Ruse of Spirit

Chapter 10 What We Do

"Hey, Eima." Rima looked up from her working station. She had a tool in one hand, with pieces of technology and wires strewn across the table.

"How's it going?" Eima slid in to the tall black seat in front of her. "Busy, busy as usual, huh?"

"Yep." Rima placed the tool down and sighed. "All this Spectre activity's been bothering me though."

Eima's gaze slid to the candy bars wrappers to Rima's left. She'd been eating more than usual huh? Eima thought back to the boy, Bashir. His half black Ruuh. She had begun doubting her choice. She wasn't sure if it was right for her to let him go. She saw fear in his eyes. She understood the taste of it. She'd simply loosened his chains by letting him go. Someone would be bound to know of him. Another Status Quo, or other Spectres. She'd decided. She'd tell Rima about it.

"I thought you would be the last to be scared." Eima reached her hand out to one of the candy bars.

Rima's hand planted on the bar before she cound make contact. "Oh, I'm not scared. I mean, I know how to build weapons of mass destruction." Rima grinned up at Eima who leaned back and slumped into her seat.

"I know. You're a queen." Eima raised an eyebrow at her and smiled slightly.

Rima chuckled. She stretched her arms above her head. Her voice was strained as she spoke. "But, damn, there's too many of them. That means there's more negative energy out there in the city." Rima looked down at her workstation and picked at one of the parts and connected a wire.

Eima nodded and licked her dry lips. "Yeah, well, we'll give 'em hell."

Rima looked up at Eima from her glasses. "Oh yeah." She drawled.

They both shared a chuckle.

Liam stirred his cup with a small silver spoon. The cream in his coffee followed the motion as it was caught up in the small whirlpool. "So, wait, have you told anyone yet?"

Eima tilted her head. "I'm planning on telling Rima about it tonight."

They were sitting in a small café. It was one of Eima's favourite places to go. Not many people would be here, especially in the afternoon. The red booths kept conversations more private. She was sitting with Liam and Saim in one in the farther right of the shop.

"A black ruuh. So, this guy was a spectre?" Liam glanced at Saim as the boy took a bite out of his burger.

"No... I mean, I don't really know. He looked human...but appearances can be deceiving, so who knows." Eima shrugged. She had no doubt the boy, Bashir was human. Somehow, he had some Spectre in him. So, he was some kind of hybrid.

Saim was sitting farther from them in the booth opposite to them. He wouldn't really be able to hear them.

"Hey! Eima, can we get a snack too?" Saim look a sip of his soda and then waved a hand.

Eima rolled her eyes. "Yeah, in a second."

"Eima." Liam leaned toward her.

Eima met eyes with him. That look of sadness pricked her heart. Or, was it concern? "Yeah?"

"You really seem more distant than usual. If... if something's bothering you, you can always talk to me. I'll be here for you." He smiled.

Eima's heart was pounding her chest. She didn't want to get so close to him often. It hurt. Those memories from her past didn't let go. They'd become scars she hid away. Marks that would show up if she'd cry, or if she let herself say too much. Even though she knew Liam for two years, she didn't let him get too close. Lately, she could feel herself slip. He was a breath away from breaking her. She found that she wanted it. For once she wanted someone to protect her.