[TheFightingSpirit]

Two posts today, because you're all awesome!

... and I totally didn't forget to post the first one this Saturday

Magi Short #5: Allison's Story

Allison sat in silence in her room. She’d considered turning out the light. Or perhaps closing her eyes and waiting until either the Black Water destroyed existence or starvation set in, which ever came first.

For a short while she’d chuckled at how stupid that sounded. Am I really that much of a baby? I’m not an angst-ridden teenager anymore! But then her mind swerved back toward all the memories she had of her work at the refugee camp and the world seemed devoid of hope once more.

Despite all she’d done to help, all the meals she’d handed out, all the times she’d read bedtime stories to the kids, or all the games nights she’d run to keep up morale, it meant nothing. Nothing. Clearly, the well-intentioned actions of a good woman didn’t matter squat when it took just one single mutant attack to ruin the dream.

The stupid thing was Allison had known it was pointless from the start. While the Black Water was at large, people could still be blown up, they could still get an easily treatable disease and have no money to buy the cure.

And even if the cure was given as a gift on government aid, those people could still die in fire because no human could be in two places at once. People made mistakes, and mistakes inevitably cost lives.

That poor little girl… Everyone expects the rangers to be heroes, but how can we do a damn if we’re still only human? A few pathetic magic tricks… it’s just not enough!

o0o

Robert pressed his ear against his bedroom wall and strained to hear.

A knock on the door made him jump. He thrust his hands in the air and spun around to see Ken standing there with his arms folded.

“Eavesdropping?“ He shook his head. “I don’t think she’d appreciate that. Especially when she wants to be left alone...”

“Well what do you suggest we do?”

“Leave her to it.”

“You’re kidding me...”

“Now who out of us has known Allison his whole life?”

“Uh, you.” Robert replied, flopping down onto his bed. “But if you want to be technical about it though Ken, we’re both older than you and I knew her before you were born… I think.”

Ken sighed. “Look, I know my own sister. If she says she wants some time alone, well then you better learn to appreciate that.”

“But she’s upset. I just want to do something to cheer her up.”

“Tell you what, Rob.” Ken grinned. “You go talk to her. See if you can come out with the same amount teeth you went in with.”

Robert cringed. “You may have a point there.”

“We just have to let her get over it. She’s way too stubborn to accept our help.”

o0o

Maria overheard the boys talking and decided to take matters into her own hands.

She’d come to see if they want to join her for a little training. When no one answered, she’d let herself in with the spare key.

Despite Robert and Ken’s worries, she ignored their advice and knocked on Allison’s bedroom door. However, before the bereft young woman could answer or even begin to complain, Maria went inside.

“Alright. Moping time over.” She flung open the curtains bathing the room in natural sunlight. “Up, up, up! You have training to do.”

“Maria...” Allison stood slowly. “I know we’ve only just met but there’s something you should know about me. If you don’t get out right now I’ll-”

“You’ll what? You’ll cry, you’ll stop eating?”

“No, I-”

The captain dropped back into the role of a commander with readily apparent ease. “I really don’t care what you think, White. You can stay here for all I care, but know this. If you do, I can’t promise we’ll win very many battles.”

“You’ve got Manuarii now, you’ll be fine…”

“Will we? Look what happened the last time you dropped your guard. Do you really believe you couldn’t have save that kid you’re so fond of?”

Fire burned in Allison’s eyes. She balled her fists. “Don’t. You. Dare!”

“What? Did I hurt your feelings? Oh I’m so sorry.”

“No, Maria,” she yelled. “You don’t get to make fun of me this time. A poor defenseless little girl lost her life because none of us could focus on what mattered the most. We’re the only people on Earth who don’t get to make mistakes like that!”

“Quite right.”

“What do you- I … huh?”

“You’re right Allison. Until we don’t need any help from people like Brother Grey and the Emperor, I doubt we’ll be strong enough to defeat the Black Water.”

Allison narrowed her eyes. “I know what you’re trying to do.”

“I’m sure you do,” Maria said with a shrug. “You’re a clever girl.”

She growled beneath her breath and began shoving things into a backpack she had nearby. “Don’t think you’re allowed to manipulate me like this.”

“Then why are you packing for training?”

“That is what you came to see us about right?”

A smile crossed the Captain’s face. She chuckled. “Like I said, less moping, more training.” She turned to the wall shared with Robert’s room and raised her voice. “And you two can stop eavesdropping too. There’s no time to waste!”