Rachel and Eiry
| Title: | Rachel and Eiry | |
|---|---|---|
| Author: | firefly_1824 | |
| Date Written: | 2007 | |
| Continuity | SSEU Earth 1337-A | |
| Time Placement | June 22, 2007 | |
| Synopsis | Rachel checks up on Eiry after a traumatic event. | |
| Rating | PG | |
| Additional Notes | ||
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Eiry was in her room, or rather, her and Tally's room. He'd made her take the day off, and right now she was sure he'd been right. She'd tried reading, surfing the Internet, writing things down, even watching TV, and hadn't been able to concentrate on any of it. Tally had held her most of the night, but she hadn't slept much. There were too many thoughts running around in her head. His face—the scars. The poor souls who had made them. What had she done to him? What was she? Who was she? Immortal, but...how was that possible? I need you, she sent the feeling to Sali. You're alright? Yeah. Just... Me too. When this is over. Sleep now. She was lying on the bed, curled loosely, the sheet and cover at the foot of the bed. The shades were drawn, but the room had a hazy light. The minutes on the clock went by so slowly. This time the contact was gentle as the large astral brushed hers. Can I come? It was inquisitive, soft, and completely different than last night. Yes.
“How can I help you, Ma'am?” “I'd like to speak to Tally, please.” “I'm sorry, he's in the back working at the moment.” “I know he is. I'm Rachel. He'll know who I am.” The girl went back, and the short, thin, spry man was out in a hurry. “You're Rachel?” I nodded. “Was Raihosha here this morning?” “Earlier than usual. But I made her take the day off.” “And he left a nice long message?” “Something like that.” He pulled me aside for a minute. “Why would a Hunter rush into a room full of armed people like that?” “Most Hunters aren’t aware of other off-worlders as such. They rely on fear; you know this.” He raised an eyebrow. “You’re smart, you figure it out.” “Don’t use her!” “Believe me, I know how far is too far. It’s hard to find fighting space in Tokyo. All I did was give him a push in the door. And I kept her safe.” “Thank you for that. She means a lot to me.” I gave him a look. “Believe me, I know. She’s expecting me.”
“I was hoping we’d never really have to meet, and we keep being thrown together.” “It complicates things for you, doesn’t it?” She nodded. “There a lot of things about me or that I know that you can't know. That if you knew, you could never tell anyone until a long time from now.” “You are immortal.” “Yes.” “But you’re not…” “No.” “What happened last night, after you put me in there?” “I took him out to the ravine, we fought, and I killed him.” “How? What did you do to him?” “He had the audacity to ask me if I was any good without a gun. It only took a few minutes to break him. He was changed.” “What?” “He hid it well, like you do. It’s probably also why he was able to get up so quickly after Raihosha jabbed him with that magic cane of his. I know of one other like that, and he’s quite dead, as well.” “But how can that happen?” “It’s only blood. If you bleed enough on open wounds…” she stopped. “But it seems like they were trying to use our own abilities to Hunt us.” “I don’t imagine that went as planned.” “No.” “What happens then, on…” “It’s about the will. You control your body, not the other way around. But even if you can do it, it hurts like hell.” She had a strange, delighted smile on her face with that, and Eiry looked away. Holding the change like that was a horrible thought. “I said you could come because you were different than before. More…” “Human?” Eiry nodded. “I’m not being Hunter Killer right now. Hunting does things to you. Sometimes I need to feel human again.” “So do I.” Rachel walked across the room to the bed now, and sat beside Eiry. “What are we going to do?” “You’re asking me?” She shrugged. “Why not?” They were silent for a minute, and then Eiry saw his face again, and the wondering came back. “Here,” Rachel handed her a thick little book. “His journal. Read it if you like. It may help you to understand. You did a good job, though. You didn't look nearly as scared as you actually were.” “I trusted you when you said you were coming.” “You can always trust me, no matter what. Even when others tell you otherwise.” “I know that. I don’t know why.” “I’m here to protect our people. Besides, it's always easier to trust one of us.” “Thank you. I know no one knows about it. So I suppose I’m lucky.” “It’s different than that, though. You feel...doubt, confusion. Why aren’t I dead? Who else is he killing?” Eiry looked at her. “You were Hunted?” She nodded. “But you're immortal.” “I wasn't always.” Eiry stared at her, and there was silence again. “Are you lonely here?” Rachel asked. “Not usually. But I know I’m alone, in that sense. There are some others, in the country, but we don’t really know each other.” “I know you don’t know me well, but I know you. Maybe that will change before I leave.” “Leave?” “I can’t be here forever. You’ll have to watch out for yourself, then.” “That’s true.” She paused. “When will I be able to go home?” “Not for a while. I took care of the other one, so your family is safe. But I have other things to finish before you can go. You’re very good at acting Terran, and the problem wasn't with you.” “Sali’s not that good at it” “Not really. Give her some more instruction when you’re home.” “How much do you know about me?” “Probably more than you want me to.” “Well there’s no one else here, is there? Just us.” “Yeah.” “You must have people to miss, too.” “Marti, especially. And because I’m here, Eva. Sometimes you remind me of her.” “Who are they? Your family?” “Tally is your Marti. Just not as deep.” “Neither of us are Touched. But that I understand!” This broke the last tension between them, and they smiled at each other. “Our idea of soul mates isn't always easy for non-Lupa.” “I know. And Eva?” “A long time ago, she was my blood sister. Your hair is very close to the color of a coat she had,” she said, fingering a lock of Eiry’s hair. Even between themselves, they didn't name it. “I miss Sali. I miss running with her, and her smell, all of us sleeping in a big pile...” Eiry said, a sad feeling of longing coming over her. “Come run with me next week,” Rachel said, startling even herself. “And your mate?” “Jax went Home for Gathering. He won’t be back until after that. For now, as one of us, we can be acceptance for each other.” “That would be wonderful.” Eiry put her arms around Rachel, hugging her, and after a few startled moments she returned it. Eiry relaxed into that comfort, and Rachel looked down at her. Eiry was crying. “Didn’t you do that yet?” She shook her head, and so Rachel held her while she cried. I really have grown fond of her. But deep down, we’re both thinking of someone else. I wonder what will happen with us. And yet, it seems to work. Although she was comforting someone else, Rachel could feel herself beginning to soften, and the precarious balance starting so slip back in the right direction. After a while she even liked holding Eiry. Just as women, which was different than Marti. The way she and Eva used to hold each other when something went wrong. This wouldn't last, but it was making a difference to both of them now.
“What's wrong?” “Rai. I must have missed him this morning. And I'm afraid I wasn't myself last night.” “He knows that. He also left you a message downstairs.” “You're not going to tell me not to get involved with someone who's not one of us?” “No. Is that what your family thinks?” “Sali's the only one who really knows, and she just keeps telling me to be careful. It's not like I'm looking to rush into anything. And it may just be a passing fancy for him.” “Just because one is long lived doesn't make your relationships any less meaningful.” “And then what? Even if that's the case, and everything went perfectly, and I know it's a long shot from any point of view....This is why we don't do this. There's so much to go wrong. We always end up thinking so far ahead and I don't want too.” “Have you ever been in love?” “Not seriously.” “Then I'm going to say some things, in case you ever need them. They may not apply now, or ever. But it's what I know, and I may never have the chance to say them to you again.” Eiry nodded. “In the long run, all that peripheral stuff doesn't matter. But one thing I've learned; love saves. In any relationship, at some point you'll either realize that you love someone, or you don't and likely never will. If your heart wants to love him, then love him. If it doesn't, then you at least have a friend. You're still not far from the beginning of life, and this possible relationship. So whatever happens, whatever you do, follow your heart, and the Law. And no matter what, protect our people. Raihosha's hardly the type to become a Hunter, he's seen too many worlds and too many different types of creatures. But no matter how close you may become with him, never take him Home without permission. That kind of information doesn't need to be known.” “How much does Rai know about us?” “Some, but not a ton. Enough to have a decent understanding about Hunters, anyway. To trust me, and you. Or you could just ask him.” “If I could do it without inviting other questions? You knew my name, and Sali's. Do you know his?” “No. When you don't have a name, it doesn't work that way.” Rachel got up and peeked outside, a wry little smile playing on her face. “I should go. Call if you need me.” “With what?” Rachel walked to the door and turned. “Sleep.” Eiry received the barest whisper of a name before the sleep impression went into effect.
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