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Post by Bloom on Oct 28, 2006 7:47:18 GMT -5
Wrapping her coat tighter around her body, Bloom stared into the lake with an odd expression. Shaking off the weird feeling she had, she dug in her pocket for her cell phone. Speaking of weird, that was about the best word to describe pretty much everything right about now! Waking up in the forest with no clothes and no memories did not a good day start. And even now that her memories were coming back, things weren’t getting any better. The meeting with Brandon had really shaken her. She needed to talk to Stella, but still thought maybe it would be best if Flora told the other girls first before she saw them. Sky was a different story.
Calling up his number, Bloom held the phone to her ear, shivering as a cool breeze blew in from the water. He was probably asleep and she would be waking him up but she really hoped he wouldn’t mind. If she truly had been missing for some time, he should be too happy to hear from her to care.
(Tag: Sky)
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Post by Sky on Oct 28, 2006 8:48:34 GMT -5
At the sound of his phone buzzing on his dresser across the room, Sky rolled over onto his stomach and pulled his pillow firmly over his head. Normally he didn't mind getting phone calls this early in the morning, but after the latest bit of news he had learned from Stella about Brandon's current state, he was in no mood for conversation. He just wanted to sleep and forget and get back to his dream - because in his dreamworld, life wasn't so damn insane.
As the phone continued to hum, Sky grimaced as he finally relented, having gotten the feeling that whoever was on the other end wasn't going to give up any time soon. Walking over to his dresser, Sky chuckled as the brief thought of answering and then immediately hanging up flickered across his mind - there were times that he was so tempted to do it, but that wouldn't have been very befitting of a prince, so he had always resisted. This time would be no exception. Flipping the phone open to see who would be calling, Sky's brow furrowed and all traces of laughter faded from his face at the number that greeted him. Bloom's number.
It couldn't be though - the last he had heard, Bloom was still . . . indisposed. Still a mermaid. Still in the lake at Alfea. So logically, there would be no way she would be using her phone . . .
Realizing suddenly that he was just standing there staring at the phone's bluish display screen, virtually in a trance, Sky started as he quickly answered the phone and then asked tentatively, ". . . Hello?"
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Post by Bloom on Oct 28, 2006 8:54:50 GMT -5
Listening to the phone ring repeatedly, Bloom closed her eyes and lowered her head. He wasn’t answering. Why wasn’t he answering? Where could he be at this time of day? She should just hang up. She’d already gone far beyond the customary four rings, but she just couldn’t quite bring herself to press the button.
He’s not answering. Either he’s not there or...
Before she could finish her thought with the possibility that she really didn’t want to consider, the ringing stopped and Sky’s voice met her ears. He didn’t sound asleep, but he didn’t sound happy either.
“Hi, it’s... it’s me,” she said, gripping the phone tightly in her hand.
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Post by Sky on Oct 29, 2006 11:44:50 GMT -5
"Bloom?" Sky questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he continued to struggle with wrapping his mind around this new development. Coughing to mask his confusion, Sky then asked slowly, not at all certain what else to say, "Uh . . . are you okay?"
What he really wanted to ask, though, was where she was and how she was able to use her phone, but from the hesitant inflection in her voice, Sky had a feeling that maybe those questions would be better saved for later.
As Sky waited for Bloom to answer, another thought began to creep into his mind - a thought that was slightly more worrisome. Perhaps someone was impersonating Bloom in order to set him up for some kind of trap. After all, given all the other strange things that had happened to his friends in the previous months - ranging from Flora's temporary alliance with Darkar to Riven abandoning the team to consort with Darcy to Brandon's current state - well, something like this could almost pass itself off as nothing.
Frowning slightly at this thought, Sky wondered for a moment if he should hang up and just forget that he had even received this unsettling call. However, he just couldn't bring himself to do it; his curiosity combined with his need for the truth demanded that he stay on the line and get to the bottom of whatever the hell was going on.
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Post by Bloom on Oct 29, 2006 15:34:31 GMT -5
There was something in Sky’s voice that worried her. He didn’t sound tired or upset or even worried, really, but he definitely sounded ‘off’ for lack of a better term. Was he not happy to hear from her? Somehow Bloom felt it was something else and it all seemed to stem back to the fact that she was missing more time than she wanted to admit.
“I’m... I don’t know,” she replied, her breathing shaky as she exhaled a deep breath. “Can you meet me somewhere? Anywhere. I really need to see you.”
Whatever that tone was in Sky’s voice it had to be better than the desperation in her own. And as if the tone wasn’t enough, could she have sounded any more needy? Talk about lame-o. Rolling her eyes, Bloom inwardly kicked herself.
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Post by Sky on Oct 29, 2006 16:41:33 GMT -5
“Can you meet me somewhere?"
Debating the wiseness of meeting with a person who he wasn't entirely sure was actually Bloom, Sky hesitated before he began to open his mouth to answer in the negative. As much as he wanted to get to the bottom of whatever was going on, he had to be smart and cautious; until he got something out of 'Bloom' that would indicate that she was indeed who she claimed to be, it would be better to keep his distance. Just as the words were about to slip out of his mouth, however, Sky stopped. There was something in her voice now that spoke to him - that reminded him of the Bloom he had once fallen in love with. A Bloom that wasn't the whiny, jealous, selfish, abrasive brat he had grown accustomed to seeing her as. A Bloom that was softer - a Bloom that he had once seen himself spending the rest of his life with.
Before he could change his mind, Sky answered softly, already rising from his position on his bed in order to get dressed, "All right. Name the place and I'll be there."
Inwardly, Sky felt as though he was being torn in two directions. Head and heart. His head said that what he was doing was stupid, insane, foolish - but his heart . . . his heart told him that this was Bloom and that something was wrong. That she needed him. Squeezing his eyes shut, Sky tried in desperation to put a stop to all the thoughts flitting through his mind. He had to make a decision; if he wanted to, he could still back out of this - whatever 'this' was. Still . . . Christine would tell him to listen to his heart and so . . .
He would take his sword with him when he went to meet Bloom just in case . . . but he was going to see her.
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Post by Bloom on Oct 29, 2006 16:52:03 GMT -5
It took him a little longer to reply than expected. She needed him, and he had to think about it? Luckily he recovered quick enough to take her mind off of his hesitation. Oh, but here came the harder part. He wanted her to pick the place yet she was still unsure if she could get very far. Probably if she just started moving she could get places without even thinking about it. Her memories were there, they just needed a little jogging.
Or maybe it was best if she just stayed put.
“I’m down by the lake. We can go somewhere else once you get here if you want,” she said, wishing she’d brought a longer coat as she seated herself on a large rock. Her mom always used to tell her she’d get an ‘undercold’ from sitting on cold surfaces. She never did ask what that was. “I’ll see you soon.”
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Post by Sky on Oct 29, 2006 17:06:40 GMT -5
"See you soon," Sky echoed before pressing the end call button and then snapping the phone shut with a firm click. Immediately moving over to his dresser, Sky pulled on a plain white t-shirt and then hurried over to his closet to grab his jacket. A cold front seemed to have descended upon Magix and on this kind of morning, one would have to be an idiot to go out without something for added warmth.
Not wanting to keep Bloom waiting any longer than necessary, Sky quickly headed toward the door.
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His levabike making the commute to Alfea's lake very simple, Sky scanned the land below for any sight of Bloom. The still dark sky making it a bit difficult to see much, Sky shifted his bike down closer toward the ground as he shifted gears so that he was slowly cruising along the shore. Finally spotting a familiar figure sitting near the water, Sky struggled to maintain his composure as he brought his bike to a halt a few yards away. One thing was for certain: Bloom certainly wasn't a mermaid anymore.
Shoving his hands deep into his jacket pockets, Sky made his way over to Bloom's side and then said, not sure how else to begin, "Hey there. You uh . . . wanted to see me?"
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Post by Bloom on Oct 29, 2006 17:17:37 GMT -5
Hanging up her phone, Bloom slid it back into the pocket of her coat and settled in on the rock to wait. The more she waited, though, the more nervous she got. She kept hearing Stella’s voice in her head, demanding to know what Bloom was thinking. How could she possibly go to meet Sky in her pyjamas without any make-up and also without even having brushed her hair? It was disgraceful! Not only was it behaviour not befitting a princess, but it gave all girls a bad name. Hours should be set aside to prepare before meeting with one’s beau.
Self consciously running her hand back through her tangled hair, Bloom winced as she caught her hand on a particularly stubborn not. Just then, of course, she heard the approaching levabike. Frantically working to free her fingers, she jumped to her feet as Sky approached. Finally pulling her hand free, she clasped them both behind her back and waited sheepishly as he dismounted and slowly approached her.
As soon as he was close enough to see his face clearly in the dim lighting, though, she completely forgot her nerves and Stella’s voice finally faded. No fur, no floppy ears and no memory loss. Thank goodness! Throwing caution to the wind she ran forward and threw her arms around him, holding him tightly.
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Post by Sky on Oct 29, 2006 17:27:13 GMT -5
Sky wasn't sure what he had expected in coming to see Bloom, but he was fairly certain it wasn't this. Feeling Bloom launch herself into his arms, Sky reflexively stiffened as he wondered for what felt like the hundredth time in the past twenty minutes what in all that was holy was going on. Things were rapidly growing more and more strange and he wasn't at all sure that he could just keep on beating around the bush. He wanted - needed - some answers, starting with how she had suddenly transformed back into a fairy and also, why she was acting as though they were . . . well . . . like they were still together.
As Bloom continued to clasp herself tightly against him, Sky shifted uncomfortably before reaching up to gently dislodge himself from her grip. His brow furrowing, Sky tried to keep his voice calm as he said, taking a few steps backward, "I think we need to do some serious talking about what's going on here, Bloom."
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Post by Bloom on Oct 29, 2006 17:38:30 GMT -5
It only became obvious a second before he pulled away that he wasn’t returning the embrace. What was going on? Sky was suppose to be the strong, steady rock that she could lean on, but whatever had happened seemed to be affecting him too. When he spoke, she felt a coldness surround her heart. Looking up at him, her blue eyes filled with hurt and confusion, she wrapped her arms around herself and took a step back as well.
“I’m sorry I woke you up. I guess I thought you wouldn’t mind,” she said, hoping that was all it was though knowing it wasn’t. “Everything is just so strange suddenly and I don’t understand what’s going on and... I just don’t know.”
There it was, making its return: fear.
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Post by Sky on Oct 29, 2006 17:54:39 GMT -5
Looking down at Bloom's clearly confused features, Sky's frown deepened as a thousand thoughts began to race through his mind. He had thought that Bloom had sounded sort of off on the phone a little bit ago and now his suspicions were confirmed. Something was definitely wrong. But the question was, what? What could possibly have happened that would have restored Bloom to her normal form but also have left her almost as if she didn't have any recollection of the last couple of months?
Feeling as though he was walking into uncertain territory, Sky gently took Bloom's arm as he guided her back to the rock he had observed her sitting on a few moments ago. Taking a seat next to her, Sky kept his eyes averted from her, choosing instead to focus his gaze on the faintly rippling water in front of them, as he said, "I honestly don't know what to say, Bloom." Lapsing into a silence as he tried to think of how best to phrase his thoughts, he then continued slowly, "You see . . . I'm . . . I'm just as confused as you are." Sneaking a glance over at her profile, he then blurted out, unable to keep this one question contained, "Are you actually telling me that you're missing part of your memory?"
If that was indeed the case, Sky mused silently, that would certainly explain why Bloom had thrown herself at him. Wincing slightly, Sky also knew that if her memory was shaky, that this wasn't going to be the easiest conversation to have. Because, really, was there an easy way to tell your former girlfriend now turned amnesiac that the two of you weren't a couple anymore even if she didn't remember having broken up? And after telling her that, then what? Did he dare to tell her that he was seeing someone else now? That he had very strong feelings for this other person?
Beginning to feel sick to his stomach, Sky glanced away from Bloom as he waited in nervous anticipation for her reply.
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Post by Bloom on Oct 29, 2006 18:03:43 GMT -5
The frown on Sky’s face wasn’t helping. Something was definitely wrong, and the more she found out, the worse it got and the less she found she wanted to know.
Allowing Sky to lead her back to the rock, Bloom obediently sat. This was probably a good thing. She was getting the feeling that this was going to be one of those ‘you better sit down’ conversations. Maybe she could just make up an excuse and run off now before it got to that point. She could be oblivious for a while; it would be better than this. She wasn’t ready for any answers.
Startled by his sudden question, she held herself tighter, resisting the urge to lean into him, just a little. “I... I don’t know. I don’t feel like I am. Like I could swear I just saw you about two days ago yet I already miss you and...”
Trailing off, she turned her face away, hoping to hide the blush rising in her cheeks.
“But everything is different. Flora was making this big deal about finding me, and Brandon... oh man, I really don’t remember him looking like that!”
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Post by Sky on Oct 29, 2006 18:42:48 GMT -5
As Bloom began to speak, Sky brought his gaze back to her face, struggling to keep his features from showing the magnitude of what he was feeling internally. He was over her. He had to be over her because he was with Christine now and he was happy. More than happy. So if that was the case, then why was he feeling what he was beginning to feel again? Why were these old emotions being stirred up again? Why did he feel like it would be perfectly normal and right to envelop Bloom in his arms the way he used to when they were a couple?
Feeling utterly confused and torn, Sky sucked in his breath. Whatever he was feeling now, it just had to be a side-effect of hearing Bloom talk about their relationship. Even if she didn't remember how their relationship had long ago turned sour and even if she, with each passing moment, was acting more and more like the Bloom he had loved, he didn't love her like that anymore, right? Because even if she didn't remember it, he had broken up with her and that decision had been a result of the fact that what he felt for Christine surpassed what he felt for Bloom.
That left only one thing to be considered. One thing that Sky really didn't want to think about. One thing that he knew could change everything.
If Bloom didn't remember the way she had been - how her once beautiful personality had dwindled away to that of an unbearable snob - then the person he had broken up with, could she really be considered Bloom? What if something terrible had happened to Bloom long ago - what if she had been spelled or something - and no one had noticed? What if that had been the cause in her change in personality? What then? What if Bloom indeed was the beautiful person he always had believed her to be? What did that mean for him? For . . . them? And perhaps more importantly, Sky thought, a painful twinge spreading throughout his body, what did it mean for him and Christine?
Finding it difficult to swallow, Sky took an unsteady gulp of air as he finally answered, no longer bothering to mask the emotions he was feeling, "Bloom . . . I . . . things are different. More different than you could imagine. There are things I need to tell you, but I'm not sure if I should." Quickly, Sky elaborated, "I just don't know what you do and do not know and I . . ." Averting his gaze again, Sky finished softly, "I don't want to hurt or upset you by accidentally saying something without enough tact."
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Post by Bloom on Oct 29, 2006 18:57:03 GMT -5
For a second, Bloom wondered if she had said too much. Did Sky already know about what had happened to Brandon? Of course he must. They were best friends. Sky was probably one of the first people to hear about the transformation or whatever it was.
Hearing his loud gulp before he spoke, Bloom turned back to face him, but what she saw only elevated her fear. The expression on his face was so torn and confused that it tore at her heart. Everything was so wrong she suddenly wished that she had never woken up at all.
“Sky, you’re really scaring me,” she finally said after his speech. She was scared – terrified – of what he was talking about and she immediately jumped to a million different conclusions at once. The one that seemed to stand out involved Princess Diaspro. His parents hadn’t liked Bloom when they met her, so what if they were going to force him to marry Diaspro anyways, even though he didn’t love her? What if he had to return to Eraklyon immediately and leave her behind? So many possibilities and none of them good, especially after Flora had sounded so strange when she’d asked what Bloom remembered about Sky.
“I don’t know what I know and what I don't know either,” she said, the words sounding strange to her ears even as she said them. “All I remember is that everything was normal. I went to class, we went to Magix for supper, I went to bed and then I suddenly woke up in the forest. I didn’t remember where I was, or how I got there, and for a short while... I didn’t even remember who I was.”
She shivered noticeably at the memory.
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