#...how does kodya get back in the...

[pinkuponye]

I forgot what prompted me to draw this 💀 I'm sorry

[justaghostingon]

Mini Meta: Strawbarrow’s confession scene!!!

So look. I know they never actually say, I love you, but here’s the thing, you don’t need to say the words “i love you” to communicate that you love someone.

Take a look at this scene:

Gyrus here knows he’s going to die. But that’s not what he’s worried about. He’s worried Kodya will die with him, and is using the last of his energy to beg him to leave him and escape. And this isn’t a new conversation by any means. Gyrus has pushed Kodya and the rest of his friends in the room of swords away again and again for the sole purpose of keeping Kodya and the other’s safe. Gyrus doesn’t want to isolate himself, he hates being alone, but he’s also a very selfless person who’s willing to suffer for everyone else’s sake. And in that selfless self sacrifice, he’s also very short sighted and self-destructive, thinking he can take on all the burdens himself.

But Kodya doesn’t let him. Kodya constantly pushes at his walls, coming back time and time again to risk his own life to stand beside Gyrus and support him, by being his apprentice, to being his teacher, to being his boyfriend. He’s not leaving Gyrus, he care’s to much about him to let him suffer through everything alone. He says “I’m not leaving you” but what he means is, “i want to stay by your side.” He wants to be with Gyrus, no matter what the cost, and for Gyrus, who hates the isolation he forces himself to endure, this is exactly what he needs to hear.

And Gyrus’s response is really telling:

Because even if Gyrus doesn’t want to be alone, and needs to have people stick with him, he still doesn’t want Kodya to stay with him, in the dangerzone, sticking stubbornly to his side. Gyrus knows Kodya loves him. He knows Kodya often prioritizes Gyrus’ life over his own. And Gyrus is not okay with that. Because Gyrus does not, and never has considered Kodya’s life as less important. He has never seen Kodya as the errand boy Kodya sometimes fears he does. Gyrus, who is so selfless, who places everyone’s needs and the fate of the universe over his own desires, is finally communicating what he wants. “I want you to live” is Gyrus’ way of saying Kodya’s existance is the one thing he is unwilling to compromise on, the one thing he will place the universe and destiny and even the Masonaire on hold in order to ensure. Kodya’s survival is his one selfish wish, the one thing Gyrus wants in all the universe. And for Kodya, whose been let down time and time again, to hear Gyrus insist that he values him and wants him to be okay is exactly what he needs.

And yeah, Gyrus gets cut off before he can say “I love you” but at this point he doesn’t need to. Because he just made it clear to Kodya how much he values him, even over his own goals, which is what Kodya was really worried about. And Kodya in turn, has made it clear to Gyrus that he’s not going to leave him to face his fate alone. They’re able to soothe each others fears and express their love, and really, what’s more romantic than that?

[roomofshitposts]

Thoughts & Opinions on episode 122?

episode 122 came into my house, took all of my bread, and desiccated my crops ,,, what the fuck, like 50 separate things happened and all of them reveal some new shitshow that’s been happening behind the scenes

i’m gonna go over some of the bigger points & my theories around them under the cut 

don appeared in the medieval times

okay so there’s two possible ways to see this event: don appeared in tori’s era before he was imprisoned by the shadows, or he manifested there somehow after he was trapped in the ROS.

-> if this happened before his imprisonment, then i think don had started travelling around time to help others with his abilities after attempting to save his family from the anomalies, and gradually grew more corrupt as he tested the limits of his powers, or started losing his mind as things he did in the past started having butterfly-effect style impacts on the future that he had to try and fix over and over. 

this could possibly mean that don started a paradox where he himself introduced anomalies to the world by meddling in the past, which amplified the number of anomalies in the present and ultimately looped back to giving him his abilities and killing his family in his original time, though it does still leave a blank as to what exactly started this real-world cycle of anomalies in the first place (who pulled that ‘thread in the fabric of time and space’ don mentioned? how does he even know what happened?). 

anyways, don’s interference grew to a point where it had become dangerous to the fabric of reality, so the shadows imprisoned him in a realm beyond time and space, the room of swords, to contain his abilities (perhaps reducing his ability to rewrite reality to be limited to changing one day’s events) or maybe punish him, with the knowledge that by trying to help others, he’d doomed them to becoming anomalies and being imprisoned themselves.

things that point to don being in tori’s era before he got yoinked to space jail: in the flashback where he tries to save his family, he has a mustache (bigger than his current one), and he could have grown that out into a beard as he travelled. he looks pretty damn evil in tori’s memory so maybe at this point he’s pretty much lost it, and he has a full beard, similar to how it looked when he was first shown in the room of swords during the season 1 finale, so maybe this is just about when the shadows took notice and imprisoned him. 

-> if this happened after his imprisonment, unlike the above where we can probably assume he started jumping around time soon after he tried to save his family (if he succeeded maybe he felt that he could help others too, if he failed maybe the guilt drove him to try and save others from the same fate), it’s harder to pinpoint when he might’ve manifested into tori’s time. 

if we go off of the theory that the ros exists in cycles, repeating its objective with the same (or new) voyagers each time, and the constants are don, the black box holder(gyrus) and the shadows, it’s likely that don somehow got out of the room of swords in an earlier cycle. he used his powers to manipulate reality in tori’s time, and this resulted in her gaining her own abilities as an anomaly, sending her to the room of swords.

maybe don was trapped in the ros for trying to rewrite reality to save his family and was imprisoned by the shadows. thinking this was unfair, he tried to escape, but failed. he then realized that maybe he couldn’t break out, but somehow (i can’t guess what method he managed to use ghfdsjfj), he could still affect the outside world. he started out by wanting to help people and protect them from the anomalies that happened in their era, but this resulted in the people he helped becoming anomalies and they would get trapped in the room of swords as well, both because of their abilities and to remind don to Stop Doing That. this eventually resulted with don slowly losing his mind and morals, hence why he began as such a warm, friendly person, but later showed himself to be so determined to escape the room of swords that he’s willing to kill nephthys and poison hinju.

things that point to don being in tori’s time after he got yoinked to space jail: his harmonica. in the episodes that show events taking place before the main timeline, and most notably in the flashback where don explains how his family died, he’s always shown using a guitar to channel his powers. he’s only started using the harmonica to try and kill nephthys, and only in recent episodes, in the present timeline. maybe the harmonica is an item he found that can channel less power than the guitar, which makes it weaker but much more discreet so that other ‘meta’ beings (shadows and maybe gyrus) don’t notice him slipping out of the ros or using it to switch boss swords with fakes, murder people, etc, and he keeps the harmonica secret and only uses it when he’s doing shady shit.

DON STOLE A FUCKING BABY???? HELLO????? WHAT THE GENUINE FUCK????

i’m going to elaborate on this point later but like what the absolute shit happened there

gyrus is possibly queen amelia’s son (or at least, her descendant)

so like. hi this entire plot point drove the discord nuts

first off, like,,,, gyrus is descended from (presumably) european royalty? i know that toon stated that gyrus was of korean descent and he’s shown to be able to speak in korean but i mean it’s also possible that the foreign king that queen amelia married, was from east asia, and their marriage was entirely out of necessity to lift the curse on her kingdom. the king dipped tf out after the ceremony to rule his own lands. 

don took the baby (assuming the baby is gyrus) to gyrus’ era, and this displacement amplified a chain of anomalies that began to deteriorate reality, leading to the world don describes as gyrus’ in episode 109 (’catastrophic anomalies are commonplace’ ‘whole worlds destroyed without warning’). in addition, don notes in the same episode that gyrus had ‘kind relatives that [took him] in and [gave him] a life of comfort’, which means that either his parents died on his home planet, or he’d never known his parents-- which would be the case if he was a baby don sTOLE FROM ANOTHER ERA.

alternatively, the baby isn’t gyrus, but rather they were gyrus’ ancestor, who don brought to a time before gyrus’ era. that displacement started creating disastrous anomalies. gyrus’ parents died on his home planet and his relatives took him in, as per don’s words. gyrus leaves home to become an astronaut and joins captain iro’s crew. bing bang boom

don’s bottle of shadow juice

what the hell even is this. people on the discord have theorized that this is the origin of gyrus’ inner shadow or his black box, but. how did don. get a shadow. in a bottle. as far as i know, he’s unable to influence shadows directly so he can’t sing ‘get in the bottle or else with this shoe i will throttle [you]’, but also the shadows are his jailors, why would a) don help them by giving them a host or b) the shadows help him by complying. do they both think they’re being slick and using the other gfhdjgfdhgh

and if it’s the black box, how did don bottle it. why didn’t he just take it. what is going on. 

either way this might be another paradox situation where don found out the origin of gyrus’ shadow abilities/black box/event horizon breaking point and realized he had to take part in getting events to line up so this could happen. so he essentially manipulated reality to ensure that he could get a powerful ally that would hold the black box and defend it from the shadows, and who would be the second constant to appear in the ros (and first voyager), so don could try again and again to gain his trust and get a pawn for his plan against the shadows.

trouble in paradise the black box

ok rip to black box gyrus i really liked him as a character and as a design and he was fun to shitpost about but there’s no goddamn way he’s going to survive this season. he’s been weakened from losing memories and control over the black box, and i’m pretty sure the shadow dragged him off to kill him. plus kodya being yanked back to the black box and the shadows of the people lost during the incident being released means that black box gyrus has either died or lost the command room/a significant amount of control.

and even if it wasn’t for the fact that the situation is pretty much spelling out black box gyrus is doomed, his plot relevance is also wearing out. it’s the same ‘pupil must outgrow their mentor so the mentor dies’ that happened with kodya but this time black box gyrus genuinely has no more purpose to serve after this arc. 

like,,, kodya has plot threads (like nephthys and his own backstory) that exist outside of gyrus. black box gyrus does not exist separately from gyrus. anything he can offer to his reset self, can be found in the black box’s memories once he’s done training him, and they’ve unlocked all the beacon memories. just about the last thing bb!gyrus needs to do is reconcile with kodya and relinquish the black box to gyrus, and then all his story points are technically over. that doesn’t mean i don’t want him to stick around, he’s a well-written character and i am bonkers for his stupid emo outfit, but i don’t know why toon would keep him around after setting up all of the shadow-taking-control-of-the-black-box business and bringing current gyrus to this point in the story.

SHADOW CIB I’M SHAKIGN AND CRUING

y’all i know this is irrelevant and i’m just going 👁👁 because it’s cib but it’s CIB and i’m hoping this means that she’ll become a more recurring background character, in shadow form or in flashbacks, since she seems to be really important to ragan and she’s the second voyager. and maybe there’ll be a way to save people from shadow death without gyrus losing all his limbs. god i hope

[justaghostingon]

My Heart Loves You

A Strawbarrow drabble

read here or on ao3 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/27217354 

Petnames and translations by @verraida

It was weird sometimes, how the automatic translator that everyone seemingly had worked. Most of their words were translated automatically, without much need to worry. But there were some that didn’t. Mandu stayed Mandu when be said it, and didn’t change into pork dumplings like it might if he himself were speaking English. Other phrases, like swear words didn’t change. Gyrus had several theories on this, ranging from happenstance to some arbitrary god not translating them for moral reasons. But the theory that stood out the most was that they didn’t translate when a word was just too emotional.

Kodya was the main reason for this theory, as Gyrus had noticed he had a habit of speaking in Russian when emotional. It was rarely anything more than an angry word or two, and it never caused them any kind of communication problems, so Gyrus was content to let it just be one more endearing fact about his apprentice that he hoarded away in his heart to think about on bad nights.

Except lately, he and his apprentice have been growing closer, no doubt helped along by the fact that Gyrus now woke up in his bed every other night, having been driven to seek out Kodya’s soothing presence by the horrible and unending. And now he was seeing Kodya in a more relaxed setting on an almost daily basis, he began to realize that Kodya used Russian way more than he’d thought. Specifically about Gyrus.

Like when Gyrus did something Kodya though was particularly stupid, he’d grumble, “сердцу мил, why are you like this?” Under his breath in an exasperated tone.

Or when Kodya had impressed the usually hostile realm denizens with his archery skills and they’d asked who Gyrus was, he’d introduced him as, “Gyrus, друг сердечный.” Gyrus hadn’t understood it, but apparently archery-loving realm denizens understand Russian, or their translators were just better than Gyrus’, and they began to treat Gyrus with far more respect.

And then there were the times when Gyrus was laying on Kodya’s bed, soothed by their joined hands in complete peace. Kodya would thread his fingers through Gyrus’ lose hair and whisper, “ты люб моему сердцу.” There was something musical about that phrase, even spoken as softly as it was, it felt like it echoed throughout the entire room, weaving Kodya’s soft voice with his affection like lyrics to a song Gyrus couldn’t quite understand. Gyrus kept still, hardly daring to breathe, knowing something important had been said that the translator had prevented him from knowing.

Which is why, Gyrus rolled up his sleeves, the mystery ended today. He’d been paying attention to the words, and although “ты люб моему сердцу” eluded him, he’d noticed some similarities between it, “друг сердечный” and “сердцу мил.” It had taken a lot of very careful listening, and far more concentration than the soothing spell allowed, but he’d finally figured out what they held in common: сердц.

He wrote it down on a piece of paper as he sounded out all the consents, “S ER D TS.” or Serdtse, if you followed English grammar. Huh, that didn’t look too bad. He hoped it translated into Russian when read, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t get that lucky. Still, it was a start. Now he just had to find Kodya and ask him about the meaning, read it out loud if he had too.

As if on cue, Kodya entered Gyrus room, causing Gyrus to jump. “Kodya!” he cried, trying to lean casually against the table like he’d meant to do that. He had the sinking feeling like he’d been caught doing something wrong.

Kodya frowned. “Is everything okay?” he asked, eyeing Gyrus’ ‘casual’ posture with some concern. Gyrus waved it away with a high pitched laugh.

“Everything’s fine! Fine! Well,” He brought a finger to his chin, trying to look as if this had just occurred to him. “Now that you’re hear, you could help me with a bit of a translation problem I’m having.”

Kodya raised an eyebrow. “Translation?” he asked, before shrugging, “sure. I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but I’ll do what I can.”

“Its this,” Gyrus shoved the piece of paper into his hands. “Can you tell me what it says?”

Kodya blinked down at the paper. “This just looks like a nonsense word to me,”

Gyrus winced. Of course it didn’t translate. “It’s Serdtse,” he said. Kodya froze, and Gyrus bit back a smile. So it did mean something important. He knew it! “What does it mean Kid?” he asked.

“H-heart,” Kodya bit his lip, and Gyrus stared. He hadn’t been expecting that. “Gyrus where did you get this?”

“From you,” Gyrus shook his head, still trying to grasp Kodya’s words. The Kid seemed to shrink at that. Gyrus figured he’d best give him some context, so he stopped looking so guilty. Unless, maybe there was a reason? Shut up. He told that part of his brain. “You call me this when you’re mad at me.”

Kodya scrunched his nose. “Why would I - Oh!” He gave a little chuckle. “This is a misunderstanding. I’m not saying Serdtse, I’m saying сердцу мил, it means ‘dear to my heart.’” Gyrus felt his eyebrows rise and Kodya blushed.

“It means you’re important to me,” he explained, I add it on when I insult you so you know you’re still important even when I’m mad at you.”

Oh. That was - really sweet actually. Gyrus gave a little giggle as he arched an eyebrow. “Can’t be nice in a language I understand can you?”

“Of course not,” Kodya crossed his arms, “then you’d know I wasn’t really mad, and you’d never listen when I scolded you.”  

Gyrus tipped back his head and let out another laugh. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kodya give a pleased little smile, and he remembered why it was he wanted to translate Serdtse in the first place. “What about the others?”

Kodya stiffened. “The others?” he asked warily.

Gyrus nodded. “This isn’t the only expression you’ve used with Serdtse in it, what about the other two?” What did you whisper to me last night? He doesn’t say.

“друг сердечный,” Kodya began, clearly knowing what Gyrus’ unspoken question was and ignoring it anyways, “means ‘friend of my heart,’” or something roughly translating to that.”

“Friend of my heart?” Gyrus felt his cheeks heat up. He liked to think they were close, but still, “I haven’t heard you call Nephthys that.”

“Yeah,” Kodya nodded, cheeks equally red. “Because she’s not you. She’s my best friend. but you’re - different, but kinda the same?” He avoided Gyrus’ eyes.

“I’m your very best friend?” Gyrus hid his cheeks in his hands, certain he was glowing like a Christmas tree. He’d always wanted to be someone’s very best friend. To matter to someone so much. 

“Right, sure,” Kodya shuffled his feet. “You could call it that,” Gyrus felt a bit like he was floating. 

“You’re my very best friend too,” he said as he linked their hands. He couldn’t help but notice how warm they were. Kodya glanced up, startled, before answering with a reassuring squeeze. 

And then, because he felt in that moment he could have asked anything and Kodya would have given it to him, he asked, “what about the last one, that you called me last night?”

Kodya’s hand tightened, eyes going wide like a dear caught on a landing pad on earth. “You heard that?”

“Of course Kid,” Gyrus swung their joined hands in a hope to get him to relax again, “I was awake.”

“Oh,” Kodya squeaked, and Gyrus cocked his head. Was it really that bad? Kodya sucked in a deep breath, then looked Gyrus straight in the eyes. “ты люб моему сердцу,” he said, voice firm, and Gyrus could tell whatever it meant, he meant it from the bottom of his heart. And Gyrus, for some strange reason, felt that whatever it was, he returned it.

“tie love mayonnaise serdtse?” Gyrus tried to say it back. Kodya snorted. 

“What did you just say?” he laughed as he tried to stuff his free hand in his mouth. Gyrus scowled.

“I said what you said Kid,” he pulled his hand back to cross his arms. “Its hard to say.” Kodya gave another laugh and Gyrus lifted his chin. “Fine,” stated crossly. “I’ll just stick to Serdtse.” 

“Probably for the best,” Kodya tried to sound reassuring, but the huge grin on his face said otherwise. 

“What does it mean anyways?” Gyrus asked, to try and change the subject.

“It doesn’t have a direct translation,” Kodya waved a hand in a manner he no doubt thought was casual. “Don’t worry about it.”

“What? Kodya!” Gyrus cried, but the man was already moving towards the door. “Can’t you at least try?”

Kodya paused, casting a glance back at Gyrus with a shy smile. “I’ll tell you one day,” he offered. “But for now, lets leave it up to translation okay?”

“Fine,” Gyrus rolled his eyes. “Serdtse.”

“What?” Kodya raised an eyebrow. “You know that’s just a noun right?”

Gyrus cast him his cockiest grin. “Until you tell me what I’m supposed to really say, I’m gonna call you Serdtse, got it?”

A strange shiver ran over Kodya’s body, and his grip on the door frame increased. “I’d like that,” he whispered. Gyrus beamed.

-------

ты люб моему сердцу = my heart loves you

[justaghostingon]

Kodya and Tori’s Fight Wasn’t Over Gyrus

An analysis on the ch 133 fight

So I know the first thing your thinking is “what do you mean? Did you even read the chapter? And yeah, I did. And Gyrus does feature a bit. But that’s not really what they were upset about. Lets break it down.

Tori starts it by calling Kodya a “Liar” which Kodya points out was because of a promise, and not done to mislead her. He tries to say it gently, but what it breaks down to is that he couldn’t trust her, because she’d never given him a reason too.

Tori objects, bringing up the kiss as a moment he should have trusted her. Because to Tori, the kiss was a moment of vulnerability. She confessed her own struggles to what she believed was someone in a similar position, and attempted to offer comfort. For her, this was a moment of trust. And for Kodya to refuse to trust her back with his own identity seems to her to throw all of that trust right back in her face.

Kodya on the otherhand, feels he was pushed into a corner. He didn’t ask her to confide in him, and especially not to kiss him. But, even though he considers telling her, he chose not to, because he recognized it as a vulnerable moment. He emphasized with her and tried to comfort her, because he knows what its like to love someone who is gone and you don’t know if you’ll see them again (Old Gyrus in the two year time gap). He even says, “what would I want to hear?” Before be gives her an answer. He could have used his reveal to push a wedge between Tori and Gyrus, but instead he chooses to be kind.

And then Tori throws that kindness back in his face. Because Tori doesn’t know that Kodya has gone through the same situation she has, she doesn’t know he was genuine when he reassured her. The only Kodya she knows was willing to kill off someone who Tori believed was in love with him, simply on orders. So not only has she confided in the wrong person, in doing so she exposed a secret of Gyrus’s to the person who seemingly doesn’t care about him at all. So she reacts in anger, pointing what she believes are his flaws, in part for tricking her, in part because someone who would be willing to do something so cruel can couldn’t possibly have good intentions.

And Kodya, who was vulnerable and did try to be kind even in a situation he felt cornered, gets mad. Because he didn’t think he had a good option of response, and so picked the kindest one regardless, and is now getting called unfeeling by someone he believes didn’t even bother to see if he wanted to be kissed. She invaded his personal space, and now she’s calling him unfeeling? He can’t win, and this is hardly the first time he’s taken the blame for not being someone else (i.e. how he the room of swords turned on him for simply being close to Gyrus) so he does what he did then, he pulls away, raising up mental walls to protect himself.

So Tori feels betrayed, because she was vulnerable to someone who didn’t trust her back, and Kodya feels betrayed because he tried to be kind and was rejected for it, again.

They really are rather alike aren’t they?

[justaghostingon]

Kodya, Memories, and Moving On

An analysis of Kodya

Warning: this analysis contains major spoilers to the latest free chapter of Room of Swords, if you haven’t read it yet, go do so, and then come back. It’s quite a wild ride. This analysis does NOT contain spoilers for fastpass. I don’t have it, so as for what happens next, your guess is as good as mine. 

In chapter 124, (once again the latest chapter that ISN’T fastpass) Kodya makes an interesting choice, to let go of the chain and jump back to try and rescue the black box Gyrus. This move is framed as heroic, if futile. But the shadows have something to say about this:

And here’s the thing, they’re right.

That isn’t Gyrus. The real Gyrus is on his way. After everything the shadows have said about how Gyrus loves the illusion of Kodya, and how insistant Kodya’s been that Gyrus knows the difference between a memory and reality, he sure is falling into the same trap. Now there are a few differences, the black box Gyrus is concious, in a way its safe to assume the Kodyas wouldn’t be without the shadows. But the fact remains. Kodya is prioritizing the memory of Gyrus over himself and anyone in danger from the shadows possessing his body. And that is not a smart move.

And this isn’t the first time Kodya’s struggled with the real Gyrus vs. his memory of him. When they meet in the eye realm, Kodya is harsh to him, out of anger for what his past version has done. Furthermore, he holds him to the standard of who he was when he knew him, and is constantly frustrated at how Gyrus inevitably fails to live up to that impossible standard. And when Gyrus asks what Kodya wants, he outright tells Gyrus he wants Gyrus to be “who he’s meant to be.”

That “meant to be” is important. He doesn’t want Gyrus to be who he was, he wants him to be better, to be the kind of person Kodya thought he was, and not the kind that would kill 13 people. He wants Gyrus to become an ideal.

But people are often contradictory, and as much as he compares Gyrus to an ideal, he also quickly begins to seperate him into another person in his mind. He calls Gyrus “kid” to keep him appart from the man he remembers. This is good for Gyrus, as it means Kodya treats him like an innocent person and not like a killer. It is less good for Kodya, because while he’s learning to see the Kid as someone he cares about, he’s struggling to see him as Gyrus.

Kodya even admits when he and the Kid are trapped in the tower, that this is the “first time...[he saw] a glimpse of the Gyrus [he] used to know.” Meaning that he hasn’t been thinking of the Kid as Gyrus. He then immediately thinks of passing on the message, which is revealed to be simply telling Gyrus about everything and triggering the black box, in hopes to make him the Gyrus he remembers.

But in the end, he chooses not to. In part, because he doesn’t want him to become the killer again. In part for a clear concious. But mostly because he has grown to see the potential of this Gyrus, to know he could “be better,” something he admits to black box Gyrus later. He doesn’t tell him, and then he gets killed with a boulder.

And what happens at the boulder is very important, because its the only time he calls him “Gyrus.” In that moment, he is beginning to rectify the Kid and Gyrus in his head, to see that they are the same person. He realizes that this Gyrus has potential, this Gyrus could go on, and that this Gyrus isn’t really the one he remembers. He realizes that “it was over afterall.” In other words, he lets go, and moves on.

Then he wakes in the black box, meets black box Gyrus, and all that development? Goes out the window. Because this man represents everything he’s been forced to let go of. Because this is the man who Kodya is in love with, this is the man he’s furious at, this is Gyrus as he remembers him, walking and talking and acting just like he knows Gyrus would. Its jaring, its painful, and it forces all of the trauma he’s had to supress to avoid taking it out on the Kid to the forefront. Is it any wonder he quickly reverts to seeing this man as Gyrus?

And this doesn’t mean he stops caring about the Kid, far from it. He is genuinely happy to see him again. (The choice to reciprocate that hug was his, the black box Gyrus shrugged in confusion instead of giving him instructions). He’s also expresses concern over Gyrus’s lost arm, and later is upset when the shadows reveal their intentions to trick the Kid by using the black box Gyrus as bait. Kodya runs to save the new Gyrus at the end of the comic after all. But even as he does so, he calls him “Kid.”

And the reason, once again, comes back to trauma. Kodya has been seriously betrayed by Gyrus, and clearly not allowed to properly morn his death without guilt because he was a murderer, why should he be sad? He’s doubted everything about the Gyrus he remembers, from his love to his intentions. He wants desperately to understand why Gyrus did it, and to confront him about all the pain he’s feeling. And meeting Black Box Gyrus gives him a chance to get the closure he desperately needs, no wonder he accepts him as Gyrus, even if it’s subconscious. He needs the closure he’s experiencing to be real. He needs to believe Gyrus really means it when he says Kodya wasn’t just an errand boy, that his worst fears aren’t true.

Not that Kodya completely accepts what Black box Gyrus says, but he does accept him as a person enough to object when the new Gyrus verbally attacks him. And to accept that he can both trust Black box Gyrus with the new Gyrus, and to go along with the plan to pretend to be Gyrus.

And then he gets outside, and learns from outside sources, what Gyrus kept from him. And even if it upsets him that Gyrus kept so much of everything from him, he learns that Gyrus really did have a reason for what he did. And with the revelation of the dagger, he learns that Gyrus did care about him, enough to trust him with the most important piece in the game and Gyrus’s own freedom. And this is huge, because this means Gyrus cares. This is what the Black Box Gyrus meant when he said he said “you know how much I love you.”

So of course Kodya would jump to his defense. Of course Kodya isn’t ready to let him go. The last time they interacted, he was still doubting Black Box Gyrus. He didn’t realize just how loved he was. Now he has a chance to talk to him, to make things right between them. To make things right with the Gyrus who he killed, and who remembers dying, not the Gyrus who doesn’t. He needs this closure, to talk out everything he’s learned about his motives, maybe even apologize for killing him.

But he also needs to realize, that this Gyrus? Isn’t really Gyrus. The person he needs to talk to about everything is the real Gyrus. Yes, the black box Gyrus would be able to express the love Kodya wants to hear, but he’s not real. Anything he expresses is just a reminant, an echo.

Kodya needs to talk to the new Gyrus, about how betrayed he felt, about what he’s learned, and about where they stand with each other now, wherever that is. Only then he will he experience real closure.

[justaghostingon]

Pygmalion

Read on ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25962064

Once there was a man, who could not find love among the women he knew, so he decided to make his own.

“Oli, come with me. I’ve got a new project for you.” Gyrus’ smile was stilted as he beckoned Oli down the corridor. Oli followed, a bounce in his step as anticipation welled up inside him. The projects Gyrus had him help with were always interesting, even if they didn’t always work.

They entered the lab, and Oli froze. A woman hung suspended from the wires and machines. Her ethereal blue hair glowed in the dim light of the machine. It fell perfectly around her asymmetrical face, one half covered in soft skin, the other open and gapping to reveal a skull made of metal. She was barely more than a torso and upper arms, metal and wiring sticking out like some half finished machine, waiting for a mechanic to bring it back to life.

“Oli, meet Maria,” Gyrus said as Oli approached the remains of the woman. “She’s a robot from the last realm that I thought we could fix up and try and use on missions.”

He babbled on, talking about the advantages that a nie indestructible robot could have, but Oli wasn’t listening. Carefully he brought his hands up to encompass the woman’s face. Her single eyelid fluttered open, as delicate as the real one her long ago designer had tried to copy, and looked Oli in the eye.

“Hello Maria,” Oli whispered, for only a whisper seemed appropriate in this fragile moment.

“Hello.” She smiled, and Oli felt the whirl of machinery beneath his fingers humming like a pulse. The left side of her face was soft and warm against his skin, the right cool and smooth as steel, but Oli knew as he cradled her in that moment that all of her was undeniably human.

Many days and many nights did he labor over her, sculpting the perfect woman out of stone. And when he finished, he named her Galatea, for the white of her marble skin.

Fixing Maria was the hardest thing Oli had ever done. Her body was more complex than any project he’d ever worked on, and Oli found a new respect for the physicians who tended to the human body, their task was truly daunting if it was anything like the one of metal he and Gyrus labored over.

Every twist of wires, every slight calibration, every metal frame, all required the most delicate touch, lest they damage her beyond repair. She was magnificent though, a true masterpiece. As they inched their way along her body, rebuilding her from the ground up, Oli couldn’t help but wonder if the gods knew him in such intimate detail or if they did not care for the long labor his mother had needed to bring him to life.

Through it all Maria kept up her spirits, laughing and joking about the fine mess she had been reduced to. Oli admired her bravery, because even though she tried to grit her teeth, he knew their every motion caused her pain. She couldn’t hide it from him, even if she wanted to. Oli could see inside her every corner, and he knew when she bit her lip like that the reconnected wire beneath his fingers had burned her.

Gyrus seemed to notice too, and it made him sad, shoulders hanging with the weight of the world. But Maria did not like to see him so morose, and so would laugh or joke to try and lift his spirits.

“How’s your boyfriend?” she asked after a particularly hard operation. Oli blinked, confused. As far as he knew, Gyrus had no interest in anyone, to the great disappointment of many. But to his shock, Gyrus didn’t laugh it off like he usually did. Instead a cherry red blush crept across his face, until even his ears burned a brilliant red.

Oli started, but Maria laughed, throwing her head back in an echoing howl. Gyrus’ ears turned, if it were possible, even redder. “He is not my boyfriend,” he hissed, shooting Oli an alarmed look. Maria laughed again.

“Right, right,” she said, amusement obvious in her voice. “You just hold hands, have sleepovers, spend every waking moment you can together, and talk constantly about him when you can’t. Completely platonic, my bad.”

Up until today Oli hadn’t been certain Gyrus could have those types of feelings, but when Maria put it like that it seemed obvious. There was only one person who Gyrus spent so much time with, one name he slipped into nearly every conversation.

“Are you, talking about Kodya?” he asked, feeling slightly light headed. Gyrus’ eyes widened in alarm.

“There is n-nothing between me and Kodya!” Gyrus shook his head, waving his hands in the air in denial. But Oli noticed the red did not fade.

“Uh, yeah,” Maria rolled her eyes, “because someone’s to cowardly to confess.”   Gyrus hid his face in his hands. Oli felt a bit bad for him.

“I’m sure Kodya wouldn’t say no,” he offered, because everyone knew Kodya was in love with Gyrus, and because Oli knew all too well the way insecurity could whisper and ruin someone’s will to ask.

“Really?” Gyrus peaked between his fingers at Oli who tried to smile encouragingly. Maria tried to help, but her clear amusement had the opposite effect. “Gahhh,” Gyrus buried his head back in his hands as he stood up. “I’m going to get more metal!” He squeaked, running from the door before Oli could remind him that he could create anything and they had plenty of ingredients.

“Looks like it's just you and me now,” Maria chuckled, and as Oli turned to her, he realized that they had never been alone before.

The man would talk to his Galatea as if she were a real person.

The silence stretched out far too long as Oli struggled to come up with a topic of conversation. Maria raised an eyebrow, and Oli felt his stomach drop. “Come on, I don’t bite,” she said, and Oli looked down.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered but Maria shook her head, loose hair flopping against skin and metal alike.

“No, no! Don’t apologize! Ask me something! Go ahead, I know you want to!” She smiled at him, and for the first time, Oli wondered if she paid as much attention to them as they did to her. The revelation was disconcerting, but there was something he had been dying to ask.

He cleared his throat nervously and went for it. “What’s it like being a robot?” he said and then flinched at his own daring.

“Yeah I figured that would be the first thing you’d ask.” Maria’s voice caused him to look up. “First thing everyone does,” she added, sounding rueful. Oli clenched the front of his robe, feeling horrible.

“If I had to put it into words, I’d say it's a lot like being human most of the time,” Maria tried to shrug, but the wires holding her steady didn’t let her. She gave a half wince, and Oli stepped forward, hand instinctively raised to stop her.

Maria smiled, a small, sad smile that didn’t fit her usual chipper personality. “There is one difference though. I can survive with a whole lot less than a human can.” Oli’s brow furrowed in puzzlement. Was she talking about food?

Maria saw his confusion and elaborated. “Like blood,” she said. “You need blood to survive. But I don’t. It keeps me warm, but if I were to lose it, I’d still function.”

“That’s horrible,” Oli murmured, trying to imagine living life devoid of warmth, and feeling nothing but cold and hollow.

“Yeah it kind of is,” Maria replied, and Oli snapped his hands over his mouth, realizing how insensitive his words had been. Maria’s gaze softened. “Thanks,” she said. Oli lowered his hands, confused. “Not a lot of people notice that. But hey,-” she shot him a wide smile, more in line with her usual personality, “if I were half as squishy as you, I wouldn’t be here now would I?”

That was true, Oli felt a bit of guilt leave his shoulders. But still. “Maria?” he asked, and the woman turned her blue eyes on him. “What’s your favorite food?”

Maria blinked at him, and Oli felt his lips twitch into a smile.

He would make meals and present a portion to her cold body.

Oli hurried to the lab, a small bag in one hand and a plastic cup in the other. Gyrus wouldn’t be there right now. Oli had asked Kodya to ensure that he stayed that way, citing his worry over Gyrus overworking to ensure Kodya would not let him within ten feet of it. Oli felt a little guilty about using Kodya against Gyrus like that but he shrugged it off. He was going to do this, and he didn’t want Gyrus to stop him.

“Maria!” he called as he pushed his way into the lab. “I brought the food!” He held the little bundle aloft.

“Oh yeah! Bring in the goods!” Maria yelled, face split into a wide grin as her eyes never left the bundle in Oli’s hands. She sucked in a deep breath through her half finished nose as Oli came closer and licked her lips. “Oh man I can smell it, my mouth is watering already.”

“Just a minute,” Oli cautioned as he opened the bundle to reveal the strange wrapped bread and meat sandwich and the slices of deep fried potatoes Maria had painstakingly instructed him how to make. Maria gave a little whimper, and Oli smiled.

Oli took the sandwich first, lifting it with one hand to her face, while the other held the cup up to the bottom of her torso, to the little tube that led directly to her throat. Maria bit into the sandwich eagerly, sharp teeth nearly missing Oli’s fingers. He yelped a bit, but Maria didn’t seem to notice, to wrapped up in chewing to pay attention to Oli.

“Oh man,” she swallowed, and Oli held the cup close to the tube as the mashed up food slipped out. “It has been so long since I ate a burger.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Oli smiled. “I hope it tasted like it's supposed to.”

“Like it's supposed to?” Maria echoed, shooting him an incredulous stare. “It tasted fantastic! Oli you’ve got to be the best chef in the world!” She beamed at him, bits of sauce still stuck to her cheeks, and Oli felt like he was on top of the world.

“Now a fry,” Maria demanded, and Oli obligingly brought one up for her to bite. She took from his fingers, holding it in her mouth by the end, before gulping it down. “Mmmmm,” she groaned as she swallowed, licking the edges of her mouth. “That’s good.”

Oli blushed from the compliment as the remains of the fry slipped into the cup. “If you like it so much, I could always bring you more.”

“It would have to be soon,” Maria frowned. “You and Gyrus are gonna hook up my esophagus soon, and then the only way out will be through my stomach and the intestines.”

“Then I’ll just have to get a bigger cup,” Oli shrugged. He was a mechanic, he could figure something out. But Maria had looked so happy, and he wasn’t going to deny her something that made her feel more human.

“Alright!” Maria cheered, “Now I’ll take another bite of that burger baby! I’m feeling hungry tonight!”

And he would dress her in the finest clothes he could buy.

From then on, Oli would visit Maria whenever he could get away, bringing her food or just keeping her company. He found she was a wonderful companion, whose brash personality and boundless optimism always managed to put life in perspective. Oli couldn’t wait until the project was completed, so he could introduce her to everyone else. He was certain a warm personality like hers would get along with everyone.

He wouldn’t have to wait for much longer though, as he and Gyrus were almost finished. There were just a few final touch ups, and they would be able to take her to meet everyone. Every day Oli was able to remove one of the wires tying her to the machine, and everyday she looked more and more human.

Oli was just unwiring one of the no longer necessary wires, Gyrus left after being radioed by Don for some sort of emergency meeting, when he noticed a shiver run across Maria’s skin.

“You’re cold!” he said, hand hovering over the spot, unsure what to do. Maria gave him a slight smile.

“Yeah well. After you guys added my blood I’ve been able to notice how breezy it can get in here.” She gave a half shrug. “But it's fine. I can handle it.”

“No, no.” Oli shook his head, looking around the room. His eyes landed on a sheet in the corner where it still covered some old inventions in an attempt protect them from dust. He grabbed it and brought it back to Maria. “If you’re cold, we can fix that.”

Maria stared at the sheet with slight apprehension. “I don’t know if that’s going to work, since my arms are all spread out thanks to these wires. the air will just get underneath, not to mention my legs.”

“Oh ye of little faith,” Oli smiled, and began to twist the fabric in his hands. Every child in all of Hellas knew how to make a tunic. He carefully wrapped it around her body, mindful of the parts still attached to the wires, and fastened them at her shoulders with rubber bands. For the final touch, he took off his own belt, and slipped it around her waist, tying it so that it would hang down in the fashion his mother had so enjoyed.

“There,” he said, stepping back to admire his handy work, “now you look like a proper Hellenes lady.”

“Wow!” Maria looked down at herself, twisting a leg to brush against the white fabric, causing it to ripple. “I’m not normally a girl that looks good in white, but this is something else Oli!”

“I’m glad you like it,” Oli smiled. “When your final repairs are done, we can get you proper clothes, a whole wardrobe if you want it!”

Maria bit her lip, her exuberant excitement dimming as she was reminded of her immediate future. “When the repairs are done, yeah.”

“Hey,” Oli placed a hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. “Everyone’s going to love you ok? You don’t have anything to worry about.”

Maria smiled at him, warm and kind as the sun. “Yeah,” she said, but Oli got the feeling she didn’t quite agree. No matter. Come tomorrow, she would see it for herself. “Oli?” she added, and for the first time Oli heard a bit of hesitance in her voice.

“Yes?” he smiled.

“Thank you,” she said, blue eyes boring into his. “For everything.”

“Of course,” Oli said. Feeling like something important was being said, but not quite sure what. “What are friends for?”

But no matter what he did, she did not move, speak, or eat. She had no consciousness of what he had done for her. She could not love him, and so he despaired.

Oli knew something was wrong the moment he stepped into the lab. The room was darker because the dim light of the machine had been fully switched off. To the side Gyrus sat, shoulders slumped, when he should have been excited at the project’s near completion. Worst of all, Maria was missing from the center of the room, and in her place was a blackened husk of metal and junk.

Oli felt his heart stop. He took one shaking step towards the pile in the center of the room before collapsing on his knees in front of it. Gyrus started talking in that gentle way of his, about how there had been an accident, an electrical surge that had accidentally fried Maria, and how he was shutting down the project. But Oli wasn’t listening.

He brushed a trembling hand against the dark metal. A part of him expected to feel the electric hum beneath his fingertips. But there was nothing but cold, empty steel. A drop of water landed beside his hand, then another, and Oli gave into his tears as great, ugly sobs racked his body.

Gyrus came to sit beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Oli allowed him to lead him to the bench and rub soothing circles in his back. “There was nothing you could have done Oli,” he said softly.

His words only served to heighten Oli’s despair. “Poor Maria,” he sobbed into his hands as his mind began to torture him with possibilities, “Maybe it was a flaw in my design!”

“Of course not,” Gyrus moved to grip his shoulder. “If you need to blame someone, blame me. But don’t blame yourself. You did everything you could for Maria.”

Oli wished with all his heart he could believe him.

One day the man brought his pleas to the gods, begging them to bring the woman he loved to life. Aphrodite heard him, and moved by his tale, she waved a hand and brought the statue to life.

Oli hurried down the corridor, head spinning. Nephthys was missing, Don was too, and his wheelchair was alone in the infirmary under a pile of rubble. The others were saying Gyrus was to blame, but Oli wasn’t so certain.

He remembered the last thing Nephthys had told him, about how the seven boss swords had been replaced, and how she needed to check on Kodya before getting to the bottom of it all. Now she was gone, and the last place she had been clearly contained signs of a struggle. Awfully convenient that the last person who had known something was amiss happened to die at the hands of madman, even when said madman was monitored so constantly there was no way he could access to the swords to make the switch.

No, something else was going on here, and he was the only one who knew. Which also meant he would be the attacker’s next target. He gulped, and prayed to every god he could think of that his friend would return.

The least he could do he supposed, was fix the infirmary wall. Maybe if he preserved the evidence he could look through for clues. Or at least have somewhere to hide. He stopped in front of it.

The act itself was easy enough, there were plenty of parts lying around in the rubble. In all honesty it took him maybe a minute. There. He turned to walk away, only to hear a vaguely familiar voice coming from behind him.

“... Who could have fixed it already?” the voice cried, sounding frustrated.

“I-I did!” Oli stuttered as he turned, afraid of the danger this strangely familiar voice could offer.

“Huh?” the voice said, and Oli flinched, but raised his eyes to meet the strangers. Her blue hair was swept up in a messy ponytail, her clothes were red and black in a foreign style Oli had never seen before, and she had a white stick of something in her mouth that reminded Oli vaguely of a fry. But there was no mistaking her face, the face Oli had labored painstakingly to fix.

“Maria?!” He exclaimed, hardly believing his own eyes.

“Oli!” she cried, expression brightening with a painfully familiar smile.

A sound came from behind her and her eyes widened, a note of fear in them as her companions glanced backwards. Oli wasted no time. He thrust a hand on the wall and forced the solid rock to give way, allowing her and her companions to flee inside. Then he stepped in himself, closing the wall behind him.

He knew he should turn the intruders over, but he didn’t care. Something was horribly wrong in the Room of Swords, enough so that he would take his chances.

Besides, he thought as he could hear the sounds of confusion coming from the other side. He had lost Maria once. He would not lose her again.

Gatalea threw her arms around the man and embraced him for the first time, and the man, Pgymalion, finally found joy.

[justaghostingon]

Tori, Kodya, and Projection.

A Tori theory.

In this latest chapter, Tori said that she believes Gyrus deserves a “worthy champion to defend him” in a conversation with Kodya, and that got me thinking. Because Tori has at muliple times compared Gyrus to her Queen, claiming her treatment of him is in large part because of that connection. But these words, along with when she scolds Kodya for not having a back up plan to save Gyrus, claiming “I would never put my queen in harms way” make me think that the connection doesn’t stop with Gyrus.

I think that not only does Tori see her queen in Gyrus, but her own relationship with her queen in the relationship between Gyrus and Kodya, and thus sees herself in Kodya. Specifically, the worst parts of herself that she doesn’t want to acknowledge.

Now, before I go any further, I should mention that this theory could easily change if we ever get to see Tori interact with her Queen, as it was largely based off of assumptions on their relationship that she has said or details from the truth realm. But still, I think there’s something to this.

For example, one of the main things Tori holds against Kodya was hiding the truth of his identity from her after she kissed him. At first glance, this seems to be about honestly, as Tori is someone who has sworn a lot of oaths and is, as Alistair put it, “a woman of her word.” However, in the truth realm, the one time we have been able to see Tori and her Queen interact, Tori also chooses to withold a secret from the Queen, even when the queen is embracing her. Tori does exactly what Kodya did, so why is she so angry at Kodya? Unless Kodya’s choice reminds her of her own choices, and that’s why she’s mad.

Furthermore, her other objection to Kodya is his inability to come up with a plan to ensure Gyrus’s safety. However her own queen is dying of a mysterious sickness that no one could plan for. And even if she is on a quest to try to find a cure, she’s a knight, not a doctor, and the chances of anything she does helping are slim to none. She couldn’t make a plan to save her queen, except apparently the desperate deal she made to get her trapped in the Room of Swords, and even this may not help if she truly sides with Gyrus and destroys the Room of Swords. Her Queen will still be sick, and there is no guarantee that she will recover after its distruction. She doesn’t have a guaranteed plan for her own Queen’s safety, so she projects that helplessness onto Kodya.

And then there’s her own abandonment of Gyrus. When she found out the same information at Kodya, she too chose to abandon him. Which is really the same action as Kodya took when he chose to kill him. Then she discovered the truth, and earned her way back into Gyrus’s gang’s trust. But Kodya, Kodya didn’t seem to do anything to gain Gyrus’s trust back. He was just instantly forgiven and trusted with the important job of protecting Gyrus’s body. Now, we know about the black box and all that happened in there, but Tori doesn’t. And Tori, who as stated in the truth realm, had to earn her spot by the Queen’s side through a long road of hard work, sees Kodya as being trusted before he’s earned it. Like the younger version of herself who she uses as an example of how far she’s come as a person.

So she looks at Kodya and sees not only her worst traits, but also someone she used to be. Someone she believes she has changed from. And to see that version of herself forgiven and excepted doesn’t make sense. Because why would anyone want the worst parts of her?

Obviously this behavior is not healthy for either of them. Kodya isn’t Tori, and his situation is very different from hers, and she needs to see that and treat him as such.

Also Tori really needs a hug and to realize that she’s never been just her worst traits, and that she’s always had good traits inside her too.

[justaghostingon]

Nephthys’s Grand Plan

A Nephthys theory

How does one begin to describe Nephthys? She’s the Room of Swords only healer, Kodya’s best friend, and gifted with what may be one of the most gamebreaking powers in the whole of Ros, her foresight. And yet despite having a power which, if Tori’s analyst is correct, can out predict even Don’s reality bending, she still has crushing self doubt.

But this wasn’t always the case. In the past we see Nephthys, although still a bit self-doubting, giving Gyrus, the leader of the whole mission, advice and help. Even in the present, Don still asks for her opinion on plans. So how then, did she get to where Ragan can call her a “crackpot healer” and even Kodya doubts her abilities?

The answer of course, lies in her inability to predict the incident. But interestingly enough, not her inability to predict Hinju’s death.

Because in a way, she did predict Hinju’s death. She sensed that Gyrus was going to have to make a choice that was shrouded in darkness, and warned him no matter what he chose nothing would be the same. She obviously believed (and rightly so) that Gyrus would need help and gave him the crystal.

But from her perspective, Gyrus killing Hinju looks like she didn’t interpret the warning correctly, causing self doubt to creep in. Furthermore, she very likely voiced the dark warning she recieved after Gyrus left, wracked with guilt for giving him another weapon against them. The others would have seen this prophecy as correct but sadly misunderstood, and there likely wouldn’t be much in the way of blame because they were all caught off guard.

Then we come to a little before the incident, where Don has tried and failed the dream talk with Gyrus, and so knows they are coming. He undoubtedly tells everyone to prepare. But here’s the thing. Up till now, Don has been claiming that Gyrus is “sick” from the shadows, in an attempt to make his betrayal make sense in a way that otherwise looks like complete 180 in personality. He can’t drop that illusion and tell everyone Gyrus is just evil now. No one is going to believe it.

So he steps aside, and lets the other room of swords members come up with a plan. And that, I believe, is where Nephthys comes in.

Nephthys, who is close to Kodya, and who Don has told that he may be able to break through to Gyrus and get him to see reason. Nephthys, who senses that Gyrus is still good somewhere, and so propses that instead of an attack, the room of swords create an intervention to bring him back and heal him. A suggestion that would have had to recieve almost unanimous approval, especially from Ragan, so as to explain why Nephthys isn’t held even more responsible than she is.

The plan would then be as follows. Cib, with her invisibility powers, and perhaps one or two more of the more stealthy powers, would be intended to restrain Gyrus. While the rest of the sword bearers, healers all, would attempt to cure him of the shadows “sickness.” Kodya was likely on standby to try to talk Gyrus down or soothe him into submission.

Nephthys was likely the only healer not given a sword. In part because her breaking point of a human shield would be useless here. In part because Don still needs her foresight and healing for when this all goes south.

Because Don knows Gyrus has made up his mind, Gyrus isn’t going to come quietly. But even Gyrus would hesitate to hurt a band of healers and especially Kodya. And even if the worst does happen and Gyrus kills a few, there is no way anyone will trust his word again. Its a win win for Don.

Nephthys tells everyone she sees no sign of forboding in this plan, and that its all gonna work out for the best. Don privately agrees.

Then the shadows come into the room of swords, all healers are brutally killed, Don is crippled, they lose twelve swords, and Nephthys’s confidence shatters.

[justaghostingon]

Kodya, Self-Worth, and a Soldier’s Place

An analysis of Kodya

So in chapter 116, we got a look into the mindset of Kodya when it comes to leadership in war. To sum it up briefly, to Kodya, the role of self-sacrifce lies in the subordinate, whose job it is to ensure the safety of their leaders. This mentality makes sense considering his background. He’s a soldier from 1812 Russia, long before the concept of Communism was even invented. Russia, which still had serfs (the practice where lords practically own the people on their land) well after Western Europe had dropped it. So it makes sense he would see the leaders, who were probably wealthy and noble, as being more important than the common soldier.

This mindset however, depends on two things. First, the afformentioned service and self-sacrifice, and second, absolute faith in the leader to make decisions worthy of their sacrifice. He expects the people who are in charge to have the answers. And both of these come up again and again in Kodya’s character.

First: Service and self-sacrifice, which comes up again and again with Kodya. In this chapter he outright states that in the past as a subordinate he prioritized Gyrus’s life over his own. A mindset he continues to show around Gyrus even after he resets. He goes after Gyrus in the shadow hour after all, stating to Nephthys “without him this will all have been for nothing.” He even dies for him, or at least, his mind and body are seperated.

To Gyrus’s credit, he really tries not to take advantage of Kodya’s self-sacrifical attitude, calling him out when he places Gyrus’s life over his own, choosing to sacrifice his arm to save him, leaving him a choice over whether or not to follow him into exile, and giving him the dagger regardless of what he chose. That dagger is particularly important because it shows that Gyrus trusts Kodya as much as Kodya trusts him, as he essentially places his entire plan and his freedom in Kodya’s hands. But Gyrus can’t risk explaining what the dagger means without putting Kodya in the line of fire, so Kodya doesn’t realize how valued he is.

But Gyrus isn’t the only leader Kodya follows. Don is also his commander, a fact of which Don takes full advantage. When Gyrus “kills” Hinju, Don tells Kodya he might be the only one who could calm Gyrus down if he returns. Kodya admits that gave him an added sense of responsibility kept him in the room of swords, even though it should not be Kodya’s job to do so. By taking advantage of Kodya’s willingness to do anything to serve the group, he effectively stops Kodya from leaving when Gyrus asks.

And then again when Gyrus “kills” the twelve, Don is lying helpless in the wake of an obvious threat. So Kodya sees his leader in trouble, and once again his instincts take over. He prioritizes Don, because Don is his leader, over Gyrus, since Gyrus has just “killed” 12 people and so no longer counts as a leader.

Which brings us to the Second point: Belief. Because a leader isn’t just anyone. They need to be someone that Kodya wholeheartedly believes will make the best calls, and has the whole plan in mind. Break that trust, and Kodya no longer sees them as a leader worth following. It’s why he chooses Don over Gyrus at Gyrus’s death. Although even in that moment, there’s a part of Kodya that still believes in Gyrus, which he admits to Gyrus as he is dying. A part which only grows after Black Box Gyrus provides suitable proof that there was both an explanation for his actions and a grand plan that has everyone’s best interests at heart. It takes a whole lot more persuading, but Kodya does eventually comply with Gyrus’s new plan and leave to join Maria’s crew. Kodya’s no longer acting in blind faith, he’s no longer naive, but there are still traces of that old soldier’s loyalty.

And then there’s Don, who uses Kodya’s faith to the fullest advantage. Before the incident Don when he tells him that Gyrus is suicidal, Kodya believes him instantly because why would his commander lie? After the incident when Kodya is devistated and the others don’t trust him, Don vouches for him, and then proceeds to send him, alone, on a mission to bring Gyrus back. From the two other missions we’ve seen of the Room of Swords after the incident, muliple people are supposed to go. So why is Kodya alone? Its a serious risk, and very nearly gets him killed. And yet never once does he question it.

Don even calls Kodya out on his blind faith, not in Don of course, but in Gyrus, and how that complete trust always gets him hurt. And he’s right. Valuing Gyrus’s life over his own does always get Kodya hurt. That’s the beauty of Don’s manipulation, he’s not lying.

But blindly following Don out of fear instead, which is clearly what Don wants him to do, isn’t the solution either. Kodya needs to realize his own worth is no less than Gyrus’s, or anyone else. Only then will his faith stop getting him hurt.

[justaghostingon]

Merfolk are Overrated

Chapter 5: Nephthys’ Story

Nephthys reminisces about her own experiences under the sea as she helps Kodya hide the three sirens.

Read on ao3 here https://archiveofourown.org/works/25041904/chapters/63453298

Or below the cut

Nephthys’ POV

“You gave her legs!” Kodya gaped like a fish, staring at Nephthys like she’d grown a second head. Nephthys held back a wince. She really hadn’t meant for him to figure it out like this, but she’d come upon Kodya with a siren in his arms, Alistair had been on his way, and she’d needed to do something or they’d all be caught.

Never get caught. This rule comes above all.

“How, why,” Kodya stuttered, still trying to come to terms with what he just saw. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he finally says, a note of hurt in his voice.

“I have told you silly!” Nephthys gave a performative giggle, “Did you think my shop and aura readings were for show?”

Kodya opened his mouth and closed it again, still looking somewhat hurt. Nephthys couldn’t blame him. There was a huge difference between claiming to be a witch to sell trinkets to tourists, and using actual magic in front of someone. But at least he wasn’t going to push it. Nephthys was certain she could have handled having that conversation in front of strangers.

Kodya must never know. He does not belong in our world. If you live with us, you must understand this.

“If we are all done stating the obvious, I would very much like my tail back now.” The red-haired siren sniffed. Arms crossed.

“Of course, of course,” Nephthys smiled. “But not here. Let’s go back to my store, where we’re not in the open where anyone could see.” She shot the red-haired siren a look, and she lowered her head, a scowl on her face.

“Fine,” Kodya grunted as he lifted the fluffy-haired siren into the air and placed her in the back of his truck. Nephthys strained her eyes to catch a glimpse of the old kiddie pool in the back, how ingenuous. Kodya gestured to Nephthys and the red-haired siren. “Nephthys gets the front seat, Red, sit in the back seat.” Red moved towards the fluffy one, but Kodya stopped her. “Back seat means inside the truck, not outside it.”

“Then specify,” Red grumbled as she climbed carefully into the back, flopping awkwardly across the back seats as if she wasn’t quite sure how she was supposed to sit.

“Can I sit inside the truck too?” The boy said, but Kodya shook his head.

“You’ve still got a tail,” he pointed out as he lifted up the green-tailed siren out of what Nephthys was not realizing was a mini aquarium on wheels. The siren clung to him, and Nephthys watched Kodya’s ears grow bright red. Interesting.

Kodya deposited the siren gently into the back so he could crawl to the pool. Then he lifted the little aquarium wheelchair in behind him, and turned to the front.

“Don’t think, just go,” Nephthys heard him mutter under his breath.

-----------

“Don’t think, just go!” her father screamed, pushing Nephthys bodily out of the net. All around her the shouts and screams of a battle waged disoriented her. The great ship stretched upwards like a pillar, black jets streaming off as it sank slowly into the water. Warriors swarmed it, some placing hands or whole arms into cracks and leaks, others trying to push it upwards. Singers sank from above, blackened scales dull as they choked on water. Nephthys followed their trail, to see the slick black substance block out the sun. Oil. She clutched her father’s bag of medicines to her chest, tears still in her eyes, and fled.

----------

“Come in. Come in!” Nephthys beamed as she switched the sign on the door from open to closed. Kodya pushed the boy siren in while Red carried Fluffy. “We’ll talk in the back.” She led them past her glittering potions, and waved them all behind the purple curtain that marked the back from the front. Behind it was where she kept both an emergency tub, and her workbench, complete with extra potion bottles and tea set for easier digestion.

Kodya parked the Kid next to the tub and perched awkwardly on the work bench next to him. Red placed Fluffy carefully in the tub before parking herself on its edge. Nephthys turned her attention to the tea.

“Now,” Nephthys said as she lifted her favorite tea pot to pour five cups. “You want to know about the potion, correct?”

“Aye,” Tori crossed her arms. “I know your kind. You don’t do favors without a price.”

“Tori!” the Kid screeched, and Nephthys frowned, not appreciating that particular generalization, but she supposed it wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Or magic needs to have something as a basis in order to work. I can’t make miracles from nothing,” she gently reprimanded. “It needn’t be any worse than trading for food or clothes.”

“So then what do you want in trade for my tail back?” Tori pressed, legs twitching oddly like she was trying to swish her tail. Sylvia braced against her so she didn’t fall off the edge of the tub.

“Nothing at all,” Nephthys smiled, and all three sirens startled.

“But you just said…” Kodya protested, but Nephthys cut him off.

“I don’t need anything, because this potion was designed to be temporary,” she explained. “You’ll have your tail back in a few hours. The only catch is that you are completely human right now, so I wouldn’t recommend you go swimming, as you’ll find you can’t breathe underwater anymore.”

“But what did you trade to get it to work?” The Kid piped up, eyes wide and curious. “You said magic has to come from somewhere.”

Nephthys smiled. It had been a long time since someone had wanted to listen to her lecture on the finer points of potion making. “You already provided it when you got that sea glass for Kodya. Unless,” she shot Kodya a wink, “he really has been training dolphins.”

“Dolphins?” Gyrus blinked.

“Trained?” Tori sniffed. Fluffy arched an eyebrow.

“Nephthys!” Kodya growled, ears burning red. All three sirens turned to him with similarly judgmental looks. “Oh come on,” he snapped. “I had to come up with some kind of excuse to explain how I got it!”

“And you picked dolphins?” The Kid furrowed his brow in confusion. Kodya’s ears got redder.

Nephthys smiled, pleased to see Kodya getting along with others. “You’re welcome to stay here while you wait for the potion to wear off,” she said. “If you need me, I’ll be handling the front.” So saying she turned on her heel and left Kodya to sputter out excuses to the three sirens.

But it seemed that was not enough to stop the siren’s curiosity. And Nephthys found that not ten minutes passed before the youngest siren peeked outside the curtain.

“Witch Nephthys?” the Kid asked. “Can I ask you a few questions?”

Nephthys glanced around the shop to check it was empty, a long standing habit of hers, before turning her attention to the Kid with a smile. “Of course,” she said. The Kid’s face lit up.

He grabbed the wall, pushing himself forward in his little cart so he could be closer to her. “I’m Gyrus,” he began with a shy duck of his head. “I don’t think we were ever properly introduced.”

“I fear we haven’t,” Nephthys giggled, “what with running from Alistair and all. I’m Nephthys.” She added. “But you already know that thanks to Kody.”

“The red-haired one is Tori, and the pink-haired one is Sylvia,” Gyrus added. “Just so you know.”

“Thank you,” Nephthys smiled, glad to have a name to go with the faces. A silence stretched between them, until Nephthys broke it by prompting, “What were your questions?”

“Right!” Gyrus jumped, running a hand through his hair. He looked adorably awkward. “Well, I was wondering about the potion you made. Is there any more of it, what are the long term effects, and,-“ he peaked at her through his bangs, “-what would you want in exchange for some?”

“You want a potion?” Nephthys blinked. “What for?” Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with Kodya, and are here to trade your voice like in The Little Mermaid, she thought, remembering the Disney movie Kodya’’d never openly admit was his favorite.

“Well,” Gyrus began to twiddle his thumbs. “Alistair offered me a job, which would be a great way to learn even more about humans and their exchange. Besides,” he glanced up at her, eyes shining “What better way to understand humans than to be one? If I could use the potion, Kodya could take me everywhere and show me everything without having to describe it all!”

“Slow down a bit,” Nephthys held up her hand. “Kodya still has his own job to do, he’s not going to be free all the time.” Gyrus pouted a bit, and Nephthys suppressed a squeal at how adorable he looked. She was beginning to see why Kodya was so infatuated.

“You can use the potion though,” she offered, watching him perk up. “It’s fairly easy to make, provided you bring the sea glass I need to activate the magic.” Sea glass might be small, but every sea witch worth her salt knew there was powerful magic in objects that had become part of two worlds. Speaking of which… “There are a few limitations to this power,” she warned.

Gyrus sat straighter, watching her with a keen interest as she continued. “The first limitation is that this potion is temporary. It generally lasts a few hours, and if it's refined enough it might even last several days.” Not that she would be selling that potion to a first time user.

“But it can be unpredictable,” she continued, “and if you aren’t careful you can get stuck in some pretty awkward places and have to rely on others to come and rescue you.” Nephthys knew this from experience, as she’d once been trapped in the girl’s bathroom with eight tentacles, and had to yell for Kodya to run home and get her special bottle, no questions asked. Luckily he’d mistaken it for Advil and always been extra insistent she bring medicine with her every month.

“So be careful,” Gyrus nodded, brow furrowed. “Anything else?”

“Over use,” Nephthys said. “Is always a serious risk. If you keep taking the potion in rapid succession, you’ll find it harder and harder to change back. If that starts to happen, I’d recommend taking a break from potions for a little while, until the magic is completely clear from your system.” She’d done that once, and been forced to play invalid for two weeks before it was safe enough to begin again.

“Manage my time,” Gyrus nodded. “Got it. It can’t be harder than organizing Kodya’s finances.” Nephthys really wanted to ask. But she refrained in favor of communicating the final and most important piece of information.

“For some first time users, the transformation can be…unpleasant,” she added with a wince.

Gyrus looked up at her with mild alarm. “Was Tori…?”

“No, no.” Nephthys shook her head. “She was completely fine. Most are. But for some the psychological implications of losing their tail can be difficult to adjust to at first.”

Difficult. Wasn’t that the word.

-----------

Nephthys grit her teeth as she neared a boat on the farthest edge of the oil slick. She would only have one shot at this, and she needed it to go perfectly. She slung her father’s bag across her body so her arms were free. Then she grit her teeth and approached the great blackness.

Nephthys thrust her head above the oil slick water, dark goop slipping into every crevasse from her hair to her eyes and as it sank in her gills she finally understood what drowning felt like. But she couldn’t stop now. She blinked it away, looking desperately for something, anything, to grab on to, or she would perish like the rest of her pod’s singers. There!

Her salvation was a medal ladder welded to the side of the boat. Reaching out a hand, she grabbed the lowest rung. The oil on her hand made it slippery and hard to grasp, but she held on with an iron grip born of desperation.

She grabbed the wrung above, hauling her body upwards gasping for breath. Her lungs screamed for oxygen that without gills she seemed unable to fully supply, but she ignored it in favor of reaching for the next wrung, and then the next one after that. Her tentacles, normally so helpful for climbing, hung limp as the oil began to eat away at their protective slime.

Nephthys didn’t know how she did it, but somehow she managed to pull herself all the way to the lower deck, collapsing against it as spots swum before her eyes, and with the last of her strength she wrenched her father’s bag open, an uncorked the bottle inside, gulping down the contents.

The change was instant. A bright light filled her senses, and Nephthys found breathing became easier as her gummed up gills disappeared. A strange, tingling sensation ran over her lower body, as her tentacles knit themselves together. As the light faded, she looked down to see them gone. In their place were two brown human legs.

She wiggled her new toes experimentally, they seemed to function normally, no signs of the damage the oil had done to her tentacles had apparently transferred. By all accounts, they were a pair of perfectly normal human legs.

Nephthys bowed her head, and wept.

----------

“Gyrus! Get back here!” A sharp female voice called. Nephthys shook herself out of the memory as Gyrus looked at her guiltily. “I’ve got to go,” he said, pulling himself towards the curtain.

“I’ll help you,” Nephthys replied as she grabbed the handles of his chair and pushed him forward into the back. Tori, Sylvia, and Kodya all look up as they enter.

“Gyrus!” Tori is by his side in a flash. “Where have you been?”

“I was only in the front,” Gyrus rolled his eyes, “and besides. I wanted to ask Nephthys something.”

“What did she say to you?” Kodya demanded looking mildly alarmed. Nephthys felt slightly hurt. She wasn’t going to spill his obvious crush behind his back! She’d do it in front of him, through little in jokes said crush would hopefully not get.

“She explained more about the potion,” Gyrus said, launching into an edited version of what Nephthys had told him. Nephthys tried to listen, but felt a tug on her pant leg.

She looked down to see the fluffy haired siren had crawled out of the bath and was now sitting at her feet. She pointed at herself, then at Nephthys, and then made a flapping gesture with her hands that seemed to say, can we talk?

“Of course,” Nephthys smiled down at her. She cast a slight frown at the other three, Tori, Kodya, and Gyrus had apparently all gotten into a heated discussion about the potion and the job, with Tori solidly against it, Kodya against the job but not the potion, and Gyrus stubbornly insisting it was his choice. That looked like it was going to take a while.

She peaked back out the curtain. The desk would keep anyone from noticing Sylvia from the street, She should know, she designed it that way on purpose, and it would be a whole lot quieter. “How about you out here with me?” She offered, and Sylvia nodded, rolling her eyes at the others' nonsense.

Nephthys led the siren to the back of her desk and crouched down so they were both eye level. “What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

Sylvia began to gesture wildly, far too fast for Nephthys to understand.

“Stop,” she held up a hand. “I can’t understand you like that.”

Sylvia gave a frustrated groan as Nephthys looked around for some kind of solution. Her eye landed on an old pad and pencil she kept near the registry, and she pulled them out.

“Here,” Nephthys held them out to Sylvia. “Use these to tell me.”

Sylvia took the pad and pencil and began to draw in the thick, dark lines of someone who was used to using markers. Nephthys peaked over her shoulder, to see several rough sketches of sirens.

“Do you want to talk about your pod?” Nephthys asked. And Sylvia beamed. “Are Tori and Gyrus’ fights getting on your nerves?”

Sylvia’s face fell as she shook her head. She pointed at the pod on the pad, then at the curtain, and waved her hands to indicate no.

“They aren’t your pod,” Nephthys translated. “Do you want me to find them?” she guessed. Sylvia nodded.

Nephthys bit her lip. “Divining is tricky. I can’t guarantee I’ll find anything.” Even on her best of days her visions were confusing. And then she’d failed to predict the spill…she didn’t want Sylvia to get her hopes up.

Sylvia met her eyes, and Nephthys saw time rewind inside them. Monsters swam the clear seas, hunting and in turn were hunted by wild sirens in rudimentary armor. Strange sea witches in gleaming white would bespell the bones into plates for their warriors, while singers sang songs too beautiful to be confined by simple language. At night the pod would swim to the surface, unafraid of humans or ships, as their knowledge-spinner sang the emotions of their ancestors beneath strange stars.

They were beautiful. And they were gone. Their memory was frozen and stationary, and though Nephthys cast out her sight as far as she could, she could not see a trace of them anywhere in the world.

Nephthys felt her eyes well with tears. “I’m so sorry,” she said. Sylvia looked down at the floor, and her aura flickered a melancholy blue. She’d expected this, Nephthys realized. She’d just wanted it confirmed.

Nephthys bit her lip. She knew what that felt like. What would she have wanted someone to say to her? “It doesn’t stop hurting,” she started, and Sylvia looked up, eyes swimming with tears. “But overtime, you do find a new family, even if you have to make it yourself.”

She knew that better than anyone.

---------

“What the?” a human voice made Nephthys stop crying. She looked up to see a human boy, about her age, maybe a bit younger, staring at her. His eyes traveled from her oil soaked hair to her new legs and back to her tear stained face. Nephthys gave a sniffle, and the boy jumped, releasing a string of words Nephthys didn’t recognize.

“Here,” he tore off his long shirt, what was the word? Jacket? And held it out to her with a blush. “To cover you, ah,” he looked away, clearly embarrassed. Nephthys took it, glancing down at her legs. She wondered how to put it on, slipping one of her new feet into one of the sleeves.

“What are you doing!” the boy cried, coming closer to tug the jacket off her leg. “It’s not a pair of pants! You put it around your waist! What is wrong with you?” He stopped suddenly, looking deliberately upwards over her shoulder.

Nephthys pulled the fabric tight around her waist. Marveling at its softness. The edges bled oil as they brushed against her legs, staining the whole thing black. She bit her lip, feeling tears well up.

The boy rose to his feet, determination blazing in his eyes. “Stay here,” he said, and took off moving almost as fast as the strongest warrior could swim. Nephthys stared after him, feeling completely bewildered, but in no more than a minute he returned, holding some fabric high.

“Here’s a pair of pants!” he called, pushing the fabric into her hands. “Now put this on while I look this way.” He turned his back to her. She slipped into the pants, one foot in one hole and the other in the other and pulled up, glancing at the boy for reference.

“Thank you,” she murmured as they came up. They fit awkwardly, so loose she had to tuck them under her plates to keep them up, but Nephthys didn’t care. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry about it,” the boy smiled. “I’m Kodya, what’s your name?”

“Nephthys,” Nephthys said, and the boy smiled.

-----------

The bell rang at the shop door as Nephthys broke from the memory. She and Sylvia traded a look of pure fear, before Sylvia began to flop as fast as she could towards the back. Nephthys helped by all but shoving her behind the curtain before standing up to lie her head off to whatever customer showed up.

She needn’t have worried. It was only Knox, here for his daily dose of “love potion.” Nephthys would have felt bad about that, it wasn’t a real potion, just honey and lemon and some sugar water thrown in, but he wasn’t actually buying it for himself. Rather he was buying it for Alistair who was not allowed in Nephthys’ shop during work hours, after a flirting fail got a tourist to call the cops.

He took it without any confusion as to why Nephthys was apparently hiding under her desk, and went on his way. But Nephthys breathed a sigh of relief when he walked out of the door.

“Excuse me,” Nephthys spun around to see Tori standing in front of the curtain, looking nervous. Her shoulders straightened as she noticed Nephthys’ attention.

“I would like to apologize,” she began, “for my earlier rudeness, and thank you for the shelter and kindness you have shown me and my companions.” She gave a stiff half bow and nearly toppled over, clearly not used to doing so without a tail or the water to keep her steady.

“It’s nothing,” Nephthys waved a hand. “I didn’t have a chance to explain, and so it must have come as quite a shock. Besides,” she added when she saw Tori was about to protest. “Any friend of Kody’s is a friend of mine.” He had so few of them after all.

Tori shifted uncomfortably, and Nephthys raised an eyebrow. Did she not get along with Kody? He seemed fine with her when he talked about them all with Nephthys. Perhaps she was just still feeling guilty. She opened her mouth to reassure her, but Tori got there first.

“There is one thing I would ask of you,” she began, glancing back at the curtain and lowering her voice. “Do you have any great skill at healing?”

Nephthys raised an eyebrow. It had been a while since anyone had asked her of that. Most of her healing magic was tucked away in her potions, hidden as cold cures or natural headache relief. Her finer work was only sold to the organization, who claimed it was too dangerous for her to sell it on the street lest people become suspicious. But nonetheless…, “I do.” She confirmed.

Tori bit her lip as she stepped closer to Nephthys. “What I am about to tell you, you must not tell Gyrus,” she whispered. “But his mother, who has struggled with health since his birth, has taken a turn for the worst. She did not want him to see her, and so allowed him to go on this quest. If you have any way to help,-“ Tori’s eyes widened hopefully, “perhaps she could recover before Gyrus realized.”

Nephthys took a deep breath. “I’ll help if I can,” she said. “Gladly. But I’d need to examine her before I could determine a proper treatment.”

“That’s no problem!” Tori jumped in. “I can swim you to where we have stashed her. It’s not so far.” But Nephthys shook her head.

“If I were to treat her, she’d need to be brought to me,” Nephthys reluctantly explained. “And I can’t go out into the water.”

“Why not?” Tori pressed. “You’re a sea witch.” Nephthys stiffened and Tori noticed. “If the distance is a problem for tentacles, we could go slowly,” she offered, coming to a well-meaning, but completely wrong conclusion.

“I’m afraid that won’t work either,” Nephthys shook her head, a false smile on her lips. “You see, I can’t swim in my other form. The oil burn on my gills prevents me from breathing underwater.”

Tori flinched, and Nephthys felt her heart clench. She looked so guilty, and heartbroken. Nephthys wished she could do something to help. She knew how horrible it felt to be helpless.

----------

The boy called Kodya led her along the side of the ship towards what he claimed was the captain’s office. Nephthys wasn’t certain what a captain was, but Kodya seemed pretty convinced he would be able to help her. “He’s known my dad for ages,” he reassured her. “He’ll know what to do.”

Nephthys privately disagreed, how could anyone help her when everyone she’d ever loved was dead or dying beneath the waves? But she kept this to herself.

Kodya noticed anyways, shooting her worried glances as he ushered her along. He seemed determined to keep her from looking at the water, planting himself firmly between it and her, and chatting about anything small that came into his head in an effort to distract her. It would be sweet, if he wasn’t so horrible at it.

Case and point: “your shirt is weird,” Kodya said. “Where did you get it?”

Nephthys touched her white plates, grown, carved, and be spelled from the finest coral skeletons she could find. “Nowhere,” she said. “I made it myself.” Proper plates for a proper sea witch. Her father had been so proud.

“Is it a Transformers costume?” Kodya asked, and Nephthys sensed a layer of hope in his voice.

“I don’t know what that is?” Nephthys said, and Kodya’s face fell. “I made it with magic,” she offered instead, hoping to cheer him up.

His head snapped to her, and he regarded her with mild alarm, until his eyes landed on her smile, and the concern melted into mild annoyance. “You’re pulling my leg,” he grumbled.

“I’m really not,” She giggled. “I’m a witch you see.” And a sea witch at that. Not that he was likely to believe her, since most of her kind stayed well away from humans. Speaking of which, a movement on the horizon caught her eye. Was that a pod gathering? What were they doing so close to the oil spill?

Her answer came as the most lovely song filled the air, full of mourning and heartbreak. Nephthys felt her own eyes tear up as her sorrow began to overwhelm her.

“Can you hear that?” Kodya stopped mid eyeroll, gaze fastened on the horizon. Nephthys was too overwhelmed to reply, and so he began moving towards the railing, movements slow and lethargic.

Later Nephthys would curse her own foolishness, for who among the siren and sea witch did not know what a trance looked like? But the truth was there was no way she could have seen it coming. Her own grief overwhelmed her, and besides, mourning chants are not supposed to be dangerous.

Kodya climbed over the railing, and too late Nephthys realized what was going on. She threw herself forward, but Kodya was already falling down into the oil covered water. She collapsed on the edge, half wanting to follow, but knowing neither form could face the dangers of the oil.

Helpless, she could only scream, as something below the water snaked towards him.

----------

“I am sorry,” Tori said, and Nephthys’ attention focused on her and not on the past. “I did not mean to bring up painful memories.”

Nephthys gave Tori a false smile. “It was not your fault. You didn’t know.”

Tori looked like she was going to protest, but at that moment, a bright light surrounded Tori’s legs. Tori collapsed with a cry of shock, and as Nephthys blinked away spots she found Tori on the ground, towel still wrapped around her blue tail.

“Oh my,” Nephthys glanced at her watch, to find two hours had passed. “that has to be the shortest time I’ve ever seen. That piece of sea glass must not have been in the sea very long.”

Tori twitched her tail, looking pleased as she ran a hand over the burnt orange tips. “Your potion works well Nephthys, my tail is completely normal.”

“How lovely,” Nephthys giggled. A motion on the street caught her eye, a car on the otherwise deserted street. It didn’t stop, but it would only be the first of many as people began to get off of work. “We should probably get you back in the sea though,” she said.

“Aye,” Tori nodded. “There has been enough adventure today.” She pulled herself to the curtain and stuck her head inside. “My tail has returned,” she yelled. “I believe it is time to return.”

“Sure!” Gyrus pulled himself and his makeshift wheelchair out. Sylvia followed, leaving a trail of water in her wake.

“You can’t go out like that!” Kodya appeared behind them, looking harried. “We’re trying not to get caught and experimented on, remember?”

“Experimented on?” Nephthys raised an eyebrow. Kodya blushed.

“Well what else do you think the government’s going to do with them if they find them?” He snapped back.

You’d be surprised, Nephthys thought as she hid a smile behind her hand. “We can use the back,” she offered as Kodya shot her a frown. “Less people will be paying attention.”

Kodya sighed. “I’ll bring the truck around,” he grumbled as he grabbed his keys. Nephthys turned to the three sirens on her floor.

“Come back this way,” she said as she pushed open the curtain again. “The back door is in the back.” The three sirens groaned, clearly embarrassed they had to go backwards again. Nephthys led them to the back door, half hidden behind the workbench. It took a bit of time to move the bench, the three sirens' attempts to help had the opposite effect, but by the time it was free Kodya had already pulled up the truck.

From there it was a simple matter of helping Tori and Sylvia into the back of the truck, wrapped in towels to hide their towels. Gyrus’ wheelchair turned out to be a bit more of a challenge, and Kodya eventually decided to stick it in the backseat to avoid any odd questions from anyone who drove by them on the road.

Nephthys privately thought this was less about people wondering why a wheelchair was in the back of the truck with three people in a pool, and more to do with Gyrus’ earlier request. He was certainly ecstatic about it, clinging to the back of Kodya’s seat and chatting his ear off as he asked him how the car worked and what the steering wheel did.

Kodya for the most part answered calmly, but his whole face was bright red. Nephthys did not find this nearly as cute as before though, as she lost count of the times they very nearly died thanks to Kodya’s distraction. She was very glad when they arrived at the shore.

“Not here,” she stopped Kodya as he tried to pull in at the docks. “Go down a little farther, they’ll be less people.”

Kodya raised an eyebrow. “You mean that government issued beach? The one no one is allowed on?”

“It’ll be fine,” Nephthys reassured him. “I can get us in.” Kodya shot her a searching look, and Gyrus looked back and forth between them in confusion. Then Kodya shrugged and did as she requested.

The road was predictably blocked by a large gate, but that had never stopped Nephthys before. She got out and pulled a piece of plastic to the scanner. The gate opened with a rusty creak.

Kodya raised an eyebrow as she got back in the car. “Did you use your magic to fool it?” he asked as Gyrus leaned eagerly forward. Nephthys shook her head.

“Just borrowed something from our dear mum,” she said as she flashed a familiar badge at Kodya. “She doesn’t even know it's missing.” This was a lie, but Kodya didn’t need to know that.

Kodya opened his mouth, no doubt to tell her off. Nephthys raised an eyebrow, remembering several times he’d stolen the same badge to try and buy alcohol, or pet the puppies at Petco. Kodya shut his mouth and kept driving.

The single pier was empty, and perfect for their needs. Nephthys helped Tori to the edge while Kodya helped Sylvia. Gyrus attempted to wheel himself, but Kodya caught him before he tipped over. “We’ll need this dry,” he said as he pulled Gyrus out of the wheelchair. Gyrus pouted.

He waved at Nephthys. “I’ll bring you sea glass! Don’t forget!” he said, before wiggling out of Kodya’s arms and diving into the water. Kodya stumbled backwards and landed on his butt on the pier as Gyrus resurfaced. “Oops,” he rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you okay Kodya?”

“Fine, Kid,” Kodya grumbled. Gyrus beamed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” he cried. Tori called to him, and he swam off, only stopping to wave goodbye on the horizon.

Nephthys watched him go. “They’re wonderful,” she murmured. Wonderful for Kodya. He’d needed a bit of magic in his life, and although she couldn’t reveal it, she’d always hoped he’d find some.

Kodya turned to her, brow furrowed. “Why didn’t you tell me about magic or mermaids or the sea? And be honest this time.”

Nephthys froze. Oh no.

----------

Nephthys sat on the strange bench, Kodya’s shirt around her shoulders, and shivered. All around her conversation buzzed, some complaining about how this unexpected delay would affect the rest of their cruise, others bemoaning the unfortunate fate of the ocean, as if they had any conception of the depth of the cost. Still others whispered to each other behind covered hands, shooting Nephthys curious looks and calling her, ‘only survivor’ and ‘poor thing.’ Throughout it all Nephthys clutched the soft fabric around her shoulders, feeling numb.

A woman in sharp black strode forward, and Nephthys could tell from the way people moved out of her way that she was important. She stopped directly in front of Nephthys and crossed her arms.

“My name is Senator Karevic,” she said, voice clipped and smooth. “You were there when my son fell into the water, correct?”

“It wasn’t his fault!” Nephthys pulled the fabric closer around her shoulders. “He was helping me!”

“My son has already admitted to falling after he helped you, so you don’t need to cover for him.” Nephthys looked down, feeling oddly chastened, and the woman sighed. “He’s fine,” the woman added, face softening slightly as she met Nephthys’ eyes. “Would you like to see him?”

“Yes, please,” Nephthys said, knowing her guilt would not ease until she saw Kodya unharmed. The woman waved Nephthys to her feet, and guided her out of the crowded area and down a quiet hallway. Nephthys followed, still a bit unsteady on her new feet, as she tried to keep up with the woman’s quick pace.

“You’re a sea witch, aren’t you?” the woman said without preamble, as soon as they had passed out of earshot. Nephthys stopped dead.

“H-how?” she stuttered out, heart pounding in her chest and deafening her ears. That was supposed to be a secret, no humans were supposed to know.

“Your plates,” the woman said, back still turned. “I knew you were one of the sea folk from Kodya’s story, but I wasn’t certain which one until I saw them. To wear white at such a young age,-” the woman turned to face Nephthys, and Nephthys could see her eyes were wet, “-that truly is a great honor.”

Nephthys bit her lip. She knew no normal human would understand what a plate was, especially considering Kodya’s earlier reaction. “Are you - ?” she started, but was too afraid to finish, for fear of the answer she might get.

“I’m one of the sea folk, yes.” The woman confirmed, still looking sad. “There are more of us on land then you’d think.” She hesitated, then said, “I know this is hard, but I’m going to need you to tell me what happened to you, if you’re up for it.”

Nephthys burst into tears. Through her sobs, she managed to get the basic details, how her pod had been hunting when the great ship had come by, the singers thought they could sing it away, how it had spilled, how her dad had given her the last potion and told her to run, how he’d- he’d…

“I’m all alone now,” she sobbed. “My whole pod, gone.” Arms circled around her, and the woman pulled her close to her chest, rubbing soothing circles as she sobbed.

“Brave,” the woman murmured, “you’ve been so brave little pup, but it’s okay to cry.” She held Nephthys until her sobs died down into sniffles, before pulling slightly away.

“There’s an organization here that can help you,” she offered. “They helped me start over when I needed to. If you’d like, I can put you in touch with them, and they can find you a place to live where you don’t have to worry.” She hesitated again, before adding, “…or…”

“Or?” Nephthys prompted as she gave another sniffle.

“Kodya spoke highly of you,” the woman began, “and I know he’s lonely now I have to work so much. If you want, you could live with us. “Nephthys gasped and the woman rushed to continue. “We’d still put you in touch with the organization, you’d just have familiar faces at your new home.”

“Really?” Nephthys peaked up at her. “I could stay with you and Kodya?”

“Yes,” the woman nodded. “But,” she held up a hand, “before you agree, you need to know the conditions.” She looked Nephthys directly in the eye, and Nephthys suppressed a shiver at the hard determination hidden inside. “In my house you won’t be free to talk about magic or the sea. Kodya must never know. He does not belong in our world. If you live with us, you must understand this.”

“I- okay,” Nephthys looked down. A part of her was curious as to why, but the woman’s aura flickered a sad, sickly grey all around her, and Nephthys could sense that the reason behind that rule would be too sad for her to bear right now. She bit her lip.

“I would still be able to talk about magic when Kodya’s not there right?” she asked, and the woman nodded.

“Just provided he doesn’t overhear, yes.” Nephthys gave a sharp nod.

“Okay, then I want to live with you, and Kodya,” she said. She’d rather be around kind people than strangers, and besides, she didn’t think she’d be able to talk about the sea much for a while.

The woman looked mildly surprised, but she gave Nephthys a warm smile. “Then let’s go and break the good news to Kodya,” she said, and led Nephthys deeper inside the ship.

----------

Nephthys bit her lip, wondering how best to get out of this situation without revealing secrets that weren’t hers and losing her home and family. “You remember where you found me right?” she began hesitantly.

“On our cruise ship,” Kodya nodded. “When we got stuck in the oil spill.”

“Yes,” Nephthys nodded. “I wasn’t actually from the oil ship. My pod was swimming below when the spill happened.” She pulled her knees up to her chin, blinking away the memories.

Kodya placed a comforting hand on her back. “Go on,” he pressed.

Nephthys took a deep breath. “My dad gave me the potion, he used to keep one on him at all times, so that if he needed an ingredient from the surface world he could go and fetch it. He said I was too young though, even though I was fully plated. When the oil began to spill, he gave it to me and told me to swim.”

Kodya swore in Russian, and Nephthys shot him an empty smile. “I climbed on the ship farthest from the spill, drank it, and you know the rest.”

Kodya was silent for a while, before he finally asked, “But why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you.”

“You were plenty of help. Besides,” Nephthys drew in another breath. “I made a promise.” Not technically a lie, not yet.

“A promise?” Kodya asked, sounding lost.

Nephthys nodded. “It was a rule of my dad’s, ‘never get caught on the surface, no matter what.” Again, not technically a lie, but the conclusion she was hoping he would draw certainly was. Her dad had never made her make any promises about the surface world because he’d never let her go. And it wasn’t like he had time to sit down and explain when she’d had to flee.

“Oh,” Kodya looked down and withdrew his hand from her back, withdrawing into himself. “I see. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Nephthys reassured him, grateful he’d taken the bait. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry too.” More than he would ever know.

They stayed on the beach for a long time.

[justaghostingon]

How to Woo A Cosplayer

In which Gyrus attempts to woo Tori, only to discover that winning over a cosplayer is harder than it seems.

a roseberry fic for brainstealer on the discord

Read on ao3 here https://archiveofourown.org/works/26017633

Or below the cut

This was all Epsilon's fault, Gyrus thought as he stood bewildered in a cheap paper crown while six strangers in infinitely better-thought-out costumes judged him. Well, not entirely, but he was who Gyrus was going to blame for this situation. Him and his stupid ‘girlfriend’ comments. “Hi!” he gave an awkward little wave. “I’m Gyrus!”

The cosplayers all simultaneously raised an eyebrow, and turned their attention to Tori, who blushed and looked down. A tiny bubble of anger rose in Gyrus’ chest. They didn’t find anyone else to play the part who were they to judge her for her choice, and besides, it wasn’t Tori’s fault he didn’t have a proper costume!

--------

“Stupid Epsilion,” Gyrus muttered as he hurried down the school hallway, head still reeling from his older brother’s comment about how he couldn’t keep his girlfriend waiting. “What does he know anyways?” Tori was his best friend, it was only natural that they spent a lot of time together. Everything was completely normal.

Except if there really was nothing to Epsilon's comment, why did it keep running circles around his brain? Why couldn’t he get the concept out of his mind? He and Tori were just friends. Friends who ate lunches together and walked to class together, and hung out after school like friends do. All totally normal.

Well, mostly normal. There were moments... Gyrus quickened his pace as he ducked his head. Little things really. When their hands would linger as they passed a drink or a sandwich, where Tori would laugh at one of Gyrus’ terrible science puns and he would suddenly feel on top of the world. As much as Gyrus tried to deny it, those moments didn’t feel the same as when Sylvia’s hand brushed against his or when she laughed along.

Gyrus wasn’t sure what to do with that.

He was so wrapped up in his own worries that he didn’t notice the uneven title of the school until it was too late, and he was careening towards the ground. Gyrus had just enough time to think, this is going to hurt, before someone caught his hand and pulled him back onto his feet.

“Are you okay?” Tori’s worried face appeared over his, and Gyrus felt his cheeks heat up at how close she was. Tori frowned, and placed her free hand on his forehead. “You’re awfully warm.”

“I-I’m fine!” Gyrus stuttered out, then straightened, sending her a warm grin. “Really Tori. I just got distracted.” He gave their still joined hands a squeeze.

Tori seemed to take that as reassurance. She gave a nod and stepped back, letting go of his hand, and Gyrus could feel the warmth leave him. Okay. So maybe he did have a crush. Huh. That was a new feeling. He wondered if he was supposed to feel this fuzzy.

Tori’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you’re okay Gyrus? You do not seem like your usual self.” Oh no, she’s noticing. What was he supposed to do? Or maybe a better question was, what would Epsilon not do?

“I really am fine,” Gyrus insisted, because Epsilon never let a chance to be dramatic go to waste. He cast around for another, safer topic of conversation that would let his heart stop beating so fast. “Got any plans this Sunday?”  He said and instantly regretted it.

Tori froze, a hint of red flushing across her cheeks. Gyrus just had a second to wonder if he just accidentally asked her out, before her face fell. “Aye,” she sighed. “Or at least I did.”

“What’s wrong?” Gyrus asked. He placed a hand on her shoulder, worry overcoming any lingering awkwardness.

Tori bit her lip. “You know of my...hobby. Correct?” She cast him a shy glance.

“You mean the cosplay thing?” Gyrus said, confused as to why she would seem so embarrassed.

“Not so loud!” Tori hissed, placing a hand over his mouth. Gyrus raised an eyebrow and she lowered it with a sigh. “But yes, that.” She pulled an arm close to her chest. “My team and I were supposed to go against the biggest opponent we’ve yet faced, but the girl who played our Queen has gone off to college, and we could not find another to replace her, so we will have to forfeit.”

“That’s horrible!” Gyrus exclaimed. He didn’t know all that much about Cosplay, but he knew that Tori had been working hard and looking forward to this battle for ages.

“Aye,” Tori gave him a half smile, trying to play it off, but Gyrus could read the disappointment in every corner of her face.

And because Gyrus couldn’t bear to see her so upset he said, “Then I’ll be the Queen!” And went ahead and signed his own death warrant.

-------

Oh that’s right, Gyrus took a deep breath. He was here to support Tori, whatever else Epsilon got him to do be damned. And if he couldn’t do it with costume... He coughed into his hand. ���I mean, I am Prince Gyrus, eldest son of the late Queen.” He gave a slight bow, hoping it looked official. “I’ve been away at boarding school, but the Lady Tori,-” he gestured to Tori at his side, “-thought it would be best if I returned to aid you on this mission.”

“That’s right,” Tori stepped forward. “In the unfortunate absence of the late Queen, I felt the time was right to bring him back, so that our kingdom might see that we are strong in this time of crisis!” She thrust her fist in the air, and the room erupted into cheers. Gyrus felt his shoulders sag in relief as Tori seemed to command the crowd.

She shot him a small smile, private and warm across the cheering crowd. And suddenly Gyrus felt a lot better about coming here today.

“Technically, boarding schools were not yet invented...” a boy in the back began, white blond hair shifting as he moved. The blue-haired girl to his right shoved her hand over his mouth.

“Shut up Sir Knox!” She gave Gyrus and Tori a smile, “Sorry about him. He was cursed by a fae a little while ago, and it makes him spout out random things sometimes. I’m Lady Maria.” She added as Knox began to struggle.

“Ummghff,” Knox said, clawing at Maria’s arm, but her grip remained strong.

“Welcome home your highness!” A short boy ran up, hand grabbing Gyrus’ forearm and squeezing as Gyrus stared at him in numb shock. “And might I just say, you’ve grown so big and strong while you were away!” He pulled closer to hug Gyrus’ arm, and Gyrus shifted uncomfortably, heat rising to his head.

“That’s enough Alistair!” Tori grabbed the boy by his collar and threw him bodily across the room. “His highness is off limits!”

“Of course, of course,” Alistair bounced back to his feet, looking none the worse for wear after being thrown. “I know he’s taken! But you can’t blame a guy for admiring such a fine body!” He gave Gyrus a wink.

“Taken?” Gyrus asked, cheeks heating up. He wasn’t taken as far as he knew. At least, not yet. Maybe Tori had said something? He peaked hopefully over at her.

Tori was still scowling at Alistair. “The prince will be engaged to another royal, he is far above all of us!

“He is?” Alistair pouted.

“I am?” Gyrus tried to keep the disappointment from his voice. Tori’s ears turned red.

“Technically,” Knox said, having finally freed himself from Maria’s grasp, “many royals had affairs with those below their station before and after marriage. It was so popular that there is an entire genre of books and poems on the subject, called ‘Romances.’”

“So what I’m hearing is, he’s not off limits,” Alistair’s grin turned feral. Gyrus felt sweat form on the back of his neck.

“He’s off limits to the likes of you!” Tori shoved an arm between them. “As the champion, it is my duty to ensure his safety!” And isn’t that sweet, Gyrus thought as he admired the determined fire in her eyes as she said so.

Another boy in the back groaned as he uncrossed his arms. “Can we please get to planning our strategy now?”

“Yes, Strategy!” Gyrus beamed. “I’m good at strategy!”

----------

“I need love advice!” Gyrus shouted as he pushed open the door to his brother and Kodya’s apartment. Epsilon looked up from his spot on the couch.

“Really?” Epsilon closed his book. “I never thought I’d see the day when you came looking for my advice.”

“I’m not,” Gyrus scowled as his gaze swept the apartment. “Where’s Kodya?”

“What?” Epsilon cried as Kodya stuck his head into the room, massaging a towel through his still wet hair. “Why would you go to Kodya when I’m right here?”

“Go to Kodya for what now?” Kodya asked, looking at the brothers in confusion.

“Love advice,” Gyrus explained. Then turned to Epsilon. “And I’m going to him because I know you didn’t do any of the work to get into you relationship.”

“He certainly did not,” Kodya added with a smirk as Epsilon pouted. “So you’ve finally found love eh? Don’t worry,” Kodya crossed the room and pulled an enormous scrapbook from the bookshelf, “I have accumulated my experiences into this comprehensive guide on love.”

Gyrus stared at the pretty pink cut out words spelled, “Kodya’s Guide to Loving Oblivious Idiots” on the cover. Gyrus felt a wave of apprehension as Kodya opened it to page one.

“Now,” Kodya said. “What is your relationship with this lucky person, if you have one at all?”

“Uhhh, Its Tori?” Gyrus began, wondering privately just when Kodya’s quest to romance his brother had started. Had he picked him out of a crowd and decided he wanted to date him? That made this book a little creepy.

“I knew it!” Epsilon shouted. “See this is why you should have come to me! I have a knack for knowing these things.” Gyrus glared at him, remembering suddenly how this was all his fault.

“Ignore him,” Kodya advised as he flipped a fourth of the way through the book to a section marked, “the friend zone,” in sad blue letters. “Tori is your best friend correct?” Kodya asked. “Have you broached the subject of dating with her?”

“Kinda?” Gyrus remembered their earlier conversation. “I sort of accidentally asked her out?”

“Accidentally?” Kodya raised an eyebrow, and Epsilon howled with laughter. “Stop that!” Kodya pointed a finger at him. “I’ve filled pages of this book with times you ‘accidentally’ asked me out! You do not get to judge him!” Gyrus really wanted to ask, but he decided to leave that until after he’d fully explained.

“I asked her what her plans were for Sunday,” he said, “And she blushed.” Kodya nodded.

“That does sound pretty straight forward,” then Kodya frowned. “So why are you still coming to me?”

“Because she did have plans on Sunday,” Gyrus explained. “Her cosplay battle needed a new Queen, so I volunteered to help. Which I figured would mean it's not a date, but then after school she told me  that she’s really looking forward to getting to be my knight, and blushed again. And now I’m confused.”

“I see,” Kodya scratched his chin. “So its a maybe date,” he flipped the book through halfway to a section entitled “Maybe Date????” in multicolored letters. “These are a bit complicated.” He began flipping through the pages, and Gyrus got a brief glimpse of pictures of Epsilon and Kodya doing things together.

“Here we go,” Kodya stopped in front of one page with the both of them in renaissance costumes. “Hobbies. So the best thing to do with these is to try and relax and have fun. She’s probably a bit nervous to show you, so you’ve got to be supportive. Treat it seriously. You don’t have to enjoy it, but you shouldn’t be insulting or dismissive. If it goes well, you can ask her to do something different just the two of you, and we’ll make a battle strategy for that date.”

“So I need to take it seriously?” Gyrus said and Kodya nodded. He could do that easily. But then again. “I don’t know anything about cosplaying.”

Kodya sat back with a sigh, wet hair sprinkling water on the laminated pages of the book. “For that I cannot help you. But I do know someone who can.”

“Who?” Gyrus asked, leaning forward eagerly.

“He means me!” Epsilon cackled from behind. “Prepare yourself bro! I’ve got a lot to teach you in a very short amount of time!”

----------

“Well what do you know,” Maria said, sounding impressed as she looked at the detailed plan Gyrus and Alistair had drafted. “You really are good at strategy.”

Gyrus puffed up his chest. “Of course, I’m a prince after all.” A prince with a brother who made him read a book on medieval warfare to ‘prepare.’ He glanced at Tori, to see if she thought it was as cool as Maria did, but she was frowning as she looked at the plan.

“This puts you into battle in the front,” she said. “But as your knight, I cannot allow you to take such a risk. You are our prince Gyrus, we cannot afford you getting hurt.”

“What?” Gyrus felt his face fall. Did Tori not want him to fight with her? He shook his head. “Look, I don’t know what kind of leader you had before...”

“That would be your mother,” Vela pointed out.

Gyrus ignored her. “But hiding in the back isn’t my style. I’m not going to ask any of you to take a risk that I wouldn’t take myself. Because that’s the kind of leader I am, like...” he cast about in his mind, searching for some kind of reference that would work for knights. “...like King Arthur!”

“Technically King Arthur doesn’t exist,” Knox said, and Maria elbowed him.

“A prince handsome inside and out!” Alistair wiped away a tear. “I’ll follow you anywhere. Especially with that few,” he gave a wink, and Maria hit him instead.

“I like it!” Maria grinned, holding up a fist, while Alistair quaked in the background. “You’ve definitely got my ax!”

“And my bow!” Vela held up a hand crafted bow and arrow.

“And my mace,” Bronzo added, lifting what Gyrus seriously hoped was felt spikes on a wooden handle.

“Lord of the rings also doesn’t technically...” Knox started, but Maria lifted her fist higher and he fell silent.

“None of this matters if he gets himself hurt!” Tori protested, and Gyrus realized she was worried. “Don’s team is known for their ruthlessness! Or have you forgotten what they did to Hinju?” Gyrus looked around the room, wondering what could happen in a cosplayer game to initiate such a strong reaction.

“That was an accident,” Vela squared her shoulders. “And we have a referee now, Oli will make sure no one gets hurt.” The others all nodded, and Gyrus was left feeling vaguely uneasy that no one had explained what exactly happened. Maybe Epsilon was right when he said cosplay was a deadly art. But still...

He grabbed Tori’s hand. “I want to fight with you,” he said, voice pleading. “I even got this shield thing!” He gestured to the cheap wooden table top that Epsilon had given him to use. “Please let me back you up.” Tori looked him directly in the eyes, and Gyrus got a little lost in those bright green orbs.

“Fine,” Tori sighed in defeat. “But allow me to be your blade.” She straightened her shoulders. “I vow that no harm will come to you my prince, while you are in my care.”

“Excellent!” Gyrus beamed, and Tori’s cheeks reddened. “But as for the fight, don’t worry too much about me. I have more than one trick up my sleeve.”

-----------

The ensuing battle was interesting, to say the least. They followed Gyrus’ plan for a two pronged attack, the first party of Vela, Maria, and Knox sneaking in the back, while Tori, Alistair, Bronzo, and Gyrus created a bigger distraction in the front by pretending to surrender.

Gyrus tugged at the hood over his head. This was the part of the plan he was most worried about. Alistair had insisted that everyone would think Gyrus was Knox if he kept it up and didn’t talk, but he was less certain. They needed it to work though, if only for long enough for the others to get inside and capture the enemy’s leader.

“Who goes there?” A giant of a woman strode forward, dressed head to toe in what Gyrus sincerely hoped was fake armor. His little wooden shield was feeling  particularly pathetic right now. Tori shifted closer and Gyrus tried to take comfort in her presence.

The woman squinted her eyes. “Is that you fancy pants? You barbarians have a lot of nerve coming to our neck of the woods so badly armed.” Tori grit her teeth and Gyrus grabbed her hand, a silent warning to back down.

Tori drew a deep breath, and then straightened her shoulders. “We’ve come to surrender!” She shouted.

A murmur filled the other players. Apparently this was not well heard. “Surrender?” Ragan raised an eyebrow. “All that talk last we met about honor and you’re going to surrender just like that?”

“If I may,” Alistair pushed to the front. “As you have no doubt heard, things have changed since last we fought. Our beloved Queen, who had fallen to the illness of college, has passed away, and in her absence, two of our own gave up the fight in their grief and disillusionment. What you see before you are the last of the people of Brit, and we wish to surrender to ensure the safety of our people.”

“A likely story,” Ragan sniffed, “but fine. I’ll bite. Just one request.” She pointed a finger directly at Gyrus. “Take off his hood. I want to see all your faces when you surrender.”

Tori tensed, but Gyrus squeezed her hand again. This could still work to  their advantage. With no one knowing who he was, the other side would have to sit through a brief character introduction and buy them at least some time. Slowly he raised his other hand to his hood, and pulled it off.

A gasp ran through the waiting crowd. “Epsilon!” Ragan screamed, hand flying to her sword. “The traitor is among them! Attack!” Gyrus had just enough time to think, this is all Epsilon's fault, again, before the whole area dissolved into chaos.

“What,” Gyrus started as he ducked the swing of a very angry bald man, “exactly did my stupid brother do?”

“He used to be on their team,” Tori said as she blocked a hit meant for Gyrus with her sword. “I do not know the details, just that he left.”

“Typical!” Gyrus grumbled as he raised his shield to block Ragan. “You know I’m not actually Epsilon right?” He asked her as her large face neared his. “He’s like, super old.”

Ragan snarled. “I do not care. If you share his blood, then you are no better than he!” With one armored hand, and oh wow that was real armor, she sent Gyrus’ shield careening to the side, while she raised her sword high above her.

Gyrus had never thought he’d be afraid of a nerf sword, but the way she was holding it, he had no doubt this was going to be very, very painful. He tried to run, but he had somehow gotten trapped in the corner of the old plastic set piece. There was nowhere to run, he lowered his head.

“You hypocrite!” Gyrus looked up to see Tori dive in front of him, catching the great blade with her own. Her feet slipped backwards in the dirt against Ragan’s overwhelming strength, but she held firm. “You claim to have honor, and yet you hold an innocent man responsible for the actions of a brother seven years his senior?” Her hair blazed against the sun, giving her an ethereal glow, and Gyrus could only stare in awe.

Tori slipped back another inch, and the movement caused Gyrus to snap to attention. This was no time to get all mushy eyed. He leaned against the plastic set piece, trying to give her more space. The plastic moved, and Gyrus froze, an idea forming in his mind.

Carefully he pressed along the side of the corner, which had apparently been built with a smooth pole in the middle for easy movement. If he timed this right...he glanced at Ragan, who had managed to push Tori even further forward. Almost...

Ragan gave Tori one final push, lining up exactly with the far edge of the set piece. “Tori! Duck!” Gyrus screamed as he pushed against the other wall with all his might. Tori hit the ground as the top of the set piece spun like a corkscrew inches over her head.

Ragan, who had been standing on her feet, was not so lucky. The set piece collided with her side, sending her flying backwards to land with a thud on the ground. She struggled to right herself, but it was all in vain. The authentic armor she wore was too heavy for even her to lift, and she was stuck on the ground, screaming for one of her teammates to assist her.

“We did it!” Gyrus cried, scrambling to Tori’s side to pull her to her feet. “Did you see that?” he beamed at her, glowing with pride.

“Aye,” Tori said, and kissed him.

Gyrus would love to say that he responded positively, kissed her back, did anything at all really. But the sad truth was, the second after her lips touched his, something solid and hard crashed into his legs, sending him tumbling down the small hill with whatever had hit him.

When he finally came to a stop, he found himself half on top of another boy with brown hair. “Are you okay?” he asked, starting to scramble off.

“Don’t!” a voice called from above and he saw Maria, Vela, and Knox running down the hill after him. “Keep that slippery eel pinned Prince Gyrus!”

“That really isn’t necessary,” the boy under Gyrus sighed. “I don’t have legs, it's not like I can go anywhere.”

“That’s what I thought,” Maria pulled up with a glare, “until you sent yourself flying down that hill in your wheelchair!”

Gyrus blinked, the other boy. “Are you Don by any chance?”

“King Don,” the boy corrected. “Or I was at any rate.” He looked over Gyrus. “And you are...?”

“He’s our Prince,” Knox stated in that flat voice of his. “And by the laws of the game. If our leader defeats you, our team wins.”

“Go brits!” Vela cheered, and the whole team gave a cry of agreement.

Gyrus felt on top of the world. He’d done it! He’d actually won! Albeit by complete accident, but still! He looked towards Tori, eager to share his victory.

But Tori was not celebrating. Instead she stared at her shoes, expression full of woe. Gyrus didn't understand, this tournament had meant so much to her, why wasn’t she smiling. Unless, this wasn’t because of the kiss was it? Had she not liked it?

Or, said a voice in Gyrus’ head that sounded suspiciously like Kodya, is it because you didn’t reciprocate?

Well, Gyrus shook his head, he couldn’t let that stand now could he? He took a step forward, on hand reaching out to Tori. “Will you go out with me?” he shouted.

Everyone stopped to stare at him, Alistair’s face lit up, and Gyrus suddenly realized that he really ought to have put a name in that request. “Tori!” he said and Alistair pouted. “Tori will you go out with me?” And Tori’s eyes widened.

Then she smirked, placing one hand on her hip as she looked down on Gyrus. “I thought ye’d never ask.”

[justaghostingon]

The Proposal: The First Attempt

Note: Because the fandom needs more fluff. Prepare for two more of this!

Kodya took a deep breath and straightened his collar in the bathroom mirror. The button-up pocket of his trusty jacket felt heavy against his chest with the unfamiliar weight of the ring, tucked safe in its box. Today was the day! He could do this! Just three simple steps. He mentally ran over his plan in his mind. Step one: make Gyrus think they were going out to celebrate their anniversary. Completed! Step two: take Gyrus on a super romantic date. Pending. Step Three...he gulped. Propose. Simple.

“You ready Kodya?” Gyrus stuck his head around the corner, hair half up in a ponytail. Kodya’s breath caught in his throat as Gyrus raised a teasing eyebrow at him. Simple. Right.

“Just finishing up!” he said as he pulled away from the mirror. As he hurried to Gyrus’s side, he wondered why he felt an ever increasing sense of doom.

————————

“Where are we going?” Gyrus laughed as Kodya led him blindfolded down the path.

“It’s a surprise,” Kodya grinned as they stepped onto the dock. Gyrus gripped Kodya’s arm tighter as the ground beneath his feet changed from smooth pavement to wet wood. Kodya gave him a reassuring squeeze before pulling off the blindfold.

“Surprise!” He cried, spreading his hands to capture the entirety of the lake, glistening in the sunlight.

Gyrus gazed out at the lake, bright blue in sparkling, and then back at Kodya. His brow furrowed. “We’re at the lake.”

“Yes,” Kodya shifted at the flat tone. Did he not like it? Gyrus had always loved swimming, said it was like being in space. And besides, “it’s the place we first met.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he felt the blush creep up his cheeks. I-I thought we’d take a little tour today of all the places we’ve been together.”

Gyrus’s expression softened. “Oh,” he said, staring up into Kodya’s eyes. Kodya mentally congratulated himself as he got lost in those large lavender orbs. Romantic date? Check!

Then Gyrus gave his head the slightest of shakes, and the moment passed. “Kodya...” he sighed in exasperation. “You can’t swim.”

What did that have to do with...? “Oh!” Kodya shook his head rapidly as he waved his arms. “We aren’t getting in the water! I mean,-” he ran his fingers through his hair, “-you could if you want, but it's kinda cold still, and I was planning more of a boat ride?” He winced a bit at how high pitched his voice got at the end.

“That does sound nice,” Gyrus slipped his hand into Kodya’s and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Kodya tried very hard not to melt at the gesture. Gyrus glanced back at the lake. “But how are we gonna get there?”

As if on cue, Don pulled his boat up to the dock. “Hola mes amigos! Who’s up for a tour of the lake?!” He waved enthusiastically.

“Is that Don?” Gyrus’s voice was flat.

“Yes!” Kodya said as he waved back. “I told him about my plan, and he just offered out of the blue.” He beamed down at Gyrus. “Isn’t that nice of him?”

“Yes. Nice.” Gyrus repeated as his shoulders tensed. The expression on his face was unreadable as he watched Don tie the boat to the dock.

Kodya frowned. “You don’t like it?” He had no idea why Gyrus would seem so lukewarm at the prospect to hang out with his oldest friend. But if it was a problem... “If you don’t want to go, we can just tell him I suddenly got scared and move on to the next stop.”

“No.” Gyrus’s back straightened. “I want to.” He lifted their joined hands to his chest. “I want to enjoy the lake with you, without having to pull you out of it.” He gave his eyebrow a little wiggle.

Kodya beamed.

————————

This was a good plan, Kodya thought as he leaned against the edge of the boat. Sure, he was separated from death by only a thin plastic and wood boat, but hey, who wasn’t? Well, everyone else could probably swim, but Don was a good driver. He glanced up at the man’s back as he took to the wheel. Good driver See?

He glanced over at Gyrus who sat beside him, eyes closed as the wind played with his hair. He looks so peaceful, Kodya thought as he placed his head in his hand. How long had it been since he’d looked so relaxed? Kodya always knew Gyrus worked himself too hard, but it seemed more obvious now the lines at the corners of his eyes so soothed.

Kodya sighed in contentment. Maybe we should do this more often, he thought.  Floating death trap or no.

The movement caused the ring box to bump sharply against his chest, still buttoned inside. Should he do it now? He wondered. He’d originally intended to do it later down the line, but Gyrus looked so happy right now. It would be the perfect moment. Besides, who would expect it at the first stop?

The boat hit a wave, sending spray up into Gyrus’s face. He sputtered, spitting salt out of his mouth. Kodya laughed, and he turned to him, hair sticking to his face, eyes crinkled up as he joined in. Behind him the whole lake glittered like a dream, but Kodya couldn’t take his eyes off the man in front of him. That’s it. His fist clenched around his pocket. He was going to marry this man.

“Gyrus...” he murmured, kneeling on the seat. Gyrus’s eyes widened as Kodya reached out a hand, fingers tenderly brushing along his jaw. He felt Gyrus’s breath hitch...

The boat swerved sharply to the left. Kodya had just enough time to think. ‘Oh no.’ Before he was flying through the air over the open water.

Cold stabbed Kodya’s senses like a knife as the water enveloped him. He gasped as water filled lungs, dragging him down into the depths of the dark. Kodya mentally kicked himself. He should have known this stupid lake hadn’t forgiven him or escaping it before. Of course it would strike back.

Distantly he heard a splash, and just like that, Gyrus was there. Strong arms enveloped him and pulled him upward. His head broke the surface and air, blessed air!

He could kiss the man who invented air.

Hands grabbed him under his arms and hauled him up into the boat. “Oh dear!” Don said from up above him. “I told you to stay seated, the boat's turns can be sharp!”

“Kodya!” Gyrus cried, hands running over Kodya’s body, checking his pulse, his heart, pushing hair out of his eyes, it was lovely to have his full attention. Now if only he could feel anything besides a numb chill he might enjoy it.

Funny, he thought as he blinked away the drops of water that fell from Gyrus’s hair. Just a few minutes ago seeing that wet hair had made him want to...

Damn it! He cursed in Russian, shoving himself upright, hand clutching his jacket searching for the ring. It landed on the pocket over his heart. The firm and heavy weight beneath his fingers sent him sagging back into Gyrus’s arms. He still had it. Oh thank goodness.

Gyrus’s arms tightened around his shoulders. “We’re going back to shore.” He snapped, all traces of his earlier peace gone. “Now.”

A pang of guilt shot through Kodya as he saw the lines had returned to the corners of Gyrus’s eyes. He hadn’t meant to ruin the moment.

“Of course me amigo,” Don’s voice was pleasant. The boat’s engine roared to life. Kodya shivered in Gyrus’s arms, still clutching the ring to his heart, and wondered how everything could go so wrong.

[justaghostingon]

Room of swords Star wars the clone wars au

Because I felt like it

Characters

Tori: jedi knight who has gained the reputation of an undefeatable warrior. She has a very close relationship with the former Queen of Naboo and its current Senator, Mary Queen. Her master has recently gone missing.

Sylvia: a former Slave whose enormous strength won her freedom in galadiator fights in the outer rim. Now a bounty hunter after enough money to feed herself.

Gyrus: A young Engineer who embodies the phrase “wrong place wrong time” and who appears to be force sensitive. He is a rare alien species who need to cocoon every few decades to rejuvenate themselves. Some rumors claim they are effectively immortal, and that its not so much one species as one singular being. Not that Gyrus could tell you that, as he does not maintain memories inbetween rejuvenations (or at least, he doesn’t think he does)

Senator Kodya: Never meant to be a Senator. He used to be Senator Axelei’s bodyguard who worked his way up to personal assistant, but when when the Senator betrayed them and took 12 planets with him, Kodya refused, defeating him and keeping his planet safe on the side of the republic. His people were so happy with him, they all wrote him into the ballots and elected him Senator. Now he’s stuck with the job.

Nephthys: a galaxy renowned jedi healer with a gift for force healing (because if Rey can do it, others must be able to too) and prophecy. Unfortunately the unifying force is difficult to understand on the best of days, and the jedi council does not put nearly as much stock in her visions as they should. Her master was a close friend of former Senator Axelei and had many missions working with him, which lead her and Kodya to become friends.

Chancellor Don Santiago: he’s a Sith in disguise intent on harnessing the darkside and disrupting the balance of life and death to improve life in the galaxy. He also intends to bring this whole galaxy under his sole rule, so as to do it forever.

Count Gyrus Axelei: the missing leader of the separatist party. Lead 12 planets into rebellion, and refuses to submit to Republic rule because of a truth he learned about Don. Was once a Padawan, but left the order to pursue a job in politics, former Senator of Kodya’s planet, but is not a native species. In fact, he is actually the same long lived species as Gyrus. But that’s probably a coincidence.

Senator Mary Queen: Senator of Naboo and former Queen. Famous for her never ending crusade to bring peace to the galaxy and defense of republic citizens freedoms. Fears the power Don is amassing. Very close to Tori, suspiciously so. Often goes head to head with Kodya over politics.

Arc 1

Tori is a jedi knight sent on a mission to recover her least favorite Senator who went missing on a peace mission to the outer rim

On the way she gets ambushed by a local warlord (One) and seperated from her clones.

Runs into a bounty hunter named Sylvia, who would love to take a crack at the warlords who enslaved her people, and also eat them out of house and home, because why not? Tori hires her as a guide.

She also runs into a young engineer named Gyrus who has ended up on the Warlord’s hit list because he accidentally picked up something important hidden in his droid Scout.

Together the three of them take out the warlord’s left hand man. Tori asks Gyrus to hack into the prison files to find out if they had the senator, but before he has time to read them, the entire Sepratist force shows up.

Tori grabs Sylvia, Gyrus, the info he’s got, and runs. They steal a ship and blast off.

The info aquired by Gyrus reveals the Senator was captured by the warlords men, and dispite being on a peace mission mangaged to kill several. Tori facepalms. The info also states they were sent to be traded to the Seperatists on the pirate homebase.

They fly to the planet, only to discover the two have already broken free, but can’t get off world. Because of some vital information the warlords stole.

Also there’s been a coup, and its a new warlord, called Two, who are actually twin girls. Who also moved the info and base, so when Tori, Sylvia, and the rest break in, there is nothing left but the former leaders rotting corpse.

Also Kodya recognizes Gyrus as Gyrus, but Gyrus claims not to know him, and Kodya desides to keep his mouth shut because he knows how Gyrus’s rejuvenation works.

Gyrus and Nephthys work together to track down the new base, and Sylvia does soem scouting with scout.

Tori decides they need a plan of attack, and Kodya offers to train Gyrus to fight, Normal people style. Tori is reluctant, but Gyrus is more than willing and bonds with Kodya as a result.

They fly in to the warlords and split into parties of two, with Nephthys, Gyrus, and Tori going to take on the greatest threat, and Sylvia and Kodya going after the double. Turns out to be the other way around, but hey, they tried.

After a long fight they manage to defeat them both and gain the info, which is only half a chip. Tori panics, but Gyrus manages to pull out the matching piece.

They all head back to Corusant, where Gyrus is promptly arrested.

Arc 2

Tori teams up with Senator Mary Queen to prove Gyrus innocent.

Tori is furious that Senator Kody refuses to help, instead focusing his work on creating a plea bargain for Gyrus.

Turns out Kodya knew what he was talking about, (because of course the guy who lived with him for years knows how to identify him) but its not a total loss, because in her attempt to save Gyrus, Tori accidentally stumbles on a conspiracy that goes all the way to the top.

Sylvia meanwhile gets asked by the chancellor Don himself to help infiltrate the very fighting ring in which she won her freedom.

Arc 3

Tori’s quest for knowledge leads her to the Separatist base, meanwhile Kodya’s own investigation into his late Husband’s holodiary leads him to take on an anonymous identity as a bounty hunter to infiltrate the Separatists.

Kodya’s caught pretty early on by Alistair, but Gyrus told him to expect Kodya, so he’s fine.

Tori is decidedly less fine with finding out her guide is Kodya, and also that they are now stuck in a web of conspiracy so big she no longer knows who is right and who is wrong.

In prison under Mary’s watch, Gyrus begins to cocoon. (And go through his memories)

[justaghostingon]

Room of Swords Space Pirate Au

Summary: All Gyrus wanted was to show off his new language to the scientific community, instead he ends up on the treasure hunt of his life as pirates, military, and strange bowler hat wearing secret societies chase him down. But he’s not alone, no. He’s kidnapped by the most feared pirate since the Pirate King himself, and forced to be their guide.

But Gyrus has secrets even he isn’t aware of, and a connection to the Pirate King that will turn the tables of the game.

Has anyone read Larklight? Because this is gonna take heavy inspiration.

Also it gets pretty long, so its under the cut

Gyrus, an amnesiac miracle man found floating through space and taken to a lab for examination. He proceeds to win over the scientists examining him and become a protogee of sorts.

Gyrus does some work in history on the side, and discovers a way to crack an ancient alien language that the scientists couldn’t. They are all really impressed and Dr. Iro invites him along to a science exposition to try and win a grant for the lab.

They dress up to present to this strange bowler hat society that is hosting the party, inviting space’s elite and brilliant.

But half the party are rich snobs and the other half seem...strange (and not just because of the bowler hats), Gyrus can’t put his finger on it, and it makes him uneasy. He chocks it up to nerves and moves to the side of the ship to get some fresh air.

And accidentally stumbles on one of the “society” shadowing one of the rich elite, who then turn back to seemingly normal, but they are now...off in the same way the others are. (And wearing a bowler hat).

This freaks Gyrus out so much he stays hidden on the deck even long after they leave. He finally emerges, ready to grab Iro and run...

At this point Kodya’s pirates attack, raising havok and demanding that the society give up their gold or no one gets hurt.

Gyrus gets grabbed as a hostage because he’s literally the first person they can reach. (Kodya kinda recognizes him, which may also play into it)

Unfortunately for the pirates, the society was expecting them, and has hired a full military fleet to take them on. Who don’t really care about a no name hostage in light of capturing one of the most wanted pirates in the solar system.

Kodya drags Gyrus onto the ship, and they take off.

Once they are far enough away, the whole crew turns on Gyrus. (Crew includes Tori, Sylvia, and Nephthys) Gyrus is afraid but demands to go back to save Iro.

Kodya is very confused because that is not what a hostage says usually, (and a little upset Gyrus doesn’t recognize him, and why is Gyrus younger? Did he have a brother also named Gyrus?) but once Gyrus explains he gets a dark look and refuses, claiming they got lucky. (And he doesn’t want those things near Gyrus, not again)

Kodya decides to make Gyrus a cleaner (cabin boy technically but he’s an adult so they’re calling it cleaner instead) on the ship, which works for a few days, until Gyrus stumbles on a treasure map and dagger in the journal left out in Kodya’s room. Kodya is upset he touched the journal, and Gyrus says he just wanted to read it better.

To which Kodya is thrilled and gets the whole crew together, and they decide to start on the quest for the pirate treasure.

They explain about the Pirate King, who came from nowhere and united the pirates, then betrayed them to the shadow society which nearly got them all killed. But he left a map to the greatest treasure, which everyone was looking for.

Kodya in particular wants to find it, and maybe answers as to why the pirate king betrayed them. (And also how he’s back seemingly with amnesia and younger somehow, is this even the same Gyrus? He’s handling all this like its new info)

The first clue takes them to Mars, which is struggling with colonialism as the humans mine valuable minerals and force the locals to work for them. The map requires “the heart of mars” which Kodya, whose from this planet, guesses is a valuable device that helps to convert the rare minerals.

Its also super large, and what the heck Pirate King?

They go to hide with some Rebel Martians friends of Nephthys and Kodya’s, who reveal that things have gotten far worse since the two of them fled, and the colonial leader, despite not making any public appearances, is demanding an even higher quota.

It also comes out that Nephthys used to be a priestess who foresaw the invasion and was helpless to stop it, and got kidnapped by the colonizers as a prize. Then Kodya, a young soldier newly enlisted from home, met and befriended her and together they escaped. But they couldn’t get very far. Fortunately the Pirate King saved them.

Nephthys feels guilty that she can’t help them more, and wishes there was something she could do. The rebels say there is a way they can help, if they get rid of the heart of mars, which will prevent the people from stealing anymore of their minerals.

They agree to do this, with the agreement that hey get to keep the heart of mars.

They split into two teams, to Gyrus, Tori, and Sylvia go in to visit the colonial leader, because Kodya and Nephthys are super wanted here, and Gyrus still has his suit and important looking documents. Then Sylvia will sneak down to let Kodya and Neph in, while Tori and Gyrus distract the colonizer leader.

The two ‘leaders’ that Gyrus and Tori are led to do not match the descriptions given, but after they see their documents, they welcome Gyrus and his...posse.

The ‘leaders’ puts on a front for Gyrus, but Sylvia and Tori find out the servants are frightened, as there has just been a coup-de-taut.

At the awkward dinner, Gyrus is treated like a guest, and Tori a bodyguard, while the ‘leaders’ regale them with their latest conquests, and how they recently defeated a rebel leader named “Serdtse” and show off his broken sword, his symbol of power.

Tori gets more and more furious as they listen, meanwhile, Sylvia lets Kodya and Neph in, and they attempt to remove the ‘heart of mars’

Gyrus gets half paralyzed by the food, and the ‘leaders’ reveal they need him alive because he’ll bring them quite a bit more money to the right people. Tori meanwhile is unaffected, and kills the male. Gyrus, still barely able to move, grabs the broken sword and tries to drag himself away, as the ship arrives and one of those “off” people in a bowler hat arrives.

Tori is unable to help, as she is stuck fighting the other leader.

Meanwhile down below, a bunch of minions come running to stop Kodya and Neph and Sylvia. They begin to overwhelm them, until some of the martian servants reveal themselves as rebels and help them win. Then the ‘off’ people show up there too.

Kodya and Neph freak out, and drag everyone away from them, Kodya throws a light bomb behind to shine brightly and temporarily stun them.

They run to Tori and Gyrus, and Sylvia and Kodya help fight the scary leader while Neph heals Gyrus. Not much they can do about the ‘off’ person though, so they all run some more.

Then to stop the shadows for good, a mysterious stranger (“Serdtse!” the rebels shout) blows up the whole building for good.

Kodya gets upset that they didn’t get the heart, and then Gyrus’s bag starts glowing. Turns out the half sword is the clue. Kodya is very confused, and feels they should meet this ‘Serdtse’ but the military show up and they have to run, taking the credit for the attack so the martian’s don’t get blamed.

They decide to hide in Venus, the only place no one will look, because the last people to try to live there turned into trees. (Read Larklight) Tori is the only survivor of the mysterious illness, and she offers it to them as a place to hide. (Her queen was one of the victims).

Gyrus offers to try and find a cure, and takes some seeds, even though Tori says its hopeless. 

Also this is where Kodya decides to try and teach Gyrus how to fight, because he was absolutely useless back there.

They also try to figure out what the connection between the glow of the half sword and the map. Eventually Sylvia reveals that a metal like this that no one can identify, their best shot is the mines on the moons of Jupiter, which has the best ore experts in the world. They all decide to go there.

At Moons of Jupiter, which is a mining town and a hub for pirates, Sylvia is from here, and eagerly shows off the place to the others. Even Kodya is beginning to relax, except that everyone they meet keeps trying to get Kodya to visit the storm to find the answers he needs. (Storm knows the answers to everything in Larklight, but rarely appears)

Kodya points out two things, first, that the storm is illusive on the best of days, and second, that it hardly gets everything right, as it was wrong about the Pirate King, because he once asked it a question, and it was obviously wrong. He won’t tell them exactly what he asked though (probably something about Gyrus)

Meet Don and his crew, who head the pirate armada Kodya work for, and teams up to find the treasure. The crew that is much nastier to Gyrus than Kodya’s.

Gyrus gets into trouble with Ragan for looking like the Pirate King. It is here he learns the Pirate Kings name was also Gyrus. Neph stops Ragan, pointing out Gyrus is far to young, and was working as a scientist on earth, so he’d have to have been there for ages. Gyrus thinks now is not the time to mention his mysterious origins.

Gyrus gets pushed off by one of the crew, unclear who. Kodya jumps over to find him, and Tori ends up falling off too.

Storm light makes the half sword spell out a single word: Saturn. (in plain english)

The crew believes this is where they have to go.

Meanwhile the storm itself saves Gyrus, introducing himself as Alistair. He tells him he is an old friend, and here to help him and tells him that he needs to go to Earth to find the real treasure before Don does. 

Also that Gyrus is a god, because those things apparently exist with the ability to put things in motion. He was supposed to die, but decided to keep living to see what would happen. Met Don and very naively told him what he could do. Don wanted to take for himself, but he was clever. He befriended Gyrus first and pushed him towards his own goals of destroying the Empire. When Gyrus finally grew wise to how he was being used, he betrayed Gyrus and made it look like Gyrus betrayed them. Gyrus tried to fight back, by hiding the way to his power, but Don was relentless, and so Gyrus confronted him to make him stop. Unfortunately he was not planning on the bowler hat society, which got tweleve members of Don’s armada. (Larklight, read it).

Also Kodya shows up for this and is very annoyed that Gyrus and the Pirate King are the same person (and didn’t tell him he was still alive!), but reluctantly goes along with it. (because he does care)

Alistair introduces him to Maria and Knox and thier crew, who are waiting to rescue them, and ended up finding Tori. Serdtse is introduced too, who turns out to be Hinju, brother of Xinju, who Gyrus did not kill. 

They explain how they made the broken sword as a decoy to the true key, Kodya’s dagger. But now they’ve got Kodya and Gyrus they should be able to get the treasure long before both the pirates and the bowler hat society right?

Wrong. Because Kodya, not realizing it was so important, left it on his ship. Which is now run by Nephthys. Which is going to Saturn.

So they decide to split up, which is to say Alistair teaches Gyrus a way only he can teleport, and sends him to earth to get there before the problem, while everyone else goes to convince the pirates to change allegiances.  

Meanwhile the girls and Don’s crew all go to Saturn, where the clue opens a locked door of a ‘memory’ journal, and the crew learn of the origins of the bowler hat society (race from the beginning of the world, want to remake everyone in perfect order like the rings of Saturn)

Which is very knowledgeable, but pretty much useless for them. The pirates and the girls debate on whether the treasure is a fake, this is another clue, or they missed something else.

Meanwhile Don comes to the conclusion that the knife is wrong, and goes to find the correct version on the ship.

Neph goes back, ends up coming in on Don’s investigation. Not knowing what is going on, Don mistakes her for knowing what’s going on, and reveals he’s the mastermind. 

Also Gyrus’s crew reach Saturn, and try to steal it back, only to get into more trouble. The pirates are divided on who to believe, Gyrus’s crew and Neph, or Don. Having Hinju manages to make Xinju to side with Gyrus though, but Ragan is not convinced, because Don is one persuasive man.

The two teams split up on separate ships, and race back to earth.

Meanwhile, Gyrus discovers that the ship he first was found in floating in space is actually the treasure he was trying to keep hidden. The only problem, he has absolutely no idea how it works.

So he meditates at the suggestion of the scientists, only to discover that there is a power inside himself.

Which would be poetic, if it didn’t also have a personality.

So Gyrus is trying to sort out millions of years of memories, while the scientists sit around him confused.

All except for Iro, who sees this as an opportunity to use his shiny new bowler hat. Which he puts on Gyrus’s now helpless head.

Gyrus now has to fight off an attempted possession, while figuring out how to use his powers.

He finds a way to throw it off, but not before Iro reports it almost complete, and the Bowler hat society moves into their next big plan: to possess all of the Empire’s parliament and Queen. (Different from Tori’s, unless I decide to change that later)

At the last second, Gyrus manages to throw off the possession, figuring out a way to cure it in the process. He rushes up to stop the bowler hats, but he’s held back, and his method of curing is to slow, only one at a time.

Then the pirates attack.

The pirates attack everyone, each other, who knows what’s going on up there. It creates chaos instantly, and Chaos is the exact thing that the bowler hats hate. They temporarily break from their hosts to fly up and stop the pirates. Kodya’s pirates notice, and start causing even more chaos, which makes all of them swirl up into the sky, trying to attack.

But this is really, really bad for the pirates. So Gyrus decides he has to help them.

He uses his powers to create a large, white light, and tells them its the power. All the shadows fly towards it. Don also tries to go and get it, putting his own crew at risk and causing them to turn on him.

Once all of them are close, Gyrus whips out the seeds from Venus, makes them grow with his power ‘setting things in motion’ and traps them in a bubble with only the bowler hat monsters. They all turn into a tree.

When the dust settles, no one is quite sure what happened, but the scientists are there to step in for Gyrus to the Queen. 

Don is arrested for trying to kill like 14 people. The Queen then gives everyone else full pardons so they are no longer pirates, and names them heroes of the state.

Which the pirates aren’t sure what to think about, but hey, they’ll take a party and not dying right now.

Gyrus and his friends reunite, Gyrus now aware of who he is, and it ends with them all eating with the scientists and regaling them with their adventure.

[justaghostingon]

The Trial of the Lost Girdle

Part Five: The Culprits

Anan and Oli did not fit neatly behind the podium. It was only to be expected Queen Mary supposed, as there were two of them. However, the passive-aggressive way they fought with their elbows for space must not help.

Anan spoke up first. “I can explain,” he said before Oli could draw a breath. 

“So can I!” Oli quickly added, glaring at Anan.

A faint sound brushed against Queen Mary’s ear. She glanced to her right to see King Don rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Just begin,” he said, voice full of exhaustion.

Both Anan and Oli opened their mouths, but it was Knox’s voice that carried over the crowd. “You both exhibit heated skin, increased heart rates, sweating, and strong desire to touch. Conclusion: You are either in love or very angry...” Anan and Oli jumped apart, “...However, Maria tells me this is not the time for flirting. So behave or as mediator I will have you removed.”

Oli blushed horribly, stuttering in shock. Anan looked equally upset, but took advantage of Oli’s stuttering to begin. “It all began on the day when the delegation arrived. Oli and I were just on our way from completing some necessary preparations before the big welcoming party...”

“You mean you bugged me into making you some food!” snapped Oli the same time Knox said, “Lie!”

“Hey now, food is very necessary.” Anan waved away Knox and Oli’s objections with his hand. “The point is, we were together when we found Gyrus collapsed in the hall, barely conscious.”

“He what!” Kodya’s head snapped up to look at Gyrus, who blushed. Maria, stuck between the two, let out a very frustrated sigh.

“Yeah, it was pretty worrying,” Anan replied to Kodya’s comment. “I mean...” he gestured to Gyrus who was awkwardly rubbing his neck and avoiding eye contract, “...its Gyrus, he never gets sick. It’s the whole reason King Don put him in charge of this whole delegation visit!”

Queen Mary pursed her lips, she hadn’t known that. In the audience low mutters began to rise. Apparently the details of Gyrus’s sickness had been kept a secret. 

“But there he was, nearly unconscious in a hallway when he was supposed to be greeting the Queen any moment now!” Anan continued, clearly enjoying the shock and surprise his story created. “So naturally I did the only thing I could do, and offered to take his place as and escort.”

“Lie,” interrupted Knox.

“That was my idea,” Oli quickly jumped in, shooting Anan a glare. “I told you to take his place while I took him to the hospital. You just panicked.” Anan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. 

“I took him to Nephthys, and stayed with him for a while to see that he was okay,” Oli explained.

“Yeah, but that’s not really relevant,” Anan interrupted. “What matters is what happened when I took Gyrus’s place as an escort.” Oli frowned, but stayed silent, so he apparently agreed. “It was there,” and now Anan’s cheeks were tinged with pink. “That I saw the most beautiful girl I had ever seen: Sylvia.” He paused, like he expected this to be a revelation. It wasn’t. Even Queen Mary had seen it coming a mile away.

A beat of silence passed before Anan continued, cheeks very red. “Just my luck, I got to escort her around the whole of the castle...” Oli frowned and looked down. 

“And the Queen,” Tori interrupted, arms crossed and a scowl on her lips. Queen Mary tried not to smile. She remembered that escort. She had never seen someone fail so much at flirting. 

“And the Queen, and her Champion,” Anan sheepishly admitted. “But Kodya could handle them.”

“Lie,” said Knox. Kodya looked briefly taken a back, then nodded.

“I was pretty distracted,” Queen Mary heard him say.

“Anan,” King Don sighed, a much clearer sigh. “Get to the point.”

“This is relevant, I swear,” Anan gave a little half-laugh as Oli crossed his arms. “So I was trying to talk to her you know? Get to know her. But it didn’t seem to be working until I pulled out my lunch, which she was very interested in.”

“The lunch I made,” Oli added with a roll of his eyes. “Which I saw you do, because I had come back to try and let you know Gyrus was okay. You know, like a friend’s supposed too.”

“I didn’t say I made it,” Anan said, looking sheepish. “Just that I knew where to get more.” Oli did not look impressed.

“I also met Sylvia around that time,” Oli said with a blush. “And was very flattered to have someone enjoy my cooking so much, even if someone else was taking the credit.” He glared at Anan who looked slightly guilty. “So the next morning, when I was helping Gyrus out because he was still sick, I asked after her like a normal person does.”

“Normal people don’t ask friends about girls,” said Anan. “They go up and ask the girls!”

“You are both lying,” said Knox. “The human species is far too complicated to follow one definition of normal. If it did I would have figured it out years ago.”

Both Oli and Anan both paused to shoot Knox a sympathic look. “Dude,” Anan said softly.

Oli cleared his throat, “So I asked Gyrus, and he told me I should try chocolate, because Sylvia likes chocolate.” 

...That’s not actually a bad idea. Queen Mary thought. Had Gyrus gotten better at giving love advice?

Oli continued. “I made the chocolate, and gave it to her in a nice box with a note. But I was to embarrassed to watch, so I ducked around the corner and hid.” He pointed a finger at Anan. “I didn’t go far though, which is how I know Anan decided to interfere, by taking the box and removing the note!”

“Hey!” Anan protested. “We were getting attacked by rogue mercenaries and she needed a power up, it was necessary!” 

“Necessary to throw the note away?” Oli snapped back.

“Rogue Mercenaries?” Queen Mary interrupted. “I was not informed of this.” Both Oli and Anan froze and turned to look at her, like two deer caught in a hunter’s path.

“Extremists and bandits who objected to the Treaty,” King Don hastily added. “A minor blip easily handled.” Queen Mary studied him, trying to see what he was leaving out. But his face was a perfect mask of unbothered and wise. She didn’t like that something so dangerous had happened without her knowledge. Her eyes flickered to Sylvia in the crowd, who smiled sheepishly up at her. Still, if Sylvia hadn’t brought it to her attention, it couldn’t have been too important.

“Proceed,” she said as she waved her hand gracefully at the two men at the podium.

Anan cleared his throat. “Actually I should go next for this part, where I also decided to as Gyrus for help.” He crossed his arms and shot Gyrus a glare. “Unaware that he was already on the other team.”

“Wait you went to ask Gyrus to?” Oli gasped. “I thought you said normal people don’t ask friends for help!”

“Incorrect,” Knox interrupted. “His exact words were: ‘Normal people don’t ask friends about girls, they go up and ask the girls!” Knox repeated in a quite frankly, unnerving imitation of Anan’s voice.

Anan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Well yeah, but that’s like step one, for hobbies and stuff. Once you know enough about her interests, that’s when you do a little recon to figure something out to impress her.”

“I will once again state that this is not true,” said Knox. “If courting was done in simple steps, Alistair would have a partner by now.”

“Hey!” snapped a Alistair from the crowd. Maria, Gyrus, and even Tori all facepalmed. Queen Mary couldn’t blame them. Alistair was not at all skilled in courtship.

“Once again Anan, please stick to the point.” King Don put his head in his hands.

“This really is relevant!” Anan insisted. “It helps set up where everyone was for the ball. Now where was I?” He cleared his throat. “Right, Gyrus. I went to see Gyrus, to learn a little about Amethyst culture you know? I wanted to be able to impress Syllie with some cool dance moves at the ball. He was pretty willing to help me learn, said it was so nice that we were all trying to make the delegation feel welcome. And that I should come over later when he was giving lessons. I thought it was a little strange King Don let him do that, what with him still being sick and all...” Anan shrugged, “...but I wasn’t going to push my luck.”

Gyrus was suddenly not looking anywhere, a blush forming on his cheeks. Oh no. Thought Queen Mary. What did you do this time?

 “Turns out, it wasn’t an official class,” Anan said. “It was just Gyrus, Kodya, and me.” He paused, voice raising higher in embarrassment. “And have you ever gone to do something with two friends and realized halfway through it was probably a date, and they just didn’t want to admit it so they let you come along? Yeah it was like that. Kodya was not happy I was there.”

There it is. Queen Mary held back a sigh. Gyrus will you ever learn?

“And this matters because?” King Don asked.

“Because it shows that Gyrus and Kodya were too wrapped up in their own little world to have anything to do with the lost girdle,” Anan replied with uncharacteristic seriousness. “Kodya never even got to the ball, halfway to it, he suddenly decided to go back to visit Gyrus.” 

“And that’s important!” Oli added with a little jump that nudge Anan sideways to avoid him. “Because the ball was where everything really started.”

“Yeah, because someone decided to ambush me outside and make me help out in the kitchen instead of going to the ball,” Anan glared at Oli, then held his hands up to make air quotes, “Because if you’re going to claim to be such a great cook, you might as well figure out what actually happens in a kitchen.”

“I will admit, I was kinda proud of that line,” Oli smiled. Anan continued to glare, so Oli crossed his arms. “Oh don’t look at me like that, they only needed help distributing drinks. It didn’t even take you that long.”

 “Long enough for you to start putting moves on Syllie behind my back,” Anan snapped. “I got back to see you chatting her up at the food table, and I realized it was all a set up.” Oli rolled his eyes.

Queen Mary glanced at Sylvia to see what she thought about her two suitors fighting. She was standing in crowd, snacking on some nuts and berries. Queen Mary noted she did not look impressed. 

“So I let a bit of the drink spill out and fall on Oli’s head as it passed by,” Anan smirked. “Nothing to bad, but boy did it make him jump.” 

Beside him Oli scowled. “It was cold!” he complained. “And I knew he did it on purpose, so I may have let my drink slip and land on him too.”

“Which ruined my new clothes!” Anan added. “So naturally I decided that your drink needed some fruit on the side.” 

“Not nearly as much as yours did,” Oli replied. Then he blushed as the audience stared. “We...” he twiddled with his fingers, “may have gotten into a food fight.”

“I was winning,” Anan added with a puff of his chest.

“Lie,” Knox’s voice was flat.

“I was holding my own,” Anan corrected. “But then Syllie stopped us. She caught the food we through in her mouth. Then insisted that if we were going to throw it, we should let her catch it so it didn’t go to waste.” He grinned at the memory. 

“It became a game, we would throw it and she would catch it.” Oil added. “She was really, really good. But then...” he blushed and looked down. “It wasn’t her fault.”

“Yeah, it was ours,” Anan agreed. “We threw two grapes at the same time, and she had to step backward to get it...” he gulped. “And knocked into someone carrying a goblet...who spilled their drink all over Tori’s token.” 

Oh my, Queen Mary thought as she saw Tori scowl at the two men at the witness stand. So that was how the girdle was damaged. She must have given them quite a talking too.

“She yelled at Syllie!,” Anan said as Oli winced beside him. “And when we pointed out it was our fault she yelled at us too.”

“There was a lot of yelling,” Oli agreed. “Then she calmed down a bit and told Sylvia to clean it up immediately.”

“Syllie was really disappointed that she couldn't spend the rest of the evening at the ball...” Anan said.

“And I felt really bad because it wasn’t her fault...” Oli added.

“So I offered to get it cleaned for her!” they said in unison, then glared at each other.

“And you went to Gyrus why?” Asked Queen Mary, not because she didn’t already have a guess, but because she wanted them to stop glaring and continue. 

“Gyrus has all sorts of magical potions for all sorts of problems. If anyone was going to have a way to fix it quickly, it was going to be him,” Anan explained. 

“We ran all the way there,” Oli added. “We really wanted to get it fixed. But when we got there...” His face turned scarlet.

“It was crazy!” Anan said with a wave of his hands for emphasis. “Kodya jumped sky high, and then Gyrus’s powers started moving everything in the room, yanking the clothes right off of him and shoving him into a shower!”

“He threw me into his wardrobe!” Oli winced as he rubbed the back of his head. “It really hurt.”

“It was chaos,” Anan shuttered. “And one of those times when you don’t know what’s going on but you know you don’t want to. But don’t worry!” he added. “Gyrus knew exactly what we had done, and proceeded to lecture us for hours.” He raised one hand to mimic talking. “Don’t enter my lab unannounced, you could have killed Kodya if I hadn’t been faster...and so on and so forth... until he forgot what he was lecturing us about.”

Oli winced. “I’ve never seen him so angry.” 

“Kodya took pity on us eventually,” Anan shot the man a grin. “And asked for some clothes. Course Gyrus turned around and began to fuss over Kodya. Once he was out we apologized, and then he kicked us all out.”

“I felt like I’d forgotten something,” Oli hugged himself. “But I couldn’t remember what. Then the kitchen staff caught the two of us and made us help clean up the party...and I didn’t remember the token until the next morning.” He looked away. “Sorry Sylvia.”

Anan gave a nervous chuckle. “Yeah, that was a real shock, especially when Syllie asked if it was done yet.” He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “I managed to play it off, say it was still in the works. But as soon as she was gone, I grabbed Oli and we headed back to see Gyrus.”

“He wasn’t in.” Oli lifted his head. “But we searched everywhere! Even in the parts he definitely didn’t want us looking. It wasn’t anywhere!”

“I thought maybe it got dropped as we ran,” Anan nudged Oli over slightly so he was more centered. “So we retraced our steps, and then when it didn’t work, we asked the maids if they’d seen it. No luck.”

“I thought we should go back and ask Gyrus again,” Oli nudged Anan back over. “But Anan thought it would be a bad idea after the mess we’d made twice now.”

“And because if Gyrus found it, he would have returned it by now.” Anan snapped. “He lived in the kingdom, I thought he would know what the Queen’s token looked like. I didn’t realize the coloring had changed.”

There seems to be a lot of that going on. Queen Mary thought. Everyone really needed to stop putting Gyrus on a pedestal. He was just a man after all, with feelings and failures, and not some wise source of knowledge and power...oh. She may owe Gyrus an apology.

“We searched for two days,” Oli looked over the audience. “And couldn't find it. Finally I said we should just give up and ask Gyrus to help us find it so Sylvia didn’t get into trouble...and that’s when we came into the courtyard to see Gyrus and Tori engaged in combat, and ended up here.”

“We had no idea it would get so out of hand.” Anan shifted his weight awkwardly. “Or that Kodya ended up with it.” 

“I guess things would have all been solved, if you’d just listened to me and asked Gyrus right away,” Oli sighed.

“Yeah,” Anan agreed absently as he looked down, “Wait...” his head snapped around. “This is not my fault!” 

“Well if you’d listened to me we wouldn’t be in this situation, so I kinda think it is,” Oli pointed out, frowning at Anan.

“You are both lying,” Knox said. “It was both of your faults.”

Anan and Oli both started to protest as Queen Mary turned to King Don. “Is it always like this?”

King Don buried his head in his hands and groaned.