Disclaimer: Don't own. Never will.
So here I am, to quote our dear Sora. I'm glad some people reviewed this story, even after it's been dormant for so long. . . So here's chapter eight!
"Going only part of the way is not the same as going the wrong way. . . " -Jostein Gaarder
************************************************************************
Potential
By Moonlight'sSpell
************************************************************************
Chapter Eight: Interlude
Mimiru sat alone on the snowy plain, a breeze blowing her that she could almost feel. She was going to meet Tsukasa here, but he hadn't shown up yet, and she was alone with her thoughts. And her thoughts, as it happened, were very complicated.
She knew something different was going on with BT, but she had no idea what it was. Bear still refused to talk to her (not that he and BT had actually seen each other since the argument), and he wouldn't tell her what had gotten him so angry.
And then there had been Tsukasa's strange behavior. Why had he told Bear that he was out of line? Tsukasa never said things like that, especially if they concerned other people. And he barely knew BT. So why was he sticking up for her?
Right on cue, Tsukasa himself entered the field. "Sorry to be so late - " he began, but he was cut off as Mimiru marched over and immediately began interrogating him.
"Tsukasa, what's going on? Why is Bear mad at BT? Why are you defending her? Why has she been so quiet lately? How come - "
"Whoa, hold on a second!" exclaimed Tsukasa in surprise. "I really don't know any more about this than you do."
"But if you didn't know anything about it, why would you try to help BT?" Mimiru asked, puzzled.
Tsukasa sighed. "Because I'm tired of being special." Mimiru was opening her mouth to ask what in the world that had to do with anything, but he cut her off. "No, just listen for a second. When I was first playing The World, I was withdrawn and liked to be by myself. I wasn't very sociable - in fact, sometimes I was downright rude. But you guys - you and Bear and Subaru - you wouldn't just let me disappear. You tried to help me, no matter what I said or did. And it took a long time, but I'm better now." He smiled. "I like being with you guys, and I've been able to talk to some other players as well. I'm happy. . . all thanks to you."
Mimiru was shocked by his words. He was happy. . . because of her? *Well, not just you, Mimiru,* she said to herself. *I'm sure everyone else had as much to do with it as you did. Perhaps more,* she added, thinking of a certain winged Heavy Axe.
But now Tsukasa was talking again. "But then I look at BT, and I see. . . myself. Someone who's uneasy around others, who finds it hard to trust anyone, and who would rather just be alone. And yet. . . you all push her away. You don't even try to help her, don't even give her the benefit of a doubt you gave me countless times. And I don't understand why. I think, what's the difference between her and me? And the only answer I can come up with is that I have powers and she does not. (A/N: Or so he thinks. . .) And that makes me think that you guys weren't interested in me; you just wanted to learn about my powers and didn't care about me at all."
This was too much for Mimiru to stand. "But that's not true, Tsukasa!" she cried out. "We all care about you! I care about you! I care about you - " She trailed off. *More than anyone else,* she finished in her mind.
The look in his blue eyes froze her like the icicles all around them. "Well, if you care about me, why don't you care about her?"
"Because she's the most arrogant, selfish, spoiled - "
"Did you ever give her a real chance? Did you ever try to be her friend instead of just expecting an argument?"
"Well. . . " Mimiru looked at her boots. "No," she admitted at last.
Tsukasa grinned suddenly. "You see? You don't know everything, Mimiru."
"Hey!" she yelled in mock anger. "What's that supposed to mean?"
His grin widened. "For example, you think I'm in love with Subaru, don't you?"
She abruptly stopped laughing. What? Why was he saying this? He *didn't* love Subaru?
"Well, I'm not," he said simply. "Now, I think it would be a good idea if you gave what I said before some thought." And he was gone, leaving Mimiru alone in the snow, frozen as conflicting emotions warred within her.
************************************************************************
As if that wasn't enough revelation for one day, the next visitor to Mimiru's field was a certain green-haired PK that she was in no mood to speak with right now. But he was acting strange. No bouncing around. . . that was very odd for Sora. Hadn't he once said, "This is normal for me"?
She sighed. *Okay, I'll bite.* "Hey, moron!" she yelled to him. "What's with you?"
He remained unchanged. "What do you want?"
"That's funny. I'm the one usually asking *you* that."
He frowned. "Listen, Mimiru, just get lost, okay? I'm not in the mood to speak with children right now."
That confirmed it. Something was wrong with him. He never blew her off like that; indeed, he seemed to enjoy the attention. "So, wanna talk about it?"
"Hmm, let's see. . . NO! Now leave me in peace, you blasted Heavy Blade!" He waved a blade at her. "Or I'll shave your mouth off!"
"Come on, Sora. Something is obviously getting you. . . uh. . . not yourself, so why not just tell me? Maybe I can help you with it." *Whoa, hold on there, Mimiru. And just why are you trying to be this weirdo's shrink? He loves torturing you. So just point, laugh, and be on your way.* But still she couldn't seem to leave.
He slumped into a heap on the snow, his head in his hands. "BT won't talk to me," he mumbled at last.
Mimiru blinked. "So?"
He let out a yell of utter exasperation, and she cursed her loose tongue. "That is IT! I have had it with you fools! Good-BYE and good RIDDANCE!"
And he was gone again, just like that. Mimiru felt like collapsing. What was *that* all about?
************************************************************************
Perhaps some god was particularly angry with Mimiru today, for she wasn't permitted to rest just yet. And who would be this third visitor to her strangely popular field? None other than the blond Wavemaster everyone couldn't seem to stop talking about. She, too, was changed. She seemed. . . listless, lost somehow. She glanced up briefly to see Mimiru staring at her. "What, you're all alone?" she asked, but there was no sarcasm in her voice.
"I'm *trying* to be alone, but fate seems to have other plans," said Mimiru amicably.
"Oh. . . I should leave then." She smiled weakly. "Sorry."
"Wait!" Mimiru called. The Wavemaster whirled back around. "I mean. . . is something going on? I just saw Sora, and he seemed. . . weird. He said you wouldn't talk to him."
"And well I shouldn't!" BT exclaimed. "He tricked me. It was a miracle I escaped with my life! He's nothing but a double-crossing, worthless, untrustworthy killer!"
Mimiru was at a loss for words, but BT's anger abruptly dissipated. She stared at the ground. "I thought. . . we were friends. I thought I could depend on him." She smiled ruefully. "That's just what I get, huh? People are always concerned with themselves. They don't have time for anyone else." She fiddled with her staff. "It turned out to all be a lie. But for a while there, he was. . . nice. I liked being with him. I liked talking. . . " she trailed off. Was that a tear slipping into her hair?
Mimiru was astonished. The look on her face when she spoke of Sora. . . it was honest, almost tender. How like Tsukasa she seemed! It was a wonder Mimiru had never noticed it before.
She swallowed. "I don't think he's that bad." The Wavemaster shot her a questioning look. "He seemed sorry. I mean, it looked like he was depressed that you were angry with him. And I know. . . that I haven't presented myself as someone you can depend on, but my opinion, whatever it's worth, is that you should give him another chance."
BT stared at her for a few moments, then smiled, and Mimiru was speechless. It was Tsukasa's smile; the smile of pleasant surprise, when it turned out the whole world wasn't out to get you after all.
She put a hand on BT's shoulder. "Just talk to him. That's all you have to do."
"I. . . um. . . thanks," BT said finally.
Mimiru smiled. "What are friends for?"
************************************************************************
A/N: Awww. . . I love Mimiru.
Taltos: Yeah, I know. I was kinda in a hurry at the time. . .
Witticism: Wow, you were actually remembering this story? Thanks!
SOMEONE2003: Uh, I hope you weren't too upset. It's just a strory. . . but all the same, I'm glad you're into it.
Come on, guys, I just need ONE review and I'll have fifty! So, please review! I'm begging you!
So here I am, to quote our dear Sora. I'm glad some people reviewed this story, even after it's been dormant for so long. . . So here's chapter eight!
"Going only part of the way is not the same as going the wrong way. . . " -Jostein Gaarder
************************************************************************
Potential
By Moonlight'sSpell
************************************************************************
Chapter Eight: Interlude
Mimiru sat alone on the snowy plain, a breeze blowing her that she could almost feel. She was going to meet Tsukasa here, but he hadn't shown up yet, and she was alone with her thoughts. And her thoughts, as it happened, were very complicated.
She knew something different was going on with BT, but she had no idea what it was. Bear still refused to talk to her (not that he and BT had actually seen each other since the argument), and he wouldn't tell her what had gotten him so angry.
And then there had been Tsukasa's strange behavior. Why had he told Bear that he was out of line? Tsukasa never said things like that, especially if they concerned other people. And he barely knew BT. So why was he sticking up for her?
Right on cue, Tsukasa himself entered the field. "Sorry to be so late - " he began, but he was cut off as Mimiru marched over and immediately began interrogating him.
"Tsukasa, what's going on? Why is Bear mad at BT? Why are you defending her? Why has she been so quiet lately? How come - "
"Whoa, hold on a second!" exclaimed Tsukasa in surprise. "I really don't know any more about this than you do."
"But if you didn't know anything about it, why would you try to help BT?" Mimiru asked, puzzled.
Tsukasa sighed. "Because I'm tired of being special." Mimiru was opening her mouth to ask what in the world that had to do with anything, but he cut her off. "No, just listen for a second. When I was first playing The World, I was withdrawn and liked to be by myself. I wasn't very sociable - in fact, sometimes I was downright rude. But you guys - you and Bear and Subaru - you wouldn't just let me disappear. You tried to help me, no matter what I said or did. And it took a long time, but I'm better now." He smiled. "I like being with you guys, and I've been able to talk to some other players as well. I'm happy. . . all thanks to you."
Mimiru was shocked by his words. He was happy. . . because of her? *Well, not just you, Mimiru,* she said to herself. *I'm sure everyone else had as much to do with it as you did. Perhaps more,* she added, thinking of a certain winged Heavy Axe.
But now Tsukasa was talking again. "But then I look at BT, and I see. . . myself. Someone who's uneasy around others, who finds it hard to trust anyone, and who would rather just be alone. And yet. . . you all push her away. You don't even try to help her, don't even give her the benefit of a doubt you gave me countless times. And I don't understand why. I think, what's the difference between her and me? And the only answer I can come up with is that I have powers and she does not. (A/N: Or so he thinks. . .) And that makes me think that you guys weren't interested in me; you just wanted to learn about my powers and didn't care about me at all."
This was too much for Mimiru to stand. "But that's not true, Tsukasa!" she cried out. "We all care about you! I care about you! I care about you - " She trailed off. *More than anyone else,* she finished in her mind.
The look in his blue eyes froze her like the icicles all around them. "Well, if you care about me, why don't you care about her?"
"Because she's the most arrogant, selfish, spoiled - "
"Did you ever give her a real chance? Did you ever try to be her friend instead of just expecting an argument?"
"Well. . . " Mimiru looked at her boots. "No," she admitted at last.
Tsukasa grinned suddenly. "You see? You don't know everything, Mimiru."
"Hey!" she yelled in mock anger. "What's that supposed to mean?"
His grin widened. "For example, you think I'm in love with Subaru, don't you?"
She abruptly stopped laughing. What? Why was he saying this? He *didn't* love Subaru?
"Well, I'm not," he said simply. "Now, I think it would be a good idea if you gave what I said before some thought." And he was gone, leaving Mimiru alone in the snow, frozen as conflicting emotions warred within her.
************************************************************************
As if that wasn't enough revelation for one day, the next visitor to Mimiru's field was a certain green-haired PK that she was in no mood to speak with right now. But he was acting strange. No bouncing around. . . that was very odd for Sora. Hadn't he once said, "This is normal for me"?
She sighed. *Okay, I'll bite.* "Hey, moron!" she yelled to him. "What's with you?"
He remained unchanged. "What do you want?"
"That's funny. I'm the one usually asking *you* that."
He frowned. "Listen, Mimiru, just get lost, okay? I'm not in the mood to speak with children right now."
That confirmed it. Something was wrong with him. He never blew her off like that; indeed, he seemed to enjoy the attention. "So, wanna talk about it?"
"Hmm, let's see. . . NO! Now leave me in peace, you blasted Heavy Blade!" He waved a blade at her. "Or I'll shave your mouth off!"
"Come on, Sora. Something is obviously getting you. . . uh. . . not yourself, so why not just tell me? Maybe I can help you with it." *Whoa, hold on there, Mimiru. And just why are you trying to be this weirdo's shrink? He loves torturing you. So just point, laugh, and be on your way.* But still she couldn't seem to leave.
He slumped into a heap on the snow, his head in his hands. "BT won't talk to me," he mumbled at last.
Mimiru blinked. "So?"
He let out a yell of utter exasperation, and she cursed her loose tongue. "That is IT! I have had it with you fools! Good-BYE and good RIDDANCE!"
And he was gone again, just like that. Mimiru felt like collapsing. What was *that* all about?
************************************************************************
Perhaps some god was particularly angry with Mimiru today, for she wasn't permitted to rest just yet. And who would be this third visitor to her strangely popular field? None other than the blond Wavemaster everyone couldn't seem to stop talking about. She, too, was changed. She seemed. . . listless, lost somehow. She glanced up briefly to see Mimiru staring at her. "What, you're all alone?" she asked, but there was no sarcasm in her voice.
"I'm *trying* to be alone, but fate seems to have other plans," said Mimiru amicably.
"Oh. . . I should leave then." She smiled weakly. "Sorry."
"Wait!" Mimiru called. The Wavemaster whirled back around. "I mean. . . is something going on? I just saw Sora, and he seemed. . . weird. He said you wouldn't talk to him."
"And well I shouldn't!" BT exclaimed. "He tricked me. It was a miracle I escaped with my life! He's nothing but a double-crossing, worthless, untrustworthy killer!"
Mimiru was at a loss for words, but BT's anger abruptly dissipated. She stared at the ground. "I thought. . . we were friends. I thought I could depend on him." She smiled ruefully. "That's just what I get, huh? People are always concerned with themselves. They don't have time for anyone else." She fiddled with her staff. "It turned out to all be a lie. But for a while there, he was. . . nice. I liked being with him. I liked talking. . . " she trailed off. Was that a tear slipping into her hair?
Mimiru was astonished. The look on her face when she spoke of Sora. . . it was honest, almost tender. How like Tsukasa she seemed! It was a wonder Mimiru had never noticed it before.
She swallowed. "I don't think he's that bad." The Wavemaster shot her a questioning look. "He seemed sorry. I mean, it looked like he was depressed that you were angry with him. And I know. . . that I haven't presented myself as someone you can depend on, but my opinion, whatever it's worth, is that you should give him another chance."
BT stared at her for a few moments, then smiled, and Mimiru was speechless. It was Tsukasa's smile; the smile of pleasant surprise, when it turned out the whole world wasn't out to get you after all.
She put a hand on BT's shoulder. "Just talk to him. That's all you have to do."
"I. . . um. . . thanks," BT said finally.
Mimiru smiled. "What are friends for?"
************************************************************************
A/N: Awww. . . I love Mimiru.
Taltos: Yeah, I know. I was kinda in a hurry at the time. . .
Witticism: Wow, you were actually remembering this story? Thanks!
SOMEONE2003: Uh, I hope you weren't too upset. It's just a strory. . . but all the same, I'm glad you're into it.
Come on, guys, I just need ONE review and I'll have fifty! So, please review! I'm begging you!