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Requested By :
Espacole and Spork
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Kasumi's back hit the thin, padded mat with enough force to drive every ounce of air out of her lungs and send a shock of startled pain through her lips. Groaning, she laid there for a long moment before she sighed, "You know… I'm not exactly sturdy. Keep going like this and you're going to break me."
The Huntress only chuckled, stepping around her and offering Kasumi a hand up. As the thief was more or less picked up entirely, she said, "Believe you me, I know how to handle brittle people. My old partner? He knew next to nothing about fighting. Teaching him was an exercise unlike anything I've ever known."
"Didn't you… Fight giant monsters?"
"Yes." She sighed, "Yes we did."
"And he didn't know anything…?"
"That is what I said, isn't it?" She chuckled, resting a hand on a cocked hip and raising the other, her spear shifting and rolling into sword-form and then spinning above her palm and around behind her hand in a slow, gentle motion. "Still… He was a fast learner. And a good person, too. Better than most I had met, until that point."
"That bad at home, huh?"
"Being a nearly household name as a child means few friends, much work, and…" Pyrrha sighed and shook her head, turning and padding over to her end of the arena where she turned, letting her sword spin around behind her and come back around to her right hand as a spear again. Smiling, she said, "Shall we try again?"
"It really is not fair for you to have your spear, you know." Kasumi sighed, dropping her hips and raising her fists the way the taller woman had shown her.
"Fights are never fair." She shrugged, "You asked me to ready you for combat, and I intend to do so."
"I get that, sure." She nodded, pacing to the left to stay on Pyrrha's right side. She always seemed a bit weaker on it, but that was something Pyrrha knew too, smiling and spinning her spear casually with her Semblance while she paced, too. And while Kasumi went on, "But, like, you have an Aura. Already a bit of a handicap, isn't it?"
"Fair." She shrugged, turning and rolling her shoulders back a bit. Neither of them were wearing armor for all the obvious reasons, so it put on something of a show for Kasumi when she did. Which the other woman was just ruthless enough to take advantage of, turning and propelling herself off her spear with, Kassumi assumed, her Semblance.
She spun in mid-air and came down with a kick that the thief only barely managed to block with both arms, wincing as she was driven back. But the Huntress wasn't done, landing on her good foot and kicking off Kasumi's guard to spin back the other way and bring her heel around. This one Kausmi ducked under, stepping around on Pyrrha's right before she threw a kick of her own into the back of her weak leg's knee. It knocked her to a kneeling position, and Kasumi almost cheered.
But her powerful grip on her leg cut that off and Kasumi squeaked as Pyrrha rose and pulled her over her shoulder by her leg, though she was kind enough to more of drop her on the floor than throw her.
Even then, Kasumi tries to push herself up, and Pyrrha let her get up on a knee before she spun and threw a kick into her chest, tossing her back and leaping onto her. Resting on the thief's narrower waist, Pyrrha loomed over her with a smirk, red hair falling around her shoulders like a curtain. She leaned down, pinning her shoulder with a hand, and Kasumi felt her heart speed up.
Quietly, Pyrrha said, "I admire the attempt, but… You're smaller than me. You can't power through me, you have to find my weak points. Exploit them."
"I would," she sighed, "if you had any…"
"You've already found one." She smiled just that bit wider, "My heel. You favor my right side, and you took advantage of it."
"S-Sorry, I-"
"Don't apologize." Pyrrha scoffed, sitting up a bit straighter and shaking her head. "It was brilliant! You're learning."
"I-I guess I have a good teacher…" Kasumi nodded, looking down where Pyrrha was resting on her waist and swallowing nervously before she looked back up, grateful for her hood hiding the heat creeping up her neck. And God, but was she smirking even more now? Was this on purpose?! Ignoring that, she added, "Who is… Kinda heavy? And on top of me?"
"I suppose I should-"
"Are you two going to kiss," a familiar, dry voice called over, "or do I get to actually use my training time on the mat?"
Kasumi saw what she swore was a scowl flit across Pyrrha's face as she grunted and stood, taking Kasumi by the forearm to help her up. Then she turned, smiling, and chuckled, "Apologies, Garrus. Our sparring session just… Ran long."
"Uh huh, I can tell." He sighed, mandibles flicking as Kasumi raised an eyebrow at him and flicked her hood straighter. "Look, whatever you two have going on-"
"We don't-"
"You have a problem with 'whatever we have going on'?" Kasumi asked, cocking her head and taking no small amount of satisfaction from the audible 'click' Pyrrha's jaw made when her mouth snapped shut. Garrus' mandibles flicked in surprise and she shrugged, "There's a war on. Actually we've kinda been fighting one already, so two. Anyways- Why shouldn't we let the pieces fall where they may?"
"That's…" The Turian snorted and sighed, "That's fair. And no, no problem. Just don't take up the training room with it?"
"That's fine, yeah." She chuckled, avoiding looking at Pyrrha as she sighed and added anxiously. "I'm, uh, not even sure how helpful all this training will even be anyways."
"You're doing splendidly, Kasumi." Pyrrha chuckled, laying a hand on her shoulder and smiling when the rogue turned to her. "You've come along fairly far, in only a week or so of training. This takes time, that is all."
"Yeah, but…" She shrugged, frowning and thinking back to the fragmented, derelict Reaper and everything she had seen on it. "I just feel like the first time I have to use it, I won't do much more than break a nose or something. Which, yeah, better than nothing, but…"
"The idea is just to be able to get away." Garrus offered when Pyrrha only frowned, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Kasumi gave the Turian a look and he added, "Or, you know… Hold on until someone can get to you."
"But I need to be able to do more than just be rescued." She argued quietly, sighing when the Turian pinched his mandibles in a grim sort of understanding, sympathetic face. Flicking Pyrrha a look, she murmured, nerves fraying a bit, "I just… Wish I could fight with you all, sometimes. I know I'm a thief, just support, but the Reapers won't care about that."
A long, quiet moment passed as the Turian leaned back against one of the three Kodiak shuttles now packed against the outer walls of the Bay. It was long enough for Kasumi to finally sigh and say, "I'm sorry, I just… Needed to ven-"
"You want your Aura unlocked." The Huntress cut her off, crossing her arms and pursing her lips. "Don't you?"
"I…" She flicked Garrus a look and found him torn between leaving and staying, mandibles flicking slowly as nerves seemed to creep into him, too. Finally, she just smiled weakly and said, "I mean, I wouldn't say no…? But, like…"
"I see." Pyrrha let her eyes close and half turned away from her, sighing. "That's what all this has been, then…"
"I'm sorry?"
"No, it's fine." Pyrrha waved her off, turning and reaching for her with a hand, frowning. "You were kinder, at least, so I suppose I can at least-"
Kasumi slapped her hand aside and, in the blink of surprise that made the Huntress freeze, turned the motion into a slap that caught the woman across the cheek. Stunner, the redhead actually staggered back a step, shaking her head while Kausmi glared. Anxiety gone, replaced by… Mortification, she shook her head.
"I did not do everything I've done to-to get in your Aura!" She snapped, shaking her head, "How dare you?! I wasn't even going to ask you- I didn't even ask you because I know what it means to you! I was just… Venting! You- Ugh!"
Turning, she stormed off, back towards the lift, and left the two in her wake.
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Garrus watched the woman leave and then, as the door closed behind her, turned to meet Pyrrha's gaze as she blinked away her surprise and turned to him. Shrugging, he said, "I don't have any recipes to make that foot you just shoved in your mouth taste better, so don't ask."
"What-"
"Don't." He sighed, holding up a hand and waving her off, towards the door, "Don't stand there gawping. Go, apologize, and make up with her. And by the Spirits, let me have my damn exercise time. I need to blow off steam before the battle tomorrow…"
"I-" Pyrrha blinked and nodded, "You're right, I- I shouldn't have assumed, Dark Brother, what has gotten into me?!"
"It's been tough." He muttered, nodding at the door, "Just go and mend the bridge. Before it burns down."
"Yes, yes, you're right." She nodded, turning and running off with a flick of her hand to recollect her spear.
Left in the quiet that followed, Garrus just sighed, "Why am I always the wingman…?"
At this point, it wasn't even funny anymore.
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Pyrrha didn't bother searching for the thief. Why would she when the woman could just turn invisible? No, that was foolish and a thorough waste of time. Instead she simply went to Kasumi's quarters, which were left unlocked because 'Just about everything in there is stolen anyway, and everyone knows I'll just steal it back'. Inside the room was a bit of a mess, as ever, with books laid unevenly on their shelves and a few plates left on the table. Kasumi's little 'sleeping nest' was still a mess, too, but that was normal. And the room was dead silent and empty.
"EDI," she asked, frowning thinly, "did the door open after Kasumi left the Kodiak bay and before I got here?"
"Yes, Ambassador."
"That's cheating…" Pyrrha turned and smiled when she saw the thief sitting on the bar. Not at it, but on it, holding a bottle of something clear but just as clearly alcoholic. She pursed her lips and asked, "What do you want?"
"To give you your Aura."
"Why, because I-"
"And to apologise." Pyrrha cut her off, gesturing at one of the closer chairs arranged around a squat table, with the long couch Kasumi slept on beside it. "May I?"
"Sure." She shrugged.
Pyrrha took her seat, sitting on the arm rather than the seat itself so she could face Kasumi more directly. Clasping her hands in front of her, she thought for a long, quiet moment. Finally, she said, "Ever since coming here… Ever since Legion left me on Omega, so, so long ago, all I have seen is use. Use and shadow. Control, manipulation, deception- Loss. After what happened with Garrus, I…"
"I thought you were past that?" Kasumi asked quietly, gently. Pyrrha flicked her a look and her face was a mask of pure, open concern.
"I am, as best I may be, but… but I think I am damaged?" She half-asked, half said, chuckling and letting out a long, shaky breath. "I have healed mostly, true, but losing Zaeed has… Reopened a lot of wounds. And when you mentioned wanting Aura, I… Reacted badly."
"Badly?"
"Wrongly." Pyrrha amended, shaking her head and chuckling. "I was wrong, in every way, to accuse you. You, Zaeed, Penny, Grunt- You are all the closest to me. I should never have doubted you. So, I apologise."
"You… Suck at this, you know?"
"I'm sorry?"
"There," Kasumi sighed, chuckling and hopping off the bar with a smirk, "that's all you really had to say. So, how about I grab another of these and set up a movie or maybe an old anime or something for us to relax with? Just, you know, get right over the whole thing. Oh! Have you seen any Gundam?"
"I haven't, but I was going to give you-"
"I don't want it." Kasumi waved her off as she slipped behind the bar and started looking through the bottles. "Not if you don't want to offer it. If it's that big a deal to me, I'll have you show Garrus how to do it."
"I… Want to, actually." And the admission, and realisation, surprised Pyrrha as much as it did Kasumi, judging from how the woman turned, bright eyes blinking quickly a few times. Chuckling, Pyrrha explained, "You're… Dear to me, Kasumi, and- And I would be more than happy to share this with you, i-if you, um, want to?"
"But… That means a lot to you, doesn't it?"
"Yes, but…" Pyrrha smiled, a bit of… Nervous energy creeping into her as she simply shrugged and sighed. "As you said, I… We are at war. Our lives are bitterly short, as I, of all people, ought to know. Why should I not let the pieces fall as they please?"
"Turning my own words on me, huh?" The thief chuckled wryly, "Not fair. Not fair at all…"
"I won't force you." Pyrrha said, as if the words even really needed saying. "Whatever… Comes next. It's up to us both."
Kasumi snorted a little laugh after a moment passed and then she shook her head, "You are… Awful at this stuff. You know that, right?"
"I can't imagine I know what you mean…"
"Sure you can't." The rogue smiled, stepped close and then, smiling, stepping in to stand between Pyrrha's legs where they were almost touching. Pyrrha's breath froze in her throat and the thief went still, too. After a moment, she asked, "If… I'm misunderstanding, you just have to say-"
"N-No." She stammered, reaching out to lay her hands on the woman's waist when she backed up an inch. Flushing, she started to let her go again and then froze, suddenly unsure of… Everything. Frowning, she finally admitted, quietly, "I… Okay, maybe I'm bad at all of this, yes. But to be fair… My last relationship lasted about fifteen minutes, before I, well, died."
"Yeaaaaah, maybe let's not be repeating that particular pattern?"
"Ha." She smiled, flicking the woman a look and nodding gently. "That… Is a very wise suggestion."
"So…" Kasumi hummed, rocking side to side gently and resting her hands on Pyrrha's hips, too. "How does this, you know, work?"
"How does- Ah! Aura." She nodded, laughing quietly, "Right. Forgive me, I'm…"
"Flustered?"
"Shut up." She rolled her eyes, "But yes."
"Adorable."
"I will sic my pet Krogan on you." She threatened gently, rolling her eyes when Kasumi only raised her eyebrows. After a moment, Pyrrha reached up to cup her cheek and Kasumi froze, suddenly seeming nervous. Quietly, she said, "Don't move."
"A-Alright…"
Quietly, she reached down deep within herself to find the words again - the keys to her very soul, to share here, with this person - and said, as they came to her, "For it is through Darkness that we become unbound by death, untethered by fear, unhindered by pain. Through transition we become immortal in soul and, in doing so, unbind ourselves from all we are bound by. And find the light inside. I release your light unto you and, by my heart, protect thee."
There was a sudden rush of warmth and Pyrrha heard the wiry thief gasp silently as it rushed into her. But, as usual, it was Pyrrha who gave in, collapsing against the woman as the energy left her feeling drained.
"F-Fricking hell…" The woman murmured as Pyrrha sat up and shook the moment's disorientation off. "That felt… Whoa. Is it always like that?"
"For me?" She nodded, flushing just a bit. "Yes. It is meant to be an… Intimate experience, after all."
"How intimate are we talking?" The woman smirked, sweeping in before Pyrrha could answer and stealing a quick, chaste kiss that left Pyrrha frozen until it was over and the woman had backed away, turning and going on. "I'm thinking… Gundam. Yeah, we gotta get you into Gundam, you'll love it. Ah, but should I start with Double O or IBO…"
Pyrrha watched her get the drinks ready for a long moment before she shook herself out of her reverie and stood. She took a step towards her to help but… A sudden pressure, like eyes boring into her, made her freeze and turn. She peered out the window Kasumi left uncovered and into the dark of space, looking for something. But, ultimately, all she felt was the pressure.
And comfort from it…
"My Lord…?"
"What's up?" Pyrrha turned as Kasumi came over, holding a couple bottles.
"N-Nothing." She smiled, "But we shouldn't stay up too late. We've a battle tomorrow."
"Ugh, don't remind me." Kasumi grunted, collapsing onto her sleeping spot and pointing an accusatory finger at her. "And we have got to teach you about not ruining the mood, you… Dumb person, you."
"Dumb person…?"
"I couldn't come up with a better insult that wasn't mean as hell." She sighed, "Come on, sit down. We can catch a few episodes at least."
Smiling, Pyrrha shrugged and joined her, sitting in the chair closes to the head of her sleeping spot while a little projector holo-screen rolled out of a holder she'd bolted to the ceiling. It was an odd little device, and Pyrrha wasn't quite sure how it worked, but…
Well, she had other thoughts on her mind.
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We interrupt your regular viewing experience to bring you very gay trauma beans. XD
More of a segue chapter, though, heading into the next battle. Kind of the format I'm using for this arc - battle, personal stuff on the way to the next, next battle. Seems workable. Thoughts?
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Krazyfan :
She's picking up some darkness. But where there is Darkness, there is light.
Lea :
Charn is a character from the Bring Down the Sky DLC. He's… A very bad person. A slaver who is there for a slave raid. But he's not genocidal, not really. When he realizes the plan, and that you and your team can stop it, he point blank just says what he is and asks if he can fuck off. He ain't here for this noise.
Iirc in ME3 if you let him go AND kill the Batarian in the lead of the attack, he ends up leading the Batarian survivors. As to his importance? I intend to make him rather important to teh Batarian arc yeah.
Sebine :
Not a speck, eh?
The Prime Cronos :
Are you sure she will?
