Ophelia the Psychic?

All the way back, Ophelia’s hand never left his. It seemed out of character for her—based on what little he knew about her—but then again, how could he even begin to guess what constituted normal for this M.C. Escher woman?

Any attempts to talk to her as they walked were met with silence, so he gave up and focused on how he was going to explain her to Jessie.

Supposedly Jessie is less likely to get jealous thanks to the System, but I’m pretty sure Cammy said that wasn’t a given. All of these halfassed ‘maybe they’ll work’ advantages are driving me nuts.

Then again, maybe he needed to put his foot down if he wanted to turn these possibilities into certainties. Halfway home, he decided to try to set the situation up in his favor.

Leon: Hey. I’m bringing someone home with me. Figured I’d give you a heads up.

Jessie: ...who?

Leon: Her name’s Ophelia. I mentioned her yesterday. The girl I was worried about?

Jessie: The one who ruined hammock time? I remember. Why are you bringing her here? :(

Leon: I felt bad leaving her alone. I think she’s depressed.

Jessie: But I wanted to show off my new outfits...

Leon: That sounds promising. Anything naughty? ;)

Jessie: You’ll never know :p

Leon: Oh c’mon don’t be mad. We both know how bad being depressed sucks. Especially alone. Help me, help her. Please?

Jessie: I’m terrible with people. If you’re worried about her you shouldn’t bring her here. I’ll make it worse not better.

Leon: She’s not really like other people. Who knows? You two could end up hitting it off.

Jessie: ...I doubt it, but I’ll try. For you.

Leon: Thanks. I know it isn’t easy, but when I start finding other models you’ll have to get used to this.

Jessie: Is she going to be one of your models?

Leon: Idk yet.

Jessie didn’t text back.

Well, at least she’s going to give Ophelia a chance. It wouldn’t hurt for Jessie to make some friends, either.

Checking on Cammy revealed another rank up, and what it told him about Ophelia was concerning.

Well done! You have found Ophelia’s 1st key. You’ve piqued her curiosity, leading her to care about reality for the first time in a long time. Rank 2 benefits will display shortly.

Ophelia Vidal Rank 2
-Ophelia is less likely to use her powers to hurt you or your Soul Links.
-Ophelia will pay you surprise visits when she’s bored or lonely. These may or may not be convenient.

Her POWERS? Did I miss something? Is everyone running around with powers and I was the last to know about it? Do other people have access to the Chronicle System?

He recalled how she’d known he was sneaking up on her when they first met despite looking in the opposite direction, and the way she saw through most of his lies. Some kind of psychic?

He turned to look at her, and she regarded him with apathy. There’s no reason to assume she’s dangerous just because she has powers. I have powers, and I’m not dangerous.

The phantom sensation of Lily’s throat in his palm told a different story.

I just wanna take pictures and make a nice little family with my models, but here I am with a full on Carrie situation on my hands.

No answers arrived to him by the time they got to his house, so he reluctantly shelved the topic for later.

“It’s nothing compared to the houses over on the Island, but here’s home.”

Ophelia looked from the house back to him with concern. “You should find somewhere else to live.”

“What?”

“A house drowning in this much pain can never be a home.”

“It’s not that bad. Jesus.”

Her pretty white dress enfolded her legs as she sat down on the curb. “I’m not going in there,” she said with finality.

The front door opened before he could ask her to explain. Jessie walked out in one of her hoodies and a pair of loose fitting cargo pants.

“Uhm, hi. I saw you walk up,” she said quietly.

Leon mouthed a ‘thank you’ to her. “Ophelia, this is my sister Jessica. She’s a little shy, but she’s really sweet once you get to know her.”

Ophelia sized Jessie up before standing back up. “She’s not shy, she’s hurt.” Ophelia gracefully moved toward Jessie like a dancer finding her partner. “I shouldn’t speak for you, I’m sorry. Hello there.”

“It’s o-okay...” Jessie looked to Leon for help but he merely shrugged his shoulders. “Hi.”

Ophelia bowed her head towards the timid girl and whispered to her so Leon couldn’t hear. “I won’t take him away from you.”

Jessie blushed furiously. “I don’t know what you’re talking about...”

“Yes you do, and I don’t judge. There are many ways to heal a heart,” Ophelia said, and kissed Jessie on the cheek.

“Uh...?” Leon looked at them uncertainly.

“No need to worry. I’m merely making a new friend,” Ophelia said, and took one slight step away before reaching out and taking hold of Jessie’s hand like she’d done with his.

Dirty thoughts went through his head involving the two naked girls squirming erotically against each other’s bodies, and he grinned. A guy can dream.

“Friends are good,” Leon said. “Now the problem is—where do we take pictures if you won’t go inside?” he asked Ophelia.

“Outside would be nice, don’t you think? Such a lovely breeze shouldn’t go unappreciated.”

“Nor should two lovely ladies. I don’t suppose you’d join Jessie in modeling for me, Ophelia?”

“I don’t mind, but I don’t have any clothes to change into.”

“What you’re already wearing suits you just fine.”

Jessie’s sour expression signaled him to give his cute little model some attention.

“Taking pictures of you with my outrageously beautiful sister would be the highlight of my career,” Leon said.

“What will you be wearing, Jessica?” Ophelia asked.

“Just this. I... don’t like for people to see me.”

“Except your loving brother?”

Jessie fidgeted awkwardly and went quiet.

“We could take pictures at the gazebo. It’s nice and scenic, don’t you think?” He asked Jessie, saving her from Ophelia’s blunt assertions.

“Sure,” was all she offered in response.

“You up for climbing a fence in that thing?” he asked Ophelia, pointing at her flowing dress.

“If you hold my sandals I should be just fine.”

“Cool. That’ll save us like 20 minutes instead of going around the long way.”

The three friends made their way to the fence, and Ophelia took her strappy sandals off and handed them to Leon for safe keeping. It must have hit Jessie how exposed Ophelia would be in a dress, because she suddenly called out, “Nope!”

“Pardon me?” Ophelia asked.

“You’re going last,” Jessie said.

“Might I ask why?”

“My horndog brother. He’s practically slobbering waiting to look up your dress.” That’s not even true, Jessie. “You seriously shouldn’t even hang out with this guy. He’s annoying and gross and EXTREMELY stupid and he can’t be trusted to be a gentleman apparently and-“

“If he feels inclined to look, I won’t make a fuss about it.” She looked at Leon. “As thanks for inviting me out on a date.”

Ophelia started climbing, and Jessie slapped her hands over his eyes. He started to fight with her so he could see, but she cooly said, “If you look you’re never touching me again. I’m already planning to have a long discussion about why our new friend is under the impression this is a date. I sure hope she’s just a little confused, for your sake.”

Leon stopped struggling. In exchange, he reached behind him and groped Jessie’s ass. “We can talk this over later, my dear. I won’t look.”

“Good boy,” she whispered in his ear.

“When you’re done flirting, could you please pass me my sandals? These wood chips are biting quite unpleasantly into my poor feet.”

Leon feigned a cough and threw her shoes over to her. Jessie climbed up the fence next, and he noticed for the first time that she wasn’t wearing shoes.

“Watch your toes on those woodchips Jess.”

“Jess?”

“You don’t like it?”

Jessie landed on the other side of the fence with familiar ease. “It’s not terrible.”

“Will you refer to me as Oph?” asked Ophelia.

“You want us to call you an oaf?”

“Oh my. I guess that nickname won’t do at all.”

“What about Lia?” Jessie asked as Leon took his turn climbing over. He was surprised to hear her address Ophelia so casually already.

“Hmm. It’s a little embarrassing. Like a pet name.” Ophelia didn’t look embarrassed at all. “If I can call you Jessie, you may call me Lia.”

“Me too?” Leon asked. He leaped down between them and stumbled. Ophelia caught his arm and helped him gain his balance.

“No. Only Jessie gets to call me Lia, as a symbol of our new friendship.”

“Tell him, Lia!” Jessie hooted.

“That’s not fair... Fine then, neither of you can call me any nicknames.”

“I’ll call you whatever I want, Mr. Photographer,” Jessie said with a smirk.

I’m glad they’re getting along. I wonder if the System speeds up friendships between my Soul Links too? Even if it’s only a small boost, that’d come in handy. Especially if it keeps some of my adorably jealous models from tearing each other apart, he thought as he watched the model in question guide Ophelia to her favorite hiding place.