Jylat - Starting Over

[Yolanda Riona]

I remained quiet a while, even after the feline had made it clear that she wasn't about to let me get away with my irresponsible behavior. She was concerned, that I understood. But I'd made a point to get away from this kind of taxing attention I'd been receiving. I didn't expect them to understand this need to avoid such circumstances as the pitfall I'd just tripped into, but even still.

I snapped on the creaky, old brakes before anyone had a chance to move me and just sat there in silence. I sure as hell didn't want pity, especially from a couple of strangers. But the truth was as it was.

"Doesn't really matter at this point."

[Links Tyrell]

Alindel looked like she was getting slightly worked up at Jodie's behaviour, she was trying to help and in her mind that was a good thing. Before she could reply though Links tapped her on the shoulder. As she looked round he shook his head at her causing Alindel to give him a curious glance.

"Leave her be Alin, she's a little like I was if you get my meaning," Links turned back to Jodie and looked at her again for a moment, "It doesn't matter because as you are you'll be dead in a few weeks...correct?"

[Yolanda Riona]

"Bingo! Someone give this good sir a prize."

I aimed a cheeky smile at the pair. They probably thought I'd gone nuts, but that was okay. I already knew I sounded crazy and perhaps this would distract me enough to elude me from thinking about my fate. My dad had always said that you only had one life, so you'd better make the most of it. I always believed in him, in that way of living, and so I was going to follow through with it. Or at least try to. I was probably still in denial.

[Links Tyrell]

Links and Alindel looked at each other briefly, seemingly thinking the same thing.

Alindel turned away first, looking a little disheartened and moderately upset. The feline sighed and began to walk off, Links hanging back a little. "Well we're sorry we interrupted your obvious attempt at solitude. All the best miss."

Links sighed himself and turned, walking a few steps as he caught up with Alindel before the pair began to slowly move off.

[Yolanda Riona]

My wistful, almost sarcastic demeanor faded into a more serious tone as the pair made to leave.

"Don't take it the wrong way. I have nothing against either of you. I know you both meant well. But I suppose to be selfish is to be a teenager. And I guess I just ran out of time to grow out of that."

Unlocking my set of wheels, I headed back down the slope, pumping the brake here and there. I half wished I caught their names. It hadn't occurred to me until then. No doubt they probably didn't want to hear anymore from me though, so there I went. I figured it was time to get back to Dromar's folk's house anyway. Home, I guess.

[Links Tyrell]

It took a few moment but suddenly Jodie would feel her chair come to a sudden stop. "Now that's much better, I don't mean to lecture but being rude to strangers who are simply trying to help is not a good way to go about making friends." Alindel stood behind her, her hands planted firmly on the handles of the wheelchair. "Now, how about we introduce ourselves properly. Then if you want us to leave you alone we will respect your wish but my fiancée is very knowledgeable and he may be able to help you with your problem. My name is Alindel and this is Links, what's your name?"

Links himself remained silent, standing next to the feline with his eyes closed.

[Yolanda Riona]

I blinked as the chair came to a halt. Then blinked again. The feline from before had stopped me in my tracks. What she had to say was unexpected. I guess she had a lot more patience than I had assumed. Perhaps this experience came from her partner. Despite what optimism she had, my guess was as good as anyone else's if what she proposed would actually be of any help.

"It's Jodie. Can't say I have much faith in your words. Not even the doctors around here know what the problem is."

[Links Tyrell]

"Doctor's wouldn't," replied Links in a flat tone, "If you're willing I may be able to tell you a little more than what the medical world can."

Alindel had already set off, seemingly lost in her own world as she started humming to herself as she pushed the wheelchair along...or rather stopped it rolling away down the hill. Links stepped a little ahead so he was level with Jodie.

"Jodie did you say? If you start by telling me what you do know I should be able to work from there."

[Yolanda Riona]

I was about to retort again as I had before, but I restrained myself. Sure, I wanted to believe he could do something, but this is someone I just met. For all I knew, he could just be some delusional crazy. Of course, I'd never met one before, so I could only really rely on what they depicted on television or in movies. And he didn't seem to fit either of those stereotypes. But then again, those were stereotypes and this was real, so maybe I was right, but then Alindel seemed to have a good head on her shoulders and I had noticed the careful attention she paid to him and-

Oh, what the heck.

"Depends on whatcha wanna to know 'bout it. I mean I honestly don't know much of anythin'. Never received any formal training. I don't even know if that exists. Maybe I would have if.." I paused. "But anyway, I kinda discovered it by accident and screwed with it since. It's amateur, I'll admit. But I got by. I couldn't use it a whole lot without tiring me out though. Guess it's that formal training or there lack of all over again. I was fine though. It kind of seemed if I didn't use it a whole lot, I could feel this flowing sensation around me, almost like my body was ventilating the energy."

"But ever since two weeks ago, it almost feels... I don't know how to describe it other than clogged. I don't know what I did to it. Maybe it was 'cause I haven't used it purposefully in ages. Don't really have much reason to, usually. But ever since then, I get this heavy set pressure that just kinda feels like it causes my whole internal structure to squirm. Usually when I fall into some intense emotion. I'm not clueless about it exactly. I just don't know how anyone could fix it. If I told the doctors this, I'm sure they'd look at me like I had four eyes. And if I tell my guardian, he'll be at a loss, too. It's not that he doesn't care about me. But things like this never seemed to play a big role in his life. So, I'm pretty stuck."

[Links Tyrell]

Links looked thoughtful for a moment as Jodie spoke. What she described sounded familiar to him...almost too familiar. He didn't speak at first, simply looked ahead at the horizon for several long awkward moment. If Jodie had said anything during this time he didn't hear them nor did he notice anything around him.

After a moment he looked back at her and gave an odd look that was halfway between enlightened recognition and boredom...actually it was very similar to his normal flat expression.

"Well I can tell you one thing right now, your abilities are very similar to my own. Allow me to explain, when I was young I too discovered that I had a gift. Over the years it grew more intense, even dangerous. There are times that I do not wish to discuss but ultimately I learned how to control this power...and even found that it was vital for my survival. Just like a heartbeat, without this inner strength my body simply faded away..."

He paused, looking back at Alindel for a moment. The feline returned his gaze with a nervous glance, obviously this was something she didn't like to talk or think about.

"My life depends on the flow of such energies and I have a strong suspicion that this may be similar to you're own condition. I cannot be sure though...you say this started abou two weeks ago? That is about the same time as those foreign visitors were defeated. Can I inquire as to where you were at the time?"