Crazy. Brilliant, but crazy... the highest of compliments, whether in regard to the fic or to me... Everyone enticed yet?
Disclaimer: Again, I own nothing... except maybe the long wavy hair... I'm swooning...
Two Weeks Earlier
Nita ambled through Central Park, breathing deeply of the semi-fresh air. This bit of nature, located inside the bustling city, always relaxed her. The trees, most of who were well acquainted with Nita, called out cheerfully as she passed. After a while, she paused to chat with a certain elm that she had found to be quite amiable in the past.
Where is your wizard friend? the tree asked, after several minutes of talk regarding the weather.
Who, Kit? He's out of town for the weekend, Nita replied.
Is that why you feel so lonely?
What?she froze.
Oh, come now, dear. After thirty yeas of watching people, you think I can't sense human emotion?
Nita sighed. She did miss her best friend dearly, but wasn't aware that her emotions showed so plainly. Yeah... that's really why I'm here... I thought a walk might cheer me up a bit.
Yes, this place is always full of cheer... at least during the daylight. Children, young couples, puppies... all the good things in life.
You like puppies? Nita asked, for some reason finding the thought of a huge elm tree with a soft spot for puppies humorous.
Don't laugh at me, young one. I like all joyful life, and puppies are the most jovial creatures.
The tree and the teenager lapsed into comfortable silence as Nita rested her head on the rough bark. She slid to the ground, curling comfortably into the elm's trunk.
Suddenly, she was jarred out of her peaceful repose by a flying object that struck her head. She immediately prepared to throw up a shield, one of the spells she always kept near-ready. As she formed the final word on her tongue, she realized what her assailant was. She laughed at herself, dropped the shield preparations, and picked up the lime green Frisbee.
A Frisbee? You freaked out and nearly threw up defenses over a Frisbee? You really need to relax, Nita, she mentally scolded herself.
She glanced around to see where this flying object of doom had come from. Her eyes fell on a long, lanky form jogging toward her. As he neared, she waved the Frisbee above her head. He grinned abashedly.
"I take it this contraption belongs to you?"
"Yeah... sorry 'bout that..."
"You nearly took my head off."
"I have terrible aim. I was trying to toss it to Soyo." He gestured to a beautiful mutt behind him.
"You were quite a ways away. Perhaps you simply don't know your own strength," Nita suggested wryly.
"Yeah."
An awkward pause fell between them.
"Why don't you join us?" he finally suggested.
"Oh... really, I'm not very good."
"Well... neither am I, if you hadn't figured that out. Come on, I insist. Just a friendly game of Frisbee. To make it up to you. Do you have anything better to do?"
"Yeah... no." Nita admitted.
Who is the man, Nita? asked the elm.
I don't know... he seems nice enough...
He feels strange.
What?
"I'm Brandon," he introduced himself, offering Nita a hand up.
As he pulled her to her feet, Nita felt a strange sensation ripple through her arm. She squelched a reaction.
Stop being paranoid, she scolded herself again. First, a Frisbee is a dire attack by the Lone Power... Now, a tree's strange feelings make you question a perfectly innocent stranger inviting you to play Frisbee with him and his dog? Get a grip.
"I'm Nita." She surveyed her new companion. He was near her age, perhaps a year or two older. He had a tall, thin frame, with deep green eyes and wavy hair that fell just above his shoulders. Nita's fingers itched to run through the dark brown ripples, to tuck that one unruly lock behind his ear...
What has gotten into you, Nita? she asked herself.
Oh, do be careful, the tree warned, as Nita followed Brandon to a slightly larger clearing.
Nita glanced again at Brandon one more time, focusing in on his goofy, inviting smile.
He sure looks dangerous... she drawled mentally to the tree. Besides, what can one little game of Frisbee in a public park hurt?
x-x-x-x
Present
Yeah, what could it? Why had she ignored the tree's warning? Why had she ignored her own warnings? If she had listened, if she had paid attention, if she hadn't disregarded years of training and experience, she wouldn't be in this position right now. When did she stop trusting her instincts?
Well, mainly when Brandon was around. She scoffed. Brandon. Why do I keep calling him Brandon? Like that's his real name... 'a dire attack by the Lone Power'... maybe I should start relying my intuition a bit more...