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Hejira: Crystalline Hall

By Mantrid Brizon

Episode 21: Fissure

Naomi and Faye return to the hut as it becomes dusk. They have been gone for several hours, training in the woods. To their surprise, Kelly isn’t there. They build a small firepit in the center of the floor. Faye constructs a tipi of sticks, and ignites it with her aura; it warms and lights the interior of their dwelling. They prepare a dinner for themselves, and Kelly, for whenever he returns. Naomi keeps Faye talking about positive memories; family vacations, holidays, and amusing incidents that happened throughout their lives. Faye seems to be in good spirits when around Naomi.

As it becomes dark outside, Kelly suddenly walks inside of the hut. Both girls greet him, but he only raises a hand silently. He sits down and looks at the food, but doesn’t immediately eat it. He seems to stare at it for a moment, as though trying to decide whether or not he is even hungry.

“Are you alright?” Naomi asks him.

“Huh? I’m fine. I was just uh… Working.” Kelly replies.

“So, you aren’t hungry?” Faye raises an eyebrow.

“Uh. Yeah, sure. I mean, yes.” He takes the food.

“So, what were you working on?” Naomi asks.

“I was helping the Feather Fingers pack up.” He answers.

“Stuffing those boxes full, right?” Faye comments.

“Don’t say that!” Kelly suddenly snaps.

“Say what?” Faye leans back in surprise.

“Nothing... I’m just tired. I was working it hard... I mean... Her box. I mean... Shit... I’m going to bed.” He grunts as he sets the food down.

He climbs into his sleeping bag as Faye and Naomi look to him, then back at each other, not sure what to make of his bizarre behavior. They aren’t even sure what he was just talking about. He lies there, but notices their stares. He rolls over, facing his back to the girls, struggling to sleep that night. The girls split Kelly’s food. They stay up for several more hours, talking, joking, and otherwise bonding with each other, for the first time in over a month.

Kelly wakes up the next morning feeling well rested. The girls are still asleep in their sleeping bags. He can’t be sure exactly how long the two stayed up last night. He sits up, carefully unzipping and slipping out from his sleeping bag. He considers striking the fire and cooking something to eat, but looks back to the girls. He doesn’t want to wake either of them. He quietly steps outside and stretches. Kelly looks around and takes a seat on a stump near the hut. He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and his chin on the palms of his hands.

“Hey Kel! Slacking off as usual?” Gareth calls to him.

Kelly turns and sees him walking from the direction of Kina’s house.

“Yeah, I just figured I’d come out for some air before I go back inside, eat Doritos and masturbate.” Kelly facetiously remarks.

“Sounds like a rich, full day.” Gareth grins.

“So, how are you feeling today?” Kelly asks.

Gareth stands before Kelly, his tail swaying gently as his long black hair flutters in the wind.

“Well, I-…” Gareth suddenly stops.

He looks to Kelly as his mouth hangs open, the tips of his fangs visible as he stares at his friend.

“What? Do I have a booger or something?” Kelly comments, rubbing underneath his nose.

“Kelly… You dog…” Gareth smirks.

“Huh?” Kelly sounds puzzled.

Gareth sniffs the air and chuckles.

“You keep this up and you’ll have a girl in every village.” He adds.

“What are you talking about, Gary?” Kelly asks.

“Don’t play stupid with me. You can’t fool my new nose.” He says, tapping his nose with a claw.

“Shit…” Kelly hangs his head.

“So? Who was it? I know four female’s scents by heart, and it isn’t any of theirs.” Gareth remarks.

Kelly takes a deep breath and sighs. After they sit in silence for a moment, Gareth pats Kelly on the shoulder.

“I’ll buy you breakfast, and you can tell me all about it.” He laughs.

“Aww, I don’t wanna…” Kelly complains.

“Kelly, turning down free food? What is this world coming too?” Gareth jests.

“I don’t know, since it’s not ours.” Kelly retorts.

“True enough, but free food, man...”

“Breakfast, always. Talking, not so much.” Kelly replies.

Kelly follows Gareth to the village’s central fire, where he takes some fresh venison from a recently skinned and gutted deer. He places the meat on a brass grill and begins cooking it. Kelly takes a seat at a carved wooden bench, with another bench opposite it, and a table in between.

“You’re just taking a piece of that?” Kelly asks.

“I’ve bagged quite a few for the village already, so yeah.” Gareth replies, taking a seat on the bench opposite Kelly. “So… How did it go down? You weren’t raped, were you?”

“Hardly.” Kelly laughs.

“Good, because I’m fresh out of hot chocolate and marshmallows.”

“It was just a life experience, and I’m definitely only interested in human women.” Kelly tells him.

“That’s it?” Gareth asks.

“Yup… That’s it.” Kelly sighs.

“That story sucks. I would like to refund my wasted time, please.” Gareth grumbles.

“No exchanges or returns.” Kelly quips.

“Fine... So, you’re not into Sahvorai... Did you at least finish before you figured that out?”

“Oh, hell yeah.” Kelly smirks. “I took the night to think about it, and believe me, it was a struggle. I’ll admit she had certain charms, but the afterthoughts were just too weird.”

“So, was she Blue Feet or a Feather Finger.” Gareth asks.

“Feather Finger, I think… Are they still here?” Kelly asks.

“They sure are. They have plans to leave early this afternoon.” Gareth answers.

“I figured they would be gone by now.” Kelly thinks aloud.

“I guess they didn’t pack up everything in time. Sarvah was complaining that a few carts never got loaded, and they weren’t going to finish the work in the dark.” Gareth comments.

“There you are!” Naomi calls out. “We wondered where you went.”

Naomi quickly dashes up to them, while Faye walks casually behind her. Naomi greets Gareth with a hug, and sits beside him. Faye glares at Gareth as she sits beside Kelly. Gareth gets up and cuts two more slabs of venison from the carcass, placing it on the grill beside Kelly’s food.

“Try not to get hair on it.” Faye murmurs.

“Maybe I should just spit on it instead?” He jokes.

“Whatever, Gareth…” She grumbles.

“Gareth?” Kelly repeats in surprise.

“Why use my whole first name? You know I don’t really like it.” He asks as he sits back down.

“Because ‘Gary’ is dead, and you killed him.” She remarks.

Naomi and Kelly look between the two, before staring back at Faye.

“That’s a very myopic view. Just because I’m Sahvorai now doesn’t mean that I’m not the same guy; I grew up with you, like a brother, for ten plus years.” He reasons.

“Really? Because it’s pretty fucking hard to tell… I just see a talking cat!” She growls.

“Think of it as a permanent costume.” He retorts.

“If you were still Gary, maybe that bullshit would work!” She becomes irate.

Kelly and Naomi look around at the Sahvorai, who seem to be listening in, watching the drama unfolding before them.

“Guys, try to keep it civil…” Kelly urges them.

“Where the hell is this even coming from?!” Gareth demands.

“Casius was right about the Sahvorai. They can’t be trusted. By changing yourself, you killed Gary, and became some monstrosity. I don’t even know who you are!” Faye yells as she stands up.

She storms off in a rage. Gareth gets up from his seat, chasing after her, and leaving Naomi and Kelly at the village center. Faye stomps through the village, looking for the hut that she temporarily calls ‘home’. She sees a similar looking hut and steps inside, but it is not the right one.

“Where the fuck am I?” She grumbles.

Gareth enters just behind her, standing in her way when she turns around to leave.

“Move, fur ball.” She snarls.

“No, you shut the fuck up and listen, you stupid bitch! You’re going to hear me out!” He roars.

Faye is genuinely surprised by his assertiveness, taking a step back.

“I don’t look the same, but I am the same person. I remember when Kel and I met you for the first time, in that hallway. I remember the first time we hung out at your house; dad was so paranoid that your two new friends were boys, he literally watched us play your PlayStation for five hours straight, as if we’d rape you the second he turned his back. We all knew he had better things to do! I was the guy who picked you from your late shift at two in the morning when your car broke down and Saeed and Walla slept through your call. You knew I would be awake because I worked a late shift too. Don’t you remember all of that? Because I do.” He pleads with her.

“Yeah… I do.” Faye smiles faintly.

“We share those memories, so I must still be the same guy… Why is it so hard to get over my outward appearance, especially when you know that it makes me happier?” He asks.

Faye lowers her head, placing her hands on her hips. She chuckles softly as she steps up to him.

“I’ll admit, I didn’t think much of your fetish, and never judged you for it. I even held my tongue when you were so gentle to Kahlera, but I never expected to dream you altering your entire being. This must be some kind of sign, or life lesson that I need to learn…” Faye answers.

“Dream? ... Is that what you think this is?”

“What else would it be? Now get out of my way, before I kill you…” Faye demands with a cold, emotionless stare.

She tries to walk past him but he places a hand out, resting it on the frame of the entrance.

“This isn’t a dream Faye. You aren’t going to wake up. If you kill me, I’ll be dead for real.” He says softly.

Faye suddenly turns and grabs him by the throat, squeezing tightly. Her palm begins to glow as she prepares to use a talent. Gareth quickly swings an arm, slamming it down on her elbow and shifting his body. He tears her hand from his throat, grabs her forearm, and throws her to the ground in a single swift motion. She quickly turns, using a weak push. Gareth lifts a hand, blocking it with his translucent purple shield. The blast flips all of the objects inside of the home, as Faye stumbles back and walks out. Gareth gasps, his eyes wide in horror; he is forced to come to terms with the fact that Faye just tried to murder him.

He steps outside and watches her head back to the others; he quickly returns to Kina’s house. Faye is unhinged, and becoming considerably dangerous. Returning to the village center where Kelly and Naomi still sit. They eat venison steak as she approaches, brushing off the spot where Gareth was sitting. Satisfied that it is clear of his fur, she sits down next to her sister, who slides a plate toward her. They watch her carefully, prepared for another outburst at any moment.

“So how did it go with Gary?” Naomi asks.

“Gary’s dead. Did you mean that monster?” Faye replies in an eerily pleasant tone.

“Gary’s not dead. He may shed a lot more now, and I have to worry about stepping on his tail, but he’s still my best friend.” Kelly retorts.

Faye slams her fist into the table, quickly standing and leaning forward.

“Gary. Is. Dead.” She says slowly through clenched teeth.

“Do you really believe that?” He asks.

“If you don’t, then maybe I can’t trust you anymore…” She grumbles.

“And what if I don’t believe it either?” Naomi asks.

Faye glares at her sister, and for the first time, Naomi feels genuinely afraid of her. Faye takes the plate and stands up from her seat, leaving the two behind as she walks away. She won’t be reasoned with. The two look to each other and quickly get up, rushing off to find Gareth. They find him seated on the steps on Kina’s home, staring at the ground. Naomi sits down beside Gareth as Kelly kneels in front of him.

“Hey, are you alright, bro?” Kelly asks.

“She tried to kill me... I stopped her just in time before she popped my head off.” Gareth looks to him.

“No…” Naomi mutters in disbelief.

“She’s dangerous. She’s convinced that this isn’t real. She doesn’t think there are consequences for her actions. I already warned Kina and Gishner… She needs to go, before she kills someone, and she will.” He continues.

Naomi’s eyes water; she softly cries. The two men attempt to comfort her.

“Alright… We’ll leave for the Crystalline Hall today.” Kelly thinks aloud.

“Whatever we have to do to get her out of here.” Gareth agrees. “You better go check on her and don’t let her out of your sight for even a second. I’ll let everyone else know what’s up.”

Gareth gets up and leaves Naomi and Kelly on the porch. He first reports to Kina and Kahlera, who are right inside. Gareth leaves Kahlera to pack some supplies, while he updates Gishner. Kelly and Naomi find Faye back at the storage hut, packing her musette bag. They manage to talk her into waiting for them to leave with her. To their surprise, Faye immediately agrees to let Gareth, and several other Sahvorai, escort them through the pass.

Gareth leaves Gishner’s home and quickly heads toward the Feather Finger’s convoy. He finds Sarvah as she prepares the last few carts for transport. Pulling her aside, he explains Faye’s condition, and that he and his friends are leaving for the Crystalline Hall that very day. Sarvah immediately volunteers to go. Gareth leaves the decision to her, telling her as a courtesy; she orders the tribe to wait another day. As Gareth leaves the convoy and returns to Kina’s home, he walks by Steve.

“Hey, Gare. How are you doing?” Steve greets him.

“Had better days…” He answers.

“Yeah, me too. I went home to get my woodcutting axe and someone wrecked my house. They flipped my table and threw my stuff everywhere; some of it poked holes in the walls.” Steve comments.

“That’s just uncalled for.” Gareth replies as he walks passed Steve.

Gareth returns to Kina’s home, where Kahlera waits for him, their packs at the ready. Gareth makes sure that he has both Vetra on his belt and the Kahr in his pack, with loaded magazines, just in case. The couple leave for the storage hut, only to find Sarvah waiting outside for them. The trio find Kelly and Naomi waiting with Faye, right outside of the hut, their bags full packed and the hut returned to the condition it was in before they had ever stayed there.

“Ready to go?” Faye asks in a cold monotone, glaring at Gareth and his Sahvorai companions.

“Yeah… Let’s do this.” He replies.