Epilogue
She didn't want to wake up. She was warm, comfortable, comforted even where she was. It felt so good and so close where she was. But the voice wouldn't leave her alone.
Come on, girl. It is okay. You are okay. Come on, wake up.
The voice had been her constant companion ever since she had had been here. It was never harsh, never cold or rude. But always present. Kind, but firm. Stern, but fair. She liked the voice, but she didn't want to wake up. She resisted as best she could. She didn't want to leave the warm. She didn't want to remember. She knew it had been bad. That it had hurt. And now? She wasn't hurting. She didn't want to go back. The music called to her as it always did and she-
"Mishka. Wake up."
That voice she knew. Her mother! Her mother was here! Mishka knew better than to dither.
Mishka jerked awake to oddness. She was floating in something as her mother stared at her with a face that only looked blank. She could see tension in that so familiar face, worry in the eyes that she knew so well even with the glow that now flared from them when the healer got emotional. It always worried her when her mom's eyes started to glow as they were starting to now.
But…
Mishka wasn't in a tank, or a pod or anything else she knew. She had been hurt far too many times and healed far too many times to mistake Tenno healing methods for any other. And then there were the other methods she had known, icky methods. Whatever she was floating in wasn't anything she knew. It wasn't Tenno or Caretaker. Iriana looked worried and Mishka tried to reassure her, but the girl's mouth didn't work. Mishka's worry was starting to become fear and the first voice came again, soothing, calming.
Easy. Not like that. You won't be able to talk like that. Whoever was speaking to her was directly to her mind. Like this. My mind to your mind, your thoughts to my thoughts. The voice was female. Sort of. That didn't feel quite right. That said? It was gentle, soothing. It is okay, Mishka. You are safe and you will remain that way.
That was an oath that any Tenno would have recognized and Mishka relaxed. She saw her mother relax as well and then, slowly, carefully, Mishka opened her mind as she had been taught.
Mom? Mishka was stunned when Iriana suddenly burst into tears. Mom! It is okay! Whatever I did, I am sorry!
It is not your fault, Mishka. The voice from before came to her again and this time, comfort suffused every bit of Mishka. She thought you were dead, started the grieving process. We couldn't tell anyone you were alive until now. She was the first we told. She didn't believe us and I don't blame her.
Am I alive? Mishka felt so odd. It felt good, but it was so odd.
Well, you are not dead. The voice replied. And to be honest? I am not sure how to define your state at the moment. You are not gone. Not imprisoned. I had to violate your body in order to save your mind, and I do apologize for that. What was that feeling from the other? Shame?
"Don't. Start." Iriana managed between her wracking sobs. Why was no one coming to her aid? She was all but hyperventilating. Mishka went utterly still as a form straight out of horror moved into her view behind her mom.
MOM! Mishka screamed as the massive green Sentient approached her mom from behind.
"It is okay, Mishka." Iriana slumped and the green metal form did not attack her. It moved to hover beside her. Somehow, Mishka could feel it. It wasn't hostile! It was sad. Worried. For Mishka and for Iriana! "I didn't believe. I couldn't believe. I… I can't... believe..."
"No one blames you for that, Healer. No one at all!" Mishka stared as the Sentient morphed into a female human form. Older than Iriana, but unbent and her skin was green metal instead of flesh. The Sentient, woman, whatever she was, smiled at Mishka. "Good morning, Mishka."
Good morning. Mishka's tone was more than a bit dubious, but the courtesy came naturally. Um… What did I miss?
"You missed a lot." The green woman frowned. "Most of it bad. You were attacked in the Tower. The one who attacked you was trying to take your mind hostage using an ancient evil Orokin technique. We are not entirely sure why. We are not sure how you came to us, but Marlena here realized what was happening and took rather insane steps to save you." The green woman glowered, but it was oddly mocking. She clearly wasn't angry.
I wasn't going to let you perish in front of me, Mishka. Came from the first voice. You very nearly did. I am glad I could help, but you need to go with your mom now.
No! Mishka pleaded as something changed around her. NO! Don't! I feel so good!
"This is not the way it is supposed to be." The green Sentient said firmly. "Your kind and ours are not supposed to be compatible. Saving a life is a good thing. It is very rare that my kind do such and it helps us cope with all the bad. Saving your life was a very good thing, Dear Mishka. But you cannot stay here, girl. You are not like us."
Wait! Mishka pleaded as pressure built on her. Odd pressure, but it didn't feel bad. Just odd. I feel odd but whole for the first time since Shadow left me in the Tower. I don't know what happened or why, but this is where I am supposed to be!
Mishka. The first voice was upset now, but not with Mishka You are not supposed to be here. I wasn't ready. I may have hurt you even though I tried so hard not to.
It doesn't hurt. Mishka retorted. And yes, I know that doesn't make me healed. She continued quickly when both Iriana and the green sentient opened their mouths to speak. A rudeness, but she had to make herself understood. The binding is gone, Mom! I don't need Shadow!
That had been bad. When she had woken in Shadow's care, she had been dependent on the dark being's power for her own well being. She had required Shadow to be present every so often or something went wrong deep inside her cells and she got sick. Those memories blurred. She knew she had nearly died at least once.
"You may have just traded one addiction for another, Mishka." Iriana warned.
I… Maybe. Mishka said weakly. But, Mom… Listen.
Mishka started to hum, and then to sing softly. No one spoke and no one interrupted her as she gave voice to the melody that she had been working on ever since she had woken in this odd, comfortable place. It wasn't sound. It wasn't neuro-chemical energy or Tenno energy or anything she had manipulated to make music before. It wasn't anything she had dealt with before, but it was music. She could feel the voice that surrounded her astonished and pleased at the music. Iriana's eyes widened in shock and appreciation. The green Sentient was rapt as well. Mishka finished her short tune and spoke.
I learned this here. This is not anything I know how to define. Mishka admitted. It is not Orokin music. It is not Tenno music. It is not anything human. Is it Sentient? She asked.
"Not quite." The green Sentient said slowly. "It is not dangerous like Orokin music was and is, but it is mesmerizing for the sheer feel it gives. It is beautiful." She smiled at Mishka, but the smile fell. "Mishka, you cannot stay here. We are going to be in danger and I do not wish to see you placed in danger. Especially now. There is far too little beauty left in this fallen world. So many enemies would obliterate you without a thought. More would kill you if they think you can bring hope."
I am not leaving! Mishka snapped and she could feel the shock of whatever she was inside of.
Mishka! Please! The mind of the voice that surrounded her was scared now. Please go with your mother!
You are a Sentient. Mishka said softly and the other did not respond. Thank you for saving my life but I am tired. I am going back to sleep now. That was snide and the voice around her gasped.
"Mishka." Her mother's tone turned flat. Pure 'Mother is not happy!' "Do not disrespect those who saved your life and soul."
I am a Bard. Mishka said quietly, but far more respectfully. Music is what I do. If I have to take a warframe- She was cut off by a cacophony of many voices, some aloud, some not, all shouting the word 'No!'. Mishka pushed through the noise with her mental voice. I have the choice!
"You do." Iriana said heavily. "But Mishka… You are not a warrior. Not a killer. Please do not throw away what you are in the need to 'prove yourself' or something. You are my daughter and I love you no matter what. I will…" She swallowed hard. "I will support you the best I can. I will not deny you whatever choice you make. You are close to being an adult by Tenno standards and with you being a Caretaker, you have been acting as an adult for some time." Mishka stilled as Iriana gave a tiny sob. 'Do you wish to be released from my parentage?"
No! Mishka protested. I don't! Mom! It is not like that!
"I have been an awful mother!" Iriana was sobbing again and to Mishka's shock, the green metal woman hugged Iriana. "So many times, I left you to fend for yourself. Duty. Healing. Whatever. I left you alone. I just-"
It is not your fault! Mishka pleaded. I knew that! I know that! So many people need you.
"You need me! I can't leave you to face this alone, Mishka. I can't." Iriana said heavily as the green being held her. "I won't." She patted the arm of the green metal woman who released her and stepped back, but then Iriana turned to face that one. "When Mishka sets her feet, sane people go around her. She won't change her mind without overwhelming proof and maybe not even then." That was sour and Mishka sputtered, but then Iriana continued. "Will you have me?"
"Iriana, what we plan won't be safe at all." The green one protested. "Titan is no longer a safe haven and as soon as we break the surface of the ocean, we are going to be chased. We cannot protect you. We may not even be able to protect ourselves. Yes, Adiinah is faster than just about anything else in this system, but Hunhow will hunt her and us. That leaves aside your kind. As soon as Tenno detect us, you know what they will do. Your people will freak as soon as they see Adiinah. We cannot hide from Tenno and Hunhow. There are too many for us to evade them. We will not fight, but they cannot know that. We have to run and that has no guarantees."
"No, the Tenno will not react well." Iriana shrugged. "I didn't cover myself with glory when 'I' realized what ship I was coming to even with Janet's reassurances." She shook her head. "You will need help."
"Iriana, please." Was the green sentient begging? "If Erra or Hunhow realize that Mishka is here, they won't be happy. If they realize you are here, they will do everything they can to kill you and anyone who gets in their way with be destroyed. Marlena and I are corrupted, lesser now. They may or may not destroy us if they catch us. They will destroy you. They will not bother trying to enthrall you. Warrior Tenno or no, it makes no difference to them. It does to me and mine."
"Danger is part of life." Iriana bit her lip but then relaxed. "Mishka won't leave. I have failed my daughter far too many times. The Tenno have other Healers now. You don't. Do you?"
"You do not know what you are saying, Iriana!" The green sentient tried again.
"Yes, I do." Iriana squared her shoulders. "The Caretakers, the First, the other Tenno… Everyone says I do too much. That I push myself too far. They are right. I have taken vacations, breaks, but… In the end? I am at my limits. I can go no further. My daughter is all that I truly have left now. Janna is training and will be for years. Sara is busy. Kat doesn't trust himself and won't leave the dojo. I love him and he loves me, but he is scared for me too." She slowly sank to the floor and folded her knees into a seiza stance. "He will understand as long as I do eventually come back to him. Mishka needs me. And… I bet Marlena will need help too."
"I…" The green sentient looked at Mishka and was that consternation or pity? Hard to say. "She will. She wasn't ready. She did very well, but she wasn't ready."
"Neither was I for Mishka, so I understand that all too well." Iriana reassured everyone. "I may not know your ways, but I heal. It is what I do."
The Tenno will think we enthralled you. Marlena's voice was hushed. Scared.
"The Caretakers and First will know better. The rest? They can kiss my ass." Iriana made a face. "Sorry for the language."
"I think a few harsh words will be the least of our problems." The green metal woman morphed back into a Sentient form but Mishka could still feel her worry.
"And here I thought Janet was the Oracle."