Destination, Part 9 - Tales of the Parodyverse

Destination Part 9

    Liu Xi seemed small and frightened as she entered the office of the Head of the Lair Legion. She felt she had reason to be apprehensive as she glanced around the room and noticed all the big players - Hatman, CSFB!, Yuki Shiro, Mr. Epitome, Manga Shoggoth and Ebony, even Sir Mumphrey Wilton. It had all the scary makings of either a private tribunal or an intervention.

    "We know what happened to Exu," Yuki began. She did so purposely because she knew that introduction would put Liu Xi at ease.

    And it did. Liu Xi felt the fear melt away, but it was immediately replaced with worry. What did he do? Was he coming back?

    "It seemed he freed a group of children about to be sold as slaves," the Manga Shoggoth briefly interjected.

    "Oh." Liu Xi felt relieved but couldn't help but also feel a little chilled, instinctively knowing that there would be something bad added to that story.

    "But he killed everyone guarding them in quite brutal ways," Ebony added.

    "Oh." Liu Xi repeated again, this time sounding more downbeat. She expected it, though. She avoided looking at anyone directly, thinking that she would be blamed somehow. And her fears were somewhat confirmed with the next words spoken.

    "He left a message with them," Ebony explained. "To tell a girl that she knows how hard things can get at the extremes, and that she didn't go there for nothing."

    "Ebony thinks he means you, though there are literally millions on this planet alone who fit that phrasing," Manga Shoggoth added.

    Liu Xi's frown deepened, and she could barely look in Jay's direction anymore.

    "We think this means he might try to come back for you at some point," Yuki contributed in a hushed voice.

    Hatman sounded very determined when he added, "We're not going to let that happen. He's hurt you enough."

    "Please, stop. Please." Liu Xi blurted out suddenly. She looked at Hatman and then at Yuki. "Don't you see? He loves a a fight. He would love to kill all of you and try to convince me that it was for the best. It's what he does."

    Yuki looked confused. "What should we do, then? We can't let him come here and snatch you away again."

    Liu Xi bit her lip and thought for a moment, trying to sort out whether the response in her mind was true or simply some kind of warped impression. "I think...what he said, it means he will listen to me now. He won't take me away if I don't wish it."

    "You can't be sure of that," Hatman pointed out.

    "I know," she whispered almost impatiently. She looked at Jay sadly as she continued. "It's a better chance than watching you all die fighting him. That's permanent. He won't kill me at least."

    Hatman and Yuki looked at each other. They both knew what the Doomherald was capable of, and that Liu Xi's words were the cold hard truth.

    "This meeting is a waste of time," Mr. Epitome grumbled, his arms folded.

    "Chill, Dominic," Yuki requested. She smiled at him as she said that, trying to keep him calm. "I asked you here because you're a smart guy. Maybe you see something in the story or Liu Xi's reactions that we're missing?"

    "She's afraid of him," Dominic replied. "Plain and simple. She doesn't want him anywhere near here. I also think she's underestimating us."

    "No, I'm not," Liu Xi interrupted. "I think you can fight him and win, but the cost will be too high." She shook her head sadly. "I don't want to see that." She looked at Dominic and finally agreed, "Yes, I am afraid...of what he can do to all of us."

    Dominic rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything in reply. He just left his spot in the corner of the room and stalked out of Hatman's office.

    "May I speak to you alone?" Liu Xi asked Jay quietly.

    He looked at her for a moment, and then at the others in the room. "Sure," he said. "Guys?"

    "Me too?" Yuki asked.

    Liu Xi looked at Jay to confirm with a glance that was a yes, and Jay passed it along to Yuki as a nod.

    "You heard the man," Yuki informed the others. "And Manga Shoggoth, please use the door this time."

    As they all left Manga Shoggoth grumbled to Ebony about humans' tendency to restrict their exits to two dimensional rectangular structures.


---

    "Why did you invite everyone?" Liu Xi asked impatiently once the last person left and the office door was safely closed.

    "I wanted you to feel protected," Jay replied confidently. "After what happened to you the last few times--"

    "Maybe I want to protect you this time," she interrupted him. And in a softer voice, "Maybe I think there is less risk to me than to all of you with this. He will hurt you without hesitation but me...I am different."

    Jay didn't have a response to that. He quietly suspected that she might be right.

    "Can you trust me, Jay?" she asked. "Can you trust me to try and protect the Lair Legion from Exu?"

    Jay nodded. "I can," he replied reluctantly. "But you have to promise me something. That you'll let us back you up if you get into trouble. That if you get in over your head you'll let us know."

    "I promise." Liu Xi nodded in agreement. "And I am flattered you still want to protect me after--" she stopped and didn't say any more on that subject.

    Jay took both of her hands gently and smiled. "Just stay safe and make it worthwhile, okay?"

    She smiled too and nodded. "I'm so glad I can talk to you," she said softly as he let go of her hands.

    "What about Yuki, or Ebony, or the Manga Shoggoth, or Chiaki?" he asked.

    She sighed before she replied. "Manga Shoggoth can't relate to a lot. Ebony is out of touch. Yuki is always in a hurry, and Chiaki is sweet but she is a loner and is nervous speaking to people."

    "Really?" Jay asked.

    Liu Xi nodded. "You didn't discover that while you were sleeping with her?"

    He looked completely embarassed at that moment. "I was very lonely at the time. I didn't really take the time I should have to get to know her real well. She really is very sweet...very deep...and she's good company."

    She leaned against the desk and smiled. "Your love life is so dramatic. Part of me is glad I have no part of it."

    "Maybe that's what makes me so comfortable around you," he laughed. He leaned against the desk next to her and crossed his arms.

    Liu Xi responded to that by turning her head and looking up at him. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that," she whispered softly. "It makes me feel I'm truly home again."

    Jay looked at her, and she was crying again. But this time it was happy tears, because she was smiling too. He raised one arm and hugged her with it gently.

TO BE CONTINUED?

-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2007 by Jason Froikin, and may not be
-- reprinted without permission.
-- Liu Xi Xian, Yuki Shiro, Lara Night, Chiaki Bushido (Psychic Samurai) (C) 2006 by Jason Froikin, all rights reserved
-- All other characters property of their respective owners

Post By Anime Jason Sun Jan 07, 2007 at 02:18:09 pm EST	Subject Destination, Part 9

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