“No...and neither are you,” Sasha told, but her words didn't reach her.
“You don't need to lie, Sasha. I already know we died when I fell off the platform...into the star. The voice told me if I wanted release from the torture to let go...so I did. But it lied, now I'm stuck in everlasting torture with these other dead,” she pointed to the strange stones.
“What do you mean torture?” Vickie's voice went cold. Sasha turned, prepared to snap. But the anger drained as she saw tears in Vickie's eyes, tears of love for the woman who survived hell alongside her.
“Oh...I'm so sorry. I love you all...too much, and I began to hate you for it...not consciously, but unconsciously. Always looking at you and Trent, jealous of your closeness, not just of him to you, but of you to him...Oh Sasha, I'm so sorry!” Tiana sobbed as she spit out words Sasha had no idea existed. Have I been so blinded by my love for Trent that I missed my best friends suffering? The thought made her squirm.
“Tiana...since when did you have such thoughts? Why didn't you tell me?” she responded, whispering the question as kindly as she could into her friend's ear.
“I don't know. They surfaced when I was about to die...oh, I'm sorry,” she continued to sob.
“It is fine, Tiana, we...we all have such thoughts, but what's important is what you do with them...” Vickie said as she kneeled at her side, rubbing the young girls back.
“What...what do you mean?” Tiana hiccupped.
“Share these thoughts and let us help you deal with them. Trent and Sasha love you very much, no matter how much you think you may hurt them with your words, they will always forgive you,” Vickie leaned in and kissed Tiana's forehead, then Sasha's cheek with a wink.
“Tiana...you've always known this,” Sasha whispered.
“Yes, but...but...but since we are dead it will forever haunt me...this unspoken lie...” Sasha sighed and looked at Vickie, who smiled.
“Vin, are we dead?” Vickie asked.
“No. Mazart Vickie Alutia is currently in her bed, Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia is currently on the floor of her bedchamber, Lady Tiana is currently in emergency medical tube seventy-nine in medical bay one,” Sasha flushed when she heard where she slept, the floor, suddenly recalling how she got there.
“See?” Vickie said, trying to contain a sly smile at what she too must of recognized as the reason Sasha would be sleeping on the floor. Tiana looked between them both, eyes wide and dress fluttering between red and black.
“But...but if that is true, why are we with the dead?” Tiana asked as she again pointed to the rows of strange stones, her voice finally starting to return to normal.
“What do you mean, Tiana? You keep mentioning the dead. But we are in Trent's mind,” Sasha said.
“The stones...they have the names of the dead...” Tiana explained.
Sasha gently released her and walked to the first stone. “Marcello Family, Derrick, Grace, Wilson, Francis, Thomas, Aaron, Donna...” the names listed went on almost to the ground. Marcello, it was Trent's family name from Earth.
“Sasha! It says Baron Tuhbil!” Vickie shouted from a few stones away.
“Most of the names appear to be of people from Earth, but there are others, some without names, just descriptions...like that one,” Tiana pointed from where she sat, her dress starting to shimmer red, but with a black outline. Sasha and Vickie both moved to the stone and Sasha gasped.
“In memory of unknown man killed by Trent during liberation of Heclutia,” Vickie read. Sasha stared in shock, eyes wide, then moved to the next, and the next, finding they all said similar things.
“This cannot be all the people Trent has...” Sasha shook off Vickie's words before she could finish her thought.
“No, it is all the people he thinks he is responsible for killing. He still thinks he is responsible for Earth...” the thought trailed off. It was unbelievable. How could he hide such a thought from me? She was furious, grabbing Vickie's hand and storming back to Tiana's side.
“I need to talk to Trent,” she stated.
Tiana nodded and stood, happily grasping Sasha's free hand. “It's warm,” she smiled, a little color returning to her bronze cheeks.
“So, how do we find him?” Vickie asked, looking back across the tumbling meadows which seemed to extend for eternity in all directions.
Sasha opened her bond, finding a strange loneliness filling it immediately, and began to walk towards it source. “This way,” she said with confidence, increasing her step as she noticed the ladies could easily keep pace. The shallow hills rolled by and Sasha found herself falling into more amazement then concern. Trent's mind had changed drastically from the almost a complete wasteland of white “nothingness” the first time she arrived, to a beautiful meadow of dreams.
She stumbled as two figures appeared at the bottom of a shallow valley, picking flowers while dancing and giggling. One had blazing blond hair, like Tiana's, but with curls tumbling over her dainty frame and very serious face, wearing a rose red dress. The other had silver and gold hair flowing over features so perfect that one could only think it fake, and wore a dress that appeared to be made of liquid gold, rippling in the gentle breeze.
“Yukie,” Sasha whispered.
“Regalia!” Tiana and Vickie shouted in unison.
The two young ladies looked up as one. Yukie squealed in delight as she sprinted up the hill with all haste, flowers streaming from her hair. Regalia tried to keep pace, but quickly fell behind, concerned over losing her own flowery crown she had so lovingly arranged.
“Sasha!” Yukie cried as she dove into her arms.
“Yukie, I am glad you are well,” Sasha smiled as she kissed the young girls cheek, causing her to blush with the familiar, ever present grin.
“Of course! I'm so happy. This is Trent's mind, isn't it? The Mendthil Phenomenon, or something close to it!” Yukie responded rapidly, bouncing in place as Sasha released her, hugging both Vickie and Tiana in turn.
“Yes, but...but why...why how are you here?” Sasha asked with wonder, waving for Regalia to approach, who for some reason hid behind Yukie.
“I missed you, Sasha,” Regalia squeaked as she buried her head in Sasha's bosom.
“I missed you too, Regalia,” Sasha responded, feeling tears of joy rolling down her cheeks at the unexpected reunion.
“Trent's mind visited me and Toonga said I should follow, so I grabbed Regalia and here we are!” Yukie squirmed into the hug, a moment before Tiana and Vickie squeezed in as well.
The tender embrace lasted for a few peaceful moments until Vickie's hand started roaming, touching and squeezing places that were completely inappropriate. Sasha tried to break free, but the tangled limbs caused them all to tumble through the grass, laughing joyously, at friends, family reunited. Sasha turned to the two young ladies who were trying to hide from Vickie, who prowled like a lioness through the knee high grass.
“I heard you both had quite the adventure...chasing ASU starships then ordering the captain to ram a super-capital. What am I going to do with you two?” Regalia blushed, but Yukie smiled.
“Well...you will be listening to my commands for an entire day...since I won!” Yukie shouted.
“Is that so? Well, since you didn't actually win, but ordered Regalia to withdraw, we may require a rematch,” Yukie frowned, looking at the other smiling ladies for support.
“That's not fair!” she pouted. Sasha laughed.
“Oh...it's only fair, Empress,” Tiana broke in, her normal demeanor returning.
“Toonga! I'm right, aren't I?” Yukie asked her ever present Program.
“A rematch in a noble competition may be requested by the loser if circumstances of a loss are deemed abnormal.” Everyone turned to Regalia, who was blushing in embarrassment.
“But I promised Yukie,” Regalia said. Yukie turned to Tiana and stuck out her tongue.
“Yukie, that is very unladylike. Regalia, dear, please remember what Yukie would request,” Sasha pleade
d as she kneeled beside the young girl, staring into her eyes. But she wasn't prepared for the determination that flowed back. Regalia had made up her mind.
“I'm sorry, Sasha. I know I promised to try my best, but I made a bad mistake, and I have to take my punishment,” Regalia sounded torn.
“But you aren't being punished, Regalia. Trent and I are, please, would you reconsider?” she pushed, but knew it was in vain, seeing Regalia turn to Yukie.
“I understand. Yukie, can we discuss this later? When we exit the medical tubes?” Yukie nodded and turned to Sasha, curtsying in response to her iron stare.
“Well, well, well...this should be entertaining,” Vickie placed an arm through hers, smiling in her usual, naughty manner.
“Not you too?” Sasha groaned as a laugh escaped the group of ladies.
They were all together again, well, not really, only in Trent's mind, but still together. It made her feel warm as she looked at each lady in turn, no longer just ladies, but family. They were her family and she would do anything to keep them safe.
“Where's Trent? Isn't this his mind?” Yukie asked, skipping away with a twirl.
“We are going to find him,” Sasha said, worry overtaking her. “And since you two were not here last time,”
“Last time?” Yukie questioned excitedly as she rushed back to her side.
“A certain Lady Vickie needed some help, and Trent used one of his own experiences to assist said lady,” Tiana moved to Vickie's other side, wrapping her arm through hers.
Vickie blushed, noticeably embarrassed. “And that is all you ladies need to know!” Vickie declared as her hand moved over Tiana's bosom.
The girl squealed and retreated to a safe distance. “Vickie!” Tiana managed to get the word out.
“It's not your real body, my dear Tiana.” Vickie purred as she crept closer, a predator on the hunt. “So let me explore!” Tiana fled like the wind with Vickie in hot pursuit, Yukie and Regalia joining the fun, laughing gaily as they followed close behind. Sasha sighed as she too joined her laughing ladies, feeling the breeze against her skin that filled her with memories of Trent and those she loved.
*********
Eyes of blue azure twinkled as his lover stared back at him, a woman so beautiful he never would have thought it possible for a man such as he to be her companion. He took a sip of his 2087 Chianti Classico, letting the gentle music and sweet aroma of the many delectable dishes wash over him as they finished dining at the Villia Bestia. It was considered the most elegant, and of course, highest rated, Italian restaurant in the new east district of Old Boston, built on the new land reclaimed from the last remnants of Boston Harbor.
Only the best for his love, he thought, and this was the only proper place for them to take the next step. “Samantha...will you move in with me?” he asked confidently, squeezing her hands, seeing an unexpected change in her demeanor for a moment, before returning to the pleasant smile she always presented him, his smile.
“Darling...we have only been together for a few months,” six months actually, he thought. “And we still don't know everything about each other,” strange, she should know everything about him and he remembered everything about her. “So let's take it slow, continue the status quo...ok, darling?” she released his hands, lightly brushing his cheek. He repressed a sigh; of course it was too early.
“Oh, look at the time...Waiter!” Samantha gestured to the Maitre D' in the white dress shirt and black pants standing at the edge of the small dining area.
“Check, please,” she instructed as the man approached.
“Of course,” the man nodded and moved away, walking across the bar's white marble flooring, past a group of executives watching a corporate speech, and into the backroom.
“I can get this one, Samantha,” he offered as he saw her checking the time.
“You sure, darling? I should pay once in awhile.” There was no honesty in her words.
“I'm sure...you have your weekend obligations and I've kept you much too long,” she smiled and stood, leaning in to kiss him tenderly on the cheek.
“That's why I love you,” she whispered as she turned and walked away. Trent stared at her perfect figure, outlined by her black cocktail dress, as she sauntered through the crowd, turning slightly to give him a wink before she exited the door. His mind blew away at the sight.
She was perfect.
“Thank you, sir,” the waiter said stiffly as Trent handed his credit chit, knowing already the price would be well beyond what his salary should allow. After a moment, the man returned and Trent stood to leave, freezing in place when he noticed Samantha's cylindrical mobile communication device, or MCD, peeking out from under a napkin.
“Oh no...” he muttered as he picked it up and ran for the door.
The MCD was her life and she would be completely lost without it; he had to return it to her. The thought of how he would be her hero, and maybe she would even allow him to accompany her this weekend, filled his mind. Her MCD vibrated as he ran through the Friday night crowds, pulling his mind free of his momentary fantasy, just as he stumbled into a couple.
“Watch it, buddy!” a burly man bellowed.
“Sorry...it was an accident...” Trent apologized.
“Ya? Well don't let it happen again!” the man pushed him for emphasis.
“Of course...I'm sorry...” Trent apologized, moving back into the crowd and breaking into a brisk walk in the direction of Samantha's apartment, feeling her MCD vibrate again. A strange curiosity overtook him, one he had rarely experienced before. It should be alright to look, he thought, he being her boyfriend and all.
He slowly pushed his way clear of the crowd, leaning up against a brick wall of a nondescript building. With trembling fingers he selected the function list, causing the transparent screen to expand out of the end of the device, the most recent message being displayed on its face. He felt his blood drain as he read those fateful words, then voiced them out loud as if this was only a dream.
“I'm waiting at the usual place. Are you done with your work meeting? I miss you. I wish we could meet more often during the week. Only seeing you on the weekend isn't enough. Love, your fiancé, Connor,” the words sank in and his world went white. He collapsed to his knees and sobbed openly, ignoring the laughter and whispers that spread through the passing crowd.
*********
The world seemed to darken as the ladies pushed through the crowd mulling about Trent in the memory of his mind. Without word, they surrounded him, forcing their love into his sorrow racked being, but were unable to reach him. Sasha tried to snatch the strange device that filled her love with such grief, but her hand past through as if it didn't exist. She concentrated, like in the earlier memories, filling her heart with her strongest emotions, of love and trust, and tried again, passing through untouched.
“It's not working,” Vickie sighed, noticeable concern in her eyes.
“What's different?” Tiana asked as she squinted her entire face, causing it to turn red, before attempting to unsuccessfully touch Trent.
“Maybe the strength of the memory?” Regalia questioned, carefully placing her hand on the edge of Trent’s thigh, before letting it pass slowly through. Of course! Sasha thought, remembering the difficulty Trent had freeing her from the memory of Roberto and his evil friends.
“Trent! What's wrong?” an unfamiliar female voice asked from the edge of the bustling crowd. Sasha turned and held in a gasp as a gorgeous woman rushed to Trent's side.
“Oh my, Sasha...that's some competition...” Vickie whistled, tightening her grip on Sasha's hand.
Sasha knew it was absurd to get jealous over a dead woman, but she couldn't help it. This woman had wormed her way into Trent's heart and then tore it asunder, almost destroying him in the process.
The woman gasped as she read the message on the device Trent handed her, anger flashing in her eyes. But before she could strike Trent with that anger, he ran, and her shout was muffled by h
is memory as the crowd faded.
“Let's go,” she instructed, mind full of determination. It wasn't difficult to keep pace in the dream world, since even if Trent moved, his surrounding's were always the only thing shown. But the feeling of running after him invigorated her, providing her emotions substance.
She would stop him.
Their surroundings became darker and darker, shady looking individuals hiding in the shadows and alleys. A few looked as if they wanted to pursue Trent, obviously seeing his clothing was of a level not usually seen in the rundown neighborhood. But none dared pursue, Trent running like the wind, tears flying from his eyes like a waterfall.
He stumbled to a stop in front of a building with colorfully fluorescent lights in the shape of a nude woman. The building had no windows and it didn't take her long to realize exactly what kind of establishment this was. She ran to the door, turning and putting her hands in front of her.
“No!” she screamed. Trent froze, looking around in confusion, but still blind to her presence.
“No!” Yukie yelled from her side.
“No!” Vickie shouted from her other.
“No!” Regalia's voice squeaked.
But Trent still didn't see them, their voices barely touching his mind. He did, however, finally notice the shady bar as he continued to wipe away the tears. Tiana still stood off to the side, her dress fluctuating between the midnight black and rose red as if she was once again, fighting within herself; her mind in turmoil.
“I...Sasha...I want him to fall! I love him, but...but I want him to fall!” Tiana screamed as she fell to her knees, buying her tear laden face in her hands. Trent responded first, turning, then rushing to her side.
“Are you alright?” he asked, words wobbly, able to see the emotion filled Tiana.
“No, she is not alright!” Sasha walked briskly over and looked deep into Trent's bloodshot eyes, showing confusion as he suddenly could see her as well.
“Oh, um...I'm sorry...I didn't mean-,” Sasha kissed him, so deeply that she felt herself falling into him, merging with his very being.
The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2) Page 76