The Sequel
One could not have asked for a more terrible Jutrand morning. The wind was blowing the wrong direction, bringing with it the scent of industry that refused to clear, weighed down as it was by the incessant rain that drummed against every surface in rippling sheets. The rain fell from a blanket of thick cloud that rumbled with the promise of further storms, scudding along quickly, driven by the wind which howled incessantly through each nook and cranny, making structures groan and picking up a layer of loose debris that cartwheeled through the air.
Still, Kirie couldn't be happier to see it. She sat by the great bay window in the second floor drawing room, pressed against the cushioned side of the bench seat that had been placed over the sill. Her sketch pad was balanced over her knee, the half formed shape of the gloomy skyline emerging from the scratchy pencil strokes.
Kirie had been up since the early morning, still struggling to sleep since returning from her ordeal with the Kainites. Even with the knowledge that she was officially free from them, the event had left its mark. Kirie's memories were muddled, her voice was gone, and she was still left with the terrifying feeling that there were still assailants waiting in the shadows to grab her. Nobody wanted her anymore save Quinn, and though that was a comforting thought, she was still wary, and watchful, and jumpy. The little box that the doctors had strapped to her arm, delivering a cocktail of calming drugs, that had helped. Blunted the horror she felt into spikes of anxiety, the deep melancholy into only dullness. And with it, she was able to focus on the happy things, like how she was home.
Her ears picked up the sound of rustling sheets in the next room. A sure sign that Quinn had woken up and was searching for her. Kirie had wanted to stay in the bed so as not to worry her love, but after a few hours of staring at the outlines of the cornices above her had driven her to rise. Upon hearing Quinn stirring, Kirie hurriedly pushed aside her drawing materials and rose, running to the bedroom on her tiptoes. As she passed through the door she tried to slide on her bedsocks, as had become habit, but her feet caught on the floor and she stumbled ungracefully, bumping against the foot of the bed and shaking the curtain of white hair that half obscured the beautiful woman staring up at her.
'Nobody's waxed the floors since I've been gone!' Kirie complained. A tiny protocol droid had appeared by her shoulder, a constant companion since she was still brushing up on the Outer Rim Sign Language she'd learned as a girl. The droid pumped out a decent approximation of her old voice alongside a few cheery chirps and beeps Kirie took for agreement.
'Sorry, not important- good morning.' The cheeriness had started off forced, but her face turned up in a genuine grin when she saw Quinn huddled in the bed, still blearily blinking up at her.
Wasting no time, Kirie clambered up onto the bed and into Quinn's arms, burrowing back into the soft pillowy covers, enjoying feeling her squirm as her chilly skin stole the Echani's warmth. This was where she was meant to be, almost hidden beneath the covers, tucked in the crook of Quinn's arm. Not out on a battlefield somewhere, or a work camp, or a lab. Her place was here, with Quinn. The two of them together.
For the first time since before her capture, Kirie felt lucky again. Lucky to be home, lucky to have Quinn by her side, to still have some semblance of a life to control and call her own. Lucky to be free, at least for now.
'I missed you.' Kirie's lips formed the words, her fingers made the signs, and the droid repeated it quietly. A triple echo. She tilted her head and laid a tender kiss upon Quinn's cheek.
Kirie's stomach rumbled loudly, spoiling the moment, and she giggled silently.
'Come on my lazy princess' she signed, tugging on Quinn's arm to get her moving. 'I'm hungry.'
