Silent Reminiscing
Reid sat in his chair. Cid had gone out to contact a person named Helba, whom he had insisted would help get to the field. Rain was on the other side of the room, trying to flip her sword in the air and catch it. Given her lousy hand-eye coordination, this meant that she would ask Reid for healing from time to time. Reid sighed and laid his head on the table. He hadn't tried to think about who he really was since this had happened. Truthfully, he had completely forgotten to even try. It disturbed him that he could forget such a thing. Who was he in real life? Or was it a she? Reid shook his head. No, he was pretty sure he was a guy. At least, he hoped he was.
Reid sighed again. How much time had passed since he had entered the game? It had seemed like an eternity. There must have been a clue to his identity somewhere. Let's see…. Reid backtracked and remembered entering the game. He had introduced himself to Rain and Orca. Then- Reid jolted up from his seat.
"That's it!" He told himself. When he had introduced himself, he had almost said his real name. What had he said, though? Reid sank back into his seat in deep thought. He couldn't remember anything. Reid flipped his head on the table to look at Rain, who successfully caught the sword in mid-air and struck a pose. How does she do it? Reid thought. Rain hadn't seemed disturbed by this at all, except in the beginning. She was still acting the carefree way she always was.
"How do you do it, Rain? Doesn't it bother you that you can't remember anything?" Reid felt himself ask. Rain continued to flip her sword in the air.
"Yes. Of course it does." She replied. "Just because I don't show it, doesn't mean I don't care."
"But, how can you do that? I can't not show it. I'm scared to death." Reid admitted.
Rain stopped her sword flipping and walked over Reid, placing her arm on his shoulder.
"I'm scared too, Reid." She answered slowly. "But I try to put it behind me, to forget about it. Don't let your fears poison your mind. You're the only one I can really trust."
With that said, Rain walked over to the over side of the room and laid down on the bed.
She's right. Reid thought. I shouldn't be worrying like this. It'll drive me crazy. He glanced over at Rain again. She was still lying on the mattress.
"Can you sleep?" Reid asked curiously. Rain rolled over in the bed.
"No. I'm not even tired. I don't think you can sleep in the game, anyway." Rain answered.
"Oh." Reid sat up and grabbed his staff. "I'm going to go check out something."
Rain waved from the bed. "Be careful. And quick. Cid's not gonna like you wandering off."
Reid nodded and walked out the door.
* * * *
Reid walked down the cobblestone streets of Mac Anu. He watched all the boats float by in the pleasant canal. It was a pretty city, Reid had to admit. Players walked all around him, engrossed in whatever their agenda was for the day. Reid sat down on the stone stairs and watched all the group of warriors run around. It was interesting, Reid thought, that all these people played the game. Did they play to escape the troubles of life? Well, he had escaped from life, permanently. Reid heard somebody sigh heavily. On the steps next to him sat another Wave Master. He had blue wave master robes on, and sky blue hair. He hid his face in his hands. Reid raised his eyebrows.
"Is something wrong?" He asked him. "What's your name?"
The Wave master lifted his face from his hands and looked at Reid. His face was one of the most troubled Reid had seen. He seemed surprised that someone would even think about talking to him.
"I'm Elk." He answered in a morbid tone. Reid held out his hand, but Elk had put his face in his hands again.
"What's wrong?" Reid asked curiously. Elk took his hands away from his face and stared at Reid with his large, sad eyes; then looked at the sunset. Then he spoke.
"Have you… ever liked someone? I mean, really liked someone, but too afraid to tell her?" Elk asked, still looking into the sunset. Reid paused for a moment.
"Yes…" He replied slowly. Elk turned to look at Reid.
"What should I do?" Elk asked with a desperate look in his eyes. "I'm too afraid to tell her."
Reid paused again. "You shouldn't hide your feelings." Reid admitted.
"I think if you truly have feelings for her, you have to tell her. If she laughs at you, then she's not good enough for you. There are many more fish in the sea, Elk. Don't spend all your time loving someone who isn't going to return it." Reid finished his speech.
Elk looked into the sunset again. "You're right." He told Reid.
Elk stood up. It was dark, and most of the people in the city had logged out. He took a few steps down the stairs, and then looked back.
"I… never got your name." Elk looked embarrassed.
"It's Reid." Reid told him. Elk smiled for the first time.
"Thanks Reid. You give good advice." Elk logged out, leaving Reid alone on the dark steps of Mac Anu. Reid stood up and walked down the stairs. Good advice. That's what Elk had told him. Reid smiled as he walked his way down to Cid's place.