Is this what death feels like? Sylia was looking up at the white hospital celing. The pain was throbbing from her head and through out her whole body. Everything was beggining to numb. She felt as if she were floating, higher than she had ever been before. What happened? Am I dead? Am I dying? She couldn't move, and she couldn't get her eyes to focus properly. I guess I've underestimated my strength, Nigel you were right. She could hear Nigel telling to scrap her suit. He had known, just as she had chosen to deny, she had been toying with death itself. The pain was almost completely numb, though her body no longer felt attached. She wished she could have listened to him, but she knew she couldn't have. If she had scrapped the suit, there was a good chance everyone of her girls would be dead now. Instead it was just her.
"She's awake..." A nurse called over to someone else, "Call her family..." Sylia could see her face leaning in above her own. She wasn't dead, not yet. She smirked to herself.
"Sylia Stingray?" The nurse asked her.
"Yes?" Sylia uttered, barely intellegible.
"Your Brother will be here to pick you up shortly."
She tried to nod. She wasn't sure whether she actually had or not. She was hospitalized, not dead. She suddenly felt a ray of hope shine down on her. She was just numbing from the extensive amount of morphine they had her on. She struggled to sit up, only knowing the diffrence from up and down by what she could see.
Priss lay asleep in a waiting room chair. The color scheme of the whole hospital was blue and grey, and in every waking moment she could feel nothing but guilt, and depression. She had been waiting in that hospital for two days now, and the doctors were all very cross with her. She couldn't see Linna, she couldn't see Sylia. They wouldn't even tell her how they were doing, all she could do was wait. Linna's parents had been contacted, and arrived the same day as the injury. Priss hadn't seen much of them since then either. She had found that dozing off was the only way to ease the sorrow.
Mackie and Nene had really bad timing with Priss, everytime they came through she was passed out. Mackie had recieved a phone call yesterday afternoon, asking him to give more information on Sylia Stingray. He came in and gave them what they needed, and Nene had been following him everywhere since the horrible battle. Right now they sat accross from Priss, hoping she might wake up.
"I didn't think she cared so much..." Nene whispered to Mackie.
"She hasn't left the hospital... " Mackie reminded Nene.
"That's what I was saying! She must be really worried." Nene raised her voice a little.
"Sylia..." Mackie looked to the ground sadly.
"Sylia?" Priss shot up like lightning, looking around for whoever had mentioned Sylia. Accross from her she saw Mackie and Nene. She never thought she'd be so glad to see either of them. She stood up, her knees popped when she did. It had been hours, and hours since she last stood. "Have they told you anything?"
Nene shook her head. Mackie stood up politely to talk to Priss, "They said there's nothing they can do. She's comming home today."
"And Linna?" Priss' begged for knowledge.
"I don't know..." Mackie looked at the ground again.
"She must be alive, I think they'd tell us if she had died." Nene tried to sound a little cheerful.
"Mackie Stingray?" A Receptionist called out. Mackie hurried over to the desk. She had him sign several papers, then asked him to walk over to the door.
Two nurses wheeled out Sylia in a wheel chair. She looked like her normal self, but in hospital rags. Her face was calm and gentle as it usually was when she wasn't angry. Mackie hugged her right away. She put her arms on him in return and smiled.
"Sylia..." He cooed.
"Sylia! You're okay!" Nene hurried over to hug her with Mackie.
Priss stared accross the waiting room at the silver haired girl in the chair. She could see that Sylia was fine but something seemed wrong. She waited until all of the hugging was done to join the rest of them. Sylia looked up at her, still not having spoken a word. Her eyes were distant, she was high as the clouds. That's what the diffrence had been, Priss sighed with relief.
"Mr. Stingray," The male nurse addressed Mackie, "I'm afraid we still couldn't pin point exactly what the problem was. How-ever, the problem is in her central nervous system. This girl is falling apart like an elderly woman, or someone with a very weak emune system. Without knowing the diagnosis, we can't even try to cure it. I'm afraid there's nothing else we can do. I'm sorry."
"What are you saying?" Nene asked before Mackie could answer, "Are you saying you think shes going to..."
"The outcome of this unknown, this central nervous system disorientation is bizzare. The doctor has never seen anything like this before."
"So you're telling me you get paid thousands of dollars to tell us you don't know?" Priss grabbed the nurses garb and pulled him close to her, "You better hope she's alright mister."
"I'm sure everything will work out for you!" The man said with false reassurance in hopes she would let him go. She snarled and dropped him as hastily as she had grabbed him.
"Let's get her home. This place isn't gonna help any." Priss gestured toward the door still glaring at the man.
"That's true." Mackie started to push the wheel chair.
"Hear that Sylia? You're going home again!" Nene yelled in her ear, as if because she wasn't speaking she couldn't hear either. Sylia flinched and pulled away from Nene.
"I heard Priss..." She whispered.
"Oh..." Nene gave her an 'oopsy' face. Sylia smiled at her. She would have missed Nene's silliness if she had died. Just another thing she was thankful to still have.
In the other room Linna lay in a hospital bed, still out cold. She had been out since surgery over two days ago. She was hooked up to numerous gadets, and gizmos, measuring all of her vital stats. Her parents were waiting for her to come around. Doctors had told them it would be anytime now, she had cleared critical, and was now stabalized. They said she was an amazing case, that she was healing like it was nothing but a scratch. Her parents had to doubt that, as they were seeing her as unconcsious in a hospital bed.
Linna was unaware of anything after that grey sky, and Priss' hand. She was in a dream world now. She was standing in her parents huge country backyard, her hair blowing in the wind. She was looking out accross the farmland, and thinking how beautiful it really was. Priss was standing next to her, her fingers still intwinded with Linna's. Priss was sullen, and seemed as distant as she was.
"Priss?" She asked, not actually facing Priss.
"Hmmm?" Priss looked at Linna with a sly smirk.
"I know it's not possible for two girls to marry, but..." Linna looked into Priss' deep brown eyes, "If we could. Would you?"
"Was that a proposal?" Priss laughed. Linna blushed.
"Well... Kinda..." She muttered under the deep embarrasssment she felt.
"I don't see why not." Priss shrugged.
"So you do love me?" Linna's blush faded. Priss pulled her into her arms, and kissed her again and again. Then smiled at her.
"Duh." She said simply.
Linna's mother called for her. Linna winced.
"So how are you going to tell your parents?" Priss joked.
Linna's mother called again.
A few hours later Sylia was sitting on the most comfortable couch in her living room. They had just helped her up from the wheelchair. She could talk lightly now, the high was begging to fade slightly. Sadly with the high fading the pain was returning. She found that any movement caused a strinking pain down her spinal cord and throughout her nerves. She felt dizzy, and drowsey. She cuddled in closer to Nigel who had sat down with her. It was such an amazing comfort to know she was with him now.
"You shouldn't have gone." He sighed.
"I had to. You know that..." She replied softly. When he just held her hand a little tighter she knew what he meant. He knew what pain she was in, and he knew what she was denying. She suddenly felt ignorant for all she had done. He really did care about her, and she may of hurt him the most out of this. Linna's condition was still unknown, but she had a good feeling about it. Linna was a tough girl, much like herself. No boomer would take them down.
"The feedback from that suit... It could kill you. It is killing you." He muttered.
It was true. The pain she was suffering from right now could only mean she was destin to be a vegitable or a corpse. She could see herself that night yelling in the mirror. She deserved this fate more than anyone in the world, could she actually feel sorry now that it was upon her? Not for herself.
"I love you Nigel. I always have, and I always will." She snuggled into his chest, "I wish things could have been diffrent"
"So do I..."
"And I." Priss made a seat of the coffee table in front of them.
"Priss... " Sylia started what was either going to be an appology or a inquiry.
"I just wanted to say Thank you." Priss inturrupted her, "Even though you've almost had me killed six zillion times, you've lied to me, you've hurt me worse than anyone in the world... but I'm sure I wouldn't be alive at all if it weren't for you. So Thanks." She wasn't much into thank yous, but she had a feeling it would make Sylia feel a little more at ease. She knew it certainly made herself feel better.
Sylia closed her eyes. Priss forgave her, could those millions of people killed in the earthquake and by Galatea forgive her too? She was feeling more and more drowsey, the pain was fading in and out. Nigel kissed her forhead lightly. Priss looked a little taken back, but tried to hide it. She could feel this kiss, she could feel the comfort of his body next to hers, and she could feel sleep comming on. The pain was numb again, and she was drifting. If I don't open my eyes now will I ever open them again? She couldn't bring herself from the slumber she had fallen into it was so peaceful, and calm. She could see herself in the darkness, but as a child. Her mother and her father both holding her hands, in a happy childhood- before this horror that was her life had ever begun. The child giggled happily.
Nigel stared down at Sylia's body resting against his. She hadn't spoken or moved for a long while. He brushed fingertip accross her mouth lightly. It was as he was afraid of, she wasn't breathing. Priss looked like she had just seen a ghoast, the way she sat stareing wide-eyed at Sylia. Mackie was standing behind Priss stareing on in a much more knowing, and very sadend way. Nene peeked around the corner behind the both of them. She just looked freaked out.
Nigel sighed, and ran his hand accross her face. She was paler than before now, but still an everlasting beauty. He stood up carefully letting her fall gently onto the couch. He didn't say anything to Sylia's audenience, as he walked right past them to his quarters.
Silence held everyones words while they stared at the lifeless body of thier former companion. They had all seen the darkness, and Sylia's happy childhood before the distinct feeling of loss. No one had to say it, they all knew. Sylia was gone.
A gun shot broke the silence around Sylia.
"Nigel!" Mackie bolted down the hall like lightning, with Nene quickly on his heels. Priss stood up and shook her head looking down at the ground. This place was going to hell.
"Nigel!" He repreated at the closed door, he hated to open someones' door without permission. In this case he decided it was more important to get a response than to be polite. He swung open the door only to see part of Nigel flopped down on the couch. The wall behind him was splattered in blood, obviously by the shot gun fallen at his feet. He stared in shock. Nene caught one glimpse and became violently sick to her stomach. She tried to get to the bathroom, but didn't make it far at all. Mackie was quick to comfort her and clean up the mess.
At the hospital Linna had been awake and talking to her parents when the images came to her. Then there was that horrible feeling of something lost. She started crying at random, and her parents became very attentive.
"Linna, hunny" Her mother cooed, "Everything will be alright. The Doctors said you were doing good."
"Mom..." Linna cried, "Get Priss... Get Priss... Asagiri..."
"Who's Priss Asagiri?" Her father asked either of the women.
"Please..." Linna was afraid that Priss might not be okay, if the images were non-related to that feeling of loss... It could mean anything. She cried for Sylia, she cried for Priss, and she cried for Nene. She was afraid she'd never see any of them again. Her mother didn't understand, but she knew what her daughter wanted.
"Whoever it is, find her." She told her husband, "Ask the front desk for a phone book..."
He wasn't so sure about calling people that had never been mentioned before, after all this accident was obviously no accident. For all he knew Priss could have been behind it all. He grudgeingly walked to the front counter and asked for a phone book. He looked over all the Asagari's. There was no "Priss" listed.
"Not listed." He felt half triumphant. If she wasn't listed in teh phone book she couldn't be good news.
"What was the name?" The nosey receptionist happned to notice him looking over the Asagiri's.
"Priss Asagiri. My Daughter asked me to get her." He closed the phone book, "But she's not listed."
"Priss Asagiri was here up until about ten o'clock this morning. She was waiting for either of two patients to be released. She had no relation to either of them." The receptionist babbled, "She could have really used a shower. She threatened one of the nurses, can you believe that? Well I guess for being here for almost three days she didn't cause all that much trouble. She couldn't say how she knew Miss Yamakazi, did your daughter mention thier relation?"
He blinked. That was one perky talkative receptionist.
"Thank you." He handed the phone book back over the counter, and headed back for Linna's room.
"If she comes back should I allow her to see Miss Yamakazi?" The woman yelled after him. He turned and nodded. The woman quickly wrote down that Priss would be allowed in to see Linna. Not ten minutes later Priss walked back in looking even more ragged than when she had left.
"Miss Asagiri!" The receptionist called her over right away, "You may go in to see Linna Yamakazi now if you wish..."
The moment Priss walked into the room everyone stared at her. Linna had grinned, her eyes brighting on instant. The mother looked shocked, and the father just looked mean. She wasn't sure how to react considering Linna's parents were in the room.
"Finnaly they let me in..." She decided on, "I was about to kill those damn receptionists."
"Priss was worried?" Linna chuckled lightly, "Now that one is new."
Priss scratched the back of her head, "Yeah... well don't get used to it."
"Mom, Dad... ?" Linna asked as sweetly as she could manage, "Could I maybe talk to Priss alone for a minute?"
"Who is this girl?" Her father demanded, "She looks like trailor trash. I hope this isn't what you think you're going to be!"
Priss sneered. That was quite an insult comming from the father of her current love intrest. With all the mixed emotions she felt right now it would have felt good to get in a fist fight with the old man. She knew better, but only for Linna's sake. She bit her tongue.
"I'll explain everything later. I promise." Linna lied. She had no intention on explaining everything at any point in time. She'd tell them who Priss was though, just not until she had time with Priss before then.
"Let her do her thing." Her mom supported her, "We'll talk about this all at a more appropriate time." She alomst had to drag Linna's father out of the room. Once the door was shut behind them, Priss hurried up to Linna and gave her a gentle loving hug.
Linna was a little surprised by Priss' action, but was very willing to accept it as a good thing. She kissed Priss on the cheek. Priss smiled at her, then looked down in a frown again.
"Sylia's..." Priss tried to finnaly say it outloud, knowing that if she did that would only make it a fact, "...gone"
"I felt it." Linna held Priss' hand, "Are you okay?"
"Better than Nigel..." She used some sarcasim to lighten her mood. She could only imagine what he looked like now, but she didn't want to.
"Nigel?" Linna cocked her head. She had been through alot of loss in her family, but Sylia was going to be the hardest loss she'd have to get over yet.
"He's gone too." Priss took a seat on the very edge of Linna's bed, "I was sure I was going to loose you too..."
"Oh, so that's why I got the loving attention." Linna nodded, She was surprised at how well she was coping with this all. Was she being strong for Priss? God knows that's what Priss would need after seeing the love of her life pass away right in front of her.
"You weren't before this happened?" She gestured with her head at the hospital bed. Linna smiled. She tugged on Priss until she pulled herself up to share the little bed with her.
"If the doctors saw this they'd probably kick you out." Linna stated.
"If you're parents saw this I'd be seeing Sylia sooner than I'd like." Priss countered. Linna bit her lip, hoping that wasn't how they'd react.
"I want to tell them..." Linna said before kissing Priss. Priss pulled away.
"Are you crazy?!" She blinked.
"I think they'll understand... Somehow." She explained herself, "Just... before I do that. I want to know one thing Priss. "
"Um..." Priss looked unsure in her tough self way.
"Do you love me?" Linna blurted out, in such a blunt way she wanted to slap herself. She always imagine it so much more romantic. The embarrasment quicly faded to frustration when Priss didn't respond, at all. She repeated her self in a much more pleasing manner, "Priss, do you love me the way I love you?"
Priss closed her eyes. She hated making commetments. "Yes," She swore she'd never again utter those words to anyone ever again. She swallowed her pride as she heard herself say it, "Yes, I love you."
Linna watched the emotion play on Priss' face, she hadn't wanted to admit it, but she did. Priss loved her, and they were in love. This was everything she ever wanted, and more. She saved the world, and she got the girl. She silently thanked Sylia for the Knight Sabers, and for Priss. Without any of it she wouldn't of been able to convince Priss they had anything in common. She used to be just some country girl, now she was her lover. She kissed Priss again. This time Priss didn't pull away. The sound of the door made Priss jump away from Linna and stumble on the ground. She regained herself and glared at the nurse who had scared the shit out of her. She was sure it was Linna's dad, about to rip her head off and use it as a basketball.
"Well, well..." The woman shook her head, "It looks as though you are feeling well today Miss Yamakazi."
"I feel great." Linna smiled at the nurse, then at the glowering Priss.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but you can't be making out with people in the hospital. I'm afraid your friend here is going to have to go." She said. Linna's obvious disapointment had her continue, "You'll be free to do as you wish in a couple of days..."
"It's probably better that I go anyway... " Priss waved to Linna, "I have some stuff to do. Call me, okay?"
"Okay Priss..." Linna waved back, "I'll see you soon."
Priss snuck by Linna's Parents in the lobby. She didn't want to deal with the confrontation, Linna could very well do that all on her own. Linna was ready to when her parents came back in. What better time than when she was injured and already sucking mass amounts of sympathy from them? She lived, and will be fine... but she's a lesbian! Better than just, moved to Tokyo and became a lesbian,
"So who was she?" Her mother asked before the father this time.
Linna did one last self preperation push to herself, What's the worse that could happen? If they love me, They'll understand... right?
"That was my girlfriend." She said in a nonchalount tone. She wasn't backing down now.
"Where do you know her from?" Her father questioned, taking the word 'girlfriend' just to mean 'friend' as most parents would. Linna was confused by the lack of reaction, but very willing to let it pass.
"Nowhere really. She's a singer." She said proudly, "They're getting pretty big, Sekira. I doubt you've heard of them."
"No, but we've discussed it, Linna, and we don't think you should be around people like that." Her mother said, "I know you need to expierment with diffrent kinds of people, but people like her are nothing but trouble."
"You don't know her." Linna definded, "So don't pretend to."
"I don't care whether we know her or not. We've known people like that, and you're not going to have friends like that." Her father scolded in a firm loud tone.
"I can make my own decisions, obviously I moved to Tokyo to prove that. I've found what I was looking for. " Linna yelled back.
"And look where that got you!" He pointed at her vital stats computer.
"You're not listening to me. I'm happy dad. I'm happy." She said in a defeated little voice, looking to her mother. Her mother had originally come in to agree with her father, but now her face was softened and kind.
"Honey, I think maybe we should let her explain it before we jump to conclusions." Her mother patted him on the back. He seemed to calm down with this, and being taken back by Linna's quick defeat, he wasn't sure where he stood anymore.
"Fine, Linna, start explaining...." He shrugged.
"I don't know how to anymore. You're so upset about her being my friend... you missed what I said in the first place. " She sighed. She was loosing the drive to get this out to them.
"Go ahead, Linna dear, We'll try to understand if it's something that really makes you happy." Her mother smiled warmly at her.
"Priss is my girlfriend." She repeated, when it still obviously wasn't registering, "I love her."
It clicked all too quickly, her father's face turned red with anger again. Her mother looked slightly ashamed, but held her father back.
"You said you'd let me explain." Linna glared at them, "Now, I'm in love. So I'm not marrying any nice farmboys. I don't plan to ever get married. I may have children, I don't know. "
"How are you going to have children with another woman?" Her fathers words were dripping with disdain.
"I don't know right now, but that's okay. I'm not ready to have a family. You can't judge her on her appearance, she doesn't always look that trashed. She been going through alot lately... including them not letting her know if I was okay... and the death of a mutual close friend."
Her father remembered the receptionist babbling on about how Priss hadn't left the lobby in days. Maybe the trailor trash city girl wasn't quite as evil as he assumed.
"...I want you to understand... because I'm not turning back. This is what I want." Linna finnished.
They were taken back, they were surprised. They had to discuss it.
Priss walked all the way into the broken down city. She was humming a new tune, it was gentle and depressing. All the same it was quite a catchy tune. After a while she bagn to put lyrics to it. This was her tribute to Sylia, her love, her hate, her greatest friend. Once at her trailor after hours, and days with very little sleep she still couldn't sleep. She'd close her eyes and she'd see Sylia laying there on Nigel. It hurt so deep inside she couldn't stand it. Writting, and refineing this song was the only way to release her hurting soul. She finnaly passed out on her desk. When daylight hit she was quick to get ahold of her band members. It wasn't nearly as hard as she thought it would be, and they were very glad to hear from her. In no time she had a session planned. This song needed to be released.
By the time Linna was released from the hospital her parents had come around. They agreed that what made thier daughter happy, whatever outraguosly wrong thing it might be, they would have to accept it. They even agreed to formally meet Priss as Linna's girlfriend.
Author endnote: Okay... so my conclusion wont be all that much better than the show's was. 1 chapter left, and I'm having hell with it. Damn lack of musical talent. I couldn't write a song if my life depended on it... I so rip on someone else's. Heh. Anyway, appologizing ahead of time for the crappy poem I wrote to somehow pretend to be a song. That's all. It'll be up in a day or two....
"She's awake..." A nurse called over to someone else, "Call her family..." Sylia could see her face leaning in above her own. She wasn't dead, not yet. She smirked to herself.
"Sylia Stingray?" The nurse asked her.
"Yes?" Sylia uttered, barely intellegible.
"Your Brother will be here to pick you up shortly."
She tried to nod. She wasn't sure whether she actually had or not. She was hospitalized, not dead. She suddenly felt a ray of hope shine down on her. She was just numbing from the extensive amount of morphine they had her on. She struggled to sit up, only knowing the diffrence from up and down by what she could see.
Priss lay asleep in a waiting room chair. The color scheme of the whole hospital was blue and grey, and in every waking moment she could feel nothing but guilt, and depression. She had been waiting in that hospital for two days now, and the doctors were all very cross with her. She couldn't see Linna, she couldn't see Sylia. They wouldn't even tell her how they were doing, all she could do was wait. Linna's parents had been contacted, and arrived the same day as the injury. Priss hadn't seen much of them since then either. She had found that dozing off was the only way to ease the sorrow.
Mackie and Nene had really bad timing with Priss, everytime they came through she was passed out. Mackie had recieved a phone call yesterday afternoon, asking him to give more information on Sylia Stingray. He came in and gave them what they needed, and Nene had been following him everywhere since the horrible battle. Right now they sat accross from Priss, hoping she might wake up.
"I didn't think she cared so much..." Nene whispered to Mackie.
"She hasn't left the hospital... " Mackie reminded Nene.
"That's what I was saying! She must be really worried." Nene raised her voice a little.
"Sylia..." Mackie looked to the ground sadly.
"Sylia?" Priss shot up like lightning, looking around for whoever had mentioned Sylia. Accross from her she saw Mackie and Nene. She never thought she'd be so glad to see either of them. She stood up, her knees popped when she did. It had been hours, and hours since she last stood. "Have they told you anything?"
Nene shook her head. Mackie stood up politely to talk to Priss, "They said there's nothing they can do. She's comming home today."
"And Linna?" Priss' begged for knowledge.
"I don't know..." Mackie looked at the ground again.
"She must be alive, I think they'd tell us if she had died." Nene tried to sound a little cheerful.
"Mackie Stingray?" A Receptionist called out. Mackie hurried over to the desk. She had him sign several papers, then asked him to walk over to the door.
Two nurses wheeled out Sylia in a wheel chair. She looked like her normal self, but in hospital rags. Her face was calm and gentle as it usually was when she wasn't angry. Mackie hugged her right away. She put her arms on him in return and smiled.
"Sylia..." He cooed.
"Sylia! You're okay!" Nene hurried over to hug her with Mackie.
Priss stared accross the waiting room at the silver haired girl in the chair. She could see that Sylia was fine but something seemed wrong. She waited until all of the hugging was done to join the rest of them. Sylia looked up at her, still not having spoken a word. Her eyes were distant, she was high as the clouds. That's what the diffrence had been, Priss sighed with relief.
"Mr. Stingray," The male nurse addressed Mackie, "I'm afraid we still couldn't pin point exactly what the problem was. How-ever, the problem is in her central nervous system. This girl is falling apart like an elderly woman, or someone with a very weak emune system. Without knowing the diagnosis, we can't even try to cure it. I'm afraid there's nothing else we can do. I'm sorry."
"What are you saying?" Nene asked before Mackie could answer, "Are you saying you think shes going to..."
"The outcome of this unknown, this central nervous system disorientation is bizzare. The doctor has never seen anything like this before."
"So you're telling me you get paid thousands of dollars to tell us you don't know?" Priss grabbed the nurses garb and pulled him close to her, "You better hope she's alright mister."
"I'm sure everything will work out for you!" The man said with false reassurance in hopes she would let him go. She snarled and dropped him as hastily as she had grabbed him.
"Let's get her home. This place isn't gonna help any." Priss gestured toward the door still glaring at the man.
"That's true." Mackie started to push the wheel chair.
"Hear that Sylia? You're going home again!" Nene yelled in her ear, as if because she wasn't speaking she couldn't hear either. Sylia flinched and pulled away from Nene.
"I heard Priss..." She whispered.
"Oh..." Nene gave her an 'oopsy' face. Sylia smiled at her. She would have missed Nene's silliness if she had died. Just another thing she was thankful to still have.
In the other room Linna lay in a hospital bed, still out cold. She had been out since surgery over two days ago. She was hooked up to numerous gadets, and gizmos, measuring all of her vital stats. Her parents were waiting for her to come around. Doctors had told them it would be anytime now, she had cleared critical, and was now stabalized. They said she was an amazing case, that she was healing like it was nothing but a scratch. Her parents had to doubt that, as they were seeing her as unconcsious in a hospital bed.
Linna was unaware of anything after that grey sky, and Priss' hand. She was in a dream world now. She was standing in her parents huge country backyard, her hair blowing in the wind. She was looking out accross the farmland, and thinking how beautiful it really was. Priss was standing next to her, her fingers still intwinded with Linna's. Priss was sullen, and seemed as distant as she was.
"Priss?" She asked, not actually facing Priss.
"Hmmm?" Priss looked at Linna with a sly smirk.
"I know it's not possible for two girls to marry, but..." Linna looked into Priss' deep brown eyes, "If we could. Would you?"
"Was that a proposal?" Priss laughed. Linna blushed.
"Well... Kinda..." She muttered under the deep embarrasssment she felt.
"I don't see why not." Priss shrugged.
"So you do love me?" Linna's blush faded. Priss pulled her into her arms, and kissed her again and again. Then smiled at her.
"Duh." She said simply.
Linna's mother called for her. Linna winced.
"So how are you going to tell your parents?" Priss joked.
Linna's mother called again.
A few hours later Sylia was sitting on the most comfortable couch in her living room. They had just helped her up from the wheelchair. She could talk lightly now, the high was begging to fade slightly. Sadly with the high fading the pain was returning. She found that any movement caused a strinking pain down her spinal cord and throughout her nerves. She felt dizzy, and drowsey. She cuddled in closer to Nigel who had sat down with her. It was such an amazing comfort to know she was with him now.
"You shouldn't have gone." He sighed.
"I had to. You know that..." She replied softly. When he just held her hand a little tighter she knew what he meant. He knew what pain she was in, and he knew what she was denying. She suddenly felt ignorant for all she had done. He really did care about her, and she may of hurt him the most out of this. Linna's condition was still unknown, but she had a good feeling about it. Linna was a tough girl, much like herself. No boomer would take them down.
"The feedback from that suit... It could kill you. It is killing you." He muttered.
It was true. The pain she was suffering from right now could only mean she was destin to be a vegitable or a corpse. She could see herself that night yelling in the mirror. She deserved this fate more than anyone in the world, could she actually feel sorry now that it was upon her? Not for herself.
"I love you Nigel. I always have, and I always will." She snuggled into his chest, "I wish things could have been diffrent"
"So do I..."
"And I." Priss made a seat of the coffee table in front of them.
"Priss... " Sylia started what was either going to be an appology or a inquiry.
"I just wanted to say Thank you." Priss inturrupted her, "Even though you've almost had me killed six zillion times, you've lied to me, you've hurt me worse than anyone in the world... but I'm sure I wouldn't be alive at all if it weren't for you. So Thanks." She wasn't much into thank yous, but she had a feeling it would make Sylia feel a little more at ease. She knew it certainly made herself feel better.
Sylia closed her eyes. Priss forgave her, could those millions of people killed in the earthquake and by Galatea forgive her too? She was feeling more and more drowsey, the pain was fading in and out. Nigel kissed her forhead lightly. Priss looked a little taken back, but tried to hide it. She could feel this kiss, she could feel the comfort of his body next to hers, and she could feel sleep comming on. The pain was numb again, and she was drifting. If I don't open my eyes now will I ever open them again? She couldn't bring herself from the slumber she had fallen into it was so peaceful, and calm. She could see herself in the darkness, but as a child. Her mother and her father both holding her hands, in a happy childhood- before this horror that was her life had ever begun. The child giggled happily.
Nigel stared down at Sylia's body resting against his. She hadn't spoken or moved for a long while. He brushed fingertip accross her mouth lightly. It was as he was afraid of, she wasn't breathing. Priss looked like she had just seen a ghoast, the way she sat stareing wide-eyed at Sylia. Mackie was standing behind Priss stareing on in a much more knowing, and very sadend way. Nene peeked around the corner behind the both of them. She just looked freaked out.
Nigel sighed, and ran his hand accross her face. She was paler than before now, but still an everlasting beauty. He stood up carefully letting her fall gently onto the couch. He didn't say anything to Sylia's audenience, as he walked right past them to his quarters.
Silence held everyones words while they stared at the lifeless body of thier former companion. They had all seen the darkness, and Sylia's happy childhood before the distinct feeling of loss. No one had to say it, they all knew. Sylia was gone.
A gun shot broke the silence around Sylia.
"Nigel!" Mackie bolted down the hall like lightning, with Nene quickly on his heels. Priss stood up and shook her head looking down at the ground. This place was going to hell.
"Nigel!" He repreated at the closed door, he hated to open someones' door without permission. In this case he decided it was more important to get a response than to be polite. He swung open the door only to see part of Nigel flopped down on the couch. The wall behind him was splattered in blood, obviously by the shot gun fallen at his feet. He stared in shock. Nene caught one glimpse and became violently sick to her stomach. She tried to get to the bathroom, but didn't make it far at all. Mackie was quick to comfort her and clean up the mess.
At the hospital Linna had been awake and talking to her parents when the images came to her. Then there was that horrible feeling of something lost. She started crying at random, and her parents became very attentive.
"Linna, hunny" Her mother cooed, "Everything will be alright. The Doctors said you were doing good."
"Mom..." Linna cried, "Get Priss... Get Priss... Asagiri..."
"Who's Priss Asagiri?" Her father asked either of the women.
"Please..." Linna was afraid that Priss might not be okay, if the images were non-related to that feeling of loss... It could mean anything. She cried for Sylia, she cried for Priss, and she cried for Nene. She was afraid she'd never see any of them again. Her mother didn't understand, but she knew what her daughter wanted.
"Whoever it is, find her." She told her husband, "Ask the front desk for a phone book..."
He wasn't so sure about calling people that had never been mentioned before, after all this accident was obviously no accident. For all he knew Priss could have been behind it all. He grudgeingly walked to the front counter and asked for a phone book. He looked over all the Asagari's. There was no "Priss" listed.
"Not listed." He felt half triumphant. If she wasn't listed in teh phone book she couldn't be good news.
"What was the name?" The nosey receptionist happned to notice him looking over the Asagiri's.
"Priss Asagiri. My Daughter asked me to get her." He closed the phone book, "But she's not listed."
"Priss Asagiri was here up until about ten o'clock this morning. She was waiting for either of two patients to be released. She had no relation to either of them." The receptionist babbled, "She could have really used a shower. She threatened one of the nurses, can you believe that? Well I guess for being here for almost three days she didn't cause all that much trouble. She couldn't say how she knew Miss Yamakazi, did your daughter mention thier relation?"
He blinked. That was one perky talkative receptionist.
"Thank you." He handed the phone book back over the counter, and headed back for Linna's room.
"If she comes back should I allow her to see Miss Yamakazi?" The woman yelled after him. He turned and nodded. The woman quickly wrote down that Priss would be allowed in to see Linna. Not ten minutes later Priss walked back in looking even more ragged than when she had left.
"Miss Asagiri!" The receptionist called her over right away, "You may go in to see Linna Yamakazi now if you wish..."
The moment Priss walked into the room everyone stared at her. Linna had grinned, her eyes brighting on instant. The mother looked shocked, and the father just looked mean. She wasn't sure how to react considering Linna's parents were in the room.
"Finnaly they let me in..." She decided on, "I was about to kill those damn receptionists."
"Priss was worried?" Linna chuckled lightly, "Now that one is new."
Priss scratched the back of her head, "Yeah... well don't get used to it."
"Mom, Dad... ?" Linna asked as sweetly as she could manage, "Could I maybe talk to Priss alone for a minute?"
"Who is this girl?" Her father demanded, "She looks like trailor trash. I hope this isn't what you think you're going to be!"
Priss sneered. That was quite an insult comming from the father of her current love intrest. With all the mixed emotions she felt right now it would have felt good to get in a fist fight with the old man. She knew better, but only for Linna's sake. She bit her tongue.
"I'll explain everything later. I promise." Linna lied. She had no intention on explaining everything at any point in time. She'd tell them who Priss was though, just not until she had time with Priss before then.
"Let her do her thing." Her mom supported her, "We'll talk about this all at a more appropriate time." She alomst had to drag Linna's father out of the room. Once the door was shut behind them, Priss hurried up to Linna and gave her a gentle loving hug.
Linna was a little surprised by Priss' action, but was very willing to accept it as a good thing. She kissed Priss on the cheek. Priss smiled at her, then looked down in a frown again.
"Sylia's..." Priss tried to finnaly say it outloud, knowing that if she did that would only make it a fact, "...gone"
"I felt it." Linna held Priss' hand, "Are you okay?"
"Better than Nigel..." She used some sarcasim to lighten her mood. She could only imagine what he looked like now, but she didn't want to.
"Nigel?" Linna cocked her head. She had been through alot of loss in her family, but Sylia was going to be the hardest loss she'd have to get over yet.
"He's gone too." Priss took a seat on the very edge of Linna's bed, "I was sure I was going to loose you too..."
"Oh, so that's why I got the loving attention." Linna nodded, She was surprised at how well she was coping with this all. Was she being strong for Priss? God knows that's what Priss would need after seeing the love of her life pass away right in front of her.
"You weren't before this happened?" She gestured with her head at the hospital bed. Linna smiled. She tugged on Priss until she pulled herself up to share the little bed with her.
"If the doctors saw this they'd probably kick you out." Linna stated.
"If you're parents saw this I'd be seeing Sylia sooner than I'd like." Priss countered. Linna bit her lip, hoping that wasn't how they'd react.
"I want to tell them..." Linna said before kissing Priss. Priss pulled away.
"Are you crazy?!" She blinked.
"I think they'll understand... Somehow." She explained herself, "Just... before I do that. I want to know one thing Priss. "
"Um..." Priss looked unsure in her tough self way.
"Do you love me?" Linna blurted out, in such a blunt way she wanted to slap herself. She always imagine it so much more romantic. The embarrasment quicly faded to frustration when Priss didn't respond, at all. She repeated her self in a much more pleasing manner, "Priss, do you love me the way I love you?"
Priss closed her eyes. She hated making commetments. "Yes," She swore she'd never again utter those words to anyone ever again. She swallowed her pride as she heard herself say it, "Yes, I love you."
Linna watched the emotion play on Priss' face, she hadn't wanted to admit it, but she did. Priss loved her, and they were in love. This was everything she ever wanted, and more. She saved the world, and she got the girl. She silently thanked Sylia for the Knight Sabers, and for Priss. Without any of it she wouldn't of been able to convince Priss they had anything in common. She used to be just some country girl, now she was her lover. She kissed Priss again. This time Priss didn't pull away. The sound of the door made Priss jump away from Linna and stumble on the ground. She regained herself and glared at the nurse who had scared the shit out of her. She was sure it was Linna's dad, about to rip her head off and use it as a basketball.
"Well, well..." The woman shook her head, "It looks as though you are feeling well today Miss Yamakazi."
"I feel great." Linna smiled at the nurse, then at the glowering Priss.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but you can't be making out with people in the hospital. I'm afraid your friend here is going to have to go." She said. Linna's obvious disapointment had her continue, "You'll be free to do as you wish in a couple of days..."
"It's probably better that I go anyway... " Priss waved to Linna, "I have some stuff to do. Call me, okay?"
"Okay Priss..." Linna waved back, "I'll see you soon."
Priss snuck by Linna's Parents in the lobby. She didn't want to deal with the confrontation, Linna could very well do that all on her own. Linna was ready to when her parents came back in. What better time than when she was injured and already sucking mass amounts of sympathy from them? She lived, and will be fine... but she's a lesbian! Better than just, moved to Tokyo and became a lesbian,
"So who was she?" Her mother asked before the father this time.
Linna did one last self preperation push to herself, What's the worse that could happen? If they love me, They'll understand... right?
"That was my girlfriend." She said in a nonchalount tone. She wasn't backing down now.
"Where do you know her from?" Her father questioned, taking the word 'girlfriend' just to mean 'friend' as most parents would. Linna was confused by the lack of reaction, but very willing to let it pass.
"Nowhere really. She's a singer." She said proudly, "They're getting pretty big, Sekira. I doubt you've heard of them."
"No, but we've discussed it, Linna, and we don't think you should be around people like that." Her mother said, "I know you need to expierment with diffrent kinds of people, but people like her are nothing but trouble."
"You don't know her." Linna definded, "So don't pretend to."
"I don't care whether we know her or not. We've known people like that, and you're not going to have friends like that." Her father scolded in a firm loud tone.
"I can make my own decisions, obviously I moved to Tokyo to prove that. I've found what I was looking for. " Linna yelled back.
"And look where that got you!" He pointed at her vital stats computer.
"You're not listening to me. I'm happy dad. I'm happy." She said in a defeated little voice, looking to her mother. Her mother had originally come in to agree with her father, but now her face was softened and kind.
"Honey, I think maybe we should let her explain it before we jump to conclusions." Her mother patted him on the back. He seemed to calm down with this, and being taken back by Linna's quick defeat, he wasn't sure where he stood anymore.
"Fine, Linna, start explaining...." He shrugged.
"I don't know how to anymore. You're so upset about her being my friend... you missed what I said in the first place. " She sighed. She was loosing the drive to get this out to them.
"Go ahead, Linna dear, We'll try to understand if it's something that really makes you happy." Her mother smiled warmly at her.
"Priss is my girlfriend." She repeated, when it still obviously wasn't registering, "I love her."
It clicked all too quickly, her father's face turned red with anger again. Her mother looked slightly ashamed, but held her father back.
"You said you'd let me explain." Linna glared at them, "Now, I'm in love. So I'm not marrying any nice farmboys. I don't plan to ever get married. I may have children, I don't know. "
"How are you going to have children with another woman?" Her fathers words were dripping with disdain.
"I don't know right now, but that's okay. I'm not ready to have a family. You can't judge her on her appearance, she doesn't always look that trashed. She been going through alot lately... including them not letting her know if I was okay... and the death of a mutual close friend."
Her father remembered the receptionist babbling on about how Priss hadn't left the lobby in days. Maybe the trailor trash city girl wasn't quite as evil as he assumed.
"...I want you to understand... because I'm not turning back. This is what I want." Linna finnished.
They were taken back, they were surprised. They had to discuss it.
Priss walked all the way into the broken down city. She was humming a new tune, it was gentle and depressing. All the same it was quite a catchy tune. After a while she bagn to put lyrics to it. This was her tribute to Sylia, her love, her hate, her greatest friend. Once at her trailor after hours, and days with very little sleep she still couldn't sleep. She'd close her eyes and she'd see Sylia laying there on Nigel. It hurt so deep inside she couldn't stand it. Writting, and refineing this song was the only way to release her hurting soul. She finnaly passed out on her desk. When daylight hit she was quick to get ahold of her band members. It wasn't nearly as hard as she thought it would be, and they were very glad to hear from her. In no time she had a session planned. This song needed to be released.
By the time Linna was released from the hospital her parents had come around. They agreed that what made thier daughter happy, whatever outraguosly wrong thing it might be, they would have to accept it. They even agreed to formally meet Priss as Linna's girlfriend.
Author endnote: Okay... so my conclusion wont be all that much better than the show's was. 1 chapter left, and I'm having hell with it. Damn lack of musical talent. I couldn't write a song if my life depended on it... I so rip on someone else's. Heh. Anyway, appologizing ahead of time for the crappy poem I wrote to somehow pretend to be a song. That's all. It'll be up in a day or two....