If you were to asked a stranger how they would describe Sora's current emotional state, angry is not a word they would use. Peeved? Yes, Frustrated with events? at times, but never angry. She was taught long ago that while useful at times, anger is blinding. To act out in anger will often lead to actions you'll regret. being angry at the world, at things that are beyond your control, is both a waste of time and energy.
As far as the world knows, Sora Hoshiyama is never angry. but this doesn't mean she doesn't have bad days. Days that testes her self-control to the extreme. And so far, today is shaping up to be one of them.
To Sora, the highlight of the night was taking care of a burglar breaking into one of her neighbor's apartment, tying them up, and leaving them to the police just after she made a statement. They were familiar enough with her to just take her word for it. After all, she had made many similar calls since coming here five years ago.
Again, that was the highlight of her night. The rest of it was spent cleaning the living area. Floors, furniture, even the walls. Every square inch scrubbed until the years of caked on dust was removed. Taking evidence of a Toa even being there along with it.
But even evidence removed she didn't stop until she crashed a few hours before dawn, hands almost raw and stinking of bleach. The result was that the house looked like a work in progress. So if someone came to investigate any strange happenings, it'll look like the residents were just fed up with the dirt and decided to do a really deep clean.
A few hours later, during the ride to work she cursed herself for acting on her paranoia, of cheating herself out of a needed full night sleep. But as the day wore on she was thankful for it. The amount of suits that was walking around was way above the usual count for a Sunday. Not enough for the general population to notice, Just enough for red flags to raise for those who have something to hide.
So to avoid suspicion, she continued as if nothing was wrong. Waiting tables, putting up a smile that never reach her eyes. If these people ended up being nothing to worry about, then she'll just chalk it up to her being overly cautious and sleep deprived. If they are however... Well, it at least helps that the people they're hunting are already miles away, surrounded by twisting woods. That was what she thought. But after Kongu brushed along her mind she thought differently.
The 'talk' with Kongu was enough to stir up some of her more negative emotions, but it was the next two hours that put her on edge. Once the person she was covering for returned and she clocked out for the day. She walked calmly through those doors, everyone gave her a wide berth. Almost as if they sensed the raging storm beneath her neutral demeanor.
Now, Sora pedals toward the library, where Taylor and her agreed to meet when she got off work. She focused on her breathing as she ride, to quell the jumbled up emotions that swell within her. Refusing to give thought of the customers that chose to give her grief, to give attention to her concerns about the amount of suits. And most importantly, to be angry at two Toa that chose to ignore her warning.
One can't control the actions of world, only how they react to them. She stopped in stops in front of her destination, and took in another deep breath. she continued this, focusing on nothing else but her breathing until the only thing that reflected upon it was her exhaustion. Emotions in check, she locks the bike up and walked inside.
The smell of musty books greeted her, the door squeaking close. The light flickers slightly, given off a gentle hum that fills the silence. Save for the librarian that sat at the reception desk and herself, the place seemed deserted.
Sora briefly checks her phone, and after seeing that there's no new texts, move toward the forgotten corner of the library. If the computers there are able to load in a reasonable time, maybe she would be able to do a little research before Taylor arrives.
No disrespect to the Toa. She knows that if they are truly as her brother and the world preserved them to be, they would probably answer all of her questions given time. However she rather be prepared if given the chance. To keep surprises that would get her friends killed down to a minimum, no matter if it could hurt their trust later on.
Although, it can't be hurt much more at the moment. She thought grimly, walking down the reference aisle. The row of computers lie within her sight, when the faint sound of a paged being turned was heard, followed by a familiar sigh.
Sora looked toward the direction that the noised came from, a small seating area in the dark corner of the library. There, with her back facing toward Sora, her nose buried deep into a book, was Taylor. Sora eyebrow raised questioningly, she walked toward the area clearing her throat to get her attention. Taylor didn't look up. She shook her head, and stood in front of her friend.
"Taylor Parker, reading from a book. A sure sign of the apocalypse if there ever was one." She said. Taylor jumped at hearing her voice, letting out a small squeak. She looked up, realizing it was only Sora, her lips were giving a ghost of a smile.
"Those Mayan prophets can suck it for all I care. Oh wait, they already have." She joked, pretending that she wasn't scared just a moment ago. She then took a good look at her friend, let out a low whistle, and commented. " Man.. you look like shit."
"Really? I haven't notice." She groaned, slowing sinking into the chair opposite of Taylor.
Taylor gave Sora her signature smile "Rough day?"
"You could say that." She sighed, her hand moving toward her temples. She tried to think of something to change the topic, when she notice the stacks of books on the end table beside Taylor.
" There's a lack of books with pictures beside you." She nods toward the pile, commenting as if it was the weather. Taylor turned the page of the book that was in her hand.
"Maybe I've decided to give up the comics ." She said, her expression serious. Sora looked at her before shaking her head. 'doubt it' being written on her face. The mask broke as a smirk found its way back to Taylor's lips.
"Yea who am I kidding." Taylor laughed, before saying. "In all seriousness though, these are for research."
"For..." Sora eyes narrowed, not getting what Taylor needed books of fiction to do researched. unless.. " This for figuring out how they got here isn't it?" she stated. Taylor gave a snort, as if the answer was obvious.
"Well duh. we're suppose to try and help them get home right? I mean that is the end game. So, last night I've sent out a chain email through my network. Asking for books and stories that involve people being stranded through a stray portal or something similar. "
Sora head snapped up, unaware that she was starting to doze off. Worry and fear flashed briefly on her features before they regain their neutral expression. her eyes asking a question she was tempted to voice. Taylor waved her free hand defensively.
" Don't jump to any conclusions, I just told them that it was extra credit for English. That I was to comparing how authors use a similar plot element to make their stories unique." She said quickly. Sora let out a sigh of relief, sinking further into the chair. Shoulders relax after being so tense just a moment before. Taylor smile fade, and she shook her head.
" I don't know which hurts more: that I can't tell an army of nerds and geeks that aliens exist without killing them, or the fact that you don't trust me to keep my mouth shut." she huffed, snapping the book close.
"Sorry, I'm... a little out of sorts at the moment. I didn't mean anything by it." Sora sighs, rubbing her eyes "Are you really so certain that this will help? We're talking about works of fiction." She asked.
Taylor smile returned, and if anything it only gotten wider."Before Star Trek there was no cell phone. Star Wars, voice control. Heck! Before Friday we thought Bionicle, and thus the Toa, was just a toy. Works of fiction becoming a reality isn't really as far fetch as it sounds" She pointed out.
"hmm, you got a point there."
"Besides it's not like we can just Google 'portals to another world' and get a straight answer. And at least this way we can get a rough idea what could happen."
Sora closed her eyes, giving a slight nod in agreement. taking time to process the information . As strange as it is to see her planning ahead, Taylor's plan made sense so far. The imagination of writers have a way of painting out scenarios that are normally impossible. And if the past few days were anything to judge by, impossible events are probably going to be more common as time goes on.
She let out a small hum. Regretting that she was unable to look up more information about the Bionicle universe while she had the chance. With the Toa being at her sanctuary, she lack the privacy to actually look these things up without risking them finding out what they are here. And she doubt that would change anytime soon.
'Maybe I don't have to. Taylor probably looked it up last night." She open her eyes half way to see Taylor sorting the books into three piles.
"So, have you manage to learn anything?" she asked.
"I'm not even through the first book, I' doubt I'm going to get any insight from that."
" I wasn't talking about the books." She flashed her a knowing look.
Taylor eyes widen in surprised."Wait, how did you...?" she stuttered out, but stopped when Sora let out a soft chuckle.
I didn't until now. She thought . "Of all the times I've talked with you about what you were interested in, the majority of it falls under 'robots', 'superheroes', and 'aliens'. I would have been shocked if you haven't looked it up last night." She explained casually.
Normally, she would expect someone to tilt their head back and let out a groan. To ask 'am I really that predictable?'. But instead her friend just let out a soft giggle.
"Aw, you really do know me, don't you." she said. Sora nods, flashing her a rare smile, as small as it was.
"Never doubt it. Now ,do you want to share what you've learned, or do I have to look it up myself?"
"Well, since you've asked me nicely." Taylor smirked. She adjusts her glasses, and reached underneath her seat, retrieving the I pad she kept hidden when she got there. Her finger move quickly across the screen.
" So far everything the Toa's told us lines up with the websites bio. The death of Matoro, what they were before, The islands of Mata Nui and Metru Nui.." She lists, pulling up a word document and several links she saved on the home page. Sora eyes narrowed in confusion.
"I don't remember them saying anything about the last two." She said. She tilt her head slightly.
" That's because you were searching for David at the time. The point is that everything checks out, it's just a mater of weeding out the fact from fiction, what little of it exists."
"What about the last few months, Did you get an idea what was happening?"
""hmm judging by what they do remember..." Taylor swipe the screen a few times until saying. "I wager they are somewhere in the Makuta's reign ark. after he revealed himself, but before they became mind puppets of some genetic cocktail."
"I can't believe it, the Makuta is back!"
"Oh no... er who was that again?"
"I told you Sora, he's the main bad of the entire series. You know? Ruthless, power hungry, wants to take over the universe and actually have the means to do it? For some reason he doesn't seem to want to stay dead..."
The distant conversation echoed in the back of her head. She gave out a shutter, remembering the look on her brother's face as he continued to read the page. Hopefully he's still where ever he is. She thought. She put out her hand. "may I?" she ask.
Taylor nods, she handed her the tablet after exiting everything but the word document. Sora flick through it, footnotes to separate the different segments. Some of the paragraphs were highlighted, while others underlined.
"You've been through." Sora comment. Taylor laughs, taking her tablet back from Sora's hands.
"You said it yourself, this is a combination of several topics I'm interested in. and I do have a habit to binge when it comes to those." She tucks the I pad underneath her arm.
"A shame that the line ended with a false promise of more story though. I wouldn't mind seeing what happened next." she sighs.
" You might get the chance if things work out." Sora said. she tries her best to suppress a yawn with her hand. And looks back just in time to see Taylor's eyes brighten . "However, I wouldn't get your hopes up just yet, For all we know, just them being here may screw up their time line."
"Well aren't you just a ray of sun shine." Taylor snorts.
"I'm just stating the obvious. We don't exactly know what the future has in store for us."
"Exactly, and your perception of the future predicts all doom and gloom. Lighten up at little." Sora looked at her, hiding the faint smile on her face.
"This is me lightening up, I haven't gotten to the more depressing scenarios yet." sarcasm weaved into her words, her tone gaining a little emotion as she attempt to joke. Sadly it was all too subtle, and Taylor groaned in response. missing the light-hearted nature of the comment.
"ugh so today is going to be one of those isn't." she huffed, throwing herself back into the chair. Sora started to open her mouth to answer,when Taylor hold up a finger. "Nope, don't say a word, obviously we can't say anything about the future without you turning into a depressed android. So instead lets talk about the past, you don't seem to have anything against that."
Taylor propped her , cheek resting on a fist. Eyes widen, giving her expression one of mock interest.
"So, how your day? Did you see anyone at work in need of a swift, Kung Fu kick in the ass?" She asked. Her tone was just oozing the sarcasm where Sora's lack. Sora consider growling, but what's the point? So, instead she just answer the question as if Taylor have just asked it normally.
"Several during the last hour,but not worth getting fired for. The past 18 hours however was certainly..." She stopped, spying movement in the corner of her eye. She turned her head slightly toward the direction, eyes narrowing at the site.
Three men, dressed in formal attire were idly walking down the a near by aisle. They looked at titles. one was constantly looking at his phone, while another scratch his head. The three men could pass as people fresh out of an afternoon service to the ignorant civilian eye, enough for them to return what they were doing before. But if one paid attention, they would notice they way the men carry themselves with pride. Their eyes were alert, assessing the situation. And, to those who are familiar to it, had military standard hair styles.
Sora's expression turned into one an indifferent mask, ice forming over her heart, leaving her gazed hard. Any hint of emotion that she showed previously gone. Not missing a beat, she move her hands up, and signed. "eventful."
Taylor "Really, switching to ASL in the middle of a sentence? plain English not enough for you?"
Sora let out a cheerful laugh, causing Taylor to jump. She then started staring at her as if Sora just grew a second head. she chuckled loud enough for the three men to barely hear in the almost empty library," 'English" isn't the language class you're failing in miss 'straight A student'. Trust me, you need the practice." A small smile formed on her face, at the same time she barely moved her hands, forming the sentence." I'll explain later, just go with it."
The last thing Sora wanted, much less need, was for Taylor to start freaking out. So the longer she could keep Taylor in the dark about the men in black the better. Now the only thing left to do is for her to pray silently that Taylor would take the hint and join her in the language switch.
Taylor sighed muttering " That's the last time I'm letting you see my report card..." before she moved her hands roughly. "Fine, if it will get you to reveal today's reason you got a stick up your butt, I'll play along."
She let out the breath that she didn't know she was holding, and began to relay everything that happened since she last saw her friend. Taylor gave the occasional comment, mostly about what Sora should have done. So when Sora told Taylor of her unexpected visitors toward the end of her shift, the three men long gone, Taylor couldn't help but laugh.
"This isn't a laughing matter Taylor." She signed . Taylor stopped long enough to wipe a tear from her eyes.
"Maybe. I mean the risk of ending up on a dissection table is horrible, don't get me wrong. I just find it hilarious that you weren't expecting this." Sora scoffed, momentarily looking away. Taylor lean forward. She place a hand on Sora's knee, and whispered, tired of using her hands.
"Sora,they're on an alien planet, outside everything they have known. You can't blame them for wanting to go out and see it. Those two especially. Heck, when I was showing them some stuff on my I-pad yesterday, Kongu and Nuparu were basically like two kids in a candy store."
Sora let out a groan, and pinch the bridge of her nose."I know... I just wish they waited until they got settled before they start wandering into danger."
"Hey, you are not their mother, nor anyone's else. Unless there something you haven't told me..." She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively. Sora grunts, narrowing her eyes at the comment.
"I'm kidding, even though it would explain some things. All I'm saying is that these guys are old enough to be our ancestors. They know what their doing, so there's no need for you to go all worried mama bear, you are way too young for it."
"Age does not bring wisdom Taylor." Sora stated. She felt as slight wound to her pride as she consider her. "... but you do have a point ." She admits. feeling a slight wound to her pride.
"I always do." Taylor pats Sora's knee. "Now come on, you said yesterday that you'll check up on them. And I haven't seen you break a promise yet."
Taylor got up , tucking her tablet into a book bag that was hidden underneath the table. Sora sighed, she slowly pried herself from the chair. The fatigue from the day's events has finally take its toll, and it left her muscles aching, resisting slightly as she moves. As a result Sora barely managed to put up her arms in time to catch the pile of books that Taylor shove into her chest. She look at it, her eyebrows raised.
"What? You actually thought I'm going to read all of these by myself?" She chuckles. She shoved the other two piles into the book bag, before she half skips through the aisle. Sora shook her head, and followed suite. She stood back as Taylor was having a slightly heated discussion with the librarian. Explaining the reason of the two piles of books on the desk, a separate library card on each.
She just sighed, and moved to the books that now are in her arms. Just looking from one summary to the next. Not really paying attention. Nothing really going through her sleep deprived brain save the reminder to not to fall asleep where she stands. Still, it took several calls from the librarian to snap Sora back to reality. Once everything was checked out, Sora unlocks her bike outside. Moving it and her books to the back of Taylor's van once it pulled up. She slips into the passenger seat, Taylor tapping the wheel along with a song playing on the radio.
"Dam birds... I just wash this van..." Taylor muttered before she glance at Sora. "So, ready to go and scold some Toa?" Taylor asks. Sora shook her head, her seat belt giving of a faint click.
"Not yet. Head towards the store, I need to grab a few things..."
For the record, When I originally wrote this story it was set during the current time in the 'dark' years of Bionicle. After it ended in 2010, but before it was rebooted now in 2015. I'll leave it to you guys to narrow it down to the exact year.
Now I have to admit that this chapter was a little difficult to get out. So much so that I nearly want to go with the lazy option and quit on the story. But you can thank the inspirational piece of eye/ear candy known as Ori and the blind forest and your kind reviews for getting me through it.
Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. In the next one Sora will be meeting Jaller, and we'll see just what Sora will have in her bag of goodies. Who knows, if you guys have any suggestions I may add to it. Until next time.
