Budding - a Visionary's Story

Weeks passed, then months. Elijah didn't experience any new visions, and the updates from official BADGE channels diminished to a trickle.

If not for his budding friendship - with potential for more - with Agent Chandra, then Elijah would probably have forgotten that he was a person of interest in the first place, outside of his special abilities, that is.

During a brief period between league war tournaments and when he had just moved to one of the more veteran SOB groups, he asked Chandra on a date.

"Why would I mix business with, well, whatever you're suggesting?" she asked, not unkindly.

"I think I'd simply like to get to know you as Chandra, without the 'Agent' prefix. After all, you know way more about me than I do about you. Would you oblige?"

Agent Chandra sighed. "This would be difficult, but yes. I'd be happy to."



"You do know I have abilities of my own, right?" she asked as they walked through the nature trail. She liked that Elijah suggested an activity that wasn't the typical 'dinner and a show', and the weather was perfect for a slow hike.

"I do."

"Primarily that of suggestion?"

"I noticed that early on."

"Do you fear that I might have encouraged you inappropriately?"

Elijah reactively touched her hand. It was brief, but deliberate.

"You have not once done a thing that was against my wishes, Chandra. I like you. And, I surely didn't need any mental prodding to ask you out. On the flip side," he continued, clasping both of her hands, "who's to say I haven't 'encouraged' you to join me?"

Chandra pulled her hands back quickly then held them to her mouth to stifle a protest.

Elijah chuckled. "Gotcha!"

Chandra burst out laughing. After a few seconds, she said, "You're shrewd, you know."

Elijah threw a balled up set of leaves at her.

"I know. Race you to the clearing!"

They ran, laughing all the way.