A/N: Sorry this took so long to come out, but things kept coming up… Enjoy!
"…": characters talking to each other
'…': characters talking to themselves
(…): extra facts about something in the story
(Takes place sometime after "Scaredy Cat")
Theme 4: Game
Passage #1, Clare's Diary, Clare's Room, Rootcore, November 13, 2006, 10:00 PM – Briarwood, CA, USA
"This is a gift from my friend Chip; he calls it a diary, meaning that I can record all my personal thoughts and emotions in here where no one will be able to see what I consider secret. That part is from Madison. All of the rangers say that I need help keeping my thoughts and spells in line, so Chip suggested they get me a diary so I can write down all my stray thoughts and leave more room in my mind for learning spells and executing them well. All I can say to that is that I hope it works.
"Anyway, I think that I'll write down what's in my head later; what I really want to talk about is a… umm… touchy subject. That is, I want to write about the fire that flies from Xander and Vida when they are near each other. Honestly, some people think that I'm dense because I mess up so many of my spells but according to Udonna I'm really very observant. She says that this is a good instinct because it means that I'll be a good sorceress someday… wait a minute, Udonna's calling me; I'll be right back.
"Back; where was I? Oh yeah, Xander and Vida. I guess you could say that their relationship is something like a… what word did Nick use? ... oh yeah, game. They act like they are the pieces in a game. The reason? I have not a clue; however, I notice subtle things about them that signify that there is more to their relationship then what they let on to the others. They obviously connect on a plane that is beyond them right now. It's a spiritual one; the plane, that is. This plane only exists between two people who have been made for each other; and that's what I think Xander and Vida are; that is, they were made for each other. I see Nick and Madison reaching it; they're getting closer everyday, and Chip told me that Nick asked her out on something called a date… must be some kind of weird non-magical ritual.
"Anyway, about the game – Xander and Vida play it by yelling at each other like they're on the verge of killing each other, but at the same time they enjoy it. They then apologize to each other and to all those around them who had to put up with them during their arguments. They then move ahead a few spaces on the game board (like that one game that Chip showed me… umm… was it maybe Monopoly?) and get along really well for a while, acting like they're in the same relationship that Nick and Madison are in, but then another argument breaks out and they move back on the board, back to where they were previous to the last argument or past their starting point. This is why Nick classifies them as game pieces; not that I really understand it, even though Chip has tried to explain it to me, with Jenji providing more examples from his… interesting past.
"This happens quite often; in fact, it just happened today while I was taking care of Fireheart. Xander and Vida were arguing over something that happened at Rock Porium (I don't know what that is) and then she lunged at him, putting him in a… really strong hold, her arms around his head (maybe the word's head-hold?). I put down the dragon and moved to separate them, but then Xander fought back and did the same thing to Vida, causing her to get even angrier. I tried to reason with them; I really and honestly did try but I, umm, failed… Fireheart decided to put in his own opinion and spit out a stream of fire at the two, which made them break up. When the smoke cleared both their faces were black and their anger was aimed at my dragon, and Jenji did nothing but laugh his head off… it really wasn't that funny.
"They looked like they were going to hurt my baby (what can I say, I'm really attached to that dragon) but I stepped in and yelled at them, telling them to stop arguing and acting like five year olds fighting over the last piece of rock candy and to start acting like adults. They stared at me like I was crazy, but when I started in on them to stop playing their game they looked shocked, and then looked at each other, muttered Chip's name, and then took off. I really hope that Chip's okay… That's it for now; I'll end by saying that Xander and Vida had better stop this game of theirs before I go berserk on them and make them stop the game myself or have them explain it to me in detail...
"Clare Out."