Indelible Bonds

“Such a beautiful day,” Jane smiled. She closed her eyes, taking a sip of her coffee. It felt soothing to her in so many ways.

“I agree,” Arie took a sip from her tea. The sky was bright and clear. Despite the month, the weather was actually fair. Jane and Arie had both decided to spend the day in the soft sunlight, reveling in the peace surrounding them.

In the months since Aaron, Captain and Campbell defeated Jane’s father, she had found a way to adjust. Going back home felt like resuming a life she was never really comfortable with. Starting anew in the past gave her a chance to plot her own course, and Arie had been a major part in Jane’s feeling welcome with Aaron and his friends.

With peace in her own home, Arie did not find it necessary to return. Her friends had been able to keep things stable, with the help of a genuinely compassionate leader. So, even though she left with the intention to better her life, she had always been worried about the people she loved in the place she had spent most of her life. With that threat gone, she finally felt able to relax and work on her education for herself, not as a function of escaping a war-torn nation.

Jane and Arie had become closer in this restful reprieve. Jane moved in with Arie, considering she had few other places to go. Her friends didn’t have much space for her, though they were willing to at least let her sleep on their couches. Arie had taken charge, offering her a room in her apartment. Slowly but surely, things fell into place for Jane, leaving her feeling as though she finally had the home she was looking for.

As the days passed, the two spent much of their time together. They shared their stories, their histories, finding that, though the stories didn’t overlap, they paralleled each other in an intimate way. One child forced to follow the whims of her brother and father, the other’s life torn asunder by violence. They both felt at ease around their friends, especially Aaron, but to know that they understood each other in a different way was relieving and powerful.

“It’s strange,” Arie placed her cup down. “Adjusting to this peace has felt… Odd.”

“Discomforting?” Jane tilted her head.

Arie paused. “Yes, and I feel it is unfortunate to say that.”

“But…” Jane stared at her tea for a moment. “Given the circumstances, that makes sense. We grew up in chaotic worlds.”

Arie’s chest filled with a light sensation. Jane had a way of understanding her perspective, something she hadn’t felt since leaving her home. She placed her hand on Jane’s and smiled. “Thank you, Jane.”

“You’re welcome, Arie,” Jane clasped it back, returning the smile. Their eyes lingered on each other for a moment before they turned to face the middle of campus. They held onto each other’s hands as slowly passed.

After minutes of silence, they felt a slight rumble underneath their feet. They both looked at each other with puzzled expressions. Suddenly, Arie felt a shock in her hand.

“Jane?” she withdrew it, rubbing her palm.

“I can sense energy fluctuations. Never noticed that’s how they feel to other people,” she smiled. “Regardless, something is here.”

“Check the center of the courtyard and I’ll examine the perimeter,” Arie was resolute.

“Things never change much, right?” Jane sighed.

“We can adjust to the peace as it occurs and protect others when we need to,” Arie smiled before fading away in her airy magenta energy signature. As Jane dashed to the courtyard, looking at her surroundings, she could see Arie wisp from one point to another. She checked everywhere she could, and eventually Arie landed at her side.

“I didn’t see anything,” Arie spoke.

“Me… Either?” It felt as though time slowed when Jane turned her head, spotting a wide beam of energy heading for them.

“You might want to move,” a joyful voice spoke behind them.

“Blink!” Arie beamed. Jane’s sensation of time was accurate; Blink had halted to beam of energy to help them escape. They all deftly moved to the side as Blink restored the flow of time.

“She’s been attacking buildings on campus. I don’t know what she’s looking for…” He stared. Arie couldn’t help but notice that Blink seemed stronger, and surely had better control over his powers.

“Whatever it is, we will take care of her,” Arie looked in the direction of the beam.

“You really think so?” a young woman’s voice spoke from the distance. “Pretty confident.”

“What do you want?” Jane asked, readying a battle stance. The young woman only shrugged as her expression turned hostile. She raised her fists in the air and shot two more beams of energy at them. Blink began to slow time until Arie stopped him.

“No need,” she gave a mischievous smile. He began to notice how she had changed, too. She put up her left arm, while Jane raised her right. As the beams met their hands, Arie dispersed one using her teleportation powers, while Jane disrupted the other and scattered the energy.