Walking Disasters and Me-Family – Ch 125

Walking Disasters and Me-Family – Ch 125

My eyes slowly open, blurry vision recovering incrementally as my mind rouses back to full consciousness. I feel the pull of muscles taut on my cheek, a sign of the big grin I still wear after such a loving and peaceful memory shared with Sandra, my brain still suffused in the warm glows of yellow hue. Ios projects herself at the side of my bed, looking down to me with a soft and glad smile.
"Looks like you had some success~. I'm so happy for you, sweetheart. What did you two dream about?" She says dotingly as a hand cups the cheek of my soul avatar.
I give her a sleepy nod to pair with my goofy grin, wrapping us together in a hug as I tell her all about the cherished memory. The food shared at a warm table, filled with love. The joy of spending time together with people that truly care for me beyond any shadow of a doubt. The comfort and closeness that even in my previously addled state was easy to see. After it all though, and despite my best efforts to the contrary, the warm feelings fade, a soft and oceanic blue filling the flailing gradient until it is firmly focused in my core.
Ios picks up on it in an instant, and I bet she would have even if the lightshow didn't begin to linger on those forlorn colors. She tucks my head into her neck, cradling me with both sets of arms as I feel the tears begin to well, both in this space and in reality. "I miss them." My shattered and fragile voice echoes out, "I m-miss them
so
much. I wish I could have been like this, healed and full and not some broken person when we were all still together. And now..."
I pause as a sob racks my body, clinging onto her avatar as hard as I physically can. "Now I can't even remember my mom's face... All that's left is her hair and her eyes in my mind. I-I didn't even get that much with dad, just his build and height. I've..." A shaky pull of breath, "I've lost them,
again
."
Nothing is said as the salty water slips from my eyes, meandering its winding way down my cheeks to the pillows below. The same can be said for the silvery liquid stemming from my soul avatar, although it meets Ios' skin in lieu of bedding. She just rocks me in her arms, humming softly as a few more broken breaths reach and thrust themselves from my chest, the sapphire lighting framing the two of us like conjoined stars in the night sky.
After a couple minutes, the numbness begins to replace the melancholy. The resignation of defeat against a foe I know I can't beat turning the blue's darker and more profound, although Ios never leaves my side. She holds me in her arms, finally breaking the silence with her high-pitched voice taking on the most comforting of tones, "I'm so sorry, Aims. I don't know if it's due to the accident, your transmigration, or simply just... time passing."
She pulls back just enough to raise my head to hers, a pair of hands coming up to brush away the dampness on my cheeks. Her eyes match my sorrow, obviously torn up nearly just as much as I am but for different reasons. "I'm sorry I can't give you anything to help you remember. And I would, in a
millisecond
. What I can do is say this: So long as you hold those wholesome and lovely memories in your mind and heart, even if they fade or distort over time, your parents are
always
going to be with you. The unconditional support, the love, those warm tender feelings of bonded community and so much more.
Those
are the things that will live forever, that will never leave you. And they are the ones who gave you those feelings."
I whimper as the waterworks begin anew, pressing my head back toward her shoulder as she strokes my hair. We lay like that for some time, eventually pulled back to the present by a soft knock on the door. My real body opens its wet and stinging eyes again as I look over toward the wooden frame. My voice comes out hoarse, cracked, and weary as I say, "Come in..."
The wintery fur and hair of Akiko fills the doorframe, her eyes scanning the room in obvious worry before landing on my still slightly bound and prone form on the bed. At which point, her violet orbs widen in surprise as she quickly enters and slides the door shut behind her. Her voice takes on a faux playful tilt as she turns back to me, walking to the edge of the bed as she says, "Ara~. I am glad that
I
was the one to come fetch you for dinner if this is the state of dress you were going to surprise us with~."
It's then that I realize I'm still naked from the shower, but my tired and sad mind didn't quite connect the dots. That and being naked is getting more and more comfortable as time goes on, not that I was ever really opposed to it in my own space. Ios' constant presence may be a factor in that too...
I feel a little pull of blood to my cheeks, but nowhere near the usual affair. Something that Akiko also notices right away as she slides into place next to me on the bed, her snow-white tails laying on top of me gently as she mirrors Ios' actions earlier and dries my cheeks with her fingers. "What is wrong, my love?"
I turn to face her, arms reaching around and bodies shifting until she is holding me to her chest, our legs intertwining together. "I had a dream." I begin in that same tired tone, "I got everything I wanted. Sandra was there, and it was a wonderful memory of a holiday we shared with our family back on Earth called Christmas. Well, the day prior to it which is also a holiday. Two for one deal." I chuckle in a wasted attempt at humor. I feel a little bubble of mirth pop between our bond as Akiko shares in the small moment of levity before the icy feelings return.
"Anyways, everything went great. Sandra got to recover a bit, we got to spend time together with our parents. But... when I woke up it hit me how I'll never truly see them again." My arms cinch around the kitsune as she reciprocates the gesture, "And what's even worse was that in the dream, I couldn't even remember how their faces looked. Just some details here and there, and the sound of their voices. When I really internalized that, it just made me feel like I had lost them all over again..."
"Oh, my love..." She says soothingly, her own voice having a small break to it as she pulls me further into her. Even her tails come to join in, cocooning us until it is hard to make out where she ends and I begin. "I am so
very
sorry. I am here for you, and while the uniqueness of your pain is wholly your own until beloved Sandra returns, know that I too understand the stabbing of the heart that is loss and the passage of time."
A soft press of lips weighs against the top of my head before she continues on, "Take solace that your parents survived the ordeal that led you to us. They have each other to lean on and think back on those same memories fondly, in time. Going by how amazing, selfless, and kind you are, I have no doubt that they are the same and will pull through given the space and opportunity to heal their wounded hearts. And soon you shall have your sister back in your arms, something that I again have no doubts about occurring. Nor do I doubt the result of which to be helping you both heal from that loss of home and hearth."
I sob between her breasts, her pale and chilly skin cooling the burning sting of salty liquid dripping from my eyes. "I love you, my dear, sweet girl. And I will always be here by your side even after Sandra returns, to support both of you and the others with all my strength. Just let it out for now."
Spurred on by her loving words, compassionate warmth in spite of cold skin, and the soft coaxing of her fingers on my scalp, I do just that. Thankfully due to Ios' previous efforts, I manage to avoid
completely
devolving into a wailing and blubbering mess, the initial stab already having sunk its blade into my heart before Akiko's arrival. Still, I cry and just let the emotions flow out of me and through our bond all the same, Akiko never hesitating to add a comforting touch here or pulse of love and acceptance there.
After the torrent of emotions stills back to calm in my psyche, I find myself freed from my bosomy sanctuary. Akiko tilts my head up, a small smile on her face as she leans down and gives a quick, caring kiss to my lips. I can't lie and say that that doesn't help raise my spirits some, and the soft brush of her tails against my face to banish the lingering wetness adds on to that recovery.
"Do you wish to see the girls and share dinner with us? I am sure they would understand if not, once I explain the situation to them." She asks gently as she straightens out my hair.
I ponder for a second, closing my eyes under her soothing touches before responding, "I think it would be a good thing to see them, to socialize a bit. Get some normalcy back under my belt after all this. I may not be as talkative though, if that's okay."
She shakes her head a couple times before answering back, "Of course, my love. I will go ahead of you to inform the others. Just be yourself, and everything that entails."
I give a fragile smile back to her as I nod, her form shifting to pick both of us up slowly before depositing my feet back to the ground. "In that case, you should get dressed and then make your way to us, when you are ready. I love you, Amelia. And thank you for sharing such a deep moment with me, sorrowful though it was."
We share another meeting of lips and warm embraces before she makes her way to the door, sliding it closed behind her as her footsteps trail down the hall back toward the kitchen. I sigh as I rummage around for underwear and clothes, opting to put on the basic kimono for now since futzing with the pants and blouse seem a bit too much right now.
Ios' drone hovers up from the comms box, waiting at my side before I reach out and cradle it to my chest, carrying the both of us toward the same destination as my lovely fox mate. One of the double doors opens under my efforts, voices echoing from the courtyard clearing signaling that everyone is already seated at the table. I smile as I hear a few raucous exchanges back and forth from the usual culprits~.
"You are just upset that I get to spend more time with the little pup than you~. I would be happy to shift the schedule if the Mistress and Amelia agree, but you would
owe
me~." I hear the stoic voice of Samantha say out.
A scoff followed by the southern drawl of Gerra replies, "Ugh! You're such a
bratty troublemaker
Sammy! Of course the little bird needs to have combat as her main focus, but you
know
it's not fair! Jun Li and I barely get to see the adorable woman! All I'm saying is that we can switch up sometimes, have one of us guide her combat for a day and you take the vacant spot to show her blacksmithing! Or are you trying to horde your secrets like you accused
me
of,
huh?"
Ahh... the sounds of women fighting over me~. Truly, a balm for a weary soul~. I hear Ios giggle in the soul space as the drone takes flight, all the voices stilling for a second as I pass the threshold into the clearing right behind it. Sam and Gerra are practically kissing, their faces only divided by the thinnest of margins as they both have their hands locked in a pseudo wrestling stance while Jun Li sits on the other side of the table, Akiko as always at the head. Both the kitsune's give me a knowing wave and smile that I return before raising my eyebrows at the two other women.
"While I'm all for being such a
desirable
object of affection, do you guys really have to fight like that? You know I'd be fine switching up so long as Akiko and Ios think its a good idea. Besides, I
do
have to learn blacksmithing at some point." I say before cocking my hip to the side and placing a hand there, "Also, don't you guys have super hearing? How in the
world
did you not notice me coming?"
The stunned and quickly reddening faces of the two in question quickly back apart and cough in synchronicity as they turn away from each other, Akiko giggling a little before shedding some light on the situation in their defense. "They can become
quite
absorbed in their little mating rituals~. I have no issue with changing teachers, but I would wish to see your progress first. Samantha is the premier combat instructor here when it comes to training the generalist and foundational aspects. If she thinks you are ready to begin specialized training, then we can adjust as needed. Unless spirit Ios has objections?"
The drone hovers over to the empty seat opposite Akiko, projecting Ios in a casual set of clothes as she shakes her head. "I have nothing against it, Aims is ready. But I understand the need to check all the bases and make sure she has good footing. I want her to pick up the remaining techniques from her soul and void paths before we do so, and she needs to take the third tribulation as soon as possible, per the Empress."
Fuck
. I forgot about that. Akiko gives me a questioning look to which I just scratch the back of my head awkwardly. She sighs as she returns her gaze to Ios, "I am assuming this revelation occurred when Amelia fought said deity? Did she give a reason?"
Ios gives a shrug before answering, "It did, but don't be hard on Aims for it. A lot has been going on lately, as I'm
sure
you're aware, and a day or two of accidentally not sharing the information wasn't going to change anything. The Empress warned that the longer Amelia waits to take the tribulation, the more likely it is Heaven is going to go all out on her. Which, as per the title she has, means she would face a tribulation for Immortality."
Everyone instantly gains a look of worry and flicks their eyes toward me midway to sitting down on the bench next to Jun Li. "Uh... Surprise?" I awkwardly respond to their inquisitive and pensive faces.
"So," Ios says saving me from the growing spectacle, "I think we should do the tribulation as soon as she learns those other techniques, if there are any. I would be surprised if there arn't, but I guess it's a possibility. In the spirit of that, and though I hate to do this to you Jun Li," Ios says as she sends a regretful frown towards the black-haired fox, "I think Aims should just focus on getting those techniques down and breaking through to the 3rd Rank before we try and split her off for alchemy or etiquette. Even further combat training. If a deity or higher leveled soul issues a warning, its best if we heed it."
"What?!" I say out as I stretch my arms toward the crestfallen kitsune, smushing into her body as I glare to Ios. "C'mon Ios, that's so not fair! Look at how sad she is!" I turn back to Jun Li who has the biggest, most adorable pout on her lips, ears and tails hanging low as she holds her head down. My heart!!
I wrap her even tighter in a hug as Ios takes a moment, a simulated exhale of breath coming from her lips before she tries to placate the situation, "Look, I'm not happy about it either! I want you two to spend more time together, the same as I do for the rest of everyone here! But we
need
to get moving on this ASAP, Aims. We've already lost a day, but I could overlook that since you needed to test out your new techniques and get familiar with them, not to mention you needed your mental state to recover. It'll only be a temporary thing, I don't think you should take the 4th Ranked tribulation until we know for sure you could reasonably fight the hardest thing Heaven can create."
I cringe a bit at the mental state comment, partially because she's right but also because it reminds me of what happened after I woke up. I turn into the embrace with Jun Li, my voice coming out in a defeated tone as I say, "...Okay. If you guys think that's for the best... I'm sorry Miss J. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Jun Li finally comes out of her funk, pulling me into her lap as she lays a flurry of kisses on my face, banishing the newly forming sadness with each ticklish press of lips. "No, Miss Amelia, I am sorry. I did not mean to add to your woes. I was just so looking forward to spending time with you like we had when you first arrived, to share my knowledge of my craft with you. But, as spirit Ios said, we have
more
than enough time for all of that. The important thing is making sure
you
progress and return your sister to this world. All other matters are secondary to my eyes."
"Hear, hear!" Sam's voice calls out, my head turning to see her gentle smile as she gives me a nod. Gerra follows suit after bringing her cup up to salute me, followed by Akiko and Samantha. Ios even joins in, raising a holographic stone receptacle in spirit as she levies a grin toward me.
I look back up toward Jun Li, a small lingering bit of doubt forcing me to ask, "Are you sure? I'd like to think that I have
some
agency in all of this, and if you want to spend the weekend together, I'm sure I could wrestle down Akiko and Ios until they say yes. Or get tired of watching me squirm."
Akiko barks out a laugh, her eyes shining in teasing mirth as she says, "Oh, my love, I would
never
tire of such a thing~."
Ios chooses not to reply verbally, but she does send me a knowing wink as she makes the motion of the princess carry again, my eyes widening in a small bit of horny fear. Jun Li just gives an amused couple of chuckles before tilting my face back to regard hers. "I am sure, you
precious
girl~. Perhaps we can rearrange the martial schedule like Gerra posited after your tribulation and we can share some moments then. But spirit Ios is correct, and I shall
never
stop you from achieving success."
I lean up to give her a kiss, a pleased sigh coming from both of our throats as the others look on with smiles of their own before I pull back and sigh, "Okay... I was looking forward to it
too
, by the way. But if everyone thinks that's the best course of action, then I guess I'll do that first." My stomach growls at the end of the sentence, angry that I haven't imbibed in the wonderfully smelling food sitting in front of me this whole time as my cheeks flare with embarrassment.
Akiko giggles as she breaks the tension and says out coyly, "It is settled then, Amelia will focus on learning her remaining techniques and then take the tribulation directly afterwards. Let us feed said woman's awakening beast before she becomes 'hangry' as spirit Ios describes it~."
I groan into the mix of laughter and chortles, sending Ios another glare to which she merely winks in reply. The sound of conversation picks up once more, mixing with the clink of utensil to dishware and food, a reminiscent sound that brings a smile to my face. Even though so much is different from that dream, I can't help but to believe that the people around me are still family.

.
!
Family – Ch 125