Kalique raced to her desk, stumbling in her heels. Startled poor Malidictuis something fierce as she stormed to her computer access. She barely heard him, fingertips flying across her screen.
"My Lady-"
"Maledictus, sweet, not now."
She pressed the projection, and her office was filled with the halls of the bowels of the Orous administrative hub, the birthplace, and death of Houses, the home of Ascension and Disgrace. She stood, nearly vaulted across her desk, her aged body tired, her heart hammering in her chest as she stood before the image of a child, of just a girl, walking down the hallway, a procession of two splices, and a Keeper of all things, following behind her, with Aegis guards flanking them, guards and sentries, protecting her. A proper procession, if improper members, Kalique saw.
Her gaze hungrily took in the slip of girl, and something in her breast throbbed at the sight. Tears came to Kalique's eyes, as she watched the girl walk, perfect, even, and deliberately being lead by her advocate.
Mother.
She was small, thin limbed, all awkward and young, but it was undeniably the young form of her Mother, barely the age of majority. Dressed fabulously, something in Kalique nearly sobbed at that, in a homage to the Aegis ware, simple, functional, but with the right adornments. Better fabric, a luminous white threaded with gold, better materials, hair back in curious buns on the side of her head, face free of make-up and clean. The only thing that denoted her status was a careful circuit of gold on her head, a luminous decoration of honeycomb shapes and carefully woven bees of sparkling jewels, and a jeweled belt of her Mother's Reccurance's new chosen symbol.
A bee, delicate and industrious, an insect like my own symbol, Kalique's slightly wrinkled hands reaching for one of the delicately spun jeweled dragonfly sewn onto her own dress.
Mother is alive again.
Kalique took a shuddering breath. Don't be foolish. It is not really Mother, but a genetic copy of her, lovely, beautiful nonetheless. Like Mother but not-
"Advocate Bob," said the projected recording, voice soft and high and lovely, accent different, accent wrong, but it was still her Mother's voice, much younger than Kalique had ever heard it in her thousands of years of life, "Am I assured that my Ascension will not be hindered?"
"Of course not, your intended Majesty. You have come well prepared."
The girl smiled, sweet, cool, perfect, just like it had always been done.
"I would hope so, Advocate."
Kalique sobbed, nearly fell to her knees, had it not been for her beloved Maledictus capturing her in his arms.
"My Lady."
"It's Mother. She's Reoccurred," she explained, voice hoarse and wobbling, "She's Ascended not but an hour ago and she has cut through our inheritance. She has- Look at her Maledictus. Look at my mother."
Maledeictus was silent for a moment, a frown appearing on his face.
"Do… Do you believe she is in danger?"
She looked at the young girl, her heart throbbing, her heart aching and pleading.
"I do not know. But Titus and Balem will no doubt attempt for something- But but Mother- She is so young- she will not- she won't-"
"My Lady, I believe I will be allocating all possible resources to locating your Mother's Recurrence."
Kalique trembled.
"Attempt with our own resources. But make a point to reach out to anyone in Balem's and Titus own teams and sway them towards our sides. Offer RegenX, money, anything they would want."
"Of course."
Kalique reached out, fingertips trembling, caressing the image of her returned mother.
"She's so young. So fragile."
And she was killed before. I know it. I know not who did it, but someone murdered Mother. And this child is so young and so delicate.
"We will protect her, my Lady. Bring her home. Have her protected with us."
Kalique allowed tears to fall. She had not been on the best terms with her mother when she had died. But… I can change that. I can protect her. Try again.
"Yes, we will."
AN:
*Wolf howl in the distance*
Next week, guys, I swear.