A Dazzling Trio

Chapter XXIII: It's a Deal, Darling

Chapter XXIII: It's a Deal, Darling

"You look tense." The significant lack of color makes the bathroom feel even darker. It doesn't help that the mirror reflects nothing but her. A black void is behind her.

"Why wouldn't I be? You're here," I remark with a stare. "Every time you appear, I can't help but ask myself what I did to be cursed with your presence." All she does is shrug with a confused look to respond, making me a little more irritated. "Why are you here?" I admit it. My tone is a bit rushed and impatient, but who wouldn't be? I can't tell what she wants and the last thing we did together, she nearly killed a man.

"Calm your jets. I don't know why you have to get so mad every time I am here," she responds while rolling her eyes. "I'm here because I just woke up. How much time has passed?" I can't help but stand there in shock as she simply stretches. Is she serious?

"Aren't you supposed to be awake at the same time as me? You're my literal subconscious..."

"That's usually the case," she responds to me with a chuckle. "But after your friends knocked me out, it made me take control for a couple days. Then I blacked out." Her eyes look towards me with a confused expression. "Relax. I'm not going to do anything. You look as mad as that one princess when she sent her wizard after us."

Taking a deep breath, I look away from the mirror, finding it hard to believe she has been asleep this whole time. "You're seriously telling me you don't want to do anything when you tried to kill that man? And that you haven't been awake these past few DAYS?" The look on her face is one of confusion and wonder, bringing her hand to her chin.

"Huh. So I was in control for a few days and then you've been in control for a few days. Interesting." Chuckling to herself, Umbra shakes her head, bringing her fingers to her forehead. "Also, bold of you to act like I was the only one doing something bad there. I admit that I was going too far by trying to kill him and I apologize for that. We agreed to do things your way, but don't act for a SECOND that you didn't enjoy it too. I know you enjoyed using your magic on him." Her hand raises in the air to point at me, directly challenging my stance on the issue. I would oppose her if I could, but she's right. I did enjoy some of it...

"Still... Listening to you that day was one of my worst mistakes." Honestly, I can't believe she admitted she went too far. If she really is being affected by the magic, that's great. But a little too late...

Sighing, Umbra looks down at the floor. "Listen. I apologize. We agreed to do this your way. I just got... out of control." Despite the fact that I shouldn't believe her, the tone of her voice sounds genuine. Not to mention that she and I have the same goal now. Get our magic back. Even if she would like me to use it for myself again.

"I can't exactly blame you. It did feel... nice," I whisper before rolling my eyes. Looking back up at her, I find it genuinely surprising that she isn't taking control. She has the opportunity, but she is letting me stay in control. "You really don't remember the last few days at all, Umbra?" I ask her with a slight shake of my head, raising my eyebrow.

"Wha...? Oh. That name. Isn't that the shitty title Twilight gave me?" Umbra laughs to herself, seemingly finding it hilarious.

"I've gotten used to referring to you by that in the last few days. Don't blame me." Crossing my arms, I lean against the bathroom wall, the shower behind me gives me intrusive thoughts to fall in. Umbra looks at me with a confused stare before sighing to herself.

"Whatever. What happened in the last few days anyway?" At first, I was convinced that she was acting, but now? It is clear that she is telling the truth. I thought she would have seen everything. We must have been hit pretty hard when we were knocked out to make both of us go unconscious for a period of time.