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One thing Laven was sure to never get over was how time ceased to exist in the Dark Kingdom. A place where there was no sunrise nor sunset, no waxing nor waning of a moon high on the horizon. If it wasn't for clocks on her tablet then she'd have no idea if it was high noon or midnight in Destiny City.

Because of this, as well as her misadventure in the Rift, finding a personal youma that accepted her, and running into one too many knights than was healthy for any agent; she felt that some time away from Destiny City and powered responsibilities as a whole was long overdue. Rather than collecting energy, since her quota was already full, Laven instead used the time she'd greedily snatched to make something for Kat.

When the two of them had met with the Merchant, Tina had seemed incredibly disgusted with her choice of reward. Yes, a rock, and at the time Laven didn't really want to defend herself for wanting the unique crystal he'd offered to her. Aside from the fact that the relic held power, a source of energy that hopefully will prove to be useful for her more private project for Laurelite, it appealed to her long-lasting love for stone carving.

Rather than argue or feel offended, she instead spent a day looking for a perfect stone; somewhat flat, perhaps a good skipping one, with no chips or holes. The texture was smooth enough and her years of practice, Laven was able to craft what she believed to be a perfect gift.

Small enough to fit in the palm of her hand, three stone butterflies were carefully placed in a red velvet pouch with an orange drawstring.

"Hopefully she likes it," worry laced her voice and with one last glance inside the bag, she teleported from her craft room to an alleyway a block away from where Kat lived. Once she was sure nobody had seen her, Laven powered down and walked the five minutes it took to her friend's apartment and rang the doorbell once.

Probably should have called first to confirm she was home, but Laven would have had to come to Destiny City anyway in order to use her phone since there was no connection between the Dark Kingdom and here.

"I-" paused to looker her friend over a moment, Merissa's brows knit together, visibly concerned by Kat's still reddish pink face. "I'm fine," all things considered. "Areyou ok?"

"I didn't see you at the celebration with the Sovereigns a few weeks ago," probably a good thing that she didn't go. It was kind of a s**t show in a hand basket with Generals getting drunk and making fools of themselves in front of the Kings and Queens. The food was good, but otherwise nothing really worth reporting on.

For a moment the gift she carried had been forgotten as she instead reached out to place a cool hand against her friends forehead. "Are you feeling sick?" She knew that Kat lived alone and wondered how often anyone, family included, stopped in to check upon her. Felt a bit guilty that she didn't stop by sooner.

"I uh," distant blue eyes gazed down at the cascade of orange hair that nearly brushed the floor from where Kat's head hung off the edge of the couch. "Honestly? I didn't stay long myself." Still felt guilty about messaging Lopezite only to essentially run away shortly after he arrived.

"There were definitely some officers that took advantage of the free alcohol." Would have liked to try a sip herself but quickly thought better of it when the General yelled '******** half-youma' at the sovereigns. Marissagrimaced at the memory of it. A s**t show in a handbasket but at least there were people there that seemed to be having a good time.

"But you're right, I should have called you." Leaning forward she poked her friend in the stomach then nudged her shoulder to help Kat sit up. "Forgive me?" She asked, head canting to the side as she then offered the small wrapped gift.

"I wouldn't be opposed to finding a bar and ordering some things off their happy hour menu. Haven't been to any in almost a year now," Lord, has it been that long already? It was Halloween the last time she'd gone to one. Wolframite had taken her and they'd intentionally not powered up that night since other patrons were there in costume.

"Might be able to find one that has a dancing as well?" Offered Kat a hopeful smile. "Could be a girls night out." Laven added then offered her friend the box that had been carefully wrapped in brown paper that was held closed by a red ribbon with a bow on top.

Taken aback by the hurtful comment, Marissa pulled her hand away as if she'd been burned by the words. "No-"

Took a moment to try and understand why in the world she would think that she was worth a rock. Was her self-esteem that low, could it be that she's been depressed, or was this another language or cultural thing. "Kat... rock carving is a hobby of mine. I made this for you" Marissa tried to not sound offended but she'd thought that Kat had been joking when they had met with the Merchant.

"You've been in my room back at the barracks, they were on my desk." Unless Kat didn't notice them. Then again it has been a while since she and Wolframite had moved out into their home in the ruins. "It's pretty much the only thing I had to keep myself busy since I can't really hold a job." Marissa tried to explain.

"To me, rock carving is the art of taking something ordinary, something we see every day but tends to not really notice it's there, and turn it into something unique or beautiful." She had made one for Wolframite as well. Simpler in its design since one side had a wolf's paw print and the other a Ganymede symbol she saw once in a shared dream. Two sides of the same person she cared for deeply, if not loved.

"You mean a lot to me, Kat. I wanted to be able to share this with you." Would have given something similar to her sooner had they not had a falling out last summer. A missed opportunity to offer a sort of olive branch to mend things quicker but like physical injuries, friendships also took time to heal.

“Unfortunately, like Cinderella, my time is limited. But wherever I have left is yours to have.” Two hours was never enough time to just enjoy life for what it was. Friends, family, boring tasks for work or dealing with a commute. All things normal civilians took for granted but at least, despite the frustrations and anxieties, it was something to do rather than being bored or stuck in a place where the sun is but a myth.

“If you’d like to stay in, we can.” Might even be able to go on a patrol together before Marissa would have to return to the Dark Kingdom to rest after expending a sizable amount of energy. “Whichever you’d prefer.” She offered, emphasizing that she was leaving this up to Kat to decide; especially since she had interrupted her friends plans without a courtesy call first.

“Honestly, I should be the one thanking you.” Marissa graciously accepted the glass and took a sip of the offered drink. The vodka was stronger than she was used to but the added fruit juices definitely helped. Unlike her Wolframite, she was a light weight and preferred to take her time instead of knocking back shots. The only real exception being when the three of him found his old stash.

“I was in a dark place when you found me in the cafeteria.” So much time spent in her room, the door kept closed unless Lopezite came to take her out on patrol or if he invited her to do something not work related such as going to the reservoir. He had a life of his own though and she didn’t want to impose upon it. Always second guessing herself before stowing the tablet so she wouldn’t pester him for help with frivolous tasks such as going to the grocery store.

But then both Tinaksite and Wolframite bulldozed their way through her life without sparing another thought. Bulls in a china shop and yet Marissa found that some things needed to be broken in order to move forward with her life. “You helped bring me out of it. Gave me something to look forward to.”

Home cooked meals had been something she hadn’t realized that she missed until Kat made her something after throwing the wilted salad in the trash. A fond memory that made her smile even if at the time she wasn’t sure what the heck was going on.