And So Time Ticks
The cell door closed behind her.
The sheen of her tinted glasses, the mesmerising way her hair warped behind her, the almost radiating brightness from the halo that hung over head, pulsating in unison with her and her iconic jacket, eternally flaming behind her in fits of blue & cyan.
There was no doubt about it, Gredaen herself had come to visit her.
The hero stood in the room, paused as silence drowned them in dread.
Her red eyes stared. She wondered what the once-retired hero wanted, Rosette remembered her 'conversation' with Lurid when it was revealed that Gredaen had decided to return.
God, she was enthusiastic about this hero's return, with not an ounce of worry etched in her words as she lost herself to her own ramblings. It was a good thing she only dumped as much on her rather than anyone else.
"I've heard some things", Gredaen hummed, eyes boring into hers through the tinted lens, the halo seemed to pulsate for a second longer, "More specifically, a certain someone seems...convinced your 'friend' can be redeemed"
A quiet sigh slipped through her nose, "...Is it suspicion towards my colleague or suspicion towards the one who has claimed redemption in his return?", Rosette answered with a question.
Her cyan eyes narrowed at the seated villain in front of her, hair open, white and pristine, though a mildly tangled mess. The hero sighed, "Perhaps both. Either way, it has come to my attention that the attempts have been—mildly successful, considering the self sabotage"
Rosette blinked, Gredaen realised, "I see, the neon nuisance must be far more secretive then", it wasn't unexpected of her. Lurid was known to be secretive and distrustful, even with those she appeared to trust wholeheartedly otherwise.
Paradoxical if you asked her.
"Could you elaborate on that?", Rosette hummed, "And why should I say? If the woman is truly shifting sides, it would be unwise to tell another villain her intentional hiccups", came the response.
Curiosity damn her, should she also say...?
"Whatever the case, you'll be in custody for...a while. Sh—He, geez I'm not used to it yet, is trying to see if we can get you into a rehab programme", the villain stared, "He seems very positive that you'll be accepting of it, told me he was given proof by someone", Gredaen sighed.
Redemption was not something heroes of her time saw as a befitting consequence of villains actions. When Gredaen was at her prime, it was either capital punishment or life imprisonment. The concept of rehabilitation for villains was there, but widely unapproved by many as villains were generally seen as irredeemable assholes.
It shocked her to find that one of the best examples of this rehabilitation was now, in fact, her own ex-rival. Now an ex-villain, working as a hero among them.
Rosette on the other hand, glanced away for a second, every moment in the past several weeks before her capture she scrounged for anything that could hint at what Lurid had been doing.
If it was as the hero claimed, then she had just breached her trust, without even a hint of it showing through in her demeanor. Truly a master of lies when it counts, huh?
It couldn't be negligence in that case, so was it betrayal?
Or was it her way of helping her?
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"I'm worried.", Luciel hummed quietly as they stood on the terrace of an old abandoned factory, "She hasn't shown up in several months"
Gredaen stood next to him, her form glowing softly in the moonless night. "Is that so? What if she just decided not to come?", her skepticism remained. It was hard to trust someone who used to be your nemesis, it's especially hard to trust them in regards to someone who has a record of slaughtering heroes.
Luciel's wings twitched as he turned to her, despite the blindfold, it felt as though he was staring into her soul for a second. "Lurid hasn't missed a single meeting of ours since our 5th encounter", he huffed, "That woman is very strict, let me tell you that. It's unlike her to break her promises", the gravity hero blinked.
Huh, she doesn't remember him being this prickly. But then again, it has been...a long time since they met, and it does seem like he has changed.
"Even so, we cannot jump to conclusions.", Gredaen replied, "Same can be said to you", ok, at least he—HIS strive to banter is still alive.
She scoffed, "I see you still have that obnoxious need to retort left in you", Luciel laughed, "It seems so. But truly, this is concerning—"
"Why hello.", the heroes stilled, stiff as they recognised the voice with its sickly sweet tone and the mild condescension.
They turned to face the man they had once fought viciously, "You. What are you doing here?", Gredaen drawled, eyes narrowed and a stance firm, she showed no sign of being on the offensive but she was prepared.
Luciel stood quietly.
The peaceful silence of the night, ruined by one they hadn't expected to meet just yet.
"I simply came here to congratulate you!", the Ravager smiled, a smile too wide, too forced. "You've managed to turn one of my own against me, and now you attempt to do so with another"
"Really? I doubt anyone would want to stay under you", Gredaen jabbed, her halo pulsed again, the brightness increased slightly.
The over-dressed cannibal snorted, "Oh, I know", he shook his head, "So let's play a game."
"Why would we play a game with you?", Luciel spoke up this time, he may be a strong advocate for redemption but even he can notice a madman. The man clad in red gasped, "You wound me. Am I not worthy of your trust?"
Mockery.
"Regardless, this is a game of time", his attitude was annoying, "We did not agree to any game, nor are we going to participate in this", Gredaen argued.
"Oh but you will, of course"
"Why is that?"
The Ravager scoffed, "Listen to the rules at least", the heroes were not liking this, but fighting at an old explosives factory is not a good idea.
"I know she is hiding, she knows I've found out", the lunatic hummed in glee, "If I find her first, her death I will make a public spectacle."
What? That's what he usually does, does he not?
"Ah but of course, there's a twist"
Unless he means—
"Everyone will know what she has done.", he laughed, intention made clear.
"I will make sure of it"
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"You alright? You've been distracted lately", Talissa asked, her brows furrowed as she gave Scry a glass of water, sitting next to her on the couch.
The woman huffed, "I'm fine. Just anxious about nothing", she grumbled. The brunette hummed, "You should take a few days off, our workload is less at the moment and the rest of us can handle most of it", Talissa suggested.
They were at the latter's apartment, Silas was busy and wouldn't be home for a while, Talissa wouldn't be either soon enough. "Thanks, I'll just crash here for now", her thumbs fidgeted on the surface of the glass.
Elijah had been shifted to a new area for his patrol duty, it was much better than before and he had a lot more time to himself.
She knew he'd be home for a while since he was granted a good amount of leave days.
She didn't feel comfortable staying alone.
Not now.
She knew it wouldn't be forever, keep it nonchalant and under wraps and it would be fine.
Everything will be fine if he doesn't notice all the signs.
Talissa sighed, "...I could also take leave, if you want?", she suggested, her eyes scanning her friend's features carefully.
Something was off.
"You sure?", nothing else was added.
"I'm sure"
She didn't want to be afraid forever.
Tags:
@boiling-potato
@aesopsbaby
@imma-sue-you-becky
@lucytsukii
@feelin-lo
@gachaclubideas
@shycroissanti
@n0vatsu
@thewizardingwizard
@startheimpactfangirl
Personal Notes:
Me when I torture my own sona 💔✨
Anyways so the cell in question is like, a high tech thingy. Basically it suppresses the Cores' energy, just enough that it doesn't actually kill someone but enough to nullify their abilities
Also first time writing Ravager and of COURSE I wrote him threatening to murder Scry (not Lurid)in front of the public
Ah yes
Anyways, I think I'll write something for Solengard next(maybe, who knows)
Shadowed Heart
