[Closed]

[sing_for_me]

Who: Alex Benedetto and Others
When: Later half of Noveur
Where: Places and things
What: Closed starters
Warnings: None!



Returning was a surreal feeling, a sensation similar to waking from a dream. Once again, she found herself going through the mirror, not quite sure how she arrived at the other side. All she knew was one moment she was back in Ergastulum, returning to the point before she had been taken a year ago, and the next she was back in the room of mirrors. She’s not quite sure how long she’s been gone, and she returns with a few injuries, but she brings no attention to it. All Alex does is try to go back to her usual routines. Brief as her stay was in her world, there were quite a few things that weighed on her mind.

Comments

[long_live_the_queen]

[The object was a helmet; heavy, reinforced metal whose only openings were from the bottom where the neck would have been, and six little ports in front to see through. A heavy, oppressive thing.

There was a massive gouge carved in the side, near where the temple could have been; too much pressure, and the helmet would start to come apart.

It didn't have the scent of feathers or fur or the beastly things that made up Kaede's form now, but it was easy to identify her regardless. The oppressive metal also carried the chemical burn of floors cleaned too often, sterile walls, and latex gloves.

Kaede herself wasn't too hard to spot once Alex broke through the surface, her brilliant feathers still bristled up a bit into angry spiky shapes. She had turned away from the water, and had been stalking up the bank with stiff knees when the sound of a splash made her ears turn back. The Chimera looked--and jumped, like a startled cat.]

Shit--Alex? Is that you?

[sing_for_me]

Hey...[ So it was Kaede. Not that she doubted the smell, but the design of the helmet made her gut twist uncomfortably. Why would she wear such a thing? Despite that though, it was nice to see her again.

Alex lifts it up easily enough, the water giving her that added strength. ]

Are you alright? Did you drop this?

[long_live_the_queen]

[With a worried crease in her frown, Kaede turned to double back. She hadn't seen Alex in...weeks. Too long to keep just missing her like ships passing each other in the night.]

I'm fine. Are you--

[The Chimera stopped short at the sight of that twisted metal thing, expression hardening immediately.]

...I didn't. I threw it away.

[sing_for_me]

[ When Kaede moves closer, so does Alex. There was a warmth that filled her chest, realizing she had missed seeing this young woman.

Her expression slows Alex down, and the marrow glances at the helmet before lowering back into the water. ]

Does...it bring back bad memories?

[long_live_the_queen]

[Seeing Alex so close to a smile made Kaede feel...strangely light.

Seeing that expression dim twisted unpleasantly in her chest. The Chimera focused her glare on the remains of the helmet, shifting her blame and anger to the impassive piece of metal.]

...it was my prison. I spent years staring at the inside of that thing. Got real well acquainted.

[As she spoke and the bitterness seeped into her voice like a poison, Kaede's tail lashed this way and then that, slow but agitated.]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex doesn’t waste a second more, the metal denting beneath her monstrous grip before letting go and letting it sink to the bottom. She floats closer to the edge now, closer to Kaede, and reaches a hand out for the chimera’s. If she takes it, Alex will give it a squeeze as she looks up at her, understanding in her eyes. Alex understood prisons, even if hers was in a different form. Either way, she never wanted Kaede to experience that again. ]

It’s gone now.

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede heard the metal crumple, a moment of surprise mingled with grim satisfaction as she watched the gleam of her most overt shackle fall away, to the murky depths and out of sight. Her tail stilled, and her feathers relaxed.]

...thanks.

[She sighed a breath she hadn't realized had been so tense, and reached to the hand Alex extended to her, expecting to help her up out of the water. But instead, the merrow squeezed her hand, and met Kaede's surprised glance with one that was soft, and gentle, and understanding.

From one prisoner to another.]

It's...I'm, glad to see you again, Alex.

[sing_for_me]

[ There was something so touching hearing that from her, which only made Alex smile. ]

I really wish I could hug you right now, but it’s a little hard this way. I...I’m really happy to see you again. Have you been well?

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede blinked, rumbling something to herself. Alex didn't want to leave the water--fine, that was fair. And it was a bit cold today, with a change of clothes at least half a city away. So no jumping in the water for Kaede either.]

I'm...nothing's bothering me right now. [Marginally better than Kaede's usual "I'm fine" excuse.] Where did you go? I haven't seen you in awhile.

[Around the mansion, yes, but also in the rest of the city.]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex does pull herself up, so she can be next to Kaede. Tempting as it might be, Alex didn’t want to get her soaked. As she does so, she pauses, not quite sure how to answer. Firstly, she didn’t think Kaede would notice. The passage of time was different, yes, but she didn’t think anyone would pay any mind. ]

I...went back. To where I was from. It was only a day for me, but it was longer here for some reason.

[long_live_the_queen]

[Ah. While Kaede knelt so she could rest on her long ankles next to the Merrow, she fell quiet. Her tail flicked just the once before curling near her feet.

There was always that looming probability, wasn't it? Hovering over their heads, as long as the mirrors existed and their whims inscrutable. That they'd be sent back at any moment.

Some managed to return, though. Some...different, some lacking memories or knowledge they should have. And others, like Alex, reappearing fully formed as if nothing was amiss.]

...did you want to go back?

[sing_for_me]

I...wanted to see some people. I just wanted to see that they were okay...

[ Her gaze falls back into the water, distant. ]

Not all of them were.

[ What counted as okay? Was it better that Nicolas and Worrick were still alive but separated, hurt, and deep in the belly of the enemy? Or were Connie and Marco worse off because they were gone, but free of their suffering? Did her disappearance make any difference at all? ]

But I am happy to be back here too.