The things that make up life

[not_most_days]

Who: Mary Read and OPEN
Where: Aqures Ixen, Aerilon
When: February, but backdating to January in the third prompt is fine
Summary: Mary helps others with training, faces her shadow and finds time for love
Warnings: Possible combat in one prompt, sappiness in another, and seriousness in the third, and a Secret of Mana Reference


February 15th - House A-05 - Locked to Saori

Peace and Quiet. Such a rare and fickle thing in this world. Mary and Saori knew that they wouldn't have the chance to be left alone on the 14th. Not with the letters that had arrived and not with Saori's own plan to play host. They had talked it out as things wound up and solutions were found, not the least of which was to just carve out some time for themselves the following day.

Mary had managed to get up first, sneaking out of the bed bright and early. It always amused her to find more mundane uses for the Job powers they were granted. Of course they could only go so far to help her and before long the smells of breakfast being made wafted back into the bedroom. Shortly thereafter the pirate returned, with a tray fixed with eggs, bacon and toast for herself and Saori to share. The food wasn't cooked as delicately as Saori might do, but Mary still knew her way around a fire.

"Rise and shine. We have nothing to do today and I suggest we make a fine effort of it."



Throughout January and Feburary - Aqures Ixen and Aerilon - Assassin Guild Members primarily but others welcome too.

Mary stood ready on the rooftop, stretching and flexing as she looked out at the view cast by the light and shadow of the rising sun and the city beneath it. She smiled as she glanced at her companion. "Figured this the best time to see to training. Not as many folk out to see what we're doing and cause a scene." Whether for roof running or combat drills, Mary was ready for what her trainee was up for. And of course, if there were any crimes to stop while they were at it then a live drill would do nicely.



February 25th - Shadow Encounter

Mary let Bonnie know she was ready, and letters went out accordingly. She wasn't going to make a big scene about facing her Shadow, nor was she going to post an open invitation, but she knew better than to hide what she was planning. This was something she debated for a while, but when it came down to it she wanted to make sure that her own stubbornness wouldn't remove her from the upcoming battles. That this plan was a part of what Kalki had put on the table did not cease to trouble her however.

The evening of the 25th came and the group had been gathered in the lab. Mary was struck with an odd sense of connection as her Crystal was placed in the machine, a clearish cube that was a frosty white thanks to Kalki's actions, yet the cut of it cast a prismatic illusion of a red dot in the middle like a blot of blood. So similar to the ancient artifacts that were being found in her Caribbean save for the fact that hers was intact. She had no way of knowing that Bartholomew Roberts used the real thing and a crystal skull within the fabled Observatory to spy on her through Jack Rackham's own eyes.

"Right. Let's see what this does." She'd pondered her jobs, and she knew this process could take one from her given the chance. There was no way to face this as an empowered Assassin, but it couldn't stop her from being one. And a Pirate besides.

The Shadow shimmered into view, but while Mary had her hair down her Shadow had hers up, wearing the guise of James Kidd. It sighed as it looked around the room with its golden eyes, lazily taking everything in. Finally it settled on what it was looking for and wrenched its face into a frown of resolve. It stepped forward, walking right past Mary as if she wasn't there, and up to Saori, reaching out to take her hands.

'I can't go with you. I need to go home. There's too much I need to see to.'

Comments

[not_most_days]

"Perhaps not something as direct as lying to them, but you're not wrong. More lying controlling the story. Keeping your hands on the wheel. But you need to be careful when you do that. You can hurt others or yourself if you go too far." It's a complicated balance, and she knows that her own scales aren't quite so even. But she's done what she thought was best for all rather than living a wholly selfish life.

But as ever when the subject of her return to her world is brought up, she frowns. This isn't a topic she likes, but she's been able to speak of it more easily with each day that puts distance between her and that dingy prison. "I'm not giving up as much as you think. I've had my time there, and as much as I'd like to check on a few folk they need to be able to sail on their own now."

[arcward]

"Controlling the story?" Like making everyone believe that he was accepted into Beacon and following him? "Yeah, I could see how that might be tricky." Jaune's gotten more sure in his leadership abilities, but he's well aware that one slip up could have drastic consequences. He's pretty sure they're talking about different things, but he can definitely understand where she's coming from. "Being a leader isn't always easy."

He feels a pang of sorrow at Mary's admittance that she doesn't have much waiting for her back home, and extremely grateful that he does. "Where will you go, then? Will you stay here forever? I could be wrong, but the place doesn't seem like a paradise for the pirate life."

[not_most_days]

Mary smiled and looked off into the distance, her eyes focusing on the horizon. "Perhaps. This wouldn't be a bad place. I could return to the sea or take to the skies. These airships are wonderful craft when well cared for."

She waited a moment, letting the thought settle, and then shook her head, "But no. If we do all we need to then this world won't need me to go around and rob those who deserve it. Truly, we'll need to lend a hand to as many as we can." Crossing her arms, her fingers clutched at her own sleeves as she hugged herself, "I think I'd like to follow a new path. Follow her home. If I can be allowed to."

[arcward]

Jaune stared with her. It was strange to think that he might be heading back to Remnant soon; he'd begun to think of this place as his home, even though he'd only been here for a few months. He's going to miss her when that day comes, her and the other friends that he's made here.

He shifts his attention to Mary when she speaks. "'Her?' Who's that?" He's trying to figure out who she's talking about, but it occurs to him that for the most part he's only really interacted with her one on one. Man, he really didn't know anything about her, did he? Some friend he was.

[not_most_days]

Mary glanced sideways at Jaune, a touch of disbelief in her eyes. But then she reminded herself that he was one of the more recent Heroes, and he likely hadn't the chanced to be mom'd by Saori the way most of the younger Heroes had.

"Saori Nakagawa. You've likely seen her about. She's the red haired lass that keeps company with me and mine." She's sure they've met. Though it's not like they've had much time free as of late. "We've...grown close over the past few years."