Mcmolly

The Shattering of Aegis

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As the last of the undead mutts was handled, Lilann stood back upright. Her hands stung, she clenched and unclenched her reddened fingers, and knew from experience that she was walking away from this fight lucky. Still, that didn’t stop her from being a little bit ungrateful, feeling annoyed that Cerric had deigned to intervene only in defense of the shrubbery. But it was a fleeting thought. More and more she was beginning to believe his intentions, while certainly devious, were ultimately to see the party and its client to safety. He’d had no shortage of opportunities to prove otherwise, yet here they all were. Alive.

For the moment.

The sound of Kyreth hacking up his lungs—and then spitting out what looked like clumps of tar—tore her from her speculations. She hurried over to him, immediately noticing how scorched his hands were. The flesh was practically boiled, poor boy had to be in agony.

“Don’t talk, just breathe,” she said, patting him gently on the back. It seemed she owed him again, though this time he'd saved her from more than mere hunger. “Thank you.”

Eila joined them, looking a bit scratched up herself. Good—that she was here, not that she was wounded. Kyreth made a valiant gesture to have Eila see to her first, made more idiotic by the fact that Lilann was sure he was serious. She shook her head to the other woman.

“It’s a sunburn, I’m fine. See to him, please.” She stood and picked her knife up from the dirt, electing to stay put beside Kyreth and Eila. Ceolfric and Ermes could and had handled themselves just fine. “Not finished yet!” she called. “Their master’s still skulking about.”

Amygdala Circuit

Besca felt hot iron in her gut. The heat welled in her chest and made her throat ache and close. Unable to speak quite then, she shook her head to buy time and gripped Quinn’s hand tightly. A bad daughter. The words were nonsense, they’d be lost quicker than it had taken to speak them, no doubt, but they stuck to Besca like paper-mâché. A bad daughter. Quinn knew a lot of things—more than she thought she did, about things no one ought to know about—but she had no idea what it mean to be a bad daughter. She never would. Just wasn’t the kind of girl she was.

A sigh let the air back into her lungs. “No,” she said as soon as she could. “No, hun, you’re not. You’re a great daughter.”

It made her almost sick to say it. The Loughveins had done unspeakable things to this girl, and from day one Besca might have been absolutely certain they had no right having any children, and they certainly hadn’t deserved Quinn.

But that didn’t matter now—not right now, anyway. What mattered was getting Quinn to sleep, and making sure she survived the ridiculously terrible hangover waiting for her once she woke up.

“All you gotta do now is close your eyes, yeah? Just close your eyes and breathe, and it’ll get better. You need a lil’ rest, that’s all.” She let Quinn hold onto one hand, and brought the other up to keep brushing through her hair. “Go on, you’re all safe now. I’ll make sure.”

Amygdala Circuit

Besca had to steel herself. Had to. It was like listening to a pilot die over comms, just hammer blows of helpless misery and if she didn’t mute that voice inside telling her to shut down, she’d crumble and that’s all that’d be left. She didn’t have that luxury anymore, hadn’t long before she’d become Commander. Before she’d even come to Runa. There was a sizeable portion of herself still buried in the modious smolder of Westwel, right beside her old life—probably not too far from where Follen’s own self was; difference being, she still had the humanity to look back and miss the things she’d lost. Right now, she wished she didn’t.

“No, hun,” she whispered, dragging the words up her throat. “Neither of us are. Never. You didn’t do anything, don’t be sorry. C’mon, almost there.”

Follen opened the door for them, lingered a moment. She fixed him with a glare that was too muddle to be as threatening as she wanted.

“Pilots and approved personnel only,” she said.

He smirked. “These would certainly be extenuating circumstances. She is my patient, after all.”

Cross that threshold and I’ll fucking gut you.

If he could read her thoughts, he didn’t admit it. But he did reach out and pat Quinn’s head with perfectly manufactured affection. “Sleep well,” he said, and then he left them. The doors shut and locked.

There wasn’t time or effort to waste. Besca righted herself, and walked Quinn gently across the commons. She noticed Dahlia in the wrong room, which wasn’t surprising, but figured the last thing she needed right now was a drunk bunkmate. She changed course for her own room instead. On the way she noticed Quinn’s phone discarded on the ground, but decided to leave picking up for later.

“Here we go,” she said, leading Quinn to the bed. “Made it, easy-peasy. Lets get you nice and comfortable.”

As if she were handling an infant made from glass and pipebombs, Besca lowered Quinn onto the sheets, head to pillow, and then crouched down beside her. Tohoki Grill was moody, but this proper dark would do her good. She brushed fingers through Quinn’s hair, traced them down her cheek and back up again.

“Look at that, you did great. I’m not goin’ anywhere, so you just close your eyes and sleep. I’ll make sure you’re safe and sound, yeah? Be right here with you.”

Amygdala Circuit

Besca braced herself on the bar to keep from toppling to the ground, but kept one arm around Quinn. This was, at least, somewhat familiar to her. Quinn was an understandably emotional girl, and by now she’d lost track of how many times she’d held her like this. That was a dismaying thought on its own, but what weighed it down, made it worse, were the parts that weren’t familiar.

She had, in years past, handled drunken pilots many times. It was a hassle but never surprising; piloting rewarded people with no shortage of reasons to drink, or smoke, or otherwise remove themselves from their horrid reality. It had been true of the hardiest sort, like Ghaust, and of the most seemingly-well-adjusted, like Safie. She had, on more than one occasion, had to pick both her and Dahlia off of the dormitory floor and bring them to their rooms. It had taken time, but eventually she’d learned how to handle them.

She did not know how to handle Quinn.

“S’okay, hun,” she said softly. She ran a hand through Quinn’s hair and shot a hard, expectant look at Follen. He only shrugged—useless fucker.

Slowly, carefully, she stood up out of her seat and guided Quinn down onto her own. She didn’t let go though, instead holding her close. She wove her arm under Quinn’s, around to her other shoulder, and helped her stay upright.

“Not goin’ anywhere, just to bed. Gonna feel better after a little sleep. Come on, lean on me, just like that hun, there you go. Easy now.”

Follen got up as well and went to open the door for them. They took unsteady steps, their progress slow, until they were outside again. Most of the station was still at work, but those who’d managed to get breaks this early, or weren’t on shift yet, were gathered in faux-happenstance not too far from Tohoki Grill. Some tried to be subtle about their interest, others brazenly recorded with their phones. None of them dared approach though, so Besca ignored them.

“Alright Quinn, good work so far. Little bit further.”

Amygdala Circuit

The mood in the restaurant had changed quickly. The few early diners had either finished or ignored their food to gawk at the pilot sobbing quietly at the bar. Whispers abound, phones were drawn and videos snapped. Lucky the day was young and most of the station was on shift, or this might have turned into a much larger spectacle.

Akihiro decided it was time for a break. He apologized to the customers and told them he had to close down for a little while. No one gave him grief—hardly anyone outside of security ever did, unless it was the weekend, where everyone was equally likely to be a problem. He handed out dinner vouchers and took down names to remind himself who would receive extra portions when they next visited. Then he locked the door and went back to the kitchen.

His cook was also Tohoken, so he spoke quietly in their tongue. “I’m stepping out for a minute,” he said. “Watch her until I get back. If she asks for more, mix some tonic water in with the yuzu, she won’t notice. If she asks for food, make her whatever she likes.”

Done, he returned to Quinn at the bar, donning a jacket over his apron. “I’ll be right back, Quinnlash, I forgot something in my room. If you want another drink, or you get hungry before I get back, my cook will take care of you.”

He doubted she heard him, or if she had that she understood, but he intended to be quick. He left the Grill. Commander Darroh would be on the bridge, but considering she was likely busy, there was simply no way someone like him could get up there, and it was clear she was not going to see his message any time soon. Thankfully, he knew someone who could get ahold of her.

It was a brisk walk to medical.

“Ah, chef Akihiro,” Doctor Follen said, plainly surprised to see him at his door. “Good morning, are you feeling well?”

“I’m sorry to bother you, doctor. I need to get in touch with Commander Darroh and I’m afraid I don’t have the clearance to interrupt her during a meeting.”

“I see, what’s the matter—if you don’t mind my asking?”

“It’s about Ms. Loughvein.”

The doctor’s interest was piqued. Akihiro relayed the situation to him, and waited patiently while he sent a message to the Commander. After that he shut and locked his door. “You said she’s in your restaurant?”

“Yes sir,” Akihiro said, though he was confused when Follen followed him out of the ward. “You’re coming too?”

“Certainly. She’s my patient, after all, and this sounds like a rather significant event.”

Akihiro couldn’t argue with that, though he felt strange bringing someone else along.

“Did she say anything?”

“She mumbled, but I couldn’t understand her.”

“Hm.” There was a lilt of intrigue in the doctor’s voice that did not sit well with Akihiro. But soon enough they arrived at the Grill.

Commander Darroh came half-jogging down the commons. There was stark concern on her face, tainted by a barely-concealed annoyance when she saw Follen. The doctor only smiled and nodded to her. She ignored him, gave her attention to Akihiro.

“How much has she had?” she asked.

“Two cocktails, not particularly strong, but she ordered no food and I suspect she’s eaten nothing today.”

Besca tried to peer in through the tinted glass door. “I’m sorry I missed your message.”

Akihiro dismissed the apology with a wave. “I will be in the back, please take as long as you need,” he said, and went back inside. The Commander and doctor Follen did not follow yet, so he left the door unlocked. As he passed the bar he took the mostly-full glass with him and disappeared into the back.

Outside, Besca paced in front of the door. Rubbernecks did their best to eavesdrop but she shooed them away. Still, even alone she dropped her voice low.

“You can go now.”

Follen scoffed. “Don’t be stupid.”

“She’s clearly dealing with something right now, you fucking animal.”

“And as her doctor, it behooves me to be here to help her through it.”

She grimaced. “You know the sooner you stop pretending like you give a single shit about her, the sooner both our jobs get easier.”

“What an unsurprisingly limited point of view.”

He reached for the handle and she snatched him by the wrist, held him there. Besca glared hot contempt into his eyes.

“We’re not in primary anymore, Aldous. I could throttle you.”

He smirked, infuriating her. “I welcome you to leave as many wounds as you’re comfortable with explaining to Quinnlash on our next meeting.”

An electric moment passed. The smug expectance left his face, and Besca knew this conversation had already ceased to interest him. Part of her wished she could be so inhumanly detached. She let him go, but shouldered past him to enter first. They made their way across the dim, quiet restaurant, and came to sit on either side of Quinn. She shot Follen a warning glance, and he sat back.

Quinn looked rough. Exhausted. Her face was wet she wobbled unevenly in her chair. Besca draped an arm around her to hold her steady, leaned in to speak softly and quietly. Easier to keep the abject worry out of her voice that way.

“Hey, hun. Hey, it’s me. Missed you this morning, just wanted to stop by to see you,” she said. “. How you doin’? You okay?”

Amygdala Circuit

Long minutes passed, quiet, as a handful of people shuffled in for an early lunch, took their seats in the dimly lit booths and ordered. Akihiro was alone, save for one other cook, and so he dipped in and out from behind the counter to serve food, or to check in thee kitchen. Quinn had finished her first glass very fast, and had politely asked for another with the same uncertain surety with which she’d ordered the first.

Then, she finished that one too.

Akihiro did not immediately refill this one, instead he waited until she asked on her own, and then delayed further by busying himself with the other tables. That took another few minutes, but when he finally returned she was still adamant that she wanted another drink.

She was the pilot, she got what she wanted. He poured her another yuzu cocktail, and continued to work. He minded the kitchen briefly as he sent his cook out to fetch bread. When he returned, Akihiro brought a small basket of rolls out and set them down for Quinn, beside the still-untouched noodles, along with a pitcher and a glass of water.

“In case you change your mind. Good for later.”

Amygdala Circuit

Akihiro hesitated. It had become very clear that Quinn had found a place among his favorite customers in her short time aboard the Aerie, and thus far things had been friendly between them. He knew her favorite meals, down to the ingredients she liked in some dishes, and others she didn’t. He had on occasion crafted specialties for her, when time and supplies allowed, or had her taste-test potential new additions to the menu. They shared few personal things—though Quinn tended to wear her emotions on her sleeve, and so was not particularly hard to read—but there was an undeniable sense of understanding there.

Besides, Akihiro had been working on the Aerie for years. He was used to being around pilots, and while the previous lot was gone, he had forged relationships with them as well, ranging from the strictly professional, to the respectfully distant, and, of course, the familiar.

All of that aside, the difference between him and them was always stark. He was a civilian, after all, and no matter how friendly they were, they were pilots. They outranked him socially, and professionally. When they asked something of him, regardless of how much it sounded like a suggestion, or how much he would rather refuse, he could not.

So, when Quinn asked him for alcohol, he followed it like an order. He picked a nice, albeit not overly-strong bottle that would mix well with yuzu, and whipped up a glass for her. He didn’t know whether or not she’d eaten today, but she looked ill to his eyes. When he served her the drink, he slid a small bowl of soba noodles along with it.

Then he bowed, went to fetch another cloth from the kitchen, and before he returned to the front, he sent the Commander a message, informing her of Quinn’s whereabouts. There was no response, of course; Commander Darroh was a busy woman and likely wouldn’t see a message from him for hours. By then he hoped Quinn would be finished, and sleeping, perhaps. She looked like she hadn’t slept.

These too were thoughts he kept to himself as he emerged back to the bar.

“Would you like a menu?” he asked, and set one down near her. “Delivery day was this morning, so everything is fresh.”

Amygdala Circuit

It was minutes before Quinnlash returned, but she’d wished it was longer. Roaki’s eyes found the sheets again, she couldn’t tell if the shame was bearing down on her from without, or bursting from within, but it was heavy and burning all the same. Was she meant to say something? Should she throw herself down and apologize for what she’d said? If she brought herself low, as she had in the cockpit with Dragon’s pilot had cut her apart, would that satisfy them? Would it end, then?

She was surprised to find she had enough pride left to refuse, but not by much. She could take isolation, she could take insult, she could take pain, none of those had ever struck her as deeply as revulsion did. She hated being looked at, she felt disgusting. Worms belonged in the dirt, why didn’t they just—

Quinnlash is speaking.

Well, Quinnlash was trying to speak. She did this sometimes, too, stuttered and stumbled and eventually gave up. Often the silence would last until she either tried to continue, or decided to call it a day. Roaki hoped for the latter. She needed to be alone. She wasn’t going to cry—never again, not for any of them, she swore—but the cold and empty inside of her was suffocating. Every breath was a bit shorter than the last, a bit more strained. It was panic, almost, or aspiring to be. Another weakness she had no desire to degrade herself showing.

“They’re gonna come draw blood at some point,” she said quietly. “Do you want anything else?”

Amygdala Circuit

Roaki jolted when Quinnlash shot up, and would have met eyes with her out of reflex, only Quinnlash was unfocused and covering her mouth like—

Oh.

She listened to the retching sounds from her bathroom, dumbstruck, staring at the toppled chair. Had that been her fault? Were the things she’d said so revolting that Quinnlash had needed to expel them immediately? Deep within her, she felt a little flame that she hadn’t been aware of snuff out, leaving behind a cold lacuna she could not ignore. For the briefest moment, she had allowed herself to believe she understood. Perhaps, she’d thought, she had actually seen something familiar in another person—in Quinnlash, her enemy, yes, but also the only one to beat her. Someone who had doubts, like she had, and who seemed close to making the same mistakes or worse. She realized dumbly that she had tried to help.

Idiot.

By what right? In what way? Here she sat, day in and day out, broken and useless, a failure, senselessly clinging to a life that would be infinitely more valuable in death. She had lost. Quinn had won. How could she ever compare them? To assume so much, to insinuate similarity was worse than insult, it was omen.

Just the idea of it sickened her.

This, Roaki guessed, was no ploy. This was folly. She had forgotten her place, and had been swiftly and poignantly reminded. Cold cell or sterile room, the Aerie was a prison, and these people, especially Quinnlash, were her wardens and tormentors. She only hoped, soon, they’d grow bored of her.

Amygdala Circuit

Things were quickly becoming complicated again. Ugh. So they weren’t dead, but now, actually, they might be dead after all? Roaki didn’t know how utterly wrecked the rinky-dink town had been after the attack, maybe they just couldn’t identify all the dead people. There was a chance still that under all that rubble were the itty-bitty pieces of her parents.

But that wasn’t the frustrating part. It was the fact that Quinnlash seemed unwilling to just fucking let go that got her heated. She had to remind herself this was all likely bullshit anyway, but the part playing along wished she had the will to scream. That was why the door was ajar? This was why Quinnlash was the way she was?

Unbelievable.

“So just fuckin’ kill’em,” she said flatly. “You know you can do that, right? You’re a pilot, you’re allowed to. Even if they’re fancy pantsy scientists, you’re still the bigger fish.”

Fuck’s sake, she almost looked up at her. Her eyes got as high up as Quinnlash’s neck before darting back down. Frustrated, yeah, but in the back of her mind, like a leash, the word worm kept her heeled.

Fine, no yelling. She’d just talk like some stupid fucking civvy.

“And it’s not totally forgetting,” she said. “It’s more like…Look, I had five siblings, and two aunts. I killed them all. And I guess, before I actually did it, I was…kinda like you. I didn’t know. Most of them were shits, couple of’em weren’t. Maybe I wanted to kill them, maybe I didn’t. But when I was done, I did know, and it was better.

“I didn’t just suddenly forget them. They’re…I…remember. But they’re the past. So, if your stupid ass parents are still alive, and you see them again, just kill’em. Make them the past. That’s when it gets easier.”