Broken Promise, Kept

"I hate this place. So, where's she now?"

I shrug, staring at my hands. "We went our own ways."

Nodding pensively, he puts a hand on hers. "Next time." Mind turning, he looks up at Liam. "Time for a mountain top experience?"

Kiou sat on her balcony over looking the garden and smiled lightly at Sori. "More tea?" She asked it casually as she filled her own cup.

teacup in my one hand i reply "no thanks" i take a sip "not quite done with this cup yet i rock back and forth in my wheelchair.

With a soft nod, I finish pouring my own tea and set the pot down. Sipping my tea a moment, I look to Sori. The sight of a friend in a wheelchair cuts into to me and I fight not to pity her.

i put the teacup down on the platter and look down into it.

I can't help but watch her. "What troubles your mind so? That's not the look of a person with a calm mind."

i shrug my voice low and frail "i'm just sad".

"Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?" I sip my tea and set it down once more. "Everyone in the house is very dear to me... i cannot imagine sitting by and watching you be sad."

i smile briefly and look up "no, thanks i just dont like being dependent on others".

"Surely me offering to help is not the same as you depending on my help." My voice is calm and I can feel myself smile warmly at her.

i drink the last of my tea and say "i dont know" as i put the teacup down i gesture for the teapot "more please im kind of indisposed" and points to my missing arm.

"For now, yes." I say softly as I pour the tea. "But in no time you'll be back to giving me bruises of various sorts in no time I imagine."

i giggle a little bit and say "im sorry about that".

"Don't be. It was a very good fight." I smile at her. "There is much you will have to teach me."

i smile for a second and raise one eyebrow inquisitively "like what? you were giving me a run for my money that sparring match".

"Perhaps. But there were a great many tactics and movements that I have never seen. A fluidity. If possible I would like your help to bring those fluid moments into my sword stances. Sometimes they are just too rigid and proper in my opinion." I sip my tea once more.

i take a sip and think about "i can try but im really not that great a teacher".

"Then I suppose I will have to take my lesson one punch at a time." I chuckle softly.

i smile "i will try not to you punch you as hard as last time".

"I fear if you don't, my other self will simply goad you on until you manage to give in." I sigh as I lean against the low railing.

i look at her "must be hard huh? having someone else in your noggin with you".

I can't help but fall silent a moment. "I suppose... It's different though..." I sip my tea. "In the beginning, she was all emotion... Just anger... But now... Now it is different. Now it is like she is embodying something else." I can feel the other me squatting in my mind as though she's found some place to sit behind me. As though, she too would like a cup of tea. "It is like having a sister that is always near you and listening in on all your conversations."

i put the teacup down and ask "so does it feel better now?"