fourteen

[wirewings]

I had a dream, that I was back there. In the greenhouse. And all there was were me, and the dolls, and the birds. Everything was silent and grey. I couldn't sing. Even if I did, there was no-one there to hear me.

When I woke up, my body felt so cold.

Comments

[mizu_isei]

I think all of these dreams are unkind ones.

Where are you now? I could keep you company...

[wirewings]

Ora had a bad dream too... Have you?

I'm in the greenhouse.

[mizu_isei]

Yes...some of them with my eyes open.

I'll be there soon. Unless--are you sure you want me to come?

[wirewings]

A dream with your eyes open? How?

I don't mind. Sunao is always welcome in the greenhouse.

[mizu_isei]

I'm seeing things that aren't real, but I'm awake. I think other people are too.

[She sounds a bit unsteady, but she's still getting up and readying herself to travel there.]

I... Never mind. Of course I'll go. Are you hungry or thirsty? I could bring something.

[wirewings]

Are you all right? Do you need help?

commentlog ok?

[mizu_isei]

I'm ok. I think I can handle a few bad dreams.

Maybe company will help both of us.

sure thing o/

[wirewings]

If something happens, please tell me.

Yes. I'd like to see you.

/o/ commentlog

[mizu_isei]

Ok... [She sounds oddly relieved.] Ok. I'll be there soon.

[And Sunao is off, using her water powers to speed up her trip to the greenhouse. She even uses a boost of it to get to the roof. So far, that bad 'dream' hasn't resurfaced again. Maybe it won't.

Still, she feels (and looks) shaky and pale from seeing it over and over. She tries to cover that up while she looks around for Sue. After all, the younger girl needed comfort more. When it came to her own hallucination, maybe she deserved to see it.]

Is anyone here! [She winds carefully around the plants as she looks.]

[wirewings]

[A strange looking bird lands on a plant very close to Sunao, tilting its head this way and that, making a whirring sound as it moves. Upon closer inspection, it's not a real bird, but a mechanical one. Its camera-lens eyes focus and unfocus, watching her intently, without fear.]

I'm here. [Sue calls quietly. She's on a bench nearer to the center of the greenhouse, with another clockwork bird perched on her finger.]

[mizu_isei]

[At first, Sunao isn't startled to see the bird land. That odd sound catchers her attention though, and then she can see--it's not a real creature. Her eyes widen in surprise and her hand goes out to touch it.

Then Sue's voice distracts her. She lets her hand drop, and she heads over to her. She tries to push the darkness to the back of her mind, to be more curious than unhappy. Normally it's easy.]

These are beautiful. They're yours, aren't they? Is it alright if I touch one?

[Sunao sits down next to the girl and offers a warm smile.]

[wirewings]

[Sue nods, and moves her hand to touch Sunao's. The bird easily hops from one perch to another. Their feet were cold and metal, and they didn't have soft feathers, but they certainly had their own strange beauty.]

[Oh, right. Smile. She's still not very good at it, but she tries to.]

How are you?

[mizu_isei]

[Sunao tries to keep hers on her face, but it wavers. She tries to let the bird distract her. The feel of metal against flesh is...odd, at the very least. Yet this seemed to be a living creature. Mechanical or not.]

I'm...alright. Today's a little strange, but I'm sure it'll pass. You?

[wirewings]

[It makes cheerful, clicking chirps, swiveling its head around just like a real bird. How exactly did they work? The world may never know.]

The same. I had a bad dream, but I think everyone is.

But being here makes me feel a little better. I don't know why.

[mizu_isei]

It's a place that's comfortable for you. Somewhere you care about...

[Sunao lightly rests her free hand on Sue's shoulder for a moment. Then she holds it out, palm up, and lets a warm swirl of water extend outward. It splits in dozens of directions, each stream of water flowing toward one of the plants in the greenhouse.]

[wirewings]

[That was far more interesting than any of the machine magic she could work. Sue watches in silent wonder as the water swirls and flies in the air, glinting with sunlight. She never got tired of that.]

Where do you care about, then?