#April #WorldLove #JustWriteIt

Chapter 2 of 10

Although Mazikeen was intelligent and one of the main builders as well as the architect for the ships and accommodation, she had drawn the short straw in the genetic lottery. Icarus and his team had created an injection that smothered the faulty genetic code that caused chronic pain, anxiety, depression, etc but it could not alter mobility. The patient may not be able to feel the pain that's caused by the main problem, or as much pain that's caused, but the underlying problem is still there. It cannot cure, only mask. If you're paralysed, your paralysed. If your joints are unstable, they're still highly unstable. Out of the 40 differently abled people in the compounds not one refused the shot, it burned as it ran through your body, it made you think you'd die from the pain. Yet all 40, including Mazikeen, deemed ninety three minutes of torturing pain was worth the five to six years of having a normal life, or as normal as one can be on a dying planet while one or more parts of your body are disobedient to your will. Mazikeen can stand for small periods of time but walking is hard and extremely unpredictable, that's why the other differently abled and herself have been ruled as unnecessary for human survival although most had helped design, build, invent or further medical sciences more than any other human within the twenty compounds. 

Icarus was still fighting to help them claim their rightful places in the new world, he keeps refusing to leave without Mazikeen and the three differently abled scientists he worked with. He kept going over the details in his head, playing out different scenarios in his mind, trying to figure out a way to get them to the new planet. He sat on the edge of the main stage watching as the elder ladies swarmed around Mazikeen complimenting her on her looks, asking about her dress, if she'd found a young man yet as you don't want to die alone and they seem to think that they could persuade their grandkids to give their life for such a pretty thing. He loved watching her as she danced her words so gracefully around theirs, making insults into compliments and dodging questions about her relationships with Richard and himself. He wasn't sure if it was because she new he was listening, that the ladies wouldn't take her word or that she truly did not know herself about how she felt about them. Icarus knew she loved the both of them but he did not know if it was as friend, family or more. He did not care how she loved him just that she did. He thought about telling her how he felt but he could not bare to risk their friendship, he couldn't loose her so near to the end. 

As the food and drink intake started to slow one of the elder gentlemen pushed her onto the stage, he wore snug grey suit that was just a tad too snug around his middle and an inch or too short at the sleeves and pant legs of the suit. He shuffled off to the right hand side of the stage before returning shortly after with a tiara atop of a trolley of neatly wrapped gifts. A chorus of mismatched tones started singing happy birthday. Icarus couldn't help but chuckle and join in. Mazikeen looked over at him mouthing help through a fake smile. She was never one for large groups and hated attention but since the end grew closer each day, every birthday or the younger generation that was left were treated like royalty and with each birthday the party got more elaborate. Suppose I should rescue her he thought. He pulled his legs up onto the stage and stood up. 

"May I steal your princess away for a minute, she requires her medication. I promise I'll return her in time for the music and dancing." 

"Of course my boy. Don't keep her too long, I've got my name down on her song card." he picked up the dainty tiara and placed it on her head. The intricate pattern looked like feathers that were made from ice, it was beautiful and suited Mazikeen. It look like it was handmade, probably by one of the couples who worked in the glass forge. "I hope we get a good song on the karaoke. Or something cheesy, gotta love a bit of vintage cheesy pop." the old man smiled as he let go of Mazikeen's chair. She wheeled herself over to Icarus, span on the spot and grinned at the old man.

"I'll hold you to it Mr Gandri. Better get warming up those vocal cords" she spun back around allowing her chair to roll down the stage ramp and through the door opposite. 

Her smile turned into a sigh and she rolled her head back. A slight smile started to appear back on her face, dimples forming as it grew. Mazikeen slowly looked up at Icarus. Butterflies built up in his stomach as she looked up at him while she leaned her head up against him. She smiled coyly then closed her eyes leaning into him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Thank you." she said soft and quietly, "I don't know what I'd ever do without you." Mazikeen breathed deeply, Icarus' scent made her feel safe. It relaxed her, like nothing could possibly go wrong if he was by her side. They stayed like that for what seemed like ages when there was a large cough from behind them. 

"May I have this dance, Mazzy? Or am I interrupting something?" She hadn't realised how close the two of them had gotten, that she'd leant into him and in return he'd molded himself around her. It seemed that he had buried himself in her scent as she had his. At the sound of the stranger's voice Icarus had startled and both of them straightened themselves up before turning to see who the voice belonged to. Mazikeen dusted her dress and looked up shyly at the guy in front of them. The guy was in his late twenties with short black hair. He was dressed in military gear but wore his jacket loose, his chest was broad and he was at least a head height taller than Icarus. He had a prominent square jaw with fine stubble, thin lips highlighted his defined cheeks and light blue eyes. He was a truly handsome man and Icarus knew he'd never be able to compete with him, Mazikeen smiled and nodded.

"Yes I'd love to, Richy. Can you..." before she could finish Richard had pulled her up and supported her by her waist. "Can you please bring my chair in Icarus?"

"Of course, you go and have fun, but not too much. Save some of that energy for me, I'd love a dance whenever you're ready." As Richard whisked her away to the crowded dance floor and loud music Icarus caught the end off her trailing words come ask when you're ready hun. Love you. She then giggled as Richard spun her about the dance floor effortlessly. Her feet barely touched the floor the whole time they danced, her dress flowed gracefully around her as she moved this way and that. Icarus' heart sunk while Richard caressed her curves as he dipped her back, Mazikeen's pale thigh hooked on his hip, she trusted that he would support her weight as she leant further back. Her fingertips brushing the floor. She looked absolutely radiant, her smiles were infectious and the beauty of her movements so perfectly in sync with Richard's were mesmerizing. Icarus couldn't bare to watch anymore, he left her chair beside the dance floor and headed back out the door. 

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Hi there,

What do you think so far?

What do you think of Richard?

Thank you,

MamaFaithful