Mori wake up! Come on kid, Apollyon shouted in a whisper so not to startle her.
Morrigan stirred with a sleepy groan as she brushed the few strands of hair out of her face. It did not take long to figure out what was wrong with her surroundings.
“Nora?” she sleepily called out, looking around to find the living room dark, the time on the wall clock telling her that it was still late in the early morning hour and the front door wide open.
That’s why I woke you, she just got up and bolted. Her body reeked of fear, Apollyon stated in his normal tone.
“What? What happened?” she demanded as her rising fear pulled her from her tired stupor.
I don’t know, you were both laying here and all of a sudden she woke up and panicked, not like I could ask her what the deal was.
Morrigan jumped up from the couch and bolted to the door sticking her head out, the street was empty save for someone in the far distance jogging away in the direction of the market district.
“Nora!” Morrigan called out only to watch the figure start running faster.
“Shit! That’s gotta be her!” she thought before bolting out the door.
Morrigan pumped her legs full of energy to carry her the distance of the long military district street only to watch Nora vanish into an alleyway. She knew she needed to move faster.
“Can I fly?” she growled to Apollyon.
What are you talking about?
“The fucking wings Apollyon, can I fly or not?” she snapped, not feeling the time for stupid questions and answers.
Well, I don’t see why not? Apollyon noted in non-commitment.
Morrigan called her skeletal wings to bear and willed them to flap. Her energy responding on its own to compensate her will into practical use as she lifted off the ground and edged over the roof she flew over.
Her worry and aggravation mixed in her heart as she soared over rows of buildings, trying to spot Nora from the sky.
“Come on damn it, where are you? Why didn’t you tell me something was wrong?”
Hey, take a breath and focus, literally, Apollyon demanded as she pulled herself into a slow hover, her wings flapping slow enough to keep her from falling.
Morrigan took a deep breath as she ground her teeth, it was not time for a lesson nor was it time for games. Her rising fear screamed at her to find the blonde woman.
Just. Focus.
Morrigan clenched her eyes shut and took another deep breath. She felt something sickening that made her stomach churn, “Ugh, what is that?!”
That, my little goddess, is raw fear.
Morrigan remembered what Apollyon had said when she woke and homed in on the direction before shaking her concentration.
She flew over rows of military apartments to spot Nora sprinting down an alley way between two buildings as if being chased, however, she saw no one chasing her.
With furrowed brows she dove towards the end of the alley to cut her off. Nora skidding to a halt as her wings bathed the alley in a dull red glow as her wings set her down gently on the ground before curling and fading from existence.
Nora shook her head repeatedly as she backed away. “Nora, what's wrong?” Morrigan asked with concern as she stepped forward. She saw the look of panic and anxiety written all over Nora’s face.
“No, no I can't, I can't…” Nora blurted as she shuffled backwards only to fall on her ass. Morrigan took a longer step forward as Nora tried to scurry backwards. Morrigan was faster though.
As soon as she grabbed ahold of Nora’s pant leg she lost it; “No stop! I can't, I can't do it, I can't, I just can't…” she cried in hyperventilation as she swatted at her hands. She pulled herself into a tight ball and cried even harder.
Morrigan's heart split in two to see her this distraught, “Nora please, tell me what's wrong!”
“Love… love, Mori! I can't do love!” Nora screamed into her thighs as she wrapped her hands around her head to make herself smaller.
Morrigan's expression sank into confusion, “What are you talking about?” she murmured.
Ah, before you passed out you told her you loved her, kid. Apollyon interjected in understanding.
That made her heart hurt even more as she stared down at the beautiful blonde woman who cried and tried to shrink away from reality in fear.
Can you calm her? As much as I’m proud of you for being able to pick up emotions actively, this is really nauseating…
Morrigan ignored Apollyon completely as her entire focus was enveloped around Nora.
She reached out and gently touched her knee, “Nora look at me…” she sniffed, “Please look at me Nora and talk to me.”
Nora looked up shaking her head, her entire body shook with a tremor. Her cheeks were wet with tears as her eyes widened, “I can't… everyone leaves me, or dies…or I hurt them! I can't do it, not you… not to you…” she vented in a desperate plea as more tears streamed down her cheeks before burying her face into her legs, her fingers digging into her scalp.
Morrigan knew how Nora felt in a way, it wasn’t too long ago she went through something similar; those feelings were still fresh in her memory that she forced to keep down, only coming out in her nightmares.
Morrigan grabbed Nora’s hands and held them tightly, “Hun, you can’t hurt me…”
Nora snapped her head up and yanked on her hands, failing to break Morrigan’s grasp, “You don’t understand! It was my sister-the only person to love me and I slit her throat!” Nora roared in terrified anger, “All to get away from the hell hole we lived in!” she fought against Morrigan’s grasp but her energy dwindled the more Nora cried.
“Shhhh, it’s okay sweetie…” she tried to soothe but Nora shook her head.
“My sister loved me, Mori, she only wanted me to stay with her, I loved her but I slit her throat… and I left her… and-and… I love you…” Nora squeaked as she completely broke down.
Morrigan frowned as her mind put together the pieces, blinking away stinging tears, “Nora, look at me, look at me!” she said as she forcefully lifted Nora’s head up, holding onto both sides of her face.
Nora continued to cry as their eyes met, “I’m not leaving you. I could’ve, back when I went to see the Warden. I even considered leaving when I went up,” Nora tightened at that as her lips quivered.
“But I didn’t, I couldn’t; because you were still down in the mines. Freedom wouldn’t have been free if I didn’t take you with me sweetie, you and Xol. I came back down into that hell pit with a plan instead because if I was leaving then I was leaving with you!” she said as her voice rose an octave.
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“And you can’t hurt me Nora, no one can. Do you remember when I got shot?”
Nora nodded as a sob slipped from her lips, “Before I came to Mine 4, I was shot dozens of times when I escaped Mine 16, and have you ever seen any scars on me? Look, I’ll show you, I just need you to watch me,” Morrigan said softly before sitting back on feet.
“Be ready Apollyon…”
She presented a single glowing spectral claw that wrapped around her finger and dug the point into her wrist and dragged the talon up her arm in a wince, severing a variety of veins that poured forth blood.
“No! Why would you do that!?” Nora screamed as she lunged forward and grasped Morrigan’s warm, bloody forearm as she nearly bowled her over.
Morrigan had to push her back, “Just watch sweetie! Just, watch.”
Nora eyes widened as she watched the wound quickly seal itself up in between her bloody fingers. She even watched as the sticky blood pull itself off her fingers and disappear, sinking back into Morrigan’s skin.
“How? But… how is that possible?!” Nora breathed in disbelief.
Morrigan chuckled as she sat up straight again, guiding Nora to sit up as she stared at her arm, “That’s a very long story,” she reached up and placed her hand on the blonde woman’s cheek, dragging her thumb over her raw, tear-stained skin, “But see? You can’t hurt me and I’m not going anywhere.”
Nora’s icy silver eyes slowly shifted to her green eyes. “I love you, Nora Flannigan, and I'm not going anywhere because I am yours if you'll have me…” a pang of guilt struck Morrigan’s nerves that she shoved deep inside her. She loved Taylor, but she had to accept that it had been over two year and she knew nothing about how he was doing, or what he was doing. Maybe she would find a way to find out once she graduated, but between waiting to hear about her mom and everything she had to focus on, she needed to accept that her relationship didn’t exist anymore. The truth was she really did love Nora, whether or not it was selfish, her words were still the truth.
Nora’s lip quivered and her eyes watered as she nodded before curling up into Morrigan’s arms, quietly sobbing into her chest as her hands clung to Morrigan.
Morrigan looped her arms beneath her legs and held her close as she fed a small amount of energy into her muscles to support both their weights as she stood up, cradling Nora in her arms.
“This is so weird…” Nora murmured as she realized she was being carried as if she weighed nothing by a girl shorter than her.
Morrigan kissed her forehead before silently chuckling, “It’s only going to get weirder love, just be sure to hang on,” she mused as her wings flared from her back, lifting them both into the air by her will.
ΩΩΩ
The night had been restfully dreamless for Morrigan only waking by the sharp tapping on her arm.
She groaned and blinked her blurry vision away as she lifted her head from the comfort of her pillow to see the wide aquamarine eyes against a solid black face with stripes of yellow staring at her intently. A forked tongue flicking out as Yekku’s clawed finger gently poked her arm again.
“Hi Yekku…” she said sleepily as she brushed her hand against his snout.
She smiled as he pushed his face against her hand before letting out a string of soft clicking noises before poking the source of warmth that lay next to her.
“Hmmhmm hmmhmm nope!” Nora mumbled as she rolled over facing Morrigan and curling into her.
Morrigan smiled sweetly as she looked around her room to find the Marmuro’k gone except for the adorable S’randin.
Yekku poked Nora again with a soft squawk.
“Touch me again and I will take it, you mutt,” the blonde women threatened half asleep.
Oh, she’s feisty when she’s tired. Yeah, she’s a keeper, huh? Apollyon remarked, causing Morrigan to snigger.
She waved Yekku away, who obediently slinking out of the room silently. Morrigan gently rubbed her hand along Nora’s arm, coaxing her out of her sleep with a squeak of a sigh.
“Precious? Did last night really happen?” Nora asked still half asleep, her silvery eye peaking through her lids.
Morrigan smiled down at her sweetly with a nod, brushing her fingers through the section of Nora’s hair that hung loose.
Nora covered her face with the blanket with a groan in embarrassment, “I’m sorry, you shouldn't have to have seen me like that…”
Morrigan snorted, “Please, you've seen me in far worse states,” she stated in a factual tone, forcing down the bile that rose in her throat at recalling those moments.
Nora chuckled underneath the blanket and moved as if she shook her head, “Not even, that was…”
Morrigan quickly yanked the blanket away from her head, “Well worth it,” cutting her off and leaned up with a smile.
“Was it though?” Nora asked rolling onto her back with an amused smirk, her question filled with sarcastic humor.
Morrigan shrugged, “I mean, a sexy dinner, followed by a tsunami’s worth of emotions, a little bloodletting with a grand prize of moi? You’re stuck with me now, I hope you're prepared,” she said with a laugh.
“Totally worth it!” Nora mused as she grabbed Morrigan’s shirt and pulled her down, wrapping her arms around her, for a deep kiss.
Hey you little shit! You can take my powers and take my freedom but you can never ever take my damned material! Apollyon complained loudly in her mind.
Morrigan smiled against Nora’s lips, fighting the urge to laugh, “We need to get moving, we're probably late as it is, if Yekku is the one waking us up.”
Nora moaned against her lips before letting Morrigan pull away, “Counteroffer, we stay in bed all day, ditch the clothing and just spend all day enjoying each other’s company?”
Morrigan snorted as she sat up, turning away as she blushed only to look back with a big grin on her very red face, “As great as that sounds, you have a class to teach with Solomon and I have a test to take.”
“Fuck me… god damn it, I forgot,” Nora groaned as she rubbed her face.
Normally I’d be all for that request but since you wanna steal my jokes you're on your own!
Morrigan giggled at that, “Oh get over it, you big baby.”
Apollyon scoffed, Yeah, just wait until next time you get injured, see if I help!
“Yeah? Well don’t forget you need me alive,” Morrigan shot back with a triumphant grin.
You’re insufferable… damn me to hell, fine, fine! But could you at least give me credit? I don’t have much to my name anymore…
Morrigan sauntered over to her closet as Nora started forcing herself to get up, not before smacking Morrigan on the ass with big grin as she stepped out of the bedroom and into the bathroom.
Morrigan laughed as she pulled out her uniform, “I don’t know, I feel like this is payback for all those times you’ve teased me.”
Well damn… Apollyon deflated, Yeah, I guess I kinda walked into that one huh? Alright, alright, just don’t forget who woke you up so you could hook yourself a tasty new girlfriend, eh?
Morrigan turned a very bright shade of red as she laughed, covering her mouth so she didn’t sound like a mad woman. Mid way through getting dressed she paused, “I guess you did, didn’t you? I mean… thank you, Apollyon,” she whispered aloud as she glanced at the door.
Eh, forget about it kid. As annoying of an emotion as it is, you deserve to be happy. Besides, she seems to be able to hold your mind together so it’s a plus in my book haha, Apollyon said sincerely.
Morrigan smiled as she finished dressing, “Yeah, she does, doesn't she… any idea why?”
Hell if I know, but it's still nothing ima argue with! Just take it as icing on the cake and roll with it.
Morrigan shrugged and nodded. She truly did not need to understand, though she could not deny how curious of a matter it was.
Morrigan stepped into the living room, passing by the bathroom to hear Nora furiously brushing her teeth which made her curious to where she found a toothbrush, and was greeted by her four Marmuro’k.
“Hey you all,” she called out as she clipped her pistol to her leg before making her way to the coffee maker, which was already brewing surprisingly.
“Aww, which one of you put this on?” she asked glancing around the room.
Qiote looked down sheepishly as Xol nodded in his direction.
She poured the holy black water into a cup and stalked over to Qiote and leaned down, kissing the top of his head as she cradled the cup in her hands, “That was very sweet of you Qiote.”
She watched Qiote lower his head looking side to side as if trying to decide if her affectionate appreciation was good or bad. Yekku clacked and chirp in what she knew deep down was aggressive comments.
“Yekku, no being jealous,” she scolded before taking a glance at Xol who sat near the door with his new mace across his lap.
“You really like your new weapon, don’t you?” she teased.
Xol looked down at the large weapon and gently brushed his fingers along the head of it, “Hiştî, hewêce lewha kira,”
At the comment, Yekku burst into a long tangent of one-sided conversation, only letting Xol listen intently as he went on and on about, something, which Yekku’s excitement just amused Morrigan as she sipped her coffee.
“Bîca?” Xol said with high interest before giving Yekku a firm nod. Yekku rushed over, lifting Xol’s left arm and inspected his arm thoroughly.
“What’s this all about?” Morrigan asked with a raised eyebrow, gesturing to Yekku’s spastic intent.
Xol looked at her with a low hum, “Shield,” he gruffed out.
She nodded in surprised understanding and took another drink of her coffee, “How is teaching going for you?”
Xol growled with a fanged sneer, “Mônkee ehmîquî!”
Morrigan snorted, “I mean… sure but remember, I didn’t pick it up that fast either. Hell, I still have much more to learn, so try and go easy on them, okay?”
Xol hummed deeply before giving her a firm, reluctant nod.
Nora stepped out of the bathroom and stopped, staring Morrigan down long enough for her to notice.
“What?” she giggled as she hid her smile behind her coffee cup.
Nora smirked, setting her hands on her hips, “Contemplating taking a cold shower because I am never going to get used to seeing you in a uniform. Are you coming to my class?” She asked, switching gears quickly.
Morrigan nodded as she downed the rest of the coffee and set the cup on the coffee table. “Okay, we’re off. Everyone behave and have a good day,” she said with a smile as she brushed her hand over Qiote’s head.