From: Adrian Tymes <wingcat@pacbell.net> Subject: Re: [PW!] Strange Sleepover At Maiden's Peak Date: Sunday, September 26, 1999 10:02 AM Roberto Perez-Vila wrote: > Marvin leans his head against one of the walls and sits, relieved that the > atmosphere around him is calm once again. He yawns out, "So, what were you > two...do...ing... out...?" Marvin lets out one last, long yawn before finally > falling asleep. "Well, that not go according to plan." "Indeed." Xerox looks around, checking out Marvin, Famifax, Bozo...anything but look at Mimic, lest she make eye contact. Mimic props himself up against the doorway's frame, admiring the view of Maiden's Peak. To say the silence was uncomfortable would be to say that certain individuals (for instance, Vorge and Dreadite) were not the most civic minded beings. Xerox proves herself braver, at least at the moment, by breaking the silence. "So...umm..." Mimic sighs, his wish to avoid potential embarassment dispelled. "Mimic willing to pick up where left off, but no may be necessary. Mimic has data; Mimic must analyze. May need more...but only after analysis provide direction for inquiry." Unseen by Mimic, Xerox only partially represses a shudder. Was he seriously saying there was *that* little emotion in it? Fear stops her question from coming out. "Still, if Xerox want, Mimic willing continue. Mimic can try analyze while doing favor for Xerox." Her instincts and emotions cry out for her to say yes, to surrender herself to pleasure...but her intellect, that which differentiates her from a mere beast, requires some excuse, and Mimic just stripped away the only one it had thought of. "I shall...watch over the others. Just in case that ghost comes back." Try as he might to supress it, the wave of relief that washes over Mimic gets out through his telepathy; Xerox feels it just as Mimic felt her emotions earlier. "Mimic stand watch here, alert if others come." "There will be no others tonight." Mimic and Xerox look up; each is slightly grateful that the interruption does not yet require them to look at the other. The true ghost of Maiden's Peak hovers in the air between them. "Thank you for what you tried to do tonight, even if the results were less than successful." She pulls a blanket out of nowhere and drapes it across Marvin. "Most of those who come here want to disprove the legend...to prove that I don't exist. When someone does come here who believes I do exist, they usually want to prove their courage by destroying me. It has been...some time since anyone last came here to do something nice. Thank you." "How long? ...if Mimic may ask, that is." "Other than that Gastly - and, just between you and me, I don't know if he is doing me a favor by making me look like a mean spirit, but at least he's making sure people don't forget me - I think the last one was that sculptor who carved the cliff, unknowingly giving my spirit another place to rest." "But that *centuries* ago!" "Yes." The ghost smiles, then drifts down between Xerox and Mimic, her form blocking their views of each other. "If you ever need sanctuary, come back here. I know the area better than anyone else, as you can imagine. I can hide you where no one will find you. And, please, feel free to visit any time." She dissapears abruptly, leaving Xerox and Mimic staring right at each other; when they simultaneously turn away, the still-observing spirit stifles a giggle before returning to her rest. TBC?