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It takes a few days for Tori, Meroe, and I to really get a chance to talk - to just gab without needing to work through the trauma of what we’ve been through. To actually catch up. To introduce my sister to my girlfriend. Or as Tori describes her:
“You certainly have been traveling, Isoka,” Tori giggles. “You even brought home a souvenir. And I don’t mean the tattoos.”
I look over at Meroe and I know where both of our minds are going - those fateful days in Soliton’s bowels where chance forced us to trust each other or die. “Yeah, funny story I should probably tell you at some point,” I say with a nervous laugh.
“Just so long you don’t plan to stick me on a shelf to gather dust,” Meroe adds, brow arched, and I have to cock my head to the side and think for a second before I remember that she’s a rutting princess. ‘Expensive and useless trinket’ is absolutely on her list of possible life outcomes - and, if I know my Meroe, on her list of worst fears.
I snort. “Like I could run this place without you? I’m basically just a figurehead as long as there isn’t an active crisis that needs stabbing in the face.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Meroe reminds me. “You are a natural leader.” She turns to Tori and bows her head respectfully. “It must run in the family.”
“See,” I nudge Meroe. “This is what I’m talking about. You effortlessly dispense compliments and tie people back into conversations like you were born to do it.”
“Which, to be fair, I was,” Meroe accepts the praise graciously and gracefully. “Whereas you cut indelibly to the quick of any matter like you were born for it.” I grin toothily, and flex proudly, igniting one of my blades as I do. Meroe kisses me, then winks, and kisses my bicep.
“Gross,” Tori gags. “Can we please talk about something besides how much you guys love each other?” I laugh and dismiss my blade, and teasingly pull Meroe closer, onto my lap; Meroe laughs and nuzzles against me before sliding off to a more polite distance. “Thank you,” Tori sighs, and steers the conversation to something more banal.