Laughter rang out in the Moon household, making it truly feel like home. Who would have thought a year after moving to yet another dome this would be the one? Blu had shown up a whirlwind of minor chaos, boxes packed in stacks, and a cat in tow to Amristah only to have every step she had foreseen for herself completely change irrevocably. She had taken on more responsibility than she ever thought herself capable of, she had gained back a little brother she thought lost to her so long ago, and she earned herself a family she had long since given up on ever acquiring.
But, her kitchen was filled with laughter, warmth, good food in the works, and even better company to pass the time with. She and Grisham still butted heads but these days it was more out of love and friendship than any sense of territorialism or distaste. Blu was more likely to lean against him while cooking than to try and aggressively bump him out of her way.
The lasagna slid into the oven with ease as Grisham took over on marinating chicken for whatever starter he had planned while Blu took a quick guzzle of her drink and leaned back on the counter. Her cheeks glowed with more than just wine though as she finally relaxed and listened to the newest chaos Matt and Schuyler had created.
This was home.
Her barking laughter continued to ring out even as a deceptively soothing xylophone chime echoed from her com. Drink still in hand, she used the thumb of her other one to swipe the message open. Blu knew what the sound meant.
Work.
It only took a few moments of reading to completely change her demeanour. She was all business, straight-backed and pursed lips as she nodded to Grisham. “Angels just got orders to deploy,” she informed him as she abandoned her wineglass and instead marched towards the door to strap her boots back on.
“Don’t fuckin’ burn my pie, boy, or Imma be mighty pissed with ya. Give my love to Agave and tell ‘im I’ll be along soon as able. Sunova bitch,” she grunted under her breath as she checked to make sure she had everything she needed. Blu was nearly out the door with it closed behind her before she popped her head back in and waved a commanding finger in the other commander’s direction. “And no sex on my denim couch! I mean it!”
The door slammed with a click behind her, whatever words Grisham had for her, falling on deaf ears.
The squad assembled quickly and efficiently. They were trained for this and this was not their first rodeo. For that, Blu was grateful. Everyone was loaded up and saddled up with only the necessary questions related to the job on their minds.
Solarta
It would have to be there, wouldn’t it? No wonder Yavul was running late, the poor fool was neck deep in sprangershit. When this was all over it would be quite the tale to tell Grisham over reheated dinner later or tomorrow or whenever they were allowed to drag their tired, sorry bodies home.
In short order, the moment the Angel’s feet touched the ground they were moving. A military personnel greeted the commander and gave her an update on the situation. Valkyries had securing detail. Sirens were on their way to begin collecting lost and wounded. A set of barns closer to the city centre had been secured for tirage purposes. And as of right then the squad leader of the Valkyries was in charge with the loss of Pilot Commander Hyakinthos.
Her nostrils flared at the name but right now grief and worry were not emotions she could afford. She still had a squadron to command. “Form up!” she barked. “Green zone needs to be directed out of this zone immediately. I want able military personnel in charge of that and for them to get checked by alternative staff. Red zone is going to be furthest out in the event of more sinkholes and emergencies. I want them closest to the easiest evac location possible. Yellow zone will go here and black zone,” she sighed running a displeased hand through her purple locks. “Black zone will be closest to where we can expect Trapdoors coming in from the existing sinkholes. They’re not only carnivores but also scavengers…” Blu didn’t wish to finish her statement but she was sure everyone caught her meaning. If it would buy them a few extra minutes, then the dead would forgive her.
“You know your stations, get moving soldiers. The Sirens will be here bringing them in droves as they find them. Let’s be ready for them when they do.” The Angels were quick to follow orders as a familiar cry broke Blu’s concentration. “Blu!” She had enough time to turn before her ribs were being suddenly crushed in the arms of one Pilot Tamia Rhinau.
She hugged the younger woman back and pet her hair. “It’s alright, Mia. Take a deep breath and shake it off.” Blu pulled back and moved to clasp the redhead’s hands when she saw the dirty and mangled bandaging on them.
“Come on, Mia. Let’s get those bandaged up and you can tell me what happened, yeah?”
Blu brooked no room for argument as she slung an arm over Mia’s shoulders and marched her off to the side. The work was quick, clean, and even cathartic. Just what she needed to keep her mind running nice and steady. Blue eyes remained focused on the task at hand even as her Butterfly Girl sat and recounted everything with Blu kneeling in front of her. When she was finished, the Amristah commander hugged the closest person she had to being a daughter, whispered encouragements in her ear, and reminded her they all still had a job to do. Faltering was not an option. They had to keep going or people would die. It was not what Mia wanted to hear then; it was not what Blu wanted to say. But it was what needed saying and what needed doing.
While Mia bounced off with perhaps a bit less pep in her usual step to complete her own set of orders, Blu Moon remained still and hesitant. Then, with surprising determination she quietly cupped her hands in front of her, palms up, and with her forearms pressed against her ribs. She did something then that she had not done since the war; she prayed.
‘Setenga stipolé, protégez-le et veillez sur lui. Aidez-le à retrouver son chemin chez lui en toute sécurité. Vebeset, ne le laissez pas vaciller. Accorde-lui un peu de tes méfaits et de ta ruse pour rentrer chez toi en toute sécurité. Dieux tous les deux, prenez-le par la main afin qu'il soit placé parmi les étoiles impérissables et qu'il ne meurt jamais.’
Unable to press herself into the mud and filth with wounded to care for right afterward, Blu finished her prayers and hunkered her body into a tight curl with her hands raised above her head in one last desperate and open offering. ‘J'ai déjà perdu une Hyakinthos sur ma montre. Stipolé, si vous avez la pitié, ne me laissez pas perdre un autre.’
Heeding her own advice, she took a deep breath, centred herself, and got back to her feet. She had a job to do, same as everyone else. Yavul, bless his heart, was going to have to do the rest for himself. There was nothing more that she could do for him. His life was in the hands of the gods now, just as the lives of others were now in hers.
