The Talk (March 2021)
KAELEE
The Defiance was dark. Once Jaheira switched the light on, there is Kae, sitting on a chair facing the door, looking—you guessed it—less than thrilled. Her arms were folded and her eyes staring ahead at the two women coldly. She said only one word:
“Explain.”
JAHEIRA
A sense of dread settled in the pit of Jaheira’s stomach at the news about her federal arrest warrant. She planned on meeting with Ara to discuss security measures in New Haven, but Kaelee’s text message demanding her home immediately was respected.
Jaheira entered the Defiance and asked Jess to turn on the lights in the Hummingbird. She wasn’t expecting Kaelee to be sitting alone in the dark, and she startled Jaheira. “Fuck,” Jaheira cursed, nearly jumping out of her skin. “What is this, an interrogation? Hahah...ha..ha.” Gulp. “I’m sorry, I don’t know where to start. I told you about the Vindicator as it was happening.”
TWO
Two may have been told to leave the room, or perhaps he figured he should be out of the way when Kae is pissed. He has good sense when it comes to that.
Two peeks around the top of the stairs when he sees the lights turn on, beaming to see his mother come home—despite everything. They can handle this, HE can handle it. It will get figured out.
For now he stays where he is, not intending to intervene unless the disagreement escalates.
KAELEE
“It’s my fault, not Jaheira’s,” Aurumy insisted the moment she entered the scene. Well, well, well, hearing that one was a first: Kaelee and Aurumy were usually on the same side when it came to public endangerment (and Jaheira’s stupidity).
“Jaheira came to stop me. To protect me. From start to finish, the only reason she was there was to de escalate the situation: the livestream proves that.” Aurumy sighed and rubbed her face. You could HEAR the regret in her BONES at this point—not for blowing up the Vindicator, but for the where, the when, the how, and the with who. “I think I should turn myself in.” Wait—record scratch—say what?!
“I’m the one they want. I’m the one they inevitably have evidence against. Hell, I’m the Orovein here and the entire issue to begin with is the ship having been blown up in Ellisarian airspace. But more than anything, I need to be able to set the tone in all of this. This wasn’t some terrorist act. I did this for a reason...and I can’t risk the point of all this being lost in all the palaver.”
KAELEE
Kae rose up off her chair, looking several inches taller than she actually was. “I don’t know what I can’t stand more. You standing there, thinkin’ you’re some hotshot, or the fact that BOTH of you went back on your word! Do either of you think more than five seconds in front of your faces? Like, at all?”
Kae bristled at Aurumy now that she showed up. “I can’t believe you,” she said quietly, unable to hide her disappointment. “After ALL the shit we talked about. Was a ship that fucking important that you had to see it finished at the expense of your family?” She snapped her attention between them both. “Do you guys know that my brother is a Peacekeeper? Do you think that either of you are going to be safe here in New Haven? Do either of you know that now I can’t leave because Two and I could be seized for questioning? YES, FROM MY OWN BROTHER!” Her eyes rolled angrily at Ru. “I DON’T GIVE A FUCK WHAT YOU ARE OR WHY YOU DID IT! YOU BOTH HAVE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST FOR FUCK’S SAKE!”
The noodle chef seethed in silence for a moment, unaware that Two had been watching the whole time. Kae unfolded her arms, drawing up her chin. She clearly thought they were both at fault. “You know what’s funny? You BOTH told me to keep my head down and stay home, and I DID. But can Jah and Ru do the same? Heaven forbid you actually TRY! YOU BOTH HAVE A FAMILY!!!” Kae’s clenched her teeth, tears welling at the ends of her eyes.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira was no stranger to Kaelee’s outbursts. She had been subjected to more than a few after assuming the roll of captain aboard the Defiance, and most (read: all) were warranted and deserved. Jaheira’s shoulders were slumped as she waited for the inevitable verbal battery, and she was unable to get a word in edgewise.
It was pointless to argue with Kaelee whenever she was angry. And Aurumy’s presence further escalated the situation. Jaheira could handle getting yelled at, but she didn’t like watching Aurumy get berated.
“Kaelee, easy.” She looked nervously between her best friend and girlfriend, afraid things might be damaged beyond repair. “Ru had good intentions. I had to help. I couldn’t just look the other direction knowing she was alone on Priyet, probably in danger.” And if they both continued to argue despite this, Jaheira would finally yell, “That’s ENOUGH. Everybody needs to calm the fuck down.”
Aurumy’s sudden announcement about turning herself in to the authorities had Jaheira looking at her incredulously. “What? That’s—no. You aren’t doing that.” Jaheira’s tone suggested this was not up for debate. “These are serious charges, Aurumy. Federal charges...we’re talking prison time. A LOT of prison time, probably.”
Jaheira felt overwhelmed thinking about it. “I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we aren’t going to just cuff up for the feds. Fuck that.” She looked back at Kaelee then, shaking her head. “New Haven is safe for now—it has to be. I’m going to meet up with Ara to discuss security measures. The feds have no jurisdiction here.”
She was similarly oblivious to Two’s eavesdropping from the top of the stairs.
TWO
Two is just happy to see his family at first, but Kaelee’s outburst keeps him out of sight. Adults yell, sometimes they fight—he tries not to worry since they have fought before...but it still hurts to see. It isn’t so much that his loyalty is split, it is just painful when they conflict with each other like this.
Still...part of him can’t help but agree with Kaelee. Why can’t they just be safe, keep a low profile? Two only survived this long by sticking to that ethos. They SHOULD know better.
The little badger is fine enough until the talk turns to being arrested, questioned, and prison. He was feeling so good when he woke up, only to have his old terror and anxiety well up all over again. His first instinct is to run off and hide somewhere, not needing to hear anymore, but then Ru comes in...
As soon as she mentions turning herself in, the boy can’t help but make himself known. “NO!” He runs down the stairs, chin planted firmly outward to stop his voice from wavering. “Nobody is going away. We can run, and-and-and HIDE. We’re going t’stay together...” He steels himself, but they might notice that the fists held firmly at his side are shaking. “I’ll be ok, I’m used to running...I-I can talk to Alita and Wyn when its safe, and Ceci, and.... The...The house FLIES, doesn’ it?!” He widely gestures toward Jaheira, as if saying ‘Why are we living in a bloody spaceship if we can’t leave when we need to?!’.
AURUMY
Just as she had with Jaheira, Aurumy remained stoic and silent while facing Kaelee’s fury. Her sister-in-law had every right to be angry with her, but to say that changed her resolve now or decision then (if such a thing were possible, that is) would have been a lie.
“I didn’t do what I did to showboat. I’m not out there trying to stick it to the man. This wasn’t some shallow, self-indulgent spectacle,” Ru stated quietly, reaffirming things she wished her family could at least understand, even if she never managed to get her point across to the Galaxy at large. “I’m sorry.” She could have made excuses—given very legitimate reasons why and insisted upon best laid plans and intentions of keeping as many degrees of separation between them and her actions as possible—but she didn’t. What good would it have done? Jaheira and Kaelee each had plenty of their own trauma, but this was just...different, she supposed.
But when Two burst in, shaking both in voice and fists clenched so tightly in panicked resolve, Aurumy felt the uncomfortable well of viscous, metallic tears bead and stain the corners of her eyes. Still feeling very much like a third wheel when it came to mothering the badger boy, Ru would defer the inevitable reassurance—perhaps their only united front 100% of the time—to Jah and Kae right now.
KAELEE
At ‘Thats enough’ from Jaheira, Kaelee bristled. “NO!!!” she shouted. “You had to help because one of you put yourself in danger! Whether on purpose or not! That’s become a vicious cycle with you two! ‘Oops, looks like my girlfriend is doing something stupid, better go save her!’ At least I own up to my own shit, but I also take responsibility for it!” Kae’s chest heaved from the effort of shouting so much.
“You remember what you guys told me? ‘Keep your head down, don’t get into trouble and we’ll do the same’ IS what I was told! AND I FUCKING LISTENED! WHY? BECAUSE I VALUE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY MORE THAN I CARE ABOUT SOME PERSONAL VENDETTA!” Kae didn’t care what Ru called it, but it’s exactly what it sounded like to Kae. “But YOU went and did a thing and now it’s cost your family their freedom, Ru! I GET you didn’t ask for it, but FUCK, you didn’t THINK about the consequences, did you?! ‘La dee da going to blow up this ship now hurr hurr’... what did you think would happen? That everything would be fine and dandy after? Jesus Christ...” Exasperated, Kae turned away and paced in wide circles.
Ru’s apology gave the noodle chef pause, and did, at least, stop her from shouting. “Don’t be an idiot, if you turn yourself in it’ll just be another Blackout.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Let me paint the reality of our situation right now. The GalFeds won’t stop hunting you two. New Haven will protect you, I guess. Damnit, I didn’t want to LIVE here forever, but I guess I don’t have a choice, do I? You pretty much made that decision for me and Two, like EVERYONE ELSE does, so thanks for that.”
Two came in that moment, which prompted Kae to scoop him up with a little more frustration than she meant to, ans held him at her hip while intending to put him in his room. “Nope, sorry, but this is an adult conversation, son.” She paused, hearing him. “Hide?” Kae shook her head. “I’m not running away, I refuse to let us live as fugitives. That’s not happening. But you two,” she said sternly to Ru and Jah, “need to figure what the f—heck you’re going to do now. I need to think about Two, and what’s best for him.”
JAHEIRA
"We know how serious this is, Kaelee!," Jaheira interrupted. She was becoming increasingly more frustrated, and had Two not revealed himself, she was damn near ready to break something. She deflated immediately upon seeing him, suddenly feeling incredibly guilty for everything. "No," Jaheira said. "He deserves to know what's going on." Kaelee would likely not appreciate her parenting choices being challenged in that moment, but Jaheira rarely sheltered the boy. She did, however, agree that living as fugitives was not an option.
Jaheira wanted nothing more than to hug Two, but Kaelee kept him just out of reach. Suddenly that nagging feeling was back: he deserved better than Jaheira, who was undeniably selfish, and prone to bad decision making. "Mum is right, Two." Jaheira sighed and sat down, briefly putting her face in her hands. "You deserve a normal childhood, buddy. The house flies, sure, but we aren't going to spend the rest of our lives on the run. That isn't fair to you, and it isn't fair to Mum."
"We aren't going to live on Tytonidias forever, either," Jaheira continued. "Just...give me some time to figure this out, OK? I'm still trying to wrap my head around it." She looked at Aurumy then, and couldn't miss the corners of her eyes flecked with gold. "It's going to be OK. It has to be."
TWO
Two is not up to tears yet, but when Aurumy starts to break it also threatens his resolve. “Mmmn...No, I’d...” He looks away from her, up to Kaelee, and he seems MAD. Not about the situation, he is accustomed to being on the run or in some sort of trouble from his old life—but from seeing them fight. It hurts him. “I’d’ve blown it up too! It...I know what it was.”
Ru may feel like a third wheel, but if Two is defending her he must think they are closer than that. He was pretty heartbroken when she nearly broke up with Jah in the hospital, after all.
The kid only looks more determined when Kae picks him up, but despite his brave face Kae will be able to feel how scared and upset he is. “Mum! I-I already know everything, ok?! Stop! Nobody leave, ok? Jus’ stay here!” The kid is cracking, starting to plead desperately and sounding more childish in the intensity of the moment. He grasps for Kaelee’s hand, hoping it will stop her shouting.
His breath is sped up in frustrated little huffs when Jaheira tries to settle him, starting to shift his weight to try and be released. Commenting on having a ‘normal childhood’ makes the kid scoff, sounding too bitter for his age. “I can’t have that! You KNOW that! I-I...I don’ even CARE, I jus’ want...I want...” he tries to cool off, find his words, not get overwhelmed. “I only...I just want...I want all of you with me. ALL of you. No one is going away.” His last sentence is less reassurance, and more of a promise that he won’t allow it—impossible as it may seem coming from him.
AURUMY
A great many things screamed through Aurumy's head in that moment, white hot and blindingly angry; oh, fuck you, Kaelee being a definite frontrunner. To have her personal holocaust, and its sought closure therein, reduced to nothing more than accused stupidity by someone she dearly loved only made the bough of those gilded tears break and fall. She couldn't say anything. She wouldn't say anything, not in front of Two.
The tension was fraught and begged for escape, but unlike in the hospital, Aurumy didn't take the easy way out. This wasn't to say she was much damn good remaining, but at the very least, she heeded what little Two asked of her and remained. He just wanted them all there, with him. "If Lux ever came back to the level they had been under Weiss's command, kids like Two--non-human kids like Alita and Wyn, him and his friends--could end up in a Blackout all their own. I'm sorry, Kaelee, but you're wrong. I did think about you. I thought about him. The consequences of not doing what I did were far more dire in my mind than what might happen to me when I did."
Where Jaheira had already objected to Kaelee's sheltering of their son, Aurumy could still imagine an even more furious outpouring of vitriol reserved exclusively for her, having painted such a scary picture...but, if she had held her tongue long enough to be granted a single comment, let it be that one: a harsh truth, a frightening truth, but a truth nonetheless.
KAELEE
Bless Two for being so good, perhaps the best out of the entire family. Taking Kae's hand did calm her down, and she looked guiltily sideways. She looked up at Jaheira and Ru, and after a minute, put Two down in defeat. "Fine," she told them all. "I'm not going anywhere." Every fiber of her being shook, despite herself, revealing what she would have preferred to do--and, no, she did not like her parenting being challenged, not one bit. This earned Jaheira a furious glare, before looking back to Ru.
The noodle chef went behind the bar and poured all the adults some tea to calm their nerves, but her gesture was jerky and she slammed their tea cups on the counter, making them spill a little.
Kaelee cast a dark look upon the gilded girl, and bit back a derisive laugh. "Do you honestly think Blackout and Nowhere were the only Lux out there? Look," she said through gritted teeth. "You cut off one head, another will grow back. There will always be Lux slave ships taking nonhumans to their deaths. It sucks, and I wish nothing more than to stop it, but blowing up one ship is a minuscule blow, almost laughable, in their eyes! There are hidden powers all over the Galaxy, Ru, we just don't know about them because they're hidden so well, maybe even in plain sight. It's why the Galaxy Federation has such a hard time cracking down on them. There might even be Lux within the Federation. We just don't know. Yes, Ru, your efforts are... heroic, or whatever, but a ship is just a f--freaking ship. Quinne repurposed it into a godda--gosh freaking darned cruise ship for Pete's sake. Did y'all know that the Defiance used to be a cargo ship for animals? It's why I got it so CHEAP at the auction! This ship used to take them to the slaughterhouse for food!"
JAHEIRA
Jaheira was always in the doghouse, it seemed. If she wasn’t pissing off Aurumy, it was Kaelee who was administering the verbal lashings. The mugs clattered against the counter and some tea sloshed out, but Jaheira did not draw attention to it. Instead, she took a sip, terrified to refuse the extended olive branch, so to speak.
“I know you had good intentions, Ru.” Jaheira spoke with sincerity then. “And I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing if I were in your position. But Kaelee is right.” Jaheira briefly looked at Two—she could tell him to leave, but what good would that do? He was wise beyond his years, and he understood the dangers of Lux Aeterna, even if he shouldn’t have to. There was no reason to shelter him from the reality of the situation.
“We have no idea how many Lux sympathizers exist in this galaxy,” Jaheira said. “Thinking about exacting revenge is a daunting task. I know, because I’ve been there...and even with Eli dead, finally, most days I still feel numb about the whole thing.” Jaheira stared down at her hands gripped tightly around the mug of tea...just a little more pressure and—“Fuck,” Jaheira cursed. The delicate glass shattered in her hands, spilling the remaining tea. Then, a few droplets of blood. “I’m sorry,” she said to both Aurumy and Kaelee, and silently excused herself to grab a towel from the kitchen.
Jaheira tossed the towel over the mess and wiped down the counter, shaking her head. “We’ll never be rid of them. Lux is a blight on this galaxy.”
TWO
Two isn’t phased by the talk of getting thrown in a prison for being a bot, or being enslaved, killed, etc. He just watches with the wide-eyed but focused expression he usually has when danger is afoot. Sure, they can try to shelter him from it, but they can’t shelter him from his past. He nods at Ru, seeming to have some understanding of why she did it, and agreeing.
Two only drip-fed small details about the ‘bad stuff’ from his earlier years to his parents, but his non-reaction to these very nasty concepts is a good indication he has been down this road before. He follows Kaelee dutifully, so she doesn’t feel outnumbered, grabbing a cloth to wipe up the spilled tea. “Things didn’ seem as bad after th’people got rescued...” He says, referring to Blackout. “Even if they keep coming back, it helped. People’ll keep fighting them, and...and it’ll mostly keep them away.” He looks up at Kaelee, who will be able to see how much hatred Lux generates in the child “So people shoul’keep cutting off heads, even if they come back. But...but we can—“
He winces when Jah breaks the cup, “Oh Mom!” darting to the kitchen to find the first-aid kit. “Is it bad? You’re hurt. What do I do...?” It is a welcome distraction to have a small, fixable problem he can focus on.
AURUMY
After a decided pivot from politics to psychology, Aurumy somehow manages to pack both ambitions into a solid one-two punch: direct, concise...but not presumptive or passive aggressive. She knew Kaelee. She trusted Kaelee. Kaelee was a survivor too. “I know you didn’t mean to compare a trafficking vessel to a vehicle necessary for the export of meat proteins,” Ru said sincerely, but struck that dialogue down with purposeful swiftness. Yikes. Yeah, okay...so drawing a parallel between the Vindicator and the Defiance as far as past utilities went probably wasn’t the best example Miss Knodel could have gone with.
But Ru couldn’t have said it better than Two did, so she let him have the last word. People should keep cutting off heads, even if they come back. Abated, at least in the I can admit I made a mistake in the sense that my family is in the shit, which I didn’t intend on happening sort of way, slammed and spilled tea somehow ended up on the lesser end of the physical freak out spectrum the moment that Jaheira’s hulked out biceps put a squeeze so severe on her cup that it shattered.
With her girlfriend cleaning up the mess she’d made and their (collective) son cleaning up the mess that was Mom #2, Aurumy would content herself to playing nurse to his surgeon. She’d prep small-grip forceps for him to pick shrapnel from her hands, an infection neutralizer spray, and then regenerative adhesion bandages, all while making quiet eye contact with Kaelee, hoping she wouldn’t object to the badger taking charge of some small aspect of all of this that he felt he could control.
KAELEE
The Defiance was dark. Once Jaheira switched the light on, there is Kae, sitting on a chair facing the door, looking—you guessed it—less than thrilled. Her arms were folded and her eyes staring ahead at the two women coldly. She said only one word:
“Explain.”
JAHEIRA
A sense of dread settled in the pit of Jaheira’s stomach at the news about her federal arrest warrant. She planned on meeting with Ara to discuss security measures in New Haven, but Kaelee’s text message demanding her home immediately was respected.
Jaheira entered the Defiance and asked Jess to turn on the lights in the Hummingbird. She wasn’t expecting Kaelee to be sitting alone in the dark, and she startled Jaheira. “Fuck,” Jaheira cursed, nearly jumping out of her skin. “What is this, an interrogation? Hahah...ha..ha.” Gulp. “I’m sorry, I don’t know where to start. I told you about the Vindicator as it was happening.”
TWO
Two may have been told to leave the room, or perhaps he figured he should be out of the way when Kae is pissed. He has good sense when it comes to that.
Two peeks around the top of the stairs when he sees the lights turn on, beaming to see his mother come home—despite everything. They can handle this, HE can handle it. It will get figured out.
For now he stays where he is, not intending to intervene unless the disagreement escalates.
KAELEE
“It’s my fault, not Jaheira’s,” Aurumy insisted the moment she entered the scene. Well, well, well, hearing that one was a first: Kaelee and Aurumy were usually on the same side when it came to public endangerment (and Jaheira’s stupidity).
“Jaheira came to stop me. To protect me. From start to finish, the only reason she was there was to de escalate the situation: the livestream proves that.” Aurumy sighed and rubbed her face. You could HEAR the regret in her BONES at this point—not for blowing up the Vindicator, but for the where, the when, the how, and the with who. “I think I should turn myself in.” Wait—record scratch—say what?!
“I’m the one they want. I’m the one they inevitably have evidence against. Hell, I’m the Orovein here and the entire issue to begin with is the ship having been blown up in Ellisarian airspace. But more than anything, I need to be able to set the tone in all of this. This wasn’t some terrorist act. I did this for a reason...and I can’t risk the point of all this being lost in all the palaver.”
KAELEE
Kae rose up off her chair, looking several inches taller than she actually was. “I don’t know what I can’t stand more. You standing there, thinkin’ you’re some hotshot, or the fact that BOTH of you went back on your word! Do either of you think more than five seconds in front of your faces? Like, at all?”
Kae bristled at Aurumy now that she showed up. “I can’t believe you,” she said quietly, unable to hide her disappointment. “After ALL the shit we talked about. Was a ship that fucking important that you had to see it finished at the expense of your family?” She snapped her attention between them both. “Do you guys know that my brother is a Peacekeeper? Do you think that either of you are going to be safe here in New Haven? Do either of you know that now I can’t leave because Two and I could be seized for questioning? YES, FROM MY OWN BROTHER!” Her eyes rolled angrily at Ru. “I DON’T GIVE A FUCK WHAT YOU ARE OR WHY YOU DID IT! YOU BOTH HAVE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST FOR FUCK’S SAKE!”
The noodle chef seethed in silence for a moment, unaware that Two had been watching the whole time. Kae unfolded her arms, drawing up her chin. She clearly thought they were both at fault. “You know what’s funny? You BOTH told me to keep my head down and stay home, and I DID. But can Jah and Ru do the same? Heaven forbid you actually TRY! YOU BOTH HAVE A FAMILY!!!” Kae’s clenched her teeth, tears welling at the ends of her eyes.
JAHEIRA
Jaheira was no stranger to Kaelee’s outbursts. She had been subjected to more than a few after assuming the roll of captain aboard the Defiance, and most (read: all) were warranted and deserved. Jaheira’s shoulders were slumped as she waited for the inevitable verbal battery, and she was unable to get a word in edgewise.
It was pointless to argue with Kaelee whenever she was angry. And Aurumy’s presence further escalated the situation. Jaheira could handle getting yelled at, but she didn’t like watching Aurumy get berated.
“Kaelee, easy.” She looked nervously between her best friend and girlfriend, afraid things might be damaged beyond repair. “Ru had good intentions. I had to help. I couldn’t just look the other direction knowing she was alone on Priyet, probably in danger.” And if they both continued to argue despite this, Jaheira would finally yell, “That’s ENOUGH. Everybody needs to calm the fuck down.”
Aurumy’s sudden announcement about turning herself in to the authorities had Jaheira looking at her incredulously. “What? That’s—no. You aren’t doing that.” Jaheira’s tone suggested this was not up for debate. “These are serious charges, Aurumy. Federal charges...we’re talking prison time. A LOT of prison time, probably.”
Jaheira felt overwhelmed thinking about it. “I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we aren’t going to just cuff up for the feds. Fuck that.” She looked back at Kaelee then, shaking her head. “New Haven is safe for now—it has to be. I’m going to meet up with Ara to discuss security measures. The feds have no jurisdiction here.”
She was similarly oblivious to Two’s eavesdropping from the top of the stairs.
TWO
Two is just happy to see his family at first, but Kaelee’s outburst keeps him out of sight. Adults yell, sometimes they fight—he tries not to worry since they have fought before...but it still hurts to see. It isn’t so much that his loyalty is split, it is just painful when they conflict with each other like this.
Still...part of him can’t help but agree with Kaelee. Why can’t they just be safe, keep a low profile? Two only survived this long by sticking to that ethos. They SHOULD know better.
The little badger is fine enough until the talk turns to being arrested, questioned, and prison. He was feeling so good when he woke up, only to have his old terror and anxiety well up all over again. His first instinct is to run off and hide somewhere, not needing to hear anymore, but then Ru comes in...
As soon as she mentions turning herself in, the boy can’t help but make himself known. “NO!” He runs down the stairs, chin planted firmly outward to stop his voice from wavering. “Nobody is going away. We can run, and-and-and HIDE. We’re going t’stay together...” He steels himself, but they might notice that the fists held firmly at his side are shaking. “I’ll be ok, I’m used to running...I-I can talk to Alita and Wyn when its safe, and Ceci, and.... The...The house FLIES, doesn’ it?!” He widely gestures toward Jaheira, as if saying ‘Why are we living in a bloody spaceship if we can’t leave when we need to?!’.
AURUMY
Just as she had with Jaheira, Aurumy remained stoic and silent while facing Kaelee’s fury. Her sister-in-law had every right to be angry with her, but to say that changed her resolve now or decision then (if such a thing were possible, that is) would have been a lie.
“I didn’t do what I did to showboat. I’m not out there trying to stick it to the man. This wasn’t some shallow, self-indulgent spectacle,” Ru stated quietly, reaffirming things she wished her family could at least understand, even if she never managed to get her point across to the Galaxy at large. “I’m sorry.” She could have made excuses—given very legitimate reasons why and insisted upon best laid plans and intentions of keeping as many degrees of separation between them and her actions as possible—but she didn’t. What good would it have done? Jaheira and Kaelee each had plenty of their own trauma, but this was just...different, she supposed.
But when Two burst in, shaking both in voice and fists clenched so tightly in panicked resolve, Aurumy felt the uncomfortable well of viscous, metallic tears bead and stain the corners of her eyes. Still feeling very much like a third wheel when it came to mothering the badger boy, Ru would defer the inevitable reassurance—perhaps their only united front 100% of the time—to Jah and Kae right now.
KAELEE
At ‘Thats enough’ from Jaheira, Kaelee bristled. “NO!!!” she shouted. “You had to help because one of you put yourself in danger! Whether on purpose or not! That’s become a vicious cycle with you two! ‘Oops, looks like my girlfriend is doing something stupid, better go save her!’ At least I own up to my own shit, but I also take responsibility for it!” Kae’s chest heaved from the effort of shouting so much.
“You remember what you guys told me? ‘Keep your head down, don’t get into trouble and we’ll do the same’ IS what I was told! AND I FUCKING LISTENED! WHY? BECAUSE I VALUE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY MORE THAN I CARE ABOUT SOME PERSONAL VENDETTA!” Kae didn’t care what Ru called it, but it’s exactly what it sounded like to Kae. “But YOU went and did a thing and now it’s cost your family their freedom, Ru! I GET you didn’t ask for it, but FUCK, you didn’t THINK about the consequences, did you?! ‘La dee da going to blow up this ship now hurr hurr’... what did you think would happen? That everything would be fine and dandy after? Jesus Christ...” Exasperated, Kae turned away and paced in wide circles.
Ru’s apology gave the noodle chef pause, and did, at least, stop her from shouting. “Don’t be an idiot, if you turn yourself in it’ll just be another Blackout.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Let me paint the reality of our situation right now. The GalFeds won’t stop hunting you two. New Haven will protect you, I guess. Damnit, I didn’t want to LIVE here forever, but I guess I don’t have a choice, do I? You pretty much made that decision for me and Two, like EVERYONE ELSE does, so thanks for that.”
Two came in that moment, which prompted Kae to scoop him up with a little more frustration than she meant to, ans held him at her hip while intending to put him in his room. “Nope, sorry, but this is an adult conversation, son.” She paused, hearing him. “Hide?” Kae shook her head. “I’m not running away, I refuse to let us live as fugitives. That’s not happening. But you two,” she said sternly to Ru and Jah, “need to figure what the f—heck you’re going to do now. I need to think about Two, and what’s best for him.”
JAHEIRA
"We know how serious this is, Kaelee!," Jaheira interrupted. She was becoming increasingly more frustrated, and had Two not revealed himself, she was damn near ready to break something. She deflated immediately upon seeing him, suddenly feeling incredibly guilty for everything. "No," Jaheira said. "He deserves to know what's going on." Kaelee would likely not appreciate her parenting choices being challenged in that moment, but Jaheira rarely sheltered the boy. She did, however, agree that living as fugitives was not an option.
Jaheira wanted nothing more than to hug Two, but Kaelee kept him just out of reach. Suddenly that nagging feeling was back: he deserved better than Jaheira, who was undeniably selfish, and prone to bad decision making. "Mum is right, Two." Jaheira sighed and sat down, briefly putting her face in her hands. "You deserve a normal childhood, buddy. The house flies, sure, but we aren't going to spend the rest of our lives on the run. That isn't fair to you, and it isn't fair to Mum."
"We aren't going to live on Tytonidias forever, either," Jaheira continued. "Just...give me some time to figure this out, OK? I'm still trying to wrap my head around it." She looked at Aurumy then, and couldn't miss the corners of her eyes flecked with gold. "It's going to be OK. It has to be."
TWO
Two is not up to tears yet, but when Aurumy starts to break it also threatens his resolve. “Mmmn...No, I’d...” He looks away from her, up to Kaelee, and he seems MAD. Not about the situation, he is accustomed to being on the run or in some sort of trouble from his old life—but from seeing them fight. It hurts him. “I’d’ve blown it up too! It...I know what it was.”
Ru may feel like a third wheel, but if Two is defending her he must think they are closer than that. He was pretty heartbroken when she nearly broke up with Jah in the hospital, after all.
The kid only looks more determined when Kae picks him up, but despite his brave face Kae will be able to feel how scared and upset he is. “Mum! I-I already know everything, ok?! Stop! Nobody leave, ok? Jus’ stay here!” The kid is cracking, starting to plead desperately and sounding more childish in the intensity of the moment. He grasps for Kaelee’s hand, hoping it will stop her shouting.
His breath is sped up in frustrated little huffs when Jaheira tries to settle him, starting to shift his weight to try and be released. Commenting on having a ‘normal childhood’ makes the kid scoff, sounding too bitter for his age. “I can’t have that! You KNOW that! I-I...I don’ even CARE, I jus’ want...I want...” he tries to cool off, find his words, not get overwhelmed. “I only...I just want...I want all of you with me. ALL of you. No one is going away.” His last sentence is less reassurance, and more of a promise that he won’t allow it—impossible as it may seem coming from him.
AURUMY
A great many things screamed through Aurumy's head in that moment, white hot and blindingly angry; oh, fuck you, Kaelee being a definite frontrunner. To have her personal holocaust, and its sought closure therein, reduced to nothing more than accused stupidity by someone she dearly loved only made the bough of those gilded tears break and fall. She couldn't say anything. She wouldn't say anything, not in front of Two.
The tension was fraught and begged for escape, but unlike in the hospital, Aurumy didn't take the easy way out. This wasn't to say she was much damn good remaining, but at the very least, she heeded what little Two asked of her and remained. He just wanted them all there, with him. "If Lux ever came back to the level they had been under Weiss's command, kids like Two--non-human kids like Alita and Wyn, him and his friends--could end up in a Blackout all their own. I'm sorry, Kaelee, but you're wrong. I did think about you. I thought about him. The consequences of not doing what I did were far more dire in my mind than what might happen to me when I did."
Where Jaheira had already objected to Kaelee's sheltering of their son, Aurumy could still imagine an even more furious outpouring of vitriol reserved exclusively for her, having painted such a scary picture...but, if she had held her tongue long enough to be granted a single comment, let it be that one: a harsh truth, a frightening truth, but a truth nonetheless.
KAELEE
Bless Two for being so good, perhaps the best out of the entire family. Taking Kae's hand did calm her down, and she looked guiltily sideways. She looked up at Jaheira and Ru, and after a minute, put Two down in defeat. "Fine," she told them all. "I'm not going anywhere." Every fiber of her being shook, despite herself, revealing what she would have preferred to do--and, no, she did not like her parenting being challenged, not one bit. This earned Jaheira a furious glare, before looking back to Ru.
The noodle chef went behind the bar and poured all the adults some tea to calm their nerves, but her gesture was jerky and she slammed their tea cups on the counter, making them spill a little.
Kaelee cast a dark look upon the gilded girl, and bit back a derisive laugh. "Do you honestly think Blackout and Nowhere were the only Lux out there? Look," she said through gritted teeth. "You cut off one head, another will grow back. There will always be Lux slave ships taking nonhumans to their deaths. It sucks, and I wish nothing more than to stop it, but blowing up one ship is a minuscule blow, almost laughable, in their eyes! There are hidden powers all over the Galaxy, Ru, we just don't know about them because they're hidden so well, maybe even in plain sight. It's why the Galaxy Federation has such a hard time cracking down on them. There might even be Lux within the Federation. We just don't know. Yes, Ru, your efforts are... heroic, or whatever, but a ship is just a f--freaking ship. Quinne repurposed it into a godda--gosh freaking darned cruise ship for Pete's sake. Did y'all know that the Defiance used to be a cargo ship for animals? It's why I got it so CHEAP at the auction! This ship used to take them to the slaughterhouse for food!"
JAHEIRA
Jaheira was always in the doghouse, it seemed. If she wasn’t pissing off Aurumy, it was Kaelee who was administering the verbal lashings. The mugs clattered against the counter and some tea sloshed out, but Jaheira did not draw attention to it. Instead, she took a sip, terrified to refuse the extended olive branch, so to speak.
“I know you had good intentions, Ru.” Jaheira spoke with sincerity then. “And I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing if I were in your position. But Kaelee is right.” Jaheira briefly looked at Two—she could tell him to leave, but what good would that do? He was wise beyond his years, and he understood the dangers of Lux Aeterna, even if he shouldn’t have to. There was no reason to shelter him from the reality of the situation.
“We have no idea how many Lux sympathizers exist in this galaxy,” Jaheira said. “Thinking about exacting revenge is a daunting task. I know, because I’ve been there...and even with Eli dead, finally, most days I still feel numb about the whole thing.” Jaheira stared down at her hands gripped tightly around the mug of tea...just a little more pressure and—“Fuck,” Jaheira cursed. The delicate glass shattered in her hands, spilling the remaining tea. Then, a few droplets of blood. “I’m sorry,” she said to both Aurumy and Kaelee, and silently excused herself to grab a towel from the kitchen.
Jaheira tossed the towel over the mess and wiped down the counter, shaking her head. “We’ll never be rid of them. Lux is a blight on this galaxy.”
TWO
Two isn’t phased by the talk of getting thrown in a prison for being a bot, or being enslaved, killed, etc. He just watches with the wide-eyed but focused expression he usually has when danger is afoot. Sure, they can try to shelter him from it, but they can’t shelter him from his past. He nods at Ru, seeming to have some understanding of why she did it, and agreeing.
Two only drip-fed small details about the ‘bad stuff’ from his earlier years to his parents, but his non-reaction to these very nasty concepts is a good indication he has been down this road before. He follows Kaelee dutifully, so she doesn’t feel outnumbered, grabbing a cloth to wipe up the spilled tea. “Things didn’ seem as bad after th’people got rescued...” He says, referring to Blackout. “Even if they keep coming back, it helped. People’ll keep fighting them, and...and it’ll mostly keep them away.” He looks up at Kaelee, who will be able to see how much hatred Lux generates in the child “So people shoul’keep cutting off heads, even if they come back. But...but we can—“
He winces when Jah breaks the cup, “Oh Mom!” darting to the kitchen to find the first-aid kit. “Is it bad? You’re hurt. What do I do...?” It is a welcome distraction to have a small, fixable problem he can focus on.
AURUMY
After a decided pivot from politics to psychology, Aurumy somehow manages to pack both ambitions into a solid one-two punch: direct, concise...but not presumptive or passive aggressive. She knew Kaelee. She trusted Kaelee. Kaelee was a survivor too. “I know you didn’t mean to compare a trafficking vessel to a vehicle necessary for the export of meat proteins,” Ru said sincerely, but struck that dialogue down with purposeful swiftness. Yikes. Yeah, okay...so drawing a parallel between the Vindicator and the Defiance as far as past utilities went probably wasn’t the best example Miss Knodel could have gone with.
But Ru couldn’t have said it better than Two did, so she let him have the last word. People should keep cutting off heads, even if they come back. Abated, at least in the I can admit I made a mistake in the sense that my family is in the shit, which I didn’t intend on happening sort of way, slammed and spilled tea somehow ended up on the lesser end of the physical freak out spectrum the moment that Jaheira’s hulked out biceps put a squeeze so severe on her cup that it shattered.
With her girlfriend cleaning up the mess she’d made and their (collective) son cleaning up the mess that was Mom #2, Aurumy would content herself to playing nurse to his surgeon. She’d prep small-grip forceps for him to pick shrapnel from her hands, an infection neutralizer spray, and then regenerative adhesion bandages, all while making quiet eye contact with Kaelee, hoping she wouldn’t object to the badger taking charge of some small aspect of all of this that he felt he could control.
