[FIN] If it Never Crossed My Mind [Callypso]

[Lucca]

"Oh, don't cry, Emery!" Mirriam said, noticing the tears that were welling up in the Ace's eyes. She accepted the comfort of his claws around hers, but really...she felt kind of at a loss. How could she tell him it was going to be okay when...it really might not? When the whole world treated him badly for something he couldn't help? She listened to his explanation, ears going back against her head.

Oh, yeah, she had several Diamond abilities. Four by this point. So she nodded. But he didn't even have any magic at all? He couldn't even (she searched her mind briefly to recall the basic Heart spell) resist pain for a brief amount of time? And since he couldn't change his Rank like other Cards could, he could never get any other abilities, either...

"Well, Heart abilities are kinda mean anyway," she said, trying to be comforting, though...she wasn't quite sure how well she succeeded in that. After that statement...she paused, trying to search for something else to say...something to do with all this new information. She had to know more, but she didn't want to upset Emery anymore than he already was. Maybe she could...promise him something. Young, sincere brown eyes searched out his.

"Emery," she said solemnly, "I promise from now on that I'll treat Aces like normal Cards instead of pets or...or animals." The harder part, she already knew, would be getting other Cards to do the same thing. They must know, that Aces were actually smart. Khusrenada must know...and yet...he still treated Merquise like a pet... "And if you need any help..."

[Callypso]

Another heavy sigh escaped his lips. All of the changes his life now promised him seemed overwhelming. The kindness he’d had of late was unheard of and it rocked him to his core. When you spent your whole life assuming every Card was out to get you (and for good reason), it was a little unsettling when they suddenly started asking you to join them traveling or wanted to hold your hand. He shook his head and his body followed, as if trying to get rid itself of a chill. He momentarily removed his claw from atop Mirriam’s to wipe his tears away and took a deep breath to calm himself.

Oh, I’m all right. I’m just… I’ve been treated well lately, oddly enough, and it’s just really surprising. My friend Xopek – his words stopped short and a smile curled the left side of his mouth. That was weird. He’d never had a friend before. Well, anyway, it’s been nice, if unexpected. I’m trying not to let it go to my head.

Another wry smile twisted his countenance as Mirriam attempted to console him for his lack of magical prowess. It was cute, almost. Emery didn’t think he could’ve done much better, had he been in her position. Apologizing for his state of affairs was akin to assuring a blind Card the sunset wasn’t that pretty. How would one ever know unless they experienced it themselves? Ha.

His heart felt like it jumped into his throat as the bat’s eyes found his and his beak trembled a bit. Oh, oh she was really sweet. The Ace took control of his emotions enough to give her a small smile.

That means a lot to me, Mirriam. It really does. But they’ll think you’re cracked, you know. Touched in the head. He tapped a claw knowingly against his skull. In fact, I think your cracked. This time a genuine smile followed the teasing remark. It was pretty funny, after all – an Ace and a 10 of Diamonds talking like normal people? Hilarious.

Most people wouldn’t believe you if you told them about me, and it’s probably better that way. As for the help, well, maybe not speaking of me specifically to anyone would be best. I’m leaving in a few days to see the world, and I wouldn’t want rumors of an “abnormal” Ace floating around, would I? He made a show of looking around for any listeners (he'd been discretely keeping an eye out already) and winked.

But your guardian has an Ace, right? Try talking to him- really talking to him. He might surprise you. Just… maybe wait til you two or alone, eh?

[Lucca]

Mirriam tilted her head curiously, wondering who this Xopek was? But apparently it was someone else who was treating Emery like a Card instead of just a pet, so that made him cool in her book! She just nodded, not sure what to say to that. The whirlwind of her thoughts was starting to settle a bit, but she was just bursting with questions and a sort of restless energy. She wanted to -do- something about all this! She just...wasn't sure what.

"I think a lot of them already think that," Mirriam said seriously, though a smile twitched at the edges of her mouth. She couldn't quite see the irony of this situation the way Emery could, and nor could she grasp the very real truth of the prejudice that would be directed against her for her views. After all, one thing that was universally true about Cards, especially adults, was that they don't like to have their views challenged, and they hate to be told they're wrong or accept correction, especially from someone so young.

Mirriam only had a vague notion of how hard it would actually be to keep her promise to Emery, but she nodded. She wouldn't tell anyone about this. "Hey, don't worry...I'm an Avington, and if there's one thing we know how to do, it's keep secrets." She grinned slyly, ears twitching and claw still clutching Emery's tightly. Her expression sobered a bit at the mention of Merquise. "Yeah...I think I will." Something told her she shouldn't talk to Khushrenada about this. Which was odd, because there was very little she kept from her guardian. But if he thought it was fine to own a fellow Card...

That melancholy line of thought was suddenly interrupted by the roar of thunder, and Mirriam started, eyes widening. "Uh oh..."

[Callypso]

The bittersweet bemused smile that had crept over his face hadn't quite left yet. It was almost like being in a dream, except for the part where he was an Ace and the entire world loathed his very existence. But this child, and his friend Xopek, well… they encouraged him a to have better outlook on life. He wasn't used to having people care about him and it made him want to do more than just survive. The desire to do something while he was still alive began to flare somewhere deep within. Good thing he and Xopek had plans.

Emery chuckled at Mirriam's joke, more because of her face than what she actually said. He quickly sobered up though the wry smile remained. Well, I somehow doubt that. Still, you ought to be careful. They'll forgive you and say that you don't know any better, since you're young. Once you're older, though… He couldn't quite bring himself to finish the thought. She'd learn soon enough, after all. For now, the little girl had the benefit of "youthful ignorance" and if she voiced an opinion on the matter most Cards would chalk it up to her age. That would all change when society thought she should be old enough to "know better".

Very true, very true, Emery assented as Mirriam assured him of her silence. The smile that had hung around so long faded into a serious expression as Mirriam considered speaking to Khushrenada's Ace. He could almost see the cogs spinning in her brain as she pondered the implications of speaking, as one Card to another, to someone she had lived with for so long. It worried him a little, not knowing the Ace himself. The plain fact of the matter was that some Aces were as dumb as posts, but more often than not it was attributed to abuse and/or neglect. Still, the Avington was making a decision to do something that could very well disappoint or shock her. He hoped she would learn well from the experience.

A crack of thunder broke into his thoughts and he looked up as a few drops landed on his beak and trickled down the side of his nares. Promptly afterward, the clouds seemed to tire of their load; the few drips abruptly became a downpour. The sound roared in his chipmunk ears as he turned back to face Mirriam.

I think it's time to go!, he shouted through the heavy torrent. He was about to release her claw so she could leave when he remembered something. Emery tugged the girl's arm to close the gap between them then crouched so they were eye-to-eye. I want you to have this, Mirriam, he said as he pushed his hated collar into her claw, to remember me by. I don't need it any more and I don't have anything else to give. He smiled as broadly as he could, though he was deeply saddened their conversation had been cut short. She seemed so curious and was genuine in the way only children could be.

Maybe we'll meet again someday, then I can introduce you to Xopek. He squeezed her claw, now burdened with the collar, one last time, then nodded his head toward the bench where her nanny had been sitting. Now, go! Before Margret comes looking for you.

He let her go.

[Lucca]

Mirriam knew, as soon as that first bolt of lightning followed the thunder, that it was time to leave, but she wasn't expecting the rain to come so fast and so hard. Her ears went back and she brought her free wing over her head in an attempt to shield it from the torrent. "I think so too! It was nice to meet you Emery! Thank you for explaining about Aces," the little girl shouted back, her high-pitched voice carrying over the wind. She could barely see Emery's face, even though he was right in front of her, and at first she didn't realize there was something in his claw until she heard his words about it.

She looked down, eyes widening, at the token. It was all just too much...the rain and the revelations and now this...she swayed a bit where she stood, but managed to stay standing. "Thank you," the Bat managed, and she nodded, hoping they would meet again and that she'd meet this Xopek, but it was then that she realized this was really good bye...

She swallowed thickly, clasping the collar tightly, and by the time she realized there was more she wanted to say, so much more, it was already too late and the Ace was hurrying away, no doubt having already seen her nanny walking towards the area. "Emery!" she called, but whatever else she was planning to say was lost to the wind as she suddenly found herself being picked up. She kept a tight hold on the collar as Margret rushed the girl to the nearest building to take shelter from the worst of the storm and to call a coach back to the Court.

Mirriam turned her head, searching the drenched world for some sign of a white form, but it was hard to see anything through the driving rain, and her heart ached. She knew, though, that no matter what happened, she'd never forget this encounter, or Emery.

"Fare thee well, and may we meet again, in better times," Mirriam sang softly to the park and the Ace who'd changed her life with one word.