From: Adrian Tymes <wingcat@pacbell.net> Subject: Re: [PW!] Whispers in the Moonlight Date: Monday, November 29, 1999 9:29 PM Maria Rocket wrote: > "If you're honestly serious about what you said before...I'd like to help you > find yourself...and love. Even if it isn't for me." Her face dropped a bit. > "I..." She sighed and reached into her pocket and brought out the ruby box. > "I think though, this is all you really want." She held it out to him. "I > know what I want...but whatever you decide will be for the best." A corner of > her mind wondered what had gotten into her. > > Suddenly aware that she could lose him again forever at any instant, she > desperately wanted to kiss him, now that her anger had faded into a numb > sadness. The longing was in her eyes, and she knew Slasher might smack her for > being weak if he were present. She absently stroked his face with her > fingertips. Mimic just looked between the box, her face, the box, and back > again. > > Between Mimic's touch and the whispers beyond, Maria felt as if she'd been > frozen in time. She dared not lose his eyes. > Seth smiled at her. "So, has Mimic come back yet?" > > "Not that I can tell." Aerie huddled near to Seth for warmth. The nights had > grown colder in recent weeks. "Think they're okay?" > > "Wish I knew. Dad's clueless, and Mom's hopeless. That makes me-" > > "Payless?" > > "Err, no. Nervous." Seth tucked his hands into his pockets. "This could be a > disaster..." > > "Let's just hope for the best." Aerie leaned against him and kissed his cheek. > "After all, so far only good things happen when they get together." > > "Hmm?" > > Aerie giggled and tapped him on the nose. "Ahh....I see them both in you now. > You're clueless *and* hopeless. But I love you just the same." > > "Ditto," Seth blushed, and held her closer. A sudden light startled the pair. They jumped back, still holding each other, and squinted as they looked up. Surrounded by an almost too bright white-blue aura, two Marias held each other tight as they faded into view, gently settling down towards the ground while their aura faded. One Maria seemed lost in the embrace of the other, not wanting to experience anything else; the other's eyes were open, and quickly fixed on Seth and Aerie. The latter one plucked a ruby box from the former's hand and tossed it to the duo, who deftly snatched it. On seeing their quizzical glances, the Maria looking at them shooed them away and mouthed, "I'll take care of Mimic." They actually managed to get all the way around the corner, Doppler in hand and Slasher in tow, before they froze. "Did she...was that..." Seth nodded his head. "Mimic can take care of himself. I hope. At least we know one thing for sure: this *definitely* isn't our own timeline, not any more." He beheld the box. "Come on, if we hurry we *might* make it back to Sabrina's before the Gym closes." Several meters behind them, Maria looked about for other watchers, but saw none. "Mimic thank Maria. Would like to find self, if Mimic's self can exist...find love, if Mimic's love can exist. Maria serious about want help Mimic?" "Yes." "Then please..." 'Maria' took her chin off Maria's shoulder and looked Maria in the eye. "...tell Mimic how. Please." "Well, first..." Maria's intended retort about changing into something other than herself was interrupted by a sudden yawn. Looking up in the sky, a brilliant crescent moon was the only thing that overpowered the nearby street lights to shine in the night sky. "...we should find some place to sleep. I don't know about you, but I can't stay awake forever." "Neither can Mimic...though Mimic think Doppler do that sometimes, so maybe Mimic learn how if necessary." "Right. Anyway, we can bunk at...my..." Maria blinked. She was going to say her employer's nearby base, but where was that? TBC? > (Yikes...my writing feels stiff! I've gotta get myself back in the flow again. > ^_^; ) [Don't stress, you did fine. Overstress and you might stop enjoying it.]