As if being captive in a laboratory (don't think about it) on the moon (okay, that was weird) and having to escape (don't think about it, don't think about it) was bad enough. Now the sky was filled with giant death lasers, techno-organic demons ranging in size from a small angry dog to a Kraken were roaming the city unchecked, and the Stars had gone completely radio silent.
Oh, and the sky had gone black.
Nothing could ever just go Lorene's way, could it?
The last time something inexplicable and terrifying had descended upon the city, the first thing Lorene did was think of Reinite. This time was no different. (Why couldn't he remember last time very clearly, though? Something about those mists...) But this time, instead of breaking down her door like a goofy nutcase, the second the teleporter landed Lorene back on terra firma and he was able to get his hands on his gear again, he pulled out his phone and--like a fucking normal person--gave Reinite a call.
"Where are you?" He didn't mean to come across as short. He knew damn well he didn't have a leg to stand on, and had plenty of explaining to do. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" There; that was better.
That was about the moment when the mysterious voice could be heard (felt?), and right after, the PA systems started broadcasting across the wards. Music. Singing. Isola offworlder residents, like himself, specifically--singing.
He put his phone on speaker and started scrolling through the resident-run blogs and message boards. "It looks like singing weakens these monsters," he told Reinite. "To the point where nothing else will enable us to damage them." A pause. "I think I can be of most service at one of the stages, protecting the performers. Do you want to come with me? I can probably get to you more easily. I can sing, too--a little anyway; as much as any average Elf--so I can get to you. Yes, I know it's a stereotype, but it's only because our cultural festivals involve nearly everyone participating in impromptu choirs. I can defend myself well enough to get to you, and then we can make our way to the nearest stage together."
"I'm sorry." He had to say it, before she could say anything else. "I know I have a lot to explain. A lot has happened, and I..." Hadn't been able to deal with it. Or hadn't been able to deal with it in anything resembling a healthy way, at least. "I swear to you, Reinite Roux--I love you. I swear I would never do anything to hurt you deliberately. Please stay your wrath until this shitshow is over? Please. Work with me. Fight with me. By my side." It was all he wanted, in the end.
Really, it was all he wanted.
