Episode Thirty Eight

Messages

I am not hiding behind my canvas; I am living in it. -

Sundays in the park with George

The symphonic rock decoupaged over the hum of a busy computer tower. Bright lamp light showered the desk. Curtains opened to a dreary dull evening.  

Esther, history book balanced in her lap, chatted idly with Ro; PaintingtheROsesRed. She sighed and once again glanced at the paper minimized to half screen to make room for the chat; the other half glowing with the chat box and list of contacts. The grey contact of Munin denoted he or she was offline. Trying to focus her fingers hovered over the keys as she read the next historic paragraph.

The trill of an incoming chat.

Esther jumped, the history book clattering to floor and sliding on under her desk.

Message from new contact: SimonSays would like to chat.

Esther frowned but clicked the accept YES.

SimonSays: Hey. Its Simon.

Litte_Dove: Hi

SimonSays: I suppose that was obvious.

Giggling Esther wrote back.

Little_Dove: A bit.

SimonSays: I got your IM fro Ro.

Little_Dove: I rem. What’s up?

SimonSays: Studying for earth science. I need a break. You?

Little_Dove:  Trying to catch up on history. Math next.

SimonSays: If you need any help Im pretty good at both Im in accelerated courses.

Esther sighed at the history report of barely a paragraph.

Little_Dove: I may do that.  

PaintingtheROsesRed: Uh Hello? Saturday at my place or yours?

Little_Dove: sorry. Simon just messages me.

PaintingtheROsesRed: Well. About time.

Little_Dove: ha

PaintingtheROsesred: He ask you out yet?

Little_Dove: its not like that

SimonSays: are you busy?

Little_Dove: Oh, no. sorry. Ro was messaging me.

Munin went green.

Esther’s breath caught.

A new chat box opened.

A knock dislodged her from the potential chat.

“Esther?”

Esther, frantic, hit the minimize button the the chats and the maximized on the history paper.

“Come in.” She bent down to get the book.

Monica opened the door wearing purple scrubs. “Still studying?”

“Yeah.” Esther snatched the book by the binding and was too hasty to rise. She hit her head on the bottom of her desk.

“Ouch! You ok?”

“Ugh...yeah.” Esther closed her eyes a moment.

Monica chucked. “Well I thought I would bring up some brain food before heading out.” She proffered a tray of cookies and steaming mug. Esther could smell the spicy hot chocolate as her guardian set the tray on the edge of the desk. “Careful it doesn’t end up on the floor.”

“I'll do my best.”

“The cookies are those cinnamon ones you liked from that bakery we found on 8th.”

Esther took a cookie and a bite.  She covered her mouth to talk with it full. “Yeah. These are really good. Thanks.”

Tinkling, tinny laughter.

“No…”

“What? Are they the wrong ones?”

Esther scanned the ceiling down the window sill. “No...no they are good...Just I thought…” A heavy almost sinus headache feel settled over Esther.

Good. Good. They are...NOT GOOD!

Esther swiveled in her chair towards monica. Light danced duly around her head. An irritation filled Monica’s eyes.

“Thought what?” Her gaze flicked to the screen. “Are you really working? What’s that?” She pointed.

“Uh. Yes.” Esther moved her chair closer to the computer.

“Esther…” Monica sighed.

“I just needed a break.”

“Yes I thought you did so I brought the cookies.” Monica gestured in irritation to the plate. “But it looks like you aren’t working at all. Damn it Esther.” She crossed her arms. “I need a break too, you know? I’ve been running doubles for so long I am seeing the same junkies come in.” A hand went to her head. “And here you are after weeks of therapy not taking anything seriously and chatting with what; some boys?”

“I'm talking with Ro!”

“And Simon? I’m not stupid Esther.”

“No I just--”

“After all this what would Sherri…” The lights above her flickered, Monica blinked. Her hand came down as if she were astonished it had been raised. “I…” She frowned. “I am so sorry.” She shook her head. “I have no idea why I said that. Any of that. Sherri and John would be so proud. Are so proud. I know they are.” She briefly ran a thumb over Esther’s cheek then straightened.

Esther chewed her lip a moment. “It’s ok. No, really. You’re stressed. I get it.”

Monica tried to smiled. “You’re right. I am still sorry. Just get some work done, ok?”

“Ok.”

Monica opened the door. “And drink the cocoa before it gets cold.”

Esther glanced at the ceiling as the door shut, scanning the white texture. The fairies were gone and the heavy feeling she tried to ignore while Monica talked. She sighed.

“Oh crap!” Esther lurched to the chats.

SimonSays: I have a pretty good grasp on history. At least British. And I know the dates of the war.

PaintingtheROesred: I have a test to study for. Later!

SimonSays: But I could let you be.

She clicked the green flashing box of Munin.

Munin: It’s influence.

Little_Dove: Like at school. You washed it away.

Esther stared at the wavy dots indicating Munin was typing.

Munin: You figured it out.

Esther glared at the screen.

Little_Dove: It wasnt that hard. But those things I thought you got rid of them

Munin: In a way. They are still connected to you.

Little_Dove: Monsters

Munin: Not exactly.

Little_Dove: Then what?

She stared at the text box, willing the typing entry to start.

Munin: Not yet. Sorry.

Munin is offline

Esther slid back into her chair. “Of course not…”

Simon’s chat box blinked.

SimonSays: Need any help?

Esther took a breath and leaned forward.

Little_Dove: Yeah. I have US history part 2.

SimonSays: Been there. What do you need?

◙

A bleak morning throng buzzed along the train station.

Esther stood back from the turnstiles, thumb tracing the transportation symbol above Holon’s name, nails against her own pass stacked below. The flow of people slowly increased as the 8am commute hit. Her eyes scanned the people in slow sweeps as she leaned against a pillar, people streaming around each side of her.

Her back lifted from the pilar, eyes alert. A snap of gray military coat, the shoulder lines with black buttons.  

Just say--What? I’ve been thinking about you since last night? That's not creepy at all. Her courage rallied, stamping down the negative intrusions. Just say hi. Its that simple. Dont over-think it.. Reach out and--

Her hand grasped the arm firmly so not to loose hm.

"Holon! H--" A pale boy, dark freckles dusting his face and red hair plastered to his forehead by a beanie, turned.

Esther's grips darted backwards. She stopped dead. She saw the confused face a moment before the force of the crowd speed it away like a drowning current.

A patchwork of dark hair caught her eye but when she drew nearer the lack of blue tent convinced her not to touch his shoulder. The PA dinged the new arrival and Esther let herself be shuffled onto a car with the thick weekday crowd. She held onto a handrail as the subway trundled away beneath her feet.

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Episode Thirty-Seven

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened.

-Terry Pratchett

    Glasses clinking and soft conversation, which predictably quieted as Lucas and Reimei were seated, gave the cafe a pleasantly populated feel.

    Lucas took the proffered menu. “And water please.”

    “And you miss?”

    “Coffee. Black.”

    The waiter missed a beat, gauging if the small girl was serious. “Alright.”

    Lucas smirked, straightening his tie. “I used to get chocolate milk at your age.”

    “You would.” Reimei shifted the cane to hook onto the table.

    “So you wanted to talk about the mission that turned you into a pirate?”

    Reimei scrubbed the edge of the patch. “No. You wanted me to.”

    “Does it itch?”

    “Horribly.” She looked down at the menu. “What’s good?”

    “I always get the burger.”

    One dark eye lifted from the menu then snapped back.

    “There’s a kid’s menu.”

    “You’re very close to insulting me.” Reimei slid the menu back onto the table.

    “Well. I wouldn’t want to do that.”

    “Especially if you want to know how close your current partner is to being right.”

    Lucas’ attention fell thoroughly on the small girl. The waiter came up.

    “One water. One coffee; black. Do you know what you would like or should I give--”

    “I’ll have the strawberry cheesecake.”

    “Alright. And you sir?”

    “Huh? Oh. Burger; everything on it.With fries.”

    “Gottcha.” He picked up the menus.

    “Oh and a side of mustard.” Lucas added. “Reimei.”

    “Hmm?” She took the coffee cup in hand and sipped. Her eyes closed. “Heaven,” she murmured.

    “The mission.”

    Reimei wiggled against the restraints of her brace. She took another sip then held the cup close; over the wide arm sling. “Brutal.”

    Lucas waited for an elaboration, hand sliding into his jacket pocket.

    “You know there’s no smoking in here.”

    “What?” Lucas realized embossed metal in his hand. He gazed at his lighter. “Getting harder and harder to find places that allow vice.”

    “No one smokes anymore; it's vile. It’ll kill you.” She set the cup on the table.

    “Probably not before other things.”

    Reimei glanced up at him. “We are ambushed. Like you and Marie as I understand.”

    “Not technically.”

    “There was a trap. Not a yokai trap. I mean a summoning.”

    Lucas’ brows knit. “Where?”

    “When we were helping with the evacuation in Bruton. Abraham and I did a last sweep and I registered activity half a mile south. We followed a Kimetic trail and at the end was the runic remains of a summoning. We didn’t trip it but when Abraham tried to dismantle it…” She glared at the coffee cup. “There was an explosion. And after...a lot of Yokai.”

    “Alot?”

    Remei looked up at him. “Enough to blind me, break my arm, two ribs and shatter my ankle. But I was lucky. Despite our injuries we closed the gate and contained the demons. Pretty sure death would have been next if there hadn’t been another unit looking for us.”

    Lucas leaned forward, hands folding together. “Who came?”

    “Aloysius and Season.”

    “So they saw the summoning circle?”

    “I was a little preoccupied trying to keep Abraham from bleeding out.”

    “Your order.”

    Lucas leaned back as the waiter pushed the burger in front of him.

    “Mustard on the side. And cheesecake. Everything look good?”

    “Yeah, thanks.” Lucas waited until he had gone to another table. “Rei, I’m sorry.”

    Reimei took her fork and stabbed a large bit of the velvety cake. She shoved it in her mouth, cheeks bulging and immediately stabbed the cheesecake again.

    “We are just throw away fodder,” she managed around the mouthful.

    Lucas dipped a hot fry into the mustard. “Was the circle in your report?” He popped it into his mouth.

    “Of course. And Kelly’s. And Luis’.”

    “Wait,” a new fry dangling over the plate. “What?”

    “Alts talk.” She gulped at the coffee.

    “Why haven’t I heard?” Lucas asked, dipping the fry.

    Reimei gave him the familiar cool look, which transferred briefly to the dripping fry. “The Alt for Marie Ventras? She’s as close to the inner circle as any of us have gotten.”

    “So no one trusts me now?”

    Chewing Reimei shook her head.

    “Fantastic.” Lucas’ back hit the booth’s cushion. “So it’s only around the rumor mill then.”

“No one and nothing should be able to run open and waiting jaws.”

    Lucas sighed, taking up the hamburger. “What’s the play book for this?”

    “Not one.” The little Alt shoveled another giant bite into her mouth.

°

    Esther sat in a low gaming chair watching Ro and Simon battle it out in a robotic ninja girl game. The way their fingers skipped back and forth, while a thumb twisted and turned the toggles, Esther couldn’t tell if the movements were skill or luck. Two kittens played near by, one a dusty grey, the other with dark stripes.

    “Where are the chips?”

    “Those cheese things are over here,” Ro said, rolling from her stomach to sit up right on the floor. The small gray striped kitten hopped into her lap.

    “Those will work.”

    “Just a sec.” Ro hit a quick combo and her character charged in a burst of blue. “Here!” She tossed the bag at Esther’s head, hurriedly going back to the game as her character attacked.

    Esther giggled. Tugging at the bag she winced.

    “Fingers?” Simon asked.

    “Yeah. Still really hurt.” Esther glanced down at the darkening nails. Two were puffing up and pressure was building.

    “Pause.”

    “Hey!” Ro jolted forward, kitten tumbling from her lap. “Oops! Sorry Anges…”

    Simon reached for the chips.

    “Thanks.” Esther messaged her knuckles as he opened the bag with a pop.

    Simon nodded. “Count of three.”

    “Ok! I’m ready!” Ro sat up on her knees, staring down the large screen.

    “One...two...three.”

    “Ugh! What the hell?” Ro’s fingers dashed over the controller but her character missed a block and Simon’s character completed a combo.

“No way.” Ro slumped as the Game Over screen flashed. “Man. I almost had you that time. If you hadn’t bloody paused it! Much cheating.” She scooped up Anges. “It’s he a big fat cheater?”
Simon sniffed and reached for the Kleenex box. Esther leaned forward and nudged it closer.  

    “Cats getting to you, Si?”

    “A bit.”

    “It’s been a few hours; you could take another allergy pill.”

    He stood, going behind his chair to his backpack.

    “There’s options in the fridge.” Ro stretched, holding Anges over her head. “Kitty!”

    “Want anything?” Simon asked, glancing at Esther.

    “That lemon lime soda with the ball on top is really good.” Ro rocked forward and stood. She pressed Anges into Esther’s t-shirt. Esther fumbled to cradle the kitten. Anges mewed and climbed up her shoulder, tiny claws hooking through the thin cotton. She stroked the kitten’s back, half listening to Ro and Simon argue playfully about the game in the media’s room small kitchen. Tiny claws. Soft purring at her ear; like fast fluttering wings.

    “That wasn’t the overdrive combo.”

    “Dude. It was.”

    “Not for that character.”

    “What? I’ve been playing Sonica Dolls a million years, Si. And that was Mizumi’s overdrive!”

    Esther leaned forward, elbows on her knees. The kitten swiped at her hair. She scratched his neck. The blinking of the screen blurred, the theme music mixing dully with the chatter behind her. Gold shimmered. Wings scattered the tone. Esther shuddered. The kitten hissed and leapt from her grasp.

        Ro and Simon gazed down at her, Simon holding three soda bottles. Ro glanced at Simon then sat next to Esther.   

        “Oh! I’m so sorry. I must have been too rough.”

    “Everything ok?”

    Esther ran a hand through the ends of her hair. “Oh yeah, just startled the poor thing I guess.”

    Simon sat and offered her a bottle. She took one, then he offered one to Ro.

    “We can talk about it. You know you’re supposed to talk about it, remember?”

    “Yeah. I just…” Esther’s face grew warm as her gaze flicked to Simon.

    “I can go.”

    “No.” Esther lifted her head. “No, I just mean it's hard to talk about.”

    “The girls at school?” Simon prompted.

    Esther took a breath. She turned up to him and smiled. “Show me the overdrive? What?” she added as Ro’s look. “Games and fun and kittens, right?”

    Ro chuckled. “Games and fun and kittens. Now.” She took up her controller.  “I’ll show you that was an overdrive.”

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