Kai: Good day to you, all our readers! =3 sorry for long break - well, artbolck, university and all that crap - and, well, Tai's boyfriend came to our city... =D ...so I think you can understand us. X) s lil bit busy))) soo... for now we have some chapters - and I'll give you them) but than there will be another break - well, I'm on my last year in university, diploma and other "pleasant" things( may be there will be something. maybe not. I guess somewhere in summer we'll return to this. =) well, for now - enjoy.
The sixth night
Kathryn came to like the forest a lot.
It was quiet, but not to the point of dead silence; it was murmuring softly, sleepingly, brushing her hearing in light strokes. It was full of green and blue, with patches of sunlight here and there. It made her feel... at ease. Calm and peaceful. Serene.
She felt like she was fluttering among the trees like an oversized lightweight buttefly.
The girl jumped onto the nearest branch and walked further.
Although it was probably offending to call it a branch. It was like a floor of a corridor without walls, broad and steady, moss green with stray flowers.
She was a tiny ant compared to the enormous trees, but she didn't feel intimidated. She felt natural.
It was probably better that she could walk, she thought, selecting a liana to go down. NiGHTS, for example, wouldn't understand how great the forest is.
Because the forest was great - not only grand and ancient, it was also layered, trees and colossal branches and lianas forming floors and stairs and corridors and bridges. Like a maze you could walk not only forward, backwards and sideways, but also up and down. You could live there, and you was supposed lo live there with a ridiculous bunch of relatives and neighbours who knew you well enough to greet with a smile. It was like a huge apartment building. Or, rather, a home. It felt alive and welcoming.
It felt somewhat nostalgic, really. When she was younger, she would visit her grandparents at the countryside. She'd roam about her local park with other kids, climbing trees and making tents in bushes. No, she wasn't actually a die-hard green, but... She had always sort of wanted to spend more time at places like this. It made her philosophical in a way of thinking. Or whimsical. Or superficial... or any other -al to name. She wondered about nature, humans and relation between them, she thought of leaves and flowers, branches and roots and rich soil deep down.
Kathryn loved forests.
It also made her think that she left someplace important, and wandered away, alone, for a long time, but still can come back.
And that was very... helping in terms of coping.
Kathryn didn't quite knew what was it she was coping with... but she thought she finally begun to understand it.
- Right, five or six years and away we go, - she sighed under her breath, - Oh, well...
She fumbled in her nightgown pocket. There were two or three shards of blue-tinted glass. Shades weren't exact, and pieces seemed random, but she liked them. It was a childish sort of a whim, to collect random pieces, but what the heck - those pieces carried over several nights. And were still there. It's nice to have trinkets of this sort.
I'll use them for mnemonics, she thought. I really could use it.
So then... what kind of mnemonics, exactly?
She was wondering, walking along a mossy tree bridge with dandelions on it. She was thinking, descending to the ground level, and absent-mindedly humming while walking out to the open.
Then, she froze, somewhat amused, but soon walked up closed and knocked on the glass politely:
- Hello, NiGHTS, nice to meet you. Haven't seen you around for a week or so.
- Kathy! - NiGHTS plastered his grinning face on the other side of the glass wall, and beamed, - Ohmygoshsohappytoseeyou!
- Don't squeal, - she was somewhat taken aback, - It's disturbing, really.
- Not my fault, - he lowered down to look at her eye to eye, his own gleaming with acute fondness, - I've been here for such a long time! A long time! And not even one Visitor came!
- Okaaay... - Kathryn stepped back to examine the, or at least what looked like, a big spherical cage with a big spherical fishbowl inside. NiGHTS was in the fishbowl, and there was no visible means of exit, - What is this thing you're in?
- How does it look like to you? It's a cage! An I'm a prisoner! You have to get me out!
Kathryn didn't felt immediately sorry for him.
- How did you got it?
- I didn't. I'd never want to get in there by my own free will!
- You know what I mean.
- Does it matter? Come on, Kathryn, where's your compassion?
- I left it in the other set of pajamas? I'm joking, I'm joking, - she added quickly, noting his change of face, - Just a joke. But really, who did put you in there?
- It doesn't matter! - NiGHTS cried, - I want to get out!
- Don't be such a big baby...
She walked around the cage. Then looked around, walked over to a particularly rocky patch of scenery, and kicked some stone. It seemed decent, so she picked it up and returned to he cage.
- You are not going to throw it in my direction, - NiGHTS said with intense in his voice, - Are you?
- Don't see what's so wrong with it, - she said, shrugging, - It's a glass, right? An I'm not going to throw it. More like bang the glass with it until the glass breaks.
- Not gonna work.
She considered his sulking tone, but nevertheless raised stone-occupied hands an carefully knocked on the glass, then knocked a couple of times harder. The glass faintly ringed, but that was it.
- See? - NiGHTS plastered his face against the glass again, - If that could work, I'd just drilldash it away.
- You can't blame a Visitor for trying, - Kathy sighed and let the rock fall down, - Now what?
NiGHTS took a couple of breaths, eyes closed. When he opened them again, he looked serious.
- Alright. Most Visitors don't like the theory, but I think you'll want it. See, our world isn't all that fun. It's got what you call nightmares, right? So there are creatures from nightmares, who sometimes get into the Nightopia and wreck havoc. Usually, I scare them away, and sometimes, Visitors help me. The thing is, when I get too weak, well...
He banged on the glass. It rattled. It sounded like a snigger.
- And I can hardly do anything about it, - he sighed.
- Okay. This is where I come in, right?
- Right. This cage... affects me in a way so I can't escape. But when a Visitor comes in, the cage doesn't work anymore, and I can break free!
- Sort of overloading it with energy, huh?
Then, she stared at him.
- Okay, first, I ought to say I feel sorry for you and will help, don't get me wrong, but! I'll ask a question, you'll answer, either nod or shake your head, an listen to what I say. Now. Does it means I'm supposed to dualize?..
NiGHTS stared back at her, then, with a morose air about him, gave Kathryn a nod.
- Thought so. Okay, let's see what do the facts tell us. What they tell is that you are currently weak, no mistake here? Okay, next, is that we're not good at dualizing at all. And that is quite enough for me to conclude that, even if we somehow do dualize, we'd both regret it very much.
She heaved a sigh. NiGHTS' face seemed awfully dark and gloom.
- Is that a pout? Because if it is, don't. I said I'll get you out. There must be some other way to get you out of here, isn't there?
NiGHTS opened his mouth to say something snide, then closed it and appeared thoughtful.
- Well, - he began carefully, looking at Kathryn, - I suppose you can do something...
- If Owl really monitors Nightopia, - the girl ventured, - I could ask him to find you a suitable Visitor...
- No. I'd look for one once I get out, but as for now, I'd use your help. I think you can do it. See, sometimes merely getting me out of the cage isn't everything. I... don't quite know how it works, but...
He tugged at his hat.
- Ugh, I'm noooot good at this... Where's Owl when Nightopia needs him?.. Anyway, - he straightened up, - You'd have to find the key.
Kathryn let his words sink into her mind.
- Sounds simple enough. And no, I don't expect it to be hanging on a nearest tree knot. Does is look like anything special? You do mean a key you use to open doors with, not some sort of a metaphor, are you?
- Yes, a key you open doors with. It will most likely be big.
- All easier to spot then.
- You don't say. See that bird?
She blinked, and turned the way NiGHTS was pointing. On a low branch there was a dusty-colored grey bird which looked like a generic ostrich on chicken legs and a peacock tail placed on its rear end.
- I guess it's the bird... - NiGHTS said, obviously concerned, - Oh, yes, the key is in its beak. It looks like a key from here, at least...
- I should inform you that I don't like the doubt in your voice, - Kathryn said evenly, - So I just go over and take it away?
- Pretty much. I guess you can do it on your own. And... you saw pians, right? - NiGHTS watched the girl give him a nod and a questioning look, - Right, so when you'll see... any creature other than pians, run.
She raised a brow, the question in her eyes all more prominent.
- Marens, - NiGHTS explained with a sigh, - As in "from nightmare". Nasty things, they attack you Visitors, so just better avoid them.
- Marens from the nightmare, - she rolled the word in her mouth, - From what I've gathered, I suppose those are the ones that steal Ideyas?
- Yes. They are the ones. And Kathy?
He pressed his face against the glass, and Kathryn was somewhat surprised to notice that his teeth were quite sharp.
- Go and fetch that key already, will you?
It took her about as long as he expected. Granted, NiGHTS was also concerned that she might wake up or get dragged into a nightmare...
But she really managed to recover the key. She looked very proud actually, covered in mud, her hair a fine mess, but with a huge grin and a key held up above her head.
- Sorry it took a while. I got carried away.
- By what? - NiGHTS was genuinely interested.
- Well, those maren things? Turns out, it's quite addictive to beat them up. I tried to avoid them and run away, but after a while I thought, what the heck, self? Is that any way to treat those nightmarish morons? I grabbed the first thing that was nearby and smashed the creature with it. Two hits and an instant K.O.
- Argh, stop going around in circles! It makes my head spin! - NiGHTS cried.
Kathryn's steps came to a halt.
- I was trying to find a keyhole, - she said in her defense. Although a part of her wanted to see whether NiGHTS' head could rotate on its own.
- Just... insert the key into the glass. That should do.
- Oh, that's neat. Heart of the world much? Okay, okay, no need to go pointy-teeth again.
She thrusted the blade of the huge key into the cage. There was an immediate flash of white, and Kathryn closed her eyes shut...
When she opened them, the glass was there all the same. It wouldn't have surprised her if not for NiGHTS that was still trapped behind it.
That NiGHTS was just on the other side, his face unusually serious, deep in thoughts.
- Um, - Kathryn reached her hand out and knocked on the glass, - Was that a wrong key?
- No, - NiGHTS said, and she was again surprised by how concerned and quiet his voice was, - Oh, boy...
- There's something wrong, isn't it, - Kathryn asked. He didn't reply, and looked at her as if trying to figure out something, - NiGHTS? Answer me!
- There should be more birds, - the jester said at last.
- I didn't spot any, and I've ran around the place enough. Tell me, what's wrong with the key? I brought the one you asked for, didn't I? What's wrong then?
NiGHTS suddenly flashed a big, goofy grin on her.
- Oh, no, the key's the right one. It's just that there's more.
If she was in a comedy show, she would have indeed fell down, one leg sticking up an twitching.
But she was inside a dream, so she just clenched her fist and yelled:
- Hey, you know how hard it was to chase the bird down, let alone wrestle the key outta its beak? And now you're telling me I must go and fetch another? You was stupid enough to get yourself trapped into the cage, and now I have to risk my neck and save you?
- Now, now, no need to get so angry, - NiGHTS said with an apologetic smile, - Just so you know, I didn't choose to be trapped, and I most certainly don't like to have you run among those awful marens... It's just the way it works, see? Since I have appeared the way I am now inside your dream, my problem became your problem as well. You just have to help me. If we could dualize, that would have been much easier...
- You said you can break free once you dualize, right? I can just go to the Dream Plaza and ask Owl to look for some suitable one. He'd set you free, no problem!
She turned around and began walking away.
- You won't be able to escape for long.
NiGHTS' voice caught her mid-step. Kathryn froze. Her mind went blank for a second.
His voice sounded alien to his cheerful image, too grim and knowing, way more unfitting even than his serious expression from a short while ago.
- You can try and wake up tonight, - the jester continued, his voice void of any jest or mocking, - Maybe you'll even have peaceful dreams later, but for how long? One night? One week? You don't think it will last for long, do you? No matter how many times you would avoid this cage and myself, trapped inside, no matter how many times you would say it's not your problem, one day you will have to get all the keys back.
Kathryn didn't turn around, but she didn't walked away, either.
- Quiet, - she said instead, voice stern and bitter.
- Oh, it's not really like you have to, - NiGHTS said, as if taking a second thought, - But you know, one night you will seize to notice I'm here. Visitors do when they grow up. And then, when you're all grown up, you might realize you lack something important, but won't remember what was it or when and where you have left it. And you won't be able to piece yourself together, not perfectly. Go on, wake up, your choice. I'll just wait for a more cooperative kid to come by.
- I said quiet!
That was almost a yell, muted and suppressed, but a yell nonetheless.
The girl turned around slowly, head hanging low, and dragged her feet back to the cage. She raised her head slowly and glared at the jester, her eyes narrow and almost fierce.
- That's a challenge, then, is it? - the girl said sharply, - And such pressure on top of that! Very well, I shall take it on. I will not go after another bird by myself, rather, I'd have your help. We know you can get out of the cage if you dualize with the Visitor? I shall try it out. I hope you can last for just enough time.
- Time... for what?
She grinned.
- It's simple, really. You chase the bird down and preferably corner it. I ambush it and get the key. Rinse and repeat until you're completely free. Is that clear?
NiGHTS stared at her for a good couple of seconds.
Then, he grinned, too.
- Mademoiselle, allow me to invite yourself into my humble cage, - he said, bowing in quite a comical way, - Now lets' dualize and get over with it, the closed space is driving me insane - surely you wouldn't like insane me around the place, now would you?
Kai:
nixiegirl21 - weeee~! glad you like it! =) and about spell check... T_T we know. but... you see, English is not our native language( so... well, Tai is better than me in English - but even she can't catch all the mistakes(
Sakura moonstar - thanks! =) wait - and you'll see our genius plan! XDDDD
Deviantes - =3333 *blushes* glad that you like it)
Kai:...and to all of you, our dear readers - we are deeply sorry if there is mistakes( we really, really trying to correct all of them, but sometimes we can miss one or two or more... *went in deep depression*