Reunions (E 2.1, H 2.1, L 2.1)

For all of it's dangers, I do enjoy swimming in these waters. If it wasn't for the hazards, I might make it a part of my daily exercises. I've heard rumors that there are small lakes inside the buildings of affluent citizens, treated with special chemicals to render them less harmful to our bodies. What luxury! Occasionally, I've waded in the watery morass that covers the bottom levels of the Roost. It's safer than out here, but only just.

I glide beneath the surface, my goggles assisting my vision so I am not travelling blindly into the real Poseidon's belly. Below me, I can see the ruins of many buildings, along with several land-only vehicles. Remnants of another world. I ignore them and propel myself toward what look to be the thrashing legs of Helix. I launch upward to surface in front of her like a monster from the deep, my long hair draping my face like seaweed. I feel the pulsing presence of the Gray Wing whispering in my mind, warning me of her power, unstable with her fear and pain.

"It's alright lass." I spurt, water and breath combined. I swim in her direction and continue. "Let's get you somewhere safe." I reach out to hold her and look around for Amazon's boat.

The Whispers scream in my mind as Litch bursts from the water in front of me and I recoil, my head momentarily dipping below the surface as my lead limbs churn the water. Any pull I might have had over the weird workings of our world weakens and washes away to nothing, and when I get myself to air again, my arms and legs are burning, weak in the water, unfamiliar with this territory. All I have are the depths below or the gang leader in front of me. I make faltering progress toward Litch's outstretched arm, a lifeline with cost unknown.

"Why am I here?" I manage through chattering teeth that might be from fear or cold or weakness, or any combination of the three.

In the back of my mind, I wonder if this is how Lucky felt when I pulled him to the Vault. If it was, he handled it oceans better than I am.

"You are here because the Gray Wing wills it." And because their High Druid made it happen. Her limbs jerk from the cold and perhaps fatigue. I swim closer to her so that I can take her shivering body against my own, providing at least some warmth. "And because you are a very important person, though it is quite alright if you do not understand why." I say soothingly. "We can have a chat about all of that after we get you safe and dry." I keep one arm wrapped around her shoulders and start to kick out and tread back toward the jetty, trusting that either Amazon or one of the Talons will come pick us up before long.

Syd,
With practiced hands, you find the shrapnel, remove it, and quickly close the wound. Parker's lost too much blood to fully recover right away, but she'll be okay in a few days as long as you get her some plasma (surely one of the Talons has her blood type). Your hands are wet with her blood as you finish up your work with her on the dock. The boat was filthy and would've only made her sicker, but you were strong enough to carry Parker, your former employer. Her eyes slowly open and she sees you for the first time. Recognizes you. And she seems surprised, and asks quietly why you're here with the Talons.

What do you do?

Litch is a solid rock in the churning water, but he's a rock that could as easily be a dry place to land as he could sink me to the depths, so I don't dare argue with him now. I rely on his stronger strokes to keep us afloat and carry us toward the very boat I just escaped moments ago. I don't make eye contact with Amazon as I wait, shivering, to get back on board.

I am a chastised child, powerless as I'm cast from one tide to another. Yesterday the Sipps. Today the Vault. Tomorrow the Talons. One moment a slave, then an advisor, a kept woman, a captive, and now...now what? What is it that this gang leader wants from me really?

"Gave me a chance to demonstrate my prowess in the water." I rasp sardonically in response to Amazon's apology. "The important thing is that you got her here. You're as good as your word, Amazon." I push Helix up into the Rafter's arms and then pull myself over the edge of the bass boat, thanking the Gray Wing that the draft is low and it doesn't take me the effort it would on larger vessels. I'm still sore from the day's earlier adventures.

I direct Amazon to take us in to the jetty so I can give her the earned payment. "You must be quite talented or you have fortune favoring you, Amazon. Or both. And you do quick work. Like a Talon."

"I'll make you a deal Madam, you rest and focus on healing and I'll tell you about the last couple days." I speak to her in a tone just louder than a whisper. A feeble attempt at trying to be calm and collected when I'm still terrified something will happen to her. I set her down as gently as I can on a couch. I go about placing balled-up pieces of fabric and what cushions I can find to keep her in a position that is both comfortable and supportive.

Meanwhile, I begin recounting the events since that night with Canary and Blue Light in the Tower. The attempt on Princy's life. What Kamae said about, "knowing Princy's days were numbered" and some sort of connection between them and Lucius. I go on about how the Talons have been willing to provide me space and hospitality. I even mention the young girl down the hallway, Aloe, and how I'm trying to find a way to treat her - both as a means of saying thanks and out of necessity for the time she has left.

I pause occasionally to give her time to process what I'm saying, and see if she has any questions.

Litch talks about how Amazon must have talent or luck on her side, and I bite my tongue with chattering teeth to keep myself from pointing out that what she has are big guns and bigger explosives. I hug my arms around myself and try to make myself small. I put myself on display with Wells, a visible and alluring presence, and it didn't end well. Now, I want nothing more than to disappear.

When we reach the docks and I see the woman bleeding all over before she's carried away by some Talon I don't recognize, it puts a knot in my stomach. What am I getting into now?

It's enough to give me a modicum of bravery again, enough to look at Amazon and ask, "Wells and Lucky. Did you kill them?" I consider another second before I add, "Nuport?" I want to add Standish and Clarissa too, anyone else in that room when the world exploded, but my boldness is a candle in the storm, snuffed out the moment it's exposed to the storm outside.

I don't respond to Amazon's assertion that the other Rafter's are on Amazon's level of competency. Loyal to the core. I wonder if they return her devotion? It shouldn't matter to me, but I feel a bit of remorse that Amazon has chosen to live amongst those gutter roaches. She could be so much more, live...and perhaps die for so much more. She makes an odd parallel to Helix. Another woman who has so much more potential and purpose. One at a time, old man. Let's not get greedy.

The pair speak about Nuport and I cannot but hope that the bounty hunter took out the former Talon. Perhaps it's uncharitable of me to wish for an end to my regret. It's not the kind of death I had in mind when I stayed her execution, but I doubt that she will ever obtain a meaningful end. I should stop wishing for such. So Helix was with both Lucky and one of the Vaulters. Might they come to look for her? Best be prepared for that eventuality.

I step out onto the dock and reach for a mooring line to tie up the boat. Then I reach back down toward Helix, offering my hand for support. "Don't mind the blood, lass. Our physick was tending to some of our wounded. It looks worse than it is." I retrieve my hat and coat, placing the latte garment around her thin, shivering frame. "Let's get you inside for a change of clothes and a hot meal, eh?"

Amazon answers about the others in a way that tells me she absolutely would have killed them, if that had been the goal. She reminds me of Mikkie that way, only his is a holy mission and hers is...pure opportunism I would guess.

I look at Litch's hand for a moment before I take it and get out of the boat. Once on the dock, I hold his coat around me, shivering and uncertain. His reassurances about the blood aren't as effective as he might wish, but I nod anyway.

"Okay." But I'm thinking about the clothes. My backpack is with the Sipps, the rest of my things still at my apartment, and once again, I'm stuck with a strange new gang with nothing but the clothes on my back. I'm fortunate I got my scalpels past Verifi at the docks, or I'd be weaponless again too.

Syd,

Parker is quiet while you share all that you've been through. She had no idea what had transpired while she was away and she seems dismayed to know you've left. When you mention Lucius, she seems surprised at first, but then you notice that perhaps she had her suspicions. She asks to make sure Princy is well again, just to make sure. The revelation about Kamae's prediction for her husband shocks her, brings tears to her eyes, and makes her seem hopeless. She barely hears the news about Aloe because she's so worried about her own family. Suddenly, she asks after Paisley, begging you to check on her.

What do you do?

"I'm sorry I can't do more." I apologize as I finish the recounting of events. It's hard not to read her worry and wonder as disappointment. Then she mentions Paisley. Of course, I absolutely need to check on Paisley. "At once Madam."

I rush through the halls to track Paisley down.

Merlin hastens over to me even before I beckon him. "As agreed upon." I say to Amazon, taking the box from Merlin's hands and transferring it to the Rafter's possession. "Thank you again for fulfilling your end of our bargain. May the Gray Wing continue to show favor upon you."

I watch as Litch pays for my delivery, a sense of righteous indignation rising up in my chest, momentarily chasing away the cold. I was about to trade myself for a ship and here Litch is, purchasing me with a rusty tackle box? It doesn't matter what's inside. It could be filled to the brim with jingle, or cake, or promises of favors, and it still wouldn't compare to what Wells was willing to pay.

I find myself scowling at the trinket, part of me wondering if I shouldn't have just let myself sink to the depths out there in the water.

I hold my tongue and wait though, unwilling to risk whatever temporary safety I've gained here.

I catch the glower that evolves from misery to disgust on Helix's face. My eyes flicker from her to the box as my mind pieces together what her glare might mean. Ah, perhaps that was indelicate. Not to worry girl. You are worth more to me than the keepsakes of a half-woman. Aloud, I say nothing. For what would be the point in carping about it?

I turn away from Amazon. She told me that the lockbox was what she was really after. If she wants to haggle about her old boat - which is a piece of floating dren compared with the vessel she's currently piloting - she can negotiate with Merlin. With one hand guiding Helix, i gesture toward the main door with the other. "Come." I offer. "Let's get you inside. I'll show you to your rooms. We'll need some time to prepare your own chambers - if that's to your preference. For now, you can stay with my girls."