Author:
Angie / Gwen / Jeff
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Date Posted: 10:39:01 08/26/03 Tue
In reply to:
Alexis/Monet
's message, "Re: The Mountain Pass" on 07:45:21 08/26/03 Tue
::Fine!:: Angie shouted through the link, heated color rising in her face. ::Go ahead and run away, little girl. Run home to your family and your lir! Go on, go! The boy's right---he doesn't need you! Go back home, where people care. You'll never understand what it's like to be all alone, will you? No matter what, you've always got someone waiting for you at the end of the day. You're damn lucky, did you know? ...No, of course you didn't. You don't understand. So you just run away! I don't care! I don't need you! And do you know what? I'm going to tell him!::
Lithe as a wild animal, the girl sprang from her perch and landed lightly on the path, striding after the boy with great purpose. She was shaking with rage and there was an imperious angle to her chin that would have given anyone pause before approaching her.
Gwenneth hung her head. ::I am sorry, Monet,:: she whispered brokenly. ::Sorry that I have brought this sadness upon you and your girl. All of this trouble---I have brought it upon you. Take her home, my friend, for neither of you deserve the evils of my situation. Perhaps we shall meet again, when the sun ceases to rise and set. For what it is worth, my friend...I will miss you.::
Her eyes shone with tears as she looked at Monet briefly, and then she was running, dashing up the path with all of her might.
::Dear Rio,:: she sent, ::and brave Gabriel...take the children home. Send the Jellicles back to safety, remove the little warriors from this terrible scene. I will burden you no longer. My boy and I are going home---back to the City. At least there, death shall come in peace. And he shall not be afraid. Farewell.::
- - -
Angie gasped and stumbled to one side as a giant form slipped past her, vanishing almost instantly into the night once more. It was the Silent Paw liren, following the boy.
::Go home, girl,:: she sent back to Angie. ::We shall trouble you no longer.::
The girl stood quite still for a moment, at a total loss, and then stamped her foot with a fresh surge of fury. ::By heaven and hell, you overgrown lap-warmer, I'm going to tell your stupid boy what he's too thick to see.::
- - -
Tears burned in his eyes as he fell to his knees yet again. He did not know where he was going, only that he had to put more distance between himself and Alexis. Who had he been kidding, anyway? She was too good to be true, as he should have known, and now she was gone. Exhausted and miserable, Jeff crawled forward a few more paces before looking up with despair at the mountain peaks, thousands of feet above.
Suddenly there was a soft touch on his ankle, a brush of fur against his arm, and a warm throb of purring just beneath his chin. The boy sat back, astonished, and for a moment just gaped at Gwennie. It was her, his own little cat, right there beside him, as though she had known how lonely and frightened he was and had come to his rescue.
"Gwen!" he cried, and scooped her into his arms. His tears fell onto her fur and she nuzzled his cheek.
Oh, only.... she thought to herself. If only he could ever love me for who I am, as the girl to Monet, or Gabriel to Rio. If only.
Angelina came storming up the path, fiery hair swinging and eyes burning as brightly as the fire they had left behind. She saw Jeff huddled on the path and stomped directly up to him, with the word Cheysuli on her lips, and then froze as he turned a tear-streaked face up to her. He looked like a small child suddenly, alone and afraid, with no one to turn to and nowhere to go. But more than that---in his lap was the Silent Paw in her masked form, green-gold eyes clouded with a terrible sadness, curled into the boy's shoulder and staring at her.
The words died on Angie's tongue. She folded her arms, scowling, and muttered darkly, "You idiot, you went and made her run away. Now I'm stuck with you."
Jeff shook his head, stroking the little cat's fur. "Go away, Angie. I know you hate me, so quit pretending. Gwennie and I are going to go home."
"After disappearing for days into the wild woods? What, do you think they'll welcome you back with open arms? For all they know, Fuzzy, you could be under some demon spell, or possessed. They're more likely to skewer you, or burn you at the stake, as let you in."
The boy hung his head, knowing that she was right. "Just go away," he whispered.
"Fuzzy, I would love nothing more than to leave you here to die," Angie told him frankly. "But that's one cute little cat you've got there, and she doesn't deserve that. And since she doesn’t look ready to leave you anytime soon, if I want to save her you’ll just have to come along for the ride. Alright?"
Sniffling thickly, Jeff did not raise his head. "Where?" was all he managed to choke out.
"Anywhere but here," she replied at once. "There's a Guardian in this hills, boy, don't you know that? We've got to get out of sight, and quick. Now, get up." When he hesitated, Angie's eyes narrowed and there was an almost tangible sizzle in the air as she hissed, "Now."
Almost against his will, Jeff struggled to his bleeding feet, clutching Gwennie to his chest.
::Go home, child,:: the liren said softly.
::No.::
::Why will you not leave? The danger is---::
::What I do and don't do is none of your business. Right now I'm headed over the mountains, and I'm not ever coming West again. If you want your boy to live, he'll have to come with me. Which means you, too. Which means that you're both going to do exactly as I say until we're up and over.::
Gwenneth closed her eyes, resting her head on her boy's shoulder. At the moment, she had no strength to resist the strong will of this young human. ::So be it.::
"Come on," Angie said aloud, and pushed Jeff's arm. "We're going up the path, and you're front and center, Fuzz."
"Why?" The boy stumbled wearily along, holding his cat with the utmost care and gentleness.
She sighed in exasperation. "Because if the thrice-damned Guardian comes along he'll pick me off first, okay? I don't want him to get at your pretty little pet."
The three travelers disappeared into the darkness. Only once did Jeff hesitate, glancing over his shoulder, half expecting to see Alexis on the path below them with her skin shining in the moonlight. There was nothing, of course, and he felt quite empty.
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