Agnes sighed as she stood in front of her full length mirror in her room, looking over the new shirt she had just bought. It was pale green, flowery, but still enough to cover up the majority of her scars. That was always her biggest problem with clothes. They needed to cover up the scars in order for her to feel comfortable wearing them. The problem was that Agnes was so traumatized and knew every scar on her body that she felt like they could be seen by the outside world; even if they were completely covered! But that was her issue that she needed to deal with. She hoped that maybe, one day, she would be able to get over it. She doubted it would be anytime soon though.

Slipping her jeans on, Agnes turned and looked at the items splayed out on her bed. She and Liz had decided to have a picnic today and it was her responsibility to bring the blanket (to sit on), her violin (for entertainment), and the sunblock (so they don't crisp). It was summer and of course it was much warmer outside. Especially with Agnes’ pale skin, she definitely needed the suntan lotion. Even in New York. Better safe than sorry.

As she folded the blanket up for easy carrying, Agnes slipped into a pair of flip-flops, tucked the blanket under her arm, and grabbed the suntan lotion. But, as she turned to go, she spied herself in the mirror and immediately she began to feel self-conscious again. The scars could not be seen, she knew that but still…just in case.

Quickly she dropped the items, dashed to her closet and plucked out a thing green sweater. It was a bit warm for a sweater but it was thin enough that she would not roast. At least she hoped so.

She shook her head at her own actions but she still did not remove the new article of clothing. “Need to stop this,” was all she muttered to herself as she gathered up the items once again and headed out into the hallway.

Liz was much further down the hall but her fellow mutant should be ready by now. Ever since they met in the gardens they had talked on and off, shared a laugh or two. It was good to have someone else around she could call a friend. Agnes was slowly edging herself into that normalcy that people everywhere usually have. She could actually say that she had friends that meant the world to her, especially after the life that she’s had.

Agnes mentally counted down the room numbers as she maneuvered herself down the hall. When she finally arrived in front of Liz’s room, at exactly 12:00pm when they were supposed to meet (she was punctual), she gently knocked on her door.

“Liz?” asked gently, since she did not want to bother her if she was busy or talking to someone else. “It’s Agnes.”

“Nico! Those aren’t for you!” Liz shooed her parrot away from the classic woven basket sitting on her bed. The would-be thief flapped back to his perch on his cage, glaring at Liz and squawking in protest. The girl glared back with equal fire. Eyes twitched. Feathers ruffled. Tension rose in the air. Noises stopped. Hands clenched. Talons flexed.

Then Liz broke off with a smile. “Oh, alright,” she sighed. “I give.” But she didn’t let the bird attack the basket again. Instead, Liz grabbed a packet of sunflower seeds out of a desk drawer and jumped some of them out on the top of her dresser. “Thanks,” the bird cawed as he side-stepped over. Elizabeth’s eyebrow arched in surprise. Since when was Nico aware of how to use thanks? Undoubtedly he could say it, but know when to use it? She whistled at her bird’s brilliance.

Liz whirled around and got back to packing everything together. It wasn’t that hard. Elizabeth’s chores to prepare for the picnic had mainly been to supply the food and drinks. Last night, she and Agnes had prepared a few of the things, like the cold desserts, but Liz had hit the kitchen that morning to make the rest.

Now she needed to get it all together. The drinks weren’t hard; Liz had already put in Cherry Cola for Agnes and Orange Sunkist for herself in a small cooler filled with ice. She also had a shopping bag with their Jell-O and pineapple upside down cake in it. Now she only needed to work on the picnic basket.

Paper plates, napkins, plastic spoons and forks, and Styrofoam cups went into the basket first. A small assortment of fruit went in next, followed by a ham-and-cheese sandwich and a turkey sandwich, a small container of potato salad, another container of macaroni and cheese, and two plastic baggies full of Lays chips and Doritos. She closed the lid on the basket and stepped back. She felt very accomplished, even though she hadn’t done anything yet.

She glanced in her mirror and twirled in place, making her sky blue broom skirt fan out around her. She tilted her sombrero and slipped on a pair of dark blue sunglasses. Oh yes, she was ready.

And not a moment too soon. The knock on her door came at 12:00 on the dot (Liz had looked at her watch) and Agnes announced herself. “I’m ready!” Liz said, her voice loud enough to carry through the door without sounding like she was yelling. Liz snagged the basket off her bed, the cooler and bag from her floor, and quickly stroked Nico’s head. “See ya later,” she said before opening her door.

Once in the hall (after making sure her door was closed so a wily featherball wouldn’t escape), Liz smiled at Agnes. “Got it all. Let’s do this!”

Agnes had had an excellent night yesterday. She and Liz had stayed up to get things ready for their picnic today. It was just supposed to be a couple sandwiches and drinks but one thing led to another and before Agnes new it she was bragging how awesome she was at making Jello and of course that prompted Liz to call her on the bluff and before she knew it they were making desserts that could be left in the fridge overnight. Thankfully none of the other students found the urge to steal their food for today. That would have just irritated her.

As she stood in front of the room door, she heard Liz call out to her.

>> “I’m ready!”

Agnes smirked a little as she adjusted the violin case and blanket and stuffed the suntan lotion inside her jean pocket. It was already feeling like it was going to be a good day. The sun was out, it was warm, bright and the mansion grounds were absolutely beautiful.

Then the door opened and Agnes immediately saw Liz laden down with stuff for their little outing today.

>> “Got it all. Let’s do this!”

“Liz! Let me help you with some of that,” Agnes chuckled as her fellow mutant teen closed the door behind her. “You’re crazy. You’re gunna tip over.”

Without hearing if there was protest, Agnes snagged the cooler away from Liz and held it triumphantly at her side. She was a little surprised because it honestly did not seem like they were going to bring that much food for the both of them but apparently there was going to be plenty for the two girls. Maybe this was Liz’s secret way of trying to fatten Agnes up. Seems that no matter who she runs into, everyone says that she is simply too thin. But it was not like Agnes was anorexic or something. She ate! She ate all the time but for some reason she really did not gain any fat. She assumed it was because of her mutation, that supporting the hive within her meant that her body drew from whatever she ate in order to keep them alive. Whatever the case, it was a mystery and she would simply have to keep proving to people that her thinness was not due to sickness.

With a smile she nodded to Liz outfit and approved.

“Looks good. Let’s go out and greet the world, shall we?” she beamed.

“Oh, no really, I can handle it,” Liz protested, even as the cooler was snatched away from her. She slid the basket up one arm and planted both hands on her hips, her mouth open in mock astonishment, the look on her face saying I can’t believe you actually just DID that! “Uh,” she squeaked, completing her stern visage.

Then her lips cracked into a smile and she shook her head. “Thank ye anyways,” she said in an Irish lilt. She could’ve handled the cooler, but it probably would’ve ended up being a strain by the time they found a good picnic spot. She had actually surprised herself with how much stuff they had ended up packing. Could they really handle it all? But well balanced meals always had to have meat and bread (the sandwiches), fruits (the various multicolored fruits in her basket), and no picnic was complete without potato salad. The mac and cheese and the chips were there in case they wanted variety. And they just had to have a dessert. Liz blamed it all on having spent years making stuff for big family picnics with her mother’s side.

She accepted Agnes’ nod with a smile and glanced over the other girl. Did Agnes have everything? Violin, blanket, the lotion in her pocket, the cooler, and… “That’s a cute blouse!” she said. “Where’d you get it?” Even as she talked, she started walking. A thousand-mile journey began with the first step, right? And it was a beautiful day outside; no sense in wasting it inside. She could tell because stray flickers of happiness had been splashing up against her mental dams for several hours. And if the animals outside were happy, that usually meant it was a good day.

“So what music do you have planned for us this fine afternoon?” she asked as she led the way outside. “I love listening to violins and the string family in general.” Liz herself only played the piano, but she’d always wanted to learn other instruments. It just sounded classier to her, you know? But there was no way she could take a piano to a picnic. Not even the rolly pianos. Sad face.

Agnes had merely met the young teen’s stern look with a stern look of her own. It was not long before smiles and “thank yous” were exchanged. It felt good to be doing this with Liz. The past few days her parents had been on her mind and she needed as many excursions as possible to cleanse herself. Going shopping with Gina, this little picnic with Liz, it was everything she needed to push those horrible thoughts from her head and allow her to have a nice, happy time for once.

>> “That’s a cute blouse! Where’d you get it?”

“Oh you like?” Agnes grinned as she gave Liz a tiny twirl as they walked. Thankfully there were no tables nearby for her to bump into. “I got it at some place called, The Gap.” It must have sounded funny for her to refer to the place as if it were so alien. For Agnes it was. “My roommate, Gina, and I went to do some shopping at the mall. It was a nice store.” She nodded as she then leaned to the side a bit and gave Liz one more once over. “You know that skirt is very pretty, I love it.”

As their small talk continued they were slowly making their way towards the exit of the mansion. Agnes was actually excited to be doing this! She could not wait to just sit out in the grass and enjoy the nice warm day out in the sun with the good company of a friend and with some great food. Plus she would get to showcase some of her violin skills for Liz. It had been awhile since she picked up her violin. Not that she did not want to play it, she had simply been occupied. Now though was the perfect opportunity.


>> “So what music do you have planned for us this fine afternoon? I love listening to violins and the string family in general.”

“Appropriate pieces,” Agnes said with a wink. “I will try to not play anything too depressing for once.”

As soon as she stepped outside, Agnes was assaulted by the warm breeze of the afternoon and the sweet scent of flowers and grass in the air. Standing out in the bright sun, watching as other students ran about, some playing games, others simply walking, she was beginning to feel that sense of renewal that comes with spring, that revitalization of life. Even the air itself seemed to have a song of its own that was striking the cords of the young runaway’s heart. It was all simply too beautiful to really ignore.

The whole scene, the feel of the cooler in her hand and the blanket tucked under her other arm, the presence of Liz right next to her…all of it was just great. It was safe to say that Agnes was feeling pretty darn good now! Even fact that a pair of flies had automatically been attracted to her did not affect her mood.

A glance over and Agnes smiled at Liz who seemed a momentarily down about something. But as soon as she saw it, it vanished from her face. Agnes beamed and made a promise to herself that she was going to play some good music. Today would be a happy day, that is all.

“Well, grass isn’t getting any softer,” she giggled as she headed out ahead of Liz and began to search for a good place to set up their picnic.

The grass felt so good as it reached over the sides of her sandaled feet and tickled her skin. She stalked about and continued to look for the best place to sit. Then she spied an empty near a large, old tree but still with plenty of sun reaching through it. And not a moment too soon, she as beginning to get hungry.

“How about this?” she asked as she glanced over at Liz.

Outside, the weather was warm and welcoming. Snatches of birdsong made their way to Elizabeth’s ears. She was right. It was a gorgeous day. Just right for a picnic! She allowed her mental guards to drop a bit, allowing more of the happiness in the souls of the small portion of animals in the area to trickle into her own. Like what could go wrong?

She trailed behind Agnes as they quested for a nice place. The older girl seemed happy, honestly happy, and that made Liz smile. Agnes had changed a lot since that first time they had met, at least from Elizabeth’s point of view. The brunette seemed to be more well-adjusted and smiles could stay on her face for very long periods of time. Liz liked to think that she had had an influence on her.

“True, but the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing four-part harmonies,” Liz replied in the same good mood. And it was none too soon before they found a spot.

The empty was lovely. It was perfect, well-illuminated but not much direct light. She shucked her flip-flops off by the tree and scrunched her toes. The grass was very soft there, a beautiful emerald carpet. Various tiny wildflowers grew all over the empty. “I think this’ll do great,” Liz said, setting the basket and bag down on the ground. “Good eye,” she complimented the other teen with an appropriate smile.

A tiny rumble echoed through her tummy, guaranteed to be heard from fifty miles away. “And excellent timing, too! Let’s get this started!” Then Liz stepped up to Agnes and swiped the cooler of drinks back, setting them down by the food with a triumphant smirk and a shine in her eyes. Liz was very patient and didn’t mind waiting to get her revenge, regardless of the pettiness of it.

Once the blanket was down, Liz started spreading the food out over it before finally sitting down on her hip, her legs curled to one side. “S’okay,” she started, pointing her finger to each food as she named them. “We’ve got sandwiches, one turkey, one ham-and-cheese. That’s potato salad, that’s mac and cheese.” She kept going, constructing a whole menu, including the drinks and desserts. There would be plenty of various foods to eat. “Dig in!” she called, grabbing a paper plate and opening the potato salad.

The picnic was going to be so fun.

>> “I think this’ll do great…Good eye,”

“Why, thank you Ms. Liz,” Agnes beamed back happily.

As they started to set things down, Liz was quick to come over and snatch the cooler back from her. Agnes watched her with mouth agap in a mock look of shock and awe. The audacity that Liz would snatch that cooler away when she was only helping her carrying it. She was so going to get even with her for that. No one, absolutely NO ONE takes away a cooler from her when she was only trying to be nice.

“You do realize,” she started to say but then switched into a bad impression of Daffy Duck’s famous lisp, “That this means war?”

Eyebrow arched she grinned at Liz again and continued to set down the rest of the materials that she was carrying to join in on this adventure.

>> “And excellent timing, too! Let’s get this started!”

Agnes heard the grumbling from her friend’s stomach and she simply had to laugh a little to herself. “Please! Before I end up eating this blanket,” she said as she began to spread it out onto the grass.

It only took a few seconds for them to get everything they needed set up. The blanket was laid out, the baskets were placed on top and both girls took a seat across from each other. Agnes took a second to look out over the scene and had to smile. The air outside smelled so crisp and everywhere all she saw was greenery and the students happily taking in the day. Birds fluttered about and sang, a squirrel or two ran from one tree only to run up another and the clouds drifted with this lazy abandonment in the sky. It was such a beautiful scene that she could have sworn she was dreaming.

Reaching down, she pulled off her flip-flops and set them on the grass next to the blanket. Gently she wiggled her toes onto the grass to the side before she curled her legs in more to fully situate herself on the blanket. That was when Liz began to call out their menu for the afternoon…

>> “S’okay…We’ve got sandwiches, one turkey, one ham-and-cheese. That’s potato salad, that’s mac and cheese…Dig in!”

“Thaaaank you,” she said happily as she took her Cherry Cola from the cooler and snapped open can. One sip was all it took. The carbonation on her tongue, the sweet taste of the cola mixed with the artificial cherry flavoring, it was all simply heaven. “It has to be a sin to love Cherry Cola this much…” she mumbled.

She sighed as she picked up one of the sandwiches and began to start in on their prepared meal. There was a lot of food but the majority of it was going to be eaten she was sure of that. After all, judging from the massive amounts of talking that their stomachs were doing, they were both extremely hungry. Another bite and Agnes sighed contentedly as she looked around. She really had to admit that she was feeling a whole lot better about her little world. She was starting to accept a lot of things, especially her powers, and allowing herself to feel normal and, yes, even happy again. Maybe this place, especially with company like Liz, was indeed a lifesaver.

Taking another sip of soda, Agnes turned back to Liz and smiled: a real, true, heartfelt, friendship filled smile.

“Thank you, you know, for coming up with this idea. This is really nice,” she said as she pulled her violin case over and patted it at her side. She would play something as soon as she was done eating, but first, she grinned a little as she eyed Liz. “So, how’s your boyfriend doing?”

Why not start the picnic with a blush?

“So, how’s your boyfriend doing?”

“Oh, he’s okay, he’s—“ Liz froze, a glob of potato salad falling on her plate as she realized what she had heard and said. Her cheeks flushed crimson. “I mean, what boyfriend? I don’t have a boyfriend. You must have me confused with somebody else. There’s another girl who looks like me, her names Elaine and she can paralyze people with a glance. You must mean her. Because I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Liz stopped babbling and ducked her head, trying to look and sound casual and collected. She forced her attention to the small pile of salad on her plate that was slowly gaining in size, furiously trying to control herself. Why did Agnes have to do that? The girl knew that subject made her uncomfortable. But that’s probably why she did it. Of course, the perfect way to launch the war Agnes had claimed she started.

Well, she wasn’t going to win that easily.

Elizabeth cast out with her mind, demanding to know the feelings of the multitude of wildlife around the picnickers. She coaxed the general happiness and good-will into a stream and allowed it to flow into her, past her normal defenses. Immediately, swimming through the waves of joy, the blood left Liz’ cheeks and a smile curled up her lips. She finished her portion of potato salad and replaced the lid. Then she turned her gaze to meet Agnes’, her smile sweet as cyanide.

“Oh, while we’re on the subject, I’ve been dying to tell you something,” she said, her face brightening up, her voice changing to a dramatic aristocrat’s. “You know that Gary Pauldins fellow? Well, I’ve noticed that he’s been staring at you a lot. And, get this, he even molded one of his figurines into a perfect likeness of you! It was sooo adorable! I think he really likes you.” She winked conspiratorially and hid a giggle. The boy she spoke of was a short, chubby guy, at least a year younger than herself. He had a squashed nose and a horrible case of acne. And he really like action figures, using his power to manipulate plastic to make his figures fight each other.

She maintained her smile, as if she had just told the greatest gossip and couldn’t wait to hear Agnes’ response. Which she couldn’t, actually. The flow of emotions flooding her allowed her to keep up her composure. She was just oh-so-happy. Her smile was quite genuine, for one reason or another.

Liz dumped a few of the Lays out on her plate and began eating, watching Agnes.

>> “Oh, he’s okay, he’s—I mean, what boyfriend? I don’t have a boyfriend. You must have me confused with somebody else. There’s another girl who looks like me, her names Elaine and she can paralyze people with a glance. You must mean her. Because I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Uh-huh,” Agnes suppressed a giggled at Liz’s attempt to cover up the fact that she just admitted that she did have a boyfriend.

To be honest Agnes really did not know why the problem was with that. Did she not like the guy? Was she embarrassed by him? The runaway could not put her finger one what could possibly be the problem. Liz was a great friend so it any guy she was with was bound to be a good guy too. At least that was Agnes’ logic. So why was Liz so off center whenever the subject was mentioned? Maybe she really was just uncomfortable with talking about such a thing. It was quite possible that Liz just wanted to have that part of her life private.

Agnes knew that feeling all too well. There were so many things she kept private about anyone. And it probably did not help that she kept teasing her about it.

The runaway had swallowed a bite of her sandwich and was about to open her mouth to apologize when sudden Liz broke in with a bright smile…a little too bright…

>> “Oh, while we’re on the subject, I’ve been dying to tell you something…You know that Gary Pauldins fellow? Well, I’ve noticed that he’s been staring at you a lot. And, get this, he even molded one of his figurines into a perfect likeness of you! It was sooo adorable! I think he really likes you.”

“Gary…PAULdins?” Agnes asked with a look on her face that could not have been any squintier. “Ugh! Isn’t he still under room lockdown for sending out those action figures to steal some of the girl’s underwear?!” Agnes immediately got the creeps and began to shudder. She would rather had dealt with all those bugs in her then even think about garnering the attention of Gary Pauldins!

Shaking her head, she grabbed a plate and began to scoop a little bit of the mac-and-cheese onto it with her spoon. Just the thought of that kid made her skin crawl. Not that she should pass judgment on anyone. After all, the same could be also said about her. It was not like she was very kissing worthy, especially since she had bugs in her. Then again…there was that night with Rhythm…

She shook that thought away as she poured a few chips onto her own plate and caught that smile on Liz’s face. Was she really serious about Gary? Maybe she thought she was doing good by passing news along about a possible set up. Whatever the case, Agnes was a flush shade of crimson.

“Thanks, you know, for telling me,” she shrugged. “But, I’m really not interested.” She said as a pair of flies flew off from the tree and began to circle her head. Agnes scowled and waved her hand to shoo them away. “Not right now, guys, I’m fine,” she sighed as she barely managed to get them to fly off.

An evil glint flashed across Liz’ eyes for a brief second. Muahahaha. Score one for the home team. Agnes’ reaction was priceless. Exactly what Elizabeth had hoped for. So what if what she had said was a complete lie and a low-blow? All’s fair in love and war and that counted as both. Only a Cheshire could’ve smiled more broadly than Liz at the moment.

>>“Thanks, you know, for telling me, but, I’m really not interested.”

She popped a chip into her mouth. Crunch. “That’s what friends are for,” she garbled out. Yes, friends were perfect for embarrassing other friends in order to get themselves out of embarrassing situations. Crunch, crunch, crunch. Swallow. Yep. Friends were also good at leaving friends in said embarrassing situations without any aid at all. Liz was perfectly content with leaving Agnes to the mistaken belief that Gary Pauldins was crushing on her. She felt a small twinge of guilt over lying, but she felt it had been necessary. She couldn’t have said anything else to distract Agnes so completely.

>>“Not right now, guys, I’m fine,”

Now that was odd. What caused that flicker of grumpiness and hand wave, not to mention the verbal message? Her eyes jumped to the two black dots spinning around Agnes’ head before splitting. Flies. Agnes could talk to flies? That was new. “Agnes?” she queried, a slightly puzzled expression on her face. She set her plate on the blanket and pointed a figure in the general direction the flies had flown. “Can you talk to flies?” It was a perfectly reasonable question. After all, she empathically manipulated animals and Agnes stored bugs inside her. Was fly-speaking that far out there?

She ate another chip.

>> “Agnes? Can you talk to flies?”

The runaway shook her head as she watched the flies finally take her hint and buzz off to go bother someone else. She had to admit that she was getting better had not only handling the swarm inside her, but whatever insects happened to be flying around, attracted her scent. It boosted her morale a little bit that she was actually doing good in that respect. To know that she was finally making some progress with her abilities was a big help, especially after the museum fiasco. She could now allow herself to lose control again.

“No,” she said as she turned her attention back to her friend. “I can just, I dunno, calm them down a bit easier.”

Agnes powers were always fueled by her emotions. Whenever she got upset, those insects that resided in her chest would immediately get agitated, fly out, and attack anything that moved! Unfortunately, though, that lead to complications whenever she so much as got upset over stubbing her toe. The little guys that lived in her chest were always eager to jump to the attack and anyone who was within her range was in danger.

These days, though, she had been practicing at being able to calm herself down. That was the only way she could deal with them, by learning to control herself. In keeping herself calm, the swarm rarely made an appearance and those insects that were usually attracted to her calmed as well. It seemed almost as if that smell she always gave off, that repelled people so bad, was beginning to wane as well. It really gave her hope that she was beginning to grasp her abilities a bit stronger these days.

With a shrug, Agnes gave Liz a smile as she held her plate of Mac-and-Cheese and chips on her lap and took another sip of her soda. A cool, Spring breeze briefly ruffled up her hair and Agnes and to smile a little to herself. Even though her skin still crawled at the thought of Gary Pauldin crushing on her, Agnes had to admit that her time out with Liz was definitely not proving to be disappointing. This was real fun.

Still though, she shuddered. “I’m so locking my door from now on. And if Gary Pauldin attempts to use anything to steal my underwear I’m breaking his nose.”

She sat, meaning every word, but soon found herself giggling at the thought. Of course her only time here and she would garner the attentions to an action-figure wielding, panty thieving nerd. Before she knew she had nearly fallen over as she struggled to keep from laughing too hard but…she simply needed her. For too long she denied her body real laughter and the situation was just so damn humorous that she could not focus on the negative. Yes, she would rather that someone different had liked her, but hey, this was extremely funny.

It was a good day to laugh.

((OOC: Sorry ‘bout the horrid delay I haven’t had an abundance of time lately))

The chip crunched quite audibly in her mouth. Elizabeth savored the saltiness as she rolled her tongue around the various fragments that were smashed between her teeth. The distinctive potato taste was quite delicious, making her slowly swallow each piece and enjoy the deliciousness of it. Grease lubricated her throat, helping to soften the edges of the chip to prevent it from scraping or scratching her mouth. It was so good. It was like a party in her mouth.

She nodded in acknowledgment of Agnes’ explanation. It would seem that Agnes semi-possessed a minor version of her own abilities. Liz was suddenly curious as to what extent Agnes’ ability could go. Could she sense fly emotions as well? Or anger them or anything? It would be nice to find out, but not right then. This was a picnic and they were going to have fun; not sit around and talk about Agnes’ abilities.

Liz snagged the ham sandwich and began peeling off the plastic wrap. She was just about o take a bite when Agnes revealed her ultimatum. Liz froze, mouth slightly open, a surprised grin appearing. Agnes’ voice had been so….serious while talking. It was humorous. When the brunette began laughing, the blonde joined in as well (but not before putting her sandwich down).

She chortled with a deep belly laugh, feeding on the other girl’s hilarity as well as the solemn statement. That was one of the things Liz especially liked about Agnes: the girl knew how to laugh and have fun. Liz rarely walked away from Agnes without at least a smile adorning her lips.

She started gasping for air. In between gulps of blessed oxygen, she managed to speak. “I…can….totally im….agine…..that.” The empath wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to ease the pains in her sides. It was just too funny. “I’d video….it for….you.” The thought of Gary Pauldins flattened to the floor, blood dripping from a smashed nose, surrounded by his creepy figurines, was almost poetry in a way. Unconsciously, her mirth flowed over her lowered defenses and poured into the nearby wildlife.

Also, Agnes had undoubtedly forgotten all about that one topic that Liz wasn’t even going to think about. Even as she started pulling herself back together, she couldn’t hide the smile. “Only you, Agnes, only you,” she said. She picked her sandwich back up and tore off a bite.

>> “I…can….totally im….agine…..that…I’d video….it for….you.”

Agnes giggled and nodded her head, unable to contain her own laughter anymore. It really was a funny thought, to think about, her collapse that teenage boy’s nose for using his powers to steal her underwear. Really, there are all sorts of freaks in the world and, in Agnes humble opinion, there was a vast majority of them that needed to be punched squarely in the nose. And if there was one thing that the girl was known for around the school, besides being shy, but punching someone when the occasion called for it.

But the runaway could not help laughing at the idea of it. To watch that pudgy little punk wither on the ground with a broken nose and a flood of blood coming out of his nostrils as he tried to issue off his apologies really was too funny. Not that Agnes was an overly violent person, but if a lesson needed to be learned, she was only too happy to do it.

>> “Only you, Agnes, only you,”

Agnes smirked and nodded her head. “Of course, only me. Only I would attract a nutjob like him and only I would have to teach him a lesson about respecting a young lady’s undergarments.” she winked at Liz as she flexed her arm muscles.

Picking up her plate of mac-and-cheese again, Agnes began to think of the lovely day they were having. Just enough the day out with her friend, having a nice picnic under the shade of a tree, it was such a beautiful scene. She had to think of a great piece of music to play for her friend. Nothing depressing, but nothing overly terrifying either. She didn’t want to scare her away either. It was not until she had cleared her helping of the cheesy dish that she finally thought of it.

As she set her plate aside, she took another sip of her soda before she pulled her violin close to her. She smiled at Liz as she flipped it open and immediately that brown, varnish from the instrument gleamed in the sunlight. It was the runaway’s most prized possession. One look at it and most could figure out why. It was violin of beautiful craftsmanship. It shined like it was new and yet still carried the scuff marks of a long and happy life. In many ways, Agnes always felt that it was the violin equivalent of herself.

“Okay, I think it’s time I provide a little music for our outing,” she said with a resolute nod. At least it would take her mind off of Gary liking her. Pulled her violin up, Agnes gently lay the bow across the strings and let the music sing from her violin.

Elizabeth nibbled away at her sandwich as Agnes played. From the start it was beautiful. She could tell Agnes was a master at the violin. Each stroke across those strings caused a variety of wondrous sounds to emerge, ever-shifting into a collage of silvery notes. She ate mechanically, allowing herself to be enthralled by the music. She was a sucker for the classics and instrumental music in general. And her friend’s music was just amazing. Liz could easily imagine herself playing along on the piano. In fact, that seemed to be the only thing missing.

She only realized her eyes were closed after she opened them. Warm brown hues drifted up to her friend’s face. Agnes looked to be lost in her artistry, completely lured away from reality by the passion and power in her playing. She seemed completely in tune with her music, as if she were pouring her soul into it.

It was enough to make a tear slide down Elizabeth’s cheek.

Self-consciously, she wiped it away and glanced around. Her emotions were still filtering through the area, sharing her attitude with the birds and the insects. Liz’ awe and peace the music gave her was reflected in the eyes of a grey squirrel, who’d stopped halfway down a tree a ways to her right. It stared at Agnes, entranced by Elizabeth’s emotions and wariness by Agnes’ movements.

But all too soon the music ended. If it had gone on for hours, it would’ve been too soon. It was one of those things that you never get bored or tired off. “That was beautiful,” Liz said, her voice barely more than a whisper. Her eyes were wide and slightly glassy. She blinked several times, trying to dissipate the abundance of liquid. She would’ve clapped, but she didn’t think she could’ve at the time.

She didn’t even finish her sandwich.

To Agnes, the second the first strings began to sing, she was lost in the music. Agnes was such an avid and accomplished player but still she always allowed herself to be lost, enraptured by the sounds of her own violin. She loved to play so much and hearing the gentle music she created always managed to capture her attention utmost and purely. She could not be taken out of this reality while she played because she was so connected to it. It became a part of her and she became a part of it.

The music, which she had found from a sheet while living in the alleys, she studied endlessly. Deep down she knew it was better as with an orchestra of violins, or at least in a duet with a piano player, but she still managed to adapt it to be played as a violin solo. And by the look on her face, it was a raging success.

Each soft pull of the bow, the movement of her fingers, the catches in her own breath, Agnes was playing this piece as if it were coming from her very soul. And in a way it was. All her music came from deep within her heart because it was one of the few things that were important to her. Even when she lived in that horrible place that she called home, the violin was the only thing that she knew she could really count on and love. It sang for her and she appreciated it with all her heart. That was true love to her.

Sitting on their blanket and swaying gently as she played, Agnes was only vaguely aware of the world around her: of the cool breeze and ruffled her hair, of the soft buzz of nearby insects or city noise, of the silent, barely audible breath that was coming from her companion. It was a beautiful scene, so much so that Agnes actually hated it when she reached the end of her piece. With one final pull of the bow and the shuddering manipulation of the strings, Agnes came to a stop and sigh contentedly, her eyes opening.

The world was a flash of white before her vision readjusted. Everything was the same as it was before and in front of her sat Liz, staring, in shock and awe…

>> “That was beautiful,”

Agnes blushed a little at the praise and smiled meekly when she saw the tears that had settled in her friend’s eyes. It was touching to know that she moved the young lady so much. It made Agnes feel special, to move someone with music. It takes effort and only a few people could do it. Agnes was happy to know that she had at least one good talent…

“T-Thank you,” she whispered as she gently removed her violin from her shoulder and carefully placed it back into its case. She was definitely not done playing, but there was plenty of food that needed to be eaten. As she set the bow down, she sighed as she picked up her soda and took another sip. “Only good thing I learned from my parents was how to play the violin,” she said a little proudly. “You and I should do a duet. You haven’t played your piano for me yet.”