Prt IV: Revelations

Chapter II: Preparing

Jimena heaved a sigh and looked down at her hands after Aria's brief departure, "She'll come around." She tried to say reassuringly, "They always come around."

Riley looked at the floor, feeling Jimena's doubt flow like currents. She knew better than to speak of it out loud. She shook her head, as if to clear her mind, "Do you have any idea what she looks like? Who she was with? Anything?"

Jimena sat down on the overstuffed couch, "I don't know exactly what she looks like; I saw the scene through her point of view. She was with some man who sold her ecstasy, and the Follower that crossed her over was Tymmie."

Imy's eyes widened, "Tymmie? The same Tymmie that nearly crossed over Riley?"

"We do seem to be seeing a lot of him lately," commented Riley dryly.

Jimena appeared to be thinking hard, "It's starting to get fuzzy, but I clearly remember that she had angel wings strapped across her back."

Imy rolled her eyes, "How fitting, considering that she's doing drugs and will get crossed over."

"Not if we can help it," Replied Jimena. "I want you two to be careful. While not exactly strong, when combined your powers maybe able to do some considerable damage." She looked at Riley, "Remember how to force feelings on others?"

Riley swallowed, "Yes."

Jimena looked to Imy, "And remember to use your power sparingly?"

Imy nodded, "You got it."

Jimena groaned, "This would have been so much easier if Aria had gone along."

Riley looked confused, "What exactly was her power anyways?"

"Aria was a Healer."

Imy snorted, "What a trio we'd make, our powers are virtually useless."

"Don't be so negative," Spoke Jimena smiling, "Combined, you're all a force to be reckoned with."

"Don't forget Jimena, there's only three of us, soon to be two." Came Riley.

"I refuse to believe that, and so do you."

Riley smirked, "No fair, I'm supposed to be the empathetic one."

"Riley, was that sarcasm?" Came Imy smiling.

"No." she replied. There was a pause, "That was sarcasm."

Jimena slowly shook her head, then looked at her watch, "It's 5:30 right now. You should be gone by seven." She eyed the pair, "Try to relax and prepare, I'm going to pray to Selene for guidance." She looked at Riley, "Go to Imy's house."

Riley nodded, and the two quickly departed from Jimena's apartment.

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Imy and Riley walked side by side down Wilshire Blvd. Imy kicked a random rock as they passed.

"Its so tempting to use my power now, and teleport us home." Replied Imy.

Riley shook her head, "Don't. I get the feeling this will be a long night."

Imy rolled her eyes, "Tell me about it." There was a brief moment of silence between them, before Imy's stomach rumbled, "Can we stop by this burger joint? I'm starving."

Riley rolled her eyes, "I can't even imagine why you're thinking of food at a time like this."

Imy shrugged, "An army marches on their stomach."

There was another pause before Riley's stomach rumbled as well.

"Ha! Guilty." Stated Imy smugly.

Riley smiled, "I admit, I'm a little hungry myself."

The pair entered the restaurant and ordered their food. They both sat down at a booth.

Riley sighed, "Please quit worrying so much, I'm feeling it too."

"Sorry. It's just-" She paused and looked at Riley, "Ry, what if your mom is there?"

Riley's gaze snapped to Imy immediately, "What do you mean by that?" She asked coldly.

"You know I don't mean it like that." Replied Imy, "What I mean is, will you be able to, y'know, fight her?"

Riley swallowed, "I don't know Imy."

Their discussion halted when a rather irritable waitress came up to the table, "Here's your order of fries," She stated, plopping it down in front of Riley, "And your double cheeseburger." She said, throwing it down in front of Imy. "Enjoy."

Riley shook her head, "Murderer." She stated, indicating the cheeseburger.

"Mmmmm, moo-friend." Said Imy, taking a huge chunk of burger.

Riley couldn't help but laugh.

After they had finished their meals, the girls took the city bus to Imy's house, Imy mumbling the whole time that 'she could've taken them there for free.'

When they entered, the first thing they saw was a very perturbed Mr. Ormond. "Imy." He said in a scolding attitude, "Where were you?" he paused, "Hello Riley, nice to see you."

"Nice to see you too, sir." Replied Riley quietly.

"Well?" he snapped.

"I had to rehearse some lines for the play," she lied nonchalantly.

"That's no excuse-" Started Mr. Ormond, but a dazed look crossed his face, "Well, glad you're home! But I really must be going," He replied cheerfully as he began to leave the house.

Imy sent a side look at Riley, "Thanks a lot." She muttered.

"No problem, let's go." She said, "It's six right now."

The two made the way downstairs and into Imy's bedroom. "Riley, you have to do me a favor."

"What?" asked Riley as she jumped on Imy's bed.

"You have to let me pick out your clothes for you."

"Very funny." Came Riley's caustic voice.

Imy sighed, "Think about it, we could die!"

"And die I will, in normal clothing."

"Come on, we are going to Planet Bang."

"And?"

"And, people at Planet Bang dress up to go partying. We'll stick out like a sore thumb." Replied Imy.

"Not convinced." Protested Riley.

"Your mom won't recognize you if she saw you." Supplied Imy.

"Try again."

"I'm your best friend in the whole wide world?"

"Nope."

"You're a Goddess, and it's time you started looking like one."

"That's the card you're going to pull?" Riley shook her head, "Honestly Imy, you're loosing your touch."

"I think Round Table has a show there tonight." Came Imy.

Riley laughed, "And? You want me to impress Art? Honestly Imy, just break up with him then-"

"No, I think you have a little crush on Trysten."

Riley's mouth dropped open, "Ok, that's the stupidest thing I've ever," She looked at her, "Ever. Heard you say."

Imy shrugged, "Fine. Be in denial."

Riley rolled her eyes, "You can't be in denial if it's not true."

"What if I begged you on my knees." She responded.

"That would only convince me how desperate you are."

"Would it work?" Pleaded Imy.

Riley looked at her friend and sighed. She would do it, Imy always made her do things she didn't want to do.

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That chapter had no point except to show Imy and Riley acting normal, and to kind of have them unwind before their big battle. Yay! Battle!

sry, i'm not feeling terribly well, so i'll answer reviews next chapter

toodles

!nym!