Chapter Seven: Difference

A few days of intense training and Nicole had made improvements in leaps and bounds. It seemed that she thrived in facing near-death situations. Nicole even developed three different uses of her power.

One was a weak electric discharge that once paralyzes Eun-Kyung's right hand but it didn't last very long. The second was a lighting ball projection but it fizzles a lot more than it worked. And lastly, she was in progress of an electrical aura that doesn't last long. Like the first two, it backfired on her more then it worked.

Nicole didn't let her failings stop her. She worked hard before training. It seemed to help her since she had a single-minded goal to improve. With after each training session, there were fewer kinks then before. Of course, Nicole just started working on her powers before going to bed. This caused her to be exhausted during waking hours.

The downside to her powers was that her body became numb. It was first discovered after practice. This angered Nicole to no end and she tried to work it out. But this caused her to be more agitated when the numbness won't go away.

"It seems that your body isn't used to your powers as of yet," she mentioned. "Your body needs a while to get used to it."

"How in the fucking hell do you know about that?!"

Eun-Kyung mulled over it. The answer was plain as day. Nicole was cursing about the numbness and the occasional first-degree burn. She was still in the early stages of her powers and it takes time for her body to get used to it. Eun-Kyung must tell her without angering the hornets' nest.

"Most mutants' bodies take time to get used to their own unique powers. When I got my powers, I had severe headaches and migraines for weeks."

The answer was truthful. Nicole did shoot her an angry look at the first part but it went away. She didn't know that Eun-Kyung suffered from her powers. It did make her feel less like a failure and even made her feel better.

"I guess we could call it a day," Eun-Kyung began to walk back to the house.

"You two looked worn out," Ezar's wife walked toward them. "We could go to the bathhouse to relax."

Nicole didn't want to go. She hated her body since gaining weight. And besides, she didn't want to get naked in front of anyway due to her poor body image. They would mock her for being chubby and how weird her boobs look.

Eun-Kyung, on the other hand, had been to ones in South Korean. They were known as jjimjilbang and she always had a soft spot for them. It was few good memories she had with her older sister.

"I don't want to go," Nicole crossed her arms over her chest. "I can bathe here and relax."

"Quite true," Eun-Kyung agreed since she doubted Nicole would enjoy the experience.

This floored Nicole. She thought that Eun-Kyung would help Ezar's wife and gang up on her. Much like her older sisters and female cousins had done. Yet Eun-Kyung didn't do that. It was almost like she was doing this on purpose.

"Hey, I can go if I want to," Nicole quickly defended herself. "I just don't want to."

"Suit yourself but I would like for you to come," Ezar's wife said. "I know a nice one that's very clean but it will cost you a few tharni."

She did her favorite tactic. Guilt tripping people around her. It is how Nicole and Eun-Kyung got jobs despite Ezar owning them a life's debt.

Despite what Nicole thought, she got a job since she was getting very bored. She did become porter of sorts and a handyman since she loves fixing things. There were a few single independent women in the neighbor that seemed to trust Nicole more since they feel like she won't cheat them out of money.

Eun-Kyung got a job as an assistant with Ezar's friend. It was after Eun-Kyung came across written language of Common Tongue. To her, it looked like English but knew it wasn't. And her ability to do math made her an assist to Ezar's friend.

"Are we there yet?" Nicole snapped. She wasn't happy that she was guilt-tripped into doing this.

"Not yet," Ezar's wife said.

She was pleased that she was getting a girls' day with these two. At first, she didn't trust them at all and apprehensive about them. But after a few days, they have gained some trust from her. Nicole seemed to be more open and transparent thus won her trust faster than Eun-Kyung who seemed to be reserved.

"At least let us eat afterward," Nicole said. "And maybe getting some coffee as well."

Eun-Kyung was surprised at first to see coffee. There was no mention of the drink. When it was brought to them by Ezar's wife it wasn't what they were expecting. It resembles and tastes like Turkish coffee. Nicole didn't like it at first but it grew on her.

This did throw a curve ball due to the buildings had a Byzantine look. This made Eun-Kyung believe they were in the Byzantine Empire. But coffee had displaced them timewise since it won't show up in the early sixteenth century during the Ottoman Empire. So Eun-Kyung is back to square one.

It didn't take that long to go the bathhouse. It looked impressive but Eun-Kyung knew that looks can be deceiving. Nicole was beginning to have second thoughts but didn't want to be called a coward. Ezar's wife leads them inside where it was just as impressive and clean as it was outside. Each pays their way in.

~Grey Havens, a few days ago~

"It is good to see you again Galdor," an elf smile as he walked up to him.

"Tirithion," he looked over at the dark-haired elf. "You were supposed to go on a simple scouting mission. It shouldn't have taken this long to come back."

"I was sidetracked by a few things," Tirithion responded.

Galdor wasn't pleased with all. Yet when Tirithion gets sidetrack it ends up being useful. But this isn't in every case. Now Tirithion was seven days late on a simple scouting mission.

"Lord Círdan wishes to speak with you," Galdor said.

Walking to his lord's office he thought about those strange girls. What they can do left a mark on him. He simply had to follow them for a day or two. Both girls were like day and night. Both were lovely but the outspoken one had caught his fancy.

Entering Círdan's office, both elves enjoyed the feel of the room. For Galdor, it is the office of the elf he respects and looks up to. Tirithion simply loved the craftsmanship of the office. It must have been a labor of love to do all of it. Part of him knew why Círdan enjoyed being in his office. That and it had a great view of the ocean and the harbor.

"Tirithion," a deep voice said. "What took you so long? I have to send some of my men to retrieve you."

"I'm sorry milord," he started. "I was sidetracked by a pair of strange…. women while following a cold trail in southern Gondor."

Círdan looked up from his blueprints of new ship designs. He tried to figure out what he was going on about. Tirithion was known as a ladies' man and isn't overly picky. But Tirithion saying women made him aware of their status. They were not another conquest he was going to persuade.

"Please explain," the shipwright said.

"I do not know where to begin," Tirithion sighed as he crossed his arms. "One seemed to be outspoken and quite energetic, the other aloof and bookish."

"Nothing out of the ordinary about that," Galdor pointed out.

"That is the basic of it. Both girls do not appear like our women. Mostly with their skin color which first strikes me as unusual."

"Skin color?" Círdan asked. Now, this is interesting.

"The outspoken one's skin color was tan and quite warm. I couldn't really explain it but it seemed that she might be a mixed race. The other seemed to be an Easterling but not really."

"How could that be? How could she be an Easterling but not?" Galdor asked.

"Her appearance says she is one or at least half-Easterling but she doesn't even act like it. Her accent doesn't even match one. I wanted to continue but I was called back."

"What do you think Lord Círdan?"

Círdan gave a pause. He must think about this subject. However, he doubted it was just their skin color that made them unusual. That's when he knew Tirithion was leaving out some information which he didn't like.

"Is there something more?" he asked him.

Tirithion hated when Cídan did this. He always seemed to know that he was withholding information. This should have come to no surprise to him since his lord had done this countless time beforehand. The question is to give him the tidbit of incomplete information or not. He chose the former.

"It seemed that they have some unusual gifts," Tirithion chose his words wisely. "I am not completely sure what they are or what to make of them. I think they can help us win this war."

Círdan was divided. It wasn't possible for the Valar to send any help without informing the White Council or any of its members. Or they could send help without telling anyone to take on Sauron by surprise. Yet the Valar may not have a hand in it and they could be spies or not. There are important ports in southern Gondor and seeking weaknesses in them could be valuable.

It is quite possible that they are none of these and simply there at the same time as Tirithion. Now the big question is to send someone to keep an eye on them or not. He gave a soft sigh. It seems that he must send Tirithion to watch over them. Despite being a ladies' man, he does his job very well.

"Tirithion, I want you to keep an eye on them. I'm not sure if they will be an assist or not. Yet not knowing what their motives are could be disastrous. Understood?"

"Understood milord," Tirithion said. "When should I take my leave, and should I take anyone?"

"As soon as possible and this is a solo mission. And don't draw attention to yourself."

"I understand," he was pleased with himself. He will see that loud one soon enough.

"You may take your leave," Círdan went back to his plans.

"Thank you, sir," Tirithion gave a small bow and left.

"Somehow, I feel like I gave him what he wanted," the Lord said to Galdor.

"The feeling is mutual milord," Galdor looked where Tirithion had left.

~Southern Gondor, present~

Tracking them down from a cold trail wasn't easy but he did find them. At first, both girls were highly unaware of being watched. But a day or two the Easterling girl, Li or is it, Lee, did take note but couldn't locate him. The outspoken one, Cole, didn't even notice his presence.

The thing he wanted was to see their gifts again. Study what they can do and their limits. And he wanted to get closer to Cole. Yet Lord Círdan had informed him he must observe until further notice. Easier said than done.

~Ezar's house~

Nicole was impressed that she didn't shock anyone at the bathhouse. Eun-Kyung informed her that she had better control over her powers. Despite only several days' worth of training, Nicole did had better control.

Now leaving the bathhouse refresh and filled with food, Nicole felt like she could do anything. But before they can reach the front door Ezar's wife gently tugged at Nicole's sleeve. The older woman looked apologetic for what she was going to do.

"Cole," Ezar's wife said. "May you pick up something for me?"

"Sure," Nicole shrugged. While she did become used to doing this, it didn't mean she likes it any less.

"My husband's merchant friend has a package for the family. While my husband can bring it home, later on, tonight, I don't want anything to happen to it. So, when you go to him give him this note and pick up the package. You got that?"

"Go to Ezar's friend's place, give him the note and pick up the package," Nicole sighed.

Ezar's wife almost felt like her mother back home. And a rush of homesickness ran through her. Ezar's wife didn't like Nicole's tone but had gotten used to it by now.

"Good, now hurry."

"Fine," Nicole took the note and left.

Eun-Kyung, on the other hand, was reading a book. It was written in Westron which still confided her a bit. The books she read didn't really give her good enough answers. She still doesn't know which universe this is or how to get back home. Her reading was only interrupted by a pair of small hands.

It was one of Ezar's kids with Raphael. The latter looked like he was in pain of some kind. In fact, he was in quite a bit more pain due to a few stray tears coming from his eyes. Eun-Kyung didn't know what was going on but she must keep this situation from becoming worse. Maybe Raphael hit something quite hard or something like it.

"Is something wrong?" Eun-Kyung asked quite coolly.

His kid didn't like her much since she seemed quite unsocial. Yet Raphael seemed to like her more than Nicole. Once Raphael fell and started to cry a bit. It was the first time he had made a noise other than giggling or laughing. The boy brought him to the only person he trusted and liked.

"I don't know but he fell down and started to cry," the boy's urgent tone convey everything. "When I touch his back, he cried even harder."

Eun-Kyung thought that was highly unusual. But she must keep everything professional. She didn't know what was going on and didn't want to panic the boys for anything.

"Raphael, could you please take off your shirt."

The smaller boy did it tentatively slow. He was frightened and in pain. Raphael wondered if she could understand his pain better than Nicole and without his shirt. True he had suffered hunger pains before but this pain was new. At first, he thought he slept funny but as the day progress, the pain intensified. Now he was removing his shirt for Eun-Kyung.

Once the article of clothing was off Eun-Kyung looked at his shoulder blades. It was something that she did not expect to see or wished to see. Two small lumps on each shoulder blade. This raises more questions than answers. Where were they?

TBC

A/N: I have looked around and learned that Tolkien base Gondor on the Byzantine Empire. Where Nicole and Eun-Kyung are at in Gondor is either in the region of Lebennin or Dor-en-Ernil. Both regions are in southern Gondor. And a tharni is a silver coin used in Gondor. And Tirithion's name is Sindarin, spent hours just looking for a good one and picked this one since it fits him. And as always, please leave a review.