Well, enjoy.
~*~*~*~*~
Tanslie
~*~*~*~*~
I carefully placed one foot in front of the other, walking the distance of the tightrope high above the crowd in Jade Center. When I got to the end of the rope, the crowd cheered and whistled and I took a bow. But that was only the beginning. I did a series of summersaults and cartwheels back and forth across the rope, careful to keep my footing. The crowd cheered even louder. I smiled and waved at them and swung off the rope onto the mat below me. Coins were placed in the jar I kept near the mat and I grinned at the sight of so much money.
"Good turn out this time," someone said into my ear. I turned and saw Salem, gun and all. I crossed my arms and glared at him.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Good question." He answered.
"No really…What are you doing here?" I tapped my foot impatiently.
"I was in the neighborhood, and decided to stop by. Is that against the law?" he asked. I pursed my lips.
"Jade Circle isn't really 'in the neighborhood'. It's right smack in the middle of the Empire and usually, you keep your distance." I stated.
"Fine!" Salem sighed," I need to talk to you…But can we go somewhere private? I don't want to be overheard."
"Whatever." I said. I grabbed my light gray jacket and the jar filled to the brim with coins.
"Where to?" I asked. Salem nodded towards an empty alleyway. Of course. We walked towards the alleyway and I wrinkled my nose at the smell of…I didn't want to know. Salem stopped me about halfway through the alleyway and I looked at him expectantly.
"It's Jaye. She won't listen to a word I say. She thinks I’m a liar…" Salem trailed off. I nodded my head in sympathy. That was so like Jaye.
"You understand?" Salem asked.
"Of course," I replied," It's that French stubbornness in her. It's a real pain in the butt sometimes." The corners of Salem's mouth raised half an inch. That was a smile for you.
"Listen," I continued," it's been two years and she's still not ready to forgive and forget. I think it's about time she needs a little…Encouragement." Salem looked confused and I rolled my eyes. Boys.
"What I'm trying to say is that you need to totally stick to her like glue. Prove to her that you're worth something." Salem shook his head.
"I dunno." He said.
"Hey," I replied, " you're worth a lot more than she thinks you are. Besides, we can't have you two being mortal enemies when there's a battle to be fought."
"You're right, Tanslie. I am worth something and I have a feeling Jaye's going to need me. You know, seeing the way things are going…" Salem looked at the ground.
"She still doesn’t know does she? Well…Of course she wouldn't. Wynn's absolutely forbidden anyone to talk to her about it." I whispered. I looked into Salem's eyes and I saw pain, two years of pain to be exact.
"I know it's hard, but please, don't let go of Jaye just because of something that she can't help," I patted Salem on the shoulder.
"Her father has caused so much pain and destruction. It's hard to look at her and just see Jaye. Sometimes, when I look at her, I just see the Overlord, nothing else…" Salem broke off. I wiped a tear away with my jacket sleeve.
"It'll be okay," I croaked," It's going to be fine." Salem did his little half smile again.
"I hope so too, Tanslie." He said. I turned on my heel and was about to walk away, but Salem stopped me.
"Wait," he commanded," That wasn't it." I looked at him curiously.
"What is it?" I asked. Salem sighed and covered his eyes.
"I got a tip that someone in the resistance got captured,'' my heart skipped two beats.
"Who?" I gasped.
"I'm not sure." He replied. I ran a hand through my hair.
"I need to get everyone out of here." Salem said steadily.
"Does Wynn know?" I asked. Salem grimaced.
"I don't know."
"Well, shouldn’t we wait for him?" Salem looked very angry when I said this, so I backed up against a wall.
"It might be too late if we try and hunt him down. We need to go now." He said tightly.
"Is this what you told Jaye too?" I waited for an answer impatiently.
"Yes."
"Well then I can see where she would be upset." I turned on my heel and stalked off fighting back the urge to kick something. A shot went off in the alleyway and a bullet whipped past my head.
"Shit!" I yelled, spinning around. Salem had his gun drawn.
"Sorry," he said," I needed you to stop."
"Very nicely done." I replied, sarcastically. Salem ignored this.
"We'll go hunt down Wynn, just to make you and Jaye happy. But if we don't find him in a week, I’m leaving, and I'm taking the rest of the resistance with me…Dead of alive." Salem said coolly.
"Gee, you're so kind." I snapped.
"Start packing Tanslie, I'll be back at sunset." At this, Salem disappeared down the alleyway with a swish of his cloak. Dang, he's good.
