Work Text:
Ash
Chapter 3
“So” I said after a moment of processing “to sum it all up: you called a God an ‘eternal asshole’, you almost killed the guy whose house we're in right now, killed a police officer and stole a police van?”
“Yep”
“Yep”
After a bit of silence Lylli spoke up “This place reminds me of the house I used to live in before me moved to base. The same kind of sad warmth”
“What even was your home like?”
“I don’t remember how it looked. I just remember the feeling.”
After a moment of silence Ly continued:
“We’ve never gotten around to talking about how we got put into that fucked project” After a bit of silence Lylli spoke up “This place reminds me of the house I used to live in before me moved to base. The same kind of sad warmth”
“What even was your home like?”
“I don’t remember how it looked. I just remember the feeling.”
After a moment of silence Ly continued:
“We’ve never gotten around to talking about how we got put into that fucked project.”
“You really want to talk about that right now?” I asked, cutting her off, “we don’t know if this house is bugged or if that killer downstairs is a spy waiting to kill us.”
“He isn’t! Trust me. That kind of emotion can’t be faked, unless he was brainwashed or something. And even if that is the case, he is also a victim. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
Something in me started to think about it against my will.
It was a week before my sixty birthday, when our parents came into our room and told us we were moving to the military base nearby. ‘It will do us all good, trust me.’ My dad had said as he sat down on Iris’ bed.
Good for him, maybe. For Iris? Debate worthy. For me and mom? No. Not in a million years.
We were both put through the brutal training.
That was the year I lost a part of myself and gained a few name. Iris, legally; sparky and Ash to the other children.
I studied the tactics by heart, able to recite them even now. Taking up space in my head that I really don’t have to spare.
And then, we volunteered. A mistake, a lapse in judgment. A suicide mission.
Yeah, if it wouldn’t have been for that ambush. And if the crew wasn’t that incompetent.
It’s not their fault. They couldn’t have foreseen that. They were on a stolen cargo ship for fucks sake. It was just a cargo ship. They didn’t know. Saints, even the ever-suspicious Lylli didn’t know.
But she should've. She should have expected that. It’s her fault. And you. You dumbass, didn’t even think to check what military they were from. No background check. Of course you had to go easy on the ship memorizing
...
“Ash? Are you ok? You looked like you were going crazy. You good?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.” Said I as I pet Lylli's head
“My head isn’t made for patting”
“Sorry. Do you remember the guys that ambushed the ship? The girls with their crew? Do you think that they manage the sea traffic ‘round here? Or did they just target our ship?”
“I doubt it, but they knew how our ship had been constructed and how to navigate it so easily that it might be that they have studied our ships.”
“I mean it was an old ship. Maybe they were in the navy at one point, and they also had experience with that type of ship?”
“It’s possible.” Said Lylli as she rose from the ground and laid down on the bed next to me.
“How did we end up here? We were supposed to be back on base all ready. At least this room is warm.” she continued
“Yeah”
“yeah”
“Where are the others?” Lylli asked after a moments silence turning towards me, the worry behind her eyes as present and prominent as ever
“They are at some loft looking building. When I left Halley was making a fire and Luna was climbing to open a window to let the smoke out. They’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” I said “They better not set the whole place a blaze. I thought them to be better than that.”
“Sure thing, miss fire starter.” said Lylli teasingly.
Suddenly Jason knocked on the door, saying:
“Hey, don’t go to sleep too late, ok? We have a lot to do tomorrow.”
“Jeez, you are already kicking into the dad gear, aren’t you? And don’t worry. I'm not a night owl in the first place and Ash can't resist falling asleep in the dark so we won't be up very long. Nighty night Mr. ‘Lot to do’” Lylli said mockingly waving the man away closing the door in his face.
“Come on. Let's get to sleep, shall we?”
...
After getting herself situated Lylli turned the light off and got into bed.
“Open doors and large spaces still make you anxious, huh?” I asked after thinking a bit
“Yeah. Being on that ship was horrible.”
“Can’t imagine how bad you wanted to jump off. Glad you didn’t though. Wouldn’t have made it out alive without you.” I said lovingly
“Ok miss mockery. How are your blocking skills coming along, huh?”
“Hey, I meant that sincerely!”
“Sure. And I'm a butterfly. Good night, Iris.”
“G’nigh Staff Sergeant Lyllianna”
“Fuck off.”
“Love you too”