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> Adventures in Parodyverse - Unmoderated Part 1
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> The air was thick with uncertainty and maybe a little fear in the familiar halls of the Lair Mansion as Jay Boaz made his way to Liu Xi’s quarters. In his mind he felt both thankful, and maybe a little upset, toward Anna.
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> One advantage Anna still had over a human, being artificial, was that she could reproduce memories much more perfectly. Which meant, in short, that Jay was a little sorry he asked why Liu Xi was hiding in her room and hadn’t spoken to him all day.
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> While he was still confused and out of the loop as to everything that happened with the Moderator’s world, as he wasn’t a part of it, he was beginning to put together the pieces. And, as he found, most of those were broken pieces - and now he would have to help his friends clean them up.
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> Yuki was by far the easiest to help. She seemed to bounce back like nothing had happened, and was even happy that things ended the way they did.
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> Chiaki handled things with her usual quiet dignity, but he could tell she had a few worries beneath that calm veneer. He knew her well enough to know she just needed some time to deal with it. Besides, she’d been through a lot in the past. This was just one more ordeal for her.
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> Anna, having experienced her own death and being rather confused by it, had withdrawn from socializing and only joined conversations now when she was pushed into one. It seemed like she was struggling to understand it. Even so, she took the time to explain, in perfect detail, what had happened that Jay missed.
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> By far, Lara was the most open about her feelings. She told Jay point blank that she couldn’t really talk to him about it until she was able to put her feelings into words. She gave him a sad smile and promised it wouldn’t take too long.
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> Jay wished that Dream would talk about what happened, but his best friend gave priority to talking to his mom and spending time with April and his family first. He couldn’t argue with that, so he would just have to wait.
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> So he was left trying to speak to Liu Xi, and see what was going through her mind. She wouldn’t talk to anyone else, and he felt bad about her trying to deal with what happened alone. The poor girl seemed to go through one bad relationship after the other, and it wasn’t fair.
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> He wasn’t sure what to expect as he tapped on her door. He heard a voice inside...no, it wasn’t a voice, it was the television. He could imagine her playing a movie, trying to get involved in it so she didn’t have to think about anything else.
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> The door opened partway, and the warm light from within spilled into the hallway. Liu Xi then stood in the open doorway, blocking some of the light. Her dark eyes looked up at Jay silently. She almost retreated back into the room.
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> “It’s just me,†Jay said quickly.
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> She hesitated again, but then stuck her head into the hallway and inhaled deeply. She opened the door the rest of the way, granting Jay access, and walked away, leaving him to enter and close the door. He supposed she was testing his scent to determine if he triggered any bad memories. Smart and simple.
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> “I’m really sorry about what happened,†Jay began.
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> Liu Xi turned around abruptly and interrupted him with, “You have nothing to apologize for. You did nothing, and you weren’t even there.â€Â
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> Jay shrugged, and repeated, “I’m sorry anyway.â€Â
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> “Don’t apologize!†Liu Xi insisted. She reached her hand out gently, and took hold of Jay’s wrist, pulling him closer. He had been standing a bit far away, as if he were afraid of what would happen. “Jay, you take on too much responsibility sometimes.â€Â
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> Jay felt a deep sense of relief. If Liu Xi was scolding him, that meant she didn’t feel too badly scarred by what happened. He felt brave enough to ask her, “If you don’t mind me asking...†he asked slowly and softly, “...how did this whole thing happen? With you and the Doorman, I mean.â€Â
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> Liu Xi replied quickly, sounding sure and calm. “I thought it was you, brainwashed, and I could bring you out of the confusion.†she replied. “I didn’t realize it was a...different you. Not you at all, I mean.â€Â
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> “If you thought it was really me, though, why did you...?â€Â
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> Liu Xi interrupted him again at that point, but she didn’t sound angry. She sounded a little sad instead. “Because I would.†she replied quietly.
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> “I’m not sure I understand.†Jay shook his head.
> She led him into the living room area and offered him a seat. Then she sat next to him sideways on the couch. It was if she was preparing him for bad news...in front of the television.
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> Liu Xi put her arm over the back of the couch and spoke quickly, like she was trying to get out a thought before she changed her mind. “Jay, you have to accept that you’re very sweet, and kind of sexy. Girls like you, and so do I. Except I am attracted to your heart, mind, as well as your body. So if you or--†She shrugged sadly. “Or someone I think is you...wish me to sleep with you, excuse me if I eagerly accept.â€Â
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> After getting all of that out, Liu Xi looked down, seeming a little embarrassed, yet relieved at having finally said it.
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> Jay looked at her as if what she just said was surreal, or part of a dream. She didn’t have any reaction, she just continued waiting for a response. “Are you saying you want me?†he asked, blinking out of confusion.
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> She sighed and met his gaze for a second before looking away again. “No, it’s more complicated--†She stopped herself and then changed to, “No wait...more simple. Isn’t there someone who you know you can’t have...or it would be wrong to have...but if circumstances were right you would say yes?â€Â
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> He looked into her eyes, and thought about her question. If he said absolutely not...that would be the worst possible answer he could give her. She would be embarrassed and ashamed...and while it was the answer he’d like to believe about himself, it probably wasn’t entirely honest.
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> “I guess so.†he said, noting her relieved expression.
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> “Don’t be nervous,†she said in a softer voice. “I don’t have any ambition for you. I’m just being honest...I am attracted to you. But I also really enjoy our friendship and expect nothing more. From the real you, I mean.†She smirked slightly and added, “And I know my chest is not large enough for your tastes.â€Â
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> Jay chuckled, though he was a little embarrassed by that teasing again. “There’s plenty about you that’s appealing.†he started to reply with a compliment instinctively. Then, in the interest of honesty, he added with an embarrassed smile, “But yeah, maybe I do like something...a little more.â€Â
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> Surprisingly, Liu Xi smiled and hugged him with both arms. “You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that.â€Â
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> “Um...why?†Jay asked suspiciously.
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> “Because the fake you never would.†Liu Xi explained before letting him go.
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> “So why aren’t you more angry about what happened?†Jay asked, feeling a lot less uneasy now, but still a little concerned about how quickly she adjusted.
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> Liu Xi shrugged. “I was at first, and I took revenge.†She eyed Jay’s surprised reaction and quickly added, “I didn’t kill him, I just showed him the Shoggoth.†She sighed deeply and looked away. This time she was blushing, as she prepared to say the most difficult and important part.
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> “It was fun,†she whispered, sounding very embarrassed. “I mean, I wasn’t forced or tricked or anything, it was even my idea. I just...let go, and let it happen, and it was fun. It would have been a nice memory if it would have turned out to be you.â€Â
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> There was a long pause while Jay took in everything she said, and tried to come up with an appropriate response. It had a familiar ring to it, and as he recognized why he knew just what to say.
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> “When I was trapped in this...fantasy,†Jay whispered, “With Zdenka. When I didn’t want to leave--â€Â
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> “I remember,†Liu Xi encouraged him to continue.
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> “I was left feeling cheated. Like I so badly wanted it to be real. I...wanted to take back everything that happened after, because it left me feeling so sour about it all.†Jay smiled sadly and shook his head. “Except I never had the courage that you just did.â€Â
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> Liu Xi seemed confused by that. “What do you mean? You didn’t tell her...?†She settled against the back of the couch, returning her hands to her lap, sitting up straight. “Wow. You must have been so sad, having to bear that memory by yourself.â€Â
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> He nodded slowly. “I still am.†he replied. “Once in a while I still wish it wasn’t too late to tell her.â€Â
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> “It’s not, really.†Liu Xi encouraged him. “It’s easier to tell her now, because there is not so much pressure, since she went back to her life.â€Â
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> “It’s not just her,†Jay corrected. “I...don’t feel like I can be around her for too long. I’m afraid I’ll end up...doing something I regret.â€Â
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> “Maybe you should!†Liu Xi scolded him, but she sounded encouraging rather than angry. “It’s not something to regret, it’s something to be cherished. I know you have your rules, Jay, but sometimes they are just silly. Like when you are seeing someone you are saying goodbye to one last time.â€Â
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> There was another long pause from Jay while he considered that. Sometimes even when he thought Liu Xi was so wrong, she could be so right at the same time.
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> “Are you going to be okay?†Liu Xi asked, sounding like she regretted bringing up the subject that never failed to make Jay seem so depressed.
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> He looked at her, and smiled, realizing the irony of someone who had been through so much asking him a question like that. “Yes...I’ll be fine,†he replied. “If you will be.†That last part sounded like a challenge.
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> Liu Xi nodded sadly. “I understand. There are a lot of hurt people in this place, who need someone to listen to them.â€Â
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> Jay looked happy that Liu Xi picked up on his clue so readily. “I should see if Lara is ready to talk yet.â€Â
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> “Lara had to go out and see about something.†Liu Xi told him. “She should be back soon.†She looked at Jay and added, “Lara is really a lot like you, you know.â€Â
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> “What do you mean?†he asked.
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> “Sweet, sensitive, heroic and a tendency to take on other people’s problems.†she explained. “And she is a hopeless romantic, too.†She stood and walked him to the door.
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> “If you ever want someone to talk to--†Jay began.
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> “I know,†she spoke up, stopped him. “Same goes for you.â€Â
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> TO BE CONTINUED?
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> -- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2008 by Jason Froikin, and may not be
> -- reprinted without permission.
> -- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
> -- Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
> -- Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin
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