Kindness
Liriel wasn't awake, but the Kavat wasn't asleep either.
She should have been upset, but she wasn't. She should have been afraid, but she wasn't.
She was safe. She was warm. She was comforted.
She was being held in mid-air by energy that was exuded from a blue metal form and everything felt so good. She just curled up and basked in the feelings of bliss as the soft energy held her and petted her.
"So fierce. So brave." A soft, sad female voice sounded from close at hand but Liriel was too listless to react as Tanah held her in gentle energy. "So hurt. So sad and alone."
Yeah. The voice of the Sentient wasn't anything like any other being that Liriel had ever encountered, but she wasn't afraid. Not now.
Liriel hadn't trusted the staff of this odd place called a 'hospice'. She couldn't trust. Not after everything. None of them had taken it wrongly. None of them had been anything less than polite to her and she had returned that, but cold. Even the youngest ones who had been so curious on seeing her had been polite to her. Some of them had tugged at her heart, but she had forced herself to remain aloof. She had to be true to her friend, be true to Ariana.
The staff had understood. They had not pressed her in any way. They had fed her and then let her rest. When she had woken, Tanah had swept in and hadn't said a word, had simply picked her up and soothed her. She hadn't realized just exactly how much it had hurt until the pain had vanished in his expert care. It hadn't been physical, but it had been extreme. Now? She was calm, safe and not hurting.
It took a great deal of effort, but Liriel managed speech.
I have a message for you, Tanah. The Kavat said softly as the blue Sentient laid her back on the floor.
I know. My sister told me what happened. The odd being replied and Liriel tensed, just a little as a silver form appeared nearby. Another Sentient. His tone turned chiding. You shouldn't have translocated so far, Kanaah.
"Bite me." That didn't sound like a Sentient, but Liriel knew it was.
Wow. Marlena is such a bad influence, isn't she? Tanah inquired, but it was joking.
"Actually, she is a moderating influence for many of us." The other replied, her tone turning sober. "After so long trapped in Hunhow's rage, many of us who follow Mother are lost in dealing with emotions of any kind." Was it Liriel's imagination that Tanah tensed? It had to be. Sentients didn't show such things. "And no. You are needed here. Mother and Marlena have things in hand."
And Natah? The blue Sentient asked.
"She has her own path." The other replied. "None of us are about to gainsay her. You shouldn't either."
If Adiinah comes back into the system, Hunhow will try to use her. Tanah warned.
"We know. She doesn't like the idea of facing him again, but she accepts that the need is great. We hope we won't be needed." The one called Kanaah replied, her scrutiny falling onto the Kavat. "How are you feeling, Liriel?"
Better. The Kavat sighed. I did not realize how much it hurt. What did that? My long sleep?
Yes. Tanah replied. Your energy level was so low when you were found that everyone feared for you. A number of your higher functions shut down and it took a great deal of work to bring you back. There are easier ways to suicide. He chided the Kavat gently, but she took no offense. Not from him.
I was not consciously planning suicide. Liriel said weakly. I just… She slumped and energy came from the silver one. It soothed her just as Tanah had and she was comforted.
"You wanted to find your friend." Kanaah's tone held sympathy, but no pity. "No one blames you for that, Liriel. No one."
What do I do? Liriel begged the odd pair. Without Ariana, what am I? She was wafted into the air and the silver one was soothing her as she cried.
"You are yourself." The silver Sentient said gently, crooning softly under her words. "You are not Ariana's slave. You are her companion. Her friend. She would be just as horrified by what happened to you as everyone else was." She scoffed. "More in all likelihood. No matter what she was or is, she does love you."
She never wanted to be a monster. Liriel pleaded.
For some, it is a choice. Tanah's voice was sad. From what little I know about her, it wasn't a choice she was given.
They made her a killer! Liriel cried as Kanaah held her. She did not want to be one!
"Liriel." Kanaah's energy hugged the Kavat gently. "Ariana is safe for the moment. You are not."
What? Liriel stiffened and stared from the silver Sentient to the blue one. What do you mean?
"We do not know what sent you to us when Oracle Janet came to Mother." Kanaah said quietly. "We feel that it is nothing good." The Kavat stared at the Sentient and despite the comfort, a shiver wracked her form. "Be calm, fierce hunter. You are not alone."
Did I do that? Liriel asked, confused. I should not have been able to do that.
It wasn't you. Tanah reassured her. It wasn't any of us. No Sentient did it.
"Natah said it wasn't a Tenno either." Kanaah said heavily as Liriel stared from one to the other.
The Grineer could not have done that. The Infested would not have done that. Liriel paused. Would they?
"The mass mind that the Caretakers protect might very well have been capable of such." Kanaah replied. "But Natah has felt their touch before and it wasn't the same."
What does that leave? Liriel asked, confused. The Corpus?
She stiffened. If the Profit driven humans found such tech as to be able to translocate a small object onto a tiny thing moving at incredible speed in interstellar space… Oh, the implications were not good.
"That is a possibility, but in all likelihood, no." Kanaah reassured her. "Again, the feel of human tech is fairly recognizable to such as us." There was no conceit in the Sentient's words. There didn't need to be. "It wasn't anything we found familiar."
So what does that leave? Liriel asked, even more confused.
We don't know. Tanah admitted. And frankly? That scares us. For a Sentient to admit that? Oh dear.
What can I do? Liriel asked after a moment's thought. Ariana might be out of her reach, but her partner's core values remained. Even as a serial killer, Ariana had retained the core of the Tenno Code and had never shirked from her duty to humanity as a whole. She had preyed on the worst of the worst, never targeting the innocent. One more reason that Liriel had loved her despite all of her flaws.
"Oracle Janet's visions are clouded, but they all turn out bad." Kanaah was quiet, almost reflective. "The Tenno are lost, directionless. The one solid thing in their lives just turned on them, or so many believe. Natah hasn't, but they can't know that."
No, they can't. Liriel mused. So, what does that leave? Has the Oracle seen anything?
According to Mother, every time she tries, she is shocked out of her visions. Tanah replied and Liriel felt fear rise. It is almost as if someone really doesn't want her to see what is coming.
Who would benefit if the system falls? Liriel asked. The Grineer? The Infested? The Corpus?
"We don't know." Kanaah replied and then her form seemed to waver. Liriel eyed her as Tanah jerked forward.
Kanaah! The blue Sentient warned. Stop broadcasting! You have used too much!
"I… I need to..." Kanaah seemed to phase as Liriel felt the energy that held her vanish. The Kavat landed on her feet, staring at the silver Sentient in horror. Tanah started to send energy, but Liriel was faster. She jumped as only a Kavat could. Before either of the odd metal forms could react, Liriel was atop the silver one, her own energy pulsing into the fading form. Soothing, calming, easing, revitalizing.
You need to rest. Liriel said quietly as both Sentients seemed to goggle at her. Ariana did too after over exerting herself. Many times. I do not know what is happening. I do not know what I can do, but I will do what I can. Ariana would ask no less.
"You… are... a good soul, Liriel." Kanaah's voice was weak, but firmed under Liriel's ministration.
Stop talking! The other Sentient commanded. Kanaah! Hibernate! Now!
Yes, dear. That was so snide that Liriel had to snicker even as the firm under her sank to the floor and the energy that pulsed through it faded almost beyond the point of discerning. The Kavat looked at Tanah, worried, but the blue Sentient made a soft noise of encouragement.
She will be fine, in time. The not so menacing alien monster reassured the worried Kavat. She traveled too far by herself. Mother will likely have some very sharp words for her about that. Our kind don't die as organic forms do.
Maybe not. Liriel did not move from her place atop Kanaah still body. But I have seen Tenno die. Do not tell me it is not possible for energy forms to fade beyond recovery It nearly happened to me. She couldn't control a shiver and suddenly, she couldn't stop shivering.
You need rest yourself, Liriel. Tanah said quietly as gently energy lifted her from her perch. It stands to reason that whatever is coming is related to the lab that the Corpus have discovered. My lab. He said grimly. There are many who need me here and I am sworn not to leave.
I am not.
Was that a chuckle that came from the Sentient and Liriel fell into soothing blue tinged darkness? Hard to say.
Some time later
Liriel woke to an odd feeling. She was being petted. The wrong way!
"Abigail! No!" A sharp young female voice sounded as Liriel shot to her feet and hissed at the person who had dared rub her fur against the grain. The oddly androgynous female whose had had transgressed stared at the Kavat, eyes huge. Another female, this one in a hovering chair, sailed into view. She was Tenno and young. Her face was ashen as she stared at Liriel. "Abigail, take a step back. Now."
"Pretty cat." The odd looking girl said softly, her voice as oddly vacant as her face. What was wrong with her?
"That is not a cat, Abigail!" The other said sternly. "You woke her up! She will not be happy with you."
"Pretty cat." The other replied as she reached for Liriel again, obviously not comprehending the danger of aggravating a Kavat.
"Please don't hurt her!" The chair bound girl said weakly as Liriel retreated a step. "She doesn't know what she is doing!"
Liriel stared from one to the other and then at the door where the high caste Orokin female had suddenly appeared, her own face as shaken as the chair bound girl's. She didn't know these, but they obviously didn't mean any harm. And.. It wasn't the first time Liriel had dealt with such situations. Ariana had been a Healer and Liriel had worked with her a lot.
I will not. Liriel's calm voice had both the chair bound girl and the Orokin staring at her. She ignored them, turning to face Abigail who was eyeing her. Girl? Abigail? You wondered how the fur felt, no? The girl tapped the side of her head, confused but then smiled and nodded. Doing it without asking was rude, and you did it wrong. Both the Orokin and the chair bound girl inhaled as Liriel stepped forward and put her head under the blank faced girl's hand. She pushed into the hand. Stroke with the grain, front to back. Yes. Like that. She purred as Abigail's hand moved slowly and carefully. It should feel smooth, silky even. If it does not, alter your hand's path until it does.
Both of the others were goggling as Abigail smiled wide, her face lighting up as only a sorely hurt being who had found solace could. She was bent almost in half to reach all of the Kavat and Liriel was half afraid she would topple over.
Can you sit? Liriel asked. It has to be more comfortable than bending over like that.
It was all the Kavat could do not to laugh at the expressions on the faces of the others as Abigail carefully sat, still stroking inexpertly. The girl smiled wider as Liriel climbed into her lap. Since she was hurt, Liriel decided not knead and curled up in her lap. There was something very wrong about the girl's midsection, but Liriel ignored it.
"Pretty cat." Abigail said with a smile as Liriel purred.
Kavat, not cat. Liriel corrected her gently. Do not pull my tail. She warned sternly when Abigail's hand trailed down that way The girl recoiled as if struck and Liriel moderated her tone. I will not hurt you as long as you do not hurt me, girl.
"No hurt!" Abigail begged, her face suddenly so terrified that even Liriel's hardened heart started to melt. "No hurt!"
Tears started to fall, but she jerked as Liriel nuzzled her chin. She stared into the Kavat's eyes and deep intelligence marred by pain and fear sang inside the girl's brown eyes. Liriel slowly shook her head. Whoever this girl was, this wasn't how she was meant to be. Someone had done this to her. Mind and body both altered. A glance at the Orokin and the golden skinned female nodded, her face set in a grim line. From her expression? She hadn't done it and whoever had was not on her list of friends. Later. Liriel would explore the truth later. For now? She had something more important to do.
No. The Kavat promised. No hurt. My name is Liriel. What is yours?
"They call me… Abigail?"The confused pain in the girl's questioning tone was heart-wrenching.
Liriel just focused on soothing the all but crying girl. She could help this poor tormented soul. Ariana would be proud of her. Liriel expected it to take a while, but between one stroke and another, Abigail's face slackened and she all but collapsed. The Kavat looked at the others who nodded to her.
"That was kind." The Orokin said quietly as Liriel carefully stepped off the slumbering girl. "Poor girl is a mess."
Did whoever did that to her get away? Liriel asked without preamble. The Orokin shook her head. Good.
The Kavat did not react as Abigail was lifted by barely visible golden energy and moved to one wall where a bed slid out for her to be deposited on. She had seen far stranger things around high caste Orokin in the past.
"In a few weeks, I will release him to face the Empress." The golden woman said with a growl. "He thought to take her place." At that, the Kavat gave a matching growl and the other nodded. Emperors and Empresses had no patience with people who tried to do such things. None. "That is not his only crime, but in my opinion, the worst of them."
Can you help her? The Kavat asked.
"I am trying." The golden woman paused and then shook her head. "I am remiss. My name is Brianna Executor. I don't know if you remember, but we met in the portal chamber."
It was fairly memorable. The Kavat's tone was so dry that both of the others chuckled.
"Jasmina usually is." Brianna smirked and then nodded to the chair bound girl. "This is Mary." Liriel looked at the girl who nodded, her face grave. She had heard a bit about Mary's ordeals.
"I was supposed to be minding her, Brianna." Mary said weakly. "I apologize."
"You need to heal too, Mary." Brianna's rejoinder wasn't a rebuke. Not quite. "Have you eaten?"
"Brianna..." Mary started with a groan, but paused as Liriel snorted.
I see Tenno young are as stubborn as ever. The Kavat smirked at Mary's hurt expression. Eat when you can and sleep when you can, young Mary. You never know when you will be able to again. Mary looked mulish, but Liriel knew exactly how to handle such things. Again, she had worked with Ariana for a long time before the her partner had been caught. I do not know about you, but I am hungry.
"Well, we cannot have that." Brianna smiled at the Kavat as Liriel moved to the chair and eyed the girl questioningly. "Can we, Mary? I would do what she asks. Kavats are notoriously stubborn."
Liriel gave a derisive sniff even if it was true. She had her pride.
"I need to keep an eye on Abigail." Mary protested weakly and then gave a squeak as Liriel leaped into her lap. "Ah..."
Brianna didn't speak. She simply crossed her long, golden arms as an Orokin drone shot into the room to hover over the bed where Abigail lay. This time, Liriel kneaded the lap properly before curling up. Mary stared at the Kavat as Brianna fought a laugh. Mary was clearly not happy with the small pains from the Kavat's claws, but equally unwilling to give offense. Liriel took advantage as she always had and curled up, her head pillowed on the girl's thigh.
Do I need to say it? Liriel asked as Mary stared at her. Mary was clearly unsure and Liriel shook her head. Mush.
"'Mush'?" Mary queried and then jerked as Liriel extended a couple of claws just enough to get her point across. Food. Now. "Oh, okay. Whatever!"
The chair started moving and Brianna kept pace with it, obviously fighting a smile.
None of them saw the Orokin drone behind them morph into another, far more sinister looking form. The Djinn Sentinel did not fire its weapon. Instead, a beam of energy swept out from it across Abigail. Abigail gave a small cry in her sleep but did not rouse. Her form wavered for a moment before solidifying again. The Sentinel wavered again and an Orokin drone was back in its place.
Or was it?
Both Abigail and the drone shimmered with oddly gray energy. Holograms.