By a green pool that wafted mist, like a warm dish of soup, a presence
and a potentiality were looking through a ripple of essence into another
world.

"Here, a boy of my family has been taken hostage by some boys of your
family," said the presence, concern echoing in her ardent tones.

"Yes," replied the potentiality, watching with callous interest.

A moment later, the presence was gone, melted into the misty pool. The
potentiality followed her, groaning at her interference.

So, the presence and the potentiality watched the occurrence from a
closer vantage, though each remained invisible.

The family members of the two entities stood, struggling against one
another. They fought and forced and taunted and teased.

It quickly became too impossible for the presence to witness idly. She
appeared, accompanied shortly after by the appearance of the
potentiality. Both entities sparred with words over the actions of their
families. In the end, the presence took her kin and left the scene,
carrying the boy to safety.

The boy thanked the presence, telling her with shame that he had not
been strong enough to withstand the brunt of his enemies actions. The
presence soothed the boy, reminding him that all trials gift strength to
those who go through them. She left him, safe, and returned to the green
pool covered with steam.

The potentiality soon found his way back to the emerald pool to chastise
her for involving herself in such a trifle affair. He boldly suggested
that she was terrified of what would have occurred if she had not
interfered. She asserted that she was not, that she had faith in her
family. He laughed, she insisted.

"Fine, if you are so sure, let us wager," suggested the potentiality,
smiling wryly.

Raising her chin the presence replied, "I will not interfere again, but
my family will stand strong in the face of their enemies. They do not
need my hand to hold."

"Very well," purred the potentiality, "it is a well made bet."

"When I win," asked the presence, "what will I receive?"

"So sure of yourself, are you," laughed the potentiality.

The presence nodded simply, and the potentiality fell into deep thought.

"I suppose, should you win, I will give you that which was yours, but is
not any longer."

Understanding, the presence smiled genuinely, nodding her head.

"And if you win?" demurred the presence.

"If I win, I will enjoy only the grim satisfaction that you lost," the
potentiality chuckled.

The presence narrowed her eyes, "That will satisfy you, will it?"

His eyes sparkling, the potentiality replied, "Very much so, dear."

The two turned away from one another and toward the pool, watching
bubbles near its surface appear, float, and pop soundlessly.


Penned by my hand on the 10th of Niuran, in the year 168 MA.