Across the Tracks, Right?

[tamaracorine]

Jamie rolled her eyes as he teased her, laughing a little. She let him go on, wanting to hear the answer to her next question. She would feel bad when she betrayed Quin. He was charming, and he was kind, even though he didn't want others to see him being so. But she had to go home. She needed to. She couldn't be here forever.


"That's a scary thought." she told him honestly. "It'd scare me to rely so much on a power that I didn't entirely understand. I guess the technology we have is the same, but it's separate from us, so it feels different... maybe. I think I'm biased, though." she tugged at the sleeves of the jumpsuit. "I'll stop quizzing you now. I'm out of questions for the moment, anyway." she smirked at him.

 

[Sero]

"Oh yes, I was waiting for this moment! Finally a some silence woman!" I cried softly before snickering to himself about something he found funny. He smiled for a bit, eating up what she said before leaning back. "It's terrifying. I wonder if I'll turn to dust too." He said suddenly before sitting up and standing. "Hey we should go and get your clothes right? I have to embroider those things you know. Lots of time will be wasted if you don't get your ass off the seat."


Oh yes, he wanted to get going. Since he kept letting himself slip about this and that. "I heard something scary about your side from an old friend of mine. He said it's something that most of your side doesn't know about. I haven't told anyone, since I think he's lying. Want to know what it is?" He asked, tipping his head back to look at Jamie, a hard to read expression painted across his face.

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie finished her coffee and stood up. She liked knowing that she could get Quin's defences down; it was a small bit of power she had in a situation where she was otherwise helpless. She followed him out of the cafe, her eyes down again to avoid meeting the stares of people that passed by them.


"I'd love to know what it is, but I'm sure you'll want something in return for it... so how about you tell me what you want in return, and then I'll think about whether or not I want to know now, or I want until you're so eager to tell me that the information explodes out of you?" She shifted her eyes to look up at him briefly, the smirk reappearing on her face briefly.

 

[Sero]

"Oh no. I'm perfectly content with taking the information with me to the grave. You probably don't know either. That friend I was talking about was a traveler that stayed for a bit. I hear he went on your side too and talked to people. He told me something scary about your side....but....if you don't want to know. Then I won't need to tell~" He actually wanted to know for himself whether the information was true but. The idea of it scared him so in the end he didn't ask.


"Oh look, clothing store. Pick something." He said, moving his hand to touch her back and lead her in. She didn't know. Then we would never know. "What color would you like, they have long sleeves and short sleeves. Just keep it modest. Wouldn't want anyone to have the horror of laying eyes on you." He joked. Hoping she'd forget. He was actually kind of scared of Jamie. He would never tell her that though.

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie made a mental note to ask him later. She wanted to know, desperately, but it was something she'd prefer to find out about without people staring at her. Perhaps, she thought, she could offer him a back massage in exchange for that information. She nodded to herself and looked around the clothing store.


"Are you saying my clothes yesterday weren't modest?" Jamie asked him curiously, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Because I happen to own much shorter shorts than what I was wearing. And skirts that barely deserve the name 'skirt'. They probably fit better in the category of 'belt'." she was teasing, and it showed. She chose some simple clothing - jeans and t-shirts - wanting to get out of the public eye as quickly as she could.


"Ah, Quin." the woman who worked in the store smiled at him. "I heard a rumour that you found one of these yesterday." she looked at Jamie for a moment, "I'm surprised you managed to tame it so quickly. My father once found out and was allowed to keep it. They tried to run every day for a month."

 

[Sero]

"Sure they were....okay." He replied, before shrugging lightly. He actually liked them but his father wanted him to keep her modest. Possibly belittle her. He wasn't really sure. In actuality he wasn't really sure about this whole war at all. His dream was to take over both sides. Be the awesome ruler, and have everything work out under his feet. His friends called him stupid for that one. Which was true, that one was pretty stupid.


Glancing over at the counter he smiled lightly. "How are you?" He stated, moving into the personality he took with his father. To avoid conflict. When he was ruling he'd set up a better system. His father was getting him ready for that. "I did find her yesterday." He stated, refusing to use it, since it sounded awkward. He didn't even call his dog it. He called is dog Marsha. If dogs could have names, servants could too. However he was too lax to argue about it with his people. "You shouldn't be sot surprised....if you make them feel like they don't have to leave then they won't.


Quin was deathly scared that Jamie would run away with his stories.

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie stood slightly behind Quin as he spoke, her eyes down. She looked perfectly submissive as she stood there, experimenting with what she assumed would have to become a habit. It seemed that Quin used a completely different persona to speak to others than he did when he was speaking to just her. She understood, even though she thought it was somewhat cowardly.


The woman began to scan the clothes and put them in bags, "If I ever find one myself I'll definitely give it a try." she told him, "Though, I doubt someone in my position would be allowed to keep one. She had Quin pay for the clothes and then smiled at him, "See you next time!" she told him cheerily.


Jamie followed Quin out of the store, "Thanks for not calling me 'it'. I appreciate actually retaining my gender."

 

[Sero]

Quin smiled politely. "Of course, you have a nice day as well!" Took the bags as well as his change before moving out with Jamie.


At her comment he smiled slightly, before shrugging. "Well, calling you it would be weird since..." He paused, taking a moment to look her up and down before turning away. "Because it's obvious that you're a girl. Calling you it would ruin my subconscious. It would be like lying." He said, looking her over a again before laughing awkwardly. "Let's get these embroidered shall we?" He mumbled, starting on the way home again.


He would have to use magic again, however putting his mark on clothes wasn't nearly as hard as on a person. He smiled slightly before debating something in his head. Maybe.... "Maybe you could tell me what you've heard about this side when I'm busy with these clothes."

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie met his gaze as he looked at her, her lips curving into that lopsided smile again. She wondered if the circumstances were different, if she and Quin would have actually been friends in the real sense of the word. She walked a little more comfortably, her shoulders slightly less hunched and her eyes staring at the ground ahead of her instead of directly as her feet.


"But that would mean I was telling you a story... in exchange for you marking items of clothing in such a way that's intended to remind me that I'm someone's possession. That seems contrary to the spirit of our story sharing arrangement thus far, and I've got to be honest with you, I don't think I'm ready to blindly obey a command you give me... even if it is to tell a story." she met his gaze for a few moments, playfulness obvious in her expression.

 

[Sero]

Quin could;t help a slight smile towards her. She was really cute, if she had been on this side from the start....could he have dated her? He shook his head and chided himself on being a fool before hearing her voice bob up again. Only hearing maybe the second part of what she said. "Well, then, I'll tell you a story or something. What do you want to hear about?" He asked, putting down the clothes and setting them out to embrued. If he did that it wouldn't be too bad. everything was organized.


"Better tell me now so I can start soon. I'd really like to hear whatever you've come up with on your side about us."

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie sat down on the floor as Quin set the clothes out, sitting near the window in the sunshine again. She frowned as she tried to think about what she was curious about. "I want to hear about the first bit of magic you did. What was it, and how did you parents react? I've always imagined it was sort of like our first steps..."


She pushed her hair to the side so that the shaved section was visible again, feeling less self conscious now that they weren't in public. Her eyes drifted down to the mark on her arm, examining it curiously. She had always wanted a tattoo. This wasn't exactly how she wanted to get one, but it did look sort of pretty.

 

[Sero]

"Eh, first huh?" Quin asked, dragging a chair over and sitting by the clothes before taking a shirt and starting to lightly snap his fingers. "I broke a window and gave my mom a heart attack. She thought someone was coming in to kidnap her baby. However what really happened was a pot left in the window, and I accidentally made the plant grow because I was crying so loud. So the plant broke the window and just grew. I think it was because I was upset and my magic was just developing. Father was really excited, he seemed pretty happy about the window but, mother sure wasn't they moved my nursery room to a place with reinforced windows, hahaha."

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie grinned as he finished his story, laughing. She didn't sound scared or withdrawn or timid at all as she laughed, genuinely enjoying Quin's company for the first time, letting her guard down and watching as he clicked, seeing the marks appear on the clothing. She fell silent for a few moments, then realised how much she had relaxed and adjusted her posture, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around her knees, her head resting on top of them. She withdrew as quickly as she had come out of her shell, remembering where she was and what situation she was in.


'You're property,' she thought to herself. 'You don't laugh with the person who has claimed ownership of you, no matter how nice they are to you. Don't be an idiot.' she directed her eyes back to the ground as she mentally chastised herself.

 

[Sero]

Quin paused to look at his work before glancing back hearing her laugh. He stared at her, watching her curl up before he turned around again. "I like that sound by the way." He mumbled, picking up the next shirt and rhythmically snapping again. "If we were different people....no. Nevermind. Here. I finished the first set of clothes. I'm just going to finished this one. You might feel more comfortable to wear these." He frowned at her before turning back.


"Have you heard about magic batteries?" He asked suddenly, starting to snap his fingers again. "Their devices that work from a person imputing mana into a capsule, and changed into potential energy. Then later activated, like our lamps around town. Since you guys cut off most the electricity we store mana and use it later...." He wasn't sure why he was suddenly pouring stuff out about this side, but for some reason he felt uncomfortable in the silence. Was she making him....soft? That was scary.

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie picked up the clothes, turning to walk out of the room, but pausing as he asked about magic batteries. She had heard rumours, sure. But she didn't know enough to comment. Something she hadn't yet shared with Quin was that her father did the exact same job as his, except on her side of town. She had walked away from her family when they began speaking of those with magic as creatures of evil. She couldn't think of any human that way.


It wasn't information she was eager to share, and the magic batteries were something that her knowledge of would give Quin too much insight into her life. She shrugged. "I've heard rumours, is all. But nothing conclusive." she walked into the bathroom and changed out of the jumpsuit and into the jeans and black t-shirt. She looked more comfortable in them, and returned to her place on the floor by the window, unable to hide her discomfort about his question - she was a bad liar. It was obvious she had lied.

 

[Sero]

"I heard a rumor." Quin mumbled. "That there are such things as...living magic batteries." He knew that she was changing and didn't hear him. He decided not to say much more, or else the magic wouldn't last for him. He wasn't really looking to cast a spell, he was possibly fooling himself. He was unsure why he had grown so attached to a girl within a day. It made him nervous. Very nervous and insecure.


When she came back out he had finished the second set, since he was getting faster. "Are you feeling sick?" Quin asked, seeing that her closed off position didn't look so good, or at least, he felt like she was acting weird again. Again stating that she was acting like the first time they met. "I finished my side so I need to go out and check the wall again before I go to dinner....you can stay here if you want."

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie shook her head, "No. I'm okay." she told him, forcing a smile. She met his gaze as he mentioned that she could stay behind, concern obvious in her expression. She didn't want to be left behind. She didn't know what his father would be like if she was left alone, but she refused to admit she was scared. She looked away from him again, her fingers absent mindedly tracing the mark on her arm.


"I... uh..." she began to speak, then shook her head and sighed, tucking her head between her legs as she tried to force herself to calm down.

 

[Sero]

"You want to come?" He asked. "You won't run away?" He asked, his eyes slightly pleading. He was even more insecure about her leaving. It was a weird feeling. He swallowed and stood up. "Sorry, I haven't eaten much today, so I might be feeling sick." He stated, trying to cover up for sudden;y acting so weak in front of her. He smiled the best he could but it probably looked forced. Seeing her made him question things and it wasn't always pleasant.


He walked over to her and offered his hand. "Come on. Let's hurry up if you do." Quin limply waved his hand, feeling like he was trying to lure a cat with no treats. "I'm not in a mood for a story anymore, but we can get some food..."

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie took his hand and let him pull her up, brushing herself off and shaking her head, "I won't run away." she assured him, slipping her hands in her pockets. "Have you already forgotten the conversation in the clothing store where I stood like a good little pet human and let that woman speak about me like I was an 'it'?" she asked, "Or perhaps the fact that I keep my mouth permenantly shut in your father's presence?" she met his gaze reluctantly. "I'm not running away. I'm... I'm trying to accept what I am..." a tone of sadness entered her voice at that moment.


"Quin!" his father's voice came from his study. "Come here, boy. I want to speak to you about something!"

 

[Sero]

Quin opened his mouth to say something, his eyes meeting her for a second. "Jamie....I think I've met yo-" He jumped as his fathers voice suddenly rose, making him swallow slightly. Why was he wavering. Why was she making him hesitate so badly the he wanted to cry. He didn't of course. However she just....looked so sad...was it his fault? He motioned for her to stay put before moving out the door.


Quickly making his way to the study that was his fathers. She wouldn't run away but...why did he feel so.... "Disgusting. I'm..." He shook his head and chided himself to have more confidence before entering his father's study. "Father what is it, your voice sounded urgent."

 

[tamaracorine]

"There's a city council meeting tomorrow, and I want you to come with me. I think you're ready to get a glimpse into what it looks like to run this city." his father told him. "What do you say, son?" he smiled at him, pride evident in his expression. "It'd be an honour to have you sit by my side."


Jamie watched Quin leave and sat down on the edge of his bed, letting her head rest in her hands. Tears began to fall from her eyes, and she hoped she would hear Quin coming back in time to clear them away. She just needed to let some of them out - then, she might be able to control her emotions later.

 

[Sero]

Ah, there was that spark. His father was going to insist that he come perhaps. He'd have to answer accordingly. "Of course father, I would love to see how this city runs. I can't say I have anything else I'd rather do tomorrow." He was smiling at him, he was proud and wanted to bring his son up as a respectable leader.


For once, his fathers beaming face mad him a little ill. He willed himself to look confident and quickly brought himself together. "It would be an honor to sit beside you as well, Father." Why was this so hard, if this had been yesterday he would have been much more excited. He smiled politely. Hoping it didn't look like he was grimacing.

 

[tamaracorine]

"I look forward to it, then." he nodded, "You can go do... whatever it is you were doing." he smiled, waving his son out of the room before turning his attention back to his work. He had a smile on his face - obviously proud of his boy for beginning to grow into the role he had, by everyone's expectations, been born for.


Jamie furiously wiped at her eyes, taking deep breaths to try and calm herself down, but her brief time of letting her emotions get the best of her seemed to have let her emotions get a tight grip on her, and her breathing came hard and fast, as if she was on the verge of a panic attack, tears flowing fast.

 

[Sero]

Quin frowned the second he left the room, pacing quickly to his room before stopping. Hearing a sound he wasn't accustomed to. He swallowed and very carefully opened the door before silently shutting it behind him. Locking it and staring at Jamie. Who looked like a sudden mess. Quin felt like his heart had dropped out of his chest. He almost couldn't swallow. Why was everything falling apart just on the second day? He reached into his pocket and sat down in front of her. More like plopping himself down.


"Want to see a magic trick?" He asked, showing her the seed in his hand. "Well?"

 

[tamaracorine]

Jamie didn't look at him at first, too embarrassed by her emotions. She couldn't speak, her breathing too rapid to get words out. She reluctantly looked towards his hand, nodding and shifting her eyes to meet his. She was clearly embarrassed, but there was nothing she could do - she was sitting right on the verge of a panic attack, a mess of tears as she sat on the bed of the man who this side of the city considered to be her owner. She moved her eyes back to his hand, waiting to see the magic trick.