Musings

9(a). Beginnings.

**back to narration**

She walked to school, a new burning in her soul.

The world seemed brighter, filled with hope and possibilities, but her feet were on the ground. She knew of the risk that she was taking - she took it every time she chose to let someone in.

Yet, she was oddly bubbly about the whole affair.

She walked into class.

All the students were like the cells of an organism. Each grouping performing individual functions and contributing to the whole. And for now, hers was to hope, love and leave the rest to Fate.

They'd talked the previous night, her and Fate.
____________________________

Playing with Fire.

"Heads, I win.
Tails, you lose.",
Fate makes his move.

He watches her squirm.
He watches her think.
He watches her every move.

He smiles,
"This is my game.
There's no way you can win.
Stop trying already.
You seem pathetic."

"What if I tell you, Fate,",
She says.
"that you and I are on the same side -
We're both playing to win.
So let's just work together,
And watch the world burn."

He smirks,
"Foolish girl.
Don't you think I've heard this enough?
People always trying to bargain.
To get something out of it all.

What will I get, girl?", he says.
"If I should take your side?
Do you promise me riches?
Do you promise me no more lies?
Do you promise me something I already have, like the rest of them have done?
If so I can tell you before you start,
No deal, sugar pie."

"No, Fate.", she smiles and says calmly.

He widens his eyes.
He fixes a keen gaze onto her and whispers,
"Then proceed.
Make your offer,
Know I'm judging you as you speak."

She looks at him.
She sees him,
Truly for how he is.

She sees that he is tired and pale
Under all that finery.
She sees that he is frustrated
under that facade of indifference.
She sees that he is just another Force.
Glorified and driven away from Reality.

She begins to speak.

"Fate.
You've always been on my side.
And everybody else's.
We've all just never realized
The game is not as simple as it looks -

You're tired,
You're pale,
You're frustrated,
You're human."

His jaw drops.

"So I promise you;

Love,
No judgement,
Belief,
And Faith.
Forevermore.

That is my offer to you."

He smiles,
Slow and genuine.
His eyes are nearly full.
He says to her,
"Go live your life.
I'm here for you.

You've shown me love.
You've shown me trust.
You've shown me belief.
You've shown me faith.

You've given me hope.

For that, I am grateful.
Forevermore."

He embraces her.

They depart as old friends.
____________________________

She felt lost in class.
She didn't know what to do.

Their eyes met.

He smiled. Soft. Warm. Welcoming.
She smiled. Accepting. Trusting. Hoping.

This could feel like home, if he had felt it too.

Fate could be written yourself. You just had to be strong enough.