Maggie: She and Erasyl have a strange encounter Meanwhile, Maggie and Erasyl were walking randomly around the grounds of Verdant dome. Maggie shook her head in irritation. She couldn't quite work out if she disliked the idea of spending the whole morning in Erasyl's company, of if it was, in fact, OK. I mean, he has become a whole lot better compared to what he was before. And he is one of the only four teenagers I have ever managed to be friends with. But, on the other hand, he obviously wants to be my boyfriend. Probably the most likely reason he does is because the other three are right out of the question. Geez, what a nuisance. Well he will just have to put up with being a friend! They were making their way along walking paths, heading towards the general direction of the river. The scenery around them was shrubs, trees, garden beds, with occasional elevator entrances, and one or two full size buildings. There was silence between them, until Erasyl looked at Maggie's face. "Hey, you've got that menacing dangerous look again - I haven't done anything to deserve that, have I?" "Stop assuming I am always angry! It pisses me off and I will really become angry!" Erasyl backed away slightly. Oh-oh, I think I'm over reacting here. "Ah, sorry, perhaps I went too far. It's just that it is so obvious that you want a girlfriend, or boyfriend, and that I'm the only eligible teenager around. Just keep in mind that I'm only interested in friendship only!" "OK! OK! I'm certainly guilty as charged, but let's both of just pretend that I'm purely here for the friendship. After all, I want that, also." "No problems." They were currently passing a children's playground, with several bench seats for the parents to sit while they watched their children. So they sat on one of them, with a suitable one-metre clearance between them. After a while, Erasyl started talking. "It's occurred to me that you don't know all that much about me, while I certainly know a few things about you. So, I would just like to say, ah, just like to say that, ah, actually I've never talked about this to anyone else, what with having no friends and all of that..." "Well, come on, spit it out!" said Maggie, with a not negligible amount of impatience." Erasyl giggled slightly. "That's our Maggie!" He then hurried on before she could get even more stroppy. "In the past few years I've felt so lonely and isolated, and the hulking big macho men that make up the rest of my family didn't exactly help, that I have often thought of just killing myself. That time I went to the gay bar determined to let someone pick me up - as soon as some man actually tried to do that I felt so disturbed that I ran out. And, of course, that made me feel even worse. So, I guess I'm trying to say that I do appreciate your friendship. And the others, of course." Maggie looked at him for a long moment, her face softening. She wiggled a bit as she tried to work out what to say. "Right. Thanks for saying that. I'm glad you have turned out to be a reasonably nice boy, after all." Then they both sat there, not knowing what to do or what to say. Eventually Maggie had a go. "It's certainly an interesting situation we are in. We have an Angle of Death speaking to two of our acquaintances, and they both have strange and unusual powers." said Maggie. "Yes. And at any given point in time we are never sure if they are reading our souls or not." "And, what's more, we never know whether to remain atheists or to become full blown theists!" she said. "Yes, do we become religious and worship at the local church every Sunday morning, or do we just kneel at the feet of our own saints Sarsaparilla and Teylon for salvation?" said Erasyl, trying hard not to giggle any more. "Perhaps Sarsaparilla can become the local saint for dating? Then you can entreat her for advice, after all, she has managed to get her own girlfriend." Maggie was struggling to keep her face straight while Erasyl had given up the struggle entirely and had a grin from ear to ear. "I think she should bless Adalace and let her get over her dark past, once and for all!" he said. "And I'm sure the accumulated divinity that surrounds the two of them is more than enough to surmount the darkness emanating from of the Girls in Pink and enlighten their souls and show them the way to the light and forgive them their sins!" she said. Both Maggie and Erasyl laughed at this. "But still, the entire situation is outside of any expectations I had for my life." said Erasyl. "Yeah, it sure is." Feeling much more relaxed, they sat in companionable silence for while. Until Maggie looked up and saw someone approaching directly towards them. Now who is that creepy looking man? And why does he act as if he knows us? She turned her head and glanced at Erasyl. He appears to have the same opinion as me. The man stopped right in front of them. Oh, yuck, you're way to close, and what's with the weird stare? She started to reach for her nails with her magnetic sense, only to completely lose track of what she had been doing. Oh, what's going on... Everything appeared so much nicer. And brighter, but without any glare. She could almost see pink fluffy clouds floating past. Huh? What... Oh wow! He's positively glowing - err, or something... Am I drunk? Nyah, couldn't be. But why am I blushing - actually, so is Erasyl. The man produced a big smile, and said: "May I sit right between you?" "Sure! Sure!" said Erasyl, a goofy grin on his face. The man sat down, and put his arms around the both of them. Maggie, pressed against his side, found herself mildly aroused. Oh wow! This is nice... Wait, why is this nice? Ah, he doesn't look at all creepy now! Creepy, what? Why did I ever think that? She was blushing furiously, and she could see that Erasyl was too. The man spoke again. "Hello sweeties, my name is Ajaeren, and from now on you will be my friends!" Oh, he's so lovely! Ajaeren, what a nice name! This is so nice! Even sexy! Oh, wait, what? Ah, what? But she lost track of that particular thought thread when he spoke again. He turned to Maggie. "You really like me, don't you, Maggie?" "Ah, yes! Yes! For sure. You're so dreamy and sexy!" Yeah he really is... Wait, wasn't I going to think that about Erasyl? No, no, I wasn't, I mean, Erasyl's only a platonic friend... But Ajaeren is... is... a complete stranger? A complete... Ajaeren brought his face right up to hers, they touched foreheads. Maggie felt she was about to drown in pink fluffy clouds. And little love hearts were circling around the two of them. Oh, this is wonderful, wonderful. He's so sexy... Don't go away! The feelings diminished a bit as he turned to Erasyl and touched their foreheads together. Erasyl is feeling the same, too. That's nice... Although, shouldn't I feel just a little be jealous? No, no, this feeling is too nice to disrupt. He started to speak: "Well, that's enough for now." What! You going away already? "I find it best to space this out for the most effect." Space out what? "I shall meet you up with you again, very soon. Come to this place tomorrow in the morning." "Yes!" said both Maggie and Erasyl. "And remember, you must not say anything about this to anybody else, OK?" "Sure, sure!" said both Maggie and Erasyl. "And try to act completely normally." "Sure, sure!" At that, he looked at the time, mumbled something about being late, and left them without any further words. Maggie, still red in the face and still feeling mildly aroused, looked at Erasyl. He's the same. Ajaeren is so handsome and dreamy and sexy and, and, Isn't he still a complete stranger? Ah, so what, he's wonderful! Wonderful! Ah, wait, err, we're supposed to not talk about him. Sure... Do I feel a little confused here? But he is wonderful! A little confused... I... don't know... Just keep quiet about this, OK? Maggie and Erasyl looked at each other. Does he look... puzzled also? About what, but? Erasyl smiled at her. Isn't that a strange sort of smile... But still... "He's, err, really nice, isn't he?" said Erasyl. Having this confirmed, Maggie forgot her niggling doubts. "Yeah, he sure is!" "But, we have to do exactly as he says, and not tell anyone!" "Of a course. And we should act normally like we usually do." "Certainly. Err, exactly how do we act normally?" "Ah, well, never mind. Just act." They got up and started walking back to Teylon's. And, all the way, Maggie kept on thinking about Ajaeren. With pink clouds and rainbows. Sigh, so lovely, I hope I see him again, real soon. She could hear Erasyl sighing a few times, also. Sarsaparilla: Getting a perfect zero. Sarsaparilla, Leroy, and Kaydence, all feeling just a little down, arrived back at Teylon's place. They were a little late, as witnessed by the fact that everyone else was already there. And, it seemed, the other teenagers were also just a little bit out of sorts. "Hey, Sarsaparilla, have you checked your messages today?" said Adalace. Five minutes later. "Oh, right. So, I need to get another esp test, and you lot have all gotten your educational stipends cancelled. Hmm, I'm trying very hard not to gloat here, since, you all realise, I had to work my arse off and earn every dollar I spent." Ha! Should I feel sorry for them? "Oh, don't be so mean!" said Adalace. But only because Adalace asked me. "I suppose it does cause a bit of a problem. Wait a minute - if all of this is because of us rescuing the two girls - then - isn't this a pretty mild retaliation, all things considered?" "It's a very mild retaliation!" said Sarawatch, "I can tell you how they can retaliate if they really want to!" The Girls in Pink watched all of this with extreme interest, although only Francesca actually showed this in her expression. "Let's worry about any other retaliation when we come to it, shall we? Right now we need to work out how we are going to support ourselves." said Leroy. Kaydence and Juniper looked puzzled and unsure of how to react to all of this. Everybody else turned their gaze to Teylon. "Right, I'm sure you lot are not all admiring my handsome good looks, so I suppose you must want something from me..." said Teylon. Sarsaparilla got straight to the point. "You know, I'm thoroughly sick and tired of having to work while studying and maintaining my social life. So I think this is a good point in time for you to pay me. And the other teenagers." "Sure, no problems." Five teenagers looked surprised. "Maggie, I believe you got the highest stipend, if you could tell us what it was?" Maggie did. Sarsaparilla gasped in shock. "You mean you got all of that! That's triple what I was earning!" "Ah, sorry." "But anyway," said Teylon, getting in before there were any other disruptive comments, "I'm happy to pay you all that same amount." "Well, that was easy." said Sarsaparilla. "Very easy, what happened to the shock and horror routine you normally do?" said Leroy. A smirk from Teylon. "Oh, things move on. And also, I'm paying for Kaydence and Juniper also, of course. And..." He looked at the Girls in Pink. Especially at Devina, who was trying hard to attract his attention without it being too obvious. Francesca took note of this, and making some guesses about what might be disturbing Devina, spoke. "What about us girls have a private chat with Teylon about a few things?" Sarsaparilla watched as Teylon and the Girls went to Teylon's room and shut the door behind them. She had to suppress a giggle. Teylon, the consummate bachelor, is in his bedroom with three lovely ladies - who will happily kill him if he does anything wrong. But, I suppose they have to work out how, exactly, the Girls are going to fit in with all of this. "And, Sarsa, when are you going to go in for your esp test?" said Adalace. Sarsa? I now have a nickname? The lady with the dark past is soooooo cute. "Oh, that's right. Well, I suppose this afternoon... Why don't you come along with me? Please?" Sarawatch, getting hungry, organised lunch, and made sure that when Teylon and the Girls rejoined them, there was still enough left over. At the end of lunch there were a few arrangements made. "Kaydence and Juniper are both agreeable to having some sort of catch-up education, so this afternoon Sarawatch and I will investigate that. Sarsaparilla and Adalace will go to the esp testing institution, and all those who want to can go in a group and take Kaydence and Juniper sightseeing or something." said Teylon. Teylon and Sarawatch waved everyone else goodbye, before settling in at Teylon's screen to do some serious Web searching. "Adalace, let's go and get me tested. Again." said Sarsaparilla. Hand in hand, they set off. "Say, dear, did you notice that Maggie and Erasyl were a bit strange during lunch? And they went off by themselves, not with the main group." "Yeah, I did," said Adalace, "And here I was thinking that they were starting to get along with each other. Do you think Erasyl got a sudden rush of blood to his head and reverted back to his old stupid ways?" "Maybe not to his head, but yeah. Well, maybe, but, I dunno." Adalace gave a long and meaningful stare. "Yes, yes! No, I won't be asking Esmeralda for a soul reading of those two! Her powers are meant for things that are important! Not for frivolous things like the results of overcharged teenage hormones!" Adalace nodded her head in agreement. An hour later. Sarsaparilla walked out of the Institute of Esp Testing building and hopped down the steps two at a time. She gave a happy smile to Adalace, waiting at ground level. And I still don't have any esp ability! As if I cared any more about such things! When she reached Adalace on the bottom, she gave a joyful little bounce. She handed over the results card with one hand, while fluffing up her short blond hair with the other. Adalace took the card with interest and read it out. "Implant Status: present and active. Ability level: 0 Ability Index Code: 132 Ability Name: Bad Hair Day" "You poor thing." she said, with as much mock sympathy as she could muster. "Yep. That's exactly what the nice lady who did the testing said. She was so sorry that I had gone backwards. She says that there has only ever been one other person who got a perfect zero." "Teylon!" "That's right! Do we detect a pattern?" "Sure do!” said Adalace, "Now, if I remember, the last time you got tested you went to the Chocolate Frenzy afterwards all by your lonesome?" "That's right!" "And, what's with the name? Has your Ability Name always been 'Bad Hair Day'?" said Adalace. "No, before hand it was always just the word 'Blank'. I guess the unknown people who control these sorts of things saw me complaining about getting my hair messed up, and decided to be a bit whimsical for once." "Whatever." said Adalace. Arm in arm, they went to have some more chocolate ice cream. I have my super power! I have Adalace! I have friends! What a difference! She sagged a little. What a worry.

Sarsaparilla: They really are acting weird Sarsaparilla and Adalace arrived back at Teylon's just before teatime. Sarsaparilla surveyed the crowd of people bustling around but not really doing all that much. They're just waiting for the food to arrive. Well, I suppose, so am I. She, still holding Adalace's hand, backed herself up against a wall, where she could see everyone. Adalace, now standing next to her, looked at her and raised her eyebrows in query. "Let's just do nothing, for a change?" she said. Yeah, let me get used to having an Angel of Death, of all things, talking to me. Sarsaparilla turned her head to Adalace. "Adalace, I'm still just a teenage high school girl, aren't I?" "Of course! Ah, don't forget most of us in this room have super powers. Unusual super powers, at that. So don't worry!" "I'm not showing a halo or anything? Or gently glowing in the dark? Or causing people to quake in their boots because I'm giving them visions of hell?" "No! No! Nothing like that! Err, I guess that bloke who tried to annoy Kaydence might have different ideas, but to me you still look like my Sarsaparilla. Only with slightly more power. Nothing to worry about!" Sarsaparilla, looking up, and Adalace, looking down, gazed meaningfully into each other's eyes. Bullshit, she's as scared as I am. But let's keep pretending otherwise, shall we? Having come to an unspoken agreement about certain things, and beginning to feel overwhelmed by the deep and meaningful shared gaze, they decided to look at the crowd. Which must have decided to leave them alone for the time being. Here comes Erasyl and Maggie, fresh from their outing. All by themselves. Hmm. By chance, Juniper was the first person to greet them. She smiled at them and said "Hello! We saw some lovely little puppies at the zoo!" Big smile from Erasyl, and a relaxed smile from Maggie. "Ooh, that's nice!" said Erasyl. "Ah, I've forgotten your names..." "I'm Maggie, and this nice boy is Erasyl!" Maggie giggled and gently poked Erasyl with her elbow, then looked into space and giggled again. "I think you are all nice, helping me like this." said Juniper. Fortunately, she was called away by Devina to help put out the cutlery. And so did not notice that neither Maggie nor Erasyl were paying her any more attention. Sarsaparilla, not caring the least for the possible danger of future crease lines in her face, frowned. Maggie didn't have that disgruntled, annoyed look on her face. Not even once. And those two must have made some significant advances in their relationship - but why are they getting spaced out but not looking at each other? Next to wander by was Leroy. He nodded to Sarsaparilla. "Kaydence is getting on well with Juniper and the Girls in Pink, isn't she?" That was exactly so. Francesca had taken over the arrangement for the dinner, and Juniper and Kaydence were happily moving chairs around, setting out the knives and forks, while Devina kept to Juniper's side. Devina was not doing all that much, but she did appear to be enjoying herself for once. Tamara was standing slightly apart, watching Devina and Juniper and nodding her head in agreement at whatever was being said. "I suppose it is all right that they are socialising with those three ladies?" Sarsaparilla shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows? I mean, Esmeralda hasn't said a word about them to either me or Teylon, so, I guess it is meant to be?" "This is all so strange, don't you think so?" said Leroy, looking at both Adalace. "Yeah, I guess so." said Adalace, who then turned her head back to Sarsaparilla. Those two don’t have much of a connection, do they? And I bet he has a dark past also. Leroy, getting the hint, and seeing that Maggie and Erasyl where now close enough to talk to, turned to them. "Oh, hi!" He looked at the two of them, who were obviously in a good mood. "Ah, you're getting on well with each other?" "Getting on well with Maggie - well, ah, of course! She's lovely! But I mustn't say who else! Actually you're pretty nice also, you know?" While saying this, Erasyl used put out one hand and grasped Leroy's, as if to do a handshake. While the other he grasped his arm. I thought Erasyl had gotten over is inappropriate advances? Leroy must have had similar thoughts also, as he backed off and a look of disgust appeared on his face. "Hey, that's too much, you know." said Leroy. "Oh, why?" said Erasyl. Maggie giggled again. "Yeah, surely that is no problem?" What the hell? Maggie should be launching the heat seeking magnetic nail missiles by now! Leroy flicked his wrist around, causing Erasyl to break hold. He turned and made a big show of wanting to help Kaydence move some more chairs around, and thus escaped from Erasyl's immediate orbit. This presented the perfect opportunity to Francesca, who had been looking for another person to boss around. "Hey, Erasyl, how about getting all of the condiments from the kitchen?" Erasyl happily set forth on this errand, leaving Maggie still standing in front of Sarsaparilla and Adalace. "Maggie, err, don't you think that Erasyl is falling back to his initial obnoxious ways?" said Sarsaparilla. Maggie, still smiling, answered. "No? What's wrong with expressing a bit of affection?" Sarsaparilla went into mild shock. She momentarily glanced at Adalace, to see that she must be thinking something similar also. Shit. What is going on here? But before she could work out what to say, Maggie's expression changed. She blinked her eyes, looked around as if not knowing where she was, and looked hesitant. "I mean, it is OK isn't it?" She started to look confused. "Actually, I suppose he was acting wrong... Maybe I'm not supposed to say anymore..." "You're not?" said Sarsaparilla. Does that imply that someone is telling her to... what? It doesn't seem to be Erasyl telling her. At this point, the food arrived and there was the usual amount of movement as everyone sorted themselves out and tried to sit next to their favourite people. Sarsaparilla decided to be silent, and do some careful watching. By chance, Erasyl and Maggie were opposite her, with Teylon sitting on the other side of Erasyl. Erasyl is still acting far too friendly to Maggie. But now Maggie is looking not quite so enthusiastic. What changed for her? And now Teylon must be realising that something is off. "Say, Erasyl, you must have had a nice outing with Maggie?" said Teylon as his opening gambit. "Sure! It was great! We went to a park and had a talk-" At this point Erasyl just cut off his words. He dropped his smile, and looked confused. And now Erasyl is acting differently from before. And much more abruptly that Maggie did. I really must have a talk with Teylon after this. Obviously, Erasyl and Maggie are not getting on well with each other. And I thought they were slowly and steadily building up some sort of rapport. For the rest of the meal neither Erasyl now Maggie contributed much to the conversation. And Teylon exchanged a few meaningful glances with Sarsaparilla. Latter, in a quiet corner, Teylon had some words with Sarsaparilla and Adalace. "Did you see that? Was Erasyl acting a bit strange?"" "Oh, definitely. Both Erasyl and Maggie." said Adalace. "I'll say they really are acting weird. I don't know what to do about it, but." said Sarsaparilla. Teylon shrugged his shoulders. "One more problem to challenge us."