The Others

"Please sir?" Geomana pleaded, "we are all in need of a distraction and the surface certiantly provides for one."

"I really can't."

"Would you at least join us for dinner? I'm going to drag Sano back to my apartment and make my brother promise to behave. He'll be nice enough, as long as he's not out looking for me now."

"You didn't tell him you were leaving?" Sano asked.

"I left him a note..." She gathered up her nerve, "please, I make really good food."

Reiko gave Sano a wary glance, and seeing the venomous look, he decided it wouldn't be wise to get him out of his sight.

"Alright,' he said reluctantly, gently trying to shake off Sano's grip. "Why not?"

Geomana squeeled and hugged him, at the same moment she realized she didn't know his name, nor did he know hers.

She pulled back blushing, "my name's Geomana by the way."

"Reiko."

"Sano."

"All introduced?" They nodded, and with a quick glance at her watch she realized it wasn't even noon yet, "we still have time to go to the surface!" She checked her bag for something, "oh shoot," she said. "I forgot something."

Sano gave him a weary smile. "Don't worry, like I said, it wont take long."

(I really got nothin)

Geomana latched herself onto Sano's arm as they continued up to the hole for the outer city.

When they had exited and found themselves in the sun Geomana took in a deep breath and spun around. "Ah, the sunlight!" She flopped down on the grass and smiled at the sun. "I've been down there way too long."

"REI!" Kersko's voice echoed into her ears. She sat up, yawned, stretched, and went to the door.

He had better have a good explanation. Rei thought to herself. Even though it was nearly noon, she loved her sleep.

Rei opened the front door and Kersko stumbled in. He caught himself and turned to Rei. "Geomana is gone."

"Where'd she go?"

"Somewhere with that dragon!"

Rei sighed. "Let the girl be. So what if he's a dragon. He seems nice enough, and it's not like he's gonna kill her. He knows that would just hurt him more."

"But-"

"Kersko, leave your sister be. She's living her life, just like you live yours and Liskon lived his. She'll be back."

"But-!" Kersko looked exasperated.

"Listen, if you want i'll go and keep an eye on her." Rei offered. "If she caught you spying her...let's just say neither of you would be happy."

"Uh...ok." Kersko said reluctantly.

"Good boy." Rei said teasingly, shifting into a griffin. She launched herself into the air, following Geomana's scent. She followed it to the entrance to the underground and slipped up onto the surface, instantly changing into a human.

She finally caught up with Geomana and grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around.

"Rei!" Geomana exclained in surprise. "What are you doing here!?"

"Keeping your brother at bay. Don't worry, i won't say a word." she said, winking. Geomana grinned back, and Sano smiled weakly.

*hope this is what you meant alice...if not, just say so.*

Geomana hugged Rei, "if he's hoping to have you keep an eye on me you won't be disturbed for long, we were just about to go home for lunch. I invited Sano and Reiko for dinner but we seem to be a few hours early for that."

Rei looked at Reiko warily and turned back to Geomana, "I don't trust him."

"Neither do I," Sano added, his voice so low it was almost hard to hear.

Geomana simply rolled her eyes.

"Geomana," Sano pleaded, "please, be careful around him, I don't trust him at all."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"And I trust him, doesn't that count for something?"

"You're too apt to trust people."

Geomana shrugged, "it hasn't gotten me into trouble yet."

"Yet being the key word."

Geomana smiled and twisted her head away, "Reiko, are you coming? We're about to go back for lunch."

Reiko nodded, "of course I am."

Sano didn't like the idea of Reiko coming to dinner, but he knew he wouldn't be able to convince Geomana other wise. "Why don't you two head back down, I would like to have a drink with Reiko here."

Geomana walked up to Sano and whispered in his ear, "Please don't hurt him?"

Sano gave here a kiss on the forehead, "I promise."

Sano put his arm around Reiko's shoulder and before he could do anything the two were walking to the nearest bar.

Geomana looked back before rounding the corner with Rei, then she stuck herself against the wall, refusing to move until they came back.

*thats all i can think of*

(Let me continue in the bar. I wasn't able to finish because i have to go to bed now.)

(Aww man, I hate school-is assuming thats the reason you have to go to bed)

(No, I don't start school for about another month. I'm going for a long bike ride today and my dad wanted me to get my sleep.)

(Oh, i've got less than a month, like two weeks maybe.)

Reiko glanced around nervously, hoping for some way out of this, but there didn't seem to be one. Taking a depe breath, he sat down at a table with Sano, trying to keep his face straight.

"I'll pay," he offered amiably. "What would you like?"

Sano didn't even blink. "What are you playing at? What do you want?"

"Beg pardon?" Reiko answered, his voice slightly strained.

"You can hear me just fine. What were you doing underground?"

Reiko swallowed. "I told you, my father--"

"Lies may have worked down there, but you were lying through your teeth the entire time." he leaned back calmly, arms behind his head. "I want to know everything. And don't bother lying; I'll know."

Reiko set his jaw, eyes flashing in a mixture of frustration and panic. "That's pleasant," he snarled. "Do I pry into your purposes? But if you're like that, I'm just as game as you are. Where do you live? Do you have any family? What Herskon creature are you?"

Sano grit his teeth. Reiko's heart leaped to his throat, but he managed to hide his fear. "That's none of your business," Sano snarled.

Reiko smiled thinly and stiffly nodded. "I'm glad you agree." He wanted to leave the bar, but he knew he couldn't. Not with a Herskon who seemed intent on keeping him where he could see him.

After a very long wait Sano and Reiko rounded the corner, and Geomana faked a groan, "you guys took forever."

Sano smiled, "sorry."

"Okay i'm really hungry now, lets go."

When they got to Geomana's apartment Kresko wasn't home, most likely out looking for her. He would be pretty mad when he got home and realized she'd been there and left again.

After they had eaten Reiko said he had to go.

"I'll walk you out," Geomana offered.

"Thanks."