Come As You Are
Knocking greeted Kara's ears, repetition non-existent giving off whom was at her door in seconds. It took her by surprise, fully expecting to hear Hanzo's voice in her head, perhaps an apology for dropping her crystal. Zero harm was actually meant or achieved, this she knew.
Still. The fact he came there, to her house meant he had listened to her.
Looking in the mirror by her front door, she huffed. Potting about the space in sweat pants and baggy blue t-shirt, slob, idly forgetting to brush her hair, liking the way it curled after being plaited, soon deeming her looks not significant enough for her to give a hoot.
Opening the door, she held up his gem, studying it in the light.
"Could have used the stone, but you chose to come here. Something tells me you don't want me to just run my mouth." She moved out of his way. "Please, come in. Tea? I'm having peppermint. Soothes me."
"Soothes? My presence worries you so"?
Kara, without any shame looked him up and down, shrugging afterwards.
"Says the man in his robes, also armed. Do I worry you so? I won't attack you. Would have done it by now. Tch. It was either tea or a bath, and...yeah, I'm not chatting with you whilst bathing."
That wasn't the response the man had expected.
He had yet to get used to her humour, her 'chutzpah.'
"You okay with cats? I vacuum every chance I get, though fur manages to find its way into the strangest of places..."
Hanzo grew up around felines, wild and tame. He found them endearing, if not audacious, bold.
A little like...
Trailing off after receiving silence for answer, Kara headed to the back door of her house, calling her cat's name.
"Shuĭ"?
"Water"? Hanzo chimed, amused.
"Yeah. She glides elegantly, like a river. Calmest cat I've ever known. Burmese. Lap cat. Gets on with almost everyone."
"Almost"?
Kara cracked up, smirk creating creases around her mouth and eyes.
"Don't know how she is with you, yet."
Suede fur whizzed through the door, skidding to a halt before the kitchen worktop.
"Feel free to sit. It may be my home, but it is also whomever visits me. Main bathroom is upstairs, had a washroom installed downstairs too, for my Dad." Quivering, she shook her head. "He fell a few years back, tumbled down the stairs. Claims he tripped, but my Mom and I think its arthritis. His joints seize sometimes, often with terrible weather. I was not risking a second time, so I had the utility room converted to a washroom."
Using nicknames showed Kara let her guard down. She was, after all in her own home, her own setting. Everything about her demeanour, her candour meritable, care for her family shining through distinctly.
"Oh, and try not to ruin my couch. If I wanted it made into a two-seater, I'd slice it up myself. Ask Dad for his kunai..."
That garnered a snort, from both parties...
Taking out a tin from the cupboard, Shuĭ's purrs grew louder. She pawed at the wrong ankle however, curiosity taken from her next meal, affixed firmly on this new person.
"Well, I'll be! Food is her main priority and yet, she seems to like you. You don't, by chance have dogs, do you? She loves the smell of them. Cassie's dog, Munch covered me in fur last I saw him. Little Miss here went crazy, rubbed herself all over me like a hussy."
Tail straight up, the cat's amber eyes were akin to his soul gem.
"Perhaps she sees your aura. She gives trust easily, but its easy to lose it too. Here, sweetheart. Its beef, your favourite"!
Her cat walked elegantly to her bowl, sitting with no command.
"And they say you can't teach a cat..."
Feeding the lap cat, Kara's amusement grew as her fellow female scouted out resident male, sitting next to him on the couch, deciding whether or not to plop herself onto his knee.
"Tell her no, if you don't want her to use you for a pin cushion. She understands yes, no, sit, stay and paw." Bringing in a tray containing mugs and her favourite teapot, Kara placed them on the table.
"Steep the bag for as long as you want." Hospitality cruised its way into her actions, impishness apparent at her next question. "Want some cake? Honey and almond. Made it for my birthday, got carried away and made too much." Her next words were for herself, reminders. "Cupboard on the left, above the sink. Yellow Tupperware lid."
The woman, having turned forty-five had taken a few days off. Hanzo could tell, from her messy braid, hairs splaying out from carefully woven strands, relaxed clothing, baggy sweats. Natural features gave off younger than her actual age. 'Inelegance' suited her, blessed her with grace. She looked after herself, that much was clear.
Far from 'lax', the man freely admitting he was wrong...
"Hey. Zoning out on me already? Am I really that boring"? Kara waved a hand. "Yes to cake or will you gain fifty pounds? Please tell me you aren't the type who believes that. A slice won't hurt. The whole thing? Yeah."
Hanzo nodded, sugar rare in his diet. Getting out what she needed, his host turned to face him.
"How much? I can be, overly generous with servings."
Standing with a cake slice in her hand was oddly cathartic, as if she'd broken through the man's negative barriers, revealing the man beneath to be amenable. She found most were, when you willingly listened to them, learned to see beyond their initial misgivings.
Being directed to cut as slim a slice as possible, without the cake falling apart was hysterical, Kara only refraining from laughter, due to having sharp implement precariously near the fingers of her left hand.
She was right handed, but disliked heavily the idea of slicing digits off, 'decorating' the treat in macabre fashion...
"Here. I warn you, its pretty good. Last I made it, it was gone in seconds. Lemon icing is Johnny's weakness. Don't tell him I said that. He'd go spare, knowing anyone else has knowledge of his bitter tooth. He lay the sweet on thick enough in his younger days. Gods. Gave me a damn toothache..."
Taking a bite, Kara cleared up after herself, tilting her head wryly.
"Awfully tidy, for a man," she teased, "hey! No crumbs on the couch, with me, having to shove the vacuum cleaner head down the back of it. Great to have some time to myself. My jobs are wonderful, but even the wicked need rest, no matter what they may say..."
When the man piped up, Kara soon learned he was pragmatic, he stated facts, his brain a well oiled machine, bringing up important topics, lacking Kara's distinct folly.
Whilst she did not mind this, when she was joking, him taking it seriously, rather than see for it for what it was wore a tad thin...
"Your duties, running back and forth between realms, as both mediator and Goddess. You risk spreading yourself thin, wearing yourself out. Your birthday gave you the chance to unwind, focus on your own well being"?
"Hmm"? Kara questioned, tad bit frazzled. "I do get time to myself, occasionally. I think it better me at risk than multiple people, however. I have more of a chance of defending myself, than someone wearing rags, carrying pots and pans. Mentally prepared, physically too. I keep my own health in check. I've experienced what happens when you don't. And yes, it did. Why ask, I wonder"?
"It put you in a more suitable head space to speak of past events."
"That it did. Quan. You wish to speak of Quan? I am okay with that, I let the pain hit me long ago, learned how to work alongside it. I worry it'll hit you at some point. When that happens..."
"When? Presumptuous."
"Also true. When it does, as you don't have a second-in-command, if you want, I shall take your acolytes, join them with mine. Give you some time alone. You've been alone, but never truly alone."
That was, generous of the woman, Hanzo admitted to himself, musings twitching moustache. Raised, arched brows obscured his view, the same woman taking his mug, gesturing with her head towards the boiling kettle.
He declined, remaining on her, watching her like a hawk.
Her sigh got to him somewhat. Despite earlier reassurance, it became obvious Kara was reticent to speak.
He understood why. He would respect her, the topic at hand.
She appreciated that, more than he could possibly know.
Heading back to her kitchenette, forgoing tea, heading towards the couches felt like slogging up the mountain she grew up on, its peaks treacherous.
Sitting down took an age, sipping tea an eternity, aeons before she felt Shuĭ's claws kneed her lap gently.
She could do this, she wanted to do this.
Clearly, Hanzo did too, for he came of his own accord.
"Twenty-six years ago, Quan Chi kidnapped Johnny, revenge for him preventing Shinnok's return to full power. He wasn't able to take on Raiden, not at that point. Sonya and I raced to his temple, finding it desolate, save for a pool of liquid in the middle of the atrium. Johnny lay in it, half submerged in crimson fluid. We couldn't get him out, as threads of magic struck us when we approached. Sonya knew attacking the sorcerer would weaken the shield, so she flew at him, all guns blazing. I summoned Raiden. He began chanting to wrestle control of the soul, keep it inside Johnny's body. I chanted to soothe him, he had a raging fever, practically sung to him at one point. The more he fought, the easier his grip on sanity was lost. I thought that was strange, but didn't press it. Sonya 'defeated' Quan, rushing over to see the two of us, hauling the actor from the pool. He needed my Mother's assistance. I could only do so much. It was as we went to leave that I felt something. Like, tapping on my shoulder. Barely there, slight, untraceable, or so I thought. Quan had fled, hobbling through a portal created by his revenents. I asked Raiden and Sonya to go ahead of me. I could not leave just yet. Again, something pulled at me, so I scouted the area, wondering what 'it' was."
She paused.
"Sorry. He was. Didn't know at the time, didn't wish to assume. Anyway. I located a sturdy wooden door leading to catacombs, several pathways lined with stone and cobbles. The air was musty, stale, incredibly dry. Kinda knew there'd be spiders in there, but I had to press on. The torches were lit, someone had been there recently. I followed my sense, mind's eye wasn't really a thing then. I followed flecks of orange in the air, ghostly wisps of fire? I realised it was fire, so I bolted after it, seeing it cascade down a wall, stopping at the floor. An orb chamber lay before me as I opened the door. This one fell off the hinges, I had to prop it up against the wall, avoiding splinters as best I could. An Amber ball was perched on stone pedestal, dim, vibrancy stolen. Verdant veining throughout took precedence, whom I later discovered, when I found your body..." she clarified, "you were in your Scorpion guise. I didn't see anything I shouldn't. After I informed Raiden and Fujin of my discoveries, they found you nude. I had left by that point, wanting to give you some privacy. You deserved that, at least."
Feeling better after getting that out, Kara pressed on.
"The orb held a heartbeat. Scared the crap out of me. Hadn't felt that before. I lacked the ability to create gems, so feeling that made my throat clench. As I left the room, the gem grew brighter. I tried each directional path, and only East did it begin to glow. As I walked forward for a good ten to fifteen minutes, I came across another room. Only, this one felt like the Jinsei Chamber. Different, in its runes and purpose, as I learned when I peeked through the cell bars. It was a cell, a fucking prison cell. A crude imitation of Earthrealm's most sacred place, made into a place of torment, capture. I almost baulked when I saw you. Not because of you, but because of the implications of where I was, whom I had found. You were thought lost, your true body long destroyed, as Quan wouldn't wish to use the original, after what he done. The Gods brought you to the real Jinsei Chamber, we rid your soul of Quan's malediction and gave you it back. You were thin, rail thin, limbs angles they shouldn't ever be in, cheek, jaw, hips, ribs, spine, they all stuck out, jutting, skin paper thin. They covered you up. Only right. You were placed directly into the stream of energy to recuperate, as it would take time. You were there almost five months, as we debated whether or not you should be restored, as yourself, as Hanzo Hasashi. We couldn't ever know your pain, take it on as our own, but I inadvertently did. I can honestly swear to you that I only saw five things. Your wife leaving the dining hall, your Father, I think speaking with you, your son in his crib, a wooden rabbit on the floor of his room and your family, praying at the family altar. None of those spoke of distress, but your mind did. As you thought of those, thoughts whirring around a mile a minute, your entire life, experiences flying by in an instant, you screamed, several times. I resented myself for wanting to flee. Hearing that had me sobbing, as if that would somehow accomplish something in your favour. I wanted to cease the pangs in your heart, calm your mind, have it process what was going on there and then, in the chamber, let you see where you were, no longer in Quan's clutches. I couldn't. I didn't have the right to touch you. Didn't need anyone else groping around as though you were their's. You were not."
He wanted to open his eyes, witness the truth, see the woman before him as she wept, Hanzo equalling sorrow. He heard her, Raiden, Fujin talking about him. The he he was, his truth, before all went to hellfire, and he was engulfed in it. The three spoke of the future, as if he had one. His fate, again, was in the hands of others, though they meant him well.
They wanted to give him peace, let him rest.
He wanted both, sought them in death. He wished to be left alone, to die in apt isolation.
Hanzo still felt alone, even as his brain shouted at him that he wasn't. This was why he accepted Raiden's second chance. He needed to make amends for his actions, his violence, his predilections, the wrath the bastard sorcerer forced upon him.
"Whilst I respect and thank you eternally, for what you did, I wish to hear of the events of your capture."
Kara sipped more tea, freshness of the herb clearing nose and throat, its steam consoling.
"It isn't all about me here. And, that's eternally altruistic of you. You are welcome. Of my time in the temple? Good job its early, as this is gonna be a long one..."
"I don't recall ever being placed into the rending pool. No," she scoffed, "he chose to siphon my soul in increments, place me in a room akin to the one you were found. I had just found Jax's orb, when Quan returned from the Netherrealm. He brought Nightwolf and Sindel with him. Sindel blew my eardrums with her banshee wail, and Nightwolf's spirit telepathy took my mind from me, my sight. Falling still, eerily still, muffled voices came to me, by me as I felt my feet being lifted off the ground. Unknown knuckles flashed in front of me, punching me in the nose. Warmth left it, my eyes foggy, but my nose knew the smell. That smell, heavy metal forge. I was dragged down a hallway, the next 'lovely' sound greeting my ears was ribs breaking as I was thrown onto the floor. I know I had been stamped on, as when I was rescued, there were boot prints covering me like a blanket, heels dug into my sides. When I came to"?
She snorted, disbelief colouring features somewhat embarrassed hue.
"I, its sounds strange saying I, as it wasn't I, it was whom he referred to as 'Viper' stood before a mirror. Its reflection showed forming mass, into my shape. A clone husk, like Mileena. It came from the Flesh Pits. Viper wore nothing, the room's chill affecting her, me obvious. Goosebumps all over, little hairs standing on end. I don't think the nudity was for anything untoward, it was how Mileena was. You wouldn't form clones with clothing on, that wouldn't make sense. Curves, ridges of her spine, freckles, dimples. Her eyes were not my own, however. No. They were piercing mulberry, pupils slits, like snakes. Her mouth contained fangs, incisors sharp, vicious. He looked to have fused mine with reptilian DNA. My body lay on the slab, soul stream leaving me, traversing through the orb and into this creature. I tried to cover myself, herself, able to think and feel, despite not having a brain incredible, but wrong. Just wrong. Somehow, I maintained a level of consciousness inside Viper. Perhaps it was due to Quan's hide being beaten, his forces rapidly diminishing, and, in despair, he was unable to hurt me as much as he wanted. Whittle away long enough, and it isn't only strength that wanes. Sanity does too. Viper cackled one day, the living part of my soul trying to wrestle its way out, through any means necessary. She was black and blue when my Mother found her, grey goop coming out of every orifice. She said I looked like I'd gotten into a fight with a pack of wolves. Several broken bones, skin ripped, a rib had torn through a lung. Any injuries I sustained affected Viper, one way or another. I can't recall if it were me or her, but one of us wandered around outside the cell. Must have been Viper, souls being corporeal, able to shift through solid matter. I escaped through her. Not true escape, but an attempt all the same. I wanted out, but, being unable to move, whilst, simultaneously moving is disconcerting, and downright fucking bizarre. Two weeks wasn't long enough, clearly. You were the strongest fighter as Quan used your body, not a clone. Therefore, you already had abilities that he could use, fuse with his own. He didn't need to implant them into a husk, as he did I. I am glad he failed, for the both of us. It, frightens me when I think of what he could have used me for, had he managed to succeed. That, and the thought of my friends, having to defeat me, time and time again, all while I reanimated, some willing puppet? Yes, willing. I did not have the chance to say no. Never. Not in billions of years. Neither did you. Seeing my friends, my allies, my family die by my hand? Because, it may not have been my body, but it was my soul. Corrupted, but my soul, nonetheless. Made to obliterate everything in my stead? Still makes me want to puke. Kinda worried grey sludge will come out...Silly, I know."
"It wasn't silly then, it is not silly now. What I believe is silly, foolish. Foolhardy, convincing myself that were I to do something differently, the outcome would have been different. No, it wouldn't. I would have died either way, by Quan's hand. My clan, family and I were doomed from the beginning. I know that now, yet, its taken twenty years for me to fully grasp it."
"You had nought else to grasp onto for many years. If that was all you had, grim, perilous or not, understandable you'd keep a hold. You can't let go when there's no safety net. Plunging to your death isn't what you, nor I want. I formed my safety net from pleasant memories. I used my mind, not my heart. I say listen to your head, not your heart. Your heart tells you what you want to hear, your head tells you the truth. What you want and what you need are two separate entities."
"How can you be acutely accurate, when..."
"I don't know you"? Kara smiled. "I sorta do. Well, what you choose to show me. I can see straight through you."
That didn't spook him.
It really didn't. Even if she could, would it be so terrible if she found his true self? He held insignificant antipathy, and Kara had been her authentic self the entire time he had known her. It was rare for people to show their true colours immediately. Most hid behind layers, all one shade, thick at first, ever thinning as you got to the centre, their core.
Kara's core was Amethyst, but herself, her soul, her mind were kaleidoscope purple.
Grabbing the tray, Kara stood, placing it on the counter, washing her cup afterwards. Absentmindedly flicking the kettle's switch, her smile faded.
"With the blood that flows through my veins, I have one-thousand-five-hundred to three-thousand years to enjoy that 'oh-so-special' time, being a lady."
If Hanzo did get it, his face gave little away.
Kara huffed, gravity of her words startling. However, she stuck to her honest guns, folding her arms, waiting for the kettle's click.
"Far too innocent if I have to tell you."
What the fuck am I doing?
Sub-Zero's gonna kill me...
Reason toiled with smarts, attempting takeover...
Stop, Kara. Don't be 'that' girl.
He laughed. He dared to laugh?!
"Innocent? First time I've been called that in my life."
"First time for everything."
Wishing the kettle would hurry up, aid her situation, the General tapped her foot, bare foot making little noise.
"I get to see everyone die too, everyone I care about. Blunt, but true. Including you, Mr. That's gonna suck"...
Laughter, too died, luckily painlessly, which surprised the man. He must have come to terms with death, at some point.
Ironically, it wasn't his own that forged that pathway in his brain, nor his family, his clan.
He chose to remark on the now, rather than drudging up past events a second time.
"I did not think of that. I cannot imagine how difficult that will be, how it'll come to pass."
"I have this morbid thing of asking how everyone wants their body taken care of, after they pass. Viking boat was common. I mean, going out in a sea of flames, letting both forces of nature take you where they please? The wind, carrying you off to parts unknown"?
Fidgeting. She began fidgeting.
"Um. You do know what I've just said, right"?
Everything in slow motion, Hanzo nodding hurtled Kara off mountain peak, the floor creeping up on her steadily. Intricate patterns in the carpet came into view, each black thread sewn in followed, in the search for clarity.
"Kotal told me you burned the pyres. Thanks for that. With the dry season, and matches in inexperienced hands spelled disaster. At least you could control the blaze. I was right again, huh? I rather like being correct. I think it rather suits me. Are you finished"?
It did suit her, lithe refinement softening features.
"I heard what you said. I, need to process it."
Kara acknowledged that.
"Of course. No pressure." Playfully nudging her cat, the two chuckled as she whined sympathetically. "You've had two hours on my lap." Shuffling her onto couch cushion, the woman stood, brushing herself down. "Hahaha. I kept you here for two hours."
"Don't." Hanzo stood, avoiding knee height table corner with ease. "Saying sorry invalidates your opinion. Takeda does so often."
"Probably to annoy you. We all need something to amuse us, when things get tough. Life gets on-top of us at times, makes us miserable. Ah! I know the word." Waving her hands, impish ways given full reign, Kara beamed. "Utilitarian. That's how to describe you. That's great, if you are leading men. Right now, you are talking to a woman. I too, lead but learning to follow is a useful skill too."
Placing his gem on the worktop, Kara pulled out two black pouches from her pocket, each with yellow notes taped to them.
"Where should I place yours, hmm? 'Friends', or 'Allies'"? Could make a third, though I don't recall having enemies. People I don't like? Yes. Enemies? Strong word, that." Goading, she levitated the crystal to its owner. "You'll have to make that bag yourself. Course, I'd rather not have you as an enemy."
"Labels? And you call me 'utilitarian'."
"You are, in mind," cheesy case in point, as she pointed to her temple, "I am in spirit. I'm trying, aren't I"?
Rifling in yet another drawer, she frowned.
"Where is that damn cloth? Ended up using an old bed sheet. Double-stitch."
Turning, Kara's eyes grew wide, seeing the gem in-between the two bags.
"Didn't peg you for indecisive."
"It is a joint decision. If I am to respect you, what you stand for, whom you stand beside, surely that puts the decision of where I stand in both our hands"?
Kara wholly agreed, charm radiating.
"Nice! Let it be said that I won't apologise recurrently, unless the situation specifically calls for it, and I will continue to use lengthy words, with many syllables, as they make me appear to have sufficiently more brain cells than I actually have."
"Downplaying smarts? With your rank? I ought to have words with Kuai, as I fear he did not choose wisely. Tell me. Did he choose a proficient woman, or a self-deprecating girl"?
The General leering perturbed Hanzo.
"You said 'proficient woman' first. Wouldn't have said that, had you not thought it. That, of course. Better, much better. Glad you didn't just roll over, play fetch. There's a reason I prefer cats. They tend to be less open to doing anything they don't want to do. Dogs can be soppy. Soppy is horrendous. I don't need paper towels with Shuĭ."
Hanzo, steadily moving the gem away from the bags and Kara delighted her.
"I take it that's challenge not accepted? That's absolutely fine. Thanks for being straight-laced. Much appreciated. Less drama, more honesty."
She offered her hand. The man stepped forward to take it, throwing his gem into the air as she did. Kara froze it, the environment around them.
Steam, billowing from the kettle hung like fluffy clouds at their side.
Shuĭ paused mid-step, tail in the air, eyes fixed on the cat flap, behind the two.
Birdsong ceased dramatically, cheerful whistles contributing zilch.
It is 'challenge acknowledged,' pondered on another time.
And then, songs and sound came back, resounding cacophony as the man left her home, leaving the woman impressed, unimpressed, and her hand flexing, fingers mid-reach for the gem.
Glancing at the object, she found the crack had healed, the man himself healing it, himself with it. She smiled, putting it in the 'Friend's' pouch, caution to non-existent wind.
It mattered, yet, did not.
It baffled, yet she understood somewhat.
They'd talk again. She took that away clearly...
