Oberon watched in amazement as Seraphim wolfed down her breakfast that morning, and paced around the ship nervously. Approaching her quietly, he pulled her into a bunk that he and Tank shared, holding her close. Her eyes were showing a more excited green, but she looked up at him.
"Is something the matter Obs?" She asked worriedly.
"No…but…" he looked at the ground, "But be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you. Really…" he said softly.
She nodded and tightly embraced him. "I promise. I don't want anything to happen to me either." She said quietly into his body, as he softly kissed the top of her short hair, hoping she wouldn't notice. She smiled up at him, but opened the door to the bunk and exited with him to the loading area.
She peered over the screen to Tank who was opening an entrance into the Matrix, and watched as the rest of the band of hackers got in their seats and closed their eyes.
As they were loaded in, Morpheus began to give orders.
"Anan, Oberon and Tank are outside, and call if you need an exit. Trinity, you stay here. Vertigo, Seraphim and Neo will come with me." Trinity nodded, and everyone fingered their guns slightly, making sure they were ready.
Seraphim looked hopefully towards Neo, "Do we have a bike this time?" She had been trying to learn how to ride for a while, Neo and Trinity being her tutors.
Neo gave a small smile, "Sorry Phin, nothing this time." They began to make their way to the car, Morpheus leading, followed by Seraphim, Vertigo and finally Neo.
Seraphim and Vertigo spoke in hushed voices in the backseat of the large car, Neo driving, and Morpheus trying to listen bemusedly.
"So Phinna, this Oracle, she knows…everything? About everyone?"
Seraphim furrowed her brows, and shrugged, "Well…I guess only freed people. I think…but I don't know exactly. I'm still learning."
"Couldn't you just tell me?"
The younger girl sighed, "Well, I'm not that good yet. I'm still honing. Don't worry, it will be fine."
Vertigo shook her head, "But what if it's not? What if I'm going to die or something?"
Seraphim looked at her feet, "Well…I mean, I don't think that is going to happen. I can sense that kind of thing…Look, just listen to her. She knows many things, and she has been around for a long time…"
Vertigo was opening her mouth to say something else, when Morpheus spoke "We're here. Lets go." They began to enter the ratty apartment building, and Seraphim followed closer to Neo as they climbed the stairs to the top floor.
"Vertigo.." Morpheus was saying, "I can only show you the door. It is you who has to enter through it…" The girl smiled, as Vertigo hesitantly reached for the handle, as a Priestess opened it from the inside.
"Hello Morpheus, Neo, Vertigo. Hello Angel…" she said warmly to Seraphim, and she looked at the ground, smiling. "You can enter in. Vertigo, come with me please." Seraphim gave a reassuring smile to the girl, as she walked off with the white-clad priestess.
--
Vertigo followed the woman, as she led her to a doorway covered in beads. She entered through them, and watched as a woman in light blue clothing filled a pitcher full of water. She smiled, her eyes wrinkling behind rhinestone studded glasses as she noticed her.
"Ah…you're Vertigo…I know, hold on a sec. Just sit down, and stop being so nervous. You're not going to die…" she smiled, as Vertigo sat in a kitchen chair, eyeing the older woman as she placed the pitcher in an old refrigerator, and sat down across from her. She pulled a cigarette from a weathered pack on the counter, and began to lazily smoke it as she smiled at the girl.
"Your Seraphims friend…I know. You don't have to worry, because today is a good day. I don't have too much bad news…Not of the death kind anyway." Vertigo nodded numbly, as she continued.
"Hard to find good men these days, hm?" She said lightly, puffing away at the cigarette, and Vertigo automatically retorted, "What is that supposed to mean?" Before stopping herself, and looking down at the table.
The Oracle gave a rusty laugh, "Hm…Don't worry about it. Should of known that would happen. Haven't had much luck with men, I suppose?" She asked carefully.
Vertigo sighed, "No…Neo is taken." The Oracle laughed, and Vertigo half smiled.
"Don't you worry hunny, there's hope for you yet. Doctor, eh?" Vertigo nodded, "Med school for 3 years…hope it helps in the real world."
"I do too…I hope it transfers as well as your luck in love. But don't you worry your pretty little head off, you will be in much demand. Just won't know it. Little birdies know many things." She said with a cryptic smile.
Vertigo furrowed her brows, and sighed. "Well, that wasn't so bad." The Oracle smiled as she stood.
"No, not at all. And you even get a cookie for being so good." Her eyes sparkled as she held out a plate of chocolate chip cookies for the girl.
---
"Tea? The wise and weathered woman asked.
"Yes please." She sat down, as the Oracle checked on the kettle boiling on the stove. "Just about ready." She walked to a battered tin containing various teabags.
"So, how've you been, Angel?" She asked warmly. Seraphim smiled and placed her sunglasses on the table.
"Fine, fine I guess." She heard the Oracle lift the kettle and pour the water onto the bags. She walked quietly over and placed the earthenware mug in front of her, with a jar of honey. Seraphim accepted it gratefully, and watched as she placed a piece of lemon onto the mug.
"There you are dear," Seraphim stirred the amber liquid, honey and lemon and all, as she began to relax in her kitchen/
"Your friend is quite a woman, you know," the Oracle said, eyes sparkling. Seraphim smiled and nodded vigorously, "Yeah. She's great, I was really glad when she was awakened. I worry about her sometimes…you know, she's kinda romantic. And the whole Neo obsession." Seraphim shrugged, and the Oracle took a puff of a cigarette.
"Oh, don't worry too much about her. You see, she'll have someone soon. A time of great change is upon you, Phin. You and all the crew."
Recognition hit Seraphim like a thunderbolt, and she set her mug down abruptly.
"I knew it! My new visions, right?"
"Isn't that what you came here for?" Seraphim nodded.
"It's always the same. This sparrow and these icy blue eyes. Always. It flies up and down, constantly. I never understand it."
The Oracle inhaled the smoke again, appearing all the more like the mystic she was made out to be.
"Morpheus always takes in new people, right Seraphim?" The girl nodded, as the Oracle continued.
"Well…when someone takes in a lost baby bird, normally the mother won't look for it, right? But…this is no ordinary bird, hun. I wouldn't worry about it too much, but I need you to be brave. Braver and bolder than you have ever been. When enemies sit at your table, dear, you have to keep an eye on them, but you also have to make them at home. You cannot be afraid, and you cannot be doubtful. Remember, things always happen for a reason. Old faces return, but not in the way you remember them. And those who came before…well, they had to come from somewhere." She exhaled, making rings around the kitchen as Seraphim absorbed it all, finally taking a sip of her tea.
"Don't worry love. This business gets easier as time goes by, and take it from me. Time just flies by…" she smiled behind her rhinestone glasses as the steam from her tea curled around her.
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Like it? Dislike it? :D I'll try and write more-Bella 'Radical'
