150 years and a world away
Bekka stood on the roof of her apartment building watching the city bustling at her feet. She'd been in the city for almost two months now without any contact from Loki. That was odd. Added to that, he had not forced her presence on anyone. She had spent the time establishing an identity for herself should she need it. She was pondering finding a job to make her stay look more legitimate, but really didn't see the point when she could use her magic to create gems to sell for money when she needed it. There were times that being a witch were very helpful. She sighed, looking over the flow of people and cars below her. She didn't think this is where her game ended. She wondered what Loki was up to.
"Did you miss me, Absinthe?" a snide voice spoke behind her.
Without turning, she snapped back, "What do you want, Loki? My name is Bekka, as you well know. Go to hell already. What's the game?" All this was said without pause for the god insisted on certain things and she had to comply or be tormented until she gave them. It had become their dance, their game, and it had to be played no matter what.
"The game, as always, Absinthe, dear, is simple," came the snide reply. "I even named it this time. I call it the game of five. You have to find four others with strong elemental affinities and beard the lion in his den. One of them will be an old friend of yours," this last was said in a provocative tone.
Bekka turned at last to face the god, "What the hell does that mean?"
"There is a group of four individuals in this city with strong elemental affinities…"
"That's not what I meant and you know it, Loki. What do you mean 'an old friend'? I don't have old friends, you know that as well as I do."
"Yes you do, only he doesn't remember you're an old friend, Absinthe."
"Doesn't remember?" she asked, her voice trailing off. Her eyes grew wide as she recalled the events of her learning to use magic and why a certain person…demon, rather…wouldn't remember her. "He's here?" she asked, almost breathlessly.
"More or less," the god answered off-handedly.
"'More or less?' What does that mean?" she demanded.
"Only that he doesn't have the same body any longer."
"What? You're making less sense than normal, Loki," the girl stood akimbo, glaring at the god.
"You'll understand when you see him. Just remember, girl, he doesn't remember you," the god's voice was harsh.
"Okay, fine, whatever. Collect four people, one of whom I know but doesn't look the same and won't remember me and beard a lion. What's the time frame?" she crossed her arms and stared at the god.
With a snap of his fingers, two men appeared out of thin air. "You have until these two find them to collect your elements. If you fail to collect all four, you will also have to rescue them. From there, I will inform you of the time line."
"Are those all the rules? Is there anything else relevant to the game?"
"Not at this point. Only that I will be your opponent for this round," the god smiled viciously at the girl.
"That's not relevant?" the girl asked sarcastically.
"No, not really. You always play against me."
"Fine, then, the game is set and in motion." Bekka turned to leave the roof only to be paused by Loki's voice.
"Good fortune, Absinthe."
"I hope so," she returned evenly.
"Hope?" the god snorted. "That's useless."
"Maybe," she shrugged, resuming her motion off the roof.
"One day, you'll learn," he countered.
"Dum spiro, spero, Loki," she called over her shoulder, ignoring the bark of laughter that followed her. Her mind returned to the time long ago, to the quicksilver kitsune who taught her a lot more than she realized at the time. He taught her to move on, to face each day, each game, a new. He taught her that not all expectations had to be negative. He taught her to hope. She wondered why he was in the Ningenkai, though, and if Kuronue would be around. She missed the bat almost as much as she missed the fox.
A shift in the thoughts of the two Loki had summoned caught her attention. They had spotted one of their prey. She looked around the crowd, trying to pick out the one they were after. Her eyes were draw to a red head and she focused on him for a moment, confirming his identity. It was Kurama. She smiled. 'Red hair?' she thought, 'I wonder if that was Kuronue's doing?' Falling into step behind him, she tried to gather more information from him before engaging his attention and causing him to guard his thoughts. He was on his way to meet someone. He thought of their faces but not their names. Feeling the two behind her closing in, she spoke up, "You're being followed, you know?"
A/N Just a short little epilogue to finish up my tale. I do have ideas for the next story…and people to blame for them glares at Anasazi but, I suppose with what I wrote in the last chapter, I deserved that… :D To read what happens next, go read the Game of Five…Shameless self promotion :D I can admit to it. I really don't have much else to say, so I'll move on to review responses (which I love :D I love reviews and getting to respond to them :D Makes me soooo happy :D )
Shadow Seeker: Thank you :D I hope you didn't get brain freeze from eating sweet snow too fast. I'm actually happy I made you cry…it means I did my job…I almost cried as that scene went around and around in my head (though I'm not sure if it was from the nature of the scene or from it going round and round with nothing leading up to it…)
Anasazi: I felt badly for Youko, too…but, at least he enjoyed it…that's bad…I should delete it…but I won't.
Kayrana: I like those quotes, I really do…and I'm glad you enjoyed the story. The con was really a lot of fun….three and a half days of utter nonsense and costumes and other funness…highly recommend going if you ever get a chance :D
Kitsune: I just love playing with emotions…Poor Oberon, didn't want to have to do it, but he had to…he's got rules and junk that he has to follow. I'm glad you've enjoyed my nonsense :D
Shadowy one: Twice? In one chapter? That's gotta be a record :D bows Thank you for letting me know I did my job :D Mario music and a depressing chapter? That is an odd combination…I have to admit…
Lucifer: I'm giddy with all the people telling me I made them cry or feel emotions, especially with how difficult that chapter was to write. Yays :D
Until next time…I remain insane :D
