A/N: My gosh. I need to get a commission of Kara and Raiden requested. I have an idea from this chapter of a picture I think would be incredible. See if you can guess the moment? As always, I love you guys, and you know I love Raiden and Richard too. Kinda. ;) Ah subtlety...
In Good Graces
A week after the battle in Outworld found inquisitive teens sitting around a fire, warming their hands. Winter was well on it's way, chills in the air coming thick and fast. Kara was there too, waiting for her Father to leave the medical tent. He'd had a fall, and a panic stricken Kara refused to leave the kamp until she knew his condition. She rubbed her hands quickly, stressed, biting her inner lip.
"Kara. Did you ever think about having kids?"
Kara shook her head of the haze and shrugged. "Eh", she looked at the group of teens, "babysitting you guys put me off". A devious smirk had the group in fits of laughter. When it ceased, she continued. "I was one of those people who, when I was your age, I thought 'definitely not'. Same in my twenties. Then, my thirties came around, and I wondered if I ever would. That'd involve meeting a guy, and I never did. Then my forties happened and bam. In the blink of an eye, I became too old. I'm not sad about it. I reckon I'd have been utterly hopeless at it. Not that good at looking after myself, don't know how I'd fare with a kid of my own. At least with you lot, I could give you back".
She laughed. It halted when she snorted, and the laughter was directed at her. She slunk back and shook her head, knowing her friends 'merciless' teasing was in jest. She did wonder though...
"That was an odd topic. Though, I understand why you asked. The chance never really came into my life".
Stephen covered his daughter's ears.
"Surely some guy tried?"
Kara shied away. Cassie clasped her hands together with glee and squealed.
"Ooh. Spill!"
The elder pretended she didn't hear that. Stephen stuck up for her and her silence.
"Hey, guys. I know you are harmless, but if Kara doesn't want to speak, she doesn't have too".
Kara looked at her ex and smiled.
"Lin, you're a lucky woman". Lin blushed and nodded. Kara cleared her throat. "Ahem. Yeah, there was a guy. It'd be, what, hmm, about seven years ago?" She couldn't quite remember when this happened. "Shit", she mumbled, "Not even that old and yet my memory is like a sieve".
Stephen put his hand on Phoebe's shoulder. She gave him a look.
"Dad, I know you're talking about adult stuff. I'm not that stupid".
Her Father raised a brow, a slight frown marring his features.
"Not at all honey. Did it seem like I was saying that?"
Phoebe gave a smug snort. "I know, it's time for me to get ready to go home. I'll go find Ruben".
The young teen stood, gave Kara a hug before saying her goodbye's, and leaving the group.
Kara continued once she knew the girl was out of sight. Cassie, Jin, Takeda and Jacqui were all old enough to hear what she wanted to say. She had no qualms speaking about things some would deem unsuitable.
"The guy wanted a one night stand. I don't do those, so I said no. He walked, but I saw him again later. He asked again, and again, I declined. Then I kept seeing him from time to time. I took the 'intrusive' step of reading his mind. The guy thought if he stuck around long enough, I'd change my mind. That he'd wear me down to the point where I agreed out of exasperation. He was sorely mistaken. It'd have been pity sex anyway, if I were the type to just give in, and throw myself at him. I don't do pity sex. I don't think the words, 'pity and 'sex' should go together. Ever".
Muffled childish snickers went around the group, though the tone in reaction was different, in pitch and length. It seemed like some were embarrassed, others thought it funny.
Kara waved a hand. "Sorry guys", she sighed, "too much information. Lets change the subject. You all know enough about me to 'ridicule' me now anyway".
Jin spurted out in anger.
"I'd have ridiculed that guy in the face, he sounds like an asshole".
Kara almost choked on her water.
"Urgh...Well, I don't do assholes either".
The adults of the group got that. The teens didn't...
"Dad!"
Kara shot up and all but ran over to him. Tiama had her arm around his waist. He was limping and clearly not happy about it. His free arm waved about.
"I'm not fine".
Kara laughed out of nervousness.
"Always loved your honesty Dad. How's the hip, old man?"
Jakal smirked. "The hip's fine".
His daughter equaled the cheekiness in her expression.
"The back?"
Her Dad nodded, expression dropping, swiftly becoming glum.
"Well", Kara tried to cheer him up, "You've fought for a long time. It's not like you didn't do anything in your life. At some point, we all need to stop".
Jakal huffed. "Take an 'extended break' huh".
"Yep". She caught herself saying what she'd heard Cassie say. "I mean, exactly Dad".
"Yep? You mean yes, surely?" He looked at said campfire group. "You've been around them too long. What next? Another abbreviated word that doesn't make any sense?"
Kara giggled. "No, but, apparently, Fujin, Raiden and I fighting in Outworld was, and I quote, 'bad-ass'".
Cassie hollered over. "It was! I'd have payed to see that. Just gotta get some popcorn and snacks, put my feet up and watch the show".
Kara looked over her shoulder.
"Show? Also, what happened the last time you put your feet up?"
The blond pouted, her friends laughing at that. She folded her arms for added effect.
"You said I can't cause you outrank me, but the rand-Masters outrank you, sooo"...
"So...I still outrank you".
Cassie's jaw dropped. "You're pulling rank on me again? How is that fair?"
She opened a stick of gum and shoved it on her mouth, chewing angrily. Kara walked over to her and winked.
"I'm joking. I wouldn't pull rank on you. Besides, I've seen your Mom when she's mad and it's terrifying. Even a rampaging hoard of Tarkatan would run a mile from that. We're good". She second-guessed herself. "Er, aren't we?"
Cassie offered her some gum. Kara grinned.
"Ah, gum, the ultimate peace offering. I accept your gum. What would you like in return?"
"Learn how to teleport. That shit's awesome. How long did it take you to master it?"
Kara playfully rolled her eyes, say down, and began explaining how long it took, how she acquired and mastered the skill, and the mechanics of it.
It would take hours, but, seeing the fascination on her and their friend's faces was well worth the 'lecturing'.
Kara hit a training bag, knuckles bruised, bright red little cuts all over them. They stung, but, she persevered, putting her life force into her hands. When she no longer stand without feeling dizzy and her vision blurred, she stopped, slumping down, onto the floor of her living room. Unable to drag herself up the stairs, and her energy drained, she hauled herself onto the couch, eyes closing upon her head hitting a cushion.
Bandaged hands made carrying things tough. Luckily, Kara had an alternative. Telekinesis was useful like that. She'd brought along some bits and bobs for Raiden. Some more tea, the man seemed to go through the small boxes quickly, some herbs and some other groceries to make meals. She put all of those away and got ready to teleport from the home. She heard a sound, faint, but it was there.
She wasn't quite as alone as she thought...
She huffed out a laugh, leaning on the kitchen worktop.
"No matter what I do, no matter how quiet I am, you know I've been here. Pretty useless ninja huh". She laughed.
"Other than things just appearing in cupboards?" Kara's laugh increased in pitch. "You try to be as quiet as possible. You did live here for a while Kara, remember"?
"Of course I remember", she rolled her eyes playfully, "sheesh". She caught herself acting childishly and shook her head. "I still haven't grown up. A forty-five year old child. Sorry".
She sighed. Raiden moved an arm gracefully, to say 'psh' to that.
"In trying to be quiet, I fail miserably".
"Sorry for what, being yourself?"
Kara blinked. "I, I never thought about it like that before...". This took her aback for a time. The air grew thick, so she said the first thing that popped into her head.
"Anyway, the battle went well. Really well, better than I anticipated".
She couldn't argue with what the man said next.
"You won that being yourself. You overcame your fear, whilst doing so, you were yourself".
Kara blushed. "You always big me up. I'll end up on a pedestal, with a chip on my shoulder at this rate".
A short chuckle left her mouth. The presence behind her had her turn her head. Raiden placed a small object in front of her left hand.
Her mirror.
"You keep leaving this here", he turned, "and no, you do not fail. You were always silent. It was the mirror that gave you away, not the groceries".
A quiet fell over the two. Raiden went to walk away. Kara tapped his shoulder. With rapport between them, she took the opportunity to have relatively normal conversation.
"Hows things? I've been training the new acolytes. I also have two I am training to take my place, if need be. I know I'll live a few hundred years, but, I'm not sure if I wish to be a General for the rest of my life". She frowned. "A few hundreds years...I'll see my friends die. Now you see why I kinda hate what I am? The blood that runs through my veins?" Her frowned deepened, lines prominent above her brows.
Trust me to bring down the tone.
"Sorry". She tipped her head, fixing her ponytail. A few strands of hair had fallen out of it. She blew them out of her face.
Raiden didn't answer. He merely motioned for her to speak again. Kara narrowed her eyes.
"I'm apologising again, right? I keep finding reasons to".
"You cannot help what you are., your blood. However, at the end of the day, you are a woman, a person. Your companions will die, but you will see their legacy, and their children's legacy".
A smile made it's way onto her lips.
"You're right. And a damn good legacy they will have. I'm really proud to call them my friends. I will teach them, their children, their children's children, and so on till the day I die". She moved round him, offering her arms. "Too personal? Figured I've known you long enough".
The thunderer shifted, uncomfortable. Kara backed off and perched on the edge of the couch.
"What were you doing those past twenty years while I was gone, may I ask?"
"I stayed in the Shaolin Temple, retraining and guiding Kung Lao and Liu Kang".
"I've not had the 'pleasure' of fighting him. For that, I am glad. I saw him fight once. It was incredible. Swift, fluid movement, no break in his guard, no possible way to deflect much of his move set. It felt like an honour to observe him".
Raiden smiled, a rather wide one. Kara felt her face heat up. She held her breath, forcing it out in a stream. She swore she could see it, despite the temperature being comfortable.
"It is a privilege to train someone such as he". He continued. "You have a life Kara, outside of here. I was not about to 'tail' you as you moved on, found your path".
Ah.
Kara returned the smile, hers less enthusiastic, but kind all the same.
"I appreciate that. I needed time to grow, become my own person. And yeah, find my place, work out who I am, my standing in all of this". She let out a mix between a snort and huff. "Well, more like find my place to fall over in the world. Getting pretty good at that. Learning to brace for impact".
She laughed. "I'm rather hungry. Probably get some takeout when I get home. I'm feeling lazy, not unusual".
The God wasn't having any of that. Kara had cooked, cleaned and looked after him, all around her busy schedule. He would return her kindness, all while knowing she would decline with a wave.
"If I didn't know you better, I'd say you were plotting".
A white brow arched.
"Plotting?"
The woman smirked. "Yes. But, I do know you better, so I know it's thinking. Light bulb went off huh?" Her smirk shifted to a knowing smile, and nod of the head. "You wish to repay me for my help. You don't need to. You've done more than enough for us, for Earthrealm. It took someone else asking me to help me see that you deserve care too". She stopped, placing a finger on her lips. "Wait. That sounded bad", her head shook, as if to confirm it in her mind, confirm it to him, "you know what I mean".
The white haired man's reply cheered her up immediately.
"If I didn't know you better, I'd say you were backtracking, to cover something negative. As I do, indeed know you better, I know you are, to cover yourself. You needn't do that".
Kara got up. "I needn't, but I do. What can I say? I like annoying you. You make it rather easy". She raised a brow and grabbed her satchel. The click of buckles stopped when she pulled out a bottle of aged, oak casket rum.
"If I grab two glasses, and offer to cook something, will that suffice as a 'non-verbal' apology?"
Flecks of yellow glistened around the God's form, the sky in Kara's view from the mirror turned grey, shades of it permeated the air. She changed tack, taking a tumbler from the shelf and the stopper from the bottle.
"What did I do? Is this a test? To see if I'm still frightened of you? How do I prove I'm not?" She poured a little of the sweetened rum into the glass and sipped it, slowly, casually, savouring the wood and vanilla undertones. She had an epiphany, slamming down the glass and walking to the front door.
In a sing-song tone, she mocked.
"Hit me with your best shot, and, no going easy. I might be small, but I'm no pushover".
She chose to forgo her coat, braving the elements outside.
Right now? It was raining softly, it's pitter-patter gently hitting the stone.
The moment Kara ventured outside, the droplets fell in quick succession, a full-on rainstorm pelting the woman's form. She cared not, dancing and looking into the eye of the storm.
At it's very heart...
Kara had no concern in her mind, no blossoming panic as in her younger days. She knew if the man wanted to hurt her, he wouldn't let her stand and watch the storm. He'd engulf her in it, throwing her into a state of flux. Flying into the air, before reconnecting with the ground in a broken, bloody heap. Death, if not swift would slowly creep it's way into her body, claiming her life, siphoning it ever so lazily, nonchalantly.
She grinned, her light grey marl shirt thoroughly soaked and see-through. She fell onto her knees, letting the fabric of her pants full embrace the water in puddles beneath them. She slicked back her hair and pulled it free of its band.
"You think a little thunder and rain will scare me? Hah! I've been around Gods, faced them, and not flinched. Not even once. I learned the hard way about deities. I learned from the best after all. You'll have to try harder if you wish to truly terrify me".
She opened her mind completely, freeing her innermost thoughts, letting her control slide, slip away from her with the droplets of water. to her surprise, but appreciation, Raiden too opened his mind. She could see the darkness within his mind, and he saw the light within hers.
Up until this point, he said nothing, merely watching her from the window. But, after opening his mind, and with Kara doing the same, he had no reason to stay hidden. He no longer had to hide any part of himself from her.
He moved, the slight cracks of the lightning and barely there booms of thunder masking his steps. The carpet took care of that already, though, he payed this no mind as he, too, walked to the front door, leaving it to blow open.
Kara ran her hands through her hair, the water helping rid it of knots. She wanted to say something, deciding to be more, intimate with it, using her telepathy. Raiden initiated the conversation however.
And why would I hurt you?
Raiden brought the same glass Kara drank from outside with him. As he handed it to Kara, it filled with cloudy water. She watched as it swirled, fascination in her eyes. placed it onto the ground.
Glad you chose to join me. It means a lot.
She looked up, watching lightning dance in the sky, marveling at it's beauty, yet knowing it's power, the strength that lay behind it. The strength that was behind her...
Knowing she was safe, she closed her eyes, embracing the soothing atmosphere, the smell of the rain. It felt fresh, taking the heat of the day down a notch with it.
She felt her heart jump and stomach knot as a light weight rested upon her shoulder. Still, she did not open her eyes. She, instead used her minds eye to track flickers of sparks around her. They fizzled all around the two. She manipulated them, twisting and turning them, creating little puffs of energy.
Purple fused with blue, some white and yellow thrown in for contrast, starkness.
In response, in repose, she placed a hand atop the one that lay on her shoulder, not looking back, merely letting the man behind her know she was okay.
She was happy, content to stay here, like this. Many would think her mad, standing outside in the pouring rain, it making a mockery of her clothing. The crispness in the air felt good, too lovely to stay indoors.
The situation was certainly a peculiar one, but, it was their situation. One they'd created.
And peculiar never once entered their thoughts.
Not after their past encounters. Not anymore...
Almost done with this guys. It's been a while. I've kept you guys waiting long enough...
