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 Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 4:32 pm
Stirling wasn’t…worried that Dagon wouldn’t show up because she didn’t want to, and she did believe that the letter thing with her…ring worked…but.
What if it hadn’t? What if it hadn’t worked and Dagon wasn’t on her way and what if Dagon read the letter and thought that it was some kind of a trap and didn’t want to come because of that…or.
For some reason, her brain was focused on all of the…unfortunate ways that this could end, and she hated it. Hated it with a passion. Her letter hadn’t seemed desperate, at least…she hadn’t tried to make it so…and the fact it had smudged…why hadn’t she waited for the ink to dry?
It wasn’t like she knew she had to. Ink didn’t have to dry in this day and age…but.
The letter had been simple, a quick note;
Quote: Dear Dagon, Hi! It’s me, Stirling! I went to my Wonder and found my ring…the old Stirling said that she was your sister just like you told me! Can you meet me back on earth? I’m including where I’ll be! See you soon! Stirling
A simple note but…
Oh why wasn’t she here yet?
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:08 pm
Whent he letter from Stirling arrived, Dagon had been in the midst of dealing with a nasty, crocodilian youma. The creature reminded her of a long-past beast of her own world--though perhaps that was simply because the crocodile shape was an effective underwater hunter and predator. Long, flat, toothy, and devastatingly effective.
She gave it a few more kicks to finally dust it, and then took the letter into hand, reading it over and breaking into a smile.
Stirling had met Dysmina. Her sister's soul still lingered, in some form or another. It had been so long....perhaps they might see each other again, given the chance.
But for now, the current Stirling wanted to speak to her, and so she darted off, crossing to the location Stirling had given in her letter as quickly as she could.
"Stirling!" She called, and she smiled as she approached. "Apologies, I had to finish slaying a persistent little beast of a youma."
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:17 pm
When she heard Dagon’s voice, Stirling spun around and gave a relieved sigh, hurrying over to meet the senshi, trying to both nod and shake her head at the same time, confusing herself in the process. “I was worried it hadn’t worked, and then I was worried you just didn’t want to come but I’m glad that you did!”
It was strange, her arms itched to hug Dagon, like that would solve just about everything that was wrong with tonight, but she refrained from the action, choosing instead to give a smile. “I’m…glad that you didn’t get hurt from it! Soleiyu and my friends always warn me about youma, and the few I’ve seen are pretty gross and…you know. Strong or…or whatever…”
She chewed her lip and rocked back on her heels for a moment. “I…um. Met your sister?”
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:37 pm
Dagon shook her head. "I will always come, as long as I am able, I promise you that." It was an easy promise to make--Dagon would gladly do whatever it took to keep Stirling safe and happy.
One did not get second chances very often, after all.
"Ah, and there's no need to concern yourself--at least with regards to me. Youma are not all that different than the chaos monsters that manifest on my world, and I have been hunting those for a thousand years." She shrugged. "You ought to be careful--which I say only because you have less experience than I. But there will come a time when they will be far less threatening to you, I think."
A soft sigh passed her lips. "Ah, how was she? Helpful, I hope?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 5:51 pm
“Is she a ghost, do you think? Like…It was really strange to just have someone there when there was like…nobody there!” The words tumbled from Stirling’s mouth before she really thought of how…heartless they could be thought of. “I mean…She didn’t look…solid or anything. She was kind of transparent so…I mean…”
Perhaps she should just shut up. That would be good.
“Um…yeah, really helpful, she helped me find this ring here? And told me I could send letters and showed me how to…I…I hope you’ll come visit up there with me sometime. There was a picture of you and your…um. Family. I’m assuming they were your family. It was you and a pretty lady who you were holding and she had her head on your shoulder and you were holding a little girl, like…toddler age. It was a pretty portrait. I didn’t really explore the others up there though…”
Had it been a mistake to write to Dagon? What if all of this hurt her feelings?
“Oh um. And I almost drowned, so. That happened too. It’s actually been a really long night.”
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 6:25 pm
A little of the excitement dimmed from Dagon's eyes, and she frowned slightly. Ah, it was true--Dysmina would not have survived. Not like her.
"She likely is a ghost, yes, of sorts." It seemed the best explanation, if Dysmina was still around. "But I confess, I'm no expert on Knights. You'd be better off asking a senior of your order--have you met any other Lysithea Knights? Or your Princess?"
...Ah, but Dagon herself was neglectful. If she wanted to help guide Stirling, she supposed she ought to learn as much as she could. And while there was a hint of sadness in her eyes, she still nodded along, as Stirling described what she saw.
"Myself, my wife Kalari, and our daughter Aralinn, yes," she said. "I remember sitting for that portrait. A pity Dysmina was never able to send one back, but I suppose she must have been quite busy."
There was sadness, yes, but a warm nostalgia too. But she snapped to seriousness when Stirling said she had almost drowned.
"What happened?" She asked, and she reached out, an open offering of comfort. "Were you attacked?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 6:30 pm
Okay…so she had made Dagon sad, but…now she wasn’t sad since she was worried about Stirling…was it a win? Maybe not…but maybe yes. Stirling was going to count it as a win, and took the offering to finally hug Dagon tightly.
“Um. I kind of did the attacking first. I. Got a great punch in, but then she used magic and…it was really awful. I couldn’t breathe and it felt just like when…ah. I mean. It kind of happened when I was a kid. One of the older kids tried to drown me. I didn’t realize how much…it still bothered me until…you know. I had to feel it again…but…”
The words were all just spilling out, and she couldn’t really stop them, but thankfully…the panic wasn’t spilling out with them.
“...Still…I got to go up to my Wonder…and I got to see you…so…it’s been a lot but…it ended well…”
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 6:42 pm
Something in Dagon's chest swelled with pride, hearing Stirling talk about taking the initiative and attacking someone. Brave and bold, it seemed, and that made her proud. Bust she still held her close, and patted her hair, and quieted the surge of fury at the thought that someone had ever harmed her.
"It's understandable that you were afraid. Most of the time, magic like that won't actually drown you--but it's hard to remember that in the moment, which is what the magic is designed to feed on. Like mine--it does not change me into a monster truly, but merely makes me look like one, and that can be more than enough."
She squeezed, gently.
"Get some rest, beykhen. WE can speak again tomorrow. It sounds like your day has been long enough already."
As much as Dagon wanted to keep her near, it wasn't fair. She would need to go home eventually.
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2023 6:44 pm
Stirling nodded, though closed her eyes for a moment, simply resting against Dagon, and finally she drew away and gave a little wave. “See you tomorrow then! Be safe!” It would be good to get back to the dorm. Good to rest…good to…
Well.
Process all that had happened…
…It had really been a lot.
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