Revelations

[runmakitarun]

The light of the rising sun barely kisses the broken buildings of the city of Bahamut as Proto and Makita walk across the snow-covered streets. They pick their way across broken rubble, broken vehicles, and broken bodies in silence.

The station isn't far now and Makita glances over at Proto and jerks her head to suggest they approach from the east to keep the brightening dawn at their backs.

Comments

[runmakitarun.livejournal.com]

"It was a bar. The people there call it 'Milliways'."

Makita tried her best to explain an utterly alien place to someone who had never seen it. She talked about food and friends and people who had no experience with war. She told Proto about the people who had taught her and challenged her, and in some ways healed her.

Steph, Mel, Goldie, Alex, Rapunzel, Plourr, Cait, Rachel.

It never crossed her mind that Proto might doubt her. He knew her well enough to know that she was perfectly serious and that no matter how odd her story might be, that it was true.

[theredstars.livejournal.com]

It's an incredible report, and it leaves Proto dumbfounded for the most part. He does believe it, every single word of it. That's why he's so speechless. What can you say in the wake of a tale like that?

"Wow, Maki. Just... wow. No wonder you kept it quiet."

Eventually he manages a more intelligent reply:

"These friends of yours. Have some of them been here once or twice, fighting with you?"

There have been a few unreported and unexplained Red kills recently, most notably a whole unit of Sorceress Special Ops and their bodyguards. And there have been a few other Red corpses found, slain by unorthodox methods and weaponry.

[runmakitarun.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Makita's tone is soft and her nod is small. "A few times. When things were bad."

[theredstars.livejournal.com]

Proto has no problem with outsiders helping their cause at all. He nods back quietly, still trying to digest some of the other things she's revealed to him over the past little while.

After another lengthy pause, he asks:

"Can you take me to see this amazing place and meet these people?"

"I... I'd like to go there with you. To see it for myself. Not that I don't trust your word, but it sounds really neat."

[runmakitarun.livejournal.com]

Makita's smile is soft as she nods. Her voice is quiet, "I'd like that. You should meet some of the people and... it'd be nice to have some time to ourselves with no interruptions."

[theredstars.livejournal.com]

"It would," Proto agrees, smiling back at her.

"If, as you say, time stops here when the door closes behind you."

He reaches out and takes one of Makita's hands in his own.

[runmakitarun.livejournal.com]

Her fingers tighten around his and she draws his hand up to hold it against her cheek. "It's a promise then. Next time the door opens I'm going to find you so I can show you around."

"And so we can have some time together. I'll show you the bathtub."

[theredstars.livejournal.com]

"...You have a bathtub there. Really?"

Proto's eyes close wistfully. He can't remember the last time he washed in hot water, let alone bathed. And the prospect of relaxing in a tub without having to worry about the situation here is a divine one. Add his love into the mix, and it's beyond heavenly.

"Okay. You've got yourself a deal."

He leans forward and seals the agreement with a passionate kiss.

[runmakitarun.livejournal.com]

Makita leans into the kiss, which goes on for a while. Eventually, reluctantly, she pulls back. Her voice is warm as she turns to look back out at the street, "I guess we better do what we came here to do, huh?"

She slowly pushes herself to her feet and checks her weapon.

There'll be time to spend with Proto once she finds another door to Milliways.