Friend or Foe

[saerwen]

The air was thick and seemed to be made of nothing but greyish black ash particles and fire itself. Jaedon was starting to wonder if it had been a bad idea to come here. The air was clear enough, but her imagination seemed to be making it look worse than it really was. Her lungs weren't burning and she could see quite clearly. She figured that her surroundings were just making her ancy. After all, fire wasn't one of her most favorite elements. That was why she had taken to Damion so quickly, because he was a dragon but he wasn't a fire bearer.

She almost laughed at herself. She and Damion had similar problems. They weren't big fan's of fire, and yet they were both in love with beings that were made of nothing but fire, and in Jaedon's case, some really hard scales. "Almost as hard as his head..." She added.

However, her thoughts right now were far from her boyfriend. Quite the opposite actually, they were planted on her best friend, Miriel. She had not seen Miriel for a long time and she was getting worried for her friend, not only because she seemed to be missing from the face of the earth, but also because she was worried that her friend was still angry with her. As forgiving as Miriel was, Jaedon really wouldn't blame her for being very angry still about what she had done. In her defense, she really had only wanted to help, but she knew better than most that Miriel's past was something that you just didn't touch. It was one of the things that you just didn't mention. She figured that one day Damion would be able to ask and get a straight answer, but not even he would be able to get too close to that subject yet.

Jaedon was skirting the base of the volcano as she thought, vainly hoping that her rather fiery friend would be found somewhere around it. She would hardly have been led this way so easily had she not been thinking about Miriel. In fact, being near the volcano was the only indication that anyone would have had that something was out of the norm.

She really just wanted to say that she was sorry. She knew that it would only be a miracle if Miriel actually forgave her and they went back to normal. No, Jaedon knew that she was going to have to earn her friends trust again. She just hoped that Miriel wouldn't shut her down completely.

[»Míríel«]

Warmth, heat, fire. Here was a place that Miriel felt most at home, in a primitive sort of way. Recently she had been learning that home was where you made it, it could be in an ice forest with the man you loved even though she was a being of fire. Still this place, it was something that she could come no matter what and feel free. A lot had been on her mind lately, though a huge burden of it had been lifted with her conversation with DAmion, still she felt the need to be alone. She needed to escape from some people to remember and face her past,, this just seemed like the right place to do it.

So Miriel wandered among the ash and sharp stones as her mind freely shifted from subject from subject. How long had it been since she had been at this volcano, a year? Two? Surely not more, but then again it had been a while.Tilting her head back a sigh came from her and a slight smile came to her mouth. Cracking an eye open she saw another figure, one just as dark as she. She cocked her head for a moment, it was rare to find another being up here. Those who were not of the fire element found the heat stiflin, and the thought of the unpredictable mountain could rattle some nerves. Miriel looked closer, the figure looked familiar, very familiar. Then her eyes widened. Jaedon.

Why was it when you didn't want to see that girl she happened to appear. It was true that Miriel wanted to resolve their conflict, but at the same time, she wasn't ready. Jaedon had crossed a line, one that was obvious and clear so no excuse could be put in her defense. Well, none but one. Miriel turned around, letting her eyes search for a spot to hide. There was nothing for a long while, and JAedon could turn any moment and see her. That was the bad thing about volcanos, they tended to burn anything around them, leaving the ground sharp, scorched, and barren. True the ground was fertile from ash, but it took a while for nature to get the courage to travel back where it was. Instead of turning away, Miriel just turned to the side and tried to avoid Jaedon, her head bowed, and feet moving normally. If Jaedon did see her, Miriel didn't want ti to look like she was avoiding her, morel ike she hadn't seen her.

[saerwen]

Jaedon really hadn't counted on finding Miriel, which is why it had shocked her as she saw her friends form looking in the opposite direction. She probably hadn't seen Jaedon, but there was something inside of Jaedon that told her that Miriel was deliberately avoiding her. She didn't blame her friend. She just hoped that Miriel had gotten to see Damion if she didn't want to see herself. Damion needed Miriel and she needed him. She had yet to see Damion to confirm whether or not he had seen Miriel.

Jaedon took a deep breath and was about to call out to Miriel when she stopped. Should she really do this? Should she really approach her friend yet? Or did Miriel need more time to heal. Perhaps it would be best to make sure that she had talked to Damion. That might smooth things over for Jaedon at least. However, none of these idea's appealed to her enough to sway her one way or the other. Miriel needed to hear Jaedon apologize. Come to think of it, Jaedon might have apologized to her friend once, if ever. Even so, she doubted that it would make much of a difference to the phoenix soul inside of Miriel. If Miriel was going to listen, then she would listen simply because she and Jaedon had been friends for such a long time.

Yet again, Jaedon prepared to call out to her friend, only this time she actually managed to get it out, "Hey Miriel," she was surprised how soft her own voice sounded. It was very rare that she ever used anything other than harsh or hard speech, but it was obvious to her now how much this apology was going to mean for herself. She stumbled for something else to say, "...Umm...Can I talk with you?"

[»Míríel«]

Hey Miriel

Miriel froze, she knew that voice. Jaedon. So she hadn't escaped in time for Jaedon to miss her.

Umm...Can I talk with you?

NO Miriel wanted to say and keep walking, she wanted to be strong and make Jaedon feel what she had done to their relationship. She wanted to punish her, revenge would be so sweet, or would it? Memories of the two of them together flashed through her mind's eye. Their times in the academy together, vacations, laughter, it all flooded her and Miriel felt their weight. Jaedon was more than a friend, she was like a sister to her. In fact Miriel felt their bond so tight that Jaedon seemed more blood relation than not.

This bond had been tested almost to breaking point, but Miriel would honor it, as long as a thread remained. Running her fingers through her long glossy hair, Miriel twisted the end of it around her finger. 'Yes...Jaedon?" Miriel didn't turn towards her. Damion said that this would make it better, that this would heal to wound, or start to. Why was every fiber of her being telling her not to go forward with it, but to turn away and run. Was it self-pity or justice?

[saerwen]

Jaedon let out a big breath, glad that Miriel hadn't shut her down right away. Jaedon asked herself if she would have listened, and she knew that the answer would probably have been no. There might have been a thread of her that listened, but she was almost sure that she would have said no and walked out. However, she was very glad that she was not Miriel and that her friend remained as she always had been.

Jaedon was somewhat relieved that she had not turned around. That would make it much easier on her when she spoke. She wouldn't be able to see how hurt Miriel was so she would actually be able to get through it and sound serious while she was at it. Not that she really wasn't serious. There was no way that she was not being serious, she just knew that if Miriel was looking at her she would break down and nothing would come out.

She let out a sigh of relief and began, "Alright, I know that you probably don't want to hear this, but I know that you need to hear it as much as I need to say it. I'm just now starting to realize that the world of friendship runs on lots of apologizing and trust. I realize that I had trust and that I completely destroyed it. So now the only thing left is to say that I am sorry. When I did it, I was conceitedly thinking that I could help you by doing something that I knew went against your will. I am sorry Miriel. I am so sorry for using my powers against you. I am sorry for trespassing where I did not belong. But most importantly, I am sorry for wounding you by destroying the trust that you had in me."

Jaedon paused for a minute as she considered where to go next. Her hand tapped silently at her side, a nervous habit that she had developed just then and there. She had no idea where it had come from, but in some small way, it was helping her. She paused and then spit out the rest of what she was thinking, "I know that you probably won't forgive me right away, at least not completely, and I know that you certainly won't trust me right away. I don't even know why you chose to trust me in the first place, but..." Jaedon paused and laughed at herself inwardly, "...But I am wondering, can you forgive me?"

[»Míríel«]

Miriel's blue gaze stared at the ash dyed sky. It seemed to echo her feelings at the moment, being a dense grey instead of a clear blue. Her hand hung limply beside her as her back was rigid. To most it would appear that she was trying not to listen, but Jaedon would probably know that her friend was due to her one hand twirling a lock of hair around and around.

When her friend had stopped Miriel froze, her hand stopped moving and then dropped to her side. Her gaze drifted from the sky down to the ground. Jaedon had been sincere, Miriel could tell from her voice and what she said. Jaedon did not as for forgiveness, ever. Tears gathered slightly in Miriel's eyes as she turned, head bowed to hid them from Jaedon's view. Slowly she approached Jaedon. So much had changed in her friend, finally Jaedon was learning to face her fears and open up.

As Miriel drew close she paused for a moment. "Jaedon..." She looked up, eyes glistening slightly. Then with a quick movement she threw her arms around Jaedon and wrapped her in a hug. "I do forgive you, I do." She pulled back and looked her friend in the eye. The faintest smile played on her lips, "True it may take a while for the anger to subside, but the brightest flame passes the quickest. " She sighed with her brow furrowed. "Damion said that you did it because you thought you were doing the best thing. So I forgive you." Her face darkened. "Just please do not do it again, there are things that are better left...alone." She stepped away and let out a breath and ran her hand through her hair nervously. "But let us not linger on that..." The smile returned and her gaze went back to her friend. "I trusted you because you needed someone to believe in you and think the best of you. You have great potential Jaedon, in many areas, and I recognized that immediately.'

[saerwen]

Jaedon almost felt the physical stress that she had been under for the last few weeks lift from her shoulders. It was like everything that had made the world wrong and harsh for the past few weeks had just been destroyed at its very roots. Miriel was well. Miriel was back. All was well with her, and now Jaedon knew that one day, she and Miriel would be friends again, just as they had been before all of this mess had started.

Jaedon went back to think about where it really had begun and Jaedon realized the key in all of this. Miriel had fought with Damion, and now that she had apparently made up with him, everything was alright. Ever since that day when Damion had first met Miriel by the lake, Jaedon had known that they would get along. When they had been talking in the garden, Jaedon had known that Damion was falling in love with Miriel, as was Miriel. And now that the fight had been dealt with, Jaedon had come to realize that no matter what she did now, Damion would be the rock that Miriel stood upon. Jaedon no longer held sway over her friend as she used to. She no longer held Miriel's preference. The one thing that she did have was her friendship. Even though they had always been close, Damion had formed a bond with Miriel that was stronger than the one that Jaedon had possessed with Miriel. There was a slight jealousy in Jaedon at this realization, but more than that it was happiness and longing. She was glad that Miriel had found someone that would be true to her no matter what, and she longed for the day when she might be able to say the same thing about her and Neron. She knew that it was going to take a while, but she hoped that they would get there with much hard work.

"...There are things that are better left...alone." Jaedon nodded. She understood that now. She understood now that certain things needed to stay buried and certain things needed to be revealed. There was a very clear line between them, but Jaedon had never taken the time to notice it. Neron had shown her that she needed to be open and to reveal certain things willingly, while Miriel had taught her that not everything was as it seemed when the past was in sight.

"Yes, I see that now," Jaedon said quietly. She then put a cocked grin on her face, "Is Damion the only reason that you aren't mad? I figured that he was one of the leading reasons, but jeez. Sounds like I've been completely booted out of the food chain."

"Oh, really, great potential, huh? At what, screwing with all of my friends?" Jaedon laughed at herself. "I think Neron would disagree with you." She then sobered, "But I suppose that I am learning at least... So maybe you were right."

"I take it that you and Damion have gotten back onto speaking terms now?"

[»Míríel«]

Miriel smiled at her friend and then laughed. "Perhaps you have, but not quite." Her laughter filled the air once more as she went to Jaedon and threw her arm around her. "You have just become second best." She lowered her voice, "Just don't tell Neron... He wouldn't like being third." She gave Jaedon a squeeze. Then letting go she turned to her friend quietly. "Yes, you have potential. You just take a while to take a hold of it." Miriel stepped back and eyes Jaedon. "Yes, you have Potential. Don't try and deny it. You are learning, and that is the first step. I fear that my helping you strive for the potential has fallen into other hands.' Miriel's eyes glittered as she looked at Jaedon. Her friend had finally fallen for someone. Her and Neron, they would be a great pair, a raging pair, but a great on nonetheless. Miriel hadn't seen much but when Neron was hurt, she could tell that Jaedon let her mask of hers slip a little as sh poured compassion out on that thick headed dragon.

At the mention of Damion Miriel couldn't hide a blush that suddenly took over her face. She tried to look away, but knowing it was hopeless she just looked down and twisted a piece of hair around her finger bashfully. "You could say that..." She paused for a moment and her hand fell at her side. 'Jaedon." She looked her friend straight in the eyes. "I love him. I love Damion so much! I never imagined I could have someone like him ever." She smiled at a memory and covered her mouth as her blush deepened. Composing herself she looked back at Jaedon. 'I just hope that you can find this sort of love with a special someone." Miriel's smile held some mischief. "Who knows we may know him already."

[saerwen]

Jaedon returned Miriel's embrace but pushed her away a bit when she said, "I fear that my helping you strive for the potential has fallen into other hands." Jaedon narrowed her eyes. Very defensively she shot back, "Hey, keep that silly talk to yourself. That will always be your job. There is nothing serious between me and Neron..." She was trying to sound convincing, but she knew that she was utterly failing. Miriel had seen how she was practically silly when it came to Neron. She wasn't like most girls were over guys. Her eyes didn't get all dreamy and starry, and she didn't giggle every time she saw him. Instead, she flushed pink and suddenly found herself thinking about him. Not ever did she think about how handsome it was. She was alreayd used to seeing that gorgeous face. She was always thinking, "What is it going to be today? What kind of tricks is he planning on using now? What witty words are going to come out of his mouth this time?" For most people, that wouldn't really reflect thoughts of love, but for Jaedon that was enough. He always kept her guessing, smiling-if he could. He tried for her, and that was all that it took. She then realized that Miriel would see through her bluff, so she decided to add one little, "...Nothing yet at least."

Jaedon couldn't help but smile with her friend. She was glad that Miriel had finally found someone worthy of her. At first, she had feared that Miriel was too good for anyone, and she knew that Damion was definitely too good for just anyone, but it had never really occurred to her to pair the two together. After all, they were opposite ends of the magical spectrum of power. However, now that she thought about, they really were perfect for each other.

"I am so glad for you Miriel. I knew that it would have to be someone special that got you and that it would have to be someone very special to deserve him. I am just wondering to myself now why I didn't introduce you two earlier...Seems like logic to me, but I guess that love wasn't really the first thing on my mind back then..." Jaedon had a far away look on her face and then shook herself awake, her eyes staring in a dazed manner at Miriel. She then smiled sheepishly and looked down.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel laughed at Jaedon's remark. "Not yet? Oh, dear Jaedon, I believe you are a bit denser than I previously thought." Smiling at her friend she held up her hand. "But I will not speak of it any more, my lips are sealed. Don't even try to open them!" The green eyes of Miriel had a mischief about them, something that was always there but now seemed brighter than usual. For once Miriel knew of something that Jaedon didn't, or was more aware of something then Jaedon. How could the girl be so dense! Neron loved her, deeply, that was clear. It is true that Neron's "clear" was about as see through as a brick wall sometimes, but that was changing. Obviously he was changing for someone he care about. No, someone he loved.

Miriel nodded at Jaedon. 'Probably had something about us hating each other's element. Interesting how sometimes in the most polar opposites, there are things that are alike." Then she opened her eyes wide at Jaedon's ending word. Then. An eyebrow was raised and Miriel questioned, "Then? Why the past tense my friend? Makes me wonder what is on your mind now!" She placed a handon her hip, "Could it be...' Her voice dropped, "Love?!" Then with a laugh she backed up a couple steps, "You can't hide that sheepish grin or that dreamy look in your eyes. Ah I knew that Neron would catch someone eventually, I just wonder what took the boy so long. He is far from plain. " She winked, "Don't tell him I said that, his ego is puffed up enough." Then with another laugh Miriel concluded, "Now if you will excuse me, I have a certain someone to see, and I fear if I stay here to long another spat could arise." Her voice was teasing. Then she sobered slightly, 'I am glad you are starting to love Jaedon, it is the best thing one can do." Then turning her form ignited and taking the form of a bird she rose up into the sky and disappeared.

[saerwen]

Jaedon gave a squeal of protest, "Hey! I am not dense!" She was not sure what Miriel might have meant by that, but she knew that she was not dense. She was prideful, but dense implied that she was lacking in some sort of intelligence. That was almost an insult if it hadn't been coming from Miriel.

When Miriel started on how she had used the past tense, she knew what was coming next. She was going to start accusing her of being in love with Neron. When it came though, Jaedon felt her cheeks turning bright pink. Her mind drifted to the man that was her date, shrink, savior, and punching bag all packed into one. She looked at Miriel and then said in slight defense, "Who's to say I didn't catch him first?" She knew neither had really figured out who had loved who first. It had been such a gradual thing that neither of them could have really said. However, when Miriel mentioned him being far from plain, Jaedon's blushed deepened about two times. Neron was...There was no lying-he was gorgeous. Whether his face was bloody and dark or smiling and relaxed, he was handsome. She did agree that he didn't need to be hearing that any time soon. He would never let her forget it.

When Miriel mentioned her significant other, Jaedon stopped blushing an got a devilish look on her face, "Yeah, go find the Popsicle. It's only a matter of time you know...I hear bells in the future." She winked at her friend and then turned away. It was time to leave this volcano. She had her own man to attend to, but before she could do anything for him, she had to fix herself and the only way that was going to happen was by cooling off in some water and then duct-taping her mouth shut. She would work on both. However, the water sounded like much more fun than the tape.

The End

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