[GearRyu]

Let's play a game...
It's called "Where have I been for the past two weeks?"
Was I fervently writing the story at a nonstop pace, turning it from a 140-page novella into an 1800 page divinely-inspired masterpiece? No. Was I just lying in my bed, sleeping, reading books, and playing videogames? How absurd! But, yes, and there's a good reason for that. I've been sick with a nasty head cold. I was originally just stopping for a couple days because I had to prepare for the weekly D&D game session that I DM for, but on that day, I got sick. Since then, I've been convalescing and in no mood to write. Sure, I could have put my fingers to the keyboard and produced something passable, but I don't want to sell myself, or you, short. Now that I am feeling better (*ka-chu* okay, not totally), I am ready to resume writing! So, let's get back on track. This chapter's a short one, but an important lead-in. Have at it, folks, and tell me what'cha think!

Chapter 7

?Wake up, it?s time
Open your eyes
You got to let her know?
~Priestess, ?Talk to Her?

To Talk of Secrets
For the umpteenth time, Cranberry was reviewing the hologram her father had sent her. She sat on her bed, hunched over, knees and elbows pressed into the mattress, and her long tail lashing back and forth. Sometimes she stopped the hologram to review something, trying to discern meaning from a turn of phrase, a small smile, a little shift. Searching up and around the corners out of hope for some missing clue to come into play. If only she could figure out what that symbol meant. Dared she ask Sandra? She had seen it earlier, but she hadn?t said anything about it for fear of? what? Getting kicked out? Losing her new friend? Getting into something deeper than she wanted to? Or maybe she was afraid to really know what was going on? Cranberry squinted, though it was unnecessary, and rolled her eyes over the little symbol.

The symbol she had seen on the wall was a spoked golden wheel. A space separated the wheel from another symbol set within it, an eyeball with a golden flame instead of an iris. The flame had been painted some iridescent coloration, which made it seem to practically glow. The entire symbol had been defaced (by Sandra?). There were dings and splashes of oil on it, but it had still stood upon the wall, watching over the entire factory.

There was a knock at the door. ?Come in!? Cranberry called out. The door opened and Sandra entered. She was dressed in casual clothes now; a pair of black jeans and a simple green shirt. She just stood at the door for a moment, drumming her fingernails along the frame and looking askance.

?Cranberry, I know you didn?t ask about it, but that symbol you saw in the workshop? do you think you might?ve seen it before?? She seemed a little upset.

?I think I have? what does it mean? It ? It might be important for ? it is important for me to know. I am sorry. I have already intruded on your home, and I know I should not be asking about such thing-?

?No,? Sandra raised a hand to stop Cranberry from continuing. ?It?s okay. I?ll? well, I?ll talk to you about it in the morning, okay? I think I?ll have to tell you a little more about me?? her tone became increasingly serious, ?and maybe I should learn a little more about you. Do you think that?s something you?ll really want??

?? Not really, no, but I do not think I can avoid it.?

?Neither can I.? Sandra began to close the door. ?See you tomorrow. Sleep well.? Sandra closed the door and Cranberry fell asleep to the sound of a generator humming.