Between Realities

Okay, something is definitely off.

(M) Shadow Sabre/Dark Elite POV:

When Gänger was the one who walked through the door, everyone seemed to relax. Dopple jumped off the couch and practically tackled Gänger, hugging her tight. Something about it made my heart jump weird. I wasn't sure what to think about what Gänger said when she was hugged, though.

"This is a strange tackle. If you're trying to restrain me, if you want something, it isn't working."

Dopple looked astonished, stepping away from her heartfelt embrace with a somewhat amused look. " 'A strange tackle'? It's called a hug, silly," she teased her sister.

I noticed that Gänger, however, was not amused. Or annoyed. Or happy. She wasn't really anything. Just... blank. "I'm anything but silly. Now, tell me why you're in my house."

I glanced back at M, wondering what he was thinking about this whole scenario, but he had a similarly blank expression. Not dull like Gänger's, but distant like Dopple's had been just moments before. I wasn't sure where M was now, but he certainly wasn't in the moment with us. He was thinking about something else. It worried me, but I was more concerned about how Gänger was acting. I didn't know her, but I could tell she was off.

"Because I live here?? And I invited these two, but I guess you wouldn't know them yet."

"You don't live here. This is my house, and I think you should leave."

"You're- you're kidding, right? Because if this is a joke, it isn't funny. I'm your sister, Gänger. You can't just toss me out of our home!" Dopple was beginning to sound panicked.

"I have no sister. Stop making obvious lies and leave."

"You-.. What do you mean 'no sister'?! I'm standing right in front of you!"

I could feel myself tensing, and glancing at M, I noticed he was back with us- his gaze wasn't distant anymore.

"It's just as I said. I live alone. I don't know who you are, or why you're in my house, but you need to leave."

Dopple gave a hard sigh, then, turning back to us for a moment, she said, "Elite, M. Turn away."

At first I hesitated. Turn away? Why does she want us to turn away? What's going to happen? But I saw the intensity and seriousness in her voice and gaze, so I obeyed, and noticed that M did the same. I felt even more tense than before as I stared down, facing away from the two sisters.

"Look at me, Gänger. Do you really not recognize me? We look almost identical! Look at my face, Gänger. Tell me, do you really not know who I am?" I heard Dopple say, and I felt a sharp pang of pity for her. I could tell from her tone that she was beginning to lose hope.

"Like I said, I don't know who you are. Now get out of my house."

I heard movement. Fabric brushing against something, then the sound of a sword being taken from its hilt. I inwardly apologized to Dopple as I turned to look at what was happening. And boy am I glad that I did. Faster than I'd done anything else in my life, I was on my feet and pulling Dopple back from the sharp, glistening metal pointed at her. She didn't fight it, quickly stepping back to my side. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a look of astonishment from M.

"Don't make me say it again, intruders. Get. Out. Of. My. House," Gänger said, her voice, though emotionless, seeming as sharp as her sword.