Chapter four: The Color of Understanding
It was becoming a daily occurrence and Merle didn't know how she felt about that. Every other day she'd find Clancy and Grif sitting in her room as if they lived there. Most of the times they were there to talk strategy; here's what we know of Monochrome, not much; here's what we know of Dead-Colors, they're manipulated souls in art; do you have any questions? Hell, Merle's head was always buzzing with questions nowadays.
Why did art have souls? Why did manipulated art souls become monsters? Did Clancy hate her? The last one kept Merle up late at night. She wished she could turn off her brain, stop thinking for once, but that was impossible. Merle considered herself a coward, because who didn't, but Clancy said she hated them. The two barely knew each other, why did she care so much? However, she'd have to think about that for another day, Clancy was saying something again.
"I'm sorry to spring this on you, but I wanted to know if you wanted to go?" Clancy was holding a flyer in hand. It was a bright paper filled with amusement park rides. Oh, a flyer for the fair, was it that time already? Days seemed to slip by so fast. "I want to see more of this world, and well…" Clancy seemed to shrink into the chair. "We could go together."
"Sure," Merle looked to her feet.
"Great! We could meet tomorrow then?"
"…Sure…"
Next thing she knew, Merle was waiting for Clancy to show up at the school gates. It was a weekday, so all students at the school had left for town. The sun was out, bright in the cloudless sky. A thin sheet of sweat already formed on Merle's dark skin. She wiped at her forehead and glanced around again. The two were late, or maybe she was early. Merle glanced at her phone, double checking the time again. They should have been here by now.
Maybe they ditched her? It wouldn't be the first time that's happened to her, but before the idea could fully cement, someone was calling her name.
"Are we late?" Clancy stopped running as she reached the school gate, not even slightly out of breath. Merle shook her head. "Ah, good. Let's get going then."
On the bus, the group made their way across town. Of course, they could just walk, but it was a long distance and there was no point in tiring themselves. Especially in the heat. God, it was almost autumn so how was it so hot? At least in the bus there was ac which was a blessing against Merle's sweaty skin.
"What do you do at an amusement park?" Clancy shifted in the bus seat and looked towards Merle.
"Um… Ride rides, play games."
"I see. Have you gone to an amusement park before?" Clancy tilted her head to appraise the flyer again.
"As a kid, but… that was a long time ago…"
"Why is this happening?" Anneis sunk into the white couch. She rubbed her hands over her tired eyes. They burned, and not just because she'd stayed up late filling out reports for Lord Monochrome. It was the one thing she hated about being a part of the forward team, the reports.
"Because you stayed up late doing the reports in one go instead of spreading them out." Tessur scoffed. He sat across the table, his work done in a neat little pile. What a prick. Anneis leaned forward, resting her head on her palm.
"Shut it before I shove that coffee down your throat." She growled.
"That's where it's going anyways." Just to spite her, at least Anneis thought so, he took another sip from the pristine cup. "Moving on, we need more information on the new cure. Go shadow her, would you?" Tessur reached over the table and grabbed one of her reports.
"Isn't spying more of your thing?" Anneis let out a huff of air. But, Tessur wasn't paying attention to her anymore. He gave a slight wave of his hand as if shooing her off. The air rippled, the sign that she was teleporting away.
It seemed like the two girls had been standing in line forever in the sweltering heat. It didn't help either that people pressed in on every side, the kids behind standing just a little too close. But, at last they got paid for their tickets and got in. Clancy held a map out, eyes roaming over the paper. Merle peeked down at it, content to let Clancy make all the decisions.
"Hmm… perhaps this ride first?" Clancy pointed down at the paper, then down the bustling road. Already there was a thin line heading down and towards the ride. It towered over the small shops, the metal bright orange and blue. The ride itself seemed to only be endless loops and at this Merle's stomach dropped.
"Sure…" A note of unease crept into Merle's voice. Clancy led the way, following the thin crowd towards the ride. There was barely a wait, only about five minutes before the two were being ushered on. Of course, they chose to sit next to each other. Merle pulled the seatbelt on, secured it, tugged it, triple checked it, then turned to Clancy. She had got hers on as well, but not pulled it taut.
"You need to… secure it," Merle pointed to the clasp. Clancy blinked and pointed at it as well.
"It's locked, isn't it?" She tilted her head. Merle shook her head, and pulled at her own belt.
"Pull it taut." Merle sighed.
"Oh," Clancy did as instructed then let out a laugh. "Yes, it would have been terrible if I fell out. You'd be fighting all alone then!" Her laughter died out. Clancy paused for a moment, fingers clasped around the belt. "You can't fall out of these, right?" She gave a shaky smile.
"Of course not," it wasn't Merle who answered, but an attendant. She gave a bright smile and tugged at the seatbelt. "Is this your first time riding?" Clancy gave a nervous nod and shot a look to Merle. Even if she wasn't too good at reading emotions it was clear on the girl; she was beginning to regret this. "Well, the ride is starting soon. Have fun!" She checked Merle's belt as well. As soon as the attendant had backed away from the ride, the carts lurched forward.
Immediately, Clancy's hand found its way into Merle's. Her vice like grip crushed the other girl's hand, but Merle couldn't complain. Her voice was caught in her throat, stopping any words. The ride steadily moved forward, the metal creaking beneath. The clicks and whirls of the gears beneath made Clancy's grip tighter, if that was possible. Merle leaned back in the ride, which was slowly becoming vertical, and shut her eyes close.
Why am I here? The thought ran circles in her brain. She didn't even like rides. But, she did want Clancy to like her. A frown pulled at Merle's lips. The ride gave one final jerk before slowing. The cart was now inching up the first hill. Air pressed heavily on Merle's chest, the wind roared in her ears. The hand that wasn't being crushed in Clancy's grip was taut against the bar in the cart. Oh hell.
The cart crept up to the crest of the hill. For a brief moment, Merle was breathless. She could see the whole expansion of the park, from the swings to the people who looked as small as ants. Then everything dropped. Merle could barely get a scream out. The cart tipped straight downwards, the wind rushing past. Over the clanking of the metal and the jostling of the cart, Merle could hear Clancy screaming. She couldn't tell if it was out of fear or joy.
She shut her eyes against the stinging wind. The ride was whizzing around, turning and going upside down. Her stomach was doing the same, threatening to come out her throat. The cart made a tight turn and Clancy slammed into Merle. Her hand was still gripping Merle's, but it was more of a comfort now than an annoyance. At least she wasn't going through this alone. At least she wasn't screaming. Clancy was still letting out yells and screams louder than any other rider.
This seemed to go on forever. The carts would bank to the left or right sending the riders crashing into each other. They would rush up hills only to come crashing down.
Finally, the cart screamed to a halt, throwing its passengers forward. Merle opened her eyes slowly. Her body shook and her free hand didn't seem to want to stop gripping the bar. The ride was going up a hill again. Merle settled back into the seat and tried to still her heart. The ride jostled beneath, entering beneath the canopy of the waiting area. The ride came to a stop. For a moment, Clancy and Merle didn't move. The former girl was still clutching the latter's hand.
The attendant from before came onto the speaker, in a gravelly voice she ordered everyone off, her sentence punctured by the final hiss of the ride. Merle exited on shaking legs, her hand finally free of Clancy's. The other girl wobbled for a moment before regaining her composure. Like a soldier she marched down the metal walk and towards the stairs leading down. Merle followed, stomach still twisting even after the ride was done.
On the final step of the stairs, Clancy leaned over. She let out a low groan and clutched at the chain link fence.
"Are you okay?" Merle reached her hand out. The shorter girl bowed over, chest heaving for air. Hesitantly, Merle's hand rubbed at her back. She nodded, but stayed leaned over. Merle continued to rub. She supposed the ride was too much for her, but how could that be? She leaped higher as Cure Vermillion and ran faster when transformed.
"Ugh," Clancy finally straightened.
"Are you okay?" Merle asked again.
"Yes, it's just there were more turns than expected." Clancy let out a deep sigh. "At least transformed you have control over your movements." The words seemed to be muttered more to herself, then Clancy perked up. "But, what about you? Weren't you scared at all?"
Merle shook her head quickly denying the fact. It was true, but Clancy didn't need to know that. She didn't need Clancy seeing her like she was weak.
After the breather, Clancy decided to go on another ride. Something easier this time. Merle walked beside Clancy who had her nose deep in the map. Chattering enveloped the roads, children screaming in joy. Behind it all was the constant woosh of rides going on followed by high pitched screams.
"How about the swings? That sounds gentle." Clancy pointed down at the map. Swings, nothing could do wrong with that. Well, hundreds of things could go wrong, but Merle tried to not think about it. She nodded and the two trekked towards it. The swings were higher than the previous ride, but had a shorter line.
If the seats last time didn't feel secure then these were barely restrained. A simple silver bar locked down at the waist with a chain between the thighs. Of course, Clancy sat next to Merle again. This time she didn't reach her hand out to grab hers. Clancy looked perfectly at ease; she leaned back as the ride started with a hiss of air. The swings swung slightly as they rose up. Before long they were being swung in giant, slow loops.
"This is nice," Clancy let out a small breath. "You can see everything." It was true, the whole expansion of the park could be seen. But, not like before where it was a glimpse. Merle thought she could even see the parking lot- were so high. She shut her eyes, her hands gripping the chains of the swing. Don't look down you idiot. Just breathe. "And we're going so slowly, an improvement, don't you think so?"
You're perfectly fine, stop thinking. Just breathe. Breathe. Is the air thin up here? No that's not possible meaning-
"Um, Merle?"
"I'm fine." What a lie.
"If you don't like rides, you could have said that earlier." Clancy lightly tapped Merles hand. It tightened against the chain, the metal biting painfully into her palm.
"I'm fine." Merle couldn't tell if she was trying to convince Clancy or herself at this point. She couldn't see the other girl, but she could feel the frown being aimed at her. Great, she made her mad. Opening her eyes, Merle forced herself to sit back in the seat. Smiling a smile that made her stomach twist she repeated the words; "I'm fine."
Clancy's frowned deepened. "If you say so," she muttered the words looking away. The rest of the ride was spent in silence. Over and over they turned in the sky, not talking to each other. Another awkward silence, like the one on the bus. A wave of nausea washed over Merle. The ride was descending, but that wasn't the cause.
The attendant, a guy this time, came around unbuckling the seats. 'I hope you enjoyed the ride,' the words were parroted over and over. Merle's long legs almost touched the ground, toes dancing just out of reach. The seat bounced back and forth on invisible winds, jostling the two girls.
"If you'll excuse me for a moment," the words were out of Clancy's mouth the moment her feet touched the ground. "Just stay here, okay?" Not bothering to stay for a reply, she fled. Merle opened her mouth the call out to her, but no words came to mind. She'd messed up again.
"Grif," Clancy slipped off her backpack. She had slipped behind a ticket booth and away from prying eyes. The griffon poked their head out of the bag, blinked blearily, then snapped into focus.
"What do you need, is there a Dead-Color coming?"
"No, nothing like that." Clancy frowned. "It's just-"
"Where's Merle?" Grif floated out of the bag. "Weren't you going to the park with her?"
"Yes. That is the problem." She shot a warning glare at them. "I think I've offended her."
At first they didn't reply. "Are you sure? What did you say?"
"That's it! I didn't say anything!" Clancy's brows furrowed, her lips forming a pout. "I don't understand Earth culture at all! Everything is so different and… and…" Her throat tightened. No, she shouldn't be thinking about her home. The whole reason she wanted to get out was because she was tired. Tired of thinking of her home, her friends, her duty. "I need a way to get her talking. Something to make her… spill the beans." She wrinkled her nose. Earth slang, so weird.
Again, they didn't reply. Grif looked deep in thought, floating in front of Clancy's face. Finally, they looked up. "Be open with your feelings Clancy, you're going to hurt her more by locking yourself up."
With that, the griffon retreated back to the bag. A furry paw reached for the drawstring and shut it close. Clancy clutched at it with white knuckles. They were right, but she didn't like the news. It was like when they were on the run in the Land of Canvases. They would give her advice, but they were never the words she wanted to hear. With a sigh she moved from the shade of the booth and back into the overhead sun. It wasn't as hot like home, but it made her feel better.
Talk to Merle. It wouldn't be that hard. Getting her to talk back, now that would be the hard part. She forced a smile on and headed towards Merle. A little cheer, she could manage that! When you smile, a smile is reflected. Something the other Cures were always saying. Merle was still standing beside the swing ride on a phone. The crowd moved around her like a stream against the stone, completely ignoring the fact she was there.
"Sorry for leaving back there," Clancy had to raise her voice over the screaming of the rides. Merle barely looked up, her black eyes dull. A shiver ran down Clancy's spine almost making her take a step back. With a blink, the glare was gone.
"It's fine." Merle's lips quirked into a smile. She pocketed the phone and moved away from the metal gate. "Where do you-" Waves of gray flickered cutting off the girl. Her knees buckled, a hand reached out for the gate. Instead, Clancy caught it with ease. Moving her body to Merle's side, she caught the rest of her lanky body as well. Luckily, Merle didn't weigh that much.
A Dead-Color.
Color began to seep from the grounds leaving only a monochrome landscape. The people dropped like flies, hitting the cobblestone road with thuds. Sodas spilled, food crashed to the ground covering the street and patrons in a multitude of messes.
"Merle!" In one movement she shed the backpack and Clancy reached her hand to the girl. She took it, her other hand on the Pigment.
"Pretty Cure! Primer and Gloss!" Bright red and blue lights flooded the area.
"The Color of the Unforgiving Earth! Cure Aero!"
"The Color of Retribution! Cure Vermillion!"
"The Unifying Hues! Color Hex! Pretty Cure!" The two cures struck a pose, pointing to nothing.
"Be on guard," Vermillion's hands curled into fists as she slid into a fighting position. Aero was quick to copy, but her stance was messy. Vermillion opened her mouth to correct her, but was quickly cut off. A loud screech shook the ground. The buildings shivered, the swings crashing against each other. A large bird swooped from above, large talons scoring into the swings. A large beak lined with teeth opened showing a gray tongue.
Another screech shook the park.
"What the hell?" Aero muttered the words. An avian Dead-Color, Vermillion frowned. They were hard, but not impossible to beat. Usually she'd have- no. They weren't here; she'd have to rely on Aero. Although she was a Pretty Cure with no training, Aero seemed to be a quick learner. The Dead-Color gave a shake of its mighty wings sending feathers flying through the air. Vermillion leapt back with ease cutting across the park. Feathers pierced the ground in a row of shattering cracks. It lifted its claws and let out another air shattering screech.
She started forward. Covering the ground in mere seconds, Vermillion jumped. Her boots struck the metal stand of the swing ride. Pushing up, Vermillion soared through the air. The bird lifted its wings one more time, its feathers trembling. She could feel them cut through the air. Feel their trail against her skin. Small cuts formed, but Vermillion pushed the pain away. Bringing a fist up, she punched.
The Dead-Color let go of the pole at the last second and dived down. A blast of hot air crashed against Vermillion, sending her back down to the ground. Aero was shouting her name, but then she let out a scream. The bird dive bombed at her, claws striking the ground where she stood. Large wings beat down on Aero striking her against the floor.
"Aero!" Vermillion twisted in the air. She hit the ground with a roll, her shoulder blaring in pain. No time to focus. Push the pain away. The bird barely had time to turn before her heels were digging into its spine. The bird crumbled beneath the attack. Aero let out another yelp, scrambling out beneath a flailing wing. It almost smacked her again, but she ducked at the last second. Her reflexes were getting faster. Vermillion grinned.
The Dead-Color beat its wings another time and started upwards. With a yell, Vermillion dug her fingers into its back. Feathers the size of her head brushed against her body. It was taking flight again! It began to speed down the small street. The edge of its wings brushed against the fair's shops.
"Vermillion get off it!" Aero was following from below. The shadow of the bird fell over her. It was surprising she could keep up. Not only was the bird fast, but she was also having to dodge all the people lying there. Vermillion lifted her fist and struck the bird again. Again and again she dug her fists and elbows into the soft flesh. The bird would screech and flail in response, but couldn't shake her off. Finally, it spun in the air. The world tilted over and over.
Her grip was getting loose. Vermillion's gloved fingers slid from the feathers. Aero shouted her name again as she was slipping through the air. She crashed into something soft. Aero let out an oof and crumpled beneath her.
"Ah! Sorry!" Vermillion rolled off her and onto the street. Aero let out a wheeze for a breath and gave a watery smile.
"Its… fine…" She sounded winded. Despite the terrible reassurance she wasn't getting up. Finally, she gave a grunt and stumbled to her feet. "Let's go… finish this."
"Right," Vermillion replied with a small frown. With the threat at hand it was easy to push the other problems out of mind. When the world was turning gray and people were losing themselves it made everything else seem smaller. The fact that Vermillion may have offended Aero or the fact she only felt in her element in a fight didn't matter as much.
The only thing that mattered was punching the bird.
The only noise were their footsteps as they raced across the gray park. Everything seemed to have come to a still, even the rides. As they passed rollercoasters the rides were stuck mid motion; the carts still screaming down the nearly vertical drops; the merry-go-round's horses still rearing up with slumped riders. Another screech shook the air. Across a plaza of downed people was the Ferris wheel. Clinging to it was the Dead-Color.
"Finally! I thought I'd be here waiting forever!" Anneis let out an exaggerated sigh and slumped against the plaza's fountain. "You know, for having super speed you sure are slow!"
"Anneis!" Hot anger flared beneath Vermillion's skin.
"Yes! It's me!" The woman leapt from the fountain and crashed onto the plaza floor. She placed her hands on her hips and aimed a cocky grin. "I know I'm a beauty but, don't you have something bigger to be worrying about?" Her sentence was punctured by another avian screech.
As much as Vermillion wanted to run and punch the monochrome woman, the Dead-Color came first. She tried to quell the rage that burned beneath and aimed a glare at the monster.
"Let's do this," Vermillion started forward. Aero was close to follow. She was getting tired, it was easy to tell by the labored breaths. But, Aero was still keeping up. Digging her heels into the ground, Vermillion launched herself up the Ferris wheel. "Go along the other side!" She shouted the directions with a wave of her hand.
Aero nodded and jumped up the first cart. It shook beneath her feet, but ultimately steadied. Vermillion looked up just in time to dodge a flurry of feathers. Good, it was focusing on her and not Aero. If she got hurt, it was fine; at least it wasn't her partner.
"Vermillion watch out!" Aero's words brought her back to reality. Gloved hands pushed off the next cart up and launched the red clad cure to the bars of the Ferris wheel. More feathers embedded themselves in the metal. Aero was at the top of the wheel now while she was stuck climbing the bars. But, the Dead-Color wasn't paying attention to Aero at all. Good. Just pay attention to her.
The bars slightly bent beneath the pressure as Vermillion hopped between the bars and carts. The Dead-Color let out another screech and gave a flap of its wings. The winds kicked up violently. Aero grabbed the bird by its talon and tugged hard. The bird stopped flapping its wings as Aero tugged again. It almost dropped out of the air, the blue cure digging her heels in the metal to ground herself.
Now!
"The Pigment that blazes within the heart!" Vermillion grabbed the glowing Pigment. It felt warm beneath her touch, the flaring emotions creating her weapon. "Pretty Cure! Vermillion Spiral!" Red paint smeared the air and with a twist of the large paintbrush it was sent flying. The paint smeared against the chest of the gray bird. It bubbled and large ribbons flooded, tying the Dead-Color up.
"Now Aero!" A bead of sweat slipped down Vermillion's cheek. The Dead-Color was thrashing, its wings pushing against the restraints. Vermillion could feel her magic pulling and straining against the motions.
"The Pigment that tranquilizes the heart! Pretty Cure!" With a bright blue flash, the large pencil formed in Aero's hands. "Aero Recode!" At such close range, the purifying attack just flooded the Dead-Color with electric blue numbers. They loosely connected and began to purify the bird. It gave a cooing noise similar to that of a morning bird and began to swell. A word of warning left Vermillion's mouth, but it was too late.
Aero gave a yelp as the paint hit her full force. Even from down below, tangled in the bars, Vermillion felt the paint hit her. At once, color began to seep into the gray world. Bright blues, pinks, oranges and more shined through the once dull metals. With that, the rides began to come to life as well. The Ferris wheel gave a jerk; the two cures giving a scream of alarm.
"Let's go!" Vermillion jumped off the bars. She could hear Anneis cursing. The woman at least had enough sense to teleport away the moment the cures hit the ground.
"Ugh," Aero gave a shake of her wet gloves. The paint clung heavily to the cloth as well as her dark skin. Vermillion tried to hide her giggle, really she did. An annoyed glare was sent her way, but that just caused the laughter to explode.
"You're multicolored!" Her sides were beginning to hurt. The sight of usually stoic Aero covered in rainbow colored paint was just too much!
"You are too," Aero swiped her palm against Vermillion's cheek. The paint smeared against the droplets already there. She was laughing now too, a laugh like that of bells. It was a sound Vermillion was beginning to cherish, it was something rare and beautiful.
"What are you two doing?" Grif's voice knocked the two girls out of the moment. "Transform and quick, people are waking up." Vermillion was acutely aware of the crowds groaning now. Giving the griffon a sheepish grin the uniform quickly pinged off. Merle was quick to follow.
"Let's go hide somewhere quiet to let this blow off," Clancy on instinct reached for Merle's hand. The taller girl stiffened, almost stepping back, but gave a small squeeze. Clancy couldn't hide her smile either, nor the warming of her cheeks.
"I'm surprised they didn't close the park down." Clancy quietly commented. The two were sitting on a bench, watching the crowds pass. It was almost late evening, the blue skies turning purple and pink. The unbearable hot air had barely dropped, but more cool breezes were blowing now. The lights on the rides were on now as well, bright against the dusk sky.
"I think… we have time for one more ride… if you want…" Merle shifted on the seat.
"Do you want to?" Clancy was beaming one of her bright smiles. It quickly grew sheepish however, and she looked to her feet. "I mean, there's one last thing I want to ride, but I don't mind if you don't want to."
"No, let's go." Merle stood from the bench.
"This is it?" Of course it'd be the Ferris wheel. Merle wanted to face palm and leave. They just fought a Dead-Color here, jumping from a top the carts. And hadn't that been scary. The whole time Merle was praying to any being that she wouldn't misjudge the distance and plummet to her death.
"It's a gentle ride, like the swings. I don't think I like the roller coasters that much," her lips pulled into a frown. Me either. Merle quietly agreed. Merle gave one last look to the ride. From down here, it didn't look as scary as when she was climbing it. She could stomach this! Merle tried to steel her nerves. For Clancy.
"It's different when you're on the inside." Clancy idly noted. She was leaning back in the seat, looking out across the park. Merle nodded. It was smoother than she expected, and slower too. However, her back was still straight against the seat, her hands digging into the plastic.
"Merle, are you sure you're okay?" Clancy leaned forward.
"Of course."
"Please don't lie to me." The words sent Merle reeling. "If you're not having fun then tell me and- well if earlier I hurt your feelings I'm sorry."
"What?" If anyone messed anything up it was herself. "You didn't do anything."
"But, you're not having fun."
"Yes I am," Merle leaned forward. "Just you inviting me made me happy. No one's ever…" the words died on her tongue. Almost confessing this was one of your first time out with friends… how pathetic. Merle's shoulders slumped as she sat back in the seat. She didn't need Clancy viewing her as a loser as well as a coward.
"Are you sure?" Clancy's hands were idly tugging at the hem of her shirt. "I've been forcing you on these rides that you don't even like."
"I'm-"
"You-"
The two stared at each other in shock. Merle dipped her head and motioned for her to go first.
"Merle, I may be overstepping my boundaries, but I'd rather see a real smile or real frown instead of the fake ones you give me." Her blonde hair shifted, forming a curtain to shadow her gaze.
"You won't like me." There was a tone of regret over her words. Clancy was going to hate her. If it wasn't because a future conversation than it would be because of this one. Clancy didn't need to know the real her; the boring, cowardly her.
"I think I get to make that decision." Clancy gave a wry smile. "I think I like the Merle I've seen. The one leaping to my defense on multiple occasions."
"I'm a coward." Merle shook her head. She wished she could hide behind her curls. Become small and disappear from this conversation. It didn't help that she was trapped in the Ferris wheel's car as well. They were stopped right now, dangling in the air. Jumping from the cart couldn't be too bad, right?
"You're not a coward. You've fought Dead-Colors even when you didn't want to. And more importantly you've gone on these rides with me." Merle dragged her gaze upward and met Clancy's silver eyes. "Even if you were a coward, I'd like you all the same because you're you. So don't worry about little things like that." Clancy stood, rocking the cart slightly. She quickly slipped to the other side of the cart and sat next to the shocked Merle.
The cart was still, the gated windows showing the dusky sky. It was a smear of purples and blacks. The lights of the Ferris wheel itself were shining below in coordinated designs. Bright blues then reds then yellows. The whole park was lit up similarly, a sea of lights to match the stars above. For a while the two sat in silence, merely soaking in the atmosphere.
"Hey Merle," it was Clancy who broke the silence first. Merle shifted and looked to her. "Can you tell me some more about this world?" Clancy was looking out the window and in the direction of the city.
"Of course." Merle softly smiled.
Afterword: Sorry for being late, I had a bunch of school and life stuff crop up. That and terrible writers block, but it's out now.
Leave a comment, constructive criticism or review, I'd really appreciate it :)