Chapter Text
They were out.
Out of the prison, out of the planet. On a spaceship, headed to Salvo with a few planned stops.
Xenia did not plan for her escape to be now and with Bloodhound and Mad Maggie of all people. But, the chance was there and she took it. Now all that's there to do is to lay low and get her daughter.
"So, what's your plan now?" Maggie asked, stretching her arms.
"Lay low, grab Xiomara and head back to Pagos." she replied. Simple for the most part, the only thing that might be a bit difficult to do is to convince Xiomara to head back with her.
Xenia remembers all the conversations that she had when Mara visited her during those four years; all the music that she listened to, all the food that she ate, all the places that she seen...
All the people that she met.
Xiomara has yet to see the worst of society. The backstabbing from those you loved. The corruption that came from the greed for money. The ruthlessness of those who only follow orders. Like the Clessidra Rossa, for example, who blindly follow the money that was taped to a person's head, asking no questions how it got there and willing to do anything to get it.
And while Pagos was difficult to survive in, over there were none of these things. The dangers of Pagos were as clear as the ice that covers it, not like whereas in society, where the dangers were hidden under false smiles, dollars and blood.
Her daughter was only prepared for one set of these dangers.
"Are you sure that she wants to head back to Pagos?" Bloodhound questioned. Xenia, now snapped out of her thoughts, looked over at the two who were both staring at her, Maggie giving her a unsure look.
"She might need convincing to leave somethings behind. But I will find a way, I know her."
"right. Like her boyfriend." Maggie said.
"Boyfriend?" She questioned. What boyfriend? Mara didn't say anything about a boyfriend, and Xenia never really though about the possibility. Who was he? Was he her age? Good to her? Why didn’t she tell her about him?”
"Wait.. you did not know Xiomara had a boyfriend?" said Bloodhound.
"No..!" she exclaimed, now a bit worried.
"Weird. She and him told nearly all the legends." Maggie added on.
"To be fair, they did keep it out of the eyes of the public. And he was not keen on telling his family either."
"..oh, right."
"Who is he!?" Xenia asked, getting more frantic by the second. His family was not told too?
Why? Maggie and Bloodhound stared at her, seemingly questioning how to tell her.
After a short silence, Bloodhound replied.
"Sparrow. One of the legends."
Sparrow? The one with the bow? Wait...no. Isn't he...
"Isn't he...from the Clessidra Rossa?" She muttered out.
"Yup."
"No. No. Absolutely not. She can't.." She muttered. Mara.. her daughter.. she was dating one of those bastards?! The same people that locked her up!? Her breathing became hitched.
Her body began to shake. Tears began to fill her eyes. She should have just told her that they were the ones that found her. How their stupid bows shot her chest. How joyful they looked when the syndicate judge handed them the money she is worth. What if... Sparrow wants to do the same? Charm her naive mind, slowly getting under her skin, all to throw her into a cyro-cell for the sick, twisted reason of her being Xenia's child. Like some cruel revenge.
Then she saw a hand reaching out to her. Maggie's hand. She did not even notice her sitting down next to her.
"Wanna hold it?" she asked, in a tone much softer than she ever heard her speak in. Xenia accepted, hand trembling as it made contact with the rebels. The roughness on her skin, the smoothness of the leather glove and the cold metal of the spikes made her shake less, breathe easier and mind calmer. Then Bloodhound came, and sat down on the opposite side. 10 minutes passed in silence, before they spoke up.
"Xenia, did you know that Xiomara was the reason that me and Walter got together?" they revealed. The woman turned her head to look at the fellow hunter. She did not know that.
But then again, she did not know about her relationship either.
"We were in the midst of relocating my village to Storm Point," they began, "when Xiomara approached me and Walter. She came looking for friendship advice." Bloodhound paused for a moment, memories of the endless questions that lead to the wonderful bond that they and Walter shared. "We gave the advice, and thought that it would be the end of the conversation. But then she pointed them out."
"Pointed out what?"
"Our feelings. Like they were some animal she spotted with her scope. Then she left, and we ended up confessing later while on a hunt." Bloodhound finished, hoping that their story helped a little with easing her nerves. Another, long, heavy silence passed before Xenia spoke up.
"Where are they right now?" she asked, now looking more determined than nervous.
"I think... Psamathe, in Sparrow's apartment in Malta."
"Drop me off there in a week. Not too close, but near enough to be able to walk there." she stated, standing up.
"What are you planning to do?" Maggie questioned.
"To have a chat with them both. My daughter about her tastes in men and the boy with his intentions."