12/17/16

Fun fact? When I first sat down to write this story, I got all the way here in one go.

Something I'm curious about is the different perspectives on this story. If you've read "Skells & Love" before this one, you can see a lot of little bits of things being put into place, references and such...but what if you start here? I wonder how that'd be. What would one think of this story without the "Skells & Love" lore? What would one think of Jaynix? Because this story is immediately after her intro in "Jaynix".

Idk just stuff I thought about. Also "disgorged" is absolutely the word. I stopped by the Plant a few days back and talked to the Zaruboggan there and one of em( Arsenican or Trachlo) said it.

Oh btw. I just finished Xenoblade Chronicles X with Jaynix about an hour and a half ago. 150 hours later she has non-canonically recovered the Lifehold. Way to go Corporal.

Definians

Back in the Residential District, Jaynix took a deep breath of the calming air.

"Fuck the Industrial District. I swear by my position as Corporal I'm never going back there! Unless I get stupid drunk and wander in, it's never happening."

"Jaynix?"

"Hm?"

"What were you muttering to yourself."

Shaking her head, she turned "Don't worry about it Short Stuff. More importantly, what are we doing here?"

Kruse sighed "I'm not that short."

"You're shorter than me so that's short enough."

"Fine. We're here to meet with some good friends of mine."

The pair began walking, Jaynix crossing her arms "Something's bugging me."

"I thought you just said you were fine."

"I am, it's something else. See…when it was decided that you'd be showing me to the…what were they called again?"

Kruse chuckled "Definians."

"Definians. Right. Well, when it was decided you'd be taking me to them Elma…she looked concerned."

Kruse cast a look at Jaynix "Did she?"

Jaynix nodded "Yeah. It wasn't an alarmed expression, it wasn't danger or anything like that but I could tell that there was something there. Any idea why?"

The pair came to a stop as Kruse began mulling over Jaynix's words. Before a conclusion could be reached someone called out the Harrier's name and began approaching.

Jaynix turned to spot a woman with white hair and red eyes. She was smiling at Kruse "It's been too long since you last stopped by. It's good to see you."

Kruse shrugged "Sorry Erio. I'd probably come by sooner but I was busy. Even after all that with the Lifehold there is still a lot for all of us to do."

Erio sighed "You always say that, Kruse. You can't keep working yourself into such a state."

He nodded before realizing something "Wow. That was probably our best talk yet, Erio. Very natural."

She smiled "Really? Well. I have been trying…was it too much? Me calling out to you was too much wasn't it."

Kruse began laughing while Jaynix looked between the two of them, something clicking. "Oh. Oooohh."

Kruse looked at her and raised an eyebrow "Oh what?"

Jaynix shook her head "Of course. Of course! I get it. I totally get it now. Kruse. You're a fucking idiot."

Kruse was taken aback "Hey! That was uncalled for!"

Erio looked at Jaynix "What did you just say to him? Don't think you can insult Kruse in front of me! How dare you!"

Jaynix rolled her eyes "Don't look too deep into it harpy! You might hurt yourself."

Erio clenched her teeth "What did you just say!?"

"You heard me!"

"HEY!"

The pair turned to Kruse "Calm down you two. Jaynix, I didn't bring you here to fight."

"Tell that to her!"

Erio balled her hands into fists "What's your problem with me!? I don't even know who you are!?"

Kruse put a hand on one of Jaynix's shoulders, pushing her away from the other woman "Both of you. Stop it. Right. Now."

Erio crossed her arms and looked away while Jaynix stared at Kruse. "Woah…"

Kruse took a deep breath, smile returning to his face he turned to Jaynix "Erio is the reason we're here. She is a Definian."

Jaynix snapped out of her thoughts "What? No, she isn't. She's-"

Cutting Jaynix off was a bright flash coming from Erio. Jaynix shielded her eyes until the light died down. Now staring at Erio's true Definian form, Jaynix's mouth fell open.

"She's…hot. Holy shit."

Erio tilted her head "Ah…thank you?"

Jaynix chuckled "Shit man. This makes everything clearer…I think. A bit?"

Kruse sighed "Jaynix, what are you talking about, seriously? What's going on in that head of yours?"

Jaynix continued looking up and down Erio "Oh I'm thinking about a lot of things right now…"

Erio looked over to Kruse "I'm a bit confused. What's she doing?"

Kruse shook his head "I'd rather not say."

"Kruse. You should go talk to Elma. Alright?"

"Why?"

"Just go man, c'mon. And think really hard on the why. You'll figure it out."

Kruse watched Jaynix's eyes before nodding "Alright. Erio. Jaynix. Play nice. Please."

Jaynix purred "Oh we will."

"C'mon…"

Shaking his head, Kruse walked away. Jaynix made sure he was gone before looking back at Erio.

"So. You're a Definian."

Erio nodded "I am…though I have to say. You are confusing me. Just a moment ago I thought we were going to fight."

"We were but…well seeing the real you kind of threw me off."

Erio sighed "You're a strange individual."

Jaynix shrugged "I guess. Hey Erio, can I be honest with you?"

"Sure?"

The pair walked over to a park bench and sat "I can see you're pretty into Kruse."

"I AM NOT! Who told you that?"

Jaynix rolled her eyes "Really? You're gonna try this with me?

Erio remained silent as Jaynix continued "Look, I get it. He's a nice guy. Easy on the eyes and all that…but he's with Elma. They're so in love it's…inspiring."

Erio sighed "I know. I know…"

Jaynix crossed her arms "Sorry."

"No. I really know this it's just…difficult. We Definians have spent our entire lives under the command of Mother Fortun. We did only her bidding and were made unaware to feelings. We were born to bring destruction and misfortune. Bred to be spies and assassins. Unfeeling, uncaring of those we murdered and replaced…and yet…"

Jaynix remained silent as Erio found her words "…humans. I spent so much time around humans and experienced so much…so many emotions. Thoughts. I saw how humans interacted. Such a strange people. As a result of my exposure to your people I broke off from the Definians, I broke away from Mother Fortun, from my calling, from everything I once knew and with Kruse's help I freed all my sisters. We're our own people now. Thanks to Kruse…because of the effort he went through…"

Jaynix smiled "I get it. I do."

Erio looked to Jaynix, cracking a smile "This is another strange interaction. We were moments away from trying to kill each other and now?"

"Now? I'd like to think we're friends."

Erio nodded "Friends. Thank you…Jaynix was it?"

"Yep. Got that right Erio."

There was a short silence before Erio spoke up again "Why did Kruse bring you to me?"

"Hm? OH! Right. I'm supposed to be going around NLA meeting all the Xenoforms that live here. The Definians were next on my list so…hey. I'm Jaynix. What's your story?"

Erio chuckled "I believe I told you it already."

There was a flash of light as Erio assumed her human disguise again "This form is one I crafted for myself to live among the humans without fear."

Jaynix crossed her arms "If you ask me that doesn't sound fair."

"What?"

Jaynix pointed around the Residential District "See those Nopon? That Zaruboggan? The Orpheans over there? They are what they are. Why is it that they can wander around town as themselves but you have to hide?"

Erio looked down, thinking to herself as Jaynix continued "Don't get me wrong, your disguise is pretty damn attractive too but…why do you need it?"

Erio sighed "Definians caused so much harm here in New LA. Killed many then assumed their forms to kill more and cause all sorts of chaos. Humans feared us. There was a time in New LA that we caused such a panic the humans began turning on each other out of fear that one was a Definian. All this strife…even now I feel that we are the last race in this city that anyone else would want to be living here knowingly. Despite assurances from those in power…"

Jaynix tilted her head "I understand…but things will change. I think it only fair you get to walk around in your own skin. I for one would greatly prefer that."

Erio watched Jaynix wink at her "You are strange."

"ERIO! LOOK!"

The pair turned as another woman ran towards them, a dog following her. "Look how cute he is!"

Erio raised an eyebrow "Lyvia. Why do you have a dog with you?"

"He just started following me! Oh, he's the sweetest thing!"

Before Jaynix could speak, Lyvia bent down and began petting the dog, her form giving way to reveal she was also a Definian.

"Holy shit."

Jaynix looked over to Erio "Do you all look like that?"

Erio tilted her head "Like what?"

Jaynix smiled "That's it! The Definians are my favorite Xeno race here in NLA! Are there any more of you in the city?"

"Hey Elma."

Turning, the woman smiled as Kruse approached "How'd Jaynix take meeting the Definians."

Kruse shrugged "Not well at first. She almost started a fist fight with Erio."

Elma shook her head "Of course she did."

"I'm pretty sure everything is alright now though…

Kruse trailed off before looking over Elma, now aware that there was indeed something in her expression. Jaynix was right. How had he missed it?

Elma noted him staring at her and looked away.

Taking a deep breath Kruse spoke "Do you not like it when I come to talk with Erio and Lyvia?"

Elma looked back at him "What? Why would I have a problem with that? They're your friends. You should be allowed to talk to your friends."

Kruse nodded "Yeah…but…"

He sighed "Elma. I'm sorry…I'm such a…I'm an oblivious moron. Or better yet, like Jaynix put it. I'm a fucking idiot."

"Kruse-"

"I didn't even stop to think that Erio and Lyvia's interest in me would…bother you so much. I'm sorry."

Elma shook her head, her smile faltering "What? Why would it? Kruse, you-"

"Elma."

She sighed, finally dropping her smile "I feel stupid for letting it bother me…"

"No Elma. You feel human."

Elma looked back at him as he continued "They are two attractive women who are fawning over me almost every time I talk to them. I always just laughed it off…figured it did no harm. I had no intention of pursuing a relationship with either of them but It should've been clearer to me that regardless of what I thought, what I did or didn't do…it'd bother you at least a bit. I'm so sorry."

Elma's smile returned "It's fine Kruse, I can see that you didn't mean to cause these feelings in me and I still feel horrible for letting it bother me so much I mean…"

She shook her head "Look at what we've been through since I found you in Starfall Basin. We've fought against almost every lifeform on this planet. We've survived expeditions fraught with turbulent weather halting our progress. Took shelter in caves together, laughed nights away. We've explored vast deserts and dense forests. Climbed the tallest trees and oversaw the deepest valleys…"

Kruse smiled "We scaled the highest peaks of every region, we've snuck past killer sentries, we've survived a literal hell of raining fire and lava. We stood against an advancing army and felled a massive doomsday weapon."

Elma laughed as she continued "We rode our Skells all across this planet, we sparred with each other, made each other stronger. We found the Lifehold. We defeated the Ganglion. We did this all at each other's side…"

Kruse approached Elma, wrapping his arms around her waist she placed hers over his shoulders.

"We did it all together." Kruse said.

"And in the midst of it all…in the midst of the chaos. The pain. The suffering. We found…love." Elma finished, watching Kruse's eyes.

"We found each other."

Kruse whispered before leaning in and kissing her.