A Child's Name

"Why not? Raina is a beautiful name." - Jack Whitney aka Mindstryker

The next day is relatively quiet. Raina spends the majority of it sleeping to recover and be able to fight the next day. She suffers several nightmares throughout the day, dreaming of blood and death. Eventually waking, Raina wanders down to find her friends. They are happy to see her up and, mostly, painfree. They tell her of the massacre that occurred with the FBSA's investigation, that Jack instigated. Two agents and a reporter were sent to John's base a subsequently killed. However, one of the agents managed to send a distress call before being killed. A strike force was sent to retrieve the fallen agents but was also wiped out. Raina is saddened but says that she expected such news. They state than John has gone underground and Raina says that she feels he's planning something "very bad" due to the constantly restless state of her cat.

She then excuses herself when Parallel contacts her for an update. She tells him of the massacre and laments at the necessity of the wasted lives. Parallel offers what comfort he can and then reminds her of the device he gave her. He then tells her that he found out that he's going to be a father and wishes to name his child, if it's a girl, after her. While touched by the gesture, Raina is angered that he is sill willing to go through with the device plan. She tells him flatly that while she may not like her own family, she will not deny another theirs and will destroy the device as soon as possible. She tells Parallel that she and the others will come up with another plan.

Returning to her friends, Raina finds that they have all left except for Jack. Raina goes to him and takes out the device and crushes it under her boot in front of him, stating that a new plan will be needed. Curious, Jack asks what changed and she tells him the full scope of the plan and the new fact that Parallel is going to be a father. Jack agrees that the reward is not worth the risk of depriving a child of its father. Raina tells him how Parallel intends to name his child, if its a daughter, after her and he likes the idea. Jack then admits to being amused how lewd or dirty thoughts don't bother Raina but compliments make her blush.

Kalius appears and they tell him that their items are done but that he just missed Grim. Kalius isn't bothered and quickly retrieves his bracer from the room they share. Kalius also explains to Raina and Jack the specifics of how the amulets work. After he departs, Raina and Jack talk about an offer Shadow made to Raina. She explains to Jack that Shadow wanted to make a permanent link with her mind, similar to what she had with Jack. The benefits would be that Shadow could communicate with her from anywhere with easy and more easily transfer magic to her. However, Raina was apprehensive about anyone else in her head and wanted to talk to Jack first. She presented the idea to him along with her reservations about it. Jack pointed out that she may not be able to physically handle that many people in her head since she might not be able to process so much information. He also admits to being somewhat possessive and not wanting to share her with anyone else. Touched, Raina agrees to not take Shadow up on his offer. The two then head back to bed to prepare for what the next day holds.