Saturday, December 1, 2007

The quiet times
Nana is finding that writing the more quiet times in her book a bit of a problem.

Here's the latest.

**
Ayumi sat at Junsei’s desk staring intently at the questions on the homework sheet, “I just don’t get it.” She said as she leaned back in the chair.
Junsei sat up on her bed and moved closer to the desk, “What’s there not to get?”
“All these things about a war that happened over half a century ago.” Ayumi pointed to the book that she had brought with her, “Why do we need to learn about it when there is so much more that happen within the last two decades?”
Junsei giggled, “You know, I figured that since your dad, being the head of a large corporation, had you tutored for so long, that you’d know the importance of history.”
Ayumi glared at Junsei, “Well he didn’t.”
“Or you just weren’t listening.”
Ayumi threw her pencil at Junsei, “I too was listening.”
“Look, before we can learn about the present, we must know the past. The Oni, the Union integration, and our revived space program are the present. World War II was a pivotal point in Japanese history. It set up our relations with the rest of the world. It spawned the JSDF and opened trade with the United States. Trust me, you need to know this now that you’ve made the decision to follow me.”
Ayumi pouted, “You are starting to sound like my old tutor.”
Junsei smiled, “He must’ve been good then.”
Ayumi closed her book, “I give up. I just can’t see how you are able to remember so much.”
“I’m not human. My brain works differently.”
Ayumi got up from the desk and slumped down on the bed, resting against Junsei, “Neither am I, anymore.”
Junsei put her arm around Ayumi, “I still wonder whether I should be mad at you for making such a drastic decision.”
Ayumi pressed closer to Junsei, “Would you rather be alone and feel isolated from the rest of life?”
Junsei didn’t answer, she just smiled inwardly and rested her head against Ayumi’s.
“I know I was selfish,” Ayumi closed her eyes, “but you were the first person who didn’t care about my families status. The first to see who I really am. I didn’t want to lose that.” A shiver ran down her spine causing her to tense up.
Junsei noticed, “What’s wrong?”
Ayumi sat up and looked around the room, “I don’t know. It feels colder in here all of a sudden.”
“Colder?” Junsei looked around and smiled, “Ah, I see.”
Ayumi looked at Junsei, “What?”
There was a knock at the door, “It’s open.” Junsei said as she turned to the door.
Vermillion stood in the doorway looking a bit tired, “Hey little one, just came to check on you.” He smiled as he looked at Ayumi, “Hiroe-san, welcome.”
Ayumi backed up against the wall, something was wrong here.
Both Junsei and Vermillion watched Ayumi in confusion, “Ayu?” Junsei reached out to her friend.
Ayumi pointed at Vermillion, “That’s not your father. He feels so dark, empty.”
Vermillion smiled and stepped into the room, “No matter how many times I hear that, it still hurts.”
Junsei glared at Vermillion briefly before returning a gentler look to Ayumi, “No, he is my father.”
“But,” Junsei put her finger to Ayumi’s lips.
“When you first looked into my dad’s heart, you saw something dark, right?”
“It was very small though.”
“I didn’t tell you this before, but I have two dads, in a way.”
Vermillion bowed, “Pleased to meet you, my name is Kain.”
Ayumi stared at the man, “Kain?”
“Vermillion and I share this body. Though I am rarely in control, I still interact with him.”
“How?
The man thought for a second, “How are you able to read the feelings of others so well? Life has many mysteries, we are one of them.”
Junsei drew Ayumi away from the wall, “I know how he seems, but Kain is a fairly nice person.” She looked at Kain, half smiling, “Though he does have a sharp humor.”
Kain shook his head, “Last I talked with you, little one, I was still unstable.”
Junsei nodded, “When I saw that Vermillion had changed a year ago, I figured something had happened between you two.”
Kain smiled, “Don’t worry, I’m still me.”
Junsei sighed, “That’s what worries me.”
Kain looked at Ayumi, “I know what it may seem, but please trust my daughter’s word that I am a decent person.”
Seeing that Ayumi was still unable to answer Junsei continued the conversation, “So what are you doing in control?”
“Vermillion is working with Omoikane and Nana to hack the Federation and Zanearians’s network. Till that’s finished, I’m in control.”
“And Biku?”
“For now I am following Vermillion’s wish to leave the cross-breed to you.”
“Yes,” Junsei gently stroked Ayumi’s back, “You do know that after that stunt Vermillion pulled, Biku’s gone rogue again. Helping with the final preparations of the Constellation.”
Kain nodded, “Then I bring good news. Two of the souls he salvaged are ready to be transferred to their new bodies.”
“From your tone, I take it Illana is one of them.”
“What’s more, is that she wishes to talk to the cross-breed. To thank him.”
Junsei sat for a few minutes and thought, still soothing Ayumi, “Leave the rest to me, for now. Though, I think you should stay away from Ayu till she is more comfortable around you.”
Kain looked at Ayumi, who hid her face against Junsei’s shoulder, “I’m glad to see that you are well, little one.” He turned and left the room, closing the door after himself.
Ayumi almost immediately relaxed as she felt Kain’s life force disappear. She slipped from Junsei’s arms and lay limp on the bed, “I don’t know how you can do that. I don’t mean to be rude, but he seriously scares me.”
Junsei laid down as well, “It’s not easy sometimes, knowing that my dad is two different people. But I can see it, and in time you will be able to as well. Kain is a good person; he’s just is a bit more twisted than most.”
Ayumi close her eyes and breathed deep, trying to calm herself, “Who is Illana?”
Junsei rolled onto her side. Ayumi’s profile was soft; her dark hair spread out loosely on the covers. The late afternoon light made her seem doll like. Precious… Junsei shook off the thought as she answered, “A few weeks ago, something happened and some children lost their lives. But Biku did something to keep the souls from passing on, so my dad had cybernetic bodies made for the children who wished to continue living. Illana, is one of those children. She also happens to have the same name as Biku’s daughter. I believe they are also the same age. But I don’t know since Biku will never talk about it.”
Ayumi rolled over, her face barely touching Junsei’s, “Why do you care so much about Biku?”

**

NNM
More Michael Franks Lyrics, cause the guy is a freaken genius-

You used to be her space invader
Snatching her free from King Kong's choke
She's allons-y
She'll catch you later
Now that your joystick's broke

You had it made with all the women
At the arcade nor you're the joke
Still wear the shades
But who you kiddin'
Now that you joystick's broke

Hurts your elbow
Hurts your wrist
You can barely make a fist
You're the king of indoor sports
So how come the circuit shorts
Call the number
Broken Sticks
Bring 'em in and get 'em fixed

There in your jeans
That roll of quarters
Still fills the air with lipsticked smoke
Guess the machine's just out of order
Too bad your joystick's broke
Comments (2)