It was just a flash of white. It shouldn’t have shocked him so. And yet...Kelpie remembered her. So vividly he felt tears run down his cheeks as he stumbled through the Tower to find somewhere to hide the torrential emotions he felt. His throat wasn’t strong enough, the scarred seam splitting open through his ragged sobs, choking him with tears and blood.
What felt like hours was only about 20 minutes. Eventually, he wiped his face with cold water before going back out into the Tower to conduct his business. The faster he could get done, the faster he could get back to his cabin to finally let himself rest. He needed it. He couldn’t...it was too much. Zorya’s decline, his throat being cut open, the loss of his voice...and now.... No, no it couldn’t be true. He knew he shouldn’t be able to remember, and he wasn’t even allowed to tell anyone.
Of course, fate seemed out for him that day. Zavala waved him over, and his heart thundered in his chest at the sight of that familiar curly hair and diminutive stature. And that smile...oh his heart ached at the sight of it. Swallowing thickly, Kelpie made his over, offering a smile and a nod to let Zavala know he was paying attention.
He didn’t even remember what was said, all he knew was that her name was now Rosemary, a fitting name considering those had been one of her favorite plants before she’d died, was under his care for her starting days in the Vanguard. As he looked down he motioned for Rosemary to follow him, but Eir took the duty of talking to her and her Ghost - Wrench - by explaining to Rosemary that he was simply selectively mute.
It was true, but he hated it. How he wished to talk to his sister, but he knew he couldn’t, not yet, and perhaps not ever.
For all his silence, Rosemary filled it with her bright laughter and excited chatter. There was a sadness surrounding her, which Kelpie supposed was only natural, but it there was an ache to it that only made him wish to hold her. He didn’t think he would ever get the chance...but Rosemary proved him wrong as they got to the end of their first day in the Tower and exploring - without fighting - the ways in which Earth had changed.
Looking up at him, Rosemary offered one of her customary bright smiles, but there was a slight hesitation in her tone as she fiddled with her hands - a nervous habit that Kelpie remembered - and shifted her gaze between him, the air, and the ground. “Um...I don’t know if this is normal but, well, firstly thank you both. But, secondly...I already feel as if I know you quite well and...even after I’m all sorted and ready to be off on my own...would you be alright to still spend time together Kelpie?”
The question surprised him enough that he had to take a couple seconds to process it. Even so, a soft smile spread across his lips as he nodded in agreement, feeling his voice was strong enough to say, “Of course. I’d like that too Rosemary.” Resting his hand on her shoulder, he gave her a gentle squeeze.
He froze when she lunged forward and hugged him. But...he was fast enough to reciprocate the hug, and he could feel something inside of him ease, even though he knew there was still the possibility of her never knowing of their familial bond.
As she pulled away, Rosemary seemed a bit startled by herself, but she carried it well as she wave to him. “I’ll see you again soon Kelpie! Thank you for today!”
Watching her go for a couple moments, Kelpie chuckled lightly to himself as he returned to his ship to go home. “If only all things could seem to go simple and easy,” he muttered to himself, thinking of the Fox so fiery she burned cold. Sighing heavily, he tried to shake the thoughts that kept weighing him down so heavily -- he didn’t want to fall asleep tonight from drinking -- and instead thought about how best to try and guide Rosemary while fixing up the other two cottages he’d claimed as his around Earth.
