Exotic plants and flowers populated the garden in New Rydynn. They were a wonder of creation and sustenance, an oasis in an other wise hellish setting. The garden provided a much needed sanctuary for both the staff members and also the patients of the hospital. Cobbled paths wove their way through the dense foliage and bright blooms. Tinted glass blocked the harsh glare of Oponn and Lurudd, the Sabatt suns. That selfsame glass allowed enough warmth from the Binary Star through to sustain the plants and to brush the chill from weary, mending bones. It was not only the beauty for which this garden existed. It was the source of the hospital's supply of fruits and vegetables, and the haven of a host of medicinal plants. Many people came to enjoy a brief moment of serenity there and intern Meralynn Harper was no exception. Her feet fell with a quiet shuffle against the stoned walks, deep breaths expanding her chest. As was common in any thing that was rare, she was not alone for long. A slender, raven-haired man entered with a pensive look. His hand brushed over his chin as his gray eyes glanced about the scenery. Mera spied him, and a smile drifted across her tired face. Her footsteps turned to the right and she changed her course to intercept him. "Hello Mr. Grey, feeling better I hope?"
The man, known as Shad to some, held his head. That was almost a reply of it's own. "A bit. The change is pretty much almost over."
Mera's eyes flickered their chestnut gaze up towards Shad. Her smile broadened at his statement of improvement. "That is good news. I am glad you can get about a bit. The gardens should do you some good."
The streak of brown that swept into the greenhouse caused no recognition in either of them. The grimy countenance darted into an aisle of staked greenery without being seen. She stood in awe of the room, its splendor overwhelming her. The only appreciation she gave was a keening moan followed up by her scurried steps to inspect a leaf, a flower, a stem. Mera caught the moan as it wafted through the otherwise quiet atrium and smiled. Commonly, the sight of so much life overwhelmed the emotions of visitors to the Garden; so many had seen so much death.
"Amazing place here. Never seen so much ... life in one place." Shad's words turned Mera's gaze back to him as he began to roam. Like others, his own gaze fixated on the plants. A half-smile floated about his lips.
She smiled softly and nodded. "It's my favorite place."
"I can see why."
"It's quiet, and provides some much needed relaxation."
"Aye. With this world, a place of solace is needed."
The quiet snap of a stem went unheard by those speaking. The quiet one who darted about the garden unseen had just plucked a piece of fruit from a vine. Her head jerked around, making certain that no one had seen her transgression. The fruit vanished within her cloak as she ducked behind a rack and settled to the floor. Only then, out of sight, did the fruit appear again. Like a greedy child, she tore into her stolen fruit. None wasted. Even the juice that dripped down her chin she caught with a finger and sucked clean. The food, small though it was, she consumed in gulps until only the pit remained. Even that pit she scraped clean until no possible scrap of edible bites remained. She crawled from her hiding place with an ear cocked towards the rising sound of voices. Intrigued, she began a slow, snaking trail to their source.
"I'm still troubled by Garth's ... accident.", Shad spoke.
Mera's eyes drifted downward at the mention of Commander Lowinn. "Me too ... he was a good man. Not many like him about. Terra has been very upset."
Shad gave a sorrowful nod. "Yeah ... gonna really miss him. He reminded me of my father." His sentiment finished with nothing more than a sigh.
She smiled sympathetically to him and rubbed his shoulder. "Well, you still have me."
"Which I'm quite grateful for." A sincere smile complimented his response.
Mera captured her lower lip betwixt her teeth, with a wonder to where his words may lead. "You have been a much needed friend, Shad."
He gave a quiet sigh as he recounted his sister and what had, perhaps, happened to her. Mera settled onto a bench, her face a touch softer, and smiled as he spoke. His mind drifted as the memories started to come back to him. Indeed, even his gaze drifted for in his mind's eye he was seeing them. She asked him how old he was when he and his were separated, and chuckled when it became apparent that his mind seemed to be playing with him again. She knew of his ability to 'see' things, but didn't know just how he was able to do so. "So ... how do you ... um ... see things? I mean, do they just come, or can you control it?", she asked.
"Half and half. Perceptions are coming whether I like it or not. But, if I concentrate, then I can sense things better."
Her brown eyes glanced curiously up at him. "Can you ... um ... sense anything about ... well ... me?"
He glanced absently at a sprout in the ground, unwilling to meet her eyes just yet. "You? Well ... I can sense a brightness from you. Full of life. And anything else ... well," he grinned, "I'm good with secrets."
Mera chuckled and gave him a playful nudge. "You're not going to tell me?"
"Wouldn't want to drudge up memories. Or tell personal histories in a public area."
Her thoughts turned rapidly towards her parents. "Yeah ... perhaps you are right." She changed the subject abruptly. "Have the doctors given you any ideas on when you will be discharged?" And truly, she would be sad when he left. She wanted to get to know him better. Just a few feet away, a silent eavesdropper hovered on the outskirts of their companionship.
"Not sure. The virus has pretty much almost run it's course ... it's almost completely replaced all my body systems."
Her brows furrowed. "It is a strange virus to do that. I am glad you are recovering at least. I know how much pain you have been in. They had you on Seriltronn. That’s heavy stuff."
Shad raised an eyebrow and nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah ... barely did anything. It is quite an odd virus. It always found some way to thwart any attempt at stopping it ... think it's inter-wound itself so much with me that it can't be ridded from my system."
As if she had forgotten the man with whom she talked only a moment before, Mera noticed the crouching creature with more than a little curiosity. "You seem a bit alone."
The dirty woman folded her hands over the last remnant of the fruit and peered up at her. Her hood fell back against her neck and revealed her wide smile. Mera echoed her smile and extended her hand. "The name is Mera."
The would-be urchin, nothing more than thinly skinned bones, tilted her head. Her silver eyes narrowed in confusion at the proffered hand. Undaunted by her faux pax, she opened her hand and gave the pit from the stolen lunch to Mera.
The intern glanced at the pit and smiled, stifling a chuckle. "Thank you." As the pit touched Mera's hand, the pit cracked and a spindly tendril of pale green jutted forth. A newborn leaf curled at its tip. Mera's eyes widened at the sight. The look of surprise in her gaze unmistakable. Her surprise met only that same smile the other woman always bore. That smile remained until the eyes glazed over and the woman slumped to the ground. The woman’s strained heart beat, frantically, like that of a bird. Mera knelt immediately beside her. Mera asked Shad to fetch a doctor and he conveyed the mental note. As the doctor entered the greenhouse to take the fallen woman to a room, Shad grinned at his own ability. Mera gave a quick retelling of the preceding events. Orderlies lifted the young woman onto a gurney. They escorted the woman to the emergency room amid the shouts of her condition and what treatment
Mera turned back to her previous companion as Bliss Lovejoy exited the lobby elevator. She made her way quickly to a couch, as though she had a previous commitment there. Bliss waved to Mera through the atrium glass before she turned her eyes darkly toward the door. She was expecting someone, and, by the looks of it, it was someone of great import.
Inside the garden, Shad again turned a comment to Mera. "I guess I could say one more thing I sense about you."
She glanced up. "Oh?"
"While many here can heal the body, there are only a few here that can heal the mind and soul."
Try as she might, she was unable to conceal the blush that invaded her cheeks. Oh, how he could embarrass her this way. "And ... you think I can do that?"
He simply nodded. "Yes."
The color apparent on her face intensified. She averted her eyes from his, finding some interest, or at least escape, in the stone path. "That is kind of you to say."
He gave her a sincere nod, though he glanced awkwardly about. Yes, this was slightly uncomfortable for him as well. "It's the truth."
A smile crossed over her mouth. She was growing indifferent to the heat that her cheeks exuded still. "I think you are kinda nice too." She could not diffuse the awkwardness of the moment. It was further evidenced by the hesitancy that hung in her voice.
He gave a polite smile, unsure of what else to do. "T ... thanks." He stammered. "No one's really told me that before."
A man examined the building before stepping into the lobby. His eyes scanned over his new environment, though it was more in appraisal than enjoyment. Bliss leaned forward from her couched position with a slight smile. He had come as she had asked. She knew that he would. He had never failed her before and she did not expect him to this time. His steps carried him to her with a casual gait. His hands rested inside his pockets. "Hello again, Bliss."
Her throat had been bruised from the previous night's encounter. The bruising caused the voice that emanated from it to be no more than a harsh whisper. "Hello Caine. Please sit."
He nodded as his hand brushed over the seat next to her to dislodge any dust that may have accumulated. Her head tilted to the side, her voice still soft, as it was likely to remain so for quite awhile. "I didn't think you would get my message and respond so quickly."
His gray eyes stayed rooted on her. A long pause hung in the air as he seemed to look into her. His voice retained a soft tone. "It never does to keep a customer waiting."
Bliss' voice dropped a notch lower. "I need a few things."
"Well, spill it ... I got what you need." Granted, he had yet to hear what specifically it was she needed, but even so, he knew that he could accommodate her. His hand retrieved a flask from an inner coat pocket. He unscrewed the lid and took a long pull of it. He listened to her order.
She rubbed the bruise that was her throat. "I need a powerful gun and better ammo."
He gave her a small smile and offered her a politely declined drink. They discussed her current weaponry and that which she wished. He needed to know the particulars of what she required and why. It was never a good idea to fumble a customer's order either. A giant she said she needed to bring down. He had something that would work, he knew. It all depended on what she wanted. "You're leaving it up to me," he said with a lifted raven brow. "It'll cost you ... big."
Bliss gave a sigh as her head fell to her hands. "Well, I need the stuff now."
Now it came down to what she had that was worth the trade for what he was going to give her. "What do you have to deal with then, Bliss?"
Alyssa slipped into the garden, the much needed peace a welcome relief. Mera was still in the garden and bidding farewell to Shad, before he made his way back to his room. Though she would not have minded if he had stayed, she knew it was best for him to return to his room. She did not take notice of Alyssa, as her gaze followed Shad out of the garden. Alyssa had noticed something. It was a creeping shadow along a far wall. She gave a half grin as she realized that she was not the only one who enjoyed the peacefulness. Alyssa chuckled softly as the shadow mimicked her smile. One hand came up to brush bangs from in front of her bemused eyes. The brushing action again aped by the shadowed one, who some knew as Josi Putter. She had always been like that. Silent and creeping along the outer edges of things. Josi however, lost interest in the little game and the last movement blended swiftly with another. She began fiddling with some piece of machinery that she carried. That elicited another chuckle from Alyssa. Playing games are we? She thought.
Caine's trained eye currently examined a locket. Bliss knew he had always admired that, and thought it might be suitable payment. "You know what I got other than that. Most of it, you traded to me. I also need some new clothes. I trashed mine."
Caine responded with a simple nod. "I think we can work something out here." He deposited the locket in a pocket as he stood. "Why don't you come with me and let's close this deal, hmm?"
Bliss blinked at him as she prepared to go with him. "Close the deal?"
He made his way to the door and held it open for her with another nod. "Let's do this, Bliss."
She walked towards the door slowly. "I'm not going to like this, I just know it."
Mera emerged from the gardens and rejoined the hospital proper. She came in just to see Bliss' departing wave and sighed. The game being played out on an outer wall was undetectable from within the walls of New Rydynn. A small contingent of Church soldiers had gathered outside one of the doorways. There were five altogether and they carried on noisily, oblivious to the threat that hung just beyond the shadows' reach. By the time it occurred to any one of them that anything might possibly be amiss, it was too late. Three lay dead, the throwing daggers silver in their throats and the fourth attempted to go for his gun, only to have his neck snapped by an almost invisible kick. The fifth poor soul found himself pounded by a black gloved hand before being jerked inside, more dragged really, the doors to the hospital. A deadly gaze fell to the injured man. "I am Justice. I have come to cleanse the evil that is the Church from the Mother. You will live today because I so choose. You will be healed, to return to your brethren and tell them that Justice has come and the punishment will be served, and that it will be served swiftly and without mercy." The shadow who announced himself as Justice smirked as he tossed the Churchman to the floor without even a careless thought.
Terra Skye Lowinn, Terra to the regulars, intercepted Mera's course through the halls on her way to log out from her shift. "Hello Mera. How are you?" Mera admired Terra for continuing on with her work, no matter how hard it may be. Garth was dead; killed in the explosion of the lab. Still, on Terra went, as always. Perhaps she had gained a pound or two; but, it wasn’t noticeable..
"I am well, and you?" Mera was solicitous.
Terra nodded. "I ... am OK. A lot of work to do."
The outgoing intern gave her a sympathetic nod. "If you need anything, just ask. I'm just going up to my room to study for a bit."
"Thanks, Mera. I will be fine. I mean ... just a burn ... is all." Mera smiled and ascended the nearby stairs. Her shift was over for the night.
====
Caine led Bliss out of the hospital to a deserted alley, where they were greeted by a blonde counterpart; Caine's usual partner. "Okay, Bliss ... here's what I want, in addition to the down payment. The seeds we spoke of before. Three cases and one irrigation pod."
Bliss blinked. "Three?"
He barely noted her questioned response as he proceeded to show Bliss what she was about to purchase. Grins lit Bliss' face as she looked over the equipment. She inquired about the weapon's specifications. That one she did not like and she stated she needed something lighter, more manageable. They bartered over what she would eventually take back with her, and finally decided on a suitable combination of firepower. The issue of price reared its ugly head again as she requested an additional piece. "You've about cleaned me out already Caine."
"Well, Bliss ... I'm not the one that needs a big gun, real fast and real bad, am I?" And indeed, he wasn't. She made another offer, a second irrigation pod and fruit tree seedlings. He accepted. The deal now sealed; Bliss gave him a scrap of paper. It had instructions on where to find what he desired. Caine handed over her new protectors and the piece of paper to his companion. "I don't need to tell you that I will be ... unhappy ... should your items not be here."
"If they are not, I will return the items without a problem." She lifted her chin slightly. "You should know better than to even question that."
He whispered a word to his female partner. She took the locket from Caine's hand and disappeared down the alley without another word as Caine followed Bliss back toward the hospital.
Josi looked up from her mechanical tinkering and regarded a dream-entranced Alyssa briefly before the cries from the lobby caught her interest. Her biggest downfall, her curiosity, got the better of her as she crept towards the door and peered into the hospital to see what all the commotion was about. Her eyes widened as she saw a bleeding Churchman on the floor. Justice had seen her interest behind those mirrored eyes and rested on her. "Next?" he queried with a voice just barely above a whisper. Josi squeaked at her discovery and retracted quickly back around the corner from which she had crawled.
Alyssa dreamt of a peaceful planet, covered in green and blue with a soft sigh. So different from where she was now. As if, came the quiet whisper in her mind. She awoke with a start and a muffled gasp. She blinked, disoriented, a wary gaze about. Her hands nearly slipped from her pockets before she realized where she was. She was thankful that at least it was in a safe place, somewhere where she wouldn't be harmed for nodding off like that. She rubbed the back of her neck slightly to get her bearings before she noticed Caine. He had entered the garden for a quiet moment himself, after concluding his business with Bliss. Alyssa exhaled softly and leaned back against the wall again, the plants taking up her attention again.
====
"I believe you have a customer, Doc."
Terra glanced over to Justice. "OK. Give me a second."
Josi peeked back around the corner. Her crystalline eyes fixed on the Churchman and Justice. She was confused as to why someone would go through all the trouble of beating someone up only to have them healed again. The Churchman babbled nonsensically about Justice being a maniac as he was hoisted onto a stretcher by Terra and another medic.
"Take him back to the room and prep him for test. I will be there soon." Ordered Terra.
Justice smirked at the departing wreck of a man and then strode towards Josi. His gaze set on her and did not waver. Her eyes widened as she knew she'd been spotted again. She skittered back around the corner and climbed quickly to her feet to slide backwards along the wall. Justice turned the corner and his black trench coat flowed about his ankles like a menacing fog. "See somethin' you like?" He smirked and awaited her answer. Her eyes never left him as she swallowed nervously. Justice regarded Josi with a calm gaze. "Justice does not harm the innocent." That said, he turned on the heel of his boot and walked back to the lobby. He spotted Bliss and Terra and made his way to where they were. Josi sagged back against the wall in relief that he was gone.
"Hello, Bliss," smiled Terra as she watched the woman nod. "How are you doing?"
Bliss headed in Terra’s direction after a moment's thought. "Hello, Terra. Just sold my soul, but other than that, I'm fine."
Terra raised a brow. "Oh ... in what way?"
She threw a nod back at Caine. "Just traded everything I own for bigger guns."
"Well perhaps I shouldn't know."
"The Churchman?" interrupted Justice abruptly, having stopped before them.
"He is being treated." Terra replied.
Bliss glanced at him. "You mean Fang-Face?"
He smirked. "No. The one who was punished."
Terra answered Bliss with a shake of her head. "No ... not him ... another." Terra began to ask him what the soldier had done, but thought better of it. It was not her concern anyway.
That perpetual smirk remained. "What did he do," asked Justice, in obvious reference to Bliss' "Fang-face" comment.
She lifted her hand to her badly bruised neck. "Who cares what he did."
Terra too was curious what had happened. Bliss recounted the previous night's battle, such as it was. She included a description of the man who had visited this upon her, though she knew not his name. Justice seemed to appreciate the man and his abilities. It lighted a spark of recognition for Terra. "Ah ... yes. He is becoming a nuisance. That is one person I am not looking forward to seeing again." she admitted.
Caine had had his fill of the Garden. He spotted the white labcoat in the lobby. Everyone was a customer, everyone needed something, he thought. Terra glanced at Caine as he approached and mustered a smile. "Can I help you?"
"Possibly. Who do I speak with to trade for medical supplies?"
She raised a brow. "What do you need, and what can you trade?"
A knowing smirk arose on Caine's lips. "My dear," he began before he shook his head. "I can get whatever you might need. I have that ... knack."
"I could use some lab equipment. Mine recently ... burned."
Justice had grabbed Bliss' arm in the middle of their conversation and started towards the cafeteria. "Come with me."
"Hey!", she winced as she shouted and went along.
He dragged her to a table. "Sit."
She did so. He offered her a drink but she declined. "You don't know what you are missing," he said with a smirk. "This isn't your fight, kid." She attempted an argument but he cut her short as he leaned forward. "Do you know who I am?"
Bliss shook her head. "Afraid not."
"I know you, Bliss."
Bliss blinked at the statement Justice had just thrown out. "Now there is a surprise."
Josi watched Bliss get dragged off and mumbled, "Must not have been an innocent." She watched the interplay between Terra and Caine as they bartered over needed supplies on both sides.
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