Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri & Storiwyr)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Cherri Tart on 07-05-2008, 17:50:40</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>07-05-2008, 17:50:40</strong>
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				&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Miki paused at the steps of her apartment, pulling her toffee colored knit hat down over her ears and adjusting her scarf so that it kept the worst of the morning chill away.&nbsp; Taking a deep breath, she let it go as a small could of fog before pulling her thick wool coat close and setting off for the library.&nbsp; Armed with only a pack filled with textbooks and her notes, she set off to do battle with the bus system once more.&nbsp; A necessary evil for her – her studies left very little time for even the notion of employment and her budget was barely enough for rent, let alone a car payment.&nbsp; Not that she minded.&nbsp; If she were lucky, she’d procure a seat to herself and have time to fulfil one of her few guilty pleasures, the latest work of Jacqueline Carey.&nbsp; &nbsp;Of course, she knew the risks.&nbsp; It was as likely that someone would steal her solitude away before she reached her destination, sitting beside her.&nbsp; Worst of all were the ones who wished to talk or worse, those who were interested in what she was reading.&nbsp; It was hard to concentrate on her story when all of her energy was spent using her paperback novel as a wall to ward off unwanted conversation and hoping her assailants had no notion of the book's subject matter.&nbsp; She hoped that, from the cover, they would assume it was just a typical epic romance.&nbsp; And, in a sense, it was.&nbsp; The fact that she'd read certain passages over and over until she'd memorized them, often replaying them in her mind in the privacy of her own bedroom, was something she certainly wasn't going to admit to anyone else.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Today, she was lucky.&nbsp; The 20-minute bus ride was spent finishing off chapter 16 and starting chapter 17 without interruption.&nbsp; In fact, she had been taken off guard when the campus library had come into view.&nbsp; Reaching up, she pulled the bell, and prepared to disembark from the green and white behemoth, double-checking to make sure that she wasn’t leaving anything behind.&nbsp; Satisfied, she left, carefully maneuvering down the worn steps and through the double doors to the curb, too shy to acknowledge the bus driver’s attempt at being friendly.&nbsp; They’d had an uneasy relationship for several months now. She wondered if it was a game to him, trying to coax a smile or a simple hello from her every morning.&nbsp; Usually she managed to avoid anything more then a subtle nod upon entering and leaving, although once or twice, she’d been in a rare buoyant mood and had dared to share a smile and a ‘good morning’.&nbsp; &nbsp;In retrospect, it had been a mistake, encouraging him to try to draw her out each and every trip.&nbsp; She’d even considered changing her schedule once or twice, but had discarded that notion as excessive.&nbsp; Still, the thought had stayed with her.&nbsp; Perhaps he’d get tired of what was obviously a lost cause and write her off as anti social, or perhaps ‘stuck up’.&nbsp; That thought bothered her more then she cared to admit.&nbsp; She was neither.&nbsp; She just found it hard to talk to someone she didn’t know.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Even her roommates, whom she shared a modest sized 3 bedroom apartment with, made her uncomfortable.&nbsp; &nbsp;Not that she didn’t talk to them, but it was rare when she opened up to them about anything with any real meaning or shared something of true importance.&nbsp; The first few months they’d taken pains to include her in everything they did.&nbsp; Meals, movies, trips to the mall.&nbsp; She resisted each and every attempt, politely declining with the excuse that she had homework to complete.&nbsp; Eventually they realized that it was fruitless, and evening banter was regulated to small talk that Miki rarely participated in, feeling like a voyeur as Sarah and Lucy chattered back and forth endlessly, accustomed to leaving her out of the conversation.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Without realizing it, her face had twisted into a small scowl, mostly targeted at herself.&nbsp; She wished she could fit in better, wished that she was glib and charming and interesting, but the simple truth was, she was had none of those traits and, worst of all, she knew it was obvious.&nbsp; Why bother to try to make friends when they were sure to abandon you for someone more vibrant, more fun.&nbsp; Why go through the pain of betrayal all over again, she thought bitterly.&nbsp; She walked, those thoughts spurring her on towards her destination, her attention on the concrete path before her, her gaze sliding past the maples that arched over head, their red gold leaves scattered across the campus lawn.&nbsp; She knew the route by heart, having traversed it day in and day out.&nbsp; It was simply a matter of putting one foot in front of the other until she reached the library steps.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;That’s when she saw the girl for the first time…&nbsp; &nbsp;<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>09-05-2008, 09:39:57</strong>
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				She was floating in a sea of nothing. She had her eyes closed, because there was nothing to see but endless blackness and that frightened her too much to bear. She could feel nothing, and sometimes she worried that she didn't really exist at all. She only knew that she was floating because she couldn't feel anything around her. She couldn't seem to move either, yet she felt no restraints preventing it. Her muscles just would not respond ... almost as if she didn't have any at all. She didn't know how long she'd been there. She didn't know how much time had passed since she’d become mentally aware. She barely remembered who she was. But when there was suddenly light she found she had muscles again. <br><br>Her eyes sprang open and she gave a gasp as the light stung her eyes, lifting her fists and rubbing at her closed lids as though that would help her temporary blindness. But in that split second ... she thought she'd seen something that shouldn't have been there. So she scrubbed away, hoping to clear her vision so she could see if she was imagining things or not. But sure enough, when she was able to open her eyes, she found herself squinting--not into fluorescent bulbs--but into sunlight. Sunlight broken by brilliantly colored leaves, orange and red with the occasional hint of green. She spent some time just staring at them, and that's when she realized that she was not floating anymore. She was lying on something solid, her back and legs pressed against it, and her head resting on it.<br><br>She had a moment of shock when a shadow passed over her face, and she sat up suddenly, her dark eyes wide. There was a boy riding past on a skateboard, his eyes straight ahead. When she realized he wasn't looking at her, she relaxed again. But then she noticed something strange. The world was ... silent. The wheels against pavement made no sound, and when she looked around, she saw that there was a couple not far from her, sitting on a bench holding hands. They were clearly speaking to each other, but she heard ... nothing. Looking up, she realized she should have been hearing the rustle of leaves, but was not.<br><br>She sat in the grass, feeling numb. Was this a dream, then? A desperate attempt and pretending something that could never be reality? And how sad that she couldn't even imagine herself away properly. She'd made herself a dream world without sound. There would be no birdsong, no dream-concocted conversation, just a surreal walk through a world she couldn’t hear. She leaned her back against the maple behind her, sighing dejectedly. She slipped so easily into despair these days … perhaps because it was easier than trying to force optimism from nothing. Can’t get blood from a turnip. And that was odd. The phrase had sprung on her unbidden, and she couldn’t remember where she’d heard it.<br><br>Just then, a man left the pathway and walked across the grass towards her. He had a backpack over one shoulder, and a serious look on his face. His dark brown hair shifted in the breeze that she couldn’t feel. He slung the backpack down beside her and she stared at him, frightened and waiting for him to say something to her that she wouldn't be able to hear anyway. Then he was sitting, not next to her, not opposite her, but headed right for sitting ON her. She rolled out of the way, stunned, and rising to her feet, “Watch it!” She snapped. No reaction. He was rummaging through his backpack, and glanced up to look across the block—right through her. Well that was just great. A dream world with no sound. A dream world where no one could see her. She turned and stomped away, angry with herself. By the time she’d reached the end of the central campus, she’d worked herself into a bit of a fury and yelled at a few people to no avail—but at least she could hear her own voice. She’d even stopped and done jumping jacks in front of a couple making out on the grass, just on the off chance they’d either see her or feel the ground vibrating. But either she had no impact on his world, or else they were too distracted to notice.<br><br>She finally lost her temper and threw a haphazard punch at a wall. Her fist met a solid brick resistance that drove a shockwave up her arm and scraped her knuckles. Well that HARDLY seemed fair. She had no impact on the world, but clearly it had an impact on her. She retreated back to the park, finding a small maple that looked about as dejected as she felt, with a muddy patch at its roots. She sat down right there, in the mud, figuring that she was less likely to be reclined upon by someone who couldn’t see her that way. <br><br>And there she stayed, sleek dark hair hanging down so the tips actually brushed the mud here and there. She had eyes so deep brown they were nearly black, large in her pale face. She looked utterly lost and lonely, her knees tucked up to her chin and her arms wrapped around them. She was wearing a thin strapped black tank top and simple black track pants, the white laces showing over the waistband. Her clothing was completely weather inappropriate, given the chill wind, but it didn’t matter much, since she couldn’t feel it. She was cold, yes. But it was a deeper sort of trouble than just one of temperature.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>09-05-2008, 20:18:30</strong>
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				Mki's glance had been quick, more out of curiousity, then any real interest.&nbsp; After all, the girl was hardly dressed for the weather and that, in and of itself, drew attention to her.&nbsp; Probably homeless, she thought, a stir of sympathy washed through her fleetingly as her gaze took in the girl's face... <br><br>A sudden wash of emotions siezed hold of her, causing her to stutter to a stop, her head turning, her dark eyes filling, in quick succession, with shock, then joy mixed with anger, sorry, and finally disappointment.&nbsp; <em>Jenny.</em>&nbsp; Her mouth had fromed the words, and she's uttered them, albeit silently, before she could stop herself.&nbsp; She could have sworn, and for one heart stopping moment, she had been sure it was her.&nbsp; A closer look, however, dispelled that notion.&nbsp; <br><br>Realizing she was standing dead still in the middle of the walkway, forcing her fellow students to walk around her, she willed her feet to begin moving again.&nbsp; She'd&nbsp; meant for them to carry her past the girl who had shocked into being a name she had tried so hard to forget, bringing with it memories that she had thought she'd buried.&nbsp; Instead, she found herself on the side of the walk instead, her thoughts a maelstrom, staring at the girl, not caring if it was rude, her eyes drawn as if by magnets.<br><br>Jenny.&nbsp; It has taken her forever to bury her.&nbsp; She felt the sudden welling of tears on dark lashes, suddenly angry that this stranger had brought evoked such powerful feelings.&nbsp; It's not her fault, she reminded herself.&nbsp; It's not her, either.&nbsp; She might look like her, but there were subtle differences, differences that Miki held in her memories still.&nbsp; Jenny, for one, would never have let her hair drag in the mud, nor would she have worn track pants... but those eyes... shivering suddenly against more then the cold, she turned, not wanting to look anymore, shaking herself mentally and trying to brush away her stirred emotions, as if they were nothing but the chill autumn air.&nbsp; <br><br>Her feet began to automaticaly resume their path as she hugged her arms to herself, as if to keep the cold away, but perhaps as much to keep her heart from bursting.&nbsp; Even now, sure that she had been mistaken, it stuttered and beat in her chest.&nbsp; She felt suddenly sick.&nbsp; Not paying attention, she brushed past several students, murmering apologies as her elbows bumped against them.&nbsp; Still, she couldn't out pace her thoughts. <br><br>Jenny, sitting on the pool's edge, her feet dangling down into the water, sipping lemonade.&nbsp; Sitting in her room, propped up by pillows, sketching in her note book while jazz played quietly in the back ground. Jenny so pale and still in the darkness... She closed her eyes tight, shutting out the memories, suddenly finding herself on the steps of the campus library, staring at the glass paned doors.&nbsp; She found herself unwilling, or perhaps unable, to go any further.&nbsp; Turning, she stared back at the direction from which she had come, half hoping and half dreading that she's see her again.&nbsp; She wanted nothing more then to hurry up the remaining steps and lose herself in the stacks, and yet she coudn't seem to move, couldn't stop her eyes from searching for another glimpse of the girl.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br><br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>10-05-2008, 19:14:04</strong>
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				The girl was completely oblivious to Miki's distress. She didn't even see the other girl, and if she had, she would have wondered what would make someone so upset about a maple tree in the mud. As far as she was concerned, she was invisible and unnoticed to the world. If she hadn't been so despondent, she might have noticed the soft sound of rubber soles on pavement. But she was lost in her own memories, repetitive and dull as they might be. Fluorescent lights and endless routine, day plodding into night plodding into day again.<br><br>She saw the movement of students through the campus as colorful blurs at the corners of her vision. It was a break in the monotony, it was true. But something about being outside without hearing, without being able to speak to anyone ... it was almost worse than the reality. It was almost like being taunted, having that which she could not have dangled in front of her without fully allowing her to participate in it. And so this was her rebellion. She sat in the mud, ignoring the fact that she could feel the water seep through the track pants. This world was not really there, or she was not there in it. What did it matter if she got wet? She'd probably just wake up dry, warm, and even more desperate than before for something different.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>12-05-2008, 18:25:27</strong>
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				It took her a while to convince herself that it was just a coincidence, just someone who looked... so familiar as to awake those memories.&nbsp; She cursed silently, something she rarely did, at the nameless girl for stirring up her emotions like that as she hurriedly tried to push her thoughts behind carefully erected walls.&nbsp; It had been 3 years and still, no matter what she told herself, she'd never gotten over the pain, the betrayal, the hurt.&nbsp; And now, to have it awoken again... <br><br>With and angry grunt, she turned, strands shoulder length straight black hair sticking to her cheeks, wet with tears.&nbsp; She was not going to cry.&nbsp; She was going up the stairs and find a quiet corner and study.&nbsp; With that intent, she jogged up the steps and dissappeared into the library.&nbsp; <br><br>--<br><br>She'd lost herself in her text books for close to an hour, only the rumbing in her tummy reminding her that perhaps she should take a break for a while and get something to eat, perhaps a sandwich from Pete's and a cup of Hot coffee and something sweet, before she had to get to class.&nbsp; Gathering up her books, she left the building, hesitating at the top of the steps.&nbsp; She wondered if she should take another route, try to avoid seeing <em>her</em>, then shook it off as stupid.&nbsp; After all, it had been hours.&nbsp; She wasn't still going to be sitting outside in the cold, was she?&nbsp; And so what if she was?&nbsp; She hated that this was plaguing her so much.&nbsp; Really, maybe it would be better if she was, so Miki could walk past, realize that is was just some stranger, and continue on with her life.&nbsp; <br><br>That sounded reasonable, she thought.&nbsp; Mind made up, she back tracked her earlier path, hands shoved in the pockets of her coat, walking perhaps a little faster then normal.&nbsp; Destination: Pete's Deli Cafe.&nbsp; Once there she'd order her usual.&nbsp; Turkey on Wheat.&nbsp; Glancing at her watch, she realized she'd best eat quickly if she wanted to leave herself plenty of time to make it to the lecture hall.&nbsp; Lengthening her stride, she passed beneath the maples, unable to help glancing towards where she had seen the mystery girl earlier...<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>13-05-2008, 09:44:13</strong>
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				The girl was getting restless. She'd been waiting, but the longer she waited, the more worried she became. She thought that with time she'd be called back from this place, but as minutes became an hour, and an hour became two, she began to suffer from a paranoia that perhaps she wasn't going anywhere. It was all sorts of unfair, that she should spend so much time desiring to be anywhere but There, and that she should finally get to see the blue sky and breathe the air ... and be utterly unable to truly enjoy it. The colors were stunning, yes. But it was like a new form of torture altogether, and she was beginning to be afraid that she might be stuck here forever, an invisible phantom in a vivid world. <br><br>She shot to her feet, unable to handle just sitting there any longer. She walked a tight circle around the tree, her fingers trailing over the bark. And it was certainly there, she could feel the bark under her fingertips. But all was not as it should have been. Instead of the rough, solid texture of wood, it was like touching tissue paper. She could not push through it, but nor did it feel truly substantial and present. She shuddered. She was ready to leave this half-existence, and she was even thinking with longing of the darkness that made her feel that there was no time or space. Here, she just ached, wanted to speak to someone or touch someone. Wanted to feel the breeze instead of this stillness. <br><br>"It's not funny anymore!" She shouted at the sky, but no one answered. Nor did the college campus around her fade. And when the deafening silence of a world that should have vibrant with sound settled immediately around her like she'd never made a sound to begin with. She leaned her back against the tree again, sank right back into the mud where she'd been before, and buried her face against her knees. For a while she just sat there, hoping that her despair would satisfy them enough to bring her back. By now she was sure this was one of their games. Even her own mind wasn't cruel enough to concoct this kind of nightmare. To be close ... so close. And to get nothing from it but the ache of what she'd never have.<br><br>Then she was crying, her thin shoulders shuddering. And that was where she was when Miki returned down the path. Exactly where she had been before, but this time she was sobbing brokenly like a lost child.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>13-05-2008, 18:07:54</strong>
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				Miki swore silently, surprising herself.&nbsp; She never swore, but the words just slipped into her head.&nbsp; Why hadn't she taken the long way around?&nbsp; What had she been thinking? That she'd be gone? That somehow a glimpse of her would quell the feelings within her that had been awoken?&nbsp; That she'd be able to just walk on and ignore her?&nbsp; The worst thing about it was that she probably could have if the girl had just been sitting there.&nbsp; She could have written her off as a loser or maybe just high or... well, she had looked so lost before.&nbsp; Miki knew that feeling and now, to see her crying and all the while everyone just walked on past her, treating her like she wasn't even there.&nbsp; She knew that feeling, knew it all too well.&nbsp; In some ways, even though it clearly wasn't Jenny - of that she was certain - it reminded Miki of her all too much.&nbsp; She knew what it was like to be 'invisible' and ignored.&nbsp; Jenny had taken notice. <br><br>She wanted to keep on walking, to continue on her way and forget all about the girl.&nbsp; Wanted to just start the day over and this time, take a route that would have kept their paths from ever crossing... she smiled ruefully.&nbsp; Like that was really possible.&nbsp; &nbsp;Sighing, she stood in the middle of the path, watching her, people moving around and past her as if she too wasn't there, didn't exist.&nbsp; She was used to that.&nbsp; It has stopped hurting long ago.&nbsp; <br><br>She moved from the pathway, nearer the tree, slipping her pack from her shoulders, and digging into the outer pocket, pulling out a small package of plain white tissue in Hello Kitty packaging, squatting down next to the crying girl, holding it out to her, trying her best to avoid her eyes.&nbsp; <br><br>"Here.&nbsp; You ok?&nbsp; Lost or something?"&nbsp; She asked, her voice soft and low.&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>13-05-2008, 23:36:19</strong>
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				If she hadn't been sniffling and buried in her own arms, she might have heard Miki coming across the grass. As it was, when she heard a voice, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Her whole body tensed, and she sat bolt upright as though stung. Her dark hair shifted back from her cheeks, except where a few locks stuck in the tear tracks that traced from eyes to chin. Her eyes were so dark it was hard to distinguish between iris and pupil. She stared at Miki's face, her own jaw dangling for a moment or two like a fish out of water. She studied the girl in front of her for several long moments before she realized that she was being offered something. Her gaze dropped to the packet of tissues, and she took them carefully as though she thought they might fall right through her hands. It was hard to tell whether she was feeling them as she should or not. They felt insubstantial, but also looked insubstantial. She didn't, however, put too much time into considering that, because she was more interested in the cartoon cat on the package. She didn't seem to really understand what they were for, but she did shift her grip and use her other hand so she could see the entire picture. <br><br>"A cat." She said, like Miki had asked her what the picture was. Then she looked up again, "Question. You asked me one. Or two. I am ..." She paused a moment, closing her eyes and trying to gather herself. She was too shocked to be excited just yet, since she'd pretty much convinced herself that no one here would ever be able to see her, "Okay." She said, "And yes. But something too." She sounded completely confused and scattered. She leaned forward a little, tilting her head, "You can see me?" She asked, though the answer was obvious.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>14-05-2008, 18:56:17</strong>
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				Miki managed the ghost of a smile, meant to be reassuring, and wondered if this had been a mistake.&nbsp; Maybe she should just call the campus police and let them deal with this.&nbsp; After all, the girl was either lost or, most likely, strung out on something.&nbsp; That thought worried her.&nbsp; She'd never been one to partake in drugs.&nbsp; She didn't even drink, although Lucy kidded her relentlessly about needing to relax and 'let her hair down' once in a while.&nbsp; She just didn't like being out of control... ironic, seeing as how lately her late night thoughts had been centered around just that.&nbsp; But those were just silly fantasies, one's she didn't have any control over... <br><br>Shaking her head, she pushed those thoughts away, trying to deal with the here and now, treating the girl as one might a skittish cat, letting her take the kleenex, talking softly, making no sudden moves as she listened to her babble, trying to make sense of her words, offering her what she hoped was a friendly smile.&nbsp; <br><br>"Of&nbsp; course I can see you."&nbsp; She answered, her voice soft, nodding slowly.&nbsp; She had to be on something, and it wasn't just pot.&nbsp; LSD?&nbsp; Ecstacy?&nbsp; Miki had never been around anyone of either, so she really had no way to tell.&nbsp; She suddenly felt wary.&nbsp; It had been a mistake to stop.&nbsp; She should have just kept walking, ignoring her like everyone else.&nbsp; She didn't want to get involved.&nbsp; This wasn't Jenny, she was some druggie that didn't belong here.&nbsp; She needed an excuse... she wasn't sure why, but if she had a good excuse, she could flee the scene in good conscience.&nbsp; it wasn't her problem.&nbsp; Eventually the someone else would come along and help her or call security or something.&nbsp; &nbsp;She glanced at her watch, hoping that the girl would take the hint, understand.&nbsp; <br><br>"Sorry, I have to go or I'll be late for class."&nbsp; she muttered, unable to meet her eyes as she stood.&nbsp; Adjusting her pack self consciously, she paused for a long moment, compassion warring with her better sense.&nbsp; "Really Sorry." she finally mumbled, fleeing the scene at a fast walk, her shoulders hunched over as she headed towards her lecture class, a feeling of guilt flooding her tummy. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>14-05-2008, 19:20:39</strong>
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				The girl looked at Miki with an expression in her eyes that was half-relieved and half-urgent. She continued to clutch the little packet of tissues as she stared, releasing them only to reach up and push her hair back over her shoulder. <em>Of course I can see you,</em> Miki had said to her, as though she were being unspeakably silly. And this confused the girl even more. It should, of course, have <em>been</em> an 'of course' sort of question. But it wasn't. No one else had so much as glanced at her. She'd made noise, she'd nearly been sat on, she'd lurked far closer than she should have to people having private conversations that she couldn't hear. She was a non-entity, and now there was someone right here speaking to her and looking at her, and she could hear the voice. Probably better than most people, given how soft it was, and the fact that she could not hear anything else to drown it out.<br><br>She blinked when Miki stood, tilting her head like a bewildered dog and watching her turn to go, moving away quickly and apologizing twice. Well, that wasn't a problem. The woman who could see and hear her could go wherever she needed to, and the girl would just follow her and try not to make any trouble. What trouble could she make, really? Since she didn't seem to exist? She got to her feet, something graceful to the motion and padded after Miki barefooted, matching her pace but staying back so as not to bother her.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>16-05-2008, 18:11:50</strong>
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				Mike had been so focused on her feeling and on the girl, that she'd been paying little attention to her surroundings.&nbsp; The one or two strange glances she'd gotten from passerbys had gone wholey unnoticed as she talked to the girl.&nbsp; Lost in her own thoughts, she had remained oblivous. Even know, she was lost in her thoughts, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other and making her way to study hall, more intent on calming her inner turmoil and pushing the memories that had been released back into place so she could get on with her day.&nbsp; <br><br>It wasn't until she turned off the walkway to cut across a sour green grassy knoll, that she noticed her shadow padding along on bare feet behind her, startling her enough to pause at the edge of the rain dampened lawn.&nbsp; Her brow knit, irratation mingling with worry, as she realized that the lost girl had been following her all this time without her knowing it.&nbsp; Mentally, she chided herself for stopping to talk to her in the first place.&nbsp; It had seemed like the right think to do at the time, but now?&nbsp; She turned, digging in her coat pocket and coming up with some loose change.&nbsp; Maybe she was just looking for a handout, enough to buy something to eat.&nbsp; Maybe, if she gave her some money, she'd go away.&nbsp; She sighed, pulling out a trio of quarters, prepared to surrender them if need be, eyeing the lost girl, thinking she looked like a character from a Dicken's novel... one of the street urchins who seemed to populate London.&nbsp; <br><br>"Here." she offered, holding her hand out, hoping she would just take the money and leave her alone.&nbsp; "It's all I can spare."&nbsp; She felt nervous, hating the feeling.&nbsp; It wasn't like she posed a danger.&nbsp; After all, it was a crowded campus and she didn't look violent.&nbsp; She was definately not imposing.&nbsp; As she was standing there, a fellow student walked past, giving her a strange look.&nbsp; She wondered what that was all about, seeing as how he completely ignored the other girl.&nbsp; Inwardly she sighed.&nbsp; Even strangers sensed that she was different, somehow... flawed.&nbsp; It was no wonder she kept to herself.&nbsp; After all, it was safer that way.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>17-05-2008, 00:26:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The girl felt a little less alone as she walked after Miki. She couldn't help looking around in interest, now that she was less upset and able to truly focus on her surroundings. She wasn't sure exactly why she was following Miki--or it wasn't so much that she didn't know why, but that she didn't know what she'd do when Miki realized she was still there. The girl may not have known much about the way people were supposed to interact, but she did know that it probably wasn't considered polite to tag along after someone you barely knew. At the same time, she wasn't about to be left behind in the mud underneath a tree by the one person in the world who seemed able to interact with her.<br><br>She almost ran into Miki before she realized that the other woman had stopped, hand extended. The girl stared at the money in Miki's palm with a baffled expresion, like she wasn't sure what exactly she was supposed to do with it, "I am not in need of money." She said, something strangely formal and stiff about the way she talked, "But thank you." She made no move to take the coins. Even if she'd wanted them, she couldn't even be sure she <em>could</em> touch anyone. Maybe she'd get that same strange, flimsy feel if her fingers brushed Miki's palm. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>18-05-2008, 08:16:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mike shrugged, pocketing the coins again, her face screwing up slightly, her forehead wrinkling.&nbsp; It wasnt <em>quite</em> a frown, but close to it.&nbsp; She wasn't sure how to react, what to do, or say.&nbsp; The girl was obviously following her, and yet, she wasn't looking for a hand out and didn't seem interested in... well, anything that Miki could discern.&nbsp; It spooked her, a little, if she was to be honest.&nbsp; She wondered if she was visiting and had gotten lost.&nbsp; After all, her speech seemed a little stiff.&nbsp; She wanted so much to just turn and ignore her, hoping she would go away, but something tugged at her conscience, keeping her from doing just that.<br><br>"Why are you following me?" she hadn't meant for the words to slip out, hadn't meant for them to sound so rude.&nbsp; Pressing her lips together, she held back a sigh, but stood her ground, not even noticing how her arms folded across her chest, pulling her shoulders in together in a protective stance, not even noticing the turned heads and puzzled looks from a pair of near by students.&nbsp; <br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>18-05-2008, 08:49:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She watched every move Miki made with her disconcertingly dark eyes. She noted the confounded expression on the other girl's face. It made her feel a more than a little awkward. She wasn't trying to make Miki uncomfortable, and if she'd understood exactly what it was she was doing that was upsetting, she would have stopped. As long as it didn't mean letting Miki walk away from her for good. But she couldn't help her own feeling of desperation. If Miki left, she might be alone forever in a silent world--alive but lifeless. Aware but invisible. <br><br>"Because you noticed me." She said, lifting one hand to run it through her sleek hair. With the nervous motion, the light shone off her dark locks as they streamed through her fingers. She didn't even notice the rudeness, probably wouldn't have even if Miki had been trying to be rude and giving her a rude look. Right now, all that was important was that when she spoke, Miki heard. And when Miki spoke, she could hear it. Anything beyond that seemed trivial at the moment. But her own answer to Miki's question seemed to need elaboration, "People normally do not."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>19-05-2008, 18:50:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Miki blinked, looking uncomfortable, empathy tugging at her heart.&nbsp; She knew what is was like to be ignored, to be part of the wall paper, to feel... not quite a part of... well, anything.&nbsp; She looked away, surveying the campus, noting how pretty much everyone close by was avoiding her, doing their best to look away and go on with their business.&nbsp; Consumed by their own lives, most likely.&nbsp; The girl's word struck a chord within her.&nbsp; True, she'd done her best not to be noticed.&nbsp; Deep inside, though, she knew the truth.&nbsp; It was less painful when it was your choice not someone elses.&nbsp; <br><br>She so wanted to walk away and forget, to go to her class and pretend that nothing had ever happened.&nbsp; It was too late for that, she thought with a sigh.&nbsp; <br><br>"I feel like that too, sometimes." she admitted, as much to herself as to the stranger, unconciously mirroring her actions, her fingers combing throuh the hair that feel from her knit cap, brushing it back behind one ear nervously.&nbsp; "I have a class right now..." she shrugged, not sure if she was using it as an excuse to flee the scene, an apology, or an invitaion.&nbsp; Looking awkward, she shuffled her feet on the damp lawn, trying hard not to meet the girls eyes. <br><br>&nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>19-05-2008, 22:35:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				And at that, the girl looked surprised. Very surprised. She looked around her with a new, curious glint in her dark eyes. Her near-black hair slipped over her shoulder as she turned her head first one direction, then the other. She noticed what Miki did. That people passed them no differently than they had before Miki had spoken to her, that they were walking right by without glancing over. <br><br>"They cannot see you either?" she asked, "I thought it was only me ... do you come from a dark place too?" She shivered a little, thinking of where she'd been before. Fluorescent lights, expanses of gray tile, and then just ... nothing. But the empathy of shared experience seemed to break through something inside her that had been holding back, "I tried shouting at them." She said, "One of them almost sat on me. They just ... don't see me. But you do. And I can hear you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>20-05-2008, 19:37:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Miki shrugged, wondering at the question, the ghost of a smile on her lips.&nbsp; A dark place.&nbsp; Yes, that was one way of putting it, although the girl almost made it sound like someplace... physical that she was referring to.&nbsp; Shifting her pack upon her shoulders, she looked curiously at the girl, taking stock of her more closely.&nbsp; She was pretty in her way, and really, although she didn't look like Jenny, she still had that slightly unearthly quality.&nbsp; It was hard to imagine that no one would else would notice her. <br><br><em>She's not plain and dull and grey like me.</em> <br><br>"Do you go to school here?"&nbsp; She blushed a little, knowing it was an inane question, but unsure of what else to ask her.&nbsp; She was torn between.&nbsp; It had been a long time since she'd felt any kind of connection with someone.&nbsp; "I'm Miki." she quickly added, suddenly anxious not to lose this tenuous thead of shared experience, no matter how slight it might be.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>20-05-2008, 21:56:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The girl's eyes were wandering now, a strange, glassy look to them. It was like she wasn't really seeing what was there for the moment. Like she was looking at a memory. And she was. Remembering expanses of hallway, every inch the same as the inch before, monotony not even broken by doorways--since all of them were the exact same distance from the one before. It made her dizzy as they marched her down the hallway, made her lose track of time til it felt like they'd been pushing her down the hall forever, and would be pushing her for the rest of eternity. She shuddered suddenly, and her eyes drew back into focus. She looked at Miki like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Miki was looking at her closely, studying her features.<br><br>At Miki's question, the girl shook her head, "School." She said in a strangely flat tone, "An institution of learning. No." But the strange mechanical quality left her voice and the set of her face when Miki spoke her name. She smiled a tentative shy smile and ducked her head a little, "They call me Six. You can call me that too. I won't mind."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>21-05-2008, 19:39:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Miki watched her, a charge of fear robbing her from thought for a moment, as she just... went away for a little bit.&nbsp; Was she having a seizure?&nbsp; On drugs?&nbsp; She reached into her coat pocket, reassuring herself that her cel phone was handy if she needed to call 911.&nbsp; She took a step closer without thinking, searching her eyes to see if she was... well, still there.&nbsp; It only last a second, and by the time her foot fell, it as gone as if it had never happend.&nbsp; She wanted to rub her eyes, wondering if had imagined the strangeness of the girl's voice for those few moments...<br><br>It was gone now, replaced with a shy smile, something that she would have expected from... well, some one who looked like the girl -Six -did...&nbsp; &nbsp;Strange name.&nbsp; Like a stage name or something.&nbsp; She did look kind of like the type.&nbsp; Or an artist. <br><br>"OK.&nbsp; Six.&nbsp; Are you alright?"&nbsp; She knew her voice was a little shakey.&nbsp; Taking a deep breath, she realized that she had a death grip on her phone and loosened it.&nbsp; She tired to think of something to say, wanting to just walk away and yet drawn to stay.&nbsp; &nbsp;Finally she settled on one that didn't sound too stupid.&nbsp; At least she hoped it didn't.&nbsp; She'd never been good at talking to strangers.&nbsp; That was one of the reasons she avoided parties with her roomies.&nbsp; Everything she said seemed to come out forced and sounding stupid.<br><br>"Do you live around here?"&nbsp; She meant to end it at that, but more words slipped out before she could close her mouth on them.&nbsp; "Why do they call you Six?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>22-05-2008, 00:39:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Six was oblivious to the fact that she'd given Miki a scare. She wasn't much of one for being able to read someone else's body language. It had hardly been a useful skill for her, given the isolation of her life to this point. But it was impossible to miss the shaky quality to Miki's voice, and Six gave her a look of mild curiosity and maybe even a little surprise, "Yes. I am well." She thought for a moment, evaluating her own body like she were a computer program rather than a human being, "I am hungry and thirsty, but I am not injured." <br><br>She had no perception that her words might be perceived as begging, or asking to be fed. She was merely answering the question in that strange way of hers. Her eyes surveyed the area as she considered Miki's next questions. Her dark eyes went from one building to the next, and then she shook her head, "I do not live here." She said, and she was silent long enough that it might have seemed she wasn't intending to answer the question about her name. Then she gave Miki a slightly bewildered look, like she wasn't sure why she was being asked, "They call me Six because there are five others. Maybe more. But at least five." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>23-05-2008, 18:22:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Miki was begginning to feel a little creeped out by the strange answers the girl was given.&nbsp; Was she mentally unstable?&nbsp; Or maybe this was some sort of practical joke.&nbsp; She looked around quickly, looking to see if anyone was paying close attention, perhaps holding back laughter as "Six" talked to her.&nbsp; A small spark of anger caught hold of her, at that thought.&nbsp; She'd had enough of bullies back in high school.&nbsp; That they might prey upon her at college had never occured to her until now.&nbsp; <br><br>Eyes narrowed with suspicion, she turned her attention back to the girl, her lips thining, her mouth set stubbornly, her posture growing defensive.&nbsp; Sorry she had ever paused to talk, she wanted nothing more then to flee.&nbsp; Nothing was stopping her, was it?&nbsp; <br><br>"I'm sorry.&nbsp; I can't help you.&nbsp; Maybe you should go be with your friends, the other five."&nbsp; Her words were measured and clipped.&nbsp; "I have to go to class or I'll be late."<br><br>With that, she turned sharply, and trudged hurriedly across the knoll, making a bee line for the Wright Building, not even bothering to look over her shoulder, her back stiff, hands fiercly gripping the straps of her pack.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>24-05-2008, 05:36:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				And now Six was really baffled. It didn't take a genius or a mind reader to realize that Miki was angry or at the very least--hurt. Six tilted her head, her hair shifting across her shoulder, but before she could say a word, Miki was walking away from her. Six just stood there a moment, trying to absorb this latest turn of events. She was used to things happening slowly if they happened at all. When she'd fully processed Miki's words, she started after the girl, not running but just keeping her in sight. There was a bewildered, lost expression on her thin face.<br><br>"I don't have any friends." She said quietly, even though she knew Miki was too far to hear her. It wasn't like anyone else would either. She might as well say it aloud so at least she could hear it, "I don't have any friends." She repeated again, a little more sadly. She wondered what she'd done wrong to make Miki walk away from her. Six had thought things were going rather well. Perhaps it was a game?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>25-05-2008, 04:05:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Miki didn't glance back once as she crossed the grounds, not even considering the possibility of the other girl following her.&nbsp; She was too wrapped up in her own thoughts, a small painful hurt blossoming in her heart.&nbsp; What had she been thinking?&nbsp; Every time she had ever reached out and let anyone in, even just a little, it had ended up in hurt.&nbsp; Even something so simple as talking to a stranger on campus held too many possiblities of bruised feelings, and she'd had enough of those to last a lifetime.&nbsp; <br><br>She'd thought, ever so briefly, that she might take a chance, but it had been a poor idea.&nbsp; Trust was something she'd left behind years ago.&nbsp; She wasn't sure what Six's game was, but whatever it was, she was sure that it wasn't something she wanted a part of.&nbsp; <br><br>By the time she reached the Wright Building, her eyes shone slightly with unshed tears.&nbsp; Why was she letting herself become so upset?&nbsp; She wondered at that, but the answer was clear... memories of Jenny had invaded her thoughts and shaken her up.&nbsp; She knew she should resolve those issues someday, and the sooner the better, but it was something that had been easier to avoid, and the longer she did, the easier it had been not to deal with them...<br><br>She paused outside the door, willing herself to push it open, to go inside, to forget about the encounter... somehow, she couldn't.&nbsp; She didn't know why exactly she stopped.&nbsp; To make sure she wasn't being followed, perhaps?&nbsp; Just a glance and, hopefully, Six would be no where in sight.&nbsp; Then she could forget all about this morning, get on with her day, with her life.&nbsp; Not even realizing she was doing it, she took a deep breath and turned her head, biting her lower lip almost painfully.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>25-05-2008, 06:55:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Six trailed after Miki, making no attempt to catch up with her. In fact, she didn't want to catch up. Not just yet, anyway. Not before she'd sorted out some of her own confusion. Besides, she hadn't liked the way Miki had looked at her just before she'd spun and walked off. She wasn't eager to get that look again. Halfway across the grass, she tripped over a root and nearly fell. And that elicited a dark grumble. She couldn't be seen, heard, touched by anyone but Miki. Yet she could still trip over something. And it still hurt when she did. She stopped a moment, crouching to rub her toe, and then rose and scrambled onward, not wanting to lose sight of Miki.<br><br>Miki's words echoed in her head, <em>I'm sorry. I can't help you.</em> Six sighed. If Miki couldn't help her ... who could? She obviously needed help. She had no idea where she was, and no one else seemed to even know she existed. She didn't even know, in fact, what she wanted to do. Go back? No ... it was debatable whether this was worse than her previous reality. For now, she didn't yet hate her ghostlike status enough to wish herself back in the dull halls under those fluorescent lights. Or worse ... in the black place where everything was nothing. She shuddered at the very thought. No. She'd rather be here than there. But still ... it would be so much better if Miki would just ... not run away from her. If Miki would keep talking to her.<br><br>She saw Miki put her hand on the door of a building and felt a moment of dismay, stopping where she was. Of course, there was no reason yet to believe that she would not be able to enter as well. But she had a sudden vision, nonetheless, of herself reaching for the doorhandle and being unable to open it. In Six's experience, all doors were locked. But then Miki stopped and turned her head.<br><br>Six stood in the middle of the grass, midway between two huge oak trees. One arm dangled at her side, the other reached across to grip her elbow, so she looked like she was half hugging herself. The breeze caught her hair and fluttered it faintly. She looked completely lost and despairing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>26-05-2008, 19:29:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It wasn't hard to spot Six from where she stood, raising up slightly on her toes, her chin lifted she watched as the girl came to a halt in the middle of the lawn, looking lost.&nbsp; Miki knew that look only to well.&nbsp; She'd worn it often enough herself, felt it even when it didn't show in her face.&nbsp; A little piece of her heart broke and, as much as she wanted to just walk away, she found that she couldn't.&nbsp; <br><br>She wasn't sure how long she stood there staring.&nbsp; Much longer and she would be late for class.&nbsp; Inside a small battle raged, seeded by anger, fear, hurt...&nbsp; Why her?&nbsp; Why had she stopped to talk?&nbsp; Why was she following her?&nbsp; Why not someone else?&nbsp; Indecision plyed at her mind, watching other students walk past Six, ignoring her as if she didn't exist.&nbsp; And then, suddenly she realized that they were walking past her in much the same way, not giving her a second glance...<br><br>She let up the pressure on her lip, barely noticing that she had bitten it hard enough to draw a small spot of blood and shook her head.&nbsp; She was going to regret this, she was sure of it.&nbsp; Still... <br><br>She made her decesion, retracing her steps, back towards Six, a resigned look on her face, halting several feet from her, and searching her face for any hint of triumph, hidden laughter, anything that might 'out' her.&nbsp; Nothing.&nbsp; She just looked... so sad and lost.&nbsp; Taking a deep breath, she nodded her head towards the building behind her.<br><br>"I have to go to class.&nbsp; It's a lecture.&nbsp; If you want you can come with me.&nbsp; Plenty of open seats."&nbsp; She looked down at the grass between them, shuffling her feet a little.&nbsp; "Afterwards... I don't know.&nbsp; Go get something to eat maybe?"&nbsp; <br><br>Butterflies tumbled through her stomach, making her a little queasy.&nbsp; She'd never been good at talking to people, especially strangers.&nbsp; &nbsp;She stood there trying to think of someting else to say, drawing a blank and feeling stupid.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>27-05-2008, 18:38:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Six just looked back at Miki, aware she'd been spotted but making no attempt to approach any closer than she already was. The two stared at each other in silent though. Someone almost walked right into her, and she had to dodge out of the way, breaking her glance away from Miki for a moment to do so. She was not particularly interested in seeing what would happen if someone ran into her. Would they just pass right through her? Would she burst like a tissue paper balloon? More importantly ... would it hurt? Familiar as she was with pain, Six still didn't like it.<br><br>By the time she turned her attention back to the place Miki had been, the other girl was gone. Six panicked for a moment, her heart missing a beat and then pounding uncomfortable--until she realized that Miki had just left the door to come back towards her, and was almost there now. Six took a step back, wondering if Miki might--perhaps--be intending some sort of physical violence. But she looked so uncertain when she spoke that Six relaxed again, listening to her as she spoke, "Lecture. Like being in trouble? I don't like lectures. But I'll go ... I like you." Her voice was tentative, as though she thought Miki might laugh at her, "And I like food too. But I don't have to eat if I can stay with you. Not for a while, anyway. You're the only one who talks to me, you know."<br><br>It was becoming clear that Six was almost as uncertain when it came to Miki as Miki was uncertain of her. The difference was that Six was desperate. Lonely, invisible, and lost.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>28-05-2008, 19:11:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Miki looked away, her breath catching and her heart wrenching in her breast at Six's words.&nbsp; She closed her eyes, squeezing them shut on the sudden pain that jarred her.&nbsp; She had thought it locked away inside, hidden, and now... part of her wanted to take the girl in her arms and comfort her... part of her wanted to scream at her, to make her go away.&nbsp; How dare she make her feel this way.&nbsp; How dare she pull her walls down, even just a little.&nbsp; Dark eyes filled with hot tears, as she struggled to control her emotions.&nbsp; If she had just kept walking, not stopped, but ignored Six like everyone else, she would be safely ensconsed in her seat, notebook before her, surrounded by strangers who would leave her alone...<br><br>"No.&nbsp; Not that kind of a lecture..." she wondered how old Six was?&nbsp; And what her life might be like that she assumed a lecture meant that... images of an abusive household suddenly filled her head.&nbsp; Wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, she took a careful look at the girl, looking for signs of physical abuse...&nbsp; Not that it was always physical.&nbsp; Emtional scars left no marks.&nbsp; She knew that from experience.&nbsp; <br><br>"Well, we might have something in common." she said, more to herself, then to Six, attempting a half hearted smile, followed by a shrug.&nbsp; "Come on then.&nbsp; I don't want to be late."&nbsp; With a nod of her head, she headed back towards the door, checking to make sure that Six was following her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>04-06-2008, 10:44:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Six blinked in surprise and dismay when Miki turned her face away and closed her eyes. It seemed that she couldn't say anything right. She was being so careful, and yet all she said seemed to bring the other girl more distress. <em>I will scare her away,</em> she thought ruefully, <em>I will scare her away and then I will be alone and invisible here forever.</em> Six wrapped her arms around herself and hugged herself tightly. She would have preferred to hug Miki, just to touch her and see if she felt real--and because Six was nothing if not starved for affection. Still, she was too awkward to take that step easily. She was already making Miki upset, and was sure that if she tried to touch it would only make things worse.<br><br>Six looked away too, her gaze going out over the lawn, rather busy with students rushing from one class to another, snagging a final puff of cigarette, throwing away a coffee cup. Each act made a poignant fiction by the utter lack of sound. But she could hear Miki breathing. The gesture of holding herself hid her inner arms, but not before it was possible to see what might have been the tracings of scars. Other than that, she seemed in decent condition. A little thin, maybe, but it could have just been her willowy build. Finally she turned her dark eyes back to Miki, staring at her and trying her best to look harmless. She only succeeded, however, in looking lonely and desperate. <br><br>"I can be good." She said quietly as she followed Miki across the lawn, back towards the building into which Miki had very nearly escaped only a few minutes earlier, "I can sit very quietly. You won't even know I'm there." She hadn't meant it like that, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them as surely as if she'd doomed herself, "I mean ..." She corrected hastily, "I really hope you will know I'm there. I don't know what will happen to me if you forget I'm here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cherri Tart</strong> on <strong>05-06-2008, 18:00:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Six's words bothered her almost as much as the glimpse of scars she caught on her arms.&nbsp; She couldn't help but wonder if she'd done them herself and, if so, what had drove her too it.&nbsp; Was she running away from someone?&nbsp; Escaping from somewhere?&nbsp; Miki wasn't prepared to deal with something like that.&nbsp; After all, she had her own issues to deal with and somone else emotional baggage or abused psyche was more then she was equipped to handle.&nbsp; Still she couldn't, in good conscience, just turn her away.&nbsp; <br><br>"Damnit. I don't need this." she swore, under her breath, quietly enough so that the girl couldn't hear her.&nbsp; Or at least she hoped so.&nbsp; Last thing she needed was a scene inside the hall.&nbsp; Pushing through the door, pausing long enough to make sure that Six was following her, she entered the well light, impersonal hallway right behind a tall blonde student who looked like he might be on one of the myriad of sports teams and his girlfriend, a cute brunette who giggled too much.&nbsp; The makings of a scowl marred her face for one brief moment, and then fled.&nbsp; After all, why should she care?&nbsp; Not like anyone cared about her.&nbsp; Three years now and, other then her roomies, she'd not really gotten to know anyone her.&nbsp; <br><br>Oh, she knew some of the people in her classes well enough to share notes or get together for study sessions, but she's made no real friends, no one to confide it.&nbsp; Not here at least.&nbsp; Jenny had been the only person since she'd left home that she'd ever been able to open her heart to, the only one who had understood her.&nbsp; &nbsp;She wasn't sure if she could ever go through that again.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Six's words suddenly came back to haunt her.&nbsp; She had almost forgotten the girl trailing along behind, wrapped up in her own worries.&nbsp; Twisting her head, she made sure that she was still there, offering her what she hoped was a reassuring smile. <br><br>She came to an open set of double doors and she halted, stepping to one side, and then almost sneaking in and taking up residence in one of the padded, barely comfortable seats near the back of the hall.&nbsp; The perfect place not to be noticed.&nbsp; It was where she usually sat and listened to Mr. Patterson's lectures.&nbsp; &nbsp;Isolated and on the edge of things.&nbsp; Sort of like her entire life.&nbsp; With a nod of her head, she motioned to the seat beside her, digging into her pack and taking out her note book and a pair of pens.&nbsp; Pausings, she dug into it again, hunting down a back of orbit bubblemint gum.<br><br>"Here." she said, offering it over.&nbsp; "If you want, that is.&nbsp; Sorry I don't have something more substantial."<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Yesterday Upon the Stair, I Met a Girl Who Wasn't There (Cherri &amp; Storiwyr)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Storiwyr</strong> on <strong>22-06-2008, 16:21:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Six's dark eyes had drifted again to settle on a girl with shifting blond hair who was walking her dog across the lawn towards them. Six fidgeted nervously out of the way long before the dog and woman got anywhere near her. She didn't fancy another close call, and she thought that if someone walked right through her, Miki might scream and run away. It wasn't the sort of thing you saw every day. At least Six didn't think so ... it wasn't the sort of thing she had ever seen herself, but who knew what happened on the outside?<br><br>She heard Miki mumble something, but she was to distracted dodging through the crowd to hear what it was, exactly. The trip through the hall was nerve-wracking, her imagination churning to supply her with short clips of what it would look like if she bumped into something. An explosion? Complete transparency? Would she disappear forever? When Miki turned to check on her, she was hovering right behind the other girl, her face drawn with anxiety, her dark eyes so huge they almost swallowed her face. The smile did help some, and Six smiled back, though the expression didn't make it to her eyes. Her gaze was shot through with anxieties and a desperate sort of longing. <br><br>Six nearly fell into a chair when Miki led her into a huge auditorium and tucked them both into an empty row. She pulled her legs up til her heels rested on the edge of the seat and wrapped her arms around her knees, "Please don't let anyone sit on me." She asked in a rather polite--if nervous--voice. Miki was digging through her backpack, and Six tilted her head, watching curiously. Miki offered her a brightly colored package, and Six took it almost gingerly, afraid it would fall right through onto the floor. But it didn't. It settled hard and real in her palm. Or rather, it settled hard as though her palm were real. Six was convinced that she was the shadow in this world. <br><br>"What is it?" She asked curiously, sniffing the package and then nearly sneezing from the strength of the smell.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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