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 Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 4:57 pm
“I know you. We have met a few times before. But not like this.” She glanced at Malus, quietly observing how nervous he was. And yet, he stayed still for Lysithea, prepared to offer whatever support she needed. “I would be glad to help you find your way home. I can give you the power you need to come back, but it has to be something you’re willing to fight for.” She stepped forward, and held out her hand. “It may be a little unpleasant, the Chaos has to be purged from your starseed. But I can do this. You just need to accept it. To want it. You can relax, and breathe. You’re safe here. I can help you free yourself.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:03 pm
Lysithea simply stared at Cosmos for a long moment and finally, slowly she nodded, letting out a breath and releasing Malus’ hands, taking a few steps closer to the overly bright woman who had a hand extended, and reached her own out, taking both the hand and everything that was offered with it.
She had no memories of her corruption, or of who she had been before the corruption, apart from the little she had learned, and the feeling of more of those memories slipping away, the new memories that had been made, precious things that…that she could no longer remember. There were many though, she supposed. At least a few months worth…gone now. But some remained. The things she had done while she had been Lysithea still remained, and she clung to those with every once of power that she possessed.
The purification felt like being cleansed, the chaos being washed away by rough, cruel brushes, being hosed off of her by a power washer…and it hurt but…
When it was over, Super Sailor Lysithea stood there, half swaying on her feet and clinging to Cosmos’ hand with all of the energy she could muster.
Tears were pouring from her eyes and she gave a loud sob, throwing out any and all decorum and throwing her arms around the strange, unearthly woman.
It didn’t seem like such a bad thing to do.
She had just been saved by her, after all.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:10 pm
Cosmos blinked, frozen for a few seconds before she relaxed. She dismissed the staff and gave Lysithea a gentle pat on the shoulder. Briefly, she looked at Malus, but Lysithea could have a moment to catch herself. This was a big change, and she knew it could be overwhelming. She did not pry herself from Lysithea, but stood, resolute, while she waited for her to work through her emotions. “You’re safe now,” she said softly. “You are home.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:10 pm
Oh. Oh, Malus wasn’t expecting her to feel like this, and maybe he panicked. He hurried over to her side but didn’t force himself on her. He was ready to help support her, to hold her, to do whatever he could. There was worry in his face but he didn’t know who she was now. Didn’t know what she’d want.
He didn’t know if she was holding onto Cosmos because she knew who she was, or because she didn’t know who she was.
Worry marked his way onto his face and he looked like he was hovering nervously, ready to help but afraid to be in the way.
He wanted to ask her so many things, but instead he finally mustered up the courage to even just rest his hand on her back and rub reassuringly.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:11 pm
Lysithea finally stopped her crying and drew away from Cosmos, wiping her face with the back of her hand and sniffing. Her eyes hurt. Her chest hurt. But the air felt lighter…and she felt lighter.
Hesitating for a moment, she glanced at Malus, a little mistrust in her eyes for all she knew of him was when Faustite had tried to attack him but…but she was here on his world and…
“...I’m not sure how it is that I got here, but can we go back? I…” She frowned, eyes brimming again. “...I guess I don’t really have anywhere to go. But you and I were hugging so…I’m hoping that you’ll help me, Malus. You said you were my friend that one time we…that. My…” She broke off, heart aching. “...When General Faustite tried to kill you.”
She sniffed once more and glanced to Cosmos, nodding to her. “...Thank you. I feel better now…”
Mostly. Sort of. She was sure the heartache would pass but. She was free of the Chaos, and at the moment…that did make her feel better.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:15 pm
He hadn’t missed the mistrust; he retracted his hand as if he’d thought he’d burned her.
This was okay. This was a risk. They’d known that.
–Was she going to remember Malcolm? Soleiyu? Had she forgotten everything they’d just–
They had to start over again. That was okay. He told himself it was okay. They knew it was okay. The important thing was that she was here. She was alive. She was save. She–
She’d know Ilse.
He had to hold it together. It was okay. This was okay. She was safe.
He blinked a few extra times and tried so hard to keep his lips steady. He wasn’t going to get emotional. He couldn’t. That wasn’t fair to her. She was safe.
That was the important thing.
“Yeah,” he said quickly, after realizing he’d just been quiet for a few seconds too long. “I’ll help you. I promise. Ilse’s–I can call her when we get back. You can talk to her. You can see her if you want. You have space–there’s space at the house. There’s room for you, we can get you settled. Unless you’d rather go stay with her, I–we’ll work it out, it’s okay. I’ll help however I can. You have a lot of people who want to support you. No pressure! But you’re not alone. We’ll help. It’s okay.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 5:16 pm
She didn’t miss how distressed he looked and hesitating she took his hand, squeezing it. “...I know I forgot things…I felt them all slip away…but we can talk about everything when we get back…you know Ilse?” The thought made her face light up and Lysithea nodded. “I’m ready to go when you are, please.”
The sooner she got back to…to wherever home was…the better. She wanted a shower and something to eat and…
And she wanted to get the frown off of Malus’ face. It made her feel unaccountably sad for some reason. “Let’s start my new life, yeah? I…wrote down a lot and I hope I brought those things with me…”
She couldn’t remember coming to this planet. Couldn’t remember anything since she spoke with Faustite and…that was more concerning than she wanted to admit. But, she would like that panic drown her when she got back to Earth.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 6:05 pm
Malus forced himself to nod, and maybe he did it a little overdramatically but he didn’t want her to be upset. He didn’t want her to worry. Even if he was mostly just a stranger to her–again–it was better than nothing.
She was on the right side. Chaos couldn’t hurt her.
She was home!
Even if she didn’t know who she was.
She had a chance again. This was her choice.
He didn’t want to let go of her hand. It felt like the only lifeline he had holding himself together. He was going to cry, he knew it. It was only a matter of time, he just hoped he could get her somewhere safe, first. Ilse could distract her.
He wasn’t supposed to be this emotional. It was selfish.
Lysithea was back.
Cambria was gone. Ana was gone.
He didn’t know who she would be now, but that didn’t change how he was going to handle this. He was still going to do everything in his power to make sure she was safe, and happy, and loved.
“We can go home now.” He turned to Cosmos and thanked her–quietly, meekly. He felt small in her presence, and he felt like he owed her another life debt.
“We’ll get you settled in. I’ll see if Ilse wants to spend the night, maybe. I don’t know. Anything you need, we’ll get for you. And if you’re ready, I’ll get you home now.”
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