aterat | Return of the Queen

Entry tags:

Return of the Queen

Who;Illyana + You
What; Network + Log of her return
Where;
When;Night on May 2nd
Warnings; Talk of death

I. Network

I found Athony. Turns out he has his own pocket dimension. Aspect of death and all that. Looks like they've at least mastered using the portals to go from here to there. Good for them.

Anyone visited the Academy while I've been gone. Been told recently that we could all do with a few lessons.

II. Wandering the streets

After what had happened before Illyana probably should have learned her lesson. Too bad she'd never been that great of a student. Sure, she picked up on things unusually fast, but she'd always been too headstrong to make a perfect student. Besides, she'd just gotten back and she wasn't really sure if she actually wanted to see anyone. Her head was a jumbled mess of memories of death from her home.

Memories of a small child slowly wasting away from a virus her own brother gave her. The memory felt more like watching a movie, as though it weren't actually her own memory. I hope to act like it does, if nothing else.

Was that all she was doing here? Acting like a real girl? For the first time she felt the full pang of missing her brother. She wished he was here. Big simple Piotr who only ever saw his little sister as the Snowflake she once was. She missed him, just like she missed Kitty and every one of the New Mutants. Tears welled up in her eyes, tears that she'd insist mainly came from frustration.

A portal appeared around her feet and engulfed her body only for her to remain exactly where she was.

"How dare you," she muttered as she wiped the tears away from her face. A series of curses in Russian escaped her lips and she pulled the hood of her jacket up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Mono replies faster than he probably should be, with all the tact and forethought of a kid who'd been rather scared for his friend. But she said the aspect of death, and that meant... ]

Illyana, you died? [ His voice sounds so much smaller than it usually does... ] That's why I couldn't find you... What happened?

Someone's quick on the contextual clues today. [ She sounds more tired than annoyed though, like someone whose just going through the motions of being defensive. ] Cats out of the bag. Did you look for me? [ She can't think of why he would have ]

Yeah, I looked a lot because I wanted to tell you something. But then I couldn’t find you at all… And I found your sword, and I kept looking, but you weren’t around it either.

[ So the kid had been searching around A lot… And none of this was explaining what happened. Which was why the boy continued. ]

I knew something bad happened, but I didn’t know what… No one else I asked did either?

You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble. [ Now she just feels bad for making the kid worry. Thanks soul for giving her a conscience. ] I'll need that back, by the way. I hope you kept it safe. [ It is a part of her soul after all. Even if she's becoming increasingly convinced souls just cause problems. ]

You asked around? [ How embarrassing. ]

But your my friend? [ Mono responded with a certain amount of seriousness. He would always look for his friend, and if he could have found a way to get her back himself, he would have tried. Letting a friend disappear here without trying would be as bad as not trying to get Six back. It just wasn’t something the boy could do.

The sword! That distracted him, though. ] I kept it really safe! I didn’t play with it or anything, since I don’t really know how to use swords and I know it’s important to you. So I kept it wrapped up under my bed so no one else could get it either.

[ Wasn’t that responsible of him? Though, really, he probably should have carried something while he was out looking for her. ]

Of course I did. I thought maybe I was just not looking in the right places… So I thought maybe someone else would know where you were, but no one did.

You could have gotten yourself hurt though. [ And she definitely wasn't worth him specifically getting hurt over. Maybe someone else, but not him. ]

How strange. It must have known I would return. When there is no chance of return, it goes into someone. That makes retrieval more difficult. [ She knows this from experience. It was hard to pull it out of someone else. Though, it probably wasn't that pleasant for the person on the other end either. Not that she'd ever really considered that too much. ] In inexperienced hands the Soulsword can only disrupt magic. [ She pauses then decides to elaborate just a little ] Break illusions, cancel spells, destroy barriers. Things like that. [ Which, might prove useful with the whole academy thing, but she hasn't had time to think on that. ] You could have used it and it wouldn't have harmed you. [ Maybe she should have explained more about how her abilities worked to him. Or anyone. ]

How embarrassing. [ Boo now everyone knew she'd gone missing and made a mistake. ]

I was careful, and I didn’t get hurt!

[ And she was worth it to him, even if she might not think so. The kid looked up to her in his weird little way, and she was an important fixture in his life. Mono cared for everyone he got to know, of course, but it was in very different ways for everyone. Illyana was his friend, and something of an ‘older sibling’ to look up to, even if he didn’t really realize that was how he saw her. He knew he could go to her to talk about stuff that he wasn’t sure the other adults in his life would handle particularly well if he told them. ]

I can bring it to you now if you want? [ The kid perked up a little to hear both what it could do and that it wouldn’t have harmed him. ] I didn’t know that, but I dunno if I would’ve used it, anyway. I kinda don’t know swords good, I used to use hammers a lot in my world, so I think I’m more comfortable with them.

[ To each their own, or something like that. ]

Why’s it embarrassing? I didn’t mean to… I just really wanted to find you. It was kinda scary not knowing where you were. Especially with all the stuff people were talking about around the city.

I was careful. [ No, no she wasn't. But the point still stood that one could be careful here and get surprised. As long as he hadn't been hurt she really couldn't chastise him too much. ] You were brave though. [ Might as well give a compliment of some kind, right? Even if she was kind of bad at it. ]

If you ever want lessons...[ then she could offer. ] When I didn't have my sword I used hammers and axes. They're easy to find in Limbo. [ Most weapons in Limbo were more archaic than things most people would be comfortable with. She liked it like that though, it meant less people knew how to fight against it when she wasn't in Limbo. Plus, she liked the brutality of it. The way you felt when you let go and got into a fight. ] Would you? [ Bring it that is. ]

What are people talking about?

Oh… [ He mumbled, as the meaning behind the statement occurred to him finally. She had been careful and still got hurt- or more than hurt; he guessed… But he’d had to try to find her. ] I dunno if I was brave. I didn’t really feel brave… I just didn’t want you to disappear and not see you again.

Really?? [ Mono perked up a bit at that… Maybe it would be good to learn to use a hammer better than he used to. He was going to talk to someone about helping him find one, if he couldn’t find one in Mr. Ignis’ stuff at the house… but having a teacher once he had one? That would be good. Mono liked the idea of learning from Illyana, after all. ] I’d like that, Illyana. Once I got the stuff for moving done, lessons would be great!

[ Because he wants to learn, and he wants to protect people. Especially friends. He wanted to be better than he was in his world… ]

I can! Where are you now? I’ll get it and bring it with me.

[ The boy, after all, was rather keen to see his friend again. He’d been really worried and afraid when she was gone. ]

Well, there're the monsters at night… And the local people started talking about a place call the Academy? I guess that’s some kinda school place. [ Which Mono wasn’t particularly interested in, after past experiences with schools. ] There’s a road that goes to it, but I guess it’s in bad shape.

Facing danger when you know there are threats for another person is the definition of brave. [ Don't argue with her. She's not in the mood for people arguing with her, especially now that it's starting to settle in that people were actually concerned for her. How strange a feeling that was. ]

Moving? [ Had he mentioned that before and she'd just forgotten? Or had she just gotten caught up in avoiding everything and not noticed? ] It would be safer for me to come to you.

[ If those things were still around it'd put him in danger to go out on his own to find her. ]

Has anyone been to the Academy? Are those green potatoes from there?

[ Mono wasn’t too sure about that, but Illyana was smarter than other adults… So maybe she was right? The boy might have felt better if he’d actually found her, though. ]

Yeah! I wanted to tell you before, but I couldn’t find you. [ Which Mono now supposed was because she’d been… gone… ] Mr. Ignis and Nida asked me to move in with them now that they got a house. They always give me food and teach me stuff so I’m gonna do it. [ Mono was still a little nervous about it, honestly… ] Then a few days later an orphanage appeared, and I think people would’ve made me move there instead of staying in the gray building.

[ Which probably would have been rather difficult, if not involving running away… The timing on the invitation was rather good, really. ]

So I wanted you to know where to find me before I moved! And Nida said it was okay if you and the imps visit, as long as they don’t steal stuff again. [ He still had to move his stuff out of the gray building, though, so he was quick to agree to her coming to get the sword. ] And you can come get it now if you want, I don’t got anything to do today.

Green potatoes? [ Mono parroted back. ] Do you mean the monsters people have been talking about? I dunno if they came from there… I don’t think anyone’s been to the academy yet either? I know a few people are gone to see if they can find it, but I guess the road’s really bad!

They couldn't have made you. [ She said it firmly, as if she'd have made certain nobody made him do anything. ] Those two had better treat you well. If not...send the imps to them. They can take their underwear. [ Truly a maniacal punishment. Though if either Nida or Ignis ever took a misstep. ]

I could have found you. [ It occured to her that sounded a bit ominous. ] What a kind invitation. [ Though she sounded a little more sarcastic than appreciative. ] I would like it back. [ Which means she will come. Not having it always makes her feel a bit...off. ]

Yes, the monsters. [ they were green and some were mildly small, kind of lumpy. Green potatoes made sense to her. ] Ah, yes, a scary road. How ominous.

[ Mono wasn’t sure if they would have had a choice. People in charge tended to get their way from what he could tell… But, then again, Illyana probably was strong enough to stop people like that. There was something truly funny, though, about imagining the imps marching out of Nida and Ignis’s house with their underwear. It made the child giggle, that odd slightly muted sound, but still amused. ] I think they’re pretty nice, so I don’t think I gotta worry… But thanks, Illyana, I’ll remember that if things happen.

You could have? Oh… Well, I guess I was worried about that for nothing. [ Mono nodded even if she couldn’t see him. ] It was something I wanted to make sure before I said yes, because you're my friend and so are the imps. It would be kinda bad if they weren’t okay with that.

Then I’ll make sure it’s ready when you come to get it. I wrapped it in a blanket so it wouldn’t be obvious if anyone was looking for something to take.

[ A responsible thing to worry about, the child thought. ]

Yeah, I dunno if anyone found anything on the road yet or not… I was kinda distracted. But all the locals are worried about if the academy is okay, so I guess it’s important to people?

[ Rather than responding on the the Network she teleported to where he was. Unlike her usual teleports there was no scent of brimstone when she appeared. She had the hood pulled up eclipsing some of her face from view. ]

Yes, I could have found you. Scrying is a simple spell that I was capable of even after my initial return from Limbo. [ Initially her magic hadn't been particularly strong outside of Limbo and she'd only been capable of the most simple kinds of spells. ]

Where is it? [ Her shoulders were slumped slightly and her voice was more timid than it had been over the device. It was surprisingly hard to keep up an act of indifference in the face of the overwhelming memories that were beginning to force their way up ]

[ Mono hadn’t really expected her to just teleport to him, though perhaps he should have… But there was something distinctly different about it. The small wasn’t there. Which struck the boy as odd, even if he wasn’t sure if that could happen or not. ]

Oh… Neat! I guess I didn’t need to worry about you finding me then. [ Not that he wouldn’t have been worried about her otherwise. Not being able to find her before was still quite alarming.

But at her words, and the very… Un-Illyana-like tone and appearance of his friend, Mono paused and stared at her rather hard for a moment. As though he were trying to see something he couldn’t quite explain… ] I kept it wrapped up and hidden where people wouldn’t see it, since I didn’t want anything happening to it. [ He started carefully, moving to the sofa and peering underneath it to pull out a large object wrapped in a bed sheet he had pulled off the bed to use for now. ] Here it is!

[ He pushed it towards his friend, still watching her rather carefully. Trying to decide if he could ask without upsetting her, or if this was like with Six and not talking was better than talking. ]

You don't need to worry about me at all. [ Strangely, her words weren't as firm as usual. It was a bit strange to have people here care about her as much as her own brother did. And the way they cared really did remind her of Piotr.

She took the sword and unwrapped it quickly. ] Thank you. You did well. [ And just like that she took it and stabbed her own chest with it, causing the sword to disappear. Her facial expression didn't change, indicating that it caused her absolutely no pain to do that. ] I'm glad it found you. Sometimes it jumps around.

I dunno if not needing to means not worrying. I kinda think that’s not something you can stop because feelings are weird, right? You worry about people that are important to you, especially when you dunno if something bad happened to them or not. [ The child responded sincerely, not really knowing how to explain it, but… Being told you didn’t need to worry didn’t really stop the worrying, and the kid was afraid of losing people. ]

You’re welcome! I’m glad I could give it back. I know it’s important and all. [ Annnnd the kid is staring as she just… stabbed herself through the chest with the sword. That didn’t seem normal at all to the boy, which was saying something, considering how weird his own experiences tended to be. If anything, it prompts Mono to ask what he’d been wanting to since he noticed the change in her usual tone and energy. ] Illyana, are you okay?

Is that how it works...? [ Mm, yes, she supposed it was how that worked. How strange. ]

It's a part of my soul. In the past it's gone to Kitty and then Kurt. [ She was a bit surprised it went to someone here. Yet at the same it wasn't that surprising that it went to him of all people.

She shifted uncomfortably and looked down. ] Yes. Why?

I think so… At least it kinda seems like it does.

[ So… It might have found him on its own? ] Really? I thought it was kinda weird when I stumbled on it; it wasn’t there before and I couldn’t find you around it.

[ Mono seemed to study her very carefully, his expression far more serious than it usually was. Which was saying something, since the boy wasn’t exactly the sort prone to smiling all the time, so serious tended to be the default. ] You just seem… Kinda like you’re not? The way you’re standing and your voice is different?

[ Fussing with a button on his trench coat, he considered her again for a moment. ] It makes me think about when bad stuff happened to me or Six. And we just pretended it didn’t but things were weird and different till we were far enough away from the bad thing that happened… So I just thought maybe that’s why you seemed kinda different.

Back home...[ she moved a hand to her heart in an awkward manner ] things were complicated. Piotr, my brother, remembered me as I was before my resurrections and his expectations for me matched that. It was the same with...most of my teammates. [ Most. Some had realized there were worrisome differences, but certain members were still as protective as ever. ] I spent a lot of time in Limbo attempting to avoid that. [ Which probably hadn't helped her to understand why they still cared so much. Or how you could tell when you cared. ] I changed my entire plan to protect them though and...the feeling was strange. [ It had been intensely confusing. She'd worked so long and so hard to lay out this perfect plan to destroy the elder gods and she'd risked it just to ensure they didn't die. ]

I have always gone to Limbo to escape bad stuff [ she repeated his own words there in a strange confirmation that he was right in his own assessment. She fell silent for a few seconds and looked down. ] But I can't get there.

I guess that makes sense if you don’t gotta worry about people expecting you to be a certain way and it gives you a chance to get further from the stuff that happened to feel better. [ The boy thought out loud, her explanation was confirmation enough that he was right about what happened and that she wasn’t really okay now… He wouldn’t have expected her to be, of course, but he asked because he wanted to help.

He couldn’t help her before the bad stuff happened, but maybe he could do something now that she was back?

At least, he was caught up in that thought before he stopped with what was clearly a surprised look on his face. Her final words connecting. ] Wait, you can’t go to limbo? Like you’re just stuck here? Or did you need your sword to go there?

[ He didn’t completely know how the sword worked. Maybe it was like a key or something, too. ]

[ She shook her head. ] No. The sword is connected to rulership and would allow someone else to enter if they could use it. [ Everyone should probably be thankful Mono hadn't accidentally ended up there. He was smarter than most who ended up with it. Smarter and less interested in power, which was a good thing. ]

I can access Limbo with my stepping discs. [ Her teleportation. If she hadn't been so bothered by what had happened to her she'd have been able to hide her emotions more. Unfortunately for her she was actually genuinely upset over the implications of that and so her voice was low. ] I was brought back wrong again.

[ Mono had not realized that about the sword in the least. People expressing their concerns for him to be careful with the blade made more sense now than they would have about him accidentally hurting himself with it! ]

I coulda ended up there by mistake? Wow… I’m glad I was careful with it. I wouldn’t wanna go there without you.

[ Not that it made his friend’s current predicament any better. ] Who brought you back? We should go see them and ask them to fix the mistake!

[ That’s how it worked… right? Whoever brought Illyana back had just made a mistake, and now they needed to fix it so she could go where she needed to so she could feel better! Dying was bad enough, and she didn’t deserve more bad stuff on top of that! ]

No, you would not. Most who do end up dead. Or worse. [ And it'd actually happened a few times, though those people hadn't gone in by her sword. ]

Athony. [ She replied hesitantly. ] He's aware of his inadequacies. He forced me to stay to recover for a few days. [ Which had annoyed her considerably. She'd wanted to return to Limbo, to run away from everything that had happened to her, but he wouldn't let her. Then when he'd finally thrown her out she'd realized she couldn't even get there. ]

He brings people back when they die here, but it seems to be a struggle for him. [ She bit down on her lip and cast her gaze down. ] Belasco brought me back wrong too.

[ Well, he was definitely glad that he hadn’t played around with the thing more. The child was well aware of how easily someone could end up dead in a place like Limbo, because the place reminded him of his own world. ]

That Aspect guy? [ Then they had to talk to him to get this all fixed! At least he thought that until Illyana continued. ] So… He already knows he didn’t do it, right? Did he even try to fix it? Is it permanent??

[ He was still very glad that Illyana had not stayed dead… But she already had been through so much bad stuff from people bringing her back ‘wrong’ as she put it! That just wasn’t fair…

The kid was grasping at straws a little, wanting to help… So he continued with an uncertain expression. ]

If someone else could use the sword to go to Limbo, even by mistake, could I get you there with it?

Audio;

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