Broker

Sonya’s eyes fluttered open wit

Sonya’s eyes fluttered open within the vast green expanse of that place within her mind. She looked up at the blue sky and smiled at the clouds swirling about overhead, a pleasant breeze fluttering past her face and throwing her hair about. She reached up and pulled it back, getting idly to her feet as a presence rose up from within her instincts before projecting itself out into the space around her. It collected itself for a moment before taking on the rugged form of Ishtar, her hand on her hip as she glanced around.

“It’s beautiful in here,” Ishtar said, taking a deep breath of the soothing air.

“It’s a shame not all the traits carried over, but I guess that goes without saying,” Sonya said as she turned to look towards a humble blue pond off to one side. "Come on, lets sit and talk a while.”

“Are your friends joining us?” Ishtar asked.

Sonya chuckled. "I’ll call them over after we catch up.”

“You could just share your memories with me,” Ishtar pointed out. "No need to-”

Sonya held up a hand and gave her a wry smile. "Maybe, but some things are better talked through, I’ve learned.”

“You’ve become wise,” Ishtar chuckled as they approached the pond. She sat down and glanced up at Sonya with a frown. Sonya looked into the distance wistfully for a moment, reaching up to play with her hair. "Sonya?”

Sonya let out a breath and sat down as well, stretching out her legs. "I’m fine, I was just thinking that it’s a bit sad that it took me hundreds of years to wrap my head around something so simple,” she scratched her nose and flushed. "It’s a little embarrassing.”

“How… old are you now?”

“I mean I’m still a-” Sonya started to protest before frowning and tilting her head. "I’m… not sure. I was in my thirties near the end of the previous timeline and now I’m back in my twenties physically,” she trailed off. "I can’t remember some of the time I lost in Titania’s trap, but from what I understand, at least two or three hundred years went by in the dilation.”

“You can’t remember?” Ishtar asked.

“She tortured me for a while,” Sonya said, pulling a knee up and resting her arm on it as she played with the water of the pond. "Took my consciousness and let me wander about doing her bidding. Made me do things. Did things to me,” she clicked her tongue and hung her head a little. "I… experienced a lot.”

Ishtar went silent and Sonya gave her a stern look. "Don’t pity me,” she said before smiling warmly. "I appreciate it, but don’t, I’m so much stronger now because of it. I won. It was like a crucible for my soul,” she reached up and touched her heart, looking down at her hand. "I met people who I bonded with and who’s kindness I can’t possibly repay. I learned that I wanted to live, that I wanted to win, and reap the benefits from it,” she laughed. "I learned that I’m a villain at heart as much as I tried so hard to fight it.”

Ishtar let out a relieved sigh. "Your heart certainly seems clear.”

“It is,” Sonya said with certainty. "In more ways than you know.”

“Tell me everything,” Ishtar said.

“Of course.”

–

“She chased him for three days!” Sonya laughed, holding her side with one hand and wiping a tear from it. "She was so mad!”

Ishtar howled with laughter. "What did he do?”

“Turned into a skink and hid in a log!” Sonya cackled. "Oh man!”

“Having fun?” a smooth voice called out from afar. Sonya brightened and turned, hopping to her feet. Her smile widened even more as she saw the three figures approaching and practically jumped for joy.

“You really made it! I was kind of worried that it wouldn’t work but you-” she dashed across the grass and threw her arms around the trio approaching, pulling them all into a fierce hug. She pulled back and looked them over. The youthful, blonde and blue eyed luxurious Pandora smiled at her with that easy gentleness of hers. She was in a simple white gown that could have been mistaken for a toga. The raven-haired Loki’s orange eyes glittered with mischief as he beamed back at her with pride in his simple black-and-gray leather vest and slacks lined with black feathers. Old Man Set, his shiny bald head and wizened face was crinkled with almost teary-eyed joy. His clothing was simple as well, a yellow-linen tunic and baggy black pants held with a dark cord. They returned the hug once again before she stepped back.

“How do you feel?” she asked.

“Strange,” Set said. "We’ve been freed from the simulation Titania created, which means we’re very aware of the truth of our existence. Even if I’d verified it myself before, that place had a way of tricking the mind into dismissing it after a time. Now, it is very clear.”

Loki shrugged. "Meh, just means we're something like the old ghosts now.”

Pandora looked thoughtful. "That’s a good way of putting it. I once got to meet the old ghost of Cronos, he was very roughly mannered. Though I suppose the difference is we’re exclusive to dear Sonya.”

“Your ancestor was a brute,” Set scoffed.

“What’s an old ghost?” Sonya asked and the three turned to her, she paused and then held up her hands. "Wait, wait, we’ll get to that later. I have someone I want to introduce to you.”

“We also need to talk about something else, busy lady,” Loki said with a grin. "Don’t think we can’t tell what happened to you.”

She cleared her throat. "R-right. Yeah. I uh… that was a wild day,” she said and turned. "We’ll have time to talk, but we operate on real time now and I actually do have to sleep on occasion,” she said with a chuckle before turning towards the pond where the solitary Ishtar stood. She admired her beloved sister for a moment before gesturing to her. "This is my sister. The part of me I told you about. Ishtar.”

Set was the first to move, the old man walking over and extending his hand. She took it, and to both Ishtar and Sonya’s surprise, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckle once before inclining his head. “It is an honor,” he said. “A true legacy spirit engraved into an inscription, and a warrior type from the looks of you! Such a rare and beautiful marvel; it does not happen often. Sonya’s line is eternally blessed now and will be richer for your wisdom when her heir inherits her gift,” he took a step back and leaned on his cane, looking her up and down. "You remind me of your namesake when she was young: fierce and proud.”

Ishtar, for all her cool headed ruthlessness and stoicism, only could blink in shock. “I… don’t know what to say. I will be honest with you sir, I didn’t understand half of that.”

Sonya raised an eyebrow, she’d never seen Ishtar so polite before.

He chuckled. "Say nothing, child, your time is just beginning. I am Set. Feel free to call me Old Man; that’s what the others do,” he added with a resigned chuckle.

Ishtar looked at Sonya wide-eyed and Sonya grinned back in response. "Yeah, that Set. Don’t worry, I don’t understand half of what the old guy says either. Now, how about I introduce you to the others?”

–

Sonya opened her eyes and slipped out of her lounge chair, rubbing her neck a little. She’d spent a few hours in her mind-space catching up with her friends inside and introducing Ishtar. She still didn’t understand most of what they were talking about, but that didn’t matter. She was just happy that they’d survived the process of consuming Visage of Titania. She looked down at her hand as she wandered through the garden deck outside her penthouse, Levi at her side. The hound had stood guard as she dove into her mind-space, stoically waiting for her to return. He was such a good boy. The pool glittered a bit against the starlight and the numerous flowers present glowed with it. She stopped at one and touched it gently, enjoying the quiet moment.

Her senses picked up on the wall sliding open, and she didn’t look up when she felt it was Marta. “I have more guests so late at night?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am.” Marta said. "Your other guests are all safely tucked away in the guest rooms.”

Sonya chuckled. "I don’t think that’s really an issue,” she said and stood up straight. "See them in, please.”

“Of course,” Marta said with a bow and stepped back into the penthouse. Sonya brushed her hair back and turned towards the view of Minneapolis beyond the towering height of ASTA Headquarters. She crossed her arms behind her back and took a deep breath of fresh air as two new presences joined Marta and entered her space. A small gesture sent Levi walking to find a place to relax. “Chairwoman, it’s a bit late, isn’t it? What will people say?” she said playfully.

“Have a care, Chernovna,” came the sharp voice of Chunhua. "You’re addressing the head of the Pandora Committee.”

Sonya didn’t turn around as she played with her hair, her lips moving together nervously. There was a flutter in her chest as she spoke again. "Black Lotus!” she said brightly. "How’s your eye?”

“That is my business, ma’am, I appreciate you asking, though,” Chunhua said. "I am merely here as Chairwoman Mint’s escort. Though I will admit I fail to understand why she picked me specifically for a late night rendezvous.”

“See what I mean, Chairwoman?” Sonya laughed. "People talk.”

“Sonya, is it really you?” Carla finally said, her quiet voice cracking through the air.

“Chairwoman, what are you talking-”

Sonya turned around, the moon shining against her back and tilted her head with a warm smile. "Yes, it's me.”

Carla looked so tired. Her usually perfect bob of black hair was disheveled slightly and there were bags under her eyes. Instead of a dignified suit and skirt, she wore jeans and a button-up blouse. That collar around her neck glinting in the light shining down on them, the massive pink gem almost aglow. Carla’s eyes were wide and filled with tears. Sonya held out a hand to her and she ran over, throwing her arms around Sonya’s neck and letting out a wail of a sob. Sonya rest her chin on the woman’s shoulder and held her close. "I missed you too,” she said, taking in her scent and not daring to let it wander from her thoughts again.

She looked up at the stoic Chunhua who stood with her arms crossed behind her back and one good eye shut. Her ruined eye was hidden behind an eyepatch and part of her hair had been burned away on that side as well. She wore her usual combat robes, her sword at her side.

“I’ll let you two catch up,” Chunhua said and started to turn.

“Black Lotus, look at me,” Sonya said from Carla’s shoulder.

The hero turned and frowned before opening her eye, that deep dark pupil taking her in. It shrank for a moment, then relaxed as a faint glow washed over it. The hardened act collapsed like a straw house and a thick tear ran down her cheek. She didn’t need the same invitation; she raced across the area and wrapped the two of them in an almost bone crushing hug. Cupping the back of Sonya’s head and holding her tight. She pulled back and looked into Sonya’s eyes. "You…”

“I want to live,” Sonya said with a laugh. "As long as I can and then some. No more running. No more wishing for a bad ending. I’m not going anywhere. I will not abandon you two.”

Chunhua’s smile was like the last brick in a foundation she didn’t know she’d been building. A confirmation that she hadn’t imagined she required. A final affirmation of everything. She reached for Sonya’s face and searched it for a moment, tracing her calloused finger across Sonya’s cheek. She tilted her head a little. "I…” she hesitated and swallowed before pulling back a little, giving Carla an embarrassed smile.

Carla chuckled and stepped back, gesturing for her to go on.

“Sonya,” Chunhua said. "When we last talked. I didn’t know how to feel or where we stood or how to even process you,” she reached up and ran her fingers through her hair. "You are so frustrating and manic and dangerous and I…” she sighed. "I lost you, again.”

Sonya opened her mouth to speak but Chunhua held up a hand. "No, listen,” she swallowed again. "For a whole month I didn’t know if I would even be able to talk to you again, yet because of our deal I could still look at your face and think about you. Think about you every single day. What I should have said, what I would say if you came back worse or better,” she laughed a little hoarsely. "I got to know Ishtar, the real Ishtar, and I understood you more because of it.”

She stepped forward and took Sonya’s shoulders, the tears still streaming down from her good eye. "Sonya Chernovna, don’t you ever do that to me again. Say that you won’t try to throw your life away either. Promise me. Promise with that mouth that tells no lies and I will…”

Sonya threw her arms around her neck and kissed her, hard, clinging to her, holding her, desperate to not let go ever, ever again. Not after losing her, not after getting her back. She memorized every bit of that kiss and held it until she could barely breathe. When she pulled away she nearly stumbled and Chunhua caught her by her hand. Sonya’s smile was like the sun. "I promise,” she croaked.

Sonya held her gaze for a while, just, feeling everything before she turned to a teary-eyed Carla who was smiling and blushing and looking a little frantic when Chunhua turned to her as well. She bubbled out a laugh. "You two are so cute,” she said before giving them both a suspicious squint. "You also have some stories to tell me apparently.”

Chunhua turned to Sonya with surprise in her eyes. "How much does she know?”

“She found out about the real Ishtar during the month I was away,” Sonya said with a chuckle. "As for the past…” she nodded slowly and reached out to take Carla’s hand. "...I’m ready to tell you everything.”

She started to pull on both of them and they looked at one another as she slowly strode backwards towards the penthouse. “But first,” Sonya said with a wry smile. "We have catching up to do and I am not going to let either of you rest.”

The two of them looked at one another again with wide eyes before looking back at her. "Huh?”

–

Breakfast the next morning was awkward and Sonya was loving every moment of it. Chunhua sat at her left with a fork in her hand, chewing quietly and not looking at Gia sitting across from her with a wild grin on her face. Carla was on her right, sipping at a coffee with a decidedly more relaxed expression as she spoke quietly with Colin who seemed only too happy to talk as long as it wasn’t crossing the line of his professional boundaries. Levi was nowhere to be seen, likely napping and avoiding people again. I need to socialize him.

“I really wanna spar with you sometime,” Gia said eagerly as Chunhua stabbed another sausage that Marta had lovingly crafted. She and Barry had already departed for some romantic time off. "That time in The Hague doesn’t count. I want a real match.”

“If you’re so eager to get crushed by a hero, I might be inclined to oblige you,” Chunhua said with a dangerous tilt of her head.

Gia clapped her hands. "Oh! She speaks!”

“You’ve been bothering me all morning,” Chunhua said with a grumble.

“Well you three kept me up all night!” Gia shot back and looked away smugly. "This is just payback.”

Carla nearly spit out her coffee while Chunhua turned her head away sharply and coughed. Sonya snickered and pat their arms. "Oh don’t be so embarrassed,” Sonya laughed. "It was a very important night. Let’s leave it at that Gia, be nice.”

Gia rolled her eyes before glancing at Sonya who gave her a polite smile. Gia scratched her hair and got to her feet. "Oh… all right, fine. Damn it if you’re not the sweetest damn thing in the world, Boss. A true villain,” she grumbled and stretched her arms over her head. "I’ve got guard duty anyway so I’ll let you off the hook this time, Black Lotus.”

“I’m overjoyed,” Chunhua said flatly. "Thank you for your mercy.”

Gia grinned and nodded with no small amount of pride. "As long as you get it,” she said and with a flash vanished into the ceiling.

“I never imagined Kerauna was so um…” Carla trailed off uncomfortably.

“Dim?” Chunhua grunted.

“Chunhua! Be nice! She’s my friend!” Sonya admonished. "Her boyfriend is around here too and he won’t appreciate it very much.”

“Good! I want a match with that one,” Chunhua said.

“I would prefer it if our engagement took place at a time that benefitted the Mistress,” Beyol’s voice came from the air. “Our fighting now has no net benefit, so it doesn’t interest me.”

Chunhua looked around. "...where?”

“In my shadow, babe,” Sonya said casually. “He’s my bodyguard when Marta’s not around.”

Chunhua crossed her arms. "...how long?”

“I am very prompt,” Beyol said and Chunhua clenched her teeth, her face turning a little red. “Don’t worry, Black Lotus, your romantic mewlings in the hallway with the Mistress weren’t at all embarrassing to watch.”

Chunhua hopped to her feet. "That’s it! You and me! Sonya, where’s the training hall in this place, I know you had one-”

Sonya put a hand on her arm. "Calm down,” Sonya said smoothly. "Relax a little. We need to leave for The Hague tomorrow. Just enjoy your time off and don’t get so worked up,” she soothed as Carla got up with Colin. “Where are you two off to?”

“Colin wants to introduce me to Ozzie. Apparently he and I have some things in common. Also, I’m something of a horror movie girl,” Carla said with a bit of a blush. "I’ve always wanted to see a real zombie.”

Sonya raised an eyebrow and turned to exchange a look with Chunhua, who sat down and cleared her throat. Carla put her hands on her hips and gave Sonya a warning look. Sonya held up her hands and laughed. "Alright, sorry, I’m not judging I swear! Just uh… temper your expectations.”

Carla squinted at her before shrugging and walking away with Colin, talking lightheartedly with him. She turned back to her food as someone entered from the hallway. Chunhua stiffened a little next to her as the newcomer spoke up. "Are you sure about letting everyone hang out?”

Sonya leaned back on her stool and tilted her head back to look at Ishtar who was leaning against the wall behind her, her arms crossed. She grinned at her. "It’s fiiiine,” Sonya said with a laugh. "I trust everyone here and the two of them are above reproach in the Pandora Committee. Don’t worry so much.”

Ishtar nodded. “Fair enough,” she flicked her eyes up and looked at Chunhua, who had turned and gotten to her feet. “Are we even?” she asked flatly.

“I don’t know. Your mayhem let Kant escape,” she said. "Though I will admit that you saved my life with that fruit. I almost didn’t eat it.”

“Actually… the mayhem was all me,” Sonya said with a meek raise of her hand.

Chunhua whirled on her, blinked, and then pinched the bridge of her nose. "Of course that nonsense music was you.”

“Hey! Amos and I worked hard putting that playlist together!” Sonya protested.

Chunhua chuckled and shook her head before turning back to Ishtar. “We’re even, Ishtar. I won’t let you off easy when we meet in person though, especially with my memories sealed.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Ishtar said with a smirk and pushed off the wall. "I’m going to read; enjoy your breakfast,” she said and dipped back into the hallway towards Sonya’s library.

Chunhua sat back down. “Seeing her in person is strange,” she turned to Sonya. Sonya smiled at her and she watched the woman set the thought aside. Chunhua shifted a bit in her seat and grabbed a mug of coffee from the table, she paused and looked Sonya’s way. “Are you ready for your big return to public life tomorrow? You’re not going to make another scene, are you?” Chunhua asked hesitantly.

Sonya gasped, affronted, and put her hand over her heart. "Chunhua! It’s me! Of course I’m going to make a scene!”

Chunhua let out a weary sigh.

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