<Kerry> ?

Kerry looks around to see if anyone notices.

<God> There's a thick mist rolling off the lake. You think you see other people, but they are indistinct in the foggy grey.

Kerry thanks God for that.

Kerry decideds that he should go back to his room and change. As sneakily as possible.

<God> You turn to go back to your room. There is a strange noise behind you, clip clop, clip clop. You cannot see the boy's dorm through the fog. It's never been this thick.

Kerry looks for the source of the noise; it reminds him of a horse.

<God> Tendrils of dense fog dance across your vision, almost as if taking on a life of it's own. The noise grows louder, closer, until a horse's nose appears about a foot in front of your face.

<Kerry> Wah!

Kerry steps back, startled

<Voice> Kerry.

Kerry looks for the source of the voice, and hopes it doesn't come from the horse

<Kerry> Who's there?

<God> The rest of the horse, and it's armored rider come into your vision. The voice, definitely feminine, is coming from an indistinct direction.

<Voice> Kerry.

<Kerry> What?

Voice is light and singsongish.

<Voice> Kerry, come play with me.

<Kerry> Weh? Do I have the honor of addressing the individual in the armor on the equine directly in front of me?

<God> The silent knight peers down at you from his horse, then looks off toward where, perhaps, the voice is coming from.

<Kerry> OK, maybe not.

Kerry addresses the air...

<Kerry> What do you mean, play? Who are you? Is this another one of Ivan's libidinous "demons"?

<Voice> Oh, you're being silly, Kerry. You know me.

<Kerry> I know you?

Voice matures.

<Voice> Come, Kerry, come to us.

Kerry is looking in the direction the Knight is looking, trying to see what he can see

<Kerry> Um, OK.

Kerry starts walking slowly, still peering through the thick fog.

<God> There is a lightening of the fog in that direction. It would be where the girls dorm is, if this is, in fact, still Huntington. The knight reaches a gauntleted hand to you.

<Kerry> Oh, Get on? OK.

Kerry grabs the hand.

<God> You become the Knight.

<Kerry> Wah? Hey, wait a second. I ... this seems familiar.

<God> The fog eases in the direction you were looking. Instead of the girls dorm, there is a golden road to a green hill topped with a towering palace.

<Kerry> So I should go that way? OK. Um... hut hut. How the heck do you drive this thing? Tck tck.

<God> The horse 'starts', trotting along the road.

<Kerry> Ow...ow....ow...I really need to take some of those horse riding classes.

God calls a quick time out.

<Kerry> (OK)

Kerry trots along for an indefinite period of time until the Universe returns

God is back.

<Kerry> trot trot trot

God changes topic to "The Damsel, the Knight, and the Road to Hell"

<Voice> Kerry! Sir Kerry! Stop a bit?

<Kerry> Wha?

Kerry looks around

<Kerry> Who addresses me?

Kerry figures that he might as well try to play the part, for now. He half-remembers stuff like this from the other times...

Voice resolves itself to a woman on the road with flaming red hair. The voice is slightly different than before.

Lady curtseys.

<Lady> My greetings, Sir Kerry.

<SirKerry> Lady ...

Lady looks a lot like Corinna.

Kerry bows as well as he is able in armor from horseback.

<SirKerry> ... Corinna?

Corinna smiles.

<Corinna> I am the Lady Corinna, yes. I am suprised you know me sir.

<SirKerry> And could I help but know the name of one as fair as the Lady Corinna?

<Corinna> I am not a Lady of the Tower.

<SirKerry> That would be the loss of the Tower then, I suspect.

Corinna softens her voice, conspiratorily.

<Corinna> I am not for him. Did you come to free them?

<SirKerry> Oh, THAT Tower. Um ... I'll have to say ... yes?

<Corinna> About time. They've been trapped there for a long while. Of course, you would know that.

Corinna shrugs.

<SirKerry> ...of course. But I must confess that many strange goings-on have left me uncertain of the current situation. Thick mists and the like.

Corinna nods.

<Corinna> Often a danger on the road to the Tower.

<Corinna> I'll leave you to it, then. The Tower is not for me.

SirKerry nods knowingly.

<SirKerry> Oh, certainly. But if you would...

Corinna curtseys again and starts to turn. With your words, she turns back.

<Corinna> Yes?

<SirKerry> Is there any news from the Tower? As I said, I am uncertain of the current situation.

SirKerry tries to figure out how to ask what is keeping "them" there without being blatant about it.

<Corinna> There have been no changes. The Ladies are still there, and the Dark Knight paces outside, waiting. I don't know or wish to know anymore. Good day.

<SirKerry> Ah. Then I thank you, Lady. Good day.

Corinna goes about her business.

SirKerry rides on toward the tower

<SirKerry> ow...ow...ow....grrr

<God> Yes, the ride is uncomfortable, not to mention the weight of the armor.

<SirKerry> Although the construction of the armor is interesting.

SirKerry starts getting ideas for more plant experiments...

SirKerry shakes his head and tries to concentrate at the task at hand

<God> The road to the palace is long, and before you reach it, another figure appears on the road. He seems to be wearing motley.

<SirKerry> What ho, Fool?

<Fool> What, then? You? You who ride the road, do you know your destination?

Fool looks remarkably like Ivan.

<SirKerry> Well, actually, no I don't.

<Fool> Then why ride?

<SirKerry> I gather that it is a Tower of some fashion. Perhaps yon Palace.

<SirKerry> I have some Ladies to rescue.

Fool ahhhs.

<SirKerry> What do you know of this?

<Fool> The Ladies require freedom, yet will he who holds them give it?

Fool does a little dance and sings.

SirKerry attempts to strike a noble pose

<SirKerry> If he does not, then I shall best him and demand it.

<Fool> A fool, a fool, yet wiser than you.

<Fool> The Tower, not for me, but is for you.

<Fool> What, what what shall I do?

Fool stops singing.

SirKerry raises an eyebrow

<SirKerry> How does this relate, Ivan the Fool?

<Fool> I shall let you test the Tower. I, I hope to keep my motley. At times it shines brighter than armor.

SirKerry thinks he almost understands that.

SirKerry decides that no, he doesn't really get it at all.

<SirKerry> Alright, then.

<SirKerry> Have you anything further to add?

<Fool> Have a care. The Dark Knight waits for you.

Fool dances off.

<SirKerry> Right, then.

<SirKerry> Tck Tck.

SirKerry suspects he knows who the Dark Knight might be.

<SirKerry> Hmm.

SirKerry wonders if he will encounter anyone else.

SirKerry rides on.

<God> Toward the middle of the hill is a kneeling figure in a nun's habit.

SirKerry pulls to a halt

Nun is praying.

<SirKerry> Greetings good sister.

SirKerry realizes he is interrupting.

<SirKerry> Sorry, I did not mean to disturb your prayer.

Nun looks up with her tear-stained face, dark and pretty despite.

<Nun> I only pray for the Dark Knight.

<SirKerry> In what sense? That he should win?

<Nun> For his life.

<SirKerry> And why should one such as thou pray for the life of a Dark Knight?

<Nun> Because I know he is a good man. Spare him, I beseech you. And return to me my friends.

<SirKerry> If he is such a good man, why does he hold captive the hearts ... err, that is, why does he hold Ladies captive in yon Tower?

<Nun> He does not...he does not.

<SirKerry> What mean you?

<Nun> He waits. He waits for you.

Nun goes back to her prayers.

<SirKerry> Hmm. Well, he shan't wait much longer. I can make no promises but that I will consider it. But if he bars my way, then there shall be an accounting!

SirKerry is somewhat absorbed in this by now.

Nun says nothing else, save her muttered prayers and weeping.

SirKerry rides on.

SirKerry pulls to a stop and stares at them

<SirTyler> Hold!

<SirKerry> So. "Sir" Tyler.

SirTyler flips back his visor and fixes you with a gaze as blue as the sea and twice as cold.

SirKerry does likewise.

<SirTyler> Squire Brandon, aside. The time has come.

<SirKerry> Ah. "Squire Brandon", as well?

<SirTyler> I challenge you, you who besmirch the name of knighthood.

SirTyler throws down his gauntlet.

<SirKerry> I, Dark Knight? Your very appellation besmirches that name! I challenge YOU!

SirKerry throws down his own.

SirTyler motions for 'Squire' Brandon to pick up the gauntlet, accepting the challenge. The good squire seems to be glad this encounter is taking place.

SirKerry mutters something about "you'll get yours" under his breath.

SirKerry lacks a squire, so feels no need (nor sees any obvious way) to pick up Tyler's gauntlet

SirTyler snickers and has his squire throw the gauntlet at Kerry.

SirKerry attempts to pluck it out of the air.

SirTyler draws his sword.

<SirTyler> TO THE DEATH!!

<SirKerry> Always Death with you, isn't it? So be it. I'm not afraid of you, murderer.

<SirTyler> Nor I you, Tyrant!

<SirKerry> Tyrant? Explain yourself (drawing sword) scoundrel!

SirTyler rides for you, sword swinging.

SirKerry attempts to not get killed instantly.

<SirTyler> What need I explain to you, dog?

<SirKerry> In what (ouch, stupid horse) way am I a tyrant, blackard?!

SirTyler rebounds his sword off yours, riding past and turning to face you again.

SirKerry inexpertly turns his horse as well.

<SirTyler> You DARE judge me? Give me the key and I let you live!

<SirKerry> Key? WHAT Key? Give me the Ladies held in yonder Tower and I will not slay you where you ... err, ride.

SirTyler starts to ride then stops.

<SirTyler> What lies do I hear? The Tower is yours!

SirKerry stops too.

<SirKerry> It is? Why wasn't I informed of this?!

SirTyler doesn't seem to hear you.

<SirKerry> Hey, Tyler. Why are you here, if not to bar my way from rescuing the Ladies?

<SirTyler> To free them! From YOU!

<SirKerry> Free them? But....that's why *I'm* here!

SirKerry makes certain that he does not, in fact, have either a key or the deed to a Tower.

<SirTyler> Then do it, tyrant! I know you! I was like you once.

<SirKerry> What, confused?

<God> You find a key hanging down the front of your armor. It's large and golden. A beautiful key for a beautiful palace.

<SirKerry> If you aren't holding them here, then we have no call to fight ... yet. Say, where did this key come from?

SirKerry looks at Tyler.

<SirTyler> How, HOW you managed to enslave Lady Jasmine after she was freed from me, I know not. I can guess the others.

<SirKerry> Ah, so you admit you mean to enslave her again?!

<SirTyler> NO. Enslaved once, no longer.

<SirKerry> You mean to kill her, then, Black Knight?

<SirTyler> No. I mean to see her free. Free from those that believe they know her own good. Open the door and set them free, if you really wish. Else I will take your head!

<SirKerry> Free them, while one such as you traipses about on what is apparently my front yard waiting to do harm to any who cannot defend themselves? Are you CRAZY?

<SirTyler> I only mean harm to you, right now. The Ladies have nothing to fear from me.

<SirKerry> Oh? Like Caitlin did? Like Jasmine nearly did when you came back to hunt us all down? How can I trust you, Tyler?

<SirTyler> You wouldn't know trust if it bit you. Ask the Golden One. The one you hold above all others. The one locked in the highest Keep, suffocating.

SirKerry flinches

SirTyler narrows his eyes.

<SirTyler> Methinks I hit a nerve.

<SirKerry> How ... DARE you.

SirKerry attempts to rally something to his defense.

<SirTyler> How dare I? How dare you?

Brandon finds his voice in this.

<Brandon> You keep her from me, why?

<Brandon> For selfish reasons, yes? Keep her locked away? And you judge us!

<SirKerry> I do not judge you, Brandon. Tyler, I judge, and feel no reason not to. He has already been trusted, and failed that trust. We were LUCKY to get out of that. Once bitten, twice shy.

<SirTyler> That is not the point, and you know it.

<SirKerry> Isn't it? Do I keep them prisoner ... or protect them from a betrayer ... one who not only cannot defend his actions adequately, but ADVERTISES his affiliation on the very armor he wears!

<SirTyler> From me? This place was built long before me.

<SirKerry> Perhaps ... but you are not the only one of your ilk. As for selfish reason, why are my selfish reasons any more or less valid than your own, Brandon?

<SirTyler> The question is ... do they want this? Does Lady Jasmine want to be locked away from me? Does the Golden One want to be protected like ... this?

SirKerry pauses and considers that.

<SirKerry> I do not trust you, Tyler. I probably never will. I am not generally unwilling to forgive, but there are some things that can't be forgiven.

SirTyler shrugs.

<SirTyler> You are no different than I. But perhaps you will never see that.

<SirKerry> Perhaps. And where then, lies the failure to see? With the one who cannot see, or the one that refuses to show? But this is peripheral to the issue at hand. I don't trust you even slightly. But I must ask them. To ask them, I must trust that you won't harm them. If we are so much alike, you must perceive the nature of my quandry.

SirTyler nods.

<SirTyler> I will stay here, you will take my squire, and go inside and ask them. Is that acceptable?

<SirKerry> As for Brandon, trust was never at issue. Well, never seriously at issue. We want the same thing, and we both cannot have it.

<Brandon> Why not? She is your sister, your twin. You will always have that.

<SirKerry> She is that ... but she is also more. She is more than just those things, more important to me than you can possibly understand.

<SirKerry> You think you might like her, you think she is interesting. I have known these things for years. I *know* we are compatible.

<Brandon> You are her brother. Does she see you as more? Can she?

<SirKerry> The only thing that remains is to show her. Just as the world has convinced her that the things I can do are not possible, it also has convinced her that we cannot be together, however we may feel about that. It is an obstacle, nothing more. Were it not present, I wouldn't have any doubt at all.

<Brandon> We? You know her feelings in this?

<SirKerry> To a degree, yes. We do share a bond, after all. You think you might like her. In that sense, you too are presuming to know her feelings, with far less justification than I.

SirKerry is being defensive, and knows it. It is annoying him. He is attempting to go back on the offensive.

<Brandon> Based on the evidence, she does. But then, no, I don't know, and you won't give me the chance to find out.

<SirKerry> Why should I? It would be sabotage my own effort. I've seen enough of how Mr. Dark and Scary treats Jasmine to know that's not something I care to live through.

<Brandon> Free her. Let her have her own mind. All I ask is you free her to make her own decisions. How dare you decide her life for her?

<SirKerry> Decide it? I'm not deciding it. I am influencing it. Everybody does that to everybody else. Nobody lives in a vacuum. Not even Tyler. But your point does have some merit.

<SirTyler> You who think death to those who 'dare' to come onto your 'property'.

SirKerry narrows his eyes

<SirKerry> Pot. Kettle. Black Knight.

<SirTyler> And even now you won't go inside and ask.

SirTyler grins evilly.

<SirKerry> Actually, I was just having fun debating the issue. I'm a scientist, I do that. Alright, Squire. I know I must ask her at some point. No time like the present.

<God> The Dark Knight holds his place, handing the reins to the Squire.

SirKerry unlocks the door, opens it, and fights off a massively powerful urge to slam the door behind himself and lock it.

<God> As you come in the door, a small figure darts out around you, laughing.

<SirKerry> Weh?

SirKerry looks to see who that was.

<God> The Keep itself is still ahead. You look back to see Lady Jasmine being pulled up on the Dark Knight's horse.

SirKerry shrugs.

<SirKerry> Ah well. Maybe she'll live to regret it, maybe she won't.

SirKerry heads to the Keep.

<God> The palace and courtyard and the Keep are all beautiful and perfect. Gardens with large flowers line the path and the Keep itself is marble, gleaming white even in the overcast light.

SirKerry looks back at the others to see what they are doing.

<God> They stay where they are, watching you.

<SirKerry> Remind me to commend the Warden.

SirKerry turns back to the keep and unlocks it.

<SirKerry> Helllooooooooo....?

<God> You open the door to a winding stairway. At the top is a room, opulently attired, and....her. The Golden One, Lady Tenna stands looking out the one, barred window.

SirKerry falls to his knee

<SirKerry> I await your judgement, Lady. Condemn me or Reward me. Either way, free me of the burden.

LadyTenna turns slowly to look at you.

SirKerry bows his head.

<LadyTenna> You already know the answer.

<SirKerry> I see. Then I can hold you here no longer. Go, be free.

LadyTenna nods.

<LadyTenna> Thank you. This is home, but home should not be prison.

<SirKerry> This is not home. This is Love. Love is always a prison. Perhaps we would be better off without it.

<LadyTenna> This is not love.

<SirKerry> Perhaps you are right. But whatever it is, you should be free of it.

<LadyTenna> Now, comes the hardest part. Kerry, you have to free yourself.

<SirKerry> How? I see the sense, but not the way of it.

<LadyTenna> I am your sister. I will always be with you, always have. I will help you.

<SirKerry> I dangle over the edge of a sheer cliff, clinging for life to a rope. The rope is love, or whatever this is that is not love. Either way, if I let go, I will fall, and then I will die.

<LadyTenna> Grab my hand, I'll pull you up. You'll be suprised what lies at the top.

<SirKerry> I wander through a maze with a map. The map is labelled Love, or whatever this is that is not Love. If I abandon the map, I shall be lost forever.

<LadyTenna> You'll be suprised what new lands you find.

<SirKerry> I am the keeper of a great palace in a wilderness full of rampaging beasts. Safe within the fortress is Love, or whatever this is that is not Love. If I open the gates, the Love will be free ... to be destroyed by the things that lurk beyond.

<LadyTenna> Or to thrive in the hearts of others. You do not truly know what lies beyond. You have never gone there.

SirKerry raises his head, tears streaming down his face.

LadyTenna reaches down and wipes your tears with a delicate finger.

<LadyTenna> I long to share the world with you. I want you to find joy....that joy I can never bring you. However, we will walk together, in freedom. The alternative is to tear each other apart in here.

<SirKerry> If I were to say that I were not reluctant, that would be a lie. I can promise nothing more than that I will try.

<LadyTenna> Come, then, try. Try and do.

<Kerry> Yes?

<Voice> Kerry! Kerry, wake up!

<Kerry> Huh, what? I am awake.

Kerry looks around.

<God> The world shifts sickeningly and a darkness passes over your eyes. When it clears, you are on your back looking up at a starry sky. Tenna is kneeling next to you.

<Kerry> Um, hi. Why am I lying on my back on the ground?

<Tenna> Kerry! Oh, damn, are you alright?

<Tenna> I had the oddest feeling...and here you were, out in the middle of the night. In your pajamas, lying here. I've been trying for, like, five minutes to wake you.

<Brandon> Is he alright?

<Kerry> I don't know. Maybe. Maybe Kerry is dead, at least the old one.

Kerry sighs.

<Kerry> Hello, Brandon.

<Tenna> Yeah, I...look, I'll catch up to you, kay?

<Brandon> Okay.

Brandon gives Kerry a concerned look and backs away.

Kerry smiles at him half-heartedly.

<Kerry> Tenna, we need to talk.

<Tenna> Um, can we go inside somewhere first? I mean, were you sleepwalking or something?

<Kerry> Something like that.

Tenna is very concerned about Kerry.

<Kerry> Sure, let's go. Actually, I know somewhere, and it'll be better to be private.

<Tenna> Okay, lead on.

<Kerry> It's a bit of a walk, but I need to clear my head, OK?

Tenna smiles slightly.

<Tenna> That's fine.

Kerry leads Tenna to Halfway House.

<Kerry> Ivan mentioned that we were members of a "terrorist organization". This is HQ. Welcome to Halfway House.

Tenna grins.

<Tenna> Nice place.

<Kerry> Yup. OK, this is my room.

Kerry sits down, totally ignoring the really freaking bizarre plants all over the place.

<Kerry> I warn you that this isn't going to be easy. Either to say or to hear. I had hoped to have a bit of time once we got back together to figure out how, but ... events ... forced my hand.

Kerry is (currently) blanked out somewhat because he doesn't want her reading him instantly.

Tenna frowns at him.

<Tenna> I hate when you do that.

<Kerry> Sorry, but I want this in my own words, and I *certainly* don't want you to read things out of context.

Tenna shrugs.

<Tenna> Okay, I guess.

<Kerry> As I said, I had hoped to have a little bit of time before having to hit you with this, both for my own sake, and for yours. But on the very first day of school....well, Brandon, and, well...

<Kerry> Look, Tenna...

Tenna is listening.

<Kerry> We're pretty close. We're pretty much perfect complements. But there are things about our relationship that you don't know ... at least I don't think you know yet.

<Tenna> Ooookay.

Kerry turns around and uses the bond to determine where she pinches herself.

Tenna pinches herself on her leg, hard.

<Kerry> Ouch! Leg, and that's a little harder than I expected.

<Tenna> Sorry.

<Kerry> It goes beyond that, and this is far more relevant than that example. Close your eyes, and listen.

Tenna closes her eyes.

Kerry stops clamping down on his end of the link a little (not enough to reveal what he is about just yet, just enough for Tenna to hear him)

<Tenna> Kerry, I know th...

<Kerry> Do you hear it?

<Tenna> Yeah.

<Kerry> Sort of like the ocean...

<Tenna> Like listening into a shell.

<Kerry> I have felt this for years.

Tenna nods slowly.

<Kerry> You probably wondered how I know when you were sick, or depressed, or whatever, and managed to call every time?

<Tenna> I sorta figured it was due to our link.

<Kerry> Yes. But it's because I could feel it. Every day. All day.

Tenna is actually a little mad.

<Kerry> But the point is, I knew you were there. I knew how you felt. I've tried to avoid dipping into that ocean too deeply.

<Tenna> I hope so. Kerry, I mean, some of that is private!

<Kerry> I know.

<Kerry> But it gets worse, Tenna. Or better, depending on how you look at it.

<Tenna> Go on.

Kerry now starts thinking directly over the link.

<Kerry> Something happened.

Tenna blinks.

Kerry smiles.

Tenna thinks.

<Tenna> This? You can know everything?

<Kerry> If I tried and you didn't block me. I will teach you how to do that, of course, assuming...

<Tenna> Teach me.

<Kerry> OK. But first... Being exposed to ... all of this ... I reacted to it. What happened was this...

Kerry slowly pulls back the curtains on his feelings for his sister ... which will be momentarily followed by the torture it has been causing.

<Kerry> ... and I'm sorry.

<Tenna> Sorry?

<Kerry> Sorry to put this on you. I know it's not easy. Oh HOW I know.

Tenna goes blank for the first time in her life.

Kerry blinks.

<Kerry> That's pretty good, Tenna. But blanking out won't block the link. You could have gotten around my blocks at any time if you had known how far that link went.

<Tenna> You're my brother.

<Kerry> Yes. And you're my sister. I can only offer one thing in my defense.

Tenna lets go. She is very upset.

<Tenna> Make it good.

<Kerry> This is a taboo. And the reason for that taboo is biological. And I am a biologist ... a very good one. Better than you can imagine. The taboo should not apply to us ... but we have been conditioned to accept it without question. So the only thing I have to offer in my defense is an appeal to the logic that I know you share: Why should it be disturbing?

<Kerry> I know this is almost certainly insufficient.

<Kerry> But it is all that I have.

<Tenna> That is probably the biggest rationalization I've ever heard. And no, it is not sufficient. For a dozen reasons.

Kerry is no longer blocking his end of the link at all, so Tenna is probably feeling every bit of the impact of her words ... which is signficant. (On the other hand, he's not really doing it consciously, and he's not adding any push to it. He's simply relinquished control over it)

<Kerry> OK

<Tenna> You know...you know that that couldn't be, taboo or not.

<Kerry> I know no such thing. You forget the discussion we had of what I am. I'm not arrogant enough to claim that all of reality bends to my merest whim, but I DO claim to have a rather potent set of tools that most people lack.

<Kerry> I can't even begin to imagine those reasons, but I'm not even slightly surprised at your reaction.

<Tenna> You want them?

<Kerry> Sure, because I really can't see it.

<Tenna> One, I do NOT care to share such a relationship with a person that could read my thoughts at a whim, nor do I think you would be happy either.

<Tenna> Two, if you love me, why would you even consider dooming me to a life living as a pariah?

<Kerry> Eh?

<Kerry> Oh, that. Sorry

Kerry had a flashback to the Tower thing.

<Kerry> Go on.

<Tenna> Three, you really don't know me, Kerry. I see..feel how you think of me. I am not that person! No one could be!

<Tenna> Four, okay, yeah, I think it's kinda sick.

Kerry is sitting silently.

<Tenna> Five, I do not care to lose my brother, my closest friend to a relationship that is doomed. Whether we switch or not, we are opposites.

<Tenna> Shall I continue? I can see you never really thought this through.

<Kerry> No. I could argue those reasons, but I know better. I will accept your decision, though I know it will destroy me. I will, however, warrn you that Brandon may not be the wisest choice for a relationship. He is the best friend of one like me ... which means he could easily become one of the people that can read your mind at a whim. And whatever you may think of my motivations, that happens to be strictly logical application of your own objection.

<Kerry> As for thinking it through ... yes, I have. Why the hell do you think this caused so much torture? I can't turn my emotions on and off like a light switch. Actually, I can, but it is pretty unwise to do so.

Tenna sighs.

<Tenna> No, you never thought what it would do to me if you got your way. I never thought I'd say this... You are the most selfish person I've ever known.

<Tenna> Besides, you're 'in love' with a fiction, Kerry. I cannot, will not, live on a pedestal made of lies.

<Kerry> Sorry. Not this time. You are wrong ... I thought about it every time the subject came to mind. Every day we've been apart ... EVERY day, Tenna ... this has been on my mind. If you think that I didn't consider how this would affect you, whether you accepted me for what I am, or condemned me to the torture of illicit love, then how do you explain me waiting this long to tell you? I knew this long before we were apart. And I tried to keep it from you, because I KNEW what it meant.

<Kerry> But I can't live with that anymore. I don't like hiding things from you. I've been doing far too much of it.

<Tenna> Then try to know me and not that fairytale you've constructed in the trappings of blinded 'logic'. And for gods sake, promise to try to get over this or I'm going home.

<Kerry> Alright. Perhaps I do idolize you. But there isn't a person on the planet that doesn't do that to the people they care for. And as much as you think you wouldn't like being with someone who can read your mind, keep in mind that that is the ONLY way to be sure there are no illusions.

<Tenna> And no privacy. And no room to be human.

<Kerry> Go home? Tenna, you can't run from me, from this. I will try ... I've already made that promise, but I will NOT sit here and say "Okay, sis. I've deleted my love for you. Forget I ever said anything."

<Tenna> Run? I...fucking...left my whole life behind to come here, because I thought it would be cool to have my brother back. You think I had nothing there? That there was no life without Kerry?

<Kerry> No. It was something I worried about. But I didn't force you to come, so do NOT blame me for leaving your life behind. What I meant was that we are bonded. This isn't going to go away, and you KNOW that now that you are aware of how deep that bond extends that you can't just ignore it. If you can't accept this, fine. And by accept I don't mean ... agree to it. I just mean that we need to resolve it.

<Tenna> I thought I could share my life with you for once, as brother and sister, like we did when we were little.

<Kerry> Tenna, I'm not the only one with illusions. This has been here for years. Since we were little. The only difference is that you know about it now.

<Tenna> I accept the bond, Kerry. It's what makes us special. But I do not and cannot accept this sicko facination with me.

<Kerry> What do you want from me, Tenna? You can feel how I feel. If you felt the same, what would you do? Aside from throw up... And don't suggest trying to stay away ... if anything that has made the situation worse.

<Tenna> What do I want? I want you to get over it so I can have my brother back. I want you to find an appropriate girl and be happy. What would I do? Fuck, Kerry, I would have tried to get it out long ago, BEFORE dumping it on you, because I have that much regard for you. And no, i won't stay away, but I'm not walking on eggshells around you either.

<Kerry> You may think that I never considered how this would impact you, but there isn't a day that went by that I wished things were different ... that we weren't related ... that I loved someone else ... something, anything. But Tenna, it isn't that easy to just stop loving someone, especially when they are always there in the back of the mind. Not walking on eggshells is your perogative, I suppose.

Tenna shrugs. Through the bond, you can feel the disgust, the anger, yet through it all there is a deep concern for you.

<Tenna> Well, there's nothing else to be said tonight...

Kerry suddenly yells in her mind (not at the top of his lungs, but louder than normal speaking voice)

<Kerry> Hate me! It's the only way! Don't be concerned for me! If you do, that just makes it worse.

<Tenna> I can't do that.

<Kerry> It just reminds me of why ... I am this way.

<Tenna> I can never hate you, Kerry.

<Kerry> I know. That's why I'm screwed. The only thing I can do is try to set it aside, knowing that I'll either fail, or it will destroy me. But I told you I would try.

<Tenna> And it's only worse because you're afraid to look outside.

<Kerry> But Tenna, I have looked outside. There are many things in the world that I COULD love ... but none of them can ever approach ... this.

<Tenna> This is not real. The bond is, yes, but 'this' is your own construction. You do this to yourself, you know.

<Kerry> I know I do it to myself. The knowledge does not provide a solution.

<Tenna> Not wanting to sound like a 12 step program, but that's a start. I'm going back to my room now.

<Kerry> OK.

Tenna sighs.

<Tenna> Goodnight, Kerry.

Tenna walks out.

<Kerry> Goodbye, Tenna.

Kerry considers walking her home, but decides to be satisfied with just listening in on the very surface to make sure she gets back to campus safely.

Over the course of that night, he will gradually put as tight a clamp on the link as he can manage (throwing in Mind Magick if necessary). Both directions. He can't currently afford to hear her, and he doesn't want her to hear him. Tenna has lived for years with this background noise without noticing it, but she'll almost certainly notice its sudden absence. I dunno if that will relieve her or if it'll actually be worse than when Kerry blanks out, but it'll probably not go unnoticed.

He will then raid the Halfway House liquor supply and get very, very, very drunk. He will not be in class the next day.