can't bear to see it. As if the slighter girl is afraid to wish for too much, but needing to hope for something. Anything. Kris' fingers twist against each other, so obviously not reaching.
She does. Walks those few steps necessary and reaches out without thinking, feeling Jai's ghost hands on hers. A long lesson so carefully given until she understood; that touch can comfort, help, ease nightmares. It is easy for once as she offers it to another. Pulls Kris in the embrace, locking her arms around the shocked, trembling form.
Stasis tucks her chin against the dark flame of warm hair. She can smell flowers, dust. She'd forgotten how short her friend was.
"I'm here. I'm sorry." That above everything else, before anything else. "I didn't mean it, none of it." She isn't sure which of them is shaking, fine tremors of fear. "I was just angry," she whispers.
Not angry, no. Furious. Incandescent. For no reason.
No reason she is willing to name.
Kris hiccups then, half a laugh and clutches her fiercely. "It was my fault Stasi, I yelled at you. I said such terrible things and in front of everybody too." The words are near unintelligible, buried against her chest. "I just want you to come back, I do. Please. I'm sorry, I've been sorry and I didn't know how to tell you and I've.. we've missed you so much!"
Stasis shakes her head, not even sure what she is negating. "No. Oh no, Kris, you were right, you were. I was just so.. I should have have told you what was going on, instead of just... I didn't think." She never thinks. She just acts and she's never going to get it right. "You were were right to be mad at me. You did the right thing, you did." How can Kris not see this?
Caught up in the terrible feeling she hugs Kris until her armor creaks with the strain. The other girl makes a small sound of protest and Stasis belatedly pulls back to put her hands on the thin shoulders. Digs her fingers in slightly and shakes her friend gently. "Let's... let's go talk, okay? You and me, like before." There are tears in Kris' deep eyes. She widens her own against the distressing tendency of the hallway to fragment. "You can yell at me if you like. I won't mind, I promise."
She smiles as best she can then, raising a hand to brush futilely at the moisture on the upturned face. She's made so many people cry and she's never been worth it.
"I don't.. don't want to yell at you." Kris' voice is watery but defiant. Warm hands come up and tug hers down until they stand with fingers clasped. "I just... want to be your friend again. That's all."
Stasis swallows, hearing the hope laid bare like a layer of sunshine in a quiet room. She can only squeeze Kris' hands in answer. She nods in reply, shorting out on words for a second.
"Ayuh," she finally manages. "Okay. I can do that." A painful whisper but she gets it out, that's what counts.
Kris' answering smile is enough to light the world.
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Kris O'Sullivan
Stasis swallowed, then squeezed Kris' hands in answer. It was as if she was experiencing some really wrenching and honest feelings, maybe. The icy girl nodded in reply, Kris could sense the loss of expresion.
"Ayuh," Stasis finally seemed to find words. "Okay. I can do that."
It was a painful whisper, but Kris could tell it was a heartfelt response. Not being able to contain herself, the redhead smiled. In her mind, the weather cleared a little more, and she began to realize that she wasn't exactly as well as she used to be, physically. However it wasn't her health that was the issue. Having her family back is what was important.
"I've been getting stronger, in my noggin'," she said, trying to make some good conversation. "And, I passed High School classes, and am onto college stuff now... It's harder, so I don't just breeze right through it, like the high school stuff. Did you know Lycia's back? Well, not here, but, yeah... God! It's great to be here with you, again! Icy chill and everything! Maybe I'll stop being sick due to being so hot all of the time, now!"
Kris knew she was babbling, but it kept her from being an embarassing emotional yo-yo. She hoped Stasis wouldn't mind. Turning, to go to one of her new favorite places, Kris pulled Stasis, knowing it wouldn't take much for her pale friend to pull Kris from her feet.
"I know a great place," Kris explained. "I do thinking and meditating there. It's perfect for this! You have no idea how high my spirit is flying, right now."
Suddenly Kris stopped. There was a real possibility that Stasis wasn't there for what she thought. Maybe she wasn't there to come back. Maybe she didn't feel the same as Kris. She was trying not to pry into Stasis' emotions and feelings. It was one of the wedges that hurt their relationship before.
"You feel good about this too, right?"
Stasis swallowed, then squeezed Kris' hands in answer. It was as if she was experiencing some really wrenching and honest feelings, maybe. The icy girl nodded in reply, Kris could sense the loss of expresion.
"Ayuh," Stasis finally seemed to find words. "Okay. I can do that."
It was a painful whisper, but Kris could tell it was a heartfelt response. Not being able to contain herself, the redhead smiled. In her mind, the weather cleared a little more, and she began to realize that she wasn't exactly as well as she used to be, physically. However it wasn't her health that was the issue. Having her family back is what was important.
"I've been getting stronger, in my noggin'," she said, trying to make some good conversation. "And, I passed High School classes, and am onto college stuff now... It's harder, so I don't just breeze right through it, like the high school stuff. Did you know Lycia's back? Well, not here, but, yeah... God! It's great to be here with you, again! Icy chill and everything! Maybe I'll stop being sick due to being so hot all of the time, now!"
Kris knew she was babbling, but it kept her from being an embarassing emotional yo-yo. She hoped Stasis wouldn't mind. Turning, to go to one of her new favorite places, Kris pulled Stasis, knowing it wouldn't take much for her pale friend to pull Kris from her feet.
"I know a great place," Kris explained. "I do thinking and meditating there. It's perfect for this! You have no idea how high my spirit is flying, right now."
Suddenly Kris stopped. There was a real possibility that Stasis wasn't there for what she thought. Maybe she wasn't there to come back. Maybe she didn't feel the same as Kris. She was trying not to pry into Stasis' emotions and feelings. It was one of the wedges that hurt their relationship before.
"You feel good about this too, right?"
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Lucia Adriaens
Lucia crouched against the inside of the Quad 5 door, ear pressed against the currently too-thick wood, straining to make out the conversation outside in the hallway.
What's going on out there? Those two are either making up, or things are about to seriously blow up again. I wish I could hear what was going on out there...
Lucia pressed one hand against the door, and slowly pushed it open, just a hair. The latch clicked open, and Lucia paused, hoping that Stasis and Kris hadn't heard it. She held her breath, but the two girls were too caught up in their conversation to notice, it seemed.
I hope this doesn't all blow up. I can't bear to see Kris cry again. I can't stand the thought of going through all of this. Again!
Lucia crouched against the inside of the Quad 5 door, ear pressed against the currently too-thick wood, straining to make out the conversation outside in the hallway.
What's going on out there? Those two are either making up, or things are about to seriously blow up again. I wish I could hear what was going on out there...
Lucia pressed one hand against the door, and slowly pushed it open, just a hair. The latch clicked open, and Lucia paused, hoping that Stasis and Kris hadn't heard it. She held her breath, but the two girls were too caught up in their conversation to notice, it seemed.
I hope this doesn't all blow up. I can't bear to see Kris cry again. I can't stand the thought of going through all of this. Again!
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Kris' words spilled from her like a fever dream, eyes bright with tears and happiness. In her hand the grip was strong but fragile, her friend's fingers so thin she could feel the bird bright bones.
Stasis didn't let the frown touch her face. Really, Kris was fine. They were going to work out it f'sure and things would be like they were before, maybe even better than before. She wasn't going to make the same mistakes again. She squeezed the hand back, letting the empath pull her down the hallway.
"I know a great place," Kris chattered, walking backwards. "I do thinking and meditating there. It's perfect for this! You have no idea how high my spirit is flying, right now."
Stasis smiled. For a second Kris was her ebullient self again, near dancing on the floorboards. Then suddenly the redhead stopped, looked up. Uncertainty flashed across her features.
"You feel good about this too, right?"
"Ayuh! Righter than right, heyla?" The words were automatic, her mouth doing whatever it did when she wasn't sure what to say. Kris needed reassurance; she'd give it. She'd keep giving it until that terrible look faded from her friend's face and eyes. "I want to be friends again, Kris. I do. I want to make it right with you."
She did. More than anything, she did. Kris smiled again, the hesitant expression clearing with a speed that was almost frightening. What was going on? This time the frown did touch her face, drawing pale brows together but Kris was already turning away, tugging on her hands.
"Come on then, I'll take you there. You are going to love it!"
Stasis didn't let the frown touch her face. Really, Kris was fine. They were going to work out it f'sure and things would be like they were before, maybe even better than before. She wasn't going to make the same mistakes again. She squeezed the hand back, letting the empath pull her down the hallway.
"I know a great place," Kris chattered, walking backwards. "I do thinking and meditating there. It's perfect for this! You have no idea how high my spirit is flying, right now."
Stasis smiled. For a second Kris was her ebullient self again, near dancing on the floorboards. Then suddenly the redhead stopped, looked up. Uncertainty flashed across her features.
"You feel good about this too, right?"
"Ayuh! Righter than right, heyla?" The words were automatic, her mouth doing whatever it did when she wasn't sure what to say. Kris needed reassurance; she'd give it. She'd keep giving it until that terrible look faded from her friend's face and eyes. "I want to be friends again, Kris. I do. I want to make it right with you."
She did. More than anything, she did. Kris smiled again, the hesitant expression clearing with a speed that was almost frightening. What was going on? This time the frown did touch her face, drawing pale brows together but Kris was already turning away, tugging on her hands.
"Come on then, I'll take you there. You are going to love it!"
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
Kris O'Sullivan
Kris blinked a couple of times, feeling dizzy just for the slightest of moments. It was like her consciousness shot out in different directions, all at once. It really felt claustrophobic in the hall, and she desperately wanted away, but she felt one mind in particular. Lucky. She had such concern. Maybe she needed to come, too.
"Stasi," the redhead asked. "Is it okay if Lucia comes along? She's concerned, and it's better that she not have to eaves drop. Besides, it isn't like she won't find out. I share everything with her. Well, except for me and Tony. That's... *blush and swallow* ...kinda private."
Kris blinked a couple of times, feeling dizzy just for the slightest of moments. It was like her consciousness shot out in different directions, all at once. It really felt claustrophobic in the hall, and she desperately wanted away, but she felt one mind in particular. Lucky. She had such concern. Maybe she needed to come, too.
"Stasi," the redhead asked. "Is it okay if Lucia comes along? She's concerned, and it's better that she not have to eaves drop. Besides, it isn't like she won't find out. I share everything with her. Well, except for me and Tony. That's... *blush and swallow* ...kinda private."
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
-
Stasis Kiss
- Supreme Commander of teh Intarwebs
- Posts: 2403
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:24 pm
- Location: just left of center
- Contact:
"Lucia?"
She glanced in confusion over her shoulder to the door of Q5. Sure enough it was ajar, and it hadn't been before. She couldn't actually see Lucky of course, but Kris probably did.
Wondered, not for the first time, what it would be like to sense the minds of people around her like her empathic friend did. Did they impinge on consciousness like little warm spots, dancing around? Or was it more like a cold map, with pinpricks to show placement, position? What did Kris know without even trying?
Stasis shook her head, and turned back to Kris. It didn't matter. Smiled warmly down.
"Of course Lucky can come too. I should... we should all be friends. Hey? We are Q5."
She glanced in confusion over her shoulder to the door of Q5. Sure enough it was ajar, and it hadn't been before. She couldn't actually see Lucky of course, but Kris probably did.
Wondered, not for the first time, what it would be like to sense the minds of people around her like her empathic friend did. Did they impinge on consciousness like little warm spots, dancing around? Or was it more like a cold map, with pinpricks to show placement, position? What did Kris know without even trying?
Stasis shook her head, and turned back to Kris. It didn't matter. Smiled warmly down.
"Of course Lucky can come too. I should... we should all be friends. Hey? We are Q5."
"So pay attention to me; I don't talk for my health."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."
"I want you on my team."
"... So does everybody else."