Arms crossed under her chest, the raven haired woman barely noticed the warm summer night’s breeze flowing past her and ruffling the skirt of her attire. Phact was so lost in thought that even the sound of the crickets coming to life didn’t phase her. Things had been so different as of late and the now super senshi was facing a personal loss. Her direction and mentality had changed ever since the failed Invasion of the Negaverse. Though the years of being a senshi had shown her many things, she had not be prepared for that.
None of them had been.
Even without planning that should have been a chance to strike at the core of their enemies. Sure they had managed to defeat a single one but what was one General Queen when they had suffered the loss of how much more?
A hand had come up to rest on the bridge of her nose. ”A mockery. A complete mockery of all we stand for.” Running the hand down her face, Phact looked up at the rising crescent moon. “Unity is a joke. Hot headed fools attempt to lead and the rest of us are supposed to bow to their desires. I refuse to bow to the likes of the Bloody Prince Castor or the Passive Princess Ganymede. They had a chance. Especially Ganymede. And she chose love and to stand behind the others until forced? How is she any better than the princess who started this war?”
Falling quiet again, Phact didn’t move for a long while until the sound of someone behind her made her head lift. “Something needs to be done Sidouer. Cosmos was right. We can’t do this one on one and I am not following one of the buffoons down into the depths of hell again. I also know now that we are best in small numbers...”
“Can’t argue with you there…” Sidouer stood beside the white clad senshi with her arms folded across her chest. She too tilted her head back to see what Phact was seeing. Creme colored hair cascading down her back, the ends playing with the light breeze that blew through the open courtyard. One of the benefits of it being the border between Spring and Summer was that the warm nights made it far more bearable to go out on patrol.
Jade-pink gradient eyes side glanced at the Senshi of Doves curiously. “What brought all of this up? Did something happen recently that I missed?” A few months had already passed since they had invaded Negaspace; and while by no means was anyone in the slightest over it quite yet, Sidouer couldn’t help wonder if Phact had a run in with some of the more aggressive hard headed ones in their faction to prompt that kind of welcome.
“Thankfully nothing life threatening.” Phact finally managed out with a long sigh as her head dropped back to level. She took the moment to gaze over at her friend from the corner of her eyes before turning them back onto the the running water of the fountain. “Frankly it’s almost been too quiet. They might have killed many of us but we still invaded their space. I would have expected something far more...interesting to have come from it but all has been strangely quiet.”
“It’s given me a good deal of time to reflect and think about what happened. About what was done right and how many mistakes were made that could have been avoided. How many lives and injuries were because people are self serving. I mean heck, you personally saw how Havasu attacked. And he wasn’t the worst of them!”
Those red eyes closed. “I have been doing some thinking lately. Well, a lot of it. And I have to admit that after watching us versus them, Cosmos is right. We need to suck up our pride and work together. Even in small groups. Look at the agents. Sure they at least have an all powerful being behind them controlling their every move but the strongest ones seem to have formed teams.”
Finally she stopped, allowing a moment before her entire body turned to Sidouer and she reached a hand out for the woman’s gloved hand. “I have been considering long and hard to try again. To take a group under my wings and lead. A small group of senshi only. A family…” She stopped and held up her other hand to ask Sidouer to just listen a moment more.
“I know how much you were hurt by the very idea of one before. That’s why I wanted to speak to you alone before doing anything on my part. I value our friendship more than you know so I would never ask something of you that you did not want. However, you are also the most level headed woman I know and I need someone with me that I can trust in this war. That should I fall could do what needs to be done.”
Phact smiled a moment. “Then bring me back from the dead to give me a piece of her mind.”
With a heavy heart Sidouer sighed, “I hope it never comes to that.”
“So do I.” Phact admitted with a flicker of sadness at the edge of her smile.
While the Senshi of Static understood where Phact was coming from, it still was a hard part of her past to have to confront. For years it has been a road block preventing her to get close to anyone save for a select few. “I don’t know… I keep telling myself I can’t go through that again but then I have to think back to my father or my brother. I don’t think I told you but he has been deployed on his second tour. He and I had a talk a few months ago. He said what you’d expect any older brother to say and the thing is, he was right.”
“I can’t continue to let the fear of loss keep me from connecting to others that may now, or in the future, carry the same burdens I do. It’s a lonely path and one I’m done traveling.”
Sidouer drew in a deep breath the exhaled slowly. “Before I commit myself to this I need to know who you are hoping to have in this group.” At the very least she needed to know she could work with the other members before agreeing to anything.
The hand she held onto Sidouer’s tightened in a reassuring squeeze. “You didn’t. My thoughts and prayers go with him as much as with us.” She wanted to reassure Sidouer that her brother would come home from this but any illusions that it was a sure thing were gone from Phact’s mind. Death was all too possible. All she could do was be there for her friend. “He is a brave and strong man. Much like his sister.”
Easing up on her grip, Phact nodded in understanding to the question. She had been giving a good deal of thought to this as well. “Sabine is one I will also make the offer to. Though she has a lot to learn, she is willing to stand up and face her fears. I believe with the right guidance, she will do well. There other is a newer senshi. Kastra. The one you might have seen during the invasion. Poor girl. That was her first taste of battle too.” Phact stopped. Shaking her head. “But she I need to speak to a bit more. And would like your take on her as well.”
At that moment she bit her lip and gazed back at Sidouer. “Before you ask, I have considered Acurcis over and over again. I will offer her a place but in the back of my mind, I know she isn’t in a good place. She has been making choices lately that concern me. And after the realization that she cannot trust her General, I do not wish to put her against anyone she is not ready to face. You, Sabine, Kastra...none of us want to harm another but we will all do what is needed.”
“I have my own opinions regarding your sister but believe you’re right in your decision. We have both known for a long time now how hard she tries to remain neutral but that has blinded her to some very real dangers.It’s a hard pill to swallow but after what happened at the Negaverse stronghold, I feel like she finally understands.” Acrucis was in no way a bad person but she was a God’s fool that allowed herself to be taken advantage of a bit too easily. Trust came to her without much of a second thought and that was what was most concerning.
“I don’t have a real opinion on Kastra. I kind of didn’t stick around long after we left cosmos to learn more about her.” A rueful smile tugged the corner of her lips as she looked up at Phact. There was a hint of shame in her expression, though she tried to hide it, knowing it was not her best moment or something she wished to be defined by. “As for your little bird, she is a sweet girl but I feel like I may have offended her the last time she and I spoke.” Granted it was months ago and for the life of her Sidouer couldn’t remember what was exactly said but the young senshi left an impression that was a bit hard to shake when her name got brought up.
“Say no more. I love Hannah and would do anything to see her happy but I’m no fool. I still fear that if General Benionite appeared to her and apologized she would forgive him. That alone unsettles me. She should have been a nun over a senshi.” Sighing with enough hair to blow up her bangs, Phact shook her head. “No, I am not blind. She’s hurt I have moved on in this war and left her behind. She think she is hiding her pain but...well anyway…”
Brushing a hand aside, Phact turned to thoughts on the others. “Kastra has an innocence about her but I believe it can be focused. She has potential. If you like, I will introduce you two. As for Sabine, offence is something she is learning to handle. I have no idea how she was raised with ideals like the old Southern women but those are something that often make me shake my head. But she is only fifteen so she looks up to older women a lot. I think if you two got to spend some time together outside of kicking youma butt you might get along.”
“But I am not shutting down my options. I am also keeping my eyes open for other potentials that may be more suitable. Thus why your thoughts mean so much to me.”
“School’s almost out.” As if it wasn’t obvious with how frantic people were about studying for finals. “What do you think about picking one of these weekends for the four of us to go to the theme park or something? If the goal is to be a family sort of team I think we should do activities together instead of one on one.”
The smile that crossed over Phact’s face as Sidouer made the simple suggestion was clear as day. “I think that is a wonderful idea. I also think it’s the reason I need you around, not to mention your powers come in quite handy.” The smile became a smirk.
“Is there a good time for you?” She asked, a relief clearly washing over the senshi of doves. Sidouer was who she needed at her side. She loved Sabine like a younger sister but she needed someone on their side with the brains and will that could step up to the plate when required. There was no better option in Phact’s mind. “I’ll take care of the rest…”
“Heh, yah yah I know. What would you do without me?” Sidouer waved her hand dismissively. The sarcasm in her voice was not to be missed, nor was the joking smile or raised brow that was directed towards the senshi beside her.
“Lets try to aim for the last weekend of June. That way it’ll be a nice break after a stressful week. Tell them not to worry about the entrance fee’s I can cover it.” They were still young teens after all likely without Summer jobs. But it did offer them one less excuse to use to avoid coming. “All they need is snacks or lunch that we can keep in a cooler in the car, since they don’t let outside food inside the theme park, and a bathing suit so we can do some of the water slides.”
“You do realize…” Phact began, leaning back with an evil grin as she crossed her arms now over her chest, “That this means I’m going to have to get a new swimsuit? And most likely help Sabine find a new one as well. Her chest puts us all to shame…” Phact sighed, thinking of the dress she had made the girl ages ago.
“But I’ll get the word out and let you know when I hear back. Sounds good?”
Sidouer was about to comment about how she seemed undaunted by the prospect of having to go shopping but dramatically rolled her eyes instead. “Sounds good.”
“Anywho I need to get going I have to be up at six tomorrow.” Sidouer clapped her hand on Phacts shoulder. “Take care ok? And let me know what they say!”
“Get.” Phact commented, not worrying about why in the world she had to be up so deadly early. Instead she gazed back at the fountain and took a deep breath.
“Oh. Sidouer.” Phact spun around and gave the woman a smile that could only be seen as true happiness. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Any time.”
Without much more needing to be said the two parted ways for the evening. Jumping from rooftop to rooftop the Senshi of Static headed in the relative direction of her home till she was close enough to walk the rest of the way leaving Phact to her own musings till the sun rose the next day.
Sirene Naiads
