Ghostwriter Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 The roses had wilted into withered brown remnants of their former beauty, but a ghost of their perfume lingered in the dried petals. Some had dropped from the wreath and lay scattered on the polished granite slab of Julie 'Warlady' Logan's grave; she brushed them away tenderly and lay a new wreath of roses."I'm sorry I forgot about you," she whispers softly, a tear trickling down her parchment-coloured cheek. "Julie, I'm sorry..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 Behind the petite nova stands Franklin, silently shifting as he unsuccessfully tries to not evesdrop on her words. In front of him is the the fruits of his former profession, a life snuffed out and another shattered, destroying his concentration and vigilance over Regan.He quietly moves near her side, making sure his shadow doesn't obscure the grave. His mind swirls, emotions and memories fighting for dominance. He looks down at the top of Regan's head with sad silver eyes. His lips move on their own accord, surprising him, "She... understands..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 16, 2004 Author Share Posted June 16, 2004 Regan looks up to Singularity. "Can you speak to the dead?" she asks bitterly, then sighs. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for."She arranges the wreath a little more, then sits awkwardly by the grave. "You know she and I were lovers before the end, right?" she asks in an almost conversational tone. "She was the only person I trusted enough to let me that close. And now I've got an ex-Elite who's almost closer. If she were alive, Jules would appreciate the irony." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 Franklin jerks almost imperceptively before sitting cross-legged position on the ground in a single cat-like motion. "I didn't..." he almost stutters before looking at his feet, composing himself."He looks up, silver eyes soft, "I remembered what you said before in my house but I did not know my place in..." White eufiber ripples in fretting motions, straining and relaxing at the same time, "I know trust you more than I have trusted anyone, let you in closer than anyone else..." He pauses again, a silver-esque blush faintly appearing on his face before he contiues meekly, "Sorry, I never expected... anyone to let me in close." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 16, 2004 Author Share Posted June 16, 2004 Regan laughs softly, with a hint of bitterness. "I've told you things I've never told Julie," she replies. "You think you're surprised, imagine how I feel?"The little blonde sighs. "Trust requires trust. As much as I may personally dislike everything you've done, you trusted me. I have to return that trust. Besides, you're about the only one who hasn't told me to work off the grief or get over it or even that it'll be alright. I appreciate that."She gets one of the withered roses and picks it apart slowly, tearing every brown petal to shreds as she falls silent again, staring sightlessly at the headstone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 Franklin purses his lips before cocking his head to the side, "You have every right to grieve as you see fit. My 'illustrious' former career gave me ample opportunity to see others grieve and I know the 'walk it off' line is a bunch of bullshit. Mental tricks aside, only you know when you are ready. Regardless, I will be here with you as long as it takes."He slowly rubs the back of his head, "And sorry about the amount of immediate trust, I did not want to force you into anything." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 16, 2004 Author Share Posted June 16, 2004 "Why should you be sorry? Having spent your life as a paranoid, bullying bastard, trusting some self-righteous bookworm like me must have taken a lot of guts," Codex points out, still shredding the rose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 "Well, I am sure you can remember how much my sense of self-preservation was freaking out at the time," Franklin says, eyeing Codex's motions, "You could say it was a leap of faith. After all, I was completely at your mercy and represented everything you had a right to destroy."He shrugs, his body and clothing relaxing as his voice picks up a bit of speed, "For what it's worth, that leap of faith has led to good things. I should've done it sooner..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 16, 2004 Author Share Posted June 16, 2004 "You weren't exactly able to do it sooner," Codex replies with a hint of dryness to her voice. "So you decided to trust me because if you convinced me, you could have convinced anyone?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 "No," Franklin responds, "I decided to trust you because if I convinced you then I would be finally convinced of myself. I deluded myself for twelve years with an IQ over 180, who knew if I still was."He shudders, looking off to the side as perfect memories filter through his consciousness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 16, 2004 Author Share Posted June 16, 2004 "Too much intelligence can delude you as much as too little," Regan says quietly. "When you know so much, you think you are invulnerable. Then you find out you aren't."She shudders briefly, blue eyes unseeing as she looks at the grave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 16, 2004 Share Posted June 16, 2004 Franklin moves within an arm's length next to Regan, making the scooting motion appear fluid and agile, and gently places a hand on her shoulder. "Everyone is brittle or fragile in their own way, Regan, and sooner or later death comes for us all."He tips his head to better face her, "You did not leave anything unsaid between the two of you, nor were your feelings unrequited. From what you have told me, you and Julie had managed to carve out a little bit of happiness as friends and companions. Too few people get the chance to share love and friendship with someone like that." He studies the attractive and sorrowful nova, hoping didn't say the wrong thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 17, 2004 Author Share Posted June 17, 2004 Codex regards Singularity silently, the fine lines around her eyes and mouth seemingly more prominent with her expression of grief. "I didn't get the chance to say goodbye," she whispers. "I was too caught up in my memory of her." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 Franklin gives Codex's shoulder a gentle squeeze, "You were there with her, most people die alone out in the desert. I could only hope someone that cared for me is near me at the end."Comfort and a bit of reverence appears on his face, "But I believe you will have a chance to speak to her again and let her know." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 17, 2004 Author Share Posted June 17, 2004 "Me too," Regan replies, placing her free hand over Franklin's on her shoulder, taking an animalistic comfort in the sensation of touch. It was so much more real than sight or hearing..."Unless, of course, she's reborn." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 Franklin smiles gently, "Then it might be in your karma to cross paths with her again. Who knows, a stray cat that crosses your path may be her." He hooks his thumb over Regan's fingertips, mimicing a embrace, "You do have a wonderful soul and she probably will stay near it. I know I would." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 17, 2004 Author Share Posted June 17, 2004 "A wonderful soul is something I've never been accused of having," Regan replies with a bit of tartness. Her fingers tighten around Franklin's suddenly, and she lowers her eyes. "It's you who deserves the compliment, for putting up with me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 "No, it is the honest truth," Franklin says, sliding next to the little blonde. His voice subtly turns more fluid as his fingers return her grip, "You're smart, clever, kind, attractive, and generous, Regan. Julie saw your quality and I see it too."He pauses, the feel of parchment skin against his own impenetrable skin distracting him for a beat before the stream of his voice picks up again, "My time watching you feels so... right, like I'm finally doing the right thing and being with the right people." His eyes close, voice dropping low, "Please, don't say I'm 'putting up' with you, it's nothing like that..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 17, 2004 Author Share Posted June 17, 2004 "I haven't exactly been gracious to you," Codex points out wryly. "You've been more patient and understanding than I deserve. Thank you." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 "And I used to be a total asshole representing everything bad in your world," Franklin says with a shrug, "I expected there to be some difficulties. You are welcome, but your trust and tolerance has been more than enough thanks. We have been surprising each other a lot, I think."He smiles, turning his head to face Regan again with his own teasing look, "Unless you are fishing for more compliments from the thesaurus of my mind." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 18, 2004 Author Share Posted June 18, 2004 Codex smiles sadly, looking down at the grave. "For a moment, you sounded like Julie," she says softly. "She used to accuse me of that all the time." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 Franklin's eyes soften, "Positive memories, Regan, positive memories." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 18, 2004 Author Share Posted June 18, 2004 "That was a positive memory," Codex replies softly. "I probably do fish for compliments a lot - who doesn't like to hear good things about themselves?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 "Well you definitely deserve the complients," Franklin says, giving Regan's hand and shoulder a gentle squeeze, "But what is important is that you believe them as well. And smile, you do have a lovely smile." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 18, 2004 Author Share Posted June 18, 2004 Regan actually blushes, her skin turning a peachy colour. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear you were chatting me up," she tells Singularity, an eyebrow arched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 "Just telling you the truth, Regan," Franklin replies with a smile, "No need to be embarassed." He faintly smiles, as if he was enjoying an internal joke, "Besides, I save the flirting for first dates." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwriter Posted June 18, 2004 Author Share Posted June 18, 2004 Regan rises to her feet awkwardly, bracing herself against the grave. She brushes back some of her hair and dusts off her black eufiber. "Duty calls," she says with a sigh. She strides back towards the cemetary's entrance, leaving Singularity to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singularity Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 Franklin's eyes follow Regan's departure, still amazed by her tattoo.He turns back to the headstone, silver eyes studying it intently. He sighs and looks up briefly, white eufiber subtly fluttering, before turning his sad eyes back to the grave. Too softly to be heard by evesdropping ears, he quietly vows in Tibetan, "My life before hers."He pauses for a beat and then glides to his feet. With a nod to the headstone, he turns and moves to catch up with his charge, his white eufiber shifting in the breeze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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