My Soul to Reap (Archived)

Be Prepared

No one said anything, which was really to be expected. The inner monologue was just that, inner, and suddenly getting over the death of my parents didn't seem very logical. But it was that yawning numbness that made it possible, and it wasn't something I wanted to explain.

"When I said do what you have to do, I only meant when they were-" Brie started, but I shook my head.

"If I don't move on now, I'll never be able to," I insisted. "We've got more to do, right?" I still hadn't turned around, instead I just stood staring out the window. "So someone just explain to me what I have to do. One step at a time, because that might well be all I'm capable of right now." And it was true. I'd just do things one at a time so I never had time to think about this again. It was horrible, sure, but I couldn't let it phase me. I had to keep going.It was cheesy and horrible to say, but they would have wanted me to stay strong. Even though Brie was about to keep pushing, Rina at least understood.

"Okay." I turned in time to see her nod once, like she was steeling herself against the next few days. If it would even take that long.

"It'll be tomorrow night, at the Manor." Kayin seemed intent to follow Rina's lead, and I was thankful for that. "They wouldn't give us any more notice than that." Brie nodded in agreement, and I didn't want to ask who's manor it would be. I was getting fairly hung up on the idea of a bunch of supernatural creatures dressed up and in a room together. It sounded like something that would cause a war,with or without the current tension.

"Unfortunately, it gets rid of Cammie's idea to strike first," Brie mused,starting to pace thoughtfully. "But it also means that everyone's going to have to be careful around her. They'll assume we have a plan on how to turn her without emotional trauma." I laughed a little bit at that, I couldn't help it.

"So the only fight will be ours," I concluded, and got a nod from Brie. She stopped for a second, seeming to realize something.

"Cammie," she said, and her tone had turned serious. I frowned a little, thinking we'd be going back to my lack of mourning. But that wasn't it at all. "People are going to die tomorrow night. Hell, we even might. I need you to know that seeing something like that will be a huge blow. It's likely- you probably won't be human afterwards." She'd rushed through the niceties, opting for the harsh truth instead. I took a deep breath. "I need to know if you're prepared to do whatever it takes." It was an obvious request,really. We were charging headfirst into a war, she'd need to know if everyone on her side was prepared. The answer was no, I wasn't, but at the same time I knew when the time came I would do it. I'd give up my humanity if I had to, and that thought was enough to stir something out of the numbness.

"I am," I said, and I wasn't sure if I'd answered quickly enough to be believable. I must have, because she just nodded.

"In that case yes, you do need a dress."

-

She didn't seem to think I was capable of remembering instructions.

"Alright, so everyone will want to talk to you, but only in short bursts-"

"When I'll politely excuse myself and move on." I sighed, flopping face first into her bed. "Brie, I know already." She sighed, making the springs bounce when she did the same.

"Okay,right." She ran a hand through her hair and leaned backwards,closing her eyes. "I don't like this," she said, like she was revealing some big secret.

"Yeah, I got that," I sighed, because she'd actually told me that about every five minutes. Rina and Kayin had left to get everything they'd need, which left me alone with Brie. It didn't seem so bad at first,and then I remembered how hard she'd been when it was just the two of us. It was weird to remember that this would mark the first time we were really alone in a while.

She sat up and rolled me on to my side, even though lying in bed seemed like a much more attractive option than actually getting up. I groaned in response but she just poked me in the side, causing me to both curl up and sit straight so she wouldn't do it again. I tried my best to glare her down, but she was still a lot scarier than me.

"Come on you. We've got shit to do." I closed my eyes for a second before standing up, making a show of stretching and hoping she'd get the message. It had been another long day, and it was tiring me out quicker than usual. Or maybe it was my soul that was tired, from trying to handle everything. I rubbed my eyes impatiently. This was all confusing, and I had no way of knowing the little things like this. A chill went down my spine and I woke up quickly when I realized that ignorance wouldn't last long. After all, hadn't Brie been able to pick out everything supernatural?

"Alright.Dresses." She said, clapping her hands and striding into the closet. I couldn't help but think of the now-cleaned scattered glass that used to lie here. My mood was dropping quickly, and I wasn't sure how obvious it was. Enough, apparently, that Brie was was trying to compensate. I tried my best to shake it off.

"I feel like I'd almost rather wear one of Rina's," I joked, only afterwards realizing that I would actually have to choose between the two. It wasn't something I was looking forward to.

"Shut up you. I have some normal cloths."

"Some.That are buried away and screaming for help," I smiled, leaning backwards to avoid the playful smack.

"Watch it or I will stick you in a miniskirt," she warned, and I had a feeling I should take it seriously. I shut my mouth dramatically and already felt myself feeling better. This whole no lingering emotion was something I could get used to, although I saw how it would quickly become a problem.

"Hmm..." She walked along the rows of clothes, looking genuinely lost in thought.I watched her, trying myself to pick out what she'd end up deciding on. From what she'd told me it would be a formal event, but I wasn't sure if I should expect a cocktail dress or a ballgown. She finally stopped and held up her hands in victory, going to grab a hanger.

"Turnaround!"She ordered, and I just shook my head and obeyed. I heard her walk up behind me, but because the mirror was broken her plan had obviously been foiled.

"I forgot about that," she cursed, and I laughed and turned around.

The fabric would hang just below my knees, but because of the texture it was really much shorter and poofier. But it wasn't like Rina's dresses, it flowed more. It was white crinoline, like a softer version of a tutu, but the bottom was dyed in a rainbow of pale hues.The bust was much simpler to compensate, but I was still sure there would be now way I could pull it off.

"We-ell?" she asked, beaming. I found I didn't actually have an answer for her.

"It's beautiful, but-"

"Oh no," she sighed, throwing the dress at me. "No nothing.You're wearing it. You're going to look cute as hell." I smiled,holding it out in front of me. Well, I could at least try,right?

"Doesn't think put us at a disadvantage?" I asked skeptically. "How are we supposed to fight in dresses?" Brie just smiled, tapping her nose like it would reveal all the secrets.

"That's the point. No one is going to expect us to be able to spring into action." She beamed, but I wasn't convinced.

"Hate to break it to you, but I actually can't fight in a dress." She waved me off and started walking away before I even finished.

"You'll be fine," she called, and I hurried to catch up. As different as the situation was, her closet still reminded me of my first meeting with the twins. I made a point to shut the door when I got out.

-

Our war council was really the four of us just sitting around Brie'stable eating bad take out, but it felt like it was a much nicer way to spend what was probably our last day before all hell broke loose.

"Do reapers even need to eat?" I asked, and Brie quickly swallowed her food in order to answer.

"Technically no, but you know. Food." I nodded in understanding, but I wasn't able to pretend to be serious. Pretty soon we were all laughing.Tensions were running high, which had apparently made us all giddy. I looked over the faces of the three people, at their eyes, and couldn't help but think how strange all this was. Tomorrow I wouldn't be the same person. The real question was: was I ready?