Sleepless, Unwakeful - 7

Whisper’s room door opened and she walked out, her head held low, as usual. She turned left and bumped into someone. “Sorry, Starling.”
Starling looked down at her. “Sorry.”
Whisper sighed and tried to walk past him, but stopped when she felt his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him.
He had concern on his face. “Sorry.” He said again.
Whisper was a little confused. “Sorry for what?”
He said nothing, but his concern never left.
She sighed again. “Nevermind. You probably have no idea what you’re even meaning... not that it matters.”
“Sorry?” Starling tilted his head to the side.
Whisper slightly pushed his hand off. “Excuse me... I have work to do.” She continued down the hallway.
Starling watched her leave. His face was sad.
“I really meant it, Whisper... I’m sorry.”

~

Weeks had gone by since that time.
Though work had been steady with her, Whisper’s visits had been becoming less and less frequent to the sanctuary. Doubt and confusion seemed to be her fuel now, her assumptions that her master actually cared about her all now but washed away...
“I... I should see Blaster again.” She told herself, “He always knows how to make me feel better.” She stopped herself and sighed, “No... I can’t keep bothering him... It’s selfish of me... But I really do need a friend.” She began walking to the dorms, postponing her duties for now.
But when she arrived at the dorms, Blaster’s quarters were closed.
“He’s not here.” The janitor stated as he took the garbage.
“Where is he?” Whisper asked.
“On a mission. Representing as a champion in an arena battle to help keep the peace between factions.”
“Oh dear... I hope he’ll be okay.” Whisper said with worry.
“Knowing the green guy, he’s never okay. But he’ll live.” The janitor gathered up his supplies and continued his rounds.
Whisper sighed. “Who else could I talk to?... Blaster’s gone and who knows when he’ll be back... Starling can’t help me... Maybe I’m better off alone...”
“Why the long face, madame?”
Whisper looked down as she noticed a white cat rubbing between her legs. She glanced up and noticed Prince walking toward her. He had a clipboard tucked under one arm. He was adjusting his scarf with his other hand. “A pretty girl such as you shouldn’t look so sad.”
“I’m fine.” Whisper said, averting her gaze.
“That, you are. But you’re still sad, nonetheless.” Prince responded as he stopped in front of her, “Did something happen to Blaster?”
“No. He’s okay, I think.” Whisper replied, “But he’s not here.”
“I see.” Prince said understanding, “You came to talk to him and hoped to gain peace of mind, yes?”
How did he know? Of course, examiners such as forensics workers always know.
She nodded.
Prince seemed to think for a moment. “Would you like to walk with me?” He asked, “I may not be Blaster, but I could still lend you a listening ear.”
“But you seem busy.” Whisper stated, “I don’t want to bother you from your work.”
“Oh, this?” Prince smiled his genuine smile as he motioned to his clipboard, “I’m just handing in the last of my paperwork. As soon as I finish that, I can escort you to wherever it is that you want to go.”
Whisper looked up at him. “Would that be okay with you?”
“Positively.” He smiled and held out his arm like a gentleman.
Whisper willingly took it and together they walked down the hall, Rosetta trotting along behind them.

~

“That should be the last of it.” Prince said to the secretary as he handed in his papers, “Make sure to tell boss about the red ink. Very important.”
The secretary nodded, but she didn’t seem to have listened to anything that Prince said. She was too busy staring admirably at him with a sigh.
Prince turned and walked toward Whisper, who was sitting in a chair with Rosetta purring on her lap.
“So?” Prince said, “Shall we be off, m’lady?”
Whisper looked up at him. “Where are we going?”
Prince laughed a little, “Wherever you want to go.”
Whisper thought for a moment. “I... would really like some icecream.”
“Then we shall go get some icecream.” He stated, “Do you have anything that you need to do before we depart?”
“I’ll need to let my Master know.” She stated, “That way our work schedules won’t become jumbled.”
“Would you like me to escort you there?” Prince offered.
“No, it’s alright.” Whisper stated with a smile, “My workplace HQ isn’t really somewhere where I can take visitors... I hope you understand.”
“Oh, quite alright. I understand perfectly.” Prince stated, “Is there a meeting place we could plan? And a time?”
Whisper thought for a moment. “How about... The lounge? At two?”
Prince smiled. “It’s a date then.”
Both of them went quiet, then Prince’s eyes widened as he realized what he had said.
“Oh! I mean... It’s a... um...” he adjusted his scarf like he usually did.
Whisper smiled a little, blushing. “Just be there, yeah?”
Prince smiled, blushing a little as well. “As you wish.”

~

Whisper entered the sanctuary smiling a little. Her meeting with Prince left her a little bit excited and happy. She set her paperwork on a table near the platform where the Ninja worked.
His back was facing her. It had healed nicely, and you couldn’t tell that he had ever been burned.
Whisper looked up at him. “Master?”
He didn’t even acknowledge her, busily swiping at screens and pressing buttons.
Whisper cleared her throat. “Master, I’m ending my duties early. Is that alright?”
“Yes.” He mumbled.
“I’m going to meet someone. He’s really nice.” Whisper said, “His name is Prince. He’s quite the gentleman.”
“That’s nice.” Ninja mumbled.
Whisper frowned a little. “It’s a date.”
The Ninja stopped. “What?” he turned and looked at her, “But you’re only fourteen.”
Whisper continued to watch him, raising an eyebrow.
As usual, he looked tired and forlorn. His eyes were a little glazed from the lack of rest.
He sighed and shook his head, returning to his work. “Whatever.”
“You approve?” Whisper asked.
“Yes.” The Ninja mumbled, continuing his work.
Whisper took a step forward. “Are... Are you okay?...”
“Just leave.” The Ninja said a little abruptly.
Whisper flinched and lowered her head.
The Ninja stopped again and sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be... You’re still not well.” She said, looking up at him, “Have you stopped using the power?”
He looked at her. “Yes.”
Whisper scowled. “Have you?”
Ninja scowled back, which he never usually did. “Have you?”
Whisper sighed “You’re beginning to sound like Starling.”
The Ninja coughed and went back to work.
Whisper left the sanctuary. Though she didn’t look it, she worried for her Master.
Nonchalantly, the Ninja went back to work, swiping at screens and pressing buttons... most of which contained the word CLASSIFIED...

~

Prince was waiting by a plant at the lounge, standing patiently with his hands placed behind his back.
Some group of girls at the other end of the room sighed as they watched him with admiration.
Prince adjusted his scarf while he waited. When he spotted Whisper, he seemed to lighten up. “That was quick!”
Whisper merely smiled. “Hey, thanks again for doing this for me. These past few weeks have been rather gloomy.”
“I’m sure you’ve already been told this by other men, but you need to smile more often.” Prince said, offering his arm like a gentleman again, “It’s really refreshing.”
She took his arm gratefully and off they went to get some icecream.
The group of girls watched them, obvious glances of jealousy in their eyes.
When they got to the icecream stand, Whisper ordered a sundae drizzled with almost everything, just like when she and Blaster (and Jenkins) had when they hung out earlier. It made her feel better then.
Prince just got a strawberry milkshake. For someone who was well known and fancy, his tastes were simple.
Once they found a table, they began to talk.
“So... you mentioned that your week has been gloomy?” Prince notified.
“Yes.” Whisper replied, “I feel as if my Master and I are growing... apart.” She stirred her icecream, “I thought that he and I were actually friends... but then he said something that filled me with doubt... I no longer know whether our friendship was real or fake... It’s left me disheartened.”
“Oh dear... I’m sorry.” Prince replied, “Have you tried consulting with him about your feelings?”
“I... No, but...” she began, “He never reveals his feelings to me. And lately, I’ve been too afraid to reveal anything to him. I don’t want to be hurt in the end.”
“But maybe revealing your hurt feelings to him is what needs to be done.” Prince said, “Knowing whether or not he is willing to repair the damaged friendship as you are is better than not knowing anything at all. Letting all those questions and feelings build up inside is damaging.”
Whisper looked up at him. “You seem to know alot about friendship.”
Prince smiled. “I may be forensics and work in a lab all day, but my partner is the best friend anyone could ask for. They’ve taught me a great deal about relationships.”
“Really?” Whisper asked, “I would like to meet him one day.”
Princes adjusted his scarf. “You two would be great friends. You share the same qualities. You’re both smart, good looking, kind hearted...”
Whisper blushed, which seemed to amuse Prince a little.
“Not used to receiving compliments, are you?” Prince noted with a smile.
“None from very many gentlemen.” Whisper replied.
Prince blushed a little. “Oh, I’m no gentleman. I just do what my heart tells me to.”
“What is your heart telling you now?” Whisper asked.
Princes smile faltered a little and he hid his hands behind his cheeks as they reddened. “Uh... something that it should consult with my head first.” He stated.
Whisper laughed pleasantly. “Is it something best saved for second or third dates?”
“Yes. Unless... I mean.”
“So it is a date.”
“Uh...”
Whisper smiled. She had never seen Prince so shy before. “I’m only teasing you, Prince.”
Prince seemed to relax. “So... this talk has made you feel better?”
“Yes... very much.” Whisper replied, “Thank you.”
Prince smiled kindly. “I... I hope it wouldn’t be a bother to you, but...” he twirled his straw in his empty milkshake glass, “Could we do this again sometime? Your happiness brings me happiness, if that doesn’t sound too cliché.”
“I would like that.” Whisper said quietly.
Prince smiled cheerfully upon hearing this. “Wonderful.”