Morrigan set her pen down and rubbed her aching wrist as she had finally finished the final leg of her paperwork regarding the secondary investigation.
Days were spent deliberating and prosecuting. When all was set and done, Solomon simply argued that it was the responsibility of the CoU parliament to cover the damages committed by their own, regardless of their knowledge. On top of the Lord Inquisitor laying out a monumental fine, he also used his Inquisitorial jurisdiction to demand a relief effort to support the declining blow to IPC-98’s economy, in both labor and repairing the damage done as well as compensating the families of those butchered by Sigurd.
Morrigan grabbed her stack of papers and stepped out of her office to be greeted by both Emily and Solomon, who awaited her.
Morrigan looked at them both curiously before passing the paperwork off to Emily, “I do not envy your job,” she murmured.
Emily smiled sheepishly, “You know I could have done this for you?”
Solomon interjected before Morrigan could reply, “Oh no, Morrigan needed to experience every aspect of the investigation and sentencing procedure. Especially since it was her idea to send the two guilty prisoners back to IPC-98 to work off their debt to the planet’s population. However, next time you may assist her with the task if you desire,” he said with a stern amusement as Morrigan rolled her wrist, causing it to pop loudly.
She deadpanned as she looked at her superior then stuck her tongue out childishly, “Apollyon? A bit of pain killer if you don't mind,” she thought to the deity living in her body.
Sorry but there’s no damage so you just gotta live with it, so don't be a wuss, missy. You're better than that, Apollyon replied nonchalantly.
Morrigan cursed silently in her head which Apollyon chuckled darkly at as she cracked her knuckles, shaking her hand out.
“Well, if anything, those two deserve their sentence…” Morrigan complained as she watched Emily saunter off.
“Indeed. Care for a walk?” Solomon hummed thoughtfully.
Morrigan shrugged and followed as he stepped down the platform towards the entrance of the Cathedral. As they exited, he glanced at her and asked, “What did you think about the process you experienced this week?”
Morrigan quirked an eyebrow at him, “I mean, politics sucks. Always has. I mean, I guess the real question is why did you go through all that when you were just going to demand them to compensate IPC-98 anyways?”
Solomon chuckled and guided her through the main thoroughfare of the military district. “Well, the key to our authoritative power is allowing the guilty party to attempt to atone for their crimes in a sense. You watched them argue the nuances of responsibility but as you know, just as they did, they are the commanding body of the entire CoU military and the military’s action reflects upon the governing body’s leadership. Whether it was the decision to still allow Berserkers in their service after all the ramifications the program brought down upon them in the past or making the conscious decision to allow someone with that loose of morality into a position of authority, the responsibility still falls upon their shoulders, regardless of whether or not they knew what actions were being taken,” he explained with certainty.
Morrigan nodded her understanding, she considered the Federation bad as a whole though she knew that not everyone within the Federation were bad people. However, the Federation’s actions, whether it be a lowly police officer backed by broken laws, or upper echelon within the military giving morally wrong orders, it still paints a negative picture over the entirety of the Federation.
Solomon continued his explanation. Drawing her attention to what he was saying as they walked till they found themselves in front of the medical centers between the military district and civilian district before Morrigan realized where they were.
“What are we doing here?” Morrigan questioned.
Solomon gave her that newfound fatherly smile he had always given her before gesturing to someone standing in front of the medical center. It was an Eskarii with bright yellow-gold hair dressed in an elegant maroon robe trimmed in cobalt blue.
They both approached the Eskarii before he made introductions, “Inquisitor Clarke, this is Ambassador Gra’taul of the Eskarii Empire. Gra’taul, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
The Eskarii turned revealing his sharp features, long pointed ears and bright amber eyes that glanced over Solomon and Morrigan with passive interest. “Solomon, well met.” He stated in a smooth, soft voice.
Morrigan furrowed her brows before bowing with one arm over the other across her chest, which she had learned from the resident Eskarii was the proper bow for those in high-ranking positions, “It’s an honor to meet you, Ambassador Gra’taul.”
Gra’taul gave her a respectful nod before sniffing indignantly, “Well met. What are you doing here?” he asked with scrutiny as he eyed around him. Morrigan followed his line of sight to spy various Eskarii guards off in various directions, all clutching pulse weaponry and adorned in the same style armor she had seen Torvil in, covering multiple vantage points.
“Oh, just waiting, just like you,” Solomon said with a chuckle before turning his attention to the medical center. Gra’taul hummed and chose not to reply to Solomon’s comment.
Morrigan looked between the two men with an annoyed expression, loathing whatever secrecy they shared. “I think I’m going to go and… and…” Morrigan trailed off as a familiar sight caught her vision as she looked in the direction they were facing.
Stepping through the automated doorway was the smiling face of her mother, a smile that only grew wider when Helen noticed her daughter waiting for her.
“Mom?” Morrigan breathed only to get distracted by a high-pitched squeal that seemed to bounce around her space. Before she could properly look around for the source, Morrigan was blindsided by a tackle from a blur of teal and white.
A tear-filled cry met her ears from a voice Morrigan had never thought she would hear again, “Mori!” Mo’Emori sobbed as she clung to Morrigan for dear life.
“Mo’Emori?!” Morrigan exclaimed looking down to see the familiar head of teal hair pressed against her collar bone. She couldn’t breathe as her lung seized at the realization that her original Eskarii friend had really been there, tears filling her eyes as she wrapped around the elated Eskarii in equal measure.
“I can’t believe you’re here…” Morrigan choked out as her emotions tangled together in joy and disbelief, burying her face into Mo’Emori’s hair. All the while, Helen watched with tear-filled eyes at her daughter’s reunion.
Solomon sniffed with amusement and a wide smile as he stepped next to Helen, giving her a cursory glance, “That couldn’t have been more perfectly timed,” he mused.
Helen sniffed and wiped the edge of her nose nodding as she turned to the older man, “Yeah… she looks so…” Helen trailed off watching her lost daughter hold tight to her newest adopted daughter in her beautiful, renewed glory. Helen’s feelings were a tumultuous mix of relief, pride and love as she patiently waited.
Solomon chuckled and leaned over, “Yes, she is quite something and more. I’m glad to see your group have arrived safe and unharmed.”
Helen nodded and reached out shaking Solomon’s hand to officiate their first meet. Morrigan tried to sit up however, Mo’Emori gave no ground. She was torn because she did not want to release her Eskarii crush but she also desired to hug her mom, who she had waited so long to see again.
Splitting the difference, Morrigan fueled her muscles into lifting and cradling Mo’Emori into her arms like a princess and steadily standing, enticing high pitched giggles out of the Eskarii girl who had just been sobbing into her chest plate.
“Mom…” Morrigan blurted at the profound shock she felt as she watched her mother shake Solomon’s hand, fully aware that the Eskarii ambassador had been glaring at her and Mo’Emori.
Helen turned with a bright smile as tears stained her cheeks, losing the battle of patience as she strode purposefully to her daughters and threw her arms around them both tightly. Mo’Emori giggling as she hooked one arm around Helen’s shoulders, pulling her tighter into the trifecta of feelings.
Gra’taul scoffed, “H’yn am di fyrd can un Sogesau ï áct!” he stated aggressively.
A wave of kinetic energy burst from Mo’Emori’s hand, slamming into the ambassador and sending him flying back 15 feet, as she lashed her hand out, “Gau ti cét!” she growled viciously as her bright yellow eyes bore into the ambassador who lay sprawled out on the ground.
Both Morrigan and Helen stared wide eyed at the angry Eskarii that Morrigan held as the several Eskarii guards closed in around them. Morrigan caught out of the corner of her eyes as Solomon looked around with raised eyebrows, his face contorted in a way that told her he was struggling not to laugh.
As one of the guards assisted in helping the ambassador to his feet, another familiar voice called out, “Gra’taul, you should know better than to provoke my chwaeda like that,” the deadpan tone with a hint of amusement resonating in her ears.
“Torvil! Look! It’s Mori! It’s Mori!” Mo’Emori chirped shrilly before burying her face into Morrigan’s temple as Morrigan turned to see the white haired Eskarii approach, her mind losing itself to the emotional waves.
Morrigan grinned at seeing the second Eskarii she could call a friend safe and healthy, letting a giggle slip out as Torvil stopped a safe distance away and cracked a unbecoming smirk across his face.
“Good to see you well, young Swyn’wyr,” he stated in his usual monotone pitch.
Morrigan tilted her head and arched her eyebrow, “What? No hug from the one who nearly got me killed?” she said in high pitched levity as her grin widened even further.
Torvil grunted as he eyed his sister, “I know better than to get between you and my chwaeda,” he said, his amber eyes watching Mo’Emori warily.
“Sweetie, you should probably let Morrigan put you down so she can say hi to everyone,” Helen said with soft amusement to the Eskarii girl who was clinging to Morrigan like a leech.
Mo’Emori shook her head, her hair disheveling as she rubbed her forehead against the side of Morrigan’s head, who giggled along with her, nuzzling Mo’Emori. Morrigan was beyond ecstatic to see she missed her just as much as she missed Mo’Emori and seeing the silly childish side of her was a new experience for her to bask in.
“You better move that little butt girly and let me at Little Clarke!” came another familiar voice deep seeded in her soul as she turned to see Jennifer Simmons strutting out of the medical center.
“Holy… Jen!” Morrigan exclaimed excitedly, even more surprised that Mo’Emori had let her set her down. Jen stalked closer and hoisted Morrigan into the air in a crushing hug despite being in full armor and even having her gunblade holstered which made up the majority of the extra weight.
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“There’s my girl!” Jen exclaimed and she squeezed the air out of Morrigan’s lungs, though that did not stop Morrigan’s joyous laughter.
Alright, alright I get the happy reunion and all but for the love of me... Apollyon gruffed.
Morrigan ignored the deity in her head as Jen set her down and Mo’Emori went back to clinging to her from behind, nuzzling against her cloak.
Morrigan grabbed ahold of Mo’Emori’s arms looking at her long-lost family, “Wow, I’m so happy to see you guys,” she squeaked before eyeing Solomon who watched Gra’taul and Torvil speak to one another. “I thought I said no more surprises, mister!” She called out in a high-pitched tone.
Solomon turned and looked at her with a questioning gaze before smiling and shrugging, as if unable to help himself.
Jen scrutinized her and put her hands on her hips dramatically, “Okay, who are you and what did you do with my broody girl?”
Morrigan giggled and put her finger to her lips, “Shhh, she's still up here,” she said in childish conspiracy as she tapped a finger on her temple, grunting as Mo’Emori squeezed tighter.
Helen and Jen both looked at her in worried curiosity before Mo’Emori chimed in, “She's just happy to see us Auntie Jen!”
Morrigan’s eyes went wide as she looked between her mother and Jen, “Auntie Jen?” she giggled curiously.
Helen’s expression softened as she smiled, “We have a lot of stories to tell you sweetie,”
Jen turned back, “Torvil! Get that man-meat over here and give Little Clarke a hug!”
Torvil jumped at his lover’s command as he shifted his attention to Morrigan, looking nervously at the group of women before sharing a glance with the ambassador.
“Not with Mo'Emori guarding her,” Torvil stated as if it were obvious.
“That may be better for the moment, given her condition,” Solomon interjected smoothly which drew everyone’s attention.
“What condition?!” Helen gasped.
“What's going on?” Mo’Emori chirped as she poked her head up with wide eyed worry.
Morrigan loudly shushed everyone and waved the comment away, “All A-okay over here! Now Mr. Grumpy-pants, get over here and give me a hug!” Morrigan giggled spreading her arms.
Everyone crossed their gazes at the stalwart white haired Eskarii and the oddly quirky Inquisitor who pried herself away from Mo’Emori and latched around Torvil’s center mass.
Morrigan let out a soft hum as she hugged Torvil, who cautiously and awkwardly patted her on the back, his expression reflecting the mild panic he was experiencing.
When she stepped back releasing him, Morrigan scrutinized Torvil, who looked at her sheepishly, “I see you're still stuffy, or as Sigurd would say, “Ye gots a proper stick up yer arse!”,” Morrigan said, childishly mimicking her newest recruit before bursting into a fit of giggles.
Helen cast a worried glance at Solomon who pursed his lips and studied Morrigan’s behavior.
“Hey, where’s dad?” Morrigan spun on the group looking around only to see everyone’s faces fall sullenly.
“Mom? Where is dad?” Morrigan asked again with worry in her voice as Helen approached her, placing her hands on Morrigan’s arms tenderly.
“Honey… your father was arrested a week after your disappearance, he's in a prison on Mars,” Helen said with as much motherly compassion as she could muster.
Morrigan stared at her mother for a long moment, her addled brain processing what her mother had just told her before a sharp spike of pain wracked her head causing her to stumble and wince, holding her head.
“Mori!” nearly everyone exclaimed in unison before rushing closer.
“I’m… fine…I'm fine, it’s just a migraine…” she lied as the pain slowly ebbed away.
You okay kid? Apollyon inquired.
“Yeah, that just hurt…I don't know what that was,” she responded internally.
That was your brain righting itself, which is odd but then again, most of the time you've been knocked out when you're really set in one of your personas…
Morrigan shook her head before looking at Solomon, “A word, Lord Inquisitor?” she said with a hardness in her tone.
Solomon nodded and stoically followed her away from the group while the ambassador took the break in the reunion to address Mo’Emori and Torvil.
“I’d like permission to go and pull my father out of whatever prison he's in, he shouldn't be in there.” she stated sharply.
Did you really just ask that? Apollyon asked incredulously.
Solomon gave her a thoughtful look, “You don't need my permission Morrigan however, I do advise staying your hand for the moment. Mars is a Federation run planet, give me some time to investigate and come up with a proper plan. In the meantime, I would like you to see a medical team about that headache…”
Morrigan growled angrily, cutting him off but nodding along seeing the wisdom of investigating and planning, “Fine, I'll wait but I'm not seeing a doctor. It’s just a headache, speaking of which, why did we meet my family here?”
Solomon chuckled and noted, “Any on board personnel require a medical screening before being given the go ahead to walk about the Void Star. You were an exception given… your recent experiences at the time.”
Morrigan rolled her eyes but grunted in affirmation, “Speaking of, I’d appreciate it if you didn't bring that up in front of my mother,” she spat.
Solomon nodded and pursed his lips, “Yes, I do apologize for my misstep in that. That is your story to share if you so choose to.”
Before Morrigan could agree, her attention was pulled back to Mo’Emori who began screaming in her native tongue at the ambassador.
“Hey! What the fuck is going on?” Morrigan shouted, abandoning Solomon where he stood as she stalked closer, a brief crackle of crimson energy crawling across her body as her anger began to peak.
Helen and Jen both turned to see Morrigan storming over as the Eskarii bodyguards closed in around the group, fingers on the triggers of relaxed weapons.
Mo'Emori cried as she yelled, “Dy ewyl di myn’d!” as Morrigan wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close as the Eskarii girl’s tears became more prominent.
Morrigan glared at Ambassador Gra’taul before shifting her gaze to Torvil, “What’s going on here Torvil?”
Torvil sighed, physically deflating from the position he had been put in, “We are being ordered home,” he said.
Morrigan’s eyes widened and shook her head along with the frantic shaking of Mo’Emori, “No, not happening. I just got you guys back.”
“We have to…” Mo’Emori sobbed until her shoulder.
Morrigan ground her teeth and gave Gra’taul a hardened stare, “Can we at least have a day? Let us spend a single day together,” she angrily pleaded.
Did you really just ask again? Fucking rip his head off Mori, Apollyon gruffed in irritation.
“As much as I want to, that would cause diplomatic issues…” she replied with an equal amount of annoyance.
Apollyon grumbled in coherently in her head telling her he conceded to her point.
Gra’taul looked down upon her with disdain before sighing, “Very well but no longer, a Queen’s decree waits for no one.”
Morrigan gave him a firm nod before leading Mo’Emori away. One thing she knew at that moment was that she needed a drink, opting to silently start walking in the direction of Pandora’s Box.
Helen looked at Torvil and Jen before looking at Solomon, “May we follow her?” uncertain what protocol to follow.
Solomon chuckled and nodded, “Please do, I'm sure you have much to catch up on. I shall send for you in the morning. Take tonight to reconnect with your daughter,” he stated earnestly before joining the Eskarii ambassador who began walking away.
Pandora’s Box was thankfully barren when Morrigan and her family arrived, which made Dora pay extra attention to them.
“Who are these fabulous ladies and one delectable man with you, girl?” Dora mused loudly in his full flourish.
Morrigan snickered as they approached the bar, “This is Mo’Emori, her brother Torvil, my mother and I guess we can call her my aunt Jen,” she stated as she introduced everyone individually.
Dora greeted everyone with his brightest of smiles before taking Helen’s hand in his, “A pleasure to meet the woman who popped this little spitfire out, I’m Dora.”
“Helen and thank you, I see she frequents here?” Helen asked in a motherly tone.
Dora laughed, “Oh honey, she damn near bleeds me dry,” he winked at Morrigan who turned bright red, “Only kidding! What can I get for everyone?”
“Scotch on rocks,” Morrigan spat quickly before taking her seat.
“That kind of day, huh?” Dora asked before Helen requested a mixed drink, and Mo’Emori ordered herself a beer.
“Oh, this is a celebration, Dora, not a bad day,” Morrigan said smirking as Mo’Emori wrapped herself around her arm, leaning her head against her shoulder.
Dora eyed Mo’Emori, glancing curiously at Morrigan, “Got yourself a second one, did you?”
Morrigan blushed fiercely biting her lip as she eyed her first female crush rubbing her temple against her bicep humming softly to herself, choosing not to answer.
Dora laughed and waved the notion away, “Where is your rambunctious blonde anyway?” he inquired with amusement.
“Wait, what blonde? Since when is there a blonde!?” Jen perked up, releasing her hold on Torvil to stalk closer. Morrigan even saw her mother giving her a curious glance as Mo’Emori looked up with wide yellow eyes.
Morrigan sighed, feeling the heated embarrassment on her face as she glared death glares at Dora, “My girlfriend, Nora…”
Before anyone had a chance to react, the front door flew open, “I have a tingling sensation going on, a certain precious must be talking about me,” Nora exclaimed smoothly as her icy silver eyes homed in on Morrigan.
Speak of the devil and she will cum! Hahahaha! Apollyon mused her head loudly, cackling like mad at its terrible joke.
“Having a party without me? You wound me love,” Nora feigned hurt as she strode across the bar, Dora snickering behind the counter at the perfect timing.
Morrigan snorted as she felt Mo’Emori’s grip on her tighten. “I thought you were antagonizing your class?”
Nora laughed and smiled brightly, “Oh, I was but surprisingly the old man found a decent replacement for me I mean, you know, you can’t recreate this godsend of a personality, but they’ll do,” she mused before taking in the new people surrounding her lover.
“Nora, this is my family…” Morrigan started only to have Nora point at Helen.
“Oh! I know you!” she sniped before moving towards her mother and throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace.
Pulling back to look at her bewildered mother, Nora’s smile widened into a wicked grin, “Oh yeah, she just screams Momma Mori! I can definitely see where you got all your good looks from,” she said gesturing to her mother’s body.
Helen’s mouth hung open in awkward surprise as Morrigan face palmed, “Could you please not hit on my mom… Dora! Where is my drink!”
Dora cackled madly as he scooted two glasses of Scotch towards her grinning like the gossip whore he was.
“What! It’s a compliment! Would you rather I say you got your looks from daddy?” Nora mused while Helen, Dora and Jen chuckled at that.
“What in the ever-living fuck is this, Little Clarke?” Jen exclaimed before stalking around everyone to size Nora up.
Nora’s eyes danced with mischief before eyeing Morrigan, “Damn, does everyone in your family look good?”
Jen barked a laugh as Morrigan rolled her eyes and down her first glass of scotch, all the while Jen hoisted Nora off the ground in surprising speed, Nora giggling like a schoolgirl.
“Gotta say LC, idk who I like better, breed stock or this little fox,” Jen mused before her face faltered slightly.
Nora however, missed the social cue, “Oh please, no body has anything on me, well except Mori of course, which is usually her hands,” she said with a wink.
Morrigan smiled warmly as her cheeks tingled as Nora’s attention turned to Torvil who stood leaning against the bar, scrutinizing the blonde woman staring at him.
Nora sauntered right up to him and awkwardly inspected him at every angle she could without moving her feet, leaning comically.
“What?” Torvil grunted.
Nora smiled and turned, “This one reminds me of Xol, all the brood. Do we have two Xol’s now? Speaking of… where is the big, mean and grumpy anyway?”
Morrigan sipped her second glass, as she watched her mother sip on her mixed drink with appreciation, “Grounded for being a dick,” Morrigan spat.
Nora let out a long snort before chuckling, “Since when is he not a dick?” she asked rhetorically before focusing on the teal haired Eskarii clinging to her girlfriend.
A sinister and mischievous grin spread across Nora’s face as Mo’Emori bat her eyelashes and nuzzled her temple against Morrigan’s shoulder, drawing her attention as well.
“And who, is this darling little thing you’re wearing?” Nora said, her tone a mix of jealousy, seduction and overall curiosity.
Morrigan’s cheeks flushed, forgetting that Mo’Emori had been hanging on her for the moment as she basked in the proximity of her loved ones.
Jen leaned close to Helen and asked, “What are we witnessing here?” loud enough for Morrigan to overhear causing her face to turn even brighter shades of red.
“Um, Nora this is Mo’Emori, she was the first Eskarii I ever became friends with…”
Nora leaned forward and brushed Mo’Emori’s bangs from her face in predatory tenderness, revealing wide defensive yellow eyes, before she gave Mo’Emori a kind, warm smile.
As she leaned back up, she sniggered, “I have to say babe, your taste in women is just… exotic,” causing Mo’Emori to giggle girlishly.
Morrigan chuckled in embarrassment at Nora’s insinuation before finishing her drink. She was just thankful Nora did not seem entirely too jealous as she wrapped around her other side and gave her a big kiss on the cheek, “Hey burning man, I’ll have what she’s having.”
Dora snorted before he scoffed, “As if that wasn’t obvious,” he joked as he poured another scotch. Everyone aside from Torvil and Helen laughed at the joke.
Helen just sat there processing and drinking in the vision of her long-lost daughter, pondering everything she had been through and the life she now led. Despite the awkwardness of their reunion and everything new to her, she felt pride and sorrow at missing out on so much, unable to be there for Morrigan but she could see, at least on the surface, Morrigan was doing well for herself.
The rest of the night was spent swapping story after story, Morrigan omitting the darker details of her time since her disappearance while Jen and Mo’Emori excitedly revealed detail after detail of their time together. Morrigan was beyond surprised to hear that Jen had broken through Torvil’s rough exterior and found love in the brooding man, not that she left out any of the sordid details.
She even opted to show off some of her power’s abilities to surprise everyone, drawing question after question from everyone except Torvil who remained expectantly calm and silent on the matter. He eventually apologized to her for how things turned out during their escape attempt and humbly begged for her forgiveness though she felt it was unnecessary. She never once blamed Torvil for their failure.
Morrigan also ended up telling everyone about the Marmuro’k after Nora brought them up, everyone listened with profound wonderment most people displayed when hearing of her monumental feat of befriending the aggressive aliens.
She was also surprised by her mother unofficially adopting Mo’Emori and how they supported each other while they searched for her. Her heart hurt at that but was elated to see how the two of them connected so well. Despite missing out on nearly two and a half years of her life, it seemed to Morrigan that everyone’s lives managed to get better after they got worse, which is all she could’ve asked for.