2024-12-02: .and i will make my reparationS
- Log: .and i will make my reparationS
- Cast: Yuliana Kafim, Rena Lancaster
- Where: The Silent Castle, Kaffeklubben Island
- Date: 2024-12-02
- Summary: Rena comes to visit the Silent Castle, only to meet a very big cat. Yuliana actually makes an attempt at an apology -- and explains the situation. Rena, of course, will help them save the world.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Today, the Silent Castle will be receiving a very special guest.
It is -35 degrees Celsius out here, and black as sin; the sun set long ago, in the Arctic Circle, and it will not rise for months. The Silent Castle is illuminated by its green pylons, casting the island in strange emerald glow. A pier outside hosts the Salamis Kyo, with its horrible tentacles across the battleship's length; there is a large gate, for mechs, and a smaller door for humans.
Inside the bailey, there's a green goat standing on the inner wall, licking salt off the stone. There are also several horrible green geese, which honk and advance on Rena before a servant quickly ushers her inside. They're armed with a broom to push the geese away. When they flap their horrible wings, there are still TENTACLES UNDER THERE. WHY DO THE GEESE HAVE TENTACLES.
The Central Keep has that ostentatious great oil painting of Yuliana and Elisa displayed front and centre, in full Calling regalia, the staircases arching upwards to either side of it. Sculptures displayed here show off draconic designs, and wall hangings decorate the stone walls.
There's also a god damn tiger. A tiger is padding down the stone stairs as if he owns the place. A green god damn tiger, who approaches at an ambling pace, ears perked up, making these awful little 'chuff chuff' noises which must surely mean she's about to be EATEN --
"Sokrova! Naughty boy, don't run ahead!" And there's Yuliana, hurrying down the steps behind him, one of her tentacles holding up the hem of her heavy black robes so she can get down there double-time. A black bearskin cloak trails after her, the skin exposed in places with stitching to give the impression of a dragon's wings. "Ahh, Reka!" She smiles, as she comes to the foot of the stairs. "Please, do not mind Sokrovishche. He is very tame! He just loves visitors, don't you, boy?"
Sokrova chuffs, again, trying to shove his head into Rena's hand.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
Rena has never been to the Silent Castle before. Truth be told, she isn't sure she wants to. The cold is biting; the lack of sunlight is depressing. (She may be from the Colonies, but she's had over a year of living in Orb to learn to love the sun.)
And the wildlife is something out of this world. She gives the geese a glower, before she gets hurried into the keep.
She remembers them. It is not fondly.
There is a glance at the painting -- a somewhat confused, disbelieving stare at it -- before she notices the tiger. The... green tiger.
"Wh--" She draws back for a moment. Sokrova shoves his way in -- and she hesitates, before petting. "I... I didn't expect a tiger." She looks down at Sokrova. "Uh... good boy?"
Then she looks up at Yuliana. There's a smile -- a bit of a hesitant one, given everything. Rena, for her part, is in a Terminal winter uniform, with one of their down-filled arctic coats. "Hi. Nice... painting?"
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
The green tiger, apparently, loves being pet. He chuffs, again, wagging his tail and rubbing his head against her hand. He's... probably not a man-eater?
"That's our Sokrova," Yuliana smiles, stepping up. She's folded her frills politely behind her ears, so as to not make things quite as miserable for Rena, though the Silent Castle is indeed still quite silent. "He's our precious baby boy! Of course, he's an inside cat. He gets along terribly with the geese."
She looks up to the painting, and her own smile is warmer. "Thank you," she says, because she's trying to say it that way more often. "We had it commissioned a long time ago... they captured my wife very well." She is imperious and stately, and her control of the situation is conveyed even in the way her hand holds Yuliana's.
"The trip was not too hard on you, I hope?" She asks, turning back to Rena. "It can get quite chilly, up here." At least it's more light in here -- though the chandeliers above are supplemented by actual gas lamps on the walls.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
Rena still gives Sokrova a look, but he is -- ultimately -- a green tiger. It is hard to be completely at ease around a large, predatory cat, perhaps. She looks up at Yuliana.
"Ah," she says. "I remember those geese. I see why he doesn't get along with them."
There is a glance at the painting again -- then she nods. "They did a good job," she says, of the artist. Then, there's a nod. "I did. The shuttle flight wasn't so bad. We did a sub-orbital route," she says. "And I didn't have to be outside for... too long, which is good in this weather."
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
"It got cold in Winter Wonderland, but... not like this," Rena says, with a slight shiver.
She falls in behind Yuliana. She has a look around as she walks -- it's worth taking in all of the Castle. She hasn't been here before; it's also quite unusual compared to other places it has been.
She looks over the sitting room, marvels for a moment that someone has a house with a call bell, and then she has a seat of one of the couches. "That sounds lovely," she says. "Thank you."
She looks up, then; her eyes widen a bit at the topic. But, then Rena nods. "I... have. A previous universe," she says. "It's... still a little hard to believe. But, it's quite right, too. You--ah. What do you think of it?"
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
There's notably very little electronic, throughout the Castle. It was built within the last ten years, and yet there hasn't been a single wall socket anywhere Rena can see. (Though they do have them. In some specific rooms.) The call bells, at least, are probably electric, if only because she pushes a button. The lights are gas-powered, though, and the heating is evidently low-tech too, judging by the merrily crackling fire.
Sokrova, of course, hops up on the couch beside Rena to keep bothering her. He puts his front paws on her leg, and they are so heavy. How do they cope with this cat sleeping on them at night.
"A previous time, more like, I suppose," Yuliana sighs, shaking her head. "It was... very shocking. I was confronted with this woman who wore my face, but treated her wife terribly... and the people who trusted her, too. But... I also understood how she would. I understood the logic. I realised that I was a better person than that woman ever was. And, I suppose, I --"
She balls her hands in her robes in her lap, taking a breath and looking to Rena. "I will say I am sorry," she says, stiffer, "for even that better version of me was awful, to you. I was someone who could enjoy your pain as a salve to soothe mine, when I didn't even realise who I ought to be angry towards. I treated you unkindly, I messed with your head... I thought I was entitled to these things. But that entitlement, I saw that woman the first time around demanding so much of her Elisa, of everyone, and I -- I hated her! What a wretched woman! Even though, I... I wasn't entirely different... and I was just becoming more and more like her, just as the Empress wished." Apparently, looking into a mirror is terrible.
She looks down, at her hands, all tightened up. "You don't have to forgive me," she says. "But we will kill the Empress, before She can take revenge on this world and turn time back again. I'm asking for your help, Reka. Because Elya and I -- we must go through the Void. We have to stay there, to make sure She doesn't rise from Her ashes. And if the Gate is not closed... mm, you saw."
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
The lack of electronics stood out to Rena. But, Rena is something of a technophile; she keeps a lot of various computing and personal devices. She looks at Sokrova, with some surprise at just how heavy his paws are. Not like a regular cat.
In several ways!
"A previous time," Rena agrees. She frowns for a moment -- and then she nods. It is a relief -- and she'd been emotionally preparing herself for the reverse -- to hear Yuliana reject that person.
An apology, though, isn't what she expected. Rena blinks; then, she looks down for a moment. She exhales.
"Thanks," she says. "It... means a lot to hear you say it." There isn't quite a statement that she forgives her, though, but she doesn't say that she doesn't.
Her brown eyes blink, though, and she looks back up. "You're... going into the Void?" she asks. "And--" Her eyes widen more. Realization sets in. "You... wouldn't be able to return. If we close the Gate, behind you."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Yuliana just has to walk further to find a place to charge her tablet. The electricity they do have might be powered by blood magic, since they're definitely off the grid out here, but don't worry about that.
Sokrova is a totally normal housecat in one way, at least: he keeps annoying Rena to pet him. One of those big paws lifts up, to bat at her arm. Bat, bat.
It's... well, Yuliana can't really lie to herself and say it's fine that Rena doesn't say she forgives her, but with some difficulty, she accepts it. Just like she had to accept how Leina might not forgive her, she gives that space to Rena, instead of insisting on an answer for her own comfort.
(She is making an effort.)
"I know," she nods, looking up to Rena again. "I am the wound between worlds which allows the Void to seep in so freely. When I am gone, the veil can be made strong, again. And this is as it should be. That place should not intrude on this place... it is not a realm comfortable to men. I will go, and I will be gone."
She holds up a hand, palm-up. "But I will not die, Reka. And I will not suffer a fate worse than death. The Empress's grief created the world around Her, but the way She broke Herself upon the world is not some inherent quality of the Void. The Void, itself, is neither good nor evil -- only a mechanism created for some forgotten purpose, within a realm where men should not tread. But the Orchid Cells inside me bond me to that place... and through marriage, Elya is connected to it, as well. We will not suffer, though we shall surely change. But... I will make sure we retain more human avatars, it the event the Void is breached again, so that we do not drive the explorers mad to behold us." She pauses, tilting her head. "I am told that this may help us retain an appreciation for mortal perspectives," she adds.
Because she wouldn't be mortal, any more, after enough time in the Void. They will be as Gods.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
Rena sighs, and relents. Sokrova starts to get pets -- and really, it is novel and she rather enjoys it.
There is a little flicker of guilt, though. Like she should just say she forgives her. But, she isn't sure it's true. So she quiets, instead.
"I... I see," she says. "That's--that makes sense. It's not something good or evil, but it is a place of power. And it would change you. Well... try to hold onto some of your humanity. It probably makes you a better immortal."
She smiles a little. "And that way, if we do meet again, it'll be a proper reunion," she says.
Then, Rena nods, and her expression is more serious. "I'll help, of course," she says. "I can help close the Gate from this side."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Sokrova perks up immediately with the attention. "Leyasha's agreed to take him, when we go," Yuliana shares, seeing him hog the spotlight. "Since he was only changed a little, after all."
Yuliana has to laugh, when Rena points out that humanity will make her a better immortal. "Perhaps so!" She exclaims, smiling. "And that is true. Though... it is better if we do not. Reality should heal. Surely you would be able to reach through the worlds, the way you are now... but I ask that you do not." She pauses. "Though of course, it's up to your discretion... I am not so oracular that I can forsee every challenge the Earth Sphere will face. If you have true need of us, call."
It would have to be a pretty desperate situation for Yuliana and Elisa to make it better, though.
She nods, in turn. "Thank you. We'll be relying on you -- and Sharochka will be able to aid you, as well. And I will do what I can, from the other side. But it will take us some time, to make ready, and create the weapons we will need to kill a God. So..."
Yuliana pauses, here, as Mei comes back in -- her maids' uniform is also made out of fur, because it's really cold out here, it would be employer mistreatment to stick them in cotton -- with a plate of tea and biscuits. "Thanks," she smiles, to her. "That should be all we need right now." And she pours herself a cup, with her tentacles, because if you have a pair of snakes coming out of your back why wouldn't you use them to avoid having to lean forward too far to get a cup of tea. One of them pulls the cup back to her hands, plus three cubes of sugar, and she transfers it to her actual hands to finish stirring.
"Ah -- as I was saying," she says, with a hint of apology. "It will take some time to make ready. If there is anything you may need from me, between now and then... I encourage you to ask it of me. I know I won't make up for the things I have done, but... even so, I will do what I can."
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
"Oh--oh, good," Rena says, patting Sokrova again. "I'm glad. I was worried, a little."
She is reasonably certain she cannot take a tiger, after all.
She is quiet for a moment, then -- and Rena nods. She smiles a little. "I'll keep the house calls to a minimum, then. But... I understand. Best to not risk doing damage to the world."
Unless the situation is dire.
She listens as Yuliana explains. She isn't taking notes visibly, but the way her eyes move -- the focused expression -- gives away that Rena is absolutely taking mental notes on what is necessary.
Though her eyes do flicker to the tentacles, with surprise. Then, she reaches over, and takes her cup of tea. She puts a little in hers. "I understand," she says. "Well... when you're ready, I'll be there."
Then, she looks up. "I'm... not quite sure how to prepare. If I need something, though, I'll reach out. I'll try to... practice with the Voidframe. Carefully, of course. I don't want Her eyes on me."
She smiles a little. "I appreciate the offer. I'm afraid I just don't quite know what I might need."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Leina's totally rich enough to have an exotic pet like a tiger, don't worry about it. "I worried for him, as well," Yuliana says. "I was not sure I should bring him, but I wouldn't like for him to face the cruelties of this world. He's such a good boy." Sokrova demonstrates this by thonking his head down on Rena's lap. He's so heavy but he's so comfortable.
"Yes," she agrees. Yuliana is, at least, worried about doing damage to the world. That's... a low bar to clear, but no one would blame anyone for being worried if she'd clear it. And yet she did! Look at her go!
Yuliana Kafim: Officially Not The Worst Yuliana To Ever Exist.
"I am glad," Yuliana smiles, when Rena assures her she'll be there. And -- "I would not worry too much, at least, about attracting Her attention right now. She is driven to blind fury, screaming so loudly I can even hear Her, when I listen closely, through the dulling effects of the Liminal Lattice. I believe She is so consumed by Her rage that we may commit many minor transgressions, without them registering in Her mind. She thinks only of Her revenge, now that I have rejected 'myself'. She wanted me to be that woman... I suppose She saw no difference, between her and I." Yuliana sighs, shaking her head. "But I am not her, and she is not me. And I do not want to be her. So..."
She looks down at her tea, and takes another sip, before she looks to Rena again. "If you think of what you would like, you need but ask."
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
"Leina'll take very good care of him," Rena says, as she pats Sokrova's head. He is a good boy, after all. She cracks a smile a little -- then she looks up at Yuliana. "And she could use the company, too."
It is, perhaps, a bit of a change for Yuliana to care for the state of the world. But... it's also a change that has been developing for a time.
Her eyes widen, though, when she hears of the Empress's rage. She nods. "That's... admittedly something to worry about, but I'll take the opportunities it affords us."
She takes a sip of her tea -- then she looks up, and smiles. "I will." She hesitates for a moment. "And... thank you, for the invitation. I'm sorry about the circumstances, but... I'm glad, after everything, that we can have a cup of tea together."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
"I thought so, too," Yuliana says, her smile growing a touch sad. "She is taking my exit quite hard... look out for her, won't you?"
(Well, if she couldn't tell people what was happening with her the first time, at least she can say it now.)
Yuliana stirs her tea, again -- unnecessarily, everything's quite stirred, but it's something to do with her hands -- as her tentacles take gesturing point instead, their crests lifting and falling demonstratively. (Demonstratively of what is an open question.) "I worry that She will tear through the veil Herself, soon. But all I can do is keep watch on Her, right now. Haa, it's personally frightening as well, of course... She screams that She will 'fix' me, and I'm sure that if She can't, She'll just -- try again. But all these things come back to me," she adds, her shoulders falling. "Elya would not have been changed if the Empress were not obsessed with me. And the Empress would not have existed had the woman with my face not hurt Her so. I have a responsibility... is how I think."
She takes another sip of tea, though, shutting her eyes for a moment as she focuses on the taste of the liquid. That whole 'mindfulness' business. You know. "I am glad you took it," she says, after a moment, looking to Rena again. "I was not sure if you would come. I suppose I could not blame you if -- no, I mean, just, I couldn't blame you if you didn't." She should really stop equivocating every time she talks about hurting other people. It's a work in progress. She smiles, as she adds: "But I'm glad of it, as well. Would you like to meet the children, later? Our mothers will take them to Magallanica, when all is done. Admiral Orlodhari's offered to take in those associated with us, given the danger they'd be in."
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
Rena nods. "I will," she says. "She won't be alone. I'd already lost her once, on Axis, so... don't worry about her. Or, at least, try not to."
Easier said than done, Rena supposes.
She smiles -- until there's the question of what the Empress might try. Rena shakes her head, firmly, then. "We're not letting Her try to 'fix' you, Yuliana," she says. "You -- and Elisa -- deserve better than that. So... we'll stand by you."
She falls quiet for a moment, though. She did wonder if she should come; she doesn't volunteer that. It wouldn't cause anything but harm to say the hurtful road not taken.
"I'm glad I did, too," she says. There is a moment's pause, then a nod. "Of course! I'll keep an eye out for them, too. I'm on Magallanica often enough. Annie, too."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
"That's good," Yuliana says, and it is a relief. "You have not hurt her as I have. I am sure you will support her well."
It's a relief, as well, to hear Rena insist she'll stand by her. "Oh," she says, her expression softening. "You really mean that, don't you..? ... thank you. We'll rely on you, too." Well, Yuliana might rely on Rena more than Elisa does, but it's hard to blame Yuliana's wife for having more trouble connecting to these normal human behaviours. Yuliana includes her, anyway.
"Ah -- that's good," Yuliana smiles, and she can guess that Rena might not have said yes, but it's a relief not to hear it anyway. "Young Makar loves machines, so perhaps your Anita will connect well with him. Just... do not encourage him into the cockpit," she adds, her lashes veiling over her eyes with concern. "I don't want that life for the children."
Yuliana has been a horrible person, sometimes, but she's always cared about the boys under her care. Just because she fights, that hardly means she wants a child to think of that life.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
"I'll do my best," Rena says sincerely. She worries about it -- but she worries about a lot of things.
She nods, then; she does mean it. Rena has always been the sort of person to do that. Sometimes against her better judgment. But, in this case... it seems like it would be her better judgment to do so.
"Mm," she murmurs. "I do."
Then, she's quiet a moment -- but there's a serious nod. "I won't," she says. "I don't want to see kids end up in the cockpit. I'd like them to get better than we did."
At least, she thinks, until they're old enough to accept such a burden knowingly.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Kafim has posed.
Rena always does her best! Yuliana... is taking a shot at it. As opposed to taking a shot at Rena, which she's done many times before. Doing something new is hard, but it can be worth it. And that goes for actually trusting people who says they'll be there for you, too.
She smiles, in relief, when Rena echoes her sentiments about the children. "They shouldn't have to go through the things we did," she agrees. "When we're finished here, shall we go see them? They'll go to lunch from their classes, soon... my mother is facilitating their education with the other children, now. Though of course they have teachers by distance, too."
There's a whole community here in the Castle. Which, apparently, will soon be Magallanica's community. Thanks, Eight!
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.
Rena takes another sip of her tea. She does seem to be working to get better -- and Rena is glad for that. A small upside, perhaps, to such a terrible threat. But... she has learned to appreciate those.
"Sure," Rena says. "I'd like to meet them. Education's important--and, thankfully, Magallanica is a good place for that, too."
She nods, then puts down her emptied teacup. "We'll do our best for them, when they're up there."
They are a nation of refugees, after all.