I didn't have the guts to bring up what Lynei and I talked about to Mack. I mean I wasn't even sure if he heard what we said. I wanted so much to help. I knew it was none of my business, but I knew in my heart those two were made for each other. I had to get them to talk to each other somehow. To really listen and let each other know how they feel.
Not long after Olyame and I talked, I went straight home. I'm sure no one would mind Ranito staying the night. As soon as I got back into my chambers, I went into my evening meditation and found Lenaria's spirit.
|I see you've accquired another suitor, Lynei.| she said, smirking.
|Oh be quiet, Lenaria!| I snapped.
|Not going well, I see. I don't blame you, really; with everything that we've been through, how could we possibly feel comfortable opening our hearts to males?|
|You have a point there.|
|Plus, even if you were able to open your heart to Mack, there's still our reputation. We can't risk him becoming an accomplice in Mykari eyes, unless you want him to die with us if we're caught.|
|No, of course not.|
|I thought so. You do have a good heart, Lynei, I've seen it myself.|
|Lenaria, I've been meaning to ask you something...|
|Go ahead, soul sister.|
|What was your life like before Qubo?| Lenaria became very silent for a moment, then looked at me.
|Until I met him, I was a priestess of the Goddess. My life was dedicated to Her and Her alone, until the day he came into the temple.|
|What happened?|
|Qubo claimed he was sent by his people to study my people's religion, and when I had my back turned on him, he injected me with keira root. Since then, we've spent much time together...once I was completely addicted, he took me away from the temple into his...whore house! By the time I was completely withdrawn from the drug...the rest, you know.|
|Indeed.|
|Lynei, somethings can be more important than surviving. You've got to live for yourself, and on occasions, for others. I had a life before Qubo wrecked it, while you were just exiting your childhood when Wyndel kidnapped you. Fate deals us terrible cards sometimes, but not without reason.| She then proceeded to change the subject and asked how everything else was.
|Ranito and Olyame have appeared to developed a relationship,| I said. |It seems risky, I know, but he's happy...|
|That's good.|
|Also, that yungar Qubo has been suffering much since being imprisoned, and the Mykari are picking out the MATI as we speak.|
|Even better.|
|One thing haunts my mind, though...I know Lady Camiel was claimed by Qubo's brother and thus she belongs to the Fasir house. Why did the Martian community not act upon this claim? I was sure either Keedra or Qubo would bring the matter up to the Martian courts.|
|Lady Camiel is not a Martian, Lynei. She may have been claimed, but since she never married Keedra, the claim would be very delicate. Plus, Qubo did go to the Martian court to get the claim official, but by then, Camiel was promised to her true love. The judges re-evaluated the claim under her betrothed's culture. Unfortunately for Qubo, the Hash'a'Glith consider intimacy during grief as rape.|
|And claims on foreingers made by rape are considered invalid from the start!|
|Exactly! Qubo never told his brother the judges' decision. A pity the Fasir house is but one of few who strive to have the old ways, before intergalatic alliance with the Mykari and other races. If it weren't for the Intergalatic Alliance laws made to restrict Martians, Goddess knows what could've happened.|
|Yes, I know. Rumor has it that the Mykari may act upon the discovery of the illegal brothels. They may go as far as to initiate a male Martian genocide.|
|Really now? It's about time someone did something about those yungars.|
Lynei and Ranito would contact us often to see how things were going. They also gave me news of what was going on on Mars dealing with the Mykari. I hoped and prayed to the gods that the Mykari would not kill all Martian males. I don't believe many should suffer for the wrong acts of a few. Many foreigners hear mostly negative things aobut our culture, but they don't realize that there are many good Martain men there who would give thier life for thier family and for love. Keedra was like that, until Qubo corrupted him. Keedra and I were so happy together, and sometimes I miss him so very much. Ranito helps fill that void of loneliness. And in some ways he reminds me of my first love. My greatest fear is that his past will catch up with him and I will lose him forever too. I don't think I can take any more heartbreak.
Ranito's visits were always fun, inspite of the tension between him and Reggie. It's kind of flattering to have two guys fighting over me in some ways. In other wyas it's kind of scary. I really don't want anyone getting hurt any more. I care for them both very much and I'm grateful for their kindness. I'm also grateful for Mack and all he's done for me. It's too bad Lynei hasn't found the courage to open her heart to his love.
As Lynei and I anticipated, the tensions between the Mykari and Martians was nearly escalating to the brink of war. After the exposure of the illegal brothels, there was an outcry for the bastards to be punished for their misdeeds. Personally, I didn't have much of a probelm with prostitution; it's a profession that some women enter willingly, if not by choice. But Martians were into sexual slavery, and that I couldn't stand, nor could the Mykari. Hell, a child got raped by Mon*Star himself because of this crap! It took every intervention tactic the Intergalatic Alliance had to quell the uprising, and even then it was hard not to get biased in this; a lot of people were with the Mykari on this one. Eventually, there was a negociation that stopped the argument on the whole thing; the Martians were going to make their prostitution practices more formal so there'll be no underaged female in the works if the Mykari agree to withdraw their forces. The Mykari agreed on the condition that mental wards surround the planet to make sure that no illegal slavery was being practiced in secret. Well, that settled the matter, although I doubt that the Mykari disliked the idea of proceeding prostitution practices. Oh, well, personal opinion or no, it's still the Martians' culture.
Now, for my personal problems; even if I do convince Lynei that I care for her (which is a feat unto itself), how can we ever be together? Our respective former places in the criminal society placed us both in danger, especially Lynei. That prostitution charge, however false it may be, gives her an immediate death sentence and her working for the MATI hasn't helped any, though I think that part's negociable. If I could clear Lynei of that false charge, maybe, just maybe there's a fraction of a chance of us being together. I just have to figure out how.
I kept up with every detail of the uprising. I personally had no love for the slave trade, but it was part of my martian culture. It's been like this for millenia and I saw no signs that it would ever change. I was surprised that the government made the changes it did. I guess the threat of anihilation put things in motion. As a result things were a little bit better for fmales on my home world. I still wasn't going back any time soon. I did miss my family, though. I would contact my mother and brothers, but not my father. We weren't on speaking terms. Soon the time came for my baby to be born. Ranito wasn't able to be there, so Reggie went with me to the hospital. The delivery went fine. No complications. I had a boy, I named him Sol, which mean "reflection" in my native tongue. He was the spitting image of his father.
When Sol was about three Earth months old, I decided he was old enough to make his first trip to another planet. Idecided to go to Bedlama. There was someone there I wanted to talk to. The person that I believed to be partly responsible for the loss of my love. I had always missed Keedra ever since his death. I still miss him to this day. I always wondered what happened to make him want to go back to his past love. Now I was ready to get some answers.
Re: Love and Laughter: Double Time
When I finally got to Bedlama, I find that getting the answers I seek was going to be harder than I thought. Wherever this girl lived, it was unlisted; how Qubo found out her address, I do not know. Soon, it was time to feed Sol. I sat down near the park bench to feed him when I bumped into someone.
"Excuse me," I said.
"Olyame?" That voice! I looked up and saw Virgil. "What in the galaxy are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing." I replied.
"Look, I'm sorry for disappearing on you, but something happened. Qubo infiltrated Mars base and got my comrades killed. I was transfered to Limbo to help find Qubo and couldn't contact you."
"I see. So, you're with the SilverHawks here."
"Yeah. So, what brings you to Bedlama?"
"I might need your help, Virgil."
"Sure." He then looked at my child. "Hey, little buddy. Looks like his dad."
"Yes, he does."
"Olyame, does this have to do with what happened to Keedra?"
"I just want some answers as to why he tried to go back to his past love."
"Oh boy..."
"Virgil, please! I'd like to know what Kee saw in this girl in the first place."
"Ya sure you wanna do this?"
"Yes."
"Okay, look, first off, Camiel didn't even want Keedra back. He intruded on her, and second, well, how shall I put this?"
"Spit it out, Virgil."
"You heard what Qubo tried to do after Kee died?"
"About how he tried to claim this girl for himself only to have her mate castrate him? Yes, I did."
"So you know that her mate is very protective of her, especially now."
"I still want to know. It's not like I want to harm her or anything, I just want some answers."
"I'll talk to her, and try to arrange you two to have a talk, fair enough?"
Re: Love and Laughter: Double Time
I agreed to Virgil's suggestion. I gave him a way to contact me while I was on Bedlama to let me know what Camiel had decided. While I was at the hotel, I got a call. I was expecting it to be Virgil, but it was Camiel. That caught me a bit off guard. We arranged to meet in Bedlama Park in front of the Omni Hotel. She seemed pleasant enough on the phone. Yet I really didn't know what to expect from this meeting.
(Camiel)
After my shift was over I went home to get ready to meet with Olyame. Sh’Ekrah was curious about where I was going.
“Well, my dear entawan, it turns out Keedra left behind a fiance when he died.” My mate sneered at the mention of Keedra’s name.
“And what does she have to do with us?”
“I’m not sure. All I know is that Virgil told me she wants to talk to me.”
“I think you should have told her to go back where she came from.”
“Oh, kesobo, don’t be so harsh. Besides, I have to consider her situation.”
Charra Loon Registered User
Posts: 383
(12/11/02 10:29 pm) Reply
Re: Love and Laughter: Double Time
"Of all the-- it's bad enough that-that bastard comes after you after everything he's done to you, now you tell me he's had someone of his own, carrying his child no less?!"
"Please don't start. I know how much you didn't like Keedra, but that's no excuse to take it out on this girl and their child."
"I'm not; you know me better than that. I don't know...after everything that's happened, who's to say that this girl doesn't blame you for what happened to Keedra or something?"
"Only one way to find out. Am I to assume you're not coming?"
"You assume correctly, love. I doubt I could control myself in front of them and it would be wrong of me to slander her beloved, especially in front of her child, despite it all being true."
"I understand, kesobo. You can't forgive him for what happened."
"Not for taking advantage of you, I can't." I nodded; I learned long ago that Keedra sleeping with me that first time was the equivalent of rape in my mate's eyes, and that was completely unforgivable to him. But I also know that my mate doesn't judge by blood, despite his own personal feelings.
When the time came for me to meet with Camiel, I went down to the hotel café and waited at a table for her. After feeding Sol, I saw her coming into the café. By the gods, she was beautiful. I found myself feeling very self conscious. This is the person Keedra wanted to bring back to be my companion? He had promised me that after he got back from Limbo, he would bring Camile back to be my help after we got married. Qubo had told me she was gorgeous, but I had no idea how gorgeous. After a few moments, I noticed she was looking around for me. I was the only Martian there, so I figured it wouldn’t be hard to find me. Yet she walked past me a couple times. I know I’m not that short. Am I so plain that I blend into my surroundings? I was too shy and intimidated to call out to her. Fortunately, Sol wasn’t. When he started to fuss, the Mimian hybrid turned around and saw us. She smiled in greeting then sat down with us.
Charra Loon Registered User
Posts: 384
(12/13/02 10:02 pm) Reply
Re: Love and Laughter: Double Time
"You must be Olyame." she started. "Virgil told me a bit about you."
"I have heard of you as well." I answered. "I see now why Keedra liked you."
"Yes...look, I know what you're thinking, and truthfully, I might not have the answers you seek."
"Oh no?"
"I don't know what made Keedra try to take me back; when we broke up, I made it clear that things weren't going to be the same. He seemed to take that, however relucantly."
"Then why would he rebuff your wishes like that? I know Keedra; he would never do such a thing."
"Virgil believes his brother manipulated him, and I do, too. Kee told me about Martian law and how it deals with widows. Qubo tried to make me another of his pets once Kee and I had wed, but then I broke up with Kee and his plans to take me back stopped him."
"He really did commit suicide, then?"
"It's complicated. All I can tell you is that Kee knocked me out and his brother kidnapped me. I managed to escape, and confront Kee. When I told him that I wasn't going back to him, he jumped off the balcony. I never thought he'd take it that hard."
"Do you regret your relationship with him?"
"Now? Very much. I was in a state of grief when we first slept together. It was one of my biggest mistakes, but I'm glad that the two of you shared something special."
"Yes, we did. Just one thing..."
"Yes?"
"If you hadn't confronted Keedra when you did, do you think he would've jumped to his death?"
"I don't know, although I have a theory my mate would've castrated him, if not thrown him off if I hadn't stopped him."
"He sounds like a violent man."
"Not really; he's very sweet, just a bit overprotective. Plus, his culture views Keedra's relationship with me as rape. I know that doesn't make it any better, but to each his own."
As we continued to talk, I made sure not to bad mouth the father of Olyame’s child. I had to make sure she understood what the situation was between me and Keedra.
“Olyame, I want to make something clear to you. There was a time when I did love Keedra, and yes, I had thoughts of marrying him someday. However, after I met my true love, there was no doubt in my mind the Kee and I weren’t meant to be. I don’t know why he didn’t get the message. I also don’t see why he would leave a beautiful girl like you behind to have and raise his child alone.”
She seemed surprised about something I said. I could tell when her eyes grew wide and she sat up straight in her chair.
“What is it, Olyame?”
“You…you’re the first female that’s ever told me I was beautiful.”
“Well, Olyame, I know we’ve only just met, but I can kind of sense these things. Like that you have a good heart and you’re a sweet, loving person.” She slumped back down in her chair, cradling her baby closer.
“Oh…my inner beauty…”
“That and you are a very pretty girl.”
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. That was the first time I saw her smile. Good. At least she’s not upset. I was a little concerned that she might be holding a little grudge against me because of what happened to Kee, even though it wasn’t my fault. Love can be a pretty touchy issue. We spent about an hour at the café. We talked about her life on Mars and how she had moved to Earth. She even let me hold her son, Sol. When it was time for us to part ways, Olyame asked me something. She seemed a little nervous aobut what she had to say.
“Lady Brightlight, do you think it my be possible for us…to be friends?”
“Sure, why not? You can never have too many friends, right?” When she started beaming, I had a good feeling I had made her day.
“Thank you Lady Brightlight for answering my questions.”
“No problem. And you can call me Camiel.”
As I watch Olyame head back to her hotel room, I considered catching her and inviting her over to my house, but I wasn’t sure if Sh’Ekrah would approve. So, I watched he go with a mixture of relief, and sadness. I couldn’t believe Keedra gave up a beautiful family for a hopeless cause.
Edited by: Detia1 at: 12/15/02 8:51:47 pm
While Olyame and Sol were on their trip to Bedlama, I was developing Operation: Eros. You see, Olyame told me what happened with Lynei and asked for my help to fix her with Mack. I must admit, I was surprised that someone from Mykari society would consider Lynei's case as prostitution. I knew that what happened to Lyeni was bad, but I never thought it'd be this bad! Plus, how in the galaxy did foreigners get a hold of magic neutralizers? Only Mykari law enforcers and intergalatic police have access to our technology; it was a precaution to keep this exact thing from happening! Poor Lynei...a sex slave since 14...no wonder she was so cold towards me! I'm only a few months older than her, but even Sarisa never violated me like that. She must be having a very hard time with this crush Mack's got on her. But what to do? Oh, forget it! I'm just going to lock those two in a room together until they get their feelings straightened out!
Ranito told me of his plan to lock Mack and Lynei in a room together. I didn't think it was a good idea.
"I don't think that will work. She could just shadowport. Besides, don't you think that's kind of drastic?"
"Hmmm...maybe you're right. That last thing we need is the two of them pissed off at us. So, what do you suggest?"
"I...I want to talk to Lynei again. Maybe I can get through to her this time."
"But she didn't listen before. Why would she now?"
"Because I'm a living example that one can go through something terrible and still open up thier heart to love. You think it was easy deciding to be with you? I mean, every time I look at you I see...Keedra. And sometimes I wonder if I'm with you for you or because you remind me of him. It's scary, but I deal with it. I think Lynei is just scared of getting hurt and used again. But Mack isn't like that. She should give him a chance."
Re: Love and Laughter: Double Time
"I totally agree. But maybe you should look at it from her point of view. It looks to be all about culture. Among your people, the males are dominant, so whatever crap you might've gone through, you're able to handle it because you're used to it. But among the Mykari, it's the female who is the dominant sex; Lynei wasn't prepared to handle what happened to her, and just reaching puberty hasn't helped any."
"I guess you have a point. Still, I don't understand why all this have to do with Lynei."
"She feels humiliated; normal Mykari women usually don't get raped or turned into whores against their wills. Nor do their own people turn on them when they cry rape. Though, there is one thing that bothers me..."
"What?"
"Why didn't the enforcers do a truth scan on Lenaria and Lynei when they came to them for help?"
"Maybe their masters registered them as prostitutes?"
"No, prostitution is strictly prohibited in our empire. Why have a list of hookers you're about to kill?"
"Hmm, good point, but why wouldn't the enforcers believe them?"
"I don't know. I checked Lynei's House after I found out what happened. The Tarin House was composed of healers and minstrels, and were financially inadequate. They were of lower class, and the Mykari always place an huge deal of empahisis on class. But Lenaria...she was a priestess and her brother is Avatar Carata's consort. The enforcers would've at least believed her. Plus, until two centuries ago, the Zantara House was the ruling dynasty. I smell a paou (rat) and it's coming from the hierarachy."
Things were pretty much normal with everyone for the time being. Olyame and Ranito were up to something, but that was nothing new. There was one thing that was puzzling me. Something that had been in the back of my mind for quite a while. Lenaria had never looked into who the triceron was that ordered that hit on Mon*Star, but I was still curious to know. Perhaps she was connected to the MATI, but I doubt it. I had to solve this mystery before it drove me crazy.
Re: Love and Laughter: Double Time
I submerged into the metaphysical realm to have a better look for that triceron. Now, I normally don't get suspcious of our customers (much), but this triceron was a new one. We only gave out summoning candles to potentials and regulars. Perhaps she had stolen the candle from someone; it's been known to happen. After all, that garde--
You may desire to put an end to Dragor and others like him, but the reality is you're no better!
Dear deities...why did that memory have to resurface? Now? The very last thing I said to him before his suicide. Damn, that fool! I took pity on him, after all, because of what that monster Dragor put him through, but one would think he would be satisfied knowing the yungar who defiled and murdered his mate was dead. But that wasn't enough for him. No, Dragor was supposed to be executed, not found dead in prison. So, in rage, he went after Dragor's mate, this woman called Echo. I don't know how, but he got hold of a summoning candle, but not just any candle.
That one belonged to Ta'Ran-Shan.
Knowing that maniac, she was all too glad to aid him, and they almost did accomplish his goals, had I not interviened. Bah! Enough of this reminiscing, I need to concentrate on my own goals. Ah-ha, there is tha triceron. She appears to be conducting an experiment of some kind...oh my goddess...
It was her. Standing next to the triceron was Echo. What were they up to? I cast my own spell, one that would allow me to hear their conversation from the metaphysical realm.
"It's almost ready." the triceron said. "Soon, he'll have a new body and you two will be screwin' around in no time."
"Correction, deary," Echo replied. "The three of us."
"Exactly." What are they up to? "I've already severed the hyperlink between the aeries. Every bit of Dragor Wyvern is right here, thoughts and all."
Did they say Dragor?! Oh no, if they're planning what I think they're planning...my worst fears were confirmed as a cold, saurian-like body was brought to them on a slab. They were about to connect the body to some sort of machine, until I had a shadow blade turn the body into shish kabob.
"WHAT HAPPENED?!" a third voice screamed. It came from the machine, and sounded far too familiar.
"So, you're not dead." I stated from the metaphysical realm. "How very...interesting." I then revealed myself to the three of them, a shadow barrier surronding my person.
"YOU!" the triceron cried. "What have you done?!"
"Obviously prevented you from making a terrible mistake." I snapped as I shoved her into the nearest wall.
"Prissy!" Echo shouted. Ah, Prissy. So that's the triceron's name. Echo took a step towards her when I moved in front of her.
"Don't even think about it." I told her. "You dissapoint me enough without pulling this."
"What do you want?" the vampire asked me.
"Just to learn who the last patron of the Hav'Throth was, the patron who got Mistress Zantara killed."
"Look, if it's money you want..."
"Stuff it." I then launched a sonic blast which caused Echo to drop her weapon and crumble to the floor in pain. "For a top bounty hunter, you're not very good with Mykari."
"If this is about what happened last we met, I can assure you that...that man was crazy and you know it!"
"Perhaps. The garde said many things about you after your lover's 'death'. One of those things, he was right about; you are a whore."
"If you're trying to blame me for his suicide, you're crazier than he ever was!"
"If that was the case, I would've let him rape you like your lover did his mate. But I know from experience that no one deserves that fate, not even the likes of you. Still, I myself was disapointed. The garde's intentions for revenge was good, but he went about it the wrong way."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, instead of making you feel what his mate felt, his revenge should have went like this." With that, I summoned all of my powers--Shaodw, Ice and Sound--and used it to destroy the machine with Dragor's essence, ridding the world of his spirit once and for all. Echo could only wail in despair as she watched the machine with her love's soul become obliterated. "Now, let's see you live without your mate for at least thirty years." I sneered. "And any attempts to harm my group from you and your friend, I will expose this entire attempt at ressurection to the public! Then we'll see the huntress become the hunted. Don't try to doubt me; I had your experiment recorded..." With that, I left Echo in tears and bolted into the metaphysical realm where I saw the newly untethered spirit of Dragor floating about.
"you bitch!" he screamed. "do you have any idea what you've done!"
"Besides prevent a second Mon*Star from forming?" I snapped. All of a sudden, I began to sense something in the metaphysical realm...a powerful, eccentric force...oh no.
"Ready or not, here I come!!!" It was Ta'Ran-Shan.
That crazy bitch had arrived and took one look at Dragor and licked her lips. "Oooh, mutant dragon!!! Was wondering when you'd show up!!!! Look out, liver! Look out, gums! Look out, tummy, here it comes!!" With that, she embraced Dragor's spirit and started...draining him!! Oh dear Goddess, were the rumors I heard about her true?! Dragor started to become more and more transulcent until there was nothing left.
"Mmmm," Ta'Ran-Shan went as she licked her lips and fingers. "Serial rapist with issues, and a hint of Gquat Eajt Waor! Not as good as that garde who served as my patron, but good."
So it was true; Ta'Ran-Shan was like a succubus, feasting on the souls of her victims and occassionally her patrons. It wasn't long before she noticed me.
|Lynei!| she shirlled. |OH my dear Hav'Throth girl, how's it going? I don't see Lenaria around, now where could she be? Oh wait, I remember, she's dead, right?|
|Stay out of matters that don't concern you, Fear Bringer!| I shouted. |Your presence is not welcome!|
|Oooh, that hurts! Where is Lenaria's spirit, Lynei?|
|Out of your damned reach! You'll not make a meal out of her as long as I live!|
|*gasps* A minor technicality...| I sensed a battle brewing, but then that psycho started doing flips.
|Wha-ha, whoppe, I'd love to stay for tea, but I gotta call! We'll meet up soon, little girl.| Then she vanished. *sighs* That was close. Goddess help the person who had hired Ta'Ran-Shan.
Edited by: Charra Loon at: 8/26/03 2:33 pm
After the that Mykari maniac left, I went to Eliza to comfort her. After I made sure the intruder was gone, I began to laugh.
"How can you laugh at a time like this?" Eliza sobbed.
"Oh, honey, you worry too much and you act like you don't know me very well!"
"What do you mean?"
"The Mykari underestimated me. You know that when I do anything thing I alsays have a back-up plan!"
"Prissy, you'd better tell me what's going on. I'm getting really confused."
"Think about it sweety. She destoyed the lab here and the cloned body here, but she didn't destroy the extra memory chip nor the other backup clone in my lab in China."
Eliza's face brightened up when I said that.
"Oh Prissy! You are a genius!" Eliza shouted as she threw her arms around my neck.
"I know honey! Anyway, let's hurry to China. We gonna bring your husband back so little Ana can finally meet her Daddy!"
Fortunately, that strange Mykari knew nothing of my other lab. The experiment went well, except for a few flaws. Apparently the compied memory chip was a little damaged because the new Dray remembered nothing about the rapes he committed. I was willing to try to fill in the blanks, but Eliza asked me to just leave that issue alone. Anastasia looked uopn her father in amazement. She kept saying he looked different from the pictures she saw of him. It was because his new body was still young.
It was a few weeks before some of Dray's memories started coming back. He now had memories of being part of the Mob. I suggested he stay away from Limbo. We had enough trouble already. We figured the universe wasn't ready to know that the Saurian Cassanova was back.
I found Lynei one night on the roof, brooding. I didn't expect her back so soon; she had left earlier to do some errand, and it looks like she finished. I wanted to stay, but I didn't want to disturb her.
"I know you're there Mack." she said.
Then again...."When did you get back?" I asked.
"Sometime this late afternoon."
"Your errand turn out okay?"
"More or less."
"Stars are beautiful, ain't they?"
"They are much different from the Mykari systems, and other systems I've been to."
"Yea. Earth's got a way of showing off its natural beauty."
"Indeed. This won't work."
"What won't work?"
"Whatever romantic feelings you have for me. A relationship between us is beyond unlikely." That does it.
"Lynei, I know you've been through a lot--"
"You have no idea what I've been through!"
"Are you talking about before or after you escaped from Wyndel?" That got a shocked reaction from her face, then blank.
"You heard what I told Olyame." She just stated.
"Yes, I did. I heard every syllable you told her and I am telling you right now that I am nothing like Wyndel or the other men you've been forced to dealt with."
"I can't take that chance! If you knew--"
"What it was like? Trust me, Lyn, you weren't the first girl to be part of that hell hole and you were definitely not the last! I knew Wyndel and he was just as awful as you remember him to be! When he died, I danced in the streets! Plenty of my wards on Plunn-Dar were some of his girls, and their children! I heard first-hand accounts of what he did."
"Maybe...maybe I underestimated you, Mack."
"Yea, you did. Look, I'm not saying you should excuse the bastard for what he's done, nor his customers or hooligans. I'm just saying that you shouldn't paint all males with that same brush, you know?"
"Same brush...as in not see other men as Wyndel."
"Exactly."
"I'm not sure I can. Everytime I see a male who's interested in me, all I see is that monster, long after he's dead! It's as though...as though his ghost is trying to drive me mad!"
"Let me give you some advice, Lyn. I've seen a lot of sh*it in my life, almost as much as what happened in yours. Now, everything you've been through--every rape, every torture--it's all about power. It's all about control. You've got to go on with your life and not dwell on the past. Move on from this, put it behind you. Otherwise, Wyndel will be laughing at you from his grave for eternity."
Edited by: Charra Loon at: 8/26/03 2:36 pm
Mack was right. What kind of female am I to let some dead bastard still have power over how I liived my life? I was trying to make all males suffer for the crimes commited against me. My effort to make them suffer caused me to suffer even more, because I ended up lonely and bitter. I realized that if I continued to live like then, then I would have to count myself already dead. I had let my past utterly destroy me, and there was no honor in that. Only a coward would let the attrocities of a dead enemy control how they lived her life. By the goddess, it hurt for me to admit that to myself. To admit that I had been a coward for all that time. To admit my weakness. For the first time in a very long while I admitted the truth, and to my surprise I felt relieved. I felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. I could breath again. To my surprise, I started to smile. Finally, I looked up at my old friend.
"Thank you, Mack. You're words have opened my eyes. I feel like I can face life head on. I can't believe I had been such a coward. I thought I was showing strength, but I was just hiding in fear of soemthing going right for me for a change. I...I am grateful for your friendship."
Now it was Mack's turn to smile and place a hand on my shoulder. To both our surprise, I didn't flinch.
"I'm just glad to finally see the real Lynei. I sure hope you'll be back to your whole self again."
"You know what Mack? I don't think that will take very long as long as I have a pateint, and understanding freind like you."
Re: Love and Laughter: Double Time
"I guess I shouldn't push my luck then, huh?"
"Not yet. I mean, it's not my past that I'm worried about now,"
"But our criminal connections."
"Exactly. You're just a former petty crook who will most likely gain a few centuries in prison, less if you talk against the Mob. Myself and my cohorts, we may have a lifetime of imprisonment, if not death."
"But that prostitution charge was bogus!! You said so yourself!"
"There's still the Wek assassination."
"The what?" I told Mack about the last real job the Hav'Throth had with the MATI, a Mimian-Mykari ambassador and how Lenaria had killed her and blinded her bodyguard. "The reason our killings weren't looked into before this," I continued. "Was because of how our society works. We...they put great care and priority into our upper class sect. Those of...lower backgrounds are biased against."
"In other words, most of your people are snobs."
"Exactly. Those with wealth achieve great prestige, and the aristocrats are above them, and then those of public service, like Xetrato House, and finally the priestesses and the Avatar."
"Geez Louise! Almost sounds like Plunn-Dar."
"It does, in a way. In short, we're barely better than the Martians. But speaking of Plunn-Dar...tell me, what caused you to leave your homeworld in the first place?"
"I was exiled for raising illegits."
"Illegits?"
"Bastard children. Those born out of wedlock are no better than orphans."
"Like the street kids you take care of. Yes, you seem to promote yourself as a father figure. I have heard of Plunn-Dar's two-parent laws and how they work. The 'orphans' are mostly on the street."
"Believe me, Lyn, those are the lucky ones."
"The unfortunate ones are in comfortable homes?"
"If they get adopted, yea. But mutants frown too much on illegitimacy to adopt an illegit. So that leaves the government with free guinea pigs for science experiments and secret soldiers. It's not well-known, of course, but it happens."
"Then how have you come to learn of these atrocities?" Mack paused for a minute before he went on.
"It started when my cousin Erik lost his parents in a transport accident. Real orphans are usually intertwined with illegits, so to keep him out of the homes, my parents adopted him. We were very close, as though he was my real brother. Then, he got into some trouble."
"What happened?"
"He did something that was not only taboo to Plunn-Darian society, but beyond unthinkable. He fell in love."
"Love is taboo in Plunn-Dar?"
"With a Thunderian."
"Mutants' lifelong enemy."
"Yes. A Mutant-Thunderian hybrid is virtually non-existant, so any child Erik had with his mate would be an automatic illegit on our world. So he stayed on Thundera with his mate, me visiting every chance I got. Then, a mutant massacare unit came into the village they were staying at and slaughtered them. They had one child, but he was with me in the outskirts when the killing happened. There was no family on his mom's side, so I took him to Plunn-Dar with me and raised him in secret. I schooled him into an almost perfect scholar, made him wear a mask whenever he went outdoors; he looked too Thunderian to pass as a full mutant. Overtime, he learned about the horrors of illegits and told me. He recruited several other illegits and brought them to me. The one good thing about the illegit status is that it matters until adulthood, so I kept any children that came my way until they reached the legal age and smuggled them into random colonies, outside of Plunn-Darian space.
"During my crusade, I ran across an orphanage that was actually doing what an orphanage should be doing; raising kids as its own until they can go out into the world by themselves. I befriended the orphanage head there and brought her new wards when I couldn't take them. As many wards as I had, I always kept my nephew a secret from everybody. I couldn't risk his safety no matter what and I promised my cousin that I'd take care of his child if something happened. This went on for about thirteen years before the enforcers finally found out about me. By then, most of my charges were out of their juristiction and the ones still in danger were at the orphanage. I had a choice between giving my charges up or exile."
"And you chose exile." I finished.
"And never regretted it once. One step on Plunn-Dar and I'd be dead on sight."
"What happened to your nephew?"
"I don't know. I haven't heard from him in so long. Hell, I don't know if he's still alive or what!"
"Why break contact if the two of you were so close?"
"Before my exile, I told my nephew that if anything should happen, he was not to come to my rescue. It was more for his safety than mine. I had to protect him no matter what. I've checked in with my friend at the orphanage once in a blue moon to see if she's heard anything, but there's not a trace of my nephew anywhere."
"That is sad. Family should not be separated like that."
"Damn right."
"Maybe I can find your nephew for you."
"You'd do that?"
"You've done plenty for me."
"I don't know..."
"Yo Mack!" Someone shouted. It turned out to be Detour. "Someone's here to see ya! Said he knows ya!"
"All right, I'm coming." Mack replied. I followed Mack back inside and we saw some of the children and around them was a weasel-like person with metal parts on his body. I noticed Mack was looking at him in extreme shock.
"Weasel?" Mack said. "By Ratilla, boy, is that you?"
"No, it's Jaga the Almighty!" the weasel person answered. "Who the hell do you think it is?!"
"Haha! Good to see you kid! Now, what in blazes are you doing here?"
"Well, I'd have been here sooner, but you were never easy to track down. How is it that everyone got to talk to you in Limbo but me?"
Edited by: Charra Loon at: 9/16/03 8:18 pm
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