Trust Miriam © Kate Young
AUTHOR NOTE: yet again another story on the characters from my book; I thought it would be interesting to see then interact in the "new age" world. Once again, this is mainly about Miriam, the Realm Guide, and Elliot.
He looked on in awe and amazement, as a large metallic object rolled by on wheels; indeed, there were many of these objects rolling along, growling angrily and tooting now and again.
Everything looked so different; cleaner, more organised. The "new people" of this time wore strange, yet alluring clothing - the woman wearing the men's trousers caught him off guard at first, but he soon became accustomed to this sparkling new era. His "old home" he mused - no wonder everything had changed so dramatically, after all, the last time he had seen the Realm of Earth, it had been in the early 18th century.
Miriam stood beside him excitedly, although he could only see her with his peripheral vision, he knew that she was - literally - jumping up and down with complete giddiness. It was somewhat strange to see this sometimes hard- as-nails Realm Guide, flittering around like a child in a chocolate factory.
"I told you!" She stated rather clearly, her deep, husky voice, dripping with excitement. "Look at Earth, I mean - look! Can you believe how much it has changed? I mean, it has only been what - 400 years - and it's hardly recognisable! Bloody hell, I think I am about to explode with curiosity!"
Elliot didn't look at her, his eyes were still glued to the scene below him. From the roof of the building, Glasgow lay sprawled in all it's beauty. The electric eerie glow hovered over the city, setting it alight with life. Below him, strange red monsters of metal trudded along, carrying people in it's belly.
"Your scaring me, Miriam." He replied with a smile, "You never get this overly excited."
He heard her sigh with disdain, and he knew, instinctively that her eyes had narrowed, and she had that murderous look hovering in her big brown eyes. "Quiet your mouth. Do not ruin this delightful night for me, or I shall toss you from this building like a rag doll."
"Ohhh.." Elliot teased her with a frightened mocking tone. "Then I shall keep my mouth well and truly shut."
She glanced over at him, watching as the wind hit his shoulder length dark hair, and sent it curling around his face. His large brown eyes stared off into the distance, and she could tell, just by the glare of them, that they were filled with light humour - as always.
"Your hair is a mess." Miriam told him, as she watched him turn his head to meet her glance. The light from the moon illuminated his beautiful face, curving over his cupid bow lips, and accentuating his strong jaw line. An eyebrow arched, and a smirk played on his lips.
"Pot calling the kettle black." He replied, as his eyes roamed over her mane of raven black hair. Then settling on her sharp eyes. "Do you expect my hair to behave when it is being tormented so cruelly by the wind?"
Miriam cackled, throwing her head back, and cackling like an evil witch.
Elliot was amused, and chuckled along with her, although he didn't know why. Her manic cackle had the strange effect of coaxing his own laughter.
"And you wonder why the people of my village thought you were a Witch?"
"Ah, those little runts...those annoying narrow-minded little mortal pests." She smirked, "Those awful people thought a lightening bolt was the angry finger of God! Ha! Their stupidity and narrow-mindedness amused me."
"They couldn't have been as open-minded as you, Miriam." He taunted, watching as her eyes clouded over with humour.
"Hmm.." She sighed, wrapping her arms around her body. "I'm not as open minded as I used to be." Miriam paused, and looked Elliot directly in the eyes. "My brain kept on falling out."
This time she didn't need to cackle to make him laugh, he done so of his own accord. Trust Miriam, he thought, to come out with something so lame. She was as unpredictable as the Scottish weather.
He heard her giggling away beside him; yes, the insane Witch, cackling by a full moon.
How
very Miriam..
******
Her iron like grip propelled him by the arm through the deserted shopping centre. She had a certain skip to her step, as she dragged Elliot behind her, now and again looking back and smirking at him cheekily.
She stopped, and let go of his arm.
Elliot frowned, and rubbed the throbbing pain that lingered where her hand had so painfully grasped. He looked around in amazement at the large plates of glass, holding behind them frozen statues of people wearing the amazingly alluring clothing. He walked up to the glass as if in a trance, and let his hand travel down the pane of glass. The artificial light that was on provided a dull glow; but with his brilliant eye sight, he could have easily seen in the dark.
He turned around to see where Miriam was, and found her standing stalk still, her head gently cocked to the side, as if debating a important subject. Her lips were somewhat pursed, as she looked adoringly at the array of clothing in the dress shop in front of her.
"I want to go in there." She declared, looking back at him briefly.
"You can't, I presume it is closed. There may be some device that informs the mortals that we have entered.I don't know.what did you call it? An alarm?"
"Don't be so dense!" She chided. "You think I would have brought you here if I thought for one moment we would be caught? Come on Elliot, you know that we are out of the mortals seeing range...we cannot trigger their "alarms" - they are motion detectors, we can easily get by it -."
"And what about those devices?" He replied, pointing directly up to the strange box in the corner of the wall; it looked in their way accusingly, and he was rather bewildered to it's purpose.
She turned to him and looked up at the device, waving erratically at it. Placing her hands in her hips she looked towards him, glaring at him as if he were still a stupid little mortal who she had spotted in the forest. "My dear, I think that name they give that device is a ca-me-ra." Miriam replied slowly, is if speaking to a child. "Stop your bloody worrying Elliot, that camera will not detect us ; we-are-on-a-different-wave-length. ie, we are invisible to the mortal eye."
"Oh, right, I forgot about that one." He replied embarrassed.
Miriam shook her head, and walked towards the dress shop again. Placing her hands on the window pane she looked in longingly. She pressed her head against the cold glass to get a closer look. "My, look at all those beautiful dresses Elliot.how they have changed from when we were last here.I want to go in...I want to browse." She looked over at him and smiled as she saw him looking at her disapprovingly. He has changed so much, she mused - but 400 years ago, emotions hardly ever registered on his face; to know what he was thinking one would have to read his eyes..yes..he used to be so preoccupied with hiding himself within a shell. So different from the animated Elliot at that moment.
Once he had moved to their Realm - and found out about his big secret - he started to open up a little more. The highest Realm, Allagarra - where the Arricans, the half Angels, half mortal beings dwelled(such as Miriam) - was an astounding place, and he began to fit in rather quickly, visiting his new friends in the others Realms that Allagarra protected and ruled. The little fairies and pixies adored him, and usually swooned around him whenever they crossed his path.
"You are such a little rebel, Miriam." He sighed, rubbing his hand over his sore arm again. "Mrs Bloody Mischief."
She grinned back at him, and bowed teasingly.
"Come on!" She clapped her hands together, "Oh, stop your worrying and thinking and just bloody well come, it will be cool!"
Elliot frowned at her. "Cool?"
"Yes, Cool - the young mortals say it.it means, well, amazing, excellent, good - it's cool! How delightful, I love it!"
He rolled his eyes. "Fine then, lets go, lets have a
cool time."
She flicked the little buttons on the wall, and the whole room illuminated with light. He scrunched his eyes shut for a second, listening to the electronic growl of the bright light beams on the roof. All the dresses were now sprawled before him, isle after isle of brightly colour clothing greeted him, and he heard Miriam gasp in amazement.
She strutted by him, narrowly missing barging into him by a centimetre. He watched her march down the isle with amusement, for, as much as she tried to hide it, she was positively glowing with childlike enthusiasm.
"Look at all these modern cloths! Just look!" Her back was still turned towards him, but he knew, just by the sound of her voice, that there was a huge smile plastered on her face.
"I think your going to implode." He replied humoursly, as he began to walk towards her, letting his hands drag absently through the clothing on the rack.
A hand came up to his face, as she shoved a flimsy long blue dress in his direction. She shook it a bit to make sure that all of his attention was on her, and replied with repressed awe. "Just look at this marvel - the colour, the shape."
"I can't really appreciate it's beauty when it's placed in front of my eyes like a blindfold." Elliot commented, and heard that he induced a impatient sigh from Miriam.
She stood back, and let him get a full view of the dress. He let his eyes wander up and down, and once again he heard a sigh of impatience come from her.
"Well??"
"You have given me hardly any time to look at it Miriam." He stated with a hint of annoyance, "You have as much patience as a dung-beetle - perhaps less."
Miriam ignored his comment, and continued to probe. "
Well?" This time her question was more demanding, her eyes narrowing as if to say:
Give me and answer you fool, it's not that hard to articulate words.
"Beautiful. I love the colour, you suit blue, you know."
That's right Elliot, he thought, warm her up with compliments.
Her eyes flashed, a smile playing on her lips. "You think so?" She pressed the dress to her body, looking down in an approving glance. "I'm going to take it."
"Ah, no your not. You have no mortal currency to pay for it."
"And?" She replied, looking up at him, her eyes challenging him.
"And - that would be considered stealing." He stated rather cleary, watching as she placed a hand on her hip.
Oh, I'm in for trouble now.
"So?" Her voice was low and warning.
"So, it would be against the rule of this Realm. And, well, of course, you being a Realm Guide should know that, after all your intense years of training and experience." He sighed inwardly as she raised an eyebrow, knowing fine well that one could never win a battle with Miriam.
"Ah, rules are but guide lines. You know me, Elliot - since when have I been one to follow the rules word by word."
"Yet you have a great way of imposing those rules on others." He stated softly. "If you were assigned to another being from another Realm - such as a pixy or troll - they are known for their mischievous behaviour...you would really let them bend the rules so easily?"
Her eyes narrowed; she was getting angry. "I am in the position to bend the rules now and again. And, if my rule bending causes any trouble, I have the correct resources to mend the situation. I can't say the same for a bloody Troll or Pixy!"
Elliot sighed, leaning against the wall casually.
"Point being, Elliot. I am taking this dress, and any others that I like!" She replied rebelliously, flinging the dress to the counter. "It is not as if the shop will go..what's the word in this Realm..yes..bankrupt, because some dresses have gone bloody missing!"
"Fine." Elliot replied calmly, although, inside he was seething with annoyance. "Do what you want, like you always have."
"That's the way of things!" She replied chirpily, hitting him on the arm with humour. "Lighten up, bloody hell, you think we were stealing kidneys from a hospital."
"I wouldn't put it by you."
Miriam laughed a little, and rolled her eyes.
She paused for a second, as if seeing something that astounded her beyond words. Elliot looked at her, bewildered. Miriam walked briskly by him, and over to a rack where long flowing gowns hung elegantly. Holding up a long red one she stated: "This would be gorgeous on you!"
To say he was momentarily stunned would have been an understatement. He frowned a little, and rubbed his hand gingerly across his chin as if still pondering what she had just said. "Come again?"
"This," She replied more forcefully, and began to walk towards him, her eyes never leaving his. "it would look gorgeous on you.." Holding the dress up to Elliot's lean, tall body, she flattened it against him and murmured. "...the colour...yes...truly beautiful."
"For a woman!" He stated shocked, and pulled away from her with a slight laugh. "Somehow I don't think I could pass as a female..you know..with my penis, facial hair and all!"
"You are androgynous Elliot," She explained. "you are such an amazingly handsome man, but you could come across as a beautiful woman."
She looked at him, her eyes roaming over his features; the large brown romantic eyes, with their dreamy long black lashes, his soft, yet masculine nose, and the beautiful fleshy nubbin that was his mouth, curved into a cupid bow shape. He looked at her as if she had said something utterly hurtful, and she remembered, suddenly, that all those years ago when he live tormented on earth, his own brother's and father would tease him about his beautiful looks.
Damn it, she thought, I've put my bloody foot in it again; the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. She knew that the males in his family had been green with envy towards him; but he did not know that.
"Ah, Elliot." She said softly, walking towards him cautiously. "Please don't be hurt by my comment.I didn't mean it in a bad way.you are just so utterly handsome, and so lucky...you know...you could have been born any gender, and you still would have been completely and utterly stunning. Now, you can't say that about just anyone could you? I mean, I know I am a beautiful woman." She said with a laugh, "but can you imagine me as a man? Bloody hell, I'd look like a half breed of a Troll and a horse!"
She saw his face brighten; the sadness that was lingering in his eyes so very briefly was chased away by his laughter. Elliot stood laughing a little, and Miriam was pleased that she had no offended him as much as she thought. He arched an eyebrow at her, and eyed the dress up again. What the hell! He mused, the least I can do is try it on.
Never one to turn down a good time, he strode towards Miriam, took the dress from her hands, and disappeared into the changing rooms; leaving her standing shocked, and slightly amused.
*******
"Turn around." She heard the voice from the other end of the curtain command. Miriam rolled her eyes and done as she was told, somewhat excited to see what he looked like.
She heard him laugh again - one that he tried to stifle, but was unsuccessful. He was more than likely taking one look in the mirror, and was amused by what he saw.
The curtain ruffled, and she heard him slowly walk out from the containment of the cubical. He stood, for a couple of seconds, grinning silently - to his surprise, the dress was rather comfortable; the satin-like material clung to his body, caressing him with soft, careful hands.
"Do I have permission to turn around now?" She asked sarcastically, with a hint of amusement.
"I'm ready."
She turned, slowly at first, and, out her peripheral vision she saw a flare of red fabric - then the whole thing came into view, and she caught her breath. Elliot stood grinning, his hands placed on his hips, mimicking a usual Miriam stance. He curtsied, laughing a little again, his eyes roaming over Miriam's shocked features.
"What do you think?" He asked, impersonating a woman's voice unsuccessfully. "This dress is daaazelling.do you not think?" He twirled around, making the bottom of the fabric flare out like the angry flames of a fire.
"Well.." She cleared her throat. "You certainly look...interesting."
"Interesting? Not dazzlingly beautiful?" He pouted, mocking a hurt look.
Miriam prowled around him, her eyes taking everything in, surveying what was in front of her - weighing her words carefully. She stopped in front of him. "Hmmmmm," Miriam paused, and looked down on the dress.
"Hmmmm? Come one Miriam - You are not one to hold your opinions back."
"I prefer you.."
"Prefer me what?"
"..as a man.." Miriam walked back a little, so she get full view of the dress. "It is somewhat unnerving to see you in woman's clothing..no..I stand by what I say..I prefer you as a man."
Indeed, he was beautiful - but, the dress that clung to him so tightly only accentuated his undeniable manliness....although his think brown hair fell to his shoulders, and his eyes were crowned with long curling eyelashes - he was a man. And that's the way she liked him.
"Oh well." He sighed, a smirked playing on his lips. "and here I was think I could finish the set off with some nice facial paint that the ladies of the century so love to ware."
Miriam screwed her face up, and waved a hand as if to dismiss the horrid idea. "Ah, the torrid images that come with those words..say no more..take the dress off and be a man again!"
He re-emerged from the changing room in his old clothes; the dark red coat, and simple black trousers, that Miriam had more than likely "borrowed" for him to fit into the "new century earth". She stated plainly that she would not be accompanying him if he did not ware the appropriate attire. After all, she was dressed in beautiful modern clothes - a dark purple fitted long coat, and cream flimsy trousers that accentuated the length of her long legs. She wore her new shoes, or, as she called them - "stilettos" or "high heels."
He was dying of anticipation for Atticus, her partner and lover to see her. Sadly, he could not accompany them of their little holiday, as he had duties to up-hold: being the Leader of the Realm Warriors could sometimes be a suffocating, but nonetheless, fulfilling job.
"Ah, how nice it is to see you as a man." She grinned at him, leaning against one of the racks rather casually. "You nearly looked as good as me, Elliot. And we simply cannot have that." Miriam chuckled a little as she turned her back to him, and began browsing through the racks again.
"Are you still going to "borrow" more of these clothes?" He emphasised the word borrow, lifting an eyebrow as he questioned her rebellious actions.
"Why Elliot," She stated, her sultry, deep, womanly voice, her back still to him, still engrossed in the pretty dresses in front of her. "the word borrow insinuates that I will be bringing these dresses back. And, that you know Elliot, I will not do...I am not borrowing..I am taking..big difference..big, big difference." Her voice trailed off slowly - yes, she was definitely concentrating too much on the dresses.
"So, when - and where - are you going to ware these dresses?"
"When - and wherever - I want to." Came her response.
Typical Miriam; will do whatever she pleases, whenever she pleases. It was an annoying, yet strangely endearing quality. She was rebellious, stubborn, sometimes arrogant, selfish - but charm radiated from her, and drew people to her like a moth to a flame. Although, most people disliked her straightforwardness, and the-devil-may-care attitude, they were never the less attracted to her someway or another.
"To The Council meetings?"
She scoffed in response. "If I choose to. Yes."
He rolled his eyes, and turned to browse the shelf next to him, which was covered with an array of colourful little pieces of material. He picked one up with his hand, and gazed at it questioningly. Letting his finger run over the soft material, he cocked his head to the side, looking at. A long piece of thread, joined with a lacy little band.
Elliot held it up. "Miriam?"
"Hmm?" She replied, still browsing.
"What's this?"
"What's what?"
"This." He emphasised the word, so she would turn to meet his bemused glance.
Miriam turned slowly, letting her eyes graze over the material in his hands. A small smile quirked on her lips; her eyes, once again, sparkling with amusement.
"Well?"
"My dear, that's a ladies thong."
"Thong - that would be
what?"
"An undergarment, dear Elliot. Something a woman would ware under her skirt. Uncomfortable - have no idea why woman endure such torture, I mean really, look at it."
"What is there to look at?" He asked, a bemused, and confused look etched on his face. Miriam couldn't help but laugh at his expression; always finding him so utterly adorable when he was so lost in the mists of confusion. "I mean.look." He held it up by the string, and waved it in front of her. "how can this be worn? It must go right up th -.."
Miriam smiled knowingly.
"..
oh.." He said with a slight smile, his eyes rimming with clarity. "Ah, I see now."
"Yes, they are worn so that you do not see the ladies..how do they call it again.um.yes, "panty line"." She turned her back to him once more, happy with the fact he was no longer seeking answers, and began to browse. "Since the woman of this age ware tight trousers, I suppose that the line would be visible. So, that little thing you are holding in your hand is the answer to an invisible undergarment line..quiet smart." She paused. "These dresses are marvellous."
"How do you know so much about this new age?"
She shrugged her shoulders; her back still turned. "Like you, I seek knowledge - and besides, it's my Job, as a Realm Guide to know such things about the Realms surrounding ours."
"True."
"Are you just going to stand there and watch me for the duration of our visit?" Her voice was surprisingly soft, yet looming in her carefully articulated words was impatience, with a small hint of, of course, sarcasm.
"Incase you haven't noticed, this is a dress shop, and since I am not of the female gender, there is really nothing for me to look at. At all."
Back still to him she shooed him away with her hand; one of her other annoying gestures. "That rack over there may interest you."
"Yes, but ---."
"Just bloody well go - I can't stand you looming behind me, waiting for me to finish. You trying my patience. Go."
With a roll of his eyes he walked away. Not wanting to upset the beast anymore, he left her in peace to browse, and no doubt "borrow" more dresses from the shop.
Ah...if only Atticus knew of her antics.
****
After they had arrived back to their home Realm, Elliot decided to take a wander round Earth one more time. Of course, by himself - now that he knew the conduct of the "new age" human ways, he could fit in with ease. Without the constant presence of Miriam - as, although he loved his friend dearly, she was picking at his saintly patience.
On the way out of Bachannon bus station, the headlines from the news bystander caught his attention; for, in big bold letters on the newspaper, the Daily Record stated: "Video footage of ghostly antics in Bachannon Shopping Centre." Elliot stopped in his tracks, and paid the vendor for a copy.
Browsing through the front page story, he read about how dresses seemed to move "on their own accord" - and how the security guard heard a female voice cackling in one of the closed stores.
Typical, Elliot mused - she had told them that they couldn't be detected - so much for that theory. He laughed as he walked down Saucihall Street, tucking the paper in his jacket pocket; yes, he definitely was keeping a copy of this for Miriam.
"Trust Miriam."
