Who: Keiko & Open What: A walk in the woods Where: The woods When: Sunday Jan 14th -- 9pm Rating: G(?) Status: Incomplete
There had been many serious issues to contemplate over the past few weeks. The universities president was not happy with her decision and it was clear at least a couple of her peers felt it was the beginning of her break away from the university. Which she could not sooth their fears because at this point, not even Keiko her self knew what she was doing or where she would be by the end of this year. Running missions aged you long before your time. This university and its requirements were harsh. Not that each individual task was particularly daunting but the summation of all the tasks were what left her ragged and exhausted by the end of every day. She could not continue the clocked 80 hour weeks and the non-clocked time... Well, that wouldn't be counted but it was far too much for one person in the end.
It was at times like this, when she felt heavy of heart and that her thoughts struggled with one another that she retreated. Away from the university, the cars, the buildings and the people. Seeking refuge in the woods her feet caused the snow below them to crunch, it's hardening state making a distinct noise with each step.
Branches hung both low and high, the leaves having been stripped from them months before as the moon shone down, casting long shadows on the ground.
"Father." She let the single word ring out, silence falling in the chilled night air for a moment before she spoke again. "Father, where are you? I know you can hear me." Her voice was calm, even and had the slightest touch of anguish to it. "Father, I know you're here." The volume in her voice faded slightly, an odd sorrow seeping in. "You're always here."
Not thirty feet in front of her a clearing came into view, along with the ghostly outline of a man, not a day out of his late twenties. The man seemed to smile as Keiko drew near, a scarf wrapped around her neck and the jacket clinging to her thin frame as hands reminded stuffed in her pockets. It all was really a feeble attempt to stay warm in the freezing night. Eyes settled on the barely there form and she felt her heart break some. Over the years his ability to manifest had steadily become weaker and weaker... Not that it was often that others could see or feel him anyway. Glancing around for a moment the caster spied a stump which she made her way over too, pushing the snow off of it before sitting and looking over at the faint figure which, if viewed from the right angle in this moon lit night, you'd never even see he was there at all.
"There is so much going on. I can not keep up with it all. It is overwhelming." The ghost man remained silent, listening as she spoke and sad eyes watched him as he returned a sympathetic look. A thought struck her mind and her pained look deepened as she watched the transparent form for a moment. "The students. They are being hurt. We are not teaching them enough." Her voice trailed off. "I am not teaching them enough." A deep pain resonated in each word and she was forced to close her eyes in shame. "I am failing them."
Opening once again her eyes pleaded with the ghostly man. "What should I do?" Keiko's gaze dropped, eyes searching the white snow covered ground, almost as if the slight gleam of the snow would give her an answer. "I am so lost." Keiko had to stop speaking in that instant. If she continued surely, tears would fall. Swallowing hard a small part of her resolve was restored and soft words slipped out. "I have twisted reality into a lie. Every waking moment I tell my self more. I am losing what little of me I had between the lies and the spells." Finally she forced her self to look up, a dejected look crossed the mans face. A tear slipped down over one cheek. "I am so sorry papa." She clenched her jaw for a moment before looking down. "I am not made from the same strength you were. If I was I would not be so weak, I would not be so helpless, I would not be so incapable of stopping what is happening." She sucked in a deep breath as another tear fell and she looked over at the man, his features had fallen further, a deep look of sorrow crossing his face. "I would be so much more." Her gaze dropped as hands moved to grasp at the stump that she sat upon.
Without looking up whispered words slipped out.
"I wish you were still alive. Maybe if you were I would not be so weak.. Maybe... if you were... this would be a better place."