Black, black, black. It was not normal, and that was her goal. She didn't want to be normal. She wanted to be original. Yet she feared that that was common. Everyone wanted to be original. But everyone was original to some extent, right? So she was her own original. No one was like her. No one could be like her. Impossible.

Altessa looked in the mirror. Black hair. Black lips. Black nails. Black gloves. Black shirt, black pants, black boots. Black collar, and black lip ring. It was the only piece of jewelery she had. Nothing else was pierced, not even her ears. It was her eyes that bothered her. As much as she tried to hide them, she couldn't, at least not when she was home. Her eyes were surrounded in black, shadow and liner, but her irises were a vivid safire blue. In a moment, that would be a lie.

She took out a black case from her top drawer and opened it, dipping her finger inside and coming back with a purple lense, so dark it seemed black to an eye that wasn't really paying attention. Who payed attention? She did. She payed attention to everything. Like her apartment.

Everything in her apartment was immaculate. Spotless. Not a molecule of dust could be found anywhere. You could say the same for sunlight. Her place had never seen the light of day with her inside. Heavy, dark blankets hung where the windows should have been. Not a single shaft of light was allowed to enter. She had had her carpet redone to black. The walls were white, and that was it. The couch was deep purple, the coffee table was clear glass, as was the end table and the entertainment center. Posters hung everywhere, pictures of black panters snarling at the looker, a dragon and a tiger circling the yin-yang, a red dragon, a 3D of a snake hissing at you.

That one was in the bathroom. Tess looked at it with her new eyes, appreciative, feeling she would do the same if she possessed fangs. People were irratating. Yet, other people probably thought she was irratating, so she couldn't be too hard on them.

Back in the mirror. Her eyes now matched her persona. Like said before, it was a lie. Everything was a lie. She felt alot in common with the characters in the matrix, how everything didn't really exist, it was all just a faux of the people really in charge. Like her.

She was boss. Everyone should look up to her, but instead, what did they do? Hunt her down like a rabid dog. Set hounds after her like she was a fox with a beautiful red pelt. Put hooks out like she was some rare fish in the ocean. Which wasn't true. But she was rare. She was a one and only, and that brought her back to being original. She was original. How could she not be? She was the only one of her. No one else could do what she could. She thought back to last night.

It had been a clear night, not a puff of cloud, the stars shining brightly in the blackened sky. The smells of the ocean wafted up to the sixteenth and top floor of one of the lower sky scrapers in the city of seattle, in washington. The thoughtful pair lay side by side on the roof top, watching for falling stars.

"What is your favorite thing, Alec?"

"My favorite thing? To spend time with you."

"Other than that?"

He lay quiet for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his handsome face. "To be in the rain."

"Do you beleive in magic, Alec?" Tessa had asked.

He laughed softly. "I really don't know."

"Hold my hand and wish for rain."

He looked at her and smiled, a gentle smile that warmed her insides. He squeezed her hand with his and shut his eyes.

"Are you wishing?" She asked.

"I am."

Tessa closed her eyes and listened. She heard the thunder in her head, felt the rain drops falling on her skin. She saw the clouds forming in the sky, not an oppressive storm, just a gentle rain shower.

Thunder rolled in the distance. Alec turned to her with wide eyes. "Tessa!"

"You wished, didn't you?"

"Well yes, but-"

"No buts." She cut him off. "Just listen and watch."

The clouds formed in the sky just as they had in her minds eye, the thunder softly sounding, then the patter of drops on the ground and on them.

Mascara, liner and shadow ran down her pale face, but she didn't care. She turned to Alec, who was studying her. He smiled, drawing her nearer to him. Their lips met briefly, and Alec smoothed the dark lines from her face.

Not everyone had been happy with that, she knew, but it was what she needed at the moment and if she could provide what she needed, why not? She could lose alot if she did that again, but she was willing to risk it. What was life if you didn't take

risks? To her, it was nothing. Nothing.

But she could change that if she wanted to. Get out of the damn contract she had accepted, and it would all be lickety split. Damned thing had her bound, she couldn't hardly move without a warning.

The molecules in the air grew denser for a split second, causing a wave. It rushed at her, and she turned to face it, receiving the message that would only come with such a stirring. She went to her door and squatted to the side, waiting. Sure enough, a letter came toppling through the letter deposit in her door. Without even reading it she knew who it was from. Damn people wouldn't give in a millimeter when it came to things like this.

She ripped it open and read the contents. Whew, they were angry! It was no formal letter this time. It was an outright warning.

Altessa,

What the hell are you thinking? Do you know what you could mess up if you keep doing this? I know I've gone through it enough times with you but you need to think! You are not the only person on earth. You cannot go around manipulating the weather at will! Please try to remember this in the future. People out there are more then willing to exterminate you without the slightest regret, and you know that. As your friend, I regret to inform you that if there is one more incident of this they are going to take you into custody, and I don't think you will ever come out again if they get ahold of you. If you think you need to do what you are so good at, please relocate at once and let me know. Thank you.

Crap, they were getting serious. Relocate? Hell no! But was she willing to put her gift away forever? Hell no! That was like asking a fish to live on dry land. Like asking a dog to live in an aquarium. Like a man living on the moon. It was impossible! Yet, The contract provided her with a great many things, like her apartment.

It wasn't an apartment, really. It was a huge suite. Not that she needed that much room for herself, but she could sense things, and she would always be sensing things if other people were too close. Long term close quarters with anyone was not a good thing. At all.

She went into her bedroom and lay down, abandoning her thoughts for the days activities. Reaching behind her dresser, she switched on her glitter lamp, watching the sparkles twirl up and shimmer as the light struck them at various angles. Maybe today she would accomplish nothing.

Should I keep going? Please let me know, otherwise this fic is finished.