Queen's note: When the Doom Dad goes out, time to find all the cool stuff he's been hiding.

Garnets

Chapter Thirteen:

Heading Out

Once Lily was stable, and mostly back to her normal routines after a few days, did things seem to start happening. 'John' had been the one to make the neat vest for Lily that acted like a double sling. She could tuck both of her arms into it comfortably as she walked between her room in the greenhouse area to the other areas for need or just to walk.

Much like to start with, Lily was happy to mostly keep to herself out of habit while talking with the AIs. Yet did not mind when the Slayer came down to visit the guinea pig army. Even offering a few flower based names for them. There was now a Petunia, Viola and Juniper that were firmly in the 'can not ever cull' list with Maple and her mate Boxer.

Lily was sitting at the foot of some stairs, watching out a window at the view of space and part of the horizon edge of Earth when the big guy came across her. Already heading down the hall he paused after passing the quiet young woman. Then turned with a surprised look, as if confused how he had almost missed her sitting there. Lily blinked back over him, giving a wave and motioned to the window as she realized that for once the Slayer was and was not dressed.

He had a black and gray, skin tight suit that enhanced or just showed off the solid muscles without the exposed layering of scars distracting the eye. He even had what looked like socks on for once. Had he any other overall outline like her father in his bulky armor, Lily might be flustered.

Lily was expecting to get a head pat as he came back, not to be picked up and carted off. It was the oddest way to find out that she was now allowed to come to the workshop-den area. Vega had originally said to avoid it, as it was the Slayer's own personal space.

Found out she was now given permission as John just carried her in and plop her down beside the lower work area of the place.

"Welcome miss Lily," Vega spoke up, a bit of his surprise that she had been put in this room hinted in his voice.

"Hi again," Lily shifted to pull her arms out of the vest-sling, wiggling her fingers at one of the crustain like cleaner drones scuttling out of the way. Trying to get one to come over, but they seem to shy away from John and stay under one of the lower desks. Two did dare to stand a little higher to wave little forelegs back in a way she was learning was from them, not Vega emoting them.

As she looked around, Lily wondered if it was not just because her legs were shorter and her lungs bad now. Did John like carrying her like Lily's dad seemed to after he had gone through whatever made him massive years back? Really it just could be he wanted company and was not used to being around others, thus asking for company.

Again, there was really no personal space with the big guy.

At least he kept vital, awkward parts covered with minimal close calls. Thus, certain areas Vega told her to stay away from. As the Slayer was reaching for the complete armor on one of the stands, Lily dared to look out the big 'window' past the desk of Argenta technology and a surprisingly few different older human computers. Some looked to have come from her sea platform, broken but he was fixing?

That one almost looked like it came from the lower research area.

That hoard of books she had glimpsed was tempting, but for a few moments she was transfixed. Lily was careful not to stare at the earth itself for too long, preferring mostly blocked views of her homeworld. Or when the horizon was filled with the view of the ocean.

"Africa is bleeding," Lily spoke without realizing at first. The sudden stopping of all movement had her looking away from the view at last.

John was glancing between her and the window, frowning as he saw the new curving lines forming in the visible content. He scowled at it as he finished clicking in the plated piece over his stomach to free a hand and… yeah, he just flipped off what was happening on earth.

Lily snorted, ducking her head to press her face into her mask. As if that would hide her smile when she did not need the medicine. The young woman smiled though at that simple, but gloriously human thing to do. Looking up as the Slayer came over and John set a tool box beside her. Using something inside and putting it right back inside.

That was distracting.

Lily peered inside the box as John was swinging the heavy back plate into place, finding that there were a few more universal things between humans and Argenta. This case tools like screwdrivers and what look like an Allen-wrench. There were a few things that looked like the improvised tools she used to use with the other mechanics on the submersibles on the sea platforms.

Then she started to look around the room. It was an odd mix of workshop on the lower section. A den behind and to her right, and a half display armory back to her left.

She recognized one weapon almost at once, not on the corner walls but on a table set up on a desk on the lower left section. "You found my dad's old rifle?"

It was not the plasma rifle he had used when the world started to end. But one of the much smaller ones was something for hunting deer in his youth. It was taken apart completely, cleaned and the one part her dad had trouble finding a replacement of, was off to the side as if being set down after finding what was broken. But the stock was still a dark mahogany color and with the dark marker lines her mother had drawn on it.

John hummed as he turned, the chestplate was settled but not locked into place. Once his hands were freed he signed a question, paused and rephrased. Found in case, in room not yours?

He picked up the stock as Lily pointed to it, offering as he stepped over. Classic.

"Definitely a classic," Lily agreed, turning the bare stock around in her lap and showing him the numbers scratched into the wood on the back. Happy to share the memories of her family that did not hurt to think of. "See these? That's when my dad took mom on their first date, mom said he took her hunting and they caught feelings instead of anything else. This date is when he officially adopted me when I was five, we all went fishing that day and caught a big swordfish. Like the one in the freezer. And this last one is when he married mom. I think that's the first time I ever saw him crying and he almost fainted at the altar. It was great."

She turned the stock around to show the dark lines of permanent marker that had been put over the polish. Aware of how all attention was on her with those bright blue eyes. "Mom drew these, she was going to get the stock engraved for christmas this year. This is a lily flower for me, the seaweed along the top was for her, and the gladiolus flower on the back was for my dad. Did you find the shells in the case too?"

At a nod, Lily smiled, proud even if this may never be a christmas present for who was intended. "Those I found, they're what's going to be the inlays. Mother of pearl, mom thought it would look nice with the wood."

The big man considered that with a tilted head, remembering the polished smooth shells he had found and were still in the case. He nodded firmly. Would look nice. Should try to do it.

"If we can ever find a dremel," Lily was not against the idea to try. The thought of completing the once present made something in her chest loosen. She offered the stock back, glad that John had found the old gun case when packing the platform. Lily had not even thought about it back then, as she worried about the idea of getting away from the Platform.

She wondered if the big guy was able to fix the rifle itself. Not that it would be useful against the current apocalypse, but it would be nice.

As he was getting the collar ridge and shoulder guards on, Lily was back to looking around. She was eyeing the wall to her right, realizing that there were guitars not axes in the inset of the wall. Well, one looked like a guitar proper, one very much looked like an alien ax turned into a guitar…

Lily squinted, realizing the third looked very much like it was made with tanned… demon hide. She eyed the off white and gray skull hung above the display. Did the hide come from whatever that had been?

It was a morbid thought, but oddly did not bother Lily too much as whatever happened already… happened.

A large finger tapped on the young woman's leg, bringing Lilly back before finding what was pointed out. Offering the near alien tool, back to watch as John was doing a last minute repair. Changing fully back into the Doom Slayer of the myth stories. Lily kicked her legs a bit, realizing that for once she was head level with the big guy from where sitting on the upper level.

If she sat up straight, Lily might be an inch taller!

"That's what that does," Lily did end up sitting up and then forward as she watched the passed tool being inserted into the barely visible seam of the gauntlet. Helping to push a gasket or o-ring back into place, making it air and watertight once more for the delicate sensors back under.

John paused, shifted slightly so Lily could watch what he was doing better. Once done he tapped the tool to the gauntlet three times, deliberately.

"I have made a note of that part for later." Vega spoke up, ever the watchful even when busy with the Fortress systems and all the stuff outside of it.

Lily did not even pretend to understand, she barely grasped how Riggs worked on the sea platform's systems. She was better with hardware, submersibles and animals, plants too were less complicated. The young woman was just grateful that she was in Vega's care now too. At least it seemed the AI liked her enough.

The flat pronged tool was held back up, and Lily shifted to take it with her left hand. Putting it back in its proper place in the toolbox beside her. Idly wondering if she should see how more than the oxygen and water systems worked on the Fortress.

Finding where the mask was resting on her chest, lifting it to take a few breaths of medicated air. Lily's mind wandered back to her earlier thought. About being picked up a lot, and suddenly wondered if it was because John really did have moments of being lonely as well.

Lily still never got an answer of how old John was. The Slayer looked at least as old as her father. Maybe a little older, possibly a few ranks up? John put his armor in much like her dad did too. She fingered the dog tag and rings on the gold necklace. The other half of the tags was safe in her room with the sealed sea glass crystal shards and the picture of her family.

"Question?" Lily offered, looking back and waiting until those glowing blue eyes glanced at her.

The Slayer arching an eyebrow as he locked his chest plate back on after checking something on the inside, a soft hiss came from the suit. Letting the room at large know it was pressurized and activated. John lifted his right hand, making a slow hand signal, not a proper sign.

It was permission to ask her questions as he reached for his helmet.

"Were you really a Marine? Like my dad was?" Lilly asked, glancing around the room and Fortress at large. Then back to the armored man who paused at one of the work benches, considering.

Coming the three steps to stand in front of the girl again. The Slayer put his helmet in Lily's lap and focused on signing. Going slow, even though Vega was ready to translate, as if wanting the girl to try and learn.

Yes, and no. Different from your father. I was- John paused to think of the right word. Making something that was not a human sign at first, then spelling it out. S-e-n-t-i-n-e-l. And Marine.

Lily tilted her head again, a learned habit from constantly trying to watch what her mother was doing on monitors or the old workstations. She sat up again, "Is that related to why you won't say how old you are?"

Vega made a soft sound that was a little too like a chuckle that was aborted. It got a flat look at the nearest camera from the Slayer.

Yes. He signed, then turned back to face the girl. Young woman? She seemed so small and child-like to the Slayer. He grinned and added, Will tell you when you're older.

John was rewarded with a squint look. "I'm almost twenty three."

Very. Young. And small. The bigger man snorted, holding a hand out for his helmet. It took two seconds before it was put back in his hand, upside down.

"I think you're mean after all." Lily grumped, getting another ruffle of her hair, though was trying to sort out these new bits of information.

Fully suited up, the Slayer titled his head, eyes definitely showing a faint glow through the visor. He offered his hands, fingerings wiggling in a clear tease that had Lily stubbornly tucked her arms back into the vest and squinted back. It did not last long as she was just picked up again.

"Oy! I'm trying to pout you… stubbern git." That was a marvelously failed attempt at an insult. Mostly because Lily was not all that into insulting her savior. Almost over his shoulder she glared at his head as he walked up the upper section. She was put on that large and rather goddy-gothic chair near the books as John walked to the very impressive display of weapons.

She wiggled to free her hands, ending up sideways in the too big chair to peer behind it. "So, am I on time out now?"

The slayer gave a thumbs up over his shoulder, finishing filling his ammo packs. Several guns were already attached to him, two on his back, one on each thigh. Another two almost seemed to vanish in a ripple of… nothing? Space?

Did the guy really have access to a bloody subspace like the transformers show or something?!

"It would be wise for you to stay here until the portal closes. In case anything slips in, or the gasses come through." Vega noted, but Lily did not seem inclined normally to come to the bridge. Not after how she arrived, and the first time being shown the planet.

Maybe she did not want to face the full view of her homeworld burning again. Or just as simply that Lily was aware that the bridge was the most likely place for the tainted atmosphere to linger, given her reaction to it and her lungs were finally clear of it.

"You're going back to earth?" Lily more states than asked, but still saw the sign for yes.

Supplies.

"...that means gear?"

"Supplies," Vega helpfully chimed in, "Even with the food stores and supplies from your original sea platform and those near it. That is more for the human needs rather than repair work. And energy cells to open new areas of this Fortress."

"Oh, that makes sense." and it did, plus, Lily was pretty sure the Slayer was happy to be heading out. Now that he was sure she was alright to be left alone.

Rolling her eyes, Lily decided to just roll with the tease from earlier. "Well, can you bring me back a present when you're done?"

The Slayer glanced over, the faint glow under the visor flashed almost more green then blue. He walked back over, unhooked a rifle that was more handgun to him and offered it out to the smaller human.

Lily just stared at it for a full four seconds before blinking. She knew enough to recognize roughly the same type of plasma rifle her father used to have before retiring. "Umm, thanks but do you really think that recoil is good for me?"

The Slayer tilted the rifle back and forth, as if taking a really good look between it and Lily. He shrugged, hooked it back on the left thigh and reached for something else. Placing one of the rounded grenades in her hands instead. Shoulders shaking with a chuckle or muted laugh at the expression on the girl's face.

"...gee, thanks." Lily gingerly held the thing in flat hands. The sarcasm leaked through at last. Like the hints there could be when first meeting nearly two, three weeks ago. "So useful, I think. Maybe. I was hoping for something like yarn from a dollar store that's still standing. It's cold up here."

The big hand came back to take the second offering. The Demigod was more amused than any kind of offended as he indulged in resting his once more free left hand on the human's head. No ruffles this time, just a sort of pat before he strolled away. John doing that creepy thing where his steps turned from thudding into a silent predator like prowl after a few paces.

The door did not lock, but Lily stayed put. Pulling her mask up until breathing was easier. When she moved it was only to slide down to get comfortable on the floor. Make it easier to rest and breathe.

"Vega?"

"I'm still here, miss Lily."

"I know it's silly, but could you please reassure me?"

"The Slayer will return safe." Vega reassured, something in his voice seemed to understand over all. Again. "... perhaps needing to do repairs and with some interesting new weapon but safe nonetheless. Do you want the room lights dimmed?"

"Yes please." Lily nodded, and sighed once it was darker. Not for the first time suddenly tired, as it had only been some six hours from her last pain shot. Her body was still comfortably numb, and would be for the rest of the day.

Sleep was the easiest way to pass time, but a book did seem nice.

Nap then book, that sounded like a plan to pass time.

…some cuddle time with her cats while reading a book.

It took about five minutes before Lily got up, moving over to the books and reaching for the first one that was more a mechanic's manual on the space elevators when they were still standing.

Reading now and then cuddling cats with a nap.

That was when Lily found something amazing. It was a thick book that seemed like a journal. Only instead of writing a log or thoughts, it was filled with sketches of Argenta technology whole and broken down into parts. Neat but larger handwriting had notes in earth standard, not just english.

How things worked, things the writer noticed. How to take apart some things to clean and make sure they work before steps of putting it together. Lily pulled herself up against the bookshelf, very quickly being absorbed in this old book. She did not notice when Vega brightened the lights a little