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.

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With reports of the creatures wandering around the city, Jagger knew he shouldn't be out, but he needed answers. It had been five days since Mono had found her sword, and if he knew one thing about Illyana (more now than he'd ever anticipated) he knew she wouldn't have simply misplaced it. He'd been smart, keeping to more common areas, places he'd found her before, but had come up with nothing.

It was only when rounding a corner, making his way back toward the fountain square, to head to bed and out of danger, that he heard her voice. It was pained, small, but he followed it and caught a wisp of blond hair as she raised her hood.

"Illyana? Is that you?" It wasn't shouted, but the streets were nearly empty with the curfew in place and his voice echoed over the flagstones.

Despite the voice not belonging to one of the people from home she'd been specifically thinking about, Illyana still found a strange emotion stirring inside of her. Her voice caught in her throat as she turned around to face Jagger. The hood didn't do the the best job of hiding the fresh wet streaks that had fallen down her face and she tried to look down to hide it more.

Except she couldn't just keep looking down. She found herself walking towards him, closing the distance between them with more enthusiasm than she understood. Why did she want to see him? Was she...happy...to see him? That's what this feeling was, wasn't it? Relief and happiness. How strange. The strangeness didn't end there though. No, once the distance was closed she did the strangest thing of all: she threw her arms around him. It was brief before her mind caught up with her actions and she quickly recoiled from her own display.

"You shouldn't be out here," she said in a small voice. "Those things aren't gone. Athony was clear on that." With his stupid chastising warning about how she should be more careful. She was plenty careful. It wasn't her fault there'd been four or five of those stupid little things. Or that they'd all brought their dread crashing down on her at once. She was going to destroy them when she found them. Once everything returned to her she was going to find them.

[ 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?

He saw her text but wasn't sure how to respond. He had also once died in this weird-ass city, over a year before, and found the experience to be uncomfortable. Death and rebirth had come at a price and he doubted that Illyana was an exception to the rule.

Foolishly, Jacob decided to find Illyana. A text wasn't enough. He knew that she had a tendency to hide from these sorts of things but he'd learned that it was always better to have someone to talk to and this was a situation that Jacob could understand. He didn't want her to deal with this on her own.

It wasn't easy to track down Illyana but it helped that the city streets were pretty much empty. There was no need to linger and while Jake had two blades on either side of his hip, he wasn't intending to use them. It was always better to run away with his recent string of bad luck.

It took a few hours before Jake came across Illyana's path. She didn't look happy but the shadows could be playing tricks on him. It was difficult to see at this time of night. "Illyana?" He nearly introduced himself before deciding that it was a stupid thing to do. "Welcome back." Jake smiled. "It's good to see you." He wasn't going to ask if she was okay but he was here, that much he could offer.

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. ]

Clearly she should have waited to send the text out until she was safely hidden away somewhere. If she'd had any choice in the matter she'd have just retreated to Limbo, but evidently that choice was taken away from her. Which was...worrisome to say the least. A lot of things were worrisome right now, but Illyana was doing her best to just pretend they weren't. How exactly did people manage to do this? It was so infuriating.

"Isn't there supposed to be some sort of welcome home balloons or flowers or something?" That's how these things went, wasn't it? How disappointing that she didn't even get that. Still...it was strangely nice to hear a familiar voice and see a familiar face. Though, it was probably obvious that she was doing her best to make sure the hood of her jacket hid her tear stained face. She had a reputation to maintain and she didn't want anyone to know she'd been crying. Even if the sound of her voice revealed a few cracks.

"It's not good to see you. Haven't you heard, it's dangerous at night now." That kind of dark humor was probably safe with Jacob. Others might have found it a bit twisted of her, but she hoped he'd get it.

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?

Contact wasn't something Jagger took lightly. He rarely reached out to comfort, having so little control over his abilities it was often uncomfortable and frankly got in the way of what he was trying to accomplish. Though he and Illyana hadn't been studying long, he was starting to figure out ways to adapt her focus techniques on other aspects of his mind, though, and her lessons on creating mental barriers were also helping.

That didn't mean he'd been at all prepared for her rush him quite so quickly, or to throw her arms around him. He'd hardly had time to register what had happened before she was pulling away, but in that moment, he'd felt a rush of relief, and something else. He didn't know what he could do to possibly protect her, but for God's sake, he was going to try.

"I...well, yeah. I know I shouldn't, but I've been looking for you." He frowned, taking a step closer, re-closing that distance, because he wanted to reassure her, yes, but also to assure himself she was there. He'd actually found her, or at least he'd been in the right place when she was found. "What do you mean Athony was clear on that?"

"By yourself?" She frowned and shook her head. "Congratulations. You found me." Was it really an accomplishment though? It was more accurate to say they ran into each other by complete coincidence than he found her. At least it was nicer for her to say than her first instinct, which was just: idiot.

"He told me to be more careful this time, since those deformed monstrosities were still around." Not that she intended to follow those instructions. She hadn't realized there'd been so many around when she'd encountered the first. She also hadn't realized what they were fully capable of doing. Now though, now she'd be prepared and she'd find them.

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.

If she had waited to send the text then Jacob would have likely gone through a more trying process to find her. As awkward as it was, he considered Illyana a friend and wanted to be there for her. Even if it pissed her off.

He was good at pissing people off.

"If they had latex here I think it'd be used for more exciting things than ballons... like condoms, but I could get you a card tomorrow." He hadn't really planned to get her anything but humor was a useful defense mechanism. Sometimes it was all someone had.

Jacob's mouth twisted into a dark smirk and he shook his head. "I'm not that weak." He gestured to the blades at his side. "I am also good at running away." It didn't make him feel weak since he was so used to being around people with superpowers. Running away was a very important skill and could be difficult at times.

"What about you?" He stepped forward and slowly closed the distance between them. "Mono found your sword. Didn't know if you had returned home or had..." Jake stopped and his face paled. "Well, last time I was here and I died. Disappeared for a week. Didn't know if that happened to you."

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?

"How generous to offer after having it mentioned," she said with a strange attempt at a smile. It was the most forced thing on the planet, but at least she was trying. "Besides a balloon is more interesting than a card." She was just going to ignore his mention of other uses for latex, it was kind of awkward for her to discuss things like that. Growing up isolated from others her age will do that.

"At least you know your strengths." There was absolutely no denying that she was a bit annoyed that he was trying to claim he could defend himself out here. It was weird that she found herself caring so much about him, or anyone here for that matter. Was this what it was like to actually like to form friendships outside of the people you matched with just because of your common genetics?

"Congratulations, you solved the mystery," she said with a tone laced in sarcasm. "My sword is a part of my soul, it won't stay here if I've returned to my universe. If it went to someone here, then I'd have to be dead or captured."

[ 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!

"Yeah, by myself. There are curfews and it's best if only one person ends up paying for violating them." If there even was a punishment for violating curfew. He honestly didn't know.

"What happened?" He didn't try to keep the concern from his voice when he asked, either. She's tough. Nothing gentle happened to her.

"Punishment?" she let out a scoff as if the idea that the captain of the guard here could actually punish anyone was amusing. The guards here barely did anything, she sincerely doubted that they would actually punish anyone violating a curfew. Most cleanup seemed left to the people the dragged in here.

"I was out on the first day," before anyone really knew much about what was going on. Before people had begun coming in to describe the things that happened when you got too close to those creatures. "They attack psychically if you get too close," she tapped her head and gave a crooked smile. "It's hard to get into my head." Which, for once, had been disadvantageous to her. "I didn't notice until three more appeared from behind." All of them together? She looked down awkwardly, casting her eyes away from him in the hopes that he wouldn't notice just how much she was bothered by what had happened.

"I know their pain."

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. ]

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Return of the Queen

Wandering the Streets

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II. Wandering the streets

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