(GE Copy)

Chapter 25: The Sternest Reflection (Part 1)

“Some times a dream can come at the most auspicious of times...”

I'm gonna be honest, I'm not even sure I'm done editing this at this point.

Pale as soot, dark as tar, a bending alley comes onto a deserted highway. Pipes radiate and others expel their steam and gas into the air to breath. It’s smell was weak, like it were in a different room, while sounds of busy workers conveyed themselves under ground. Night threw her blanket over top the pier, a shallow ocean before a thousand foot wall. Inside the grungy old tavern was a smog that seeped through the skin and clung to the lungs like lacquer. Men above laughed at the arrivals, heckling them in ways Aaron could not understand.

He picked a seat, the food already stationed, thrown out the window with the ejection of the table’s automatic piston. Aaron searched himself for some coins to reset the table but came to simply take in the offered water. It was stale, like all they could offer was the sweat from the windows. A man returned to them, placing his trays next to them, instinctively knowing their desires. A dish of frog legs steamed in front of him, and it’s rubbery skin was the exact delicacy he had in mind; what fabulous technology. Sophie seemed utterly pleased with herself. Soon the blinding sunlight outside became tame as the clouds passed by overhead and the carriage stopped in the garden of a jubilee. Aaron picked up his coat to see the seaside planes glimmer like emeralds in the fields, but Sophie stood still, putting pieces of her shell back together.

The piston of her head piece opened again, the clear wires exposed, sending data along them but stalled. Even her joints began to lift their haul and expel steam with a cranking noise as she tried to regain herself, though a piece were intrinsically missing. In his head played a voice that called to him “Where is my soul, Aaron? Where is my soul? Where did you put it, Aaron?...” Following the prompt of what he realized all too well, as she drove guilt within him, “You changed realms too early, Aaron, I couldn’t follow you.” As her shell rattled and seized, melting from his hands like a lifeless doll staring back at him, while the voice continued, “Where did you put my soul? AARON! WHERE IS MY SOUL!” it frantically cried, feeling it’s life slip into a cold shape, slithering around with it’s organs falling out from it as it crawled nearer; nearer to die in his arms but Aaron wouldn’t let it, knowing it would take his life for it’s own and put him inside the dying shell. “Where’s my soul! Where did you put it!?!”

Aaron’s head lifted, covered in sweat, panting as tears rolled down his cheeks. He touched himself, feeling himself awake but he already was, isolated in a woodland cottage for two. The nightmare had ended, but it still played in his mind as he sat there in his sleeping bag, frantically worried about the dream becoming a reality. It took him ten minutes to consolidate what transpired and when Aaron was certain that his dream was fantasy, he fell back into his cold pillow and soaked bedding. Not for long. The exhaustion within him took a second seat, as he rolled out from the disgusting pool of sweat he left in his wake and dried in the brisk morning air.

Aaron slipped through the teleporting waters and slid out onto the other side. He cupped his hands, and drank directly from the tap; he hated tap water but his throat was so parched that even the town water tasted sweet. He drank handful after handful until it upset his belly, and he stopped. It began to taste stale, and he remembered his dream. Aaron grit the counter, reminding himself that it wasn’t real; and for the most part, that was quite obvious, however... It was the sound she made, and the form she took, fading from existence that seemed surreal. It was her terror, and her fear that ate him; the only thing that seemed real anymore. Aaron took a deep breath, and finally put himself at ease; but others would not, so he resided to the garage.

Taking his mind off of things, Aaron reached into his tool supply. He had compiled a few pieces the night before, things to recreate the goal he had, now that Zack’s need of adventure had been serviced. Overlooking the workbench, which was the only one he could access, Aaron set up what he would need, pulling his snake out from the camp site. Felicity laid lazily in his hands still trying to get some morning ‘Z’s, as his mother barged in and began to riddle Aaron with every useless thing in an attempt to reach him but Aaron waited it out until she ran out of subjects and left him alone. Aaron sighed, and wallowed the garage.

Withdrawing his secret serpent, Aaron held it for sympathy and bemoaned. Felicity went limp as he tried to return to sleep, but Aaron continued anyway. “I used to love them... It was my whole world. Everything I aspired to be was just like them... How’d that get so fucked up?” Petting Felicity’s head with a stroking motion of his thumb, “When I was seven, I truly believed that I would become just like my dad; wake up at the crack of dawn, wear the same button ups, and never turn my back on him like they did in the movies. I thought he’d be my friend, all my life... And that somehow I’d magically have the answers to make that happen. What did I know back then that I forgot now? And my mom... My mother used to love me forever and ever... Who couldn’t be friends with a sweetheart like her?” Aaron set Felicity aside his tools on the workbench, before reaching into his mobile storage through the portal beside him and retrieved his gems blindly by touch. He continued. “Now I’m not even sure I’m scared of leaving them anymore. Riddle me these things... The sooner I can leave this place, the sooner I’ll find myself; and the sooner I can’t be found by anyone.” Aaron lamented, watching his bored little therapist slither off to grate their brain on some other drama in the living room.

Standing slumped, and frowned of features, Aaron turned his mind back from the distraction. It wasn’t the first time contemplating, nor putting Felicity through his discontent and Aaron waved it off for the task at hand. A little fresh air would be good, and he lifted the folding back door a few feet from the floor. Removing the wrap, Aaron chucked his gemstone back into the portal, wondering just what it was he was thinking, pulling the wrong stone out. Searching for the right one this time, he managed to withdraw it. His memory was becoming rather intimately textile, as he marvelled with his next piece.

His ears seemed to perk towards the newly semi-open door, and hearing the door open further, Aaron’s hairs began to rise. Quickly, Aaron had covered the table and began formulating reasons to excuse any greedy sighted individual from peering under the sheets at whatever treasures lay there.

Peeking in from the back yard was a shy and rather charming young woman, “Don’t suppose you’d mind my company, would you?” She spoke timidly, crawling under the garage door, dragging her long dirty blond hair along the cement. As the shadow of the blinding world outside no longer eclipsed her, Aarons eyes wearied; with her dress and effeminate clothing, Aaron almost didn’t recognize her, as Sophie stood silently awaiting his response.

Aaron stood shallow of an answer, turning to his workbench and waving her forward. For many days he questioned the direction which to address the obvious, and the approach of his remorse. She seemed to hang upon it, breaching the space for an answer with neither guile nor malice. Aaron stilled his mind, sifting through the files until the only thought that would erupt was the one he reserved for himself. “I’ve been a massive asshole lately...”

Sophie nodded, sheepishly, still too shy to return him any further statement.

“To be honest, it felt like I was being threatened out of existence if I didn’t. Felt like I was being taken for everything I had... I’m not saying any of it was, but I was scared it’d happen...”

“So, what are you working on?” Sophie changed the subject.

“Thought you always wanted to know what was going on in my life... Well... I’ve got an idea more than anything, putting the innate energies of these stones to good use. I know you have a sci-fi jargon for this, but for us laymen I’d say: This stone makes things move, this one rubs one way, and that should be the final score... Except this one makes something else possible.” Holding the floppy glass sack of his yellow stone shavings. “Been trying to figure out how I’d begin shaping this metal sheet, but I’m not even sure I can close it up when I’m done. I’m trying to make an inner tube, and where that sounds all great to just use a bike tire, I don’t really have one short enough to make a circuit out of my short gem supply.”

“You trying to make a perpetual energy machine?”

“Ye...” Aaron gripped his face, “Yes, Sophie, I’ve converted from a crooked cap to a tinfoil hat, and I’m trying to make a perpetual energy machine.” Watching her wince from his sarcasm. “A... Motor in the very least, maybe perpetual energy, it is magic after all...”

“It’s not magic...” Sophie defended, “If you wanted perpetual energy, I made one when I was five. How do you suppose we cut back on the power bills?”

“Thought everything was cosmo-powered to begin with...” Loosening the tension in the clasping of his face, “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear I’m not some kind of nut working in his garage... Still... Still time for that I suppose...” Lightening up with a humble self disparagement. Sophie seemed to laugh, and it intrigued Aaron, as he cracked another wise remark, and she took to it also. Something was off, yet somehow his dream of her, seemed to be the most distant thing from him. If anything, he saw more of her coming out, as she became more human to him.

Looking over the diagram, Sophie pointed out. “Why not use a doughnut cake mould, and just put a glass lid on the top? It doesn’t have to start complicated just to see that something works. It’s not like I’m not going to mistake you for Albert Over-recognized, so no sense holding you to his standard.” Sophie suggested, hovering over his works.

They had began mending the broken period for a while now and soon they were making up for lost time. “You know...” Aaron mentioned, wagging a floppy metal object, “...It’s gonna be really hard to explain why the crescent wrench is twisted into a knot but I think it might have ironically increased it’s market value as a result.”

Sophie smiled with a fullhearted remark. “Art is subjective, people pay money to look at anything these days. Really ruins the aspect of artisans who make quality tools, being compared with a guy who flips a toilet upside down. You’ll probably make millions with that niche, a real Jackson Pollock or a Salvador Dali. Better than drawing with bubble gum, and less pieces of foreskin than a Pricasso.”

“You know, you’re Altarian ways really are unapologetic...”

“That’s the way we’re raised, free to speak, free to think, free to be right, or free to be wrong... Not that we kept it for very long... You’re kind is scared of any of these freedoms, especially to think for their own.”

“It borders on Discordian and lacks the pleasantries of etiquette.”

“Altar etiquette says you should punch someone in the dick for being weak, its the polite thing to do.”

“And where’s that located? The belly button?... Don’t answer that.” Aaron instantly regret.

“Ever wondered why men have tail bones?” Sophie poised, slowly watching Aaron unravel the kinematics involved with backwards side jumping. “You can rest your back on me any time...” She snickered.

“Well, that spiralled out of control rather quickly. First Zack’s getting a fur rug to sleep on, now I’m getting a new mattress...”

“I’m kidding, it’s where it’s supposed to be. I was joking about the innuendo as well... Most girls from ‘old country’ have a thing for the back of the ears, the nape, the third spinal collum... It’s, a little uncomfortable mentioning it.” She squirmed, regretfully blushing.

“You don’t have like a bad-boy complex, do you? I’m sorry your upbringing makes me look like a nineties Chad superstar, but I really didn’t mean to be like that to you...”

“It’s not that. I just...” Sophie sighed, “You remember that episode of Joey two-oh-two? Where bushy hair tries to rewrite a play because he’s super awkward and doesn’t know how to handle his feelings?” Fixing her hair uncontrollably. “The whole thing was kind of a dumpster fire, because bushy wrote himself as the hero, and Draco-Blond-Boy got the staring role instead?”

“I think I caught the tail end of that episode, I kinda changed the channels when they started replacing the ‘s’s in the script for the old English ones. It was pretty weird... People are weird, I think I have a trauma from how weird it was.”

Sophie laughed, redirecting herself before a statement could be made. “If you think that’s weird, you should hear the popular culture on my planet. I was raised a Holthar, a sect that is similar to your traditions, and I actually got to be raised by my own Father. Most people on my planet find a couple, and pay them to birth them a kin. If it’s male, it will succeed him; and if it’s a female, she will be raised to be his wife when she becomes of age and they will be paid to birth someone else a child in return. Needless to say, the best genetics are heavily sought after, and are the main form of royalty. Rule of decency is that you’d only have one child per couple and if it was twins, it’s considered a blessing from The Jaragrial; their ancient deity that only lives on in the blood of his people... As you probably heard the gates closed a while back. You can probably see why they’ve become a warring nation in recent years.”

“That is just so... Fascinating, and utterly irrelevant.” Aaron astonished, lowering his glass of water. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re trying to impress me.” Finally returning to brainstorm ideas of containing his now gel-lified gemstone engine pieces. Aaron scanned the room for a place he could store them as he set another stone next to his shavings to be softened and reformed.

Somehow, with an old plastic ice cream pale and a centre stopper, Aaron could compile his floppy crystals into the haul of the container. Piece on piece, making a 3-D checkered circuit of different functions... And sure as shit, they were moving all on their own, slowly moving faster. They peeked out with some kind of friction that slowed them down but, by golly, it needed no push to get it going. Made putting the pieces into the moving machine a little harder too. Needed some lube and a little more surface area but it seemed Aaron finally constructed his first technical miracle; and it was a motor, too! Technology, eat your heart out. Belship, eat your heart out also... –oh shit, the plastic’s melting.

“Well?...” Aaron instilled, pulling the active components out of the degrading container. “You change you mind of gemstones yet?”

“Functional, pretty rudimentary, effective... But the bottom is blowing out. The residual radiation has to dissipate somehow in order to resolve, so it’s kinda leaking poltics everywhere... I wouldn’t recommend touching too many things in the next little while. Kinda surprised you don’t have more heath problems...”

“You really are impossible to impress, aren’t you?” Aaron retorted with slanted eyes and a monotone disappointment.

“You got me when you soft piloted a portal with your hands like an old alchemist of yore.”

“Wow, I guess that does seem like a bit of a cliche, doesn’t it.” Aaron laughed, feeling light headed, “Say, I haven’t eaten yet today, I just kinda jumped at this to get away from things... Would you like me to make you something?”

“I’m apt to believe that people can evolve from peanut butter and banana sandwiches... I wasn’t really able to eat anything today, hard to believe as it is... I would have come earlier, but it’s been hard sorting through everything, so I haven’t had the time...”

“Guess your dad hates me even more now...” Watching a shadow move past the door and stop. From under the wide crack at the bottom there were a still standing blockage of light, and it intently refused to move. Aaron’s concern risen, uncertain of who was standing before the door.

“No more than Mr. Hatterson.” Sophie continued, “They can only make so many episodes of My Teenage Daughter before the dad looks like an asshole for not opening up to the guy...”

“Oh wow!” Felicity burst in through the hallway door, with starlit eyes “You watch T.V. too? That’s so cool! You ever see the show where a stripper puts her clothes on to fight people?”

“Channel fifteen, huh?” Sophie replied back smugly.

“You’ve seen the mysterious green number in the top of the screen too?...”

Well, wasn’t this just the beginning of a candid little coinkie-dink. Aarom smiled, relieved as he closed the wide swung door. – ah, shit, Felicity dented the drywall. Someone should have put a door stopper there. Looking awkwardly out to the quick fire of TV references being bounced back and forth, Aaron lightened up, still concerned with the time bomb that was his mom discovering the recent property damage in the Garage. His stomach gurgled again, somehow audible behind the wall of Felicity’s excitement. “You know what,” Aaron suggested, managing to squeeze a word in edgewise. “How about we drop by the old burger place by the Eleven... Maybe see what projects you’ve been up to, if you’re dad’s not there.”

Unanimously it was decided, as to say Felicity was just as loud as ever when he was excited, and it was just assumed everyone else say ‘ay!’... And by that I mean Sophie.

Eagerly they fled for the sake of food, taking the liquid shortcut, before another figure approached the door; called in by the commotion. His large feet and dirty jeans stood before a silent and empty space. Paul, early from work after an expensive mess in the labelling room, was brought home, and his workmate Riccardo put into hot water. Still as silent as the grave, Paul cried out, “Aaron?” Walking out into the back yard, “Aaron?” He cried a tad more clearly, sternly pleading. “Aaron, where are you?”

Along the mild scorching heat, Aaron recounted his available funds in his wallet. It was the same as the last time he checked, but no matter his assurance, something still loomed over him. He felt nervous, attributing his fears as they walked; but he knew somewhere between the worry, really, he simply just wasn’t satisfied to say that he actually mended things with Sophie yet. Guilt still poured into his glass unnecessarily, and he drank from it, every last worrying drop.

Orange walls, fake plants sitting on the needless room divider, the old burger shop was a time capsule of years gone by. The only thing to have been changed was the pictures of what deals they had going on... As if they had to advertise, after you already entered the building.

“What’s with you two?” Aaron butted in as he sat down with his paid burger tray. It had been half an hour of hearing them go back and forth on the way here about different shows and movies, to stupid commercials and the third interaction of the chocolate orbs saga. “Is T.V. really that important? Felicity’s just flat out addicted, but Sophie, you’ve gone on about it your whole life.”

“...I guess, in a way, I’ve always felt out of place. People smile, laugh at non-sensical things, and I never understood. I guess being an immigrant to this world, I missed that cultural upbringing. In a lot of ways, I admire the stupidity of people. The less they know, the happier they seem to be. Angrier, Sadder... Lost, but happier...” Seeing Felicity’s jealous eyes fix overtop of her. “It’s just the only way that I can relate to people is to take myself out of things, and use common media as a form of expression. Maybe then I can appear more... Human...”

Felicity took their fixation towards the double patty with cheese, studying their burger and the wafting aroma that fled into his nostrils; then became silent when looking at Aaron who isn’t touching his food, as though questioning it of poison.

“Wow it’s drear all of the sudden...” Sophie mentioned. Aaron sighed fixing his posture, and working on his assumed schmuck face. “Two minutes ago there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.” Her eyes pointing outside. “Now it’s speckled like the freckles on a gingers cheeks...”

“Bleak... Real bleak...” Aaron relieved, finally working at his burger.

Mirroring Aaron, Felicity followed the ritualistic first bite, and soon his eyes widened. “Wow!” Felicity astonished, mouth dripping with sauces. “Burgers actually are incredible. I don’t think I’ve tasted anything better in this world... Even the sour green things are pleasant!” Hearts drawing in his eyes.

Aaron’s mind wandered, recalling the familiarity in those words, before excusing himself. Something about it triggered a memory, but whenever he awoke from reading it, he returned with nothing.

Aaron sat himself down and refreshed himself, sitting in the redundant single toilet stall of the one person locking bathroom. He had skimmed the thought four times now, journeying deep within his mind, while not recalling a single piece of what shocked him. Washing the grime from his forehead at the tap, he swore he’d seen something flicker in the mirror. Like the dark shade of the sun, like a void from his gaze taking place on his face and he quickly returned his sight to find nothing but the slighting of a troubled youth. Aaron inspected himself deeply, wondering just what it was inside of him that felt so restless; where such unrest could bury within him and fester such displeasure. “Alright you bastard...” Aaron called to himself “Just who or what are you?” Speaking instinctively without a reply. “You’re a coward, only coming out to hunt the weak... You’ve been on a rampage lately, turning friend against friend, mother against father, pitiful, dreary eyes like a sad puppy and the equal teeth of a ravenous wolf. A weary victim with blood on their hands, a two faced lying, conniving, selfish child.” His grip upon the porcine tightening unfathomably, shaking, though the bones in his hands should have snapped under the tense clenching. “Hypocrite! A master of hubris, a prince of sophistry; like a vengeful beast, bleeding puppy dog tears. If you’re in there, if there is any sanity left in there; you get on your legs and walk you flagrant pussy!”

Throwing himself back from the mirror, the rage burned like a billowing flame, dying down as he regained control over his breath. Even his ears, that seemed to hear the echo of the room, opened enough to hear Felicity knocking on the door. “I gotta go, how long are you gonna be in there?!”

Aaron turned aside from the sight of himself and gave passage as he left down the back hall, through the dining area and walked out the front door. The drear overcast passed sun and cloud upon him with each teetering sway his mind took between gloom and recovery. Aaron questioned what transpired, exhausted and clear of mind. Sweat poured down from his forehead, and the hot southern breeze cooled down as it touched him. For a moment it all seemed clear, but he was unable to put his finger on the words. “I really needed to hear that...” Recalling the lecture he gave himself, “Everyone else has been trying, but I guess I’ll only take it from myself...”

“You okay?” Sophie asked.

Aaron calmed himself, “People’ve been asking me that for a while,” Feeling her pull back from the question, Aaron assured her. “Starting to think they might be right... For now, I’m better. Just needed some air.” Choking on the black pipe dust of the diesel pusher, that rolled up to the gas pump.

“I was just kinda worried...”

“It’s good to know that you haven’t given up on me... I would have given up on me.” Aaron admit, seeing Sophie’s anxiety melt into pleasant surprise.

Dog piling him onto the ground, Felicity leapt upon Aarons back. “Thank you so, so much for that tasty ass burger!” The thin cloth of his fanny shaking about shamelessly ignorant of his lifting skirt, as he slid off Aaron and followed off the curb. Rolling around he spring up, lifting Aaron off the ground for a hug, “I’m so glad I got to experience such a thing, I can still taste it rolling around in my mouth like the sloshing of an ocean of meat!” Occasionally adjusting the boy’s slipping position, winding Aaron from speaking each time.

Slapping Felicity’s back, Aaron could finally cry uncle and retort, “Okay, okay!... Let me down already!” Taking a moment to refresh, Aaron gratified, “I’m glad you liked it to so much, I’m even more glad you had the decency to do that outside.”

Sophie stood silently, envious of the bond between the two brothers and she fixed her hair nervously. “Should we head in and finish up?” Sophie suggested, unable to hide her embarrassment.

“I’m not really all that hungry after all...” Aaron replied, slowly coming to question if he had ever seen that emotion from her before.

“Me neither...” Sophie replied. Walking in to retrieve their expensive take out. Looking out the window at the two playing roughly, Sophie frowned as she wrapped up their meals to go; her stomach gurgled wildly, unable to bare the thought of her completely untouched burger, and tucked it aside.

Down the road, they couldn’t seem to talk of anything but Felicity’s religious experience at the diner. “Did you ever get a chance to breath between bites?” Aaron heckled, and for the life of him, Felicity seemed stalled to even remember.

Aaron’s nerves fell out as he neared the familiar hum of his old extra curricular household, and the cause of many headaches. Sophie disarmed the locks, welcoming them in. Felicity seemed dissatisfied with it’s spotless retro fitting, and it’s bland colours –but it’s not like he lived there so he can suck it. Calling down the stairs, Sophie declared her return, and belatedly a voice called up from the depths.

Inside her closet chambers, sprawled the same welded assortment of toys... and about fifteen cats, that Aaron had the foresight to close the door on before they were even released. They all turned a circle to hiss at Felicity who flipped them all the bird and went on with his day. Aaron shook his head, picking up a rather loving individual who favoured him over the snake in the room. “How do you manage to keep that many cats in such a small space without them all going stir crazy?”

“Scenery projector, hamster wheels...” Sophie explained, eyeing the walking machine. “Still trying to get them to walk on the treadmill without them falling over and laying on it.” Picking up a very reluctant cat, “Oh, you’re such a little pur-slut aren’t you? Falling over on the treadmill, slowly getting fatter...” Clearing her throat as she let the anxious room expeditioneer on with his business. “That and a box fort that would make the Minotaur’s Labyrinth look like a kid’s puzzle. I like to change out the pieces daily, but they’re sticklers for tradition and tend to have other plans when I do it. I also have all eight seasons of Sir Wellingsworth on DVD. It was cheaper than ordering his other cat-competitor cartoon counterpart up here from the States, despite us being neighbouring countries...”

“So, does this shoot” Aaron inquired, distracted with her devices, “Or it is made to rotate until something comes out?”

“Kinda looks like a sexual aid...” Felicity questioned reluctantly in the form of a statement.

“You’re right, it does...” Aaron agreed.

Snatching the scratching device, “It’s not a sexual aid!” Sophie defended frantically, depositing it in the back of a junk heap.

“That just made it sound more like a sexual aid.”

“It a... Plastasedian exchange converter. It... It’s really advanced stuff...”

“Unless a plastasedian is a form of muscle relaxer, I’m calling B.S. That word sounds made up as frick.”

“Hey, Aaron! I’ma trooper.” Felicity called out, holding the most metal guitar and/or flamethrower, as it began sparking and scaring every cat that wasn’t already terrified of him into a corner.

“Enough!” Sophie instilled, pulling the cords out of the battery supply.

Aaron jested, chuckling to himself. “I thought you were joking when you said most things didn’t have an off switch.”

“Sophie?” Belship called from below them. “Is there someone else up there?” And without a trace, Aaron seemed to be void of the room altogether.

“N... Yes!” Sophie replied, flicking Felicity’s hands from touching any more potentially cat frying objects, and putting them back behind the safety cabinet where they belonged. Running up the stairs, Belship turned the corner, busting into the room with what a space rifle as fifteen cats frantically scrambled to every corner; with most fleeing into the rest of the house. “Um... Parsnips...” Sophie uttered.

Relieved, Belship lowered his arms. “You know we had the talk about the safety word in case someone drags you here against your will... It’s not like you to be horsing around...” A stark silence creaked in the room; Belship staring at Felicity, Felicity staring at Belship, their eyes squinting in question.

“What’s with the head tentacles?” Felicity questioned, seeing the man for who he was.

“What’s with the stumps under your arms?” Belship spoke likewise, “Sophie, who is this dragon?”

“It’s Aaron’s friend... Aaron... Was here, about thirty seconds ago. He’s uh... Still in a rut about the whole mental overload business.”

Creasing his eyes, Belship held down his offence and muttered out, “Earthlings...” Before walking back to his workshop, and chasing whatever cats back into the bedroom. “I hope I shouldn’t have to outline the ground rules, just don’t give that serpent anything to play with that you wouldn’t already find in a computer store...”

Catching Aaron on the front step, Sophie walked past him, delaying her tongue from opening the airlines’ worth of baggage sitting there. “Hope you’re not too offended if I keep that conversation for later...” Aaron expelled from his chest for her. “I really don’t care to have to get into it with him. I’m just tired of the superiority complex, the cosmic jib-jab and the constant condescensions towards my ‘earthly’ intelligence. Makes me rather visit a petting zoo for hairy asses with legs and catch them for feeding time... Really see what hole it’s supposed to crap it out of...”

“I’m very well aware of that at this point.” Sophie assured, letting the tension go. “Kinda surprised the in house defences didn’t tranquilize you one the way out.”

“You know,” Felicity complimented, “I really admire your crude passion with words.” Picking him up to head home.

Though the sun shone, Aaron was reluctant to let it into his heart. Willing himself to look back on the house, Aaron confined to himself “It’s like one long slip and slide... No matter how much I try to climb back up, it’s just never enough before I slip back down again... Just with more regrets following me each time I try.” Holding himself together, while one half held back the tears, and the other from the inferno of rage that consumed him.