From the Otherworld, With Love - Post-SMV, Chap. 9

Maeve stared at he hands during the entire car ride, but once they were back in Ayleth’s apartment, she mutely began to clean the place up.

After dropping all the feathers she could find in the trash can, she finally looked up at Ayleth.

“... Do yeh want me to call me friend over ta heal yeh both? Lex knows her, she's human.” She murmured, unable to look Ayleth in the eyes.

“Is that...Siobhán?” Ayleth tried to remember the names that Alexis had told her. “Siobhán” sounded right. “Too bad Christine isn’t here, she’s the closest thing our team has to a healer.”

“That's right.” Maeve looked at Alexis as he approached, debating for a moment. Then she quickly jotted down a phone number on a napkin and slid it to Ayleth. “Say I asked yeh ta call if this takes a minute, and tell her yeh're a senshi. That'll make her get her arse over here.”

Alexis emerged from the bathroom. He looked exhausted, hair more disheveled than usual, gray circles hanging under his eyes. He sat down on the couch, sinking his weight into the blue-gray cushions. “Maeve, mind if we have a talk?”

She dug into her belt purse as she hesitantly walked over to Alexis, pulling out the two wrapped parcels she'd brought with her from the Otherworld, along with the small keg.

“First, peace offerings.” She couldn't look at him. “Best beer I could get from Ériu’s court.” She motioned to the keg. “Extra stout, just fer yeh.”

The more tightly wrapped of the presents held a heavy-bound leather book, at least a century old. Gold leaf adorned the outer edges of the pages, their contents hand-written and illuminated. The title page read, in curling script, Le Morte d’Arthur. A first edition.

Alexis smiled when Maeve brought out the keg, but his eyes widened when she revealed the book. “No freakin’ way!” He almost opened the decorated cover, but thought better of it. Instead, he wrapped a hand underneath his shirt to somewhat awkwardly inspect it closer. “No curator gloves on me,” he said, by way of explanation. “This is…” The large man cleared his throat. “Well, when I have more energy, I’ll be able to fangirl properly. For now, let me say this is easily the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

Maeve smiled, settling down on the floor opposite the couch. “Heh, yeh can flip through it all yeh like. Gran put a bunch o’ protection spells on it, so yeh could toss it in a fockin’ volcano an’ it'd come out like it was just bound. I don't like things that look awesome but yeh cannae play with them.” She finally looked up at him. “I'm really glad yeh like it though. When I found it, I knew I had ta give it ta yeh.”

The looser parcel contained a set of poi with dark metal chains pressed with elegant designs and runes, matching threads wrapping through the balls that had a faint shimmering light to them. Maeve instinctively flinched back when the canvas fell away from the weapons.

“The chains an’ thread are…are Cold Iron.” She swallowed hard, hugging herself. “Just the slightest brush from those’ll leave a burn that can never heal properly unless treated within five minutes by a very powerful healer. A proper attack that cuts the skin is an almost guaranteed death sentence fer a Fae o’ any kind, except fer a demon or a deity.”

Alexis only stared at the unwrapped poi for a second, then covered it with the canvas again and put it on the coffee table. “So: keep out of reach of Maeves. Got it.”

He let out a soft sigh. “You know I’m always gonna worry about you, right?”

Maeve’s smile faded  “... I know, an’ now yeh have more reason to. I'm really sorry Lex, about everything. I…” She wrapped her arms around her knees, pulling them to her chest. “I'm so sorry.”

Alexis shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. Al doesn’t seem any worse for the wear, and it’s probably safe to assume that she came back without an ‘extra passenger’, so to speak.” He gently set the book down, and folded his hands together. “You were never my enemy. Not really. Even during the worst times...that wasn’t ‘you’.

“I can’t forgive Morrigan and Aine because I can’t forget what they did, and it’ll take a helluva a lot of convincing to make me think otherwise. But when I say I worry about you...I don’t mean that I’m afraid you’re going to hurt me again. I’m worried that you’re going to end up hurting yourself.”

“Bit late fer that.” Maeve gestured to the scars dotting her body. She wanted to just brush it off, make a joke of it, but…

“Lex, a lot’s happened since I last saw yeh. I had ta fight through two wars, one against Brigid, one against other Seelie an’ Unseelie. I… I had ta do things I regret, cos it were the only way ta keep me friends an’ family safe. An’ even then,” her shoulders began to shake, “it weren't enough. I lost friends, saw me brother die right in front’a me, with his last words bein’ that he hated me.”

The tears started to fall. “So I promised meself that I wasn't goin’ ta see anyone else die, even if it were at the cost’a me own safety an’ sanity. I chose ta remain an Unseelie fer a reason, even though it went against wot I believed in. I let meself go Dark ta keep everyone safe.”

She shook her head, unable to look him in the eyes. “When I thought yeh or Ayleth might get killed, I…I let that side’a me rule me. Yeh have every right ta fear me now.”

Alexis’s mouth twitched while Maeve spoke. He took a quick glance at the kitchen, to see Ayleth on the phone. Good; she wasn’t listening in.

“I haven’t been through what you have, so I hope you don’t hate me if I say I know what it’s like. Because I’ve lost…” He chewed his lip for a second. Another glance at the kitchen. “Someone really important to me. And I couldn’t handle it. I was basically…” He took a deep breath, and then another. Trying to gather courage. “...suicidal.”

Maeve’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. Her hand flew to her mouth.

He’d never said that out loud to anyone before. Just hearing himself say it was chilling. “Not a lot of people know. Just Teruko, and one of my buddies back home. So when things were bad...really bad in the Village, I was scared. That I would lose Teruko, or you, and then…” His hands were trembling as he spoke. “I’d stop giving a shit about myself and drink myself into a coma or just...keep picking harder and harder battles until one finally did the job for me.” There was a slight tremor in his voice.

“So...yeah. Al’s better at this feeling crap than I am, but I want to let you know, I get where you’re coming from.

“And you might’ve saved her life today. Don’t forget that.”

“Oh gods, Lex.” She rushed to the couch and hugged him, feeling him trembling. “I'm so sorry! I… Thank yeh fer telling me.”

Now she really felt bad. No wonder he had been so worried.

Alexis returned the hug. “So I’ve been there. And I can’t see you go down that road too. And if it ever happens again…” He released her, making sure to look into Maeve’s eyes. “Promise me you’ll give me a call, or something. I’ll try to talk you down if I can, but don’t let it fester.

“If you can do that, then I guess I can forgive you for kidnapping Ayleth.” He tried to end on a light note, but it was difficult.

Maeve nodded, managing a trembling smile. “Okay. I promise.” She swiped at her eyes and settled a bit further back on the couch. “Hey, I wouldn’a kidnapped her if yeh hadn’t been racist, so that’s all on yeh mate.” She gave him a slight grin. “But all things considered, I guess I’ll forgive yeh fer that.”

“Siobhán says she’s on her way,” Ayleth came out of the kitchen, hitting the “end” button on her phone. She took in the scene around her: Alexis and Maeve sitting so close, his serious expression, her puffy eyes. “Everything...okay?” She ventured.

Maeve jumped at the sound of Ayleth’s voice, smacking her shin on the coffee table. “Ow-- er, yeah. We’re good. Jus’ needed a bit o’a talk. Yeh hangin’ in there?”

Alexis nodded. “I accept and acknowledge that I’m a racist bastard, and that I’ll probably have to listen to Al gush about the Otherworld forever is suitable punishment.”

Ayleth scoffed. “I don’t ‘gush’.”

“And I’m the Queen of France,” Alexis retorted, but without any real heat. “See?” He gestured to Ayleth. “The annoying little sister I never had.”

“You know...the second Soldier Orcus and Sailor Makemake--” She started, with an almost cat-like grin.

“--Don’t say it--”

“Were lovers.” She waggled her eyebrows at Maeve. Alexis made a face, accompanied by a gagging sound.

“Aside from that historical footnote…” The redhead went on.

“Unfortunate historical footnote,” Alexis chimed in.

Ayleth ignored him, and pressed a hand to her side. She flopped on the couch, next to Maeve. “I’m doing...okay. My whole right side hurts.” She frowned. “I hope nothing’s broken.”

“I thought that was my role?” Maeve laughed, then gained an equally feline grin at the new information from Ayleth. “Oh really?” She outright cackled. “Do yeh both want me ta give yeh some aloooooone time then? Or was he so bad that it made Makemake go ‘nope, next time girls are the way ta go’?”

A knock on the door interrupted her laughter.

“I’ll get it, yeh stay here an’ try not ta move.” She gently squeezed both Alexis’ and Ayleth’s shoulders, then pushed herself toward the door and opened it for Siobhán.

The English girl-- no, woman-- didn’t look much different than before, just older and somehow more proper. Her black curly hair was pulled up in a perfect bun, a pair of glasses framing her green eyes. Once Maeve shut the door and they exchanged greetings, Siobhán took one look at the duo on the couch and transformed.

Unlike Maeve, her uniform hadn’t changed entirely; instead, the royal blue overdress had gained a few tiers and white accents, the purple underdress matching it with bits of lace poking out from under each layer of fabric. Her detached sleeves and collar were edged with bright blue flames that gave off a soothing, cool glow. Her circlet had disappeared in favor of a simple net of sapphires and aquamarines, ending in a silver-edged piece of amethyst in the center of her brow.

“Sailor Imbolc, terribly terribly at yer service, mates.” Maeve grinned, earning a slight buffet from her teammate.

“I wish our meeting again was only better terms, Alexis.” She smiled faintly and approached the two. “Whose injuries are the worst?”

“Heh. Yeah, we’ve really gotta stop meeting like this.” He gave her a wry half-smile. “Good to see you’re doing well.”

“I think Ayleth’s. Her side’s the worst I think?” Maeve frowned. Imbolc nodded, kneeling next to the redhead. Her hands became coated in the blue flames from her sleeves, the air around them surprisingly cold.

Ayleth nodded towards Imbolc, the woman she’d only heard about before. “Thank you for coming. I’m sorry to have to pull you away.”
“Will you lift your shirt so I can more easily work, please?”

When Ayleth started to lift her shirt, Alexis jumped from the couch. “Aaaaand that’s my cue to check on the tea.”

Maeve just rolled her eyes. “Boys.”

“It’s quite alright. I’d rather be called upon for something minor, than not and only later find out I could have done something to help.” Imbolc gave Ayleth a reassuring smile, then started probing her side. “Cracked ribs, possibly a clean break here… That Changeling certainly did a number on you, but it’s not beyond my abilities. Please try to hold still.” A soothing cold energy filtered under Ayleth’s skin, numbing her side as Imbolc worked on healing her. Maeve started leaning in closer to watch.

Ayleth winced, but was able to relax as Imbolc began healing her. She let out a soft sigh of relief as her pain disappeared.

“Maeve, if you don’t stop crowding me, I’m going to hit you with a tap shoe," Siobhán warned.

“Aaaaand two minutes before the first threat. That’s a new record, limey!” The Fae woman danced away as Imbolc glared at her, instead going to help Alexis with the tea.

“Honestly.” She sighed and went back to focusing on the healing. “You’ll still be stiff for a couple of days, no more than three. I still need to let your body fully heal at its own pace, otherwise you’ll begin to become resistant to healings.” She started working on the lesser injuries. “Before I left, I’d heard rumors of a rather nasty creature making its way to your side of the pond. Do you believe that was the Changeling you killed?”

She started, and unconsciously pressed her hands to her ribs again. She thinned her lips, thinking. “I hope so. Seeing a General is rare, but the Changeling was one of the Bone Children, no question about it. If that’s what you’ve heard, we should be safe.”

“I… see. I’ll inquire further about the rumor when I return home and let you know what I discover, then.” Imbolc shook her head, glancing over her shoulder at the kitchen, where Maeve was insistent in showing Alexis how to pour tea the “real” way. She smiled to herself, chuckling. “You’d think those two were long lost siblings or something.”

She settled back, the majority of the healing completed. “How do you feel? Did I miss anything?”

Ayleth returned the smile. “Hopefully he won’t put salt in my tea again.” She gently pressed her hand to her side again, and gratefully shook her head. “I don’t think so. But if you don’t mind, I think Lex should probably be looked at, too. He’s never been forthcoming when he needs help.”

She tugged her shirt down again. “If I’m not prying, how did you and Maeve meet? You seem so different.”

“That much I know.” Imbolc sighed and pressed her palm to her forehead. “Sad to say I seem to attract the stubborn type.” She stood and turned to the kitchen. “Alexis, your turn to be healed. And you have lost all right to refuse, as per your leader.”

Waiting for him to come over, she settled on the arm of the couch, hands resting in her lap. “She was my neighbor when my mother and I first moved to Galway. It was… interesting, to say the least.” She chuckled. “She was the only other child in the neighborhood about my age, and we ended up going to the same school together, so we didn’t really have much of a choice but to talk.”

“Oi! Yeh make it sound loike yeh were forced inta it!” Maeve called from the kitchen.

“Wasn’t I?”

“OI!”

Imbolc grinned despite herself. “I just couldn’t seem to escape her. And, well I’m sure Alexis explained everything about Ériu’s starseed?”

Ayleth nodded. “As much as he could. When you’re away from home for more than a year, there’s a lot of ground to cover.”

“Refusal of treatment’s in the Constitution,” Alexis grumbled, returning to the living room with a tray of tea that had been poured just to Maeve’s specifications.

Ayleth got up, still a bit stiff, to take the tray from him and set it on the coffee table, which was rapidly filling up. “I can guarantee it’s not in the Constitution.”

“It’s a good thing I’m not constrained by your Constitution then, now isn’t it?” Imbolc winked at him, giving Ayleth a nod of thanks.

“I’m fine. Really--”

“Alexis.” Ayleth’s tone was sharp, scolding.

He pouted, resembling a reprimanded child more than a magical warrior. “Shield your eyes kids, I’m about to disrobe.”

Removing his t-shirt revealed the injuries he’d tried to take care of himself. There was a burn mark on his left shoulder, a souvenir from the Changeling’s surprise attack. He’d wrapped scratches on his back in gauze, though they’d already scabbed over. They ran down from his shoulder blades, long, but not deep cuts.

“I’m glad to see that some things simply don’t change.” The British woman worked on healing his injuries, tsking to herself. “I’m surprised your stubbornness hasn’t gotten you maimed beyond repair yet, and that’s at the best.”

“‘Chicks dig scars’,” Ayleth rambled off his usual excuse before Alexis had a chance to, and rolled her eyes. “I think Teruko would like it better if you came home in one piece for a change.”

Maeve took her tea cup, blowing on it before taking a sip. “Mm. Heh good job Lex, yeh got it right after all!”

“As I was saying before, though, it turns out that the main reason we became as close as we did was because we fostered a half of that starseed each. Had that not been the case, I believe we would not have spoken more than a few words to each other.” She shrugged. “But, as it stands, I fear I’m stuck with her.”

“Well someone had ta get yeh ta lose that giant stick up yer arse, now didn’t they?” Maeve stuck her tongue out at Imbolc, who grinned back.

“And someone had to keep you from constantly getting in trouble, or from repeating year three.”

“That were one time!”

Imbolc laughed, about halfway through healing the worst of the cuts. “Either way, it certainly keeps things interesting.”

Watching Maeve and Imbolc returned the smile to Ayleth’s face. “I guess opposites attract, though. For better or worse.”

“Yeah.” Alexis tried to stand still, his back to Imbolc. “Siobhán is put together and elegant. Nothing like Maeve.”

Maeve grinned at Ayleth, perching on the opposite arm of the couch. “Hey, he’s right there.”

Imbolc rolled her eyes. “I’d rather I not have to heal you every time you get the itching for adventure either, potato eater.”

“No one said yeh had ta.”

“Ériu’s medical staff is sick and tired of patching you up too.”

“Aw…” Maeve rolled her eyes, taking another sip of her tea. “Eh, prim an’ proper’s fockin’ boring. Plus it’s a pain in the arse ta fight in a dress. Or heels.”

“Or both.” Imbolc conceded, settling back. “There, that should be everything. Sadly I have no salve for your pride.” She stretched, yawning. “Is there any chance I might get--” Maeve handed her a mug. “Ah, brilliant. Thank you.”

“One thing to be thankful for when it comes to my fuku.” Ayleth nodded, and fiddled with her henshin necklace. “No mini-skirts.”

“Did yeh have a show tonight?” Maeve asked Imbolc.

“Yes, not the best crowd though, unfortunately.” She sighed and shook her head. “I told Sergei that putting on Gisele right when Hamilton was starting its run would be a terrible idea, but he didn’t think ‘my people’ would be too interested in a musical about American history. Hopefully the ticket sales will make him listen to me next time.”

Ayleth’s eyes lit up. “You’re dancing? Professionally? I...I actually wanted to be a theatre major. But my mom wouldn’t go for it, so I had to switch it to my minor.” She blushed slightly.

“I am, yes.” She let her transformation drop, leaving her in her simple leggings and peacoat again. “It’s okay, I… I very much know the feeling. My parents wanted me to be a professor, like them.”

“So she took a page from me book and told them ta get stuffed, an’ now she’s a Prima Ballerina fer the Royal Ballet!” Maeve grinned.

Siobhán blushed brightly, but nodded, a proud smile flickering across her face for a moment. “It’s not quite as grand as that. But don’t give up on your dreams, Ayleth. You may well find another way to accomplish them if you keep at it. But thank you for your hospitality, I appreciate it. I just hope I won’t be too much in the way?”

“Imbolc, if you’re tired, why don’t you spend the night here?” She looked around her crowded living room. “I’m sure we can find room for you.”

“Yeh can always bunk with me!” Maeve offered

“Anything but that!” The two women looked at each other and started laughing.