Can we have a sequel to the Maria and Malenia encounter? Where they have Haligtree leaf tea? And talk about swords?
Very Tall Sword Lesbians
Risotto can't believe he's doing this. After the incident where half the Bloodborne characters ended up in the Lands Between, the Great Ones and Outer Gods agreed to never let such a thing happen again. Now Oeden and the Golden Order must be kept apart physically, somehow, in a different realm where only their consciousness interact.
Unfortunately, these supreme beings can only influence the physical beings below them. They can guide the silly little humans around with silly little whispers in their brains, but they can almost never do anything directly to them. No one in Yharnam or the Lands Between forgot the weird crossover incident, especially Lady Maria, after she got her ass beat by Malenia, who is the Blade of Miquella if you didn’t know.
Risotto is quite privileged to have a physical form to interact with the humans, and they’ve learned to take advantage of his kindness. So when Maria asked Risotto if she could see Malenia again, he eventually gave in after much protest. Or rather, when Maria specified that she only wanted to speak with Malenia, not get her ass beat again.
So now they’re here, at the Haligtree Roots, a few planes of existence away from Yharnam. Risotto is nervous. He doesn’t want anything to happen to Maria because 1.) Adeline would definitely cry and 2.) Brador would probably skin him alive and wear him. But Maria is composed as she approaches the roots, no fear.
Malenia is still there, no longer in her blossomed form, in her usual armor. But she makes no attempt at attacking Maria, remaining calm in her seat, legs crossed and hands folded in her lap. She starts, “I believe we got off on the wrong foot earlier.”
“Agreed.” Maria nods in understanding.
“Forgive my lack of courtesy, Lady Maria. The rage from the war had not quelled.”
“You remembered my name?”
“Of course, the same as I remember the name of all my knights and adversaries. You put up quite the fight, it’s not often a mortal warrior forces me into my blooming. I respect you as an equal.”
“Why, thank you. I’m pleased.” Maria bows. Genuinely though, this goes right to her ego. This is a demigod referring to her as an equal.
Malenia raises her hands and claps twice. Two Haligtree Knights come in at once, carrying an ornate table between them, and more come with tea platters. Malenia offers Maria to sit across from her. “Let’s start over. I am Malenia, twin of Miquella. And I hope we can be friends.” She smiles lightly.
Maria smiles back, taking her seat. “I learned much about you in our duel. We have much in common.”
“Oh?” Malenia pours her a cup of tea.
A knight approaches Risotto and offers him to sit as well. He simply waves them off, and wanders off to explore the Haligtree. Everything seems fine and dandy now.
“To put bluntly, you must come from a powerful lineage that you dislike. You pride your true, honed skill over what that lineage granted you.” Maria takes a sip of the tea. It’s flowery and light in flavor, sweet like nectar and natural in earthiness.
“I sensed the same of you,” Malenia nods, “The blood arts, was it not?”
“Indeed. I went all out on you.”
“You must also have great focus as I do. You dedicate yourself to a few lifelong duties, which is protecting those you love. And… you’re competitive.”
“Correct as well.” Maria drums her fingers on the table. “I am curious about your blade.”
Malenia sets her weapon on the table. “Unalloyed gold that won’t rot by my curse. Tailor-made for my prosthetic arm, the hinge at the handle makes up for my arm’s lack of flexibility. It’s not the most beautiful sword, but it’s practical.”
“Ah…”
“May I see yours?”
Maria sets the Rakuyo besides her teacup. “Alloyed metal. It splits here into two—,” She takes it apart, “for a dagger and sword. It’s highly versatile and demands great dexterity.”
“Oh… oh yes, and I am curious about the armament that you brought me down with…”
Maria sets the Evelyn on the table. “It’s called a firearm, and it uses a spark to launch projectiles in the blink of an eye. Very powerful, you see, they can pierce through viscera easily. In some cases, the bullet splinters in the body.”
Malenia stares, curious. “We’ve nothing like that in the Lands Between.”
“We also do not have magical incantations or blooming goddesses in Yharnam. A fair trade, I think.”
They share a chuckle. Malenia pours herself more tea. “What else must we have in common…? …let me guess. You’ve always preferred chasing skirts over trousers.”
“Oh, it’s not a preference. I will always take fair maidens over lads any day.”
“Personally, I like my women wearing the trousers. Or better yet, shining armor.”
“I suppose this is where our tastes differ. My girlfriend, Adeline— she stands at my chest’s height. Always liked her dresses with a bit of frill, maybe some flowers tucked in her hair, she’s a bundle of sunshine, really.” At the thought of Adeline, Maria plucks a fruit pastry and eats it. She can’t stop herself from smiling.
“She sounds adorable!” Malenia exclaims in genuine excitement, followed by a loving sigh, leaning on her elbow. “Finlay was my height. Ever loyal, moreso than my other knights. About as hard-headed and reckless as my half brothers. She’s the reason why I’m still alive. When I was told she… passed away from exhaustion, carrying me here all alone, in that moment I have never felt more loved and heartbroken.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry for your loss, Malenia.”
The demigod shakes her head. “I’m just grateful that I was blessed with her presence, and I know she would’ve wanted me to move on. Well— enough about that. More tea?”
Maria holds out her empty teacup. “Yes, please!”
———
Risotto has sorely underestimated Maria’s social battery. Between hourly intervals he’d come back to the roots, peek in, and see that Maria and Malenia are still taking with great energy. Then he’d go about and explore, come back, and see that they’re still talking.
It seems that the two warriors have cliqued well. Too well, in fact. Risotto has explored the Haligtree from bottom to top, and within those several hours he expected to be interrupted by Maria telling him that she’s ready to head home.
Just what could they be talking about now? Risotto thinks as he swings by one more time. The women are speaking jubilantly now, far different than how formal they were earlier.
“—And this dumbass, this absolute, pathetic maggot of a demigod, went down on all fours or however many limbs he’s grafted onto himself, and physically licked my boots! Of all the years I’ve been rotting from the inside out, that was the most disgusting experience of my life—” Malenia’s speaking bubbles over into laughter. Maria is absolutely losing it.
Risotto slinks away once more. If there’s anything bad that can happen to Maria now, it’s her stomach hurting from laughing too hard.
