What makes a friend?
Liriel was enjoying herself.
She hadn't expected to. She still missed Ariana dreadfully, and part of her felt guilty at feeling enjoyment, but the rest of her knew that her friend wouldn't mind. She had been hurting for so long, angry for so long, that it had seemed the only way to be.
It wasn't.
An appreciative gasp came from the group as Liriel jumped as high as she could and just managed to snag the ball of cloth that Mary had tossed in a deceptive arc. Brianna had produced the soft ball when asked. The Orokin female hadn't been entirely sure about this, but Mary had almost jumped for joy when Liriel had proposed the game. Despite her infirmity -or maybe because of it- the chair bound Tenno girl had taken to throwing the ball higher and higher each time. Liriel was watching Mary carefully, but she was also having fun. The Kavat rolled in mid-air, spun and batted the ball back at Mary who grinned as she reached up and caught it. She leaned so far to catch it that the Kavat was worried for a moment that the girl would overbalance and fall out of her chair, but Mary managed to both catch the flying cloth and sit back upright.
"Dang, you are good at this, Liriel." Mary said as the sick girl watched the Kavat land. Everyone else was clapping. They had drawn a crowd and Liriel was eating up the attention.
I ought to be. Liriel said more than a hint of pride. I am a feline, after all.
"Is that instinctive or is that something you learned?" Mary asked. Her face was paler than it had been and Liriel stepped closer to her.
A bit of both. Liriel replied as she jumped up into Mary's lap. The girl gave an 'eep' as Liriel stared into her eyes.
"Liriel?" Mary asked, wary of the claws now. She knew instinctively that Liriel wouldn't really hurt her but she also the wicked claws were not for show.
Your eyes are unfocused and what I can feel of your pulse is odd. Liriel replied as she laid a paw on a button on the armrest of Mary's chair. A button that the Kavat had been told would summon assistance if Mary had problems. Mary started to protest, but Liriel was having none of it. Mary, you are not well and you know it.
The crowd that had gathered to watch Liriel and Mary play was dispersing, but several people moved closer to listen. A dark haired human woman stepped up to the chair, her face worried.
"What is wrong, Liriel?" The Kavat had been introduced to the woman. Kat, her name was, but she was nothing like the cats that Liriel knew. She was bonded to the Orokin who ran things here. She was kind, gentle and patient. A good soul. If Liriel hadn't been so driven to find Ariana, she might have counted the woman a friend. "Brianna is on the way."
I am not sure, Miss Kat. Liriel replied as she nuzzled Mary's cheek. I am no Healer. Something is wrong, but I have no idea what. She is pale, her eyes are not focusing properly and her pulse is odd. Not too weak or too strong nor too slow or fast. Just odd. She smells wrong too.
"Liriel." Mary protested as Kat reached for her hand. Then everything stopped as the girl's eyes rolled back up into her head and she started to jerk.
"Seizure!" Kat snarled, but Liriel was just as fast. The Kavat hit another button that she had been told about and the chair folded around Mary to hold her gently in place. It wouldn't hurt her, but it wouldn't let her flop around and hurt herself either. Kat had been reaching for the same button. She looked at Kat as Mary thrashed and from the look in the human's eyes? Both felt the same thing. Helpless.
Liriel jumped out of the way as Brianna and Tanah both came hustling in. They made a beeline for Mary and everyone who had been gathered and watching worriedly made way for the Orokin and the Sentient. Liriel was partnered to a Healer, but she herself was not one. She knew she would just be in the way, so when Kat held out her arms invitingly, Liriel jumped up to settle in them. Kat held her, petting the Kavat carefully as both watched the medics work.
She will be okay. Liriel's words were half promise, half plea.
"Brianna and Tanah will do what they can." Kat agreed. "We better get out of the way. The last thing Mary needs when she comes out of that is a bunch of people staring at her." That was to everyone and most of the crowd nodded, started to disperse.
"Good point." Brianna's soft voice had both the human and the Kavat looking. The Orokin female's face was set, but it relaxed as they looked at her. "She will be okay. She just overdid it." She paused and made a face. "Again. Iriana will not be happy."
"With her or with you?" Kat asked sourly as she started for the door. A questioning look at Liriel had the Kavat pillow her head on the human's arm. She had no objection to being carried.
"Both. I am supposed to be taking care of her, not letting her hurt herself. I guess we have to keep her in the bed to keep her safe. Might have to lock her in to keep her in though." Brianna shook her head and turned back to where Tanah was working. She paused as Liriel spoke.
A cage won't work. The Kavat said quietly but firmly. All such would do is make her angry to no gain. She needs something to do. Something to keep her mind occupied. Something that won't hurt her.
"The Library has offered." Brianna said softly. Liriel felt Kat's instant intransigence and apparently, this was an old argument, because Brianna continued before Kat could speak. "Yes, Kat, I know you don't trust it after what it did to you but it may be the best choice for Mary."
"Only if you want the girl insane. Or worse." Kat said darkly as she stalked for the door. Liriel looked up at the obviously angry woman and refrained form comment. She did hear Brianna sigh, but then the door cut off any further comment.
Isn't the Library where Mary was hurt in the first place? Liriel asked carefully. She had picked up a few tidbits here and there as she had tried to fit in here. It was hard.
"Yes." Kat snapped and then she gave herself a shake, apologizing before Liriel could do more than tense. "I am sorry, Liriel. I am not angry. Not really. Certainly not with you. It is me. I am a mess."
You were hurt as well. Hence why you are here. Liriel offered as Kat's hand stoked her fur.
"I focus on others." Kat heaved a sigh. "It helps me to help others. Funny that, but it does. I think-"
She stopped so suddenly that Liriel jumped out of her arms to land on the floor and stare… at Kat. The woman who stood in front of them was an exact duplicate of Kat down to the eyelashes. Even the smell was the same! Liriel stared from one to the other, confused as Kat backed up a slow step.
"I just want to talk." The other said slowly, not moving. Her accent was odd and thick, but her words were understandable. "That is all. Kat, please..."
"Go. Away." Kat all but growled that. Liriel jerked. Where had the kind woman she had been talking to go? Kat was terrified of this other? Why?
"They told me what happened!" The other Kat pleaded. "I didn't know! I wasn't..."
"Shut up!" Kat all but screamed that as she backed up another step. "YOU! DO! NOT! EXIST!" That was a scream and Liriel stared as the kind and gentle woman she had been talking to bolted! One moment, she was there, the next, she was gone.
Liriel stared after Kat and then at the other who was slumped and crying softly.
"I just want to apologize!" The other said weakly as Liriel looked her over. "She won't listen to me!" Liriel did not react and the other shook her head, dashing tears away. "I… I heard some. Liriel. Your name is Liriel. I will say one thing. Don't trust Anatoly. Just… don't." She jerked as Brianna appeared nearby, the Orokin's face remote. "Ah, Brianna Executor, I was just- Um." She trailed off a bit lamely as Brianna shook her head.
"I told you she was not ready to talk to you." Brianna said flatly. "She may never be. After what she went through for so long, she may never be able to accept your existence, Katherine."
"I just want to apologize!" Katherine repeated with a sob. "Is that so wrong?"
"Do not push her." Brianna said with a growl of her own. "You will not like what happens if you push her too far. Hell, no one in the vicinity will!" She actually shuddered. "I like this tower standing, thank you very much!"
For her part, Liriel just stood and stared. What the hell could frighten a high caste Orokin in the middle of a tower she controlled? Did the Kavat really want to know?
"If she won't talk to me...' Katherine said slowly. "I can't stay here."
"Where would you go?" Brianna asked. She seemed honestly curious.
"I don't know." Katherine admitted. "I have been doing research into number of things and I think I need to talk to the Corpus Clergy. I don't know for sure, but what they do might suit me. It seems closest to what I did and they can always use pilots, even incredibly rusty ones."
"We are expecting a Clergywoman any time now. I asked for some specialized help and they offered." Brianna allowed. "They have to travel in roundabout ways to get here, so it may be soon or not so soon. I can let you talk to Violet if you wish." Katherine perked up and Brianna shook her head. "She is busy with Kieko, but she can make time to talk if you wish."
"I would like that." Katherine said quietly. "She is…focused." She paused and then shook her head. "I don't know her, but she seems very familiar nonetheless." She shook her head again. "No, not her. Her manner? Her speech? Something about her is incredibly familiar and comforting."
"That is not something anyone has said about Violet recently." Brianna said with a snort. An Orokin drone appeared beside her and she nodded to it. "This will guide you to a room where Violet can talk to you. It may be a while." She warned. "Kieko is a mess."
"She is the one who your -um- predecessor altered?" Katherine asked. Brianna nodded, her face set in a grim line.
"One of two souls he utterly destroyed and yes, he will pay for that very shortly." Brianna said with a growl worthy of a hunting Kubrow. "The Empress has demanded his presence and I will deliver him to her. Alive, awake and aware."
From her cold tone, that was not her wish. Also from her tone, this Empress person would do far, far worse than Brianna could. Then again, whoever had hurt Abigail and this Kieko who Liriel hadn't met yet deserved every ouch of pain and then some. Liriel would shed no tears for that one. The drone bobbed and then started off. Katherine followed, her entire stance one of dejection.
How is Mary? Liriel asked when Brianna looked at her. She worries me.
"Me to." Brianna allowed. "Girl has no quit in her. That is the only reason she survived what she did even remotely sane. She does have some issues."
Who wouldn't? Liriel inquired and the Orokin female smiled at her.
"Mary likes you and you like her." Brianna said quietly. "Abigail is a handful on occasion, but you handled her very well. I know you cannot stay, but you are welcome here anytime, Liriel."
I need to talk to various people, including this Violet person. Liriel replied. That was one name I was given to speak to.
"The Corpus Special Forces may or may not be able to help you get to the lab as deep as it is. They are constrained in odd ways at times." Brianna looked thoughtful. "Who else?"
Tenno Jasmina. Someone named Karen. Liriel said quietly. Another named Miguel.
"Karen and Miguel?" Brianna said slowly, her face hooded. "That is… Hmmm." She shook her head. "They might be able to help. Do you know who and what they are?"
No. Liriel admitted. I don't think I have the need to know such until and unless I do talk to them.
"Security makes my head hurt." Brianna said sourly and then sighed. "No, Tower, that was not a complaint or request. No!" She said sharply as something wafted towards her, buoyed up by golden energy. "I don't need an analgesic!" She growled something that sounded foul under her breath in a language that Liriel was glad she didn't know. The half seen thing vanished. She made a noise in her throat that sounded remarkably like a dog growling. Or maybe a wolf? "Gee! What have I told you about 'suggesting' things to the Tower?" She asked in a deceptively sweet voice. The Orokin was not happy. "Do you want me to call Nikis in now? Wake him up and get him here all grumpy?"
"Um..." A short woman appeared nearby, her face worried. "Alpha, I am trying to help."
"You are being a pain in the butt." Brianna all but snarled that and the other raised her head, tilting it to the side oddly. Exposing her throat? "Don't do that! The kids are in class. Go help the teacher." That was both command and dismissal. The other left without a word. Only after she was gone did Brianna groan. "There are times I really hate this incredibly convoluted pile of stuff I got tossed into."
You run things. Liriel offered. Of course you won't enjoy it all.
"Most high caste Orokin I knew were far above getting their hands dirty actually doing things. That was what Dax and servants were for." Brianna heaved another sigh and relaxed. "I can see the appeal, but that isn't me."
I prefer to do things too, so… Liriel sat and looked at the Orokin. What would you have of me while I wait?
"Don't you start!" Brianna begged. "The shades, Gee, all of them look to me as if I am some kind of deity. I am not!"
That is not what I meant. Liriel gave a dismissive sniff. I serve Ariana, no one else.
"If I may ask, did she raise you?" Brianna asked. Liriel looked at her and the Orokin shook her head. "I am curious, no more. I know the bonds of friendship that form between Tenno and companions."
No. Liriel said softly. She found me.
Just the memory hurt and Liriel fought hard to remain still as Brianna bent to one knee beside the distressed Kavat. She held out a hand and the Kavat bowed her head, accepting the pets that came.
"I am sorry I distressed you, Liriel." Brianna sounded honestly regretful. "We all have bad memories. You found a home. A good friend and I find such loyalty as yours humbling. I have known all kinds of Tenno. Good, bad, indifferent. What I know about your friend frankly worries me, but I also know that you can no more change your own nature than I can turn back into a human." The acceptance in her words was just as comforting as her caresses. "You have done no harm to any here even when provoked and for that? I thank you."
Abigail didn't understand what she was doing. Liriel said quietly through her purrs. I saw such before. I worked with Ariana and Trinity and I tried to help as I could. Sometimes, though? All I could do was be there. Try to offer comfort while they cried. Abigail would make both Trinity and Ariana weep. She paused. And then tear whoever did it to pieces.
"Trust me, if the Empress hadn't demanded him, I would have done just that." Brianna snarled, but Liriel knew the rage wasn't directed at the Kavat. "It would have taken quite a while, but I would have done just that. Ripped him apart."
Good. Liriel heaved a sigh. I may be a Kavat, but I am female as well. Such a violation is hard to accept. Can Abigail and this Kieko go on?
"I don't know." Brianna admitted. "Kieko wants to die, but she has for a very long time. Abigail helped her, but she doesn't remember Kieko now or vice versa. I fear for them both. They are good people who were hurt very badly."
It cannot be undone. The Kavat's words were not quite a question.
"No. I have tried everything I know and can research." Brianna slumped and her hand faltered in its pets. Liriel didn't mind. She was just as stressed but the Kavat did nuzzle the hand. Focusing on the petting would help Brianna past the horror. It had always helped Ariana after bad episodes. "It is all genetic. Her genetics, if mangled almost beyond recognition. I cannot undo it without killing her. Them. No one can. But they were my friends! I have to try! Try to help them."
I know. Liriel rose and stepped to where Brianna was crying now. She nuzzled the woman's face. While I am here, I will help as I can. I am no Healer myself, but I do find that I can calm people.
"Yes, you do." Brianna petted the Kavat's head again. "And, if it is not presumptuous? May I call you friend?"
You may. Liriel reassured her. I may be depressed. I may be fixated on something that I can never achieve… That hurt, to admit, but she was a realist, Liriel was. ...but Ariana wouldn't want me to pass by people in pain. She never could just walk by hurting people. Kittens in particular. Or, kids as humans and others say.
"Really?" Brianna asked, her face stunned.
Really. That is what got her caught, eventually. Liriel hated remembering those days. She never targeted kids and her last… um… victim did. She freed the poor boy from what was done to him and he ran to the authorities who figured out it was her and took the evidence to the Tenno. They reacted badly.
"She did good and got screwed for it. Ouch." Brianna swallowed hard. "I cannot condone what she did, Liriel, but I can accept that she is your friend."
So are you. The Kavat nuzzled the Orokin's face once more and then retreated. What do you wish me to do?
"Keep an eye on Abigail?" Brianna asked. "Keep her out of trouble? If you can!" She said hastily when Liriel winced. "She is not bad, just confused."
I know. Liriel replied. I will. Or, as best I can. I am a Kavat, not a magician. She promised and then stepped back. Good luck, Alpha Brianna Executor. She said formally. My friend.
"I am honored, my friend." Brianna rose to her feet as well and then she strode off, her face calmer. A good thing.
Liriel stared after the Orokin for a moment before starting for the room where Abigail slept. She didn't need a photographic memory when she could track scents, especially her own. But something was wrong. She couldn't define it, but something was wrong. The door opened for her and she stepped into the room where Abigail slept, but… There was no scent from the girl!
THAT WASN'T ABIGAIL!
The Kavat jumped for an alarm switch and heard a hiss. Something struck her in the side and she fell to land boneless. Every muscle was refusing her commands as something dark hovered close. She couldn't even look up as whatever is was swept her with energy. She couldn't even snarl as the energy changed to a portal. She was a prisoner! She was going to be… No! She wouldn't be a prisoner again! She would not be caged again! She started a biofeedback technique to stop her heart and it didn't work! She tried again and it did start to slow her heart, but slowly, so slowly! Far more slowly than it should have.
She landed on something soft and warm hands took hold of her, easing her to a more comfortable position. The hands took hold of her jaw and eased her head up. She stared at a Corrupted Grineer's scared golden eyes.
"Oh shit."