From: Ina-chan February 22, 1999 Disclaimer: JQ and JQ characters belong to HB & Turner Productions. Used without permission of the owners. No cash is made from this. Category: A, P, F Rating: If you don't want to change your perception of the JQ characters, don't read. PLEASE! I'm BEGGING YOU! Archivers: Okay, as long as you tell me where. Summary: Jessie's welcoming party Note: This story is dedicated to Meach, who always had faith in me, and supported this fic right from its inception. BACKGROUND ON THIS STORY: "Shattered Mirror" is a series of vignettes focusing on the familial relationships of the Quest clan, during the period after Rachel's death right before the CJQ series started... and also jumps in the 4 year "limbo" period between the CJQ and the TRA series. The chapters are, as already mentioned, vignettes that don't come out in any particular order so you can read them in any order, though there is an overall general chronological order. The story telling style is somewhat an experimental thing of mine. Think of the big picture as this big mirror that somehow got shattered. And the only way for you to see the entire story again is by picking up the fragments randomly and fitting it together like a puzzle. Well... enough babbling... On with the story! ***SHATTERED MIRROR*** "How did he do that?" "Magic." "Yeah, right. Seriously, how did he do that?" "I already told you. Magic. It's really easy. Anyone can do it, right Hadj?" "I... guess so..." "Alright then, show me." "Heck, I'll do something better. I'll TEACH you. The first thing you need is a chant. Hadji taught me a very special chant for beginners. Isn't that right, Hadji?" "I di--? OWW! Oh yes! I did!" "First, you hafta sit down like so... then put your hands like this and close your eyes." "This is stupid." [chicken sounds] "QUIT IT! I'M NOT A CHICKEN!" "Then close your eyes and repeat after me. Whah... Tanah... Sai-yam" [snort][COUGH][COUGH][snicker] "Is Hadji snickering?" "No he's not. He's just clearing his throat." "[Ahem]---yes---[ahem][cough]...[snicker]" "Ignore him. Just concentrate and keep on chanting that over and over." "Whah... Tanah... Sai-yam... Whah... Tanah... Sai-yam... It's not working." "Just keep it up." "Whah Tanah Sai-yam. Whah Tanah Sai-yam... Why are you two smiling like that?" "Keep chanting..." "Whahtanahsaiyam... Whatanas... HEY! WHY YOU!!!" - exerpt from a conversation ******************************************************************** The Shard of Conflict by Ina-chan I hate Maine. Early morning light filtered through the windows, giving it this surreal, unearthly feel. Almost as if walking inside a Cathedral... the benevolent silence demanding a form of reverence. The breeze whispered softly through the open window, playing with the wispy draperies before turning its attention toward the nearby sheeted furniture. Normally I would find such a room a perfect picture for one of those cheesy romantic scenes in those classic gothic novels Nana Isya reads out loud to annoy me... But at this moment... after hearing the story behind this room... there is so much I can do to ignore the chill running down my spine. "What's the matter Jessie?" His voice was soft and measured. His eyes were wide and innocent looking... reflecting no malice. And that smile... ever since I arrived... he's had that smile. Completing the face of a living cherubic porcelain doll. Innocent... ...picture perfect... ...sweet... ...friendly ..fake... ... smile... What does Nana Isya call it? ...restrained hostility... Only God knows how badly I itched to wipe that stupid smile from his face. I've always hated ghost stories. The atmosphere in this stupid old house isn't helping ease that uneasy feeling either. This boy can smell fear... and thrives on it. Sadist. "My Great-aunt Isabelle's story didn't scare you, did it?" Amidst that innocent smiling mask he wears... it was perfectly clear what he meant it to be... It was a challenge. Everything that had to do with him always felt like a challenge... long before I even met Jonny Quest for the first time yesterday. It's so unfair. I made a quick glance at the figure standing beside my enemy. Hadji... I think. He hasn't spoken a single word in front of me since I came here. I don't think he's deaf or doesn't speak English... since his replies, a simple shy smile accompanying a nod or a shake of his head, always come when asked. Unlike Jonny, he hasn't show any unconscious indication of any bad feelings against me. He hasn't shown any indication of being an ally either. He simply stands beside the angelic demon, like some kind of shadow, silently watching the events around him unfold. I looked back at my tormentor and squared my shoulders. Making a silent prayer and trying to draw strength from Nana Isya and Mama, "No." I wince inwardly. That came out rather more forcefully than I intended. His smile only widened. I firmly keep my arms on my sides as I lifted my chin defiantly. Patricia Velasquez will never let her hear the end of it if news that her favourite grand daughter let someone get the best of her! "My mother is an archeologist. I always go with her to her digs during school holidays. I see dead bodies all the time." It was the truth. Partly. The dead bodies were sort of an exaggeration... I do enjoy the informal lessons I get with each of my mother's archeological finds... in the day... and if my mother's assistant, Fidel, feels considerate enough not to tease me with his scary folklore stories at night. He didn't look convinced. "AND my grandmother buried seven husbands before she met my grandfather!" I blurted. Funny. It was a lot more tougher-sounding when Nana Isya says it. "That's funny!" He laughed before turning to me with an amused glint in his eyes, "You'd think people will start getting suspicious after the third one." Now that was a low blow... I started to feel that familiar heat rising up my cheeks. One of the few symptoms that always seem to come before my facing a tribunal and punishment. At that point, I was beyond caring. All I wanted to do was to knock off that smug smile and mop the floor with his face. In whatever order was convenient. "You think its funny to talking about dead people like that? Don't you have any respect?" I hear my voice spit out venomously, "You probably amuse yourself with the thought of people dying around you, don't you?" Hadji hissed an almost inaudible mutter under his breath. Something in Jonny's eyes flickered. Not quite the reaction I was hoping for. He was still smiling, but his face was no longer a facade of innocence. Hostility burning unrestrained in his angry blue eyes. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't the least frightened. Hadji looked as if he started to grab his friend as Jonny started to walk toward me... but stopped himself the last minute. Jonny walked to me so close to the point that I can only see the tempestuous blue color of his eyes. He made another big smile before leaning slightly closer to breathlessly whisper a soft sing-song to my ear... "Puuuuuuuu...." From the corner of my eye, I see Hadji watching us with... fear? "...taaaaaaaa..." Seeing Hadji bolting out of the room was the last thing I remember as what the blonde boy said registered in my head. The next thing I knew, a pair of strong arms was pulling me off the floor and started to carry me easily out of the room amidst my screams and my struggles. Then, a loud noise resembling a clap of thunder silenced me, as I found myself seated on the toilet staring at my father's face. Another tribunal... But unlike the others, I found this one the most frightening. Nana Isya, usually being the first, would scold me as she treated my battle wounds. Then contradict herself by patting me on the back upon the news that I inflicted the enemy with more damage. Mama would first give her mother a disapproving glare, then look at me with an expression caught between anger and disappointment. Then torture me with a long sermon recounting my deeds before giving me my punishment. It was different with him... He wordlessly dampened a towel at the sink, knelt down, and started to wipe my face. All the while he was looking at me cautiously, as if he was seeing me for the first time. I felt so stupid. It was the perfect opportunity... to ask him all the questions I waited so long to ask. But all I could concentrate on was the awkwardness of the situation... the uneasy way he touched me, as if he was handling fragile glass... the neutral expression on his face, hesitatingly holding back... whatever emotion he is holding back. The only thing I can see in my mind's eye was the earlier image of the tenderness on his face as two boys ran from the house to welcome him... the tenderness on his face as he looked down at... ...Jonny. A deep sinking feeling at the pit of my stomach clawed at me with the thought. Suddenly, it felt as if the bathroom walls started to cave in on me. damn "It's going to be one bad bruise," He said softly as he gently probed my cheek through the towel. He took my right hand and watched my face as he carefully flexed my fingers and my wrist. I managed to keep my face expressionless despite the raw throb of pain that ran through my arm like electricity, "It's not broken, but its going to get real swollen. I'll go get some ice." "I can get it myself," I muttered quietly as I struggled to get out of the room... I rushed and somehow found myself in the kitchen... with Hadji. Rats. "Do you want some ice? Here," Hadji offered cheerfully as he held out a bag in his hand It was a little surprising to finally hear his voice. It was a little strange too... his voice had this almost melodious tone to it... calming. I tentatively walked closer and took his offering gratefully. "I just wanted to thank you," He said suddenly I couldn't help frowning, "What for?" "For what happened today." "You're thanking me for beating the crap out of your friend?" Hadji smiled, "It sounds strange, doesn't it? But what happened today... it was the first time Jonny showed a genuine fragment of emotion in a long time. We were starting to get worried." "You mean he's not a living Cabbage Patch Doll?" I commented sardonically Hadji shook his head, "Only ever since his aunt and her family was killed in an accident more than a month ago. Jonny was very close to them. I guess you can say he doesn't handle stuff like this very well." That sinking feeling came back at his words. "I'm sorry. I... didn't know." "Don't worry about it. Jonny had it coming. Sometimes he can act like a real..." Hadji paused as if searching the right words. "Jerk?" Hadji laughed. And for the first time since I came here, I couldn't help but smile along with his infectious laugh. Somehow, I do believe I found an ally. "Jessie, I know that what happened today isn't going to be the last time. So I really wish you won't resort to violence again," Hadji said as his voice suddenly dropped to a more serious... almost adult... tone, "Otherwise... I'm going to be forced to spank you." I looked at him in surprise, and only found him staring back at me with a dead serious expression. He gathered the ice trays onto the sink counter and grabbed the other iceberg he was creating before giving me another big smile, "I really hope we become good friends, Jessie." With that, he disappeared into the halls, leaving me to sit alone in the kitchen in silence. I hate Maine. Comments, criticisms, heavy artillery brick launchers aimed at: inachan2@ican.net. Author's squawk: This has got to be the LOOOONGEST vignette I ever wrote. . Anywayz... this one turned out VERY different from the original format. Heh-heh... As you can already tell, the JQ Universe in "Shattered Mirror" is VERY dark. Well... That's one vignette down... three in my disk and four in my head to go! ^_^. Ja! Ina-chan ************************************************************************** Ina-chan's essay writing related quote of the moment: Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. -Gene Fowler ~@@@~ Ina-chan inachan2@ican.net main: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/psycho/66 W.A.R.: http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/1986 ICQ:13667820 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Suggestions on how we can improve ONElist? 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