The ninth night

Both NiGHTS and Owl were waiting for Kathryn with anxiety.

They couldn't find her for two nights straight. That was only to be expected, Owl said. NiGHTS knew that, too. Helping Visitors with no Ideyas save for one was his forte, after all.

But Kathryn was sort of a special case.

- I didn't quite sink in yet, I think. I mean, I saw it with my own eyes, but I can't believe it, - NiGHTS kept on muttering, - I mean, she looked fairly normal! Nothing out of ordinary except her inability to dualize, but a normal Visitor through and through!

Owl was silent.

- We've seen Visitors with five Ideyas, four Ideyas, three, two, one, name it, but four out of five being grey? What does that makes her, Owl?

- She has only one as of now either way.

- Yes, but she had the whole set! Four out of five being grey! How can a Visitor her age have only one Ideya shining?

- She has only one Ideya. We both know how to treat that.

- That's actually what worries me as well, - NiGHTS frowned, - Even if the Ideya is stolen, it's not lost. It's still somewhere in the Mare, you know that. But Reala just went and shattered Kathryn's. How would we help her recover I can't imagine.

He was close to tears.

Owl stretched his wing, hushing NiGHTS. The old bird seems to listen to something far away.

In the beginning of the path to the Dream Plaza, a light flickered.

Purple jester stood up and flew closer, speeding up as he saw a girl's figure walk through the gates.

- Kathryn! I was so worried about you! Are you okay? About the Ideyas...

The girl shot him a glare.

- Kathy... I'm sorry I let him broke yours. I really am sorry. But I can help you recover them!

- Thank you. I won't be needing it.

NiGHTS was startled, to say the least. Her voice sounded... wrong. It was lower, and at the same time more ethereal, and seemed to come out in puffs of cold mist so thin they might as well not be there at all.

Her eyes bothered him, too. It's not that they held any malice, but he felt a sucking pit creep into existence somewhere below his feet.

- Kathy! - he pleaded as she walked past him, - I can imagine how you feel! I'm sorry, I really am! But I've seen a lot of Visitors with one Ideya. I've helped them!..

- It's okay. I'll manage. Thanks all the same.

She continued to walk, aiming for somewhere beyond the fountain.

Owl flew in her way, flapping wings in solemn mid-air.

- Kathryn, - he said softly, - Please listen to NiGHTS. Both he and I can help you. Your Ideyas were stolen, but not lost.

- If you allow me to correct you, - she pointed out, - Mine were shattered. They are as good as lost now. I know that.

- Even so, - Owl pressed, - We can help you recover what was lost.

- Oh, don't misunderstand. It's not that I don't appreciate your help. I just rather no one goes into my territory. This is my mistake, my problem to deal with. I believe I will be able to recover on my own.

Owl studied her. NiGHTS couldn't tell what the old bird was thinking, but he was hoping he would somehow persuade Kathryn...

A tired, sad smile seemed to form in bird's eyes.

- You are adamant about it, aren't you.

Kathryn gave him a firm nod.

- Just know that we a here always, should you need any help. I know how you value your independence, but really, it's no shame if you need help.

- I'm aware of that. But unless I'm truly unable to overcome this, don't expect me coming.

- Until we meet again, then.

NiGHTS dashed forward, but Kathryn's form had already disappeared into thin air.

- Where did she went?

- Somewhere she is at ease.

- I can't believe you! I thought we had decided to help her! What's with that "Until we meet again"?

Owl sat on the edge of the fountain.

- I think... I understand her. I've met someone like her, before you came. She was just as stubborn. What I think is, - he hushed NiGHTS, who was about to protest, with a wave of a wing, - She has to try and recover on her own. She is not like the rest of the Visitors, after all. If she can produce new Ideyas on her own, she would grow that much stronger. If she can't, we can always try to help.

- Try to?

The old bird sighed.

- Her original set did have four grey Ideyas, after all.

Cool and smooth. Just like that. Underneath her feet, Kathryn felt a cool, smooth surface.

That surface was rippling from her walking.

- So how is it going? That dream of a dark path?

The girl leaned and looked into the water. A lady with long silver hair, dressed in blue, was looking back at her.

- You... was hurt, wasn't you?

- Aren't we both? Really, I think I'm used to it.

- But it still hurts.

- Yes. A lot.

They walked for a while, each step reflected.

- Even though I... - the girl searched for words, - You... we said that. Do you think we will make it on our own?

- So you hurt, too.

- I am. But that's not the question.

- Don't you know the answer?

- Yes, I know that we should be strong - you've been teaching me that from the very first day, haven't you? I know that to be or not to be is out of question. I have to get it all back with my own strength.

She waited for lady's reply, then breathed in to continue speaking, and stopped.

- I know, - Kathryn let out a sigh, - You are me, I am you. So we are... one single being. Mirrored and reflected.

- More like cast, as a matter of fact.

- Right. Light and shadow, was that it? And the object itself, too. Being that, being one, we can't be weak. We only can go on. Meaning, - she let out a sigh, - I don't get any comfort even from you.

- I've never learned comfort. I only know strength. I am here, with everything I am - is that not enough?

- It is, but... I know I don't have to question anything; I only need to go and get back what's mine. Ours. But what's then? Would I be really satisfied with just that?

- I am not tied to anything anymore.

- And to me?

- Isn't it the other way around?

- I suppose it is. So I just live and become strong, even stronger, so that that person won't be disappointed?

The girl kneeled down on the surface of the water, and the lady in blue did the same.

- So, what's the point?

- You will feel satisfied. Because that would mean you are still close to him.

- Do I love him, or just the sole idea of being able to love?

- Does that matter? - the blue lady smiled, - So, how is my exciting dream of a dark path?

- I don't know yet, - Kathryn said, - But I kind of want to find out. It's not like I'm alone.

The lady in blue laughed softly, and stretched her hand out towards the girl.

In her palm, a shard of blue light blinked, and slipped through her slender fingers.

Kathryn hurried to catch it, but missed, and caught it with the other hand as it floated above the water.

Just as she caught the shard of glass, she realized that she and the lady in blue were now holding hands.

Kai: Hello to you, all our readers! =D We are back... sort of. well, trying to)

This chapter is one of our old - we didn't post it, so now we are trying to return to this story... and as a beginning - we post this. =) As you see - all is not so bad... sort of. May be. =D

Well, I saw some new readers... hope you like our story - and, well... say something about it, pleaseee... =3

Tai: Hello? Is anybody still reading this?

Anyhow, hi-hi and welcome back! After a little more than a year of hiatus, we're picking up from where we started. Or, at least, trying to pick up. And follow the threads through art blocks and whatnot. The story is going through second rewriting process as is, but I already want to start anew. Witness the glorious struggle as it unfolds!

In any case, what the hell. Let's finish this.