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 Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2022 3:45 pm
Malcolm and Talia met often, and because he was always excited for her company, he’d eagerly suggested that he grab lunch on the way over to meet her. Not that she couldn’t have just grabbed something from Evan’s food truck! But, recently he’d really liked the sandwiches from this new place, and their french fries were some of the best he’d ever had. And the coffee shop next door had just gotten some new seasonal flavors, so he thought it was a good idea to start getting into the fall spirit.
They’d met at the picnic table by the little lake in the park before, and it was nearby enough that it had been easy to carry lunch and drinks over there without spilling anything. He was in a good mood; it was a nice, semi-cloudy day with a cool breeze and a warm sun.
He arrived before Talia and set up the table nicely before he texted her a picture of the spread.
Quote: Lunch is ready! The fries are super fresh. Can’t wait to catch up!
As if they didn’t talk almost daily. He hoped she had good news; she’d said she wanted to chat about something, and his anxiety had made him worry.
So, maybe he’d gone a little overboard with trying to treat her to a nice lunch while they talked.
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Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2022 6:10 pm
Talia got the text and read it, grinning and quickened her step. She didn’t text back since she wasn’t far off, and when she saw that Malcolm’s back was to her, it took everything she had not to squeal in delight.
She moved slowly, careful not to make too much noise, and when she was close enough, she pounced on him, after making sure he wasn’t doing anything that could be ruined. Knocking the food onto the ground didn’t seem like a great way to start this meeting, but still.
“Malcolmmmmm! I missed you! It’s been like a week and a half and I hated every moment without you!”
She sounded like Cambria for a moment, though she didn’t know it. “I have so much to tell you! Exciting things, and I have questions for you too, I…”
Drawing away, Talia tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “I want to know more about our court. I want…to try to get it going again. To see what we can do. I met this guy…another space senshi…like Fang? Anyway, he needs help and I thought about us…about how we can help youma…I thought…”
She shrugged. “I thought maybe we could help him? Also, I’m an Eternal Senshi now! If there wouldn't have been lunch I would have just showed you but…the idea of food is far too tempting so I’ll show you later! It’s been a Hell of a week and a half!” Pressing a quick kiss to Malcolm’s cheek, Talia drew away, taking her seat at the other side of the table and simply beaming at her friend.
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Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2022 10:18 pm
Malcolm could have easily had a heart attack, but thankfully he had many years of practice with a brother who liked to surprise him in far more nefarious and traumatizing ways. He squeaked, and grabbed the table as if he thought he might be abducted or something. He’d already been stabbed, so at least he’d have known what to expect if that was the case, but thankfully it was just Talia.
He wished he could have relaxed a little quicker, but his heart was pounding in his chest even when he knew he was okay and he had to put a hand over it to prevent it from popping out. He could laugh at himself! He wasn’t upset!
She’d given him a lot of other things to consider, too. “Congratulations! I knew you could do it, you should have told me as soon as it happened!” He seemed genuinely excited for her and leaned forward on the bench. “It sounds like it has been busy. I–well, I need more information on your space Senshi, what does he need help with? I mean–yeah, absolutely, I’ll help however I can! What’s going on? Oh–but you asked–the Court, yes,” he said quickly.
“What do you want to know about it? I’m sorry that we haven’t been doing much. I’ve been trying my best,” he said quickly, perpetually worried that he might disappoint. “I’ve kept in contact with everyone–Kari and Varuna and–well, you know Malus, obviously, um. Well–yes, obviously. We don’t patrol as a group or anything, and we haven’t run into any youma that need any help, but I know everyone’s heart is still in it. What are you thinking, what do you want to do?”
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 5:11 pm
“I just want…to meet everyone. I think we should see if Ilse would like to join us too, she’s…important to me, and it would do her good to have a group to fall back on, do you think that would be okay?” Honestly, it was as much Malcolm's court as it was Talia's now. It had been Cambria’s thing, but. Malcolm had kept it going.
“Do you have contact information for Kari and Varuna? I’d like to meet the both of them and see if they’d be interested…if.”
Hesitating, Talia gave a smile that was almost on the verge of being sad. “If you don’t want me to do all of this, just let me know, I know…I mean I kind of feel like I’m trending all over your toes now, it’s…your Court now, right?”
Even if the statement hurt her heart. It…was true, and Talia knew it.
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 7:06 pm
Malcolm was nodding along with her as she spoke, listening eagerly–encouragingly, even.
Until the end.
“Oh. Well–no, not really. I mean, I was taking care of it, but it’s not like–I never thought of it as mine. I was just like, um. Caretaker? I’m not a leader or anything. I don’t have the same drive that you do. I can definitely get Kari and Varuna and–they’re great, Talia, I think you’ll really like them. They’re both really nice. But–I mean, Kari is worried about being forgotten or not being important, and Varuna’s a vet, so she’s got a big heart, but she says she’s not so good with people. She seems kind of sad, kind of lonely. I think she’s had a hard time, too. I don’t know if either of them have super great self esteem, which isn't an insult, because–well, I mean, you know me.”
He laughed nervously, cleared his throat, and then sipped at his drink.
“But–well, what I mean is, I think everyone will be really happy to meet you. I think you could be good for all of them. Like how you’re good for me. They need a little gentleness, but. I know you’re good for that. I know you understand how hard things can be, and how much things can take out of someone. But. I’ve never met anyone with more heart than you. You’re the only person in this world who figured out how to soften Zac up, so I’m not worried. I think Ilse would be a great addition. She’s important to you, and no one should have to do this alone. And–well, you bring people together. You always have. I think someone who sees the good in others, who has as much energy and spirit as you do…I think that’s a much better fit to be a leader than me. I don’t have your confidence, or your charisma. I was only doing what I could to bring you back home. I never thought of myself as the leader. It wasn’t my Court. It was ours. And you were always at the front of it all. I just didn’t want to force you into anything you didn’t want. I’d be more than happy to have you call the shots again. I think we’ll be better off for it. I’ll always support you, you know that.”
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 7:17 pm
Talia swallowed and then let out a long, loud, relieved breath. “...I want to call the shots again. I want to do this. It feels right.” The words tumbled out before she had a chance to second guess them. “I want to bring something to the city. To the planet. To…to my homeworld too, I…I feel like…like I’m what I’m supposed to be now that I’m stronger again. I don’t feel quite so…helpless. I…”
She rubbed at her face and gave a smile that still looked strained. “I keep feeling things. Thinking that I’m going to remember something. Saying things that I have no…basis for but. They all feel right…and…”
And if the court was together. If they were strong, if they could be united…
…Maybe her brother…maybe Faustite could still be saved.
“I’d love to have their information, I want to meet them both, I want…to do this, Malcolm. And I know I need you by my side. You. I need you so much, it’s insane.”
He was her very best friend, and…though she loved Zac more than she wanted to admit, and Evan was as close to a new brother as she could get…Malcolm…
Was just something different. Filling a different hole that the others couldn’t quite reach.
“Ah! Sorry for being so dramatic, I want to eat these fries!”
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:00 pm
Malcolm looked at her for just a second and then laughed, pushing them a little closer. “Then, eat them. I’ll send you information when my fingers aren't so greasy. I just cleaned my phone before I came over. But…I’m glad you have a direction again. A purpose. Something that inspires you. It’s really good to see you so driven.”
He smiled–genuinely. He meant it. Malcolm himself was shy, he was insecure, he didn’t really believe in himself. But, he believed in her. It’s why he’d worked so hard to push out of his shell to find her. To do whatever he could to help her.
It’s why he’d cared so much about saving her.
“I believe in you. I think you’ll do great things, Talia. I’m happy you want me around. I really appreciate it. I’ll always do my best for you.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2022 10:55 am
She hadn’t wanted to break the mood, but…it had begun to feel terribly heavy and…she didn’t want that. Zac could deal with the heavy stuff, Malcolm…he deserved only sunshine.
Reaching out, Talia popped a few fries into her mouth, nodding. “I believe in you too. We’re going to be a great team again, I’ll always do my best for you…and I just…it’s so reassuring to know that I’m not alone. ANd you’ve always shown me that, so thank you for being utterly perfect.”
After lunch, she would contact the other two, and figure out what the plan was…and Ilse. She would make some time to reach out to Ilse too. This. Would be wonderful and Alastor’s home would be able to be saved.
…Hopefully.
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