Faithful Friends Forever Be, 1/1, PG-13, Original by Nebula

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

Title: Faithful Friends Forever Be
Fandom: Original
Prompt: #12 - Semper Fidelis
Warnings: Hints at fem-slash. It can or can't be, really. It's up to you. And mentions at a Biblical time, but only in a historical context.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Friendships can last longer than a single lifetime.

Wordcount: 2890

Concrit is, as always, loved and adored, so send it my way if you see anything!

AN: I'm using the terms B.C. and A.D. because that's what I grew up with. If these non-politically correct terms bother you, I'm sorry. They're very brief, though, and they're not meant in a religious way. They're just what I've been used to ever since I was old enough to know dates.



2400 B.C.

The girl was a magnificent dancer; she moved elegantly in time to the music, her body telling the story of the gods Osiris, Horus, and Seth. When the music had finished, everyone clapped politely, and she showed her thanks before leaving. She'd head back to the section of the palace reserved for the servants, no doubt. But perhaps she could be caught.

Mind made up, the princess slipped away, her beaded black hair jangling lightly as it moved with her.

She could feel the cool floors through her sandals, but didn't really mind. The palace was open as always, allowing the winds and breezes to come through and tickle her skin. It felt as if she had the approval of the gods, and it only spurred her on. She knew it wasn't supposed to be this way; she was supposed to be a princess, royal and regal and certainly not mingling with the lower beings.

But she liked the 'lower beings', who weren't all that low. Many of them had a wisdom and a profoundness that would make Pharaoh's scholars wonder. If any of them ever took the time to listen.

She found she didn't want them to listen. Their wisdom was hers alone to keep; she'd searched for the jewels hidden among the dirt, and she'd found them. They were hers, and hers alone.

Especially the dancer.

She slipped past the guards effortlessly, before making her way down the stone steps into the smaller quarters. The air was a little stuffier down here, but she paid no heed. It smelled like herbs and people and it was real and she loved it.

When she took a seat on a ragged old chair, no one offered her a better seat. She was glad they didn't. She wasn't here to be a princess; she was here to be herself.

She caught something moving out of the corner of her right eye, and turned to see the dancer taking a seat beside her. As one they began to smile, before the dancer asked her how her dance had really gone.

They talked late into the night, knowing that in the morning, they would have to become princess and dancer once more. For now, however, they could be one single, happy thing.

Friends.

33 A.D.

She paused for a moment, water jug lowering from her intent to place it back upon her head. She'd heard on the Sabbath that the 'wandering mongrels' were to be avoided, shunned, a disgrace to their heritage and to their fathers before them. They followed the one who said he was the son of God. Imagine that! Surely he had to be a wronged man, and he and his demon followers would one day receive their just reward for this.

They didn't look like demons, though. They looked like tired and dusty people. People she may have once scooted by or bought goods from without a second thought. Now, however, they were the enemy. All because they followed a man who preached a gospel of peace.

Her eyes drifted over the crowd, only to settle on a young woman her age. She looked pretty, despite the dust on her face. Her hair was a little lighter than the hair of the others around her, and she had a soft smile on her face that didn't correlate with being a 'demon'. She did look tired, though, and her smile faded slightly as she slid to the ground, closing her eyes as she sat upon the dusty road.

Maybe this man wasn't right about what he told everyone. But maybe, just maybe, the Pharisees weren't, either.

She made her decision and headed over to the young woman, resting her water jug not far from her. The young woman turned at the sound of the water, and watched as the wooden cup was dipped in to give her some.

As water was exchanged, eyes gazed into the other's, noticing similarities despite their worlds apart. The young woman drank deeply, before handing the water back with a smile.

On an impulse, she turned and dipped her cup into the water once more, handing it to a nearby young man. As she mingled with the group, getting to better know the demons, she glanced back at the young woman by the side of the road.

Her smile was broad and full of hope and joy, and she found herself smiling back.

1554 A.D.

She didn't like the mud. It was too dirty and horrible and it got everywhere, even more so when she'd been working in it all day.

Her flowers were wilted by the time she got back to her place near the corner of more mud. She wanted to live and see the day when she wasn't surrounded by mud. She wanted to be surrounded by something better, something warmer, something more beautiful. Something much better than this.

Horses stomped past, leading beautiful carriages full of beautiful people, and it made her clench her fists. She remembered the flowers in time, though, and repressed her anger. There was nothing she could do about it, anyways. They were better than she, far better. They deserved the glorious houses, the servants and clothing and food and warmth. Not cold mud.

Sometimes, she found herself daring to ask the question of why they were better. She didn't share her thoughts, though, and she was better off for it.

“None sold today?”

She turned at the sound of the pleasant voice and blushed. “Shouldn't come 'round these parts for the likes o' me,” she said softly, but she was still pleased that she had. Elizabeth was one of the few friends she had.

Elizabeth shouldn't even have been a friend. She wasn't carriage-better, but she was better than Juliet. Far better. And yet she was still a friend.

“Nonsense; I like coming around these parts to see you. You're a true friend, Juliet,” Elizabeth said, completely serious, and it made Juliet want to cry at the sincerity.

Juliet blinked them away, knowing that if she wiped them with her hand, she'd just be spreading more mud around, and it would make her eyes itch. “Won't you take them? None t'will buy, 'Lizabeth. You oughta know that,” she said as she offered up her flowers. They weren't much, and already they looked grimy and wilted. But they were a gift, and they weren't nearly as dirty as her fingers; she'd just offer them out and keep her dirt from Elizabeth.

Pristine and smooth fingers wrapped gently around her dirty and calloused ones, taking the flowers after a moment. “They're beautiful; thank you,” Elizabeth said, gazing at the hand-picked flowers as if they were a bouquet prepared for the Queen herself. She smiled, then turned and walked away.

It was only after she'd turned the corner away from the mud-filled streets that Juliet realized there was a gold piece in her hands.

1775 A.D.

It was unbearable to think that some people still resided under the rule of the King after what he'd done, but then again, there was a war being fought. If everyone simply agreed on one side, no one would be fighting and killing and getting killed. It was horrible.

Her mother said to come inside, stay inside and away from the tragedies of war. It was a little hard to do when they carried the bodies down the street to be buried in the new church's graveyard. Barely christened last autumn, and already they had more bodies than they could hold. It was horrible.

She stepped towards her house quickly, clutching her cloak around her. As she turned the corner to reach her lane, she almost bumped into Emily. The two girls blinked at each other, smiles disappearing just as quickly as they'd come.

“Jane!” her mother called from the doorway, anxious and nervous for her daughter to be home. She wasn't allowed to speak with Emily anymore, despite the two having been raised together, growing up together, having been faithful friends forever be.

Emily's father supported the British. That was the end of it.

“I'll...” Jane started to say to her friend, but her mother called again, louder and angrier, and Emily merely nodded sadly as Jane quickly ran for the door. She hurried up the stairs and paused in the doorway, looking out at her friend, feeling as if they were a million miles apart.

Emily turned away first, heading around the corner Jane had just come from, leaving Jane alone on her doorstep with an ache in her heart and tears on her face. It was horrible.

1872 A.D.

“Y-You can't go! You simply mustn't! You don't...you don't know what's out there, even! It's unexplored territory...”

“I'll be fine, and I'll write. I promise, Joanna. I really truly do. So don't worry your little head, all right?”

“But...but Emma...”

“It'll take awhile, of course. Letters and words don't move where you want them to in a blink of an eye! Can you imagine if they did? What an astounding thought!”

Joanna bit her lip, reaching forward again to readjust Emma's bonnet one last time. It wasn't made out of flimsy material; Joanna had worked hard at it for months on end, knowing and dreading the day when her project would be finished, and Emma would be on the new train out to the West coast.

She was never going to see her friend again. They would write, of course. But she knew she'd never see Emma again.

“I'll miss you,” Joanna whispered, her throat closing over. People crowded around them to wish the other passengers a fond farewell, but she didn't notice them. It was just her and Emma, and in a few minutes it was just going to be her alone at the station.

Emma bit her lip, tears springing to her eyes. “I know,” she whispered back. She reached out and pulled Joanna in for one last crushing embrace as the world swirled around them.

Then she turned and stepped onto the train.

1931 A.D.

Dear Eve,

Isn't it funny, how you can talk so much on the phone, but never really get to know a person until you write and really talk with them? I've felt that way, writing to you. Can you believe we're still writing to each other after all these years? Who would've imagined that a grade school pen-pal could turn into one of my best friends?

I don't seem to have many of those these days; a lot of people had to drop out of college, including Mary-Ann. I felt so badly watching her leave, but what else could she do? She was needed back home, and her funds had run out. It's a wonder I'm still here, really. There's not a lot to stay for, but the economic depression is all over the country. Just because I have classes to worry about doesn't mean I don't have the time to worry about other things, too.

At any rate, let's talk about something better. It's raining here on the East coast; seems there was a hurricane down further south, where it's usually warm and beautiful. Is the West coast raining? Are you all still warm? If you are, send some my way in your next letter. Your letters are already full of your sunshine and warmth, and I can really feel a glow burning inside when I read them. They mean so much to me, Eve.

Your faithful friend,

Josie

2006 A.D.

She blinked, wondering what had gotten her up. When the woodpecker began beating again on the siding of her house, she groaned and sank back into her sheets. Warm sheets; she liked warmth. She was like a lizard who needed to sit in the sun or else never move. Actually, she was okay with the not moving.

When she was fairly awake enough to get up completely, and she realized that today wasn't a school day, things got a lot better. She enjoyed college, sure. About as much as a stick in the eye these days, and didn't that sound like an old saying. Probably had to do with her dream.

She frowned, thinking it over. It'd been so weird...damn but history was doing things to her head. “See, this is what being educated does to you,” she muttered to no one in particular. She yawned and stretched, then stepped over and turned on her computer. So long as she didn't have to go to school today, she'd start the day off right: a quick glance at her favorite websites, and then on to her homework. She wasn't a slacker, after all.

She drummed her fingers on the desk as she waited, annoying even herself after a certain point. The dream had been beyond weird, and she couldn't figure any of it out. Sure, the names had all been similar, but...

She needed to talk to someone about them. And hopefully, that certain someone was online. It was almost nine on the Eastern coast, which meant out on the Western coast, she'd just be getting up, early riser that she was.

Jenny couldn't imagine getting out of bed before ten most days. If only her first class didn't start at nine...

Finally the computer was ready to use, and she made a few clicks to reach the website she wanted. She logged on quickly, then opened a new window to check her email as she waited.

When LiveJournal finally processed her username, she typed in the address for the journal she wanted to talk in. Erin had to be up.

On the first post that wasn't a Friend's Only post, she typed a quick message. Hey, you there? I'm up before nine, lol. Need to talk to you about something really weird.

She checked her email, then went back and refreshed the page. Erin's response was already there, and Jenny smiled.

I'm here; what else would I be doing? Lemme have it.

Jenny cracked her knuckles out of habit, then began typing away furiously, trying to recall all the parts of her dream. I can't think of the word, she typed at the end of her comment, but all of those girls seemed like...me. Their names were really similar to mine, too. But just in different times.

It took a little longer for Erin's response to come through, but when it did, Jenny wasn't disappointed. You're thinking of reincarnation. Past lives. Did you ever get a glimpse of the girls that were 'you', or were you just in their shoes? And what about who they talked with: did she look like the same person?

Jenny frowned, before replying. Yeah, she did. It was really weird. Her names were all similar, too. I don't know who they were supposed to be.

You'll figure it out, came Erin's response. Were they all friends with you? Or enemies? LOL

Jenny gave the screen a look, hoping Erin could see it on the West coast. I don't make enemies; they were friends, obviously. Who wouldn't want to be my friend?

Tell that to the people who didn't like you killing off your main character last week, you cheeky thing you, Erin replied, sending Jenny into giggles. She HAD made a lot of people upset over that.

She was bringing him back, of course. They didn't know that yet, though.

In all seriousness, what do you think? Jenny asked her. Erin's thoughts were important to her, more than she knew.

I'd really like to think, if that girl was you throughout time, that these other girls were a single friend that stuck with you throughout time, too. Because you deserve someone like that, you know? Someone to stick by you, even after you die and get brought back in a different time and era.

“Ever faithful,” Jenny said to herself, before blinking. “No, always faithful. Sempo...no...ah shit. Erin, what's 'always faithful'? You know, that phrase that's used, that Latin term?” she said, typing as she spoke out loud. That was the problem with college: it only kept your brain going in certain aspects, and killed off all the other cells that had all the useless but useful information.

You're thinking 'semper fidelis'. That would fit, though. Always faithful. I like the way you think.

Jenny grinned and typed in her quick response. Especially if it's pervy thinking.

What better kind is there? Erin replied, and Jenny's grin widened.

There was more to her comment, though, so Jenny scrolled down to read. Do you think you've found that 'always faithful' person that keeps coming back, though? Or do you think she's not here this time?

“No, I think she's here,” Jenny murmured, gazing at the screen fondly. Even if the names hadn't been similar, Erin was the type who would be faithful to the end, who would come back again and again just to find Jenny.

She liked that thought. She liked it a lot.

She typed in a quick response, then asked how Erin had really liked her latest writing. They talked late into the morning, knowing that when the afternoon came, they'd have to split for their respective errands. Until then, though, they could be one single, happy thing.

Faithful friends.

~Nebula

Comments

[dedra.livejournal.com]

This was a beautiful tribute to the friendships that we make here on LJ...and I loved how you tied it all in to the past and the present...excellent story and fantastic response to the prompt, Nebs...*hugs*

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much sweetie; I'm so glad it fit and that it all tied together. I had a lot of fun with this fic, especially when I finally figured out where it was going to go. *hugs back*

~Nebula

[angstpuppy.livejournal.com]

Beautiful sweetheart, just beautiful.
"Always Faithful" indeed.

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much sweetie; I'm so glad you liked it.

Your icon, by the way, made me start giggling and not stop. Hee! ^_^

~Nebula

[umbralillium.livejournal.com]

This was lovely, Neb, just like I knew it would be. I liked the study in contrasts: the princess and the dancer, the 'orthodox' Jew and the Christian (though they did have that term back then. I wonder what term they did use. Hmmm.), the flower girl and the not-quite-carriage girl, the British loyalist and the American loyalist, and then the East and West coasters. *hugs you tight*

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much sweetheart; I'm so glad you liked it, and all the different contrasts. I just wanted to keep shifting the balance through time as to why they weren't together, and it happened as such.

*hugs back tight*

~Nebula

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

This is a very sweet idea, and I liked the frame of how the dance really went, how she really liked the last writing. The only criticism I have is that I didn't feel a real flavor of each era. No change in speech patterns or anything. Of course, since it was presented in dream form that may not be a real problem.

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

I'm SO glad you caught that last bit, that connection between the dance and the writing. ^_^

You mean like the writer's speech, or the speech of the people in each part of the dream? Because I wanted my writing style to stay the same, but I wanted the voices of the girls to change slightly with each era. (I couldn't do it for the Egyptian or Hebrew one though; it would've spoiled it, I think.)

Thanks sweetie!

~Nebula

[japewierd.livejournal.com]

That was lovely. It left me sat here with a inner feeling of satisfaction and a soft smile on my face *hugs you*

Although there was the word anyways in the 1554 bit that jarred ever so slightly.

See I knew I'd love your original fic *more hugs*

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

Thanks sweetie; I'm so glad you liked it. ^_^ *hugs back*

Eep, there goes my language again. I was hoping to insert my writing style and language but make it fit, and I apparently missed one. I didn't want it to be that jarring; thanks for the note!

I'm glad you loved it! It makes me oh so happy. *more hugs back*

~Nebula

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

That was nice. Brief snippets of time, connected by the people in them. Nice that their circumstances swapped through the story, too. And the woman who was the dancer, became the reader - but both asked the same question. That was a nice touch.

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much; I'm so glad you liked all the interconnections and changings. And I'm also glad you liked that question bit; I was hoping for one last connection, so I'm glad it came through. ^_^

~Nebula

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping to get the other idea up; I wasn't completely happy with it, but it's an all right fic. (And I'm glad Astra's here to toss new ideas at me, too.)

If I made them similar but different, I did EXACTLY what I was hoping to do. Thank you oh so much sweetie.

*grins* I'm managing to put lots of LJ in there these days, aren't I? ~_^

*hugs back*

~Nebula

[jitkajaylor.livejournal.com]

Wow. I like the changes throughout time. They slowly moved apart physically as technology allowed them to communicate. And there was more dialogue with each advancement. A great dynamic between the two, as well. I liked that there weren't names to start with, and then they both had recognizable similarities. Hee, great tribute to LJ in this day and age. Wonderful writing and a cool take on semper fidelis.

~JJ~

[authoressnebula.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked this. And I'm really glad you liked the no-naming thing to begin with; I think it would've just ruined it. They didn't know each other that well, but as they went through time, I wanted to show how they did get to know each other enough to reach that point.

Thanks again! (Glad you liked the nod to LJ; I've been doing that a lot lately. ~_^)

~Nebula