In the Begining: A M & M Tale

[Mana Ego-Chan]

"That is why I want to go," Mana said, taking his hand off of her shoulder, "I want to have that adventure. I want to be with my dad. If I don't, this gaping hole in my heart will never heal."

She walked over to the edge of the dock and peered down. The reflection that looked back at her was not her own, but of a broken little girl who felt no relief. Her normally pink cheeks were pale, her aqua eyes were hallow and void of emotion, her hair held a little less shine. She looked horrible. This was a sure sign that something needed to be done. She leaned over the edge. She decided she was done with this miserable world. Finally, she would be happy again. She fell in, not even fighing the tide that was going to take her in. The water was welcome to her senses and she closed her eyes and waited for death.

[Emma]

With a short 'stay here' Tom simply stepped off the end of the pier, and moments later reappeared with Mana in tow, his suit soaked through. He felt strangely better about the whole affair now, as he turned to his niece. "You shouldn't be so selfish." He told her quietly. "I haven't got a little brother to help me cope any more, and I don't know how I'm going to manage. Gabriel loves you, but I need you, Mana."

[Mana Ego-Chan]

Mana coughed and sputtered. She had tried to fight him in the water as he saved her, but she guessed she couldn't expect any less. He did promise her father to always take care of her. She frowned as he began to speak at her. Not having a brother was not the same as not having a father. As a child, you could live without your siblins. But living without parents was quite different. Then he said something that caught her ear.

"You need me," she said looking up at him, "You NEED me? You don't need me, Tom. I'm just another room taken. Another mouth to feed. Another pain in the ass. Why not let me die in peace and be with my father. That way Mithos could have all the attention. He needs it as much as I do. Probably more. Just let me go."

[Emma]

Almost before the girl had finished speaking, Tom slapped her sharply across the face. "Don't dare to tell me what I do and don't need, little girl." He almost hissed, hands firmly on Mana's shoulders. "I don't have anyone to fall on now. And how do you think Mithos feels? He's lonlier than even you, Mana. He had a little sister. She died. People die. Gabriel and I practically grew up parentless. We lost Dad - your grandad - when I was sixteen, and he was thirteen. Mum never got over it, and so the two of us practically lived our teenage years without any parents. You're stronger than this. I know you're stronger than this."

[Mana Ego-Chan]

Mana looked at him suprised as she put a hand up to her stinging cheek. She looked behind Tom to where Mithos stood. He looked at her sadly, with pleading eyes. She looked back at Tom and looked down with a frown.

Without a word she turned her back to him and sat on the ledge of the pier. There was nothing more to say. Of course she was stronger than that. She had been trained by the best. What was she thinking? How could she even be sure that she would be reunited with her father in death. She took her already wet shoes off and let her feet hang over the ledge of the dock, staring at her refection in the water once again. She stared for a moment as the water shifted. She suddenly saw her father's smiling face looking back and waving at her. She struggled to remember what he last said to her with all her might.

I'm so proud of you. I want you to know that. I may have done some pretty stupid things in my life, but you are one of my greatest accomplishments, and the reason I keep living from day to day. No matter what happens, we will always be together.

She started to sniffle as the image of her father faded away in the water. His presense was still there though. She could feel him. I the movement of the water. In the breath of the wind. He was there, comforting her. Telling her that everything will be alright.

Your uncle is a good man. I need you to do your very best in everything for me because you love me. And I need you to be a good girl for him too. Can you do this for me?

"Yes...Father," she croked silently, not caring if they thought she was crazy for talking to the wind, "I promise to do my best from now on. I will be a good student, a good neice, a good sister, a good person, and one day the best pirate who ever lived. All in your honor Daddy."

I love you Panda.

She choked back a few more sobs as she rubbed her eyes. There were no more tears left in her, so there was only one thing to do. She got up and went over to her uncle, not looking him in the face. She couldn't stand to see any more sadness, so she avoided it.

"I'm sorry, "she said quietly, "Can we go home now?"