An Angry Naomi

Artifacts of the Arcane by Jake Kerr, Season two, The Coat of Invincibility, Episode seven, an angry Naomi. We walked down a long hall, up a staircase, and then down another hall. The castle was indeed huge, but it appeared to be mostly empty. There was a library with a fire, and on the second floor there was a soft light coming from behind a partially closed door, but those were the only signs of life. Eventually we climbed another staircase that ended in a single wooden door. Arkadie knocked on it. Come in. I snucked past as Arkadie closed the door and continued into the room. It was large and circular, with bookshelves full of books of all sizes filling the walls. Against the far wall was a large, plush reading chair with books powed on a table. Next to it. A gas lantern filled the room with a diffused light. Naomi looked up as ar Katie approached, and my heart filled with painful yearning, not necessarily of the romantic sort, but of the type you feel when you finally see a dear friend that you've been parted from for many years. Standing across the room alone and invisible made things even worse. I couldn't help, but stare. Naomi looked thinner, her face was drawn, and she seemed sad and tired. She smiled slightly as Our Katie approached. Did he leave? He shook his head, which elicited up bigger smile from Naomi. I didn't think he would. Did you get the door closed? Is he waiting outside? I should make him wait in the wet and cold for a few days before I see him. Teach him some humility. Our Katy was shuffling his feet nervously, and Naomi noticed, what's wrong? Did he stop time before you could the door closed? The words came out in a jumble. And no, he didn't stop time at all. He forced his way into the castle and turned himself invisible and I couldn't see him. And you told me not to hurt him anyway, and I wasn't sure what to do, but he told me to come get you. So here I am, Naomi frowned. I'm sorry. I couldn't tell if ar Katy was afraid of Naomi or worry about disappointing her. It's okay. Her voice was warm and understanding as she talked to him, which made me jealous. I wanted her to talk to me that way. Naomi's brow furrowed. Wait, he didn't stop time, not. Waiting for a response, Naomi stood up. Something's wrong, She looked concerned as she placed a book on the table next to her. I will handle this. She walked past ar Katie as he held up a hand. One more thing. Naomi stopped and waited. In her look, I could see that she was simply waiting for our Katie to speak, to provide her knowledge, to interact with her on his own terms. And in that look I saw all the maturity that had developed over the past two years. She was obviously still rebellious and wouldn't listen to anyone, let alone me. She was still just as intense as I remembered it. She was now willing to listen. But then I considered something else. What if she was listening because our Katie was more than just a fellow magician. Were they alone in this castle, a handsome young man alone with her to share an interest in magic? Could they perhaps be girlfriend and boyfriend? My chest started to tighten as I pondered the possibilities. Mister Douglee is with him. Her eyes went wide and I saw what I thought was fear in them. He's in trouble. She rushed to the door. I ran to follow, doing my best to not make any noise or give a way that I was behind her. Luckily, there were no closed doors between her study and the foyer, so as she rushed in, I quickly followed behind and moved over to be near mister Ali, who stood like a statue, his arms crossed in his eyes looking at the door we just entered through. Tommy, Naomi's eyes darted around the room. I stopped slid from bending around me. Ali jumped a bit in surprise, while Naomi's eyes went wid I smiled, isn't it neat? She marched over, a scowl on her face. The scow somehow made her prettier, with her sharp cheekbones and blue eyes framed by furrowed brows and a gritted jaw. She was wearing a white cotton shirt and khaki pants, which was almost the same outfit I remembered her wearing when I had last seen her. But more than anything, I was distracted by her straight blonde hair, which was fine and airy as it flew around her head with each step. How dare you. She hit me on the upper arm, punctuating each word with a punch. You leave me for two years forgetting all about me, and now you just show up with a smile and a neat trick. She paused and stared at me, her chest heaving. I stepped back, thoroughly confused. In her office, she seemed incredibly concerned about me, and yet now she was in a rage. Naomi Naomi quickly spun on her heels to face him. No, traitor, there's no Naomi from you. She turned back to me. Her eyes were glistening. You have some nerve, Tommy, tossing me aside and then forcing your way into my home. I was perhaps the only person in the world to know the force that the word home held for her. She had lost her home when her mother was killed defending us from an attack. Naomi, listen, no. Street light, you'd listen to me. Yeah, I know you went out and did all these great deeds, saving magical creatures. Believe it or not, I'm proud of you for doing that. But you left me behind, Tommy, you left me behind. I didn't reply. I was devastated. All my feelings came rushing back as I watched her rage, I had seen her passionate anger again and again. It was one of the things I loved about her. She looked at me while I looked at her. I didn't know you wanted to come. Her eyes went wide and she hit me in the arm again. You're an idiot. Why would you think I wouldn't want to. Come because I'm an idiot. I sensed the barest hints of a smile. I lowered my head. You deserved more than to just run around with me anyway, You needed more? And what about your magic? You are an amazing magician. You are an amazing magician. You wouldn't want to waste a chance at learning more just to watch me run around with this. I held up the cane. Well, thank you for being kind enough to decide for me how I should run my life, mister Black. That's so very gallant of you. Wait, I didn't mean it that way. She was mad again. I just don't know how to talk to girls, most of all, Naomi. Even when I tried to say something positive, it all came out wrong. What did you mean? Then? The hint of a smile was gone and the rage was sim I don't know. I wanted you with me, but I was afraid. I don't know why. Maybe I thought you'd get hurt. Maybe I thought you'd get bored. Maybe I thought you were more interested in learning magic than being with me. I don't know, I really don't. I looked down on her face, which I couldn't read at all. I wanted you with me, but the thoughts scared me. There are you happy? Naomi smiled, Happy you finally told me the truth. Yes, yes, I. Am, And like that, the anger was gone. She turned and walked over to the door. Follow me. There's a room of chairs down this hall. She glanced over at mister Ali. And the trader can come too. I looked at mister Ali, who shrugged. The Podcast Alchemy production MHM