He definitely didn’t want to think about it right now, no, it was necessary and it could have been helped. As it was he still didn’t really know how he did it.
It had been a little while since the last time she had seen Shangri-La. Which was true to a point, she had seen Dr Jacobs recently but could she really count it as having seen Shang? Were they really the same? Maybe… It’s like an is and is not, two identities one person and you don’t talk about the other side for it was taboo and what not… oh it was really all too confusing.
January, still in the thick of winter and to be honest her fleece blanket really wasn’t doing much good against the cold chill but it would do for now. Hugging the fabric around herself like a second skin, Acrucis slowed her run into a light jog when she sensed Shangri-La’s signature. So so much had happened, things she desperately wanted to tell him but now that she was finally getting her chance to talk to him one on one her heart fell to the pit of her stomach and lump grew in her throat.
He worked in a hospital and had likely seen many things she couldn’t even fathom; never mind the fact he had been a part of this war far longer than she. So why did she feel nervous bringing up things that have happened to him? Such terrible things…
Drawing in a deep breath once his curly red hair and green uniform came into view, the periwinkle haired Senshi of Prayer did her best to hide her apprehensive expression and put on a happy smile ”Hello!” she said aloud to get his attention, slightly out of breath.
Shang smiled when Acrucis came into view and waved her over, “Hello,” he said softly before looking curiously at the blanket. “I’m glad to see you are keeping warm during these warm winter night. I certainly don’t want you catching a cold. Which reminds me to check to see if your parents have made an appointment recently …” he said before pausing and looking to Acrucis.
“But I digress, you needed to talk to me and I’d like to visit my wonder. It’s warm there though, not overly so, but you might get a little hot walking with a blanket.” He wanted to suggest she put it in his car, but he didn’t want to delay.
He looked up to the sky and smiled, “You ready to go,” he said ready to concentrate on his pledge so they could be whisked away to the sanctuary that was Shangri-la.
Acrucis found herself letting out a soft laugh. “Don’t worry they did, it’s for next week” transfusions… not so fun. Still, she would be seeing him again soon. “Thankfully I haven’t gotten sick yet, but then again that’s why I’ve been bringing this out on patrols with me” she then shrugged her shoulders indicating that she meant the blanket.
At the mention of his wonder, her eyes lit up like the stars in a clear sky and the nervous smile spread to one of pure joy that stretched a mile wide. “You wonder? And a warm one at that! Yes please.” Anything to get away from the cold at this point would be much appreciated. However she couldn’t help but wonder aloud “Where is your wonder? If I may ask.”
Shang gave her a nod and made a mental notes to make sure to check his appointment log. He needed the date and time after all, still it was good to know her appointment had indeed been scheduled. “Its a very good idea, though I’d suggest taking a page out of Maia’s book and henshining, than putting on a hoodie, plain black, no distinguishable or a coat, name requirements.”
Shang gave a smile at Acrucis excitement and nodded, “yes it pretty much nice and everything is in bloom their all the time, its like a sanctuary. Its quite beautiful.” He held out his hand for her to take before answering her question, “surprisingly, its on pluto. One would expect it to be cold, but it something keeps it nice and warm.”
He closed his eyes and let his pledge come to him before saying it aloud and transporting them to him wonder. Upon opening his eyes he was greeted with the greens the covered the ground, structures all carved from, built with rocks, flowers and fountains and a forest in the distance.
“Welcome to Shangri-la.”
With a raised eyebrow, Acrucis gave him a look of ‘I’ll have to see it to believe it.’ How is it that Mercury was bloody cold and Pluto is some how warm? What else was her astronomy class wrong about?
Lacking any sort of hesitation, eager to space travel again, the Senshi of Prayer reached out taking his hand in her own and just like when she was with Babylon she waited for him to recite his pledge and the sensation of teleportation to take over, prompting her to close her eyes. Unfortunately it was not all too different than when Benitoite teleported her which left her stomach feeling a bit… unsettled but the sensation quickly faded when the cold breeze of Destiny City was quickly replaced by warm air.
Tentatively she opened one eye, then the other and the sight that greeted her was jaw dropping. He had not been jesting when he said his wonder was beautiful for indeed it was just that. So much color with beautiful blooming flowers and running water. “Wow…” the only thing she could manage to say as she shed her blanket and draped it over one arm all the while looking around taking in the sight before her. Destiny City botanical gardens paled in comparison to Shangri-La’s wonder and all she could do was stare.
Shangri-la gave a small chuckle at her reaction and just stayed quiet for a moment to allow her to take it all in. Warm but not too warm, sunny despite it having been night on earth. Where was the light even coming from so far from the sun. “You jumped easily onto and off the roof when you first became a senshi, so I am going to assume you are not afraid of height. We can sit by the falls if you like and talk there.”
He didn’t really want to go inside just yet. He had to say the beauty of his wonder amazed him and in accordance with the myth it was not overly ravaged by time which seemed to move more slowly here. While the structures certainly had vegetation overtaking them they didn’t appear to be overwhelmed and it Shang thought his wonder withstood the test of time quite well.
He turned leading the way to one of the falls that dropped off a cliff into what seemed like oblivion, but Shang knew to be a river down below. It was accessible he thought, but he wasn’t sure he was up to finding out just how to get down there. “We can sit just over here,” he pointed to what looked like a stone pergola of sorts, simply bursting with vegetation, with clues that there may have once been cloth adorning it.
Hannah fell in step a pace and a half behind Shangri-la till the path opened up enough for her to walk beside him without having to worry about snagging her hair or clothes on the plantlife. ”To be honest it was a bit of a leap of faith. I kind of figured if we were able to jump up to the rooftop safely that getting down would be about the same.” Admitting that probably wasn’t the best idea, the lack of forethought put into such a jump would likely give anyone not accustomed to the powered life a bit of a heart attack.
There were so many things she wanted to ask him, especially since this was one of the few rare times she had a chance to see him outside the hospital, but the only things she felt asking at the moment were about his Wonder. “Out of curiosity, how often do you come here?” Easing into the conversations yet to come once they reached their destination seemed a bit natural as opposed to blurting out all her worries and curiosities.
Shang gave a small laugh and nodded, “thats actually a reasonable deduction to make. I mean it ought to work that way and you were right, it does.” She certainly took better to it than him, of course he accepted it because it wanted to help his sister, but it entailed a lot more than he was really prepared for and as time wore on it was often to much.
As they entered the pagoda, he took a seat on one of the stone benches and looked out toward the falls, enjoying the peaceful sounds of the rushing water and wondering what it was like when this place was filled with life. After a moment he answered Acrucis’ question even though he still faced out toward the falls leaning against the pagoda railing. “Not to often, just a handful of times now, but I like it. It’s very peaceful and my ancestor is here. Of course he is more of a ghost, so to speak, but I can talk to him.”
Shang leaned back and looked to Acrucis, “so what did you want to talk to me about?”
“When I went with Babylon to his Wonder back in December he had mentioned having an ancestor he could talk to.” The notion of being able to converse with someone who had long since passed away was still something she had trouble wrapping her mind around especially these ancestors were not a physical manifestation that she could see as well, only the Knights.
Acrucis took a seat next to the exceedingly curly haired man and gazed out at the falls. The roaring sound served as perfect white noise to the chaos of questions bouncing around her head. For a moment she remained silent, and then another as she contemplated where to begin. “I don’t know how you do it… how you’ve been doing it. Both you and Maia.” She then worried her lower lip between her teeth, wondering how much she should confide him, thing she had yet to even tell Delilah… Phact.
“Every night I power up and go on a short patrol in hopes of finding someone who I might be able to help. Anyone, it doesn’t matter. Heh, I’ve aided people on the other side of this war.” She admitted the last part softly. “Maybe I’m just that naive, or maybe I’m just that scared of death; I don’t know. I’ve already been scolded for aiding someone on the other side, but I can’t watch someone die again.” And there it was, the root of this fear. How many times while in the hospital did she make friends with one of the other children where one day they were alive and seeming well, and the next, gone?
“I was too late Shang” Her voice cracked as she tried to reign in her emotions. “I didn’t notice the power signatures quick enough, and was too late to save a boy… He died before I got there, in the arms of another Senshi.” Many months had since passed yet the memories still remained vivid. “I don’t know how you can do it, be both a doctor by day and a Knight by night…”
Shang sat waiting patiently for Acrucis to tell him what was bothering her, and even she started to speak he stayed quiet. He could tell this was not a time for scolding. He didn’t want her patrolling alone and he would reiterate that as much as he could, but not at the current moment.
When she spoke about aiding other’s on the side of chaos he couldn’t be mad. He knew he did it, it was his job. He may not know who was on what side, but he had no doubts he’d help save some of their lives had they come into the hospital and he like she wouldn't let another die if he could help it. It didn’t matter what side they were on.
“It’s okay that you help those on the other side and don’t think that it isn’t. This war we fight is ever changing and you never know how deeply loyalties run. It might be your helping one of them is the deciding factor in questioning their place in this war. Even more so they may feel the need to return the favor some day and that is definitely a good thing. I warn you to be careful Acrucis, not everyone has your best interest at heart. Keep they from dying, yes, but be careful because there are people who will bite the hand that feeds them.”
He turned so that he was fully facing her, “I do not know how Maia does it, but I do things like this. Finding a spot to just be alone and process. It’s a fact of life for me, that I have to understand because I work in the emergency room. People die everyday and you can’t save everyone. Sometimes you are too late, but as long as you do everything you could do, you’ve done enough. We are fighting in a war Acrucis, a war that isn’t even our own as far as I can tell. Try to take my words and keep them with you. Do you best and that’s all you can do, okay?”
He stood holding out his hand to her, “Come I want to show you something?”
Acrucis remained silent as Shangri-la spoke. In large part she felt as if a large weight lifted off her shoulders for she was certain that he, above all else, would scold her; perhaps even more harshly than Thraen. Then again conversations in the moment seem more intense than they actually are.
As he continued to speak words of kindness and understanding, the Senshi of Prayer felt the anxiety at finally opening up about what happened finally begin to ebb away. Of course he, more than anyone, would be able to relate to what she’d been through thus far. Whether that was a good thing or not, she wasn’t sure.
“I’ll try” she replied quietly. There were so many unknown factors and things to be wary of she felt at a loss. Nodding her head, Acrucis took his outstretched hand and stood up and followed him, unsure of what he wanted to show her but curious all the same. “I had thought having the ability to heal would make a difference some how. But in reality my magic doesn’t heal much. The senshi I mentioned a moment ago, the one who was with the boy who had died… I’ve ran into him on a few occasions and each time has been worse than the time before.
The last time my magic did next to nothing, but he absolutely refused to go to the hospital. I had no idea what I was doing Dr. Jaco… Shang. Sorry…” She hung her head a bit in frustration, at least they were nowhere near others who could have heard her flub “He walked me through cleaning the laceration and how to close it with this glue stuff. I just… I just wish you were there, I was so scared but had no idea how to get ahold of you without calling your work. Which is why I gave you the letter when we went paintballing.” Her voice trailed off hoping he understood where she was going with that.
Shang listened to Acrucis while they walked, heading away from the pagoda and toward a building not too far off. He wanted to show her the valley in all its glory. It was beautiful and extremely calming even in all its grandeur. The path though overgrown and lacking in proper care was sufficient in guiding them to the building’s door. It didn’t seem to have a handle, but opened for Shang none the less.
He held the door for Acrucis and after she entered lead the way up the step, there was nothing to look at just steps, heading up to the main part of the building although the pair wouldn’t reach it. “Magic has it’s limits Acrucis. It’s something everyone has to learn, it isn’t a cure all. Even still you will get stronger and with it your magic. You aren’t a super or an eternal even, so you have further to go.”
He himself had gotten stronger when he upgraded to squire and his little sister’s ability to whoop his butt constantly was proof he thought. He could easily pick her and was generally stronger as a civilian but when they powered up, he was no contest most days.
“It’s okay. If you want to call me Dr. Jacobs here, or Shang or even Xander. No one is around, my identity is safe,” he reassured her before being a bit shocked of the words she spoke next as the reached a point in the stairway the opened to a bridge even though the stairs continued upward. He motioned for Acrucis to head out onto the bridge which lead into another building on the other end. They needed to go into that building to reach the bright that lead to across the valley.
“That is a lot to go through. Next time you should contact Maia, no matter where I am she will be able to find me and so long as I am able I will come. Did I not give you my cell phone number? If not I will endeavor to do that when we return back to earth.” He headed across the bridge and made his way into the other building to continue up yet more stairs. “In the mean time I can give you some basic first aid lessons and make an emergency kit for you to carry. I will give it to you once I am sure you have mastered how to use it.”
As they walked up the stairs, Hannah trailed her fingers lightly over the stone walls till they reached the top. If it wasn’t for the fact that she trusted Shang with her life, both figuratively and literally, she would have likely been a bit more hesitant about stepping out onto the bridge.
“I didn’t even think about that to be honest; to call Maia. I ended up calling my friend and asked her to cover for me since I couldn’t leave him alone.” Blue eyes trailed over the horizon taking in the beautiful site of his Wonder. “Maybe I’m being impatient, I don’t know, I just don’t want to feel like that helpless again. I mean it when i say all I want to do is help.
Which is why I came to you. I really want to learn how to help people incase something like that happens again and I have no magic left. I promise I’ll do all I can to master whatever it is you care enough to teach me.” Acrucis looked up at him with an expression full of mixed emotions. She was sincere in her words, yet helpless and tired from worry. She was a fighter, that much was evident; but right now she was lost, reaching out for a light to guide her, for someone to understand where she was coming from and reassure her in some way that she’s doing the right thing.
Shang smiled at Acrucis and ruffled her hair. “Try to remember Maia is there for you are much as I am. Try not to forget her, she will always come to your aid, even if I can’t. She has a little first aid training too, so she could help with that aspect if you need it. At least you have a friend to cover for you though, that’s good. You don’t want to worry your parents, mine did not react well to finding out my sister was a senshi.”
Shang gave a laugh as they reached the top of the second staircase, which opened up to a hallway. There were opens rooms with old dust covered furniture and large open windows, plants creeping in and encroaching on the rooms. Shang walked past them however, ignoring them for the moment. They could be explored at some other time.
“Patience is a virtue Acrucis. You’ll get stronger with time and practice, im sure. For now though I can definitely teach you. It’s seems only natural that you would want to learn, you are after all a healer senshi. I bet you will learn it quickly.”
It took a bit to reach the other side of the building and finally the other bridge, but Shang motioned for Acrucis to follow walking right out and heading for the middle of the bridge going right up to the ledge and leaning on it. The view of the valley and all the waterfalls was breath taking. The place was truly majestic. His ancestor had guided him through here the first time he had come and he knew from that moment he would come again and again.
Just like Shang, Acrucis rested her elbows on the partition and leaned forward gazing at the scenery. “It’s breath taking” she said aloud more so to herself than anything. The mists at the base of the falls obscured the view far below for quite a distance before spilling back into greenery and weaving rivers.
“Babylon is nothing compared to this, I mean it’s beautiful in it’s own way, but this… this is something else…” For several moment she remained silent just listening to the roaring sounds of the falls, committing to memory various structures and landmarks. “Thank you for bringing me here. Ha, who needs to see the seven wonders of the world when you can visit a place like this?”
Shang looked to Acrucis and smiled once more, feeling like he’d made her difficult world, their difficult world, just a little easier for the time being. The thoughts that plagued him early gone away and the magic of his wander practically wrapping him in warmth. “I’m glad you like it, though I am now curious as to what Babylon looks like. You have mentioned it twice now. You’re welcome here anytime you would like to come, just let me know. I definitely do not mind at all.”
He didn’t think he was ever mind coming to Shangri-la because what Acrucis said was true, he didn’t need earth’s wonders, the pyramids, stonehenge, he had Shangri-la. It was a part of him special and very real and that wouldnt be changing any time soon.
“Do you feel better now? Are you ready to go back now? Go back and face the winter once more?”
“I feel a lot better, thank you.” She turned her head and offered him a rueful smile. A part of her felt guilty for having laid so much of her worries on him but at the same time having him listen and in part agree with her on some level was quite a relieve. So much did she fear he would scold her like Thraen, which is why it took till now to finally bring any of this up. “I appreciate you bringing me here and listening it means a lot, it truly does.”
With that she stood up straight and turned to face him. A part of her wished to stay a bit longer but she knew it was time to go. He had extended the offer to bring her back some time, an offer she very likely would take him up on again in the future.
“Anytime,” he said to Acrucis and he meant it. He was there for her if she needed him and he would bring her back to talk or relax when she needed it. Truthfully it might be easier to teach her the first aid her, totally distraction free, beautiful scenery aside. He held out a hand for Acrucis to take and focuse on taking them home. They would be be back again someday in the future, so going home wasn’t to sad. They did after all have lives to go back to, Shangri-la would be waiting for Shang’s return and even Acrucis’ too.
An old Goodgle Doc RP from 2013 where I cannot find a record of it being posted previously.
