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Distance had done Desdemona good. Perhaps that was the reason she’d been called away to begin with. Destiny City was heavily tainted by memories. Torture. Corruption. Confusion. Facing it fresh every day had done little to resolve what she had faced, and even if she would never be the one to admit it, working somewhere new had given some long festering wounds the opportunity to scab over. She had done well for the Negaverse there, seen more of the world, replaced the shadows that haunted with new memories that enticed and empowered her.

The nightmares had left her. That alone was more than she ever could have hoped for. Now, even in her dreams, Amphitrite was no longer helpless.

By the time she was summoned, beckoned to return to the city’s embrace - yes - she did feel ready. She wanted to come home, to serve the queen and those who surrounded her. Although she did not know the general to summon her on any intimate level, she had heard the name before.

Her hair was tied back, somewhat haphazardly for the long flight she’d taken, although it was the type of messy that could have been deliberate. Desdemona hardly looked tired from the whole affair. Dragging a single suitcase behind here with a sizable bag draped over her arm, she peered over the rim of her sunglasses, seeking out her ride.

Today was going to be fun. She had a damn good feeling about it.

It didn’t take long for him to find her, did it? Good. She did hate to be kept idle, especially in a place like this. They were so noisy, so disgusting in the heart of an airport. Among these people, Chase cut an impressive frame, and Desdemona was not subtle about taking it in. “Mister Black, “ she greeted in return in a chipper tone, flashing back the sweetest smile and allowing herself to be led away.

She gave a long enduring sigh. “As with any flight, entirely too long, “ and she gave a light laugh. “All things considered though, a nice, uneventful affair, thank you - I can’t wait to show you the pictures, you’ll never believe it.” Of course there were no pictures. But it was all part of the game. “How is everyone? Well, I hope.” The bag she relented with words of thanks, giving another soft laugh. “It feels so good to be home.”

She couldn’t wait to be in that car.

Was it a deliberate choice to stand so close? Probably. Or she hoped so. It would be more fun that way. For all the traveling she’d done, those games hadn’t grown any less fun.

“I’m sure, “ she said with a lightness that didn’t merit a war. But she was good at putting up a front. “I only hope I can help, “ and that much she meant, genuinely. In the end, for all the other s**t involved, her loyalty ran deeper than blood.

Desdemona thanked the driver sweetly before humming in a playful way. “Have I now?” She wondered if that were true or not. There were a few names she could think of, but...

And then she stepped inside, and with security, she crossed her legs and the smile on her face became more sly than sweet. “So, really - what can I do for you, sir?”

This was the moment she had been waiting for; what could be so imperative that she had finally been called back to Destiny City? Desdemona watched as the window rose between them and the driver, effectively sealing them off from the need to play pretend.

With privacy came an immediate change in her demeanor, subtle, but hardly so to a practiced eye. It did not take the fuku and the frills of Amphitrite for her to emerge. She crossed her legs in a deliberate way, the light air of a girl eager to return home replaced by a sly, but calculating smile.

The mention of Alkaid was enough to spark something near ravenous in her eyes, if only for a moment - it subsided once she realized Alkaid had not sent for her through Chase. Perhaps that would have been too much to hope for.

"So you needed a role model? A mentor?" she questioned slowly, a brow arching curiously. "Is that why you called me home? - are the state of my kind so sorry here?" The purse of her lips was not a reflection on Chase, but of the state of things and an ounce of concern for the state of her sister. However, if it was through praise of Alkaid that she had been called here - yes, to be of value to someone of importance of Alkaid was something.

She pushed her hair out of her face. "Well. Whatever you have need of, General, I am at your disposal and glad to serve." Although that did bring to mind a question. Given the way he was speaking, "If I may ask, " and she tilted her head to a side, playing a little coy, although the hunger had returned to her eyes, "as a shining example... does this mean I am due for an upgrade, General?"

Others lacking in devotion. Didn't exactly come as a surprise. Before she had gone, Amphitrite had been made aware that the glory of their cause (and the glory it offered those who served it loyally) were lost on some. They squandered their opportunities. Slacked off. Fraternized with the enemy. Purified to join their ranks like simpering dogs.

To reach those who were impressionable and like herself, huh? A flare of frustration, swirling with a hint of satisfaction, swirled up within Desdemona. She had wanted to forge a team. It'd come in with a roar of protest and died without so much as a whimper, despite Laurelite's support. It was a cause that had been important to her once.

"This is true, " she remarked, biting her lower lip at the memory of all that passion and effort squandered. "When I said much the same thing years ago, a great many officers assumed treason. Pity you weren't present for it... or has the tide just changed since then?"

Desdemona didn't particularly seem to be looking for an answer. But for all she had done to support the cause, when she had found new ways to serve it, she had been rebuffed. Maybe rightly so. In some ways, although she knew her cause, vestiges of the past still clung to her like dirt. She was better now, even stronger than she had been then. But it was a lesson that had remained with her since: for all her loyalty, in the end, what many saw was a liability.

Laurelite had believed in her enough to turn her. Galena enough to take her in. Cinnabar enough to train her. Alkaid enough to take her amongst the stars. That should have been enough.

At least now she was finally receiving what she knew was an overdue reward, her smile unbridled. "Thank you, " and she did mean that, the words rushing from her like water from a faucet. Finally.

Like the face of water, ever changing, so too did that smile shift again into something darkly proud with the briefest flash of teeth. "You won't have far to look, sir, " she purred out, and then gave a delighted little laugh, leaning back against her seat and relishing in the anticipation of what awaited her when the ride was over.

Just one thing.

"In the time I've been gone... have they found a way, yet?" she asked, running her fingers through her hair again. "To make more like her?"

That was true, and Desdemona did not bother to deny it. She had been emboldened by passion, desperate to please Laurelite and catch her eye. "Amphitrite of mythology was Queen of the sea, " she remarked lightly. "No wonder ambition was my downfall." Another soft laugh left her to punctuate her words as she admitted, "I was too young. Isn't it funny, though? You get a taste of power and think you can go out and change the world."

Not that she couldn't. But it took far more than raw gumption and a would-be press conference.

If she hadn't watched it happen, she might not have been aware that she'd drawn a touch from Chase at all, delicate as it was. Her smile broadened, and she winked at him, pressing a leg lightly against his. A touch of levity. "Sound advice from a colleague of Alkaid's... I suppose she did much the same, didn't she? Anyone worth their merit in the Negaverse, really."

A thoughtful hum left her. Yes. It had been time to come home, hadn't it?

The news was disappointing, but not surprising. "If you don't mind passing along their name, I'd like to have words with them at some point - but first things first." She exhaled and then smiled, pleasantly. "You are the one who beckoned me home. My own projects aside, if you have any need of me, do let me know. Amphitrite is infinitely more useful than Desdemona, but they both have their merits."

"What's life if not a little dangerous?" Although she said it lightly, almost teasingly, what would her life have been without it? What type of person would she have been? Silly? Gullible? As indoctrinated in the uselessness of the order as the rest of them?

Might as well be dead.

Penelope Rey. Stellerite. Desdemona nodded, committing the names to memory with a thoughtful intake of air and a nod. She would have to see them out once she was settled, Stellerite and her companion.

"Dangerous, huh? - what was it I just said about danger?" She grinned, more than a hint of curiosity evident in her features (unbidden because she wanted him to know the interest was there), but didn't push it. If Chase wanted to say, he would. If not, he wouldn't. "Secretary, you say? - well, if you've use for Desdemona, then she is at your beck and call, General." She said it in her airy way, but lacking any air of jest. If Desdemona could be of some use to someone, fine. Anyway, it would probably do her some good to stay grounded. She was better now, but being back in this city...

The car was slowing, then stopped, and her anticipation soared to new heights, a most vibrant smile on her face as she slipped out of the car. She was so damn ready for this.