The Chimera Summoner – Ch 36 – Part Lorna – The Ledge

Ch 36 - Lorna

I pulled out the fancy chair, and Lorna sat. Or hovered politely where a sitting person would be.

We were at one of the nicest restaurants in Mirrolin - The Ledge, perched on a cliffside overlooking the bay. Jennie had researched it for the occasion and made a reservation in our names, not at all trusting me to do so.

I made a note to show her some more appreciation. It was lovely, and our table was in a secluded corner of the dining room, overlooking the sunset tinted waves. It was nothing short of spectacular.

I sat, feeling uncomfortable. And acutely aware that Lorna was aware of my discomfort, through our bond. And that I was aware of her own feelings of uneasiness. And because the clarity of our bond was growing, she was probably aware that I was aware of her awareness of my–

“You look lovely.” Lorna murmured, smoothly breaking through my spiral.

I straightened my lapels. Lucy had raided Hera’s closet for a nice black suit, and a soft burgundy tie.

How she'd convinced Hera was a mystery. Well. It wasn't. Everyone loved Lucy. But I did wonder what she might've promised in return.

But it fit well, especially with how much fitness I had gained lately. But it felt a little… too nice for me? Hera’s family wealth wasn’t usually on display. But her personal wardrobe was both luxurious and vast.

Lorna wore the gift that Lucy and I had picked out for her during our date.

It was a silver, floor-length gown with a plunging neck line, and no back at all. When she had equipped it, it had faded into a ghostly sheen that greatly enhanced its beauty, as Lucy had predicted it would.

She looked like she had had rivulets of moonlight and starlight poured over her graceful body, and then caught them in place at her feet before they could evaporate.

Her oceanic blue hair was wound up and braided into itself to make an elegant bun that exposed her pale neck and left a slender waterfall of hair falling past her shoulder to her hip.

“You look radiant. Truly breathtaking.” I said, honestly.

Lorna gave me a sad little smile, and inclined her head in gracious acceptance of my praise.

“I have created… ‘a thing’ between us.” she said, “It holds us apart when what you need is unity and support. I apologize.”

I snorted involuntarily. “‘A thing’. Talking about it with Jennie, huh?”

“She has been offering me some much needed advice.” Lorna nodded.

I frowned. “It's hard to imagine you being the one getting advice. I only think of you as the one giving it. You know. Wise.”

Lorna sighed. “That is indicative of a profound failing on my part. Perhaps I need to spend more time listening and learning than trying to teach. A beginner’s lesson, but one that I must learn once more, it seems. For this too, I apologize.”

I was about to respond when a very nice waitress arrived to take our orders. I had not even glanced at the options, but Lorna ordered smoothly, selecting a handful of courses for me that all sounded incredible.

Then she surprised me by asking for hot tea for herself.

If the waitress found it odd to converse with a frost spectre, she did a world class job of pretending it was a normal pleasure. She whisked away in a whirl of elegant efficiency.

“I…” I started. I had intended to say she had nothing to apologize for. But the truth was… “I appreciate the apology. It feels like big things… like world altering things… are happening out of our view. Changes in the Dungeon. This whole Herald business. The Netherim. Whatever it is that they were running from.”

Lorna nodded, closing her eyes as I felt a dark cloud of dread pass through her.

“I’m sorry.” I said, reaching over the corner of the table to her. “I know you don’t want to talk about that.”

She looked surprised, then laid an elegant hand next to mine, so that the uttermost tip of her cold finger brushed mine.

“You are right.” she said after a few moments.

I blinked. “I am?”

“I wanted peace for you so badly that I ignored the precursors to war.” She said, “You are already so diligent, and your powers are progressing so swiftly. I thought…”

She turned her deep blue eyes on me, and gave another sad smile.

“I hoped,” She corrected herself, “That we could have more time. Eir, I am cursed.”

“Cursed?” I blurted back, alarmed.

My ghost merely nodded, sadly.

“Lorna, if something is wrong for you, tell us so that we can all work to fix it together. We all love you. Well. Maybe not Serenity exactly, yet. But honestly, I think she’s coming along. And the rest of us fucking adore you. Let us support you like you support us.”

She brushed her spectral hand over the top of mine.

“I fear that I am very much in love with you.” She whispered. “That's not the curse. Never. But…the two things are related.”

“Same, princess.” I said, leaning forward earnestly. “Very much same. Head over my gods damned heels. Talk to me.”

She nodded seriously, then leaned forward. I followed her lead, and she gave me a soft, solemn kiss.

“Your first course, and your tea, madams!” Announced our waitress, swooping in and arranging a series of plates, a pot of tea, and a cup at record speed without once seeming hurried. “Anything else right now?”

“No, thank you so much.” I answered.

Lorna gazed longingly at me.

“What’s up, hot stuff?” I asked, trying to give her a disarming eyebrow waggle.

“One more day.” Lorna said.

“Come again?” I asked, nonplussed.

“Give me one more day to pretend.” She said, “One more day, and I will tell you everything that I should have when we met. Give us one more day of peace.”

I frowned, taking in the soft desperation in her gentle smile. The sadness welling behind her regal features, tucked deep and almost hidden even from our bond.

“Please.” She said, in the barest whisper, “As you love me. One more day.”

A few tears rolled down her pale cheeks.

For a moment, for the first time, I thought she looked very old.

I nodded. “Ok.”

“Ok?” She breathed.

“Ok.” I agreed. “We are on a normal date. Our first date, in fact.”

“You don’t know what–” She started, her lower lip starting to tremble.

“Do you have any hobbies?” I interrupted.

I checked myself. I wasn’t sure I had ever interrupted her before. I wasn’t sure I’d seen anyone interrupt her. Something about her suggested it would be like interrupting a train by standing in front of it.

A slow smile broke over her lips. She laid her hand back down next to mine, fingertip brushing me gently.

“Try the appetizers.” She said, an amused eyebrow raised.