Chapter Text
There was nothing. He was completely alone. There was nothing in sight, nothing to feel, nothing to hear, no body for her to control. It was disorienting. Where am I? How did I get here? Memories began returning, slowly. He had finally done it; gone the way of Kaufmo and- Don't think about that now. There wasn't much after that, until a memory of Pomni surfaced. In the darkness, lit only by the glow of his own body, multiplied a hundredfold by his eyes.
Then it all, all came back. It overwhelmed him, and he tumbled, spinning around in the deluge. Everything Pomni saw. Everything he had tried to hold back. Something flashed through his brain; an electric shock setting his cerebral cortex alight. A ledge, a hand, a rope. He grabbed onto it, and pulled herself up.
The floor was cold against her face. Her limbs rested heavily, pressing against each other and the pillows that surrounded her. She sat up, and just sat for a moment, looking down at herself, gloved hands and all. She had never been more grateful to be in her own body.
Her gaze shifted to one of the pillows near her. What was that doing there? She looked around. Patchwork blankets were draped around her, with barely a hint of light shining through. Pillows were stacked like sandbag barricades, with cracks of light shining through. Is this Kinger's or something?
She moved to a crack in the curtains, careful to keep herself concealed. She surveyed the circus with one wary eye. She saw Pomni, laughing with Gangle some distance away. No one else seemed to be nearby. I need to talk to her. How do I get her alone?
"Well, I think Rena knew, but Mion didn't. I think Rena was trying to lead Mion along."
Gangle shook her head. "Come on, of course Mion knew, at least if Rena did! Rena was clearly trying to help Keiichi, but just scared him off because she was also kind of a stalker." She trails off, and then giggles. "It sounds bad when I put it like that."
Pomni nodded. "It does, doesn't it? The villagers used Rena, because she believed in the curse so wholeheartedly she was willing to do anything. That's why I think Rena was in on it from the start."
A throw pillow skidded to a halt between them. They glanced over at the giant blanket fort. There was a little rustle of movement from it.
"Oh. I should go check on Jax."
"I guess so." Gangle held a flat tone.
"Don't worry. I still want your opinions on Rika's role in it." Pomni bent down to pick up the pillow. "She was in on it all, wasn't she?"
Gangle nodded rapidly. "Of course she was! And-"
"Later, Gangle. I really should check on him."
"Right." Gangle nodded, notably less dejected. Pomni waved her goodbye, and walked off to the fortress.
She listened to the footsteps slowly arrive. Just one pair. It worked. Finally they stopped, and blankets shifted against each other. "Hello?"
"Hi, Pomni." She stepped out of her crevice.
"You're back?" Pomni pushed through the curtains.
"Yeah. Can't keep me down!" She chuckled, trailing off. "Oh, that was lame."
Pomni smiled weakly. "I thought it was okay." She rubbed her hand against her chin nervously. "Um, are you a girl?"
Jax froze. Of course she remembers. "Yeah."
"Still Jax, or...?"
"Yeah, I guess. For now."
Suddenly she sat down, and pressed her hands into her face. "I hate this. They're gonna laugh. They're gonna think this is a joke."
Pomni put an arm over her shoulder. "No, they're not." She leaned against Jax. "You'll be fine. The bow looks great on you."
Jax swiveled her head and stared at Pomni. "Bow?"
Pomni nodded. "On your left ear."
She fumbled for it, pulling it off and looking at it. There was no mistaking that bow. She closed her eyes, willing back tears and crushing it in her hand.
When she finally looked down the bow was still there. She put it on her ear. "I think I'm ready."
"Do you want me to go ahead?"
She looked at Pomni, again blinking back tears. "Thank you, Pomni."
As Pomni exited, she leaned back against a stray mattress, steeling herself. Finally, she bit back whatever nervousness remained, and stood up.
She pushed open the blankets, wide, with both arms.
"I'm baaaack!"