• ****(Plan)
    “My plan’s working, Shell.”
    “It seems so, Jess.”
    “Soon, we shall have our new DNA for RePa.”
    “And Project Reaper can begin.”
    ***(News)
    I think Matt wished he hadn’t called. I was excited about getting a job, and... I think I was jumping up and down and speaking quickly and high-pitched. He was excited, too, though... the lab was near to the hospital, so we would be really close. And the home... I didn’t mention it. Well, I didn’t have it yet... but anyway, he was happy for me.
    “Yeah, okay. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mirari.”
    “Hmm. Okay. See ya!” I giggled. “Try not to get too drunk tonight, eh?” He laughed.
    “I won’t, no worries. Can’t wait... Bye!” He hung up. Wait... he has to stay up there during the week – it’s a long commute. I wondered if he was skipping a bit of work. Ah well, it’s his choice... but I couldn’t help but worry about him. Two hours later, my parents came home and I repeated the same conversation... Mum bounced up and down, Dad brought out the alcohol. Very similar to their reaction when I was accepted into Uni. That brought back memories. The empty feeling I had also became intensified again. Oh sure, I always had this feeling that something big was missing... but being with Matt dulled the feeling a fraction. Anyways, I wanted to go out somewhere, maybe clubbing. Three hours later, I was out on the town, enjoying myself. I had gone to a nice club, and was having a nice drink. The bartender was a hot man – pale, smooth skin and long black hair. He smiled at me a lot, and made friendly conversation. Tonight, I was wearing an off shoulder top – one that showed my tattoos off nicely. I suppose he must’ve liked me a little, because we kept talking. He looked down at my shoulders, smiling.
    “Interesting tattoos. They look... well, one very lovely and... two, almost tribal.” I smiled back.
    “I kept having these dreams... and I kept seeing this symbol.” I giggled. “I thought I would look cool on my shoulders... so I had them done.”
    “That’s an interesting story. What... were the dreams like?” He paused, flushing slightly. An odd look for his pale skin. “Oh, never mind- I...” I giggled again.
    “The dreams were... weird. Like an echo of something. I saw the symbol a lot.” I smiled. “Don’t worry. A lot of people ask me about them.” He chuckled.
    “Always prepared, I see.” He winked at me. “Better go – I’ve still got a job... and there’s a young man over there-” He gestured to my left. “-that’s been looking at’cha for a while. I have a feeling he knows you.”
    “Oh, alright then. See you later!” I smiled and he disappeared into the back of the bar. I turned to where he had gestured. There was a very androgynous boy (I think it’s a boy, anyways...), sitting at a table. Occasionally, he’d glance in my direction, and then turn away, flushing slightly. He seemed familiar, somehow. He was beautiful, very much so... perhaps nearly as godly as The Black Rose. I smiled at him, and then sauntered over. “Hello, there.” He smiled warmly, nearly melting my knees.
    “Hello, yourself. How’s the graze?” I flushed a bit... then twigged on, sitting down next to him.
    “Gone, naturally... Black Rose.” He giggled. Wow... now that I know that he’s The Black Rose... I can see the resemblance. Long, nearly waist long brown hair, sparkling green eyes and almost glowing olive skin. He can’t have been much more than a year older than me.
    “Cut that out. Call me Ragi.” He giggled again. “If I remember rightly... you can’t stand being called by your name...”I nodded. “Is there anything I can call you?” I sighed.
    “You can call me pretty much what you like... as long as it’s not insulting.” I laughed, if nervously. He smirked a little.
    “Why would I insult someone like you? You’re so cute.” He paused in thought as I flushed. Are we flirting? After a little while, he smiled. “Can I call you Mirari? It seems such a cute and intelligent name.” I blinked in surprise, and then laughed.
    “Everyone seems to know latin nowadays...” He laughed.
    “It’s part of being a doctor.” He paused. “So... is that acceptable?” I nodded.
    “Yes... Yes, it’s fine.” There seemed to be... something between us. I liked it. But what about Matt? “Ah, so you’re a doctor?” He smirked.
    “Yes. I first graduated as a Nurse... but decided to become a doctor.” I blinked.
    “But... a degree takes three years, plus the four year...” He laughed.
    “I graduated from Nursing at the tender age of seventeen.” He giggled. “I finished my A-Levels and then entered the graduate entry Medicine course. I was fast-tracked two years in the Medicine degree and a few in the specialist training.” He smiled, somewhat sheepishly. I was awestruck.
    “...Wow. You’re smart, Raaagi... real smart... no... a genius!” He blushed.
    “And how did your education go?” I flushed.
    “No-no-nothing spectacular like you... I did get good A-Levels, and then did a Physics masters... and I did a PhD in Physics...” He smiled.
    “But, what about the extra year?” My turn to blush.
    “I... I-I-I was advanced a year in my PhD.” He touched my hand where I’d put my drink down on the table. A small spark ran up my arm, but he paid no notice, smiling.
    “It seems as if I’m not the only smart one here.” He paused, taking a sip of his drink. It was then I noticed his clothing – a loose white shirt paired with tight black – almost leather – trousers. I could see something unusual under his trousers. Familiar, but unusual – suspenders... “Tell me, Mirari. Is it easy to get a job for Physics?” I nodded.
    “It seems that my Uni recommended me for a job at some Government place... because of my PhD topic.” He raised his eyebrows in interest. I think. He seemed to emanate surprise.
    “Is it anything interesting?”
    “My PhD topic? Nanotechnology and DNA intergration.” He kept an interested face although I could... almost feel him cringe inside. Was that a spark of colour?
    “That sounds like it could be very useful for Medicine.” I nodded.
    “Yes. Especially for neurological control.” If he had been taking a sip, I had the feeling he would’ve choked. “I was inspired by these odd dreams I kept having... I...” I stopped, embarrassed. How comes I was spilling my guts to a guy I didn’t remember too well? He looked at me, concerned. He drew closer to me and we turned to face each other a little more.
    “Are you alright? I...” He put his hands gently on my upper arms. “I didn’t mean to pry. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to...”
    “No... it’s alright... I just... I haven’t told... before... It’s been hard...” He smiled a warm smile.
    “I’ll listen if you want to speak, Mirari.” I blushed a bit more. “It’s okay... if you want to let it out, I’ll listen.” He was drawing closer, bit by bit. But I wasn’t uncomfortable... in fact... it felt comfortable. Familiar. Welcome.
    “I-I-I-If you’re sure you w-w-want to listen to the ra-ramblings of a crazy person...” I was losing my ability to speak as his hands moved up to my shoulders. My hands were in my lap.
    “Yes. They say it’s good luck to tell others of bad dreams...”
    “O-O-Ok...” I took a breath. “Ever since the accident... I’ve felt almost as if there’s a hole in me... some part of me that’s missing...” I paused, taking in his reaction. He was intrigued.
    “Go on...”
    “Well... I keep having these dreams... more like... flashbacks. Odd dreams of this nanotechnology that could be used to control the nervous system... and change people’s forms and stuff... It’s like a story’s being replayed to me in my dreams...” I hesitated, judging his reaction more. He smiled, much to my surprise. “...I remember every dream...”
    “And you were inspired to research it...” He smirked, leaning in. I flushed as I felt his lips graze my ear. “It’s possible, Mirari... your work proves it...” His hands snaked up from my shoulders to my neck and face, making a chill run up my spine. His soft whispering was making my knees melt more... Thankfully, we were sitting down. “You’ve seen my transformation, Mirari. It’s possible.”
    “I... I don’t... how?”
    “Think about your research. You know how it works.” He blew very gently into my ear, making me go a little redder. I couldn’t resist him... this felt... right, somehow.
    “B-b-b-but that means... my work was... use...less...”
    “We didn’t know how it worked... we just knew they worked.” His cheek brushed mine. All I could think about was the soft skin against mine. “Mirari... You’re very experienced with your research...” His lips now touched my cheek. His scent filled my head... “Your work was more useful than you know...” His lips traced a line from my cheek to my lips, where our lips met. He at first gently kissed my lips before doing so more passionately, his tongue parting my lips and wandering around my mouth. His taste... was sweet, and familiar. Those flashbacks... this taste was in them...
    Ragi... how well did I know you?