A certain bite of cold was in the air around the temple that hosted the Templars.

Not that it was nearly enough to dissuade Eliza's current trip outside, accompanied by Kalight on her left as she made her calm walk up to his headquarters. She had finally, finally gotten around to landing here so she could discuss business with Geist—and the concern of the new recruit he wished to send her way. Hopefully, the time she had provided would be enough for him to handle what he needed to with his own members in order to send Marlene.

The temple in front of them was, admittedly, impressive. Eliza didn't know if Geist had sought out an old stone building and restored it or rallied his followers into building one from the ground up. It seemed very fitting of an order like the Templars—though Eliza also wondered as to how it hadn't been found. Over her time of knowing Geist, she hadn't found answers to either question, and supposed she might never. Well, they weren't particularly critical questions to her, so she only saw fit to muse on them.

About the time Eliza and Kalight entered the courtyard, Geist stepped out. He had his armor on but the helmet she occasionally saw him wear to the personal meetings was off. As to why, she could only guess. Regardless, Kalight kneeled into a bow next to her, and Eliza nodded respectfully. "Greetings, Geist."

"Commander O'Leary." Geist nodded to her back, and then addressed his Paladin. "Paladin van Steele. Wonderful to see you once more."

"As it is you, my Prophet," Kalight said, moving to stand. "How fares the temple?"

"As the months grow colder, the warmth that the summer brought evaporates... but you very well know how some of your fellow Knights will take the adversity."

"With a song in their heart and frostbite in their fingertips?" Eliza interjected.

Kalight held a hand over where his mouth would be in his helmet, and Geist's mouth twitched. Somehow that told Eliza they'd tangled with that happening more than once... more than enough to joke about, at least.

Still, Geist looked like he wanted to focus on business. He straightened, drawing their attention back. "Nevertheless, I would like to focus on why you are here today, Eliza. I appreciate the ample time you have given me to ensure the Seer's passage into your ranks would be largely unobstructed."

Kalight and Geist seemed to share a look. Eliza's skin pricked peculiarly, then Kalight nodded in some unseen understanding. Curious, but Eliza wasn't about to stop the conversation for that. "Only ample through outstanding missions, I assure you, Geist. Glad you enjoyed your extra thinking time though."

"As always, Commander. Now, as for the Seer—"

Geist didn't need to explain much longer. From the temple doors, out stepped one of their own—clad in green armor with a sash in front that held up an uneven cape in the back. Their gauntlets seemed more inscribed than standard fare, with glowing inscriptions of perhaps Elerium origin pulsing as they walked up to the group. Their head was completely covered by a silvery, skull-fitting helmet—four lights arranged in a circle in the front with an additional one in the middle, all pink. Three very long, floating tubes extended from the relative back and sides of the helmet, trailing behind them as they moved. As they got closer, Eliza couldn't help but think they were awfully tiny, maybe reaching 5'4" with the help of their boots.

They reached the group and bowed to those gathered. Geist gestured to them. "Eliza. This is our Seer—Marlene Kara. She will be assisting your efforts for as long as she is needed upon your ship. I firmly believe you will find her talents well."

"I can vouch for that," Kalight added. "Our Seer is a formidable psion, even amongst Templars and what users you have in your ranks."

Marlene drew up from her bow... and though she was wearing a helmet, Eliza couldn't help but think she was looking directly at her. Rather intently at that. Eliza's ears pricked with the sound of whispers and she turned to Geist, eyes sliding to the side for a second to try to determine the source. Maybe best not to bring up that she was hearing whispers... "I'm glad that you're sending an apparent prodigy my way, Geist. The help is very much appreciated, and I'll remember it whenever you need something out of me."

He nodded, face softening a touch. "It is noted, Commander." His eyes then slid over to a point just above Eliza's head, then to Marlene. "Seer? Do you have something you wish to impart?"

Marlene was quiet a moment longer before she spoke. "Holy Father. Surely you see that which cloaks this... Commander?"

Oh, man. Eliza didn't think she'd be getting ominous predictions from prophets within this lifetime, but here she was. Geist looked to Eliza for a bit, then back to Marlene. "What do you see?"

"Her psionics." Marlene was stock-still as she spoke. The whispers hadn't stopped. "I have no doubt in my heart as to your knowledge that she possesses them... but do you see their nature? Their color? I would not have imagined that light blue would be a possible hue... until I had forseen it myself."

... what? Well, Eliza was vaguely aware she might have psionics. That whole Siren business Mordenna had dropped on her seemed pretty indicative of that. But... light blue? Eliza was pretty sure only the pink to purple spectrum of psionics existed—and then the weirdness that was the Warlock's, a blend of purple and red. Her gaze flickered between Marlene and Geist. "... Geist? I would... assume since she's called 'the Seer' that she can pick out things others wouldn't necessarily notice, but?" That also raised the question if Mordenna had ever seen them.

Geist looked at Eliza intently. Then, he stepped forwards, towards her, until there was barely a foot of space between them. He squinted, and before Eliza could say anything of personal space (though Geist was enough of a looker that she held her tongue longer), he backed off. "My Seer speaks the truth, Eliza. Not only do you possess the Gift from the Earth Herself, your expression of it is... highly different from what even I have seen. Light blue, yes."

Eliza gave herself a minute to think over that before she replied. Light blue psionics. Surely Tygan was going to have a field day with that... assuming this wasn't just news to her. Had anybody been hiding it in fear of what might happen if she knew? Eliza... didn't like considering that. She moved from her thoughts and back to the conversation. "Alright. Thus having established that I have some abnormal psionics... should there be anything done about them? As you two have said, light blue doesn't strike me as a 'correct' color."

"It may not be 'correct,'" Marlene began softly, "but nor is it 'wrong.' Not now, in any case. All psionics may trend towards perversion or ascendance—it merely depends on the user's psyche and intent. Yours... I have the impression that they are soft. Weak now, but with time and patience, they could grow to considerable strength. While still retaining their 'soft' signature, of course."

Eliza nodded. "That... sounds reasonable to me. Best I get a handle on my psionics before they do anything to me yet, anyhow, or get out of control."

"Indeed. And if you would allow me..." Marlene paused. When she resumed speaking, her words were careful. She seemed to be picking them wisely. "I... would be accepting of teaching you. I am of good knowledge of the mental aspects of psionics—but I am not the most skilled teacher you could have, of course."

"But a fine one nonetheless," Kalight countered.

Marlene seemed to acknowledge it, but move on regardless. "'Monitoring' would perhaps be a more accurate term. They should not come to harm you of their own accord, but understanding them is key."

"Sounds like a plan." Eliza turned to Geist. "I assume the terms of Marlene's stay are going to be the same as Kalight's?"

"Correct." Geist gestured to Marlene. "With additional details to be determined as the Seer's discretion."

That didn't seem unreasonable. Kalight hadn't made any unsightly demands thus far and she saw the trend continuing with Marlene. She clasped her hands in front of her and then addressed Marlene. "Welcome to XCOM, Marlene. We're glad to have you."


During her time in her cell, the Assassin kept coming back to the same thing—she let herself be captured.

Yes, she had her justifications. She had seen the rather irrational, emotion-driven behavior of the Elders. Of Helena. The punishment she had received... Fal-Mai found herself initially unable to really justify it. The brutality she and her brother faced was beyond unreasonable.

Or... was it? Perhaps the punishment itself may have been slightly extreme, but that was one black mark on her relationship with the Elders. They must have been justifiably angry—it stuck Fal-Mai as natural to hurt over a child's first major failing. Especially considering her previous ongoing efforts to root out the Skirmishers not going as fast as she would have hoped for. Helena must have had Her thoughts about it, but held Her tongue to see if Fal-Mai could pull if off. With that most recent transgression...

She had punished you for your emptiness, a nagging thought went. That, too, Fal-Mai could start to understand. Emptiness itself could be an emotion. The Elders could grieve at the loss of a Chosen—that was Their right. Emptiness gnawed at Fal-Mai's gut. Emptiness made her squirm with the feeling of it. Emotionlessness was a calm state of mind. If she had been truly passive to it, she may have escaped punishment and remained in Helena's good graces. As for Jax-Rai...

His failings were his own, she thought, closing her eyes as she sat cross-legged on the floor of her cell. To be arrogant in the face of the Elders is a mark of ignorance. If he had practiced mere reverence, he would not have found himself in his position. That seemed to be solid logic to Fal-Mai. It placated her a bit. Having something even as small as that to hold onto when she could not think of a better reason was all she could do.

Undoubtedly, Mordenna would only have found satisfaction if it was either of them vanishing instead of him. Her brows twisted together as the thought of her other brother entered her mind. He was on this ship... lurking somewhere, undoubtedly. Surprisingly, he had not paid a visit to her yet. Either Eliza had him on a surprisingly secure leash or it was just a matter of time before he descended upon her, teeth bared.

They were just angry and wanted to take it out on someone, you gullible fuck!

His words flashed across her consciousness and she almost winced. They had also shaken her in the moment—considering it was simply his nature to bruise with his words, she had thought she could brush them off in time. But still, they stuck with her... as did Eliza's. The reasonings she had put up to her troubles and the things that had happened to her groaned under the weight of what they had said.

But if what the Elders had did was reasonable, why did you let yourself be taken? Simple. She had been too emotional in her response to Their judgement, and perceived Them through that critical lens. Her emotions were once again proving to be her downfall...

... so why? Why did she have them in the first place? Surely it would have been easier for Helena to simply make her incapable of emotion. The reasoning of "you developed them against Her will" came to her mind, but that hit another barrier—was that to imply that Helena's craftsmanship was lacking? Was that to imply that She had made an error that made Fal-Mai this way? If she was truly made perfect, as Helena would have her believe... then she shouldn't have emotions. She shouldn't feel.

So she let XCOM capture her. Helena's flawless design, committing imperfect actions. Thinking against Her. Fal-Mai's hands balled into fists and she fought off a tide of frustration and discontent. It had to be her fault, right? Helena said so. Helena made something imperfect. Either the reality was that Helena truly had made something perfect and Fal-Mai had found a way to fail... or Helena had made her capable of emotion knowingly. Then She had instructed her to not feel. The Assassin did not know which reality was worse.

If she was imperfect, what that it? Was that just a black stain on the rest of her eternally young life, to be doomed to fail because of Helena?

No. There had to be a reason, any other reason for it. Maybe it was Helena's plan all along. Maybe She had intended it as a learning experience. Maybe there was going to be a point along the way where Helena would have revealed Her grand intentions and told Fal-Mai it's ok now. It was to teach you strength. You can rest, you do not have to put yourself up to this any longer.

Maybe. For better, and for worse, she would likely never know now. Not though her own eyes, anyhow. Her hands relaxed back into loosely hanging fingers, and she breathed a deep sigh. Her fate... was now in Eliza's hands. Eliza did not seem to want to harm her... even if the things she had said stung. But they didn't hurt like what Mordenna might say—there was something to be gleaned from what Eliza had tried to talk to her about. It had left her with introspective questions, not stinging wounds.

Would a kind parent even give her the impression that she would be reclaimed once she was safe within Their embrace again? Why did she consider Eliza's former state to be such a blessing? Was the notion of being dead to the world and unable to act for one's self truly an ideal? So many questions, and few she wanted to ruminate over the answers about. Despite herself... Fal-Mai wanted to speak with Eliza again. Maybe then she could glean some answers she actually wished for.

Fal-Mai was so lost in thought, she nearly didn't catch the featherlight sounds of footsteps outside of her door. Whatever material the walls were made of, it was impressive—but still not enough to outmatch her hearing. When she registered the footprints, her shroud covered her—for comfort, and for concealment. She moved to stand, pressing herself against the wall.

The door opened... and, what was that human phrase? "Speak of the devil?" Eliza appeared, closing the door behind her as fast as she had walked in. The soft smell of earth and grass came in with her—which struck Fal-Mai as odd. It was... interesting to think that Eliza would ever set foot off of the Avenger. Was that a danger she was willing to handle? Fal-Mai seemed to be left with more questions by the minute.

Eliza's eyes scanned the room, completely missing Fal-Mai as cloaked as she was. As far as she knew, her cloak was unique—her brother possessed a variant, but it was less "true invisibility" and more "distraction filter." Capture devices did not seem to be able to record him when he didn't want them to, either. She only knew this because he had used it once or twice to get into her Stronghold just to torment her, and he deigned to tell her.

Discarding those thoughts, an impulse led her to dropping her cloak—just as Eliza opened her mouth to speak. Presumably to call out for her as she did last time. The Commander closed her mouth, gesturing to Fal-Mai to speak. After a second, the Assassin chose her words. "Your confidence in assuming that I would like to speak after what we had discussed last time is a curious sort, Commander."

To that, Eliza replied quickly. "Two things—one, if I don't try, I damn myself to fail regardless. Two? Well, you dropped your cloak without me saying a thing. Presumably you do want to speak."

As always, Eliza was sure in her speech. Still, Fal-Mai had to probe at her. "And what if I had dropped my shroud merely to tell you that I never wished to discuss with you again?"

Eliza's mouth settled into a line, but she ended up calmly shrugging. "Then I would have tried. Perhaps I'd give it one more shot at a later date, but if you didn't want to talk... well, interrogating you wouldn't strike me as wise for several reasons. I've effectively taken you out of the running. After the war, I could further decide what to do with you, but considering I have you safely locked up? I would consider it a general success."

Fal-Mai studied her a bit more. There were many things she wanted to ask of Eliza... but if the Commander was here, she was here for a reason. "What do you want of me, Commander?"

In response, Eliza moved to sit on the floor. "While I do want a thing or two out of you, that's not why I'm here today. Fal-Mai? I want you to ask questions about me. Anything you've got."

That... caught Fal-Mai off-guard. Eliza wanted her to ask questions? To probe into her and withstand whatever inquiries the Assassin had? Eliza was a very interesting human being. Perhaps this was one of the reasons Mordenna was playing along with XCOM... Fal-Mai ended up humoring Eliza, moving to sit back in her lotus position on the floor, with her hands still behind her of course. "Let me clarify this to myself; you want questions to be asked of you. Right now."

"Yep. Ask away."

"Anything?"

"I'll try to answer within reason, yes."

Fal-Mai studied her for a second. "Elizabeth Rosetta O'Leary. Your full name was accessible on your file when you were still in service of the Elders. When that man—Bradford—took you, why did you not come back? You would know no suffering, even if your life would be... rather stationary."

Eliza seemed to consider her answer carefully before she gave it. "Because I didn't want to be there. I didn't want to be a vegetable in a tank, serving a bunch of aliens that had never asked if I had wanted to command for them. No, they showed up one day, warred with me for half a year, then stormed my palace and kidnapped me by force." She chuckled humorlessly. "I do realize I've done much of the same to you, but I'd at least like to make it your decision if you want to work with me. There's also a lot more in the fine details regarding it all, but I'll go into them as you're curious."

Fal-Mai squinted at the Commander. It was... admittedly still hard for her to consider someone such as Eliza not wanting to serve under the Elders. Her grasp on it was slowly getting better... and now that she could ask questions? Perhaps she could get a better understanding. "But why, Commander? It all would have made sense in time—the Elders make no moves without heavy consideration. Was some part of you not wanting to return and see what They had in mind for you? Surely you know They would happily accept you back and most likely spare those you cared for..."

"Well..." Eliza set the remote in her hands down, lacing her hands together and pressing her index fingers against her lips, thinking. "Let me put it this way: imagine if, after I had kidnapped you, I put you under. I got my scientists to put a device in you that would make you obey my every whim, no matter what you wanted to do. Imagine I did this without asking, without even stopping to consider what you might want. Let's say I then put you on the battlefield and had you massacre ADVENT by the hundreds, the thousands. All in pursuit of some larger goal that you've never been told." Eliza spread her hands out. "But then! The Elders free you! You're back in safety..." She then gestured to Fal-Mai. "But don't you want to go back? Everything would have made sense in time. Maybe you were one more killed ADVENT away from securing the future for everyone. Maybe you've just doomed us all. Why don't you just go back to your abusers, Fal-Mai?"

That... gave Fal-Mai something to think about. Her eyes closed as a greater understanding came over her, of just what she was asking Eliza. True, the Elders... may have been the aggressors, twenty years ago. Fal-Mai truly did not know the details. At least, nothing outside of what she had read from files. To be captured, and put to work against your will, to be kept captive for twenty years? Fal-Mai could see herself despairing. She wouldn't want to go back if she was freed. She'd very well fall into the Elders' arms if They so let her and not leave until They cast her out.

She opened her eyes and looked at Eliza again. Had Eliza done just that? Had Eliza sought comfort in the likes of Bradford and the rest of her staff, once she had woken up? It was another question she could ask, but she left it to the side for now. "I believe I understand more now, Commander. Though I do not agree with your views... I see where you formulate them." Thinking on her next question, her face grew somber. "How much do you think you know about what the Elders have 'done to us?'"

"More than enough," Eliza began softly, "to know that I need to get all three of you out of there. I've seen Mordenna get punished before, once or twice. Judging by what you said in the field, it happened to you and Jax once he was kidnapped. If trends continue, god knows Jax has been punished a second time for your kidnapping. None of you deserve that. None of you deserve abuse."

Fal-Mai winced in pain at the memory. Not just of her punishment—of what she could only presume was Jax's punishment, and his feelings on the matter. At some level, she knew the Chosen were linked—only just enough so that if one of them was experiencing an extreme emotion, the other two got ghosts of it. Questioning, terror, child-like fright... that and more was what she had experienced quite soon in her cell. She could only think on what Mordenna felt and how he had dealt with it.

But even so, to think of anything the Elders had done as abuse? It was alien to her. Surely They only had the best in mind... but she knew that was flimsy. More and more of what she had seen and experienced was starting to lead her to a different conclusion, and she didn't like the looks of it. The Elders were gods. More than gods. They were beyond reproach. But They were the ones who told you that They were. Eliza's mere existence outside of the Tank seems to prove that wrong, yes?

To press those thoughts out of her head, she sprang for another question. "Why are you doing this?"

"... in general, or?"

"This. Letting me ask questions. Questions you should not answer. Even after I made you angry by insisting it was a blessing you were in the Tank." Fal-Mai had noticed the way Eliza's hands balled into fists; could hear how her breathing stilled. Fal-Mai knew she had crossed a line there—and the fact that Eliza had not gotten furious or so much as raised her voice stuck with her. "You should have been angry with me. You should not be condoning this. Why?"

Eliza looked at her softly, with a kind of sympathy that just made Fal-Mai want to ask why again. When the Commander spoke, her voice was low and gentle. "Fal-Mai. If I don't let you ask questions, how will you ever learn what you should and shouldn't do? How would you know anything about me? How would you ever have the confidence to ask? I want you to ask questions so you know who I am. I want you to ask so you have the chance to be comfortable with me. I'm not angry at you. I was upset because it reminded me of bad memories, but not angry at you. There's a world of difference between the two. Do you understand?"

Truthfully, did Fal-Mai? Her world was turning itself inside-out over these past few... weeks? She didn't even know how much time had passed, how long she had been here exactly, wondering what the Elders really were to her. She could not ask Them questions of Themselves. She did not have the confidence to even try. She was not... comfortable with Them. She was not comfortable with her "Mother." They had tried to comfort her. They had been comforting, at one point. But that was gone, now. They had done something painful, hurtful to her. They did not apologize. They only justified the punishment she was made to endure.

She wanted comfort. Physical comfort. Her heart craved to be held and uplifted and not merely assuaged of worries that could not be spoken away. They could not, would not give her that. For one who had slain ADVENT's enemies for over a year with only thanks to go by... Fal-Mai did not think she was entitled to anything. But, maybe a hug would have made everything the Elders did easier to stomach...

Eliza was still looking at her, waiting patiently for an answer. Fal-Mai opened her mouth to reply... then closed it slowly a second later. Did she understand something as simple as being able to ask someone in authority questions? Especially of themselves? She lidded her eyes. "... no, Eliza. I do not. The Elders... did not leave much room for understanding." She closed her eyes, unable to look at the Commander any longer, especially with her next question coming. "Would you want me? Not as a weapon, but as a..."

Fal-Mai trailed off, unable to finish the question. When it became clear she wasn't going to finish it, Eliza took in a breath to respond. "Yes, Fal-Mai. As an ally. As a valued operative. And if you'd allow me... as a friend."

A friend. The closest thing Fal-Mai would have called a friend was her head Priest. Considering she had fought and died valiantly at her Stronghold, she was certainly alone now if she wasn't before. She was quiet for a moment longer. "If I asked you to leave, would you?"

"Yes."

"... then will you? You... have given me much to think over. I would like my privacy as I do so. Allow me to meditate for a few days." She would have no way of telling if those "few days" had passed, of course, but she would like to think she could take Eliza on her word. "I will give what you have said—and your standing proposition—serious thought. But I must make sure I am making the right decision."

"Of course," Eliza replied. Fal-Mai opened her eyes in time to see the Commander rising, grabbing the remote as she stood. "I'm glad you're receptive, Fal-Mai. I hope you got to ask some of the questions you wanted to, and if you missed a few?" Eliza smiled. "You can always get to those later. Have a good... meditation, Fal-Mai. I'll check on you in a few days."

With that, Eliza tapped the pad... and this time, she kept her back to Fal-Mai, walking out the door normally and not checking over her shoulder or obstructing the whole doorway. Maybe she had forgotten. Maybe it was a gesture of trust. Whatever the case, the door closed, and Fal-Mai listened as Eliza walked away from her cell.

It was a second or so longer before Fal-Mai allowed herself to slump back against the wall. Friends. With Eliza. The Commander of XCOM and wayward soldier of the Elders. Something in her gut burned at the thought of it... but the burning was not unpleasant. It spoke of a need, one her heart had craved. A friend. Friends under the Elders? Impossible. Certainly not possible with the atmosphere she shared with her siblings. Being friends with Eliza... seemed like a far-off good dream. Could she achieve it? Would it be viable? Did she really want to?

Fal-Mai closed her eyes once more, slipping deeper into her thoughts. She... wanted to be comfortable with someone. Wanted to trust them. Wanted to know that they were there for her and would be there for her. Would Eliza do that if Fal-Mai joined with XCOM? She, undoubtedly, could never go back to the Elders if she did such a thing, and yet the more she thought on it...

She didn't know if she wanted to go back to them.